This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Cover Interview


were then commissioned by my boss and mentor Stephen Grabiner, who was then the Telegraph’s Marketing Director, to explore new ways to distribute content and off the back of receiving this new project and hearing about Mosaic, we were invited to Silicon Valley to meet the team.


“After speaking with them and downloading the Mosaic browser the first thing I said to myself was; ‘Oh my God, everything changes because of this.’ We then put the Telegraph online and by 1995 I moved to Boston to join a spin out from MIT’s media lab.”


Saul’s introduction to Netscape and the thriving tech community at Silicon Valley resonated. He relocated from London to join what was then a breeding ground for the world’s biggest technology companies and after stints at a number of start-ups went on to become CEO and Co- founder of what is now LoveFilm International, sold to Amazon for $312million.


“The concept came about after seeing Netflix launch in the US and noticing that it didn’t exist in Europe” says Saul. “I thought it was a great proposition and at the time it was very difficult to raise money for internet ventures.


“Netflix was a proven business in the US and so it was easier to explain to investors and raise money from investors. I knew to succeed that I’d have to adapt it to the US market and creating a company culture that motivates and speaks to people was important to me. When we sold I wrote a blog where I quoted ‘success has many fathers but failure is an orphan.’ Lots of people made LoveFilm a success and I had an amazing team.”


After LoveFilm Saul continued to embark on a number of entrepreneurial ventures, and today spends most of his time sourcing out investment opportunities, leaving no stone unturned to find the globe’s next hot start-up. Saul tells me after reading Dan Senor and Saul Singer’s Start-Up Nation, a book examining Israel’s emerging start-up ecosystem and the innovation miracle occurring in the region over the last two decades, he was inspired to explore the region for himself. “25 years ago the biggest export from Israel was Jaffa oranges!” says Klein jokingly. “Today, there are more Israeli companies being listed on the NASDAQ than any other country.


“The book’s author, Saul Singer, who has become a good friend of mine, refers to Israel as ‘Silicon Valley to the rest of the world.’ Despite only having 7.5 million people in the country Israel is producing the globe’s most innovative digital companies. Sectors span from semi-conductors, life sciences, clean tech, medical imaging – it’s remarkable the volume and quality of innovation. To see firsthand the velocity and the diversity across every sector, from water, to security, to ecommerce, all so tightly concentrated was so incredibly inspiring. Being there reminded me what I loved about the US and Silicon Valley – it’s about an attitude, a level of determination, a relentlessness to solve problems and pursue ideas.”


Saul goes on to describe how entrepreneurs in Israel display what Singer describes in the book as a ‘mission orientation’ that he felt was missing in the European ecosystem. “At the same time, coming back to London and recognising that we have the biggest internet economy in the G20 and that we are the only country in the G8 to mandate coding in school curriculum from next September is incredible” says Klein. “For me, Israel is the start-up nation but the UK has the potential to be the scale-up nation.”


While Saul remains busy either travelling, advising government on digital innovation and backing companies that go on to become game-changers, either through investing or in advisory roles, he is keen to divulge what he believes to be his biggest learning curve and achievement – getting married and having children.


“I’ve learnt so much from my wife” says Klein. “Most of my good ideas are at least an equal partnership or something that’s inspired me from her. I’ve also seen through her that the most natural entrepreneurs in the world are mothers – literally and metaphorically. They may be bringing children into the world instead of businesses, but they have to nurture them 24/7, are responsible for their growth and success and they are also expected to learn how to let go.


“As you grow up you become institutionalised...to be an entrepreneur you can’t be like that”


“My son is 7 and my daughter is 5 and I’ve learnt so much from them too. They are also very entrepreneurial because they constantly challenge me and are so curious! As you grow up you become institutionalised and cynical and to be an entrepreneur you can’t be like that, you have to be optimistic.”


Lastly, I ask Saul to share what he looks forward to on the day of the Forum on 30th September. “Events like the EC Forum are great because you are most likely to learn something new when you get out there and meet people.


“Entrepreneurs are an interesting bunch and I’ve spent all my 42 years either being one, being surrounded by them, investing in them or as a parent, trying to nurture them!


Saul Klein will be speaking at the EC Forum on Monday, 30th September. To buy your ticket, visit www. entrepreneurcountryforum.com


11 entrepreneurcountry


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54