Podcasts about founder collective

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Best podcasts about founder collective

Latest podcast episodes about founder collective

The Agile World with Greg Kihlstrom
#682: Consequential AI and customer loyalty with Raj De Datta, CEO of Bloomreach

The Agile World with Greg Kihlstrom

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 25:26


If brand loyalty is so critical, why does it feel like most companies are treating it like an afterthought by propping it up with outdated programs and hoping customers won't notice? Agility requires a complete rethinking of how we approach customer loyalty — not as an afterthought at the end of the funnel, but as a core driver of long-term brand value and experience strategy. Today, we're going to talk about the evolution of customer loyalty and what brands need to do to keep up in a time when consumers have more choices, higher expectations, and less patience. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Raj De Datta, CEO and Co-Founder of Bloomreach. About Raj De DattaRaj De Datta is Co-Founder and CEO of Bloomreach, a leading software platform for digital commerce experiences that powers brands representing 25% of retail Ecommerce in the US and the UK. Raj is a multiple-time entrepreneur. Raj is also the bestselling author of “The Digital Seeker” – a playbook for digital teams to win big. Before launching Bloomreach, he was entrepreneur-in-residence at Mohr-Davidow Ventures, served as Cisco's director of product marketing, and was on the founding team of telecom company FirstMark Communications. Raj also worked in technology investment banking at Lazard Freres. Raj serves on the Council for Player Development for the US Tennis Association, the Board of RepresentUs, a bipartisan organization focused on democracy reform, and is a Founder Partner at seed-stage venture capital firm Founder Collective and an individual investor in over 20 start-ups. RESOURCES Bloomreach: https://www.bloomreach.com https://www.bloomreach.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brandsOnline Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrandDon't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150Get the Bloomreach report: https://www.bloomreach.com/en/winning-playbook-for-loyaltyConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

The Official SaaStr Podcast: SaaS | Founders | Investors
SaaStr 793: The 10-Point Checklist For When You Sell Your Company with David Frankel Managing Partner at Founder Collective and SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin

The Official SaaStr Podcast: SaaS | Founders | Investors

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 42:03


SaaStr 793: The 10-Point Checklist For When You Sell Your Company with David Frankel Managing Partner at Founder Collective and SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin David Frankel is Managing Partner at Founder Collective, a successful seed fund with investments in companies like The Trade Desk, Olo, and Coupang. With decades of experience as both a founder and investor, David brings a unique perspective to the often-misunderstood process of selling a company. He openly admits that many of his past exits were mistakes, which makes his advice on the topic particularly valuable. He joined SaaStr Workshop Wednesday LIVE to do a deep dive with Jason Lemkin on his 10 Point Checklist when you sell your startup. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Alright everybody in SaaS, this is it.  The biggest, best, most action-packed SaaS + AI event of the year—SaaStr Annual 2025—is coming this May. Three full days. 10,000+ SaaS and AI leaders and more tactical, no-fluff content than you'll find anywhere else.   If you want to scale faster—$10M, $50M, $100M ARR and beyond—you need the right playbooks, the right connections and the right people in your corner. And SaaStr Annual is where it all happens. We'll have 100's of Legendary speakers from companies like Snowflake, HubSpot, OpenAI, Canva, and more. More networking than you can handle—meet your next investor, co-founder, or biggest deal.  A New AI Demo & Pitch Stage— with your chance to win up to $5M in funding!  So don't wait—grab your tickets now at SaaStrAnnual.com with my code jason100 to save $100 on tickets before prices go up. That's jason 100 at saastrannual.com   See you in May!    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Do you know what would make your customer service helpdesk dramatically better? Dumping it and switching to Intercom.  But, youʼre not quite ready to make that change. We get it!   Thatʼs why Fin, the worldʼs leading AI customer service agent, is now available on every helpdesk.   Fin can instantly resolve up to 80% of your tickets,  Which makes your customers happier. And you can get off the customer service rep hiring treadmill.   Fin by Intercom. Named the #1 AI Agent in G2ʼs Winter Report.      Learn more at : inter.com/saastr   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talking Too Loud with Chris Savage
Demystifying Venture Capital with Founder Collective's Eric Paley

Talking Too Loud with Chris Savage

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 52:29


Can venture capital destroy startups? That is the question! On the latest episode of Talking Too Loud, Chris and Sylvie sit down with Eric Paley, managing partner at Founder Collective, a seed stage venture capital fund that's backed transformative startups like Uber, Airtable, and Whoop, to explore the many ways over-capitalization can lead companies to fail. They also discuss some of the principles that help entrepreneurs find success, like building businesses with a focus on customer validation, genuine substance, and financial prudence. Highlights Include:The toxic side of venture capitalNavigating over-capitalization The true north — your customersLinks to Learn More:Follow Eric on LinkedInFollow Savage on LinkedInSubscribe to Talking Too Loud on WistiaWatch on YouTubeFollow Talking Too Loud on InstagramFollow Talking Too Loud on TikTokLove what you heard? Leave us a review!On AppleOn Spotify

The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch
20VC: The Future of Foundation Models | The Future of AI Consumer Apps and Why OpenAI Did a Disservice to Them | The Future of Music: Spotify vs YouTube & Spotify vs TikTok: What Happens with Mikey Shulman @ Suno

The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 57:50


Mikey Shulman is the Co-Founder and CEO of Suno, the leading music AI company. Suno lets everyone make and share music. Mikey has raised over $125M for the company from the likes of Lightspeed, Founder Collective and Nat Friedman and Daniel Gross. Prior to founding Suno, Mikey was the first machine learning engineer and head of machine learning at Kensho technologies, which was acquired by S&P Global for over $500 million.  In Today's Episode with Mikey Shulman: 1. The Future of Models:  Who wins the future of models? Anthropic, OpenAI or X? Will we live in a world of many smaller models? When does it make sense for specialised vs generalised models? Does Mikey believe we will continue to see the benefits of scaling laws? 2. The Future of UI and Consumer Apps:  Why does Mikey believe that OpenAI did AI consumer companies a massive disservice? Why does Mikey believe consumers will not choose their model or pay for a superior model in the future?  Why does Mikey believe that good taste is more important than good skills? Why does Mikey argue physicists and economists make the best ML engineers? 3. The Future of Music:  What is going on with Suno's lawsuit against some of the biggest labels in music? How does Mikey see the future of music discovery? How does Mikey see the battle between Spotify and YouTube playing out? How does Mikey see the battle between TikTok and Spotify playing out?  

The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch
20VC: From Unsexy Startup to $1.8BN Acquisition with $150M in ARR | Why VCs and Founders are Fundamentally Misaligned | Why Valuations and Fundraising are BS | Lessons from Josh Kushner and Marc Andreesen | Zac Bookman, OpenGov

The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 68:06


Zachary Bookman is Co-Founder and CEO of OpenGov, the GovTech cloud software leader that was acquired for a staggering $1.8BN earlier this year. Prior to acquisition, Zac raised over $180M from some of the best of the best including Marc Andreesen, Josh Kushner, Joe Lonsdale and Founder Collective to name a few.  Zac is also a successful angel investor with investments in Flexport, Flock Safety and Addepar.  In Today's Show with Zac Bookman We Discuss: 04:27 Navigating Enterprise Sales and Pricing Strategies 07:49 The Importance of High Gross Retention in SaaS 11:03 Investor Relations and the Power Law in Venture Capital 14:32 WTF is Product Market Fit 18:14 What No One Knows About M&A 20:05 Fundraising Challenges and Lessons Learned 32:51 What Marc Andreesen Taught Me About Boards 34:18 Why Founders and Investors are Misaligned 35:29 The OpenGov Acquisition: Selling for $1.8BN 37:22 What Does It Feel Like to Sell for $1.8BN 43:58 Why Venture Capital is a S*** Asset Class 45:13 Investment Mistakes and Lessons 01:02:05 The Importance of In-Person Collaboration    

Power Couples by Design
Ep.200 - A Wife and Mother's Tale of Business, Breakdowns, and Rebuilding with Tamra Andress

Power Couples by Design

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 29:02


Imagine returning home after a hectic day at work, eagerly anticipating the warm embrace of your little girl, only to find her turning towards your spouse instead – a moment Tamra Andress vividly describes as her 'Tombstone moment.' It's a heart-wrenching realization that strikes at the core of one's identity. You may have pondered the question: What would my Tombstone say when I'm gone? Typically, it revolves around being a loving spouse, parent, and friend. However, for Tamra, the harsh truth unfolded as she saw her role as a loving mother in jeopardy. Her daughter's choice to seek comfort elsewhere was a wake-up call that was a gut punch. This episode captures the pivotal crossroads where Tamra recognized the need to shift her focus from the relentless pursuit of business success to nurturing her marriage and family. The fear that life would slip away, leaving her unloved and alone, became a compelling catalyst for change. This narrative resonated with us and it will for you too. Take a moment to listen to this powerful episode – it's a poignant reminder not to take life for granted.  Website https://tamraandress.com/ , www.fitinfaithmedia.com , https://fitinfaithmedia.com/millionaire-messenger Book Always Becoming https://tamraandress.com/alwaysbecomingbook  F.I.T. in Faith Podcast https://tamraandress.com/fit-in-faith-podcast/  Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/tamra.andress/ Key Takeaways: Succeeded professionally but wasn't truly happy My smile was a facade to hide the emptiness I felt I couldn't confide in my husband I had a Tombstone moment. I came home and my little girl ran to my husband instead of me.  Considered divorce and suicide even though I still loved my husband I was able to get healed and reset my life by getting help Realized part of the pain was suppressing the memory of being abused as a child Key to true happiness is stop being busy and minimize your life Tamra Andress is a 6x #1 best-selling author (…and counting), a keynote speaker, and a top podcaster. She's a serial entrepreneur who works with high-capacity Christian leaders to become millionaire messengers and share the Good News. She is wildly in love with words and The Word! Through her publishing company, F.I.T. in Faith Press, she catalyzes messengers in the marketplace by building buisnesstry through publishing, podcasting, and platform development while keeping play at the core! Her non-profit, The Founder Collective, focuses on ordaining and sustaining marketplace ministers. Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs' guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/ Need to create more time to dedicate to your marriage? Download this free guide. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/boundaries Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk

The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch
20VC: Investing Lessons from Seeding Uber, Airtable and Coupang | Why Pro Rata is the Original Sin in VC | Why Liquidity Has Died in 2024 | Why LPs are Pissed with VCs | The Hard Truth About Seed Fund Economics with David Frankel @ Founder Collective

The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2024 87:20


David Frankel is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Founder Collective, one of the best seed firms of the last decade. David has led rounds in companies such as Suno, Coupang, SeatGeek and PillPack (sold to Amazon for ~$1B). Previously, David was Co-Founder and CEO of Internet Solutions (IS), the largest ISP in Africa, ultimately acquired by NTT Japan. David has been named to the Midas List six times. In 2023, he was #11 and in 2024, he appeared at #15 on the Midas List of the world's best venture capital investors and at #2 on the Midas list of seed investors.  10 Questions With One of the World's Best Seed Investors: 1. Reserves: Why are reserves the hardest part of venture? What have been David's biggest lessons in how to do them well? 2. Why does David believe that pro-rata is the original sin of VC?  3. Has DPI died in 2024? Is PE the salvation for the VC exit market and liquidity? 4. Why does David believe LPs are so pissed of with VCs right now? What will change that? 5. When will IPO markets open? Are M&A markets shut? What would cause them to open? 6. How does David reflect on price today? When will he pay up and break his rules? 7. Biggest lessons for David on knowing when is the right time to sell? Why does David believe you should never sell your winners? What has David sold that he regrets most? 8. What companies returned the most to Founder Collective Funds? Uber? Coupang? Airtable? The Trade Desk? What did he learn from those mega hits? 9. What have been David's biggest losses? How did losing the company change his mindset and approach to investing? 10. What does David believe is the future of venture capital? How can seed funds play in a world of mega multi-stage funds? Who wins? Who loses?      

The Jeff Bullas Show
What If Your Home Could Save You Money?

The Jeff Bullas Show

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 55:18


Joseph Noor is the CTO of Ownwell, a company that uses technology to revolutionize property tax appeals. Inspired by his father's entrepreneurial spirit, who fled the Lebanese Civil War and built multiple businesses in the U.S., Joseph embodies the essence of entrepreneurial innovation and resilience. He is passionate about disrupting traditional industries with technology and creating equitable systems. Joseph and his team have raised $25 million from investors like First Round Capital, Long Journey Ventures, and Founder Collective. They currently have over 150,000 customers and are projecting $50 million in revenue this year. Joseph always approached life as an entrepreneur: flipping golf balls, building sneaker bots, creating private MMORPGs, saving money on property taxes. He was raised with the mentality of relentlessly chasing the hardest problems, pushing past what was initially thought possible, and leveling up in the process. In the unrelenting demand for academic excellence, he was enrolled in elementary two years early and was still pushed to skip grades. Enamored with the iPhone, he chose to study Computer Science to build software that can scale to the whole world. It wasn't until the PhD where he met his first real academic challenge – developing AI to self-optimize computer systems. What you will learn The role of AI in optimizing distributed systems and how it was applied in Joseph Noor's research. How technology, including AI, is revolutionizing property tax appeals through Joseph's company, Ownwell. The challenges of scaling a tech-driven business and how to overcome them. The importance of explainable AI models in industries like real estate, where transparency is crucial. Insights into the entrepreneurial mindset, including the value of persistence, adapting to challenges, and leveraging technology to solve traditional problems.

BizNews Radio
DiData to global fame: Meet David Frankel, tech luminary, investor extraordinaire 

BizNews Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 22:01


In this insightful interview, David Frankel, a renowned tech entrepreneur and managing partner of Founder Collective, delves into his journey from the early days of his career to his pivotal role in propelling companies like Uber to global fame. Frankel shares valuable lessons on entrepreneurship, the importance of timing, and the challenges of navigating a capital-scarce environment. He offers a candid perspective on the ups and downs of investing, reflecting on both successes and failures, while also touching on broader issues such as wealth disparity and political polarization in the U.S. This conversation provides a rare glimpse into the mindset of a visionary who has significantly shaped the tech landscape.

The Fit in Faith Podcast
Ep 492: Mastering the Art of Storytelling: Key Insights from the Global Leadership Summit | Tamra Andress

The Fit in Faith Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2024 42:05


In this enlightening episode of The Messenger Movement Podcast, host Tamra Andress shares her transformative experience and key takeaways from attending the Global Leadership Summit. Emphasizing the power of effective storytelling for leaders, speakers, and messengers, Tamra discusses various techniques and insights from renowned speakers at the summit.   From Craig Groeschel's lessons on focusing and caring deeply, to Kendra Hall's structured storytelling strategies, and Mariah's poetic approach to sustainable artistry, Tamra covers it all. She delves into the importance of creating analogies and metaphors to build bridges and connections, allowing stories to resonate and transform.   Tamra encourages listeners to apply these storytelling techniques to turn their messages into powerful movements. Additionally, she invites everyone to join The Founder Collective event on November 7th and 8th, 2024, a gathering designed for messengers and leaders eager to ignite their passion and learn from experienced voices.   Tune in to discover how you can elevate your storytelling skills and become an effective messenger in your own right.   Where to Find Tamra: Become a Millionaire Messenger! Take your Voice and Vocation to the Nations: https://fitinfaithmedia.com/millionaire-messenger  ⁉️ Have a faith & or biz question you'd like to have me answer? Feel free to write it, along with your honest review on Apple Podcasts - I'll share you and give you the answer in an upcoming episode!

INDIE AUDIO
Venture Capital Curmudgeons Club with Eric Paley of Founder Collective

INDIE AUDIO

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2024 73:42


— Capital has no insightsEric argues that venture capital alone doesn't solve business problems, and having more capital doesn't necessarily lead to better outcomes.— Compounding value vs. negative valueThe importance of building companies that compound positive value over time, rather than scaling prematurely and compounding negative value. Funding should primarily be used for experimentation and scaling proven business models, not for scaling unproven ideas, because it's easy to compound negative value if you're not paying attention to the right things.— Vanity metrics vs. intrinsic valueThe industry often focuses on vanity metrics like growth rates and valuations, rather than building long-term intrinsic value and durable businesses. The venture capital industry's incentive structures often encourage behavior that may not be in the best interest of building sustainable businesses. It's important to maintain a long-term perspective on building value, rather than getting caught up in short-term growth or fundraising cycles. In many tech businesses, there are often diseconomies of scale rather than economies of scale as companies grow.— Playing the game on your own termsCEOs and founders are ultimately responsible for making disciplined decisions about resource allocation and scaling. While entrepreneurs can't completely ignore the “game” of venture capital, they should focus on building value on their own terms rather than getting caught up in comparisons or unrealistic expectations.

Laughter for All Podcast with Comedian Nazareth
Faith & Fitness with Best Selling Author Tamra Andress

Laughter for All Podcast with Comedian Nazareth

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 55:33


Tamra Andress is a prominent figure in the realms of spiritual entrepreneurship and personal development. She is an international speaker, best-selling author, podcast host, and founder of the F.I.T. in Faith Media Company and F.I.T. Press Publishing House. Tamra's work primarily focuses on integrating faith and business, helping entrepreneurs find their purpose and amplify their messages through various platforms such as books, podcasts, and public speaking engagements​. Tamra has authored multiple best-selling books and has been featured in notable publications like Forbes and USA Today. Her podcast, "F.I.T. in Faith," is highly ranked globally, where she interviews founders, innovators, and trailblazers about their faith and business journeys​. She is also the president of The Founder Collective, a nonprofit organization that supports faith-driven entrepreneurs through discipleship, education, and community-building initiatives​.

Christianity in Business
Experiencing God's Joy in Business (Interview w/ Tamra Andress)

Christianity in Business

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 30:58


On this episode, Tamra Andress shares how she keeps joy and play at the center of her company's culture as expressions of God's character. Tamra Andress is a 6x #1 Amazon best-selling author (...and counting) featured in Forbes, USA Today, Inc., Entrepreneur, LA Weekly and many other well-known publications. She's keynote speaker, and top podcaster - with The Messenger Movement podcast and two other shows. She's a serial entrepreneur who works with high-capacity Christian leaders to become millionaire messengers and share the Good News. She is wildly in love with words and The Word! Through her publishing company, F.I.T. (fit) in Faith Press, she catalyzes messengers in the marketplace by building buisnesstry through publishing, podcasting, and platform development while keeping play at the core! Her non-profit, The Founder Collective, focuses on ordaining and sustaining marketplace ministers and is launching an Academy in 2026.  https://fitinfaithmedia.com/quiz  Thefoundercollective.com   Christianity in Business is the show that helps Christian business leaders to integrate biblical values into business. | Entrepreneurship | Marketing | Nonprofit | Church | Author | Startups | Marketplace | Ministry | Business as Mission | Faith and Work | Faith | Success | Leadership | www.ChristianityInBusiness.com 

Christianity in Business
Experiencing God's Joy in Business (Interview w/ Tamra Andress)

Christianity in Business

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 30:58


On this episode, Tamra Andress shares how she keeps joy and play at the center of her company's culture as expressions of God's character. Tamra Andress is a 6x #1 Amazon best-selling author (…and counting) featured in Forbes, USA Today, Inc., Entrepreneur, LA Weekly and many other well-known publications. She's keynote speaker, and top podcaster - with The Messenger Movement podcast and two other shows. She's a serial entrepreneur who works with high-capacity Christian leaders to become millionaire messengers and share the Good News. She is wildly in love with words and The Word! Through her publishing company, F.I.T. (fit) in Faith Press, she catalyzes messengers in the marketplace by building buisnesstry through publishing, podcasting, and platform development while keeping play at the core! Her non-profit, The Founder Collective, focuses on ordaining and sustaining marketplace ministers and is launching an Academy in 2026.  https://fitinfaithmedia.com/quiz  Thefoundercollective.com   Christianity in Business is the show that helps Christian business leaders to integrate biblical values into business. | Entrepreneurship | Marketing | Nonprofit | Church | Author | Startups | Marketplace | Ministry | Business as Mission | Faith and Work | Faith | Success | Leadership | www.ChristianityInBusiness.com 

