Podcasts about Startup ecosystem

He backed more than 250 startups worth $4.5 billion. Then he walked away.In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with Michael Batko, the former CEO of Startmate and co-founder of Hourglass AI, for a deeply honest conversation about building ecosystems, backing founders, knowing when to leave, and redefining success on your own terms.Michael shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Poland and Austria to becoming one of the most influential figures in the Australian and New Zealand startup ecosystem. After studying in Vienna, Stockholm and London, and working at American Express, PwC and KPMG, he realised he "wasn't built for bureaucracy" and moved to Australia to start building. His first startup job came from a mate's Facebook post about a pet-sitting marketplace. Within a few years, he had joined Startmate as Head of Operations and was soon appointed CEO.Over eight years, Michael transformed Startmate from a scrappy accelerator into the engine room of the ANZ startup ecosystem, backing 228 companies with first cheques, making over 300 investments now worth $4.5 billion, and helping bring over 1,000 women and 2,000 students into startups. In December 2025, he made what he calls "the hardest decision" of his career and stepped down.The conversation explores his philosophy on backing founders ("back the hungry, not the proven"), his belief that luck is like a lightning bolt and you increase your odds by expanding your "surface area," the loneliness of leadership, his decision to leave Startmate at the top, and what he's building next with Hourglass AI, a company founded on the conviction that the businesses who win the next decade will be the ones with working AI systems in production now, not the ones reading about it.Michael also opens up about fatherhood, selling two businesses through LinkedIn posts (one in 10 days) and why he believes "being CEO" was never the goal, "building something epic" was.This is a conversation about what it means to dedicate yourself to other people's success, and what happens when you finally turn the lens back on yourself.What we cover:From Poland and Austria to the Australian startup ecosystemThe corporate career that taught him what he didn't wantFirst startup job at Mad Paws and scaling Expert360Joining Startmate and "literally re-founding" itBacking over 250 companies and the philosophy behind first chequesThe Heaps Normal investment and standing up to consensusLeading through loneliness and the weight of being CEOWhy he stepped down at the topHourglass AI and the execution gap in artificial intelligenceSelling businesses through a single LinkedIn postFatherhood and redefining successThe "surface area of luck" frameworkAdvice for founders and the future of the ANZ ecosystemConnect with Michael Batko:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/batkomichael/Hourglass AI: https://thehourglass.ai/Website: https://batko.aiSubstack: https://batko.substack.comFollow us on all your favourite platforms:Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-successTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspodWebsite: www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

In this episode of Crazy Wisdom, Stewart Alsop sits down with Javier Rolandi, who works in investor relations and communications, for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from the SpaceX IPO and the trust people place in Elon Musk to Javier's own path through electronics, literature, and linguistics in Argentina. They talk about science fiction as a lens on the present, arguing over Borges versus Cortázar and touching on Philip K. Dick, before turning to Stewart's treasure hunt project and what it means for adults to reclaim a sense of play. The back half of the episode gets into bigger cultural territory: the Peter Pan syndrome as it shows up in Buenos Aires and Silicon Valley, the demographic crisis and why people are hesitant to commit to marriage or kids, the immigrant roots of Argentina's tight-knit communities, and a closing debate about solarpunk versus cyberpunk futures and whether religion still has a role to play in building a more human-centered utopia.Timestamps00:00 – Opening dive into the SpaceX IPO and why people place so much trust in Elon Musk's competence. 05:00 – Javi traces his non-linear path into technology, from electronics school to a lifelong love of science fiction. 10:00 – A close look at Borges, his puzzle-like short stories, and layered literary references. 15:00 – Javi picks Cortázar as his favorite, then Stewart demos his treasure hunt game idea. 20:00 – More treasure hunt details, plus the pelotudo/al pedo language game. 25:00 – Javi's fading interest in building electronics and why adult play still matters. 30:00 – The Peter Pan syndrome, Buenos Aires neighborhoods, and staying stuck in teenage behavior. 35:00 – The demographic crisis, Peter Thiel's arrival, and commitment to marriage and kids. 40:00 – How the internet reshapes connection beyond borders and nations. 45:00 – Solarpunk vs. cyberpunk and Argentina's potential as a utopian model. 50:00 – Argentina's immigrant roots, tribal bonding, and ethnic clubs in Buenos Aires. 55:00 – Closing thoughts on religion, ecumenism, and staying optimistic about humanity.Key InsightsTrust in visionary founders like Elon Musk isn't really about understanding the technical details of something like SpaceX—it's about faith in a person's competence to pull off things that would sound crazy coming from anyone else.Javier's relationship with technology has always been non-linear: an early fascination with electronics gave way to literature and linguistics, and only later did a startup career pull him back toward tech, showing that curiosity doesn't have to follow a straight professional line.Science fiction endures because it's never really about the future—it's a way of examining the decisions being made today and how they'll ripple outward, which is why Javier finds himself circling back to present-day questions after every story or film.Reclaiming play as an adult, whether through treasure hunts or simply being unembarrassed in public, isn't regression—it's a deliberate rebellion against the idea that growing up means becoming serious and losing creativity.The demographic shift away from marriage and kids may be less about capability and more about marketing: people who look unhappy while promoting commitment aren't going to convince anyone that the traditional path is worth choosing.Argentina's strong culture of community and friendship traces back to waves of immigrants who had to lean on each other to survive, a tribal instinct that still shapes how people bond in Buenos Aires today.The tension between solarpunk and cyberpunk visions of the future comes down to whether technology serves human connection or overshadows it, and Javier argues Argentina—with its resources and family-oriented culture—is well positioned to lean toward the more hopeful, human-centered version.

Business and finance news from the Asia-Pacific. In the equity market, a selloff in US chipmakers reignited concerns that the artificial intelligence-driven rally has outpaced fundamentals. We speak to Jeff Buchbinder, Chief Equity Strategist for LPL Financial. Plus - We go to Japan, where one of its largest startup conferences, IVS 2026 is underway. Investors, major corporations, entrepreneur are gathering up to discuss the renewed strength and competitive ness of Japan's startups. Bloomberg's Haidi Stroud-Watts spoke to Clarey Zhu, a Growth Partner at Headline.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's episode was recorded in partnership with flaconi, Germany's leading online destination for beauty and fragrance. And it's one of those conversations that reminded me why I love doing this podcast so much.We're sitting down with Alicia Lindner, who runs a third-generation family business in the beauty industry called Annemarie Börlind. But this conversation is about so much more than a brand story. We talk about growing up surrounded by the scent of plant oils and flowers drifting out of a laboratory in the Black Forest and what it means to carry a legacy without turning it into something rigid.We also talk about sibling leadership, building and growing the brand independently, the spirit of the Schwarzwald, and the beauty industry as it looks today. But also about very human things. Like why skipping lunch is never a good idea and why the forest can be the best mentor when everything feels a bit too loud.This episode is thoughtful and honest. Alicia became an immediate star of the show. Please tune in and enjoy the energy that this episode will give you!Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Episode Summary: Abundance in the Startup Ecosystem with Naseem Sayani In this episode of The Founder's Sandbox, Brenda McCabe sits down with investor, ecosystem builder, and female founder advocate Naseem Sayani to explore how capital, community, and visibility can create a more abundant and equitable startup ecosystem. Naseem shares her journey from management consulting and digital innovation to venture investing, where she became increasingly aware of the disparities women founders face when raising capital. After leaving a successful consulting partnership, she dedicated her career to supporting female entrepreneurs, investing in overlooked founders, and helping reshape how venture capital recognizes opportunity. The conversation dives into practical fundraising advice for women founders, including why founders should "lead with the money, not the empathy," how gender bias shows up in investor questioning, and how pitch decks can be strategically designed to guide investor conversations. Naseem also discusses the research-backed differences between the questions male and female founders receive during fundraising and offers actionable strategies for reframing those interactions. Brenda and Naseem explore several of Naseem's current initiatives, including her podcast The Capital Flex, which amplifies real fundraising stories from women founders, and the newly launched SoCal Women's Health Collective, a community focused on advancing innovation and collaboration in women's health. The discussion also examines the future of healthcare investing, where Naseem advocates for shifting the conversation from "women's health" to precision health—a broader framework that highlights the enormous market opportunities in personalized care, diagnostics, and health solutions that have historically been overlooked. Naseem emphasizes the power of abundance over scarcity, encouraging women to share networks, knowledge, and opportunities rather than competing for limited seats at the table. She argues that true progress will come when more capital flows from traditional funding sources into diverse founder communities, creating better outcomes for investors, founders, and society alike. Captions: 00:09 All right, welcome back to the Founder's Sandbox. I'm Brenda McCabe, your host, now in this fourth season of the Founder's Sandbox. And my mission is quite simple. With the Founder's Sandbox, I have guests that are business owners, service providers, VCs, and corporate directors. 00:36 who like me want to use the power of the enterprise to make change for a better world. And with stories in the sandbox on resilience, scalability, and purpose-driven experiences of my guest, um we have an origin story and we get to really understand what's under the hood of the businesses that my guest, um our owners have. So I'm absolutely delighted to have Naseem Sayani as my guest this month. Welcome, Naseem. 01:06 Thank you. I'm so excited to be here. Yeah. So Naseem and I go back um many, many years. She touches, um checks many, many boxes. Our first encounter was while I was m leading a women's corporate, a women's investment fund. So we invested in women owned companies with a minimum 33 % equity holding of uh the woman uh founder or m C-suite. 01:34 member and Nassim at that time was within Emily Ventures. She's since moved on to other firms and we've we're she's my first port of call when there is a very talented woman founder, particularly in the life science or digital health area. So I was absolutely delighted when the same also launched her own podcast podcast. So we'll get into that in a minute. So let me just make a uh bit more proper. uh 02:04 Introduction to you, Naseem. You're an investor, ecosystem builder, and speaker, as you guys are going to see here. Currently, the operating umbrella for all of the different ventures um that Naseem is orchestrating is Game Changers, World Changers. I love the title of your umbrella. You lead, and I've seen it in real life, commitment to empowering female founders. um 02:34 Her network across the United States and elsewhere is uh has no paragon. She is amazing. She's largely focused in health tech and fintech. And there's something that you've been doing recently, which is really giving a voice to women founders and what's it like raising capital. So with that, we're going to jump into uh our podcast today, abundance in the startup ecosystem. how, why are you doing what you do today? 03:04 Tell us about your origin story. Oh goodness. Yeah. No, back in time, back in time. Back in time. You were a consultant. all. I was. Yeah, we all grew up somewhere. So I like, I like to say I'm a recovering consultant. So I spent many, many, many years in core management consulting. So really problem solving. 03:27 at various strategic levels with Fortune 100s. I was working across healthcare, financial services, consumer, little bits of energy and other things along the way. But it was really those three sectors that I spent most of my time in. And this is early, early 2000s. So digital was a thing, but it wasn't. And we had Facebook that was happening already, you know, early 2000s. But it was in 2007 that we got iPhones in our hands and something shifted. 03:56 Right? It dramatically changed what the words digital strategy might mean. And that's when I started doing very continuously, very core digital strategy work with all of those same clients. And to put this in context, they didn't know what those words meant. Those words didn't mean anything. Like, what is digital strategy? What does it mean to my business? How does it change how I organize? How does it change how I go to market? 04:26 personalization moving from a one to many advertising model to a one to one ad model. That was a, it was a whole new paradigm, right? Of how we might interact and talk to the market as a brand or as a business. And that was all of the work I was doing in mid 2000s. And so it was fascinating to be in the center of, of that much problem solving. Well, that's what it feels like now. 04:54 That's what it feels like now, but at the time we didn't know that we were on the front end of what was this massive transformation, right? We were just doing the work and having fun and a bunch of young people straight out of MBA programs, problem solving. But it was great because you learn so much so quickly when you do that kind of work. And then a couple of years into it, we realized that our clients couldn't really execute against the strategies that we had built because they don't have 05:21 product and tech and UX and UI and scrums don't mean anything. Like this language that we take for granted now was just getting established mid late 2000s. And so we launched a product studio inside of the consulting firm to help them build product and launch experiences. And we, I was living in New York at a time. We launched this product studio out of Los Angeles. And in that same window, I moved back to LA. So I ended up being the person who ran the studio. 05:51 for about two and a half, three years. And so I was doing core strategy work. I was running the product studio and for about three years, every single digital proposal for the firm went through my inbox. Oh my gosh. Globally. it was every single project, every single client, we were tacking on the studio effort onto the back of that proposal. And so I didn't sleep for three years. I worked harder than I've ever worked in those three years. 06:20 But it was tremendous because I got to see so many different things so quickly. And we built a really great studio team. We were doing really great work in that team. And then the firm that I was at got acquired. There was lots of transformation things that happened. And then that product studio went and got acquired by a different management consulting firm and grew up into a full venture incubator. So the products we were building 06:47 ultimately needed different governance, different KPIs, different growth models, different leadership than what the corporate owner was able to do. So now we were, it was a different business. was a spin out turned into a spin out. So the value proposition turned into, we're not just building products. We're actually helping you build the startup that would otherwise put you out of business. That became the thing that we were doing. So now, now we're building startups and we're doing it at scale and we're doing with our clients and we're doing it. Now it's early. 07:17 2010s, 2011, 2012, and we're building startups and in parallel, right? Things like Uber and other things are happening in parallel and we're watching all kinds of change happen in how we engage and what kind of tools we're using across the marketplaces and what's broadly from a digital perspective. And it was great. I got to learn a lot really, really quickly. But in these... 07:43 Rooms right and you can imagine because you've been in these rooms also uh There's not enough women. There's not enough diversity We're building great product, but we don't really cover all the use cases because we're missing women and because we're missing diversity and so I was in parallel trying to meet as much of the I was trying to more founders I wanted to just see what else was out there. So I gravitated towards a lot of the the events that had more women and I was also 08:12 I'd led the diversity efforts inside of the incubator. was always protecting the careers of the women behind me. I held the diversity flag. I was one of three female partners in the incubator of like 50, right? So we were already standing on top of a pretty, on top of pretty small The token women, right? Right, right, exactly. So I was meeting a lot of women outside the building and building great products, building incredible businesses, but like, 08:41 fighting to the nail to raise capital for the companies that they're building. Meanwhile, my day job has capital. We're pouring money into building startups, but I'm surrounded by men all day. So this contrast between my day job and the struggle of what was happening for the female founders outside of the building, this contrast became... just this cognitive dissonance was too much. 09:09 stick too much to handle, right? It just doesn't work. And so I ultimately decided that I had to shift all of my energy, all of my focus. I know how to do things. I know how to build businesses. I know how to think strategically. I know how to problem solve. I can look at a market and hopefully figure it out. So let me just redirect all the energy to actually helping the whole other half of the ecosystem raise some capital and move some money and build some businesses because the boys have all the help that they need, right? 09:39 But the women don't. You left a partner position. I did. Yeah. No, my husband is super excited about that. I left my partner job at the consultancy to go full venture and decide to move some capital. Absolutely. And I started investing. This was 2019-ish and started writing some angel checks, larger angel checks, got deeper in the ecosystem. It was in that window that I met the two women. 10:08 that I launched Emmeline Ventures with. We raised about six and a half, seven million seats, stage focus, healthcare, fintech, sustainability, wrote some fantastic checks. I got some great capital out the door. And then I jumped, as you mentioned, to go do a whole host of other things. Now much more embedded, almost an ecosystem level, so more horizontal than just the vertical of the fund. And it's been great. It's, it's... 10:35 serendipitous that I got involved in the ecosystem in a moment where the female founder ecosystem was growing up the way that it was the women's health ecosystem was growing up the way that it was. And so the notion that I'm a pioneer comes up a lot because people like you've been in this for a while. Like you, you were one of the few people who built this thing. uh 10:57 But it doesn't feel that way to me. But there's a few of us who have been here since the beginning, really crafting this. And so it's really kind of fun to have been in it since the beginning, it feels like. So one of the things that we did with you uh from Ty last year is you did a master class with a cohort of women-owned businesses on how to pitch. Oh, yeah. And granted, I don't want to steal your thunder. 11:27 You're tagline with this, but we go into a room with VC, Rangel Investors. It's largely male. So what are your two or three core messages from that training? I used to it a lot. I attribute it to Naseem Sayani, but it is when women hear this, they're like, oh, I've got to go back and redo my text. 11:54 Yes. Yeah. So there's a couple of things I tell that I coach, I should say, female founders on all the time. One is you need to lead with the money and not the empathy. What we have been conditioned to do as women, and it's not conditioned, it actually comes from a lot of where our core empathy and how women move in the world is. We lead with the emotion. It's how we engage, it's how we build relationships. 12:21 But when you are in a money driven ecosystem, such as venture, you cannot lead with empathy. You have to lead with money. You have to tell me and tell who you're talking to how much this thing is worth. And you have to tell them that quickly. What typically happens with a pitch deck from a female founder is that there are four or five pages on pain. 12:46 pain and stress and how hard it is and just all this stuff that is so, so hard and you don't get to the size of the market until page seven. And that's too far, right? Because by then the people are bored and they don't care. you have do it in a page. Fine. But it's not five pages. Pull the market up sooner. Talk about the size of the opportunity sooner. I don't want any personal stories at the front of that deck. 13:14 The place where I want you to put the personal story is in how you're going to win. Because if you understand the market so closely and this pain point so closely because it happened to you, that is why your hustle is so much stronger. That's why you're after it so much more that your founder market fit comes from that. So put it there. Don't put it into product market fit. That's the wrong place. Right. Founder market fit. 13:42 Put it into founder market fit because that's the reason you're going to win is because you care about it in a way that other people don't care about it. So it's in the wrong place in the story. So put the empathy in the appendix. Nobody cares. I love you, but nobody cares. Lead with the money. That's point number one. Point number two is that there is data. It is validated that women get different questions in pitch meetings than men do. Yes. Harvard research. 14:08 Harvard research proves it. Two out of every three questions that a male founder gets will be about growth and vision and opportunity and how big this market can be. Two out of three questions that a woman gets will be risk related. So, oh my gosh, that CAC number is so high. And oh my goodness, what if you can't find the customers? And oh my goodness, what if somebody else does this? It is prevention. Yeah, it is prevention minded questions. Men get promotion minded questions. And if you're not... 14:37 prepared for that. You will be on the defense of the entire time in that meeting. So you have to practice. You have to spend a weekend with your camuja or your glass of wine or whatever it is and write down all of the prevention questions you might get on your deck, whether it's a main page or a footnote or something on the bottom of page 10. Write down everything. Be horribly brutal. 15:03 and then let it sit for a day, come back and write down your answers. And your intention with the answers is not to answer the question, but to flip that question into a promotion-based response. Excellent. Shift the power dynamic back. As an example, you have a revenue page that has the chart, revenue goes up from zero, year one to year five, and then you've got three bullets, you've got three data points on the right-hand side. Everyone should have a page that looks like this. You've got CAC, you've got AOV, you might have LTV as well. 15:33 More than likely, as a female founder, they're going to ask you about CAC. They're say, oh my God, CAC is $28. That's so high. How are you going to manage that? A male founder is going to get a question on AOV. AOV is $1,200. That's incredible. Can it get to $1,500? That's the difference in the questions. If you get that CAC question, your natural response might be, yeah, it's $28. We're going to work on it. We're going to run some tests. We really think we can get it to $25. 16:03 That might be how we naturally respond. What you should say is, it's $28, but our AOV is $1,200. So we actually think it's performing pretty well. 16:16 Very, very convincing. And that's it. Yes. Yeah. You don't respond to the defensiveness. You redirect them to the data point that actually matters. And you take back the power in that conversation. And it may also be that you have to reformat your deck. Yes. Yes. Yes. 100%. Yeah. So that's the third. That's the third thing is that your deck is a strategic asset. 16:44 Okay. And you should be very thoughtful about what you put in the deck so that you are teeing up the questions that you want to answer. Okay. There's a thing is too much information and there's a thing is too little information. The line in the middle is that if you're putting data on that same page on the right hand side, yes, put AOV at the top, put LTV next, put CAC at the bottom. Don't put CAC at the top because everyone's going look on the top right. It's natural. 17:14 Eyelines go to the top right of a page. Don't put CAC at the top. Put AOV at the top. Is that the biggest number? Put that one at the top. Be very deliberate about where you put data on the page so that you can tee up the questions that you want to get. You can bait the document with the things that you want to answer and set up the conversation that you want to have at least halfway. Right. It takes practice though. It takes practice. It takes practice. Yes. 17:42 And where are you now dedicating a lot of your uh time? We are fellow podcasters. And I know it was some time in the making. So you launched, was it six months ago, the Capital Flex podcast? Yes. Yes. And this is where you hear real stories, right? So to share a bit with my little. Yeah, absolutely. So I launched. 18:08 I launched the Capital Flex in January. I've been working on it since mid last year. It's been living on a post-it on my desk for the last two years, maybe more. So I get a lot of inbound from founders on the crazy things that happen when they're fundraising. A weird conversation, uh a offhand comment, an unfortunate behavior. Just the things that we know happen to women when they're out fundraising. 18:37 So I do a lot of, call myself, I've become this like de facto therapist for the female founder side of the ecosystem. And so I've been making notes on just the crazy that happens. And what I started, what happens is that there's founder, founder in New York and founder in California who are dealing with the same problem, but they don't know each other. So I'm, I'm sharing information across these two women when they should just know each other. So I'll bridge the connect, but you can't, I can't scale that. 19:04 quickly, right? And so instead I said, what if we just talked about it out loud on a podcast and just shared the stories and made it real and not just stories for the sake of, you know, kind of the victim hood that might come with that. That's not the intent. That's not my stance in any case, but I want to share the story so that we know that they're real. And then I want to share the learnings from that experience so that when another founder listens to any one of these episodes, you go, Oh my God, 19:34 Yes, that happens to maybe that's happened to me too. So I'm not alone. It's not just me and it's not personal and three That's a great way to deal with it because that founder dealt with it that way. Maybe I can do that too So it's really the toolkit that comes out of each episode. That was that was the end game And so episode, uh, sorry season one has just wrapped about a week ago 12 20:00 Great conversations, 12 fantastic founders. Each story is just tremendous. You learn a lot. They're very candid. It's very raw. And it's great. it's on Spotify and everywhere you can find it. called the Capital Flex. Everyone should go listen. It's tremendous. And then season two is going to drop in just a few weeks. And we've got another slate of 12 great founders. And we're running. Yeah, that's great. um 20:26 the impulse to actually launch a podcast, and the scene, if I hear you correctly, is you really wanted to amplify and scale these lessons that and experiences that other women founders have lived in their own skin. Yes. And not so much. It's not in a private way, but you really what do you think you're going to get out of this in terms of effectuating change in how people write checks? 20:55 It's visibility on really what's different about the rooms that women walk into versus the rooms that men walk into. It's awareness and accountability on behavior. Because if we know what's happening and we see it happen, we can call it out. Because now there's proof, right? And we go, oh, it's not her being sensitive. These things are really happening. 21:23 And then three, there's a pattern recognition problem in the ecosystem. And there's been so much money has moved in certain ways. there's indicators of success that a lot of the money moves on. But a lot of that is based on a very historical founder profile. And that profile doesn't include women. And it doesn't include people of color. And those levers of success look different in women. And they look different. 21:53 in founders of color. And unless we are understanding the impact of not seeing that we're never going to move capital in bigger ways. And ultimately we're just missing huge opportunities. We are missing massive opportunities spaces because we, our pattern recognition is stopping us from writing checks into spaces that we don't know enough about. So if you were to pitch yourself, right? Or, um, 22:22 game changers, world changers in front of investors. What would be your top line? Do you want to effectuate change over x million of women founders? Are you going international? mean, do a pitch here if you want. I don't know if I'll do that, but I can. So what would be your key guys, right? And yeah, yes. Yeah. So it's how much capital do we shift from? 22:51 from kind of the core buckets, the capital goes to, to founders that they haven't written checks before. Okay. That's, and so that's a big one. Uh, and, and how that, and what's the profile of the check writer? Because we have, there's been a increase in women who run funds in the last 10 years. So there's a lot more diversity in who's running funds, which is great. There's also a lot more diversity in who's building companies. So there's a lot more women, a lot more people of color. 23:20 building companies, but the bulk of the money is still sitting in traditional hands going to traditional profiles of builders. I want both of those things to move. So if we have better awareness of who's building and how they're building and what they look like and how they move in rooms and how they might show up in rooms, then the people writing the profile of who writes the check should also shift, right? It's not just women who should be writing checks to women. Men should be writing checks to women as well. 23:50 So how do we cross the social and gender circles better? capturing that metric, like that's the KPI that I want, is how much capital is going from male-led funds into female-founded teams. That's the metric that I want to be able to track. Because right now what's happening is that all the women-led and diverse funds are who's funding the women-led and diverse founded companies. Say that again. 24:19 for my listeners, because this is important. Women-led and diverse-led funds are the bulk of the money that's funding women-led and diverse founded companies. 24:30 And that cannot persist because we need big capital to go into these companies because they are building fantastic game changing businesses and everybody should make money from what they're doing. And they're going to hit a series a, a series B, a series C, and they're going to need bigger checks. You heard it here on the founder sandbox. Let's, let's, let's change to sectors. largely health tech, fintech. 24:59 Where do you see um greater, where are you focusing your initiatives in terms of um getting more check writers, right? uh Into the ecosystem and where have there been the greatest deficiency in, you you talk about these big product or these sectors, right? That have not addressed women's needs. So, so the answer is the same for both of those. I'm, I'm calling. 25:27 This will come out. This is a semantic problem, but I'm causing I'm calling it precision health. This is a place where I'm spending where I'm spending all of my time where I want to be investing in where the biggest opportunity is is our ability to leverage precision health. This is insight driven health care, whether it's in care delivery, whether it's in diagnostics, whether it's in understanding cancer, whether it's in 25:56 delivering smarter insights based on the type of human we're talking to, that is where we're going to change the game in healthcare. And that's where I want more capital to go and where it should go. Now, we've historically called this women's health, right? You've flipped the term use. So we've called this women's health for a long time. We're still calling it women's health. The problem that we've now uncovered is 26:24 Women's health carries stigma. The language carries stigma. You hear women's health and still I'll have people that say, oh my gosh, no, yeah, we've one or two things. We've made our women's health investment this year. Check the box. We're good. Yeah. Or they'll say, oh, but it's, it's, it's just so niche. We're half of the population. Yeah. Half of the population is not niche. just, I can't even, I have to just look at them and say I'm half the population. 26:55 And then the third thing you'll hear is, there just haven't, we just haven't seen the exit. So we're just not sure that the value is there. And so on the third one, have my, I hope there's two responses. One is, you know, when Google and Facebook and Amazon came to market and we're raising capital, there were no exits for search and e-commerce and social. No, we didn't know what it was. These things were brand new. 27:22 The reason the money went there was because there were behaviors and there was demand and there was money that was moving towards these categories. That was the reason we invested was there was a behavior trend that was shifting. There was a market trend that was shifting. There was something we were after because there was going there was a value pool that we could get after. That's why the money moved. This is what's happening with women's health right now. There is demand. There's behavior. There's money moving there right now. Menopause is a 60 billion dollar category. 27:52 When it comes down to it, women will spend money on their health care and they'll do it out of pocket. They're doing it right now. Right. We have no interest in our grandma's health care. We're absolutely going to go get what we need to solve for the hot flashes and the brain fog and whatever it is. And that's we have the proof now. Now, in January of this year, 2026 at JPMorgan, there was a report that was launched. There's a fantastic team that spent the last year doing the work to reanalyze all of the health care exits for the last 20 years. 28:21 The report is called follow the exits. Okay. And what they did was reclassify all of the exits in healthcare for the last 20 years into three different buckets, assuming that they qualified. If those exits were aligned to conditions that exclusively differently or disproportionately affected women, they bucketed them that way to recast the exits against conditions that affected women. When they're not 28:50 They weren't talked about that way in the market already. But when they did that, they were able to quantify $100 billion of returns that have already made its way back to investors from exits related to companies that built and exited because they were in conditions that exclusively, differently, or disproportionately affected women. 29:13 So people have made money from women's health already. But we don't know how to talk about it. They weren't calling it women's health. They were calling it diagnostics in oncology. It didn't matter that it was breast cancer. It was diagnostics and oncology. So this is why the semantics problem has to get solved and addressed is that when we call it women's health, we're trying to prove a horizontal over and over again, or saying people to believe in this horizontal that has value. And it's not. 29:43 semantics aren't landing. What has been working is just the proof of value in cardiology or in cardiovascular or an autoimmune or in diagnostics where you go, there's money there. Let's go invest because there's money there. And that's the shift that we have to have. And this is why precision health is how I'm phrasing it now is that we need to get after precision health because if I can prove value in precision health because I can solve for cardiovascular disease. 30:11 for women differently than men and there's value in that and I can deliver better services, better care. I can access reimbursement codes. I can do all of these things differently because I understand what a heart attack looks like in a man versus the woman. And that means that they'll end up at their doctor's office and not in the ER, which is more expensive. That's a place we can invest. it's a semantic change, but that's why I'm now calling it precision. I hope it doesn't. 30:38 take another 20 years after the... I don't think it will. I think there's more and more of us talking about it now and actively talking about the semantics differently. And from this Follow the Exits report, what I'm working on, and this is through my role at Women's Health Access Matters with WAM, is that we're taking the data from that report and we're creating assets that founders can use in their pitch decks to actually showcase the exits that line up with the category that they're in. Amazing. 31:07 So here's the market. Here's three exits. I'm good. I have proof. Yeah. So I think we can get there faster. Excellent. So that's a great segue um to yet another initiative that um is near and dear to your heart, which is it's still in a seed stage. Talk to us about the SoCal Women's Collector. Oh, yeah. Yeah. This is brand new. Me and five other fantastic women here in Southern California. 31:37 decided that we wanted to better connect the ecosystem here in SoCal. So from LA to Orange County to San Diego, there are fragmented groups of wonderful humans, all building, researching, investing, et cetera, into women's health, whether they are at universities or at accelerators or independently investing or they're founders, et cetera. So we launched what's called the SoCal Women's Health Collective. 32:04 And we are actively focused on connecting community. So it's budding, it's growing. We're organizing and still setting full strategy. But at the very least, we are bringing people together at events. We're hosting virtual and live events, whether it's happy hours or panels. We're doing things virtually where we're doing coaching sessions with founders. And we're building a mailing list so that we can get this community connected and talking to each other and at least know who else 32:33 is in Southern California touching this category and building in this category. And it's been really incredible because we were just sitting around dinner one night going, my God, couldn't we do this? And now we have a mailing list that's more than 500 people long. And we meet people everywhere that want to be part of it, want to join, want to come to events. And it's really grown. And we're only within a year. It's really only 10 or 11 months old. 33:00 But it's really taken off. It's great. So we can do a lot with it. I love it. And are you at all working with, is it GLG or the Women's Collective? It's an advocacy group in Washington, DC. Yes, the policy group. Yes, the policy group. Yes. So there's a parallel group called Women's Held Advocates, which is the policy and lobbying organization that's focused in Washington. 33:29 that is entirely organized around uh supporting policy initiatives focused on women's health. So across breast cancer, menopause, we now have recently added bone health, fertility, et cetera. We have sub teams under the women's health advocates umbrella that are focused on policy initiatives to get budget lines or policy lines into different things in Congress to make sure there's a tension on women's health across, again, aligned by conditions. 33:58 so that we can get things done in Congress. So, Women's Health Collective and Women's Health Advocates, at least in SoCal, there's high overlap in the leadership across these two groups. So, we can do a lot of good things together because the women on the steering committee for Women's Health Advocates who are in LA are the same women who launched the SoCal Women's Health Collective. It's symbiotic uh and I've attended... 34:26 sessions with both groups and it's a very exciting moment. It's there's bipartisan bills going to Congress on just why are knee replacements for men being birthed at a higher rate than for women? We all have the same. So it's like really just providing the transparency. pulled that thread. It's a whole different podcast. I know. know. know. So anyway, so you heard it here. 34:55 What else? I could go on and on, Naseem, but we have a certain time here. And I just wanted to give you this moment to share with my listeners how to contact you, how to get involved in your multiple initiatives. These will be in the show notes. 35:16 Yeah, no, absolutely. So I love that the so find the podcast. It's on Spotify and Apple and all the places where you listen to your podcast. It's called the Capital Flex. So all the subscribers would be amazing. Come and listen. I love feedback. Tell me what you think. Season two will drop on May 6th and season one is tremendous. So start from the top. The second thing is I also host something called a Founders Coven, which is a monthly meetup for female founders. And it's a virtual session. It's an hour. 35:45 uh once a month and the entire intent is to infuse expertise, insight, education into the female founder half of the ecosystem. So we've had three sessions so far and I was doing these in a previous life and I've now rebooted it this year. We've talked about vibe coding. We've talked about healthcare reimbursement. uh Our next session is in two weeks. We have a exited founder coming to talk about how she built her business and then led to the exit. So 36:12 You can join the coven. It's on my LinkedIn. You can find the sign up sheet so you can join the coven and join us when you can each month. And then I also I do a lot. I'm very active on LinkedIn. I'm always writing and posting. I'm speaking at lots of events so you can find me out in the wild pretty easily also because I tend to be around a lot. So that's the easiest. as a pioneer, this is a question that just came to my mind. You were so in the early stages of social media, right? um 36:42 Would you dare to give an opinion on what is the best type of platform to get your voice out there as a, as a leader, a change leader like you, is it LinkedIn? Is it how it. I believe it's LinkedIn. I tell a lot of founders this, that if you want to build credibility and thought leadership in parallel to building your company, start to build a platform on LinkedIn. Got it. Build a point of view. 37:13 have a point of view on what the future looks like when your company wins and start to talk about it. And it doesn't have to be long. It's a couple of it's like blog posts type things and use headlines, right? Use what's going on in the news and in healthcare to express a point of view and to talk about what it means and what are the implications and what are the so what's of what's going on and how does that tie back to what you're building and why you're building it? Because when investors go out to research a company and to research the founder, 37:40 If they, will look at your data room with a look at financials, a look at what you're building. All of that has to be up to snuff. And then they're going to go research the founder. And if they go on LinkedIn and they see that you're writing and publishing and that you've built an audience and that you're somewhat prolific in terms of communicating a point of view, those things are important. They pay off, right? You go, well, she, she's talking about what she wants and she has a perspective that's valuable because it means that you're really committed to the thing that you're after. And 38:09 And women don't spend enough time building platforms. We don't spend enough time standing on soap boxes talking about the things we care about. And we should be doing it more. And all of your friends should like comment and share every single thing that you post. And so I also tell everyone once you share it, send it to all your friends and tell them they have to comment and post on it. We have to keep building the flywheel. A flywheel. You heard it here on the Founder's Sand. 38:38 All right, we're going to go to the sandbox. I like to close out asking my guests, um what is the meaning to you for the following three terms, which I am passionate about and how I work with my founder clients. What does scalability mean to you? Oh, scalability means an ability to grow and navigate the market. 39:03 in line with market trends and market behaviors. knowing, having a good perspective on what's going on, dynamics in the sector that you're in, and having built enough mobility in how you navigate your organization so that you can turn left, turn right, etc. in line with what's going on outside the business. That's scalability. Perfect. How about resilience? 39:32 Resilience. one is it's that. So one, it's a necessary skill. We'll start there. And two, it's an ability to take in what's going on in the market, not take it personally, reflect and keep going. uh Feedback can come from everywhere. A lot of it from places that maybe aren't relevant and not that useful. So knowing how to filter and listen and then really be able to be open minded and take the good feedback when you get it. 40:02 And I had one founder on my podcast say that she spent a lot of time on the floor while she was fundraising, like curled up in a ball because it was so hard. But she got up again every single time and she raised the capital and she built a business and she can use to do that. And that's resilience. Right. I'm after something big and it matters. So I'm going to get it done. Amazing. Amazing. And I heard you when we were talking about the subtitle for the episode. uh 40:32 Abundance. What's abundant? Why is abundance so important for you? Abundance is really important for me because we have been, we women have been conditioned so badly in scarcity where there's not enough. There's only one, only one of us can win. We can't all win. And so we don't share our networks easily. We don't share our relationship easily. We, we feel like we have to keep things really close because if I share it, then I lose it. 41:02 It's a mentality I hear em from founders and it's a bit generational as well. And I don't want us to do that. I have found more than once that the more I put into the ecosystem, the more I get back. Comes back to me in spades. so opening up our networks, sharing what we know, being open about the learnings, pulling everyone forward with us. All of that is going to... 41:29 it's going to benefit all ships rise. it's how our male counterparts have been doing it for years. The golf course is the golf course for a reason. Right. And so we don't have a golf course, but we do have our networks and we do have our relationships and women are very innate relationship builders. It is superpower territory and we should be using it. And that means abundance. That means not worrying about 41:57 being the only one because you know what? We're building our own tables and we're pulling up more chairs and that's how we're gonna get this done. I love it. have goosebumps just listening to this last part about bandits. Thank you, Naseem. Final question. What does purpose, purpose driven mean to you? No, purpose driven means that 42:21 your the things you are doing and the things that bring you joy are lined up. Amazing. Yeah. And you can make money from it. Yeah. Without the joy, right? Yeah. Make money better. Yeah. Final question to Jeff on here in the sandbox. This was great. Yes. Thank you. Amazing. I really enjoyed listening. Just I enjoy our friendship, our working together on 42:50 Common theme, which is getting more money into the female. This is 100%. Yep. So to my listeners, if you like this episode with the same, so Yanny sign up for the monthly release of the founder sandbox, you can find it on any major streaming platform. You've got to find founders, business owners, corporate directors and service providers that are building resilience, scalable and purpose driven companies with great corporate. 43:19 uh governance. So thank you for joining us today and see you next month. Thank you.

What happens when a mentor gets more out of an accelerator than the founders do?Zak Morris joined the Fuel accelerator as a subject matter expert in AI — but quickly realized he was learning just as much as the companies he was advising. In this episode, Zak breaks down how working with startups across cybersecurity, AML, and healthcare sharpened his own thinking, why Bentonville's density of world-class talent is an underrated advantage, and how one early conversation with a founder led to a permanent board seat.Whether you're a founder, a seasoned professional sitting on the sidelines, or someone who's never thought of themselves as a mentor — this one's for you.

What happens when overlooked innovators are empowered to solve problems for communities often left out of the conversation—and, even more, when those innovators have lived experience of the challenges they're addressing? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia sits down with Brittany and Rich Palmer, a dynamic entrepreneurial couple, to explore how true innovation and impact are ignited at the intersection of necessity, lived experience, and meaningful capital. Brittany and Rich Palmer are not only successful entrepreneurs and angel investors but are also the visionary founders behind Adaptation Ventures, an investment firm and community dedicated to empowering startups focused on disability, neurodivergence, accessibility, and aging. Brittany, herself born with a limb difference, brings firsthand perspective to the conversation, while Rich's journey includes a personal medical challenge that became a catalyst for his mission-driven career shift. Together, they've built a unique fund and ecosystem that actively includes investors and decision-makers with disabilities—something almost unheard of in the traditional VC world. This episode covers why only 1% of venture capital currently flows to accessibility-related innovation, details Brittany and Rich's journey to plugging that gap, and shares stories of the groundbreaking companies they're backing—from hardware innovations with million-dollar pipelines to products with the “curb cut effect” that benefit everyone. Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or passionate catalyst for change, this conversation reveals how capital, community, and lived expertise can combine to drive scalable, high-impact solutions. If you care about innovation that truly changes lives, this episode is a must-listen—showcasing why Adaptation Ventures' ecosystem model may reshape the future of inclusive investing.   To get the latest from Rich and Brittany Palmer, you can follow them below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/therichpalmer/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanytofinchio/ https://adaptation.vc/ Rich's first appearance on the Angel Next Door   Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

In today's episode of Tech3 by Moneycontrol, we unpack how PhonePe and Google Pay's combined UPI market share has slipped below 80% for the first time as smaller rivals gain ground. We also look at Bengaluru's position as Asia's third-largest startup ecosystem, now valued at nearly $153 billion. Plus, Starlink's India launch faces fresh regulatory and security scrutiny, while Telegram moves the Delhi High Court against the Centre's temporary restriction ahead of the NEET-UG retest.

In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with Souraabh, Managing Director of MAKS Group, for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership and building businesses that create lasting impact.Souraabh shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to leading a diversified business group operating across multiple industries. Reflecting on his early life, education and entrepreneurial mindset, he discusses the lessons that shaped his approach to leadership and the importance of continuous learning throughout every stage of business growth.The conversation explores the transition from working within a family business to building independent ventures, highlighting the challenges, opportunities and decisions that helped define his path. Souraabh speaks passionately about the role of culture in scaling organisations, explaining why strong values, systemisation and a commitment to continuous improvement have been critical to the success of the MAKS Group. Drawing on principles such as Kaizen, he shares practical insights into building businesses that can grow sustainably while empowering people to perform at their best.Souraabh also offers a fascinating perspective on the future of energy, sustainability and emerging technologies in India. From the evolution of the automotive sector to opportunities in deep tech and clean energy, he discusses the trends that will shape the next generation of businesses and entrepreneurs. Alongside his business pursuits, he reflects on investing, philanthropy through the MAKS Foundation and the importance of maintaining balance between professional ambition and family life.This episode is packed with practical lessons for entrepreneurs, leaders and anyone looking to build a meaningful career. Souraabh's story is a powerful reminder that long-term success is built through strong culture, calculated risks, continuous learning and a commitment to creating value for others.Key Takeaways• Success is built on happiness, fulfilment and meaningful impact.• Strong company culture is essential for sustainable growth.• Continuous learning creates opportunities for long-term success.• Systemising processes enables businesses to scale effectively.• Calculated risks are necessary for entrepreneurship and innovation.• Leadership is about empowering people and building strong teams.• Family businesses provide valuable lessons but require evolution and adaptation.• Sustainability and clean energy present significant opportunities for the future.• Mentors can play a transformative role in personal and professional growth.• Giving back through philanthropy creates lasting impact beyond business success.ResourcesHarvard Business School - https://www.hbs.eduMAKS Group - https://maksgroup.co.in/Toyota India - https://www.toyotabharat.comConnect with SouraabhLinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/sourabhshawFollow us on all your favourite platforms:Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-successTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspodWebsite: www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

Recorded live at the Angus Barn during Hutchison's 30th anniversary celebration, this special episode of Founder Shares brings together some of the Triangle's most respected founders, investors, and ecosystem builders to reflect on three decades of what it really means to build a community — not just a law firm. Guests include Andrea Cook of NC Idea, Karl Rectanus, CEO, Really Great Reading | Co-Chair BOD, CED (Center for Entrepreneurial Development), Adam Stege, founder and CEO of Trio Labs, Tim McLoughlin of CoFounders Capital, Jason Caplain of Bull City Venture Partners, Pablo Casilimas, Managing Partner, OneSixOne Ventures, Krista Covey of First Flight Venture Center, David Mendez of Good Growth Capital, and Jim Roberts of the WAEL Angel Network - NEW (Network for Entrepreneurs of Wilmington),  WALE (Wilmington Angels for Local Entrepreneurs) — all united by a single thread: that Hutchison's greatest asset has never been its legal expertise alone, but its willingness to show up, make the introduction, and put founders first before any transaction is on the table. Plus, Karl LaPan of UF Innovate shares what ChatGPT told him when he asked how to describe a law firm like Hutchison — and the answer, "ecosystem architect," just might be the most accurate two-word summary of thirty years of work anyone has offered yet.Hosted by Trevor Schmidt, Founder Shares is brought to you by Hutchison PLLC.

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Washington, D.C. on Sept 28th & 29th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Ryan Micheletti is the co-founder of The Veteran Fund, a venture capital firm focused on investing in veteran-led critical technology companies. As a California National Guard veteran, Ryan has played a leading role in building the veteran startup ecosystem. Before launching The Veteran Fund, he founded VetTech, the first veteran-led startup accelerator, and later served as Head of Global Operations at Founder Institute, helping scale more than 8,000 startups across 200 cities worldwide. Today, Ryan leads The Veteran Fund's strategy and ecosystem building efforts, backing exceptional veteran leadership teams in dual-use and mission-critical technologies. His work connects founders with early capital, strategic partners, and a growing network of investors committed to strengthening American innovation. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Ryan about: Building the Veteran Startup Ecosystem: Launching the first veteran-led accelerator and creating infrastructure to support founders after 9/11 Investing in Leadership at the Seed Stage: Why The Veteran Fund prioritizes exceptional teams with deep domain expertise and long-term resilience. Critical Technology and Dual-Use Strategy: Backing companies that serve both commercial markets and national security priorities. From Fund One to Fund Two: Refining ownership strategy, increasing first-check size, and strengthening capital allocation discipline. Patriotic Capital and Long-Term Vision: Mobilizing family offices and aligned investors to support veteran-led innovation that reinforces American competitiveness. Timestamps: 00:52 Origin of Veteran Fund 02:10 Building VetTech and FI 04:05 Fund Launch and Thesis 06:27 Ideal Deal Criteria 09:37 Havok AI Success Story 12:26 Fund Two Evolution 17:34 Ecosystem and Events 21:30 Goals and Bigger Mission Connect with Ryan: LinkedIn | Ryan Micheletti ryan@veteran.fund  www.veteran.fund  If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode. Subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Ryan for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

AGENDA: 00:00:00 — Private Markets Are "F***ing Done" & The Shift to Heavy CapEx 00:00:46 — Anthropic Files to Go Public  00:04:59 — Will the Anthropic IPO Break the Startup Ecosystem? 00:06:22 — The "Billion-Dollar Position" Era: VCs Reset Their Expectations 00:18:11 — The Trillion-Dollar Cash Grab: Google, SpaceX, and OpenAI Rush the Queue 00:23:15 — Is the SaaS Apocalypse Over? Bouncing Off the Bottom 00:25:34 — The Death of Human Per-Seat Licenses as Multiples Shift 00:27:18 — Winners vs. Losers: How Agentic Focused Products Captured the Market 00:30:26 — Cognition Raises $1 Billion at a $26 Billion Valuation 00:33:04 — Token Budgeting Panic Hits Corporate America 00:35:46 — Multi-Model Workflows and the Future of Cost Containment 00:41:20 — Choosing Tokens Over Humans: The 2027 Engineering Reality Check 00:46:42 — Can Large Companies Survive Slashing One-Third of Their Engineering Talent? 00:57:40 — Big Law Flex: Kirkland & Ellis Pledges $500 Million to Build In-House AI 01:01:21 — Giving Away the Crown Jewels: Will Firms Trust Claude? 01:08:44 — Robinhood's AI Move: Automating Financial Planning vs. Beating the Market 01:16:15 — Apollo Warns PE Software Returns Are About to Be Disastrous 01:19:15 — $10 Billion Carry Pools: Will VC Winners Quit the Game? 01:24:10 — The 9-9-6 Work Ethic: Performative Theatre or Startup Reality? 01:30:10 — The Great Valley Contradiction: Working 24/7 to Automate White-Collar Work  

This week on Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino sits down with Rebecca Kacaba, co-founder and CEO of DealMaker, one of the leading platforms powering retail capital raises for private companies. Rebecca discusses the growing influence of retail investors across private markets and IPOs, why companies like SpaceX, Reddit, Gemini, and others are increasingly allocating shares to retail participants, and how community ownership is becoming a strategic advantage for modern brands. The conversation explores DealMaker's unique approach to capital formation, helping companies build and own their own investor communities rather than relying solely on marketplace traffic. Chris and Rebecca also discuss repeat issuers, investor engagement, liquidity opportunities, sports ownership, regulatory developments, and the long-term future of retail investing. If you want to understand where private markets, equity crowdfunding, and retail ownership are heading over the next decade, this is a must-listen episode. Highlights include...  

What actually creates innovation? Is it technology, intelligence, funding… or something much deeper? In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, Robin Bailey and Al McDonald sit down with Hugh Chow, CEO at ventureLAB, inventor, entrepreneur, investor, and global innovation leader, to explore the mindset behind breakthrough leadership, meaningful innovation, and building companies that create lasting impact.With more than 30 years of experience across semiconductors, startups, venture capital, sustainability, and global technology, Hugh shares the deeply personal journey that shaped his perspective on leadership, opportunity, and resilience. From immigrating to North America to helping scale technology companies with hundreds of patents and hundreds of millions in revenue, Hugh unpacks what it really takes to build something meaningful in a rapidly changing world.This conversation explores the future of Canadian innovation, why founders need to think globally from day one, and how true innovation comes from challenging the status quo rather than accepting it. Hugh also shares why he believes leadership is about creating opportunities for others, lifting people up, and planting seeds for future generations to grow.Throughout the episode, Hugh offers powerful insights on entrepreneurship, commercialization, AI, hardtech, startup ecosystems, mentorship, and the lessons he learned from his parents that continue to guide his leadership today.If you've ever wondered what separates visionary leaders from everyone else, or how innovation can become a force for long-term impact, this episode delivers a masterclass in leadership, humility, and purpose-driven growth.You'll hear about:Why innovation starts with challenging the status quo The leadership philosophy behind building win-win relationships How one phone call changed the trajectory of Hugh's career Why great leaders recognize talent before people see it in themselves The difference between taking risks and creating opportunity Why Canadian founders need to think globally from the beginning The commercialization gap holding Canadian innovation back What makes Canada one of the strongest innovation ecosystems in the world The future of AI, hardtech, and medical technology startups Why learning matters more than avoiding failure The importance of sustainability and lifting others up How Hugh's parents shaped his approach to leadership and resilienceWe talk about:00:00 Introduction to Hugh Chow and ventureLAB02:00 Seeing potential in people before they see it themselves05:00 Why leadership is about creating win-win opportunities08:30 The career moments that shaped Hugh's innovation mindset10:00 Moving to North America and starting in semiconductors13:00 Building a global technology company from Canada15:00 What innovation actually means in today's world17:00 Why innovation requires challenging the status quo19:00 Leadership, sustainability, and creating long-term impact21:00 Canada's strengths in innovation and AI23:00 Why Canadian companies must think globally25:00 Commercialization challenges in Canada28:00 The future of hardtech, AI, and medical technology31:00 What founders often misunderstand about success34:00 Supporting startups through uncertainty and change36:00 The question every leader should ask themselves38:00 Hugh's parents, resilience, and the lessons that shaped his life42:00 Why opportunity should be passed on to future generationsConnect with HughLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-chow-445b332/ Website: https://www.venturelab.ca/ Connect with UsLinkedIn: Robin Bailey and Al McDonald Website: Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

Germany faces a massive investment task: modernising infrastructure, supporting innovation and securing retirement outcomes in an ageing society. In this episode of Sound of Finance, our colleague Dr. Johannes Branahl speaks with Arved Kolle, Managing Director from AFME, the Association for Financial Markets in Europe, about how capital markets can help mobilise long-term funding—often cited as roughly €1.4 trillion by 2030—if the right incentives, products and reforms are put in place. We discuss the investment gap, household participation, the startup ecosystem, demographic pressures, and what policymakers should prioritise next. Key takeaways • Why closing Germany's long-term investment gap requires both public action and private capital at scale. • How product innovation and better investor access can increase household participation in capital markets. • What needs to change to channel capital more efficiently—across sectors and across EU member states. • Why a stronger startup and scale-up ecosystem depends on deeper pools of risk capital. • How demographic trends increase urgency for pension reform—and what that means for capital market policy. • A practical lens on current proposals (including the ‘Altersvorsorge Depot') and the trade-offs policymakers face.

This time, the roles reverse as our very own host Daria Suvorova-Konstandin joins Cynthia Mensah-Neglokpe on the other side of the mic. Together with moderator Paloma Frau, Director of Cultural Programming at Fotografiska Berlin, the two authors and cultural curators discuss their new book, The Feeling of Berlin.Written as a love letter to Berlin, it tells the city's story through 33 portraits of women, each an icon in her own unique way. From club legend Britt Kanja and Love Parade co-founder Danielle de Picciotto to Michelin-starred chef Sophie Rudolph and next-gen creatives like Cloudy Zakrocki – the book reveals their insider tips and favorite spots.In this episode, Daria and Cynthia offer insights into the project: which stories touched them most, how they chose their protagonists, and how they managed to write an entire book alongside many other projects. They discuss challenges and successes, discipline and motivation – and how an idea evolved into 250 carefully curated pages.If you enjoy this conversation, don't forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform.Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

From startups to hands-on STEM education, Akron is emerging as a model for how cities can grow jobs, strengthen recycling systems, and build a circular economy for plastics. In this conversation, Mayor Malik shares how Akron is leveraging its roots in rubber and plastics to drive innovation—investing in pilots that help startups scale, strengthening ties between universities and industry, and creating pathways into manufacturing careers at every level. You'll also hear how Akron is tackling real-world recycling challenges—reducing contamination, expanding access, and improving systems over time—while working toward a more circular economy for plastics. The episode also highlights how the city is investing in its people, from introducing students to plastics and polymers through creative STEM education to building a culture of innovation that supports the next generation of talent.

Nicolas Debray, ancien employé de Google Belgique, a fait un choix clair : ne pas se cantonner à une seule voie… mais en créer plusieurs. De la promotion du numérique chez Google… à la création de Semetis, puis à sa cession… jusqu'à un nouveau rôle : celui d'investisseur et de bâtisseur d'écosystème. Un parcours entrepreneurial complet… Mais aussi une volonté forte : structurer un écosystème qui reste encore trop fragmenté. Les journalistes vous proposent différents podcasts sur les thèmes qui dominent notre monde et notre société. Sous différents angles et avec un accent clair sur l'économie et les entreprises, sur les affaires, les finances personnelles et les investissements. De manière indépendante, pertinente, toujours constructive et tournée vers l'avenir. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discover the tactical blueprint of Katrina Chan, the force behind the Philippines' premier startup launchpad, as she reveals the high-stakes diplomacy and "founder's grit" required to build a national ecosystem from scratch. This episode of Founders Only delivers a raw masterclass in navigating public-private partnerships, overcoming burnout, and unifying a fragmented market into a world-class engine for growth.The conversations happening on Founders Only are the ones every entrepreneur needs to hear. Don't be the last to know. Watch the full episode on YouTube. ⏭️Follow now and never miss an episode.

What is the current state of Lexington's startup ecosystem? Garrett Fahrbach (Awesome Inc) and Ben Strevy (Awesome Fund) give us their perspective from in the arena with founders. From idea inception to providing funding, Awesome Inc is providing the resources necessary for founders to find success in Lexington, Kentucky.Hosted by Logan JonesMiddle Tech is proudly supported by:KY Innovation → kyinnovation.comAwesome Inc → awesomeinc.org

It's our very first conversation recorded in Denmark at Soho House Copenhagen. To mark this moment I invited to the show local star and global thought leader: Veronica D'Souza, social entrepreneur, artist, author and activist.In this episode, we speak about what it really means to build a life that actually feels like your own, and the courage it takes to step away from societal expectations. Veronica shares what she learned from working closely with women in prison, how that experience reshaped her understanding of dignity and agency, and why music became a way back to her inner voice after years of building companies.If there's one thing to take away from this episode, it's this: living fully often starts with listening to yourself, and to the stories of others.If you enjoy this conversation, don't forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform. I love reading your thoughts! Now, let's dive in.Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Video episode!Start Summit 2026, an event organized by students in Switzerland. Featuring an elevator and a challenge every entrepreneur knows well: explain a complex idea in 60 seconds without losing what truly matters.From Start Summit 2026 in St. Gallen, we recorded an Intangiblia Flash episode capturing the energy of a place where investors, founders, and inventors come together to accelerate, expand, and turn real technology into reality.The best founders don't treat intellectual property like paperwork, they treat it like strategy. I walk around the Start Summit, talking about patents, trademarks, open-source licensing, and the real reason IP matters to customers and investors. If you're building a startup and wondering what “defensible” actually means, these short interviews make it concrete in minutes. We talk about a dual approach that many deep tech companies overlook: patent the core hardware innovation while keeping software open source under a permissive license to drive adoption and let customers go deep without fear of IP constraints. Then we jump into consumer and assistive tech, including a cat health-monitoring station that measures intake, temperature, and more, plus a smartwatch built for people with cognitive impairments that uses symbols, schedules, and voice prompts. It's a reminder that product design, trust, and usability can be as important to protect as the underlying tech. An experienced investor and company builder shares why IP is a game-changer in biotech, medtech, semiconductors, and industrial technology, especially when partnerships or acquisitions are the likely path to scale. We also touch on common founder pitfalls, like filing too early, and why a strong IP portfolio is something you reinforce over time, not a snapshot you frame once. If you want more founder field notes like this, subscribe, share the episode with a builder friend, and leave a review with the smartest IP lesson you've learned so far. Video episode!Send us Fan MailCheck out "Protection for the Inventive Mind" – available now on Amazon in print and Kindle formats.The views and opinions expressed (by the host and guest(s)) in this podcast are strictly their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the entities with which they may be affiliated. This podcast should in no way be construed as promoting or criticizing any particular government policy, institutional position, private interest or commercial entity. Any content provided is for informational and educational purposes only.

In this episode of Around Town, Mayor Daniel Rickenmann sits down with Sam Herskovitz, Executive Director of the Boyd Innovation Center, to talk about how Columbia is supporting founders building scalable, tech-driven companies.The Boyd exists to help ideas turn into real businesses, and the impact is already showing. More than 200 entrepreneurs have been served, over 40 tech companies launched or supported, and more than $1.7 million in investment capital raised.They break down the gap that exists for high-growth startups, why many founders leave to find resources elsewhere, and how Columbia is creating a stronger foundation through community, programming, and early-stage support.If you are building in tech or thinking about it, this episode offers a clear look at what's possible and what's already happening here in Columbia.Visit the Boyd here: https://www.boydinnovation.org/

This is our first episode recorded live in Sweden, here at Fotografiska Stockholm. And I couldn't imagine a better guest to open this chapter.In this episode, I get to interview the brilliant Keika Lee, Director of Global Public Affairs at IKEA.Keika grew up in Sweden with Korean heritage, in a family where discipline and hard work were part of everyday life. She was on her way to becoming a classical pianist, with auditions at Juilliard and the Conservatoire in Paris, and then she made a decision that surprised many: she walked away.What followed wasn't a straight career path, but years of trial and error. Keika tried many different roles: from bartending and working airport security to studying political science, building a fashion brand with her sister and working in consultancy. From the outside, It might look scattered, but it became one of her biggest strengths: learning how people behave and how to read the room.This episode might make you pause and ask yourself whether what you're building is actually aligned with who you are, and remind you that nothing you try is ever wasted.Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Nvidia is working with investors, nonprofits, and venture firms to build earlier ties with India's fast-growing AI founder ecosystem. Also, General Catalyst's pledge marks a sharp jump from the company's earlier $500 million–$1 billion India earmark. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We discussed a few things including1. Their career journeys2. Miami ecosystem3. Austin/Texas ecosystem4. Trends, opps and challenges for entrepreneurs and startup communities5. Outlook for 2026 Melissa Medina has over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, operator, investor, community leader and philanthropist. A native to Miami, she is CEO & Co-Founder of eMerge Americas with a mission of helping transform South Florida into a global tech hub. The eMerge Americas signature event, launched in 2014, is a global tech conference held annually at the Miami Beach Convention Center - this year's event is on April 22-24. With Melissa's leadership, the eMerge Americas conference now attracts more than 20,000+ attendees from over 50 countries. In addition to the annual conference, eMerge organizes year-round executive summits, innovation challenges, startup pitch competitions, masterclasses, webinars, a world-class global accelerator program, as well as publishes venture activity and investment insights reports.Melissa is also a Partner at Medina Ventures, an early-stage venture fund, as well as the President of the Medina Family Foundation, which has a mission to fund local initiatives that focus on mentoring children and empowering families. Melissa was named by the South Florida Business Journal as one of the “2023 Power Leaders in Technology.” Melissa also sits on the Board of The Miami Foundation. She is passionate about transforming Miami into a global technology hub and supporting Miami-based non-profits who seek to empower tomorrow's leaders. Most importantly, Melissa is a mother and most passionate about her 5 children.------Experienced in economic development, public policy, and venture capital, Paul O'Brien puts a focus on shaping the systems that enable entrepreneurship and innovation. He leads legislative and coalition strategy for Founder Institute, around issues impacting startups, capital formation, and civic infrastructure, and as publisher of Startup Economist.With a passion for media innovation and investment, Paul seeded MediaTech Ventures, a media industry venture development group. Former Venture Partner in Meaningful Ventures, O'Brien is Founder and Director of Funded House and Director of Founder Institute for Texas. Historically, a seasoned marketer with an early career at Yahoo! and HP. From there, Paul led the early growth of startups such as Outright.com (Acquired by GoDaddy), Zvents (Acquired by eBay's Stubhub), and MicroVentures (Venture Capital). Paul has an unusually strong technical background considering the role he tends to play today; he built websites in the '90s and continues to engineer and produce content at seobrien.com. He was featured in the book, Online Marketing Heroes, and frequently speaks at startup and media conferences.#podcast #AFewThingsPodcast

Innovation ecosystems in the GCC are often judged by funding numbers and startup announcements.But the real work happens in how institutions, capital, and regulation move together.In this special Qatar Development Bank series of Couchonomics with Arjun, Arjun sits down in Doha with Mohammed Al-Emadi, Executive Director of Incubation and VC Investment at QDB, to unpack how Qatar is intentionally building its startup and venture capital ecosystem.Rather than operating as a single funding body, QDB plays a lifecycle role across incubation, acceleration, venture capital, regulation readiness, and market access. Mohammed explains how founders are supported from idea stage through to regional and global expansion, with each layer designed to reduce friction rather than add complexity.The conversation explores how Qatar's ecosystem players collaborate closely, why talent and pilot access matter more than market size, and how capital, regulation, and infrastructure are aligned to support long-term innovation.

I'm really happy to welcome Preeti Malkani, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board and Co-founder of Women for Women International Germany. With Indian and German roots, and a career that spans global advertising, entrepreneurship and humanitarian leadership, Preeti has dedicated her work to empowering women in conflict zones and rethinking how we talk about power and inclusion.In this conversation, we speak about the moments that shaped her path, the stories she's witnessed in places like Rwanda, Iraq and Bosnia. And we'll also talk about what each of us can do, beyond donations, to support women across the globe.If you enjoy this conversation, don't forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform.Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

It's about time we really talk about beauty tech, what it already looks like in parts of Asia, and what it could become in our homes in the next few years, in ways we probably can't even imagine yet.That's exactly what I explore in this episode with Wanfen Xia, CMO and Managing Director at Ulike Europe.Wanfen brings a clear and grounded perspective on where the beauty-tech sector is heading. We talk about how advanced Asian markets already are, what Europe can learn from them, and how new self-care routines might soon become a natural part of everyday life at home.What I especially appreciated in this conversation is Wanfen's gentle, thoughtful approach, shaped by literature, aesthetics, and a deep understanding to what beauty can mean beyond performance or perfection. It's a reminder that some things are meant to be felt intuitively.If you enjoy this conversation, don't forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform.Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

SummaryIn this episode, David Nelson, the executive director of Founders Forge, discusses the evolution of entrepreneurship in rural America, particularly in Johnson City. He shares the journey of Founders Forge, a nonprofit startup hub that empowers underestimated and first-time founders. The conversation highlights the importance of community support, the diverse business landscape, and the growth of a startup ecosystem in the region. David also reflects on his personal entrepreneurial journey, the significance of validation for new ideas, and the future vision for Founders Forge and its initiatives like Avante, a pre-accelerator program aimed at helping aspiring entrepreneurs.TakeawaysFounders Forge aims to empower underestimated and first-time founders.Community support is crucial for fostering entrepreneurship.The startup ecosystem in Johnson City has seen significant growth.David's journey reflects the challenges and successes of entrepreneurship.Validation of business ideas is essential before launching.The culture of helping each other drives innovation in the region.Founders Forge organizes events to connect entrepreneurs and resources.Avante is a new program designed to help entrepreneurs from idea to launch.The grit of the local community contributes to entrepreneurial success.David envisions Johnson City as a model for startup ecosystems. Connect with David: https://foundersforge.com/Buy your next home, or list your current home with us!https://www.thecolinandcarlygroup.com/Be a guest on the Johnson City Living Podcast: https://www.johnsoncityliving.com/guests?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaf_qLsH2l73s8fTV40Oebx8kSAGlIFS_y50ij7CRneeNX3I6NzzfQMUKP-7hw_aem_xHCpTZ5r_cOfc22X1DNvmw

We continue the alternating series featuring Global Space Enablers Network - GSEN Members.Vedika Latchman-Singh is the Director of Exotopic where she leads the company's growth across Australia and the Asia–Pacific region. Vedika brings over two decades of experience working at the intersection of science, engineering, and innovation, with a particular passion for enabling diverse and inclusive futures in the space industry.Her journey spans roles in strategic partnerships, business development, and sustainability — from supporting Australia's space research programs at CSIRO, to building capacity for young engineers and technologists across Africa and Australia. She has also worked extensively in coaching and mentoring women in STEM fields, contributing to youth outreach and diversity-focused education initiatives.Vedika holds a degree in Chemical Engineering, has trained in professional coaching, and is an alumna of the International Space University's Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program. At Exotopic, she combines her technical background with a visionary mindset, helping to deliver immersive, futures-oriented experiences that inspire new thinking about space, innovation, and our collective future.Hosts:  SpaceBase Founder Emeline Paat-DahlstromResourcesVedikha's Linkedin ProfileExotopicCSIROISU Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program Reading LIstInvisible Women by Caroline Criado PerezSo you want to build a space ecosystem?: A guide to growing a space  innovative ecosystem.A Space Ecosystem Maturity Index: Proposition to Assess and Identify the Development Level of Space Innovation Ecosystems Around the WorldAssessing Space Ecosystem Maturity Through Case Studies: Leveraging the Space Innovation Ecosystem Maturity Rubric for Strategic DevelopmentSupport the show

This episode is brought to you in partnership with flaconi, Germany's leading online destination for beauty and fragrance. But flaconi is more than a retailer, it's a platform that celebrates individuality and empowerment. Values that deeply align with today's guest and everything she stands for.Linda Hallberg is a name many in the beauty world already know. A visionary makeup artist, founder of LH cosmetics and one of Sweden's most creative forces. From pioneering multi-use products to building a radically inclusive beauty brand, she's been shaping the conversation long before it was mainstream.But behind the iconic looks and bold colors is a story of resilience. In this episode, Linda opens up about growing up queer in a small town, the early days of makeup school while living in a caravan and the journey of building her own brand, LH cosmetics.This conversation is a reminder that it's okay to take up space  and that sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is return to artistry and play.Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What makes some cities flourish with entrepreneurial activity while others struggle to get started? This episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast dives deep into that question, as host Marcia Dawood welcomes back Nicola Corzine, CEO & Executive Director of the NASDAQ Entrepreneurial Center, to reveal powerful new research on the factors that drive innovation economies forward.Nicola Corzineis a leader in helping entrepreneurs worldwide, with a decade of experience in building communities, designing free programs, and rallying support from top foundations. In this episode, she shares the Center's latest findings from a five-year research journey, spotlighting the data and stories behind the top-performing U.S. regions for high-growth entrepreneurship.Listeners will hear the real ingredients for building a thriving innovation ecosystem—from angel investor networks and supportive policy makers to the vital role of education and industry diversity. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who cares about entrepreneurial success, economic development, and creating communities where everyone has the chance to rise. Listen until the end to see if your city made the list! To get the latest from Nicola Corzine, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolacorzine/https://nasdaqcenter.org/Nicola's Previous Angel Next Door Episode - Revolutionizing Startup Support: Insights into Angel Investing and Entrepreneurial Empowerment Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comDo Good While Doing WellLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

Today's guest is Conny Zhang. She is a curious mind, a culture lover and the Head of Music at Spotify DACH. Her journey took her from writing newspaper columns as a teenager to shaping what millions of people listen to every day.Conny grew up with a deep love for stories. Reading constantly, playing music and always finishing her homework before letting herself unwind. That mix of discipline and imagination has stayed with her, whether she was studying in Shanghai and San Diego, interning at Universal Music, or building her career at Google and now Spotify.In this conversation, Conny opens up about launching her first scholarship, finding confidence through coaching and how she's still learning to rest in a world that rarely slows down.Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome back Kenneth Jeng, Product + Operations Lead at Persona, and experienced contributor to startup ecosystems in both Japan and the U.S.This is Part 2 of our conversation with Kenneth, recorded in November 2024, and focused on the human side of ecosystem building, community, culture, and mindset.Kenneth shares why Japan continues to struggle with early-stage adoption and authentic community building, and how individuals (not just public programs) must take initiative. He also gives a candid take on grant structures, founder engagement, and what real progress could look like.If you're a founder, policymaker, or ecosystem builder working in Japan, this episode offers a unique lens on what's still missing and what we can each do to contribute.AIM B2B – Integrated Marketing & PR in Asia This episode is sponsored by Custom Media, Tokyo's leading integrated marketing and PR agency since 2008, helping global brands expand across Japan and APAC. They can help you with:Localized storytelling to build trust in Asian marketsStrategic performance marketing for measurable growthAccount‑based marketing (ABM), paid media, GEO, and SEOHubSpot‑certified CRM & marketing automationData‑driven implementation with cultural expertise⁠Learn more about AIM B2BShow Notes: 00:00 – Introduction 00:43 – Hot Take on Challenges and Gaps 14:00 – Why People are Involved in Startup Ecosystem and Why in Japan 16:20 – Building Network 22:15 – Early Adopters or Not? 27:10 – Contributing to the Community 36:20 – Grants and Funding for Startups 42:00 – Last Messages and Hot TakesLinks from Guest Appearance:

Today's guest is Lisa Währer, powerhouse in German football, and the co-founder and managing director of FC Viktoria Berlin. From her early days as a footballer in Hamburg to building campaigns at Jung von Matt Sports and OneFootball, Lisa has always worked with strong purpose in mind. Now, alongside a team of five other women, she's leading one of Berlin's boldest football clubs, which was promoted to the 2nd Bundesliga. In this conversation, Lisa opens up about what it really means to be the only woman in the room, how gut instinct shaped her career more than any five-year plan, and why visibility for women in sports is still a fight worth showing up for.This live edition of the show has been powered by Ancient + Brave, a UK science-based wellness brand that brings a holistic approach to well-being. Treating our live audience to the signature True Collagen which helps with a glowing skin, offers connective tissues, joint and bone support. Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we're joined by Kenneth Jeng, a Japan Startup Ecosystem Veteran and a long-time ecosystem builder who has worked across the U.S. and Japan.This is Part 1 of a two-part series recorded in November 2024 with Kenneth.Kenneth shares hard-hitting insights on what's really holding Japan's startup ecosystem back — from the cultural and structural roadblocks to limited business development capabilities and lingering visa barriers for foreign entrepreneurs.He offers a rare comparison between Japan and the U.S. startup environments, outlining why IPOs in Japan don't function like exits, how the country's high living standards may be dulling entrepreneurial hunger, and why so many promising startups stall before reaching scale.If you're a founder, investor, or policymaker interested in Japan's startup space, this is a must-listen for understanding where things stand and what's starting to change. Stay tuned for Part 2 where we go deeper into founder mindsets, investor culture, and the future of Japan's startup growth.AIM B2B – Integrated Marketing & PR in AsiaThis episode is sponsored by Custom Media, Tokyo's leading integrated marketing and PR agency since 2008, helping global brands expand across Japan and APAC.They can help you with:- Localized storytelling to build trust in Asian markets- Strategic performance marketing for measurable growth- Account‑based marketing (ABM), paid media, GEO, and SEO- HubSpot‑certified CRM & marketing automation- Data‑driven implementation with cultural expertiseLearn more about AIM B2B Show Notes:00:00 – Introduction02:55 – Differences in Ecosystems07:45– Current Narratives and Trends12:38 – IPO in Japan16:27 – Immigration and Visa for Startups in Japan18:57 – Living Standard in Japan for Entrepreneurs26:30 – Pros of Japan Startup Ecosystem31:20 – Venturing and Scaling41:42 – Comparing Growth Rate46:30 – Importance of Business Development & Team51:17 – Scaling in JapanLinks from Guest Appearance:

How do you turn world-class science into sustainable biotech companies that grow both patients' futures and local economies? In this episode, host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, speaks with Dave Ousterout, PhD, Co-Founder and General Partner of Cape Fear BioCapital. Drawing from his journey as a biotech entrepreneur and now investor, Dave shares how his team is working to transform North Carolina's biotech ecosystem—filling funding gaps, building strong teams, and helping startups move from promising science to impactful medicines. In this episode, you'll discover: The key lessons Dave learned as a biotech founder and how they shape his investment strategy today. Why Cape Fear BioCapital focuses on “building, not just picking” companies in North Carolina. What investors want to see from early-stage biotech startups and how founders can prepare to meet those expectations. Tune in to learn how Cape Fear BioCapital is fueling innovation and what biotech leaders everywhere can take away from their approach. Links: Connect with Dave Ousterout, PhD, and check out Cape Fear BioCapital. Connect with James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Connect with Ed Field, MBA, Jimmy Melton, MHA, and Paul Garofolo. Learn more about Locus Biosciences, Inceptor Bio, Moore Strategic Ventures, G1 Therapeutics, Thoracic Innovations, TEN63 Therapeutics, and Boehringer Ingelheim. Listen to our previous episode with Travis Manasco. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Check out BIO on the BAYOU and make plans to attend October 28 & 29, 2025. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast. Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.

Welcome to a very special live edition of the Women Authors of Achievement Podcast, hosted for the first time in UK, right here at the Amano Hotel Skybar in London, overlooking Covent Garden. My guest today is Nikki Trott, strategist, podcast host and author of her new book Sacred Business. Her story bridges two worlds: the ambitious drive of London's fashion and branding industry, and the expansive, intuitive energy she discovered in Berlin.Nikki started out leading global fashion and lifestyle campaigns, working with big names across London and New York. But at some point, success as she knew it started to feel off. Thats when she made a radical choice, she left it all behind to follow a different kind of calling.In this conversation, we talk about what it means to walk away from conventional success, how Berlin helped her reconnect with her intuition, and why business can, and should, be an expression of who we are at our core.If you're in a moment of transition or simply craving more purpose in your work, hear this episode!Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, we bring you an exclusive recording from the Innov8rs LearningLab featuring Tito Obaisi, Senior Manager of Pipeline and Insights at Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs, in conversation with our Founder and CEO Fred Schonenberg. Tito shares how his team captures and socializes insights from startup collaborations across Comcast, NBCUniversal, and Sky to inspire colleagues, educate teams, and uncover opportunities for transformation. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how strategic partnerships with startups fuel enterprise-wide innovation and shape the next generation of products, technologies, and services.

They dive deep into:The evolution of the San Diego startup scene since 2013 The power of founder-led communities and grassroots events Why curated connections matter more than vanity metrics Lessons from Startup Week, EvoNexus, and Startup San Diego The rise of angel investing groups like Interlock and Rising Tide Partners Challenges San Diego faces compared to Silicon Valley and how to overcome them If you are a founder, investor, or community builder looking to understand the future of San Diego tech, this is a must-listen conversation.Key Topics & TakeawaysStartup Communities Framework: Why Brad Feld's Startup Communities is Neal's “startup bible” Investing in People, Not Just Companies: Neal's philosophy of betting on founders first From Coffee Meetings to Community Hubs: Why San Diego needs physical spaces for collisions, not just coworking desks The State of San Diego Startups: Momentum, challenges, and opportunities post-COVID Founder-Led Movement: How entrepreneurs can create “gravity wells” to attract investors, talent, and resources Event Co-Founders: How to keep community events consistent and impactful without founder burnout Don't forget to subscribe to the Chaos to Clarity Podcast for more invaluable episodes to help you grow your business and stay ahead of the curve!To reach out to Eric, visit https://chaostoclarity.io/

How do you succeed in a business where being wrong is the norm?Marc Penkala has lived both sides of the table: as an entrepreneur who built, sold, and failed with companies—and now as a venture capitalist running his own fund. What makes his story different is the radical honesty about what actually drives success in venture: failure, timing, and taking risks that look stupid at first.This Spark20 episode distills Marc's hard-earned lessons into a 20-minute masterclass for founders, investors, and policymakers navigating uncertainty.What you'll learnWhy timing, not brilliance, often decides who wins.Why failure is the ultimate credibility builder for investors.How European founders hold themselves back—and what mindset shift is overdue.Why down markets are the best time to build companies.How the “stupidest ideas” sometimes create the biggest outliers.Timestamps & Quotes

Today's guest is Jen Florin, co-founder of Cookies Events & Catering and someone who's been shaping Berlin's cultural and culinary scene from behind the curtain for almost two decades. But titles aside, Jen is a true master of atmosphere. She knows how to turn a room into an experience you'll never forget.We talked about the art of curation (yes, the lighting, the playlists, the menus), but also the mindset. Jen opened up about her early years growing up in West Germany, organizing parties in her parents' light studio, and how a teenage love for club culture led her all the way to building an international agency, hosting Netflix, and throwing over 100 events a year.We also speak about creative partnership and the beautiful chaos of making things happen!And if you love this episode, leave a review, send it to a friend, or just hit replay.Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

My guest is Katharin Ahrend, co-managing director of the Clubcommission Berlin, a pivotal force in protecting and shaping the city's club scene. Born in East Germany just before the fall of the Wall, Katharin grew up navigating the grey zones of youth culture, rave spaces, and political shifts.We talk about everything from abandoned buildings turned dance floors to her journey into cultural policy. Katharin opens up about leadership in male-dominated spaces and her deep-rooted belief that club culture is culture. Beautiful, political, and essential, especially in times of division and crisis.If you've ever danced all night and felt something shift or wondered what it takes to protect that freedom, this episode is for you.And if you love this episode, leave a review, send it to a friend, or just hit replay.Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

NVIDIA's Global Head of Partnerships & Cloud for Startups, Jen Hoskins, details their collaboration with AWS to support over 25,000 startups through their Inception program.Topics Include:AI transformation happening across all industries and verticalsNVIDIA evolved from GPU company to full-stack AI solutionsAccelerated computing requires complete stack re-engineering from chip upTraditional CPU scaling has reached its fundamental performance limitsNVIDIA-AWS partnership spans over 13 years of co-developmentDGX Cloud integrates seamlessly with AWS SageMaker and BedrockOver 26 NVIDIA solutions available in AWS MarketplaceNVIDIA AI Enterprise accelerates data science and deployment pipelinesNIM microservices streamline AI model development like Docker containersCodeway gaming startup saved 48% on compute costs using NVIDIAEternal improved marketing ROI by 30X with generative AIQuoto achieved 10X content length and 3X throughput improvementNOATech biotech scaled cancer research with small team efficientlyNVIDIA Inception program supports over 25,000 startups globallyProgram covers 100+ countries across all verticals and stagesStartups get AWS credits up to $100,000 through ActivateDeveloper program offers free access to hundreds of SDKsThree program pillars: Innovate, Build, and Grow stagesVC Alliance connects startups with over 1,000 investorsVenture Capital Connect directly links startups to funding opportunitiesParticipants:Jen Hoskins – Startups, Global Head of Cloud, Partnerships & Go to Market, NVIDIAFurther Links:Website: https://www.nvidia.comNVIDIA Inception ProgramNVIDIA on AWS MarketplaceSee how Amazon Web Services gives you the freedom to migrate, innovate, and scale your software company at https://aws.amazon.com/isv/

In this episode, Duane Mancini sits down with Isaiah Kaiser, Co-Founder and CEO of Auxilium Health, and Elyse Ball, Vice President of Programming at Bounce Innovation Hub. Fresh off Auxilium Health's exciting $1.5M oversubscribed pre-seed round and new office at Cleveland Clinic, Isaiah returns to share their journey since his first appearance in episode 147. Elyse discusses the vital role of Bounce Innovation Hub in supporting startups and how her journalism background aids in her work. Together, they delve into navigating the regional iCorp program and the JumpStart accelerator, offering invaluable advice for raising capital and maneuvering the startup landscape. Tune in to hear their insights and get a glimpse into Auxilium Health's next major milestones.Isaiah Kaiser LinkedInElyse Ball LinkedInDuane Mancini LinkedInAuxilium Health WebsiteBounce Innovation Hub WebsiteProject Medtech WebsiteProject Medtech LinkedIn

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with entrepreneur, investor, and Evolution Co-Founder Alex Chompff about redefining venture capital through ethics, inclusion, and long-term impact. From his early days in the military to his time at Kleiner Perkins during the dot-com boom, Alex shares the lessons that shaped his values as a founder and investor. Now at the helm of Evolution Ventures, he explains how ethical venture capitalism can drive regional growth and build meaningful partnerships that go beyond profit. We also explore how personal values like fatherhood and service influence his leadership style, and how initiatives like the Minerva Fund are creating a more inclusive startup ecosystem.

Welcome to the Microsoft for Startups Spotlight, brought to you by N2K CyberWire and Microsoft. In this episode, we are shining a light on innovation, ambition, and the tech trailblazers building the future right from the startup trenches. This episode is part of our exclusive RSAC series where we dive into the real world impact of the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub.  Along with Microsoft's Kevin Magee, Dave Bittner talks with an entrepreneur and startup veteran, and founders from three incredible startups who are part of the Founders Hub, each tackling big problems with even bigger ideas.  Dave and Kevin set the stage speaking with startup veteran and Cygenta co-founder FC about making the leap from hacker to entrepreneur. Dave and Kevin then speak with three founders: Matthew Chiodi of Cerby, Travis Howerton of RegScale, and Karl Mattson of Endor Labs. So whether you are building your own startup or just love a good innovation story, listen in. For more information, visit the Microsoft for Startups website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send Everyday AI and Jordan a text messageStartups are changing quickly. That means Venture Capital is changing just as fast.