From GoCardless to Global: Steve Domin’s Blueprint for Travel’s Next Revolution

The hustle is born from finding solutions no one else has thought of.

What’s the secret sauce behind startup success? Steve dives into the chaotic early days of GoCardless—think empty offices, language barriers, and an emerging Shoreditch tech scene. From gritty beginnings to creating Duffel, a travel tech innovator, this episode unpacks the lessons, laughs, and challenges that shaped some of the UK’s most notable entrepreneurs.

Discover how the GoCardless alumni network sparked industry-changing ventures and why APIs are revolutionizing the future of travel. Plus, hear Steve’s take on navigating cultural shifts, balancing creativity with business, and why the startup grind might just be worth it.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a tech enthusiast, or just here for the stories, this one’s for you.

Connect with Steve Domin here

• Steve Domin Linkedin
• Duffel
• Duffel Linkedin

Connect with Ash Akhan here

• Ash Akhan Linkedin

Episode References:

• | GoCardless | GoCardless |
• | Y Combinator | Y Combinator |

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are personal and do not reflect the official stance of any organization. Content is for informational purposes only.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction
• 0:49 What is Duffel? A £50M Travel Startup
• 1:44 The GoCardless Mafia: Where It All Began
• 2:00 Childhood, Engineering Passion, and the Entrepreneurial Spark
• 7:56 Lessons from GoCardless: Breaking Barriers and Building Resilience
• 18:52 From Side Projects to Startups: The Road to Duffel
• 22:49 Discovering a Market Gap and Revolutionizing Travel Booking
• 29:30 Y Combinator, Airline Partnerships, and Building Duffel
• 35:35 Navigating COVID and Leading Through Crisis
• 41:41 Scaling a Startup, Leadership, and Time Management
• 47:38 The Future of Travel and Steve’s Personal Mission