TechCentral Podcast
TCS Legends | An interview with David Frankel

TechCentral Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2024 62:06


David Frankel played a pioneering role in the commercial development of the internet in South Africa as co-founder and CEO of Internet Solutions. Since then, he's gone on to a successful investing career in the US, where he is co-founder and managing partner at Boston- and New York-based Founder Collective, a seed-stage venture capital fund whose successful investments have included Uber Technologies, Brontes (sold to 3M) and PillPack (sold to Amazon). Frankel, widely regarded as one of the most successful entrepreneurs to come out of South Africa's technology industry, joins TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod on TCS Legends to chat about: • His career, and how the Internet Solutions opportunity came about; • What it was like in the early days of the internet in South Africa; • The fight he led, with Mark Todes, against Telkom's attempts in the 1990s to monopolise the internet industry – and how the industry won the battle; • The cast of characters at Internet Solutions, including brothers Ronnie and Alon Apteker, that made it a special place to be at the time; • Whether he was really offered the job of CEO of Dimension Data; • His studies at Harvard Business School; • The creation of Founders Collective, and why Boston is a great place for a tech-focused venture capitalist to be; and • His views on South Africa in 2024 and his continued connection to the country. Don't miss this insightful interview with one of South Africa's leading entrepreneurs, exploring the role he played in the heady days of the internet in South Africa and what it took to build a successful investment career in the US. We apologise for the audio quality issues in this episode. TechCentral

Capital Allocators
[REPLAY] Chris Dixon – The Future of Blockchain at a16z (Capital Allocators, EP.172)

Capital Allocators

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2024 61:29


Chris Dixon is a General Partner at Andreesen Horowitz, where he focuses on the a16z Crypto Funds.  Before joining Andreesen in 2013, Chris co-founded, built and sold two technology companies and was a prolific seed investor, founding member of Founder Collective, and personal investor.  At various spots along the way, Chris was an investor in BuzzFeed, Uber, Venmo, Hotel Tonight, Coinbase, and Oculus, among many others.     Our conversation covers Chris' early interest in computers and business, and lessons from starting companies and angel investing.  We then turn to his activities since joining Andreesen Horowitz, discussing new computing platforms, a brief history of centralized and decentralized computing, development of blockchain technologies, potential killer apps, token basics, and investor perception.     Chris Dixon is a General Partner at Andreesen Horowitz, where he focuses on the a16z Crypto Funds.  Before joining Andreesen in 2013, Chris co-founded, built and sold two technology companies and was a prolific seed investor, founding member of Founder Collective, and personal investor.  At various spots along the way, Chris was an investor in BuzzFeed, Uber, Venmo, Hotel Tonight, Coinbase, and Oculus, among many others.     Our conversation covers Chris' early interest in computers and business, and lessons from starting companies and angel investing.  We then turn to his activities since joining Andreesen Horowitz, discussing new computing platforms, a brief history of centralized and decentralized computing, development of blockchain technologies, potential killer apps, token basics, and investor perception.     Learn More  Follow Ted on Twitter at @tseides or LinkedIn  Subscribe to the mailing list  Access Transcript with Premium Membership 

Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin

Chris Dixon is an entrepreneur, investor, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, and the author of Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet. He started and manages a16z crypto, a branch dedicated to investing in new internet technologies, managing over $9 billion across four specialized funds. Prior to his venture capital career, Chris co-founded and led two successful startups, SiteAdvisor, an internet security firm acquired by McAfee in 2006, and Hunch, a recommendation technology company acquired by eBay in 2011. A prolific seed investor, he co-founded Founder Collective and made numerous personal angel investments in technology ventures.  ------ Thank you to the sponsors that fuel our podcast and our team: Squarespace https://squarespace.com/tetra ------ LMNT Electrolytes https://drinklmnt.com/tetra ------ House of Macadamias https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/tetra

The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch
20VC: a16z's Chris Dixon on Who Will Win the Next Generation of Venture, The Two Ways to Make Great Venture Investments and Find the Best Entrepreneurs & Why AI Will Strengthen the Position of the Incumbents Moving Forward

The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 55:12


Chris Dixon is a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, one of the leading venture firms of the last decade with investments in Oculus (acquired by Facebook), Coinbase, and many more. Chris also founded and leads a16z crypto, a division of the firm that he has grown from $300 million in 2018 to more than $7 billion of committed capital. Due to his many successes, Chris was named #1 on the Forbes Midas List in 2022. In Today's Episode with Chris Dixon We Discuss: From Founder to Leading GP in Venture: How did Chris make his way into the world of venture and startups? When did he realize investing was his calling? How did Chris Dixon come to co-found Founder Collective with Dave Frankel and Eric Paley? Lessons from 12 years Investing: What are Chris' biggest lessons from working with Marc Andreesen and Ben Horowitz? Does Chris agree with Doug Leone, “venture has transitioned from a boutique high margin business to a low margin commoditised industry”? What are the two ways to win in venture?  Does Chris agree the best founders don't need their VCs? What is Chris' biggest investing miss? How did it impact his mindset? Are Incumbents Too Big To Be Replaced: What is the biggest problem with open-source internet today? Does Chris think incumbents can be replaced? Why does Chris think AI will strengthen incumbents? Does Chris think OpenAI should be open-sourced? Biggest Challenges in Crypto: What is the biggest misconception of crypto today? Does Chris think speculation is bad for crypto? What would Chris most like to change in the world of crypto? How does Chris think Trump will affect crypto?

She's Making an Impact | Online Marketing | Pinterest Marketing | Entrepreneur Tips
Growing a Top Ranked Podcast, Faith in Business, and Prioritizing Family (With Tamra Andress) - Episode 449

She's Making an Impact | Online Marketing | Pinterest Marketing | Entrepreneur Tips

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2024 24:30


Today we're sitting down with Tamra Andress, a dynamic entrepreneur, podcaster, author, and faith-driven business coach. Tamra opens up about her journey from launching nine companies by her twenties to facing significant business and personal challenges that reshaped her approach to entrepreneurship, faith, and family life.  Join us as we explore how Tamra found her true calling through faith, the power of embracing imperfection in content creation, and the importance of integrating faith into business for genuine impact. Connect with Tamra: Instagram: @tamra.andress Fit and Faith Network App Podcasts: Fit and Faith, Girls Gone Holy, and the Founder Collective   0:00 - Introduction to Tamra and her career journey from entrepreneurship to coaching  5:38 - Launching podcasts and growing content creation 7:55 - Juggling work and family schedules and how Tamra takes summers off with her kids 9:14 - Advice for growing a podcast and bringing more humanity into the process 11:36 - Integrating faith into business authentically (and what happens when you don't) 17:31 - Lessons on slowing down, honoring others, and forgiveness ___________________________________________________________   Ready for more? Here are 3 ways we can help you: 1)

How I Raised It - The podcast where we interview startup founders who raised capital.

Produced by Foundersuite (www.foundersuite.com), "How I Raised It" goes behind the scenes with startup founders and investors who have raised capital. This episode is with Hillary Bush of Pollen (https://www.runpollen.com/) a professional community for freelancers, consultants, and other independent operators. In this episode, we talk about the future of work, how the entrepreneurial journey is "concurrent not linear," tips for scaling a consulting business, why it's important to find investors who don't shy away from the "tough parts" of building a startup, how to get to a no faster, tips for reducing friction in the fundraising process, and more. Pollen most recently raised a raised $4M in funding from ANIMO VC, Founder Collective, XYZ Venture Capital, Precursor Ventures, and a group of prominent angels. How I Raised It is produced by Foundersuite, makers of software to raise capital and manage investor relations. Foundersuite's customers have raised over $17 Billion since 2016. Create a free account at www.foundersuite.com. If you are a VC or investment banker, check out our new platform, www.fundingstack.com

The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch
20VC: Why Founders Should Take as Many VC Meetings as Possible, Should Founders Meet Associates, How to Get Intros to the Best VCs, How To Extract the Most Value From Your Investors, Why Post IPO Operators Are the Best Angels with Sam Corcos @ Levels

The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2023 68:15


Sam Corcos is the Co-Founder & CEO @ Levels, the company helping you see how food affects your health with data from biosensors like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). To date, Sam has raised over $89M for Levels from the likes of a16z (Jeff Jordan sits on his board), Founder Collective, Breyer Capital and Shrug Capital to name a few. Prior to Levels, Sam founded two prior companies, CarDash; a Y Combinator company that makes automotive repair and maintenance convenient. Before Cardash, Sam founded, Sightline Maps, an intuitive platform for 3D printing and visualizing topographical maps, marketed primarily towards the U.S. military. In Today's Episode with Sam Corcos: 1. The Founding Moment: What was the a-ha moment for Sam with the founding Levels? What were the big mistakes Sam made with prior companies that he did not take with him to Levels? What does Sam know now that he wishes he had known when he started Levels? 2. How to Fundraise Like a Pro: Why does Sam believe that founders should take as many meetings with VCs as possible? What are the biggest mistakes founders make when meeting investors? Should founders meet with associates in the fundraising process? What does Sam mean when he says, "you have to create theater" when pitching? 3. How to Extract the Most Value from Your Investors: What have been Sam's biggest lessons on how to put your investors to work? What is the right and most strategic way to ask investors for specific help? How can founders create a competitive environment where VCs are competing to help? Which investors have been the most helpful? Why are post-IPO operators the best angels to have as investors? How has the a16z platform team been such a needle mover? 4. How to Find Your Partner and Master Parenting: What does Sam mean when he says he had a "one pager" in what he wanted in a partner? What was in the one-pager? How did dates respond? What are the biggest mistakes people make when dating? What is Sam most nervous about on becoming a parent? How does Sam think having a child will impact his marriage?

The Modern Facilities Management Podcast
#96 Kayla Gottschalk: Co-Founder, Collective

The Modern Facilities Management Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2023 24:15


In this episode, we interview Kayla Gottschalk, Co-Founder of Collective Workplace  and IFMA Young Professionals Chair of Americas. Kayla holds IFMA SFP and IFMA FMG certifications, adding credence to her expertise in the field. Collective is a community that consolidates valuable resources like podcasts, videos, and tools for professionals in facilities management and the broader employee experience sector. Listen in as Kayla discusses the importance of cross-specialty collaboration and the resources that Collective offers to elevate your FM practices.

The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch
20VC Roundtable: Is the VC Model Broken? The Biggest Disconnect Ever Between TVPI & DPI, Why Market Size is Dangerous, Why "Go Fast" is Terrible Advice, The Dangers of Raising Large Rounds at High Prices & Why Next Year Will See the Biggest Hiri

The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2023 77:36


Eric Paley is the Managing Partner at Founder Collective, one of the world's most successful seed funds with investments in the likes of Uber, The Trade Desk, Coupang and Airtable. Mike Maples is one of the OGs of seed investing. As the Co-Founder of Floodgate, he has backed the likes of Twitch, Okta, Lyft, Twitter and more. Jason Lemkin is the Founder @ SaaStr one of the best-performing early-stage venture funds with a portfolio including Algolia, Pipedrive, Salesloft, TalkDesk, and RevenueCat to name a few. In Today's Episode on Is the Venture Model Broken? : Is the classic seed model dead? Can seed funds play in a world of $25M valuations? Why is having a firm grasp of the present the best thing an early-stage investor can have? Why does Mike Maples believe no company with true product-market-fit has ever failed? Why does Eric Paley believe "go faster" is the worst startup advice? Why does Mike Maples believe there is a direct relationship between price and risk? Why does Mike Maples believe that outliers by their very nature are lower priced? Why does Eric Paley not focus on ownership? Why can it be dangerous? What are the biggest risks for founders raising at valuations that are too high? Why does Eric Paley believe we will have the biggest chasm between TVPI and DPI in the prior vintage of venture capital returns? Why does Eric believe the majority of SPACs were BS and great companies can always go public? Why does Jason believe that if multiples do not reflate, the venture model is broken? Why does Jason believe we will see the biggest hiring spree in tech next year? How has illiquidity allowed Eric Paley to make some of the best investment decisions? What is Mike Maples biggest lesson from selling Twitter stock early at $1BN?

Bite BIG - Boss Women Leading Big Brands
Amber Bites Big with Fatuma Ndenzako - Co-Founder @Collective Closets

Bite BIG - Boss Women Leading Big Brands

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2023 48:48


In Episode 2, Amber Bonney Bites Big with guest co-host Fatuma Ndenzako a new generation boss woman and co-founder of Melbourne-born brand Collective Closets, a slow fashion label that celebrates African/Australian heritage.Inspired by Amber's own Mantra, 'bite big and chew like hell', in this episode, Amber gets under the skin of Fatuma's personal mantra, 'Always be kind, life is too short to not be kind to others'. We look at how Fatuma's own mantra came to be through her family and community, how it has filtered through her life from when she was growing up, to how it has impacted her work decisions.We get under the hood and discuss the impact that previous generations can have on an individuals own outlook, and how Fatuma's, 'Give Back' philosophy intertwines with her mantra and her business, and how this ultimately helps to empower others. We talk about the business of kindness and how this has influenced Fatuma's ethical fashion business in terms of sustainability and the support of women both here and in Kenya.Don't miss this exciting episode to give you a very different perspective on what the fashion industry is doing and how it is changing for the better both here and abroad thanks to people like Fatuma.This episode is dedicated to a charity close to Fatuma's heart, Sisters Inside - a charity supporting criminalised women, girls, children, and families both inside prison and out. As Fatuma states 'we all make mistakes it doesn't have to shape the rest of your life'.If you would like to know more about our host Amber Bonney her business The Edison Agency or co-host Fatuma Ndenzako you can connect and follow these boss women via the socials links below!Fatuma's InstagramCollective Closets InstagramCollective Closets LinkedinFatuma's author recommendation James BowenThe Edison Agency's LinkedInThe Edison Agency's InstagramAmber's InstagramAmber's LinkedIn Sisters Inside

Jungunternehmer Podcast
Danger of Optimising for Valuation | The problem with large VC funds | Startups stay a high risk business at later stages | New Definition for Unicorns - Micah Rosenbloom, Founder Collective

Jungunternehmer Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2023 57:01


Founder Collective ist ein New York based Fonds, der u.a. in Uber, Trade Desk, Stack Overflow und viele mehr Top Startups investiert hat.Fabian spricht mit Managing Partner Micah Rosenbloom über das Risiko, Probleme durch Geld eher zu vergrößern, als diese zu lösen. “Zu viel Kapital in frühen Phasen führt schnell zu schlechten Gewohnheiten und Ineffizienz”, so Micah - doch warum ist das so? Außerdem erfährst du, warum hohe Bewertungen Gründer:innen oftmals eher schaden als helfen und was es mit der These auf sich hat.ALLES ZU UNICORN BAKERY:https://zez.am/unicornbakery Was du lernst:Warum ist viel Kapital manchmal einfach der falsche Ansatz für Gründer:innen?Wieso schadet das Fixieren auf hohe Bewertungen mir als Gründer:in?Warum sind große VC Fonds Teil des Problems?Was passiert, wenn meine Firma nicht der perfekte VC Case wird - wie gehe ich damit um?Micah RosenbloomLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-rosenbloom-a0350 FirstMark: https://www.foundercollective.com/ WHATSAPP NEWSLETTER:1-2x wöchentlich bekommst du eine persönliche Sprachnotiz oder Inhalte von mir, die dich zu einem besseren Gründer machen, melde dich jetzt mit einem Klick an: https://bit.ly/ub-whatsapp-newsletter (00:00:00) Wie suchen VCs in early Stages ihre Founder und Startups aus?(00:04:54) Warum sollte man sich nicht zu sehr auf hohe Bewertungen fokussieren?(00:21:20) Was passiert, wenn der Traum, den ich allen, (auch mir), verkauft habe, platzt und es kein Milliardenunternehmen wird?(00:27:12) Wie würdest du es angehen, ein Startup umzustrukturieren, wenn der ursprüngliche Plan nicht erreichbar ist?(00:39:23) Was ist das Risiko von zu großen VC Fonds?(00:47:03) Welches Risiko haben die Entwicklungen (zu große VC Fonds, nicht umsetzbare Erwartungen) für das Startup-Ökosystem? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Startup Insider
Cycle erhält 11,3 Mio. US-Dollar für betriebliche E-Bike-Abos (Scania Growth Capital • Local Globe • EnBW New Ventures)

Startup Insider

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2023 28:25


In der Mittagsfolge sprechen wir heute mit Luis Orsini-Rosenberg, CEO und Co-Founder von Cycle, über die erfolgreich abgeschlossene Series-A-Finanzierungsrunde in Höhe von 11,3 Millionen US-Dollar.Cycle bietet betriebliche E-Bike-Abonnements für Unternehmen in Europa an. Die Full-Service-Mobilitätslösung richtet sich in erster Linie an Lieferdienste und Kuriere. Mit schlüsselfertigen E-Bike-Flotten ermöglicht das E-Bike-Unternehmen eine nachhaltige, effiziente und sorgenfreie Zustellung. Das Angebot beinhaltet neben der Vermietung auch die Wartung, Reparatur und Software für die Flotten. Das Startup hat außerdem ein neues E-Bike mit dem Namen „20 Fifty“ auf den Markt gebracht, das eine Ladekapazität von bis zu 200 kg und eine leistungsstarke Batterie hat. Cycle wurde im Jahr 2018 von den Cousins Luis Orsini-Rosenberg und Nik Seilern in Berlin gegründet. Mittlerweile ist das Startup in mehr als 85 Städten in Deutschland, Österreich, Polen, Italien und den Niederlanden aktiv und genießt das Vertrauen von branchenführenden Lieferdiensten wie Gorillas, Flink, Just Eat Takeaway und Wolt. Neben dem Fokus auf B2B-Dienstleistungen bietet Cycle jetzt auch E-Bike-Abos im B2C-Bereich in den Städten Berlin und Wien an.In einer Series A konnte das Berliner E-Bike-Unternehmen nun 11,3 Millionen US-Dollar unter der Führung von Scania Growth Capital einsammeln. Zu den weiteren Kapitalgebern zählen Local Globe, EnBW New Ventures, Visionaries Club, Third Sphere, Founder Collective, APX und die SpeedUp Venture Capital Gruppe. Die Runde folgt auf die Seed-Finanzierung im Jahr 2022, bei der das Startup bereits 16,5 Millionen Euro eingesammelt hat. Mit dem frischen Kapital möchte Cycle nach Großbritannien expandieren. Außerdem soll das Kundenportfolio durch Projekte mit Paketdienstleistern diversifiziert werden. Zudem plant das Unternehmen Partnerschaften im Bereich der Pharma- und Medikamentenlieferungen aufzubauen.

DealMakers
Nico Simko On Raising $195 Million To Disrupt Wage Accessibility And Pioneer Financial Freedom

DealMakers

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2023 28:05


Nico Simko, is the co-founder and CEO of Clair, a fintech startup rewriting the rulebook on how paychecks are managed and accessed. His unique multicultural background and international education have lent an extraordinary perspective to his innovative approach in the finance industry. The venture, Clair, has attracted funding from top-tier investors like Pathward, Upfront Ventures, Founder Collective, and Kairos HQ.

Startup Insider
Investments & Exits - mit Victor Hürbe von Speedinvest

Startup Insider

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2023 18:39


In der Rubrik “Investments & Exits” begrüßen wir heute Victor Hürbe, Associate bei Speedinvest. Victor spricht über die Finanzierungsrunde von Leap und Cycle:Cycle, eine Full-Service-Mobilitätslösung für Lieferdienste und Kuriere, hat bei einer Series-A-Finanzierungsrunde 10,3 Millionen Euro erhalten. Angeführt wurde die Runde von Scania Growth Capital. Weitere Geldgeber sind Local Globe, EnBW New Ventures, Visionaries Club, Third Sphere, Founder Collective, APX sowie die SpeedUp Venture Capital Group, die bereits als Investor an Bord war. Mit dem frischen Kapital plant Cycle, sein Wachstum in Europa fortzusetzen, einschließlich einer Expansion nach Großbritannien und in andere Regionen.Das Startup Leap, ein Anbieter einer Energiemarktzugangsplattform mit Sitz in San Francisco, hat 12 Millionen US-Dollar an Finanzierungsmitteln erhalten. Die Runde wurde von Standard Investments angeführt, mit Beteiligung von DNV Ventures und Sustainable Future Ventures, sowie bestehenden Investoren wie Union Square Ventures, Congruent Ventures und National Grid Partners. Das Unternehmen plant, die Mittel für die Expansion seiner Geschäftstätigkeit und Reichweite einzusetzen.

The First 100 | How Founders Acquired their First 100 Customers | Product-Market Fit
[Raised $42.1 million] Ep.80 - The First 100 with Alex Levin, the founder of Regal.io | B2B Sales Playbook | Founder-led Sales

The First 100 | How Founders Acquired their First 100 Customers | Product-Market Fit

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2023 27:10


Alex Levin, the CEO, and co-founder of New York City-based Regal.io, a tech stack for powering calls and messages that might provide customers — as well as sales and marketing teams — a better outbound calling experience. Regal has raised $42.1 million with Emergence Capital leading and Founder Collective, Homebrew, Flex Capital, Inspired Capital, and Operator Collective.Regal.io was founded in 2020 to help brands drive more conversations with consumers and hit their growth goals way faster. They currently have 150 brands that use their product in ways they never imagined to power 40M customer conversations and $1 billion in brand revenue to date. Alex Levin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexlevin1/Regal: https://www.regal.io/If you like our podcast, please don't forget to subscribe and support us on your favorite podcast players. We also would appreciate your feedback and rating to reach more people.We recently launched our new newsletter, Principles Friday, where I share one principle that can help you in your life or business, one thought-provoking question, and one call to action toward that principle. Please subscribe Here.It is Free and Short (2min).

RecTech: the Recruiting Technology Podcast

Comeet, a global leader in collaborative recruitment software, and Spark Hire, a top-rated video interview platform, have announced plans to merge. The combined company will offer the most comprehensive suite of talent acquisition products on the market, including applicant tracking, candidate management, and video interviewing. https://hrtechfeed.com/hr-tech-merger-comeet-and-spark-hire/ NEW YORK — Pollen, a membership powering freelance careers, has raised $4M in funding from ANIMO VC, Founder Collective, XYZ Venture Capital, Precursor Ventures, and an esteemed group of angels. https://hrtechfeed.com/freelance-membership-platform-raises-4-million/  Workato, the Enterprise Automation platform, announced AI@Work which includes significant product updates that enable enterprises to adopt AI for automations to drive business efficiency. The new capabilities are seamlessly integrated into the Workato platform and leverage OpenAI technologies. https://hrtechfeed.com/workato-introducing-workato-copilot-generative-ai-functionality/ Seattle startup Humanly which helps companies automate their recruiting functions, raised $12 million to help fuel growth of its AI-powered software, Geekwire is reporting. https://hrtechfeed.com/ai-recruiting-chatbot-humanly-raises-12-million/ AMS the RPO provider announced the launch of AMS One, its proprietary RPO Operating system. https://hrtechfeed.com/ams-launches-ams-one-the-rpo-operating-system/  

The Fit in Faith Podcast
Growing a Fruitful Business through Being Rooted in God's Word

The Fit in Faith Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2023 15:55 Transcription Available


The F.I.T. in Faith Podcast with Tamra Andress is not your ordinary business podcast. Tamra brings something unique to the table that might convict, correct, or bring you closer to God. As an entrepreneur, you're not only looking for success but also for sustenance, impact, and influence connected to flow from God.   In this podcast, Tamra focuses on being a better discipleship creator, developing leadership that influences people, and building a business that is connected to God.   Tamra shares how focusing on identity and being connected to God can bring life to your business and life to the full. Tamra believes that correction is just a catapult, and focusing on God's plan can bear good fruit.   This episode also discusses the story of the fig tree in the Bible and how it connects to business and branding.   Tamra invites listeners to join the Founder Collective, a Wednesday gathering for founders based on Ephesians 2:19-20, and Founder Con, an annual conference that connects entrepreneurs who want to incorporate their faith into their business.   Founder Collective Table - https://fitifaith.activehosted.com/f/91   FounderCon - Buy Your Ticket Now! http://thefoundercon.com/   Where to Find Tamra: Let's Connect about the Book Retreat, F.I.T. Press, or #allthethings! Book a Call today to see how I can help you share your message! https://calendly.com/sharon-tamraandress/45min Work with us! https://tamraandress.com/ TEXT Me (yes, it's really me!) at

BEYOND BARRIERS
Episode 255: Breaking Through Glass Ceilings and The Power of Conviction with Amanda Herson, Partner at Founder Collective

BEYOND BARRIERS

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2023 35:51


In true Beyond Barriers fashion, we are here to explore the stories and insights of ambitious successful individuals who have overcome obstacles and achieved success in their careers. In this episode, we are thrilled to have Amanda Herson as our guest. Amanda grew up in a family of entrepreneurs in South Africa and witnessed injustices early in life, which inspired her to make a positive impact in the world. Though she initially wanted to go into politics, she found her calling in the world of venture capital, where she quickly discovered the glass ceiling for women in the industry. But instead of seeing it as a barrier, she has turned it into an opportunity to stand out. Amanda believes that pressure and challenge are privileges that allow her to grow and learn, and she is fascinated by how people think and make decisions. She values respecting other people's time and understands the importance of building a strong network of supporters and mentors. In this podcast, Amanda shares her experiences and wisdom, encouraging us all to have an opinion and use our voices. She emphasizes the importance of conviction in one's professional life and explains how using guardrails protects her personal life. Join us as we learn from Amanda's journey and gain valuable insights on how to navigate the challenges of a competitive industry. Visit gobeyondbarriers.com to find show notes and links to all the resources mentioned in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Amanda. Highlights: [02:37] How Amanda grew up and arrived at career in venture capital [08:24] Moving forward despite uncertainty [12:03] Identifying your circle [16:06] Being a woman in venture capital [20:16] Getting started in the venture capital world [24:21] Integrating work and personal life [29:58] Lightning round questions Quotes: “One of the key things to being able to jump is really seeking out people who believe in you.” – Amanda Herson “Pressure is a privilege and being challenged is a privilege.” – Amanda Herson “Lean into your strengths and own your weaknesses.” – Amanda Herson Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “If I am not for me, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I?” What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Connector What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - Health always has to come first. Sleep and exercise make you a better person. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten About Amanda Herson: Amanda is a Partner at Founder Collective, a leading seed-stage venture capital firm with several Midas list appearances. Prior to returning to investing, she has spent the last several years building and growing one of the largest omni-channel retailers in South Africa, launching their e-commerce and expanding the footprint to over 300 stores and serves on the Board of Cape Union Mart. Amanda was Highland Consumer Fund investing in and growing retail and consumer goods companies. Previously, she was at L Brands in New York, launching new beauty brands and focusing on growth and innovation. She began her career at Boston Consulting Group in New York. Amanda has a passion for building strong cultures in growing companies and an operational background in building e-commerce companies from the ground-up and has become a trusted advisor to several entrepreneurs. Amanda completed her Undergraduate in Economics at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and received her MBA from Harvard Business School. She currently resides in New York, is a mom of three + a sheepadoodle, a Central Park enthusiast, with a side passion for healthy cooking and living. Links: Website: https://www.foundercollective.com/index.html LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-herson-9616802/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Amanda_Herson

5x5 Crypto News
Ep. 54 Hivemapper: Google Maps killer?

