Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and don’t forget to follow to get updates on the latest episodes releases! Links for each episode can be found below.
Joining us on the first ever AccelerateHER Podcast episode, is award-winning podcaster, Journalist, TV Presenter, and founder in her own right, Isla Traquair. Elizabeth and Isla talk about her education, interests, career, and experiences that led to Isla’s eventual creation and production of #1 true crime podcast, ‘The Storyteller Podcast’.
Links of interest:
The Storyteller Podcast’s Instagram
Listen on…
Elizabeth chats to Dr Poonam Malik – Award-winning entrepreneur and investor – alongside her many, many other accomplishments. Poonam and Elizabeth spoke about growing up in India, moving to Scotland, Academia, Co-founding Microplate DX, University spinouts – and all the emotions and challenges faced on the journey.
Links of interest:
Listen on…
Elizabeth is joined by founders Julie Grieve and Genna Masterton. At two different points in their entrepreneurial journeys, the group talk about learning curves, entrepreneurial qualities, and the ups and downs of founding a business.
Links of interest:
Genna Jodie Masterson’s LinkedIn
Listen on…
Elizabeth chats to Evelyn McDonald and Gemma Stuart about their entrepreneurial journeys. Evelyn reflects on her career, from a love for advertising to 35 years of helping small businesses. Gemma shares how personal struggles with gut health led her to create Gutsy Health Limited, helping others with digestive issues.
Links of interest:
Listen on…
Inventor, founder, and editor Alison Grieve shares how a hospitality mishap led to the creation of the Safe Tray — and how that sparked a global journey with G-Hold. We talk raising investment, protecting your ideas, and why data matters in driving change for female founders. Packed with insights, wit, and practical advice.
Links of Interest:
Listen on…
Elizabeth speaks with Danae Shell, founder of legal tech startup ‘Valla.’ Danae shares her journey from rural Tennessee to Scotland’s tech scene, and how frustration with workplace injustices inspired her to launch ‘Valla,’ which helps people navigate employment legal issues. Danae reflects on fundraising mistakes, redefining networking and building Scotland’s startup ecosystem, and describes her journey in one word: Grit.
Links of Interest:
Listen on…
In this episode, Elizabeth chats with Kate Cameron, CEO of Cytochroma, the biotech company creating mini hearts and livers from genetically diverse stem cells. Kate explains how these mini organs could transform drug testing by replacing animal models and providing more accurate, inclusive data. She also reflects on her transition from scientist to founder, sharing how she’s learned to embrace the business side of innovation.
Links of Interest:
In this episode, Elizabeth Pirrie chats with two powerhouse women working at the intersection of science and investment: Caroline Barelle, CEO of Elasmogen, and Vicki Hazley from the Scottish National Investment Bank. Caroline shares the powerful personal story behind her passion for drug development, how she spun Elasmogen out from the University of Aberdeen, and what it takes to bring new treatments to market. Vicki explains why the Scottish National Investment Bank invested in Elasmogen and what it means to be a “mission-driven” funder.
Links of Interest:
In this episode, Elizabeth chats with Nicole Christie, founder of Alvah Accountancy, tech enthusiast, karaoke queen, and a relentless problem-solver. From dreaming of being a farmer’s wife to teaching herself to code a tax planning tool, Nicole’s journey is anything but ordinary. We dive into: The bold decision to start a business in the early days of the pandemic How being neurodivergent fuels her entrepreneurial mindset What she learned from building (and exiting) a fintech startup she only owned 10% of Her vision for AI-powered finance teams that support founders How she’s using her new firm as a sandbox for tech innovation Plus, advice on dealing gracefully with late-paying clients, and why she ignored the advice to “choose between being a businesswoman or an accountant” A funny, fast-paced and refreshingly honest conversation that shows what happens when you combine creativity with commercial know-how.
Links of Interest:
In this episode, we meet the brilliant duo behind My SMASH Media, Fiona Gillies and Christine Hartland. These two powerhouse producers are shaking up the film and TV industry with a platform designed to make matchmaking between creators and decision-makers as easy as swiping right. They share how their own frustrations in the industry led to the creation of SMASH, the joys and challenges of building a startup as co-founders, and the lessons learned from raising investmen, including one pitch so disruptive it caused visible outrage on an industry panel! We also tackle a real-life founder dilemma: how to network confidently when you’re an introvert. Expect honest advice, plenty of laughs, and a healthy dose of “we’ll just do it ourselves, then” energy.
Links of Interest:
In this episode of the AccelerateHER podcast, Elizabeth sits down with Alison Gray, founder of Skillfluence — a woman with a passion for people, potential, and (unexpectedly) antique doorknobs. Alison shares her journey from managing mental health care homes to empowering researchers and academics with entrepreneurial skills. With warmth and wit, she reflects on side hustles, building a mission-driven business without external investment, and what Aussie Gold Hunters has to do with downtime. We also tackle a brilliant “Ask AccelerateHER” question: how do you shift from doing it all yourself to leading a team and letting go?
Links of Interest:
In this season finale, the mic gets flipped on Kayla-Megan Burns, the brilliant mind behind Podplistic and the production of this very podcast. A former biomedical student, climate activist, and New York Times debate guest, Kayla takes us through their incredible journey: from selling podcast services as a side hustle to pitching AI-driven software to global news giants. We talk tech, identity, burnout, purpose and how it feels to be a non-binary founder navigating the startup world (and the women’s founder ecosystem) in 2025. It’s warm, honest, smart, and a perfect wrap-up to the series.
Links of Interest:
Founded over a decade ago to accelerate and amplify the success of female founders, AccelerateHER delivers learning and networking events for women entrepreneurs across the UK and acts as a supportive network for founders who are on a journey to scale their businesses.