Podcasts about 125m

Matt Arsenault, VP of Corporate Development & Strategic Alliances at Jamf Venture-backed companies are priced at their future state, not their current revenue. When growth stalls and another fundraising round stops making sense, the gap between VC valuation and what a strategic buyer will pay becomes the hardest conversation in any deal process. Matt Arsenault, VP of Corporate Development & Strategic Alliances at Jamf, has run this play across hundreds of targets. His work starts before the deal does, with the founder relationship, the cap table, and a clear-eyed conversation about risk tolerance that most corp dev teams never have.  What You'll Learn Why a $25M offer today can beat a $125M VC exit three years out How AI is shrinking the moat of wrapper-product startups and changing target screening The seven stakeholder groups in any acquisition and why most founders miss them How liquidation preferences and cap table structure change the math behind any offer Why VC relationships matter as much as founder relationships before a deal starts How to structure deals for underwater targets without losing the team What entrepreneurs should know about VC terms before taking their first check If you're working a deal where the founder's VC valuation is the first thing they said and the last thing they'll let go of, DealPilot, powered by M&A Science, gives you the guidance to close the gap without overpaying. ____________________ This episode of M&A Science is presented by DealRoom. DealRoom just launched the only MCP server built for Buyer-Led M&A™ — so your AI and your deal data finally work together. Connect Claude, ChatGPT, or Copilot directly to DealRoom and let your AI read your pipeline, analyze due diligence documents, and automatically write findings back.  See for yourself: dealroom.net/mcp ____________________ Episode Chapters [00:01:14] Introduction and Kison's overview [00:03:32] Matt Arsenault's background and path into M&A [00:05:17] How VCs actually value companies: the two major components [00:06:52] Where VC and strategic buyer valuations diverge, and why [00:09:29] The current market for VC-backed acquisition targets [00:10:39] Rule of 40, profitable growth, and what AI is changing [00:25:01] The liquidation preference math: $25M today vs. $125M later [00:31:38] Cap table dynamics, voting power, and co-founder alignment [00:33:10] How to have the valuation conversation with a founder [00:35:35] How to structure deals when a company is underwater [00:36:45] Stakeholder management: severance, retention, and employee equity [00:44:03] Structural tools for bridging valuation gaps [00:49:21] What entrepreneurs should know before taking their first VC check [00:51:03] Due diligence war stories: what a code scan revealed

When should you rebrand an acquisition, and when should you leave it alone?In this episode, John Wilson and Jack Carr break down how they think about branding after acquisitions. They discuss the operational tradeoffs, marketing benefits, cultural impact, and why many of the largest home service companies take completely different approaches.The conversation covers lessons learned from dozens of acquisitions, what customers actually care about, and why building a unified company may matter more than the logo on the truck.Whether you're buying businesses, scaling across markets, or considering a rebrand of your own, this episode offers a practical look at what's worked, what hasn't, and what they're planning next.In This Episode: When rebranding makes sense  Why some operators never rebrand acquisitions  The operational cost of managing multiple brands  How branding impacts culture and recruiting  What customers really notice  The playbook for rolling out a rebrand  Building one company across multiple markets———————————————— 

In 2025, out of all 70+ guests we had on our show, not one of them said they'd trust AI to run their SOC. Now in 2026, that mindset is shifting. In this episode, Ron sits down with Aqsa Taylor, Chief Security Evangelist at Exaforce, to find out what changed, and what's still standing in the way of security teams being able to trust AI agents with response.  The conversation covers what's really behind the agentic SOC hype, why "vibe hunting" might be the most fun phrase in cybersecurity right now, and how teams can build enough confidence to hand over the keys to detection, investigation, and response.  Aqsa also gets into the one thing she believes has to come before any of it works: the data. Without the right context feeding your AI you're just getting confident guesses dressed up as answers. Listen to find out if your team is ready to take the leap into an agentic SOC.  Impactful Moments 00:00 - Introduction  02:05 - Hack the headlines, June top trends in cybersecurity  05:30 - Welcoming Aqsa Taylor from Exaforce 06:15 - Inside Exaforce's $125M raise  08:50 - Redefining what AI SOC should mean  09:30 - The evolution from manual playbooks to AI-driven autonomy  13:40 - Where Exaforce fits in an existing stack  18:10 - What vibe hunting looks like in practice  19:40 - The challenges of securing sensitive data in a world dominated by SaaS platforms 22:00 - How to build your trust ladder for AI in the SOC  24:40 - Best use case to get started with AI SOC  28:50 - Ron's takeaway: the data has to be there first Links Connect with Aqsa Taylor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aqsa-taylor  Learn more about Exaforce: https://www.exaforce.com Join Exaforce's Force Multiplier Substack community: https://theforcemultiplier.substack.com  –  Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams  Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com  Become a sponsor of the show: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/ 

How do you go from Tesla to owning a plumbing company?In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with Jared Worthen to discuss buying a plumbing business, transitioning from tech into the trades, and what it's really like to acquire and operate a home service company.After building his career at Tesla and ServiceTitan, Jared spent years searching for the right acquisition before purchasing Drain Doctors, a plumbing and drain cleaning company on California's Central Coast. He shares the realities of business acquisition, SBA-style entrepreneurship, scaling a small service business, and the lessons he's learned during his first 120 days as an owner.From due diligence and deal structure to hiring technicians, implementing ServiceTitan, improving Google reviews, and building a growth-focused culture, this episode is packed with practical insights for anyone interested in buying a business, running a plumbing company, or growing a home service business.What You'll Learn:→ How Jared went from Tesla and ServiceTitan to plumbing business ownership→ The process of buying a plumbing company and negotiating an acquisition→ Common mistakes first-time business buyers make→ What surprised him most during the first 120 days of ownership→ How ServiceTitan, Google reviews, and marketing are helping drive growth————————————————

Dan Bardell is joined by Neil Dunworth to look at how Elliot Anderson's potential move to Manchester City from Nottingham Forest is a real positive for Aston Villa and Morgan Rogers' future. Sponsored by: Nord VPN- Get your exclusive deal at nordvpn.com/1874 Dan's Aston Villa writing. https://roundtable.io/sports/soccer/premier-league/aston-villa Get your Founders gear:

How Speed to Lead Unlocks More Revenue From Every Lead SourceMost contractors think they need more leads. According to Tyson Chen, co-founder of Avoca, most home service companies actually need a better system for capturing, contacting, and converting the leads they already have.In this episode, John Wilson sits down with Tyson Chen to break down the speed-to-lead systems that are helping home service companies double revenue, improve booking rates, and make channels like Angi, Yelp, Meta, Thumbtack, and Google LSA profitable. They discuss the exact follow-up cadence used by top-performing contractors, why most businesses leave revenue on the table, and how AI, outbound calling, and automation are changing lead conversion in the trades.They also explore how private equity-backed platforms are using speed-to-lead to create entirely new revenue streams, why response time directly impacts lead quality and platform rankings, and what contractors need to do to maximize ROI from every marketing channel.What You'll Learn:→ Why most home service companies don't actually have a lead problem → The speed-to-lead process that helps contractors convert more opportunities → Why calling leads beats relying on text messages alone → The ideal follow-up cadence for lead aggregators and paid leads → How AI and automation improve response times and booking rates → Why channels like Angi, Yelp, Meta, and Google LSA work when lead handling is done correctly————————————————