5x5 Crypto News

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2022 14:21


Preamble rant:The recent collapse of FTX, a large crypto exchange, and its associated entities, left many of us disappointed and disgusted with flashbacks to Enron and Lehman Brothers. Nothing is new under the sun. Unfortunately, whenever humans are involved, there is a potential for bad actors to make poor choices that wreak havoc. This has proven true across industries, countries, and time. But regulation and controls can help safeguard the little guy. I expect more regulation, legislation, and guidelines in the months and years to come.Still, I worry that the wrong lessons are being learned. Some folks might see the FTX implosion as vindication that “crypto is bad”. Others might see it as the death knell for crypto and blockchain technology at large. This is a mistake. Technology is neither good nor bad. Humans use technology for good or bad. That's an important distinction. One of my takeaways is to double-down and continue uncovering ways in which crypto and blockchain technologies can solve real-world problems. Let's go!Giant maps and summer road tripsWhen I was a kid, my family would go on road trips every summer. It was a great adventure. From time to time, we would pull over to the side of the road while our parents struggled and fumbled through giant fold-out maps. This was Nigeria in the 1990s. There was no internet. The maps were sometimes outdated. As you can imagine, we got lost a couple times. One day, we narrowly escaped being detained by the military because we inadvertently were driving towards Aso Rock, which was then the presidential palace of Abacha, one of Nigeria's brutal dictators! Yikes!! Today, I can't remember the last time I opened up a giant fold-out map. Thank God for Google Maps! I now use it every day to find the optimal route for my commute. It's been a massive time-saver as I've learned to deal with the joys of New Jersey's clogged up highways. If you are like me, you might not have realized that some companies such as Uber pay Google to embed Maps in their products. Some other companies use Google Maps to optimize the distribution of their products. It's really important for these companies that Google Maps is accurate and frequently updated.As much as I love Google Maps, it's not perfect. Google Map's gapsI am going to highlight two gaps with existing mapping services: (1) Updates and (2) Ownership.1. UpdatesGoogle has done a great job mapping out the world. However, new roads and buildings are constructed every day, new businesses emerge with new signage. Logically, Google Maps prioritizes map updates for high population cities. Thus, Google updates Street View and Satellite pictures of big cities like London at least every year while smaller cities like my ancestral hometown, Ijebu-Ode, might be updated every couple of years. Is there a better solution?2. OwnershipIn 2013, Google acquired Waze for $1B. Waze was a fast-growing Google Maps competitor that utilized an army of volunteers to submit real-time traffic updates and review maps. Over 420,000 people volunteered to edit Waze's maps. Additionally, Waze had ~100 employees at the time of acquisition. But get this: the average Waze employee received $1.2M after the acquisition but the volunteers received nothing. Ouch. Is there a better solution? Introducing HivemapperHivemapper is a decentralized map built by people using dashcams. It solves both of the problems - updates and ownership - outlined above by providing crypto-incentives and technology to anyone interested in participating. Did you know that each photo in Google Maps' Street View was taken by a Google employee in a specialized car with a 3D camera? One can imagine that the cost would be astronomical. Wouldn't it be better if we could crowdsource images from drivers on their daily commute or road trips? Imagine if just 1% of all drivers did this. They would continually map every new highway off ramp, new small business, freshly created pothole, etc. But that's not all. In the future, these drivers could also collect other types of data such as air quality, weather, noise, wireless coverage, and so on. These contributors would be rewarded with HONEY, the native token of Hivemapper. The best part is that it does not require any change in behavior, contributors need only install a dashcam the size of a deck of cards. The Hivemapper Network recently launched on November 3, 2022. There are two dashcam models available priced from $549 (larger design) to $649 (smaller, more compact design shown above). If you order before January 7, 2023, you will be airdropped 500 Honey tokens. Then you will earn more tokens as you drive once the dashcam is activated.Behind HivemapperHivemapper is led by executives at the confluence of tech, logistics and crypto. The team has individuals who built and scaled global maps and geospatial products at Yahoo Maps, Scale AI, and Mapbox. They are mathematicians, physicists, computer scientists, logistic experts, artists, and designers working together to create a decentralized mapping network. Hivemapper raised over $18M in its Series A from investors including Spark Capital, Multicoin Capital, Solana Ventures, and Founder Collective. Today, the company has a number of esteemed advisers including the current or former CEOs of Solana, Helium, Masterclass, Zillow, Tinder, and the former head of Apple Maps.ConcernsWhile Hivemapper sounds interesting, it also set-off a number of alarm bells in my head. My concerns are centered around privacy, hacks and the HONEY token.A. PrivacyEvery website you visit and every click that you make on the internet is being monitored. Advertisers take that information to market new products and services to you. Now, imagine if your offline activities were being similarly tracked. Kinda scary, right? But I guess Google Maps is already tracking wherever I go.Hivemapper says it has privacy by design. The dashcams only collect the minimum required information. Furthermore, the company blurs licenses plates and people's faces in the pictures and videos captured. B. HacksEven if Hivemapper does what it says it would do to protect privacy, imagine if a bad actor hacked the dashcams and started collecting unauthorized information. It could be ugly. Hivemapper needs to have in place strong information security protocols to safeguard its contributors and collected data. C. HONEY tokenIf a contributor successfully earned 1,000 HONEY tokens while driving across the country, what can they do with it? Worst case scenario, they might sell it. But what is supporting the underlying value of HONEY? For starters, there is a cap on the total amount of HONEY. Thus, if demand increases over time, the price of the HONEY tokens should rise. I also think Hivemapper could establish partnerships with major brands then enable HONEY holders to trade them in for Uber Eats credit or airline loyalty points. Some others have raised eyebrows about HONEY's tokenomics. About 60% of the total HONEY supply has been pre-allocated to insiders with 20% going to employees, 15% to the company itself and 5% to the affiliated foundation. HONEY's initial allocation of tokens to insiders is unusually high. For context, Ethereum only had 15% allocated to insiders while newer blockchains like Avalanche and Solana had 42% and 48% respectively. But one of the golden rules of tokenomics is to avoid projects with high concentration of token ownership amongst a few owners:Early successesDespite some of these misgivings, Hivemapper has achieved some early wins. During the alpha launch, the Hivemapper Network covered 95% of all roads in Manila, the capital of the Philippines in 6 months. It mapped 110,000 miles of road. Crucially, 75% of the map of Manila was refreshed every month. This is much higher than Google Maps. Additionally, the city of Shreveport, Louisiana has also become a Hivemapper customer. The city paid $7,000 for dashcams to be put in the city's fleet of garbage trucks. Shreveport hopes the frequently updated maps will provide greater visibility into residents' challenges ex potholes etc. Ideal customerI have considered getting a Hivemapper dashcam just to test it out and engage with the network. But I don't think I drive enough to accumulate a significant amount of HONEY tokens. I think the ideal customers might be owners of large fleets of vehicles. For instance, cross-country trucking companies, school buses, taxi companies, and mail delivery services. These large fleets cover a lot of miles on an ongoing basis and could generate a lot of HONEY tokens. Nonetheless, it might still be worthwhile for a regular Joe who moonlights as an Uber driver to try it out. What do you think?I hope you have a wonderful week ahead. Stay grounded and seize the day. All the best,Afolabi This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit afolabio.substack.com

The Tamil Creator
EP #79: Sarah Sukumaran - Former Nike Product Director Disrupting The Hypermasculine Sneaker Market With Her Female-Centric Brand Lilith

The Tamil Creator

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2022 52:14


Sarah Sukumaran (@sarahsuku) is a former Nike Product Director who is now the CEO & Founder of Lilith NYC (@lilith.nyc), a female-centric sneaker brand looking to disrupt the hypermasculine multi-billion dollar sneaker market.She joins Ara on this week's episode of #TheTamilCreator to discuss working for Nike before starting her own company, the future of manufacturing (ie. 3-D printing, etc.), seeing a a gap in female footwear and using her house down payment funds to kickstart the business, her first product being inspired by a bird that is almost extinct in the Philippines, missing out on the chance to decode the human genome, and so much more.Follow Sarah:- LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahsukumaran/) Timestamps00:19 - Sarah's return from Portugal, recovery from COVID, and New York post-pandemic02:15 - Being obsessed with books, science, and basketball shoes from a young age04:32 - Her career path was never linear; MedTech, consulting, marketing, and more06:15 - The impact of education in Sarah's career; the importance of time management08:04 - Will she ever pursue her love of science? Tamil dads and dictionaries09:43 - Having a strict dad, not getting to enjoy summer a kid, how she feels about it now11:51 - Leaving a tech career to work for Nike as Director of Product; what she learned16:01 - Nike waving her 18-month non-compete clause; operating with regret for 5 years18:01 - Financially planning for leaving Nike to pursue entrepreneurship full-time19:41 - The “entrepreneurial itch”; social commentary on her decision to start a business21:06 - How Sarah came up with Lilith NYC, and building something she could sell24:10 - Creating Lilith NYC's first pair of shoes; starting with factories in China27:21 - Leaving China due to geopolitics, COVID, etc.28:49 - The future of manufacturing, current supply chain issues, and 3D printing30:41 - Rolling out a pre-order model in January of 2021 without even having a sample ready32:36 - Her marketing strategy to promote Lilith NYC; initially only having 300 followers35:19 - Expanding from selling sneakers to also selling clothing (hoodies, beanies, etc.)36:22 - Fundraising with plans to accelerate her business' growth40:59 - Her ultimate brand vision for Lilith NYC; will it become a media company?42:33 - How Sarah found out about Founder Collective; what has been the impact?45:13 - Advice for her fellow female Tamil entrepreneurs45:30 - Advice she would give her 16-year-old self46:17 - The personal legacy that Sarah wants to be remembered for by friends and family46:38 - Creator Confessions51:22 - The Wrap UpIntro MusicProduced And Mixed By:- The Tamil Creator- YanchanWritten By:- Aravinthan Ehamparam- Yanchan Rajmohan     

Venture Unlocked: The playbook for venture capital managers.
The art of pre-seed investing, mitigating investment risk at this stage, and building processes to build a true venture platform with a lean team

Venture Unlocked: The playbook for venture capital managers.

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2022 47:47


Follow me @samirkaji for my thoughts on the venture market, with a focus on the continued evolution of the VC landscape.On this week’s show, we are excited to be joined by Gaurav Jain, Co-Founder of Afore Capital, one of the largest pre-seed funds in the US with nearly $300MM in AUM across 3 funds. Afore says that no investment is "too early,” and very often investing in companies that are pre-product. We had a great conversation covering pre-seed investing, whether the current market should affect portfolio construction, and how they are able to execute on so many initiatives without the benefit of a large team. About Gaurav Jain:Before co-founding Afore in 2016 with Anamitra Banerji (formerly at Foundation Capital), Gaurav was a principal at one of the top-seed firms in the world in Founder Collective and prior to his investing career, he was an early Product Manager for Android Google and was a co-founder of Polar Mobile.In this episode we discuss:00:58 The inspiration for starting Afore 04:05 What is the difference between pre-seed and seed stage investments06:32 How Afore underwrites risk at the earliest stages of development10:19 The type of founders that Afore is most excited about13:03 Why storytelling is so important at the early stages of companies17:38 Why the market conditions haven’t changed Afore’s portfolio construction23:18 How they think about follow-ons and insider bridges26:58 How Afore has productized its offer with Afore Alpha31:40 How the Afore platform and community works36:48 What Gaurav’s day-to-day schedule looks like42:50 The lessons Gaurav has learned from his anti-portfolioI’d love to know what you took away from this conversation with Gaurav. Follow me @SamirKaji and give me your insights and questions with the hashtag #ventureunlocked. If you’d like to be considered as a guest or have someone you’d like to hear from (GP or LP), drop me a direct message on Twitter.Podcast Production support provided by Agent Bee Agency This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ventureunlocked.substack.com

Divine Living
The Feminine Art of Entrepreneurship with Abigail Cook Stone

Divine Living

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2022 48:32


Ready to inspire all your entrepreneurial dreams? This episode is the PERFECT one to tune into. I was honored to sit down with luxury candle designer and founder of Otherland, Abigail  Cook Stone. I discovered her story through Entrepreneur Magazine on my recent flight from Miami to NYC. Her story jumped off the page and immediately captured my heart. I know this enchanting conversation is sure to do the same for you! Abigail shares her inspirational journey to entrepreneurship, navigating the ‘world inbetween worlds' phases, and staying strong in her passionate convictions that saw the vision through. Abigail Cook Stone, CEO & Co-Founder of Otherland, set out to build a different kind of candle brand when she launched in 2017, inspired by her passion for art and interiors, a moderately healthy obsession with candles, and her family philosophy of finding small ways to elevate everyday life with an “extra verve.” To create Otherland, Abigail married her backgrounds in art, e-commerce, and venture capital. While attending Columbia Business School, she was an associate at Founder Collective, a seed stage venture fund, and a partner at Dorm Room Fund, First Round Capital's student-run VC fund. She has an MBA from Columbia and previously worked at Ralph Lauren in Art Acquisitions.CONNECT WITH ABIGAILWebsite: www.otherland.com  Instagram: @alphagail / @otherlandcoTikTok: otherlandIn-Store Location: 454 West Broadway New York, NY, 10012 

Capital Allocators
[REPLAY] Chris Dixon – The Future of Blockchain at a16z (Capital Allocators, EP.172)

Capital Allocators

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2022 63:15


Chris Dixon is a General Partner at Andreesen Horowitz, where he focuses on the a16z Crypto Funds.  Before joining Andreesen in 2013, Chris co-founded, built and sold two technology companies and was a prolific seed investor, founding member of Founder Collective, and personal investor.  At various spots along the way, Chris was an investor in BuzzFeed, Uber, Venmo, Hotel Tonight, Coinbase, and Oculus, among many others.   Our conversation covers Chris' early interest in computers and business, and lessons from starting companies and angel investing.  We then turn to his activities since joining Andreesen Horowitz, discussing new computing platforms, a brief history of centralized and decentralized computing, development of blockchain technologies, potential killer apps, token basics, and investor perception.   Chris Dixon is a General Partner at Andreesen Horowitz, where he focuses on the a16z Crypto Funds.  Before joining Andreesen in 2013, Chris co-founded, built and sold two technology companies and was a prolific seed investor, founding member of Founder Collective, and personal investor.  At various spots along the way, Chris was an investor in BuzzFeed, Uber, Venmo, Hotel Tonight, Coinbase, and Oculus, among many others.   Our conversation covers Chris' early interest in computers and business, and lessons from starting companies and angel investing.  We then turn to his activities since joining Andreesen Horowitz, discussing new computing platforms, a brief history of centralized and decentralized computing, development of blockchain technologies, potential killer apps, token basics, and investor perception.   Learn More  Follow Ted on Twitter at @tseides or LinkedIn  Subscribe to the mailing list  Access Transcript with Premium Membership 

The Jonathan Kogan Show
No-Code is Exploding in the B2B market,but should you invest? David Peterson of Angular Ventures - #4

The Jonathan Kogan Show

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2022 93:53


In this episode, we are joined by David Peterson and co-host: Yash Tekriwal. This was a super fun conversation about David's investing thesis, what it's like working with early stage founders, how toolkits are the future of Saas, and so much more! Take a listen if you want to hear from a true thought leader in No-Code and an active investor in the B2B SaaS world. David Peterson is the second full Partner of Angular Ventures. He leads investments, takes board sets, and works with companies across their portfolio. Prior to Angular Ventures, he was an early employee twice over (most recently at Airtable, where he built his first growth team and led partnerships), a founder of a bootstrapped software company, and a seed investor at Founder Collective. Angular Ventures is a specialist, first-check venture capital firm focused exclusively on B2B, enterprise, and deep-tech companies across Europe and Israel. Yash Tekriwal, is an executive coach, a teacher, a management consultant, a data scientist, and a career coach. He loves solving difficult but important problems. Over the years, he come to believe that "education" is at the core of solving many of the world's most pressing problems. He also believes that income inequality, racial injustice, sustainability, mental health, health care, and food insecurity can all be improved through better communities, connection, and learning. Missing this episode means missing some great thoughts from David and Yash

The Jonathan Kogan Show
No-Code is Exploding in the B2B market,but should you invest? David Peterson of Angular Ventures - #4

The Jonathan Kogan Show

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2022 93:53


In this episode, we are joined by David Peterson and co-host: Yash Tekriwal. This was a super fun conversation about David's investing thesis, what it's like working with early stage founders, how toolkits are the future of Saas, and so much more! Take a listen if you want to hear from a true thought leader in No-Code and an active investor in the B2B SaaS world. David Peterson is the second full Partner of Angular Ventures. He leads investments, takes board sets, and works with companies across their portfolio. Prior to Angular Ventures, he was an early employee twice over (most recently at Airtable, where he built his first growth team and led partnerships), a founder of a bootstrapped software company, and a seed investor at Founder Collective. Angular Ventures is a specialist, first-check venture capital firm focused exclusively on B2B, enterprise, and deep-tech companies across Europe and Israel. Yash Tekriwal, is an executive coach, a teacher, a management consultant, a data scientist, and a career coach. He loves solving difficult but important problems. Over the years, he come to believe that "education" is at the core of solving many of the world's most pressing problems. He also believes that income inequality, racial injustice, sustainability, mental health, health care, and food insecurity can all be improved through better communities, connection, and learning. Missing this episode means missing some great thoughts from David and Yash

The xMonks Drive
Ep 39 - Raj De Datta - Humanity and Digital Experience

The xMonks Drive

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2021 48:07


The winner of any strategy is the ability of a leader to bring everyone towards a center. As vast as digital experiences have become, the center is the people. In this episode, we will discuss how digital and real have permeated. Raj De Datta is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bloomreach, the leading digital experience platform for e-commerce that powers 25% of retail e-commerce in the United States and the United Kingdom. Before creating Bloomreach, he worked as an entrepreneur-in-residence at Mohr-Davidow Ventures, as Cisco's head of product marketing, and as a member of the founding team of telecom business FirstMark Communications. He also worked at Lazard Freres in technology investment banking. Raj is a Founder Partner at seed-stage venture capital firm Founder Collective and an individual investor in over 20 Silicon Valley startups. He also serves on the US Tennis Association's Council for Player Development.Raj is the author of the upcoming book from Columbia University Press, “The Digital Seeker” which is a guide for digital teams to build winning experiences. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering with a certificate in Public Policy and International affairs from Princeton University and an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School. 

The Insurance Coffee House
On a mission to fix the protection gap with Benjamin Hay, Co-founder, Collective Benefits

The Insurance Coffee House

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2021 22:27


“People work across multiple platforms. The nature of their relationship with work and the providers of work has changed”, says Benjamin. The former lawyer and director of strategy & operations at Virgin Unite has taken his passion for social impact and co-founded Collective Benefits. The business has developed a range of financial and digital products to help solve the problem of financial wellness for independent workers, partnering with some of the largest & most forward-thinking on demand platforms, to serve 200,000 freelancers and gig workers across 18 countries.  Whether it's sickness, accident, injuries, independent workers have known risks. “The best way to solve a known risk is to underwrite it”, says Benjamin, “So insurance was a fantastic product for us to start with.” Benjamin talks about underwriting and reaching a new demographic, working in a different way as well as clarifying how the benefits work for people who work across multiple platforms and have multiple jobs. As a fast-paced growth business, Collective is looking for purpose-driven missionaries who want to make a social impact. “There is a huge opportunity to fix the protection gap in financial wellness for a rapidly growing and significant demographic.” Connect with Benjamin on https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-hay-a422844a/ (LinkedIn) or find out more about https://www.collectivebenefits.com/ (Collective Benefits). The Insurance Coffee House Podcast is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of Insurance Search, the Executive Search Consultancy for growing Insurance and Insurtech businesses in the United States and UK. To discuss identifying & attracting the very best talent to your team or being a podcast guest, reach out to Nick via http://www.insurance-search.com/ (www.insurance-search.com) or email nick.hoadley@insurance-search.com Copyright https://insurance-search.com/ (Insurance) https://insurance-search.com/ (Search) 2021 – All Rights Reserved.

Unpacking Impact
Raj De Datta: “What Isn't E-commerce?”

Unpacking Impact

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2021 40:45


In this episode, Navin is joined by Raj De Datta, founder, and CEO of Bloomreach, a leading software platform for digital commerce experience. They discuss the importance of meaningful e-commerce moments, how businesses can be “seeker-centric,” and the future of small businesses. Raj De Datta is a multiple-time entrepreneur and best-selling author of “The Digital Seeker.” Before launching Bloomreach, Raj was an entrepreneur-in-residence at Mohr-Davidow Ventures, served as Cisco's director of product marketing, and was on the founding team of telecom company FirstMark Communications. Raj serves on the Council for Player Development for the US Tennis Association, as a Founder Partner at seed-stage venture capital firm Founder Collective, and an individual investor in over 20 start-ups.

What is Innovation?
Innovation is solving problems that matter :: Raj De Datta

What is Innovation?

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2021 31:06


Raj De Datta, Co-Founder and CEO of Bloomreach, talks on seeker mindset and creating culture in tech-forward business industries.More about our guest:Raj De Datta is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bloomreach, the leading digital experience platform for e-commerce that powers brands representing 25% of retail e-commerce in the US and the UK. A multiple-time entrepreneur, before launching Bloomreach, he was entrepreneur-in-residence at Mohr-Davidow Ventures, served as Cisco's director of product marketing, and was on the founding team of telecom company FirstMark Communications. He also worked in technology investment banking at Lazard Freres. Raj serves on the Council for Player Development for the US Tennis Association, as a Founder Partner at seed-stage venture capital firm Founder Collective and an individual investor in over 20 Silicon Valley start-ups. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering with a certificate in Public Policy and International affairs from Princeton University and an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School.------------------------------------------------------------Episode Guide:2:13 - What is Innovation3:33 - Working in labs5:07 - Technical problem definition vs Consumer back approach5:33 - Bloomreach6:42 - Creating Culture from the top-down8:09 - Consumer Side culture role-modeling10:24 - Seeker mindset, To-do lists, and Uber12:27 - Technology: Solving the seeker's problems13:59 - Tech-forward business industries15:34 - Solving for reassurance vs solving for information16:31 - What isn't innovation17:42 - Creating Cross-functional innovation teams20:08 - "Product Manager" job titles22:24 - Incorporating hobbies: Tennis26:35 - Shaping career through innovation  28:03 - Advice to innovators--------------------------OUTLAST Consulting offers professional development and strategic advisory services in the areas of innovation and diversity management.

Ecommerce Insights by Wicked Reports Podcast
Combining Data & AI to Create Winning Ecommerce Experiences with Raj De Datta

Ecommerce Insights by Wicked Reports Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 25:14


Are you providing the ‘wow’ customer experience that leads to big wins? In our digital-first world, you stand out by creating exceptional digital experiences. Bloomreach CEO Raj De Datta, joins me today as he talks about what pushed him to start his company and later on write his upcoming book, The Digital Seeker. Find out why merely serving the transactional needs of customers isn’t enough and what you need to do to get transformative results. Learn the power of having a seeker-centric philosophy by tuning in now. Episode Highlights: Raj’s motivation for writing The Digital Seeker [00:42] The differences between a seeker and a customer [02:18] What Bloomreach is offering [04:22] The top things where data can give you an edge [07:46] Example of a seeker-centric experience [09:51] The 3 A’s and how they play into ecommerce [11:29] Why you need data-driven ecommerce platforms [15:48] Bloomreach’s SEO geared solution and how AI makes it faster, better [17:12] Data science as a passion in their company [19:44] The driver of growth in ecommerce [20:36] The story of how Bloomreach started [22:49] Resource Links: Visit the Wicked Reports Website (https://www.wickedreports.com/) Pre-order The Digital Seeker (https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Seeker-Guide-Winning-Experiences/dp/0231202202) Bloomreach Website (https://www.bloomreach.com/en) About Our Guest: Raj De Datta is Co-Founder and CEO of Bloomreach, a leading software platform for digital commerce experiences that powers brands representing 25% of retail E-Commerce in the US and the UK. Raj is a multiple-time entrepreneur. Before launching Bloomreach, he was entrepreneur-in-residence at Mohr-Davidow Ventures, served as Cisco’s director of product marketing, and was on the founding team of telecom company FirstMark Communications. Raj also worked in technology investment banking at Lazard Freres. He serves on the Council for Player Development for the US Tennis Association, as a Founder Partner at seed-stage venture capital firm Founder Collective and an individual investor in over 20 start-ups. Thank you for tuning in! If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, tune in, and share this podcast. Connect with E-Commerce Insights by Wicked Reports: Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtHcqeadfhEzvN_zbQfEzdg Like us on Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/WickedReports Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wicked-reports/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indian Startup Stories
Transform your Business using UiPath's Hyper-Automation w/ Venki, CEO & Founder (Collective Minds)

Indian Startup Stories

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2021 51:26


Today's guest:Venkatesh Kothandaraman, CEO & Founder (Collective Minds)Website: https://thecollectiveminds.com/You will learn:01:43Background - Academics, career, early day intra-preneurships13:17Collective minds creations - Robotics process automation17:06The push to start own business24:16Handling the challenges & the mindset28:41Customer success stories & pride moment30:26Change in dynamics - and positivity around34:46Recommendations to handle setbacks in entrepreneurial journey38:24Qualities needed from budding entrepreneurs42:27Rapid fire roundStay tuned! Be motivated! Thank you!!Podcast hosted @ https://indianstartupstories.buzzsprout.com Social Media handles:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Startup-Stories-105427574797700LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/indian-startup-stories-b4b385202Twitter:https://twitter.com/IndianStartupS2Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38w7euU6JpLjyRb4Am7ugwInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theindianstartupstories/Music credit: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Momentum Magnet Podcast
The VC Voice: Top Five Mistakes Founders Make and How to Avoid Them

Momentum Magnet Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2020 54:03


“It's not about the idea. It's about how well you execute that idea.” Today, we're going to dive deep into the sometimes-secretive world of venture capital. We address: Which companies were able to successfully adapt to the new normal? COVID-19's impact on the ability of VC firms around the world to invest Gender and racial equality in the VC world Common mistakes that founders make when pitching to a VC Red flags that VCs look out for when deciding which startups to back What separates a good founder from a great founder? Karen Morales welcomes Parul Singh, a Principal at Founder Collective. She has spearheaded investments in well-known companies such as Embark Veterinary, AdHawk, Smalls, and Elektra Labs. Parul is a developer-turned-product manager for many venture-backed startups and media companies like The New York Times. She was also a founder herself: Before joining Founder Collective, Parul started a learning analytics company out of the MIT Media Lab. Karen and Parul answer a variety of questions to help demystify the world of venture capital for those in the startup space: What does the future of venture capital look like in 2020 and beyond? What are some of the top tips that VCs want from every founder looking for money? What are some of the biggest mistakes that you should be avoiding in your pitch presentations? And what is that one thing that you can do as a founder to stand out above the rest? 3 MAJOR POINTS DISCUSSED Working remotely can be a double-edged sword with its own host of challenges. One of the ironic effects of telecommuting or a work-from-home setup is that it becomes harder in many cases to separate work from your personal life, simply because you're living in the same space. In the same vein, keeping up professional appearances isn't always possible, especially if there are kids running around the house. There is a silver lining, however: An intimate, less formal approach to conducting meetings via virtual platforms has now become widely accepted, including meetings between investors and VCs. The solution you have to a problem, in the form of a product, is the heart of your pitch. But describing your product alone isn't sufficient. “It's not about the idea,” says Parul. “It's about how well you execute that idea.” When pitching to a VC, discuss your startup according to where it currently is in the business lifecycle. “You're either pitching based on your team or your traction.” The younger your company is, the more you should lean on talking about your team and why they are qualified to help bring your product to market. The more mature your company is, the more you should share regarding the traction you've been making up to that point. It's not enough to know your product inside and out. VCs are looking to partner with founders who have their eyes set on the long-term. Parul appreciates founders who are well aware of their competition and are ready to pivot or adjust, as opposed to being dismissive or overconfident. Similarly, VCs are comfortable working with a founder who embraces the fact that success in the business world, especially for startups, is an enormous challenge. It's completely fine to not have an answer to every question; but the founder should at least acknowledge this and be ready to offer potential solutions to possible issues without becoming defensive. RESOURCES Founder Collective Parul Singh is a principal at Founder Collective, one of the first seed-stage VC firms in the country. There she focuses on early-stage investments across a wide range of industries, including enterprise SaaS, analytics, and digital health. She spearheaded Founder Collective's investments in Embark Veterinary, AdHawk, Smalls, Elektra Labs, among others.   Parul is a former developer turned product manager for venture-backed startups and media companies like the NY Times, where she helped launch the video and podcasting verticals and managed the video player on the homepage. Before joining Founder Collective, she founded a learning analytics company out of the MIT Media Lab.   Parul is deeply involved in the startup ecosystem in Boston and in building support networks for entrepreneurs at every level. She is an avid spin and yoga devotee and bakes in her free time. She grew up in the Boston area and has an undergraduate degree from Harvard College and an MBA from MIT. Parul lives in Lincoln, MA with her husband and two young children.   Connect with Parul on Twitter contact@foundercollective.com   Karen Morales is founder and brand champion at Marketing Magnet. Marketing Magnet was founded by Karen and her lean team of Fortune 500 marketing and advertising talent. We're a world-class marketing department that has decided to take our big brand experience and direct it at the clients we want to serve: purpose-driven enterprises. Our secret sauce is our ability to focus companies on three marketing pillars to create great impact. If you are looking for a solution to a marketing challenge, a specific project to be completed or a team to drive marketing on your behalf, we can help. More about Karen Find us on Facebook Visit our website Find us on Instagram

Start HBS
Eric Paley - Founder Collective

Start HBS

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2020 50:46


Jad Esber (MBA 2020) speaks with Eric Paley (MBA 2003) about his career as a startup founder and venture capitalist. Eric is a managing partner at Founder Collective, an early stage venture fund in Boston. In this episode, Eric tells stories from his days as a founder and gives advice on working with co-founders and VCs.

The Nurses and Hypochondriacs Podcast
Healthcare Start Ups, A Collaboration With Trusted Health

The Nurses and Hypochondriacs Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2019 31:25


Ever wonder how an idea for a healthcare start up becomes a reality? In this episode we talk to Trusted Health's Co-Founder Matt Pierce. There's a nursing shortage in the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently forecast the need for an additional 203,700 registered nurses each year through 2026 to fill newly created positions and replace retirees. Matt Pierce and Lennie Sliwinski teamed up with nurses, software engineers, and marketers hailing from Google, LinkedIn, IBM, and other heavy-hitting tech companies to found Trusted Health, a hiring platform that matches nurse candidates with vetted temporary, travel, and staff positions. It has ramped up quickly in the two years since its formal launch; 1,000 new nurses join the company's platform weekly, and in the first quarter alone users viewed 246,000 nursing positions.Trusted Health has secured $20 million in series A funding led by Craft Ventures, with participation from Felicis Ventures and Founder Collective. This episode is sponsored by Trusted Health and we are joined by Co-Host Sarah Gray, who is the Founding Clinician at San Francisco healthcare startup, Trusted Health. She graduated from Penn Nursing in 2013 and began her nursing career at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital. Prior to moving away from the bedside four years later, she was a Clinical Nurse III, Evidence Based Practice Fellow, and served on hospital-wide committee boards. At Trusted, she works alongside clinicians and entrepreneurs and leverages her clinical insight and passion for innovation to change how nurses manage their careers and solve for inefficiencies within healthcare staffing. Special Thanks To Our Sponsor And Co-Collaborator Trusted Health Checkout Trusted Health's Free 2019 Travel Nurse Compensation Report https://www.trustedhealth.com/travel-nurse-compensation-report-2019 For more information on Trusted Health and how you can join their team click on http://www.trustedhealth.com/hypo Throw us some bucks, and help support our cause! Venmo: @Nurses-Hypo Need consulting or have questions: nursesandhypochondriacs@gmail.com Give us a 5 star rating on itunes!

DealMakers
Jonah Goodhart: Selling To Oracle For $850 Million And Investing In Over 100 Startups

DealMakers

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2019 50:08


Jonah Goodhart is the CEO and co-founder of Moat, a New York–based analytics company focused on driving success for brand marketers and premium publishers. Moat raised $70 million from investors like First Round Capital, Founders Fund, Lerer Hippeau, Insight Partners, or Founder Collective to name a few. Moat was ultimately acquired by Oracle for a reported $850 million. Jonah was the founding investor and board member of Right Media (acquired by Yahoo for a reported $680 million), founding partner of WGI Group and co-founder of Billions.org. Jonah was also a member of Mayor Bloomberg's Council on Technology and Innovation.

DealMakers
Gil Elbaz On Google Acquiring His Company And Turning It Into A $15 Billion Business

DealMakers

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2019 51:52


Gil Elbaz cofounded Applied Semantics which he sold to Google for over $100 Million. Applied Semantics was the creator of Adsense which Google turned into a $15 billion business representing 23% of its total revenue. Elbaz most recently founded Factual which provides accurate and comprehensive data on places and people worldwide. The company has raised over $100 million from investors like Andreessen Horowitz, Index Ventures, Felicis, Founder Collective, or Data Collective.