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Beyond StArtups

Beyond StArtups

by Entrepreneurship Centre

Entrepreneurship

Season 1

Episode 43 - Joao Leitao, EIT IMPACT WHEEL Project

In this episode of Beyond StArtups, we’re joined by João Leitão, Vice-Rector of the University of Beira Interior and Associate Professor of Economics, to discuss how the IMPACTWHEEL project is helping universities across Europe move beyond traditional academic models to create measurable societal and entrepreneurial impact. IMPACTWHEEL is a €1.34M project running from 2025–2027, bringing together 10 institutions across Portugal, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, Spain, North Macedonia, Italy, and Latvia. The initiative has already delivered training and mentoring for around 800 students and staff, created new partnerships and support structures, and supported 13 startups. Together, we explore how IMPACTWHEEL is strengthening innovation ecosystems by connecting students, researchers, startups, and university leadership through a more impact-driven approach to higher education, entrepreneurship, collaboration, and knowledge transfer. 🌍 IMPACTWHEEL Website 📩 IMPACT WHEEL Newsletter Sign-Up 💼 IMPACTWHEEL LinkedIn 📸 Instagram: @impactwheel_eu 👤 João Leitão on LinkedIn

Episode 42: EdenTay Roundtable Special - Complex Ideas Made Simple for Business

This week on Beyond StArtups, we have our second ever Special EdenTay Roundtable episode. If you don’t yet know, the EdenTay Founders Community is a collaboration between University of Dundee's Centre for Entrepreneurship, Abertay's Bell Street Ventures, and St Andrews’ Entrepreneurship Centre. This week we are joined by James McCorkindale, a fourth-year Computing Science student at the University of St Andrews. He is the Technical Co-founder of Harlyy, an AI-enabled Guest Feedback and Recovery Software for large multi-unit chains (including big names such as Domino's, Tim Hortons and Dunkin' to name a few). Justyna Skop-Wach is the Founder and Director of CogniMusica CIC, an initiative aimed at supporting the educational and cognitive growth of children through the power of music and instrumental instruction. She is also a PhD researcher in Cognitive Neuropsychology at the University of Dundee. Dr. Muhammad Ahmed Saeed is the Principal Investigator of Bottleneck Explorer, an innovation project developing a decision support tool that helps organisations identify operational bottlenecks and explore system scenarios. He is also a Research Assistant at Abertay University, working on the AHRC-funded Design HOPES Flow project, that aims to visualise NHS patient journeys.

Episode 41: Charles Aitken, Rum Cay Rum

In today’s episode of Beyond StArtups, we are joined by Charlie Aitken, Director at Rum Cay Rum, which provides a premium spiced rum, inspired by the way of life his grandparents embraced after spending part of their lives in The Bahamas. Charlie shares the story behind the flavours and ethos of this brand. He delves into how he learned about the distillery process, and what led him to combine the flavours that makes this rum so unique. Listen to hear how Charlie has built his business from the ground up, the challenges he has had to overcome in the beverage industry, and how he is realising his aspirations for the business.

Episode 40, Dr Kate Smith, Professor Me

In this episode of Beyond StArtups, we are joined by Dr Kate Smith, Co-Founder of ProfessorMe, the leading provider of award winning multilingual university AI Tech Products and in-person training resources in the UK. Dr Smith breaks down the high-quality multilingual branded tech products that Professors Me offers, their future goals, and the process of founding a female run business. Listen to hear from the perspective of a true edupreneur, who is also an alumni of the University of St Andrews where she received her PhD in International Relations.

Episode 39 - Manoj Bala Radhakrishna, struct.digital

In this episode of Beyond Startups, we’re joined by Manoj, a structural engineer and tech founder who is reimagining the backbone of our built environment through digital innovation. With a career spanning from private residential designs to complex £100M ventures in London, Manoj has seen firsthand where traditional engineering methodologies fall short. Manoj discusses his transition from navigating the technical complexities of civil engineering to founding struct.digital, a startup born from a desire to eliminate the industry's most persistent inefficiencies. He explains how repetitive tasks and outdated software aren't just technical hurdles—they are barriers to the creative problem-solving that defines good engineering. The conversation dives into the practical power of how automation and AI-powered assistants can handle mundane processes like rebar estimates and carbon assessments at the click of a button. Manoj shares his vision for a future where engineers are freed from calculation fatigue to focus on high-level design and client delight. Tune in to hear how Manoj is bridging the gap between structural integrity and software innovation, and why he believes the next great era of engineering will be defined by those brave enough to automate the status quo.

Episode 38 - Danielle du Plooy, Uppertunity

In this episode of Beyond Startups, we’re joined by Danielle Gaffney du Plooy, a social entrepreneur, psychotherapist, and coach dedicated to human-centered leadership and inclusive employment. Danielle discusses the realities of building and scaling social enterprises—from her decade of experience founding and leading Uppertunity, a charity supporting adults with additional needs, to her recent appointment as a Director at Launch It Trust Dundee. She explains the importance of moving beyond employment to create cultures rooted in curiosity and bravery, and why person-centered development matters more than rigid job descriptions. This episode also highlights Danielle’s philosophy of "soulful leadership," where she explores the intersection of psychology, nature, and entrepreneurship to foster systemic change. She shares practical insights on managing teams across multiple locations and the value of vulnerability in professional growth. Tune in to hear how creativity, community impact, and inclusive leadership intersect in Danielle’s mission to make the workplace a more human space.

Episode 37 - Albert Suriñach, Studio Platero

In this episode of Beyond Startups, we’re joined by Albert Suriñach, founder of Studio Platero, a theatre production company dedicated to transmedia storytelling and artist-led creative work. Albert discusses the realities of building a company in the arts sector — from navigating non-traditional funding channels, to maintaining team morale without salaries, to collaborating across composition, acting, set design and production. He explains how Studio Platero is expanding into music production, animation and publishing, and why artistic values and long-term vision matter more than shortcuts. This episode also highlights Studio Platero’s upcoming musical "The Tears of Nerakhis" debuting at the Byre Theatre on February 5th & 6th, showcasing the company’s mission to tell stories across theatre, music, visual media and print. Tune in to hear how creativity, entrepreneurship and community intersect at Studio Platero.

Episode 36 - Sebastien Chesse, Los Tacos

In this episode, we’re joined by Sebastien Chesse, a fourth-year Management and Economics student at the University of St Andrews, who shares his experience contributing to the creation and growth of a student-led Mexican food catering concept in St Andrews. Sebastien discusses how identifying gaps in the local food scene led to the development of a catering operation focused on private dinners and large-scale student events, and how the team navigated branding, operations, marketing, and scaling, all while balancing full-time studies. Please note: due to visa restrictions, Sebastien was not legally able to formally found or own the business. His involvement centred on the creative vision, operational development, and strategic direction of the venture, working alongside others who held legal ownership. Tune in to hear Sebastien reflect on the realities of student entrepreneurship, leadership without formal titles, and the lessons learned from building something ambitious under real-world constraints.

Episode 35 - Artur Bodiu, Vici.Bio

In this episode of Beyond Startups, we speak with Artur, co-founder of Vici Bio, a computational-biology startup built to make advanced protein modelling accessible to every scientist. Artur discusses how his Biochemistry degree, a research placement in Singapore, and a self-taught interest in coding led him to build Vici Bio with his co-founder. He explains why biology is entering a new era driven by AI-enabled discovery, how Vici Bio removes bottlenecks in tools like AlphaFold, and how automated workflows can accelerate everything from binder design to pathway analysis. We also explore the reality of starting a deep-tech company as a student, navigating user growth, fundraising decisions, and the future possibilities of AI-driven protein engineering. Tune in to hear how Vici Bio is shaping the future of biotechnology.

Episode 34 - Alex Rowe, Sun and Planet

In this episode of Beyond Startups, we’re joined by Alex Rowe, St Andrews Economics alumnus and founder of Sun & Planet, a Scottish initiative dedicated to helping early-stage tech startups become investment-ready. After graduating in 2015, Alex built a career advising hundreds of founders and supporting fundraises totalling over £60 million. He shares his path from academic curiosity about crowdfunding to launching programmes that close Scotland’s early-stage funding gap — and the lessons he’s learned about people, perseverance, and purposeful growth along the way. Tune in to hear how every no can be a step towards a yes.

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