Podcasts about series b

The hosts dissect Attio's AI-native CRM disrupting traditional customer management and examine the surprisingly resilient seed/Series B funding landscape despite economic headwinds. Learn how AI is fundamentally changing go-to-market playbooks, enabling tech companies to scale faster than ever before, and which AI sales tools have genuine staying power.Thanks for tuning in! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!Subscribe to the Topline Newsletter to get the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends delivered to your inbox every Thursday.Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. Kyle dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success for revenue leaders like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.Key Moments:[02:07] AJ's Boating Adventure[04:05] Sam on Pavilion's CMO Summit and Personal Updates[06:56] Marketing and Revenue Insights[10:36] AI in Business[13:34] Economic Sentiment and Business Strategy[33:02] Hiring in Volatile Times[37:04] Compensation Strategies for Sales Teams[40:55] AI in Sales: A Conversation with an AI SDR Founder[48:06] The Future of AI in Sales and Marketing[01:00:15] Novel Uses of AI[01:08:54] Closing Remarks and Shoutouts

Earth AI is discovering untapped critical metal deposits at half the cost in a fraction of the time. They combine machine learning and new modular drilling technology to move from detecting a prospect to drilling in just three to six months. They recently announced $20M in Series B funding in an oversubscribed round led by Tamarack Global and Cantos Ventures. Participating investors include Overmatch, Alpaca, Sparkwave Capital, Y Combinator, and Scrum Ventures.Roman is a YC alum, ex-PhD candidate at the University of Sydney,  and geologist with 10 years of industry and research experience in Europe, the Middle and Far East, and Australia.Here are 6 topics we covered in the podcast:1. The Problem The world faces a projected $10T demand for critical metals by 2050, yet new mineral discoveries have declined by 70% over the last decade. Current exploration methods are expensive, slow, and increasingly inefficient.2. AI-Powered Discovery Roman's team developed a machine learning model trained on 50 years of exploration data. The AI identifies geological proxies—subtle clues that indicate where valuable minerals may lie beneath the surface.3. Vertical Integration After realizing the industry wasn't ready to adopt their tech, Earth AI built its own exploration and drilling systems. This vertical integration slashed costs and sped up testing, allowing them to confirm mineral targets rapidly.4. Breakthrough Results Their AI led to the first-ever discovery of magnetic nickel on Australia's East Coast. They've since found lithium, silver, and lead deposits, securing land cheaply and unlocking high-value prospects.5. Founder Wisdom Roman emphasizes sustainable work habits and a strong internal compass. He credits storytelling as crucial to convincing investors and the broader industry of Earth AI's potential.--

Send us a textIn this episode we interview Ting Ting, Head of Marketing at Orum, a Series B startup transforming sales tech through real-time, phone-based pipeline generation.What you'll learn in this episode:Why authenticity now outweighs polish in B2B marketingHow consumer trends are reshaping professional content strategiesTactical ways to blend thought leadership with brand messagingThe art of empowering employees to create content without going off-brandHow “low-production” video is redefining trust in B2B spacesPractical insights on internal enablement and user-generated advocacyWhat it means to “dogfood” your product and turn it into internal gold

Zack Bogue is co‑founder and co‑managing partner at DCVC, a $4 billion deep‑tech venture firm spanning 13 funds. In late 2024, DCVC launched DCVC Climate, a dedicated vehicle backing technologies that slash emissions in heavy industry, hasten the energy transition, and bolster climate adaptation. In this episode, Zack unpacks how the firm's strategy evolved, how his journey—from Colorado outdoors‑kid to Harvard environmental‑science major to Silicon Valley deal‑maker—shaped his worldview, and what it takes to build a capital‑efficient deep‑tech portfolio that moves the climate needle.In this episode, we cover: [01:53] What DCVC is and Zack's role[02:41] Why DCVC focuses on deep tech[04:04] Zack's path from Harvard to VC[12:34] DCVC's playbook: applied AI, capital-light, climate-aligned[15:01] Launching a climate-only fund[20:06] Measuring impact beyond CO₂[25:55] Navigating policy shifts and returns[31:41] Bridging the Series B funding gap[32:56] Solving FOAK financing challenges[37:57] DCVC's bets: geothermal, micro-reactors, SAF, and moreEpisode recorded on March 28, 2025 (Published on April 17, 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

Colin Sidoti is the Co-founder and CEO of Clerk, the best way to build authentication and user management.I loved this conversation, because Colin is currently in the arena building Clerk. It has not been easy, and he takes us inside some of the harder moments of the past six years.We hit on three main themes: authentication; lessons raising multiple hard Seed extensions in the early days, including a recap before the A, and the demo that got a16z to invest; and things AI and MCP.We also talk founding a company with his brother, building a compound startup, why components are the new APIs, and what he learned about audacious goals from John Collison @ StripeA big thank you to Reid Christian @ CRV, Paul Klein @ Browserbase, and Joseph Nelson @ Roboflow for helping brainstorm topics for Colin.Timestamps:(3:39) The best developer tool for authentication and user management(5:45) The easiest way to set up billing(7:13) Building a compound startup(9:15) Lesson on audacious goals from John Collison(12:40) Developer tools are now trusted category experts(13:47) How auth impacts billing, CRM, marketing, analytics(19:44) Why auth is always changing(25:40) Coming up with the idea for Clerk(29:24) What its like starting a company with your brother(30:58) Living in a basement during Clerks early days(35:33) Getting early users narrowing focus in South Park Commons(40:10) Fundraising lessons from struggling to raise(43:46) The trick that raised Clerk's first round from S28(45:09) Launching + the first Seed extension(50:15) Sequoia's feedback that improved conversion rates(52:22) Why a16xz led Clerk's 2nd Seed extension(58:11) How to do a recap before Series A(1:03:34) Changing Clerk's pitch to scare investors(1:08:56) Fundraising advice “Why partner alignment is all that matters”(1:11:42) Fast Series A and breaking 7%/week growth(1:16:32) Negotiating Clerk's Series B at the bar(1:22:15) Investors in the arena vs in their mansions(1:27:57) The three ways AI is changing authentication(1:31:21) Why AI agents all try to steal free AI credits(1:33:09) Remember to have fun(1:36:24) Building a better product to compete in a crowded marketReferencedTry Clerk: https://clerk.com/Jobs at Clerk: https://clerk.com/careersMartin Casado's tweet https://x.com/martin_casado/status/1558134697753841664Try Inngest: https://www.inngest.com/Follow ColinTwitter: https://x.com/tweetsbycolinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-sidoti-751a219Follow TurnerTwitter: https://twitter.com/TurnerNovakLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/turnernovakSubscribe to my newsletter to get every episode + the transcript in your inbox every week: https://www.thespl.it/

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, where we dive into the key financial challenges faced by Canadian entrepreneurs and explore innovative solutions that help businesses thrive. Hosted by Maheen, this episode focuses on financial management, access to capital, and the growing role of fintech in supporting Canadian small businesses.Rob Khazzam, Co-Founder and CEO of Float, joins us to discuss how his platform is empowering businesses with flexible financial tools to manage cash flow and optimize growth. With insights from Float's recent SMB survey, Rob provides valuable perspectives on the struggles businesses face in managing cash flow and accessing capital, as well as how fintech is closing the gap for underserved SMBs.Key Highlights from This Episode:Key Findings from Float's SMB Survey: Insights on cash flow, capital access, and efficiency, and how these financial challenges are affecting businesses across Canada.Float's Innovative Solutions: How Float's suite of financial services and software is empowering SMBs to better manage finances, streamline operations, and fuel growth.Inclusivity in Financial Solutions: How Float's flexible, accessible solutions are helping businesses often overlooked by traditional financial institutions, contributing to a stronger Canadian economy.Leadership Lessons: Rob shares his journey from a shared office space to securing a Series B funding round led by Goldman Sachs, and the key leadership lessons learned along the way.The Future of Financial Services in Canada: Rob's vision for Float and the future of business finance in Canada.Special Thanks to Our Partners:RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.htmlUPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAIHG Hotels and Resorts: https://businessedge.ihg.com/s/registration?language=en_US&CanSMEGoogle: https://www.google.ca/For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Send us a textMiguel Armaza interviews Bam Azizi, Co-Founder and CEO of Mesh Connect, a fintech infrastructure company that has transformed from a consumer-focus to a fast-growing B2B platform serving hundreds of corporate clients including Revolut, and Coinbase. After raising nearly $130 million, including a Series B closed in just one month, Mesh is now focusing on serving the stablecoin ecosystem.We discuss:The rollercoaster journey from B2C to B2B and the painful but necessary pivot decisionsWhy stablecoins represent a $37 trillion opportunity that's reshaping global financeHow fragmentation across chains, wallets, and currencies creates the perfect infrastructure opportunityThe immigrant mindset needed to survive funding cycles and build through market volatility 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 75,000+ 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

In today's 40 Minute Mentor episode, we're joined by Rafel Jorda Siquier, Founder and CEO of Open Cosmos, the UK-based satellite company on a mission to monitor and combat climate change.  Founded in 2015, Open Cosmos delivered its first satellite in record time with a team of just five people. Since then, the business has scaled to over €100 million in satellite contracts, a team of over 130 employees in Spain, Portugal, Greece and the UK, and $50 million in Series B funding from leading Investors.  In today's episode, you'll find out more about Rafel's journey into entrepreneurship, lessons from scaling such a successful business and the important role of satellites in combatting climate change. 

