Podcasts about startup investing

Doroni Aerospace founder and CEO Doron Merdinger joins Chris Lustrino to discuss the realities of building a flying car company and why he believes electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles will become a major new category of transportation. Doron shares how a lifelong fascination with aviation and emerging drone technology inspired him to launch Doroni nearly a decade ago and pursue the vision of making personal flight accessible to everyday consumers. The conversation explores Doroni's progress toward commercialization, including FAA-certified prototype flights, evolving regulatory frameworks, production plans, and the company's growing preorder base. Doron explains how Doroni's vehicle is designed to fit inside a garage, charge similarly to an EV, and operate under the FAA's new sport aircraft regulations, potentially lowering barriers to personal flight. Chris and Doron also discuss infrastructure needs, manufacturing challenges, safety systems, funding requirements, battery technology, and what widespread adoption of flying cars might realistically look like over the next decade. The episode offers a candid look at one of the most ambitious sectors in transportation and the hurdles that remain before flying cars become part of everyday life.

Chris Lustrino sits down with Chris Graebe, founder of IPO Deal Hunter and one of the longest-tenured private market investors in the equity crowdfunding ecosystem. Together they discuss the state of startup exits, liquidity events, IPOs, and what investors should be looking for when evaluating private companies. Drawing from years of experience and several successful outcomes, Graebe shares how he identifies founders, evaluates opportunities, and balances short-term liquidity plays with long-term moonshot investments. The conversation explores BeatBox Beverages' acquisition by Anheuser-Busch, one of the largest crowdfunding-backed exits to date, and the lessons investors can learn from backing strong founders in highly competitive industries. Graebe also discusses recent IPO successes including Starfighters Space and Premier American Uranium, highlighting how new pathways from Reg A and Reg CF offerings to public markets are creating liquidity opportunities for retail investors. Whether you're interested in startup investing, crowdfunding, IPOs, or building a diversified private market portfolio, this episode provides an insider's perspective on where liquidity is emerging and how investors can position themselves for future opportunities. Resources Sign up for Kingscrowd Sign up for the free newsletter

Send us Fan MailIn this powerful investor panel clip, a serial entrepreneur with exits to Apple, Oracle, and SAP shares what founders get wrong about building companies for acquisition.After multiple successful exits and a decade at Apple, he explains why chasing a sale too early destroys priorities — and why the best acquisitions happen when you build a real solution first.He also discusses the future of Applied AI, how AI will organize our chaotic digital lives, and why adversity often creates the biggest breakthroughs.Topics Covered:✅ Founder with exits to Apple, Oracle & SAP shares lessons✅ Why building to sell is usually the wrong strategy✅ Jeff Bezos “missionaries vs mercenaries” mindset✅ How great acquisitions actually happen✅ Applied AI opportunities in daily life✅ Why adversity often leads to success✅ Building startups the right way in 2026If you're a founder, investor, entrepreneur, or startup operator, this is a must-watch.

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...  

Send us Fan MailIn this exclusive investor panel clip, a frontier tech investor breaks down how they invest in some of the world's hottest private companies including SpaceX, OpenAI, Anduril, and why humanoid robotics may become the biggest investment opportunity of the decade.He explains why Elon Musk says humanoid robots could be the biggest product in human history, how investors are using SPVs to access private deals, and why business-to-business robotics may outperform consumer robots first.They also discuss the next bottleneck in AI growth: energy and data centers — and where smart money may flow next.Topics Covered:✅ How investors accessed SpaceX & OpenAI early✅ Why humanoid robotics could explode in value✅ Tesla Optimus vs industrial robotics plays✅ SPV investing explained✅ AI, robotics & manufacturing trends✅ Data centers and energy as the next bottleneck✅ Best frontier tech opportunities for 2026If you invest in AI, venture capital, private equity, robotics, or future tech, this is a must-watch.

On this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino speaks with Dr. Michael Wyand, CEO of Oxeia Biopharma, a clinical-stage biotech company developing a potential breakthrough treatment for concussions and persistent concussion symptoms. Oxeia is leveraging ghrelin, a naturally occurring hormone involved in brain energy regulation and neural repair, to help heal the inflammation and cellular damage caused by traumatic brain injuries. With promising Phase 2a data showing an 85% responder rate among treated patients, the company is pursuing what could become the first FDA-approved pharmaceutical treatment specifically targeting concussion recovery. Chris and Michael discuss the science behind concussions, how brain damage occurs after impact, why “just rest” has remained the standard of care for decades, and how Oxeia's therapy could fundamentally change the treatment landscape for athletes, veterans, and millions of patients suffering from lingering neurological symptoms. They also dive into the company's clinical pathway, the business opportunity behind concussion therapeutics, the role of neurogenesis in recovery, and the broader future potential for treating conditions like CTE, Parkinson's disease, and ALS. If you want to understand the future of concussion recovery, brain health innovation, and biotech investing, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Pytheas Energy CEO Josh Zuker joins Inside Startup Investing to discuss how the company is using AI and data analytics to revive overlooked oil wells abandoned by major operators. Drawing on his unconventional journey from finance and real estate into oil and gas, Josh explains how Pytheas identifies underperforming “stripper wells,” optimizes production through monitoring technology, and builds long-term value from assets others leave behind. The conversation dives into the economics of oil production, how Pytheas approaches acquisitions and operational efficiency, and why the company ultimately views itself as both an energy operator and a technology company. Josh also shares his vision for turning Pytheas' growing dataset into a scalable software and analytics platform that could eventually serve independent operators across the oil and gas industry. Chris and Josh also discuss the future of AI in energy, blockchain and tokenization opportunities in commodities, and Pytheas Energy's long-term vision to scale production, acquire more assets, and potentially pursue an IPO.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Richard C. Wilson sits down with Kevin Harrington, original Shark from Shark Tank, inventor of the infomercial, and founder of the As Seen on TV brand, to unpack what it really takes to build, scale, and invest in breakout companies. Kevin shares hard-earned lessons from launching over 500 products, generating billions in sales, and helping companies grow through customer acquisition, branding, distribution, influencer marketing, and fair deal-making. The conversation covers the biggest mistakes early-stage founders make, how to create an irresistible offer, why one-minute pitch videos matter, how exponential deal flow creates better investment opportunities, and what Kevin looks for when evaluating businesses and partnerships. If you are a founder, investor, capital raiser, or entrepreneur trying to scale faster, improve your pitch, and understand how elite operators think about growth, branding, and negotiation, this episode is packed with practical insight.https://familyoffices.com/

In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Renji Bijoy joins Chris Lustrino to discuss why he believes spatial computing glasses will become the next major computing platform after smartphones. Immersed began as a VR productivity platform designed to make remote work feel more collaborative and immersive. Today, the company has over 1.5 million users who use its virtual workspace software to create multiple virtual monitors, collaborate with remote teams, and work from anywhere using VR headsets. But Renji believes the existing hardware from major tech companies still falls short. That led Immersed to develop Visor, its own lightweight spatial computing headset designed specifically for work productivity. The company is betting that slimmer, lighter, AI-enabled glasses can finally bring spatial computing into the mainstream. Chris and Renji explore the future of remote work, AI-powered computing, enterprise adoption, hardware manufacturing, crowdfunding strategy, and why Immersed sees itself competing to become the next major tech platform rather than simply building another VR app.  

In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Madeline Fraser joins Chris Lustrino to discuss how Gemist is bringing AI, automation, and modern ecommerce infrastructure to the jewelry industry. Inspired by her own frustrating experience buying an engagement ring, Madeline built Gemist to help jewelry brands, retailers, and manufacturers modernize the highly manual process of custom jewelry sales. The company's platform enables customers to design and visualize jewelry online while automating pricing, rendering, quoting, and product configuration workflows behind the scenes. Chris and Madeline explore why jewelry has historically lagged behind technologically, how COVID accelerated omnichannel adoption, and why younger generations of jewelers are increasingly embracing digital transformation. They also dive into Gemist's SaaS business model, AI rendering infrastructure, onboarding process, and the company's vision of evolving into a powerful jewelry data platform over time. The conversation offers valuable lessons for founders building vertical SaaS businesses, especially in traditional industries resistant to change. For investors, it highlights a large global market undergoing rapid digital and AI-driven transformation.

The Role of Intuition in Startup Investing Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup investing requires several skills, including business model analysis, domain knowledge, and team evaluations. The early days of the startup provide only a glimpse into what that startup will be in the future. Startups often look unable to achieve greatness in the early days, as the team is not built out. The business case can be difficult to assess because the market is new or the technology behind it is nascent. While business acumen is the primary tool for vetting a startup, there's also intuition. Startup investors use their intuition and prior startup investing experience to identify key patterns that lead to success: Intuition plays a role in startup investing as follows: Look for evidence that the team has the right mix of skills and motivation to achieve the goal. Look at how well the product solves the customers' problem. Look at how profitable the business model is on a unit economic level. Look at the scalability of their fundamental business model. These are the key elements that require intuition to suss out the strength of a startup. Consider these elements in screening startups for investment. 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.

In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino speaks with George Moringer about building a platform that teaches kids emotional intelligence through engaging, gamified group sessions. [00:00] Tapouts focuses on helping children ages 4–16 understand and regulate their emotions by turning behavioral science into interactive, easy-to-use tools. [01:00] George shares how the idea originated from his interest in resilience and stress psychology—and the realization that these skills are rarely taught early in life. [02:30] Early product challenges revealed a key issue: parents valued the product, but kids didn't want to participate—forcing the team to rethink engagement entirely. [04:30] That led to a major pivot toward gamification, rewards, and group-based sessions, which dramatically improved retention and participation. [06:30] Since then, Tapouts has scaled to over 20,000 kids served and more than 200,000 sessions delivered without missing a single class. [08:30] The company's model leverages small group sessions to create strong unit economics, with margins around 70% while maintaining high engagement. [10:30] George breaks down how Tapouts acquires customers through performance marketing, referrals, and growing organic demand. [12:30] Looking ahead, the company plans to expand its programs, increase lifetime value, and explore new distribution channels like schools, employers, and insurers. [15:00] Ultimately, Tapouts is building a preventative approach to child wellness—teaching emotional intelligence before problems escalate. [17:00]

In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino sits down with Carter Fowler, founder and CEO of Totem, a company building decentralized, offline communication technology. Totem's flagship product—a wearable compass-like device—lets users locate friends and family without relying on cell service or Wi-Fi. Originally built for music festivals, the product has quickly expanded into families, travel, outdoor recreation, and even accessibility use cases. With over 50,000 users, $3.5M+ in revenue, and profitability achieved in under two years, Totem is proving both strong product-market fit and viral distribution. Carter shares how the company leveraged organic growth to reach hundreds of millions, why decentralized tech may define the future of connectivity, and how Totem is building both a consumer hardware business and a powerful data layer on real-world human movement.

Key Drivers for Startup Investing Returns Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup investing returns vary greatly from one investor to the next. Here's a list of key drivers that provide startup investors with a return. High-quality dealflow. Many startups seek to raise funding, but only the top 15 to 20% will provide a good return. Rigorous due diligence. It's easy to write a check, but difficult to diligence the startup. Those with a rigorous diligence process achieve greater returns. Active investing. Investors who take an active role with the startup will achieve better returns. Domain knowledge. Those with a knowledge of the industry in which the startup operates will achieve greater returns. Access to follow-on investors. Those who know follow-on stage investors will achieve greater returns by facilitating introductions to additional capital. Deal structuring. Those who apply investor protections to the business will find better returns. Follow-on funding Those investors who can apply their own follow-on funding will do better. Diversification Investors who diversify across industry segments and stages of a company will have better returns. Consider these drivers for your startup 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.

Did you like the episode? Send me a text and let me know!! The Undiscovered Entrepreneur | Episode: Elie Zalo – Fish Tank VC From Cold Calls to Crowdfunding Revolution: A 19-Year-Old Entrepreneur's Story  Episode Summary 19-year-old serial entrepreneur Elie Zalo joins host Skooby to share his raw, unfiltered entrepreneurship journey — from building an AI-powered cold calling training tool to launching Fish Tank VC, a social crowdfunding platform designed to democratize startup funding for everyday entrepreneurs and Gen Z founders.  What You'll Learn Why crowdfunding platforms are broken and who actually benefits from themHow AI tools are transforming sales training and startup buildingWhy failing fast is the ultimate entrepreneurship strategyHow Fish Tank VC is making startup investing accessible to retail investorsThe truth about product market fit and validating your business idea Timestamps [00:01:00] — Elie's origin story and entrepreneurship awakening on TikTok [00:02:30] — Building an AI-powered web development and CRM agency [00:04:00] — Creating Prospector, an internal AI cold calling trainer [00:07:00] — Gen Z risk-taking, StockX, crypto and prediction markets [00:09:30] — Why traditional crowdfunding platforms are broken [00:13:00] — The Fish Tank VC concept: TikTok meets startup investing [00:15:30] — Raw persistence: the one trait every entrepreneur must have [00:19:30] — How to use criticism to grow faster as a founder [00:24:00] — Validating your product before spending a single dollar [00:33:00] — Why authentic content beats AI-generated everything [00:42:00] — Failing fast, iterating smarter, and the future of Fish Tank VC Keywords Gen Z entrepreneurship, startup crowdfunding platform, democratize investing, retail investor startup funding, AI sales training tool, cold calling AI, prodDo you want to know what is your worst Hurdle is so you know what you want to do first to get across the start line?? Go to tuepodcast.net/quiz to get your 3 minute assessment right now and find out what your most prevalent hurdle is and how to start to overcome it!tuepodcast.net/quiz For a 15% discount on your first purchase go RYZEsuoerfoods.com use code PODNA15 Thank you for being a Skoobeliever!! If you have questions about the show or you want to be a guest please contact me at one of these social mediasTwitter......... ..@djskoob2021 Facebook.........Facebook.com/skoobamiInstagram.....  instagram.com/uepodcast2021tiktok....... @djskoob2021Email............... Uepodcast2021@gmail.comSkoob at Gettin' Basted Facebook PageAcross The Start Line Facebook CommunityFind out what one of the four hurdles of stop is affecting you the most!!Black Friday coaching Sale now!! 65% off original price! go to stan.store/skoob to book your appointment and take advantage of this limited time offer! On Twitter @doittodaycoachdoingittodaycoaching@gmailcom

Most investors think they're rational.Most founders think they're disciplined.Most boards think they're strategic.They're usually wrong.In this episode, we unpack Fast Forward Thinking by Luis Pareras — a physician turned deep-tech venture capitalist who distilled decades of investing under scientific uncertainty into 40 brutally structured rules.This is not a summary.It's a decision upgrade for founders, operators, board members, and capital allocators navigating the high-stakes terrain from Series A to IPO and beyond — where bias compounds, capital misallocates, and timing determines survival.Across seven tightly structured lessons, we explore how elite investors actually think:Why consensus is often a red flagWhy opportunity abundance demands ruthless selectivityWhy the first meeting should never closeWhy innovation compounds through milestones — not miraclesWhy exit logic must exist from day oneWhy managing error asymmetry beats being “right”And why teams — not ideas — determine survival under pressureThis episode translates Pareras' venture logic into executive practice — with direct applications for capital allocation, hiring, governance, and strategic design.You'll walk away with frameworks, sharper filters, and board-level questions that immediately improve judgment.Key TakeawaysBias Is the Silent Capital Killer Consensus feels safe. It often destroys upside.Selectivity Is Survival Abundance demands disciplined rejection.Curiosity Beats Closure The first meeting earns the second.Innovation Is Staged Breakthroughs are milestone-based progressions.Exit Thinking Is Structural Capital is deployed against time horizons.Error Asymmetry Shapes Returns Managing Type I and Type II errors defines long-term performance.Teams Outperform Ideas Execution discipline and cognitive flexibility win under uncertainty.Timestamps(00:00) Introduction(04:17) The Big Idea(08:33) Who Is Luis Pareras(12:03) Takeaway 1: Cognitive Bias Is the Hidden Enemy of Good Decisions(18:55) Takeaway 2: Deal Flow Is Abundant — Selectivity Is the Real Skill(24:16) Takeaway 3: The First Meeting Is Not About Closing(29:04) Takeaway 4: Innovation Is a Process(35:20) Takeaway 5: Exit Awareness Shapes Investment Logic(39:59) Takeaway 6: Error Types Matter More Than Individual Outcomes(44:38) Takeaway 7: Teams and Judgment Matter More Than Ideas(49:15) Key Takeaways: The Fast Forward Operating System(54:25) Personal Reflection and EndWhy ListenUpgrade how you evaluate opportunities — before committing capital.Sharpen how you structure innovation — before chasing breakthroughs.Design decision systems that reduce catastrophic error.And build organizations that survive uncertainty.If this episode sharpens your thinking:Follow the show.Share it with someone who allocates capital.And bring these questions into your next board meeting.Because in venture, public markets, and corporate strategy alike —returns are rarely accidental.Send a textSupport the showJoin the Podcast Newsletter: Link

Pirouette Pharma CEO Conor Cullinane returns to Inside Startup Investing to share the company's progress since its last Wefunder raise—spanning FDA engagement, IND planning, and major steps toward scalable manufacturing. Pirouette is building a disc-shaped, push-button delivery system for injectable medications—aiming to turn the “violent, error-prone” experience of legacy auto-injectors into something closer to the Staples Easy Button: push once, and the device handles the rest. Chris and Conor discuss why intimidation and usability are major barriers in today's injection landscape, how Pirouette is approaching OTC naloxone via a combination-product regulatory pathway, what a pharmacokinetic study looks like, and why Pirouette is investing in manufacturing capacity to support both commercialization and pharma partnerships.   Chapters  00:44 What Pirouette is building 03:42 Progress since last raise 06:26 FDA pathway explained 09:08 PK study + size/cost/timeline 13:07 Partnerships vs. standalone commercialization 16:15 Revenue timing + adoption expectations 20:12 Manufacturing scale plan 23:34 Founder “why” 26:07 Investor close

Sunstone Health CEO Joshua Resnikoff joins Chris Lustrino to explain how Sunstone uses AI on healthcare claims data to proactively identify children with developmental delay—starting with epilepsy and autism—and help families reach the right specialists and diagnostics faster.They break down what claims data is, why the healthcare system is reactive by default, and how Sunstone's approach can compress what often takes years into roughly weeks by flagging high-need cases, coordinating advanced diagnostics, and delivering actionable next steps. Joshua also shares Sunstone's go-to-market strategy (positioned as an employer-paid benefit), why the pricing model is designed to reduce “point-solution bloat,” and how expansion could move across employers, TPAs, reinsurers, and large insurers. 00:00 Needle-in-a-haystack intro03:13 What Sunstone does (AI + claims data)05:32 Flagging patients vs. diagnosing07:21 Employer benefit + privacy model15:54 GTM + sales cycle reality17:57 Outcome-based pricing model20:16 Unit economics ($10k per case)22:11 Expansion paths + other diseases26:23 Fundraise use of proceeds28:03 Investor closing

Sponsored by Chargebee, subscription and revenue management → check out their startup offer: https://www.chargebee.com/startups Sunil Dhaliwal, General Partner of Amplify Partners https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunildhaliwal/

Atombeam CEO Charles Yeomans joins Chris Lustrino to break down a deceptively simple idea with massive implications: make data smaller while it's streaming so you can move and process more of it—without upgrading networks.Charles explains Atombeam's commercial product NeurPack, how it can often quadruple effective bandwidth, and why this matters across IoT, smart meters, satellites, defense, oil & gas wells, fintech, and eventually data centers and GPU utilization. They also dig into the realities of commercialization—choosing near-term deals that close fast while still pursuing multi-year “industry standard” opportunities—and why execution (not invention) is the real differentiator.00:00 What Atombeam does (pizza analogy)03:13 NeurPack explained05:35 Why 95% of IoT data doesn't move09:38 “Like launching 3 more satellites”13:57 Commercialization + customers16:31 Data centers + GPU utilization24:29 Defense traction + partnerships26:44 What success looks like (distribution)

The Challenge of Startup Investing Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup investing is one of the most difficult asset classes to pursue. Information about the potential of the startup is often scarce and always opaque. Some information is available, but the early signs provide only scant information. Investors are torn between the fear of missing out on a good deal and the fear of getting caught up into a bad one. One must make an investment choice before all the information becomes available. Otherwise, other investors will come and take it over. Startup investing is unique among investment options because the upside is truly unlimited. Almost all other investments have limits. Startups do not, and this is what fuels the investors' fear of missing out. Most investors know that they can't afford to miss the home runs. The losses from the others will be too great unless one has a home run hit. To resolve this dilemma, investors look for additional information. They look for every piece of information they can to find evidence that it will be a success. Startup founders should take note of this dilemma and provide updates to assuage their fear. 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.

Get 90 Days of Fellow's incredible AI notetaker for free at fellow.ai/cooGuest: Seth LevineBook: Capital EvolutionPodcast: Between Two COOsHost: Michael KoenigWhat we coverWhy Seth wrote Capital Evolution and why nowWhy today's economic shift is structural, not cyclicalHow power has moved from public institutions to businessesWhat companies are being asked to carry that they weren't built forHow AI fits into this broader realignmentEarly signals that companies are adapting well to AIWhat strong executive teams do differently during uncertaintyCommon leadership traps when change happens too fastA real crisis from a portfolio company and what the executive team did wellThe new leadership muscle operators need for the next decadeEpisode Chapters / Timestamps00:00 – Introduction01:40 – Seth's 30-second pitch for Capital Evolution04:05 – Why this shift is structural, not cyclical07:20 – What's broken in the current economic model11:00 – The power shift from government to business15:10 – What leaders are quietly losing18:45 – Where AI fits into this realignment23:30 – What boards see when AI adoption works28:05 – How strong executive teams handle uncertainty33:40 – Leadership traps during rapid change38:10 – A crisis inside a portfolio company44:00 – The new muscle operators must build48:50 – A moment Seth never thought he'd see

Cleveland Whiskey was my first-ever equity crowdfunding investment (May 16, 2016), and founder/CEO Tom Lix has sent detailed quarterly updates ever since. In this episode, we cover 00:00–03:03 why Tom built a technology company in spirits—not just another craft label; 03:03–06:09 how pressure-aging in stainless tanks unlocks flavors from non-oak woods (black cherry, hickory, apple) and produces great whiskey in hours not years; 06:09–09:27 the pivot to concentrates and why India's “Indian-Made Foreign Liquor” niche is a game-changer for price and margin; 09:27–12:47 the new 45,000 sq. ft. Cleveland facilities, 12× capacity today with room to double again, plus how shorter cycle times unlock multi-shift throughput; 12:47–16:09 resilience through a U.S. whiskey slump, tariffs, and changing consumer trends; 16:09–20:03 valuation, real-estate upside on Cleveland's waterfront, and IP; and 20:03–28:19 the founder mindset—why Tom keeps going and how global demand (India, SE Asia, Africa) can drive the next chapter.

Read our Macrovey deal analysis (closed) on KingscrowdRobotics hype is everywhere—but who actually makes robots work on real warehouse floors? In this episode, Chris sits down with Macrovey Director of Business Development Matt Labinski to unpack how Macrovey designs fully autonomous, material-handling systems that act like a warehouse “Robotics OS.” We start with what Macrovey is and isn't (00:03)—the company doesn't manufacture robots, it integrates best-in-class OEMs through proprietary orchestration software. Matt explains the model (00:32): up-front design + install and recurring software/maintenance—plus a Robots-as-a-Service option that lowers CapEx. We dive into who buys (06:28): e-commerce, 3PLs, pharma, defense (U.S. Air Force) and even smaller 10k–100k sq ft facilities. Category context (07:31): warehouse robotics penetration is still surprisingly low; Macrovey targets the SMB/mid-market others ignore. We cover why OEMs and warehouses need an integrator (09:09), the sales cycle and deal sizes (12:22)—from $50k pilots to $3M+ programs—and how modular, mobile systems (25:03) move with demand. Finally, we hit the AI layer (27:31): machine learning that optimizes slotting, picking, and vision-based QA. If you want exposure to warehouse autonomy without betting on a single robot, Macrovey's middle-layer, recurring-revenue approach may be the de-risked way to play it.

The Four T's of Startup Investing Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. There are many ways to evaluate a startup. For investors funding SaaS startups, here are the four T's to consider: Team.   Does the team have the skills to build the proposed startup? Are they in place, working on the business now? Have they proven themselves yet? Timing. Is now the right time for the startup? Is the market ready for this idea? Traction Does the startup have revenue growth? Will the growth continue? Technology. Does the startup have the right technology for the market? Can the technology scale? Does it provide a moat for the business? Use the four T's to determine if the startup is ready for an investment.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

This week on Tacos & Tech, Neal sits down with Rose Bowlus - lawyer, founder, and angel investor - whose journey from trading floors to startup boardrooms brings a rare blend of Wall Street experience and founder empathy.Rose shares how her legal career evolved from the capital markets and energy sectors to launching her own firm, Rose Bowlus Law, where she now advises early-stage startups and funds. They talk legal tech, Web3, fintech moats, and what founders often overlook when raising capital. Plus, Rose unpacks her growing role as an investor, how she's empowering other lawyers through her Angels in the Law network, and what she looks for in the next generation of legal innovation.Key Topics* Rose's career path from Berkeley to in-house counsel to founding her own law firm* Legal insights for fintech, Web3, and capital markets* How regulation shapes - and lags - innovation in financial services* Trends in legal tech adoption and where traditional firms are falling behind* Her philosophy of “give first” investing and building a founder-friendly syndicate* The origin story of Angels in the Law and the rise of lawyer-investors* Why clarity is everything when supporting (or funding) founders* Rose's controversial taco take: Islands, North County editionLinks & resources* Rose Bowlus Law* Rising Tide Partners* Women's Venture SummitConnect on LinkedIn* Connect with Rose on LinkedIn* Connect with Neal on LinkedIn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Tacos & Tech, Neal sits down with Rose Bowlus - lawyer, founder, and angel investor - whose journey from trading floors to startup boardrooms brings a rare blend of Wall Street experience and founder empathy. Rose shares how her legal career evolved from the capital markets and energy sectors to launching her own firm, Rose Bowlus Law, where she now advises early-stage startups and funds. They talk legal tech, Web3, fintech moats, and what founders often overlook when raising capital. Plus, Rose unpacks her growing role as an investor, how she's empowering other lawyers through her Angels in the Law network, and what she looks for in the next generation of legal innovation. Key Topics Rose's career path from Berkeley to in-house counsel to founding her own law firm Legal insights for fintech, Web3, and capital markets How regulation shapes - and lags - innovation in financial services Trends in legal tech adoption and where traditional firms are falling behind Her philosophy of “give first” investing and building a founder-friendly syndicate The origin story of Angels in the Law and the rise of lawyer-investors Why clarity is everything when supporting (or funding) founders Rose's controversial taco take: Islands, North County edition Links & resources Rose Bowlus Law Rising Tide Partners Women's Venture Summit Connect on LinkedIn Connect with Rose on LinkedIn Connect with Neal on LinkedIn

In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, attorney and CEO Mat Sorensen sits down with Ahmed Ahmed, Head of Funds at WeFunder, to discuss how investors can use a self-directed IRA to invest in startups and venture capital—an asset class once limited to Silicon Valley insiders and institutional funds.The conversation explores how WeFunder democratizes early-stage investing through Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) and Regulation D (Reg D) offerings, giving both accredited and non-accredited investors access to vetted startup deals, diversified venture funds, and even pre-IPO companies.Mat and Ahmed explain:How to invest in startups using your self-directed IRA or solo 401(k)The difference between Reg CF and Reg D offerings on WeFunderWhat the Orange Funds are and how they track Y Combinator companiesReal examples of early-stage companies that scaled (e.g. Eight Sleep, Replit)Why diversification is critical in venture investingHow to evaluate startup founders and what signals matter mostWhat to expect in terms of risk, timelines, and exit strategiesThis episode is essential listening for self-directed investors interested in private markets and early-stage innovation—and how to access it within a tax-advantaged retirement account structure.Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to WeFunder and Startup Investing 01:30 – What Is Reg CF and Who Can Invest 03:16 – Inside the Orange Funds and Y Combinator Strategy 07:40 – Risk, Return, and Realities of Startup Investing 11:50 – Using a Fund Model to Diversify Your Startup Portfolio 19:22 – How to Evaluate Founders, Traction, and Deal Flow 24:27 – Getting Started with Startup Investing Through Your IRAWeFunder Homepage: https://wefunder.com/Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/ Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/ Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Episode Summary In this episode of the Work at Home Rockstar Podcast, Tim chats with Gerry Hays, the visionary founder of Doriot, who's on a mission to democratize startup investing through his game-changing model: VentureStaking™. Broadcasting from his basement in Bloomington, Indiana, Gerry shares how he turned a frustrating experience raising capital into a 7-year quest to redesign the way innovation gets funded. You'll hear how he's helping everyday people gain a financial stake in the startups of tomorrow—without needing deep pockets or Silicon Valley connections. Who is Gerry Hays? Gerry Hays is a serial founder, educator, and creator of the patent-pending financial model, VentureStaking™. With over 25 years of experience launching and exiting companies, teaching entrepreneurial finance at Indiana University, and mentoring founders globally, Gerry's passion is opening doors to venture investing for the 99%. He also authored The First-Time Founder's Equity Bible, built the wildly popular Fantasy Startup® simulation, and developed the QAI certification to give everyday investors an on-ramp into private markets. Through Doriot, Gerry is unlocking startup ownership for a new generation of backers — all from the comfort of home. Connect with Gerry Hays: Website: https://www.doriot.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doriot/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerryhays/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doriot_venture Host Contact Details: Website: https://workathomerockstar.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/workathomerockstar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workathomerockstar LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmelanson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WorkAtHomeRockStarPodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/workathomestar Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction: Meet Gerry Hays, CEO of Doriot, and the concept of venture staking 01:00 — Story of Success: How imagination sparked a 25-year entrepreneurial journey 04:15 — Lessons from Failure: Financial hurdles and the power of faith 07:00 — Mindset Matters: Why emotional resilience fuels long-term growth 11:30 — Organic Growth: Human connection, community, and trusting the process 18:40 — Tools & Practices: Staying even-keeled, planting mental seeds, and using marketing to grow 26:00 — Guest Solo: A new system of capital creation for the 99%, not just the elite 31:00 — Global Reach: Launching arenas for grassroots investment and problem solving 35:00 — Final Thoughts: Inspiration for aspiring founders and how to learn more

Send us a textIn this Family Office Club panel discussion, seasoned investors share the single most important factor they consider when deciding whether to invest in a company. From passion and grit to systems, community, and track record, you'll hear what truly tips the scale in the decision-making process.Key insights from this panel:Passion as a driver — dedication to solving a problem beyond making moneyTenacity & resilience — surviving tough markets and pushing through challengesSystems over hustle — moving from “Viking stage” (pure grit) to “Gladiator stage” (scalable systems) to build lasting companiesCommunity power — how a strong, fanatical following can drive market cap, even without revenueCulture fit — using tools like Culture Index for personality testing and role alignment in service-based businessesConsistent track record — seeking founders with a long history of success across multiple life stages and industriesEmotional intelligence — why EQ combined with grit predicts success in any environmentThe ultimate bet — backing people who can be “dropped anywhere in the world” and still find a way to winWhy watch?If you're a founder, entrepreneur, or investor looking to understand the core traits that make an investor say “yes,” this panel offers unfiltered, experience-backed perspectives.

What compels an entrepreneur to leave a successful Wall Street career and dive into the complexities of healthcare innovation? On this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood welcomes Hunter Ziesing, who shares his journey from investment banking to co-founding Longevity Health, a company at the forefront of using AI and clinical data to transform personalized wellness.Hunter's story is rooted in personal experience and a deep commitment to preventative health. After twenty years in finance and a transformative period working with Livestrong, he co-founded Longevity Health, which aims to centralize and analyze individual health data to enable proactive, personalized care.This episode is a compelling look at how AI, emerging tech, and behavioral science are converging in healthcare. Hunter explains the pitfalls of America's “sick care” model, the importance of democratizing health data, and the need for both financial and social incentives to drive healthier choices. If you're curious about the future of aging, digital health, or entrepreneurial grit in mission-driven startups, this conversation is a must-listen. To get the latest from Hunter Ziesing, you can follow him below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterziesinghttps://www.longevityhealth.me/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn 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/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

A Broken Investment environment is an “Everyone” problem! What if the next big idea never gets off the ground — simply because the founder (maybe you?) doesn't look like a ‘typical' entrepreneur? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob sits down with Allison Byers, founder of Scroobius, to unpack the hidden barriers in startup funding and how to think differently about this reality. From the unfair distribution of capital to the impact of policy changes like SB 54 in California, they explore how the system can evolve to support all entrepreneurs. Allison shares how Scroobius is helping diverse founders connect with investors — and why a more inclusive funding landscape leads to stronger businesses, communities, and economies.Feel free to follow and engage with ALLISON here:- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-byers/- X: https://x.com/apbyers- Website: https://www.scroobious.com/We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.¡Cheers y gracias!,Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers06:17 The Table of Innovation Funding09:58 The Importance of Equitable Funding16:27 The Business Case for Diversity in Funding19:16 Personal Journey and Insights28:28 Legislative Change: SB 54 Overview34:53 The Impact of SB 54 on Venture Capital40:48 State-Level Policy and Its Implications43:39 Introducing Scroobius: A New Venture Capital Approach47:52 The Evolution of Venture Capital and Its Challenges01:00:33 The Future of Entrepreneurship and Capital Access01:11:22 Actionable Steps for Founders Seeking Capital

Send us a textAt this Family Office Club investor panel, top investors, venture accelerators, and wealth managers share how they source, evaluate, and negotiate direct and co-investment opportunities.Learn real-world strategies for finding exceptional deals and securing favorable terms.What You'll Learn:- How family offices and angels source exclusive, off-market deals- Why relationships and trust are critical to deal flow- Strategies to negotiate special terms, control provisions, and board seats- The role of accelerators and networks in securing top opportunities- Examples of asymmetric, high-value investments (music IP, niche real estate, tourism tech)How strategic co-investors can unlock more capital faster

Send us a textThis powerful investor panel discussion explains exactly what family office investors want to see from founders, capital raisers, and fund managers. From pitch structure and outreach strategies to trust-building and valuation expectations, this conversation cuts through the noise. Learn why knowing your numbers is non-negotiable, how to stand out in a crowded inbox, and why most founders fail to make it past the first filter. Hear insights on what makes investors engage, how to avoid overhyping unrealistic growth, and why emotional alignment, skin in the game, and long-term thinking matter more than flashy decks. This session also dives into how some family offices use proprietary data and internal strategies to outperform the market, and why personal connection, patience, and education are more valuable than aggressive selling. Whether you're seeking a family office partner or trying to refine your investor pitch, this is required viewing.

Are you building a future that outlives your paycheck—or just chasing the next income stream?Meet Abdul Golden, a purpose-driven investor and founder of Ajo Angels, a venture capital firm that backs early-stage startups led by Black and Brown founders. From real estate to venture investing, Abdul is committed to closing the ownership gap and reshaping generational wealth through meaningful access, education, and equity. He discusses how venture capital and intentional investing can unlock lasting financial freedom, especially for Black and Brown communities.Abdul shares invaluable insights about startup investing, emphasizes balancing one's investment portfolio, and discusses how venture capital can be a game-changer for long-term wealth building. He breaks down exactly how he makes money through startup investing—by funding early-stage companies with growth potential, taking equity, and building wealth through long-term returns. Tune in to learn more about strategic investment approaches, the risks and rewards of venture capital, and how to get started in angel investing—even as a beginner.More than just profits, Abdul speaks about purpose. He shares how his faith shifted his focus from hustling for quick wins to building legacy through service and ownership. You'll also hear his candid take on online “wealth mentors,” the manipulation behind flashy success stories, and why real empowerment starts with access and education.Key Takeaways:02:55 Abdul's early hustle and the spiritual turning point04:11 Why faith redefined his relationship with money and legacy09:52 Investing in others' businesses—and what it taught him12:25 The danger of performative “wealth mentors”14:47 Redefining ownership: beyond money to time, peace, and values17:30 Building real legacy by serving your community firstConnect with Abdul:Website: https://ajoangels.com/Email Addres: abdul@ajoangels.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdulogolden/Connect with Corwyn:Contact Number: 843-619-3005Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/exitstrategiesradioshow/⁠FB Page:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/exitstrategiessc/⁠Youtube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxoSuynJd5c4qQ_eDXLJaZA⁠Website:⁠ https://www.exitstrategiesradioshow.com⁠Linkedin:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmelette/⁠Shoutout to our Sponsor: Mellifund Capital, LLCNeed funding for your next real estate flip or build? MelliFund Capital makes it fast, flexible, and investor-friendly. Visit MelliFundCapital.com and fund your future today. Again, that's MelliFundCapital.com, M-E-L-L-I-L-U-N-D, Capital.com.

Patrick McKenzie (patio11) is joined by James Riney, partner at Coral Capital, to explore Japan's transformation from a $700 million startup ecosystem to today's $5-10 billion market. They discuss the cultural and structural factors that initially limited venture activity in Japan. The conversation covers unique aspects of building startups in Japan, from the quirks of being a foreign professional to why Japanese engineers love Twitter but ignore LinkedIn, plus insights into Japan's "time machine advantage" and why American-developed dev tools are going viral in Tokyo.–Read full transcript here: www.complexsystemspodcast.com/startup-investing-in-tokyo/–[Patrick notes: Complex Systems now produces occasional video episodes! You can access them directly on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@patio11podcast. My kids inform me that I'm supposed to tell you to like and subscribe.]–Sponsor:  SafebaseLeading companies use SafeBase to eliminate up to 98% of inbound security questionnaires, automate workflows, and accelerate pipeline. Go to safebase.io/podcast–Links: Coral Capital: https://coralcap.co/–Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(01:57) The early days of Japanese startups(04:08) The rise of Coin Check(05:54) Challenges and opportunities in the Japanese startup ecosystem(16:09) Cultural and structural differences in hiring(19:47) Sponsor: Safebase(21:22) The role of content and communication in Japanese startups(31:29) LinkedIn vs. Facebook in Japanese work culture(32:38) LinkedIn's social capital issues in Japan(33:58) Cultural differences in asking for permission(34:31) Navigating Japanese regulatory clarity(36:49) The evolution of VC investment in Japan(39:54) The rise of SaaS in Japan(45:26) System integrators and software development in Japan(50:39) Challenges in Japanese tech companies(54:36) Opportunities for foreign companies in Japan(55:03) The importance of commitment in the Japanese market(57:08) Dev tools and viral adoption in Japan(59:31) Japan's influence on global tech(01:03:23) Wrap

What does it truly mean to be an entrepreneur or an investor—not just in terms of dollars and deals, but in the way we think about money, wealth, and possibility? In this special rebranding episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood invites us to pause and reconsider our most fundamental beliefs about investing and wealth. With over 130 episodes under her belt, Marcia prompts listeners to reflect on the invisible barriers that keep so many—especially women and those from underrepresented backgrounds—on the sidelines of early stage investing.This 7-minute episode features Marcia herself at the helm, sharing insights from her journey as a longtime angel investor, author, and advocate for democratizing access to capital. Fresh off publishing her book "Do Good While Doing Well," Marcia brings a wealth of experience and perspective to the conversation. She speaks candidly about the responses she's received from both investors and entrepreneurs, highlighting the deep need for education, community, and personal reflection around financial topics that historically have been shrouded in jargon and exclusionary language.At its core, this episode marks a pivotal shift for the podcast as Marcia announces a reimagined focus—expanding the narrative beyond technical investing tips to encompass conversations about money, personal beliefs, systemic barriers, and new definitions of wealth. With "wealth reimagined" now part of the show's branding, listeners can look forward to richer, more inclusive explorations of what it means to invest, support founders, and use money as a force for good. This is a must-listen for anyone—whether you're a founder, an aspiring investor, or simply curious about financial empowerment—who wants to be part of shaping a more conscious, equitable, and impactful future. Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn 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/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

Nicholas Tommarello is the Founder and CEO of Wefunder, a pioneering crowdfunding platform that allows individuals to invest in startups. He co-founded Wefunder in 2012, leveraging provisions from the 2012 JOBS Act to enable unaccredited investors to purchase equity in early-stage companies, thereby democratizing access to investment opportunities that were traditionally available only to wealthy individuals. Tommarello holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Babson College and participated in the prestigious startup accelerator Y Combinator in 2013.

From humble beginnings in Tulsa to launching his own venture capital firm, Kevin Moore's story is one of resilience, grit, and vision.In this episode of Demo Day, host Sean Goldfaden sits down with Kevin Moore, Managing Partner at Serac Ventures, to uncover the mindset, habits, and experiences that helped him go from engineer to successful VC — and what every founder and aspiring fund manager needs to hear.- Learn how Kevin turned fear into fuel- Why “doing what you know” leads to real progress- What most first-time VCs get wrong about fundraising- How Serac Ventures uses AI to evaluate startup founders- And the #1 red flag that keeps investors from writing checksWhether you're building a startup, thinking about launching your own fund, or looking for inspiration to keep going — this episode is packed with insight.

What do you do after turning down a $600M offer—and watching it disappear days later? In this episode, venture capitalist and serial entrepreneur Jeremy Delk joins Dan Rochon to talk about pattern recognition, how to spot untapped markets, and the gritty truth behind high-stakes decisions. From losing $2M in four days as a college student to building multi-9-figure businesses, Jeremy shares powerful lessons on risk, leadership, and why real success comes from knowing who you are—not just what you've built.What you'll learn on this episodehe power of pattern recognition over pure hustle when spotting untapped marketsWhy real investors don't care about competition—they obsess over the customer experienceThe biggest mistake Jeremy ever made (hint: he said no to $600M) and how it led to his next big winWhy Jeremy only invests in 1 out of every 100 pitches—and what he looks for in a founderThe mindset shift every entrepreneur must make after hitting rock bottomThe spiritual crisis of success—and how to reconnect with purpose when the scoreboard is no longer enoughWhat Jeremy would tell his 25-year-old self: “Just take one more step”At the heart of this conversation is a simple truth: real business success comes from clearly communicating value and solving real problems. If you're working to sharpen that clarity in your own business, Dan's upcoming book Teach to Sell offers a practical framework to help you attract clients and opportunities by leading with what you know.

 Lex chats with Avlok Kohli - the CEO of AngelList, about the company's significant evolution. Initially a platform for startups to connect with venture capitalists, AngelList has transformed into a comprehensive fintech entity encompassing private equity and cryptocurrency. Avlok discusses the strategic pivots, including the introduction of syndicates and rolling funds, that have redefined the company's business model. The episode also explores the broader implications of crowdfunding and the unique challenges in the crypto space, offering a deep dive into AngelList's impact on the financial services industry. Notable discussion points: 1. AngelList's Second Founding: Reinvention as a Fintech Platform: Since 2019, AngelList has transformed from a mixed-use startup platform into a focused fintech infrastructure business for fund managers. Avlok Kohli spun out the syndicates arm and built a scalable product offering that includes SPVs, venture funds, and innovative structures like Rolling Funds and Roll Up Vehicles. This pivot catalyzed explosive growth—from ~$1B in AUM in 2019 to $171B+ today—by enabling fund creation and deployment at scale. 2. Product Innovation as a Strategic Advantage: Instead of competing with well-capitalized incumbents like Carta on sales and marketing, AngelList focused on building category-defining products. The launch of Rolling Funds—allowing fund managers to raise publicly and continuously—was a breakout moment. It created viral word-of-mouth growth and redefined how emerging fund managers could access capital, illustrating the principle: “You can't win by playing someone else's game.” 3. AI and the Future of Private Markets Infrastructure: AngelList is embedding AI across three strategic layers: (1) Back-office automation, replacing manual workflows, (2) Customer service enhancement, enabling agents to respond to LPs with real-time data, and (3) Data reasoning products, like Fin, which analyzes anonymized fund and secondary data to deliver actionable private market insightsThis positions AngelList not only as an admin platform but as a data intelligence layer over the private capital markets. MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION Topics: Fintech, Web3, Venture, VC, Venture capital, private markets, fundraising, crowdfunding, crypto, web3, AI, Angellist, Coinlist, Carta, Gumroad ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT 

#73: Welcome back to the Lenders playbook Podcast Episode... 73! Today we have Ryan Hughes and Ryan is on a mission to empower self-directed retirement investors to take control of their financial future. At NRL, he leads a team that delivers innovative, IRS-compliant non-recourse lending solutions, helping clients diversify into real estate, startups, and other high-potential opportunities — all while protecting their retirement accounts. Ryan is he's opening doors to a whole new world of retirement investing. Whether you're an investor hungry for growth or a partner ready to collaborate, this episode is packed with insights you don't want to miss. Tune in now and get inspired to unlock the full potential of your retirement funds!Lets go

S4:E170 The Weekly Update and a discussion with co-host Paul Clark and guest co-host Josh Miller about startup investing for GenZ and Millennials. We're talking about small investments in Startup Funds that offer diligence, deal flow and diversification at a low cost provided that Congress successfully changes the definition of an Accredited Investor. We'll be talking more about a rule change for Accredited investors over the next month with Chief Counsel of the Senate Banking Committee which has purview over such a rule change. Next week we will be getting pitches from 3 of my favorite startups from the Spring ATDC Showcase. These companies are candidates for our ATDC Fund and for VentureSouth. (interview recorded 4.24.25)Follow David and Paul: https://x.com/DGRollingSouth https://x.com/PalmettoAngel Connect On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidgrisell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulclarkprivateequity/ We invite your feedback and suggestions at www.ventureinthesouth.com or email david@ventureinthesouth.com. Learn more about RollingSouth at rollingsouth.vc or email david@rollingsouth.vc.

Synopsis: Venture capital is evolving, and so is biotech. In this episode of Biotech 2050, host Alok Tayi, CEO and co-founder of VibeBio, sits down with Alex Bangash, Founder of Transpose, an investment firm backing both startups and funds. With over 20 years of experience in venture investing, Alex shares his unconventional journey from engineering to investing and how his unique perspective has shaped his approach to funding. He breaks down the shifting startup landscape, the critical role of LPs in biotech, and why AI is a game-changer for both tech and life sciences. Alex also offers sharp insights into what it takes to build a successful venture fund today and the structural shifts that are redefining the industry. Whether you're a founder, investor, or biotech enthusiast, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on navigating the future of venture capital. Biography: Alex Bangash is the Founder of Transpose Platform, an anchor fund for the most disruptive venture funds of this decade. He is also the co-founder and former CEO of Trusted Insight, a machine learning–driven platform that hosts the world's largest network of institutional investors. Prior to TI Platform, Alex managed capital for clients at premier endowments, foundations, family offices, insurance firms, sovereign wealth funds, and pension funds since 2003. He has helped invest over $2 billion in 50 funds with a track record of investing over $1 billion in 50+ funds for institutional investors with an IRR of 30%+ and a 2x NAV. He advised the first checks in Accel, First Round Capital, Founders Fund, Emergence, Y Combinator, Khosla, SaaStr, Initialized, Crystal Towers, and Baseline. Earlier in his career, Alex was an engineer and executive at AT&T, Lucent Technologies, Bell Labs, and GE. Alex holds an MBA from the Wharton School (where he is a frequent guest lecturer); an M.Eng. in Operations Research from Cornell, and a BS in Computer Science, English, and Economics from Cornell.

Silicon Valley startups have generally been off-limits to the public, cutting ordinary investors out of peak value creation. But now, those rules are getting a second look under President Trump's new SEC. Plus, Elon Musk's startup xAI is now showing off its new model called Grok 3, and said the deep research tool is outperforming comparable offerings from OpenAI and China's DeepSeek.

Have you ever considered how your financial mindset might impact your entrepreneurial journey? In this episode of the Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia Dawood recaps insightful conversations with guests, exploring the profound connections between money, leadership, and impact investing, and how these factors influence entrepreneurship.Marcia highlights Sally Boulter's discussion on donor advised funds (DAFs) as a means for accessible impact investing. She also revisits her conversation with Wendy Ryan, who shares her Learn Lead Lift framework, promoting leadership through clarity and collaboration and advocating for investment in diverse founders. Lastly, Marcia reflects on her dialogue with Cammie and Sandi from the Money Tales podcast, who emphasize reshaping our money beliefs.In case you missed any of this great content, you can get a recap here and also go back and listen to the full episodes: https://pod.link/1586445642 Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn 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/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

Have you ever considered the possibilities that arise when philanthropic capital is directed towards funding startup companies? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Sally Boulter from Impact Assets to unravel an often overlooked but transformative investment approach—using donor-advised funds to fuel entrepreneurial ventures. If you're an angel investor or contemplating entering the startup ecosystem, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on navigating investments impactfully.Sally Boulter brings a wealth of experience to the table, having a diverse background in nonprofit fundraising and impact investing. Impact Assets, a nonprofit financial services firm, is tailored to investors who wish to make a difference while achieving returns. Sally's journey from traditional fundraising to becoming a pivotal player in impact investing highlights a unique blend of passion for societal betterment and astute financial strategies.Throughout the episode, Marcia and Sally discuss the mechanics of how donor-advised funds can be employed to support for-profit startups, offering both new and seasoned investors a blueprint for high-impact investments. They explore the simplicity and flexibility of setting up a donor-advised fund, the risks and rewards associated with impact investing, and real-life success stories like that of Seth Goldman, who amplified his philanthropic reach after his work with Honest Tea. This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to understand how to make their investment dollars work harder, not just for financial gains but for genuine societal progress. You'll walk away with actionable insights and a newfound enthusiasm for merging philanthropy with entrepreneurship. To get the latest from Sally Boulter, you can follow her below!LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyboulter/https://impactassets.org/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn 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/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

This Week in Startups is brought to you by: Fidelity Private Shares℠. Manage your cap table and data room, get faster, more accurate 409A valuation and fully automate your next financing round. Visit ⁠https://fidelityprivateshares.com⁠! Mention our podcast and receive 20% off your first-year paid subscription. LinkedIn Jobs. A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters. Go to https://www.linkedin.com/twist to post your first job for free. Terms and conditions apply. Oracle - Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, or OCI, is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. Save up to 50% on your cloud bill at ⁠https://w⁠⁠⁠⁠ww.oracle.com/twist * Timestamps: (0:00) Jason and Alex kick off the show (4:49) Extend Robotics' Dr. Chang Liu joins the show (6:23) The challenges of real-world automation, robotic grape picking, and human in the loop AI (10:44) Fidelity Private Shares℠ - Visit https://www.fidelityprivateshares.com Mention our podcast and receive 20% off your first-year paid subscription. (12:14) Teleoperation, network latency, and future of robotic harvesting (21:05) Building a tech company in the UK and second-order effects of AI (23:24) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist (24:35) AI models learning from best human practitioners (26:56) Global remote work impact and virtual assistants (30:38) Impact of global salary standards on US developers (33:02) Oracle - Save up to 50% on your cloud bill at https://www.oracle.com/twist (34:28) Accredited investor rules and potential changes (42:26) Sophisticated investor tests and angel investing (47:32) Investing in local businesses and AI news (48:36) OpenAI announcements and Google's blowout quarter (52:22) Democratizing education with AI tutors and OpenAI's new search product (1:03:39) OpenAI's advanced voice feature and earnings highlights (1:06:26) Tech giants' AI initiatives and implications (1:08:03) Amazon's AWS growth and AI business expansion (1:14:39) Audience question: Interesting AI sectors for startups (1:21:05) The Chinese EV market * Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com Check out the Launch CloudKitchens Incubator: https://ck.launch.co * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Check out Extend Robotics: https://www.extendrobotics.com/ Here is the “Empowering Main Street in America Act”: https://www.banking.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/emsaa_section-by-section.pdf Check out SearchGPT: https://openai.com/index/searchgpt-prototype/ Check out the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra: https://www.mi.com/global/discover/article?id=3768 Check out Nio: https://www.nio.com * Follow Dr Chang Liu: X: https://x.com/enjoychang LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechangliu/ 8 Follow Alex: X: https://x.com/alex LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (10:44) Fidelity Private Shares℠ - Visit https://www.fidelityprivateshares.com Mention our podcast and receive 20% off your first-year paid subscription. (23:24) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist (33:02) Oracle - Save up to 50% on your cloud bill at https://www.oracle.com/twist * Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

Keith Rabois is a Managing Director at Khosla Ventures and CEO of OpenStore, bringing over 20 years of experience as a founder, operator, and investor. At Khosla Ventures, he led early investments in DoorDash, Affirm, and Stripe, and co-founded Opendoor. Previously, at Founders Fund, he invested in Ramp, Trade Republic, and Aven, and personally invested early in YouTube, Airbnb, Palantir, Lyft, and Eventbrite. In 2023, he ranked #25 on the Forbes U.S. Midas list.Keith has served on numerous boards, including Yelp, Xoom, and Reddit, and currently serves on the boards of Affirm, Ramp, and Trade Republic. His career began with leadership roles at PayPal, LinkedIn, and Square.He started as a litigator at Sullivan and Cromwell after clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Keith holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Stanford University and a juris doctor degree with honors from Harvard University.***CHA-CHING! Customers are rushing to your store. Do you have a point-of-sale system you can trust or is it (ahem) a real P.O.S.? You need Shopify for retail.Shopify POS is your command center for your retail store. From accepting payments to managing inventory, Shopify has EVERYTHING you need to sell in person. Get hardware that fits your business. Take payments by smartphone, transform your tablet into a point-of-sale system, or use Shopify's POS Go mobile device for a battle-tested solution.Plus, Shopify's award-winning help is there to support your success every step of the way.Do retail right with Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at www.shopify.com/founderhour. Once again, go to www.shopify.com/founderhour to take your retail business to the next level today.***The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world's most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you'd expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you'd pay at a big box store for something that won't last.For a limited time, get 10% off at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply. ***Follow The Founder Hour on:Instagram | www.instagram.com/thefounderhourTwitter/X | www.twitter.com/thefounderhourLinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/company/thefounderhourYouTube | www.youtube.com/@thefounderhour

George Mathew is a Managing Director at Insight Partners where he invested in Weights & Biases, Jasper, and others. He has over 20 years of experience developing high-growth technology startups including most recently being CEO of Kespry. George joins the podcast to talk about his path to becoming an investor, his data-first thesis about investment, The post Startup Investing with George Mathew appeared first on Software Engineering Daily.