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The Difference Engine | B2B Category Design | Private Equity | Venture Capital

Categorical
Category Design
Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia
Regulation
Venture Capital
Private Equity
Electric Vehicles
Age Verification
GDPR
Post Office Scandal
Pain and Suffering
Business Ecosystems
Personal AI Supercomputer
Microsoft
Cloud Computing
Salesforce
Fujitsu
E-Commerce
Jensen Huang
James Dyson

The Difference Engine helps founders and funders maximise business growth through category design. Hosted by two British northerners with decades of experience in launching, managing, and marketing disruptive tech companies. Paul Maher and Jonathan Simnett have been there, done it and thrown away the slogan t-shirts - now they'll help you become a category king. The Difference Engine - Disrupting ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes69Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsTech NewsBusinessEntrepreneurship

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Artwork for The Difference Engine

Latest Episodes

In the early 2020s, it was easy to mistake category design for a marketing exercise. A new name, a sharper narrative, a brand refresh, and job done.

But as we enter a post-SaaS world, that thinking no longer holds. Category leadership isn’t built by... more

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It’s time to dust off our crystal balls as we conjure our Top 10 tech predictions for 2026.

In this episode, we take a look into the year ahead and unpack a bumper crop of new tech ideas and category acronyms from AWO and ANAA to EIG and beyond.

more

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In 1990, while working at CERN, Tim Berners-Lee proposed and developed what would become one of the most influential spinouts in history: the World Wide Web. The Web was opened to the public in 1991, and in 1993 CERN released the software into the pu... more

YouTube

Recorded in partnership with Boardwave, this episode of The Difference Engine features Colin Tenwick - a leader whose career tracks the evolution of modern tech.

Colin began in the early enterprise software era with Ingres, later leading Sybase and ... more

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Recent Guests

Colin Tenwick
Non-executive chair investor with extensive experience in tech leadership and transformation
Episode: 65. Colin Tenwick: Mastering the Art of Reinvention
Ben Richmond
Founder of Cube and a leading figure in RegTech
Cube
Episode: 62. A Founder's Journey: From Cornish Roots to Global RegTech Rockstar | Ben Richmond
Rupert Jones
Former British Army Major General, expert in Defence Tech and military leadership
Episode: 61. Rupert Jones: A Major General's guide to Defence Tech
Phil Robinson
Cofounder of Boardwave and an influential figure in the European tech scene
Boardwave
Episode: 60. Boardwave Live 2025 Review
Laura Hill
CEO of Go Henry
Go Henry
Episode: 60. Boardwave Live 2025 Review
Vivian Chan
Speaker at Boardwave Live focusing on AI and deep tech
Episode: 60. Boardwave Live 2025 Review
Amber Vodegor
Active advocate for ethical investment in technology
Episode: 60. Boardwave Live 2025 Review
Major General Rupert Jones
Former Major General discussing leadership and military strategies within tech
Episode: 60. Boardwave Live 2025 Review
Tim Barker
Former CEO of KOOF, a digital health service
KOOF
Episode: 60. Boardwave Live 2025 Review

Hosts

Paul Maher
Co-host with decades of experience in launching and managing disruptive tech companies, providing expertise in category design and business strategy.
Jonathan Simnett
Co-host with a focus on category design and business growth, leveraging extensive industry knowledge to guide listeners through tech strategy.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 15 ratings
  • Great!

    Brilliant and informative

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HatCar
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • John Wilkins

    This is a great listen. Thought provoking on my commute to my job at a stressful bank.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Frankie2469
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • This is a gem

    Refreshingly British angle on all things business on both sides of the pond. Feel entertained whilst learning a lot from a couple of seemingly very credible minds!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ricky101212
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Love the newest episode - High speed fail

    Best UK tech news show I’ve heard!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jeffyboob
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Love these two

    Great presenters. Great rapport. Think these guys give great advice and don’t hold back.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sampasfor
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the insightful discussions that often blend humor with serious business analysis.
Feedback often mentions the engaging rapport between the hosts, making complex topics more relatable.
Overall, the audience recognizes the expertise of the hosts in navigating the tech landscape and investment strategies.
Many highlight the practical advice on category design, pointing out its usefulness for entrepreneurs.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

56. Interview with Sean Williams: How I built a new AI category
Q: Can you talk about your strategy in expanding the business and serving companies that are outside of just the UK?
We go to things like Construction Week and are members of lobbying groups in London and Washington to talk at events and publish thought leadership.
56. Interview with Sean Williams: How I built a new AI category
Q: What are some of the most unexpected lessons you've learned since launching and scaling AutogenAI and have they been different from your previous journey of founding, scaling and exiting Corndel?
One of the big lessons at AutogenAI is just how dynamic you need to be because of how fast we're growing, but of course, because of how fast artificial intelligence is moving.
65. Colin Tenwick: Mastering the Art of Reinvention
Q: What should aspiring technology chairs know about their role?
Their job is to ensure the company delivers on the strategic plan while aligning operational and strategic sides and supporting management in fulfilling their ambitions.
65. Colin Tenwick: Mastering the Art of Reinvention
Q: What have been the biggest changes in the IT industry in Europe in the last 40 years?
The IT industry has shifted from being a niche part of business to a core part that is central to most companies' investment strategies.
62. A Founder's Journey: From Cornish Roots to Global RegTech Rockstar | Ben Richmond
Q: What must have seemed to you, when you were younger, the completely alien world of finance?
I had no idea about this world at all, but I realized the importance of being a part of it and the potential it held.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
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Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Difference Engine

What is The Difference Engine about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show provides insights into the realms of B2B category design, private equity, and venture capital, making it a valuable resource for founders and investors aiming to drive growth in their businesses. The hosts, both with extensive backgrounds in launching and promoting disruptive technology companies, navigate through various topics including market trends, investment strategies, and the evolving landscape of the tech industry. They frequently interview industry leaders and share their pragmatic experiences, emphasizing the importance of effective category creation and management as a pathway to business success. With a unique blend of humor and critical analysis, the show stands out for its practical advice and actionable insights th... more

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1. The Rest Is Politics: US

How many episodes of The Difference Engine are there?

The Difference Engine launched 2 years ago and published 69 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Difference Engine?

Recent guests on The Difference Engine include:

1. Colin Tenwick
2. Ben Richmond
3. Rupert Jones
4. Phil Robinson
5. Laura Hill
6. Vivian Chan
7. Amber Vodegor
8. Major General Rupert Jones

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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