Iris’ Ian Millner Unveils Latest Episodes of Entrepreneurs in the Wild Podcast Series

The latest episodes of the podcast series Entrepreneurs in the Wild, hosted by Iris co-founder Ian Millner, are now live. Building on the success of the series so far, episodes five and six continue to inspire and inform the next generation of entrepreneurs. As a new resource for the industry, the podcast features thought-provoking conversations with Professor Michael G. Jacobides, a leading expert in strategy and innovation, and Daina Spedding, an investor at growth capital firm BGF who is passionate about diversity and inclusion in the business world.

Episode #5: “Eruption or Disruption? Opening Pandora’s Box”

In this episode, Ian Millner welcomes Professor Michael G. Jacobides from the London Business School. As an expert in strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship, Michael shares his fascinating journey from economics to his current role. The discussion delves into the shared traits between entrepreneurs and academics, highlighting the similarities in their paths and methodologies.

This episode places a major focus on the entrepreneurial spirit, driven by factors beyond mere profit such as innovation, purpose, impact, curiosity, autonomy and challenge. Michael explains, “Innovation isn’t just about creating something new; it’s about improving and adapting what already exists to stay ahead in the market.” He examines different innovation types, specifically focusing on Mark I, Mark II, and Mark III, and the symbiotic relationships between large Fortune 500 firms and entrepreneurial ventures. “Understanding the different types of innovation helps businesses navigate the complex landscape of change and growth,” Michael notes.

The conversation then turns to AI’s impact on business and Michael cautions, “AI has the potential to create significant disparities between companies, which is why it’s crucial to manage the risks associated with training AI to mimic human behaviour.”

Episode #6: “Challenging the Investor Status Quo”

In this episode, Daina Spedding, an investor at BGF, the most active growth capital investor in the UK and Ireland, joins Millner to discuss how ambitious businesses secure funding. Passionate about diversity and inclusion, Daina emphasises the importance of ‘gut-feel’ alongside her four measures of business success including scalability, sustainability, market opportunity and team capability. 

Daina shares her insights into what makes a successful entrepreneur, highlighting the resilience and adaptability required to thrive under pressure, and she points out that “entrepreneurs often perform best when everything is on the line.” Ian and Daina explore the significance of purpose and maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit as a business scales. They both believe that purpose, openness to risk and stepping outside of one’s comfort zone is essential for personal and professional growth.

When it comes to female representation in the investment arena, Daina provides a candid look at the current state of the industry. She underscores the importance of investing in female founders and creating a more inclusive and equitable business environment. Daina also shares her thoughts on how diversity and inclusion drive sustainable growth and innovation, and  explains that “diverse teams bring a wide range of perspectives, which can lead to more creative solutions and better decision-making.”

The episode concludes with a reminder of the importance of perseverance. Daina stresses that surrounding yourself with a supportive network can make all the difference between success and failure. 

Powered by Iris, the global creative agency, the podcast series debuted last month and features conversations between Millner and a diverse line up of guests, from heavy hitters in advertising to renowned university professors, each offering their insights on entrepreneurial ‘superpowers’ and their unique perspectives on creativity and business.

Podcast episodes are released weekly across all major platforms including Spotify, You Tube, Apple and others, available now here.