The Founder Files

Rated #1 Podcast for Entrepreneurs in South Africa in 2023 by Feedspot.The Founder Files is where founders come to explore proven growth strategies and real entrepreneurial challenges. Hosted by Cameron Coutts, each episode unpacks the complex journeys of scaling businesses, delivered by entrepreneurs who've walked the path. No script, no filter – just a fireside chat between growth-driven founders.If you’re seeking practical advice and relatable stories to fuel your growth journey, this is your go-to resource. Subscribe now!

The Founder Files is a business podcast hosted by Metavolve, with 146 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Metavolve hosts The Founder Files, a business show with 146 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  The Founder Files

  50 Years of Strategy: Why Most Entrepreneurs Fail (And How to Win) - Nic Frangos

  Dec 7, 20252h 17mS0

  <p>This week, we welcome Nic Frangos, whose fingerprints are all over some of South Africa's biggest business moments—yet you've probably never heard his name.</p><p>Nic became Unilever's youngest senior manager in the world before stepping into entrepreneurship to build Mercedes Information Technology (MIT), the country's most successful technology group. He went toe-to-toe with IBM and global giants, pioneered the biometric payment system that ended up in the Smithsonian, and pulled off the legendary "sardine eating the whale"—acquiring Unisys, a company 3-4x MIT's size, and paying it back in just four years.</p><p>But this...

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  Episode #41

  The Engineer Who Turned Beer into a Water Company – Stephen Walker, Ground 2 Tap

  Nov 4, 20251h 51mS5

  <p>In this episode of The Founder Files, we sit down with Stephen Walker, founder and CEO of Ground 2 Tap, the South African engineering company transforming how homes and industries access clean water.From brewing beer in his parents’ garage to building one of the country’s most trusted water-engineering brands, Stephen shares how he bootstrapped Ground 2 Tap from scratch, with no investors, no shortcuts, and a relentless focus on systems, people, and purpose.He opens up about early failures (and leaking pipes), designing his business to scale from day one, and why he believes real success isn’t measured by fun...

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  Episode #40

  The Founder Who Sold Her House for 34 Tons of Salt - Samantha Skyring, Oryx Desert Salt

  Oct 27, 20251h 32mS5

  <p>How do you scale a global brand without losing your purpose?</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of The Founder Files, we sit down with Samantha Skyring, founder and CEO of Oryx Desert Salt, the South African brand turning a natural Kalahari resource into an international success story.</p><p><br></p><p> From selling her home and starting in a Wendy house to landing on shelves in Whole Foods USA, Samantha shares the deeply human story behind building a purpose-driven brand that refuses to compromise on integrity or sustainability.</p><p><br></p><p>She opens...

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  Episode #39

  The Butcher Who Wants You to Eat Less Meat - Andrew Nel, Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants

  Oct 19, 20251h 30mS5

  <p>How do you scale a business without selling out its soul?</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of The Founder Files, we sit down with Andrew Nel, co-owner of Frankie Fenner Meat Merchant, the Cape Town butchery redefining what ethical meat means in South Africa. </p><p><br></p><p>From leaving a stable career in finance to leading one of the country’s most respected food brands, Andrew shares the raw realities of building a purpose-driven business in an industry known for its shortcuts.</p><p><br></p><p>He opens up about how Frankie Fenner su...

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  Episode #38

  From South Africa to the World: How AURA Is Revolutionizing Emergency Response - Ryan Green, AURA

  Oct 12, 20251h 45mS5

  <p>What does it take to build a tech company that literally saves lives, and scale it from South Africa to the world?</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of The Founder Files, Cameron Coutts sits down with Ryan Green, Co-Founder and CPO of AURA, the emergency-response platform transforming how people access help anywhere, anytime.</p><p><br></p><p>Ryan shares the story behind AURA’s rise from an idea inside a security company to a global safety platform trusted by insurers, banks, and e-hailing giants:</p><p><br></p><p>• How AURA started by solving South Afri...

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