Pre Seed Seed Seed+ Seed++ Series A Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In startup funding, the raises come in rounds.   The startup can raise a pre-seed round followed by a seed, then a Series A, Series B, and so forth. Many founders view this approach as one step after the other. The reality is there's a large gap between the Seed and the Series A. Some call this the Valley of Death. This occurs because the startup often moves from family and friends and angel funding to institutional investors. The gap is wide between the two investor types. The funding reality is closer to Seed Seed+  Seed++ another $250K bridge round and then Series A. One strategy is to find bigger and more lucrative customers as you move through the series so you can generate more revenue. This reduces the amount of funding required to reach the next level. Another strategy is to factor this many rounds into your fundraising strategy from the start. Consider the valley of death and how you will cross it with your fundraising planning.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Rahul Pangam — Entrepreneur, AI Strategist, and Founder

This week's Espresso covers news from Finaktiva, Smart Compass, Nufi, and more!Outline of this episode:[00:30] – Félix Pago raises $75M Series B to expand cross-border payments in LatAm[00:43] – Finaktiva lands $10M from BBVA Spark for SME financing[00:56] – Smart Compass raises $17M in debt[01:09] – Mombak lands $17M in debt to expand reforestation efforts in the Amazon[01:18] – Homelend raises $8M in a debt operation structured by RBR Asset[01:27] – Nufi raises $1.5M seed round led by Magma Partners and GPCompasResources & people mentioned:Startups: Félix Pago, Finaktiva, Smart Compass, Mombak, Homeland, Nufi VCs: QED Investors, BBVA Spark, Magma Partners and GPCompas

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1017: Today we talk Polestar's bold Tesla takedown with a $20K lease play, Jeff Bezos' stealthy new EV startup with big aspirations, and GM's pause on BrightDrop van production despite rock-bottom pricing.Show Notes with links:A secretive EV startup based in Michigan is gaining attention fast. Funded by Jeff Bezos and stocked with talent from Ford, GM, Harley-Davidson, and Stellantis, Slate Auto is taking a bold swing at building a $25,000 electric pickup.Founded in 2022 via Re:Build Manufacturing, Slate has already raised over $100 million and closed a Series B round.The company is targeting late 2026 production near Indianapolis, building a minimalist two-seat pickup truck.Slate's strategy flips the usual EV script—start affordable and scale with accessories, not luxury trims.Its product roadmap includes personalization, merchandise, and “Slate University” for customer-led upgrades.“We built it. You make it,” is the company's trademarked mission to empower buyers with customization.Polestar is going big to lure Tesla owners, offering a jaw-dropping $20,000 incentive for drivers to lease the new Polestar 3 luxury EV crossover—an offer good through the end of March.The deal includes a $15,000 “Clean Vehicle Incentive” plus a $5,000 “Conquest Bonus” for current Tesla owners.The offer applies only to leased 2025 Polestar 3s; delivery must be taken from existing inventory before March 31.The Polestar 3 is sleek, spacious, and built in South Carolina with top-tier tech and sustainable materials.Performance specs include up to 517 hp, a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds, and up to 350 miles of range.The Polestar offer says: “The Polestar 3 offers more comfort, tech, and style than the aging Model Y,”GM is hitting the brakes on production of its all-electric BrightDrop van at its Ontario facility due to soft demand—despite deep discounts and compelling incentives that still make it a standout EV deal.Production at CAMI Assembly will pause April 14 and remain idle until October 2025 for retooling.The move affects nearly 500 workers and drops the plant to a single shift post-relaunch.Only 274 BrightDrop vans were sold in Q1 2025—a modest 7% increase year-over-year.The announcement follows market jitters caused by Trump's tariff threats and broader EV hesitations.“It's a crushing blow to hundreds of working families in Ingersoll,” said Unifor President Lana Payne.Join hosts Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

We are excited to share this Special Edition COBT featuring Matt Loszak, CEO, and Jon Guidroz, Senior Vice President of Commercial and Strategy, from Aalo Atomics. Founded in 2022, Aalo is a pioneering nuclear energy company working to revolutionize the industry by manufacturing entire nuclear plants using prefabricated, factory-built components. Matt comes from a background in software startups, and his interest in nuclear began during his childhood in Toronto. Jon joined the company in September and is a seasoned leader in technology and sustainability, having previously held senior roles at Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud. Last Monday, we had the opportunity to attend Aalo's Factory Unveiling in Austin and see the technology up close. Mike Bradley, Brett Rampal and I were thrilled to host Matt and Jon. In our conversation, we explore the renewed interest in nuclear energy, driven by the growing need for reliable low impact low cost power. We discuss Aalo's impressive growth (expanding from a small team of 5-10 to 45 people in under a year with plans to scale to 85-90 employees in the next 12 months), the company's Factory Unveiling event showcasing their Aalo Pod, designed to power AI data centers, and their ambitious goal to deliver power at under 3 cents per kWh. Matt shares insights into Aalo's focus to cross the “first-of-a-kind” barrier to “nth-of-a-kind” and what makes their “XMR” (Extra-Modular Reactor) design unique. We touch on the company's culture, focused on urgency and achieving lofty goals, their success in drawing talent from organizations like SpaceX, Tesla, and the oil and gas industry, and the company's plans to begin construction of a reactor at Idaho National Labs in 12 months. We cover the advantages and challenges of their sodium reactor design, the company's successful Series A fundraise and goals for Series B, and collaboration opportunities with oil and gas. It was a fantastic discussion and we appreciate Matt and Jon for taking the time from their busy schedule to visit. We look forward to following Aalo's progress and hope you enjoy the discussion as much as we did. Our best to you all!

While researching this episode, I stumbled across an Insta called @horrorcultureplants that I highly recommend giving a follow.Music by James Milor from PixabayInformation provided by:Biological flora of Central Europe: Aldrovanda vesiculosa L. by Lubomír Adamec (2018). Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, 35, pg. 8-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ppees.2018.10.001Studies on the leaf movement of Aldrovanda vesiculosa L., part I: Process and mechanism of the movement by Joji Ashida (1932). Memoirs of the College of Science, Kyoto Imperial University, Series B, 9(3), pg. 143-246.https://www.carnivorousplantresource.com/the-plants/waterwheel-plant/Fossil Aldrovanda by John D. Degreef (1997). Carnivorous Plant Newsletter, 26(3), pg. 93-97. https://doi.org/10.55360/cpn263.jd244Prey capture analyses in the carnivorous aquatic waterwheel plant (Aldrovanda vesiculosa L., Droseraceae) by Simon Poppinga, et al. (2019). Scientific Reports, 9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-54857-w “This Carnivorous Plant Invaded New York. That May Be Its Only Hope.” by Mario Renault (13 August 2019). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/13/science/waterwheel-plants-carnivorous.htmlHow the carnivorous waterwheel plant (Aldrovanda vesiculosa) snaps by Anna S. Westermeier, et al. (2018). Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 285(1878). https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2018.0012https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldrovanda_vesiculosa

Foundersuite has established itself as the leading platform for startups raising capital, with $13 million in funding and a comprehensive suite of tools designed to streamline the fundraising process. In this episode of Category Visionaries, I sat down with Nathan Beckord, CEO of Foundersuite, to explore how his extensive background in investment banking and startup advisory evolved into building a specialized platform that's revolutionizing how founders approach fundraising. Nathan shares his journey from consultant to entrepreneur, and how Foundersuite has grown from a simple CRM into a robust platform serving startups from seed stage through Series B and beyond.   Topics Discussed: The evolution from an investment banking career to founding a startup focused on fundraising tools How Foundersuite narrowed its focus from a broad suite of founder tools to specialized fundraising solutions The strategic decision to target the seed through Series B segment as their primary market Building a sustainable marketing strategy through events, podcasting, and innovative guerrilla tactics The launch of Funding Stack, a new platform designed for VCs and fundraising consultants How AI is being integrated throughout the fundraising process to enhance efficiency and outcomes   GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Start with your unique expertise: Nathan built Foundersuite based on his decade of fundraising experience, turning his specialized knowledge into product features. He explained, "I'm a one trick pony. The only thing I've done ever since college is raise capital for startups." B2B founders should leverage their deep industry expertise when defining their product category and value proposition. Be willing to kill good products for great focus: Despite positive user feedback on several products in their initial suite, Foundersuite made the difficult decision to eliminate tools that weren't core to their primary value proposition. Nathan recalls, "It was hard to kill something that people did love... but they weren't really paying as much for that." B2B founders should continuously evaluate their product portfolio against market traction and be willing to make tough decisions for greater focus. Define your "Goldilocks" customer segment: Foundersuite identified their ideal customer segment as seed through Series B companies—not too early (pre-seed) and not too mature (Series C+). Nathan explains, "Too early, you don't have any money, you can't pay us, you're not really fundable. Too late, you have a lot of other resources to help you raise capital." B2B founders should similarly identify where their product delivers maximum value and focus acquisition efforts accordingly. Use content marketing as a learning opportunity: Foundersuite's "How I Raised It" podcast not only serves as a marketing channel but also provides valuable market intelligence. Nathan shared, "I thought I knew everything about raising capital. And here I am just drinking from a fire hose... I'm learning more than my first six months of doing a podcast than I have in the last five years of actually doing the work." B2B founders should view content marketing as both a growth channel and a customer research tool. Implement annual marketing experiments: Foundersuite commits to trying one new marketing approach each year. Nathan explains, "One of the things I try and do every year... let's try a new, different marketing experiment." For 2025, they're implementing monthly webinars. B2B founders should similarly build experimentation into their marketing roadmap while maintaining their core channels.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co  

The Gap Between Seed and Series A Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In startup funding, we talk about preseed, seed, Series A, Series B, and so forth. It sounds like each stage is just one step after the other. When you finish your pre-seed round you raise your seed. In reality, there's a gap between seed and Series A. It often takes several rounds of funding to close it. Most startups raise a preseed, seed, seed+, seed++, and another bridge round for $250K, and then go to Series A. This is often a surprise to first-time founders. The reasons are as follows: In most cases, the Series A is the first institutional round of investment. The requirements regarding revenue, growth, margins, churn, and other factors are fixed and rigorous. Prior rounds of funding were often made regardless of the results of the business but rather on the promise of future results. Series A investors have specific requirements around valuation and ownership stakes.  This often requires better metrics and more revenue to make it work. It's often the case that the founders have a vision for a specific valuation. Specific valuation targets often require better metrics from the startup. Make sure you plan for the gap between the seed and Series A in your fundraise.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

In this episode, we're excited to have Chris Van Dusen from the venture capital world join us. He brings a wealth of experience from both the VC and entrepreneurial worlds. He shares his unique journey through sales, marketing, and three successful business exits. Chris also talks about Solyco Capital, his firm that prioritizes smart capital over mere funding, and their approach to matching investors with the right opportunities.  Tune in as we dive into venture capital strategies, how to navigate investment rounds, and the balance of assessing venture potential. He and Pete also discuss the realities of selling a business and the unexpected lessons learned from being an angel investor. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to perhaps one day sell your business, or are already an investor in the HALO space, Chris's perspective absolutely offers a fresh take! On funding and valuation, Chris states, "To qualify for your Series B, you'd ask . . . did I hit those goals? And secondarily, am I on glide path for the next big growth or step function of my business? If the answer is no, then you're not going to get this larger, new valuation. If the answer is 'maybe, but I need a little bit more time,' maybe you do what's called an extension round . . . it's maybe the same valuation because you really haven't hit it, but you're very close." Key themes discussed Private Equity Fund Term Sheet Dynamics Series B Funding and Valuation Criteria Regrets of Angel Investing Pandemic-Proof Investment Strategies Entrepreneurial Struggles and Successes Navigating Pivots in Startups Challenges in Selling Businesses Entrepreneurial Deal Insights A few key takeaways:  1. Smart Capital Over Just Capital: Chris emphasizes the importance of "smart money" versus just having capital. He elaborates on how smart investors not only provide funds but also strategic guidance and support to help companies scale. 2. Flexible Investment Strategy: Instead of raising a fund and sticking to a mandate, Solyco finds great assets first and then raises capital specifically for each venture. This allows them to be more flexible and diverse in their investment choices. 3. Value and Growth Stages: Chris discusses the importance of each investment stage from Seed to Series A, B, etc. He stresses that value isn't automatically created and validated at every stage; instead, growth and meeting KPIs are crucial for valuation increases. 4. Portfolio Theory in Investing: While angels often invest in single deals that can be risky, professional investment firms use portfolio theory, investing in multiple ventures to balance risks and potential rewards. This allows them to absorb losses more efficiently while aiming for high returns from successful ventures. 5. Relationship Building and Board Involvement: Chris highlights the importance of having seats on the board or being deeply involved in the companies they invest in, to have a better understanding of the business and to support strategic pivots if necessary. Resources:  Chris Van Dusen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismvandusen  Solyco Capital: https://www.solycocapital.com/  Prospect Wizard: http://www.theprospectwizard.com Promotion Vault: http://www.promotionvault.com HigherDose: http://www.higherdose.com

Tugce Bulut is a distinguished entrepreneur and data expert, renowned for her contributions to the fields of artificial intelligence and consumer intelligence. She is the co-founder and CEO of Eloquent AI, a company dedicated to advancing AI technologies to revolutionise human-computer interactions. ​ Prior to her role at Eloquent AI, Bulut founded Streetbees in 2015, serving as its CEO. Streetbees is a global intelligence platform that analyzes real-life moments from users worldwide to provide deep insights into human behavior, surpassing traditional survey methodologies.  Bulut's academic background includes a Master's degree from the University of Cambridge, where she specialised in poverty alleviation and global living standards. Before venturing into entrepreneurship, she spent six years as a strategy consultant, advising technology and consumer companies on accelerating growth in international markets. ​ Under her leadership, Streetbees expanded its user base to over 3.5 million individuals across 189 countries, enabling brands to access rich, real-time consumer insights. The platform's innovative approach attracted significant investment, including a £30 million Series B round led by Lakestar in October 2020. 

Dr. Cyd Cowley, working at the intersection of fusion and AI at FIA affiliate member digiLab, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below.1. US firm unveils world's largest 350MW stellarator fusion power design basishttps://interestingengineering.com/energy/us-stellarator-fusion-power-design-basis?group=test_b2. Bill Gates-backed Commonwealth Fusion Systems hits key reactor construction milestonehttps://techcrunch.com/2025/03/25/bill-gates-backed-commonwealth-fusion-systems-hits-key-reactor-construction-milestone/3.Marvel Fusion secures €113 million in Series B fundinghttps://technews180.com/funding-news/marvel-fusion-secures-e113-million-in-series-b-funding/4. Germany plans 1 gigawatt nuclear fusion facility at famous Biblis reactor sitehttps://interestingengineering.com/energy/germany-1gw-nuclear-fusion-power-plant?group=test_b5.Thea Energy Hits Milestone in Quest to Simplify Fusionhttps://heatmap.news/climate-tech/thea-energy-fusion-stellarator-magnetsBonus: https://www.sustainability-times.com/low-carbon-energy/three-times-the-size-of-the-pentagon-this-giant-fusion-research-center-rising-in-china-is-rewriting-the-rules-of-energy/ https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/fusion-industry-association-ceo-andrew-holland-highlights-key-reports-at-iaea-fusion-webinar/

Build your business with beehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com/greg-isenberg?utm_campaign=Q22025-greg-isenberg-partnership&utm_medium=influencer&utm_source=podcast&utm_source_platform=podcast&via=greg-isenberg-Q22025&utm_marketing_tactic=awareness&utm_creative_format=podcast&utm_content=greg-isenberg&utm_term=greg-isenbergJoin me as I chat with Tyler Denk, co-founder of Beehiiv, to discuss how to grow a newsletter to 100,000 subscribers. He demonstrates Beehiiv's platform features including customizable websites, subscriber data collection, automated welcome sequences, and multiple monetization options. Tyler emphasizes there's no "silver bullet" for growth—success comes from combining multiple strategies that each contribute incrementally to building a valuable audience asset.Get the 5-step guide to 100K subscribers: www.gregisenberg.com/beehiiv-businessTimestamps• 00:00 - Intro• 02:58 - Overview of newsletter growth potential• 04:03 - Website building and email capture features• 15:00 - Subscriber data collection and welcome automations• 25:00 - Cross-promotion and "Boost" network for growth• 38:06 - Lead magnets and referral programs• 55:00 - Customized email collection based on content  • 1:08:35 - Monetization strategies (sponsorships, paid subscriptions)• 1:10:55 - Final thoughts on consistency and getting startedKey Points• Beehiiv's all-in-one platform includes website building, email capture, subscriber data collection, referral programs, and monetization tools• Multiple growth channels work together: lead magnets, email gating, referral programs, and cross-promotion with other newsletters• Monetization comes through direct sponsorships, Beehiiv's ad network, and the "Boost" feature where newsletters pay each other for subscriber referrals1) Website & Email Capture StrategyBeehiiv gives you a full website builder where you can create:• Custom landing pages• Email capture forms• Pop-ups targeted by traffic source• Different signup flowsThe key? Create MULTIPLE entry points that convert 15-20% of visitors to subscribers.Tyler's Windows 98-themed site stands out because it's INTENTIONALLY different!2) The Subscribe Flow MagicThis is GENIUS:After someone subscribes, Tyler shows:• Sponsored newsletter recommendations• A quick survey collecting demographic data• A welcome page with popular contentThis data helps him:• Sell premium sponsorships• Create targeted content• Understand his audience (60% founders!)3) Network Effects & Passive GrowthTyler gets 200-300 FREE subscribers weekly through Beehiiv's recommendation network!How it works:• Other newsletters recommend his in their subscribe flow• He recommends others in his flow"It's like getting $400-600 of value weekly just for existing on the platform" 4) The Boost Network (Paid Acquisition)Tyler spends $2-3K monthly buying subscribers through Beehiiv's Boost marketplace.• He pays $2.50 per subscriber• Only pays for subscribers who ACTUALLY ENGAGE• Has autopause features to cut off low-quality sources• Manages 155+ acquisition sources in one dashboardIt's like a vending machine: put in $2.50, get $4 back!5) Lead Magnets That ConvertTyler shared his seed deck on Twitter (100K views) with a simple signup form.The magic:• Created a custom landing page in Beehiiv• Set up a different signup flow (no recommendations)• Built an automation to deliver the deck instantly• Added new subscribers to his newsletterPro tip: Get sponsors for your lead magnets to fund MORE promotion!6) The Referral Program (1% of growth)Tyler built Morning Brew's referral program (led to 1M+ subscribers) and implemented a simpler version:- 1 referral = Access to Series B deck (digital, zero cost)• 3 referrals = $10 off merch (dropshipped, zero cost)7) Monetization (The Engine)Tyler makes $20-30K monthly through:- Direct sponsorships ($7K per placement)• Boost network referrals ($2-4 per subscriber)• No paid subscription (though many make $100K+/year this way)Beehiiv's sponsorship storefront lets advertisers book directly with just a $10 transaction fee!Notable Quotes:"Writing weekly and sharing my thoughts online has probably been the highest leverage thing that I've done in my entire career. It's opened so many doors to angel investing, meeting other founders, meeting people who are doing really cool shit." - TylerLCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.coFIND ME ON SOCIALX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/FIND TYLER ON SOCIALX/Twitter: https://x.com/denk_tweetsBig Desk Energy: https://www.bigdeskenergy.com

In this episode of the No BS podcast, we welcome back Marcus from Hostaway to catch up on the exciting developments since his last appearance in December 2022. We dive into Hostaway's impressive feats, such as raising a massive $175 million in Series A funding, followed by an even more staggering $365 million Series B funding round. Marcus gives us an inside look at the intricacies of running a top-tier business, emphasizing the paramount importance of stellar customer support and innovative technology. We also explore the future plans for Hostaway, the evolving landscape of the short-term rental industry, regulatory challenges, and what it takes to achieve market leadership. Don't miss this insightful conversation packed with industry knowledge and future trends.Link to Hostaway: https://www.hostaway.com/Episode Highlights:00:00 Introduction to the No BS Podcast00:57 Welcoming Marcus from Host Away02:26 The Simple Truths of Business and Life04:56 Host Away's Major Funding Announcements06:20 The Three Pillars of Running a Business12:31 The Importance of Customer and Investor Relationships20:45 The Future of Vacation Rentals and Direct Bookings23:16 Investing in Technology and Customer Success24:08 Acquisitions and Market Competition25:55 Challenges of Following Playbooks30:30 Valuations and Market Opportunities35:20 Impact of Regulation on Real Estate40:04 Company Culture and Employee Compensation45:58 Conclusion and Future Outlook

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Anneli Scopazzi, CEO and Founder of Boulevard Recruiting. With a background rooted in fast-growth startup environments, Anneli has become an authority on matching world-class talent to the right opportunities—particularly in an era brimming with AI-driven disruption. Expect a compelling conversation about how technology is changing the face of recruiting, the critical importance of upskilling and reskilling in today’s competitive market, and what early-stage ventures need to keep in mind while scaling with AI. KEY TAKEAWAYS We work with early-stage startups, starting with series B but it’s moved down to series C when the market crashed, but we now sit in series A where we’re hoping to scale with those clients for the next couple of years to be the first recruiters on the ground, working very closely with the founders. As the companies start to scale and hire internal recruiters the we’ll work very closely with them too. Covid benefitted us in vary big way as a remote company founded in Q4 2019, I was fiercely committed to working remotely, it was the number one driver of the company, the name Boulevard was chosen because it represents remote work. When Covid happened, everyone had to figure out how to work remotely and now companies are accustomed to it and how it works. AI is something that felt scary for a minute back when ChatGPT was released and there was all this appearance of fast acceleration. But, working in tech, we’ve known this has been going on for years. I wanted to be the first to adopt and work with these early tech companies, you don’t want to be the company that doesn’t survive the extinction event if you can’t work it out. In the recruiting landscape I haven’t seen any amazing AI solutions just yet. There are some things that make us more efficient, but we’re in a bit of a safe space because of the relationship focus, which is really hard to replicate with AI technology. The more exciting thing is working with the AI companies and seeing them get funded massively. It’s an exciting space to be in. BEST MOMENTS ‘I’ve loved the French language and Paris since I was very young and I didn’t want to name my business after myself. What I love about Boulevard is that it’s of French origin but it’s very recognisable around the world.’ ‘What excites me about working with early-stage startups is that you have the ability to do more than you’re qualified to do.’ ‘A lot of my personal growth has been very self-taught. That’s been very liberating and rewarding but also can be very painful at times learning through mistakes.’ ‘There’s a lot of administrative work in recruiting, in-bound applications have surged dramatically in the last couple of years globally. The recruiting tools we’re seeing are sorting through profiles faster and narrowing it down to a shorter list for the human to review.’ ABOUT THE GUEST Anneli Scopazzi is the CEO and Founder of Boulevard Recruiting, a boutique San Francisco-based agency that specializes in matching startups with world-class talent in engineering, product, and beyond. She began her career in accounting before transitioning into recruiting about seven years ago, initially stepping into a 100% commission role at a boutique agency and later being recruited to Palantir. This non-traditional path enabled Anneli to grow quickly in leadership, ultimately becoming Head of Talent at Figma, where she played a key role in tripling the company’s headcount through its Series B and C stages. In September 2019, driven by her passion for connecting people and technology, Anneli founded Boulevard Recruiting—a remote-focused firm that balances expert matching of talent with a flexible work culture for its team members. LinkedIn ABOUT THE HOST Sabine is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew a venture lab that accelerates the curation, validation, & commercialization of new tech business models. Sabine is renowned within the insurance sector for building some of the most renowned tech startup accelerators around the world working with over 30 corporate insurers, accelerated over 100 startup ventures. Sabine is the co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, a top 50 Women in Tech, a FinTech and InsurTech Influencer, an investor & multi-award winner. Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Facebook TikTok Email Website

Roman Arutyunov is the Co-founder and SVP of Products at Xage Security, a Series B startup focused on protecting critical infrastructure—including energy systems—from cyber threats. Xage is backed by investors like Chevron Technology Ventures, Aramco, Piva Capital, Valor Equity Partners, and Overture.Cybersecurity is a growing concern as our energy systems become more distributed, electrified, and digitally connected. We spoke with Roman about the vulnerabilities in today's infrastructure, the motivations behind cyberattacks, and how the rise of AI is changing the cybersecurity landscape.In this episode, we cover: [2:11] Introduction to Xage Security[3:12] Cybersecurity 101: Ransomware, nation-state threats, and attacker motivations[7:10] Operational tech (OT) vs. information tech (IT)[13:29] Xage's Zero Trust security approach[15:45] Customer segments and differing security challenges[20:47] Navigating regulations vs. fast deployment timelines[23:40] How AI is shaping both threats and defenses[28:00] When multifactor authentication becomes a vulnerability[31:59] Real-world cyberattacks on energy systems[34:10] Xage's funding history and growth trajectoryEpisode recorded on Feb 20, 2025 (Published on Mar 26, 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

Recorded in July 2024, Aimi founder Edward Balassanian joins Fund/Build/Scale to share how his AI-powered platform creates generative, copyright-safe music for enterprise clients. He explains how customer discovery with DJs shaped Aimi's tech, why compliance is core to their strategy, and why the company downsized after hitting product-market fit — all while inventing a market where AI music solves problems humans can't. RUNTIME 30:47 EPISODE BREAKDOWN (4:17) “ I consider myself a platform person. I build operating systems.” (7:39) “ It's incumbent on a founder in a space like this to be well-versed in not only the art of the music, but the science of the music as well.” (9:14) “ We see a song as a medium between fans and artists. We're not in the song business.” (11:03) How Aimi is building a library of licensed content: “We've been pretty methodical.” (14:59) “ We see ourselves as kind of uniquely in the business of music AI for creation, not for imitation.” (16:46) “ We de-risk the use of music. That's one of the biggest selling points for enterprise customers.” (18:44) “ Like most tech people, I would say we're always going to be in beta.” (21:58) Why Aimi raised its $20M Series B in 2021. (24:01) Downsizing after reaching PMF “ was the best decision that we that we could have made.” (28:05) “ I think what's really interesting is building platforms, and any platform today is going to have to incorporate AI into it.” LINKS Edward Balassanian (Crunchbase) Aimi AI-Powered Music Platform Aimi has raised $20 million in a Series B round of funding SUBSCRIBE

On this episode of A SENSe of Wellness podcast host, Susan Greeley, and co-founder of Feed.fm, Dr. Lauren Pufpaf, have a conversation about how music contributes to our daily wellness.   More About Lauren Pufpaf Lauren Pufpaf is the Co-Founder, COO, and President of Feed.fm, a B2B music platform for consumer and retail brands, including American Eagle Outfitters, the Golden State Warriors, and Lululemon Studio. With 20+ years of experience scaling companies, Lauren has led multiple companies through Series B rounds, fueling its growth and success over nearly a decade. Throughout her career, Lauren has scaled businesses to $100M, raised over $80M in venture funding, and advised dozens of founders on successful capital raises. Under her leadership, Feed.fm has been recognized as Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies of 2024, Inc. Magazine's Power Partner, and an innovator in music tech by the Music Business Association.

In this episode of the Startup CEO Show, host Mark MacLeod sits down with Tyler Denk, co-founder and CEO of Beehiiv, to explore the world of email marketing and the creator economy. Tyler shares the fascinating origin story of Beehiiv, which grew out of his experience building custom tools at Morning Brew. He explains how Beehiiv has become a leading all-in-one platform for creators and brands to grow their audience and monetize their content.Tyler dives deep into Beehiiv's unique value proposition, combining website building, email newsletters, and monetization tools in one seamless platform. He discusses how this integrated approach sets Beehiiv apart from legacy email providers and allows creators to focus on what they do best. The conversation touches on the evolving role of AI in content creation, with Tyler offering nuanced insights on when AI can be helpful and when human creativity is irreplaceable.One of the most compelling parts of the discussion centers on Tyler's leadership philosophy and operational strategies. He shares his commitment to radical transparency, describing how he writes detailed weekly emails to keep his team aligned and motivated. Tyler also reveals how Beehiiv raised its Series A in just six days and its Series B in two weeks, crediting his practice of sending comprehensive monthly investor updates. For aspiring founders and CEOs, this episode is a masterclass in building a high-growth startup with intention and focus. Don't miss Tyler's contrarian views on company size and his emphasis on deep work - tune in now to gain invaluable insights from one of tech's rising stars.

Join host Nataraj on Startup Project as he sits down with Vanessa Larco, Partner at NEA, to discuss the transformative impact of AI on startups and venture capital.About the Episode: This episode delves into the evolving landscape of tech investing, exploring how AI is reshaping business models, pricing strategies, and the future of work. Vanessa, a former Director of Product at Box and co-founder of Funloop, shares her insights on:* The shift towards AI in venture capital* The commoditization debate surrounding LLMs* The evolving pricing models in the age of AI* Common mistakes startups make when fundraising* How to identify and secure promising deals* Vanessa's personal journey and mentorship experiencesAbout the Guest and Host:Vanessa Larco: Partner at NEA, investing in Series A and Series B technology companies. Former Director of Product at Box and co-founder of Funloop. Connect with Vanessa:→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessalarcoNataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor.→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/→ Website: https://thestartupproject.ioTimestamps:00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction01:01 - AI's Impact on Venture Capital04:12 - The Commoditization of LLMs08:57 - The SaaS Subscription Model and AI16:04 - AI-Enabled Investment Ideas18:50 - Life as a Partner at NEA23:42 - Working with Series A & B Companies25:40 - Traction Metrics for Series A27:59 - Case Studies: Majoree & Rewind33:04 - Common Startup Mistakes36:37 - Sourcing Deals in Venture Capital38:57 - What Vanessa is Consuming Now40:20 - Mentors in Vanessa's Career41:38 - Lessons Learned in Venture InvestingSubscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/#StartupProject #NEA #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #VentureCapital #Startups #SaaS #PricingModels #Fundraising #ProductMarketFit #Investing #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation

Struggling with energy levels and performance? Not getting enough B vitamins could be at play, but that doesn't mean you should run out and supplement. Join me as I dive more into all of the b-vitamins and how they help our bodies be their best.What are the B-vitaminsWhat do they do and why should I care?Folate vs. Folic acidKey role in metabolism and energy production as athletes (and humans!)Should you be worried about a deficiency?And so much more!

The automotive industry is undergoing a transformation—electrification, changing ownership models and evolving customer expectations are reshaping the market. But how does insurance fit into this shift?  In this episode, Robin Merttens speaks with Nimeshh Patel, CEO of Wrisk, about how the company is helping major automotive brands embed insurance seamlessly into the car-buying journey. With a customer-first digital experience, Wrisk enables instant, hassle-free insurance at the point of sale, eliminating outdated manual processes.  The discussion also covers Wrisk's international expansion, its Series B fundraising and why the company focuses on collaboration rather than disruption in the insurance ecosystem. Key Talking Points Embedded insurance at the point of sale – how Wrisk makes car insurance frictionless for customers Why  Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs) care about insurance – supporting after-sales revenue, finance uptake and customer retention Scaling success with global automotive brands – from BMW to Mercedes-Benz, how Wrisk is powering insurance for top manufacturers The power of quiet ego – why Wrisk has focused on collaboration rather than disruption Expanding beyond the UK – launching a European MGA and the roadmap for international growth The Series B strategy – raising funds to scale technology, data capabilities and global operations The future of automotive insurance – could Wrisk eventually take on risk itself and build OEM-backed captives? If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Robin Merttens on LinkedIn. You can also contact Nimeshh Patel on LinkedIn to start a conversation! Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: Describe how embedded insurance enhances the vehicle purchasing experience by integrating seamless coverage at the point of sale. Explain why collaboration between insurers and OEMs is critical to the success of embedded insurance models. Define the role of a managing general agent (MGA) in enabling scalable, brand-aligned insurance solutions for automotive manufacturers. If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 345 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

This week, we'll explore the art of crafting exceptional product experiences with Nico Giraldo, the founder of 21Moves—a bootstrapped app that has surpassed 10 million downloads and generates $25K in monthly recurring revenue (MRR).Nico's journey is inspiring—from medical school interviews to becoming Head of Engineering at a Series B company in just three years and bootstrapping a puzzle app to over 10 million installs. He specializes in crafting intuitive, high-impact user experiences that drive growth.In this episode, Nico will share his unconventional approach to creating standout products, offering indie developers actionable insights on designing, refining, and scaling apps. Whether you're looking to enhance user engagement or streamline your product strategy, this is a conversation you won't want to miss!You will discover:-The challenges and triumphs of building a successful indie app-How to craft a great product experience that drives growth-Strategies to shorten the time to reach “AHA Moment” for usersLearn More:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/21moves-cube-puzzle-solver/id1533263247Book a consultation call: https://calendly.com/appmasters-alok/30min Work with us to grow your apps faster & cheaper: http://www.appmasters.com/Get training, coaching, and community: ⁠https://appmastersacademy.com/*********************************************SPONSORSLooking for the best alternative to Firebase Dynamic Links?The Airbridge DeepLink Plan is a smart, straightforward alternative to Firebase Dynamic Links.With ready-to-use expertise and no-code migration in just three steps, switching to Airbridge DeepLinks is simple and easy.Keep your customer journeys intact with essential deep linking and analytics. Make the switch before the deadline.Go to appmasters.com/airbridge.*********************************************Follow us:YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠*********************************************

This week, we'll explore the art of crafting exceptional product experiences with Nico Giraldo, the founder of 21Moves—a bootstrapped app that has surpassed 10 million downloads and generates $25K in monthly recurring revenue (MRR).Nico's journey is inspiring—from medical school interviews to becoming Head of Engineering at a Series B company in just three years and bootstrapping a puzzle app to over 10 million installs. He specializes in crafting intuitive, high-impact user experiences that drive growth.In this episode, Nico will share his unconventional approach to creating standout products, offering indie developers actionable insights on designing, refining, and scaling apps. Whether you're looking to enhance user engagement or streamline your product strategy, this is a conversation you won't want to miss!You will discover:-The challenges and triumphs of building a successful indie app-How to craft a great product experience that drives growth-Strategies to shorten the time to reach “AHA Moment” for usersLearn More:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/21moves-cube-puzzle-solver/id1533263247Book a consultation call: https://calendly.com/appmasters-alok/30min Work with us to grow your apps faster & cheaper: http://www.appmasters.com/Get training, coaching, and community: ⁠https://appmastersacademy.com/*********************************************SPONSORSLooking for the best alternative to Firebase Dynamic Links?The Airbridge DeepLink Plan is a smart, straightforward alternative to Firebase Dynamic Links.With ready-to-use expertise and no-code migration in just three steps, switching to Airbridge DeepLinks is simple and easy.Keep your customer journeys intact with essential deep linking and analytics. Make the switch before the deadline.Go to appmasters.com/airbridge.*********************************************Follow us:YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠*********************************************

Maya Kupperman has spent her career building organizations that drive innovation in philanthropy. As co-founder and CEO of Temelio, she's using AI to make grantmaking faster and more efficient. Before that, she helped grow MainStreet from a seed-stage startup to Series B and advised The Farmlink Project, which connects surplus farm produce to food banks. With a background in tech, nonprofits, and software development—and a degree in Human Biology and Education from Stanford—she brings a unique perspective to the space. But her passion for impact started much earlier. We begin our conversation with the story of A Chance to Dance, the organization she founded at 12 to bring free dance classes to children in migrant farmworker communities where she was born.

Amperon is a Houston-based technology company specializing in AI-powered electricity forecasting and analytics solutions. Founded in 2018, Amperon provides high-precision demand, renewable generation, and price forecasts to enhance grid reliability, manage financial risk, and support decarbonization efforts. Their platform serves a diverse clientele, including utilities, financial traders, and independent power producers, by leveraging advanced AI models and real-time analytics to navigate the complexities of modern energy markets. In October 2023, Amperon raised $20 million in Series B funding led by Energize Capital, underscoring their commitment to innovation in the energy sector.For almost 20 years, Sean Kelly has been at the forefront of the energy trading industry, working for Tenaska, Lehman, EDF, and E.On. While at EDF, he led the transition of two nuclear plants (Nine Mile and Ginna) into the NYISO market, then led the buildout of E.On's North American trading desk. Next, he co-founded Bridge Power Consulting and sold it to Albireo Energy in 2019. He co-founded Amperon in 2018.In this podcast, you'll learn these takeaways and much more.How to utilize AI and machine learning for accurate energy demand and price forecastingWhat is the significance of automatic weighting in analyzing diverse weather data for energy predictionsWho said this wonderful quote: “I'll build it if you can sell it”How founders should not sell themselves short or sacrifice on their long-term thesis when working with investorsWhy building strong long-term non-transactional relationships with investors and early adopter customer prospects is crucial for company growthWhy he finds value in books like The Tao of Bill Murray and The Devil in the White CityHow boxing keeps him sane and healthy on the founder journey

The Importance of Your Website in a Fundraise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Your website plays a key role in your fundraising. The first place an investor goes after hearing a pitch is your website. Make sure it is up to date and looks professional. Pitch slides are meant to be high-level thumbnails and typically contain few details. The investor wants to learn more about your product and your team. Make sure your product is well described, including any platform solutions. Also, keep the team page up to date with the current C-level team as well as any advisors. Position the website to be one level beyond your current fundraising stage. This will enhance your presence with investors. For example, if you are raising a seed round, design the website to look like a Series A company. Seed companies show you are selling the product.  Series A companies show that you are growing the business. Series B companies show you are scaling the business. Finally, consider adding an investor relations button on your site. This gives prospective investors the ability to reach back out to you for follow-up questions.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Peter Mollins is VP of Marketing at Nooks. Nooks just raised Series B funding in October. Woop!With Nooks you can boost pipeline with AI assistants that automate the busywork of dialing, coaching, and prospecting, so sales reps can focus on the human side of selling.Here's what we cover:Your recent funding round - what did it take to get there;How do you incorporate customer research at Nooks and what have been the results;How do you incorporate customers in your marketing;Oh my gosh you need to try to sell to Jim Hard*ss, your AI coaching assistant;Peter asks me his burning question.Peter on LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/petermollinsNooks: www.nooks.aiFor more content, subscribe to Building With Buyers on Apple or Spotify or wherever you like to listen, and don't forget to leave a review if you're lovin' the show. Music by my talented daughter.Anna on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠www.linkedin.com/in/annafurmanov⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠furmanovmarketing.com

Sanjit Singh is the Fractional Chief Revenue Officer at Boltt, a company empowering B2B companies to accelerate revenue growth and establish scalable sales models. With over 12 years of experience leading teams in Fortune 500 companies, he transitioned into entrepreneurship, co-founding multiple tech startups, including LeadCrunch, which he grew to a $24 million run rate before exiting at Series B. Over the past five years, Sanjit has focused on providing fractional growth leadership, helping companies overcome revenue plateaus and achieve new levels of success. In this episode… Scaling a business is exciting, but what happens when growth slows, sales stall, and marketing efforts don't translate into revenue? Many companies struggle to pinpoint the root cause of their stagnation, leading to wasted resources and frustration. At what point does bringing in outside expertise make the difference? According to Sanjit Singh, a seasoned revenue strategist, companies often hit a ceiling because they lack the right sales and marketing structure. He highlights that many founders rely on ad-hoc revenue strategies that may have worked early on but aren't scalable. Without a clear growth engine, businesses waste time on ineffective tactics or experience friction between sales and marketing. Sanjit explains that a Fractional Chief Revenue Officer provides the leadership and strategy needed to align teams, optimize revenue processes, and unlock new growth opportunities. In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, host Hannah Smolinski speaks with Sanjit Singh, Fractional Chief Revenue Officer at Boltt, to discuss when businesses should consider hiring a CRO. They explore how to recognize the warning signs of stalled growth, the importance of choosing the right revenue model, and the impact of aligning sales and marketing. Sanjit also shares key mistakes companies make in business development and how to fix them.

In today's episode of the EUVC podcast, Andreas talks with Ingrid Bonde Åkerlind, a seasoned investor at Oxx, a venture capital firm focusing on B2B SaaS companies that operate from London and Stockholm. Backed by a $190 million second fund and a boutique, high-conviction approach, Oxx targets late Series A and Series B companies that have not only passed the product-market fit gauntlet but are now ready to scale. Ingrid's unique blend of hands-on operational experience and investment insight helps her spot startups that truly understand their market dynamics.Drawing on her journey from building growth teams to steering venture investments, Ingrid explores the power of a well-defined Ideal Customer Profile (ICP). She explains how transitioning from an experimental phase to a focused customer strategy can align sales, marketing, and product teams for sustained success. In this conversation, she shares practical insights on refining go-to-market strategies and leveraging data-driven customer segmentation to drive operational efficiency and venture-scale returns.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview

Hiring a CRO is one of the most high-stakes decisions a founder can make—especially when a company is transitioning from SMB to enterprise sales. In this episode of Topline Spotlight, Shensi Ding, Co-Founder of Merge, shares her experience navigating the search for a stage-appropriate revenue leader after raising their Series B in 2022. She breaks down the challenges of finding a CRO who wasn't just impressive on paper but could actually build a disciplined enterprise sales motion, adapt to Merge's intense culture, and help scale the company upmarket.   Catch new episodes of Topline Spotlight every Thursday and full episodes of Topline every Sunday.   Want more from Pavilion?   Subscribe to Topline Newsletter written and edited by Asad Zaman.   Join the free public Topline Slack channel to engage with hosts, guests, and other listeners.   Listen to The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday.  

Eric Simons is the Co-founder and CEO of StackBlitz, best known for its breakout product Bolt, letting anyone build full stack apps from text, in the browser.Bolt launched in October of 2024, quickly growing from zero to a $20 million revenue run rate in two months, making it one of the fastest growing products ever. But Eric will be the first to tell you it wasn't an overnight success - the product didn't even work the first time they tried building it.We go behind the scenes of the seven year journey building the tech that eventually led to Bolt, how to avoid distractions, being capital efficient, living in a frat house for $100/month, and squatting in AOL's headquarters for $1/day when he was 19.Eric also takes us inside the weeks after Bolt's viral launch, figuring out a new business model on the fly, his strategy for fundraising and PR, why you should open source your code, Bolt's playbook for building a community around the product that enabled their viral launch, and how AI is changing software forever.Timestamps:(0:00) Intro(2:24) Building full stack apps from text, in your browser(4:19) Running an operating system in the browser(11:48) Why Bolt failed the first time, almost shutting down the company last summer(20:18) How Bolt went viral from one tweet(28:33) Differences between ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor(39:38) Why AI code gen changes the software world order(42:01) What happened inside Bolt going from zero to $20m ARR in two months(47:32) Not sharing fundraises publicly + his PR strategy(58:57) Why the team never gave up for seven years(1:01:07) Living in a frat house for $100/month(1:04:07) How to be capital efficient(1:09:00) Living on $1/day in AOL's HQ when he was 19(1:14:01) Inside Bolt's Series B(1:21:03) Bolt's hiring and product roadmap(1:32:58) Creating a new inference-based AI business model(1:38:07) Eric's playbook for building a community of users(1:44:05) Why you should open source your codeReferencedTry Bolt: https://bolt.new/Bolt on X: https://x.com/boltdotnewCheck out Webcontainers: https://webcontainers.io/$0 to $4m ARR case study with Anthropic: https://www.anthropic.com/customers/stackblitzBolt's open source code: https://www.bolt.diy/Bolt / StackBlitz is hiring! https://stackblitz.com/careersEric's favorite cafe, The Lighthouse SF: https://thelighthousessf.com/Lady Gaga's “one person” montage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRxsX_30tjsLiving inside AOL HQ at 19 years old: https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/meet-the-tireless-entrepreneur-who-squatted-at-aol/Bloomberg coverage of StackBlitz Series B: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-21/ai-speech-to-code-startup-stackblitz-is-in-talks-for-a-700-million-valuation?embedded-checkout=trueJoel Spolsky's blog: https://www.joelonsoftware.com/Follow EricTwitter: https://x.com/ericsimons40LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-simons-a464a664/Follow TurnerTwitter: https://twitter.com/TurnerNovakLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/turnernovakSubscribe to my newsletter to get every episode + the transcript in your inbox every week: https://www.thespl.it/

This episode originally aired in February 2024 and quickly became one of the most popular episodes of The Journey. Whether you're tuning in for the first time or revisiting this conversation, this episode will help you make informed decisions in your business!   Ever thought about raising venture capital for your business? In this episode, Morgan DeBaun breaks down everything a founder should know before diving into the venture fundraising process, sharing her invaluable insights from the perspective of both a fundraiser and an investor.   In this episode: 00:00 Introduction to Venture Funding 00:10 Should You Raise Money? 00:48 Understanding Angel Investors 02:55 The Importance of Traction 05:23 Navigating the Seed Round 06:44 Legal Considerations and Mistakes 08:29 Painting a Big Vision 10:57 Executing Your Plan 11:48 Hitting Milestones and Fundraising Timelines 12:31 The Importance of Momentum 13:31 Series Seed and Extensions 15:16 Navigating Series A 17:29 Series B and Beyond 19:19 Balancing Operations and Fundraising 20:56 Final Tips and Resources   First up, Morgan dives into a crucial question: Should you even raise venture capital for your business? Spoiler alert: More often than not, the answer is no. But for those who do opt for the fundraising path, Morgan warns that the venture capital journey won't be easy.   Through the episode, Morgan breaks down the phases of venture funding, from the Friends and Family and Angel Round to the critical Seed Round, all the way to the Series A, B, and C Rounds and beyond. She shares the benefits and challenges of each round and highlights what founders should pay attention to as they navigate the process. Morgan shares what she looks for in the entrepreneurs she chooses to support as an angel investor: resilience and grit. It's these qualities that often make the difference between success and failure in the cutthroat world of startups. Not sure if venture funding is the right choice for your business? After you listen to the episode, check out Morgan's workshop [link below] which will help you decide if fundraising is the appropriate next step for your startup. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review!   Pre-order Rewrite Your Rules: https://worksmartprogram.com/book/   Make sure you are following Morgan on TikTok to follow along with her beauty and wellness journey! https://www.tiktok.com/@morgandebaun?_ Join the Newsletter for More Exclusive Content: https://worksmartprogram.ac-page.com/thejourneypodcast Visit Mormatcha.com to make a purchase. Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thejourneybymdb Produced by MicMoguls.

The United States Space Force (USSF)'s Space Systems Command (SSC) has awarded a launch service contract to Firefly Aerospace for $21.81 million for VICTUS SOL, the USSF's newest Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) mission. K2 Space has raised $110 million in a Series B funding round. The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a contract with Thales Alenia Space to develop Element #2 of the High-throughput Digital and Optical Network (HydRON) project, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Elysia Segal from NASASpaceflight.com brings us the Space Traffic Report. Selected Reading Space Systems Command advances Tactically Responsive Space capabilities to enable faster, more agile response to on-orbit threats K2 Space announces $110M Series B and first successful in-space demonstration HydRON moves into next phase with Thales Alenia Space to develop optical LEO multi-orbit extension layer- ESA CSC DXC Helps European Space Agency Launch GenAI Agents Star Catcher Awarded AFWERX SBIR Phase 1 to Advance Space-to-Space Power Beaming King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) & ispace Sign Memorandum of Understanding for Collaboration on Lunar Exploration Opportunities and Capability Development White Hat Hackers Expose Iridium Satellite Security Flaws T-Minus Crew Survey We want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It'll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode Harbinger Co-founder and CEO John Harris joins us to talk about their recent $100 million Series B round and how they're disrupting the electric medium-duty vehicle space. Follow the Truck Tech Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Harris was a partner at YC for 7.5 years where he funded Deel, OpenSea, Scale AI, Rappi, Lattice, and others. He also built YC's Series A program where he worked with founders on over 200 Series As and Bs that raised in excess of $3B in capital. He joined Sam Kirschner, VP at Village Global, to give Village Global founders helpful tips on fundraising.Takeaways:Investors bet on stories, not just data. Your job? Tell a story of massive economic opportunity — not just how you fit into the future, but how you create it.Hype lowers the barrier to turn attention into excitement.Fundraising isn't the trophy, even though it's celebrated as such. But if you optimize for raising money, you get great at burning money and miss the real point: building something that lasts through the hype cycles.Think about raising money with terminal value in mind, not just the value of this current round.Raising an A: you'll need to raise about 20% of your company. Series B: 15-20%. Seeds are all over the place. More competition in a round means less dilution; less competition means more dilution. Hype helps reduce dilution.Be aware of dilution on SAFEs so that you don't all of a sudden start arguing about a point of dilution here or there on a given round.AI companies have been getting faster investor movement. The hottest deals land term sheets in 48 hours. Next tier? 1-2 weeks. Beyond that, a 2-6 week grind with unpredictable timing. After 6 weeks, rounds can stretch to 3-4 months where persistence is what leads to success.Understand the market and how investors think by having casual, no-pitch-deck coffee chats. The real signal? Not a follow-up meeting — that's just a VC's job. Look for action: are they willing to spend political capital for you? That's true interest.Thanks for listening — if you like what you hear, please review us on your favorite podcast platform.Check us out on the web at www.villageglobal.vc or get in touch with us on Twitter @villageglobal.Want to get updates from us? Subscribe to get a peek inside the Village. We'll send you reading recommendations, exclusive event invites, and commentary on the latest happenings in Silicon Valley. www.villageglobal.vc/signup

This week on Turpentine VC, we're re-releasing one of our most popular episode: Erik Torenberg's interview with Somesh Dash. Somesh is a General Partner at IVP, shares insights on IVP's unique positioning in the venture capital ecosystem, the importance of team construction, the future of venture capital, and how IVP supports founders through scaling and strategic growth. — 

Welcome to the Group Dentistry Now Show, the voice of the DSO industry! In this episode, host Bill Neumann is joined by McKenzie Fagan, Vice President of Enterprise Sales at Pearl, to discuss the transformative advancements in dental AI and what to expect in 2025. McKenzie shares her insights on Pearl's groundbreaking products, including PreCheck, an AI-powered insurance eligibility and benefits verification tool, and Calibrate, the first AI-powered clinical calibration and training tool. Discover how these innovations are changing the way dentistry is practiced, enhancing patient care, and improving treatment acceptance. The conversation also covers Pearl's impressive growth in 2024, including a significant $58 million Series B funding round and strategic partnerships with organizations like the American Dental Association. McKenzie highlights the importance of AI in the dental industry and how it can help practices uncover previously undetected opportunities, leading to increased production and better patient outcomes. Join us as we explore the future of dentistry, the role of technology, and the exciting developments on the horizon for DSOs and dental practices. Key Topics: Overview of Pearl's innovative AI products The impact of AI on treatment acceptance and patient trust Insights into Pearl's funding and partnerships Predictions for the future of dentistry in 2025 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your colleagues! For more information about Pearl, visit www.hellopearl.com and connect with McKenzie on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mckenziefagan/. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:48 - Welcome and introduction of McKenzie Fagan 01:36 - McKenzie's background and role at Pearl 05:02 - Overview of Pearl's product innovations 08:53 - Discussion on Calibrate and its benefits for training 12:03 - Insights on Pearl's recent investments 14:27 - Pearl's global presence and partnerships 16:09 - Leadership expansion at Pearl 18:48 - Data and statistics on AI's impact in practices 22:59 - Predictions for 2025 in the dental industry  26:14 - Conclusion and how to connect with McKenzie Thank you for tuning in to the Group Dentistry Now Show! #dso #ai #dental

AI is coming for everything—except FieldPulse, according to CEO Gabe Pinchev. In this episode, we chat about how FieldPulse is changing the game for home service businesses with an all-in-one CRM that actually understands what tradesmen need. We talk invoicing, scheduling, QuickBooks sync, dispatch tools, and why custom workflows make all the difference.Plus, Gabe shares insights on his company's Series B funding, why AI won't be replacing SaaS (but will make it better), and what's next for FieldPulse.If you're running an HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or any other home service business and still juggling paper invoices, whiteboards, or excel spreadsheets, this episode is a must-listen.HUGE THANK YOU TO FIELD PULSEFieldPulse is a really awesome Field Service Management platform that helps you save hours every week and keep operations running smoothly. With features like scheduling, dispatching, invoicing, and reporting, it takes the headache out of managing the day-to-day.If you're looking to streamline your ops, stay ahead of the competition, and focus on what really matters, FieldPulse is a game-changer.

Tiffany Lopinsky is the co-founder and chief operating officer of ShopMy, the groundbreaking tech company that is the preeminent platform used by content creators to share and monetize their product recommendations. Lopinsky studied government at Harvard, where she launched Boston Foodies, an Instagram account showcasing the city's best restaurants. The account grew to over 150,000 followers, giving her firsthand insight into the world of content creation. After graduation, she worked in business strategy and analytics at Arnold Worldwide, a global ad agency, and Popcart, a small start-up. At Popcart, she met her future co-founder, Harry Rein, who was working on a little side project—an online storefront where you can share products you like—and sought her advice. Eventually, they teamed up with another co-founder, Chris Tinsley, to create ShopMy. The platform launched in 2020 and quickly became invaluable to both creators and brands through its sophisticated affiliate network. Lopinsky and her co-founders have continued to refine and expand the platform, creating new programs that allow creators to have a steady income from brands and helping brands connect with creators who genuinely care about their products. Last month, they announced a $77.5 million Series B funding round, allowing them to expand into new markets and categories.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Varun Anand is the co-founder and Head of Operations at Clay, a GTM development environment that combines data and AI to help over 5000 companies power everything from CRM enrichment to highly targeted outreach campaigns. Clay recently announced their Series B expansion, raising $40M at a $1.25B valuation. Before Clay, Varun was the Director of Operations at Newfront and the Head of Expansion at Candid. Varun also spent four years working on Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. – In today's episode, we discuss: Clay's unconventional GTM machine 3 changes that unlocked Clay's upmarket motion Layering enterprise customers on top of PLG Scrappy sales tactics: WhatsApp groups, Reddit threads, and reverse demos Thinking long-term about brand and content Building an elite team of people who are “technical enough” Clay's contrarian take on compensation Much more – Referenced: Anthropic: https://www.anthropic.com/ Clay: https://www.clay.com/ Clay's Series B expansion: https://www.clay.com/blog/series-b-expansion Eric Nowoslawski: https://www.linkedin.com/in/outboundphd/ Figma: https://www.figma.com/ Jesse Ouellette: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesseoue/ Kareem Amin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kareemamin/ Nick Merrill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-merrill-64562310/ Notion: https://www.notion.com/ Oyster: https://www.oysterhr.com/ Pave: https://www.pave.com/ Rippling: https://www.rippling.com/ Snowflake: https://www.snowflake.com/ Verkada: https://www.verkada.com/ Webflow: https://webflow.com/ Yash Tekriwal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yashtekriwal/ – Where to find Varun: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaanand/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/vxanand – Where to find Brett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-berson-9986094/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/brettberson – Where to find First Round Capital: Website: https://firstround.com/ First Round Review: https://review.firstround.com/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/firstround YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstRoundCapital This podcast on all platforms: https://review.firstround.com/podcast – Timestamps: (00:00) Teaser + Introduction (03:13) Turning traditional GTM on its head (05:37) How Clay hustled for its first customers: Reddit threads & WhatsApp groups (08:53) Unpacking Clay's credit-based pricing (14:29) Building Clay's self-serve engine (16:54) Why Clay rejected the usage-based model (19:04) Clay's big bet on content (23:59) How "reverse demos" win enterprise deals (27:49) 3 changes that unlocked Clay's upmarket motion (36:59) How to build trust with enterprise buyers (38:49) Applying the land and expand model (40:40) Hiring people who are “technical enough” (46:33) Inside Clay's hands-on interviewing process (48:15) Why Clay invested in brand from day-one (50:21) Clay's contrarian take on compensation (58:35) The person who shaped Varun's career

Shervin Pishevar is a serial entrepreneur and investor. Shervin is famed for leading Uber's Series B at Menlo alongside leading Warby Parker's Series A and investing in Tumblr, all in just 18 months at Menlo. Following Menlo, Shervin co-founded Sherpa Capital and today Shervin is averaging over 73x on his investments. As an angel investor, Shervin made over 100 investments in the likes of Dollar Shave Club, Postmates, Facebook and more.  In Today's Episode with Shervin Pishevar: 08:09 Meeting Travis Kalanick: The Start of a Game-Changing Partnership 11:08 The Uber Series B: Securing a Billion-Dollar Deal 12:49 The Rise of Uber: Global Expansion and Strategic Moves 19:01 The Lyft Rivalry: Missed Opportunities and Lessons Learned 20:57 Recruiting Emil Michael: Building a Strong Leadership Team 24:29 Uber China: The Challenges and Triumphs 27:19 The $15 Billion Raise: Fueling Uber's Global Dominance 30:57 The Beginning of the End: Betrayal by Benchmark 35:33 Sam Altman's Coup and Lessons from the Past 36:22 The Uber War: Legal Battles and Boardroom Drama 37:36 Fusion GPS and Fabricated Reports 39:43 The Me Too Movement and Its Impact 40:51 The SoftBank Investment and Leadership Changes 41:29 The Downfall of Uber's Visionaries 51:09 The Future of Venture Capital 57:01 Quantum Computing and AI: The Next Frontier      

In partnership with our friends at Deinde, we're getting the ultimate insider intel on what the future of beauty will really look like. Joshua Britton is the scientist and CEO of Debut Biotech, a San Diego-based, vertically integrated brand incubator that earned $40 million in Series B funding led by L'Oréal.Find out about the next-level skincare innovation that L'Oréal brands is banking on next, why we should all be tuned into “inflammaging” and our skin – zillennials included! – plus, everything to know about the first skincare range to launch with the patented technology, Deinde.Tune in to learn: What is “inflammaging”? Plus, how to reset your skin to neutral Too good to be true? Meet “naringenin,” the scientifically-proven, powerhouse polyphenol that promises to be 15x as effective as niacinamideWhy Joshua believes that “longevity skincare” is the next big thing in beauty What does biotech really mean? Will small-scale farmers go out of business? And will vegan skincare become a thing of the past?Why Deinde's Moisture-Locking Face Stick might be your new winter must Get social with us and let us know what you think of the episode! Find us on Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter. Join our private Facebook group, or give us a call and leave us a voicemail at 1-844-227-0302. For any products or links mentioned in this episode, check out our website: https://breakingbeautypodcast.com/episode-recaps/ Related episodes like this: “Chaotic Skin,” Grading Your Skin Age & Are Single-Ingredient Serums Over? With Olay Principal Scientist Dr. Rolanda WilkersonHow-To Find a Sunscreen You Can Really Trust With Dr. Michelle Wong, AKA Lab Muffin Beauty ScienceThe Ultimate Guide to Face Serums With Dr. Sam Bunting: Find The Right One for Your Skin Type, Layering Tips and How Much $$$ You Should Spend! PROMO CODE: When you support our sponsors, you support the creation of Breaking Beauty Podcast! DEINDEDEINDE is the first and only skincare line to harness Naringenin through biotechnology in their four products - Purifying Whipped Cleanser, Skin-Strengthening Serum, Moisture-Locking Face Stick, Barrier-Building Moisture Cream.For listeners based in the US, visit DEINDE.com and use code BEAUTY for 15% off your next purchase. For listeners in Canada, visit rennai.com to purchase DEINDE products. NutrafolNutrafol is the #1 dermatologist-recommended hair growth supplement brand, trusted by over 1 million people. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month's subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code BREAKING. *Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.* Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya
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