Guess who's back?

Did you miss me?

It’s good to be writing again. After more than 300 blog posts, I called time on my weekly founder’s blog in December 2023 after a heart attack stopped me in my tracks.

It’s taken me a while but here I am, seven stone lighter, and more ambitious than ever.

Who am I?

For those that don’t know me well, hello and welcome. I’m Martin Port, a serial entrepreneur and growth investor with three successful exits under my belt.

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill leadership blog. Here’s what’s different about me: I’m dyslexic, hearing impaired, and I’m building my third technology start-up in my sixties. There’s no one else quite like me.

https://www.martinport.com/

What am I working on?

I’ve built all kinds of businesses over the years, from selling bread to vehicle tracking systems, but technology is my passion. After selling my last business, the field service management platform BigChange, I decided to take it easy. That lasted about five minutes.

Now, I’m working on my most exciting business to date: Build Concierge. Of all the companies I have founded, this is the one that will become a unicorn. This is my magnum opus.

Like all start-ups, Build Concierge has been on a journey. Those who have been following our progress from day one know that, back in 2024, we started with a different model. A year later, we pivoted to become an AI-powered customer engagement platform, focused on trade and service organisations. The lesson: don’t be scared to change your mind.

How’s it going?

We started building Build Concierge’s tech stack in early 2025. You know when you’re on to something when you win your first customers before your technology is even ready.

Before we launched, we had a waiting list of businesses who wanted to access the efficiencies, operational firepower and customer service genius that we had to offer. We also attracted seed investment from industry heavyweights who saw the potential in our technology, raising £3.8m ($5.1m) in June last year.

We officially launched in January 2026 and I’m proud to announce we are about to hit $2m in ARR (annual recurring revenue). That’s an extraordinary milestone to hit so soon, and a testament both to the strength of the product and the unbeatable team we have here in Leeds.

Those who have worked with me or my previous companies, BigChange and Masternaut now MICHELIN Connected Fleet, may recognise a few faces. It’s not just déjà vu. When I meet great people, I bring them with me on the journey, and some of the Build Concierge team are on the third chapter of their careers, building a business by my side.

What to expect

This is my new and improved weekly founder’s blog, packed with insights from the front line of building an AI company. If you are a business owner, would-be entrepreneur, technologist, customer, prospect, supplier, or you just love a good story, this is the place for you.

I’ll be sharing quarterly updates on our progress – I believe in transparency and will be sharing the highs and lows. Once a month, my “Founder’s Spotlight” will shine on one of our incredible customers who are disrupting their industries and using technology to grow without limits. There will also be leadership advice and reflections based on 30 years’ experience building software businesses in the UK.

What a time to be working in technology. Entire industries are being picked up, shaken about, and reassembled on the fly. New opportunities are emerging that were science fiction a few years ago. Will good old-fashioned business acumen and customer service obsession still bring success? You’ll have to watch this space.

Speak soon and God bless