Online event
Real founder journeys to growth
Thursday 26 March at 3:00PM
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Explore real founder journeys and the strategies behind their finance and growth.
What you’ll learn
- Learn how to raise external finance
- Be inspired to think differently about growth pathways
- Get help with developing an actionable plan for domestic and international growth
Description
Join Foundervine for an inspiring session and discover three critical pathways to success:
- Raising external finance
- Bootstrapping and building sustainable growth
- Entering and scaling into international markets
Hear from two accomplished members of the Foundervine community who have built credible, resilient businesses. They’ll share candid insights into what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons they wish they had known earlier.
This interactive panel discussion, moderated by a senior Foundervine team member, will include a live Q&A - giving you practical advice and actionable takeaways.
Foundervine works with growth-driven founders to build robust, investment-ready businesses. We provide access to the knowledge, finance, and community founders need to scale - alongside the infrastructure, frameworks, and networks that support sustainable growth and expansion into new markets
Speakers
Ash Phillips
Founder, Rebellious Co
Ash Phillips is the founder of Rebellious Co, an organisation that builds brands & initiatives to challenge the status quo, specialising in connecting & developing future leaders and democratising entrepreneurship. The company's Rebel Meetups now span the globe, connecting rebellious minds in multiple countries, while Dffrnt provides an ecosystem focused on soft-skills development. Ash has worked with over 1,000 founders over a decade, been noted for his work as an award-winning advisor and angel invested in multiple companies including Ecologi.
Tommie Edwards
Co-Founder & CEO, Tech1M
Tommie Edwards is the co‑founder and CEO of Tech1M, an AI-powered recruitment engine that automates sourcing, vetting, interviewing and onboarding through specialized agentic AI. A recognised leader in tech and inclusive hiring, she focuses on using AI to boost efficiency, improve candidate experience and reduce bias.
She was named Business Woman of the Year 2024 at the Future Awards and one of Founders Forum’s 100 Women Tech Founders to Watch in 2025. Tommie also serves as UK President for G20 Young Entrepreneurs and Chair of the UK Entrepreneurs Alliance, where she has driven £25m in trade. Under her leadership, Tech1M joined Google’s AI First programme and became a finalist at the National AI Awards and British Business Awards.
Featured in Forbes, BusinessDay, the FT and The Guardian, Tommie is a sought‑after speaker, having addressed the UN in Geneva, London Tech Week, FII8 in Saudi Arabia and the G20 Entrepreneurs Summit.
Faraan Irfan
Founder & CEO, Saarey Music
Saarey is building a digital ecosystem for the £9bn South Asian classical music market, starting with Saarey Music, an audio streaming service offering exclusive, culturally tailored content. Founder & CEO Faraan brings 18 years’ experience and a family legacy of 64 years in the genre, alongside a Global MBA. Co‑founders Deven (serial entrepreneur, LBS Sloan) and Nick (LBS MBA, former Spotify subscription manager) round out the team. Saarey holds exclusive global rights to 85–90% of Pakistani classical recordings and has grown 70x in a year to over 500,000 monthly users. It is backed by angels, Innovate UK, and VCs including Goodwater Capital.