Podcasts about kauffman fellow

This nonpartisan briefing, hosted by UAPDF provided members with valuable insights into the scientific significance, national security relevance, and innovation potential of UAP-related data.Participants included:• Dr. Avi Loeb, PhD – Frank B. Baird, Jr. Professor of Science at Harvard University; Principal Investigator, Galileo Project; Founding Director, Harvard's Black Hole Initiative.• Dr. Eric Davis, PhD – • Dr. Avi Loeb, PhD – Frank B. Baird, Jr. Professor of Science at Harvard University; Principal Investigator, Galileo Project; Founding Director, Harvard's Black Hole Initiative.• Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, U.S. Navy (ret.), PhD – UAPDF Advisory Board Member; Former NOAA Administrator; Former Oceanographer of the Navy; PhD, Scripps Institution of Oceanography.• Christopher Mellon – UAPDF Board Member; Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence; Former Staff Director, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.• Kirk McConnell – UAPDF Advisory Board Member; Former Senior Professional Staff Member, Senate Intelligence and Armed Services Committees.• Dr. Anna Brady-Estevez, PhD – Founding Partner, American DeepTech; Former SBA Innovation Advisor; Kauffman Fellow.• Mike Gold – President, Civil and International Space, Redwire; Member of the NASA UAP Independent Study Team; Former NASA Associate Administrator for Space Policy and Partnerships; Former Acting Associate Administrator for the Office of International and Interagency Relations, and Senior Advisor the Administrator for International and Legal Affairs; Former Vice President for Civil Space, MAXAR Technologies; Former Director of DC Operations and Business Growth, Bigelow Aerospace; J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School.• Luis Elizondo – UAPDF Board Member; Former Head, Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP); Former DoD Intelligence Official.Book Ryan on CAMEO at: https://bit.ly/3kwz3DOPatreon: http://www.patreon.com/somewhereskiesByMeACoffee: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/UFxzyzHOaQPayPal: Sprague51@hotmail.comDiscord: https://discord.gg/NTkmuwyB4FBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ryansprague.bsky.socialTwitter: https://twitter.com/SomewhereSkiesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/somewhereskiespod/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryansprague51Order Ryan's new book: https://a.co/d/4KNQnM4Order Ryan's older book: https://amzn.to/3PmydYCStore: http://tee.pub/lic/ULZAy7IY12URead Ryan's articles at: https://medium.com/@ryan-sprague51Opening Theme Song by SeptembryoCopyright © 2025 Ryan Sprague. All rights reservedSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/somewhere-in-the-skies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Allen Taylor, Managing Partner at Endeavor Catalyst, shares how Endeavor is fueling the rise of world-class startups in emerging markets—places often overlooked by traditional venture capital. Allen reveals how Endeavor identifies and supports high-potential founders before investing, why scaling talent is just as critical as scaling products, and how global ecosystems are evolving to produce unicorns from regions like Latin America, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa. He also shares practical advice for founders operating outside established innovation hubs and highlights how Endeavor's unique investment model flips traditional venture capital on its head.In this episode, you'll learn:[03:00] How Allen's international career led him to Endeavor and a global mission to support entrepreneurs in overlooked markets[05:55] Why talent is everywhere—but opportunity isn't—and how Endeavor flips the script on where billion-dollar companies are built[09:50] The contrarian strategy that made Endeavor Catalyst one of the most successful global venture funds[15:31] What does it take to become an Endeavor startup? [25:48] The biggest challenges founders face outside major tech hubs—and why scaling talent is the hardest part of growth[29:04] Why Allen is bullish on Latin America, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa as the next breakout regions for global innovationThe non-profit organization Allen is passionate about: Kauffman FellowsAbout Allen TaylorAllen Taylor is the Managing Partner at Endeavor Catalyst, the venture capital fund supporting Endeavor's global community of high-impact entrepreneurs. With nearly 20 years at Endeavor, Allen has helped drive the organization's global expansion and innovative investment model, which backs companies across Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. Previously, Allen worked in international development and studied in Argentina, igniting his passion for supporting global entrepreneurship. Allen is also a Kauffman Fellow and serves on the board of the Kauffman Fellows Program.About Endeavor CatalystEndeavor Catalyst is the co-investment fund of Endeavor, the leading global community of high-impact entrepreneurs. Since 2012, Endeavor Catalyst has invested in over 300 companies across 30+ countries, backing founders who are building transformative businesses in emerging and underserved markets. With a rules-based model, Endeavor Catalyst automatically invests alongside professional VCs when Endeavor Entrepreneurs raise Series A, B, or C rounds. Its portfolio includes Latin America's first unicorn, Mercado Libre, and pioneering companies like Nubank and InstaDeep.Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

Jessie Guo, an investment partner at Next Legacy Partners, shares her journey from early life in the northern China town of Dingxiang to a chance meeting with co-founder Russ Hall and joining the team at Next Legacy Partners. The firm supports mission-driven, early-stage tech startups and funds. Jessie discusses their approach to backing both emerging and established managers, highlighting the importance of diversity, discipline, and conviction in choosing investments.In this episode, you'll learn:[02:15] Evolution, mission and core focus of Next Legacy Partners[09:10] The venture ecosystem expansion; new opportunities for emerging managers[12:30] Differences between Next Legacy's emerging and established manager portfolios[19:32] The importance of differentiation in forming the conviction to back emerging managers[26:50] Two key areas for improvement in venture capitalThe nonprofit organizations Jessie is passionate about: Venture Forward, Alzheimer's Foundation of AmericaAbout Jessie GuoJessie Guo is an Investment Partner at Next Legacy Partners, focusing on Flagship and Emerging Leaders strategies. A Kauffman Fellow, Jessie also serves on the permanent board of Bridge Funding Global, supporting women and underserved emerging managers. She brings deep expertise in venture capital, having worked at CICC and China Renaissance, where she led private equity and venture capital investments and helped establish CICC's fund of funds and wealth management businesses. Jessie earned both her bachelor's and master's in Finance from Peking University and an MBA with top honors from UC Davis.About Next Legacy PartnersNext Legacy Partners is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital and private equity firm dedicated to achieving meaningful returns by backing top early-stage venture capital firms and high-potential founders. Focused on democratizing access to venture capital, Next Legacy Partners invests on behalf of philanthropists, athletes, and changemakers, giving them entry into exclusive venture funds and companies. The firm's mission extends beyond financial returns, aiming to drive positive impact. Next Legacy investments include: Affinity, Instil, Babylist, Rubrik, Lime, Kitopi, NorthOne, Flexport among others. Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

IN THIS EPISODE: In this unique episode taking us to Latin America, Denise Silber interviews HBS alumna Christine Kenna,  Partner at a leading early-stage VC fund in Mexico,  in order to explore and amplify the often overlooked opportunities for venture capital investment in the region. Drawing from her experience as a former Silicon Valley executive, operational manager in LatAm, and board member, Christine Kenna shares insights on identifying innovative business models and supporting entrepreneurs in this emerging market. Listeners will gain valuable takeaways on the region's tech landscape, the importance of local partnerships, and the evolving role of women in venture capital. Christine Kenna also discusses her initiatives to empower women in VC, the necessary balance between personal values and profess GUEST BIO: Christine Kenna, an alumna of the Harvard Business School, is Partner at IGNIA, a leading venture capital fund investing in global technology companies reinventing the way to do business across Latin America. Christine, a trailblazer in the investor and entrepreneurial ecosystems, co-founded Mujeres Invirtiendo and MBA Mujeres de México to accelerate the careers of professional women in LatAm. With 15+ years of VC experience, she serves on IGNIA´s boards and is an independent Board Member of ALSEA and the Kauffman Fellows. Recognized as one of Latin America's top female investors, Christine's background includes leadership roles at Google, EF Education First, and EY Parthenon and The Guggenheim Foundation.  Christine did her undergraduate degree at Duke University and is a Kauffman Fellow.

Gayathri Radhakrishnan, partner at Hitachi Ventures, shares profound insights from her journey and perspectives on venture capital and technology. Gayathri reflects on her early life in India and how her competitive spirit and supportive family shaped her path to challenging norms in male-dominated fields. She delves into her focus on impactful investments in AI, utilizing Hitachi Ventures' corporate strengths to strategically nurture startups. Gayathri values founder passion, problem understanding, and openness to feedback, and her advice to founders stresses preparation, boldness, and leveraging networks for lasting partnerships and growth.In this episode, you'll learn:[1:54] The making of Gayathri Radhakrishnan: Challenging norms and building a strong sense of confidence and competitiveness.[10:32] The responsibility and impact that venture capital has on shaping future generations[14:10] Impact of corporate venture capital, when done right: Hitachi Ventures' commitment to patient capital with a 10-year fund cycle further underscores their long-term support for startups.[18:21] Trends and opportunities: Entrepreneurs should explore opportunities where AI can revolutionize industrial processes, enhance safety and efficiency, and contribute to sustainable practices.[23:37] Passionately understand your problem, stay open to feedback, and ensure your solution has real-world validation and market potential.[28:20] Aim for follow-up meetings and leverage the investor's network for potential introductions. [35:15] What's the immediate threat posed by AI?The non-profit organizations that Gayathri is passionate about: SV2About Gayathri RadhakrishnanGayathri Radhakrishnan is currently Partner at Hitachi Ventures, focusing on AI investments in Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Automotive. With over 20 years in technology, she has held roles at Dell, Corning, and Micron Ventures, and served as a Partner at Earlybird Venture Capital. Gayathri holds an MS in EE from The Ohio State University, an MBA from INSEAD, and is a Kauffman Fellow. She has driven strategy at Dell's Software Group and mentored startups at TechRanch Austin and Techstars Cloud.About Hitachi VenturesHitachi Ventures is the global venture capital arm of Hitachi Group. Hitachi Ventures invests in innovative companies that address society's key technological challenges in areas like IT, industrial automation (robotics, sensor technology and IoT), cloud services (data management, cybersecurity), mobility (autonomous driving, mobility services, smart infrastructure and security services), energy, smart medicine (AIfor digital imaging, smart diagnostics, remote care), smart city, smart infrastructure and more. It's portfolio includes companies such as Samsara Eco, Trustwise AI, WEKA, StrikeReady, Archetype AI, WASE, Cure51, Proscia, Thea Energy, Captura among others.Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

Adriana Tortajada is the CEO & Managing Partner at 1200 VC, an Early-Stage investment platform that invests in fund managers and founders shaping the future of humanity. Its focus is on seeking transformative technologies and regional value creation, which will accelerate a positive impact on the planet and society. She is a pioneer in the venture capital industry across Mexico and Latin America, and a Kauffman Fellow, Adriana has managed $1B+ in Fund investments as well as bringing 20+ years of experience empowering the venture capital ecosystem. We talk about: - Unique hybrid model of investing - What they look for in GPs - How long it takes to make an LP commitment after the first meeting? - Do spinouts make good fund managers? - How should fund managers think about sizing the fund - Promising VC scale returns - Perspective on the current exit market & lots more Links: ⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.com 1200 VC - https://1200.vc Adriana Tortajada on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-tortajada-2784869b

Highlights from this week's conversation include:Peter's background and journey Into finance (0:58)Strategy of Institutional LPs (2:30)Bandwidth Constraints and Time Management (5:53)Lessons Learned from Early Stage Programs (8:01)Criteria for Fund Managers (10:11)Transition to Institutional LP and Governance Structure (12:56)Challenges Faced by Institutional LPs (16:10)Excitement about certain investment strategies (19:24)Overview of the Kauffman Fellows program (23:04)Insider Segment: Vested's target audience and investor interest (24:32)Ingredients for successful LP-VC partnership (30:45)Role of limited partners in the future of venture capital (33:24)Proud venture capital investment (35:49)Investing with Creativity and Conviction (38:03)Final thoughts and takeaways (38:50)Peter Teneriello is a multifaceted professional with a rich background in finance and private equity. At 33, he boasts a B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, complemented by his participation in the Kauffman Fellows Program. His career includes significant roles at Sapient Capital, Stifel Financial Corp., and the Texas Municipal Retirement System. As a Kauffman Fellow, Peter has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and leadership in the investment field. His interests in technology and ethical considerations in AI highlight his forward-thinking approach.Vested empowers startup employees to capitalize on their hard-earned equity, primarily by providing funding to help exercise stock options. The company's overarching mission is to democratize access to equity, ensuring that startup employees both understand and have a real chance to tangibly benefit from the shares they're granted.Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Dan Kimerling, founder and managing partner at Deciens, talks about key principles that shape his current approaches to startup investments. He explains Deciens' strategy of leading financing deals with a concentrated portfolio, allowing for deep partnerships with entrepreneurs. Dan critiques the average venture capital returns and promotes a bold, non-orthodox strategy to achieve exceptional outcomes. He emphasizes the importance of alignment with entrepreneurs and LPs, advocating for a venture capital model that values courage, commitment, and long-term relationships over diversification and transactional interactions.In this episode, you'll learn:[1:48] How growing up in Edison, New Jersey, influenced Dan Kimerling's personal and professional life.[4:07] Deciens' philosophy: Concentrated, bold, partnership-driven investments.[7:42] Founders seek genuine partnerships with VCs.[15:54] Achieving greatness requires personal courage, not group consensus.[18:28] Success in VC means investing in non-consensus deals with a robust framework.[29:28] Strategies for better alignment among VCs, entrepreneurs, and LPs.The non-profit organizations that Dan is passionate about: Albuquerque Community FoundationAbout Dan KimerlingDan Kimerling is the founder and managing partner at Deciens. He is passionate about leading investments in transformative companies at their earliest stages and sits on the board of many Deciens portfolio companies, including Chipper, Therma, and Treasury Prime. He co-founded Standard Treasury, which was acquired by Silicon Valley Bank, where he led API Banking and Global Research. Earlier, he was an analyst at TechCrunch. Dan graduated with honors from the University of Chicago with an A.B. and A.M., studied mathematical finance at Booth, and received several awards. He was named to Forbes' "30 under 30," is a Kauffman Fellow, and is active in the Young Presidents' Organization.About DeciensDeciens is a venture capital firm dedicated to supporting early-stage founders revolutionizing financial services. The firm identifies visionary entrepreneurs at the inception of their journey, offering extensive support beyond funding to realize their visions. Deciens collaborates strategically with industry leaders such as Chipper Cash, Africa's largest fintech; Treasury Prime, a frontrunner in banking-as-a-service; and Therma, an innovator in industrial energy management. Through these partnerships, Deciens champions entrepreneurs driving the digital transformation of traditional institutions.Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

In today's episode, we're honored to host Noramay Cadena, Co-founder and General Partner of Supply Change Capital, a pioneering fund dedicated to reshaping our food system by intertwining climate solutions with cultural awareness. Transitioning from an impressive career as a Boeing aerospace engineer to a visionary investor, Noramay has a unique perspective on innovation and impact. With her prior experience launching an early-stage fund that backed over 20 companies in the manufacturing and supply chain sectors, she's no stranger to driving change. Today, she's here to share insights on how Supply Change Capital is leading the charge in creating a sustainable, equitable, and culturally inclusive food ecosystem. Join us for a compelling conversation on the nexus of technology, culture, and sustainability. Let's get started! About Noramay Cadena Noramay Cadena is a Managing Partner at Supply Change Capital, an early-stage venture firm investing at the intersection of food, culture, and technology. Previously, Noramay was a Managing Partner at MiLA Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm in Los Angeles investing in tech you can touch. Prior to venture capital, Noramay spent over a decade at Boeing leading large teams working on new complex aviation/aerospace programs. As an engineer and business leader, she specializes in manufacturing, scaling, and supply chain, and couples that technical expertise with coaching on strategy, operations, and culture. In the community, Noramay is a lead investor in Portfolia's Rising America fund investing in Latinx, Black and LGBTQ founders, an advisory board member of the Homeboy Industries Ventures and Jobs Fund, an appointed board member of the Housing Authority Commission of Los Angeles, and a founding board member of LatinxVC, an organization increasing the Latino ecosystem of funders and founders. In 2020, she was named one of 50 renowned women in robotics and one of the top 100 influential Latinas in the United States. Noramay is a Kauffman Fellow and holds an MBA, a Master's in Engineering Systems, and a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering – all from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

In today's episode, Joshua Benadiva hosts Dan Kimerling, founder and Managing Partner of Deciens, a leading early-stage fintech venture capital firm. Dan shares insights into the fintech industry, emphasizing the importance of timing in entrepreneurship and the need for businesses to have increasing returns and moats as they scale. In this episode you will hear about: - Dan's journey in the fintech industry and the founding and selling of Standard Treasury - The challenges and opportunities within the fintech space - The role of coaching in venture capital and the importance of customer satisfaction in the banking industry About Dan Kimerling: Dan Kimerling is deeply committed to investing in transformative companies at their inception, holding board positions in several Deciens portfolio companies like Chipper, Therma, and Treasury Prime. Before Deciens, he co-founded and led Standard Treasury to its acquisition by Silicon Valley Bank, establishing leading API solutions for the financial services industry. Standard Treasury garnered recognition from American Banker and SWIFT for its innovation. Post-acquisition, Dan headed API Banking and Open Platform at SVB. His early career included a stint at TechCrunch and an educational journey at the University of Chicago, where he achieved honors and won prestigious awards. Dan is recognized by Forbes' "30 under 30," is a Kauffman Fellow, and actively contributes to the University of Chicago's Polsky Council and the Young Presidents' Organization. He enjoys a personal life filled with reading, cooking, biking, and skiing in Chicago and Albuquerque. About Deciens: Founded in 2017 by Dan Kimerling, Deciens Capital is a venture capital firm dedicated to ushering in the next generation of financial services. By focusing exclusively on early-stage investments, Deciens aims to support foundational companies reshaping industries and regions, including significant collaborations with Chipper Cash, Treasury Prime, and Therma. The firm prides itself on being the initial significant investment for companies poised for substantial growth, deep market impact, and the establishment of strong competitive moats in sizable markets. Deciens' portfolio showcases a commitment to groundbreaking fintech ventures such as Treasury Prime, Chipper Cash, and several others, emphasizing its role in the digital transformation of traditional financial institutions. For more FinTech insights, follow us on WFT Medium: medium.com/wharton-fintech WFT Twitter: twitter.com/whartonfintech WFT Instagram: instagram.com/whartonfintech Josh's Twitter: @josh_benadiva Josh's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jbenadiva/

“Your optimism and your story that you are telling yourself of this needs to happen and I'm the one to do it, that is what keeps you going” on the Daily Grind ☕️, your weekly goal-driven podcast. This episode features Kelly Johnson @kellyfastruns and special guest Nathaniel Harding @cortadoventures!  Nathaniel is CEO, Managing Partner at Cortado Ventures. As an expert in tech, innovation, and venture capital, he is a distinguished Kauffman Fellow, World Economic Forum's Young Global Leader, and Most Admired CEO, his $120M asset-managing venture capital firm showcases strategic brilliance. S5 Episode 26: 10/24/2023 Featuring Kelly Johnson with Special Guest Nathaniel Harding Audio Credit Intro: Draw The Line Mastered by Connor Christian Follow Our Podcast: Instagram: @dailygrindpod https://www.instagram.com/dailygrindpod/  Twitter: @dailygrindpod https://www.twitter.com/dailygrindpod  Podcast Website: https://direct.me/dailygrindpod  Follow Our Special Guest: Twitter: @cortadoventures https://twitter.com/CortadoVentures  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cortadoventures Website: https://cortado.ventures/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanielharding --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dailygrindpod/support

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Saad Siddiqui about how technology is fundamentally changing the role of HR professionals. Saad Siddiqui (https://www.linkedin.com/in/saadsiddiqu) is General Partner at Telstra Ventures, a San Francisco-based VC firm that incorporates data science and quantitative analysis of non-financial data into its mix of investing criteria. He's an investor in HR Tech companies like Certn, Spekit, and Forage. Saad is a Kauffman Fellow and also previously served as an executive at Informatica and Cisco.  Check out the ⁠HCI Academy⁠: Courses, Micro-Credentials, and Certificates to Upskill and Reskill for the Future of Work! Check out the LinkedIn ⁠Alchemizing Human Capital⁠ Newsletter. Check out Dr. Westover's book, ⁠The Future Leader⁠. Check out Dr. Westover's book, ⁠'Bluer than Indigo' Leadership⁠. Check out Dr. Westover's book, ⁠The Alchemy of Truly Remarkable Leadership⁠. Check out the latest issue of the ⁠Human Capital Leadership magazine⁠. Each HCI Podcast episode (Program, ID No. 627454) has been approved for 0.50 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). Each HCI Podcast episode (Program ID: 24-DP529) has been approved for 0.50 HR (General) SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCPHR recertification through SHRM, as part of the knowledge and competency programs related to the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge™ (the SHRM BASK™). Human Capital Innovations has been pre-approved by the ATD Certification Institute to offer educational programs that can be used towards initial eligibility and recertification of the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD) credentials. Each HCI Podcast episode qualifies for a maximum of 0.50 points.

Part 2, welcome back. This episode with Randall Crowder, delves into the transformative power of technology, particularly focusing on the evolution of AI and its implications for businesses and society. Discussing the rapid growth and potential of AI, referencing Elon Musk's involvement with OpenAI and the competition between tech giants. We emphasize the importance of modeling in entrepreneurship, citing examples of successful companies that have replicated and improved upon existing models. We also touch on the significance of understanding human psychology in tech innovations, with Apple as a prime example. Exploring the concept of originality in business suggests that true innovation often comes from refining and enhancing existing ideas rather than creating entirely new ones.#RickJordan #Podcast #AIWe Meet: Randall Crowder, COO of PhunwareEpisode References: Elon MuskPinterestFacebookSamsungIPhoneConnect:Connect with Rick: https://linktr.ee/mrrickjordanConnect with Randall: https://www.instagram.com/randallcrowderUniversal Rate & Review: https://lovethepodcast.com/allinwithrickjordanSubscribe & Review to ALL IN with Rick Jordan on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RickJordanALLINAbout Randall: Randall is the COO of Phunware, a publicly traded technology company in Austin, TX. Prior to Phunware, Randall led over 40 angel investments and deployed over $60M across 14 companies as a venture capitalist. Randall is a co-founder and Managing Partner at TEXO Ventures where he focuses on tech-enabled health services and he is the sole founder and Managing Partner at Novē Ventures where he focuses on companies leveraging blockchain technology. Prior to venture capital, he led the Central Texas Angel Network to become one of the most active angel networks in the country. Randall also founded and launched Texas Venture Labs (TVL) at UT. Randall was a Captain in the US Army and is both Airborne and Ranger qualified. He served over six years on active duty and deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was awarded two Bronze Stars for actions during combat. Randall holds a BS from West Point and an MBA from McCombs. He is also a Kauffman Fellow and co-founder of The Crypto Watch and Watchers Eye, organizations dedicated to helping educate others on not only blockchain but also personal and professional development.

In this episode, a former army captain discusses his transition to the tech startup scene. He highlights the parallels between military discipline and business acumen, emphasizing the need for effective mobile engagement. The conversation also touches on the value of existing customers and the potential for upselling. Listen in for future insights on blockchain, angel investing, and Texas Venture Labs.#RickJordan #Podcast #MilitaryEpisode References: Randalls Grocery StoreStart up NationWe Meet: Randall Crowder, COO of PhunwareConnect:Connect with Rick: https://linktr.ee/mrrickjordanConnect with Randall: https://www.instagram.com/randallcrowderUniversal Rate & Review: https://lovethepodcast.com/allinwithrickjordanSubscribe & Review to ALL IN with Rick Jordan on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RickJordanALLINAbout Randall: Randall is the COO of Phunware, a publicly-traded technology company in Austin, TX. Prior to Phunware, Randall led over 40 angel investments and deployed over $60M across 14 companies as a venture capitalist. Randall is a co-founder and Managing Partner at TEXO Ventures where he focused on tech-enabled health services and he is the sole founder and Managing Partner at Novē Ventures where he focuses on companies leveraging blockchain technology. Prior to venture capital, he led the Central Texas Angel Network to become one of the most active angel networks in the country. Randall also founded and launched Texas Venture Labs (TVL) at UT. Randall was a Captain in the US Army and is both Airborne and Ranger qualified. He served over six years on active duty and deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was awarded two Bronze Stars for actions during combat. Randall holds a BS from West Point and an MBA from McCombs. He is also a Kauffman Fellow and co-founder of The Crypto Watch and Watchers Eye, organizations dedicated to helping educate others on not only blockchain, but also personal and professional development.

Today, we're happy to welcome Sara Rywe, partner at byFounders, a Nordic and Baltic's early stage tech investor with a difference.They stand toe to toe with founders and have a community driven approach to investing. Founders know exactly what they're getting into when they engage with byFounders from the metrics they're looking for to ticket size, investment terms, and the fund standard term sheet. It's all published on their website.Portfolio founders also have access to the wisdom of the byFounders collective, a group of experienced founders, tech experts, and more who can help them through the company building journey. The firm has two funds under its belt and invests across tech sectors. Sara joined in 2019 as an associate with a focus on finding funding and having the back of founders across the new Nordics.But for someone who's had a meteoric rise through VC, Sara describes herself as someone completely ordinary. In many ways, Sara's prior experience at McKinsey, her MBA and the fact she's a Kauffman Fellow gloss over the fact she did not originally pursue a conventional path. She'll talk more about her journey starting work in her teen years at McDonald's through to her entrepreneurial journey, starting up a dance school, and how this led her to catch the founder bug and lead to opportunities in tech.Sara's deep interest is in impact aware startups. She's mentored and invested in startups in sectors that combine profit with purpose and has a particular focus not just on responsible companies, but responsible founders. In this episode, we'll hear more about Sara's journey into VC, her path to partner, and how she's turned her interest and impact into a core pillar of the investment strategy and decision making process at byFounders.

Grace Sai is the Co-founder and CEO of Unravel Carbon, an enterprise software that helps companies track and reduce their carbon emissions, backed by Sequoia and Y Combinator.Grace is a 2 times exited founder, a VC, a Kauffman Fellow, and is widely regarded as a node of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Asia.How did a dream kickstart Grace's journey building 3 startups? How has her experience as a two-time exited founder shaped her journey today, and what did she learn? What does Unravel Carbon actually do?Topics:[00:00:00] - Shifting Away from Doing Things Directly [00:08:10] - Childhood and Early Vision of Success [00:11:25] - Living abroad in Singapore [00:12:15]- Formative experience in junior college [00:17:23] - Starting Books for Hope [00:21:27] - Starting a Social Enterprise [00:23:19] - Oxford MBA Experience [00:29:06] - Impact Hub Singapore [00:31:24] - Lessons from Acquisitions [00:38:40] - Unravel Carbon's Mission [00:40:00] - Reducing Carbon Emissions for Enterprises [00:45:25] - Importance of Disclosing Greenhouse Gas Numbers Like the show? Subscribe to the BackScoop newsletter to stay updated with the latest news in Southeast Asian startups in minutes: https://www.backscoop.com/.Visit BackScoop's social media pages and show your support!BackScoop (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/company/backscoop/BackScoop (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BackScoopHQBackScoop (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/BackScoopBackScoop (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/backscoopVisit Amanda Cua's social media pages:Amanda (Linkedin): https://ph.linkedin.com/in/amanda-cuaAmanda (Twitter): https://twitter.com/HeyAmandaCuaVisit Grace Sai's social media pages:Grace (Linkedin): https://sg.linkedin.com/in/gracesaiGrace (Twitter): https://twitter.com/GraceSaiUnravel Carbon (Website): https://www.unravelcarbon.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meridith Cass, Nix Biosensors founder and CEONix is a startup company that is changing the way humans manage health by empowering consumers to access health information. Their first consumer product is a sweat patch that provides athletes with hydration data in real-time, helping them optimize safety and performance. Founder Meridith Cass is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College, where she received the Anna Pell Wheeler Prize in Mathematics, a Harvard Business School graduate, a Kauffman Fellow, and a Harvard Business School Blavatnik Fellow. Prior to starting Nix Biosensors, Cass worked with several Boston and New York based venture capital firms in the creation of seven life science and consumer portfolio companies, leveraging a venture creation model. She is a former collegiate basketball player-turned-runner and has run nine marathons including all of the World Majors. Cass is a staunch believer that truly disruptive innovation in healthcare will be driven by highly personalized data in the hands of the consumer, and that this model has the power to transform today's sick-care system into a practice of proactive health care.Follow us on Instagram:@business.of.fitness @feisty_media @mollyjhurford Feisty Media Website:https://livefeisty.com/ Support our Partners:

What are some more things you can learn? Have you been thinking about the ways you can top others, maybe improve things on their stuff? If you keep in your linear thought process, you will stay stuck.#RickJordan #Podcast We Meet:Episode References: Elon MuskPinterestFacebookSamsungiPhoneConnect:Connect with Rick: https://linktr.ee/mrrickjordanConnect with Guest: Universal Rate & Review: https://lovethepodcast.com/allinwithrickjordanSubscribe & Review to ALL IN with Rick Jordan on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RickJordanALLINAbout Guest: Randall is the COO of Phunware, a publicly-traded technology company in Austin, TX. Prior to Phunware, Randall led over 40 angel investments and deployed over $60M across 14 companies as a venture capitalist. Randall is a co-founder and Managing Partner at TEXO Ventures where he focused on tech-enabled health services and he is the sole founder and Managing Partner at Novē Ventures where he focuses on companies leveraging blockchain technology. Prior to venture capital, he led the Central Texas Angel Network to become one of the most active angel networks in the country. Randall also founded and launched Texas Venture Labs (TVL) at UT. Randall was a Captain in the US Army and is both Airborne and Ranger qualified. He served over six years on active duty and deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was awarded two Bronze Stars for actions during combat. Randall holds a BS from West Point and an MBA from McCombs. He is also a Kauffman Fellow and co-founder of The Crypto Watch and Watchers Eye, organizations dedicated to helping educate others on not only blockchain but also personal and professional development.

In the conversation with Courtney, we talk about her journey into the world of investing, starting as a Kauffman Fellow - to becoming an LP and now running Recast Capital, a platform supporting and investing in emerging managers in venture. We also learn more about their recent fellowship - for emerging VC investors. We hear Courtney's perspective on how the changing market environment is impacting growth of the VC industry. Finally, we talk about some hard facts on gender biases in this ecosystem, their root causes and how can they be changed.

Meridith Cass is CEO and Founder of Nix Biosensors, the game changing consumer hydration biosensor company responsible for pioneering a revolutionary biosensor and app that measures hydration levels in real-time from sweat amount to electrolyte loss. This innovation is sweeping the sports and endurance sports landscape as well as helping soldiers and laborers monitor their hydration needs and avoid the negative effects of dehydration. Meridith was just included on Inc.'s 2023 Female Founder 200 List, a group of leaders whose innovations and leadership are creating positive change in the world.  Meridith founded Nix with the mission to change the way we practice healthcare by providing new tools to help consumers access, understand, and act on their personal biology outside traditional settings of healthcare. We talk about Nix Biosensors, where the idea for the company and hydration biosensor began, the connection between sweat and electrolyte loss to athletic performance and how this varies for everyone, the many benefits and biometrics the Nix Hydration Biosenor has to offer and how the company is growing.  We talk about the exercise and wellness that fuel Meridith for success, what she is reading and watching in her spare time! Cass is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College, where she received the Anna Pell Wheeler Prize in Mathematics, a Harvard Business School graduate, a Kauffman Fellow, and a Harvard Business School Blavatnik Fellow. Prior to starting Nix, Cass worked with several Boston and New York based venture capital firms in the creation of seven life science and consumer portfolio companies, leveraging a venture creation model. She is a former collegiate basketball player-turned-runner and has run nine marathons including all of the World Majors. Cass is a staunch believer that truly disruptive innovation in healthcare will be driven by highly personalized data in the hands of the consumer, and that this model has the power to transform today's sick-care system into a practice of proactive health care. CONNECT Nix Biosesnsors on Instagram Marni On The Move Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, or YouTube Marni Salup on Instagram and Spotify SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER Sign up for our weekly newsletter, The Download, for Marni on the Move updates, exclusive offers, invites to events, and exciting news! SUPPORT THE PODCAST Leave us a review on Apple. It's easy, scroll through the episode list on your podcast app, click on five stars, click on leave a review, and share what you love about the conversations you're listening to. Tell your friends to what you love on social. Screenshot or share directly from our stories the episode you're listening to, tag us and the guests, and use our new Marni on the Move Giphy!

Can FOMO (fear of missing out) be a market opportunity? Sonia Weymuller realised many people were seeking ways to invest into tech startups and be a part of the startup buzz. Yet, there was no platform in the MENA region to do so.Sonia Weymuller is a Co-Founder and General Partner of VentureSouq (VSQ), a MENA-based venture capital firm, and Partner Lead for the VSQ Conscious Collective, its global impact-focused investment and educational platform.Topics we cover:building a venture capital firm like a startup,why relationships between investors and founders are like marriage,how to build an ideal capital table and treat your investors like a team of allies,why investors should create a safe space for founders to be open and vulnerable,how to make a choice between building a lifestyle business and a venture-backed startup.About Sonia Weymuller:Sonia Weymuller is a Co-Founder and General Partner of VentureSouq (VSQ), a MENA-based venture capital firm, and Partner Lead for the VSQ Conscious Collective, its global impact-focused investment and educational platform. She is driven by a mission to support founders harnessing the power of technology to address tangible societal, economic, and environmental challenges.Sonia is an advisor to Village Capital's Sustainability MENA Program and jury member for the Cartier Women's Initiative. She is also a board member for the Middle East Venture Capital Association, and a Kauffman Fellow.About Darya Kamkalova:Darya is a data industry professional, a startup mentor, and a speaker. She is committed to narrowing the gender investment gap for female founders and diverse teams. Darya is based in Berlin, Germany.Venturing Women website:https://www.venturingwomen.org/Follow us on social media:Instagram - LinkedIn

When your life starts off in a very specific way, sometimes it's hard to see how it was an advantage, when it feels like a disadvantage. It could be how you were grown up, your first job, or your first career choice you ended up changing. It taught you something and that's the most important lesson.#RickJordan #Podcast #LearningWe Meet: Randall Crowder, COO of PhunwareEpisode References: Randalls Grocery StoreStart up NationConnect:Connect with Rick: https://linktr.ee/mrrickjordanConnect with Randall: https://www.instagram.com/randallcrowderUniversal Rate & Review: https://lovethepodcast.com/allinwithrickjordanSubscribe & Review to ALL IN with Rick Jordan on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RickJordanALLINAbout Randall: Randall is the COO of Phunware, a publicly-traded technology company in Austin, TX. Prior to Phunware, Randall led over 40 angel investments and deployed over $60M across 14 companies as a venture capitalist. Randall is a co-founder and Managing Partner at TEXO Ventures where he focused on tech-enabled health services and he is the sole founder and Managing Partner at Novē Ventures where he focuses on companies leveraging blockchain technology. Prior to venture capital, he led the Central Texas Angel Network to become one of the most active angel networks in the country. Randall also founded and launched Texas Venture Labs (TVL) at UT. Randall was a Captain in the US Army and is both Airborne and Ranger qualified. He served over six years on active duty and deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was awarded two Bronze Stars for actions during combat. Randall holds a BS from West Point and an MBA from McCombs. He is also a Kauffman Fellow and co-founder of The Crypto Watch and Watchers Eye, organizations dedicated to helping educate others on not only blockchain but also personal and professional development.

Rabeel is the Founder and CEO of Sarmayacar, an early stage VC firm focused on Pakistan. He serves on the boards of a number of Sarmayacar investee companies including Bykea, OneLoad, Revolving Games amongst others. He is also the first Pakistan focused Kauffman Fellow. After graduating from MIT, Rabeel gained his professional experience in London where he initially worked in Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley and then followed it up with Private Equity experience at GIC, Singapore's Sovereign Wealth Fund. Sarmayacar: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sarm... Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sarmayacar Rabeel Warraich: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rabeel-wa... Twitter: https://twitter.com/RabeelWarraich/ 00:00 Responding to Venture investment pitches 03:00 Entrepreneurship and assessing them 06:13 Investment in Petari by Sarmayacar 08:08 Music as a vital part of our tradition 10:25 Synopsis of E-commerce and Venture Funds in Pakistan 14:02 Targeting scalable opportunities 15:10 Petari-Evolution and limitations 21:00 Maintaining users at Petari 22:15 Petari in Global perspective 23:57 How does Sarmayacar guide the entrepreneurs funded? 26:10 Challenges for Procheck, funded by Sarmayacar 28:00 Regulatory authorities in Pakistan 30:20 ABHI finance, proposition and funding 33:13 Success story of SIMPAISA by Sarmayacar 37:35 Exiting from the investment funding 38:20 Primary and secondary capital 40:55 Analyzing food delivery service economics-unit economics 43:45 Grocery buying online vs from stores in Pakistan 47:25 Models of Uber and Kareem 50:01 Entrance of BYKEA 52:05 Concept of In-Drive 54:00 Elevated risk analysis by VCs 55:25 Corporate giants vs specialized/personalized services 1:00:29 “Human Effort carries a premium” says Rabeel 1:04:38 Role of Belief and Faith in the system 1:07:06 Future plans of Sarmayacar 1:10:00 Emergence of Venture capital Globally and locally 1:10:40 Contacting Sarmayacar 1:12:25 An International partner in Sarmayacar 1:14:18 Thank you to and end note by Rabeel

In today's episode, I chat with Saad Siddiqui, a General Partner at Telstra Ventures, a San Francisco-based VC firm that incorporates data science and quantitative analysis of non-financial data into its diverse investing criteria.Saad started his career as an investment banker at RBC Capital Markets, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and previously served as an executive at Informatica and Cisco. Today alongside his work at Telstra, Saad is also an investor in HR Tech companies like Certn, Spekit, and Forage. Which makes him a particularly interesting person to speak with about a number of topics we're passionate about on this show. From remote / hybrid / fluid work, the latest HR tech trends, to what's on the mind of business executives considering digital transformations today - Saad has a wealth of experience that's on full display here.We also chatted about the role of technology in fueling fluidity, how data affords visibility, and how he spots start-ups in the HR technology space worthy of investment. As you can hear, it was a wide-ranging interview covering a number of topics. It's something I want to do more of in 2023 - bring on a wider array of guests from different backgrounds to advance a discussion that ultimately affects us all. I had a lot of fun chatting with Saad, and hope you enjoy our conversation, as much as I did recording it.Saad SiddiquiSaad Siddiqui is General Partner at Telstra Ventures, a San Francisco-based VC firm that incorporates data science and quantitative analysis of non-financial data into its mix of investing criteria. He's an investor in HR Tech companies like Certn, Spekit, and Forage. Saad is a Kauffman Fellow and also previously served as an executive at Informatica and Cisco. He started his career as an investment banker at RBC Capital Markets, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.LinkedInThinking Inside the BoxConstraints drive innovation. We tackle the most complex issues related to work & culture. And if you enjoy the work we're doing here, consider giving us a 5-star rating, leaving a comment & subscribing. It ensures you get updated whenever we release new content & really helps amplify our message.LinkedInInstagramTwitterWebsiteApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotifyStitcherPocket CastMatt BurnsMatt Burns is an award-winning executive, social entrepreneur and speaker. He believes in the power of community, simplicity & technology.LinkedInTwitter

In this episode you will learn:How did Puiyan break into the VC industry despite having an engineering background?According to Puiyan, should a startup founder engage with a big corporation as their initial customer or should he/she go after the SMB & Mid-Market segment?What are the core values of Vertex Ventures?What does it take to raise a Series A?How do Vertex Ventures assess Series A startups? How do they go about evaluating the founding team?Does it make sense for startups to raise as much funds as possible in series A? What are some downsides of doing this? The creator economy is on a boom, but at the same time, there are very few creators creating sustainable businesses. Will the creator economy expand, and sustain at the same time?What are the opportunities that Puiyan sees in the creator economy?What is climate tech and how do VCs look at it?AboutPuiyan Leung serves as Partner, Investment in Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India, and focuses on opportunities in Southeast Asia. Prior to joining Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India, Pui Yan was an Investment Director at Singtel Innov8, the CVC arm of Singtel.  Prior to that, she assumed a range of operating roles, including Business Development, Product Marketing, and Strategy. Pui Yan is a Kauffman Fellow and graduated with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Degree from the National University of Singapore. 

Randall is passionate about new venture creation and the innovative spirit that fuels entrepreneurs and advances in technology. As an active investor and entrepreneur, he understands what it takes to successfully launch and grow a new business. He regularly publishes articles and speaks on entrepreneurship, venture capital, healthcare and the rise of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.Over the past decade, Randall has led over 40 angel investments and deployed over $60M across 14 companies as a venture capitalist. Randall is a co-founder and Managing Partner at TEXO Ventures where he focused on tech-enabled health services and he is the sole founder and Managing Partner at Novē Ventures where he focuses on investing in existing companies looking to leverage blockchain technology. Prior to TEXO, he led the Central Texas Angel Network (CTAN) to becoming one of the most active angel networks in the country. Randall also founded and launched Texas Venture Labs (TVL) at UT in order to give the next generation of investors unique experiential learning opportunities outside of the classroom.Before getting involved in venture and entrepreneurship, Randall was a Captain in the United States Army and is both Airborne and Ranger qualified. He served over six years active duty and deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was awarded two Bronze Stars for his actions during combat operations.Randall holds a BS from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from the McCombs School of Business. He is also a Kauffman Fellow and member of the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC).

North Korean women are entrepreneurs.Not the first thing you might think of, but a reality that STIMY's latest guest - Geoffrey See - knows very well.So who is Geoffrey See?Here's a quick run down

In this podcast we cover: 1. Personal experience and reflections from being a caregiver 2. Understanding the survival early-stage oncology investing ecosystem 3. Emerging themes and trends in oncology innovation and patient care About our guest: Mark Mendel is the Managing Director of Mendel Consulting LLC. They advise fund managers and scientific and technical founders, and guide company-building and fundraising activities at multiple start-ups. Prior to this, he was a Venture Partner at Artio Medical and Director at Intellectual Ventures. Mark served as managing director of RiverVest Venture Partners, which he co-founded. Before RiverVest, Mark was a vice president with ARCH Venture Partners. During his four-year tenure there, he established the firm's New York City operations, co-led the seed financing at Optobionics and served as board observer at Optobionics and GenVec. He has also been a Kauffman Fellow. Mark holds PhD. in Bioengineering from University of Pennsylvania. Key Insights: At 9 minutes and 5 seconds I would say to the listeners, just substitute the person's judgement - the one who's struggling - and do what they want. Doesn't matter, whatever it is you think. At 24 minutes and 30 seconds But you can break that balkanization that there's your family, caregivers, people in your life previously who are caregivers. At 29 minutes and 32 seconds I think one of the rules that makes it a safe place for investment has been, that if you ultimately can develop a therapeutic benefit for patients, it's going to be a winner, and the details that don't matter very much. At 47 minutes at 50 seconds There's a lot of interest in seeing how to use nutrition to help with cancer therapy. There's hints of efficacy that are very promising. Now how you go from there to developing a therapy thing is a really important question that I find very interesting. Disclaimer: This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/manta-cares/support

Justin Gordon (justingordon212) talks with Marlon Nichols (@MarlonCNichols), the founding managing partner at MaC Venture Capital, a seed-stage venture capital firm that invests in visionary founders building the future that the world wants to see, and helping entrepreneurs bring the future into focus to find their breakthrough moment. MaC Venture Capital is the result of the merger between successful Los Angeles and Bay Area based Seed funds, Cross Culture Ventures and M Ventures. They are focused on finding ideas, technology, and products that can become infectious, investing in technology companies that benefit from shifts in cultural trends and behaviors in an increasingly diverse global marketplace. They recently raised their $203M Fund II.Marlon is a Kauffman Fellow who also serves on the Board of Directors. Prior to MaC Venture Capital, Marlon was founder of Cross Culture Ventures and served as Investment Director at Intel Capital. Marlon has an extensive background in technology, private equity, media and entertainment. His unique eye for global and cultural trends, along with shifts in consumer behavior, has helped him uplift and accelerate entrepreneurs and companies that are on the verge of their breakthrough moment. Some of his current and previous portfolio companies include Blavity, Gimlet Media, LISNR, Mayvenn, MongoDB, PlayVS, Pipe, Thrive Market and Wonderschool, among others.Marlon was recently honored as a member of the 2022 class of the LA500 list and as a top early stage investor on Insider's 2022 Seed 100 list. Additionally, he is the recipient of MVMT50's SXSW 2018 Innovator of the Year award, Digital Diversity's Innovation & Inclusion Change Agent award and was a TechWeek 100 winner. He was named Pitchbook's 25 Black Founders and VCs to Watch in 2018, 2019 and 2020, and one of Silicon Republic's 26 VC professionals spearheading change. Marlon has been featured on TechCrunch, Fortune, Cheddar, MSNBC, Blavity and NBC, and is adjunct faculty in entrepreneurship and venture capital at the SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University.Website: MaC Venture CapitalLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marloncnichols/Twitter: @MarlonCNicholsMarlon on the Just Go Grind Podcast in March 2021: Episode #285 on JGGShow Notes: What enabled MaC Venture Capital to double their first raise, closing a $203M Fund II The value of a strong reserves strategy MaC Venture Capital's investment in Pipe, which transforms recurring revenue into up-front capital for growth without dilution or restrictive debt The story behind MaC Venture Capital's investment in Truebill, now Rocket Money (check out Co-Founder Haroon Mokhtarzada's episode on the Just Go Grind podcast) What makes a stellar founder How they ended up investing in Mahmee and what makes their founder Melissa Hanna such an investable founder Where Marlon is excited to invest next How Marlon educates himself on new geographies and markets Marlon's perspective on investing in the current market downturn More about the show:The Vitalize Podcast, a show by Vitalize Venture Capital (a seed-stage venture capital firm and pre-seed 400+ member angel community open to everyone), dives deep into the world of startup investing and the future of work.Hosted by Justin Gordon, the Director of Marketing at Vitalize Venture Capital, The Vitalize Podcast includes two main series. The Angel Investing series features interviews with a variety of angel investors and VCs around the world. The goal? To help develop the next generation of amazing investors. The Future of Work series takes a look at the founders and investors shaping the new world of work, including insights from our team here at Vitalize Venture Capital. More about us:Vitalize Venture Capital was formed in 2017 as a $16M seed-stage venture fund and now includes both a fund as well as an angel investing community investing in the future of work. Vitalize has offices in Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.The Vitalize Team:Gale - https://twitter.com/galeforceVCCaroline - https://twitter.com/carolinecasson_Justin - https://twitter.com/justingordon212Vitalize Angels, our angel investing community open to everyone:https://vitalize.vc/vitalizeangels/

Welcome back to Season 2, Episode 181 of the Asian Hustle Network Podcast! We are very excited to have James Vuong on this week's show. We interview Asian entrepreneurs around the world to amplify their voices and empower Asians to pursue their dreams and goals. We believe that each person has a message and a unique story from their entrepreneurial journey that they can share with all of us. Check us out on Anchor, iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, TuneIn, Spotify, and more. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a positive 5-star review. This is our opportunity to use the voices of the Asian community and share these incredible stories with the world. We release a new episode every Wednesday and Saturday, so stay tuned! James is a serial tech entrepreneur, angel investor, and former VC. He has broad experience ranging from engineering to building products, from investing to founding startups, and from Silicon Valley to SE Asia. James is currently the founder and CEO of Infina.vn, the leading investment and wealth management app in Vietnam, backed by Sequoia, Y Combinator, and many reputable global VCs. Prior to Infina, James was CEO of Lana group, a digital media startup acquired by LINE Corp, the listed Japanese chat app. Prior to that, James was a VC at IDG Ventures, Vietnam's first VC fund with $100M USD. James was a Kauffman Fellow (the first in SE Asia) selected by the Kauffman Foundation in the US in 2008. Prior to coming back to Asia, James held positions as product director and tech lead (in chip logic design) in different companies in Silicon Valley. He received his MBA from Berkeley Haas School of Business in 2006 and BS in EECS at UC Berkeley in 1997. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/asianhustlenetwork/support

ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. In this episode, Amanda Hsieh talks with Juliana Garaizar, Head of Houston Incubator and VP of Innovation for Greentown Labs. Juliana is a Board Member of the Angel Capital Association and the Lead Investor of the Portfolia Rising America Fund, which invests in BIPOC and LGTBQ founders, Portfolia Consumer, and Rising Tide Funds. She is an active Advisory Board Member of the Houston Diversity Fund, Investors of Color Network, Latin Startup Alliance, and Impulse4women. As a Kauffman Fellow experienced in bridging the gender gap in investing, she is a vital part of the City of Houston's Women Commission. Juliana holds an MBA from the London Business School and Haas School of Business, Berkeley, specializing in Entrepreneurship. Listen as Amanda and Juliana discuss how Greentown Labs, the largest climate tech startup Incubator in North America, is driving innovative solutions for climate change, emerging trends, and their intentional efforts to create positive impacts for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Make sure to subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite streaming platforms and our new YouTube Channel so that you're notified of our vodcast episodes! Don't forget to connect with us on our social media channels. Enjoy this episode! Interested in being a guest on the podcast? For consideration and scheduling, please fill out this form. Resource Links Greentown Labs Website: https://greentownlabs.com/ Houston Angel Network: https://www.houstonangelnetwork.org/ Portfolia.co: https://www.portfolia.co/

Justin Gordon (@justingordon212) talks with Shayna Harris (@mamashayna) and Noramay Cadena (@noramayc), co-founders and managing partners at Supply Change Capital, a VC firm that believes in a future of food that is sustainability-mindful, supply chain efficient, better for you, and culture rich. They invest at the intersection of food, culture, and technology to catalyze early stage sustainable businesses that modernize the food system.Noramay Cadena is an aerospace engineer turned investor whose professional career has spanned a diverse range of operating and investing environments, from early-stage startups to Fortune 50 companies. She previously launched MiLA Capital, an early stage fund that invested in over 20 manufacturing and supply chain companies. She also leads investments for Portfolia's Rising America Fund, a micro fund investing in Latinx, Black and LGBTQIA founders. She serves on the advisory board of the Homeboy Industries Ventures and Jobs Fund, and as a founding board member of Latinx VC, an organization increasing the Latino ecosystem of funders and founders. She was appointed to the board of the Housing Authority Commission of Los Angeles (second largest housing authority in the nation) by the Los Angeles Mayor. In 2020, she was named one of 50 renowned women in robotics, one of 10 Latinas making waves in venture capital, and one of the top 100 influential Latinas in the United States. She's a Kauffman Fellow and holds a MBA, a Master's in Engineering Systems and a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering – all from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She's also a Director Member of the Latino Corporate Directors Association (LCDA).Shayna Harris brings an insider's eye to the industry, from architecting the 21st-century chocolate supply chain at Mars to building the groundbreaking food tech company Farmer's Fridge. She advises Fortune 100 companies and startups on navigating the fast-changing food terrain, and writes for Forbes. She has spent her career at the intersection of food, sustainability, and innovation. She's driven by a deep personal belief that food is a human right, and it should have a positive impact on all it touches. She cares to connect with people in authentic and personal ways; spanning from the farmers that she lived with and learned from in southern Mexico, Brazil, and Cote d'Ivoire, to the board rooms of Mars, Oxfam, and Farmer's Fridge. She's also a builder – she has never taken a role with a job description. Website: Supply Change CapitalLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/noramay/ and linkedin.com/in/shaynaharris/Twitter: @noramayc and @mamashaynaShow Notes: How both Shayna and Noramay ended up in the VC industry Supply Change Capital's origin story How Noramay and Shayna came to develop Supply Change Capital's investment thesis at the intersection of culture and climate in the future of food Their fundraising journey and storytelling around their thesis What differentiates Supply Change Capital The FOODS framework for evaluating founders Their Supercharge III post-investment support program in partnership with Verde Associates Their favorite up and coming food trends Some of Supply Change Capital's most interesting investments: Aqua Cultured Foods and Hyfé Foods How Shayna and Noramay stay educated in the rapidly changing future of food market How Shayna and Noramay protect their time as VCs How they've approached building out the Supply Change Capital team More about the show:The Vitalize Podcast, a show by Vitalize Venture Capital (a seed-stage venture capital firm and pre-seed 300+ member angel community open to everyone), dives deep into the world of startup investing and the future of work.Hosted by Justin Gordon, the Director of Marketing at Vitalize Venture Capital, The Vitalize Podcast includes two main series. The Angel Investing series features interviews with a variety of angel investors and VCs around the world. The goal? To help develop the next generation of amazing investors. The Future of Work series takes a look at the founders and investors shaping the new world of work, including insights from our team here at Vitalize Venture Capital. More about us:Vitalize Venture Capital was formed in 2017 as a $16M seed-stage venture fund and now includes both a fund as well as an angel investing community investing in the future of work. Vitalize has offices in Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.The Vitalize Team:Gale - https://twitter.com/galeforceVCCaroline - https://twitter.com/carolinecasson_Justin - https://twitter.com/justingordon212Vitalize Angels, our angel investing community open to everyone:https://vitalize.vc/vitalizeangels/

Topics covered: Finding founders through thesis-driven investing Spotting resilient founders- are they building because this product needs to exist What this new market means for deal pacing Driving value add for portfolio companies The talent recruiting landscape Building your brand in venture About Meera: I'm an early stage investor at Redpoint Ventures passionate about empowering consumers to live their best lives -- be it personally or professionally. Forbes 30 Under 30. Business Insider 55 Investors to Watch. Venture Forward Women in VC: Rising Stars to Watch. American Banker Powerful Women of the Future. All honors that pale in comparison to the privilege of backing founders focused on building a better tomorrow. Related Rabbit Holes: All Raise Annual Summit Steering Committee, Stanford Professionals in Finance Board Director, Kauffman Fellow, and fan girl / daughter to a badass working mom :) Tweets: https://www.twitter.com/itsmeeraclark Musings: https://meeraclark.medium.com/

Jenny Fielding is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at The Fund, a global founder community and pre-seed venture capital fund that has invested in over 200 companies. Previously, Jenny spent 7.5 years as the Managing Director at Techstars where she was the first check into a portfolio of companies with a current market cap of over $12 Billion. Jenny is a 2x founder, recovering lawyer, Kauffman Fellow and adjunct professor at Columbia University.

Marlon Nichols is the founding managing partner at MaC Venture Capital, a seed-stage venture capital firm that invests in visionary founders building the future that the world wants to see.Marlon is a Kauffman Fellow who also serves on the Board of Directors. Prior to MaC Venture Capital, Marlon was founder of Cross Culture Ventures and served as Investment Director at Intel Capital. Marlon has an extensive background in technology, private equity, media and entertainment. His unique eye for global and cultural trends, along with shifts in consumer behavior, has helped him uplift and accelerate entrepreneurs and companies that are on the verge of their breakthrough moment. Some of his current and previous portfolio companies include Blavity, Gimlet Media, LISNR, Mayvenn, MongoDB, PlayVS, Pipe, Thrive Market and Wonderschool, among others.Marlon is the recipient of MVMT50's SXSW 2018 Innovator of the Year award, Digital Diversity's Innovation & Inclusion Change Agent award and was a TechWeek 100 winner. He was named Pitchbook's 25 Black Founders and VCs to Watch in 2018, 2019 and 2020, and one of Silicon Republic's 26 VC professionals spearheading change. He's been featured on TechCrunch, Fortune, Cheddar, MSNBC, Blavity and NBC, and is adjunct faculty in entrepreneurship and venture capital at the SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University.https://macventurecapital.com

Patrick sat down with Laura Constantini, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of leading early stage firm Astella. She is a Kauffman Fellow, Class 2021. On the show, Laura takes us on her unique journey from starting as a research analyst in the financial sector in Brazil, to M&A and subsequently founding Astella together with Edson Rigonatti. On the show you will learn about Betting on the horse or the jockeyBuilding a VC firm from zeroAttracting LPs for your fund through consistency and transparency The mindset shift from M&A, public markets to VCMercenary entrepreneurs vs. Mission driven entrepreneur You can find Laura on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out Astella's Podcast, "Astella around the world" hereIf you enjoy the show, it would be fantastic if you could give us a rating on Apple Podcasts. 

Juliana Garaizar is the Head of Houston Incubator and VP of Innovation for Greentown Labs. A Board Member of the Angel Capital Association, Juliana is a Lead Investor of the Portfolia Rising America Fund that invests in BIPOC and LGTBQ founders, as well as the Portfolia Consumer and Rising Tide Funds. She is also an Advisory Board Member of the University of Houston Cougar Venture Fund, the Houston Diversity Fund, the Investors of Color network and Impulse4women. Juliana is a Kauffman Fellow, and received MBAs from the London Business School and Haas School of Business in Berkeley, specializing in Entrepreneurship.In this conversation, Mosby and Juliana do a deep dive into entrepreneurship, climate tech, the energy transition, and Houston's place at the intersection of these threads. Juliana talks about being from the Basque Region in Spain, her father's adventures travelling around the world, her early studies in France, and how those experiences have informed her life.  Juliana discusses her time in Singapore working first as an International Trade Consultant for the Trade Commission of Spain and then for Citigroup where she started thinking about going to business school.  Mosby asks Juliana about her mission in Houston, what Greentown Labs—an incubator for climatetech start-up companies—offers the city, and what the city offers the world.  They discuss why entrepreneurs might be the most important key in navigating climate change. 

Lindsay Knight manages CV's Platform, or the firm's “post-investment” team. She works directly with the firm's 50+ active portfolio companies on matchmaking talent; connecting into customers; marketing, communication and PR; and building community, content, and events to help scale up and skill up more efficiently. She's also a Kauffman Fellow, Class 23.Prior to joining Chicago Ventures, Lindsay spent time at Ocean Tomo, an intellectual property merchant bank, where she was part of the team that launched the industry's first live patent auctions. She later joined CHOUmedia as Vice President, where she worked with clients in the IP industry on marketing strategy and execution.We discussed:-Her early career in Marketing and Comms-The Platform Model in VC-Her daily workstreams at Chicago Ventures-Founding Chicago:BlendIn 2018, Lindsay launched the non-profit Chicago:Blend, a collaborative effort of venture capitalists in Chicago who know that diverse teams and inclusive environments are critical foundations for both the startups we invest in and our own venture firms. She's a former Chair of the VC Platform Global Community and serves on the Governing Board at Lookingglass Theatre, a Tony-award winning theatre that focuses on the spectacular and the physical. She graduated from the Miami University Honors Program with degrees in English/Journalism and Strategic Communication.

This episode will answer:Why is Adrian drawn to developing markets like China and Indonesia? What role does technology play here?What motivated Adrian to develop Idapted, a one-on-one English test preparation platform for Chinese students? What were some of the challenges he faced in the process?What is Adrian's science of hiring, and what inspires it?Why does Adrian refer to himself as a “Venturepreneur”?What is AC Academy? How does AC Ventures aim to  educate entrepreneurs through it?Why doesn't Adrian endorse the Chinese 996 work culture?What is Adrian's Barbell Strategy to achieve work-life balance?How does Adrian compare a triathlon with the evolution of a startup? What are the ways to reach the finishing line?What is Adrian's perception of the Indonesian tech startup ecosystem, its qualities, and shortcomings?AboutAdrian Li is Founder and Managing Partner at AC Ventures, a merged fund between Agaeti Ventures and Convergence Ventures. ACV is an early stage Indonesia focused technology venture capital fund. ACV manages 3 funds with a portfolio of over 80 businesses. Some of their noteworthy investments include Payfazz, Koinworks, Julo, Carsome and M17. Previously, Adrian has also been the co-founder of several ventures in Indonesia and China. Adrian's 1st Internet venture was Idapted where as CEO & cofounder he raised 2 rounds of venture financing and led the company to be the largest live one-on-one online English test preparation service  in China. Adrian is also passionate about non-profit work. He founded and chairs a UK Charity called CNYTrust, which supports children in rural China to continue schooling. He is a business mentor at several organisations including Endeavour, Founders Institute and Antler. He has served on the board of Entrepreneurs Organisation in several roles including Beijing Chapter President and Regional Communications Director. He is also a member of Young Presidents Organisation (YPO) in Indonesia. Being a master of several trades, Adrian is also a sponsored endurance athlete, ranked in top 5% in his age group for Ironman 70.3 distances. He has completed several marathons in New York, London, Tokyo and Beijing & triathlons including a full Ironman. Adrian graduated from Cambridge University with a BA and MA in Economics and MBA from Stanford while studying in the dual degree MBA & Education MA program. He is currently enrolled in the Tsinghua OBOR EMBA program. Additionally, he is a Kauffman Fellow in Class of ‘21. He speaks Mandarin and English fluently and is proficient in Cantonese and basic Bahasa.

“As a Kauffman Fellow, I'm honored to co-produce season two of the podcast," says Mighty Capital Managing Partner SC Moatti. In addition to founding Mighty, she's the Founding CEO of Products that Count, the largest and most influential network of product managers (300k and growing) in the world. To kick off the season, Kauffman Fellows CEO, Jeff Harbach, sat down with SC to discuss what to expect this season. “Mighty Capital invests in the best products, and I believe this show is one of them,” says SC.

Justin Fishner-Wolfson is a founder and the managing partner of 137 Ventures, a growth-stage venture firm founded in San Francisco in 2011. The firm has seen five portfolio companies go public since September 2020: Palantir, Airbnb, Wish, Coupang and Didi. Its largest private portfolio companies include SpaceX, Flexport, Gusto, Workrise (formerly known as RigUp) and Curology. Prior to co-founding 137 Ventures, Justin worked on the investment team at Founders Fund. He was also selected as a Kauffman Fellow, a program responsible for the development of leaders in global innovation and the venture capital industry. Justin graduated from Stanford University with honors, received a BS in Management Science and Engineering, a MS in Computer Science, and was a Mayfield Fellow.—————————————————————— Registration for SALT New York is now open! Join us September 13-15, 2021 and sign up at https://register.salt.org/event/411f76d9-c215-4719-9bc4-8dfac6cfacdd/summaryWatch this video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SALTTube/videosFor podcast transcripts and show notes, visit https://www.salt.org/Moderated by Anthony Scaramucci. Developed, created and produced by SALT Venture Group, LLC. 

This episode of The Crexi Podcast covers how to be intentionally inclusive in VC and CRE investments with Slauson & Co partner Austin Clements.The Crexi Podcast explores various aspects of the commercial real estate industry in conversation with top CRE professionals. In each episode, we feature different guests, tapping into their wealth of expertise and exploring the latest trends in the world of commercial real estate. In this episode, Crexi's Ashley Kobovitch sits down with Austin to explore intentional inclusivity in VC investments, Austin's current work with Slauson & Co. and nonprofit Grid 110, and what he sees as key markers of future success in entrepreneurs. Their wide-ranging conversation covers:The difference between “missionary” and “mercenary” start-up founders, examples of each. and the ethos and skills found in both typesThe importance of mentorship for both mentor and apprentice, and how you cultivate that relationship no matter where you are in your career path.The importance of investing and working from life experience, as well as identifying out-of-the-box success markers. How we're in the early innings of inclusive investing and why a diversity of backgrounds is essential to the future of venture capitalAnd much more!If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our newsletter to receive the next one delivered straight to your inbox. For show notes, past guests, and more CRE content, please check out Crexi Insights.Ready to find your next CRE property? Visit Crexi and start browsing hundreds of thousands of available commercial properties.Follow Crexi:https://www.crexi.com/​ https://www.crexi.com/instagram​ https://www.crexi.com/facebook​ https://www.crexi.com/twitter​ https://www.crexi.com/linkedin​ https://www.youtube.com/crexiAbout Austin Clements:Austin is the founder of and Partner at Slauson & Co., a venture capital firm that focuses on economic inclusion. Before forming Slauson & Co. in 2020, Austin was a Principal at TenOneTen Ventures, where he played a role investing in 50+ companies across two funds, primarily focused on B2B and SaaS. These companies included Ordermark, Crexi, Emotive, Second Spectrum, and Daily. Austin is mainly focused on investing in tools and platforms that support small businesses.A champion of inclusion in the LA tech ecosystem, Austin is a founding Chairman for PledgeLA, a city-wide initiative that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in Tech. In addition, he actively supports the expansion of nonprofit accelerator Grid110, a mission-focused organization clearing pathways to success for early-stage entrepreneurs of all backgrounds.Austin is a graduate of Morehouse College, holds an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business, and is currently a Kauffman Fellow.

On this episode host Patrick Alex sat down with leading investor Alexandre (Alex) Lazarow, author of "Out-innovate" and Partner at leading fund Cathay Capital to talk about his vision for emerging ecosystems, his book, how to best add value to entrepreneurs, the opportunities SPACs provide for young ecosystems and last but not least the importance of cross-pollination between ecosystems. On this episode you will learn: Alex's journey into VC That ecosystems outside Silicon Valley, no matter in which country, actually have more in common than one might think and cross-pollination plays a crucial role to take full advantage of thisEmerging markets ecosystems are unique in that entrepreneurs are not disruptors in the classic sense, but creators of new industries and serving new customer segmentsWhy exits are important to get the multiplier effect kicking in and how SPACs could help The difference between camels and unicorns and why camels are more adequate for emerging ecosystems How to add value as a VC and find your product-market fitYou can subscribe to Alex's newsletter 99% Tech covering stories of entrepreneurship outside Silicon Valley here, his book can be found at your local book store or on Amazon here. We also invite you to follow Alex on Medium for more content on emerging markets tech. More on Alex's biography below: Alex is a Partner of Cathay Innovation's San Francisco office. He is also an Adjunct Professor with the Middlebury Institute for International Studies MBA program, where he teaches entrepreneurship.  Previously, Alex was with Omidyar Network, a global early stage investing platform, founded by Pierre & Pam Omidyar (founder of eBay), with over $1 billion AUM, and offices across North America, South America, Africa, Europe, India and South East Asia. Alex also has experience in strategy consulting with McKinsey & Co., financial regulation with the Bank of Canada, and M&A investment banking with the Royal Bank of Canada. He is a Kauffman Fellow, CFA Charterholder, and CFR Term Member. He earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.Comm from the University of Manitoba.If you enjoy the show, it would be fantastic if you could give us a rating on Apple Podcasts. 

In celebration of our Rogue Women on March 25th @ 12 EST we want to go back to the origin, to where the Rogue Women event series started to Caroline Lewis – Partner at Rogue Ventures, Managing Partner of Rogue Women's Fund, and Kauffman Fellow. We talk about being fiercely female and always rogue. Caroline shares why investing in women is good business and how we can build our innovation muscles to change the world. Please enjoy.

Alexandre (Alex) Lazarow has spent his career working at the intersection of investing, innovation, and economic development in the private, public, and social sectors. He is the author of Out-Innovate: How Global Entrepreneurs - from Delhi to Detroit - Are Rewriting the Rules of Silicon Valley (HBR Press). Alex is a venture capitalist with Cathay Innovation, a global firm that invests across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. Previously, Alex worked with Omidyar Network, a philanthropic investment firm that has invested over a billion dollars in hundreds of startups around the world. He has served as a strategy consultant with McKinsey & Company, a financial regulator with the Bank of Canada, and an M&A investment banker with the Royal Bank of Canada. Alex is an adjunct professor specializing in impact investment and entrepreneurship at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. He is a Kauffman Fellow, CFA Charterholder, and a Stephen M. Kellen Term Member at the Council on Foreign Relations. He earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.Comm from the University of Manitoba. Alex is a regular columnist with Forbes, and his writing has been featured in the Financial Times, Harvard Business Review, McKinsey Quarterly, Entrepreneur Magazine, TechCrunch, Fast Company, VentureBeat, Business Insider, and Quartz , among others. He speaks regularly on global innovation trends and has presented at Collision, Endeavor, InsureTech Connect, the Social Innovation Summit, SOCAP, and the Corporate Venture Capital Summit. He is most proud of having once been called a ‘sad, low budget Ryan Reynolds' on Twitter. “ I believe that some of these businesses in this impact world are building not just fabulous business models, but something that has impact aligned with it. And as they scale they will scale to their impact as well.” - Alex LazarowAlex joins me today to discuss his background in impact investing with the Omidyar group. We discuss financial ecosystems around the world and how they differ from the changing ecosystem in Silicon Valley. Alex shares some advice for people seeking investment and with those who want to become an investor. Alex shares his secret to getting fifteen minutes with a venture capitalist.Today on Startups for Good we cover:Frontier EcosystemsGlobal Financial Inclusion InvestingA camel as an example rather than a unicornBlitz Scaling How to develop a team in a frontier marketMulti Mission AthletesConnect with Alex on his website or on LinkedIn or TwitterYou can purchase Alex's book Out Innovate on Amazon or like Alex suggested your local bookstore. The authors that Alex suggested: Brad Feld and Bill Draper Startup GameSubscribe, Rate & Share Your Favorite Episodes!Thanks for tuning into today's episode of...

We discussed: 1. How global entrepreneurs are: - Creators rather than disruptors - Weave sustainability and resilience into the business model from the start - Are Born Global and Distributed 2. Why their lessons are more valuable than ever Alex Lazarow has spent his career working at the intersection of investing, innovation, and economic development in the private, public, and social sectors. He just published, Out-Innovate: How Global Entrepreneurs - from Delhi to Detroit - Are Rewriting the Rules of Silicon Valley (Amazon). He is a venture capitalist with Cathay Innovation, a global firm that invests across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. Previously, Alex worked with Omidyar Network, a philanthropic investment firm that has invested over a billion dollars in hundreds of startups around the world. He has served as a strategy consultant with McKinsey & Company, a financial regulator with the Bank of Canada, and an M&A investment banker with the Royal Bank of Canada. Alex is an adjunct professor specializing in impact investment and entrepreneurship at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. He is a Kauffman Fellow, CFA Charterholder, and a Stephen M. Kellen Term Member at the Council on Foreign Relations. He earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.Comm from the University of Manitoba. Alex is a regular columnist with Forbes, and his writing has been featured in the Financial Times, Harvard Business Review, McKinsey Quarterly, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, Business Insider, and Insurance CIO Outlook magazine, among others. He speaks regularly on global innovation trends and has presented at Collision, Endeavor, InsureTech Connect, Harvard Business School, the Social Innovation Summit, SOCAP, and the Corporate Venture Capital Summit.

I'm delighted to kick off the podcast with Aniko Szigetvari and Ik Kanu.Aniko and Ik are the founding partners of Atlantica Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on six of the largest markets in Sub-Saharan Africa.Aniko has over 20 years of experience investing in emerging markets, of which over 17 have been focused on the technology, media and telecom vertical. Aniko has been investing in Africa for the past 15 years and she has built up a wide range of contacts across the continent and other emerging markets. Prior to starting Atlantica Ventures (‘AV') Aniko was the Global Head of the TMT group at the International Finance Corporation, where she managed a team of ~50 professionals who sat in eight regional hubs from Colombia to Singapore.Ik has over 10 years of African private equity experience, with an additional nine years working in technology and consulting in the United States. Prior to starting AV, Ik was a principal at Convergence Partners — an Africa-focused TMT fund — and before that he spent five years with Helios Investment Partners. At both PE funds, Ik was seconded to portfolio companies into temporary operational management positions where he troubleshot issues across different stages — from growth to turnaround. Ik is a Class 23 Kauffman Fellow, one of the world's premier innovation, leadership, and venture capital-focused programs.In our discussion, we talk about why Aniko and Ik decided to team up to found a venture capital firm, whether the continent is ready for institutional VC investments, how Africa compares to other emerging markets, and how Covid-19 is impacting the startup landscape in their target markets.I hope you enjoy our conversation.This podcast was recorded in April 2020.

Alex Lazarow is the Investment Director at Cathay Innovation. Prior to joining Cathay Innovation, Alex was a Principal at Omidyar Network, a global philanthropic investment firm. While at Omidyar, he focused on investments in the global FinTech and financial inclusion space across the U.S., Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.He is also an adjunct professor specializing in impact investment and entrepreneurship at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. He is a Kauffman Fellow, CFA Charterholder, and a Stephen M. Kellen Term Member at the Council on Foreign Relations. He earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.Comm from the University of Manitoba.Follow Alex (@Alex_Lazarow) and host, Akash Bhat (@bhatvakash) on Twitter.. . .Glossary of terms:1. Network Effects: Network Effects is a phenomenon whereby increased numbers of people or participants improve the value of a good or service.2. Impacting Investing: Impact investing refers to investments made into companies, organizations and funds with the intention to generate a measurable, beneficial social or environmental impact alongside a financial return3. Blitzscaling: It's the science and art of rapidly building out a company to serve a large and usually global market, with the goal of becoming the first mover at scale; an accelerated path to the stage in a startup's life-cycle where the most value is created. . . .In this episode we will learn:1. Alex Lazarow's background (3:20)2. Why did Alex decide to write ‘Out-Innovate'? (7:00)3. What are ‘Frontier Ecosystems'? (9:34) 4. Similarities between emerging markets around the world and emerging markets within the US such as mid-West (11:53)5. Learnings from speaking to Indian entrepreneurs about ‘sustainable' growth (14:38)6. Misconceptions about Blitzscaling (18:22)7. Challenges in building global companies (22:04)8. How should entrepreneurs think about the global opportunity and get it right? (25:15)9. Bottlenecks in building sustainable businesses (28:10)10. Is real innovation taking place outside the Silicon Valley? (31:16) 11. Misconceptions Alex had about emerging markets before writing his book (33:40)12. How has Alex changed through his experience of writing the book? (35:15) 13. Rapid fire (38:10)