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 He explains how repetitive tasks and outdated software aren't just technical hurdles—they are barriers to the creative problem-solving that defines good engineering.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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Innovation Week Special Edition – Douglas Clement, Founder of Kingsbarns Distillery

In this special episode of Beyond Startups, we’re joined by Douglas Clement, founder of Kingsbarns Distillery in Fife.

Douglas shares his remarkable journey from St Andrews golf caddie to entrepreneur, transforming a derelict farm into a world-class distillery and visitor centre. He talks about learning an entirely new craft, raising capital for a ten-year business plan, and knowing when to let go of the venture he built.

Recorded as part of Innovation Week 2025, this episode celebrates local enterprise, resilience, and the spirit of turning a dream into a dram.

In this episode of Beyond Startups, we’re joined by Carina Kohli, founder of HumCare, a health-tech startup dedicated to improving employee wellbeing and access to care across India.

After studying at the University of St Andrews, Carina was inspired by her own health experiences to create a platform that bridges the gaps in everyday healthcare; from mental health and fertility support to chronic condition management and elderly care.

She shares how Humm Care grew from a pandemic-era idea into a nationwide B2B company, and the lessons she’s learned about resilience, consistency, and building impact-driven businesses in the fast-growing health-tech landscape.