THE OBU PODCAST
The world of investment is changing, and on The Obu Podcast, we’re inviting you to learn how. Join us for real conversations with entrepreneurs who’ve taken investment – and angel investors who are putting their capital, wisdom and networks to work to grow diverse-founded businesses right here in the UK. We’ll hear their stories, explore their experiences and find out how, together, they’re changing the world for the better.
Our latest episode
This week’s a big one for everyone at Obu. Our groundbreaking, women-focused investment platform is here, it’s live, and it’s set to change the face of investment, for good.
So, to celebrate this massive Obu milestone, our co-founders Sarah and Claire are looking back at the twists and turns that got them here, laying out the problems they can’t wait to solve, and sharing what they’re most proud of at this huge, pinch-me moment…
Designing with a new audience in mind, with Claire and Sarah
Claire and Sarah count down to our investment platform – and angel collective! – going live.
They’re talking about the shocking stats that get us out of bed every morning, the way we’re designing with women in mind, and what exactly you can expect from our platform and collective when launch day arrives…
Changing the face of financial services, with Claire and Sarah
In the third episode in our co-founder mini series we celebrate and champion other women-led businesses that are trailblazing in the financial sector, all with the collective mission to close the gender financial gap.
These businesses, like Obu, serve to empower and educate women with tools that inform their financial decisions. Each of them has the aim to positively impact women's financial futures, for good.
Closing the knowledge gap, with Claire and Sarah
This episode is the second in our co-founder mini series, recorded right here at Obu HQ as we count down to our game-changing investment platform going live.
Sarah and Claire take you behind the scenes to talk about three words you’ll see a lot in the investment world – subject to eligibility. They’re discussing what those words mean and the bigger picture they represent.
Building real change right now, with Claire and Sarah
The countdown is on at Obu HQ. With just a few weeks to go before our investment platform goes live, co-founders Claire and Sarah take you behind the scenes, as they get ready to disrupt the investment sector for good.
They talk about why they’ve designed the platform with women in mind, how they’re driving diversity, and what it feels like to be this close to launch.They also introduce The Obu Angel Collective – a community for anyone who’s curious about investing and wants the know-how, inspiration and support to get started… *subject to eligibility
Navigating Transitions with Roland Harwood
Sarah is joined by Roland Harwood, an entrepreneur, compulsive connector, podcast host and author of On The Edge – a hugely inspiring book which explores navigating transitions and how we can thrive in our increasingly connected world. Roland delves into the thinking behind the book and shares with us how the future is built by the actions we take today.
Building an inclusive ecosystem, with Lorna Treanor
In this episode, Sarah and Claire are joined by Dr Lorna Treanor, Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Nottingham University Business School and co-author of the newly launched Charter for Inclusive Entrepreneurship. Lorna talks about how and why the charter was created, what an inclusive ecosystem really means – and what businesses can do to become more inclusive, empowering organisations.
Busting investment jargon with Claire and Sarah
Sarah and Claire take a no-nonsense look at investment jargon, crunching through some of the most commonly used terms with clear, straight-talking explanations. So, if you’ve ever wondered what an angel investor really is, or what on earth your ticket size might be, they’ve got you. Grab a cuppa, get beyond the mystery and count yourself in…
Bringing new perspectives to investing, with Ramat Tejani
Claire and Sarah get together with founder, investor, trustee, board member, tech diversity champion and chief encouragement officer Ramat Tejani, for a lively episode full of shared experiences, honest insights and wearing different hats. Ramat opens up about what it means to her to be an investor, what diverse founders and funders bring to the table, and why it’s so important to keep on being curious.
Exploring the impact of SEIS changes on real women founders
In this episode, Sarah and Claire talk purpose, investment and the impact of the SEIS changes with two brilliant, early-stage women entrepreneurs: Lara Senbanjo of The Cornrow and Lesley So of So Good Kombucha. From celebrating Black culture to empowering marginalised people, Lara and Lesley share their big ambitions – getting honest about their challenges, the things they wish they’d known and the powerful difference the right angel investors are going to make.
SEIS Updates Go Live! What’s Changed with Claire and Sarah
The SEIS changes we campaigned for go live. They’re going to help thousands of women entrepreneurs and angels build and back businesses they love – and we couldn’t be prouder. Claire and Sarah dive into what’s changing and what that could mean for you. They break down how SEIS works, share the journey they’ve been on to make this change happen and explain why shouting about the changes is so important.
Breaking Boardroom Rules, with Natalie Gasson-McKinley
In this episode, Sarah and Claire are joined by Natalie Gasson-McKinley MBE MBA, newly appointed chair of the Obu board. Natalie’s a genuine trailblazer, passionate about using her voice to champion more equitable, inclusive spaces, and we’re immensely proud she’s joined our team. She talks about why disruptive businesses need disruptive boards, why breaking the rules is brilliant for business, and why aligning head and heart can drive purposeful, positive change.
Pitching, power and poor behaviour, with Claire and Sarah
Claire and Sarah share the frustrating, often shocking practices that women encounter day in, day out in the world of investment and entrepreneurship. They’ve wrapped them up into their three Ps – pitching, power and poor behaviour – and they’re calling them out on behalf of all the women who feel they can’t. Because change doesn’t take time, it takes courage.
Talking about women and wealth, with Sophia Lerche-Thomsen
In this episode, Sarah and Claire are joined by award-winning wealth manager, financial adviser and investor, Sophia Lerche-Thomsen. Sophia talks about women’s relationship with wealth, why she’s on a mission to close the gender wealth gap, and why more of us need to talk about money. She also shares simple, doable advice on how to organise your finances, how to start investing and how solid financial plans can help you feel ready for anything.
Rose Review 2023 Special
It’s a Rose Review special! Since its launch back in 2019, the Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship, led by NatWest CEO Alison Rose, has been one of Obu’s biggest anchors and inspirations. Every annual update continues to fuel and focus our fight – and this year we’re absolutely bowled over to be part of it. To celebrate, we’re sharing a special episode diving into its data and insights – and what they reveal about investment and entrepreneurship in the UK today.
Achieving Financial Wellness with Laura Pomfret
Today we talk with Laura Pomfret, co-founder of Financielle, the female-focused financial wellness app that’s helped women increase their wealth by over £1 million. Laura talks about how to take control of your finances step by step, why we need to tell it straight when it comes to women’s wealth, and the importance of finding investors that give you much more than money.
Fighting investment injustice with Erika Brodnock
In this episode, Sarah and Claire are joined by the incredible, inspiring Erika Brodnock, co-founder of Extend Ventures and Kin Hub. Erika talks about exposing the sheer scale of inequality in the investment world, why we need action – not more evidence, how she’s creating more inclusive workplaces and why capital, contracts and connection are the key to a fairer future.
Rebranding and revolutionising with Sarah & Claire
In this episode, Sarah and Claire are joined by the incredible, inspiring Erika Brodnock, co-founder of Extend Ventures and Kin Hub. Erika talks about exposing the sheer scale of inequality in the investment world, why we need action – not more evidence, how she’s creating more inclusive workplaces and why capital, contracts and connection are the key to a fairer future.
Coming back stronger with Sarah & Claire
Sarah and Claire are back, with a new name, a new brand and the same rock-solid determination to bring equality to the world of entrepreneurship and investment. This week, they open up about the toughest moments they’ve been through - and the exciting times ahead. The talk about how to find your founding principles, why failure’s a part of the journey and how to come back stronger.