In these Hardman Talks episodes, Richard Angus, Head of Business Development at Hardman & Co, and Martin Fox, Marketing Consultant, invite guests Professor Andy Pardoe from the University of Warwick and Co-Founder of AI Venture Flows, and Hugo Pinto, Founder of Human + Machine, to unpack what AI means for businesses, individuals and investors. The two-part series explores the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and its mainstream adoption.
Watch the interviews now to find out more.
Andy highlights how AI has moved from narrow, specialist tools to general-purpose systems capable of tasks as varied as writing coding, medical diagnosis and marketing personalisation. He cites practical examples including assistive technology for the visually impaired, medical imaging breakthroughs and predictive modelling in biotech. Hugo notes that AI is already disrupting traditional business models—particularly in consulting—by enabling individuals or small teams to accomplish work that once required large resources and time.
When asked about risks of an AI “boom and bust,” both experts acknowledge the potential for turbulence but argue that today’s AI is already delivering tangible value. They stress opportunities for investors in start ups building targeted, real-world applications on top of foundational AI models developed in recent years. According to Hugo, the next major tech giants could emerge from this wave of innovation, offering significant upside for those who back promising ventures early.
The conversation in part two focuses on where private investors can find opportunities amid the billions being committed by governments and corporates. The guests highlight the agility of start ups in creating highly specific, real‑world AI applications — from supporting the creator economy to transforming supply chains — and suggest this nimbleness gives smaller businesses an edge over larger organisations constrained by legacy systems.
Andy explains why he launched the AI Seed fund with Sapphire Capital Partners, targeting very early‑stage businesses and helping founders shape their strategy and bring innovations to market more quickly. Both Andy and Hugo describe how their networks and advisory work provide hands‑on support, from technical guidance to commercialisation strategies, enabling start ups to scale at pace. With AI evolving so fast, they expect exit timelines to be compressed to around three years, creating compelling opportunities for investors willing to act decisively.
