Alex Gordon-Furse

portday

Portday is an AI-powered platform built just for shipping agents.

It automates your Proforma & Final Disbursement Accounts (PDA/FDA), handles port tariff updates, invoice reconciliation, document generation and more.

It does this all from one clean software product so that you can spend less time on manual data entry and more time managing your clients.

Co-Founder & CEO

Playmaker

Intelligent document processing for traditional industries, with customers across Financial Services, Real Estate, Logistics and more. 

After finding a specific need in the maritime logistics industry in late 2024, we decided to focus fully on that industry in early 2025.

Stealth Startup

Refining my opinions on where the world is going, and learning what people will need more of :)

Building something new

Community Hacked

Founded and ran a side project with a few of my friends where we built a global community of the best community builders & experts. 

Ran many events where I interviewed the global heads of community from companies like Salesforce, Notion, Peloton, Airtable, Canva, Zendesk and many more.

Co-Creator / Founder

Startup Grind

CSO for Startup Grind global: the world’s largest startup community across 600 locations in 120 countries.

Helped thousands of pre-seed and seed-stage startups gain access to funding, mentorship and customers.

Closed several $million in sales relating to innovation and sponsorship with some of the world's biggest tech brands like Microsoft and Snowflake during my time there.

We also ran the largest tech conference in Silicon Valley, hosting speakers like the founders/CEOs of Google, OpenAI, Zoom, Airbnb, LinkedIn, Uber, A16Z, Y Combinator, Sequoia Capital and many more.

Chief Strategy Officer

VP Sales & Startups

Director, Startup Programs

SG DAO

Built a DAO (Decentralised Autonomous Organisation) that aimed to be the world's first truly community-owned accelerator. 

Pivoted into a community-backed micro VC run by Startup Grind that invested into pre-seed and seed-stage companies. 

We made 8 investments before I left in Feb '23

Co-Founder & Co-Lead

Multiple startups

Angel investor in companies like Bevy (https://www.bevy.com/), Odin (https://www.joinodin.com/), Goodloans (https://www.goodloans.co/) and Paus (https://paus.tv/).

Angel Investor (temporarily paused)

Freshworks Inc. (formerly Freshdesk)

Led Freshservice (Freshworks's fastest-growing product) GTM in UK&I

One of the 5 winners of the first ever President’s Club in 2017.

Freshworks IPO'd in 2021 on NASDAQ under the ticker FRSH

Head of UK & I Sales

2nd hire in EMEA

Worked on developing and executing the go-to-market

Accenture

Front-to-back systems transformation project at UBS Investment Bank and blockchain research project for a presentation to the board of HSBC UK.

Won multiple awards as a top-performing Analyst at both Accenture and UBS Investment Bank.

Business & Systems Integration Consultant

iris worldwide

Worked on the ideation and development phases of projects for the Adidas and Durex accounts.

Account Management Intern

Co-Founder at Playmaker

Empowering shipping agents from across the world to transform their operations with AI.

Learn more at https://www.portday.com/

Co-Founder/Co-Lead

Aiming to be the world's first community-owned accelerator, and has recently pivoted into being an LP in the new community-backed Micro VC run by Startup Grind that is investing into pre-seed and seed-stage companies.

TecTonic Night Summit

​TecTonic: Night Summit is an experiential, collaborative celebration of digital innovation and community.

​A mix between a conference and a live 'Market Square' community gathering, our events are an inclusive, energised and vibrant showcase of innovation and connectivity within Scotland’s digital business community and startup ecosystem.

​The name celebrates the movement, overlap and continuous evolution of innovation, relationships and collaboration, across sectors, in enterprise. 

TecTonic is also designed to be a collaborative showcase of ecosystem cohesion and an opportunity to break silos, dissolve tribal thinking and cross-pollinate excellent people and ideas in a fun and engaging arena.

Curator

Changing the Chemistry (SCIO)

Passionate and dedicated advocate for Changing the Chemistry (CtC), a voluntary peer support network seeking to improve board effectiveness and quality by encouraging diversity of thought in the boardroom. 

Develop 570+ members to secure non-executive board positions & to perform exceptionally. Since 2013, CtC has been instrumental in filling 230+ board roles across the public, private and third sectors. The Scottish Government recognises its active support to improve the gender diversity of public sector boards and its goal to influence change and awareness around diversity of thought.

https://changingthechemistry.org/

Member

Self Employed

As an experienced events and panel host for hire. In this work I bring a dynamic and engaging presence to business events, turning gatherings into memorable experiences of connection and shared growth. 

With a passion for fostering and managing meaningful discussions, I specialise in hosting in-person events that leave a lasting impact on both participants and audiences.

🌐 Areas of Expertise:
Business Leadership: Guiding conversations on effective leadership strategies and management principles.

Startup Growth: Facilitating discussions on navigating the challenges and triumphs of startup development.
Business Ecosystems: Exploring the interconnected dynamics within diverse business environments.

Social Impact: Advocating for the integration of purpose-driven initiatives and corporate responsibility.

Mindset: Inspiring individuals to cultivate a positive and growth-oriented mindset for personal and professional success.


🎤 What I bring to events: 
Experience: With a rich background in hosting diverse events internationally, I bring a wealth of experience to ensure seamless and enjoyable occasions.

Adaptability: Whether it's a corporate summit, startup pitch, or social impact forum, I tailor my approach to suit the unique needs of each event.

Engagement: My hosting style combines professionalism with a touch of charisma, ensuring that audiences stay captivated throughout the event.

I am available for:
- Conferences
- Summits
- Workshops
- Podcasts
- Pitch Events
- Networking Events
- Webinars
- Interviews and Panels 

Contact me to discuss your next gathering.

Events Host / Speaker 

Scottish EDGE

Scottish EDGE is the UK’s biggest entrepreneurial funding competition.
I provide my expertise and business experience to review applications and shortlist finalists for the EDGE Awards, helping Scottish EDGE support Scotland’s most innovative businesses.

Panel Assessor 

Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. SG Scotland host monthly events featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to building great companies.

Startup Grind events attract founders, CEOs, developers, designers and technology professionals devoted to having an impact by creating companies with the potential to change the world.

If you would like to know more about our events, want to nominate a speaker, or to sponsor or partner with us, contact me via nick@startupgrind.com

Chapter Co-Director - Scotland - Team Advisor & Mentor 

Startup Grind Scotland

Advisor / Mentor

Foras

Foras are facilitators in immersive international experiences for entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders.

We run cohort excursions internationally for startup/scaleup business leaders, focused on fostering peer connectivity, mindset expansion, business partnerships and investment opportunities.

Foras can be contacted to support the planning and delivery of international projects, trade missions and cohort projects. 
hello@foras.scot

Co-Founder

Barclays UK

Barclays Eagle Labs is a network of innovation hubs designed to support entrepreneurs, startups, and scaleups by providing access to a range of resources, facilities, and support services. 
I support ambitious, growing businesses, cross-sector, with 
- Introductions to our nationwide network of industry experts
- Offering mentor sessions with experienced ex-Founders, coaches and tech experts
- Help with raising investment 
- National education and growth programmes
- Community events that educate and inspire 
- Specialist deals and discounts with a range of service partners

I’m generally based in the Glasgow Lab in Tradeston; a vibrant community hub with events, workshops and desk space for entrepreneurs and innovators. The Lab provides a unique environment where startups can share ideas, collaborate on projects, and access resources and support. 

One of the key features of Eagle Labs is its focus on community building. The Labs bring together entrepreneurs, startups, and scaleups from a range of industries, creating a diverse and dynamic community of innovators. This community-driven approach has proven to be highly effective in promoting collaboration and knowledge-sharing, which can lead to new partnerships, product development, and business growth.

Our Glasgow Lab is also the home of CodeBase in the West and the Techscaler initiative.

If this sounds interesting, let’s chat soon. 
DM me and we can move over to email. 

Our doors are open and we’re ready to support and collaborate!
Check it out - https://labs.uk.barclays/locations/glasgow/

AVP Ecosystem Manager - Eagle Labs Glasgow

Gearing for Growth

Gearing for Growth's purpose is to unleash the brilliance in Leaders, teams people and boards through supporting businesses and organisations to grow through good leadership, values-led cultures, creating real teams led, by an effective, dynamic and healthy leadership team who in turn create engaging and healthy workplaces, where Boards add value.

Working with CEOs, Founders, Execs and Emerging Leaders to be more effective, communicating well, creating clarity and focus. In turn creating less stress and gaining better outcomes and return for all when growing and scaling their business

Drop me a line if you want to know more or visit https://www.gearingforgrowth.com/

Community Engagement Manager

Can Do Collective

Collaborating with other senior members of the Scottish entrepreneurial ecosystem in line with the Scotland Can Do vision of streamlined governance within the business support community.

Partner

Passionate about People & Ideas - Startup Ecosystem Engagement - Events Host - Strategic Partnerships - Joining Dots - Personal Development - Collaborate over Duplicate - Lift As You Climb - Helping People & Having Fun

I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by opportunity and enthusiasm for making the world just a little bit better through purpose, creativity and innovation. 

I am passionate about purpose-driven entrepreneurship, community, innovation and directing people to the right support and opportunities we're lucky to have in Scotland and through my international network.  

Above all else I believe in collaboration, taking chances and having fun. 

** If you would like to connect here, please do leave a note so I know who you are and what we're talking about. Unknown requests without a note may be ignored. **

Thanks for stopping by.

Twitter @NickBlairMurray

Focus:
- Startup Support
- Business Development
- Events and Programme Management 
- Community Outreach / Management 
- Speaker / Host / Facilitator 
- Strategic Partnerships 
- Branding, Marketing & Communications
- Project Management (Agile-Certified)
- Public Relations
- Business Strategy
- Brand Advocacy
- Team / Line Management 
- Employability Training
- Lead Generation
- Sponsorship & Funding
- Social Impact Reporting
- Purpose-Driven Business

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