What do you really want to know about building a business?

Join James Eder and a small group of fellow founders to swap questions, experiences and lessons from the journey.

Building a business can feel like you're making it up as you go along. The good news? You're not the only one.

Our Ask Me Anything sessions bring founders together for honest conversations with entrepreneurs who've been where you are. They're small, interactive and built around your questions, not a slide deck.

This time, we're delighted to welcome entrepreneur, investor and author James Eder.

As the co-founder of Student Beans, now part of Pion, James has spent more than 20 years building businesses, leading teams and learning plenty of lessons along the way. He's also the author of The Collision Code, where he shares stories of startup successes, failures and the unexpected moments that can change everything.

Bring the challenge you're wrestling with, the question you've been sitting on or simply your curiosity. You'll hear honest answers from James, connect with fellow founders and leave knowing you're not building your business on your own.

Why founders love these sessions

This isn't a webinar where everyone stays on mute.

Our Ask Me Anything sessions are exclusive to Virgin StartUp Premium Community members, keeping them small enough for real conversations. You'll have the chance to ask your own questions, hear what's on other founders' minds and connect with people who understand the ups, downs and everything in between.

They're also a chance to meet the people building brilliant businesses alongside you. Because sometimes the best advice comes from someone who's a few steps further down the road. And sometimes it comes from the founder sitting next to you so we encourage you to connect with each other after the session on the platform.

We run regular group mentoring sessions to help founders learn, connect and grow together, and we're excited to welcome James to this one.

What we'll cover

Every session is different because your questions shape the conversation. Topics could include:

• Building and growing a business

• Leadership and decision making

• Lessons from startup successes and failures

• Building confidence as a founder

• Creating opportunities through meaningful connections

• Whatever's on your mind

Speaker Bio

James Eder is an entrepreneur, qualified coach and author of The Collision Code. He co-founded Student Beans, now part of Pion, and brings more than 20 years of leadership experience building and growing successful businesses.

His book explores the moments that shape every founder's journey, from startup successes and failures to the unexpected collisions that spark new opportunities. Today, James focuses on investing, coaching and philanthropy, helping the next generation of founders build resilient businesses and become confident leaders.

Who's it for?

Whether you're getting your business off the ground, finding your feet or preparing for your next stage of growth, this session is for founders who want to have a conversation with a founder who's been there before.

Bring your questions. Chances are someone else has been wondering the very same thing.

Save your seat

We're excited to welcome James for this special Ask Me Anything session, and we'd love to see you there. Bring your questions, bring your curiosity and spend an hour with founders who get it. Because building a business is hard. Doing it together makes it a whole lot better.

Join our Premium Community to secure your spot.

Tuesday 22nd September 2026, 13:00 - 14:15 (BST).