Podcasts about spac

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Latest podcast episodes about spac

CoMotion Podcast
Where the Smart Money is Moving with Reilly Brennan

CoMotion Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2026 34:03


On this episode of Fast Forward, host Nick Perloff-Giles sits down with Trucks VC co-founder Reilly Brennan, for a conversation about where capital is going in mobility after the frothy days of the SPAC-heavy 2010s.

moving spac fast forward smart money reilly brennan trucks vc
Foundr Magazine Podcast with Nathan Chan
667: He Built a $300M Men's Grooming Brand in JUST Three Years | MANSCAPED

Foundr Magazine Podcast with Nathan Chan

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2026 48:05


Paul Tran started Manscaped with $50,000, a bloody problem nobody was talking about, and a category that didn't exist. The company hit $300 million in revenue in just 36 months, eventually turned down a $1 billion SPAC deal, and has become the #3 men's grooming brand in a category dominated by companies over 100 years old—while staying profitable the entire way. In this interview, the founder and CEO of Manscaped breaks down the exact DTC playbook that got him from 10,000 units sold out in two weeks to nine figures in annual media spend, why he waited until $50–60 million in marketing spend before entering retail, and the counterintuitive brand decisions—including turning down better-performing ads—that built one of the most recognizable men's lifestyle brands in the world. What you'll learn in this interview: • How Paul identified a completely unaddressed category and validated it with just 10,000 units and $5-a-day Facebook ads • Why Manscaped had lower revenue than Paul's other two businesses at launch—and the three signals that told him it had the highest potential • The $18,000 mistake that wiped out a third of the starting budget in one hour—and what it taught him about brand vs. performance media • Why he deliberately waited until $50–60 million in annual media spend before entering retail—and why most brands jump in too early • The brand values decision that cost them short-term revenue: why they turned down better-converting ads that used provocative imagery • How 66% of first-time buyers chose a starter kit—and the bundle-testing framework behind it • Why he walked away from a $1 billion SPAC deal in 2021—and why that decision looks like genius three years later • The post-purchase upsell structure that turns a single transaction into a lifetime customer • Why consumer brands should never adopt the VC "raise and burn" playbook—and how Manscaped scaled to $300M while staying profitable • What Paul would do radically differently if he started today—and why AI changes the entire early-stage playbook If you're building a DTC brand, trying to figure out the right time to go into retail, or looking for the real story behind how a category-defining brand gets built from scratch on a shoestring, this conversation will fundamentally change how you think about timing, positioning, and what profitable scale actually looks like. SAVE 50% ON OMNISEND FOR 3 MONTHS Get 50% off your first 3 months of email and SMS marketing with Omnisend with the code FOUNDR50. Just head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://your.omnisend.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get started. WANT TO GROW YOUR BRAND WITH META ADS? Join the Foundr Operators Waitlist → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/operators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HOW WE CAN HELP YOU SCALE YOUR BUSINESS FASTER Learn directly from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders inside Foundr+ Start your $1 trial → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PREFER A CUSTOM ROADMAP AND 1-ON-1 COACHING? → Starting from scratch? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → Already have a store? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growth-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH NATHAN CHAN Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nathanchan⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhchan/⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH PAUL TRAN Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/paultran/ LinkedIn → ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulhtran/ Website → https://www.manscaped.com/ FOLLOW FOUNDR FOR MORE BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/2uyvzdt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/podcast⁠

Mission Matters Podcast with Adam Torres
Inside the 2026 SPAC Market: Trends, Challenges & Opportunities

Mission Matters Podcast with Adam Torres

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2026 12:46


In this episode, Adam Torres interviews Joe Fede, Partner at Withum, about the current state of the SPAC market, challenges facing de-SPAC entities, and what companies need to prepare for public market readiness. The discussion is part of the DealFlow SPAC Conference series taking place June 9–10, 2026 in New York. Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/ Visit our website: https://missionmatters.com/ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WSJ Tech News Briefing
TNB Tech Minute: Robinhood Users Can Now Delegate Trades to AI

WSJ Tech News Briefing

Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2026 2:31


Plus: nuclear power startup Newcleo plans to go public via SPAC. And Tesla's European sales surge. Imani Moise hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hybrid Fitness Media
HYROX Golden Tickets. HYROX Elite Series Explained. Plus Enhanced Games Review. NYC HYROX Preview

Hybrid Fitness Media

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2026 93:47


Enhanced Games records controversy and timing accusationsFred Kerley's 9.97 performance and reactionFalse start confusion and event production issuesThor vs. Mitchell Hooper deadlift mismatchThe Enhanced Games business model and SPAC stock collapseAthlete payouts and whether competitors will returnHYROX Elite Series changes explainedThe new HYROX Challenger Division and golden ticket systemWhy Cheryl thinks HYROX keeps overcomplicating qualificationHYROX Cruise race backlash and Rich Ryan's criticismWhy the cruise event has no livestream or official recordsHYROX blocking 60+ athletes from registering for Pro divisionThe crew debates whether the policy is outright ageismMatt's chaotic New York and Stockholm travel scheduleMatt, Cheryl, and Dave break down the fallout from the Enhanced Games after a weekend full of questionable records, production issues, and criticism surrounding the event's legitimacy. The crew discusses the failed sprint starts, Thor's awkward deadlift setup, athlete payouts, and whether the entire project was ultimately just a giant pharmaceutical infomercial.They also dive deep into HYROX's newest Elite Series changes, including the new Challenger Division, the controversial cruise ship race, and the decision to block 60+ athletes from competing in the Pro division. Cheryl shares her frustration directly as someone impacted by the new rules, while Matt previews his packed New York and Stockholm travel schedule heading into Worlds.Today's episode is sponsored by Wodify. When your HYROX gym needs to run smoothly, Wodify delivers. From scheduling and programming to performance tracking and milestone celebrations, all the tools you need are built right in. Book a demo here.Also by Stryd – Personalized Run Training. Powered by the Best Data. Experience the future of running with our most advanced power meter yet, combined with Adaptive Training.Listen on Apple or SpotifySupport us through The Cup Of CoffeeFollow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG

Tank Talks
The Rundown 5/25/26: SPACs Are Back: Xanadu, UniUni, and Canada's Capital Gap

Tank Talks

Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2026 26:56


In this episode of Tank Talks: The Rundown, Matt Cohen and John Ruffolo break down a huge week across Canadian tech, quantum computing, SPACs, AI infrastructure, vertical SaaS, and the reported SpaceX IPO filing. They start with Xanadu's $300 million at-the-market equity facility and what it reveals about the funding challenge facing Canadian quantum companies that need billion-dollar scale capital to compete globally.John argues that Xanadu should use current market hype to fully fund the business now, even if short-term shareholders hate the dilution. From there, Matt and John unpack why quantum remains a long-term binary bet, why SPACs may be coming back for Canadian growth companies like UniUni, and why Clio's jump from $100 million to more than $500 million in ARR proves vertical SaaS is far from dead, especially when the product is mission-critical and deeply embedded.The episode then shifts to OpenAI, Anthropic, and the AI infrastructure boom, with John warning that massive top-line revenue can hide dangerous burn and accounting optics. Matt and John close with a deep debate on the reported SpaceX IPO, Starlink's growth, Starship risk, xAI, and Cursor being folded into the story, SPV cap table chaos, and whether trillion-dollar tech IPOs could pull capital away from the Mag Seven.Listen to this episode for a sharper read on where capital is really flowing across AI, quantum, SaaS, and space. Matt and John cut through the hype to show which tech narratives are built to last, and which ones could crack under pressure.Xanadu's $300M ATM Facility and the Quantum Funding Problem (00:49)Matt opens with Xanadu's $300 million at-the-market equity facility, explaining how the structure gives the company access to capital while raising questions about dilution, public market volatility, and the long-term cost of funding a quantum data center.John Ruffolo's Advice: Fund the Business While the Market Is Hot (02:45)John explains why Xanadu should take advantage of momentum in the public markets and raise as much primary capital as possible, even if short-term shareholders dislike the dilution.Why SPACs Are Coming Back for Canadian Growth Companies (07:17)Matt brings up UniUni's $1 billion SPAC agreement to list on the TSX, and John explains why companies struggling to raise late-stage private capital may see SPACs as their best path to primary money.Could Clio Be Canada's Next Major Tech IPO? (10:56)As Clio's valuation grows, John argues that the universe of private equity buyers gets smaller, making an IPO one of the more realistic paths for investor liquidity.The Accounting Trick John Says AI Investors Need to Watch (12:23)John criticizes the capitalization of compute, infrastructure, sales, marketing, and partnership costs, arguing that burn may be a better proxy for the real economics than adjusted profitability claims.The Reported SpaceX IPO and the $1.75 Trillion Valuation Debate (14:20)Matt introduces the reported SpaceX IPO valuation and breaks down how much of the story depends on Starlink growth, Starship launches, and the company's ability to scale space-based broadband.Why Everything Hinges on Starship (18:51)John explains that Starship is the key dependency behind the SpaceX story, because Starlink's ability to scale depends heavily on launch capacity, satellite economics, and execution.SpaceX vs. Canadian Banks: The Scale Shock (22:37)Matt points out that the reported SpaceX valuation could be roughly twice the combined market cap of Canada's big six banks, underscoring the staggering scale of the next wave of tech IPOs.The Early Investors Who May Win Big (25:26)Matt and John close by highlighting early institutional bets from Washington State University's endowment and Ontario Teachers, showing how patient capital in breakthrough companies can create generational outcomes.Connect with John Ruffolo on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/joruffoloConnect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com

Living the Dream with Curveball
Innovating Through Adversity: Dr. Rob Yonover's Journey from Caregiver to Inventor

Living the Dream with Curveball

Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2026 35:31 Transcription Available


Send us Fan MailIn this exhilarating episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we are joined by Dr. Rob Yonover, a multifaceted scientist, inventor, author, and adventurer whose life story is a testament to resilience and innovation. Dr. Yonover shares his remarkable journey, from caring for his wife for nearly two decades while raising children to inventing life-saving products for the military and even SpaceX.With a background that includes exploring erupting volcanoes and diving two miles deep in a submersible, Dr. Yonover's adventures have shaped his unique perspective on life and invention. He reflects on the challenges of balancing caregiving, family life, and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of endurance and perspective in overcoming obstacles.Listeners will be captivated by Dr. Yonover's tales of his iconic invention, the Sea Rescue streamer, which has saved lives and gained recognition worldwide. He discusses the impact of his appearance on Shark Tank and how he navigated the journey of bringing an idea from concept to reality. Throughout the episode, Dr. Yonover offers insights into innovation, perseverance, and the importance of community support in both personal and professional realms.Join us for an inspiring conversation filled with adventure, motivation, and the reminder that with determination, anything is possible.What You'll Learn in This Episode:- The journey of inventing life-saving technology- Insights from Dr. Yonover's experiences as a caregiver- The balance of family, work, and personal passion- The significance of media exposure in promoting ideas- Dr. Yonover's upcoming projects and future aspirationsFor more information on Dr. Rob Yonover and his work, visit his profiles on social media platforms under his name.Support the show

SPACInsider
Carlos Domingo on Securitize, Tokenization and Its SPAC Deal with Cantor Equity Partners II

SPACInsider

Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2026 28:21


This week, we speak with Carlos Domingo, Founder and CEO of Securitize. Securitize is working to close a business combination with Cantor Equity Partners II (NASDAQ:CEPT). As the use of stablecoins spreads, the opportunity to create digital tokens of other assets is spreading as well. For public investors, there will soon also be an opportunity to invest in one of the companies making that process happen. Carlos discusses how Securitize has driven key partnerships with financial institutions into a profitable position within the tokenization space, and why Cantor Equity Partners II's structure was a major factor why Securitize chose it as the company's route to the public markets. Give it a listen.

The Roundtable
CulinaryArts@SPAC - 'Heartland Masala' with Jyoti Mukharji and Auyon Mukharji

The Roundtable

Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2026 28:30


At our most recent WAMC on the Road event with CulinaryArts@SPAC – the featured cookbook was ‘Heartland Masala: An Indian Cookbook from an American Kitchen.'‘Heartland Masala' presents recipes from Indian cooking instructor Jyoti Mukharji with cultural and historical essays by her son Auyon Mukharji – folk musician and member of the band ‘Darlingside.'

indian spac masala american kitchen darlingside wamc mukharji
SPACInsider
What Comes Next for Crypto Treasury SPACs? Vik Mittal and Ivan Deryugin Weigh In

SPACInsider

Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2026 33:51


This week, on a special edition of the SPACInsider Podcast, we speak with Vik Mittal, managing member of Meteora Capital and Ivan Deryugin, head of research for the Americas at United First Partners. Together we discuss why the digital asset treasury strategy quickly turned from a SPAC-favorite play to falling out of favor over the past year. Ivan gets into the numbers on how some of these deals have become misaligned, particularly as crypto prices dropped. Vik shares his perspective as a both a PIPE investor in some of these transactions and as a SPAC sponsor searching in the space. What is to become of these pending deals, and how might SPACs play in the crypto space next? --------- Disclaimer: This podcast includes discussions of cryptocurrency, digital assets, special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”), and other publicly traded securities. Mr. Mittal participates in this podcast in his capacity as a portfolio manager at Meteora Capital Partners, LP (“Meteora”). Mr. Deryugin participates in this podcast in his capacity as a research analyst at United First Partners, LLC (“UFP”), a broker-dealer registered with FINRA (CRD # 155456). All statements, examples, scenarios, tickers, and transactions referenced by Mr. Mittal and Mr. Deryugin are hypothetical in nature and are provided solely for general informational and discussion purposes. Nothing discussed should be relied upon as fact, forecast, recommendation, or commitment. Nothing in this podcast constitutes financial, investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice, nor is it a recommendation, offer, or solicitation to buy or sell any security, digital asset, or financial instrument. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets are highly volatile, speculative, and carry significant risk, including the risk of total loss. SPAC and equity investments likewise carry substantial risk. All opinions expressed by Mr. Mittal and Mr. Deryugin are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Meteora, UFP, or their respective affiliates. Any references to specific companies, tickers, or transactions are illustrative only and should not be interpreted as investment advice or solicitations. Meteora and its affiliates, employees, and managed funds may hold long or short positions in any securities, digital assets, or financial instruments discussed, and may buy, sell, or otherwise change such positions at any time without notice. UFP does not hold proprietary positions in the securities or digital assets discussed and may from time to time act as agent or facilitator on behalf of institutional clients in connection with securities referenced herein. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and actual outcomes may differ materially from those discussed. Listeners should conduct their own independent research and consult a licensed financial, legal, and tax professional before making any investment decision.

Affärsvärlden
Silex, Avanza och "kreativ förstörelse": Creades vd John Hedberg om att investera i AI-eran

Affärsvärlden

Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2026 54:52


Vi träffar John Hedberg på Creades och pratar om mjukvarubolag, AI, Avanzas utlandsexpansion, den otroliga Silex-noteringen, Creades substansrabatt, compounder-bolagens affärsmodell och långsiktigt ägande. I veckans avsnitt medverkar: Lars Jörnow, medgrundare EQT Ventures. Hampus Brodén, medgrundare och vd för Stabelo. Johan Isaksson, privatinvesterare. John Hedberg, vd på Creades. TIDSSTÄMPLAR 00:00:00 Introduktion – Lars som moderator och varför Jacob är petad. 00:02:00 Silex-noteringen – Creades historia med bolaget och SPAC:en som inte blev av. 00:06:00 AI som creative destruction – är det här internet-momentet igen? 00:08:00 Moats i AI-eran – vad händer med SaaS-bolag när kod blir lättare att skriva? 00:10:00 Vitec som contrarian bet – är AI-pessimismen för Constellation-typen av bolag överdrivet? 00:12:00 AI i portföljbolagen – Mentimeter-grundarens demo som satte igång tankar. 00:16:00 E-handel och konsumenten som fortfarande inte tagit fart. 00:18:00 Lumene och Nordic Knots – starka varumärken redo att bryta ut ur Skandinavien. 00:20:00 Klarna – hur Creades fick 0,14% via Pricerunner-affären och vad de tänker nu. 00:22:00 Creades tre investeringsteman – trender, vägskäl och otydliga ägare. 00:26:00 Substansrabatt eller premie – hur Creades resonerar kring sin egen värdering. 00:30:00 AI och den amerikanska plattformskoncentrationen – klokt att oroa sig? 00:32:00 Indexförvaltningens frammarsch – blir det lättare eller svårare att vara aktiv ägare? 00:38:00 Avanza och utlandsexpansionen – varför Danmark och inte Norge? 00:40:00 Revolut och Trade Republic – varför Avanza inte blev lika globala som sina europeiska kopior. 00:44:00 Småbolagsdöden på börsen – en motvind Creades känt av. 00:46:00 Compounder-bolagen idag – fortfarande ett tema? 00:50:00 Att vara vd i ett familjeföretag – fördelarna med en tydlig långsiktig ägare 00:54:00 Råd till grundare: hundra möten och hemligheten med komplementära medgrundare. OM PODDEN Marknaden är en podd om börs, ekonomi och finans. Vi som gör den är Hampus Brodén, Johan Isaksson, Petter Hjerstedt, Viktor Fritzén, Lars Jörnow och Jacob Bursell. Följ oss på X: https://x.com/marknadspodden Hör av er till oss på jacob@monopolmedia.se #marknaden #Creades #investmentbolag #AI #Avanza #Silex #venture #börsen

The Roundtable
CulinaryArts@SPAC - Dr. Jessica B. Harris - 'Braided Heritage'

The Roundtable

Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2026 25:01


Dr. Jessica B. Harris is a renowned culinary historian, James Beard Cookbook Hall of Fame winner, and star of the Netflix docuseries ‘High on the Hog.' Her latest book is ‘Braided Heritage: Recipes and Stories on the Origin of American Cuisine.' Joe Donahue spoke with her in a WAMC on the Road and CulinaryArts@SPAC event in Saratoga Springs, New York in March.

Seth Farbman on Podcast - From Startup to Stock Exchange
The Truth About Going Public with Joe Lucosky | Seth Farbman's Podcast

Seth Farbman on Podcast - From Startup to Stock Exchange

Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2026 52:30


Most founders think going public is the goal it's not.In this episode, Seth sits down with Joe Lucosky, Founding Partner of Lucosky Brookman, to break down how CEOs should actually think about going public whether through an IPO, SPAC, direct listing, or not at all.Joe shares the hard truth most advisors won't say: many companies simply aren't ready and chasing the public markets for the wrong reasons can do more harm than good.If you're building a company and thinking about the public markets, this conversation will change how you approach that decision.Seth's CompaniesVstock Transfer – https://www.vstocktransfer.com/Share Media – https://www.sharemedia.co/Listen to the ShowApple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seth-farbman-on-podcast-from-startup-to-stock-exchange/id1356667808Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/54i7xkWaAALAFrUvk4WZcNConnect with SethLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethfarbman/Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sethfarbmanstockTikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@sethfarbmanTwitter (X) – https://x.com/sethfarbman1About the ShowFrom Startup to Stock Exchange, hosted by entrepreneur and investor Seth Farbman, spotlights the journey of founders and CEOs as they scale their companies from early ideas to public markets. Each episode features candid conversations with leaders across industries, offering insights on growth, fundraising, branding, and the mindset it takes to build a company that lasts.Connect with Seth LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethfarbman/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sethfarbmanstock TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@sethfarbman Twitter (X) – https://x.com/sethfarbman1

What's Next with Aki Anastasiou
Bradley Sacks on building fintech infrastructure and thriving in uncertainty

What's Next with Aki Anastasiou

Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2026 41:07


In this episode of What's Next, Aki Anastasiou sits down with Bradley Sacks, CEO of Araxi, to unpack his remarkable journey from South Africa to the global financial stage. With decades of experience spanning law, investment banking, and technology, Sacks shares the formative lessons that shaped his career, the value of hard work and mentorship, and how his early exposure to business influenced his path. He also reflects on the creation of Capital Appreciation — South Africa's first SPAC — and its evolution into Araxi, a technology-driven business focused on enabling financial services at scale. The conversation dives into Araxi's strategy of building a resilient, enterprise-focused fintech ecosystem, including major acquisitions like African Resonance, Synthesis, and Pay@. Sacks explains how Araxi operates behind the scenes to power everyday transactions, from retail payments to banking apps, and highlights exciting innovations like tap-to-pay solutions for small businesses. He also shares insights on global expansion, the impact of rapid technological change, and why adaptability is key in today's uncertain world. This is a compelling look at how infrastructure, not just apps, is shaping the future of financial services.

The Wall Street Skinny
The INSANE Loophole GameStop Could Use to Pull Off Buying eBay (4x its Size)

The Wall Street Skinny

Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2026 24:55


Send us Fan MailMichael Burry just dumped all his GameStop shares. eBay reportedly deactivated Ryan Cohen's account. And the $56 billion "takeover" GameStop pitched on CNBC? It would actually have eBay shareholders paying for most of it themselves. We're back to break down the latest twists in the GameStop–eBay drama — and why this deal is structured unlike almost any takeover Wall Street has seen.In this episode, Kristen walks Jen (and you) through the rollover equity mechanics that make this look less like an LBO and more like a SPAC, the precedent Bill Ackman set when he paid $10 million to get the SEC to approve his SPARC, and why levering eBay up at 7–10x puts the combined company at material bankruptcy risk over the next few years. We also get into why eBay might actually want a version of this deal (just not this version), and whether a  private equity firm could step in with a cleaner bid, Shop our Self Paced Courses:Investment Banking & Private Equity Fundamentals HEREFixed Income Sales & Trading HERESubscribe to our Substack: https://substack.com/@thewallstreetskinny

The Hudson Valley Disc Golf Podcast
326. NADGT Exclusive, Mine Kill Flex and Apple Blossom Pro Day

The Hudson Valley Disc Golf Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2026 118:11


Corey, Alex, Randy, Jaimen, and Evan are joined by Correspondent Joe Caron to break down a massive week in local disc golf across the Hudson Valley and beyond. We kick things off with Randy's I Love My Park Day update from Greenville, a quick preview of the 2026 Summer Battle Royale and Joe's firsthand report from the 2026 NADGT Exclusive @ Wild West Ranch (sponsored by MVP), before diving deep into the local scene.We move through a rapid-fire look at the events making noise in the region, including: - Corey breaks down the JDubz Points Championships and DiscCap Pro League - Jaimen discusses the latest from the CtK Handicap League - Randy and Alex share their experience at Stonykill Dubs including Randy's Red Zone. - Joe recaps hosting the Glow round at 1000 Acres,  - Evan brings us the results from Prospect Doubles. - We also check the scores and stories from: Gunks, SPAC, Skylands, Deadbeats, Wilcox (Dubs & Tags). Shen Creek, Deadbeats, Disc Beat, CPS Thursday Dubs, OKDGC Dubs, TGIFDR Dubs, Skylands

SPACInsider
AIR CEO Stuart Brazier on AIR's $1.7B SPAC Deal and the Business of Hookah

SPACInsider

Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2026 28:49


This week, we speak with Stuart Brazier, CEO of Advanced Inhalation Rituals, or AIR, to discuss his company's $1.7 billion combination with Cantor Equity Partners III (Nasdaq: CAEP). SPACs often bring companies from emerging technology sectors into the public markets, but sometimes it is their role to list companies that have already established themselves, albeit in something of a niche.  Stuart explains how the AIR's profitable position in the high-margin hookah-shisha market gave it options on how to come public, and why it chose the SPAC route for that journey. How is this lifestyle brand growing and where? And, what additional revenue streams are there still to be had from its 600-year-old core product?

EV News Daily - Electric Car Podcast
BRIEFLY: Norway, Tesla Canada, Factorial & More | 05 May 2026

EV News Daily - Electric Car Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2026 4:16


It's EV News Briefly for Tuesday 05 May 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDailyNORWAY BEV SHARE HITS 99% IN APRILNorway set a new monthly record in April 2026, with battery electric vehicles taking 98.6% of new passenger car registrations, up from the previous record of 98.4% in March. Of 11,103 new cars registered, 10,952 were fully electric, with diesel managing just 87 units and petrol a mere 31 units — making combustion-engine sales little more than a rounding error.TESLA CUTS MODEL 3 PRICES IN CANADATesla has slashed prices across its Canadian Model 3 line-up, introducing a new entry Premium RWD trim starting at C$39,490 — about 31% cheaper than the equivalent US price — after shifting production from its Fremont plant to its Shanghai factory to take advantage of Canada's new 6.1% Chinese-EV import tariff. The line-up now has just two trims after removing the Long Range mid-range, though Shanghai-built cars do not qualify for Canada's federal EVAP rebate of up to C$5,000.FACTORIAL BETS SOLID-STATE CAN BREAK CHINA'S LEADFactorial Energy, a Massachusetts-based startup backed by Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Hyundai/Kia, argues that solid-state batteries — which charge from 15% to 90% in 18 minutes and offer 20–50% more range than lithium-ion — are the West's best chance to leapfrog Chinese rivals rather than imitate them. The company plans to go public on Nasdaq in mid-2026 via a SPAC merger, and a Mercedes-Benz EQS prototype fitted with its cells drove 1,205 km non-stop in August 2025.IONIQ 5 SALES HOLD UP AFTER US TAX CREDIT LOSSHyundai's IONIQ 5 held fifth place among US EV sellers in 2025 despite losing the federal EV tax credit, while rivals like the Ford Mustang Mach-E saw sales collapse 60% year-on-year in Q1 2026. Domestic production at Hyundai Metaplant America in Savannah, Georgia was credited as a key factor in shielding the IONIQ 5 from the impact of Trump administration trade policy changes.VOLKSWAGEN RAISES RIVIAN STAKE TO 15.9%Volkswagen has lifted its stake in Rivian to 15.9% after completing a further $1 billion investment tranche, triggered by the RV Tech joint venture clearing its winter testing milestones, bringing its total investment to $3 billion of a committed $5.8 billion. Volkswagen gains access to Rivian's software stack and zonal architecture, while Rivian retains full ownership of its motors, batteries, chassis, and autonomy framework.VW TESTS 'GAMECHANGER' AT WOLFSBURGVolkswagen has launched a pilot production process codenamed Gamechanger at its Wolfsburg headquarters, aimed at cutting costs and enabling profitable EV manufacturing in Germany through techniques expected to include megacasting and parallel modular assembly streams. The plant is expected to eventually produce an electric Golf and an SUV counterpart on the next-generation SSP platform, potentially under the names ID. Golf and ID. Roc.TESLA LAUNCHES BASECHARGER FOR SEMI DEPOTSTesla has unveiled the Basecharger, a depot-focused DC fast charger for the Tesla Semi that tops out at 125 kW and can charge a truck from low to 60% in around four hours, using a 6-metre cable to accommodate yard layouts. The unit starts at $20,000, supports the open MCS (Megawatt Charging System) standard, and up to three units can share a single breaker — potentially serving future MCS-compatible trucks from Daimler, Volvo, and Scania.MFG EV POWER ADDS PLUG&CHARGEMotor Fuel Group has integrated its MFG EV Power network of around 2,000 rapid and ultra-rapid UK charging points with Hubject's Plug&Charge infrastructure, going live on 1 May 2026 after over a year of technical development. Compatible EVs can now begin charging automatically the moment they plug in, eliminating the need for RFID cards or apps.ALLEGO APP ADDS EUROPE-WIDE CHARGING ROAMINGAllego has transformed its app into a pan-European roaming platform, giving drivers access to roughly one million charging points from competing networks under a single account with no additional roaming fees. The app also includes a Smart Route Planner to help EV drivers plan charging stops across longer cross-border journeys.NEW AI VOICE ASSISTANTS FOR RIVIAN, POLESTAR AND VOLVO EVSRivian's AI voice assistant — first unveiled at its December 2025 Autonomy & AI Day — is now expected to reach customers in the coming weeks after slipping roughly four months behind its original early-2026 target, and will roll out to both R1 and R2 vehicles. Separately, Google has begun rolling out Gemini to Polestar and Volvo cars running Android Automotive OS, enabling conversational AI with multi-turn dialogue, trip planning, and a continuous hands-free mode called Gemini Live — with Volvo saying models dating back to 2020 are eligible for the upgrade.

The Hudson Valley Disc Golf Podcast
325. A Bunch of B-Holes

The Hudson Valley Disc Golf Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2026 112:16


This week on the Hudson Valley Disc Golf Podcast, Alex, Randy, Corey, Jaimen, and Evan team up to break down an absolute marathon of local action. We're hitting every corner of the region to recap the leagues, doubles, and tournaments that defined the week.The crew starts with a deep dive into the local action, including Corey's recap of the JDubz Points Championships and Jaimen's kickoff of the CtK Handicap League. Plus, Randy and Alex share their lines at Stonykill Dubs before we lightning-round our way through an incredible list of community staples:Gunks, SPAC, Wilcox, Skylands (including the Friday Handicap), Deadbeats, Shen Creek, CPS Thursday, OKDGC, DiscBeat, TGIFDR, SPW, CranMore, Dove Creek and LIDG Sunday.We also check the standings in the SkipAce Picks League, then Randy and Alex provide a full download on the MVP Am Side. Corey takes us through the rugged terrain of Mighty Gaw XIX. Also, since none of us played, we went over the results of DisCap presents April Showers 20 driven by Innova. Plus, Evan brings us the latest from both the Riverside Rambler 2026 and Prospect Doubles.We wrap it all up with another high-stakes round of Disc or No Disc. If it happened in the Valley this week, we're talking about it!#HudsonValleyDiscGolf #GrowTheGame #LocalDiscGolf #NYDiscGolfSupport the showSpecial Thanks to our Patreon Supporters: Branden Cline, Tim Goyette, Peter Hodge, Ryan Nelson, Kevin T. Kroencke, Brian Monahan, Corey Cook, Evan Parsley, Mark Bryan, Nick Warren, Jasan Lasasso, Justin Mucelli, Terry Hudson, Kyle Hirsch, Brian Bickersmith, Sparky Spaulding, Mike Schwartz, Erich Struna, William Byrne, Jeff Wiechowski, Sean Dollard, Jack Bradley, Marcia Focht, Justin Hickok, Troy Vassari, Erik Haenel, Ross O'Toole and Peter FitzSisti.

DH Unplugged
DHUnplugged #800: 50-50 Market

DH Unplugged

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2026 63:55


All-time highs – SP500 up 9% MTD – NAS100 even more Balanced risk – up or down from here is evenly matched All tech right now (Example Monday Equal Weighted up 0.33%, SP500 down 0.35%) Worried about No More Mr. Nice Guy The new “Blockchain” , “SPAC”, “MEME” that is pushing stocks PLUS we are now on Spotify and Amazon Music/Podcasts! Click HERE for Show Notes and Links DHUnplugged is now streaming live - with listener chat. Click on link on the right sidebar. Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter Warm-Up - HUGE MOVES - All from Tweets - Earnings seasons - banks did goooood -- Earnings season - carrot ahead of next week when the tech giants report (lots of bulls on this) - A belated 420 day to all you stoners out there! Grab a gummy, come back in about 45 minutes and listen - show will be much better... - Tariff refunds now available Markets - All-time highs - SP500 up 9% MTD - NAS100 even more - Balanced risk - up or down from here is evenly matched -- All tech right now (One day Equal Weighted up 0.33%, SP500 down 0.35%,) - Equal weight up 4.5% MTD, S&P up 9% - Worried about No More Mr. Nice Guy ? - Seems like Trump is bored with the Iran thing... - The new "Blockchain" , "SPAC", "MEME" that is pushing stocks Announcing the Winner of the Closest to the Pin for NetGear... Open /Closed - Straits of Hormuz closed again, and again - The brief opening allowed for a cruise ship to sneak through last week. - Celestyal Discovery, a 1,360-guest vessel operated by Greece-based Celestyal Cruises, departed Port Rashid in Dubai, U.A.E., on April 17 at 11:36 a.m. local time, becoming the first cruise ship known to exit the strait since the crisis began earlier this year. - No passengers aboard - aside from Captain and Crew. - - That must have been a pretty scary passing.... OIL - Oil hovering in the $80-$90 range for a while, now topping $100 - WTI and Brent flipped back to the normal relationship - UAE leaving OPEC - (accounts for 12% of OPEC and 4% of global oil) ---- They need more flexibility and there seems to be a rift  with Saudi Arabia and others as they have not been protected -- China! China to begin exporting jet fuel, diesel and gasoline - DOES THIS MEAN PRICED IN YUAN? Economics - Retail sales up more than expected. - Some is due to the high cost of gas - but stripping out gas prices - still beat expectations - How do we square this with the UMich at all-time lows? Consumer Confidence Retail Sales YoY Chips - MRVL Shares jumped more than 7% after a report by The Information said the company is in talks with Google to build two new AI chips. - AVGO (Broadcom) dipped as they had a deal announced prior and this seems to have watered down some of the importance. - Fast forward a few days and then we see a story about OpenAi missing user and revenue projections. Commentary about concern that if they do not meet their numbers, may not have enough money to fund all the build-outs they promised. (Lots of names dropping on this concern) Tim Apple - Apple announces that Tim Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board of directors and John Ternus, senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will become Apple's next chief executive officer effective on September 1, 2026. - Ternus joined Apple's product design team in 2001 and became a vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013. He joined the executive team in 2021 as senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. Throughout his tenure at Apple, Ternus has overseen hardware engineering work on a variety of groundbreaking products across every category. He was instrumental in the introduction of multiple new product lines, including iPad® and AirPods, as well as many generations of products across iPhone®, Mac®, and Apple Watch. - Ternus's work on Mac has helped the category become more powerful and more popular globally than at any time in its 40-year history. Prior to Apple, Ternus worked as a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems. He holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. Mo Money - Vendor Financing - Anthropic to secure up to 5 gigawatts (GW) of current and future generations of Amazon's Trainium chips to train and power their advanced AI models. - Anthropic's Claude Platform available on AWS, providing their full AI developer experience in one place. - Amazon to invest $5 bln in Anthropic today and up to an additional $20 bln in the future. Operation Vaccu Suck - AST SpaceMobile — Shares fell 15% after a satellite launched  was placed into the wrong orbit. - The company said in a release it expects the cost of the satellite to be recovered by an insurance policy, and it still plans to conduct orbital launches once every month to two months in 2026. - DH Space Cleanup - this is going to be huge. Like the Spaceballs Mega Maid Scene - goes from suck to blow. Mega maid cleaning up space trash - Operation Vaccu Suck Fed Chair Nominee - Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh told Senate hearing that Fed must stay independent and "stay in its lane" - Opening statement (Senate) : "I do not believe the operational independence of monetary policy is particularly threatened when elected officials—presidents, senators, or members of the House—state their views on interest rates. Central bankers must be strong enough to listen to a diversity of views from all corners. - But the actual confirmation may still be stuck until the lawsuit against Powell is dropped (Which it seems is in process) Drugs man... - Compass Pathways — The biotechnology company surged nearly 25% after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that directs his administration to speed up reviews of psychedelic drugs. - Compass is conducting studies of psychedelics to create drugs for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. HOW? - A refund system for businesses that paid tariffs which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled President Donald Trump imposed without the constitutional authority to do so is scheduled to launch Monday. - Importers and their brokers will be able to begin claiming refunds through an online portal beginning at 8 a.m., according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency administering the system. - It's the first step in a complicated process that also might eventually lead to refunds for consumers who were billed for some or all of the tariffs on products shipped to them from outside the United States. SUBS Emerging - Sandwich chain Jersey Mike's has confidentially filed for an IPO. - - Blackstone bought a majority stake in the sandwich chain in 2024 in a deal that valued the company at roughly $8 billion. - - - With more than 3,000 locations nationwide, Jersey Mike's is the second-largest hoagie sandwich chain in the U.S. -- Did some research - typical franchisee makes about $100-$200k per store. ----- Initial cost to get store going ~ $700k (3-7 year make-good on initial investment plus risks) NEW Stock MOVER - SPACS were HOT - now by all accounts one of the worst performance groups EVER - AI Pivot - - - Not sure this has legs like some of the ones in the past... - Myseum shares more than doubled after the social media firm became the latest company to refocus efforts on artificial intelligence. -----Shares of Myseum, which has been renamed Myseum.AI, will still trade under the MYSE ticker - The New Jersey-based company announced Wednesday that it would change its name to Myseum.AI amid a concentration on integrating AI into its platforms like Picture Party and DatChat. Myseum will use AI agents to manage personal media in a way that adapts to users' preferences while also maintaining privacy, the company said. - Allbirds' shares during the previous session after the struggling shoemaker announced a pivot to AI (Went from $3 to $24 and now $11) Crypto News - Charles Schwab is rolling out crypto trading, allowing clients to buy bitcoin and ether in the coming weeks. - The move places the brokerage in direct competition with Robinhood and Coinbase, both of which tend to serve younger clients and offer commission-free trading on stocks (but still carry a fee on crypto). - Schwab is the latest example of increasing crypto acceptance by traditional financial firms that previously were waiting on the sidelines to launch crypto offerings. (Only Ether and Bitcoin) -- Stock was down on this news an some earnings hangover (8% from recent high) - Robinhood and Coinbase had some selling on the news too.... OpenAi - Nastyness - Sam Altman is seeking the dismissal of punitive damages claims in his sister's civil lawsuit accusing the OpenAI co-founder and chief executive of repeated sexual abuse more than two decades ago, an accusation he denies. - Annie Altman accused her brother of sexually abusing and raping her between 1997 and 2006 at the family home in suburban Clayton, Missouri, starting when she was three and he was 12. She said the "last acts of sexual abuse and rape" occurred when Sam Altman was an adult. He is now 40. - Sam Altman is countersuing his sister for defamation over her posts, including a video that said "an almost tech billionaire" molested her. (He is seeking $1) Other Strange - FBI Director Kash Patel filed a defamation lawsuit against the Atlantic and its reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick following the publication of an article on Friday alleging the director had a drinking problem that could pose a threat to national security. - The magazine's story, initially titled “Kash Patel's Erratic Behavior Could Cost Him His Job," cited more than two dozen anonymous sources expressing concern about Patel's “conspicuous inebriation and unexplained absences” that “alarmed officials at the FBI and the Department of Justice.” - The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks $250 million in damages. Netflix News - Netflix beat Wall Street expectations for first-quarter revenue and reported a big jump in earnings per share thanks in part to a termination fee related to its proposed Warner Bros. Discovery deal. - The company said it expects second-quarter revenue to increase 13% and reiterated its earlier warning that content spending would be weighted in the first half of the year due to the timing of title launches. - The company announced Reed Hastings, Netflix's co-founder and current chairman, would exit the board in June when his term expires. - Netflix reiterated that it's on track to reach $3 billion in advertising revenue in 2026, which would mark a doubling year over year, as that newer revenue line shows growth. ----Shares fell 9% after the announcement QVC - QVC Group Inc. has filed for bankruptcy protection in an effort to shed $5 billion in debt, as the company struggles with declining network viewership and stiff competition for its e-commerce operation. - QVC's business model, which relies on live sales sessions and call-in ordering, gave customers a sense of a personal relationship with their favorite peddlers, but the company's best year ever was in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, and its revenue has dropped by more than a third since then. - The rise of short-form video platforms like TikTok, which has seen success with live shopping and has brought in more than $15 billion in US revenue in 2025, poses a significant challenge to QVC as it tries to restructure its debt and evolve its business model. - There will still be QVC for a while - really just a debt restructure - but eventually they are toast Spirit - 9 Lives? - Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. has floated offering the US government an equity stake in the discount carrier to help stave off its potential liquidation, according to people familiar with the matter. - The Air Current first reported that Spirit is seeking a bailout from the US government. - Any proposed bailout is likely to get pushback from competitors that are also struggling with a spike in jet fuel prices during the conflict in the Middle East, some of the people said. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy plans to meet with low-cost airline chief executives this week to discuss their challenges, the people said. Just IN - Jetblue CEO told employees it isn't considering filing for bankruptcy protection this year. - Geraghty's comments come amid higher fuel costs and speculation sparked by the New York-based carrier's founder that the airline could go bust. - The airline has sufficient liquidity and access to additional capital, Geraghty said in an internal memo reviewed by Bloomberg. That includes a recently secured $500 million loan backed by aircraft, with an option to raise another $250 million. Robot 1/2 Marathon - A humanoid robot completed a half-marathon in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, about seven minutes faster than the men's world record. - The second annual robot half marathon showed rapid advances in artificial intelligence, with 40% of the robots running autonomously and demonstrating improvement in handling generalized environments. - The race, which featured over 100 teams and 300 robots, showcased China's industrial policy priorities, including progress in artificial intelligence and robotics to mitigate the economic risks of an aging population. - About 40% of the robots this year rant autonomously Crazy Short Squeeze AVIS Earnings on the way... Microsoft EPS: ~$4.00–$4.05 (+15–17% YoY) Revenue: ~$81–82 billion (+15–16% YoY) Focus: Azure growth, AI monetization, and whether heavy AI spending is translating into margins. Alphabet (Google) EPS: ~$2.60–$2.70 (~5% YoY decline, due to higher depreciation) Revenue: ~$106–107 billion (+18–20% YoY) Focus: Strong Cloud growth and proof that AI investment is turning into sustainable revenue. Meta Platforms EPS: ~$6.60–$6.70 (+20%+ YoY) Revenue: ~$55–56 billion (+18–22% YoY) Focus: AI?driven advertising performance, core margins, and cost discipline outside Reality Labs. Amazon EPS: ~$1.60–$1.65 (+10–12% YoY) Revenue: ~$177–180 billion (+13–14% YoY) Focus: AWS growth, advertising margins, and clarity around large AI capital spending plans. Apple EPS: ~$1.90–$2.00 (+15–16% YoY) Revenue: ~$90–95 billion (mid?teens YoY growth) Focus: Services growth, iPhone demand stability, and capital return priorities.       Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? THE WINNER OF THE CLOSEST TO THE PIN for NETGEAR Winners will be getting great stuff like the new "OFFICIAL" DHUnplugged Shirt!     FED AND CRYPTO LIMERICKS   See this week's stock picks HERE Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter

CFO Thought Leader
1182: From Cockpit Decisions to Capital Decisions | Andre Mancl, CFO, Nium

CFO Thought Leader

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2026 46:30


Andre Mancl recalls sitting only a few months into his first CFO role when a senior technology executive arrived with an urgent warning: engineers were leaving for Google and Facebook, and the company needed an immediate across-the-board compensation increase of 30% to 40%. It would have been a major financial commitment. But Mancl hesitated. Drawing on years spent reading markets and assessing business conditions, he tells us the moment felt “toppy.” The SPAC market was imploding, IPO activity had stalled, and he believed private-market conditions would soon tighten. Instead of approving the full request, he supported a smaller targeted pool of compensation adjustments. A week later, hiring freezes began spreading across large technology companies.That decision captures the uncommon path that shaped his judgment. Before finance leadership, Mancl spent nearly nine years in the U.S. Navy, including seven as a helicopter aviator. There, he learned that decisions carry real consequences. He describes flying night landings onto ships with junior pilots, keeping his hand near the controls—not to take over, but to prevent a dangerous mistake. The lesson still informs how he leads teams today.An MBA earned while teaching ROTC at UCLA opened the door to investment banking, where he spent roughly 15 years advising high-growth internet companies on IPOs, financings, and M&A. Over time, he says, business assessment became instinctive: when margins or growth rates looked wrong, something usually was.Today, as CFO of Nium, he applies that same blend of discipline and pattern recognition to a global payments market he values at $100 trillion, he tells us. His focus now includes automation, stronger margins, and using data to drive sharper decisions across the company.

The Road to Autonomy
Episode 398 | Capital Is King: How Wall Street Is Funding the Autonomy Economy

The Road to Autonomy

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2026 52:51


Taylor Brownstein, Director, Technology Investment Banking, TD Cowen joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss how Wall Street is funding the autonomy economy.The autonomous vehicle and truck markets are currently experiencing a healthy rebound from the 2021 to 2023 hype cycle, driven by real commercialization, the Physical AI tailwind, and a more disciplined investor base that is now focusing on companies that are growing businesses focused on commercialization, not just technology.Capital is king. Over the next 18 months or so, the autonomy markets are expected to consolidate as companies that are unable to raise capital, retain and hire talent will fall further behind, as their competitors continue to raise capital that accelerates their growth.In this market, dual use is one of the most compelling opportunities as the Department of War actively embraces automation and autonomy. But at the end of the day, no matter what it all comes down to the economics of the business.Then there are the public markets. The SPAC window is currently open for companies with paying customers and the potential for long-term growth.While the traditional IPO path remains largely closed to pre-revenue/early-stage autonomy companies as SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic absorb all the air in the room, making SPACs paired with PIPE capital the most realistic route to the public markets for the next wave of autonomous vehicle and truck companies at this time.Episode Chapters0:00 AUTNMY AI0:37 Autonomy is Back in Vogue4:11 Unit Economics9:51 Dual-Use Applications22:24 Consolidation29:22 The Robotaxi Competitors: Waymo and Tesla42:38 SPACs with PIPE Capital45:05 Traditional IPOs50:55 Market Signals --------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tank Talks
The Rundown 4/28/26: Canada's $25B Sovereign Wealth Fund: Genius Move or Political Slush Fund?

Tank Talks

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2026 32:37


In this episode of Tank Talks, Matt Cohen and John Ruffolo break down one of the biggest economic policy announcements in Canada's innovation economy: Mark Carney's proposed $25 billion Canada Strong Fund, a sovereign wealth fund designed to invest in nation-building projects, strategic industries, Canadian technology companies, and long-term economic sovereignty. John, who previously argued for this type of fund in his Substack piece Canada's Missing Pot of Gold, explains why Canada's biggest structural problem is undercapitalization and why relying on foreign direct investment for critical industries creates serious sovereignty risks.Matt and John dig into the hard questions behind the fund: Where does the money come from? Can Canada borrow at low rates and invest for long-term returns? How should the fund be governed so it does not become a political slush fund? And can this vehicle finally force a more serious conversation around Canadian pension funds, domestic capital formation, and backing companies like Cohere, Kepler, and Xanadu before they are pushed toward foreign capital markets?The episode also covers Cohere's acquisition of German AI firm Aleph Alpha, the rise of sovereign AI alternatives outside the U.S. and China, Xanadu's volatile post-SPAC quantum stock run, SpaceX's reported Cursor acquisition talks, Meta's 8,000-person AI-driven workforce reduction, and Thoma Bravo's massive Medallia equity wipeout. From sovereign wealth and AI infrastructure to quantum financing and private equity pain, this episode asks the real question: can Canada build the capital systems needed to own its future?Canada Strong Fund: Carney's $25B sovereign wealth fund announcement (00:31)Matt opens the episode by laying out the breaking news: Mark Carney has launched the proposed Canada Strong Fund, a $25 billion sovereign wealth fund aimed at giving Canadians a stake in strategic national projects and critical industries.Why John Ruffolo says Canada is dangerously undercapitalized (01:22)John argues that Canada's core economic problem is not a lack of ideas, talent, or companies, but a lack of domestic capital formation. He explains why foreign-controlled capital in sovereign industries is a bad idea and why Canada needs its own funding mechanism.The biggest risk: governance or political slush fund? (03:14)John explains that the Canada Strong Fund will only work if it is independently governed, similar to CPPIB or CDPQ. Without strong governance, he warns, the fund could collapse into politically motivated pet projects.Can Canada borrow at 3.5% and earn 7% long term? (04:59)John breaks down the financial logic behind using Canada's strong credit rating to borrow at lower rates and invest through a professionally managed fund targeting long-term returns similar to major pension funds.Why the fund fails if returns do not materialize (08:15)Matt raises concerns about launching a sovereign wealth fund during a deficit environment. John says the idea only works if the fund is independently managed and capable of generating real long-term returns.No more grants: John's blunt plan for government funding (14:02)John calls for Canada to stop giving grants, especially to foreign-based companies, and instead convert government support into equity investments that create long-term ownership and capital recycling for the country.Cohere acquires Aleph Alpha and makes a sovereign AI play (16:12)Matt breaks down Cohere's acquisition of German AI firm Aleph Alpha, the new Berlin European headquarters, and the reported $600 million financing commitment from Schwarz Group as part of a broader sovereign AI strategy.Xanadu's quantum stock surge and post-SPAC volatility (19:59)Matt explains Xanadu's post-SPAC trading action, including its sharp rise, options activity, and SEC filing registering nearly 300 million Class B shares for sale after the lockup period expires.SpaceX, Cursor, and peak AI paper-deal froth (24:25)Matt and John react to reports that SpaceX could acquire AI coding startup Cursor for $60 billion, with John arguing that SpaceX shareholders should be furious about the growing complexity and governance concerns.Meta layoffs and the real cost of AI capital spending (27:56)Matt highlights Meta's reported 10% workforce reduction tied to massive AI capital spending. John argues the “AI efficiency” explanation often masks bad capital allocation and failed strategic bets.Thoma Bravo's $5.1B Medallia equity wipeout (29:55)The episode closes with Thoma Bravo handing Medallia back to creditors after a major private equity software deal collapses, raising questions about SaaS valuations, debt structures, and exit assumptions in the AI era.Connect with John Ruffolo on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/joruffoloConnect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com

Herbert Smith Freehills Podcasts
Banking Litigation Podcast EP59: Monthly Update – March/April 2026

Herbert Smith Freehills Podcasts

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2026 27:41


In this edition of our banking litigation podcast, we consider some recent cases that will be most relevant to in-house lawyers at banks and financial institutions. This episode is hosted by John Corrie, a partner in our banking litigation team, who is joined by Ceri Morgan and special guest Frances Furnivall. Speakers: John Corrie (Partner), Ceri Morgan (Knowledge Counsel), Frances Furnivall (Senior Associate). You can find out more about the cases covered in this podcast on our blog at the following links: Supreme Court confirms suspension of payment obligations under letters of credit due to UK Russian sanctions regime https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/bankinglitigation/2026-03/supreme-court-confirms-suspension-of-payment-obligations-under-letters-of-credit-due-to-uk-russian-sanctions-regime High Court considers whether success fee payable to advisory firm in respect of "Equivalent Transaction" in de-SPAC merger https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/bankinglitigation/2026-03/high-court-considers-whether-success-fee-payable-to-advisory-firm-in-respect-of-equivalent-transaction-in-de-spac-merger High Court considers summary judgment application on whether success fee payable by private equity fund to placement agent https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/bankinglitigation/2026-04/commercial-court-considers-summary-judgment-application-on-whether-success-fee-payable-by-private-equity-fund-to-placement-agent High Court upholds broker's entitlement to US$2.25m success fee under tripartite mandate despite limited involvement in funding process https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/bankinglitigation/2026-03/high-court-upholds-brokers-entitlement-to-usd-2-25-m-success-fee-under-tripartite-mandate-despite-limited-involvement-in-funding-process Banking Litigation Podcast Episode 54: Hopcraft Special Edition https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/bankinglitigation/2025-08/banking-litigation-podcast-episode-54-hopcraft-special-edition High Court finds legal advice privilege is not limited to lawyer/client communications but extends to "intra-client" communications https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/litigation/2026-04/high-court-finds-legal-advice-privilege-is-not-limited-to-lawyer-client-communications-but-extends-to-intra-client-communications Upper Tribunal observes that uploading confidential documents into open-source AI tools waives client confidentiality and legal privilege https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/litigation/2026-03/upper-tribunal-observes-that-uploading-confidential-documents-into-open-source-ai-tools-waives-client-confidentiality-and-legal-privilege New York court finds client chats with generative AI tool Claude are not privileged https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/litigation/2026-02/new-york-court-finds-client-chats-with-generative-ai-tool-claude-are-not-privileged US courts find privilege applies to use of public AI tools by self-represented litigants https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/litigation/2026-04/us-courts-find-privilege-applies-to-use-of-public-ai-tools-by-self-represented-litigants Supreme Court holds that no statutory limitation period applies to unfair prejudice petitions https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/litigation/2026-03/supreme-court-holds-that-no-statutory-limitation-period-applies-to-unfair-prejudice-petitions

Doppelgänger Tech Talk
ChatGPT Images 2 | SpaceX kauft sich Cursor Umsatz | Talon.One Exit | Cybertruck als Air Force Schießziel #556

Doppelgänger Tech Talk

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2026 104:49


OpenAI liefert eine Rekordwoche: ChatGPT Images 2 kombiniert Reasoning mit Bildgenerierung – Infografiken, Speisekarten und Comicstrips entstehen per Prompt. GPT 5.5 überholt Claude Opus 4.7 in vielen Benchmarks. SpaceX will Cursor für $60 Mrd. übernehmen, inklusive $10 Mrd. Breakup-Fee – vermutlich um KI-Revenue fürs IPO aufzupolieren. Der SpaceX-IPO-Prospekt taxiert den eigenen Markt auf $28,5 Billion, davon $26,5 Billion für KI. Amazon kauft den Telko-Anbieter Globalstar, Project Houdini beschleunigt modularen Data-Center-Bau. DeepSeek V4 erscheint als stärkstes chinesisches Open-Source-Modell. Anthropic kooperiert mit Freshfields für Legal AI. OpenAI holt Ex-Airbnb-Manager für EMEA. USVC will VC-Investments ab $500 für Kleinanleger öffnen. Polymarket führt Perpetuals ein. Meta, Microsoft und Snap entlassen Tausende. Tesla liefert solide Earnings, aber FSD funktioniert nicht auf Hardware 3 – eine Lüge an Käufer. Meta will Mausbewegungen und Tastaturanschläge der Mitarbeiter für KI-Training erfassen. Samsung-Mitarbeiter streiken. Talon One wird für €750 Mio. an Adyen verkauft. Aleph Alpha wird von Cohere übernommen.  Unterstütze unseren Podcast und entdecke die Angebote unserer Werbepartner auf ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠doppelgaenger.io/werbung⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Vielen Dank!  Philipp Glöckler und Philipp Klöckner sprechen heute über: (00:00:00) ChatGPT Images 2 (00:07:19) GPT 5.5 und Cursor-Übernahme durch SpaceX (00:18:35) SpaceX-IPO-Prospekt: $28,5 Billion TAM (00:24:36) GPT 5.5 überholt Claude Opus 4.7 (00:26:37) OpenAI EMEA-Chef von Airbnb (00:29:09) DeepSeek V4 und China-Industriespionage (00:34:28) Google TPU 8: Training und Inferenz getrennt (00:38:47) Anthropic + Freshfields: Legal AI (00:43:05) OpenAI Super-App, USVC ab $500 (00:51:00) Layoffs: Meta, Microsoft, Snap (00:58:37) Tesla Earnings und FSD-Hardware-Lüge (01:12:34) Earnings: ServiceNow, SAP, Intel, Samsung-Streik (01:19:00) Polymarket: Heizlüfter-Betrug (01:31:18) Talon One: €750 Mio. Exit an Adyen (01:38:50) Aleph Alpha wird von Cohere übernommen Shownotes SpaceX sichert sich Kaufrecht für Cursor - ft.com XAI prüfte Kooperation mit Mistral und Cursor - businessinsider.com SpaceX-IPO: KI als größte Chance im Prospekt - reuters.com SpaceX: KI-Datenzentren im All nicht rentabel - reuters.com OpenAI GPT 5.5 und ChatGPT als Super-App - techcrunch.com OpenAI holt Airbnb-Manager als EMEA-Chef - bloomberg.com Tencent und Alibaba verhandeln DeepSeek-Investment - theinformation.com Weißes Haus wirft China industriellen KI-Diebstahl vor - ft.com Google TPU 8: Eigener Inferenz-Chip - wsj.com Google Cloud: Neue TPU-Chipreihe vorgestellt - bloomberg.com Anthropic und Freshfields: Legal-AI-Deal - ft.com USVC- xcancel.com Meta entlässt 10% für KI-Fokus - cnbc.com Microsoft: Abfindungen für 7% der Belegschaft - wsj.com Microsoft: Abfindungen für 7% der US-Belegschaft - ft.com Tesla Q1 2026 Earnings - wsj.com Tesla: Ärger mit frühen Kunden wegen FSD - marketwatch.com Musk kauft eigene Cybertrucks über Firmen - teslarati.com Air Force kauft Cybertrucks als Schießziele - fortune.com ServiceNow -14%: Iran-Krieg trifft Subscriptions - cnbc.com SAP Q1: Cloud-Revenue +27% - seekingalpha.com Intel-Aktie steigt durch KI-Boom über Dotcom-Niveau - ft.com Samsung: 30.000 streiken für KI-Gewinne - bloomberg.com Polymarket: Heizlüfter manipuliert Wetter-Wette - xcancel.com Polymarket startet gehebelte Perpetuals - cnbc.com Meta trackt Mausbewegungen für KI-Training - reuters.com Meta-Mitarbeiter empört über Überwachung - xcancel.com Angermayer: Enhanced Games als SPAC - xcancel.com FBI ermittelt gegen NYT-Reporterin - nytimes.com Talon One: €750 Mio. Exit an Adyen - manager-magazin.de Personio erstmals profitabel - handelsblatt.com Telekom erwägt volle T-Mobile-Übernahme - bloomberg.com Glöckler und das OMR-Poster - linkedin.com Google investiert bis zu $40 Mrd. in Anthropic - wsj.com Cohere übernimmt Aleph Alpha, Schwarz investiert $600 Mio. - bloomberg.com

FreightCasts
Trucking Bankruptcies Surge, 'Trojan Driver' Cargo Theft, and PlusAI SPAC Canceled | The Morning Minute

FreightCasts

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2026 3:55


In today's episode, we discuss the recent surge of financial closures hitting small carriers and brokers across the country. Listen in to learn why Illinois has become a major hotspot for these trucking liquidations, driven by tight margins and elevated operating costs. We also explore a concerning new cargo security threat that involves criminal networks infiltrating legitimate carriers rather than setting up fake companies. This elaborate scheme allows thieves to pass normal hiring checks and slowly gain access to high-value loads before orchestrating a routine-looking theft. Finally, we cover the latest developments in autonomous trucking as a major technology developer cancels its plans to go public via a SPAC merger. Despite the deal falling apart due to market conditions, the company continues to project strong revenue and retains the backing of its high-profile investors. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

INSIDE FINANCE
Oltre la Borsa: Il fenomeno Spac

INSIDE FINANCE

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2026 116:09


“Oltre la Borsa. Il fenomeno SPAC” è un confronto operativo sul ruolo delle SPAC nel mercato italiano dei capitali.Non una discussione teorica, ma un'analisi concreta su cosa ha funzionato, cosa va corretto e a quali condizioni questo strumento può tornare a creare valore tra private equity, pre IPO e mercato.L'incontro nasce da una domanda semplice: perché uno strumento così flessibile e potenzialmente utile ha avuto uno sviluppo limitato in Italia?Ne discutono:Luca Tavano, Head of Small & Mid Caps, Borsa Italianasul ruolo delle SPAC come strumento di accesso al mercato e sulle condizioni necessarie per rilanciare le quotazioni.Italo De Santis, Partner, Chiomentisulla struttura legale, sui punti critici del modello e sulle possibili evoluzioni normative e contrattuali.Francesca Maria D'Annibale, Consobsui rischi per l'investitore, la trasparenza informativa, la diluizione, i conflitti di interesse e il diritto di recesso.Andrea Battista, Net Insurancesul caso Archimede, poi confluita in Net Insurance, e sulla SPAC come strumento di capitale imprenditoriale.Roberto Italia, Space Holdingsull'esperienza di Space Holding, Avio e sull'importanza dello sponsor, dell'allineamento di interessi e della responsabilità di lungo periodo.Perché ascoltarlo:Per capire perché non tutte le SPAC sono uguali.Per distinguere i casi di successo dagli errori strutturali.Per comprendere il ruolo di sponsor, investitori, target e mercato.Per valutare se le SPAC possano tornare come strumento credibile per finanziare crescita, quotazione e sviluppo industriale.Un episodio per imprenditori, investitori, advisor, legali, operatori finanziari e per chi vuole comprendere in modo concreto il futuro del mercato dei capitali in Italia.Format come questo sono pensati per attivare confronto diretto tra operatori e istituzioni su temi chiave del mercato.Siamo disponibili a sviluppare iniziative analoghe con organizzazioni che condividono questo approccio.

FreightWaves NOW
Trucking Bankruptcies Surge, 'Trojan Driver' Cargo Theft, and PlusAI SPAC Canceled | The Morning Minute

FreightWaves NOW

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2026 3:55


In today's episode, we discuss the recent surge of financial closures hitting small carriers and brokers across the country. Listen in to learn why Illinois has become a major hotspot for these trucking liquidations, driven by tight margins and elevated operating costs. We also explore a concerning new cargo security threat that involves criminal networks infiltrating legitimate carriers rather than setting up fake companies. This elaborate scheme allows thieves to pass normal hiring checks and slowly gain access to high-value loads before orchestrating a routine-looking theft. Finally, we cover the latest developments in autonomous trucking as a major technology developer cancels its plans to go public via a SPAC merger. Despite the deal falling apart due to market conditions, the company continues to project strong revenue and retains the backing of its high-profile investors. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Studio N
Vytáhnou na Kavčích horách spacáky? „Neřeší se jestli, ale kdy se půjde stávkovat“

Studio N

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2026 23:44


CELÝ DÍL NAJDETE NA HEROHERO.CO/STUDION Veřejnoprávní média jsou na hraně střetu s vládou. Kabinet tlačí nový zákon, který má zásadně proměnit jejich fungování i financování – a uvnitř institucí už se plánuje forma odporu. „Už se řeší ne jestli, ale v jakém momentu se půjde stávkovat,“ říká redaktor Deníku N Tomáš Linhart. Zatímco vláda mluví o plnění předvolebních slibů, kritici upozorňují na kvalitu návrhu i možné politické motivace. „Z odborného hlediska není důvod, aby došlo k tak rychlým a razantním změnám,“ říká Linhart. „Formálně je to sice návrh zákona, ale mnozí kritici to označují za legislativní paskvil. Někteří analytici tomu říkají prostě ‚věc‘ a odmítají tomu kvůli kvalitě, obsahu a formě říkat zákon.“ Nejde přitom o kosmetické změny, ale o zásah s reálnými dopady: „Pokud se ty rozpočty skutečně osekají na zmiňovanou úroveň, Česká televize může propustit desetinu lidí, rozhlas téměř třetinu pracovníků.“ To by znamenalo omezení výroby, útlum regionální tvorby i redukci zahraničních zpravodajů. „V rozhlase by mohlo dojít ke slučování některých stanic,“ dodává. Rychlost, s jakou kabinet postupuje, podle něj není náhodná: „Tahle vláda chce výsledky a chce je doručit co nejrychleji. Když k tomu přičteme antipatii Andreje Babiše a Tomia Okamury vůči veřejnoprávním médiím, dostaneme se k důvodu, proč to jde tak rychle.“ Do napjaté situace navíc vstupují i nejasnosti kolem údajné nahrávky z Rady ČT, kterou zveřejnil server Forum 24. Záznam má zachycovat radní Pavla Matochu a Romana Bradáče, kterak hovoří o nedoplaceném půlmilionu korun za neurčenou volbu. Její pravost ale nelze ověřit. „Když jsem ji slyšel poprvé, zdálo se mi, že hlas Romana Bradáče zní jako on. Hlas Pavla Matochy mi podobný nepřipadal. Může to být výtvor umělé inteligence, ale nevíme to. Kdyby šlo o pravou nahrávku, byl by to hmatatelný důkaz, že se někdo snaží ovlivňovat dění v České televizi,“ doplňuje reportér. Proč došlo u ministra kultury Oty Klempíře ve vztahu k veřejnoprávním médiím k názorové otočce? Mají Česká televize a Český rozhlas silné generální ředitele, kteří jsou připraveni za své instituce bojovat? A postaví se za veřejnoprávní média česká veřejnost? Podívejte se na celou epizodu na herohero.co/studion

SPACInsider
Inside Key Mining's $303M deal with Compass Digital Acquisition Corp.

SPACInsider

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2026 30:22


Titanium, copper and water. What do they have in common? All will be products of one of the latest companies to head to the public markets via a SPAC transaction. This week, we speak with Key Mining founders Cesar Lopez and John Ryan as well as Compass Digital Acquisition Corp. CEO Tom Hennessy to break down their $303 million business combination. Cesar and John discuss how they brought together a signature titanium mining project in Chile with a water desalination project that is set to support it. They lay out why they are combining these two assets with a copper project in Arizona and how both stand to benefit from the critical metals incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act. Tom explains how this company fits in his growing family of SPAC transactions and what the roadmap ahead looks like for it beyond close and the listing this deal brings.  

Smart Money Circle
This Investment Bank Takes Frontier Companies Public and Helps Them Grow

Smart Money Circle

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2026 38:36


This Investment Bank Takes Frontier Companies Public and Helps Them GrowGuestDaniel G. Cohen, Executive Chairman Cohen & Company $COHNCompanyCohen & Company, https://cohenandcompany.com/, COHNDaniel's Bio Daniel G. Cohen is a financier, entrepreneur, and investor with more than two decades of experience building and leading institutions across investment banking, capital markets, asset management, and financial technology. He is the founder of Cohen & Company, the co-founder of The Bancorp, and the founder of Cohen Circle.Mr. Cohen founded Cohen & Company in 1999 and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cohen & Company Inc. (NYSE American: COHN) and Chairman of the Board of Managers of Cohen & Company, LLC, its majority-owned operating subsidiary.Mr. Cohen co-founded The Bancorp (Nasdaq: TBBK) in 1999 alongside his mother, Betsy Z. Cohen, serving as Chairman from 2000 through October 2021. Under his leadership, the bank became widely recognized as a pioneer in fintech-enabled banking and financial infrastructure.In 2019, Mr. Cohen founded Cohen Circle, LLC, a private investment firm and fund manager focused on financial technology and adjacent sectors. Cohen Circle has raised over $5 billion in capital since its founding. Mr. Cohen is also a recognized leader in the SPAC market, having served as CEO of multiple blank check companies targeting the fintech sector.Mr. Cohen holds a B.A. in East Asian History from the University of Chicago. He serves as a Trustee of the Paideia Institute, a Trustee of the Arete Foundation, and is a member of the board of the Columbia Global Center in Paris.Company BioCohen & Company is a leading financial institution delivering sector expertise, innovative products, and tailored solutions across a broad range of financial services, including investment banking, capital markets, fixed income and equities sales and trading, and asset management. We serve public companies, private companies, and their sponsors and owners, institutional investors, and financial institutions. Our mission is to deliver value to our clients and stakeholders by forming collaborative, long-term relationships that produce successful strategic outcomes.

Trumpcast
Slate Money - Memestocks are Spreading

Trumpcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2026 50:45


This week: Retail investors usually stick to the stock market, but many are rushing to make bets on oil futures. Felix Salmon, Elizabeth Spiers, and Emily Peck discuss Emily's piece about “dumb money” moving into more sophisticated trading markets—thanks to new crypto-driven platforms—and what's motivating the trend. Then, the hosts examine Bill Ackman's grand plan to take over Universal Music Group, and explain the difference in how his SPARC differs from a SPAC. Finally, the hosts delve into the New York Times' quest to uncover the mysterious creator of Bitcoin, the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, and argue over the investigation's conclusion. In the Slate Plus episode: Do men suck at grocery shopping?Want to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slate Money
Memestocks are Spreading

Slate Money

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2026 50:45


This week: Retail investors usually stick to the stock market, but many are rushing to make bets on oil futures. Felix Salmon, Elizabeth Spiers, and Emily Peck discuss Emily's piece about “dumb money” moving into more sophisticated trading markets—thanks to new crypto-driven platforms—and what's motivating the trend. Then, the hosts examine Bill Ackman's grand plan to take over Universal Music Group, and explain the difference in how his SPARC differs from a SPAC. Finally, the hosts delve into the New York Times' quest to uncover the mysterious creator of Bitcoin, the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, and argue over the investigation's conclusion. In the Slate Plus episode: Do men suck at grocery shopping?Want to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slate Daily Feed
Slate Money - Memestocks are Spreading

Slate Daily Feed

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2026 50:45


This week: Retail investors usually stick to the stock market, but many are rushing to make bets on oil futures. Felix Salmon, Elizabeth Spiers, and Emily Peck discuss Emily's piece about “dumb money” moving into more sophisticated trading markets—thanks to new crypto-driven platforms—and what's motivating the trend. Then, the hosts examine Bill Ackman's grand plan to take over Universal Music Group, and explain the difference in how his SPARC differs from a SPAC. Finally, the hosts delve into the New York Times' quest to uncover the mysterious creator of Bitcoin, the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, and argue over the investigation's conclusion. In the Slate Plus episode: Do men suck at grocery shopping?Want to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forbes Talks
Billionaire Bill Ackman's Offers To Purchase Universal Music Group

Forbes Talks

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2026 3:52


Follow Forbes Talks  Shares of Universal Music Group, the world's largest record label that houses artists like Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar, surged early Tuesday after billionaire Bill Ackman's Pershing Square offered to buy the company in a transaction worth about $64 billion. KEY FACTS Shares of UMG are up nearly 10% as of 9 a.m. EST on Tuesday, hours after Ackman's Pershing Square announced a bid to buy the major record label. Pershing Square offered to purchase UMG—which is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange—in a transaction that would value the company at €30.40, or about $35.13, per share, and pay €9.4 billion, or $10.86 billion, in cash to UMG shareholders. The transaction would merge the record label with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings, and it would shift UMG's primary stock listing from Amsterdam to the New York Stock Exchange. Ackman said he is looking to buy UMG because its “stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business,” citing the postponement of UMG's New York stock listing, uncertainty over billionaire Vincent Bolloré's 18% stake, underutilization of its balance sheet and suboptimal investor relations, among other issues. The deal proposed a new employment contract and compensation agreement for UMG CEO Lucian Grainge, and Ackman said the board would be “refreshed” to include Michael Ovitz, co-founder and former chairman of Creative Arts Agency, as its chair with two additional representatives from Pershing Square and members of the current UMG board. Ackman said the cash portion of the transaction would be funded with about $2.9 billion in cash from Pershing Square, $6.2 billion in debt financing and $1.7 billion from selling UMG's stake in Spotify. BACKGROUND Ackman previously expressed interest in UMG in 2021, vowing to buy a 10% stake in UMG through his SPAC, but he abandoned the deal after pushback from regulators. He purchased a 10% stake instead through Pershing Square, and he sat on the company's board of directors until he resigned in 2025, citing other commitments. While on the board, Ackman pushed for UMG to shift to a New York stock listing, saying in 2024 the company “trades at a large discount to its intrinsic value with limited liquidity in significant part due to it not having its primary listing” in the United States. Ackman noted in a slide deck posted to his X account Tuesday morning UMG's shares are down 39% from its peak two years ago, saying it is “trading near an all-time low.” CHIEF CRITICS Nicolas Marmurek, an analyst at Square Global, told Bloomberg the proposal “looks very much dead from the start” unless Bolloré supports the acquisition. “We doubt Bolloré will accept such terms, and had Bolloré been on board he would be recommending the transaction. This is very much a move by Pershing Square to put the proposal in front of shareholders,” Marmurek said. Read the full story on Forbes: By Conor Murray https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2026/04/07/universal-music-group-shares-surge-after-bill-ackmans-pershing-square-offers-to-purchase-label/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

あたらしい経済ニュース(幻冬舎のブロックチェーン・仮想通貨ニュース)
【4/3話題】金融庁がトークン化預金の実証実験を支援、リナックス財団がx402財団設立へ、サークルのラップドビットコインcirBTCなど(音声ニュース)

あたらしい経済ニュース(幻冬舎のブロックチェーン・仮想通貨ニュース)

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2026 23:40


幻冬舎の暗号資産(仮想通貨)/ブロックチェーンなどWeb3領域の専門メディア「あたらしい経済 https://www.neweconomy.jp/ 」がおくる、Podcast番組です。 ーーーーー 【番組スポンサー】 この番組は、暗号資産取引におけるフルラインナップサービスを提供する「SBI VCトレード」のスポンサーでお届けします。 ーーーーー SBI VCトレードは、「暗号資産もSBI」のスローガンのもと、国内最大級のインターネット総合金融グループであるSBIグループの総合力を生かし、暗号資産取引におけるフルラインナップサービスを提供しております。暗号資産交換業者・第一種金融商品取引業者・電子決済手段等取引業者として高いセキュリティ体制のもと、暗号資産の売買にとどまらない暗号資産運用サービスや法人向けサービスの展開、さらにステーブルコインのユーエスディーシー(USDC)を国内で初めて取り扱っております。 ーーーーー SBI VCトレード公式サイト:https://account.sbivc.co.jp/signup?hc_ak=1RNML.3.M06AS ーーーーー 【紹介したニュース】 ・金融庁、トークン化預金の送金に伴う銀行間決済の実証実験を支援 ・リナックス財団がx402財団設立へ、HTTP上の決済標準を中立管理 ・サークル、ラップドBTC「cirBTC」提供へ。機関投資家向けに展開 ・ポリマーケット、Pyth Proを価格データに採用。金・株など伝統資産市場に対応 ・中国人民銀行、デジタル人民元の取扱銀行を12行追加、計22行に ・EDXマーケッツ、米OCCに連邦信託銀行設立を申請 ・韓国ビッサム、IPOは2028年以降か=報道 ・コインシェアーズ、米ナスダックに上場。昨年発表のSPAC統合が完了 ・ギャラクシーデジタル、個人投資家向けステーキング提供開始、ソラナから対応 【あたらしい経済関連リンク】 ニュースの詳細や、アーカイブやその他の記事はこちらから https://www.neweconomy.jp/

The 7investing Podcast
Mar 9, 2026: Micron & Infleqtion - Two AI Stocks to Watch in 2026

The 7investing Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2026 34:05


Simon Erickson of 7investing breaks down two high-potential watchlist stocks: Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) — a memory giant riding the AI boom with explosive margin expansion — and Infleqtion (NYSE:INFQ), a newly public quantum computing company using groundbreaking neutral atom technology. Micron's high bandwidth memory (HBM) is completely sold out through 2026, with gross margins expanding 16 percentage points year-over-year on $13.6B in quarterly revenue. This is one of the most compelling AI infrastructure plays in the semiconductor space right now.Infleqtion just hit public markets via SPAC in February 2026 and is already partnered with NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) through a CUDA integration called Qlink. With quantum computing threatening RSA encryption and unlocking solutions classical computers can't touch, government contracts, defense spending, and research grants are flooding the space — justifying premium valuations for early-stage leaders.

The Buttonista
What Has Our 10,000 Hours Gotten Us?

The Buttonista

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2026 82:14


This week, we're realizing how close we are inching to episode #300 and how little we possibly have to show for it -- unless getting creamed three times in the past week counts towards our 10,000 hours of podcast practice. We catch up on a few newsworthy items, our visit to the Easter Bunny and Roast or Toast the Mini 9-9-9 challenge, calling your parents "mommy" and "daddy" as an adult and more. EPISODE NOTES: Have we gotten our 10,000 hours? (1:12) Nobody Asked Me, But... (5:56) This artist is coming back to SPAC again???!!! (9:52) Jack's desperate plea to local beer-serving venues (25:36) Frozen yogurt roast redemption at 16 Handles (37:20) My baby

THE EAGLE: A Times Union Podcast
March 25, 2026: What we're following today

THE EAGLE: A Times Union Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2026 2:38


Our Capitol Bureau is reporting that major disagreements remain between Governor Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers as New York's April 1 budget deadline approaches. We published a list of safety tips for solo hikers this week. SPAC is going to play host to a star-studded lineup this summer, with big names like Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Kesha, En Vogue, Salt-N-Pepa and TLC. Get the latest here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SPACInsider
Building the Defense Backbone: Precision Aerospace & Defense and FACT II Acquisition Corp.

SPACInsider

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2026 27:03


The work of maintaining and supplying the US armed forces is now front and center in the daily news, but Precision Aerospace & Defense has been long been carrying out a strategy to acquire critical manufacturers and suppliers in this area. Now, it is taking that platform to the public markets in a SPAC deal. This week, we speak with Brent Borden, CEO of Precision Aerospace & Defense Group and Adam Gishen, CEO of FACT II Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:FACT). The two announced a $310 million business combination last December. Brent explains how his company has selected with unique capabilities to build an EBITDA-positive network of subsidiaries that differs from traditional private equity roll-up plays. Adam explains how the company's backlog provides significant visibility into its future revenue and how the FACT II team will continue to advising the company through its next wave of growth and beyond.  

The Pomp Podcast
A Massive Bitcoin Bull Case Is Forming | Bill Barhydt

The Pomp Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2026 37:40


Bill Barhydt is the founder and CEO of Abra and a longtime leader in digital assets and crypto wealth management. In this conversation, we discuss bitcoin's relationship to global liquidity, money printing, and geopolitical risk, as well as why retail investors still drive crypto price action. We also cover new crypto regulation and the Clarity Act, Abra's plans to go public via SPAC, the rise of tokenized equities and real-world assets, and how AI is transforming financial services and business operations.======================BitcoinIRA: Buy, sell, and swap 80+ cryptocurrencies in your retirement account. Take 3 minutes to open your account & get connected to a team of IRA specialists that will guide you through every step of the process. Go to https://bitcoinira.com/pomp/ to earn up to $1,000 in rewards.======================Arch Public is an agentic trading platform that automates the buying and selling of your preferred crypto strategies. Sign up today at https://www.archpublic.com and start your automated trading strategy for free. No catch. No hidden fees. Just smarter trading.======================0:00 - Intro0:55 - Why bitcoin is holding up during war & market panic5:17 - Private credit, private equity, & where cracks could show8:40 - Crypto regulation & The Clarity Act13:18 - Why Abra is going public via SPAC15:30 - How wealth advisors are changing around crypto17:51 - Tokenized portfolios & the future of digital assets22:30 - Will AI replace financial advisors?25:11 - How Abra uses AI internally & building AI agents33:33 - Machine-to-machine payments & crypto36:20 - What's next for Abra?

The Post-Quantum World
The Fall and Rise of a Quantum Company Boosting Algorithmic Development – with Sumit Kapur of Zapata Quantum

The Post-Quantum World

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2026 32:13


Zapata's back! A tough stretch including a difficult SPAC deal, a brief move into AI, and a $20 million debt forced the company to shut down in 2024. But in this episode, Sumit Kapur, CEO of Zapata Quantum, talks with host Konstantinos Karagiannis about how the company made a remarkable comeback. They discuss the intense restructuring, the strong support from the quantum computing industry, and how Zapata's seven years of intellectual property proved too valuable to give up.The conversation goes into the prospects of quantum utility, focusing on Quantum Intermediate Representation (QIR)—a universal translator that abstracts the immense complexity of hybrid computing. Sumit explains why the industry is entering a critical arms race for application intelligence and why even skeptics are now predicting that milestones like Shor's algorithm could be achieved far sooner than previously imagined. From collaborating with DARPA on quantum benchmarking to finding the company's new north star in a post-SPAC world, this episode showcases resilience plus a forward-looking roadmap for the next decade of quantum edge.For more information on Zapata Quantum, visit https://zapataquantum.com/.   Visit Protiviti at www.protiviti.com/US-en/technology-consulting/quantum-computing-services to learn more about how Protiviti is helping organizations get post-quantum ready.  Follow host Konstantinos Karagiannis on all socials: @KonstantHacker and follow Protiviti Technology on LinkedIn and X: @ProtivitiTech.             Questions and comments are welcome!  Theme song by David Schwartz, copyright 2021.  The views expressed by the participants of this program are their own and do not represent the views of, nor are they endorsed by, Protiviti Inc., The Post-Quantum World, or their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, shareholders, or subsidiaries.  None of the content should be considered investment advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, or other securities or non-securities offering. Thanks for listening to this podcast. Protiviti Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, including minorities, females, people with disabilities, and veterans.  

TD Ameritrade Network
Abra CEO on Bitcoin's Bounce Back & Planned SPAC Merger

TD Ameritrade Network

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2026 9:01


Bill Barhydt, CEO and founder of Abra, a crypto company, explains the business offerings and the state of the overall crypto market. Abra offers financial advice services and manages crypto holdings in “vaults” for various clients, including institutional ones. They are looking to come to the U.S. market via SPAC merger as soon as this summer under the ticker ABRX. He thinks crypto can continue to rise, especially as the U.S. continues to print money, and thinks it's “very likely” that in place like the Middle East, people are using crypto as safe havens as banking systems struggle. ======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Options involve risks and are not suitable for all investors. Before trading, read the Options Disclosure Document. http://bit.ly/2v9tH6DSubscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

The Tech Blog Writer Podcast
How Xanadu Is Building Photonic Quantum Computers And Preparing For A $3.1B Public Debut

The Tech Blog Writer Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2026 28:42


How close are we to the moment when quantum computing moves from scientific curiosity to real-world infrastructure? In today's episode of Tech Talks Daily, I speak with Christian Weedbrook, Founder and CEO of Xanadu, a company pushing the boundaries of what quantum computers might soon achieve. Xanadu has taken an unconventional route in the race to build practical quantum systems. Instead of relying on electronic approaches used by many others in the field, the company builds quantum computers using photonics, effectively computing with particles of light. Christian explains why this matters and how working with photons could unlock advantages in energy efficiency, scalability, and networking as quantum machines grow into large data center–scale systems. The conversation also arrives at a fascinating moment for the company. Xanadu has announced plans to go public through a SPAC deal that values the company at around $3.1 billion. Christian shares what that milestone means, not only for Xanadu but for the broader quantum ecosystem. According to him, the excitement surrounding quantum computing is no longer limited to research labs. Governments, enterprise partners, and investors are increasingly paying attention as the technology edges closer to commercial relevance. One of the most engaging parts of our conversation is Christian's own journey into the world of quantum physics. Before earning a PhD in photonic quantum computing, he began as a film student who admits he once dreamed of becoming a filmmaker. That winding path eventually led him into physics and entrepreneurship, where he founded Xanadu in 2016 with a mission to make quantum computers useful and accessible to everyone. We also discuss PennyLane, the open-source quantum programming framework developed by Xanadu that has quietly become one of the most widely used tools in the quantum developer community. Now taught in universities across more than 30 countries, PennyLane plays an important role in building the next generation of quantum talent. Christian also shares a realistic timeline for where the industry stands today. Quantum computers already exist, but they remain smaller than what is needed for commercial breakthroughs. Xanadu's roadmap points toward large-scale quantum data centers by the end of the decade, systems capable of tackling problems in drug discovery, materials science, logistics, and finance that traditional computers struggle to simulate. For enterprise leaders listening today, the message is clear. The quantum future is closer than many people assume, and organizations that begin exploring use cases now will be far better prepared when these systems mature. So how should businesses prepare for a computing paradigm based on the mathematics of quantum physics rather than traditional software logic? And what lessons can founders learn from a journey that began with filmmaking ambitions and led to building one of the most ambitious quantum companies in the world? Let's find out together.

Digital Currents
Jobs Slow, AI and Chips Race Ahead

Digital Currents

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2026 57:32


In this episode, we discuss the recent decision by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to dismiss certain claims in its case involving Justin Sun and the Tron Foundation, alongside broader regulatory signals suggesting that U.S. regulators may increasingly evaluate digital assets under traditional securities frameworks. We also analyze comments from Jensen Huang indicating that Nvidia may pause additional investments in OpenAI and Anthropic while continuing to expand its focus on next-generation computing technologies such as photonics. Finally, we cover reports that quantum computing company Pasqal is exploring a public listing through a SPAC transaction and the latest U.S. employment data, which suggests a more challenging labor market environment heading into the spring. Remember to Stay Current! To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a team member or sign up for additional content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com Legal Disclaimer This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a solicitation for the sale of any security, advisory, or other service. Investments related to the themes and ideas discussed may be owned by funds managed by the host and podcast guests. Any conflicts mentioned by the host are subject to change. Listeners should consult their personal financial advisors before making any investment decisions.

עוד פודקאסט לסטארטאפים
שובו של הספאק? המשקיע האמריקאי שרוצה להנפיק חברות ישראליות בשוק האמריקני דרך ספאקים #83

עוד פודקאסט לסטארטאפים

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2026 44:06


מה קורה כשמשקיע אמריקאי בן 49 מגלה שהוא דור תשיעי בישראל ומחליט להקדיש את הקריירה שלו לחברות הדיפ-טק הישראליות? עזרא גארדנר, שותף מייסד של Verana Capital ומנכ"ל Gesher Acquisition Corp, מאמין שדיפ-טק עדיף על תוכנה מסורתית, ומדוע ישראל היא המקום המושלם לסוג זה של השקעות. גארדנר גם פותח את הקלפים על עולם ה-SPACs - מה זה בעצם, למה הם קיבלו שם רע, ואיך הוא בנה את גשר כדי לעזור לחברות ישראליות להיכנס לבורסה האמריקאית. הכרות עם אזרא גרטנר ורקע על החברות שלו - 0:00המעבר מהשקעות ציבוריות להשקעות פרטיות בישראל - 3:47למה דיפ-טק ולא סופטוואר - מה ההבדל והיתרונות - 6:27מה זה SPAC ולמה יש לו מוניטין רע - 13:20ההיסטוריה של SPACs והשינויים לאורך השנים - 14:02הבועה של 2021-2022 והשפעתה על תחום ה-SPACs - 25:00מודל גשר - איך זה עובד ומה המטרה - 27:00איך לדעת אם חברה מוכנה לצאת לבורסה - 32:00הסיבות הטובות והרעות לצאת לבורסה - 34:00ישראל כהזדמנות השקעה אחרי המלחמה - 39:00הקשר המתחזק עם ארה"ב מול הריחוק מאירופה - 40:40

Tank Talks
Xanadu's Historic SPAC Merger: What it Means for the Future of Quantum Computing with Christian Weedbrook of Xanadu and Bill Fradin of Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp

Tank Talks

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2026 28:48


In this episode of Tank Talks, Matt Cohen sits down with Christian Weedbrook, founder and CEO of Xanadu, and Bill Fradin, CEO of Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp., to explore the historic SPAC merger that is bringing Xanadu to the public markets. With a focus on photonic quantum computing, Xanadu has rapidly advanced in the quantum tech space, positioning itself as a leader in both hardware and software innovation.The merger, which values Xanadu at $3 billion, will not only help accelerate the company's growth but also raise significant capital, enabling it to expand its groundbreaking quantum computing solutions. Christian and Bill dive into why they chose the SPAC route, the strategic value behind their merger, and what sets Xanadu apart in the competitive quantum ecosystem.In addition, the episode takes a deep dive into Xanadu's PennyLane software, which is already making waves in academia and the broader quantum community, and explores how the public market debut will position the company for future commercialization and innovation. Whether you're an investor looking to understand quantum tech's potential or someone interested in cutting-edge science, this episode is a must-listen.Introduction to Xanadu's Quantum Computing Vision (01:23)Christian Weedbrook gives a quick overview of Xanadu's mission to build useful quantum computers with their photonic modality using lidar photons. Learn how they're positioning themselves in both hardware and software through their PennyLane software stack.Xanadu's Decision to Go Public (04:09)Christian explains why going public was always part of Xanadu's strategy and how the company transitioned from private funding rounds to a SPAC merger, raising $275 million in just four weeks.Why Choose a SPAC (10:02)Christian and Bill discuss the advantages of a SPAC over traditional IPOs, particularly for deep-tech companies like Xanadu, where the usual metrics for IPOs aren't always applicable.The Power of PennyLane (14:43)Christian highlights the growing adoption of PennyLane, Xanadu's quantum software, which is already being used across 150 universities worldwide and growing. Learn how going public will further accelerate its adoption.Strategic Partnerships and the Path to Commercialization (16:20)Bill shares insights on how going public will help Xanadu expand its industry partnerships, including major players like Volkswagen and Rolls-Royce, and how these collaborations could lead to breakthroughs in areas like electric vehicle batteries and pharmaceuticals.Energy Efficiency and the Future of Quantum Computing (24:39)Christian explains how quantum computing can drastically reduce energy consumption in computing, using Xanadu's Borealis quantum computer as an example. This new approach promises significant energy savings, especially in industries like AI, drug discovery, and material design.Xanadu's Road Ahead in the Public Market (27:27)Christian reflects on the monumental journey Xanadu has been on, comparing it to the early days of the internet and digital computing. He also discusses how this milestone will change the company's trajectory and impact the quantum computing ecosystem.About Christian WeedbrookChristian Weedbrook is the founder and CEO of Xanadu, a leading quantum computing company based in Toronto. With a passion for quantum technology, Christian has spearheaded the development of Xanadu's groundbreaking photonic-based quantum computers. His leadership has positioned Xanadu as one of the pioneers in quantum computing, not only through its hardware advancements but also with the development of its PennyLane software platform. Christian's vision is to build quantum computers that are both useful and accessible to people around the world, and he is committed to driving forward the next era of quantum technology.Connect with Christian Weedbrook on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianweedbrook/Visit the Xanadu website: https://www.xanadu.ai/About Bill FradinBill Fradin is the CEO of Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp., a SPAC focused on identifying and merging with innovative companies in the tech sector. With over 20 years of experience in the financial industry, Bill has been at the forefront of numerous successful SPAC transactions, specializing in high-growth, disruptive technology companies. His leadership has been integral to bringing Crane Harbor to the public markets, and he has built a strong reputation for identifying companies with significant long-term potential. Bill's experience in both private and public markets has made him a trusted partner for visionary companies like Xanadu, helping them navigate the complexities of the SPAC process and positioning them for success in the public arena.Connect with Bill Fradin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-fradin-83196b3/Visit the Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp website: https://www.craneharboracquisition.com/Connect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com

Perspektives
The Voice In My Head Is God with 2 Chainz

Perspektives

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2026 78:42 Transcription Available


In this episode of Perspektives with Bank, Big Bank sits down with 2 Chainz for a powerful conversation about faith, intuition, legacy, and long-term wealth. 2 Chainz breaks down the meaning behind his first book, “The Voice in My Head Is God,” describing it as a reflection on listening to divine guidance and trusting inner conviction. He shares raw stories from his life — including being robbed at gunpoint and navigating childhood experiences that shaped his mindset — while explaining how Atlanta’s culture, street evolution, and Black ownership ecosystem influenced his journey. The discussion explores humility, fatherhood, prayer, discipline, and what it means to move like a legend with responsibility. The conversation also dives into business and financial literacy, as 2 Chainz candidly discusses real estate lessons, credit strategy, investment wins and losses — including losing millions on a dispensary deal and SPAC investments — and why legacy thinking matters more than fast money. He previews his upcoming Statik Selektah–produced album “Players Only Live Once,” defines “PLAYAZ” as “Preparing Legal Assets for Years from A to Z,” and hints that this could be his final album. From music marketing to New York Times bestseller goals, 2 Chainz makes it clear: this is a season of wisdom, ownership, and intentional growth. Tune in and join the conversation in the socials below. Rate, subscribe, comment and share. Follow Perspektives With Bank on IG @perspektiveswithbank @2chainzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We Study Billionaires - The Investor’s Podcast Network
TIP792: Vital Lessons From History's Strangest Financial Stories w/ Kyle Grieve

We Study Billionaires - The Investor’s Podcast Network

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2026 68:27


Kyle Grieve discusses how a series of unforgettable real-world stories reveal the hidden psychological traps that derail investors. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:07 - How Ronaldo's Coke incident reveals the danger of false cause and effect 00:07:44 - Why patience in investing can beat the urge to stay busy 00:09:21 - How Muhammad Ali showed the power of waiting for the perfect moment 00:12:54 - Why Bobby Bonilla's contract exposes the time value of money 00:16:02 - How the Madoff scandal proves great results can hide massive fraud 00:22:09 - Why Isaac Newton's failure reveals how FOMO traps even the smartest minds 00:27:17 - How Hetty Green shows the strength of buying value when others won't 00:36:23 - What the long SPAC history warns us about hype repeating through time 00:47:33 - How relying on autopilot in markets can quietly lead you into danger 00:52:06 - Why inflation acts like a silent force pushing your spending power backward Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join the exclusive ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TIP Mastermind Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. Learn how to join us in Omaha for the Berkshire meeting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read Trailblazers, Heroes, & Crooks: Stories to Make You a Smarter Investor here. Follow Kyle on Twitter and LinkedIn. Related ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠books⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ mentioned in the podcast. Ad-free episodes on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium Feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. NEW TO THE SHOW? Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Intrinsic Value Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We Study Billionaires Starter Packs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow our official social media accounts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Browse through all our episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TIP Finance Tool⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Enjoy exclusive perks from our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠favorite Apps and Services⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠best business podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠HardBlock⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Human Rights Foundation⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simple Mining⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Netsuite⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Shopify⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Plus500⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Vanta⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Masterworks⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Fundrise⁠ References to any third-party products, services, or advertisers do not constitute endorsements, and The Investor's Podcast Network is not responsible for any claims made by them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm

The Compound Show with Downtown Josh Brown
It's not 1929, but it might be - Andrew Ross Sorkin

The Compound Show with Downtown Josh Brown

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2026 66:52


On episode 224 of The Compound and Friends, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Michael Batnick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Downtown Josh Brown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ are joined by Andrew Ross Sorkin to discuss: 1929 vs today, looking back at the SPAC mania, the art of the interview, Andrew's dream guest, and much more! This episode is sponsored by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Semiconductor ETF: https://vaneck.com/SMHCompound Grab a copy of Andrew's new book, 1929. Sign up for The Compound Newsletter and never miss out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecompoundnews.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/thecompoundnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/thecompoundnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/the-compound-media/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tiktok.com/@thecompoundnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Investing involves the risk of loss. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be or regarded as personalized investment advice or relied upon for investment decisions. Michael Batnick and Josh Brown are employees of Ritholtz Wealth Management and may maintain positions in the securities discussed in this video. All opinions expressed by them are solely their own opinion and do not reflect the opinion of Ritholtz Wealth Management. The Compound Media, Incorporated, an affiliate of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ritholtz Wealth Management⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, receives payment from various entities for advertisements in affiliated podcasts, blogs and emails. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. For additional advertisement disclaimers see here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ritholtzwealth.com/advertising-disclaimers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. The information provided on this website (including any information that may be accessed through this website) is not directed at any investor or category of investors and is provided solely as general information. Obviously nothing on this channel should be considered as personalized financial advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. See our disclosures here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ritholtzwealth.com/podcast-youtube-disclosures/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices