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Jul 24, 2015 · 21m · 20vc

Founding WIRED 2014's Winner, with Mutaz Qubbaj, Founder @ Squirrel

Mutaz Qubbaj · 16m spoken Harry Stebbings · 4m spoken
0:00 / 0:00

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In this episode of The 20 Minute VC, Squirrel founder Mutaz Qubbaj discusses transitioning from investment banking to tech entrepreneurship, navigating top-tier startup accelerators like Barclays Techstars, and raising over £1.1 million to build a mission-driven financial well-being platform.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. Harry holds 20% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

Harry as informed peer 1.3 Guest teaching 3.2 Guest disagreement 0.3 Harry pushing back 0.2
05100:0010:0020:001:37–3:45 · Harry as informed peer 1/10 Guest Background and the Mission of Squirrel Harry asks open-ended background questions while Mutaz provides detailed context on his background and the financial landscape Squirrel addresses. Mutaz educates the host on market statistics, including the size of the UK payday loan and overdraft markets.3:45–6:22 · Harry as informed peer 1/10 Transitioning from Banking to Entrepreneurship Harry asks standard career transition questions about moving from banking security to entrepreneurship. Mutaz shares insights on overcoming the fear of sharing early business ideas and embedding in London tech ecosystem.6:23–9:58 · Harry as informed peer 1/10 The Barclays Techstars Accelerator Experience Harry inquires about the Barclays Techstars experience. Mutaz explains the inner workings of mentor madness and how intense questioning forces early-stage founders to refine their core value proposition.10:01–14:49 · Harry as informed peer 2/10 Selecting the Right Accelerator and Equity Considerations Harry pushes on specific terms and asks if accelerator equity cuts range from 5 to 20 percent. Mutaz corrects him, clarifying that standard equity takes are strictly between 6 and 10 percent, while highlighting founder-investor alignment.14:49–17:51 · Harry as informed peer 2/10 Maximizing Accelerator Benefits and Fundraising Success Harry demonstrates host prep by referencing Squirrel recent wins at Pitch at the Palace and Wired 2014. Mutaz outlines his fundraising progress, mentioning 1.1 million pounds raised and government grant support.17:52–21:18 · Harry as informed peer 1/10 60-Second Quickfire Round Harry conducts a standard quickfire round with short rapid-fire questions. Mutaz answers cordially, describing his transition to passion-driven work and long-term global ambitions for Squirrel.1:37–3:45 · Guest teaching 4/10 Guest Background and the Mission of Squirrel Harry asks open-ended background questions while Mutaz provides detailed context on his background and the financial landscape Squirrel addresses. Mutaz educates the host on market statistics, including the size of the UK payday loan and overdraft markets.3:45–6:22 · Guest teaching 2/10 Transitioning from Banking to Entrepreneurship Harry asks standard career transition questions about moving from banking security to entrepreneurship. Mutaz shares insights on overcoming the fear of sharing early business ideas and embedding in London tech ecosystem.6:23–9:58 · Guest teaching 3/10 The Barclays Techstars Accelerator Experience Harry inquires about the Barclays Techstars experience. Mutaz explains the inner workings of mentor madness and how intense questioning forces early-stage founders to refine their core value proposition.10:01–14:49 · Guest teaching 5/10 Selecting the Right Accelerator and Equity Considerations Harry pushes on specific terms and asks if accelerator equity cuts range from 5 to 20 percent. Mutaz corrects him, clarifying that standard equity takes are strictly between 6 and 10 percent, while highlighting founder-investor alignment.14:49–17:51 · Guest teaching 3/10 Maximizing Accelerator Benefits and Fundraising Success Harry demonstrates host prep by referencing Squirrel recent wins at Pitch at the Palace and Wired 2014. Mutaz outlines his fundraising progress, mentioning 1.1 million pounds raised and government grant support.17:52–21:18 · Guest teaching 2/10 60-Second Quickfire Round Harry conducts a standard quickfire round with short rapid-fire questions. Mutaz answers cordially, describing his transition to passion-driven work and long-term global ambitions for Squirrel.1:37–3:45 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Guest Background and the Mission of Squirrel Harry asks open-ended background questions while Mutaz provides detailed context on his background and the financial landscape Squirrel addresses. Mutaz educates the host on market statistics, including the size of the UK payday loan and overdraft markets.3:45–6:22 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Transitioning from Banking to Entrepreneurship Harry asks standard career transition questions about moving from banking security to entrepreneurship. Mutaz shares insights on overcoming the fear of sharing early business ideas and embedding in London tech ecosystem.6:23–9:58 · Guest disagreement 0/10 The Barclays Techstars Accelerator Experience Harry inquires about the Barclays Techstars experience. Mutaz explains the inner workings of mentor madness and how intense questioning forces early-stage founders to refine their core value proposition.10:01–14:49 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Selecting the Right Accelerator and Equity Considerations Harry pushes on specific terms and asks if accelerator equity cuts range from 5 to 20 percent. Mutaz corrects him, clarifying that standard equity takes are strictly between 6 and 10 percent, while highlighting founder-investor alignment.14:49–17:51 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Maximizing Accelerator Benefits and Fundraising Success Harry demonstrates host prep by referencing Squirrel recent wins at Pitch at the Palace and Wired 2014. Mutaz outlines his fundraising progress, mentioning 1.1 million pounds raised and government grant support.17:52–21:18 · Guest disagreement 0/10 60-Second Quickfire Round Harry conducts a standard quickfire round with short rapid-fire questions. Mutaz answers cordially, describing his transition to passion-driven work and long-term global ambitions for Squirrel.1:37–3:45 · Harry pushing back 0/10 Guest Background and the Mission of Squirrel Harry asks open-ended background questions while Mutaz provides detailed context on his background and the financial landscape Squirrel addresses. Mutaz educates the host on market statistics, including the size of the UK payday loan and overdraft markets.3:45–6:22 · Harry pushing back 0/10 Transitioning from Banking to Entrepreneurship Harry asks standard career transition questions about moving from banking security to entrepreneurship. Mutaz shares insights on overcoming the fear of sharing early business ideas and embedding in London tech ecosystem.6:23–9:58 · Harry pushing back 0/10 The Barclays Techstars Accelerator Experience Harry inquires about the Barclays Techstars experience. Mutaz explains the inner workings of mentor madness and how intense questioning forces early-stage founders to refine their core value proposition.10:01–14:49 · Harry pushing back 1/10 Selecting the Right Accelerator and Equity Considerations Harry pushes on specific terms and asks if accelerator equity cuts range from 5 to 20 percent. Mutaz corrects him, clarifying that standard equity takes are strictly between 6 and 10 percent, while highlighting founder-investor alignment.14:49–17:51 · Harry pushing back 0/10 Maximizing Accelerator Benefits and Fundraising Success Harry demonstrates host prep by referencing Squirrel recent wins at Pitch at the Palace and Wired 2014. Mutaz outlines his fundraising progress, mentioning 1.1 million pounds raised and government grant support.17:52–21:18 · Harry pushing back 0/10 60-Second Quickfire Round Harry conducts a standard quickfire round with short rapid-fire questions. Mutaz answers cordially, describing his transition to passion-driven work and long-term global ambitions for Squirrel.

speaking balance: gold is Harry, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · Harry 57.9% · guest 42.1%0:00 · Harry 57.9% · guest 42.1%3:00 · Harry 10.5% · guest 89.5%3:00 · Harry 10.5% · guest 89.5%6:00 · Harry 6.5% · guest 93.5%6:00 · Harry 6.5% · guest 93.5%9:00 · Harry 6.7% · guest 93.3%9:00 · Harry 6.7% · guest 93.3%12:00 · Harry 17.2% · guest 82.8%12:00 · Harry 17.2% · guest 82.8%15:00 · Harry 13.7% · guest 86.3%15:00 · Harry 13.7% · guest 86.3%18:00 · Harry 12.5% · guest 87.5%18:00 · Harry 12.5% · guest 87.5%21:00 · Harry 71.7% · guest 28.3%21:00 · Harry 71.7% · guest 28.3%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 13:40 Gentle correction on standard equity range

Mutaz interrupts Harry suggestion that accelerators take 5 to 20 percent equity, directly correcting him that typical terms are strictly between 6 and 10 percent.

 Hardest push from Harry ▶ 13:40 Probing on equity percentage terms

Harry pushes for concrete financial numbers on accelerator equity takes, asking whether ranges stretch up to 20 percent before being corrected.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 2:30 Payday loan market statistics and predatory credit breakdown

Mutaz educates Harry on the structural scale of predatory credit, breaking down the 4 billion pound payday loan market, 8 billion overdraft market, and 6000 percent APR rates.

 Harry holds his own ▶ 16:10 Citing guest recent accolades and award wins

Harry demonstrates background research by citing Mutaz specific recent competition victories including Pitch at the Palace and Wired 2014.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicHarry as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementHarry pushing backWhy
Guest Background and the Mission of Squirrel 1400 Harry asks open-ended background questions while Mutaz provides detailed context on his background and the financial landscape Squirrel addresses. Mutaz educates the host on market statistics, including the size of the UK payday loan and overdraft markets.
Transitioning from Banking to Entrepreneurship 1210 Harry asks standard career transition questions about moving from banking security to entrepreneurship. Mutaz shares insights on overcoming the fear of sharing early business ideas and embedding in London tech ecosystem.
The Barclays Techstars Accelerator Experience 1300 Harry inquires about the Barclays Techstars experience. Mutaz explains the inner workings of mentor madness and how intense questioning forces early-stage founders to refine their core value proposition.
Selecting the Right Accelerator and Equity Considerations 2511 Harry pushes on specific terms and asks if accelerator equity cuts range from 5 to 20 percent. Mutaz corrects him, clarifying that standard equity takes are strictly between 6 and 10 percent, while highlighting founder-investor alignment.
Maximizing Accelerator Benefits and Fundraising Success 2300 Harry demonstrates host prep by referencing Squirrel recent wins at Pitch at the Palace and Wired 2014. Mutaz outlines his fundraising progress, mentioning 1.1 million pounds raised and government grant support.
60-Second Quickfire Round 1200 Harry conducts a standard quickfire round with short rapid-fire questions. Mutaz answers cordially, describing his transition to passion-driven work and long-term global ambitions for Squirrel.

Statements from this episode (4)

Assertion Supported
Qubbaj: UK payday loan market nears £4 billion valuation
“The payday loan market's going to close to four billion pounds in total”
Mutaz Qubbaj Jul 24, 2015 ▶ 3:22
Assertion Supported
Qubbaj: UK payday loans sold at near 6,000% APR using puppets
“Payday loans being sold to people at, you know, close to 6000% APR using puppets”
Mutaz Qubbaj Jul 24, 2015 ▶ 3:30
Disclosure
Squirrel raised over £1.1 million in funding and Innovate UK grants
“So to date, we've actually raised upwards of 1.1 million pounds through a combination of Angels funds, as well as more recently, ah, receiving an Innovate UK smart fund, ah, grant.”
Mutaz Qubbaj Jul 24, 2015 ▶ 17:12
Insight
Qubbaj: Consider entrepreneurship when your job degrades into mere tasks
“If your past job goes from becoming a job to a series of tasks, and you can't align your brand of happiness with the happiness that is tied to major success in your current role, just start taking a look at the entrepreneurial side.”
Mutaz Qubbaj Jul 24, 2015 ▶ 19:02
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