We hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are ready to leap into an exciting New Year! As we enter into a new year, we want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you for being part of The Startup Leap community.

It’s hard to believe we launched just five months ago. What started as an idea has grown into something truly special—and it’s all thanks to you. Your feedback, comments, and support have driven everything we’ve accomplished.

🚀 Some Highlights from 2024:

• Featured in The Independent, and EUVC and Diversity VC newsletters.

• Published 20 episodes filled with actionable insights and bold ideas.

• Reached 150,000 views across all social media channels, sparking meaningful conversations worldwide.

We couldn’t have done any of this without you, and we’re so grateful to have you as part of this journey.

Here’s to another year of learning, growing, and leaping forward. 🚀

Key takeaways from some of our incredible guests:

• Your story is your superpower:
  
  Sabrina Del Prete (KORE Labs) shattered the typical founder mould.
  
  A mature operator with decades of experience, she built a thriving fintech without VC funding, proving that founders don’t have to fit the stereotype to succeed.
  
  Her advice? “Know your path and own it.”
  
  

• Timing is everything:
  
  Sameh Saleh (MNZL) reminded us that timing is everything, sharing how dreams have a window of opportunity.
  
  “Yes, you can do anything at any time, but certain moments are optimised for success,” he said.
  
  Sait Cham (Hutch and Pimento) echoed this with his deliberate approach to building—taking gradual, calculated steps to ensure each leap was sustainable and meaningful.
  
  

• Wellness is a founder’s edge:
  
  Julia Collins’ (Planet FWD) insight was simple yet powerful: “If you’re not okay, your business isn’t okay.”
  
  Drawing on her vast experience—from FMCG to tech—she highlighted how prioritising wellness and hiring deliberately creates a stronger foundation for your business.
  
  

• Truth over trends:
  
  Richard Robinson (Robin AI) reminded us that success often lies in seeking truth over following trends.
  
  He didn’t let competition distract him, saying, “If there’s competition, my customers will tell me.”
  
  It was a powerful lesson in staying customer-obsessed and trusting your instincts, even when others insist you conform to conventional wisdom.

TL;DR:

• Own your story: Build with confidence in your unique path, like Sabrina.

• Seize the moment: Timing is crucial—know when to pivot and when to leap.

• Wellness drives success: A healthy founder means a healthy business.

• Focus on truth, not trends: Let customer needs, not competition, guide your decisions.

Want to hear more? Dive into the full conversation on Youtube, Spotify or Apple!

🎥 Get a Glimpse of the Action Below…

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🚀 What resonated most with you? Share your biggest takeaways from this episode with us on YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter or TikTok.

Let’s keep the conversation going!

What’s Next in 2025? 🚀

The best is yet to come. Here’s what to expect:

• More bold conversations: Incredible founders and investors sharing their stories.

• Hand-picked resources: Guides, tools, and actionable insights to help you take the leap.

• Our first in-person event: The TSL community is going offline! We can’t wait to meet you and connect IRL— Keep your eyes peeled for more details!

What do YOU want to see from us next year? Hit reply and let us know—whether it’s questions for our guests, founders you’d love us to interview, or ideas for events. We’d love to hear from you! 📧 

✨ Thank you for all of your support!

You can find out more about TSL on our website and make sure to follow us on our YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok channels so you never miss an update 🤝

You can also catch our other episodes on Spotify and Apple🎧

Want to sponsor this newsletter, have any burning questions for experienced founders or suggestions? 📰 → drop us an email! 

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TSL Team 💜