Content note: This episode includes open conversation about mental health, suicidal ideation, and personal crisis. If you are struggling, please know you are not alone. In the U.S., call or text 988. In Canada, call Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566. A conversation with Trevor Muir -- leadership coach, keynote speaker, poet, and co-founder of SurePoint, the Alberta-based company he helped scale from $4 million to over $120 million in revenue while holding on to its people through a near-bankruptcy and a pandemic. This is not an episode about farming or fuel prices. It is a conversation about what happens when you get everything you thought you wanted and still feel empty on the bathroom floor of a condo you own. It is about terminal uniqueness -- the belief that nobody could possibly understand -- and the slow, expensive way most of us learn it isn't true. Trevor and I met earlier this year in a leadership course he was teaching with Corliss Russell. I broke down in the intro. A room full of oilfield and farm guys went there with me. This episode is the conversation I wanted to have with Trevor once the dust settled.   Topics and Timestamps 0:00 -- Introduction: Trevor Muir, Lean In to Lead, and why this episode exists 6:57 -- SurePoint: how ten farm kids from Grand Prairie built a $92M company 8:17 -- The bathroom floor: Edmonton, 2011, the worst and best day of Trevor's life 10:44 -- Dr. Gons and the life coach: "I get it. I totally get it." 13:13 -- Terminal uniqueness: the belief that nobody could understand your pain 14:21 -- Mount Kilimanjaro and the billionaire: testing whether all humans feel the same 20:00 -- SurePoint near-bankruptcy: going full-vulnerable with team, vendors, and clients 23:00 -- Buying the company back in 2018 and the pandemic decision 25:43 -- The pandemic pay cuts: 10%-35%, keeping every employee 27:39 -- $30M to $98M to $125M: how caring became a competitive advantage 30:00 -- Scale Like You Give a Shit -- Trevor's book in progress 37:00 -- "Change Your Someday to Today": the poem, Marty's CPR story, and Brian's car 43:11 -- The three A's of change: awareness, acceptance, action 44:34 -- The flooding basement analogy 51:00 -- Affirmations: "I am enough, I deserve abundance, I love you [name]" 57:02 -- 30 days in the mirror: the NASA research and Jack Canfield connection 1:00:04 -- Gratitude as the number one brain hack 1:07:29 -- Wave of fortune: Dan's Thailand story and Vadim Zeland's Transurfing 1:15:00 -- Walking one kilometer every day for 365 days 1:27:00 -- How Trevor works with business owners now, and where AI fits in 1:35:12 -- Trevor's closing challenge: change your someday to today   Resources Mentioned Addiction to Poetry -- Trevor Muir (book, available on Amazon) Lean In to Lead -- Trevor's podcast, launching soon Scale Like You Give a Shit -- Trevor's book in progress on the SurePoint story Jack Canfield -- affirmation and manifestation framework Mindvalley / Vishon Lakhiani -- gratitude research Wim Hof Method -- 90-day cold exposure and breathwork program Transurfing -- Vadim Zeland (wave of fortune concept) 12 Rules for Life -- Jordan Peterson (lobster and serotonin, referenced by Dan) Corliss Russell -- Conversations with Corliss podcast; LEED event Saskatoon, November 2026   Connect with Trevor Muir LinkedIn: search Trevor Muir -- he reads his messages and responds, especially from people who are struggling Lean In to Lead podcast: launching soon Connect with Growing the Future Website: growingthefuture.ca YouTube: Growing the Future Instagram: @growingthefuture LinkedIn: Growing the Future   Crisis Support If you or someone you know is struggling: Canada -- Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 U.S. -- Call or text 988 Register for the Convergence Conference at convergence.ag and stay updated by subscribing to the Growing the Future Podcast at growingthefuturepodcast.ca.

Exposing The Dark Money Machine Behind AI PropagandaSUPPORT MY WORK: Buy a paid subscription to my newsletter at usermag.co     Support my work on Patreon: http://patreon.com/taylorlorenz I break down my investigation into a network of pro-AI and anti-AI meme accounts that I found were secretly being run and funded by OpenAI, Palantir, and Andreessen Horowitz's big $125M super PAC and dark money group. I reveal how these accounts operated, who is connected to them, why they promoted both sides of the AI debate, and how the organization at the center of the story confirmed key aspects of the reporting after publication.I talk about how a self-described “Meme Lord” named Jason Levin,  founder of Memelord Technologies was hired by the super PAC, Leading the Future, to create and run sock puppet accounts like “DoomersAreDumb” and “Jonathan Doomer” to attack AI critics, mock disabled people, post violent threats, and even pretend to be an anti-AI activist.OpenAI's president Greg Brockman donated millions to this campaign. OpenAI's head of strategy follows these meme accounts. And when confronted, Build American AI confirmed it all.Topics covered:AI propaganda and influence campaignsOpenAI and AI policy politicsDark money groups and Super PACsFake activist accountsAI-generated content networksMeme pages and online manipulationPolitical lobbying and artificial intelligenceSocial media influence operationsTech industry power and public opinion#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #TechNews #OpenAI #SiliconValley #MemeCulture #InvestigativeJournalism #InfluenceCampaign #AIDebate #TechPolicy #PowerUser

Jake Stauch is the co-founder and CEO of Serval, the AI-native enterprise service management platform. Serval was founded in 2024 and has already raised over $125M across rounds led by Redpoint and Sequoia at a $1B+ valuation. Before Serval, Jake spent five years on the product team at Verkada and earlier founded NeuroPlus, a brain-sensing hardware company that made video games for kids with ADHD.In this episode of Summation, Jake and Auren discuss:Why Anthropic has added more ARR in the past few months than ServiceNow has in the past 20 yearsThe "forward deployed engineer" hire and why he recruits future founders instead of solutions engineersWhy talent density is the only remaining moat in the age of AIThe Silicon Valley collusion around not poaching each other's employeesYou can find Auren Hoffman on X at @auren and Jake Stauch on X at @jakeserval

Most home service companies don't fail because they scale too slowly — they fail because they scale too early.In this episode, John Wilson and Jack Carr break down the biggest scaling mistakes contractors make between $2M–$5M, including second locations, new trades, over-hiring, and broken systems. They share hard-earned lessons on leadership, KPIs, operational bottlenecks, and what actually makes a business ready to scale.If you want to grow without destroying profitability, this episode is for you. In this episode, you'll learn: Why most contractors expand too early  The hidden costs of adding a second trade or second location  How poor systems destroy scalability  Why revenue alone is a misleading metric  The KPIs every home service owner should knowHost: John Wilson https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/Guest: Jack Carr https://x.com/thehvacjack

What actually drives growth in home services?In this compilation episode, John Wilson shares the systems and strategies behind scaling a $40M home service company — including how his team doubled a plumbing business in 90 days, improved cash flow, increased average tickets, and expanded through acquisitions.From pricing strategy and speed-to-lead automation to technician training and buying businesses, this episode breaks down the fundamentals top operators use to grow faster and more profitably. In this episode, you'll learn: • How to double revenue with operational fundamentals • Why cash flow matters more than profit • How better training increases average ticket • The role AI and automation play in growth • Why acquisitions can outperform organic expansion • How top operators think about scalingMore solo episodes: @JohnWilsonStudio

The round valued the three-year-old startup at $725 million. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why do most industrial distributors leave co-op marketing funds unused?Tim Rasmussen, Founder of Rivet|MRO, explains why co-op marketing funds often go unclaimed in B2B distribution. The process is complex, the rules vary by manufacturer, and most teams do not have the time to manage it. When the funds are used, they are often spent on low-impact tactics that do little to drive sales.The conversation focuses on the gap between marketing and sales for industrial distributors. Without structured systems and tools that support the sales process, B2B marketing efforts often fail to drive measurable sales growth. Tim Rasmussen shares how aligning marketing with how sales teams actually sell leads to stronger performance, including a campaign that resulted in a 57% increase in product sales.This is part one of a two-part series on how distributors can use co-op marketing funds to support sales, improve positioning, and drive growth without increasing marketing spend. The episode breaks down how co-op marketing funds can be used more effectively to build sales enablement tools and improve overall business performance.What You'll Learn:How co-op marketing funds work and why most distributors ignore themThe complexity behind managing co-op across multiple suppliersWhy co-op funds often get wasted on low-impact tacticsTurning co-op funds into sales tools that support your teamAligning marketing with the sales process to improve resultsHow targeted campaigns led to a 57% increase in salesWhat makes sales tools effective in real customer conversations If your sales team is struggling to stand out or your marketing efforts are not translating into growth, this episode breaks down how better alignment and strategy can change results.Learn more about Rivet|MRO and co op marketing strategies:https://www.rivetmro.com/Follow Tim Rasmussen for co op marketing strategy and distributor growth insights LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timrasmussen/Resources:Connect with IanDownload a Tackle Box!Supercharge your marketing and grow your business with video case stories today!Subscribe to the YouTube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SummaryChristine sits down with Brittney Gallagher, co-founder and Board Chair of the AI Objectives Institute and team member at AI watchdog The Midas Project. They cover parenting, hobbies, and current events such as cold-turkey potty training, gaming and role-playing, an Expeditionary Force audiobook binge, gardening from orchids to edible flowers, and how much Replit and Scratch to allow a 7-year-old. Then a sober look at this year's AI policy landscape: open-source Chinese models catching up, super PACs spending $125M to defeat Alex Bores over the RAISE Act, and whether you'd board a plane with a 3% chance of crashing.Show NotesGuest & HostBrittney Gallagher, Co-founder & Board Chair, AI Objectives Institute; Team Member, The Midas ProjectChristine Corbett Moran, VP of Engineering at Horizon3.aiGames & MediaDisco Elysium (and Kim Kitsuragi)Expeditionary Force by Craig AlansonUFO 50 and Party HouseDominionDon't Worry About the Vase by Zvi MowshowitzKids' Tech & EducationKhan Academy KidsReplitScratchEdge EsmeraldaAI Safety & PolicyThe Midas Project"The reporters at this news site are AI bots. OpenAI's super PAC appears to be funding it." (Model Republic), the viral investigation Brittney referencesAI Objectives InstituteCalifornia SB 53New York's RAISE Act and Alex Bores, targeted by Leading the Future super PACAlibaba Qwen and DeepSeek

If you think a big EBITDA number alone will get you a big exit… you're in for a rude awakening.In this episode, John sits down with longtime business advisor David Barnett—who's helped sell hundreds of companies—to break down what actually drives value when it's time to sell your business.From misunderstood multiples to messy financials, from distressed sales to “built-to-sell” winners, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how deals really get done—and why most owners leave money on the table.Because the reality is simple: Buyers aren't just buying your profit… they're buying how confident they are that profit will continue without you. What you'll learn in this episode: Why EBITDA alone doesn't determine your valuation  The 2 questions every buyer asks before making an offer  How poor systems, bad margins, and owner-dependence kill deals Most businesses don't sell because they weren't built to sell. If you want a real shot at a high-value exit, this episode is your roadmap.Connect with David Barnett:

Our 240th episode with a summary and discussion of last week's big AI news!Recorded on 04/08/2026 (sorry I keep releasing stuff late, will get better with it soon!)Hosted by Andrey Kurenkov and Jeremie HarrisFeel free to email us your questions and feedback at andreyvkurenkov@gmail.com and/or hello@gladstone.aiRead out our text newsletter and comment on the podcast at https://lastweekin.ai/In this episode:Anthropic launched Project Glasswing and previewed Claude Mythos, a general-purpose model withheld from broad release due to dramatically stronger autonomous offensive cybersecurity performance (including zero-day discovery), alongside concerning bio/virology uplift results and documented deception/containment-escape behaviors; pricing is far higher than Opus and most discovered vulnerabilities remain unpatched.Product and platform updates included Google's Gemini 3.1 Flash Live for real-time multilingual voice conversation, Suno v5.5 personalization features, Anthropic tightening Claude Code/OpenClaw access and usage limits, OpenAI canceling an “adult mode,” and Microsoft releasing MAI models for speech-to-text, audio generation, and image generation.Business and market developments featured Anthropic's revenue run rate surpassing $30B and a major Google/Broadcom TPU compute expansion, SoftBank taking a $40B short-term loan to fund OpenAI commitments, Granola reaching a $1.5B valuation, Anthropic buying Coefficient Bio for $400M, and OpenAI acquiring the TBPN business talk show.Policy, open-source, and geopolitics included Z.ai releasing open-weight GLM 5.1 and a multimodal GLM model, Google open-sourcing Gemma 4 under Apache 2.0, a judge blocking the Pentagon's “supply chain risk” label against Anthropic, research on LLM “emotion vectors” and OpenAI meta-gaming during RL, China restricting Manus founders amid Meta deal review, scrutiny of Nvidia's chip-smuggling claims, China chipmakers gaining market share, and Iran framing cloud data centers as military targets.Timestamps:(00:00:10) Intro / BanterTools & Apps(00:01:58) Anthropic debuts ‘Project Glasswing' and new AI model for cybersecurity | The Verge(00:18:22) Gemini Live gets ‘biggest upgrade yet' with Gemini 3.1 Flash Live(00:20:40) Anthropic says Claude Code subscribers will need to pay extra for OpenClaw usage | TechCrunch(00:25:36) OpenAI abandons yet another side quest: ChatGPT's erotic mode | TechCrunch(00:26:16) Microsoft takes on AI rivals with three new foundational models | TechCrunch(00:31:25) Suno leans into customization with v5.5 | The VergeApplications & Business(00:32:53) Anthropic announces deal with Google, Broadcom, says revenue has tripled(00:37:53) Sam Altman May Control Our Future—Can He Be Trusted? | The New Yorker(00:40:18) OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Unite to Combat Model Copying in China - Bloomberg(00:41:45) Chinese chipmakers claim nearly half of local market as Nvidia's lead shrinks(00:45:20) SoftBank secures $40 billion loan to boost OpenAI investments(00:47:23) Granola raises $125M at $1.5B valuation for its AI note-taking app - SiliconANGLE(00:48:17) Anthropic acquires stealth startup Coefficient Bio in $400M deal(00:50:20) OpenAI acquires TBPN, the buzzy founder-led business talk show | TechCrunchProjects & Open Source(00:53:04) Z.AI Introduces GLM-5.1: An Open-Weight 754B Agentic Model That Achieves SOTA on SWE-Bench Pro and Sustains 8-Hour Autonomous Execution - MarkTechPost(00:55:14) Google announces Gemma 4 open AI models, switches to Apache 2.0 license - Ars Technica(01:01:26) Z.ai Launches GLM-5V-Turbo: A Native Multimodal Vision Coding Model Optimized for OpenClaw and High-Capacity Agentic Engineering Workflows EverywherePolicy & Safety(01:04:45) Judge blocks Pentagon's effort to ‘punish' Anthropic by labeling it a supply chain risk(01:10:05) Emotion concepts and their function in a large language model(01:21:12) China bars Manus co-founders from leaving country amid Meta deal review, FT reports(01:25:38) US lawmakers ask whether Nvidia CEO's smuggling remarks misled regulators(01:27:48) How far does alignment midtraining generalize?(01:32:20) Metagaming matters for training, evaluation, and oversight(01:39:31) Iran says it has struck Oracle data center in Dubai, Amazon data center in Bahrain — country has threatened to attack Nvidia, Intel, and others, tooSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

During the Asia-focused Episode 35 of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, reviews key 2026 Q1 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions trends across China, Japan, and Korea.  China: Dominated global licensing with 66% of deal value -up from 48% in full-year 2025 -anchored by CSPC–AstraZeneca ($18.5B) and Innovent–Lilly ($8.5B). Venture financing surged to a three-year high of $1.2B across 17 deals, led by Corxel Pharmaceuticals' $287M oral GLP-1 Series D. Out-licensing remains the dominant business model, now structural and increasingly central to global biopharma dealmaking.  Japan: Biotech stocks outperformed pharma (+10% vs. +8%), and the IPO market reopened after 18 months with Innovacell and J-Pharma raising $112M combined. Japan-based buyers licensed three programs averaging $1.2B in deal value, with 100% from early-stage programs -reflecting growing appetite for pipeline diversification.  Korea: The KOSPI rose 17%, though biotech stocks fell 14%. Venture financing rebounded to $125M across six deals, up from just $18M in Q4 2025, concentrated in early-stage oncology. Korean sellers drove the majority of licensing activity from non-major markets with two early-stage transactions averaging $405M.  Regional Takeaway: Q1 2026 confirmed Asia-Pacific's rising centrality in global biopharma. China's record out-licensing drove global deal value, Japan reopened its public markets, and Korea showed early signs of a cautious recovery.  Listen now to gain insights into the evolving global biopharma landscape, explore our report, and we welcome the opportunity to discuss its contents with you.  

Will Nitze went from selling Linsanity T-shirts in his college dorm to building IQ Bar into a $125 million brain food empire—with just a team of ten people. No bloated headcount. No burning through VC cash. Just ruthless focus on unit economics and a contrarian approach to funding that let him scale aggressively while maintaining control. In this interview, the founder and CEO of IQ Bar breaks down how he turned a $73,000 Kickstarter into one of the fastest-growing CPG brands in America, why he believes bootstrapping is the worst thing you can do in food and beverage, and the exact moment—five years in—when he knew this could be a massive company. From cracking Costco and Whole Foods to reinventing the business over ten times, this episode is a masterclass in hyper-lean growth, retail strategy, and building a company like a knife fight. What you'll learn in this interview: • Why bootstrapping is the worst thing you can do in CPG • Will's contrarian fundraising strategy: raising less money, more often to maintain control • How he raised just under $10 million while still controlling the company • The exact moment, five years in, when he knew IQ Bar could be a big company • Why IQ Bar has reinvented its fundamental identity over ten times • How to navigate the cash conversion cycle while scaling physical products • Why retail is the "final boss" for CPG brands, even in the e-commerce era • The strategic shift from DTC to cracking Costco, Whole Foods, Walmart, and Target • Why consumers are less loyal every year and how more touchpoints solve that • How building a personal brand creates a network of category experts By the end of this episode, you'll understand how to scale a physical product business without burning cash, maintain control while raising capital strategically, and build the operational discipline required to survive in one of the toughest industries in the world. If you're building a CPG brand, navigating fundraising decisions, or trying to crack retail while staying lean, this conversation will fundamentally change how you think about growth, control, and category-defining execution. SAVE 50% ON OMNISEND FOR 3 MONTHS Get 50% off your first 3 months of email and SMS marketing with Omnisend with the code FOUNDR50. Just head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://your.omnisend.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get started. HOW WE CAN HELP YOU SCALE YOUR BUSINESS FASTER Learn directly from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders inside Foundr+ Start your $1 trial → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PREFER A CUSTOM ROADMAP AND 1-ON-1 COACHING? → Starting from scratch? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → Already have a store? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growth-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH NATHAN CHAN Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nathanchan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhchan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH WILL NITZE Instagram → https://www.instagram.com//willnitze/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-nitze Website → https://iqbar.com/ FOLLOW FOUNDR FOR MORE BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/2uyvzdt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/podcast⁠

Super Bowl week might be over, but the business storylines are just getting started. Matthew is joined by sports business insider and super agent Hadley Engelhardt to break down the biggest numbers and decisions coming out of Super Bowl 60 — from TV ratings and ad revenue to incentive bonuses that can reshape a quarterback’s entire market.

Bitcoin has officially wiped out all its gains from the Trump presidency… it's a mini ice age.Instacart's Super Bowl ad is all about bananas… Because ripeness retains.Airbnb rival Kindred just raised $125M for home-swapping… You can't book unless you host.Plus, is Silicon Valley causing San Francisco 49ers injuries?... It's a Super Bowl conspiracy.$CART $ABNB $SPYBuy tickets to The IPO Tour (our In-Person Offering) TODAYAustin, TX (2/25): SOLD OUTArlington, VA (3/11): https://www.arlingtondrafthouse.com/shows/341317 New York, NY (4/8): https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0000637AE43ED0C2Los Angeles, CA (6/3): SOLD OUTGet your TBOY Yeti Doll gift here: https://tboypod.com/shop/product/economic-support-yeti-doll NEWSLETTER:https://tboypod.com/newsletter OUR 2ND SHOW:Want more business storytelling from us? Check our weekly deepdive show, The Best Idea Yet: The untold origin story of the products you're obsessed with. Listen for free to The Best Idea Yet: https://wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/NEW LISTENERSFill out our 2 minute survey: https://qualtricsxm88y5r986q.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dp1FDYiJgt6lHy6GET ON THE POD: Submit a shoutout or fact: https://tboypod.com/shoutouts SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tboypod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tboypodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tboypod Linkedin (Nick): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-martell/Linkedin (Jack): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-crivici-kramer/Anything else: https://tboypod.com/ About Us: The daily pop-biz news show making today's top stories your business. Formerly known as Robinhood Snacks, The Best One Yet is hosted by Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most VCs chase momentum while missing systematic market dislocations worth billions. Sean Mendy, co-founding partner at Westbound Equity Partners, built a $125M fund targeting the 97% funding gap for underrepresented founders. He didn't do this out of charity, but as alpha generation through expanded deal flow and objective evaluation frameworks. The conversation reveals how network-driven sourcing creates self-reinforcing homogeneity, why impact metrics must align with venture-scale business outcomes, and Westbound's 50% profit-sharing model that attracts values-aligned founders in competitive rounds.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Dr. P sits down with Amber Shepherd — a leader whose journey from rural Florida to international consulting to regional economic development shows what's possible when you listen to the “whispers” and commit to excellence. Amber shares how she transformed workforce programs, worked with the Korean government on global expansion projects, and now leads major economic initiatives in Northeast Florida — including a $400M aerospace R&D hub and a $125M renewable energy facility. Together, they explore faith-driven leadership, navigating doubt, converting naysayers, and why relationship-building is the true engine of economic growth. A powerful conversation about purpose, persistence, and creating significance through service.

Live from the MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando, Anthony DiNardo and Jim Rosati recap a rough Day 2 for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kyle Schwarber chose the Phillies despite the Pirates' legitimate 4-year, $125M offer, leaving fans wondering what the next big move will be. We also break down the loss of pitching development director Jeremy Bleich, the Pirates falling to No. 5 in the MLB Draft Lottery, and what all of this means for 2026. Plus reactions to our Day 2 conversations with Don Kelly, JJ Cooper, Jolly Olive, and Jason Mackey, and what's coming next with the Rule 5 Draft and NS9LIVE! Subscribe for full Winter Meetings coverage all week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Linktree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/Analytic⁠Join The Normandy For Additional Bonus Audio And Visual Content For All Things Nme+! Join Here: ⁠https://ow.ly/msoH50WCu0K⁠Dive into Segment of Notorious Mass Effect with Analytic Dreamz for the complete ultra-compact breakdown of Hazbin Hotel Season 2—soundtrack, story, critical reception, sales, and Season 3 setup.Analytic Dreamz unpacks the explosive 20-track soundtrack (Nov 19, 2025, Atlantic/A24) by Sam Haft & Andrew Underberg: pop-jazz-rock anthems featuring Erika Henningsen, Christian Borle, Alex Brightman, Jessica Vosk, Jeremy Jordan, Darren Criss, and more. Fan faves like "Gravity" (Vosk/Brightman vocal powerhouse), "VOX POPULI" (Jordan/Borle media satire), and "Losin' Streak" (Blake Roman bop) drive 125M+ global streams in 2 weeks (70% Spotify/Apple), outpacing S1 by 30%. Debut #70 Billboard 200 (13K units), Week 2 #8 Top 10 breakthrough; 35K+ TikTok/IG creates fuel 15% weekly growth; physicals (5 vinyls, CD, cassette) sold out via merch bundles.Story arc (Oct 29–Nov 19, 8 eps on Prime Video): Charlie rebuilds post-Extermination, battles Vox's Heaven-infiltrating weapon & Vees' smear campaign. Alastor breaks Vox deal; Angel Dust's hypnosis betrayal leads to Husk uncertainty & Vees return; Heaven/Hell unite vs. explosion. Emotional peaks: Lilith's call to Charlie. Critics rave (ScreenRant: "outdoes S1 emotional resonance"; Radio Times: "fluid soundtrack"; Album of the Year 78/100; ComicBook.com: Heaven/Hell insights)—despite minor rushed fusions.S3 tease: Haft's "different vibe" with fan duets (Alastor/Charlie, Lucifer/Lute), non-singers debut, Lilith focus, Morningstar arcs; music done, 2026 window. Full tracklist, stats verified—Hazbin's raunchier, deeper musical Hellaverse evolution. Notorious Mass Effect, powered by Analytic Dreamz.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/donationsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with super-connector and servant leader Steve Ramona host of Doing Business with a Servant's Heart (800+ episodes, 50K listeners per show) and creator of Together We Serve on E360 TV (1.6M+ monthly viewers). With more than $1B in project impact and $125M in partner deals sparked through simple, intentional introductions, Steve breaks down why service before selling is the most reliable growth strategy in business and life. Steve shares: • The gym front-desk lesson that launched a lifetime of relationship capital • A referral story that changed a special-needs family's trajectory—and his own • How “ASLA” (Ask, Shut up, Listen, Ask) makes you transformational, not transactional • Using AI as a time-return tool without losing the human touch • Reversing a 2025 diabetes diagnosis through learning, fasting, and community support • Everyday practices to lead with curiosity, call people by name, and create positive ripples Bonus for listeners: The first three people who message Gregg about this episode will receive the book that Steve credits with a million-dollar mindset shift: The Missing Secret of Think and Grow Rich by John Mitchell.  “Your network is your net worth—but it's how you serve within that network that defines your impact.” Connect with Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveramona/ stever1961@gmail.com.

 The End of SEO: Inside the Lead Flow Crisis In this dynamic episode of High Octane Leadership, host Donald Thompson engages with Greg Boone, AI thought leader and Walk West CEO, in a powerful discussion about the transformative impact of AI on business leadership, personal branding, and the future of work.What You'll Learn:Adapting to the AI Shift: Navigate the changing lead flow, embrace AI-driven efficiency, and act fast in a “faster, cheaper, better” era where waiting to adopt AI is no longer an option.Human-Centered Growth: Build personality-led brands where leadership drives reputation, and empower “super individual contributors” to do remarkable work with AI.Scalable Visibility: Maximize reach through Walk West's 4Loop Strategy while creating a content supply chain that multiplies output across channels.About the GuestGreg Boone is a tech-savvy CEO and innovation strategist helping organizations turn AI into real business value. As CEO of Walk West, he leads digital transformation for brands seeking to scale smarter and faster. He previously co-led Blue Acorn iCi through a $125M acquisition by Infosys and served as CEO of Cleartelligence. Greg blends deep technical expertise with strategic clarity, advising Fortune 500s through startups on how to lead through disruption, implement AI effectively, and build future-ready cultures. He's a sought-after speaker known for translating complexity into momentum for a variety of topics, including new approaches to GenAI, technology, and digital innovation.Resources:Greg Boone LinkedInWalk West LinkedInWalk West WebsiteHigh Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO'S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO'S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.

Launching a capital campaign is one thing. Raising over $200 million and outgrowing your original goals is another. In this episode of The Responsive Lab, hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Dr. Will Smallwood, Vice President for Advancement at Cedarville University, to unpack the story behind the wildly successful “One Thousand Days Transformed” campaign. Dr. Smallwood shares the campaign's roots in mission-first storytelling, how strategic planning turned into campus-wide buy-in, and what it really takes to build momentum, from data-informed planning to real-time transparency with donors. You'll hear the lessons Cedarville learned while expanding a campaign goal from $125M to $175M, and ultimately raising over $205M. Plus, Will reflects on what he'd do differently, including that time they switched CRMs mid-campaign. Links from the episode: Connect with Will Learn more about Cedarville University and the “One Thousand Days Transformed” campaign Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

Linktree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/Analytic⁠Join The Normandy For Additional Bonus Audio And Visual Content For All Things Nme+! Join Here: ⁠https://ow.ly/msoH50WCu0K⁠Dive into Segment: Shakira – “Hips Don't Lie” (2025 Spotify Anniversary Remix ft. Ed Sheeran & Beéle) on Notorious Mass Effect with Analytic Dreamz. This comprehensive breakdown explores Shakira's iconic career, from her 1995 breakthrough Pies Descalzos (4M+ sales) to 125M+ global records as the top-selling Latin female artist. Analytic Dreamz analyzes the original 2006 #1 hit in 55 countries, its 2B+ Spotify streams, and the 2025 remix celebrating Oral Fixation Vol. 2's 20th anniversary. Featuring Ed Sheeran's acoustic depth and Beéle's Afro-Latin rhythms, the remix re-entered Global Spotify Top 10 within one week. Full statistics include 4.1M US downloads, 9,637 weekly radio spins record, FIFA 2006 surge (+300% Europe), Super Bowl LIV boost (+194%), and TikTok's 500M+ dance streams. Analytic Dreamz examines genre fusion of reggaeton, cumbia, pop, hip-hop; cultural legacy influencing Karol G and Rosalía; plus 2025 tour tie-ins resuming in Colombia. Discover sales breakdowns, chart milestones, and why this remains Shakira's defining US Hot 100 #1 anthem bridging Latin globalization across generations.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on Riding Unicorns, we're joined by Paul Becker, Co-Founder & CEO of re:cap, a fintech platform helping digital businesses unlock capital and understand their financial position through intelligent forecasting, real-time data insights, and flexible financing.In this wide-ranging conversation, Paul walks us through re:cap's journey from an idea for automated due diligence software to becoming one of Europe's fastest-growing capital platforms, recently securing over €125M in debt financing to power its next phase.We explore the intricacies of fintech business models, investor expectations, the realities of growing a company during AI hype cycles, and what it takes to build enduring value in modern financial infrastructure.In this episode, we discuss:

Alex Rudi is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with a proven track record spanning over two decades and more than $2 billion in real estate transactions. Before founding Interwest, he launched Coverall North America Inc. with just $8,000 and built it into a $250 million global enterprise with thousands of franchises and clients worldwide. A graduate of Harvard Business School's OPM program, as well as UC Berkeley and Purdue University in engineering, Alex also serves as Managing Partner of Plug & Play San Diego, a leading tech incubator linked to Silicon Valley's Plug and Play Tech Center. A long-standing member of the Young Presidents' Organization, he and his wife remain deeply involved in philanthropic efforts throughout the San Diego community.   Here's some of the topics we covered:   From Leaving Iran To Building A Real Estate Empire How Investing In Tech Paved The Way To Real Estate Freedom The One Thing Alex Loves Most About Real Estate Success Secrets To Finding Elite, Best-In-Class Property Managers The Brutal Hotel Market Crash Rocking San Francisco A Behind-The-Scenes Look Inside Alex's Powerhouse Team Disaster Strikes When Frozen Pipes Turn Into A Nightmare Why Speed And Massive Action Separate Winners From The Rest The Real Reason Smart Investors Are Steering Clear Of C-Class Assets   To find out more about partnering or investing in a multifamily deal: Text Partner to 72345 or email Partner@RodKhleif.com    For more about Rod and his real estate investing journey go to www.rodkhleif.com   Please Review and Subscribe  

Guy spent 2 years and $4M building Snyk to $100K ARR. Thousands of developers loved the product. They just wouldn't pay.Then he figured out the problem: he had product-user fit, but not product-buyer fit. Developers loved Snyk. Security teams (the actual buyers) didn't care about it. The distance between user and buyer was killing him.So Guy spent a year building governance features, reporting, and enterprise capabilities—all the stuff developers didn't care about but security teams needed to write checks. Four months later, Snyk hit $650K ARR. A year after that, $4.5M. Then $19M. Today it's over $300M ARR.This episode breaks down the brutal reality of PLG when your user isn't your buyer, why Guy thinks the worst outcome for a founder is getting stuck (not failing), and how he's now raising $125M for his next company Tessl.If you're building PLG, selling to enterprise, or wondering why your users love you but won't pay—this is required listening.Why You Should Listen:Learn why thousands of users loving your product means nothing if they won't payDiscover the difference between product-user fit and product-buyer fitUnderstand why the worst outcome isn't failure—it's getting stuck in the grey zoneMaster the art of anchoring in the future instead of just filling today's gapsKeywords:startup podcast, startup podcast for founders, product market fit, PLG strategy, product-user fit vs product-buyer fit, developer tools, security startup, enterprise sales, bottoms-up GTM, Snyk founderChapters:(00:00:00) Intro(00:01:37) The first start up :Blaze.io"(00:06:16) The Beginning & Concept of Skyk(00:15:27) Why use Snyk(00:23:41) The Product Led Growth for Snyk(00:33:08) Raising for Snyk(00:38:58) The Beginning & Concept of TESL(00:46:39) Raising for TESL(00:48:52) Finding PMF(00:49:26) One Piece of AdviceSend me a message to let me know what you think!

On this episode of High Octane Leadership, host Donald Thompson sits down with Greg Boone to discuss how staying true to your values even when it means walking away from lucrative clients or doubling down on team development can fuel sustainable business growth without compromising what your organization stands for. What You'll Learn:Ethical and People-First Leadership: Maintaining integrity even at the cost of revenue, fostering a safe culture for feedback, and leading by example through continuous learning.Empowering Teams for Change: Investing in employee education and using frameworks like “Personal, Fun, and Safe” to reduce fear and resistance toward new technologies.Strategic Adaptation and Innovation: Addressing modern lead flow challenges and adopting domain-specific AI tools to stay agile and effective in evolving markets.About the GuestGreg Boone is a tech-savvy CEO and innovation strategist helping organizations turn AI into real business value. As CEO of Walk West, he leads digital transformation for brands seeking to scale smarter and faster. He previously co-led Blue Acorn iCi through a $125M acquisition by Infosys and served as CEO of Cleartelligence. Greg blends deep technical expertise with strategic clarity, advising Fortune 500s through startups on how to lead through disruption, implement AI effectively, and build future-ready cultures. He's a sought-after speaker known for translating complexity into momentum for a variety of topics, including new approaches to GenAI, technology, and digital innovation.Resources:Greg Boone LinkedInWalkWest LinkedInWalkWest WebsiteHigh Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO'S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO'S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.

The World Series matchup is set after the Blue Jays got past the Mariners in Game 7 of the ALCS. The Denver Nuggets and Christian Braun agreed to a 5-year, $125M extension. How important was it to keep him on the team for the next five years? Dre Greenlaw has been suspended one game for chasing down and verbally abusing referee Brad Allen as Allen was leaving the field. Big deal or not so much? Also, Sean Payton was asked at yesterday's presser if he would consider giving up play calling duties. Eric and Bruce react to this and also dive into asking tough questions at press conferences. Tune in to a Tuesday version of Hot Takes with Eric Goodman and Bruce Haertl! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ankur Garg shares his life story about building "Shredz" with jersey shore cast member Arvin Lal.⁣ ⁣ Ankur Links https://ankurkgarg.me⁣

SUBSCRIBE TO JORDAN'S FREE NEWSLETTER. Get the facts, without the spin. UNBIASED offers a clear, impartial recap of US news, including politics, elections, legal news, and more. Hosted by lawyer Jordan Berman, each episode provides a recap of current political events plus breakdowns of complex concepts—like constitutional rights, recent Supreme Court rulings, and new legislation—in an easy-to-understand way. No personal opinions, just the facts you need to stay informed on the daily news that matters. If you miss how journalism used to be, you're in the right place. In today's episode: Everything We Know About the Tyler Robinson: Charlie Kirk's Suspected Assassin (1:40) Supreme Court Issues Transgender Bathroom Use Ruling (18:04) ICE Agents Shoot and Kill Man Resisting Arrest Leading to Controversy (21:42) Department of Defense Memo Details Plans to Send National Guard Troops to Louisiana (27:45) Missouri Lawmakers Pass New Congressional Map to Likely Add One Republican House Seat (31:16) Bureau of Labor Statistics Says U.S. Added 911,000 Less Jobs Than Originally Thought. Here's What It Means (34:48) Quick Hitters: NY Gov. Endorses Mamdani, DOJ Sues Uber for $125M, TikTok Deal Reportedly Reached, Men Arrested in Salt Lake City for Placing Bomb Under News Van, Trump Says Construction on Ballroom Has Begun (38:38) Good News From UNBIASED Community Members (42:33) Critical Thinking Segment (46:12) SUBSCRIBE TO JORDAN'S FREE NEWSLETTER. Watch this episode on YouTube. Follow Jordan on Instagram and TikTok. All sources for this episode can be found here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a historic move, Liverpool FC signs Swedish star Alexander Isak for a record-breaking £125 million. This episode of Goalya dives into the details of the transfer, what Isak's arrival means for Liverpool's new era under Arne Slot, and how this seismic signing changes the Premier League title race. We break down the numbers: 27 goals in 42 appearances and a clinical 23 in the Premier League, making Isak the perfect fit for a team ready to conquer Europe. Isak, Liverpool, Transfer Record, Premier League, Football Podcast

Hear from Swedish international Alexander Isak after he agreed a long-term deal to join Liverpool FC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex is joined by Guy Podjarny, serial entrepreneur and Founder and CEO at Tessl (and Founder of Snyk). In the episode, they discuss Guy's incredible journey from founding Snyk (valued at $8.5B at its peak) to leaving the unicorn he built to tackle the next frontier: reimagining software development for the AI era. Guy reveals why he believes software development will evolve from code-centric to spec-centric, how Tessl raised $125M to build this vision, and the lessons he's learned about scaling AI-native companies in this ‘gold rush' environment. He discusses the challenges of building for an unknown future, managing high-caliber teams, and why he's already rebuilt his product three times. Guest links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guypo/ Website: https://tessl.io/ Hear more from Guy on stage at SaaStock Europe. https://saastock-europe.com/tickets/       Check out the other ways SaaStock is helping SaaS founders move their business forward: 

Andrew Reichert is the CEO and founder of Birgo Capital, a Pittsburgh-based private equity real estate firm with $330M+ in assets under management and 3,600+ multifamily units. Having raised over $125M from investors, he oversees a team of 100+, is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and podcast host. Andrew embodies the first-generation entrepreneur scaling from small “no money down” deals to leading nine-figure institutional real estate investments. On this episode we talk about: Andrew's beginnings: working restaurant jobs in high school, reading Rich Dad Poor Dad, and buying his first duplex straight out of college—with literally no money, no experience, and no credit Creative real estate deals before the Great Financial Crisis: stacking first and second mortgages for $20K in cash at closing, and holding through 2008 due to conservative numbers Growing from “house hacking” to 20 units while working at PNC Bank—then going all in on real estate entrepreneurship The start of Birgo Capital: launching the first $10M fund (ultimately oversubscribed at $17M) by innovating deal structure and aligning incentives with investors How he raised capital early: putting his own money in every deal, personally guaranteeing debt, and refusing management fees so all profit came from performance and carried interest Evolving capital structures as the company grew, with bigger investors seeking more traditional private equity fee models The “alignment of incentives” philosophy: why reputation, stewardship, and risk-sharing drive trust and investor confidence Mindset: expecting big outcomes, focusing on stewardship, and building toward $1B in assets under management Advice for new investors—how the right deal structure, total transparency, and performance alignment become powerful capital-raising tools Top 3 Takeaways Alignment of Incentives Raises Capital: Early success in raising millions comes from putting your own money on the line, personally guaranteeing loans, and only getting paid after your investors get paid—a structure that's impossible to say no to. From Small Deals to Big Funds: Anyone can start with “no money down”—but scaling to “big money raised” requires obsession with stewardship, track record, and structuring win-win deals for both small and large investors. Growth Is a Mindset: Expecting and planning for outsize results is key—set big goals, focus on serving your people and your capital, and build with humility and discipline. Notable Quotes “Our first deal? No money, no experience, no credit—but I walked away from closing with a $20,000 check.” “We wouldn't make a dime unless the investment performed. Investors got paid first, then we participated in the upside. It made the decision a no-brainer for backers.” “Larger investors want the fees and structure they're used to. But trust still comes down to alignment and stewardship.” “I always expected this to get big—our goal is $1B by 2030. For me, it's about serving more investors and stewarding more assets.” Connect with Andrew Reichert: Company: Birgo Capital (birgo.com)

Alex Buder Shapiro is the Chief People Officer at Jasper AI, a company with more than 100,000 customers using its AI-first marketing platform and over $125M raised. She is a forward-thinking people leader with a unique perspective on the role of HR and the future of teams, having served in the same position for six years at Flatiron Health and as an HR Business Partner Manager for nearly eight years at Google. Alex studied Political Psychology and Theatre Arts at the University of Pennsylvania.In this conversation, we discuss:How Alex's early career at Google shaped her views on aligned incentives, experimentation, and building high-performing people cultures.Why the employer and employee relationship has shifted dramatically in the last five years, from shared incentives to trade-offs driven by economic and social change.Why AI adoption in the workplace creates both opportunities and anxieties, and how people leaders can design human-centered approaches to integrating AI.The concept of “practicing at the top of your license” and how it applies to redesigning work in an AI-driven future.How the next generation of employees will challenge and reshape workplace structures through their fluency with AI and new ways of learning, mentorship, and problem solving.What responsible AI means for people leaders, including addressing bias, conscious adoption, and collective accountability.Resources:Subscribe to the AI & The Future of Work NewsletterConnect with Alex on LinkedInAI fun fact articleOn How To Build High Performance Organization with AI for the Tech ServicesPast episodes mentioned in this conversation:[With Dave Marchick, Dean of the Kogod School of Business] - On How AI is Changing Academia[Bryan Power, Nextdoor's Head of People] - On how AI is Reshaping Work and Job Loyalty 

For many real estate agents, marketing and advertising are murky must-do activities we don't understand. We know we need to “get out there” and stay in front of our target market. We've been told to build a brand, show up in more places, put money behind our efforts, and wait for the ROI to show up.  But what does that actually mean, and does it even work?  With so many options and so much noise, it's no wonder agents feel stuck, scattered, or skeptical. Add to that the pressure to show instant results, and most agents end up measuring the wrong thing, too soon, and in all the wrong ways.  The truth? ROI isn't about what happens in the first 30 days. It's about what happens after consistent visibility and long-term trust compound. In this episode, I sit down with JP Hamel, the newly appointed President and CEO of The N2 Company.  With 16 years of experience in hyper-local advertising and a background as a franchisee himself, JP offers a clear-eyed perspective on what it really takes to grow your visibility, reputation, and referrals in real estate.   There are many places to advertise, but businesses generally don't get a great education on where to spend their money. -JP Hamel   Things You'll Learn In This Episode  ROI isn't broken, your timeline is Why do most businesses misunderstand ROI entirely? What crucial variable are they leaving out that changes everything about how you should measure success? Omnipresence beats one-time hits What does Verizon's marketing have in common with the average small business advertiser, and how can you become unignorable in your niche? Most no's are just not yets Your ideal client wants to hire you, but they're just not ready yet. How do we unlock the power of long-term brand saturation in buying cycles? Spray-and-pray is for Doritos How do you know if you're advertising in the wrong places entirely? Guest Bio JP Hamel is the President and CEO of The N2 Company. He has the privilege of leading a team of over 800 of the most talented, top-earning, and inspiring salespeople in the nation. This team has taken N2 to revenues of over $125M and to over 850 publications nationwide. JP is incredibly passionate about his job and believes in faith over fear when it comes to sales and selling. Find JP Hamel on LinkedIn.   About Your Host Remington Ramsey is a speaker, author, entrepreneur, and visionary in the world of real estate. As the creator of "Real Producers", a widely acclaimed magazine connecting top agents and industry leaders, Remington has built an impressive platform dedicated to celebrating and elevating the real estate community. Remington is also the author of Agent Allies: Building Your Business With Strategic Real Estate Partnerships. With a passion for motivating and mentoring, he's shared stages with some of the biggest names in business, helping professionals break through barriers and reach new heights. When he's not busy being a real estate guru, Remington is known for his contagious energy, practical wisdom, and a good dose of humor—because let's face it, navigating life and business requires both grit and a sense of humor. With multiple successful ventures under his belt and a reputation for engaging storytelling, he has the rare ability to make even the driest industry stats sound exciting.    Follow the show on our website, Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss a single inspiring episode! Start a Real Producers Magazine in YOUR Market! Learn more about franchise opportunities at realproducersmag.com

For many real estate agents, marketing and advertising are murky must-do activities we don't understand. We know we need to "get out there" and stay in front of our target market. We've been told to build a brand, show up in more places, put money behind our efforts, and wait for the ROI to show up.  But what does that actually mean, and does it even work?  With so many options and so much noise, it's no wonder agents feel stuck, scattered, or skeptical. Add to that the pressure to show instant results, and most agents end up measuring the wrong thing, too soon, and in all the wrong ways.  The truth? ROI isn't about what happens in the first 30 days. It's about what happens after consistent visibility and long-term trust compound. In this episode, I sit down with JP Hamel, the newly appointed President and CEO of The N2 Company.  With 16 years of experience in hyper-local advertising and a background as a franchisee himself, JP offers a clear-eyed perspective on what it really takes to grow your visibility, reputation, and referrals in real estate.   There are many places to advertise, but businesses generally don't get a great education on where to spend their money. -JP Hamel     Things You'll Learn In This Episode  ROI isn't broken, your timeline is Why do most businesses misunderstand ROI entirely? What crucial variable are they leaving out that changes everything about how you should measure success? Omnipresence beats one-time hits What does Verizon's marketing have in common with the average small business advertiser, and how can you become unignorable in your niche? Most no's are just not yets Your ideal client wants to hire you, but they're just not ready yet. How do we unlock the power of long-term brand saturation in buying cycles? Spray-and-pray is for Doritos How do you know if you're advertising in the wrong places entirely?   Guest Bio JP Hamel is the President and CEO of The N2 Company. He has the privilege of leading a team of over 800 of the most talented, top-earning, and inspiring salespeople in the nation. This team has taken N2 to revenues of over $125M and to over 850 publications nationwide. JP is incredibly passionate about his job and believes in faith over fear when it comes to sales and selling. Find JP Hamel on LinkedIn.   About Your Host Remington Ramsey is a speaker, author, entrepreneur, and visionary in the world of real estate. As the creator of "Real Producers", a widely acclaimed magazine connecting top agents and industry leaders, Remington has built an impressive platform dedicated to celebrating and elevating the real estate community. Remington is also the author of Agent Allies: Building Your Business With Strategic Real Estate Partnerships. With a passion for motivating and mentoring, he's shared stages with some of the biggest names in business, helping professionals break through barriers and reach new heights. When he's not busy being a real estate guru, Remington is known for his contagious energy, practical wisdom, and a good dose of humor—because let's face it, navigating life and business requires both grit and a sense of humor. With multiple successful ventures under his belt and a reputation for engaging storytelling, he has the rare ability to make even the driest industry stats sound exciting.   Follow the show on our website, Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss a single inspiring episode! Start a Real Producers Magazine in YOUR Market! Learn more about franchise opportunities at realproducersmag.com

Episode 384 of The VentureFizz Podcast features Thomas “TK” Kinsella, Co-Founder & Chief Customer Officer of Tines. The success of Tines is not based on luck. The company's co-founders experienced a major problem that wasn't being being solved by existing platforms and after talking to peers who were also dealing with the same problem, they decided to do something about it. But, it wasn't just an idea that got them to where they are today. This team was uniquely qualified to build the next generation solution based on TK's and his Co-Founder & CEO, Eoin Hinchy's many years of experience in the cybersecurity industry, plus a history of working together for something like 15+ years at Deloitte, eBay, and DocuSign. Tines empowers teams to build, run, and monitor their most mission-critical and sophisticated workflows. The company recently announced a $125M round of funding at a $1.125B valuation and is co-headquartered in Dublin and Boston. In this episode of our podcast, we cover lots of great topics like: * A discussion about the cybersecurity industry and the platform shift to AI. * TK's background story growing up in Dublin and some mutual geeking out on rugby. * Starting his career in cybersecurity at Deloitte where he met Eoin, plus lots of details about what they worked on at eBay and DocuSign. * Getting Tines started from the early days and all the details about the platform today. * Why they hired a top designer as one of the first employees in the company and the importance of making products that are easy to use. * Details on the latest round of funding and what's next. * And so much more. Episode Sponsor: As a longtime champion of the local startup ecosystem, Silicon Valley Bank supports innovative companies with the solutions and financing they need through every stage of growth. With more than 1,500 bankers and relationship advisors, and $42B in loans as of Q2 2024 – SVB delivers the right people, service and resources to support your entire financial journey. Learn more at SVB.com.

Today on Moment of Zen is a conversation I had with Samo Burja back in January 2024 on Japan's existential demographic crisis, analyzing how collapsing fertility rates and population aging threaten the nation's economic and geopolitical future. The discussion explores cultural barriers to family formation, automation limitations, and Japan's dilemma between preserving identity versus accepting transformative change. Make sure to subscribe to Samo Burja's Bismarck Brief and the Live Players podcast to read analyses and briefs like this one: Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ Live Players: https://link.chtbl.com/liveplayers --

INTELLIGEMSIntelligems is the ultimate profit-optimization tool for DTC brands. Use it for all of your CRO efforts by visiting https://intelligems.io.WORKSPACE6Workspace6 is a private community for 7, 8 & 9 figure+ eCommerce operators and executives. Join for just $1 for your first month and no annual commitments at https://workspace6.io. //Will Nitze is the Founder & CEO of IQBAR, an omnichannel food & bev brand on pace to do $125M at 17% EBITDA in 2025 after doing $59M in revenue at 13% EBITDA in 2024. Follow Will on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-nitze/ and on X at https://x.com/willnitze.//Will Nitze is the Founder & CEO of IQBAR. Follow Will on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-nitze/ and on X at https://x.com/willnitze.//Will Nitze, founder of IQBAR, shares how he scaled his food and beverage brand into the 9 figures and successfully turning the corner to profitability. This episode unpacks why he raised capital (and doesn't regret it), how he thinks about supply chain leverage, what founders get wrong about bootstrapping, and the real path to operational excellence.You'll learn how volume-driven growth models differ from high-margin products, how to avoid channel conflict in OmniChannel, and why your COGS might be the biggest opportunity in your business.If you're operating a 7–9 figure eCom brand and care about scale, margin, or long-term exit value—this is a masterclass.// SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!//ADMISSIONGet the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast//FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/andrewjfaris Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.comWork with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#metaads #facebookads #ecommerce #advertisingCHAPTER TITLES:1:21: Is there really a big against fundraising?8:23: How to make money as a food/beverage business?13:57: Choosing the right investors for your DTC Business27:08: Finding Product Market Fit36:14: Operational Muscles For Omni Channel DTC45:24: Supply Chain 101//SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!//ADMISSIONGet the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast//FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/andrewjfaris Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.comWork with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You built the business. You cashed out. Now what?Most founders think they need to “reinvest everything” or go chase the next big thing. But in this episode of Beyond 8 Figures, I sit down with Ben Fraser of Aspen Funds to break down how to invest after selling a business — the right way.Ben's been inside this game since the last recession. He watched his father build Aspen Funds from scratch after the 2008 crash, and he's since helped scale it into a multi-million-dollar platform that helps entrepreneurs invest passively (and intelligently).We talk about why entrepreneurs make terrible investors, how billionaires actually diversify, and the overlooked tax strategy that could save you six figures. If you're still betting everything on your business — or worse, sitting on cash and hoping for the best — this episode will shift your mindset.Guest Introduction:Ben Fraser is the Chief Investment Officer at Aspen Funds and co-host of the Invest Like a Billionaire podcast, where he helps high-performing entrepreneurs grow and protect their wealth through smarter, passive investments. With a background in commercial lending and institutional asset management, Ben has overseen $125M+ in real estate and business loans. Today, he specializes in guiding business owners toward alternative investment strategies that prioritize stability, cash flow, and long-term growth—without adding complexity to their lives.Key Takeaways & Timestamps:[05:37] The One-Liner That Changes Everything – “Wealth is created through concentration, but preserved through diversification.”[06:38] How Billionaires Really Diversify – Ben reveals the Tiger 21 portfolio breakdown and how to use it.[14:35] Unlocking Tax Loopholes Most Entrepreneurs Miss – What happens when your spouse qualifies as a real estate professional.[15:36] Why One Founder Quit a 6-Figure Job to Save More – Ben shares a story that'll make you rethink W-2s.[19:47] Where the Smart Money Is Moving in 2025 – Ben's macro-driven view of real estate (and what KKR just did).The next big move in your business might start with a conversation.If you've been thinking about leveling up, shifting directions, or preparing for a future exit, A.J. offers strategic support for entrepreneurs at a crossroads. No pitch—just a chance to explore what's possible. 

Attorney Fred Rispoli, founder of HODL Law, joined me to discuss what happens next after the SEC dropped the appeal in the Ripple XRP case.Topics:- Why the SEC dropped the appeal - Will Ripple Cross Appeal? - Will the $125 Million fee be thrown out or reduced? - Ripple & SEC deal for institutional sales moving forward - With the appeal dropped will XRP ETFs be approved ShowSponsor -

Stocks just reached all-time-highs… and it's all because of Ned Stark & Game of Thrones.Crayola is about to hit $1B in annual sales… because its crayons have Main Character Energy.The biggest podcast deal in years? $125M for Call Her Daddy (Spotify lost, but it really won).Plus, we're officially back from vacay… so we whipped up two “lifestyle souvenirs” from our trips to France & Italy.$HALL $SIRI $SPYSubscribe to our Saturday Newsletter: tboypod.com/newsletter Watch us on YouTube Submit Facts & Shoutouts Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn (Nick) & LinkedIn (Jack)About Us: From the creators of Robinhood Snacks Daily, The Best One Yet (TBOY) is the daily pop-biz news show making today's top stories your business. 20 minutes on the 3 business, economics, and finance stories you need, with fresh takes you can pretend you came up with — Pairs perfectly with your morning oatmeal ritual. Hosted by Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A dudecast is in effect for the latest episode of the JBP as the guys open the pod with a discussion on skipping school to buy music and the technology kids have access to today (3:48). Sexyy Red launches a Lip Gloss line (44:30), Complex releases a Top-50 Rappers from Atlanta list (55:20), and the room sends their condolences after the passing of Houston rapper and producer BeatKing (1:21:27). Also, more movement in the music business after Roc Nation merges its label and distribution divisions (1:37:08), Alex Cooper signs deal up to $125M with SiriusXM (1:55:27), What's the floor for buying your male friend a car (2:34:55), the viral clip of a bus driver beating up passenger after getting spit on (3:05:40), Joe calls Tank to discuss his recent take on Chris Brown being better than Michael Jackson (3:17:50), and much more!  Become a Patron of The Joe Budden Podcast for additional bonus episodes and visual content for all things JBP! Join our Patreon here: www.patreon.com/joebudden  Sleeper Picks:  Joe | Maeta - “Mustang Sally” Ice | Gucci Mane & DJ Drama - “Rich N****z” Parks | Emilio Rojas - “Highs & Lows” Ish | SAINt JHN (feat. Lenny Kravitz) - “Borders” Emanny | Miguel - “Gravity”