In this episode of The Digital Forge Podcast, David Richards MBE sits down with Dan Ridsdale, Head of Technology, Media and Telecoms at Edison Group, to get inside the mind of the modern tech investor. After more than 25 years analysing listed technology companies and working with management teams across the UK and Europe, Dan has a rare view of what really moves markets - and what does not.
This conversation goes beyond valuation jargon and earnings calls. Dan and David unpack how investors actually build conviction, why some founders cut through while others never get noticed, and what a compelling “equity story” looks like from the other side of the table. They dig into the state of UK public markets, why ambitious growth companies so often feel overlooked, and what needs to change if Britain is serious about backing its own tech and industrial champions.
In this episode, they explore:
How a career in telecoms software and market analysis led Dan into equity research
What institutional investors really look for in a tech or industrial company
The biggest mistakes founders make when pitching to the market
How to tell a clear, credible growth story that resonates with investors
The challenges and opportunities for UK-listed tech and industrial businesses today
Practical advice for northern and regional companies trying to attract serious capital
A candid, practical guide for founders, CFOs, and anyone who wants to understand how investors think before they step into the City.