In the fourth episode of Invested Season 2, Laura Boyd sits down with James Uffindell, Founder and Exec Chair of Bright Network, the UK’s leading platform connecting ambitious young people with top career opportunities.

James shares his journey from growing up on a farm to launching his first business at 20, turning a university idea into a tech-driven company that now supports over 1.4 million students. He recalls how a single teacher’s belief in him changed the course of his life, inspiring the mission behind Bright Network to unlock potential and level the playing field for students from all backgrounds.

James also reflects on the importance of resilience, curiosity, and focus in entrepreneurship, and offers candid insights into scaling a business, navigating international expansion, and maintaining personal wellbeing.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a student navigating your next steps, or simply curious about the future of talent and technology, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice.

Before you go, don’t forget to follow or subscribe to our podcast and if you want to hear more from some of our inspirational investees at the helm of some of the UK’s fastest growing companies, head over to mavencp.com.

In the third episode of Invested Season 2, Laura Boyd sits down with Elaine Penhaul, Founder and Managing Director of Lemon and Lime, the UK’s largest property staging company outside London. Elaine’s story is one of reinvention, resilience, and relentless optimism.

She talks openly about her unconventional career path, from studying maths and training as an actuary, to teaching sailing in Greece, and eventually building a multi-award-winning interiors business. What began as a favour to improve a property for sale became the foundation of Lemon and Lime, a company now preparing to franchise across the UK.

Elaine reflects on the early challenges of starting a business later in life, the lessons learned from working in male-dominated industries, and why she believes in taking risks, offering practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Now an expert in property staging, her book, ‘Sell High, Sell Fast’ is an Amazon no 1 best-seller. A contributor to many property podcasts, she also writes for publications like Estate Agent Today and The Times, and has recently launched the first app to evidence return on investment for staging to a worldwide market.

With a background in actuarial science, education, business coaching, and property development, Elaine brings a unique perspective on leadership, growth, and the power of optimism. This is an inspiring conversation about embracing change, building a business with purpose, and creating opportunities from adversity.

Before you go, don’t forget to follow or subscribe to our podcast and if you want to hear more from some of our inspirational investees at the helm of some of the UK’s fastest growing companies, head over to mavencp.com.

In the second episode of Invested, Laura Boyd sits down with Steve Bennington, entrepreneur and CEO of Q5D, a company pioneering robotic additive manufacturing, to explore a remarkable career journey that bridges world class science and cutting edge innovation.

Steve began his career in nuclear physics, helping to establish leading research facilities and advising governments on scientific policy. But it was a bold leap from academia into entrepreneurship that defined the next chapter of his story. Now leading Q5D, Steve is transforming the way electrical systems are built, with major implications for the automotive and aerospace sectors.

In this episode, Steve reflects on the realities of building a technology business from the ground up. From the uncertainty of launching the company to the pressures of scaling it in a fast moving market. He speaks candidly about resilience, balancing family life with business demands, and the culture he's building at Q5D.

With Q5D recently closing a £10.9 million Series A funding round, Steve shares what’s next for the business and why he believes now is a pivotal moment for UK manufacturing.

A fascinating conversation about leadership, risk and the power of bold ideas. Don’t miss it.

Before you go, don’t forget to follow or subscribe to our podcast and if you want to hear more from some of our inspirational investees at the helm of some of the UK’s fastest growing companies, head over to mavencp.com.