Affluent individual who provides capital for a business start-up, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity
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How does an agricultural idea go from someone's garage or university lab to something farmers actually want to use? AgLaunch's Margaret Oldham and North Central Iowa farmer Mark take Farm4Profit behind the scenes of a startup accelerator built around putting farmers directly into the innovation process. Through AgLaunch Farmers LLC and its partnership with AgVentures Alliance, farmers help select startups, conduct real-world trials, provide feedback, and determine whether a product actually delivers value. Instead of simply receiving a free product for their time and acres, participating farmers can earn equity tied to the startups they're helping develop. The group discusses why farmer involvement is so valuable, what causes startups to fail, bootstrapping versus venture capital, and a newly licensed $50 million Farmers Innovation Fund designed to help support agricultural startups while keeping farmers and rural America at the center of the mission. Mark also shares real examples from his own farm, including Grain Weevil and Spornado, and how emerging technology can address everything from grain-bin safety to earlier detection of crop diseases. Ultimately, the episode asks an important question: if farmers provide the land, equipment, time, data, and knowledge that help make new technology successful, shouldn't they have some skin in the game too? Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don't forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.comShareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.comEmail address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.comCall/Text: 515.207.9640Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5XqwFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/Farm4Profit Media is not a financial, legal, or tax advisor. Content is provided for informational purposes only, and we serve solely as a platform for third-party opinions. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Cheryl Kellond made her first angel investment in an at-home fertility startup and watched it get written off to zero. She still says it was worth it, and she built Play Money to make sure more women get the chance to find out for themselves how to start angel investing. Cheryl is the founder and CEO of Play Money and a serial entrepreneur who has raised more than $20 million in venture capital and led nearly a billion dollars in product revenue. On Getting Rich Together, host Syama Bunten asks Cheryl about the founder who went silent after taking her money, and how that experience shaped an angel investing platform for beginners instead of scaring her off the space entirely. Cheryl breaks down why startup investing for women has long relied on fragmented deal flow, individual outreach, and warm introductions, and why she built Play Money to make angel investing work more like scrolling than fundraising. She also runs the math on an idea that became a major aha moment for her. If just 20 percent of accredited investors invested $10,000 a year, she says they could move $30 billion in capital and replicate the entire early-stage startup funding ecosystem. Cheryl also shares how to start angel investing with a check the size of a weekend trip, and why communication between founders and their investors matters long after the check is written. Find a salon near you or grab a seat at the Wealth Catalyst Summit in San Francisco on October 16 at wealthcatalyst.com Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Meet Cheryl Kellond 02:13 Shy Childhood, Fairfield County, and Early Rebellion 07:39 Single Motherhood, Night Shifts, and University of Chicago 11:14 The MIT Sloan Admissions Story 12:03 Blogging, Building HTML Sites, and the AOL Sale 19:22 California, Marriage, and the Move to Colorado 22:01 Chaos, Growth, and a Career at Yahoo 27:17 The Boardroom Moment That Changed Everything 28:32 Launching a Startup and Learning It the Hard Way 45:50 Her First Angel Investment and What Went Wrong 49:05 How to Start Angel Investing Through Play Money 56:35 The Math Behind Moving Billions in Capital 1:00:46 Fun Money, Costa Rica, and a Final Ask Find more from Syama Bunten: Your money story may be shaping your financial life more than you realize. After hundreds of conversations with women at all stages of their financial lives, Syama distilled the questions that helped her understand her own patterns into The Money Story Reset, a free guide featuring five guided reflections and personal stories from her journey. Download The Money Story Reset and begin uncovering the beliefs behind your financial decisions. Attend a Salon near you: wealthcatalyst.com/salons Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syama.co/ Join Syama's Substack: https://thewealthcatalystwithsyama.substack.com/ Website: https://wealthcatalyst.com Download Syama's Free Resources: https://wealthcatalyst.com/resources Wealth Catalyst Summit: https://wealthcatalyst.com/summits Speaking: https://syamabunten.com Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
Sacramento business, entrepreneurship, downtown development, AI, real estate and the future of local media are all changing fast. Bryan Flaherty, Publisher & Market President of the Sacramento Business Journal, joins Mark for a wide-ranging conversation about the biggest stories shaping the Sacramento region and where the local economy goes from here.Bryan shares his path from advertising and media into leadership at the Business Journal, why Sacramento's business community continues to grow, and what he sees happening in downtown Sacramento, the startup ecosystem and some of the region's fastest-growing companies.They also dig into the changing media landscape and the role of trusted local journalism in an era of social media, political division and artificial intelligence. Bryan explains why the Business Journal has stayed focused on factual local business reporting, how AI could change the way readers access decades of Business Journal reporting, and why boots-on-the-ground journalism still matters.The conversation also covers:• Why Sacramento has an opportunity to become an even stronger business and entrepreneurial center• The future of downtown Sacramento and the urban core• Startups, jobs, real estate and the stories readers care about most• Why face-to-face relationships and networking still matter• How AI is changing journalism and media• The Sacramento Business Journal's events, awards and Fastest Growing Companies• Bryan's vision for the Business Journal and the Sacramento regionBryan believes Sacramento is already in a strong position—but still has enormous unrealized potential. His goal is to help tell that story honestly while keeping a finger on the pulse of the people and businesses driving the region forward.______________________________________________________________If this episode inspires you to be part of the movement, and you believe, like me, that entrepreneurs are the answer to our future, message me so we can join forces to support building truly great companies in our region. -Subscribe to my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCom_... - Mark Haney is a serial entrepreneur that has experience growing companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He is currently the CEO and founder of HaneyBiz - Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarkhaney Facebook: www.facebook.com/themarkhaney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markehaney Website: http://haneybiz.com Audio Boom: https://audioboom.com/channels/5005273 Twitter: http://twitter.com/themarkhaney-This video includes personal knowledge, experiences, and opinions about Angel Investing by seasoned angel investors. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Nothing in this video constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement.#thebackyardadvantage #themarkhaneyshow #entrepreneur #PowerOfWith #SacramentoEntrepreneur #Sacramento#SacramentoSmallBusiness #SmallBusiness #GrowthFactory #Investor#podcast
Grace Belangia didn't build her startup ecosystem in Silicon Valley. She built it in Augusta, Georgia, a city with medical, military, and energy communities but no established tech community. On Getting Rich Together, host Syama Bunten talks with the cofounder and executive board member of Make Startups about her path from writing angel checks on her own to becoming an LP in a VC fund. Grace traces her money instincts back to her mother, an immigrant who taught her that saving and investing are two different things. That lesson followed her into a research role at a private equity firm in her twenties, where she saw firsthand how the investment world worked and started learning how capital actually moves. She talks through how she learned to angel invest through Pipeline Angels, what it took to learn the space through a six-month investing cohort, and why she eventually expanded from direct angel investing into funds run by managers she trusts. She also explains economic mobility through entrepreneurship and the philosophy she calls reserve and deploy. If angel investing for women feels out of reach, or you're curious about what it takes to become an LP in a venture capital fund, this conversation lays out the real path Grace took. Press play, then find a salon near you or grab a seat at the Wealth Catalyst Summit in San Francisco on October 16 at wealthcatalyst.com. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Grace Belangia's Childhood in LA and Palo Alto 05:12 High School Years and Early Community Building 07:43 College, Political Science, and Career Uncertainty 10:49 Learning Finance Inside a Private Equity Research Desk 14:44 Marriage, the Navy, and the Move to Georgia 20:10 Founding a Startup Ecosystem in Augusta 23:07 Learning to Angel Invest Through Pipeline Angels 29:20 How Grace Became an LP in a VC Fund 33:39 Reserve and Deploy, Grace's Investing Philosophy 38:04 Economic Mobility, Legacy, and Building the Bridge Find more from Syama Bunten: Your money story may be shaping your financial life more than you realize. After hundreds of conversations with women at all stages of their financial lives, Syama distilled the questions that helped her understand her own patterns into The Money Story Reset, a free guide featuring five guided reflections and personal stories from her journey. Download The Money Story Reset and begin uncovering the beliefs behind your financial decisions. Attend a Salon near you: wealthcatalyst.com/salons Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syama.co/ Join Syama's Substack: https://thewealthcatalystwithsyama.substack.com/ Website: https://wealthcatalyst.com Download Syama's Free Resources: https://wealthcatalyst.com/resources Wealth Catalyst Summit: https://wealthcatalyst.com/summits Speaking: https://syamabunten.com Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.----------------------------------------This episode of Investing in Impact is a little different from the conversations I usually have on the show.Social Leverage is not an impact investing firm in the traditional sense. It is a seed stage venture capital firm investing primarily in fintech, financial infrastructure, wealth technology, and vertical AI.But impact does not always fit neatly inside an impact investing label.Capital allocation shapes which companies get built, which founders get opportunities, where wealth is created, and what happens after successful entrepreneurs and employees gain experience, relationships, and financial resources.That idea became one of the most interesting parts of my conversation with Matt Ober, Managing Partner at Social Leverage.Matt described a flywheel the firm sees repeatedly across its network: a founder builds a company, eventually has an exit, and later returns to their hometown or another community where they want to build a life. They begin mentoring and supporting other entrepreneurs.Those entrepreneurs build companies of their own, and some eventually become new investment opportunities.Successful companies can create much more than financial returns for investors.They can create wealth for employees, produce experienced founders and operators, build networks, and recycle knowledge and capital back into communities and future companies.That broader definition of impact is what makes this conversation particularly interesting.Matt brings a unique perspective to the discussion. Before joining Social Leverage, he worked at Bloomberg, led data strategy at quantitative hedge fund WorldQuant, helped launch WorldQuant Ventures, and later served as Chief Data Scientist at Third Point.Today, he invests at the earliest stages of companies building across fintech and AI.In our conversation, we explore how Social Leverage evaluates founders, why venture investing is still fundamentally about people despite the rise of data and AI, and how technologies like AI are changing the economics of building companies.We also discuss several Social Leverage portfolio companies, including Fiscal AI, Slash Experts, and SyntheticFi, the evolution of wealth management technology, agentic trading, the role of financial advisors in an AI driven world, and why the next generation of professionals will need to become deeply proficient with AI.At its core, this conversation is about how capital, technology, entrepreneurship, and networks compound over time, and how the effects of a successful company can extend far beyond the original investment. ----------------------------------------Investing in Impact is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.
What does it really take to shift from a traditional career path to building your own company—and how do your earliest money experiences shape the journey? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, listeners are invited to consider how personal financial histories and mindsets can be as pivotal as business acumen in entrepreneurship, especially when the goal is empowering others. Our guest, Stephanie Guttman, brings a uniquely diverse background, having started her career in corporate finance before moving through the world of startups, eventually becoming an investor and now a founder. She shares her early fascination with financial independence—opening an IRA at eighteen, working multiple jobs in high school, and volunteering for tax preparation—all of which laid the groundwork for her deep understanding of money, its power, and its potential as a force for individual autonomy. Throughout the episode, Marcia and Stephanie Guttman dive into the founding of Huntress Wealth—a platform designed not as a typical wealth management firm but as a resource for women seeking confidence, clarity, and purpose in their financial lives. Together, they explore the investing gap, societal and psychological barriers women face, and why understanding “enough” can be the secret to true financial empowerment. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersections of entrepreneurship, mindset, and financial equality, as it not only surfaces actionable ideas but also challenges listeners to rethink how they approach money and self-worth. To get the latest from Stephanie Guttman, you can follow her below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-guttman/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood
In this episode, we sit down with CBS Sacramento news anchor Tony Lopez to talk about communicating under pressure, public speaking, and the changing media landscape.Drawing on more than 35 years in television news, Tony shares how he stays calm during breaking news, handles unexpected moments live on air, and delivers a clear message when emotions are running high. He also discusses his growing work as a keynote speaker and the practical communication lessons he brings to businesses, nonprofits, and leadership teams. We also explore artificial intelligence, changing viewing habits, trust in local journalism, and why each of us should be more intentional about the information we consume.______________________________________________________________If this episode inspires you to be part of the movement, and you believe, like me, that entrepreneurs are the answer to our future, message me so we can join forces to support building truly great companies in our region. -Subscribe to my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCom_... - Mark Haney is a serial entrepreneur that has experience growing companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He is currently the CEO and founder of HaneyBiz - Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarkhaney Facebook: www.facebook.com/themarkhaney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markehaney Website: http://haneybiz.com Audio Boom: https://audioboom.com/channels/5005273 Twitter: http://twitter.com/themarkhaney-This video includes personal knowledge, experiences, and opinions about Angel Investing by seasoned angel investors. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Nothing in this video constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement.#thebackyardadvantage #themarkhaneyshow #entrepreneur #PowerOfWith #SacramentoEntrepreneur #Sacramento#SacramentoSmallBusiness #SmallBusiness #GrowthFactory #Investor#podcast
Writing your first angel check is an act of conviction. For Lisha Bell it was also an act of defiance. She had spent 20 years as a Black woman in tech, rarely working alongside other Black people or women, watching founders who looked like her get passed over. VC wasn't going to fix it. So she decided to write her own checks. And she wants more women to do the same. Lisha grew up working the cash register at her dad's gas station in South Central LA, counting nickels and dimes, watching money move through a community in real time. She understood early that money was a tool and a need. When her family lost everything, that lesson got sharper. She got to the Bay Area, maxed out her 401k from her very first paycheck, and bought a house in Oakland at 24. Not because someone told her to. Because she was afraid of being poor and she wasn't going to wait for anyone else to sort it out. In this conversation with host Syama Bunten, Lisha talks about what it actually looks like to become an angel investor when you built everything yourself, why she did it with a community of women instead of alone, and what it means to deploy capital into founders nobody else was betting on. Lisha built the room she needed when nobody else would. Syama is doing the same thing at Wealth Catalyst, salons and summits where women speak candidly about money, risk, and the choices that shape a life. If you want to be part of that room,join us at the Wealth Catalyst Summit, a full-day event in San Francisco this October 16, 2026, or find a Freedom Tour salon happening near you. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction to Lisha Bell and Women's Financial Power 02:31 Childhood Money Lessons from a Family Gas Station 06:58 Growing Up Between Worlds and Shaping Her Identity 13:14 Early Wealth Building Through Saving and Homeownership 22:51 Why She Chose an MBA to Increase Earning Power 26:48 Startup Culture, Career Risk, and Becoming a Mother 30:20 Angel Investing for Women and Writing the First Check 40:32 Why Emerging Fund Managers Matter in Venture Capital 44:56 Capital Preservation and Investing With Purpose 52:40 Access to Capital for Women and Building an Equitable Future Connect with Lisha Bell: Facebook: Follow Lisha on Facebook X: Follow Lisha on X LinkedIn: Connect with Lisha on LinkedIn Instagram: Follow Lisha on Instagram Youtube: Watch the Sisters with Ventures Podcast Find more from Syama Bunten: Attend a Salon near you: wealthcatalyst.com/salons Instagram: Follow Syama on Instagram Join Syama's Substack: Join Syama's Substack Website: Visit the Wealth Catalyst website Download Syama's Free Resources: Download Syama's Free Resources Learn About Wealth Catalyst Summit Events: Wealth Catalyst Summit Website: Visit Syama's website Big Delta Capital: Visit the Big Delta Capital website Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
Why do most new products fail — even when they solve a real problem? In this episode of The Voice of Retail, presented by Konek – Canada's way to pay. Visit Konek.ca to learn more., host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Rob Snyder, founder and author of the new book The Power of Pull, to unpack why understanding customer demand is fundamentally different from pitching supply — and what that means for retailers, vendors, and startups trying to win business today. Snyder's path here started at McKinsey & Company, where he grew frustrated with consulting from the outside and moved into the startup world to learn how companies actually work. After Harvard Business School, he built his first startup selling into retail and restaurants — and spent two brutal years hitting a wall before finally cracking the code and scaling to $4 million in annual recurring revenue in under two years. That hard-won experience became the foundation for his PULL framework, and for a career spent studying, through Harvard Innovation Labs, startup advising, and angel investing, why some new ideas take off while most don't. The conversation digs into the core distinction at the heart of Snyder's book: demand is not the same thing as wanting a product. Demand is a person trying to accomplish something in their life; supply is simply the tool they pull in to get it done. Snyder revisits the famous (and possibly apocryphal) Henry Ford "faster horses" quote to explain why asking customers what they want often produces the wrong answer — and why the real skill is identifying what people are stuck trying to do with the options already in front of them. For retailers fielding constant vendor pitches, Snyder offers a practical filter: can this startup speak your language, cite specific relevant case studies, and explain exactly how they've unstuck a comparable business — or are they hiding behind buzzwords like "agentic AI"? He also tackles how AI is reshaping the competitive landscape for B2B startups, arguing that as AI closes gaps in the "limitations" side of the PULL framework, vendors need to find pull in places AI hasn't reached yet. The episode closes with Snyder's advice for retail leaders trying to uncover genuine, unfiltered demand: skip the customer interviews, and instead watch shoppers struggle in real time — in-store and online — to find the moments where existing options fall short. Rob Snyder's new book, The Power of Pull, is available now wherever books are sold. Connect with him on LinkedIn or at robsnyder.org. This episode presented by Konek – Canada's way to pay. Visit Konek.ca to learn more. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025 and 2026. Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.
Have you ever wondered what truly drives someone to leap from curiosity about startups into the realm of angel investing—and what mindset shifts are crucial along the way? This episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast opens with that very question, as we explore the often untold personal and financial journeys that lie behind the checks investors write, and the ambitions founders chase. Our guest, Christa Downey, brings a unique lens as both an active angel investor and a leadership coach grounded in the vibrant startup ecosystem of Ithaca, New York. Christa Downey shares her path from engaging with the Cornell entrepreneurship community to backing mission-driven companies, investing alongside platforms like Chloe Capital and The Fourth Effect, and leveraging alternative vehicles such as self-directed IRAs to build wealth with purpose. Her commitment to fostering both financial returns and meaningful impact defines her approach and investments. In this conversation, Christa Downey dives into practical strategies for diversification, the pivotal role of money mindset for both founders and investors, and the often-overlooked emotional aspects of entrepreneurship—including navigating hard money conversations, founder agreements, and the difficult transition from founder to CEO. Listeners will gain concrete insights on angel investing, alternative wealth-building tools, and how intentional financial choices shape both companies and their leaders. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in reimagining their relationship with money, understanding the nuts and bolts of early-stage investing, and supporting the creation of a more inclusive, impactful startup culture. To get the latest from Christa Downey, you can follow her below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/christabdowney/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood
Brandon Robinson opened Tipsy Putt's first location in downtown Sacramento on November 1, 2019. Four months later, the world shut down.He'd already built and sold a multi-state med spa chain. He'd discovered an indoor mini golf bar in Kirkland, Washington on a packed Monday night and written a $150,000 check for a one-page license agreement to bring it to California. Then COVID took the whole thing to zero overnight.This is the story of what he rebuilt — a four-location brand with its ownidentity, roughly 100,000 app downloads, and a fundraising model that turns investors into opening-day customers.Brandon and Mark get into the real numbers: why post-pandemic sites do $3-6M where they used to do $6-10M, why chasing Class A real estate was the expensive lesson, how to structure a raise as an SPV per market instead of selling equity in the parent, and the brutal honest math of angel investing.Then they close on fatherhood, mentorship, and the grandfather who went from 1930s Detroit foster care to one of the top 100 State Farm agents in the country — and why that story is the whole case for supporting veterans in transition.Website: https://tipsyputt.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TipsyPutt/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tipsyputt/YouTube: @tipsyputt ______________________________________________________________If this episode inspires you to be part of the movement, and you believe, like me, that entrepreneurs are the answer to our future, message me so we can join forces to support building truly great companies in our region. -Subscribe to my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCom_... - Mark Haney is a serial entrepreneur that has experience growing companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He is currently the CEO and founder of HaneyBiz - Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarkhaney Facebook: www.facebook.com/themarkhaney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markehaney Website: http://haneybiz.com Audio Boom: https://audioboom.com/channels/5005273 Twitter: http://twitter.com/themarkhaney-This video includes personal knowledge, experiences, and opinions about Angel Investing by seasoned angel investors. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Nothing in this video constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement.#thebackyardadvantage #themarkhaneyshow #entrepreneur #PowerOfWith #SacramentoEntrepreneur #Sacramento#SacramentoSmallBusiness #SmallBusiness #GrowthFactory #Investor#podcast
S5:E257 David & Paul Paul kick off part two of our double-header on Ten Myths of Angel Investing -- covering material for founders, new angel investors, and the "tech curious." We'll be taking on myths 6-10 in startup investing: is everything you thought you know about startup investing wrong? (recorded 7.9.26)Support the showFollow David on X at https://x.com/DGRollingSouthConnect On LinkedIn with David at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidgrisell/Follow Paul on X at https://x.com/PalmettoAngelConnect On LinkedIn with Paul athttps://www.linkedin.com/in/paulclarkprivateequity/We invite your feedback and suggestions at www.ventureinthesouth.com or email david@ventureinthesouth.com.
Send us Fan MailPost-2022, valuations have come back to earth — but how do you actually price an early stage or pre-revenue deal right now? This segment breaks it down: a family office CFO explains when EBITDA multiples work and when a convertible note is the smarter tool, giving investors the flexibility to clip a coupon if the deal underperforms or convert to equity if it overperforms. Then a serial entrepreneur explains how he acquired 14 franchise locations at $5,000 each — against a $250,000 market rate — by building a relationship with the franchisor instead of the franchisee. A deep tech founder closes with how phased milestone validation replaces balance sheet engineering for pre-revenue companies.About Family Office ClubThe world's largest investor club in the family office space. 19 years. 300+ events. 16 million members. $1B+ in community transactions.
This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.----------------------------------------In this bonus episode Investing in Impact, we showcase a crossover episode from our Disruptors for Good podcast. On this episode, we speak with Lindsay Hadley, founder and CEO of Harbor Fund, about building a new financing model for films designed to influence culture and create social impact.Harbor Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses philanthropic donations to invest in socially meaningful films. Rather than funding a single project through a traditional grant, Harbor Fund takes an equity position in selected productions. When a film generates a financial return, that capital flows back into the fund and can be invested in future projects.The result is an evergreen model that combines philanthropy, impact investing, and independent film financing.Lindsay shares how her 20-year career in nonprofit fundraising led her into filmmaking, why scripted narratives can sometimes create more cultural influence than documentaries, and what Harbor Fund looks for when evaluating hundreds of film submissions.She also discusses the difficult state of the entertainment industry, the importance of established talent and strong intellectual property, and why commercial viability is a critical part of Harbor Fund's impact thesis. ----------------------------------------Investing in Impact is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.
On this episode of Run the Numbers, CJ sits down with Dave McClure and Aman Verjee of Practical VC to talk about the evolution of startup investing — from the PayPal mafia and Founders Fund era to 500 Startups, YC-style scale, and today's secondary market.—SPONSORS:Rillet is an AI-native ERP built for modern finance teams that want to replace NetSuite and close faster. With revenue recognition, close management, multi-entity support, and native Stripe and Salesforce integrations, Rillet helps scaling companies run their finance stack in one place. Hundreds of teams, including Windsurf and Mercor, use Rillet to make the zero-day close real. Book a demo at https://www.rillet.com/cjMaximor is an autonomous finance platform that runs order-to-cash, procure-to-pay, the close, cash management, and reporting on self-learning agents instead of a dozen disconnected tools. One PE-backed customer cut their close in half, took audit findings from seven to zero, and cut back-office costs by 70% in six months. You pay for outcomes, not seats. See it at https://www.maximor.ai/Brex is an intelligent finance platform with AI-powered agents that capture expenses automatically, enforce policy before the spend happens, and close your books in minutes instead of weeks. 35,000+ companies like OpenAI, Coinbase, Anthropic, and DoorDash already run on Brex. It's time to get Brex AF. Learn more at https://www.brex.com/metricsAnrok is the sales tax platform that watches your exposure everywhere, automates compliance, and flags risk before it turns into a surprise back-tax letter from a state you've never set foot in. Companies like Anthropic, Notion, and Vanta already trust Anrok to stay ahead of rules that move faster than any spreadsheet can. Talk to a sales tax expert for a personalized exposure estimate at https://www.anrok.com/rtnRightRev is an automated revenue recognition platform that lets your product team ship new pricing without asking finance for permission, and your sales team close deals without creating downstream chaos. Check out their free tool at calculator.rightrev.com It scores your rev rec process, shows what's exposing you to risk, and tells you exactly where to focus before it bites you in the rear end. Check it out at https://calculator.rightrev.comPulley is an equity management platform that lets you issue options, model dilution, and complete 409As without your cap table turning into a spreadsheet disaster. Founders raising, hiring, and scaling use Pulley to keep equity clean and stay focused on building. Learn more or request a demo at https://pulley.com/mostlymetrics—LINKS: Mostly Talent: https://mostlymetrics.typeform.com/to/cLTxtAsNGuests:https://www.linkedin.com/in/davemcclure/https://www.linkedin.com/in/aman-verjee/Company:https://practicalvc.com/CJ: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-gustafson-13140948/Mostly metrics: https://www.mostlymetrics.com—TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Preview and Intro3:00 Writing as a distribution strategy5:17 How Dave's blog led to Founders Fund7:24 Aman: writing at PayPal and law school9:29 PayPal: the red pen of David Sacks11:44 Sponsors — Rillet | Maximor | Brex14:59 500 Startups: the original thesis16:22 The volume strategy: more shots on goal18:44 Twilio, Lyft, Sendgrid, Credit Karma20:15 60x returns: right place, right time23:07 Sponsors — Anrok | RightRev | Pulley25:58 Accelerator ecosystem evolution28:42 500 vs. YC: scale as a weapon32:52 Globalizing the accelerator model35:04 Seed to secondaries: how it happened37:00 Scratching their own itch for liquidity38:10 The secondary market explained40:50 Types of secondaries43:29 Why would a VC sell a winner?46:07 Managing DPI as a late-stage manager47:02 The five horse framework49:15 Skipping the J curve51:44 Imperfect information as a feature55:22 Landmines: fraud, mismarked valuations57:00 VCs lie about valuations three ways57:58 Forward contracts and counterparty risk1:00:29 Credits
Send us Fan MailFour panelists — a private investment banker focused on growth equity and tech, the CFO underwriting deals for a $2 billion family office, a serial entrepreneur deploying AI into distressed franchise businesses, and a deep tech founder building programmable structural materials — each introduce themselves and immediately state what they are actively looking for. BTR co-GP deals, seed-stage medical devices, distressed wellness franchises, and long-horizon deep tech infrastructure. A fast, high-signal opening for anyone trying to understand where sophisticated capital is actually flowing today.About Family Office ClubThe world's largest investor club in the family office space. 19 years. 300+ events. 16 million members. $1B+ in community transactions.
Send us Fan MailThe most shareable segment of the panel. Each investor shares the most memorable pitch they ever received — a collapsible cup prototype that wowed on every fact but failed basic physics, a 12-year-old's DJ business PowerPoint that hit credibility, clarity, and whimsy better than most professionals, and a founder who went from childhood paralysis to top-10 Halo gamer to tech CEO. Then the full panel answers the question every new capital raiser needs: how do you attract serious investors when you have no track record? Six investors, six answers — and a close that every founder should hear.About Family Office ClubThe world's largest investor club in the family office space. 19 years. 300+ events. 16 million members. $1B+ in community transactions.
This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.----------------------------------------The biggest opportunity in impact investing may not be finding more money.It may be building the markets that allow money to move.That idea runs through this episode of Investing in Impact with Slav Gatchev, Vice President of Innovative Finance at The Rockefeller Foundation.Gatchev has spent much of his career working at the intersection of finance, infrastructure, emerging markets, and conservation. Before joining The Rockefeller Foundation, he led large sovereign debt conversion transactions at The Nature Conservancy. Earlier in his career, he spent more than two decades advising on infrastructure investments across global emerging markets.His experience gives him a useful perspective on one of the central questions facing impact finance today:How do we move from funding individual projects to creating systems that can attract capital at scale?Throughout the conversation, Gatchev explains why the answer often begins with flexible capital, patient institutions, and a willingness to solve problems that traditional investors cannot yet address. ----------------------------------------Investing in Impact is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.
Have you ever stopped to wonder if you're climbing the right mountain in your entrepreneurial journey, or simply chasing someone else's vision of success? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we dig deep into what it means to lead with purpose and authenticity, challenging common assumptions about leadership, fulfillment, and growth for founders and investors alike. Our guest, Tony Martignetti, is an accomplished leadership coach, author, and founder of Inspired Purpose Partners. With over 30 years of experience in high-tech and biotech finance and strategy, Tony Martignetti made a bold leap from corporate life to become a transformational force for leaders across industries. He's the author of two insightful books—Climbing the Right Mountain and Campfire Lessons for Leaders—and shares a preview of his upcoming work, Illuminating Hidden Brilliance. Throughout the episode, listeners hear Tony Martignetti's perspective on why effective leadership goes far beyond titles, how founders can unlock the “hidden brilliance” within themselves and their teams, and why organizations thrive when they encourage multidimensional talents. Whether you're a startup founder, part of a scaling team, or actively investing in early-stage ventures, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and fresh frameworks to help you foster truly resilient, inspired, and connected teams. This is a must-listen for anyone seeking to create lasting impact, avoid the pitfalls of leadership “autopilot,” and bring their whole self into the entrepreneurial arena. To get the latest from Tony Martignetti, you can follow him below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonymartignetti/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood
Episode 76: Featuring George Matelich, Co-Founder of Rely On this episode of The Boulos Beat, host Greg Boulos sits down with George Matelich, co-founder of Rely, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the commercial real estate due diligence process. George asserts his platform significantly accelerates due diligence, reducing a process that traditionally takes 60–90 days to as little as one day Throughout the conversation, Greg and George discuss how AI can help mitigate transaction risk, improve efficiency, and uncover opportunities that might otherwise be overlooked.
Jay Ezzell joins the Fatherhood, Finance and Patriotism series for a conversation about raising a strong family, building financial discipline, and appreciating the freedom and opportunity that make America worth protecting.Jay is the Founder and Managing Director of Natoma Wealth, where he helps families, entrepreneurs, and business owners think through investing, portfolio construction, risk, private markets, wealth strategy, and long-term financial planning.But this conversation goes far beyond money.Jay shares what life is like as a father of five, why family dinner matters, how he and his wife Amy built a home centered on communication and accountability, and why kids need to learn responsibility, work ethic, and financial basics early.The conversation also dives into investing, risk tolerance, market volatility, cash, bonds, Bitcoin, private markets, and how entrepreneurs should think about allocating capital after building or selling a business.In the patriotism portion of the episode, Jay reflects on his family's military background, the meaning of freedom, the importance of giving back locally, and why America's strength comes from opportunity, community, and leadership at home.Strong families build strong communities. Strong communities build a stronger America.______________________________________________________________If this episode inspires you to be part of the movement, and you believe, like me, that entrepreneurs are the answer to our future, message me so we can join forces to support building truly great companies in our region. -Subscribe to my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCom_... - Mark Haney is a serial entrepreneur that has experience growing companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He is currently the CEO and founder of HaneyBiz - Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarkhaney Facebook: www.facebook.com/themarkhaney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markehaney Website: http://haneybiz.com Audio Boom: https://audioboom.com/channels/5005273 Twitter: http://twitter.com/themarkhaney-This video includes personal knowledge, experiences, and opinions about Angel Investing by seasoned angel investors. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Nothing in this video constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement.#thebackyardadvantage #themarkhaneyshow #entrepreneur #PowerOfWith #SacramentoEntrepreneur #Sacramento#SacramentoSmallBusiness #SmallBusiness #GrowthFactory #Investor#podcast
Get Sam and Shaan's hard-won CEO lessons in one guide: https://clickhubspot.com/ktng Episode 838: Sam Parr ( https://x.com/theSamParr ) and Shaan Puri ( https://x.com/ShaanVP ) talk to Aaron Levie ( https://x.com/levie ) talk about building Box, getting rich slowly, why AI might make us work harder. — Show Notes: (0:00) Story of Box (06:30) Enterprise Over Consumer (10:00) Turning Down Huge Acquisition Offers (17:05) Angel Investing, Missed Bets, and Investing in Your P&L (23:00) Aaron's Contrarian AI Takes: More Jobs, More Work (30:00) Founder Anxiety, Therapy, and Surviving the CEO Grind (38:45) The Business Strategy Books Aaron Swears By (48:00) AI Tools, Software Stocks, and Why SaaS Isn't Dead — Links: • Box - https://www.box.com/ — Check Out Sam's Stuff: • Hampton (joinhampton.com): My community for founders. Average member does $25m/year. Many of the guests are members. Get after it...apply: http://joinhampton.com/mfm — Check Out Shaan's Stuff: • Shaan's weekly email - https://www.shaanpuri.com • Visit https://www.somewhere.com/mfm to hire worldwide talent like Shaan and get $500 off for being an MFM listener. Hire developers, assistants, marketing pros, sales teams and more for 80% less than US equivalents. • Mercury - Shaan uses Mercury for banking across all of his companies. you can too: http://mercury.com/ Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column, N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC • I run all my newsletters on Beehiiv and you should too + we're giving away $10k to our favorite newsletter, check it out: beehiiv.com/mfm-challenge My First Million is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by HubSpot Media // Production by Arie Desormeaux // Editing by Ezra Bakker Trupiano /
This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.----------------------------------------In this episode of Investing in Impact, we speak with Nick Gross, founder of Gross Labs and Gross Labs Foundation, about his journey from musician to entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist.Nick signed a record deal with Sony Epic Records while still in high school and later founded the Noise Nest, a five studio music campus in Los Angeles. His experience in music introduced him to artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, and emerging founders, eventually leading him into startup investing and business building.Today, Gross Labs operates as a family enterprise and cultural investment platform spanning education, sports, media, entertainment, wellness, hospitality, and philanthropy.Rather than functioning as a traditional family office, Gross Labs takes an active role in helping founders build companies, strengthen brands, access partnerships, and connect with a broader ecosystem of operating businesses and social impact initiatives.Nick also explains how Gross Labs Foundation evolved from Find Your Grind Foundation and now serves as the impact layer across the Gross Labs portfolio.The conversation explores how capital, culture, education, brand building, and philanthropy can work together to create both financial value and meaningful social outcomes.About Nick GrossNick Gross is the founder of Gross Labs, a family enterprise and cultural investment platform focused on building, investing in, and supporting companies across education, sports, media, entertainment, wellness, and other culture shaping sectors.He is also the founder of Find Your Grind, an education technology platform helping students develop career awareness, confidence, future readiness, and a clearer understanding of how they want to live and work.Through Gross Labs Foundation, Nick supports initiatives focused on youth opportunity, education, workforce development, sports, wellness, environmental stewardship, and community impact.Before becoming an entrepreneur and investor, Nick signed a record deal with Sony Epic Records and built a career as a professional musician. He later founded the Noise Nest, a recording and creative campus in Los Angeles.About Gross LabsGross Labs is a family enterprise and cultural investment platform that brings together business creation, private investing, operating expertise, brand development, and philanthropy.The platform works with founders and companies across industries that influence culture, including education, sports, entertainment, media, hospitality, and wellness.About Gross Labs FoundationGross Labs Foundation is the philanthropic platform connected to the broader Gross Labs ecosystem.The foundation works with mission aligned organizations and leaders to create measurable impact through education, career development, sports, youth opportunity, wellness, environmental stewardship, and community initiatives. ----------------------------------------Investing in Impact is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.
Success is not just about money.In this episode of the Fatherhood, Finance and Patriotism series, Brad Frisk shares a powerful way to think about life priorities through what he calls the four cups framework: faith, family, business, and health. For entrepreneurs, fathers, and high achievers, the challenge is not just building wealth — it is learning how to keep those four cups full without losing sight of what matters most.Brad Frisk, Founder and CEO of Cypress Creek Capital Group, joins the conversation to talk about fatherhood, raising kids, building trust, financial discipline, and the constant balancing act between success and personal growth.The conversation also dives into the financial side of entrepreneurship, including exit planning, selling a business, building the right advisory team, reducing taxes, QSBS, ESOPs, IPOs, market volatility, and what business owners should be thinking about before and after a major liquidity event.But this episode goes beyond finance.It is really about how to think clearly about success, how to align your life priorities, and how to build a life that works not just on paper, but at home, in your relationships, and in the long term.______________________________________________________________If this episode inspires you to be part of the movement, and you believe, like me, that entrepreneurs are the answer to our future, message me so we can join forces to support building truly great companies in our region. -Subscribe to my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCom_... - Mark Haney is a serial entrepreneur that has experience growing companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He is currently the CEO and founder of HaneyBiz - Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarkhaney Facebook: www.facebook.com/themarkhaney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markehaney Website: http://haneybiz.com Audio Boom: https://audioboom.com/channels/5005273 Twitter: http://twitter.com/themarkhaney-This video includes personal knowledge, experiences, and opinions about Angel Investing by seasoned angel investors. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Nothing in this video constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement.#thebackyardadvantage #themarkhaneyshow #entrepreneur #PowerOfWith #SacramentoEntrepreneur #Sacramento#SacramentoSmallBusiness #SmallBusiness #GrowthFactory #Investor#podcast
What happens when everything you were told to do stops working — and you have to figure it out at 23? In this episode of Winners Find A Way, Coach Trent M. Clark sits down with Tony Wilkins, Northwestern and University of Chicago Booth graduate, longtime angel investor, executive coach, cancer survivor, and author of The Art of Angel Investing. Tony grew up as the oldest of six boys, built his career as an electrical engineer at Chrysler Corporation in 1979, and was laid off after just one year, along with 300 others. At 23, with everything he thought he had figured out suddenly gone, he made a decision that would shape the rest of his life — stop solving for a job and start solving for financial independence. From there, he went on to earn his MBA at Booth, build a career in high-level banking and finance, become a founding member of Hyde Park Angels in Chicago, and invest in early-stage companies like Spot Hero (acquired by Uber), Cameo, and Nutrasense. This conversation is about more than investing. Tony and Trent dig into what it really means to be the CEO of yourself — knowing what you are solving for, being ruthless about what you can control, and letting go of what you can't. Tony shares how the layoff that shattered his plans at 23 was actually the best thing that ever happened to him, why he secretly applied to Harvard Business School nine months into his dream job, and how a mentee half his age gave him one of the most powerful leadership phrases he's ever heard: "I am firm in my mission and flexible in my methods." This episode is a reminder that winners are not people who never face setbacks. Winners are the ones who learn, adjust, lead, and find a way. In This Episode, We Discuss: How getting laid off at 23 became Tony's most important life lesson Why you must know what you are really solving for — not just what you want right now The CEO of your mindset and owning your results completely Being ruthless about what you can control and letting go of everything you can't How to get started as an angel investor — even without Silicon Valley connections The concept of "triumph or tuition" and why every investment teaches you something How change, AI, and the next generation will shape the future of leadership Key Takeaways ✨ Know what you're really solving for It's not enough to want a good job or a big title. Tony asks every client: "What are you really solving for?" Keep asking why — five times if you have to — until you get to the truth beneath the surface answer. ✨ Be the CEO of yourself You are responsible for your results. No one is coming to save you. Tony learned this at 23 when Chrysler cut 300 people without warning. The sooner you take full ownership of your direction, the sooner your life changes. ✨ Be ruthless about what you can control Tony's rule: be ruthless about what you can control and ruthlessly ignore everything you can't. Gravity exists. Corporate layoffs happen. AI is here. Your energy goes toward what you can actually move. ✨ Triumph or tuition — just get in the water You cannot learn to swim from a book. You cannot become an angel investor without writing a check. Every investment either gives you a triumph or pays your tuition. Either way, you are learning. The key is to start. ✨ Firm in your mission, flexible in your methods A young mentee said this to Tony at the end of a coaching call, and it stopped him cold. Your mission is the non-negotiable. How do you get there? That can evolve. The best leaders hold both at once. Resources Mentioned The Art of Angel Investing by Tony Wilkins Hyde Park Angels — Chicago-based angel investing group Spot Hero — parking app, acquired by Uber Cameo — celebrity video platform Nutrasense — glucose monitoring and quantified self-tracking Connect with Tony Wilkins Instagram: @TonyWilkinChicago LinkedIn: Tony Wilkins 76 Connect with Trent M. Clark Trent M. Clark is the CEO of Leadershipity, President of EOS Michigan, a global speaker, former Major League Baseball coach, and the author of Leading Winning Teams. Website: https://www.trentmclark.com/ Leadershipity: https://www.leadershipity.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Leadershipity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trentmclark/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrentMClark Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trentmclark/ Book: Leading Winning Teams — https://leadingwinningteams.trent-clark.com/bookrecording79 Listen & Subscribe Listen to Winners Find A Way every week on YouTube and all major podcast platforms for conversations with leaders, athletes, entrepreneurs, and high performers who know what it means to overcome adversity and keep finding a way.
What happens when overlooked innovators are empowered to solve problems for communities often left out of the conversation—and, even more, when those innovators have lived experience of the challenges they're addressing? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia sits down with Brittany and Rich Palmer, a dynamic entrepreneurial couple, to explore how true innovation and impact are ignited at the intersection of necessity, lived experience, and meaningful capital. Brittany and Rich Palmer are not only successful entrepreneurs and angel investors but are also the visionary founders behind Adaptation Ventures, an investment firm and community dedicated to empowering startups focused on disability, neurodivergence, accessibility, and aging. Brittany, herself born with a limb difference, brings firsthand perspective to the conversation, while Rich's journey includes a personal medical challenge that became a catalyst for his mission-driven career shift. Together, they've built a unique fund and ecosystem that actively includes investors and decision-makers with disabilities—something almost unheard of in the traditional VC world. This episode covers why only 1% of venture capital currently flows to accessibility-related innovation, details Brittany and Rich's journey to plugging that gap, and shares stories of the groundbreaking companies they're backing—from hardware innovations with million-dollar pipelines to products with the “curb cut effect” that benefit everyone. Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or passionate catalyst for change, this conversation reveals how capital, community, and lived expertise can combine to drive scalable, high-impact solutions. If you care about innovation that truly changes lives, this episode is a must-listen—showcasing why Adaptation Ventures' ecosystem model may reshape the future of inclusive investing. To get the latest from Rich and Brittany Palmer, you can follow them below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/therichpalmer/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanytofinchio/ https://adaptation.vc/ Rich's first appearance on the Angel Next Door Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood
In today's Tech3 from Moneycontrol, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announces a fresh $13 billion investment in India, taking the company's planned investments between 2026 and 2030 to $48 billion as it doubles down on AI, cloud and quick commerce. We also unpack the AI-led acquisition spree reshaping India's IT industry, revisit Kunal Shah's prolific journey as one of the country's most active angel investors before taking charge of WhatsApp, and explain how SEBI's proposed advertising code could change the rules for finance influencers with large social media followings.
AI-agent technology is changing startup fundraising, and Pitch Protocol is building a fundraising platform designed for the next era of venture capital.In this episode, Mark Haney sits down with Rick Spencer and Josh May from Growth Factory Ventures to talk about Pitch Protocol, an agent-to-agent fundraising platform that could change how founders pitch, how investors evaluate deals, and how capital moves in the startup world.For decades, founders have relied on pitch decks, cold emails, investor meetings, and traditional data rooms to raise capital. But in an AI-native world, that process can be slow, inefficient, and outdated. Pitch Protocol is built around a new idea: what happens when a founder's ai-agent can package a live data room, connect with an investor's ai-agent, and help venture capital firms evaluate opportunities faster?Rick and Josh explain how Pitch Protocol helps founders prepare their company, surface key information, match with the right investors, and spend more time building instead of fundraising. They also discuss how venture capital firms, angel investors, family offices, and startup founders will need to adapt as AI agents become part of the fundraising process.This conversation covers Pitch Protocol, ai-agent fundraising, venture capital, startup funding, agentic AI, AI-native companies, MCP, data rooms, angel investing, founder diligence, venture studios, and why the traditional pitch deck may be on its way out.Learn more about Pitch Protocol: https://www.pitchprotocol.vc/______________________________________________________________If this episode inspires you to be part of the movement, and you believe, like me, that entrepreneurs are the answer to our future, message me so we can join forces to support building truly great companies in our region. -Subscribe to my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCom_... - Mark Haney is a serial entrepreneur that has experience growing companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He is currently the CEO and founder of HaneyBiz - Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarkhaney Facebook: www.facebook.com/themarkhaney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markehaney Website: http://haneybiz.com Audio Boom: https://audioboom.com/channels/5005273 Twitter: http://twitter.com/themarkhaney-This video includes personal knowledge, experiences, and opinions about Angel Investing by seasoned angel investors. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Nothing in this video constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement.#thebackyardadvantage #themarkhaneyshow #entrepreneur #PowerOfWith #SacramentoEntrepreneur #Sacramento#SacramentoSmallBusiness #SmallBusiness #GrowthFactory #Investor#podcast
Aparna Pujar, CEO and founder of Zemplee, joins host KJ to share how a personal experience as a remote caregiver for her aging parents in India sparked the creation of a passive, AI-powered senior care platform. She breaks down why the senior care industry is broken, why episodic care is no longer enough, and how continuous, lifestyle-integrated monitoring can reduce hospital days, prevent falls before they happen, and give older adults the dignity of staying home. Key Takeaways: 3:30 — Aparna founded Zemplee out of a deeply personal caregiving crisis, not a business opportunity, and her own parents were the first test cases. 7:58 — The senior care market is split: roughly 20% of seniors live in institutional settings while 80% live at home with little to no proactive monitoring until a crisis forces the issue. 25:27 — Zemplee's technology is fully passive and lifestyle-integrated, meaning sensors collect data in the background without adding any cognitive burden to the senior or caregiver. 26:17 — Women will spend a significant portion of their lives as caregivers and then eventually as care seekers, making the design of a better system a personal stake for nearly everyone. Quote of the Show (1:00):"Everybody gets older… we have to design our future." — Aparna Pujar Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome. Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval Ways to connect with Aparna Pujar:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnapujar/ Company Website: https://zemplee.com How to get more Disruption/Interruption: Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@disruptioninterruption4539 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, we sit down with entrepreneur, investor, and fintech innovator Joshua Summers to discuss startups, venture capital, private credit, artificial intelligence, and what founders need to know to survive today's fundraising environment. Josh is a serial entrepreneur with successful exits to PayPal and AT&T, and the co-founder of EnFi, a company modernizing credit risk assessment for the rapidly growing $2+ trillion private credit market. He is also the co-founder of TBD Angels, an angel investing community that has grown to more than 300 members and invested in over 80 startups. The conversation explores lessons learned from multiple exits, the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, the evolution of fintech, how AI is changing startup economics, and what separates companies that survive difficult markets from those that disappear. In This Episode From Startup Founder to Multiple Successful Exits Josh reflects on his entrepreneurial journey and the major lessons learned from building and scaling companies that were ultimately acquired by PayPal and AT&T. The discussion covers: What changes after a successful exit Common founder mistakes during growth phases Building teams that scale Why culture matters more than most founders realize The Silicon Valley Bank Collapse and the Birth of EnFi During the SVB crisis, Josh worked directly with startups attempting to move funds and navigate uncertainty in real time. What he discovered exposed a major weakness in modern lending infrastructure: Opaque credit monitoring Manual underwriting processes Covenant complexity Limited real-time portfolio visibility These insights ultimately led to the creation of EnFi, which is focused on transforming risk analysis and monitoring in private credit markets. Building an Angel Investing Community As co-founder of TBD Angels, Josh shares insights into what it takes to build and sustain a successful angel investing organization. Topics include: How to start an angel group Why most angel groups fail Creating long-term engagement and trust The benefits founders gain from becoming investors themselves Building a high-quality investment community Fundraising in a Difficult Market The episode dives into the realities founders face when capital markets tighten. Josh discusses: How founders can "manufacture momentum" during fundraising The psychology of investors in difficult markets Managing down rounds and flat rounds Maintaining team morale during capital pressure The KPIs investors now consider mandatory Investment Bankers: Advisors or Expensive Middlemen? Many founders question whether investment bankers truly add value during fundraising or M&A processes. Josh offers a candid perspective on: The real role of an investment banker What bankers do behind the scenes Why process management matters How founders should evaluate potential banking partners The difference between a transactional banker and a strategic advisor The Future of Fintech The conversation explores how financial technology continues to evolve and why many businesses are increasingly becoming fintech-enabled companies. Topics include: Embedded finance Infrastructure APIs Lending technology Risk management AI-driven financial products The convergence of software and financial services AI-Enabled vs AI-First Companies One of the most important discussions in the episode focuses on the difference between: Companies adding AI features to existing products Businesses fundamentally built around AI from day one Josh explains: Why the distinction matters Which companies may have defensible advantages The risks of superficial AI positioning What investors are really looking for Key Themes Entrepreneurship • Venture Capital • Angel Investing • Private Credit • Fintech • Artificial Intelligence • Startup Fundraising • Silicon Valley Bank • Investment Banking • Company Building • Leadership • Risk Management About Joshua Summers Joshua Summers is a serial entrepreneur, fintech founder, and angel investor with successful exits to PayPal and AT&T. He is the co-founder of EnFi, a company focused on modernizing credit risk assessment and monitoring for private credit markets, and co-founder of TBD Angels, a 300+ member angel investing network that has invested in more than 80 startups. Josh is passionate about combining technical excellence with human insight to build companies that create meaningful impact. #Fintech #ArtificialIntelligence #PrivateCredit #Startups #VentureCapital #AngelInvesting #Entrepreneurship #JoshuaSummers #InvestmentBanking #Fundraising #AI #FintechInnovation Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial or legal advice, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.
This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.----------------------------------------In This Episode• Climate tech investment reaches $40.5 billion in 2025• Why investors remain bullish on clean energy, grid modernization, and industrial decarbonization• How Nimble is reducing electronic waste through circular consumer products• Phoenix Tailings' mission to build a cleaner domestic rare earth supply chain• Clear Robotics and the future of autonomous electric vessels for waterway management• The role of the Bezos Earth Fund in advancing climate and conservation efforts• How the UNICEF Venture Fund supports frontier technology startups in emerging markets• Finance Earth's approach to unlocking private capital for environmental solutions• Recent funding rounds from Clear Robotics, Campground, and Cocoon Carbon• New research showing AI is creating more technology jobs than it is eliminating across EuropeFeatured OrganizationsCompanies:• Nimble• Phoenix Tailings• Clear RoboticsFunders:• Bezos Earth Fund• UNICEF Venture Fund• Finance EarthRecent Funding Covered• Clear Robotics, $1.75M• Campground, $2.2M• Cocoon Carbon, $15M ----------------------------------------Investing in Impact is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.
Chris Lustrino sits down with Chris Graebe, founder of IPO Deal Hunter and one of the longest-tenured private market investors in the equity crowdfunding ecosystem. Together they discuss the state of startup exits, liquidity events, IPOs, and what investors should be looking for when evaluating private companies. Drawing from years of experience and several successful outcomes, Graebe shares how he identifies founders, evaluates opportunities, and balances short-term liquidity plays with long-term moonshot investments. The conversation explores BeatBox Beverages' acquisition by Anheuser-Busch, one of the largest crowdfunding-backed exits to date, and the lessons investors can learn from backing strong founders in highly competitive industries. Graebe also discusses recent IPO successes including Starfighters Space and Premier American Uranium, highlighting how new pathways from Reg A and Reg CF offerings to public markets are creating liquidity opportunities for retail investors. Whether you're interested in startup investing, crowdfunding, IPOs, or building a diversified private market portfolio, this episode provides an insider's perspective on where liquidity is emerging and how investors can position themselves for future opportunities. Resources Sign up for Kingscrowd Sign up for the free newsletter
Rafe Furst is a World Series poker champion, five-time founder, and author of the number one bestselling book on venture capital. He joins host KJ to challenge the VC status quo. Rafe breaks down why the 10-year lockup model is broken, how misaligned incentives are quietly killing early-stage innovation, and why the future of venture capital runs on blockchain. He also shares the story behind The Crypto Company and their newly acquired Frame blockchain, which aims to unify liquidity across fragmented crypto ecosystems. Four Key Takeaways: 3:32 — VCs have quietly abandoned true venture capital by flooding money into later stages. Early-stage investments are treated as lottery tickets rather than genuine bets on founders and their vision. 20:22 — The number one structural flaw in venture capital is not bad founders or bad ideas. It is the total absence of liquidity for a decade or more, which creates misaligned incentives for everyone involved. 21:57 — Liquidity is the magic unlock for early-stage investing. Blockchain technology is the most powerful mechanism to finally deliver that liquidity to founders, investors, and employees alike. 37:47 — AI and blockchain are converging at an exponential pace. Founders who start building on-chain infrastructure now will be positioned to ride the wave rather than get swept away by it. Quote of the Show (38:03):"The way to not get swept away is to get in front of the wave." — Rafe Furst Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome. Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval Ways to connect with Rafe Furst:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafefurst/ Company Website: https://www.thecryptocompany.com/ How to get more Disruption/Interruption: Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=disruption+%2F+interuuptionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does it really take to thrive as a first-time fund manager in today's challenging investment landscape, especially when you're building a venture fund from scratch while championing diversity and innovation? This episode delves into the real experiences behind the headlines, inviting listeners to consider the often unseen hurdles and triumphs that define entrepreneurial journeys. Our guest, Laurel Mintz, is the founder of Fabric VC—a new venture capital fund spun out of her extensive 17-year run as the leader of a successful marketing agency. With a background that includes corporate M&A law, entrepreneurship, and marketing, Laurel Mintz brings a unique and practical perspective to the venture capital world. Her approach blends deep sector knowledge with a commitment to supporting underrepresented founders and championing women's health, fintech, and consumer tech sectors. In this update, listeners get an inside look at the nuts and bolts of raising and deploying Fabric VC's first fund—just under $8 million, already largely deployed across 23 portfolio companies. Laurel Mintz shares candid insights on the emotional rollercoaster of fundraising, the critical importance of diversity, and the creative approaches to supporting women-led companies, such as accepting investments via donor-advised funds and retirement accounts. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring investors, founders, or anyone interested in how real change is being made within venture capital. It's raw, motivating, and packed with unfiltered advice on how to show up, take risks, and put capital to work for the next generation. To get the latest from Laurel Mintz, you can follow her below! LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-mintz/ https://www.fabricvc.com/ Laurel's first appearance on The Angel Next Door Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood
Achieving six figure trading results at 19 years old requires more than luck. In this episode, Alan Cordano breaks down the trading strategy, discipline, and risk-taking mindset that helped him go from $300 in his bank account to over $100,000 in prop firm trading payouts.Alan is a former Division I football player who walked away from the University of Hawaii, quit football, and chose entrepreneurship instead. In this conversation, he explains how he reached six figure trading success in just a few months, how prop firm trading works, and how he uses AI tools, trading signals, and funded accounts to execute his strategy.Beyond the trades, Alan shares how he plans to scale his momentum using meta ads, personal branding, and AI. He talks about building Snoozer, growing a trading community, promoting his story online, and using technology as a force multiplier for business growth.This episode also goes deeper than trading. Alan opens up about leaving football, telling his parents, dealing with doubt, handling losses, finding faith, and learning how to become his own man while building a business at 19.Subscribe for weekly conversations with entrepreneurs, risk-takers, and builders who are creating their own path.______________________________________________________________If this episode inspires you to be part of the movement, and you believe, like me, that entrepreneurs are the answer to our future, message me so we can join forces to support building truly great companies in our region. -Subscribe to my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCom_... - Mark Haney is a serial entrepreneur that has experience growing companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He is currently the CEO and founder of HaneyBiz - Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarkhaney Facebook: www.facebook.com/themarkhaney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markehaney Website: http://haneybiz.com Audio Boom: https://audioboom.com/channels/5005273 Twitter: http://twitter.com/themarkhaney-This video includes personal knowledge, experiences, and opinions about Angel Investing by seasoned angel investors. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Nothing in this video constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement.#thebackyardadvantage #themarkhaneyshow #entrepreneur #PowerOfWith #SacramentoEntrepreneur #Sacramento#SacramentoSmallBusiness #SmallBusiness #GrowthFactory #Investor#podcast
This week on Ask Farnoosh, we're tackling some of life's biggest financial decisions—from navigating a major income gap in a relationship to deciding whether a promising restaurant venture is worth the investment. Plus, what should you prioritize when you're trying to save for a home while also preparing for retirement?Farnoosh answers listener questions about maintaining financial independence before marriage, evaluating a potential angel investment opportunity, choosing between a brokerage account and a traditional IRA, finding trustworthy financial advice, and building a down payment fund in a high-cost housing market. She also shares resources for managing healthcare costs and weighs in on whether married couples should file taxes jointly or separatelyBefore the mailbag, Farnoosh breaks down the latest jobs report, explains why a strong labor market may keep the Federal Reserve on hold when it comes to interest rates, celebrates National Donut Day, and sounds off on a teen financial literacy competition that may be testing the wrong skills altogether.Listener questions include:How do we manage money fairly when one partner earns significantly more?Should we invest in a chef friend's new restaurant?Is it better to file taxes jointly or separately?How can I save for a house down payment faster?Should I open a traditional IRA or a brokerage account if I earn too much for a Roth IRA?How do I find a financial advisor I can trust?What resources can help consumers navigate healthcare costs?Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino sits down with Rebecca Kacaba, co-founder and CEO of DealMaker, one of the leading platforms powering retail capital raises for private companies. Rebecca discusses the growing influence of retail investors across private markets and IPOs, why companies like SpaceX, Reddit, Gemini, and others are increasingly allocating shares to retail participants, and how community ownership is becoming a strategic advantage for modern brands. The conversation explores DealMaker's unique approach to capital formation, helping companies build and own their own investor communities rather than relying solely on marketplace traffic. Chris and Rebecca also discuss repeat issuers, investor engagement, liquidity opportunities, sports ownership, regulatory developments, and the long-term future of retail investing. If you want to understand where private markets, equity crowdfunding, and retail ownership are heading over the next decade, this is a must-listen episode. Highlights include...
Distraction is everywhere. Our attention span is getting shorter. And mindfulness may be one of the most important skills a father, leader, or entrepreneur can practice today.In this episode of the Fatherhood, Finance and Patriotism series, Colin Roe shares a powerful reminder: proximity does not equal presence.Being in the same room with your kids is not the same as being fully engaged. Being home is not the same as being present. And in a world full of phones, notifications, work pressure, and constant noise, Colin challenges dads to put the distractions down and give their families the attention they deserve.Colin is a husband, father, Roseville native, and real estate leader with Fidelity National Title. In this conversation, he talks about growing up in the Sacramento region, raising two daughters, the role of grandparents and family legacy, and why gratitude, curiosity, generosity, and presence are values he wants to pass down.The conversation also dives into real estate, homeownership, sacrifice, financial discipline, and why buying a home is about more than appreciation. It is about stability, family memories, and building something that lasts.Colin also shares his perspective on patriotism, gratitude for America, civic responsibility, and why the future of the country depends on unity, curiosity, and choosing to focus on what we have in common.______________________________________________________________If this episode inspires you to be part of the movement, and you believe, like me, that entrepreneurs are the answer to our future, message me so we can join forces to support building truly great companies in our region. -Subscribe to my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCom_... - Mark Haney is a serial entrepreneur that has experience growing companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He is currently the CEO and founder of HaneyBiz - Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarkhaney Facebook: www.facebook.com/themarkhaney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markehaney Website: http://haneybiz.com Audio Boom: https://audioboom.com/channels/5005273 Twitter: http://twitter.com/themarkhaney-This video includes personal knowledge, experiences, and opinions about Angel Investing by seasoned angel investors. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Nothing in this video constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement.#thebackyardadvantage #themarkhaneyshow #entrepreneur #PowerOfWith #SacramentoEntrepreneur #Sacramento#SacramentoSmallBusiness #SmallBusiness #GrowthFactory #Investor#podcast
In this episode of Investor Connect, we welcome Zach Holman of Signed, a former GitHub engineer and advisor, who shares how he moved into advising and angel investing and what he looks for in early-stage companies, emphasizing the importance of team, culture, ambition, and market. Zach discusses how AI is changing startup building by making it easier for small or even solo teams to ship product and reach revenue quickly, shifting the key scarcity from answers to asking the right questions and having the discipline and "taste" to choose the right product direction. He explains how his technical background helps him assess real product progress and technical challenges, and he outlines common fundraising mistakes, including getting onto the VC treadmill without a venture-scale plan when bootstrapping may be better. Zach also introduces signed.com as a portfolio tool built to replace messy spreadsheets and help angels treat equity as a real investment. Visit Signed at signed.com/ Reach out to at www.linkedin.com/in/zachholman/, and on zachholman.com/ ________________________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https:/_/tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.
What's the true cost of getting your startup's legal foundation wrong—and how can overlooking legal nuances derail even the most promising entrepreneurial dreams? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood dives into the questions every founder and early-stage investor should be asking about company formation, equity, and governance. Our guest, Meredith Haviland, is a partner in the corporate group at Foley Hoag, a law firm serving clients in innovation-driven sectors like life sciences, technology, and private capital. Bringing years of experience working with both startups and investors, Meredith Haviland shares her expertise on navigating the legal landscape that underpins successful new ventures. This episode unpacks everything from LLC versus C-corp structures and the importance of choosing the right legal counsel, to equity allocation, 83b elections, and the risks of mishandling intellectual property—especially when AI technology is involved. Marcia Dawood and Meredith Haviland discuss regulatory obligations, governance, board responsibilities, compliance pitfalls, and the growing scrutiny on AI-related legal risks. Whether you're just starting out or preparing for your next funding round, this conversation is packed with real-world guidance and cautionary tales, making it a must listen for founders, fund managers, and angel investors who want to avoid costly mistakes and build resilient companies from day one. To get the latest from Meredith Haviland, you can follow her below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithhaviland/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood
This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.----------------------------------------Hey everyone, welcome back to the podcast.Today's episode is a little different.After years of building Causeartist as a media platform spotlighting impact startups, founders, investors, and innovators, we're entering a completely new chapter.Causeartist is now officially a nonprofit organization.And honestly, this decision came from something simple.The mission became bigger than a media company.Over the years, I've had the chance to interview incredible founders, nonprofit leaders, impact investors, climate innovators, technologists, artists, and builders from all over the world.And one thing became very clear to me.There are millions of people working every single day to solve massive problems in the world, but many of their stories never get told.A lot of these founders and organizations are building in areas like climate, education, healthcare, financial inclusion, food systems, AI for good, community development, and so much more.But many of them are doing this work without enough visibility, without enough media support, and without enough long-term storytelling infrastructure behind them.We want to help change that.The vision for Causeartist moving forward is to build a lasting home for the impact economy.A place focused on impact startup storytelling, founder and innovator interviews, educational media and research, ecosystem databases and directories, podcasts and live conversations, community collaboration, and resources for people building positive change in the world.At its core, Causeartist is built around one belief:There are millions of people using their talents, creativity, skills, and businesses to improve the world, and their stories deserve to be seen.That belief has guided this platform from day one.And now becoming a nonprofit allows us to think longer term.It allows us to focus on building something durable.Something mission-first. Something that can continue spotlighting innovators and builders for years and decades to come.I also just want to say thank you.Thank you to every founder who trusted us with their story.Every investor who shared insights.Every nonprofit leader, partner, listener, reader, and supporter who has been part of this journey.You helped shape what Causeartist has become.And honestly, we're just getting started.I'm incredibly excited for what we're building next.More stories.More founders.More conversations.More tools and resources for the people trying to create a better future.So thank you for being here.Thank you for believing in this mission.And let's continue building together.See you in the next episode. ----------------------------------------Investing in Impact is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.
Invest in family first.Ray Cordano built wealth through real estate, entrepreneurship, and a contrarian approach to life — but his biggest investment has always been his time with his family.In this episode of the Fatherhood, Finance and Patriotism series, Ray shares how reading Rich Dad Poor Dad shaped his path, why he built businesses to create freedom, and how that freedom allowed him to become a full-time dad. He talks about building a real estate portfolio, flipping homes in San Francisco, raising entrepreneurial kids, coaching sports, and why he believes the next generation has massive opportunity ahead.Ray also opens up about how yoga changed his life, what he learned from his parents, why he chose to let his kids make mistakes, and how AI could reshape work, family life, and entrepreneurship in the years ahead.This conversation is about more than money. It's about freedom, family, responsibility, and what Ray calls the greatest gift America gives us: the opportunity to choose how we live.Chapters:0:00 Preview: Invest in Family First0:30 Meet Ray Cordano2:29 How Yoga Saved Ray's Life4:17 Building Freedom Through Real Estate5:30 Becoming a Full-Time Dad9:12 Coaching Life Lessons Through Sports13:17 Why San Francisco Real Estate Is Hot Again17:47 Investing Time in Family20:39 How AI Could Change Work and Family Life28:14 Freedom, America and Patriotism______________________________________________________________If this episode inspires you to be part of the movement, and you believe, like me, that entrepreneurs are the answer to our future, message me so we can join forces to support building truly great companies in our region. -Subscribe to my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCom_... - Mark Haney is a serial entrepreneur that has experience growing companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He is currently the CEO and founder of HaneyBiz - Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarkhaney Facebook: www.facebook.com/themarkhaney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markehaney Website: http://haneybiz.com Audio Boom: https://audioboom.com/channels/5005273 Twitter: http://twitter.com/themarkhaney-This video includes personal knowledge, experiences, and opinions about Angel Investing by seasoned angel investors. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Nothing in this video constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement.#thebackyardadvantage #themarkhaneyshow #entrepreneur #PowerOfWith #SacramentoEntrepreneur #Sacramento#SacramentoSmallBusiness #SmallBusiness #GrowthFactory #Investor#podcast
In episode 159 of The Side Hustle Experiment Podcast John (https://www.instagram.com/sidehustleexperiment/ ) and Drew (https://www.instagram.com/realdrewd/) talk with Al Carlton.Al is the founder of SellerAmp. He shares his journey from Amazon affiliate to SaaS entrepreneur. Discover how his technical background and innovative use of technology created one of the biggest softwares in the Amazon space.Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the bell so you don't miss future episodes with top entrepreneurs and creators.Chapters00:00 – Intro + Meet the Founder of SellerAmp 02:00 – How Al Carlton Got Started Online 25+ Years Ago 04:15 – From Amazon Affiliate to Amazon Seller 06:10 – The Burnout That Led to SellerAmp 07:40 – How SellerAmp Got Its First 100 Customers 09:15 – Why Word-of-Mouth Beat Paid Advertising 11:00 – How SellerAmp Decides What Features to Build 12:35 – How AI Is Changing Software Development 15:00 – Will AI Replace Developers & Amazon Sellers? 16:40 – Growing SellerAmp From a Side Project to a Team 18:10 – Biggest Challenges Building a SaaS Company 20:10 – Selling Physical Products vs Running Software 27:15 – Why Most Amazon Sellers Fail 29:10 – Scaling From Solo Founder to CEO 31:45 – Al's Daily Routine & Work Habits 34:30 – The Future of SellerAmp + New Features Coming 37:00 – Angel Investing, SaaS Acquisitions & New Ventures 39:00 – The Hidden Skill Behind Great SaaS Founders 49:00 – Hiring Employees Earlier Changed Everything 56:00 – Can AI Build the Next SellerAmp? 01:00:00 – Final Advice for Entrepreneurs & SaaS Founders#makemoneyonline #sidehustleexperimentpodcast #sidehustles Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidehustleexperimentpodcast/ Listen on your favorite podcast platformYoutube: https://bit.ly/3HHklFOSpotify: https://spoti.fi/48RRKcPApple: https://apple.co/4bmaFOk Check out Drew's StuffInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/realdrewdTwitter: https://twitter.com/DrewFBACheck out John's StuffInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidehustleexperiment/Twitter: https://twitter.com/SideHustleExp FREE ResourcesFREE Guide: How to Make Money Reviewing Products https://bit.ly/3HIGFSP
The District Attorney's office, local security, police leadership, and the fight against crime all play a major role in whether a community feels safe enough for families, businesses, schools, and neighborhoods to thrive.In this episode, we sit down with Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire, Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo, and Rocklin Mayor Dave Bass for a conversation about public safety, accountability, law enforcement, and what it really takes to build a community where criminals think twice.They discuss why safe communities attract families, businesses, investment, and opportunity — and why consequences matter. The conversation covers retail theft, Prop 36, fentanyl, homelessness, public trust in law enforcement, school safety, AI, social media, and the role parents and citizens play in protecting the places they love.We also discuss the justice system and the importance of experienced, fair, and accountable judges. Dave Bass, currently Mayor of Rocklin and a Deputy District Attorney in Sacramento County, is running for Placer County Superior Court Judge, and the conversation touches on why judicial elections matter and how judges impact public safety, families, businesses, and the broader community.If you care about safety, leadership, accountability, and building communities where people can thrive, this is a conversation worth watching.______________________________________________________________If this episode inspires you to be part of the movement, and you believe, like me, that entrepreneurs are the answer to our future, message me so we can join forces to support building truly great companies in our region. -Subscribe to my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCom_... - Mark Haney is a serial entrepreneur that has experience growing companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He is currently the CEO and founder of HaneyBiz - Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarkhaney Facebook: www.facebook.com/themarkhaney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markehaney Website: http://haneybiz.com Audio Boom: https://audioboom.com/channels/5005273 Twitter: http://twitter.com/themarkhaney-This video includes personal knowledge, experiences, and opinions about Angel Investing by seasoned angel investors. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Nothing in this video constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement.#thebackyardadvantage #themarkhaneyshow #entrepreneur #PowerOfWith #SacramentoEntrepreneur #Sacramento#SacramentoSmallBusiness #SmallBusiness #GrowthFactory #Investor#podcast
What does it take to redefine entrepreneurship for both impact and profit, and can owning less of a company mean achieving more? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, listeners are invited to consider how traditional business structures and investment models can be transformed for greater societal good without sacrificing returns. Blake Jones joins Marcia Dawood as today's guest—a self-described accidental entrepreneur who transitioned from engineering in the oil and gas sector to pioneering employee ownership through Namaste Solar. His journey includes international work in renewable energy, founding a successful solar cooperative, and now leading the innovative Kachuwa Impact Fund, which democratizes impact investing via a cooperative model boasting over 300 members and nearly 100 diversified assets. The episode takes a deep dive into how Blake Jones and the Kachuwa Impact Fund structure investments to balance financial returns with meaningful impact. Offering an accessible, diversified portfolio that pays annual dividends, the fund supports employee ownership conversions, affordable housing, and more—all governed democratically. If you've ever wondered how to invest for impact while still earning returns, or how cooperatives operate in practice, this episode is a must-listen for its fresh perspectives, practical insights, and inspiration for anyone looking to shake up traditional business and investing models. To get the latest from Blake Jones, you can follow him below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-jones-ab044925/ https://www.kachuwaimpactfund.com/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood
Fatherhood, finance, and patriotism — three things that shape how families are built, how futures are protected, and how communities stay strong.This conversation with Marcus Haney launches a new series centered on the values that matter most: showing up as a father, taking responsibility for the future, and loving America enough to strengthen it from the inside out.Marcus is a Marine veteran, entrepreneur, father of five, and leader of AllegiantVETS, one of the largest SkillBridge operators in the country. In this conversation, he shares lessons from military service, fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and helping more than 20,000 service members transition into civilian careers.The discussion gets personal — from raising kids in a blended family, to discipline and respect in the home, to investing in yourself, buying real estate, coaching football, honoring those who serve, and building a legacy that outlives you.Strong families build strong communities. Strong communities build a stronger America.______________________________________________________________If this episode inspires you to be part of the movement, and you believe, like me, that entrepreneurs are the answer to our future, message me so we can join forces to support building truly great companies in our region. -Subscribe to my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCom_... - Mark Haney is a serial entrepreneur that has experience growing companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He is currently the CEO and founder of HaneyBiz - Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarkhaney Facebook: www.facebook.com/themarkhaney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markehaney Website: http://haneybiz.com Audio Boom: https://audioboom.com/channels/5005273 Twitter: http://twitter.com/themarkhaney-This video includes personal knowledge, experiences, and opinions about Angel Investing by seasoned angel investors. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Nothing in this video constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement.#thebackyardadvantage #themarkhaneyshow #entrepreneur #PowerOfWith #SacramentoEntrepreneur #Sacramento#SacramentoSmallBusiness #SmallBusiness #GrowthFactory #Investor#podcast
Episode 427 of The VentureFizz #podcast features Joshua Summers, CEO & Co-Founder of EnFi. Josh is a serial entrepreneur who has been at the center of multiple success stories in the Boston tech scene. He has a unique ability to see exactly how technology will impact an industry right at the beginning of a platform shift - whether that was mobile, digital advertising, or in the case of his current startup, AI. However, as Josh and I discuss, building a "Native AI" company is fundamentally different from his past experiences. We get into the nuances of how companies are being built this time around - from the breakneck pace of development to the new ways you have to structure a team. Josh's latest venture is EnFi, an AI-native platform that delivers autonomous agents to complete end-to-end commercial lending workflows. They are solving a massive "human capital crisis" in the credit industry, and the market is taking notice. The company recently announced a $15M Series A, bringing its total funding to date to $22.5 million. In this episode of our podcast, we cover: 00:00 Introducing Joshua Summers, CEO & Co-Founder of EnFi 02:38 The Difference of Building an AI Native Startup 05:48 Josh's background & Growing Up 07:27 Career Beginnings and Entrepreneurial Journey 11:37 The Birth of Zync and being Early to Market 14:04 Acquisition by WHERE and Early Phone App Strategies 17:29 Building Ad Platform and Monetization 20:29 PayPal Exit 24:05 Starting clypd - Scaling & AT&T Exit 31:59 Why Culture Matters! 34:08 Angel Investing and the Beginnings of TBD Angels 38:41 How EnFi got Started 46:25 The Details of EnFi: AI in Lending 50:28 Cultivating Culture at EnFi 52:40 The Hardest Positions to Hire for Right Now 53:58 Why Boston is a Great Place to Build a Startup 55:26 3 Essential Apps 57:55 Podcast / Book Recommendations for Entrepreneurs
Robby Morin, owner of Lux Powder Coat and candidate for U.S. Congress, joins the show for a candid conversation about housing, healthcare, energy, taxes, small business, and government accountability.Coming from different political perspectives, the conversation stays focused on what actually matters: making it easier to build, work, hire, live, and believe in the American Dream again.This episode explores the real-world impact of policy through the lens of entrepreneurship, affordability, and common-sense problem solving—not political talking points.Learn more here:Website: www.robbymorin.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCTA0C6Wi6p4BLdsg-CRj4_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electrobbymorinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@electrobbymorinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Robby-Morin-for-Congress-61577845436752/______________________________________________________________If this episode inspires you to be part of the movement, and you believe, like me, that entrepreneurs are the answer to our future, message me so we can join forces to support building truly great companies in our region. -Subscribe to my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCom_... - Mark Haney is a serial entrepreneur that has experience growing companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He is currently the CEO and founder of HaneyBiz - Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarkhaney Facebook: www.facebook.com/themarkhaney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markehaney Website: http://haneybiz.com Audio Boom: https://audioboom.com/channels/5005273 Twitter: http://twitter.com/themarkhaney-This video includes personal knowledge, experiences, and opinions about Angel Investing by seasoned angel investors. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Nothing in this video constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement.#thebackyardadvantage #themarkhaneyshow #entrepreneur #PowerOfWith #SacramentoEntrepreneur #Sacramento#SacramentoSmallBusiness #SmallBusiness #GrowthFactory #Investor#podcast
Multifamily real estate is down ~30% — and it may be a bigger reset than 2008.So is this a crash… or the best buying opportunity in years?In this episode, we sit down with Forrest Jinks (Founder & CEO of Altus Equity Group) to break down what's really happening in the real estate market and housing market, and why smart investors are leaning into multifamily investing right now.They cover:• What's driving the shift in the real estate market • How this compares to 2008 • The biggest mistakes in real estate investing • Where the opportunities are today (including Sacramento) • How to approach investing property in this cycle ________________________________________
The 2026 San Diego Angel Conference (SDAC) kicks off with Angel Academy Session 1, hosted at SDSU's ZIP Launchpad. Neal Bloom walks a room of aspiring and returning angel investors through the fundamentals — what angel investing actually looks like, how the SDAC's group diligence process works, and why a portfolio approach matters more than picking one winner. With 135 startup applications on the table and a Decision Day set for May 29, the session lays out the full arc from learning to deploying capital.Key Topics* What angel investing is and why it's a learned muscle* The SDAC's group diligence model: applications to investment* Portfolio approach: deploying into 3–5 companies* Why in-person founder pitches change the calculus* The "Super Bowl" — May 29 Decision Day and what it means* Fund structure: $200K–$2M raise range, SPV side vehicles* Last year's fund: $440K deployed into three companiesLinks & Resources* San Diego Angel Conference (SDAC): https://sdangel.com* SDSU ZIP Launchpad: https://ziplaunchpad.sdsu.edu* Rising Tide Partners: https://risingtidepartners.co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe