In this episode of the Gamers Change Lives podcast, host Tom Leonard interviews Martin Elonge, the director of Mountain Hub, a startup accelerator in Cameroon. They discuss the mission and programs of Mountain Hub, including ecosystem building, capacity building, and venture building. Martin explains the difference between startups and SMEs and emphasizes the importance of business skills for entrepreneurs. He also shares insights into the selection process at Mountain Hub and the role of the Mountain Angel Network in supporting startups. The episode concludes with information on how to connec ..read more

In this episode, Tom Leonard interviews Mai Phan, the founder of Propel, a startup that builds job simulations to better train nurses. Mai shares her journey from Vietnam to Norway and explains how she started Propel. She discusses the challenges nurses face in the healthcare industry and how Propel's simulations aim to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Mai also talks about her experience participating in incubator and accelerator programs and offers advice on how to get the most out of these programs. She emphasizes the importance of showing up, utilizing resources, and building a n ..read more

In this episode, host Tom Leonard interviews Mirko Minenza, the Business Strategy Manager at Antal and a gaming enthusiast. They discuss Mirko's background in gaming and his journey into the gaming industry. They also explore the challenges and opportunities in the gaming industry, including the impact of the pandemic and the differences between European and US game development companies. Mirko shares advice for those interested in starting a career in gaming and emphasizes the importance of community in the gaming world. The episode concludes with a discussion about Mirko's interest in starti ..read more

In this episode, host Tom Leonard interviews Daniel Kwaku Merki, the founder of Boxplay Ventures, a venture builder and startup consultant in Africa. They discuss the role of Boxplay Ventures in supporting early-stage financing for startups and SMEs, as well as providing operational support and strategic guidance. Daniel shares his background in investment banking and how it influenced his decision to focus on supporting entrepreneurs in Ghana. They also explore the importance of mentorship and the challenges founders face in finding funding for their ventures. In this conversation, Daniel Kwa ..read more

In this episode, Tom Leonard talks with Glenn Gillis and Bella Rogerson from Sea Monster and Games for Change Africa. They discuss the power of games to create social impact and drive change. They also talk about the role of storytelling in games and the importance of collaboration within the gaming industry. The conversation highlights the work of Games for Change Africa in promoting impactful games and supporting game developers in Africa. Overall, the episode emphasizes the potential of games to change lives and the need for a global community to share knowledge and resources. The conversat ..read more

In this episode, host Tom Leonard interviews Elena Lobova, co-founder of GDBay, about her personal perspective on the game development industry in Ukraine and her experiences with the ongoing war in the country. They discuss the benefits of gaming for children, the role of accelerators and incubators in the gaming industry, and the importance of networking and attending events. Elena also shares insights into the future of game development and the exciting possibilities that emerging technologies bring. Takeaways The game development industry in Ukraine is thriving, with a growing number of in ..read more

In this episode, host Tom Leonard introduces the theme of Accelerating esports Success and interviews Sho Sato, CEO of LUDiMUS, a game consulting company. They discuss Sho's background in game development and the services LUDiMUS provides. They also explore the popularity of mobile gaming in Japan and the differences between incubators and accelerators. Sho shares insights on finding the right programs for entrepreneurs and the importance of networking in the gaming industry. They also discuss the impact of AI on game development and the cultural differences in business approaches. The convers ..read more

In this episode of the Gamers Change Lives podcast, host Tom Leonard interviews Joshua Nelson, the founder and CEO of Emotional Ideas and the creator of Battle Racing. They discuss the journey of building Battle Racing, a patented sports and entertainment technology that combines gaming and real motor sports. Joshua shares his entrepreneurial story and the importance of resilience in overcoming obstacles. He also talks about the potential of Battle Racing as a global sport and the support he has received from the gaming and racing communities. The episode concludes with Joshua encouraging list ..read more

In this episode of the Gamers Change Lives podcast, host Tom Leonard and Executive Producer Reginald Nsowah interview Sarah Rauchwerger, founder of TechLab Innovation Center, about the role of incubators and accelerators in the startup ecosystem. They discuss the different types of programs available, how to find and apply to them, and the benefits of participating in such programs. Sarah emphasizes the importance of market validation, team alignment, and leveraging resources and networks provided by incubators and accelerators. They also explore the future of the industry and the opportunitie ..read more

In this episode of the Gamers Change Lives podcast, host Tom Leonard interviews Jason Krauss, founder of Prepare for VC. They discuss the different types of organizations that entrepreneurs can tap into, such as communities, incubators, accelerators, and crowdfunding platforms. They also explore the role of universities in the startup world and the challenges and opportunities for female entrepreneurs. Jason shares insights from his book, 'Venture Forward: Lessons from Leaders,' and discusses the future of the industry, including the impact of AI. The episode concludes with a call to engage wi ..read more