Happy 2025! Scouting for Growth Hits 1M+ Downloads—And We’re Just Getting Started.
Sabine VanderLinden
Activate Innovation Ecosystems | Tech Ambassador | Founder of Alchemy Crew Ventures + Scouting for Growth Podcast | Chair, Board Member, Advisor | Honorary Senior Visiting Fellow-Bayes Business School (formerly CASS)
?Hello 2025!
Pop the virtual champagne—"Scouting for Growth" officially soared past one million downloads last month. Now clocking in at a cool 1,136,470 (give or take a few more by the time you finish this sentence), we’re not just celebrating a new year—we’re celebrating a new milestone.
That’s about 60K streams a month, making us an Apple Podcast and Spotify top performer in the business and entrepreneur niche and comfortably in the Top 10 across all major platforms.?Scouting for Growth is downloaded in 150 countries from the US to St Vincent &. Grenadines.
Thank you for hitting play, recommending, writing reviews, sharing, liking and pushing every other button that’s propelled us to this high-flying spot!
The Top Episodes on the Scouting for Growth Podcast
When I started Scouting for Growth, I had a very specific strategy in mind.
There were hundreds of thousands of FinTech ventures out there, including FinTechs, InsurTechs, HealthTechs, and WealthTechs. As you all know, I absolutely LOVE tech adjacencies and how they impact our finance and insurance world.
One statistic remains the same: 25% of these ventures received investment and support from the financing and corporate worlds. 75% of these businesses still sought financing support from institutional and corporate investors alongside value-creating commercial collaboration opportunities with Global Fortune 500.
Today we monitor over 4 million growth ventures and $12 trillion of venture financing. I will say that things have not changed 30% of these companies receive investor funding across the board.
Through this podcast series, I wanted to demystify the world of corporate venturing, including how corporations collaborate with growth ventures, how venture capitalists and corporate venture capitalists make investment and collaboration choices in ventures and give tech founders and entrepreneurs the strategies, tactics, tools, and techniques to build, grow and scale their business by understanding how those with financing power think.
So, yes... I wanted to democratize the tips, hacks and techniques from those who made it out there. I indeed find the popular choices regarding what was downloaded very insightful. Make sure to check those episodes and more on your favorite podcast channel.
The top episodes this year include:
Guillaume Bonnissent , CEO of Quotech : Achieving Digital Underwriting Excellence (14,659 downloads)
James Marshall , MD of Spinning Fox : Spinning Fox, the Product-Led Design Agency (14,515)
Sara Simeone , CEO & co-founder of Niftyz.io : 101 on NFTs With Niftyz (13,403)
Dennis Kelly , CEO of Postalytics : Digitizing Direct Mail With Postalytics (12,891)
Axel Thibon , CEO of Wizest : Wizest… Investing Made Easy (12,448)
Tristan Pelloux , founder of StrategWhy & Fintech Review : 1-0-1 on Scaling FinTechs (12,059)
Michael Doyle , CEO of Brand Iron : Raising $5Bn of Capital for Growth Ventures (11,999)
?? Aaron Jones , CEO of Yepic AI : Why Considering Generative AI With Yepic! (11,822)
Tim Lovett of IRYS Insurtech & Jeff Shi of Insurtechs.io : Solving for Small Commercials (11,739)
Pablo Duarte at NPS Prism & Hilario (Hil) Itriago at BOXX Insurance Inc. : InsurTech LATAM (11,721)
(Yes, you’re all on your way to “Scouting for Growth” superstardom. As people look for you they will likely find you on page one of the Google search engine. So, please don’t forget us when you accept your Innovation Oscars! ??)
The Big 2025 Themes & Our Fresh Articles to Plan Your Upcoming Year
We know you’re busy—leading teams, juggling growth strategies, and occasionally stealing time for that second latte of the day. But if you’re looking to stay on the bleeding edge of tech, finance, and insurance trends, grab your favorite reading device and dive into these brand-new pieces from my Medium blog:
Top 2025 Technology Trends You Need To Know
As we step into 2025, the insurance and finance industries are more poised than ever for a tech-driven revolution. From AI-powered customer service chatbots offering personalized policy recommendations to advanced predictive analytics ensuring swift and accurate risk assessments, companies are harnessing cutting-edge solutions to meet evolving customer demands. Meanwhile, blockchain technology is paving the way for more transparent, tamper-proof transactions, and the rise of robo-advisors is helping people navigate complex financial decisions with greater confidence and ease.
?What does this mean for you?
Expect streamlined digital experiences, faster claims processing, and more tailored financial advice—all backed by enhanced cybersecurity and data protection measures. These advancements aren’t just “nice-to-haves”; they’re already reshaping the way you interact with banks, insurers, and investment platforms. By staying prepared and embracing these trends, you’ll be well-positioned to thrive in a rapidly changing financial landscape. Here’s to a future where technology empowers us to make smarter, safer, and more personalized financial choices!
?InsurTech Insights Webinar Series: Navigating the Future of Underwriting Underwriting
If you think underwriting is all about crunching numbers in dusty back-office cubicles, think again. In this exciting installment of the InsurTech Insights Webinar Series, I led a discussion which explored how data, AI, and automation are shaking up one of the most traditional corners of the insurance world.
领英推荐
Underwriters are becoming tech-savvy risk strategists, using predictive analytics to make faster, more accurate decisions—a shift that spells more efficient policies and better coverage for consumers. The webinar dives into emerging best practices, from harnessing vast new data sets to deploying intelligent underwriting platforms that learn as they go.
You’ll hear from industry pros who are adapting old-school methods to a future where algorithms and human expertise work hand in hand. Whether you’re a seasoned insurance professional or just tech-curious, this article provides valuable insights into the path forward—one where tech-driven underwriting isn’t just a possibility but the new industry standard.
How Will Agentic AI Transform Industries
Imagine AI that doesn’t just follow instructions but actively learns, adapts, and makes decisions on the fly. That’s the power of agentic AI—think of it as an AI partner rather than just a tool.
In this article, you’ll see how various industries, from finance to healthcare, are harnessing this technology for everything from real-time risk analysis to automated patient care. My personal view: Agentic AI (if used ethically) isn’t about replacing humans, it’s about boosting our capabilities, freeing up our time so we can focus on what we do best: building relationships, innovating solutions, and pushing boundaries.
You’ll also encounter real-world examples—from factories using AI-driven robotics to streamline production, all the way to marketing firms creating hyper-personalized campaigns in seconds. Plus, there’s a big emphasis on ethical and responsible AI use, ensuring that as this technology grows more sophisticated, it remains trustworthy and beneficial.
Soooo.... Get ready to explore a new frontier in artificial intelligence that’s setting the stage for smarter, faster, and more intuitive systems—all designed to make our personal and professional lives run a whole lot smoother.
Algorithmic Denial: Unveiling the Dark Side of AI in Business
We’ve all heard about how AI makes businesses more efficient, but what about when algorithms get it wrong—or worse, when they perpetuate hidden biases? “Algorithmic Denial” takes a hard look at the darker side of this powerful technology.
This article exposes how seemingly harmless data-driven tools can reinforce discrimination, impact credit decisions, or even steer hiring practices in ways that favor some groups over others.The message isn’t to abandon AI altogether—far from it. Instead, it’s a wake-up call for companies and consumers alike. We need both transparency and accountability, ensuring that the algorithms behind big decisions are designed with ethics, fairness, and real-world impact in mind.
By understanding AI’s blind spots, we can work toward solutions that elevate businesses, protect individuals, and help technology serve us all more equitably. Enjoy the read!
Bridging the Insurability Gap: Confronting Climate Risk While Maintaining a Resilient Insurance Market
Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s fast becoming an insurance challenge that impacts everyone, from homeowners facing extreme weather damage to businesses worrying about supply chain disruptions.
In this article, you’ll discover how insurers are adapting to these new risks, trying to strike a balance between affordability for policyholders and viability for the industry. We’ll dive into innovative strategies—like parametric insurance, data-driven risk models, and public-private partnerships—that aim to keep coverage accessible while preparing for a world where extreme climate events are increasingly common.
Why does this matter to you?
Because the insurability gap is widening, and it can affect your financial security today and in the years ahead. By understanding how insurers are tackling climate risks head-on, you’ll gain insights into protecting your assets, staying informed, and advocating for a more resilient future.
The Venture Client Model: Revolutionizing Corporate Innovation in Times of Tech-Led Transformation
Get ready to rethink the traditional corporate innovation playbook!
In “The Venture Client Model,” we explore how big companies can turbocharge transformation by becoming the first paying customers of high-potential startups. Instead of confining innovation to internal R&D labs or standard partnerships, these “venture clients” engage with emerging tech solutions in real-world settings—from pilot projects right up to full-scale deployment.
This model brings immediate value to both sides: corporations get fast-track access to cutting-edge ideas without the usual hassle of long-term investments, while startups benefit from a major client that boosts revenue and credibility.
In an era of rapid digital disruption, it’s a win-win approach that lets even the most established players stay agile. If you’re curious about how industry giants can collaborate with fledgling innovators to spark growth, streamline processes, and adapt to an ever-shifting market, this article is your essential blueprint.
Actionable Insights for Tech Leaders
What is Next?
We’re just warming up. 2025 is shaping up to be the year when agentic AI, climate-aware underwriting, and next-gen finance solutions collide—hopefully in the best way possible. If you’re a corporate exec, founder, or simply a connoisseur of all things cutting-edge, stay tuned to “Scouting for Growth” for the guiding insights you need to stay agile, relevant, and maybe even a little ahead of the curve.
As always, hit that ’Reply’ button to tell us your biggest aha-moments, your wildest tech predictions, or just to say hi. Until then, stay curious, stay bold, and keep scouting for growth!
?And let’s make Scouting for Growth hit its next million downloads.
P.S. If you haven’t listened to our top episodes yet, consider queuing them up on your next commute—or your next coffee break. This year, we will continue to dive into top collaborations, investment conundrums and tech and methods that disrupt the startup-corporate paradigm.
We won’t judge!
After all, 60K other listeners every month are doing precisely the same thing.
And as always... stay curious and keep innovating!
--Want to know more... make sure to register on our website alchemycrew.ventures for our bi-weekly newsletter on corporate venturing, the venturing client model and corporate-startup collaboration.
You can also dive into more insights:
I help organisations to modernise, innovate ?? & improve ?? ?? ?? ?? their Finance, HR, ESG, Customer Experience & supply chain functions.
1 周Wow! That's very impressive indeed...what's your secret?
Business Operations & Operational Sales Director| Chair Women's Network | UN Women CSW68 Delegate | Leading Delivery Excellence
3 周Incredible ??
Congrats! ??????
Co-Founder @ Yepic AI | Edge-Based Emotionally Intelligent Personal Assistants
1 个月A great show