In this episode of the Business Leadership Podcast, host Edwin Frondozo and creative producer Paul Newton talk with Elia Wallen, founder and CEO of Engine, a hypergrowth company revolutionizing business travel. Recorded live at Web Summit Vancouver 2025, the discussion delves into Elia's journey from corporate housing to transforming Engine into a $2.1 billion enterprise. They explore how Engine bridges the gap in unmanaged business travel for small and medium-sized businesses, offering innovative solutions beyond traditional booking tools. Elia also shares insights on maintaining high-performance company culture, the impact of AI in scaling operations, and advice for business leaders on navigating rapid growth.
00:00 Introduction to the Business Leadership Podcast
00:33 Meet Elia Wallen: Revolutionizing Business Travel
01:31 Understanding the Gap in Business Travel Solutions
04:53 Building Engine: From Manual to Technological Solutions
06:50 Overcoming Initial Challenges and Scaling Up
10:18 Maintaining Company Culture and Hiring Practices
11:55 Navigating Abundance and the Role of AI
15:52 Final Thoughts and Recommendations for Business Leaders
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