Podcasts about general partners

Mike Ghaffary is a General Partner at Burst Capital, a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments in marketplace, software, and AI companies. With an impressive background spanning roles at Canvas Ventures and Social Capital, as well as co-founding Stitcher, he has been instrumental in the growth of companies like Yelp and Eat24, demonstrating his expertise in scaling businesses. Mike has a background in computer science and holds both a JD and MBA from Harvard, and he's invested in high-growth companies like Strava, Superhuman, Faire, and Optimizely. In this episode… The rise of artificial intelligence has sparked widespread anxiety about job displacement and economic upheaval. With rapid advancements outpacing traditional training models and workforce development, many are left asking: Will AI only benefit a select few, or can it create meaningful work opportunities for the broader population? Mike Ghaffary, a seasoned investor and founder in tech and marketplaces, believes AI has enormous potential to generate — not eliminate — jobs, if applied wisely. Drawing on historical parallels from the Industrial Revolution and the early internet era, Mike explains that while disruption is inevitable, new opportunities always emerge. He highlights the importance of equipping workers to collaborate with AI, especially in skilled trades like HVAC and electrical, which are essential to supporting infrastructure like data centers. Mike also cautions founders about the risks of chasing venture-scale growth at all costs, advocating instead for profitability and strategic patience. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Mike Ghaffary, General Partner at Burst Capital, about how AI will fuel job creation and transform Main Street. Mike also shares insights on scaling Eat24, landing a game-changing partnership at TrialPay, and why the future belongs to software-powered small businesses.

Diese Folge wurde live beim Schweizer Pricing-Kongress im Dolder Grand Hotel Zürich aufgezeichnet und bietet einen persönlichen wie strategischen Blick auf den Einfluss von KI auf Preismodelle. Dr. Sebastian Voigt spricht mit Dr. Oliver Pabst, General Partner bei Redalpine, über die Frage, wann Software echten Mehrwert schafft und wann sie zur Commodity wird. Nur wenige KI-Anwendungen liefern so messbaren Impact, dass sich Value-Based oder Outcome-Based Pricing durchsetzen lässt. „Mit KI schaffst du zum ersten Mal einen Wert, der über die Nutzung einer Software hinausgeht und daher kommt die Hypothese, dass das in hohem Maße Pricing verändern wird.“ So fasst es Oliver zusammen – und plädiert für ein neues Verständnis von Preislogik, das über Token und Nutzungseinheiten hinausdenkt. Im Gespräch geht es um Monetarisierungsstrategien für KI-Startups, vertikale Integration, Retention und Go-to-Market. Oliver teilt Learnings aus seiner eigenen Pricing-Erfahrung – von Modenschauen im Showroom bis zur Investmentlogik eines Deep-Tech-VCs. Über den Gast: Dr. Oliver Pabst ist General Partner beim paneuropäischen VC-Fonds Redalpine in Zürich, der über eine Milliarde Dollar verwaltet und in Unternehmen wie N26, Taxfix, Klarna oder Sanity Group investiert. Zuvor war Oliver unter anderem CEO der Mammut Sports Group, im Executive Board von Conzzeta sowie im Board von Bogner aktiv. Frühere Stationen führten ihn zu McKinsey und EQT. Er bringt über 20 Jahre Erfahrung an der Schnittstelle von Unternehmensführung, Innovation und Pricing mit und kennt Wertschöpfung sowohl aus der Konzernperspektive als auch aus der Frühphasenfinanzierung.

What happens when AI starts generating content for everyone—and no one wants to watch it?In this episode, MSNBC's Chris Hayes and ad tech veteran Antonio García Martínez join a16z General Partner, Erik Torenberg to unpack the shifting economics of attention: from the rise of “AI slop” and spammy feeds to the difference between what we want to pay attention to and what platforms push on us.They explore:How AI changes what gets created and what gets seenWhy internet ads still mostly suckThe return of group chats—and the slow death of mass cultureBased on Chris's new book The Sirens Call, this is a candid look at what AI might amplify or break in our online lives. Timecodes:0:00 Introduction 1:47 Meet the Guests: Chris Hayes & Antonio Garcia Martinez3:01 The Economics of Attention & AI Slop6:38 Acquisition vs. Retention: The Attention Challenge10:01 Fame, Identity, and Social Media Fragmentation13:21 The Group Chat Solution & Privacy16:01 Business Models, Community, and Technology19:01 Mass Culture, Fragmentation, and the Algorithm23:01 Ad Tech, Personalization, and Advertising Effectiveness29:01 The Future: AI, Growth, and Abundance Resources: Find Chris on X: https://x.com/chrislhayesFind Antonio on X: https://x.com/antoniogmLearn more about Chris' book ‘The Sirens' Call': https://sirenscallbook.com/Learn more about Antonio's book ‘Chaos Monkeys': https://www.harpercollins.com/products/chaos-monkeys-antonio-garcia-martinez?variant=32207601532962 Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16zFind a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

Vinit Bhansali, Founder and General Partner at Takshil Venture Partners, discusses how his firm is investing in India.

Katherine Boyle and Erin Price-Wright are General Partners at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), leading the firm's American Dynamism practice. This episode explores how their team invests in companies tackling national imperatives—ranging from defense and manufacturing to energy and critical infrastructure. Katherine shares how American Dynamism emerged from portfolio patterns at a16z, while Erin describes how her background at Palantir informs her investment lens. Together, they unpack why the U.S. must reindustrialize, how software is now eating the physical world, and what they look for in high-capex startups. This conversation also highlights the evolving U.S.-China industrial competition, the role of government in innovation, and why talent is moving from Big Tech into “hard tech.”In this episode, we cover: ⁠[02:30]⁠ An overview of a16z⁠[04:59]⁠ Its thesis shift from defense to energy and industry⁠[07:49]⁠ How AI is transforming heavy industries[8:24] Tech stack for US vs. China[12:23]⁠ Role of government versus private capital⁠[16:14]⁠ Why software is still the core of industrial innovation[16:55]⁠ Base Power as a software-led grid infrastructure play⁠[20:42]⁠ When vertical AI-native startups beat incumbents⁠[21:48]⁠ How a16z helps startups navigate Washington⁠[27:51]⁠ Why energy problems require system-level solutions⁠[31:57]⁠ Moats in energy and manufacturing[37:51] a16z's American Dynamism 50 list⁠[40:16]⁠ Battery supply chains and the China dependency⁠[46:44]⁠ Why capital stack strategy matters for hard tech founders⁠[48:52]⁠ Looking 10 years aheadEpisode recorded on May 21, 2025 (Published on July 29, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Martin Casado is a General Partner @ a16z where he leads the firms $1.25BN infrastructure fund. At a16z, Martin has led investments in companies like Cursor, dbt Labs, and Fivetran to name a few. Before joining a16z, he co-founded Nicira, acquired by VMware for $1.26B. At VMware, he served as CTO of Networking. Widely regarded as a visionary in enterprise infrastructure, Martin has helped shape the modern cloud computing stack. Agenda: 00:00 – Analysis of Current AI Investment Landscape 04:45 – Will Anthropic Kill the AI App Layer? 09:20 – “The Oligopoly Is Coming—Just Like Cloud” 12:50 – Are AI Models Actually Terrible Venture Investments? 15:40 – Why it is BS to Put Down AI Apps for Having Temporary Revenue 21:30 – “Open Source Is a National Security Weapon—And We're Losing” 26:40 – “Have the Foundation Models of the Future All Been Founded Already” 34:30 – Why it is BS to Denigrate AI Apps for Having Low Margins 38:40 – Does AI Make 1x Engineers 10x or 10x Becomes 100x 44:10 – “We're All Dead Wrong About AI and Job Loss” 50:30 – “The Only Sin in Venture: Backing the Wrong Winner” 55:10 – What People Think They Know About Wealth But Do Not  

Today's guest is Zar Toolan, General Partner and Head of Data & AI at Edward Jones, joining Emerj Senior Editor Matthew DeMello to explore how AI can be strategically aligned with corporate goals in financial services. Zar shares his perspective on overcoming barriers to AI adoption, the critical build-versus-buy-versus-partner decisions, and the human-centered change management required for scalable AI transformation. He also discusses the importance of responsible AI principles, leveraging data as a competitive asset, and evolving talent strategies to thrive in today's intelligence age. This episode is sponsored by EPAM. Learn how brands work with Emerj and other Emerj Media options at emerj.com/ad1. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the ‘AI in Business' podcast!

In this episode of the Startup CEO Show, host Mark MacLeod sits down with Tanya Papanikalov, founder of Rainbo, a leading functional mushroom brand. Tanya shares her fascinating journey from holistic nutritionist to successful entrepreneur, detailing how her personal healing experiences led her to create Rainbo. The conversation delves deep into the world of medicinal mushrooms, exploring their myriad health benefits and Tanya's mission to educate consumers about these powerful natural remedies. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the challenges of building a direct-to-consumer business, expanding into major retail channels like Whole Foods, and balancing entrepreneurship with spiritual practices. Tanya's unique background in mind-body medicine and Kundalini yoga adds a compelling dimension to the discussion, offering listeners a fresh perspective on integrating mindfulness and spirituality into business leadership. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, health enthusiast, or simply curious about the intersection of business and wellness, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Tune in to discover how Tanya's journey can inform your own path to success and well-being.Tonya Papanikolov00:01:04 Meet Rainbow's Mushroom Maven00:03:57 Full Moon Guru Wisdom00:12:14 Mushroom Magic in Every Product00:16:11 Western Approach to Eastern Wisdom00:18:21 Mushrooms 101: Beginner's Guide00:30:50 Power Couple Behind Rainbow00:39:20 Standing Out in Mushroom Market00:48:18 Kundalini Culture in Company00:58:39 Midlife Kundalini AwakeningSince 1999, I have sat at the right-hand side of the leaders of high growth technology companies as either a CFO, VC or deal maker. I served as CFO for software companies including Shopify (NYSE: SHOP) and Freshbooks. As a CFO I experienced outright failures, wildly profitable exits, and everything in between.I was a General Partner in Real Ventures, Canada's largest and most active seed stage fund. My investments there include the fund's largest cash on cash and highest IRR returns to date. Most recently, I founded SurePath Capital Partners the leading investment bank for SMB SaaS companies where we did hundreds of millions in financing and exit transactions.Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themarkmacleod/Contact Mark: https://markmacleod.me/Subscribe to Mark MacLeod for The Startup CEO Show Podcast, actionable insights, coaching, and strategy for CEOS.https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMacLeod-CEOCoach?sub_confirmation=1

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. In this episode, the crew is joined by special guest Rebecca Rettig, Chief Legal Officer at Jito Labs, to unpack the biggest legislative week in crypto history. The Clarity Act, Genius Act, and Anti-CBDC Act all pass Congress, ushering in what some are calling a regulatory renaissance — or at least, the first real rules of the road. Bitcoin breaks $120K, memecoins rip, and Crypto Week sends shockwaves through Washington. But is the Clarity Act really the win the industry's been waiting for? Rebecca breaks down the legal nuance, Tarun questions the economic reality, and Haseeb points out Ethereum's bizarre silence during the biggest policy shift of the decade. Has crypto finally grown up — or just gotten better at playing the game? The gang dissects the laws, the loopholes, and the market's reaction to it all. Show highlights

In this episode of Galaxy Brains, Alex Thorn sits down with Nic Carter, General Partner at Castle Island Ventures, for a wide-ranging conversation on the rise of crypto data companies, the future of stablecoins and their implications for the U.S. banking system, and whether artificial intelligence will erode critical thinking skills. They also explore the mounting energy demands of AI, potential disruptions to labor and industry, and what lies ahead in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/research/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) solely for informational purposes. View the full disclaimer at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/disclaimer-galaxy-brains-podcast/

This week on the EUVC podcast, Andreas Munk Holm is joined by Jörg Binnenbrücker, General Partner at Capnamic, to unpack the story behind one of Europe's standout software exits—LeanIX, winner of Exit of the Year at the European VC Awards.Jörg walks us through how a €500K initial check turned into a billion-dollar outcome—and why the deal was perfectly sized for the realities of European venture. We go deep on Capnamic's founder-first philosophy, their obsession with DPI, and how they've built a venture firm that consistently turns real returns across funds—not just paper markups.From investing early in B2B SaaS to building a culture that mirrors the best of startups, Jörg shares the blueprint behind Capnamic's flywheel—one rooted in trust, ownership, and team alignment.

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. In this episode, the crew is joined by special guest Rebecca Rettig, Chief Legal Officer at Jito Labs, to unpack the biggest legislative week in crypto history. The Clarity Act, Genius Act, and Anti-CBDC Act all pass Congress, ushering in what some are calling a regulatory renaissance — or at least, the first real rules of the road. Bitcoin breaks $120K, memecoins rip, and Crypto Week sends shockwaves through Washington. But is the Clarity Act really the win the industry's been waiting for? Rebecca breaks down the legal nuance, Tarun questions the economic reality, and Haseeb points out Ethereum's bizarre silence during the biggest policy shift of the decade. Has crypto finally grown up — or just gotten better at playing the game? The gang dissects the laws, the loopholes, and the market's reaction to it all. Show highlights

Last week, the U.S. passed its first major piece of crypto legislation. Stablecoins now have a legal home, and that could open the floodgates for adoption, disruption, and regulation. But is this just the beginning? In this episode of Bits + Bips, Ram Ahluwalia, Noelle Acheson, Steve Ehrlich, and guest Cosmo Jiang of Pantera dive into what the stablecoin law actually means, who it helps, who it threatens, and why Wall Street and crypto startups alike are positioning fast. They also cover Ethereum's rally, what's fueling it, and whether the boom in digital asset treasury companies is sustainable. Plus, they unpack Trump's latest threats against the Fed and what it means for markets, inflation, and interest rates. Sponsors: Bitwise Mantle Hosts: Ram Ahluwalia, CFA, CEO and Founder of Lumida Noelle Acheson, Author of the “Crypto Is Macro Now” Newsletter  Steve Ehrlich, Executive Editor at Unchained Guest: Cosmo Jiang, General Partner and Portfolio Manager for Liquid Strategies at Pantera Capital Links Stablecoins Unchained:  GENIUS Act Passes: Who Are the Winners, Losers, and What Comes Next? House Passes Landmark Crypto Legislation: GENIUS Act and Digital Asset Bills Trump to Unblock Crypto Access in America's $9 Trillion 401(k) Market: Report The Block: GENIUS Act is helping Ethereum ‘have its moment,' Bernstein says WSJ: Why Banks Are on High Alert About Stablecoins Digital Asset Treasuries WSJ: Blank-Check Company Strikes Cryptocurrency Deal Unchained: SBET to Raise Additional $5B to Grow ETH Position Bloomberg: Trump Media Buys $2 Billion in Bitcoin for Crypto Treasury Plan CoinDesk: DeFi Development Nears $200M Solana Treasury DeFi Dev Corp Press release: DeFi Dev Corp. Announces Global Expansion Through Strategic Treasury Franchising Model TLGY Acquisition Corp Press release: TLGY Acquisition Corp. Announces Business Combination and Approximately $360 Million PIPE Financing to Form StablecoinX, an Ethena Stablecoin-Focused Treasury Company The Block: Nasdaq-listed Sonnet BioTherapeutics agrees to $888 million merger to become Hyperliquid Strategies, launch HYPE treasury Timestamps:

Former medical sales professional Clint Harris discovered that financial independence alone wasn't enough - he needed time and location freedom too. After building 14 Airbnbs that replaced his income but kept him essentially on call, Clint pivoted to truly passive investments. Now a General Partner at Nomad Capital, he helps others break free from trading time for money through alternative investments like converting vacant big box stores into storage facilities.  Episode Highlights  The Three Pillars of Investment Success: Time, experience, and money - and how to partner with others when you only have one of the three  Why "Saving Your Way to Retirement" No Longer Works: The impact of inflation and fiscal policy on traditional retirement strategies  The Millennial Storage Boom: How 34% of the population is driving demand for climate-controlled storage as lifestyle extensions  Independence of Purpose: Moving beyond financial freedom to create time and location independence  The 2008 Wake-Up Call: Why market volatility at the wrong time can derail decades of traditional investing  Community Impact: How converting vacant buildings revitalizes small towns while generating returns  Vertical Integration Strategy: The importance of controlling every aspect of the investment process  Memorable Quotes  "Financial independence is really not what I was after. I'm looking for financial time and location independence."  "If you buy enough of them, you can break this cycle of trading your time for money and paying for other people's days off."  "Independence of purpose is where you go where you want, when you want, do what you want, you raise your kids the way that you want."  "Money can't buy happiness, but what it can buy is ease and options."  "Instead of you getting up and working and trading more of your time for dollars, you can put that money to work. And that money is getting up and out of bed and going to work on the days that you don't feel like it."  "The most important thing is start with the end goal in mind and work backwards. And the end goal in mind should be purpose, happiness, ability to have a positive impact on the people around you."  Closing Thoughts  Clint's story reminds us that true wealth isn't just about accumulating money - it's about designing a life that aligns with our values and gives us the freedom to focus on what matters most. Whether through storage facilities, multifamily properties, or other alternative investments, the key is finding partners who share your ethics and vision, then building assets that work for you instead of the other way around.  The conversation challenges us to examine our own relationship with work and money. Are we building toward independence of purpose, or are we trapped in the cycle of trading time for dollars? As Clint puts it, the goal isn't just to make money - it's to buy future days off and create a legacy that extends far beyond our bank accounts.  Bio:  Clint Harris has a 15-year background in medical device sales. Clint has always been in the business of innovation, and creative solutions. In addition to his work with Nomad, Clint owns a strong multifamily real estate portfolio and built a highly successful property management company from the ground up with an emphasis on streamlining automation and vertical integration. Clint's core belief is that financial independence, when combined with location and time independence, creates independence of Purpose. He joined Nomad with the goal of sharing that vision with our investors daily.  Find Clint:  Website  LinkedIn  YouTube  Truly Passive Income Podcast   See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

This episode kicks off with an exclusive interview featuring Cristóbal Valenzuela, CEO of AI video company Runway, who discusses their innovative enterprise sales strategy and the "forward-deployed technical artists" helping companies embrace non-traditional content creation. Our second guest, Tomas Tungus, General Partner at Theory Ventures, reveals the key metrics he's fixated on when assessing AI startups, offering a data-heavy dive into financial health, growth rates, and the nuances of revenue reporting in the fast-paced AI market. Finally, the episode concludes with an update on Crusoe, the data center company making a bold play in the cloud computing space. Reporter Anissa Gardezy details Crusoe's ambitious revenue projections for its AI cloud business and its role in major projects like Stargate, as it aims to compete with industry giants like Oracle and ultimately become a leading cloud provider.Articles discussed on this episode:https://www.theinformation.com/articles/how-runway-hopes-to-outrun-openai-google-in-the-ai-video-race https://www.theinformation.com/articles/upstart-crusoes-audacious-plan-take-cloud-giantshttps://www.theinformation.com/articles/inside-the-start-of-project-stargate-and-the-startup-powering-lt https://www.theinformation.com/articles/how-ai-can-upend-the-internet-ad-model

Many people accumulate their wealth in a bank or a long-term investment, and this may create problems. But there is a different strategy. In this new episode of the Common Sense Financial Podcast, host Brian Skrobonja goes over the Build Banking strategy and how you can consider a different banking paradigm using specially designed life insurance policies that allow you to start banking on yourself. Most people know that banks use other people's money to generate profits. This process is known as Fractional Reserve Banking, which is basically the bank using the spread between interest rates to profit. For banks, it goes a little deeper. Banks can loan out the money they have on deposit to people, and those dollars are then deposited again, which begins the cycle anew. This process acts as a money-printing machine within the economy. Banks aren't currently required to hold any reserves to cover their customer's deposits. The result of Fractional Reserve Banking is the expansion of the money supply which contributes to increased inflation. Silicon Valley Bank recently found itself in trouble and was unable to cover its liabilities leaving depositors to rely on the government to bail them out. It's not realistic to be able to bypass the banking system entirely, but there are ways to take control of how you save and store money with a personal bank-like strategy. Build Banking uses a specially designed whole life insurance policy that's built on the inherent tax-favored nature and unique capabilities of those policies. What makes Build Banking different is the design allows for rapid cash accumulation with uninterrupted tax-free growth, while having access to cash without having to rely on banks or Wall Street, but you have to set aside your preconceptions around life insurance. The challenge is the language around life insurance policies and how most people understand what they are capable of. With traditional banking, you either accumulate money and spend or borrow and then repay it. The Build Banking method offers a different strategy with a specially designed life insurance system that allows you to take back some of the control. Not all policies are the same and loan features can vary greatly, so it's important to work with a professional with experience in this area. The main benefit of the Build Banking strategy is the ability to have your money remain in the policy and continue to grow uninterrupted, while simultaneously using a policy loan from the insurance company for personal use. A business owner has an extra advantage because they can leverage the loan in their business, creating both an internal and external return. This strategy also gives the policy owner a lot of control over how and when the loan is repaid because of the nature of the life insurance policy.      Mentioned in this episode: BrianSkrobonja.com BuildBanking.com     BUILD Banking™️ is a DBA of Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC. Benefits and guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the insurance company. Not FDIC insured. Results may vary. Any descriptions involving life insurance policies and its use as an alternative form of financing or risk management techniques are provided for illustration purposes only, will not apply in all situations, may not be fully indicative of any present or future investments, and may be changed at the discretion of the insurance carrier, General Partner and/or Manager and are not intended to reflect guarantees on securities performance. The term BUILD Banking™️, private banking alternatives or specially designed life insurance contracts (SDLIC) are not meant to insinuate that the issuer is creating a real bank for its clients or communicating that life insurance companies are the same as traditional banking institutions. This material is educational in nature and should not be deemed as a solicitation of any specific product or service. BUILD Banking™️ is offered by Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC only and is not offered by Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. nor Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC. Any references to protection, safety or guarantees, generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investments. Insurance guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims paying abilities of the issuing carrier. Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC does not provide tax or legal advice. The opinions and views expressed here are for informational purposes only. Please consult with your tax and/or legal advisor for such guidance. Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. (MAS), Member FINRA & SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered  individuals through Skrobonja Wealth Management (SWM), a registered investment advisor. Tax services offered only through Skrobonja Tax Consulting. MAS does not offer Build Banking or tax advice. Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC, Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC, Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC, Skrobonja Tax Consulting, and Build Banking are not affiliated with MAS. The firm is a registered investment adviser with the state of Missouri, and may only transact business with residents of those states, or residents of other states where otherwise legally permitted subject to exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. Registration with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities authority does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. This website is solely for informational purposes. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be  rendered by Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC unless a client service agreement is in  place. Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC provides links for your convenience to websites produced by other providers of industry related material. Accessing websites through links directs you  away from our website. Users who gain access to third party websites may be subject to the copyright and other restrictions on use imposed by those providers and assume responsibility and risk from use of those websites. Any references to protection, safety or  lifetime income, generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investments. Insurance guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims paying abilities of the  issuing carrier. This is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used as the sole  basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual's situation. Our firm is not permitted to offer, and no  statement made on this site shall constitute tax or legal advice. Our firm is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or any governmental agency. The information and  opinions contained here in provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed by our firm. Any media logos and/or trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners and no endorsement by those owners of Brian Skrobonja is stated or implied. The awards, accolades and appearances are not representative of any one client's experience and is not indicative of future performance. Each of these awards have set criteria for their nominations and eligibility requirements. “Best Wealth Managers” and “Future 50 Company” are annual surveys conducted by Small Business Monthly. The winner is chosen by an online vote of the general public and no specific criteria is utilized to determine the winner other than number of votes. Some voters may not be clients of Brian Skrobonja and Skrobonja Financial Group. These awards are not representative of any one client's experience and is not indicative of future performance.

Last week, the U.S. passed its first major piece of crypto legislation. Stablecoins now have a legal home, and that could open the floodgates for adoption, disruption, and regulation. But is this just the beginning? In this episode of Bits + Bips, Ram Ahluwalia, Noelle Acheson, Steve Ehrlich, and guest Cosmo Jiang of Pantera dive into what the stablecoin law actually means, who it helps, who it threatens, and why Wall Street and crypto startups alike are positioning fast. They also cover Ethereum's rally, what's fueling it, and whether the boom in digital asset treasury companies is sustainable. Plus, they unpack Trump's latest threats against the Fed and what it means for markets, inflation, and interest rates. Sponsors: Bitwise Mantle Hosts: Ram Ahluwalia, CFA, CEO and Founder of Lumida Noelle Acheson, Author of the “Crypto Is Macro Now” Newsletter  Steve Ehrlich, Executive Editor at Unchained Guest: Cosmo Jiang, General Partner and Portfolio Manager for Liquid Strategies at Pantera Capital Links Stablecoins Unchained:  GENIUS Act Passes: Who Are the Winners, Losers, and What Comes Next? House Passes Landmark Crypto Legislation: GENIUS Act and Digital Asset Bills Trump to Unblock Crypto Access in America's $9 Trillion 401(k) Market: Report The Block: GENIUS Act is helping Ethereum ‘have its moment,' Bernstein says WSJ: Why Banks Are on High Alert About Stablecoins Digital Asset Treasuries WSJ: Blank-Check Company Strikes Cryptocurrency Deal Unchained: SBET to Raise Additional $5B to Grow ETH Position Bloomberg: Trump Media Buys $2 Billion in Bitcoin for Crypto Treasury Plan CoinDesk: DeFi Development Nears $200M Solana Treasury DeFi Dev Corp Press release: DeFi Dev Corp. Announces Global Expansion Through Strategic Treasury Franchising Model TLGY Acquisition Corp Press release: TLGY Acquisition Corp. Announces Business Combination and Approximately $360 Million PIPE Financing to Form StablecoinX, an Ethena Stablecoin-Focused Treasury Company The Block: Nasdaq-listed Sonnet BioTherapeutics agrees to $888 million merger to become Hyperliquid Strategies, launch HYPE treasury Timestamps:

In this episode Michael Greeley, Co‑Founder and General Partner at Flare Capital, shares how his firm partners with entrepreneurs to reinvent healthcare technology, the rise and fall of digital health and AI waves, and what it takes to build, finance and exit enduring health tech ventures.

In this episode Michael Greeley, Co‑Founder and General Partner at Flare Capital, shares how his firm partners with entrepreneurs to reinvent healthcare technology, the rise and fall of digital health and AI waves, and what it takes to build, finance and exit enduring health tech ventures.

In this episode Michael Greeley, Co‑Founder and General Partner at Flare Capital, shares how his firm partners with entrepreneurs to reinvent healthcare technology, the rise and fall of digital health and AI waves, and what it takes to build, finance and exit enduring health tech ventures.

In this insightful episode of the Startup CEO Show, host Mark MacLeod sits down with Nick Mehta, co-founder and CEO of Gainsight, to explore the journey of building a category-defining company. Mehta shares how Gainsight played a pivotal role in creating the customer success profession and job category, transforming how businesses approach customer retention in the SaaS world. The conversation delves into Gainsight's funding history, with Mehta offering valuable perspectives on navigating relationships with top-tier venture capital firms and aligning expectations. He provides a candid look at the challenges of scaling a startup while maintaining a strong company culture, discussing Gainsight's core values and how they've shaped the organization's growth. Mehta also opens up about personal growth and the evolving priorities of a long-term CEO, offering wisdom on balancing professional ambition with personal fulfillment. This episode is a must-listen for founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the human side of building a successful tech company.Nick Mehta00:53 Gainsight's Guru: Meet Nick Mehta02:14 Taylor Swift: Nick's Unexpected Muse05:01 The Many Faces of Nick13:29 Nick's Literary Legacy: Five Books17:48 Keeping Customer Focus at Scale24:16 Glassdoor Glory: Gainsight's Triumph28:44 Five Pillars: Gainsight's Core Values38:22 Ganesh's Wisdom: Letting Go46:28 Wrapping Up: Kudos to NickSince 1999, I have sat at the right-hand side of the leaders of high growth technology companies as either a CFO, VC or deal maker. I served as CFO for software companies including Shopify (NYSE: SHOP) and Freshbooks. As a CFO I experienced outright failures, wildly profitable exits, and everything in between.I was a General Partner in Real Ventures, Canada's largest and most active seed stage fund. My investments there include the fund's largest cash on cash and highest IRR returns to date. Most recently, I founded SurePath Capital Partners the leading investment bank for SMB SaaS companies where we did hundreds of millions in financing and exit transactions.Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themarkmacleod/Contact Mark: https://markmacleod.me/

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. In this episode, the crew breaks down the return of the ICO — but with a twist. Pump.fun's $500 million token sale sells out in 12 minutes, sparking a heated debate about forward markets, new market structure design, and whether we've entered a smarter, more institutionalized fundraising era—or just rebranded 2017 chaos. Hyperliquid becomes the surprise king of pre-launch liquidity, exchanges buckle under demand, and a new class of crypto treasury vehicles raises eyebrows (and capital). Meanwhile, Trump declares “Crypto Week” as Congress moves forward with the most sweeping legislation the industry's seen in years. Is crypto finally growing up—or just getting better at dumping on retail? The gang dissects the narratives, the numbers, and the fallout. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pods, Fountain, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform. Show highlights

Why do Europe's brightest founders still feel forced to leave for Silicon Valley—no matter how much money or talent we pour into the region? Every year, ambitious startups across Europe and CEE struggle to scale—not for lack of ideas, but because of invisible barriers that keep global success out of reach.Is it really just about capital—or is there a deeper mindset and playbook that only a handful of founders ever discover?In this episode, venture insider Enis Hulli (General Partner at e2vc, investor in 40+ startups, 3 unicorns, and builder of bridges from Istanbul to the Bay) pulls back the curtain on the real reasons US-based startups keep winning—and how founders from Turkey, Eastern Europe, and beyond can finally turn the tables.

In the latest episode of the ‘Pull up a Chair' podcast, Bina is joined by Rob Desborough, Chair of Seraphim Space Accelerator and partner at Seraphim Space. The most prolific investor in SpaceTech globally, Seraphim Space has a combined portfolio of more than 147 companies across 32 countries. Their portfolio companies have raised more than $7bn US dollars, five have gone on to attain unicorn status and five have become public-listed companies. With an incredible wealth of knowledge in this sector, Rob has invaluable insights on the new space economy, the future of SpaceTech, geopolitics and defence, and so much more.

Brian Skrobonja talks about the essentials of building a multi-generational legacy that lasts. He breaks down a blueprint rooted in time-tested principles and inspired by the same structural thinking used by families like the Rockefellers. Tune in to hear the assumptions that leave heirs rudderless, the mistakes that breed entitlement, and why conventional financial tools often fail under the weight of multi-century ambitions. Whether you're building wealth or preparing to pass it on, this episode will challenge your thinking and equip you with a legacy framework designed to stand the test of time. Brian starts by reframing real financial success. It's not just what you accumulate—but what you pass on. Without intentional legacy planning, families risk watching their values and vision fade after just one generation. Mindset 1—The absence of active legacy planning. Too many families assume wealth will transfer naturally from bank account to mindset. But without a clear plan, the next generation never learns—and that's how legacies crumble. According to Brian, active legacy planning is not built on ticking a checkbox. You need a blueprint that makes everything else—governance, communication, liquidity—actually work.  Brian says, “In every family I've worked with, eventually the time comes and one question rises: What happens when we're no longer here to steer the ship?” Most families don't answer that until it's too late. For Brian, legal paperwork alone won't cut it. True generational planning requires a living, breathing roadmap that captures your values, evolves with your family, and keeps everyone aligned for decades. Brian highlights a dangerous myth: “Signing a will means we're done and everything will be taken care of.” In reality, active planning means constant alignment, revisiting, revising, and re-engaging the whole family. Use Brian's four-part legacy framework to build clarity and momentum. 1. Define your why—write down what your wealth is for. 2. Create a manifesto, explain it plain English, and make it accessible to all. 3. Invite the next generation—have low-pressure and honest conversations with the next generation. 4. Always revisit your plan—keep it alive, current, and reflective of your evolving world. Mindset 2—Scarcity thinking sabotages legacy. Fear of spending or deploying capital kills bold moves, breeds conservatism, and shrinks your family's vision for impact. How to overcome a scarcity mindset. Audit your past decisions for fear-based choices. Then reframe with an abundance vision and build purpose-driven allocation buckets that multiply impact. Mindset 3—Secrecy and poor communication. Brian explains that when wealth conversations stay behind closed doors, heirs grow entitled, misinformed, or resentful.  Mindset 4—The next generation cannot learn wealth management through osmosis. Watching you isn't enough. They need education.  Mindset 5—Lacking a unified multi-generational strategy. For Brian, a will or a trust isn't enough. Without a cohesive blueprint, every generation is forced to reinvent the wheel, wasting time, money, and vision. Mindset 6—Weak governance weakens families. Brian highlights that good intentions and informal chats aren't enough. You need clear roles, rules, and decision frameworks to keep wealth and relationships intact. Mindset 7—The over reliance on conventional tools. If your portfolio is all accounts and products, you're missing the chance to create a private banking system that cushions volatility and funds opportunity. Brian highlights the need for flexibility. Have an inventory of tools, understand their limits, then build liquidity through mechanisms like build banking. This ensures your strategy stays stable, resilient, and future-ready. Mindset 8—Poor cash flow management crushes vision. Ambition means nothing if spending is unchecked. When families can't see real-time cash flow, legacies stall—fast. Mindset 9—No legacy mindset. Often, the first generation builds wealth. Generation two spends it. Generation three starts over. That's the cycle—unless you teach them the how and the why of wealth preservation early. Brian shares a way to stop entitlement. When you educate heirs about purpose—not just access to wealth—you shift the mindset from consumption to contribution. Mindset 10—No capital allocation plan. A legacy without funding is just a dream. Real impact requires dollars earmarked for growth, trust, and education initiatives from the start. Brian explains—It's not about protecting wealth. It's about activating it. Legacy is about empowering future generations to dream big, move boldly, and live true to your mission. Intentionality is the multiplier. The more proactive and clear your planning, the higher your family's odds of sustained success—across decades, not just years. When your family is aligned, everything changes. Confusion gives way to confidence. Inherited wealth becomes a platform for innovation, service, and lasting impact.     Mentioned in this episode: BrianSkrobonja.com SkrobonjaFinancial.com SkrobonjaWealth.com BUILDbanking.com Common Sense Financial Podcast on YouTube  Common Sense Financial Podcast on Spotify     Alternative investments may be subject to less regulation than other types of pooled investment vehicles. Alternative Investments may impose significant fees, including incentive fees that are based upon a percentage of the realized and unrealized gains and an individual's net returns may differ significantly from actual returns. Such fees may offset all or a significant portion of such Alternative Investment's trading profits. Incorporating alternative investments into a portfolio presents the opportunity for significant losses including in some cases, losses which exceed the principal amount invested. Also, some alternative investments have experienced periods of extreme volatility and in general, are not suitable for all investors. Asset allocation and diversification strategies do not ensure profit or protect against loss in declining markets. ---- BUILD Banking™ is a DBA of Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC. Benefits and guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the insurance company. Not FDIC insured. Results may vary. Any descriptions involving life insurance policies and its use as an alternative form of financing or risk management techniques are provided for illustration purposes only, will not apply in all situations, may not be fully indicative of any present or future investments, and may be changed at the discretion of the insurance carrier, General Partner and/or Manager and are not intended to reflect guarantees on securities performance. The term BUILD Banking™, private banking alternatives or specially designed life insurance contracts (SDLIC) are not meant to insinuate that the issuer is creating a real bank for its clients or communicating that life insurance companies are the same as traditional banking institutions. This material is educational in nature and should not be deemed as a solicitation of any specific product or service. BUILD Banking™ is offered by Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC only and is not offered by Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. nor Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC. ---- This content is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual's situation. Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC, Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC, Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC are not permitted to offer and no statement made during this presentation shall constitute tax or legal advice. Our firms are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or any governmental agency. The information and opinions contained herein provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed by Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC, Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC, Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC.

Laurence Garett is General Partner at Highland Europe, a VC firm, and NED at Wirepas, hyperexponential, Modulr, Featurespace Ltd and Goodlord. Tune in to hear his thoughts on: What strategic contributions did the board make to Featurespace's growth? (2:01)How should board members think about pricing? (9:44) How can board members help organisations bring new products to market? (12:59) What do CEOs and board members need to keep top of mind when moving to the US market? (17:31) What were the toughest boardroom moments in the Featurespace journey? (24:14) What advice do you have to anyone listening who feels they need to replace their chair? (26:28) Featurespace's exit to Visa was challenging - what lessons are there for listeners? (28:23) Why should start-ups never disclose their price when selling? (33:45) And the⚡ The Lightning Round ⚡(40:25) Host: Oliver Cummings Producer: Will Felton Editor: Alex Fish Music: Kate Mac Audio: Nick Kolt Email: podcast@nurole.com Web: https://www.nurole.com/nurole-podcast-enter-the-boardroom

On this episode of All Quiet on the Second Front, Tyler sits down with longtime friend and Harpoon Ventures GP Larsen Jensen—Olympian, SEAL, and now defense tech investor—for a raw conversation on transitioning out of service and building tech that actually gets to the warfighter. Larsen also shares why he believes we're at an inflection point in defense tech and why the next generation of founders has a duty (and an opportunity) to step up.What's Happening on the Second FrontWhy this is the golden age of defense innovationHow Black Flag is helping founders navigate the maze of governmentWhat needs to change—fast—to keep private capital in the fightConnect with Larsen Jensen: LinkedInConnect with Tyler Sweatt: LinkedIn

Mark MacLeod sits down with fitness coach Greg Newlands to explore the critical importance of health and wellness for high-performing entrepreneurs. As a coach to successful business leaders, Greg shares his expertise on how CEOs can optimize their physical and mental performance through strategic fitness and nutrition practices. The conversation dives deep into the four key pillars Greg focuses on with clients: daily step count, weigh-ins, calorie tracking, and protein intake. Greg emphasizes the power of resistance training for maintaining muscle mass and a high metabolism as we age, allowing entrepreneurs to sustain energy and productivity. The episode also covers practical tips for creating boundaries and implementing strategic breaks throughout the workday to avoid burnout. Greg provides actionable advice on nutrition, recommending whole foods and explaining the roles of protein, carbs, and fats in achieving peak performance. Whether you're a startup founder looking to boost your energy or an executive aiming to optimize your health, this episode offers valuable insights to help you perform at your best. Tune in to learn how treating yourself like a "high-performance Formula One car" can transform your business and life.00:53 Health: The CEO's Secret Weapon05:23 Comeback Kings: Fitness Redemption Stories09:37 Sleep: The Sacrificial Startup Lamb16:59 Burnout: Recognizing the Warning Signs20:59 KPIs for Your Body33:05 Urgency vs. Boundaries: Finding Balance38:16 Outsourcing Meals: Fueling Success Effortlessly48:50 Sobering Up: Energy and Productivity Boost56:13 Startup CEO Show: Until Next TimeSince 1999, I have sat at the right-hand side of the leaders of high growth technology companies as either a CFO, VC or deal maker. I served as CFO for software companies including Shopify (NYSE: SHOP) and Freshbooks. As a CFO I experienced outright failures, wildly profitable exits, and everything in between.I was a General Partner in Real Ventures, Canada's largest and most active seed stage fund. My investments there include the fund's largest cash on cash and highest IRR returns to date. Most recently, I founded SurePath Capital Partners the leading investment bank for SMB SaaS companies where we did hundreds of millions in financing and exit transactions.Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themarkmacleod/Contact Mark: https://markmacleod.me/

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. In this episode, the gang is joined by Paul Grewal, Chief Legal Officer at Coinbase, for a wide-ranging conversation on crypto's next big frontier: tokenized stocks. From Robinhood's controversial attempt to tokenize SpaceX and OpenAI shares to the legal and structural hurdles around pre-IPO derivatives, the crew dives deep into what it really takes to bring Wall Street on-chain. They also unpack the regulatory momentum behind the Genius and Clarity Acts, the return of ICO mania with Pump.fun's $1B token raise, and the absurdly viral drama of Suitgate on Polymarket. Is this a new era of regulated innovation—or are we just recreating old problems on new rails? Tune in for sharp takes, legal insight, and a few laughs along the way. Show highlights

In this special edition of Tech Exits, we will attempt to answer the questions:  What do tech investors prioritize when evaluating opportunities?  What is the impact of AI on investment strategies?  When should entrepreneurs seek investment versus considering an M&A exit?    This discussion took place during the WFS Flagship Conference, Growth & Exit Strategies: HealthTech on April 3rd, 2025.  The panel lineup includes:  David Gardner, Founding Partner, Cofounders Capital Daniel O'Mahony, Partner, Seroba Life Sciences  Robbi Allen, General Partner, Triangle Tweener Fund  Moderating this panel is David Levine, Regional Managing Director of the Corum Group.   

Katherine Boyle is a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz and cofounder of its American Dynamism practice, investing in sectors such as defense, aerospace, manufacturing, and infrastructure. She serves on the boards of Apex Space and Hadrian Automation, and is a board observer for Saronic Technologies and Castelion. Previously, she was a partner at General Catalyst, where she co-led the seed practice and backed companies like Anduril Industries and Vannevar Labs. She was also a reporter at The Washington Post. Katherine holds a BA from Georgetown, an MBA from Stanford, and a Master's from the National University of Ireland, Galway. She sits on the boards of The Free Press and the Mercatus Center. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://americanfinancing.net/srs NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org https://tryarmra.com/srs https://betterhelp.com/srs This episode is sponsored. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self. https://meetfabric.com/shawn https://shawnlikesgold.com https://hillsdale.edu/srs https://masachips.com/srs – USE CODE SRS https://paladinpower.com/srs – USE CODE SRS https://patriotmobile.com/srs https://rocketmoney.com/srs https://ROKA.com – USE CODE SRS https://trueclassic.com/srs https://USCCA.com/srs https://blackbuffalo.com Katherine Boyle Links: Website - https://a16z.com/author/katherine-boyle X - https://x.com/KTmBoyle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we sit down with Tove Larsson, General Partner at Norrsken VC, one of the largest climate VCs in Europe with already 3 unicorns in their portfolio and built on top of Norrsken Foundation, launched by Niklas Adalberth (founder of Klarna).We discuss why the geopolitical landscape is creating new opportunities, how Europe's startup ecosystem is maturing, and what VCs need to change about their approach to impact investing.In this episode, you'll learn:Why Europe is a more attractive climate tech market than ever beforeHow the European policy landscape (Green Deal, CBAM, etc.) is shaping startupsThe sectors with the strongest unicorn potential in climateExamples of booming sectors from Norrsken's portfolioHow to support startups during and after failureWhat LPs really think about impact funds, and why that's changing… and more!***Thank you to DealMaker for sponsoring this episode.

In this episode of Bits + Bips, we examine how rising global trade tensions could impact macro conditions, the Fed's next move, and market stability. We also explore how investors should position themselves with inflation cooling and an uncertain policy path at the Fed. We then look at what's happening on the crypto side: volume shifting to tokenized public equities, the growing number of corporate stablecoin plans, and whether the promise of tokenization is matched by meaningful traction. Joining hosts Joe McCann, Ram Ahluwalia, and Steve Ehrlich is Rob Hadick of Dragonfly, who shares his perspective on product-market fit in crypto, shifting market structure, and where real adoption may emerge. Sponsor: Bitwise Joe McCann, Founder, CEO, and CIO of Asymmetric Ram Ahluwalia, CFA, CEO and Founder of Lumida Steve Ehrlich, Executive Editor at Unchained Rob Hadick, General Partner at Dragonfly LINKS: WSJ: Trump Faces Crucial Week for Reaching Trade Deals EU Still Hopes for Initial U.S. Trade Deal Before Deadline Reuters: Japan, South Korea face 25% tariffs as Trump ramps up trade war in letters to 14 nations CNN: Trump announces new tariffs of up to 40% on a growing number of countries University of Washington: OBBB Signed Into Law Unchained:  OpenAI Says Robinhood's Stock Tokens Are Not Equity Tron Is Now More Expensive Than Ethereum. Will That Hurt Justin Sun's New Company? AI Crypto Tokens Swoon as Nvidia Reaches a New All-Time High CoinDesk: CoreWeave to Acquire Core Scientific in $9B All-Stock Deal The Block: Bit Digital swaps entire treasury into Ethereum, says it's now a top public ETH holder after a $173 million splurge Timestamps:

On this episode, taken from The Ben & Marc Show, a16z co-founders Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz dive deep into the unfiltered story behind the founding of Andreessen Horowitz—and how they set out to reinvent venture capital itself. For the first time, Marc and Ben walk through the origins, strategy, and philosophy behind building a world-class venture capital firm designed for the future—not just the next fund. They reveal how they broke industry norms with a bold brand, a full-stack support model, and a long-term commitment to backing exceptional builders—anchored in the radical idea that founders deserved real support, not just checks. Joining them to guide the conversation is Erik Torenberg—Andreessen Horowitz's newest General Partner—who makes his Ben & Marc Show moderating debut. Erik is a technology entrepreneur, investor, and founder of the media company Turpentine.Together, they explore: - Why traditional VC needed reinvention - How a16z scaled with a platform model, not a partner model - The "barbell strategy" reshaping venture capital today - Why venture remains a human craft, even in the age of AI Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - Why Traditional Venture Capital Was Broken 03:05 - Marc on Discovering VC and Its Legends 05:12 - Surviving the Dot-Com Crash and Angel Investing Collapse 07:05 - Helping Founders Raise Venture / Fix VC Relationships 08:47 - The a16z Strategy: Building a Support Platform 12:07 - First Fund Wins: Skype, Instagram, Slack, Okta 12:50 - Building a 'World-Dominating Monster' 15:00 - The Sushi Boat VC Problem 18:07 - Treating LPs Differently 21:40 - Marc and Ben's Working Relationship 23:30 - Updating a16z's Media Strategy for the Social Era 27:20 - History of the Decentralized Media Environment30:36 - Decline of Corporate Brands and Going Direct 36:06 - Naming the Firm 40:13 - Building the a16z 'Cinematic Universe' of Talent 42:16 - Creating a Federated Model 51:02 - Deciding to Market the Firm 53:26 - Recruiting General Partners 56:33 - Evolution to Full-Stack Companies 01:03:53 - The Barbell Theory: The Death of Mid-Sized VCs01:11:50 - Why Venture Capital Should Stay Overfunded 01:19:50 - When a16z Knew It Could Be Top Tier 01:25:58 - Venture Capital is an Art, Not a ScienceResources:Marc on X: https://twitter.com/pmarca Marc's Substack: https://pmarca.substack.com/Ben on X: https://twitter.com/bhorowitz Erik on X: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Erik's Substack: https://eriktorenberg.substack.com/

Are you sure your startup should be raising venture capital?Most founders assume VC is the goal—but for many, it's the wrong fuel entirely. In this episode, we bust that myth wide open.Join Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad as they sit down with Amir Shevat, General Partner at Darkmode Ventures (ex-Google, Slack, Twitter), to unpack the seven most damaging mistakes founders make when raising early-stage capital. With over 65 investments under his belt and a front-row seat to the inner workings of Silicon Valley, Amir offers a brutally honest, insider view into what separates fundable startups from fundraising disasters.In this episode, you will:Discover why some startups should never raise VC in the first placeLearn how to avoid “dumb money” and pick the right investorsAvoid cap table disasters that scare away future capitalUnderstand the dangers of under- or over-raising and how to size your roundSpot red flags in investor side letters that could poison your futureMaster the art of time-boxing your raise and managing investor timelinesBuild stronger investor relationships—even when they say “no”This is a must-listen for any founder preparing to raise capital—or wondering if they should at all.The Pact Honor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media followingKey linksGet your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurIntro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/#VC #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #Funding #TheStartupPodcast #SiliconValley #TechStartup

Wyatt Lonergan is a General Partner at VanEck Ventures, where he drives the firm's strategic investments in emerging technologies and innovative ventures. He joined VanEck in 2024, bringing a wealth of experience in corporate investment and venture capital. Before joining VanEck, Wyatt led the corporate investment team at Circle Ventures, where he played a pivotal role in identifying and nurturing high-growth opportunities in the digital asset and blockchain space. Wyatt holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Business & Management from Dickinson College.In this conversation, we discuss:- Tokenized equities- Stablecoins- Robinhood tokenizing stocks - Working at Circle- Fintechs are “verticalizing backwards” - Crypto VC in 2025 - Crypto products moving from early pilots to investable products with real compliance rails  - Stablecoins embedded in wallets and payment apps are best positioned for scale - Stablecoin distribution is now both the business model and the regulatory moat- VanEck VenturesVanEck VenturesWebsite: www.vaneck.comX: @vaneck_usLinkedIn: VanEckWyatt LonerganX: @Wyatt_LonerganLinkedIn: Wyatt Lonergan--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This episode is brought to you by PrimeXBT. PrimeXBT offers a robust trading system for both beginners and professional traders that demand highly reliable market data and performance. Traders of all experience levels can easily design and customize layouts and widgets to best fit their trading style. PrimeXBT is always offering innovative products and professional trading conditions to all customers.    PrimeXBT is running an exclusive promotion for listeners of the podcast. After making your first deposit, 50% of that first deposit will be credited to your account as a bonus that can be used as additional collateral to open positions. Code: CRYPTONEWS50This promotion is available for a month after activation. Click the link below:PrimeXBT x CRYPTONEWS50

Mark MacLeod's Startup CEO Show brings us an enlightening conversation with Alina Vandenberghe, the dynamic co-founder and co-CEO of Chili Piper. This episode offers a deep dive into the unique challenges and opportunities of co-leading a company with your spouse, as Alina candidly discusses her partnership with her husband and co-CEO. The discussion sheds light on their fluid approach to dividing responsibilities and how they've managed to create a flat organizational structure despite having 150 employees across 38 countries.Alina shares invaluable insights on hiring for values, detailing how they assess candidates not just for skills but for alignment with company culture. The conversation takes an interesting turn as Alina reflects on her background growing up in communist Romania and how it shaped her entrepreneurial journey, instilling in her a unique perspective on resource management and customer motivations. This episode is packed with practical advice on building a strong company culture, leveraging personal branding for business growth, and adapting to the rapidly changing tech landscape.Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of tech's most innovative and authentic leaders.Timestamps: 01:06 Meet Alina: Chili Piper's Spicy CEO03:26 Chili Piper: Spicing Up Sales Software06:11 Raw and Real: Alina's Authentic Approach10:16 Social Media: The Pipeline Powerhouse12:20 Speaking Up: Time Well Invested16:42 Dividing and Conquering CEO Duties19:42 Remote Work: Born from Wanderlust29:48 Bootstrapping to Millions: Chili Piper's Journey35:48 AI: Blessing or Terminator Scenario?43:00 Corporate Wisdom in Startup Land48:07 Inspiring Women: Alina's Ripple EffectSince 1999, I have sat at the right-hand side of the leaders of high growth technology companies as either a CFO, VC or deal maker. I served as CFO for software companies including Shopify (NYSE: SHOP) and Freshbooks. As a CFO I experienced outright failures, wildly profitable exits, and everything in between.I was a General Partner in Real Ventures, Canada's largest and most active seed stage fund. My investments there include the fund's largest cash on cash and highest IRR returns to date. Most recently, I founded SurePath Capital Partners the leading investment bank for SMB SaaS companies where we did hundreds of millions in financing and exit transactions.Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themarkmacleod/Contact Mark: https://markmacleod.me/

Dan Nathan and Joe Marchese, General Partner at Human Ventures, discuss the implications of AI on the media and advertising industries. Joe reflects on his trip to Cannes, highlighting the dominance of tech giants like Meta, Amazon, Google, and YouTube in the creative space and the shifting media landscape due to AI. They explore the challenges publishers face with AI-induced content scraping and the potential for toll booths to manage bot traffic. Furthermore, they consider the future of search advertising, e-commerce, and retail media in an AI-influenced world. The conversation also touches on the strategies of major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta, and their varying degrees of risk and opportunity in the face of AI advancements. Joe also shares insights on his new board role at Breakaway, a leading touring music festival, emphasizing the importance of real-world experiences in an increasingly digital age. —FOLLOW USYouTube: @RiskReversalMediaInstagram: @riskreversalmediaTwitter: @RiskReversalLinkedIn: RiskReversal Media

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. This week, we're joined by Jon Charbonneau and Ryan Watkins to unpack the bombshell news of Robinhood Chain—an Arbitrum-based network debuting tokenized U.S. stocks, 3× crypto perps, and that head-scratching $500 K liquidity cap. From riffing on whether proof-of-stake yields are just “money in a box,” to debating Solana's first U.S. staked ETF, to sizing up the looming perp wars between Robinhood and Coinbase, the crew maps a common thread: corporate chains and regulatory work-arounds are colliding with crypto's decentralization ideals, forcing builders, traders, and even ETF hawks to rethink where real security, fairness, and opportunity will live next. Show highlights

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Joe Cornwell interviews Troy Zimmerman, general partner at Missional Capital Group. Troy shares his 20+ year journey from managing inherited triple net lease properties to building a low-leverage, cash-flow-focused multifamily portfolio in Northwest Alabama. He discusses transitioning from single-family homes to multifamily and multi-tenant retail, emphasizing the importance of controlling NOI and protecting downside risk. Troy also highlights his values-based approach to investing, including tenant-first management and giving back through charitable initiatives tied to each acquisition. Troy Zimmerman Current role: General Partner at Missional Capital Group Based in: Charleston, South Carolina Say hi to them at: https://missional.group Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at ⁠https://www.stamps.com/cre⁠. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show! Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE. Terms and conditions apply. Join the Best Ever Community  The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It's free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.  Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow. Apply now at ⁠www.bestevercommunity.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vietnam's rapid economic transformation is reshaping its future. Valerie Vu, General Partner at Ansible Ventures, joins Jeremy Au to explore how Vietnam is shifting from export dependence to a tech-driven, domestic growth model. They discuss the rollback of anti-corruption campaigns, intensified U.S. trade negotiations, and how food safety scandals are driving transparency reforms. Valerie also explains Resolution 68, a blueprint promoting private sector innovation and deep tech, and what this means for founders and investors. 03:00 The Anti-Corruption Campaign and Its Implications: The government quietly walks back its Burning Furnace crackdown by releasing powerful tycoons to restore stability and accelerate economic revival. 06:27 Tariff Negotiations and Their Impact on Trade: U.S.–Vietnam trade talks intensify, focusing on tariffs, defense cooperation, and pressure to enforce IP rights, block transshipments, and raise commercial standards. 10:09 Food Safety Scandals and Consumer Trust: Authorities expose counterfeit cooking oil and infant formula, prompting widespread crackdowns on fake goods to rebuild public confidence and meet international expectations. 13:53 The Shift Towards Domestic Consumption: As Vietnam faces an aging workforce and uncertain exports, it begins shifting to a consumption-led economy powered by local demand and entrepreneurship. 18:37 Resolution 68: A New Economic Model for Vietnam: This reform blueprint aims to elevate private enterprises, reduce state-owned dominance, and bet on AI, semiconductors, fintech, and data to power long-term growth. 25:23 Future Prospects: Infrastructure and Economic Growth: Valerie explains how Vietnam targets 8% GDP growth through credit expansion, zero-interest loans, and improved infrastructure while FDI remains on hold pending tariff clarity. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnams-new-frontier Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

In this episode of the Wharton Fintech Podcast, hosts Sabrina Fathi and Wesley Aster speak with Yoonkee Sull, General Partner at ICONIQ, about building category-defining fintech companies through every market cycle. Yoonkee reflects on his journey from early ICONIQ associate to GP, lessons from backing leaders like Chime, Groww, Adyen, Wealthsimple, and Ramp, and what it takes to earn trust with founders over the long term. They unpack how startups can differentiate in a crowded space, how embedded finance is reshaping distribution, and why knowing your customer better than anyone else is the ultimate moat. With thoughtful takes on unit economics, financial inclusion, and the real use cases for AI and blockchain, this conversation is a must-listen for founders, operators, and investors navigating the next chapter of fintech.

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. This week, we're joined by Vlad, the leverage legend behind Lighter, a zk-powered DEX taking aim at Hyperliquid in the rising CLOB wars. We unpack the new Token Transparency Framework from Blockworks and whether self-regulation can fix crypto's disclosure problem. Should VC wallets be public? Are market-making deals legally risky? And why do most projects still say nothing? Plus: Vlad explains how Lighter uses zero-knowledge proofs to enforce fairness and fight toxic flow—without harming retail. And Circle's stock goes full meme mode, TikTok retail piles in, and Robert reveals he's short. Is crypto finally growing up—or just evolving its chaos? Show highlights

Aleksey Chernobelskiy advises limited partners (“LPs”) on existing and future investments. He's also the founder of www.gplpmatch.com, a platform which allows LPs to see deals that match their specific investment criteria right in their inbox immediately after a GP submission. Aleksey writes weekly to 8,000 investors at www.LPlessons.co to explain how to properly vet and think about LP investments in the grand scheme of their portfolios. Aleksey also helps General Partners on matters relating to LPs, such as capital calls or feedback on investment decks. Prior to advising LPs, Aleksey ran STORE Capital's $10 billion commercial real estate portfolio and oversaw the firm's underwriting team. Aleksey graduated from University of Arizona with a quadruple major – Finance, Mathematics, Economics, and Accounting.Recommended articles:Top 15 syndication mistakes - www.lplessons.co/p/top-15-syndication-mistakes26 questions to ask your GP -  www.lplessons.co/p/26-questions-to-ask-your-gpDo sunk costs matter in capital calls? - www.lplessons.co/p/do-sunk-costs-matter-in-capital-callsRANDY SMITHConnect with our host, Randy Smith, for more educational content or to discuss investment opportunities in the real estate syndication space at www.impactequity.net, https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallsmith or on Instagram at @randysmithinvestor00:00 Intro01:40 Current Market03:29 Aleksey's Background09:19 LP's in Investing15:35 Due Diligence18:10 Deal Structure23:32 GPLP Match28:26 Fundraising30:40 Education and Resources36:00 Bucket List38:48 Outro

Send us a textMiguel Armaza interviews Steve Stagner, CEO of Crete, an AI-powered roll-up deploying $500+ million to modernize the accounting industry. Backed by Thrive Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, and others, Crete is acquiring US accounting firms and transforming them with OpenAI-powered tools. Steve brings battle-tested insights from building Mattress Firm from a single $1,300 franchise to a $3.8 billion Fortune 500 giant.In this episode, we discuss (1) Why "People, Process, Technology" - in that exact order - is the only formula that works for AI transformation; (2) How Crete's partner equity model differs from traditional PE roll-ups, letting firms keep their culture while accessing enterprise-grade AI tools; (3) Why firms that don't embrace AI will lose and how Crete has already seen 30-50% efficiency gains through AI-powered trial balance normalization and audit testing... and a lot more!Want more podcast episodes? Join me and follow Fintech Leaders today on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app for weekly conversations with today's global leaders that will dominate the 21st century in fintech, business, and beyond.Do you prefer a written summary? Check out the Fintech Leaders newsletter and join 80,000+ readers and listeners worldwide!Miguel Armaza is Co-Founder and General Partner of Gilgamesh Ventures, a seed-stage investment fund focused on fintech in the Americas. He also hosts and writes the Fintech Leaders podcast and newsletter.Miguel on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nKha4ZMiguel on Twitter: https://bit.ly/2Jb5oBcFintech Leaders Newsletter: bit.ly/3jWIp

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. This week, we're joined by Hyperliquid founder Jeff Yan, the quiet powerhouse behind DeFi's fastest-growing exchange. With 75% of onchain perp volume, no VC money, and a $1B airdrop, Hyperliquid is rewriting what crypto protocols can be. We dive into Jeff's minimalist strategy, the cancel wars with toxic flow, and the JellyJelly controversy that sparked a feud with CZ. Plus: HIP-3 and the future of permissionless perps, SPAC-style hype vehicles taking over Wall Street, and why stablecoin regulation just triggered a 40% rally in Circle stock. Is crypto evolving—or just getting financialized to death? Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pods, Fountain, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform. Show highlights

In this episode of the Wharton Fintech Podcast, host Sabrina Fathi chats with Seth Rosenberg, General Partner at Greylock, about what it takes to build and back enduring companies at the intersection of fintech and AI. Seth shares lessons from launching Facebook Messenger, insights on founder-market fit, and how great early-stage companies validate ideas, build defensibility, and navigate market shifts. With deep takes on AI, blockchain, and the future of financial services, this episode is packed with practical wisdom for builders and investors alike.

Check the episode transcript hereABOUT WAYNE COURREGES IIIWayne is passionate about helping busy professionals build generational wealth by offering the opportunity to passively invest in commercial real estate syndications. His company, CREI Partners currently has over $50 million in assets under management in Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama. To build wealth for investors, Wayne focuses primarily on acquiring apartment communities and developing RV/Boat and Business Storage in areas with strong market fundamentals along with strategic partner relationships.  Based out of Central Texas, Wayne leads the investment lifecycle and investor relations for CREI Partners as the Lead Sponsor and General Partner.  Wayne started his real estate journey while serving in the US Marine Corps. After completing his service as a Marine Corps Corporal in 2007, he started a career with a Fortune 125 commercial real estate firm that spanned 16 years before focusing full-time on real estate investments.   THIS TOPIC IN A NUTSHELL: ·         From serving the Marine Corps to Real Estate Investing·         Founding CREI Partners ·         Getting into the Syndication space·         First Multifamily Acquisition ·         Direct-to-seller approach and Due diligence ·         Deal Structure & Underwriting Philosophy·         Approach to Acquisitions·         Navigating Challenges Post-Purchase and Market Dynamics·         Advice on vetting sponsors·         CREI Partners portfolio·         Connect with Wayne  KEY QUOTE: We're not in the business of winning bidding wars. We're in the business of finding value."  ABOUT THE WESTSIDE INVESTORS NETWORK   The Westside Investors Network is your community for investing knowledge for growth. For real estate professionals by real estate professionals. This show is focused on the next step in your career... investing, for those starting with nothing to multifamily syndication.     The Westside Investors Network strives to bring knowledge and education to real estate professionals that is seeking to gain more freedom in their life. The host AJ and Chris Shepard, are committed to sharing the wealth of knowledge that they have gained throughout the years to allow others the opportunity to learn and grow in their investing. They own Uptown Properties, a successful Property Management, and Brokerage Company. If you are interested in Property Management in the Portland Metro or Bend Metro Areas, please visit www.uptownpm.com. If you are interested in investing in multifamily syndication, please visit www.uptownsyndication.com.   #RealEstateSyndication #VetTheSponsor #MultifamilyInvesting #PassiveInvesting #RealEstateDeals #CREInvesting #SponsorDueDiligence #BuildWealth #FinancialFreedom #CashFlowInvesting #RealEstateStrategy #LongTermWealth #RiskManagement #EconomicResilience #AssetProtection #InvestorEducation #SmartInvesting #ApartmentInvesting #DirectToSeller #UnderwritingDeals #CRESponsors #RealEstateReturns #RealEstateCashFlow #RealEstateInvestor #CREAcquisitions #RealEstatePortfolio #WealthStrategy #GenerationalWealth #CashFlowRealEstate #InvestorRelations #EntrepreneurMindset CONNECT WITH WAYNE:Website: https://www.creipartners.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wacourregesiiiFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/creipartnersInstagram: @creipartners   CONNECT WITH US   For more information about investing with AJ and Chris:  ·    Uptown Syndication | https://www.uptownsyndication.com/  ·    LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/71673294/admin/   For information on Portland Property Management:  ·    Uptown Properties | http://www.uptownpm.com  ·    Youtube | @UptownProperties     Westside Investors Network  ·    Website | https://www.westsideinvestorsnetwork.com/  ·    Twitter | https://twitter.com/WIN_pdx  ·    Instagram | @westsideinvestorsnetwork  ·    LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13949165/  ·    Facebook | @WestsideInvestorsNetwork  ·    Tiktok| @WestsideInvestorsNetwork  ·    Youtube | @WestsideInvestorsNetwork  

In this Topical Tuesday episode, I spoke with Aleksey Chernobelskiy who advises Limited Partners (“LPs”) on existing and future investments. He writes weekly to thousands of investors at LPlessons.co to explain how to properly vet and think about LP investments in the grand scheme of their portfolios. Aleksey also helps General Partners on matters relating to LPs, such as capital calls or feedback on investment decks.   Be sure to tune in if you're interested in learning about: A practical breakdown of the three-part framework LPs should use to evaluate syndications Why track record inflation is common—and what investors should really look for when assessing experience Where LPs often underestimate risk and how to think clearly about capital calls and downside scenarios The biggest mistakes investors make when relying too heavily on IRR projections To your success, Tyler Lyons Resources mentioned in the episode: Aleksey Chernobelskiy LinkedIn Twitter Website   Interested in learning how to take your capital raising game to the next level? Meet us at Capital Raiser's Edge. Learn more here: https://raisingcapital.com/cre

Erik Prince is an American businessman, former U.S. Navy SEAL, and the founder of Blackwater, a private military company established in 1997. A graduate of Hillsdale College, Prince heads Frontier Resource Group, a private equity firm, and promotes economic development in emerging markets. He hosts the podcast Off Leash with Erik Prince, launched in 2023, and founded Unplugged, a privacy-focused smartphone company. Prince, a vocal advocate for privatizing military operations and deregulation, has been linked to controversial arms deals and Trump-era political operations.  Erik Bethel is a General Partner at Mare Liberum, a fund focused on sustainability and national security in the maritime domain. He is a global finance professional with experience in the private and public sectors. In 2020, he was nominated to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Panama. Previously, he was nominated by the President and confirmed unanimously by the Senate to represent the United States at the World Bank. At the World Bank, Erik participated in the analysis and deployment of over $100 billion of capital in the developing world through grants, loans, equity investments, and other financial products. Previously, Erik spent over twenty years working as an investment banker and private equity professional at Franklin Templeton Investments, J.P. Morgan, and Morgan Stanley. Erik earned a BS in economics and political science from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He serves on several Boards, including the United States Naval War College Foundation, is a Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and is an Advisor to Oxford Analytica - a geopolitical think tank. He speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://www.roka.com - USE CODE SRS ⁠https://www.betterhelp.com/srs⁠ This episode is sponsored. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self. ⁠https://www.bubsnaturals.com/shawn⁠ ⁠https://www.meetfabric.com/shawn⁠ ⁠https://www.shawnlikesgold.com⁠ ⁠https://www.helixsleep.com/srs⁠ ⁠https://hexclad.com/srs⁠Find your forever cookware @hexclad and get 10% off at hexclad.com/srs! #hexcladpartner ⁠https://www.moinkbox.com/srs⁠ ⁠https://www.paladinpower.com/srs⁠ ⁠https://uscca.com/srs⁠ Guest Links: Erik Prince X - https://x.com/therealErikP  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-prince   Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-leash-with-erik-prince Frontier Resource Group - https://www.frgroup.com Unplugged Phone - https://unplugged.com Erik Bethel LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-bethel-692604Mare Liberum - https://www.mareliberumcapital.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices