Podcasts about startup founders

Do you ever wonder if the quietest voice in the room can truly lead—and win—in a world built for extroverts? This episode of Do Good to Lead Well is a refreshing, insightful journey into that very question, as I sit down with Benjamin Friedman, author of “Silent Strength: The Introvert's Guide to Building Successful Startups.”The conversation opens with Benjamin's “me-search;” his personal and professional quest to understand how introverts can succeed when the business world often favors extroverted traits. Can an introvert be authentic and ambitious, all while driving top-tier results? Absolutely, says Benjamin, but it's all about leveraging your way of being, rather than trying to fit someone else's mold.Listeners will come away with practical advice for managing meetings, leveraging networks, and navigating self-doubt. He also shares tools for raising our self-awareness, the power of a “challenge network,” and the importance of aligning values with the people you build alongside. When fear or imposter syndrome strikes, Friedman reframes those moments as evidence you care and offers ways to harness uncertainty as fuel for growth.The common thread throughout this episode is one of curiosity and vulnerability. It is about questioning our assumptions and beliefs while building a roadmap to authentic success. What You'll Learn- The power of the quiet leader.- Self-awareness as a foundation.- Leveraging a Challenge Network.- How to harness fear and navigate uncertainty.- Reframing networking.- The secret sauce of vulnerability.Podcast Timestamps(00:00) – Silent Strength: The Origin Story (06:01) - The Universal Value of Introvert Insights (11:42) - Self-Awareness as a Foundation for Success (18:44) - Reframing Imposter Syndrome & Building Presence (22:29) - Empowering Introverted Voices in Meetings (28:56) - The Power of a Challenge Network (36:15) - Getting Useful Feedback (40:29) - Navigating Fear, Uncertainty & Opportunity (45:32) - Thriving as an Introvert in Sales & Networking (50:25) - Co-Founders, Relationships & Final InsightsKEYWORDSPositive Leadership, Self-Awareness, Feedback, Personal Growth, Vulnerability, Leading with Intention, Curiosity, Startup Founders, Introverts in Leadership, Challenge Network, Networking Strategies, Sales (for Introverts), Eustress vs Distress, Leveraging Strengths, Authenticity, Managing Meetings, Inclusive Environments, Managing Fear, CEO Success

The AI boom isn't a level playing field—and most startups are running a race they're set up to lose. In this episode, Dr. Manu Kumar explains why the real winners of this AI wave are the incumbents who already control distribution and customers, not the scrappy upstarts.Dr. Manu Kumar is the founder of K9 Ventures and an early investor in companies like Lyft, Twilio, Lucidchart, Carta, Auth0, and Everlaw, with over 15 years backing more than 50 early-stage startups. Drawing from his experience as a founder, PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, and solo GP, Manu breaks down why this AI cycle is structurally different from past tech shifts—and what that means for founders, operators, and VCs.In this conversation, Manu argues that the biggest moat in AI today isn't the model, the data, or the tech—it's distribution. Companies like Google and Microsoft already have massive customer bases and control the channels where AI products are discovered and adopted, which tilts the game heavily in their favor. He explains how this changes the calculus for AI startups, what kinds of products still have a shot, and why some founders should stop pretending they're competing on a fair field.You'll also hear Manu's philosophy on founder success: why he optimizes for grit, “insane perseverance in the face of complete resistance,” and technical founders who can actually build the product themselves. He shares how he evaluates early-stage teams at the two-person-and-an-idea stage, why gut instinct still matters when there's no data, and how to think about market size when the category doesn't really exist yet.If you're building in AI, investing in AI, or just trying to understand where this wave is really headed, this episode gives a brutally honest look at who has the power—and what founders can still do about it.

When you don't have generational wealth or a built-in network, the startup path isn't just harder — it's different. In this episode, I'm joined by James Norman and Sean Green of Black Operator Ventures for a candid conversation about what early-stage founders actually need to understand to raise capital and scale companies when they're coming from the outside. We talk about why fundraising is a power-dynamic game, not a meritocracy — and why underrepresented founders have to master the theater of venture capital without losing themselves in the process.  James and Sean also break down what they look for when leading seed rounds, why warm intros function as the first real filter, and how founders can manufacture momentum even without friends-and-family money. This conversation goes deep on: How to position yourself when you don't start at the same starting line The difference between venture-scale companies and businesses that shouldn't chase VC Why execution, storytelling, and follow-up matter more than polish How to turn cold outreach into real human capital Why Black founders are uniquely positioned to exploit the current AI moment If you're an underrepresented founder trying to de-risk your leap, get into the right rooms, or understand why the rules feel unwritten — this conversation names the rules out loud. RUNTIME 54:24   EPISODE BREAKDOWN (1:52)  What motivated Sean and James to start Black Operator Ventures (6:51) Where are they looking for opportunities? (8:27) Top priority: Founders building real-world solutions with few regulatory hurdles (11:44) Why obtaining a warm intro to a VC is a founder's first test (15:20)  Fundraising is theater: Study the audience to learn your role (22:29) Red flags first-time founders should avoid waving (27:00) Tactical advice for aspiring founders who still work full-time jobs (30:24) “ It doesn't seem risky because we're betting on ourselves, and we believe we can do anything.” (34:38) How to find out if you should bootstrap or find a VC (38:30) Which signals tell Sean and James a founder is ready for a check (41:55) Why founders still need to spend some time in Silicon Valley (46:02) Black founders can " 10x ourselves with AI in ways that other people can't." (48:32) One action you can take this week to extend your network LINKS James Norman Sean Green Black Operator Ventures Q2 2025 Black Venture Funding Report, HBCUvc Share Of Startup Funding For Black Founders Hits Multiyear Low, Crunchbase The State of U.S. Household Wealth, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Three in Ten Black Americans Over Age 25 Hold a Bachelor's Degree, The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education SUBSCRIBE

AI founders are increasingly using their "dropout" status as a credential during YC pitches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reggie and Vitaly have built Vista Social as a fully remote company and along the way, they've learned what actually drives performance, trust, and growth when no one is watching. From enforcing presence in meetings to rejecting multitasking culture, they explain why discipline still matters even in flexible work environments.The conversation expands beyond work into parenting in the digital age. They talk honestly about raising kids surrounded by social media, why banning technology doesn't work, and how values, boundaries, and balance matter more than control. They also unpack the realities of business partnerships - why most fail, how equity creates tension, and why choosing a partner is closer to choosing a spouse than hiring an employee.Vitaly and Reggie break down:What it really takes to run effective remote teamsWhy presence and focus matter more than flexibilityParenting in a world shaped by TikTok, YouTube, and algorithmsWhy most business partnerships fail and how to avoid itHow competition is won through consistent extra effort, not talentThe work ethic lesson behind Kobe Bryant's legendary mindsetIf you're building remotely, raising kids in a digital world, or trying to stand out in a competitive career, this is your episode.Subscribe for more founder-led conversations on leadership, discipline, and building real businesses. Try Vista Social for FREE today Book a Demo Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Youtube

The startup pipeline in Southeast Asia is changing. Drawing on AngelCentral’s 2025 analysis of startup applications, Shao-Ning Huang, Chief Angel & Partner at AngelCentral joins the Breakfast Show to discuss data-driven insights on mid-career founders, what angel investors look for, and why many corporate professionals struggle in startups.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Skills for a Startup Founder To Have Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Successful startup founders share several key skills. Here are the key skills for a startup founder to have: They have access to the networks that are vital to their startup success. This includes investor networks for funding and customer networks for buying the product. They are flexible. They can pivot the business when the market changes or they discover a better one. They are persistent. They stick with it during the down times as well as the up times. They take calculated risks. They understand the downside cost as well as the potential upside reward. They know their numbers. They know their key numbers that are critical, such as cash runway. They have focus. They know what the must-dos are and focus on them. They constantly learn. They are always learning new things and find it a part of the startup life. Consider these skills in a startup founder before investing. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Chandan Lodha, Co-founder at CoinTracker, joins Amir Bormand to unpack the real shift from big tech to building your own company. From Harvard to Google to Y Combinator, Chandan shares what pushed him to take the leap, how he found the right idea, and what he had to unlearn to lead at startup speed.This conversation is for builders and leaders who want to grow faster, ship faster, and build teams that can actually execute.Key Takeaways• The early career advantage is learning velocity, optimize for environments that stretch you fast• Managing the business is rarely the hardest part, people problems scale with headcount• Big company habits can break you at a startup, especially around distribution, speed, and getting your first users• YC helped most through peer proximity, being surrounded by real users and founders who move quickly• Founder growth is a system, use feedback loops like reviews, 360 input, and personal goal trackingTimestamped Highlights00:00 From Harvard and Google to founder mode, what made him leave the safe path00:35 CoinTracker in plain English, crypto taxes and accounting for individuals and businesses03:32 Leap first, think later, the messy six month search for a real idea05:00 Runway reality, setting a 12 to 18 month window to figure it out06:09 Crypto skepticism to conviction, reading the Bitcoin white paper changed his frame10:05 Leadership lessons at 100 people, why people issues become the main work14:43 Y Combinator benefits, users everywhere and a practical playbook for early company building17:55 Personal growth systems, performance feedback and personal OKRs, plus changing your mind on three issues each year21:04 Becoming a new parent, structure, efficiency, and cutting non essentials23:24 The two skills to build before you leap, building and sellingA line worth keepingManaging the business is easy, managing people is hard.Pro Tips• Set a real runway window, then use it to iterate hard with users every week• Expect to unlearn big company instincts, distribution and speed do not come for free• Build a feedback cadence for yourself, not just your team, reviews and 360 input can surface blind spots• Practice building and selling in small side projects now, those skills compound in any startupCall to ActionIf this episode helped you think differently about leadership and the founder path, follow The Tech Trek on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share it with one person who is building or thinking about making the leap.

Recorded live at SocialWest 2025, this episode of the Marketing News Canada podcast, hosted by special guest host Laila Hobbs, Co-Founder of Social Launch Labs, features a conversation with Umair Tazeem, Founder of Embold, a Canadian-based influencer marketing platform. Umair shares what it really takes to run influencer marketing that performs, from building an in-house strategy and choosing quality creators to setting KPIs you can actually measure. He also breaks down the shift beyond one-off posts into a smarter mix of UGC, ambassador programs, and amplification that supports your promo calendar year-round.Plus, hear Umair's take on how AI is changing the game, what it can automate today, where humans still need to stay in the loop, and what to make of AI influencers. If you want influencer marketing that feels authentic and drives real results, this one's for you.

My interview with Ali Ansari the founder of micro1.ai, an AI startup that has grown revenue from $8M to $150M+ this year and is on track for a multi-billion dollar valuation. They are working with most of the AI labs and largest tech companies in the world (including Microsoft) to hire human experts to train AI. We've been investing in Ali for years now and it's been epic to see his insane growth and recent traction. Ali and micro1 are at the forefront of the AI revolution.Ali Ansari Founder of micro1.ai on X: https://x.com/aliniikkmicro1 website: https://www.micro1.ai/0:00 Forbes Article, $2.5B Valuation?1:35 Micro1: The AI Platform For Human Intelligence7:18 Micro1's Insane Growth ($8M to $100M ARR in one year)9:54 Are We In An AI Bubble?16:16 Micro1's Long Term Vision20:25 Micro1 Training Tesla Optimus25:20 Why Did You Found Micro1?29:10 The Early Days Ebay Flipping33:08 $15B Market Growing 100%+34:35 Human Demonstration Business (Teaching Robots)37:00 Micro1's Next Funding RoundMy X:   / gfilche  HyperChange Patreon :)   / hyperchange   Disclaimer: I'm an investor in micro1 personally and through my VC firm HyperGuap. This is not financial advice.

After 9 conversations with entrepreneurs and business leaders, three patterns emerged about scaling successfully.In this Season 5 recap, I share the key lessons from conversations with founders like Mark Shepherd (Gathr), George Sullivan (Sole Supplier), and Gaurav Bhattacharya (Jeeva AI), plus insights from Darcy Martin (Outward VC) and Steve Duncan (C Studios).The 3 patterns:Pattern 1: Vulnerability is the unlock, not the weakness Mark launched a 10,000-member community with a LinkedIn post about mental health. Asim went from contemplating suicide to building mental health platform Plumm. Kate lost passion until she invested in personal development. The insight? Successful founders admit "I'm struggling" instead of projecting false certainty.Pattern 2: Strategic resource allocation beats grinding George turned down VC investment knowing it would break him. Gaurav walked away from $2.5M ARR to pivot (now 300 customers in 9 months). Steve's Monday WIN list connects weekly tasks to annual goals. The insight? Real resilience is saying no strategically.Pattern 3: Peer learning accelerates growth Mark built his business around genuine peer connections. Darcy helped one founder get their first US enterprise client through a single introduction. The insight? No one scaled alone - everyone mentioned coaches, mentors, or peer groups.Here's the thing: These patterns work together. You can't access peer learning without vulnerability. You can't allocate resources without outside perspective. You can't be vulnerable without psychological safety.Your challenge: Pick one pattern and do one thing this week - have one honest conversation, create your Monday WIN list, or make three specific asks to your network.Season 6 launches in 2026. Subscribe so you don't miss it.More from James: Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com

What makes an early-stage startup truly fundable — and why do so many founders miss the mark?In today's episode, I sit down with Ian Levine, Managing Director of Launchpad Venture Group, one of the most active and respected angel investment networks in the United States.Ian has spent 15+ years investing in and syndicating early-stage deals and has helped grow more than 150 companies across New England and New York. Before Launchpad, he built and exited SaaS companies and held executive leadership roles at Bowne & Co., Merrill Corporation, and Iron Mountain. His combination of operator instincts and investor discipline gives him a rare, practical lens into what actually helps founders win.We dig into:• How Launchpad evaluates startups and why capital efficiency matters more than ever• The biggest mistakes founders make when pitching investors• Why distribution — not product — is the real scaling bottleneck• How angel groups fill a critical funding gap missed by VCs• What the Boston startup ecosystem gets right• Ian's personal journey across startups, corporate leadership, and now operating one of the most influential angel groups in the country• What he's working toward in the next chapter of his careerIf you're a founder, investor, operator, or someone growing a team, Ian's insights will reframe how you think about raising money and building a durable company.⸻Guest LinksLaunchpad Venture GroupWebsite: https://www.launchpadventuregroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/launchpad-venture-group/Ian LevineLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilevine/Company: https://www.launchpadventuregroup.com/⸻Host & PodcastChris BrodheadPodcast: What Are You Working Towards?Website: https://working-towards.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbrodhead/Download the free storytelling guide:How to Tell the Best Version of Your Business Storyhttps://working-towards.com/

Send us a textMost people donate because they want to help. Few ever find out what actually happens to their money. Philanthropy has a trust problem. Nonprofits have a transparency problem. Donors want clarity but rarely get it. And donor-advised funds have become a quiet holding place for billions of untapped charitable capital.After fifteen years working inside philanthropy, Sarah Angello could not ignore the friction anymore. She saw the outdated systems. She saw the lost potential. She saw how giving had become complicated when it should feel meaningful.So she left a stable career, stepped into tech, and cofounded Daffodil, a fintech platform designed to rebuild trust in the nonprofit sector by making charitable giving transparent, simple, and accessible.In this conversation, Sarah explains the gap no one was addressing, how donor-advised funds actually work, why impact reporting is broken, and how she is solving a systemic problem with zero-burden, real-time data. She opens up about raising capital as a woman, choosing cofounders, navigating risk, and the lesson that shaped her leadership: almost everything is fixable.If you have ever given to a nonprofit, wondered where your money went, or thought about starting something meaningful, this episode will change the way you see philanthropy and the business behind it.Chapters this episode explores:The moment Sarah realized philanthropy needed a complete resetWhy donor-advised funds hold more than 250 billion dollars that rarely reaches nonprofitsWhat the GoFundMe controversy revealed about trust in the sectorHow Daffodil built a system to deliver real-time impact reporting with zero burden on nonprofitsWhy transparency is the next frontier in charitable givingWhat she learned moving from nonprofit bureaucracy to tech speedHow she chose her cofounders and why their history mattersThe reality of raising money as a woman in a male-dominated funding environmentWhy she believes fear of being copied is fear of weak executionThe early mistake that taught her that almost everything is fixableKey lessons:Transparency is not optional; it is the foundation of impactGood ideas are everywhere; execution is the differentiatorDonors do not stop giving because they lack generosity but because they lack visibilityFounders should build in public, not hide in fearCareers are long, and mistakes rarely ruin themContactWebsite: www.getdaffodil.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getdaffodil/ Email: sarah@getdaffodil.com--- Subscribe and ReviewIf you loved this episode, drop us a review, share it with a badass woman in your life, and subscribe to Badass Women in Business wherever you get your podcasts. Stay badass. Stay bold. Build it your way. Keep up with more content from Aggie and Cristy here: Facebook: Empowered Women Leaders Instagram: @badass_women_in_business LinkedIn: ProveHer - Badass Women in Business Website: Badasswomeninbusinesspodcast.com Athena: athenaac.com

While the bike helmet industry screamed "you need this for safety!", Gloria Hwang did the opposite. She made helmets so beautiful that 25% of Thousand customers are wearing helmets for the first time ever. Thousand now offers helmet and bike accessories in 20+ countries with financial backing from REI and the Clif Bar Family Office. Gloria talks all things customer loyalty, business branding, and nailing your product roadmap for maximum impact. She intimately shares how a personal tragedy inspired a mission to save 1,000 lives, and how that number grew to 1,300+ through their lifetime crash replacement guarantee. You'll learn the counterintuitive strategy that made safety cool, and why Thousand wins with culture instead of competing on tech features. You'll learn: Why fear-based marketing fails and what works insteadThe psychology insight that built a $10M+ brand across 20+ countriesHow 25% of customers are first-time helmet wearersTransitioning from maker to manager over 10 yearsTaking back the product roadmap to return to core differentiationWhy solving customer problems beats chasing growth at all costsChapters:00:00 Introducing Gloria Hwang, Founder & CEO of Thousand1:30 How to Change Customer Behaviors 4:11 The Personal Tragedy That Started Thousand & The Design Philosophy That Wins Every Time5:15 Why 25% of Customers Are First-Time Helmet Wearers7:30 Steps to Get Further Differentiated & Beat Out The Competition 9:55 Strategies for Collecting High-Quality Customer Insights 16:00 Expanding to 20+ Countries & Quality Standards19:50 The BEST Advice Gloria Has Ever Gotten 24:30 The Hardest Transition Gloria Went Through & How to Tackle People Problems 29:20 What to Ask for When Pitching Investors (Surprise, it's NOT Money)  32:48 How Motherhood Changed Her Approach to Business Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Core Skills for Startup Founders Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup founders are successful because they execute. Many founders have ideas, but the execution separates the winners from the losers. Here are the core skills of a startup founder: They pick an idea and drive it all the way through to successful completion. They launch the startup and then proceed to stand up the business. They raise the funding to grow it. They build a team and galvanize them into action. They create products to sell. They close customers to buy. They make the hard decisions and tradeoffs that come with a new business venture. They actively run the business to achieve a successful outcome. They deal with the customers, vendors, partners, and other players. They drive the business forward to an outcome. In short, they execute at each step. In funding a startup founder, look at their ability to execute rather than ideate. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Are you an entrepreneur dreaming of launching your startup in the U.S.? This Podcast episode covers the best visa options for founders, from the O-1 and L-1 to E-2 and EB-2 NIW pathways. Learn how to legally build, operate, and grow your business in the U.S. — and what investors need to know.  

Before becoming the founder of Sabai Health, Rohit Nambiar spent more than 21 years in the insurance industry, rising through the ranks across six countries and eventually becoming one of the youngest CEOs in Malaysia. He built his reputation at AXA, where he led regional strategy, M&A, digital transformation, and later helmed AXA Affin Life Insurance before taking on leadership roles with Tune Protect. Despite a decorated corporate career, something in him began to shift: after decades of certainty, structure, and scale, he wanted to build something new. Rohit's pivot to entrepreneurship wasn't planned. After leaving the corporate world, he took a career break, travelling with his kids, spending time with his mother in the U.S., and rediscovering life without back-to-back meetings. But very quickly, opportunities came knocking. Startups began approaching him for advisory work, especially in the fast-growing world of AI-driven health solutions. His deep experience in insurance, healthcare systems, and consumer protection made him the rare leader who understood both innovation and regulation. That eventually sparked the birth of Sabai Health, an AI-powered wellness companion built directly into platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. What makes Sabai Health unique is its philosophy. Rohit isn't building a doctor-replacement tool. Instead, the platform functions as a horizontal health AI, something that guides users in preventive health, mindset, fitness, nutrition, sexual health, and lifestyle habits, while knowing when to redirect them to real clinicians. His belief is simple: AI is as big as the discovery of fire and the wheel, and the future of health will be shaped by tools that meet people where they already are , in simple messaging apps they use every day. Beyond the product, Rohit's journey is shaped by lessons only decades in corporate trenches can teach. His leadership philosophy from building “argumentative but healthy” teams to practicing empowerment within boundaries was forged through global roles, mistakes he openly discusses, and the pressure of managing multinational portfolios. He believes innovation requires vulnerability, risk, and the courage to be fired, a mindset that most large organisations struggle to adopt. His transition from corporate to startup life stripped away titles, drivers, and assistants, but replaced it with something better: speed, zero ego, and the joy of building from scratch. Today, Rohit is standing at the intersection of insurance, AI, and preventive health at a time when Malaysia's healthcare system faces rising costs, outdated structures, and growing mental-health challenges. His mission with Sabai Health is clear, make reliable health guidance accessible, stigma-free, and culturally relevant, and build technology that evolves with people instead of intimidating them. His story is ultimately about reinvention: how a seasoned CEO stepped out of the safest path to rebuild himself as a founder in one of the fastest-moving spaces in the world

Key Qualities of a Startup Founder Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The quality of the team, in particular the startup founder, is one of the most important factors of startup success. Here are some key qualities to look for in a founder. Integrity is the most important quality, as this must be someone you can trust. Passion for solving the problem is a key factor in the success of the business, which often hinges on a resolve to find a solution. Experience is a key factor as launching and running a successful startup requires it for success. Domain knowledge is another factor to look for. How well do they know the space? Basic business skills, including sales, marketing, and finance, are needed. Leadership skills are important as well as they must galvanize their team to reach the goal. Vision for the business and where it will go is an important quality. Without it, the startup can wander. Emotional intelligence is a key factor as well as those who can empathize with others often find the path to success. In funding a startup, look for these qualities in the startup founder. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Vivek Bharadwaj is Chief Information Officer at Happy Socks, a Swedish fashion retail brand, leading a unique portfolio spanning technology, […]

What happens when early-stage founders realise their go-to-market strategy just isn't working? Do they double down on outdated advice or take a fresh look at how modern buyers actually engage?  In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Richard Lowry, founder of Springboard IQ, to unpack how he's helping startups rebuild broken GTM strategies in just seven days through a crowdsourced, operator-led model that challenges everything we think we know about growth. Richard explains how Springboard IQ brings together six active operators to co-create a go-to-market blueprint that's fast, focused, and grounded in the realities of today's market. This approach delivers practical strategy and design rather than execution, giving founders clarity on where to focus their time and energy. As Richard puts it, founders should save their passion for the demo because that's where it really matters. The conversation explores why technical founders often mis-hire sales talent, why relying on outdated accelerator advice can derail growth, and why many teams hit a “GTM wall” long before real scale begins. We also discuss why the future of GTM might look very different from the digital-first strategies of the past. As inboxes flood with automated outreach and AI-generated content, Richard believes human-led activation through curated events, community experiences, and even spontaneous moments of connection will define the next era of startup growth. It's a conversation that blends practical lessons, honest stories (including one involving a soup kitchen in Lisbon), and a call to bring the human element back to how we sell, connect, and grow. So, could a crowdsourcing strategy from active operators be the smarter way for startups to go to market? And in an era of AI-saturated noise, will the next big differentiator simply be showing up in person? I'd love to hear your thoughts after you listen.

Uli Chettipally, founder of Sirica Therapeutics, joins EisnerAmper's TechTalk host Janina Teoxon to discuss how his digital health startup is developing a groundbreaking therapy for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this episode, discover how Sirica Therapeutics' proprietary Cognitive Sensorimotor Therapy blends virtual reality, gaming, robotics, and physical exercise to create an immersive therapeutic system. Tune in to learn more about Sirica Therapeutics' mission to transform autism care, bringing joy, empowerment, and meaningful progress to individuals and families affected by ASD. Sirica Therapeutics: https://www.siricatx.com/ Connect with Dr. Uli Chettipally: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulichettipally/ ✨ What you'll learn:

How neuroscience, emotions, and technology intersect to shape our financial decisions and long-term wealth. Dr. Forenza — Mobile Technology Executive, Startup Founder, and Inventor with over 250 patents issued worldwide. He's also an FAA-certified pilot and a pioneer in the intersection of neuroscience, mindfulness, and emotional well-being. Today, he's building Awear, a wearable device designed to track emotions and improve mental health and performance.Our emotions silently control our decisions — including how we spend, save, invest, and build wealth. Dr. Forenza reveals how stress, anxiety, and depression are not just mental health issues but wealth blockers that sabotage productivity, creativity, and long-term success.He explains how Awear uses neuroscience and biometric data to track emotions in real time, helping people understand when they're in states of stress or clarity — and how that awareness can improve financial decision-making, relationships, and performance.Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and shall not be construed as, financial or investment advice. Any strategies, tips, or information shared in this episode are solely for the purpose of general knowledge and discussion. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified financial professionals and conduct their own research before making any financial decisions. The hosts and guests do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information presented. Investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Listeners should exercise caution and discretion when considering any financial actions, and their personal circumstances and goals should always be taken into account.

In our latest Leadership in Insurance Podcast episode, I sat down with Garrett Droege (SVP, Director of Innovation & Digital Risk Practice Leader at IMA Financial) for a fascinating discussion on InsurTech with some thought-provoking insights that challenge conventional thinking about insurance technology.With 20 years exclusively on the brokerage side, Garrett brings a unique perspective as a former startup founder and self-taught software developer. As both Innovation Lead and Digital Risk Practice Leader at IMA, his role sounds incredibly broad, but as Garrett says, both sides serve each other—you need wide ranging touchpoints across tech ecosystems to stay ahead in both innovation and risk.In this episode, we cover: Build vs. Buy Decision Framework: Garrett's approach is clear: build customer-facing proprietary solutions that differentiate your business and serve your customers, but make sure it works with existing technology. The POC Framework That Actually Works: Forget 12-month POCs that drag on and lose momentum. Garrett advocates for highly targeted, 45-60 day maximum POCs with clear KPIs and the right team selection upfront. His advice to founders? "You think you want a 12-month contract. You don't. Let's prove your platform works fast and furiously, or let's wait until you're ready."The Bold Take: Garrett's view on how the industry has gone about InsurTech all wrong and allowed it to become a series of Band-Aids for the real problem: antiquated core systems from the 1980s and 90s that were built before APIs even existed. The result? Frankenstein workflows requiring 7-15 platforms to complete a single task, with 80% of users still working around the technology the same way they did 20 years ago.The AI Wake-Up Call: Despite AI being "transformational unlike anything we've ever seen" (and Garrett argues it's under-hyped), its promise is severely limited without access to core data systems. Garrett stated "You could build a fully agentic AI brokerage much easier than you could reverse engineer and retrofit an existing brokerage."The Investment Landscape: With 80% of recent Y Combinator and Broker Tech Ventures companies being AI-focused InsurTech solutions, the momentum is undeniable. The dot-com parallels are real—there will be winners and losers, and consolidation is coming.What Technology Can't Replace: Despite all the transformation, some challenges remain timeless: renewal management, client communication, trust-building. As Garrett notes, these require human expertise that AI augments rather than replaces.This conversation is essential listening for anyone in insurance, InsurTech, or risk management. The future of insurance isn't just about innovation—it's about getting the foundation right first. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you spend 10 years at Amazon, love your job, love your team and then parenthood shakes everything up?That's the story of Jane Dashevsky. Becoming a mom of two under two made her start asking the big questions: What do I really want for myself? For my family? That entrepreneurial spark she'd carried deep down finally pushed her to walk away from stability and build something of her own.Jane is now the founder of The Starter Set, an AI-powered service that helps parents cut through the chaos of baby product shopping. Because let's be honest, the last thing overwhelmed parents need is another late-night Google spiral about strollers.In this episode, Jane gets real about:Leaving a steady job after a decade at AmazonThe identity shift that comes with walking away from stabilityParenting while building a startup (the real messy middle)Testing ideas piece by piece and finding her way in Seattle's startup worldHow to not let numbers or social media dictate your worthThis is a conversation about courage, resilience, and choosing yourself, and your family, even when the path ahead is messy and unclear.

Guest: Waseem Daher – Founder & Executive Chairman of Pilot LinkedIn: Waseem Daher Pilot: pilot.com | Founder Salary Report 2025   Bio Waseem Daher is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Pilot, a modern finance team offering bookkeeping, tax, and CFO services for startups, e-commerce businesses, and professional services firms. Backed by Sequoia Capital and Bezos Expeditions, Pilot has become the go-to back office solution for growing companies. An engineer by training and a serial entrepreneur, Waseem previously co-founded Ksplice (acquired by Oracle) and Zulip (acquired by Dropbox). He now combines his experience as a three-time founder with insights into startup finance, scaling, and leadership. Beyond Pilot, Waseem writes regularly about building startups on LinkedIn and in his newsletter, Startup Real Talk. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why founder salaries dropped 43% in 2025 and what this means for early-stage companies How founders should think about compensation when talking to investors Risks startups face when founders underpay themselves How company stage, funding, and geography influence salary decisions The role of boards and investors in shaping compensation What lessons Waseem carried from Ksplice and Zulip into Pilot Insights into bootstrapping vs. venture-backed founder pay How founders can use Pilot's salary data to benchmark and negotiate effectively Why the number of AI startups surged by 287%, yet founder salaries declined What the rise in bootstrapped startups (up 77%) says about today's funding environment Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are my own and are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial or legal advice, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.  

Standing out has gotten even more difficult thanks to the flood of AI content, and many early-stage founders mistakenly believe they need to act like corporate brands to be taken seriously.In this episode, Yaniv chats with Christine Blosdale, an award-winning media coach, podcaster, and branding strategist. Together they discuss how authenticity, personal branding, and “expert authority” can give founders a massive edge in today's AI-driven startup landscape.They also explore how to overcome imposter syndrome, use AI responsibly, and build a founder-led brand that attracts talent, customers, and investors.In this episode, you will:Discover why authenticity is now the ultimate differentiator in the age of AI and algorithmic contentLearn how to build “expert authority” to boost your reputation and visibility as a founderOvercome imposter syndrome with practical mindset shifts that make content creation easierApply Christine's tactics for repurposing podcasts, blogs, and videos to scale your personal brandSee why founder-led branding attracts better hires, investors, and partnersCreate a simple media kit to clarify your mission, credentials, and unique value propositionLearn more about Christine here: https://www.christineblosdale.com The Pact Honor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/  Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media followingKey linksGet your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurIntro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Tech jobs market hits slump, Qualcomm doubles down on India, startup founders reclaim the spotlight and all eyes are on the outcome of RBI's monetary policy committee meeting. Also find: India's substantial role as the world's pharmacy, India's shining IPO market, and how cars get their names. Tune in for all this and more in the latest Moneycontrol Editor's Picks.

QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse! Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week. Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends! In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Rob Cameron interviews Ryan Estes, Founder of Kitcaster, to share how he has helped 800+ startup founders and CEOs harness the power of podcast guesting. Ryan reveals how authentic conversations can raise millions, build stronger brands, and even shape how AI perceives businesses. He breaks down the challenges small business owners face, from fear to growth, and explains why showing up consistently is the ultimate differentiator. With real case studies and proven results, this episode is packed with insights on turning podcasts into a growth engine. Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners: The Power of Podcast Guesting – Ryan explains how appearing on podcasts helps founders and CEOs build authority, attract customers, and even secure funding. Fear is Universal in Business – Whether raising $300M in venture capital or running a bootstrapped startup, all entrepreneurs face fear and pressure—and acknowledging it is key to growth. Authenticity Wins in the Market – Passion, care for customers, and a personal voice are what truly differentiate businesses in competitive industries. Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for? Podcasts Influence AI Training Data – Ryan highlights how large language models like ChatGPT use podcast content for training, making consistent podcasting a way to shape how AI “sees” your brand. Million-Dollar Results – Case studies show founders raising millions and generating seven-figure revenues directly from podcast interviews arranged by Kitcaster. Consistency Beats Perfection – Ryan's advice: don't judge yourself until your 100th piece of content; give yourself space to make mistakes and learn while building your brand presence. One action small business owners can take: According to Ryan Estes, one action small business owners can take is to openly share their story – through podcasts, social media, or direct outreach – because authentic communication is the key to building trust and driving growth. Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximize your time. Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.

Rock star turned tech founder Ryan Star joins Max to talk music, AI, creativity, connection, and closes the show with a live performance of "Where the Island Ends" off his album Angels + Animals.15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavereWatch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/filmThis episode is proudly sponsored by:Puori provides IFOS-certified, high potency fish oil to satisfy all of your omega-3 needs! Plus a ton of other high quality, rigorously tested supplements. Visit ⁠Puori.com/MAX⁠ and use promo code MAX to get 20% off site-wide.BUBS Naturals makes my favorite collagen, pure and unflavored, perfect for mixing into any drink, soup, or even recipes! Your hair, skin, and nails will thank you. Visit BUBSNaturals.com and use code GENIUS for 20% off.ARMRA Colostrum protects, rebuilds, and strengthens your body's barriers for defense against everyday threats and enhanced vitality. TryARMRA.com/genius and use code GENIUS to get 15% off of your first order.OneSkin is a skincare company for minimalists utilizing their revolutionary OS-01 peptide which can reverse signs of skin aging according to their research. Visit http://oneskin.co/max and use code MAX for 15% off.

Is the new age of AI agents about to kill niche B2B SaaS businesses? Many first-time founders worry that tools like ChatGPT or custom AI builders will make off-the-shelf SaaS products obsolete, but it could simply herald a new evolution of SaaS.In this episode, Yaniv is joined by Rob Walling, serial founder, investor, and author of The SaaS Playbook, to break down why B2B SaaS still outperforms other business models and how founders can build defensible products – even in an AI-driven world.They explore the fundamentals of recurring revenue, why vertical SaaS wins over horizontal competitors, and the real opportunities AI creates for startup builders.In this episode, you will:Understand why recurring revenue outperforms one-off sales for stability and growth.Learn how vertical and orthogonal SaaS niches beat large horizontal players.Discover the importance of high margins and why bootstrapping B2B SaaS is often possible.Evaluate how net revenue retention and negative churn can exponentially increase enterprise value.Apply Rob's 2-20-200 framework to validate and launch your own SaaS idea.Explore how to use AI as a feature or an enabler rather than seeing it as a threat.Gain insights on positioning, pricing, and finding your ideal customer profile in crowded markets.Learn more about Rob Walling and his work here: https://robwalling.com The Pact Honor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/  Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media followingKey linksGet your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurIntro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Jesse Zhang is the Co-Founder and CEO @ Decagon, the conversational AI platform for customer experience. As one of the fastest growing companies in the valley, they have raised over $230M at a last round price of $1.5BN. Prior to Decagon, Jesse founded Lowkey (acquired by Niantic), studied CS at Harvard, and worked at places like Google, HRT, Citadel, and Intel. AGENDA: 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Messages 03:43 Olympiad Mathematician to Startup Founder 05:34 Selling to Niantic and What I Did Differently the Second Time 07:16 Why 90% of Founders Build Companies the Wrong Way 12:19 Scaling to $50M ARR in 15 Months 31:31 Is the AI Talent War Out of Hand: How To Compete with Meta Pay Packets 32:38 Why Remote Work is Total BS 34:06 Competitors in AI Customer Experience: Sierra, Intercom and more 37:34 AI Market Predictions 44:56 Embracing Stress and Winning Culture 50:13 Quick Fire Questions: Most Underrated AI Founder, Biggest Changed Opinion      

In this episode of Demo Day, Sean Goldfaden interviews venture capitalist and angel investor Santhosh Devati (Managing Parter at Anamika Ventures) about the secret to building lasting success. Santhosh, a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience, shares the unconventional philosophy that has guided his career and his investment decisions.Santhosh reveals why he believes in "giving without expectations" and explains how focusing on helping others can lead to "wealth as a byproduct." He also dives deep into the art of making the right investment, the common mistakes new investors make, and the major tech trends he's most excited about right now.If you're a founder or an investor looking to level up your mindset and your portfolio, this is an episode you can't afford to miss.Santhosh DevatiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santhoshdevati/Website: https://mailchi.mp/233840580357/anamika-venturesSean GoldfadenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-goldfaden/Website: https://www.coefficientlabs.com/#podcast #venturecapital #investing #startup #entrepreneur #business #investment

Daniel Lewis has witnessed legal technology's evolution from multiple vantage points that few others can claim. As a Stanford law student in 2012, he and classmate Nik Reed co-founded the legal research startup Ravel Law with the audacious goal of taking on LexisNexis and Westlaw using machine learning and data analytics – at a time when such challengers were few and far between. Not only was Ravel Law pioneering in its own right, but it also spearheaded and funded the Caselaw Access Project, an ambitious partnership with Harvard Law School's Library Innovation Lab to digitize and provide free and open access to every official court decision ever published in the United States.  After Ravel's acquisition by LexisNexis in 2017, Lewis spent the next five years leading product teams within the legal research giant, including as vice president and general manager of its Practical Guidance and analytics products. This dual perspective – startup founder turned corporate executive – helped shape his understanding of what works and what doesn't when building technology for lawyers.  Today, as CEO and global chief executive of LegalOn Technologies, Lewis leads a 600-person company that is tackling contract review with a fundamentally different approach. Rather than relying solely on tech-enabled services or raw AI that can hallucinate legal advice, LegalOn combines large language models with attorney-developed playbooks to help in-house legal teams achieve up to 85% time savings on contract review. The company just raised $50 million, for a total raise of $200 million across multiple funding rounds – which Lewis says makes it the most well-funded AI company focused on in-house contract review  – and announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI to develop AI agents for legal workflows.  In this wide-ranging conversation, Lewis shares hard-won insights about the realities of legal tech entrepreneurship, from the "deranged" confidence required to challenge industry giants as a law student to the leadership lessons learned managing teams through multiple business transformations. He discusses why the current moment represents the most significant opportunity for legal tech innovation in decades, how AI agents will reshape routine legal work, and what he's learned about building technology that lawyers don't just try once but actually integrate into their daily practices.  Related episodes: From Ravel Cofounder to Knowable CEO, Nik Reed Has Learned that Building Quality AI for Legal Takes A Lot of Hard Work.  On LawNext: The Inside Story of the Caselaw Access Project, with Three of the People Who Made It Happen.   Thank You To Our Sponsors This episode of LawNext is generously made possible by our sponsors. We appreciate their support and hope you will check them out.   Paradigm, home to the practice management platforms PracticePanther, Bill4Time, MerusCase and LollyLaw; the e-payments platform Headnote; and the legal accounting software TrustBooks. Briefpoint, eliminating routine discovery response and request drafting tasks so you can focus on drafting what matters (or just make it home for dinner). Paxton, Rapidly conduct research, accelerate drafting, and analyze documents with Paxton. What do you need to get done today?    If you enjoy listening to LawNext, please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts.  

Startup founders are increasingly choosing to bootstrap their companies instead of seeking venture capital, citing benefits such as retaining control, reducing equity dilution, and focusing on sustainable growth. Kikoff, Stacker, and Chatbase are among the companies that have scaled by prioritizing customer needs and organic growth over external funding. Founders report that venture capital incentives can sometimes conflict with building long-term business stability, and cite examples of successful tech companies that began with bootstrapping. The trend is supported by advancements in technology, particularly artificial intelligence, which lower barriers to entry and enable more entrepreneurs to launch and grow businesses independently.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

⸻ Podcast: Redefining Society and Technologyhttps://redefiningsocietyandtechnologypodcast.com ______Title: Tech Entrepreneur and Author's AI Prediction - The Last Book Written by a Human Interview  | A Conversation with Jeff Burningham | Redefining Society And Technology Podcast With Marco Ciappelli______Guest: Jeff Burningham Tech Entrepreneur. Investor. National Best Selling Author. Explorer of Human Potential. My book #TheLastBookWrittenByAHuman is available now.On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-burningham-15a01a7b/Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Last-Book-Written-by-a-Human/Jeff-Burningham/9781637634561#:~:text=*%20Why%20the%20development%20of%20AI,in%20the%20age%20of%20AI.Host: Marco CiappelliCo-Founder & CMO @ITSPmagazine | Master Degree in Political Science - Sociology of Communication l Branding & Marketing Advisor | Journalist | Writer | Podcast Host | #Technology #Cybersecurity #Society

Joe Liemandt turned the chaos of the dot-com era into a $6.2B fortune. He pioneered software private equity and built an empire from distressed assets. In this episode, we break down exactly how he pulled it off.Thanks to our sponsors!Ayrin Digital: https://go.ayrin.ai/rainmakersCollateral Partners: https://collateral.com/Sources:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1efBxGrFHrBb8sl1QerGbDHM2OYCtw0ZaX2f1546WR-Y/edit?usp=sharing

From the barber chair to the tech world, Dorian shares how he turned a gap in the booking app market into Cutnova—a platform blending appointments with community to help barbers grow, connect, and thrive.Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review!KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HEREAre you an attorney looking for advice on how to structure your law firm? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson interviews Jeff Holman, an attorney and entrepreneur. Jeff shares his journey from engineering to law and business, detailing his transition from private practice to in-house counsel and ultimately creating a fractional legal team model. Jeff shares how to set expectations for clients about the legal team model. Some clients are used to working with an attorney who will be with them from intake to the conclusion of all affairs. A legal team model involves collaboration with different individuals within a firm, which can involve other lawyers working on a case. Jeff emphasizes the need to provide clear communication with clients who might not be used to this model so they know what kind of support they are receiving.With AI growing within many firms, Jeff and Tyson provide insights on how AI affects client interactions. Research shows that AI integration might lead to firms hiring less attorneys since there are tools that can do a lot of the work for you. For Jeff, the use of AI is a great tool, but won't be useful for certain aspects. For example, if the right questions aren't being asked, AI can help with this. It can also help replace a first year associate that might be too green to work in a specific legal environment. Listen in to learn more!02:43 Transition from Private Practice to In-House04:15 Burnout in Fractional Roles06:02 Running a Firm with a Spouse12:01 Team Model and Client Expectations 15:30 Pricing Strategy and Eliminating Billable Hours29:39 Franchise Ownership Experience37:51 Changing the Law Firm Business Model Tune in to today's episode and checkout the full show notes here. Connect with Jeff:Website Instagram  Facebook Linkedin  Youtube  

Now in its seventh year, the Real California Milk Excelerator has become a powerhouse for commercializing breakthrough dairy innovations. With over 60 startups and 100+ mentors participating to date, the program continues to elevate the dairy category by fueling scalable, consumer-ready products. In this episode, Bob Carroll, CEO of the California Milk Advisory Board, shares what's new in the program and why dairy is having a major moment. From wellness trends to sustainable innovation, Carroll reveals how legacy industries can stay ahead through bold thinking and fresh partnerships. If you're into food innovation, scaling startups, or future-proofing traditional sectors, you don't want to miss this conversation. For founders go to www.realcamilkexcelerator.com to apply by Aug 4, 2025.

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing some of the recent activity on LiveWire, recognizing that we are now moving into the new application cycle. Graham highlighted Clear Admit's ongoing summer series of webinars, which focuses on top MBA programs' admissions essays, which will be attended by more than 20 of the top MBA programs. The third event is on Wednesday of this week, and includes Columbia, Georgia Tech / Scheller, Insead, London Business School and Washington / Foster. Signups are here: https://bit.ly/mbaessay0725 Graham then noted two admissions tips. The first focuses on how to create a resume for MBA admissions.  The second, part of Clear Admit's “Mythbusters” series, discusses whether top MBA programs only provide you access to careers in Strategy consulting, Investment banking and Technology. We continue our series of Adcom Q&As, this week we have Q&As from Toronto / Rotman and Ohio State / Fisher. Finally, Graham highlighted a recently published podcast that focuses on the core elements of an MBA applicant's profile: test scores, grades, work experience and outside activities. This is a recording from a panel discussion from our summer event in Boston, and includes representatives from Columbia, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, and Georgia Tech / Scheller. For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected three ApplyWire entries: This week's first MBA admissions candidate enlisted in the military. They had a GMAT of 655, then retook the test to score a 695. This week's second MBA candidate has a 330 GRE score and is looking to do a dual degree in sustainability. The final MBA candidate is a startup founder. They have also worked as a product manager. They are a first-generation immigrant and have a 331 GRE score. This episode was recorded in Paris, France and Cornwall, England. It was produced and engineered by the fabulous Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, USA. Thanks to all of you who've been joining us and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen!

Rich Hagberg, often referred to as “Silicon Valley's CEO Whisperer, psychologist and co-author of Founders Keepers, has advised over 1,000 executives and founders. In this conversation, he outlines why most startup leaders fail, and what the data reveals about those who succeed. Some key insights include: “Founders, overwhelmingly, are visionary evangelists… but they're not particularly good at execution.” Hagberg's research shows that unsuccessful founders often score low on execution and relationship-building. They resist structure, delay key hires, and react impulsively under stress. “You can change your behavior to some degree, but it's very hard to change your fundamental personality.” Hagberg encourages founders to identify three to four behaviors they can realistically improve, such as delegation, feedback seeking, and stress management. “You need to go from being a doer to a facilitator of doing.” Scalable leadership requires building teams that complement the founder's own gaps and letting go of tasks that dilute impact. “Startups are almost a Darwinian survival of the fittest… the unsuccessful ones are more impulsive and reactive.” Stress and poor self-regulation directly impact team trust and decision quality. Founders who succeed tend to manage energy deliberately and maintain self-awareness. “If we had to zero in on one thing that is the biggest differentiator, it's adaptability. You never have permanent product-market fit.” Hagberg shares why openness to feedback and reflection is often more predictive of long-term success than IQ or charisma. “I realized I was creating a culture that reflected my strengths and weaknesses. If I was going to make the company better, I had to grow as a leader.” This conversation is for founders, investors, and operators who want to understand the behavioral patterns that quietly shape success or failure in startups. It delivers clear, evidence-based insights into what it takes to lead effectively as complexity scales.   Get Rich's new book here: https://shorturl.at/YsQcl Founders, Keepers: Why Founders Are Built to Fail, and What it Takes to Succeed   Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

As the first figure skater to play Elsa in Disney On Ice's Frozen and now a pioneer in the private security industry, Becky Jackson knows a thing or two about creating something from scratch. Before earning an MBA at Rice and becoming an entrepreneur, Becky had an illustrious figure skating career with Team USA and Disney. Now, she's revolutionizing the way private security contractors reach clients with her company ONGUARD. Becky joins co-host Brian Jackson '21 to chat about her journey — from discovering her passion for skating at age 7 and traveling the world with Disney on Ice to founding a business that works with local law enforcement and veterans to make private security more accessible.   Episode Guide:00:00 Introduction to Becky Jackson02:05 Early Life and Figure Skating Journey04:03 Professional Career With Disney on Ice08:56 Transition to Business and Consulting11:57 Pursuing an MBA at Rice University14:07 Founding ONGUARD16:34 ONGUARD's Mission and Future22:35 Connection With Veterans and Pitch Competitions23:54 Reflections on Entrepreneurship and Teamwork30:10 Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Lessons from being a solo founder24:49: Being a solo founder, I've learned the importance of a team, and how essential it is to have a really strong team with you. And so I think, in that respect, the experience with Disney always was—so incredibly grateful to be surrounded by artists and engineers who really love and, you know, are really committed to their work. And so that's been an important lesson for me: that you can't just go it alone. You can't just brute-force your way into starting a company. You really need to listen to experts. You need to know when to bring in the right people. And so, I think it's been a tougher journey for that, just kind of starting this off solo. But I quickly learned—and, you know, being at Rice helped me learn that too—is that, no, you need to learn to delegate, and you need to really tap into the network and the world around you.You're never too old to go chase a dream27:32: You can really use the skills, but more importantly, the network to do anything that you, you know, really want to do. And something that I'm passionate about is that during my time at Rice, we had the slogan, “Rice Business, You Belong Here.” And that means, you know, can mean so much to everyone. It can mean something different. But for me, I always took the chance to think about it in terms of age, and that you're never too old to go chase a dream, or you're not too advanced in your career to start something new. And I think that's an important message that I always tell prospective students.How Becky found consulting after skating09:19: One thing I knew for sure is I wanted to work in some kind of, you know, dynamic environment. I had come from tour that was one city after the next, and it was traveling and meeting new people and new challenges every week. And so that's—that's where I landed in the world of consulting. I thought, oh, great—like traveling every week, new challenges, a lot of ambiguity. And so I thought that—that that's the thing for me.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Becky Jackson | LinkedInONGUARD

Most founders don't know what their differentiator is. That's a problem. Today, we walk through two paths to help you find a differentiator strong enough to anchor a business. We also help you root out bad differentiators - the ones that'll just waste your time. There's also a story about a Rabbi's wisdom, a founder making decaf coffee, and a poison ivy company I'm obsessed with. Tacklebox - start your company before you quit your jobHow to Find Your WedgeHow to Use Landing Page Tests 00:30 Differentiator Intro01:45 Rabbi Joke05:15 Smooth Jazz05:45 How to Find Your Differentiator06:46 Path 1: Letting a Customer Tell You11:41 Path 2: Four Questions to Pick Your Differentiator19:32 How to Test Differentiators21:00 The Reality of Differentiators (Downer)22:16 The End - Taking Yourself Seriously

Ever wonder what it takes to leave a "dream job" in high finance managing billions to build something from scratch? What do you learn at the highest levels of investing that can be applied to solving messy, real-world problems? This episode is a masterclass in exactly that. Meet Daniel Shonrom. After a 13-year career at institutions like Michael Dell's family office and a $73B hedge fund, he walked away to fix one of the most broken parts of healthcare. He founded Exceptional, a fast-growing software company that is making waves by solving problems most founders would never even see. In this deep-dive conversation, Meny Hoffman sits down with Daniel to uncover his playbook for finding true product-market fit, building an elite team of "drivers," and applying the principles of high-stakes investing to the world of startups. You'll discover:

In this episode of The Conference Room, Simon Lader welcomes Yichen Jin, co-founder of Fleak, a technology company transforming how enterprises manage complex data transformations. She shares her journey from studying industrial engineering at Stanford to co-founding Fleakafter nearly a decade at Rocketship, a venture capital firm.Yichen Jin discusses her nine-year experience at Rocketship, a venture capital firm, and how it shaped her entrepreneurial mindset.Yichen Jin recounts her journey from studying industrial engineering to founding Fleak highlighting the randomness and serendipity involved.Reflects on the evolution of machine learning as a field and its relevance in today's tech landscape.Yichen Jin Shares the humorous beginnings of creating a venture fund with her professor, emphasizing the importance of innovative thinking.Transition to Fleak Discusses the motivation behind leaving Rocketship to co-found Fleak, driven by a desire to solve complex data challenges.Yichen Jin explains how Fleakwas born from recognizing inefficiencies in data management and the need for better communication between systems.Yichen Jin shares three key tips for aspiring entrepreneurs: avoid attachment to your product, choose the right team, and maintain optimism.Discusses Fleak's mission to create an open-source community in cybersecurity, aiming to protect small and medium businesses.Yichen Jin invites listeners to connect via LinkedIn and mentions her podcast, "Mind Machine," as a resource for further insights.Yichen Jin emphasizes the importance of emotional resilience in the startup journey and the value of celebrating small victories.To learn more about Yichen Jin please visit his Linkedin ProfileTo learn more about Fleak please visit their website.YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER    Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation.      Get to know more about Simon at:   Website: https://simonlader.com/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/      The Conference Room is available onSpotifyApple podcastsAmazon MusicIHeartRadio

Are you building a business—or burning out trying? In this conversation, Marc sits down with Michael Spivak, the 25-year-old co-founder of Canada's #1 cold plunge company, Coldture. Together, they explore what it really takes to thrive as a young founder in the wellness space, how Michael integrates breathwork and contrast therapy to maintain mental clarity, and why his family's journey through failure and resilience shaped how he leads today. From Dragons' Den (Canada's Shark Tank) deals to deep inner work, this episode is a powerful guide for anyone navigating the highs and lows of building something meaningful—without losing yourself in the process.   **** ✨ Personal Socrates is on SALE! >>> Use UPGRADE20 at baronfig.com for 20% off through May and June.    Release details for the NEW BOOK.   Connect with Marc >>>  Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Drop a review and let me know what resonates with you about the show! Thanks as always for listening and have the best day yet! * A special thanks to MONOS, our official travel partner for Behind the Human! Use MONOSBTH10 at check-out for savings on your next purchase. ✈️ * Special props

Today is Part 2 of the series introducing the ERP (Early Rep Potential) Rubric. The idea behind ERP is that the best idea for you is the one you can do "full rep" tests on the fastest. We help Erica evaluate the potential of her FODMAP idea, where she's looking to help people identify specific food sensitivities. We score the idea and get clarity on its potential. We also talk a little Jon Hamm.  Tacklebox (test your startup idea)No Whisper Ideas (weekly newsletter, sign up to get a Notion copy of the ERP Rubric)How to Pick Which (of your many) Ideas to Pursue (ERP Rubric Part 1)Jon Hamm Show 00:30 ERP Rubric Part Two03:52 The Ideas - Mold and FODMAPs06:27 ERP Intro: Choose a Specific Customer09:12 Part 1: Can You Find Your Customer?12:59 Part 2: Can You Convert Customers?17:01 Part 3: Can You Build a Solution?21:12 Part 4: Collecting Feedback23:19 Part 5: Organic Growth Potential25:23 The Final Two Questions28:00 The End

Logan sits down with Jeffrey Katzenberg, Hollywood legend and co-founder of DreamWorks, and Sujay Jaswa, former CFO of Dropbox - together, the duo behind WndrCo. They talk about building enduring companies, bridging tech and media, and what makes a great CEO partnership. The conversation also touches on storytelling as a business superpower and lessons from scaling at different stages. Whether you're a founder or a media nerd, there's something here for you. (00:00) Intro (04:26) The Genesis of the Partnership (13:06) Building and Investing in Companies (20:27) The Team and Their Roles (26:52) Decision-Making Process (33:25) Balancing Dreams and Skepticism (35:06) The Dynamics of Partnerships (37:25) Transitioning to Tech (38:45) Cultural Differences in Industries (41:26) The Value of Failure and Success (44:37) Excitement in Emerging Technologies (48:23) The Venture Capital Game (56:42) The Dropbox Talent Network (01:01:20) AI's Impact on Media and Creativity (01:06:18) Transitioning to CG Animation at DreamWorks (01:08:39) Embracing Change in the Intelligence Revolution (01:11:52) The Role of AI in Enhancing Productivity (01:14:11) Building a Consumer Cybersecurity Business (01:23:49) The Mission to Protect Children Online (01:35:17) Reflections on Partnership and Innovation Executive Producer: Rashad Assir Producer: Leah Clapper Mixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA