John B Stapleton

About

I’m an entrepreneur, investor and founder-led media operator. Over the past 30+ years, I’ve built and sold two businesses while working across entrepreneurship, investment, leadership and business growth. I also built one business which didn't work and never got to exit. I learned more from this failed venture than the two that succeeded. Today, I’m building a media platform focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation, investment and what actually makes businesses succeed. Through my content, I help founders navigate risk, uncertainty, growth pains and the realities of scaling a successful business to exit. Through podcasts, documentaries, founder reviews, roundtables and commentary, I explore the decisions founders face while scaling businesses in uncertain and constantly changing environments. My audience includes startup founders, investors, operators and high-agency professionals across the UK and European startup ecosystem. I host the podcast Cutting Through The Fog and work selectively with brands, venture firms and ecosystem partners looking to engage entrepreneurial audiences through trusted, founder-led media.

Experience

• Entrepreneur, Speaker, Investor, Advisor, Mentor at John Stapleton
  Jan 2016 - Present · 10 yrs 7 mos

• Founding Partner at The Redesdale Food & Beverage Fund
  Jan 2021 - Present · 5 yrs 7 mos

  Redesdale is the only venture capital fund dedicated to the early-stage Irish food and drink sector. John is a founding partner and a member of the Investment Committee

• Co-Founder & Director at Mission Ventures
  Sep 2017 - Present · 8 yrs 11 mos

  Mission Ventures is helping transform the food industry by building better challenger brands. Working in partnership with corporate and fund partners, Mission Ventures support innovative challenger brands in achieving their ambitions for growth and, ultimately exit. Led by a group of seasoned entrepreneurs with over 75 years combined industry experience and exits valued at over £50 million from brands personally founded, Mission Ventures has been the UK's leading accelerator for food and drink brands since 2015.

• Investor at Insane Grain
  Aug 2020 - Present · 6 yrs

  Insane Grain is a brand of unique, delicious, nutritious bagged snacks that are good for you and good for the planet. John is an investor.

• Investor at Spoon Cereals UK Ltd
  Apr 2018 - Present · 8 yrs 4 mos

  Spoon produce a range of healthy, simple and tasty alternative breakfast options. John is an investor.