Podcasts about vc funding

From making just $300 a day in her early bakery days to raising $25 million in venture capital and expanding from local to global, this growth story is extraordinary. But this conversation isn't just about numbers. It's about what happens when success comes fast. In this episode of The Balance Theory, I'm joined by Brooki, founder of Brooki Bakehouse, for her first ever podcast interview. We talk about the identity work that needs to happen before growth, the trade-offs that come with scaling a business publicly, and how to build something big without losing who you are. Because success doesn't build your character, it reveals it. In this episode, we unpack: * How Brooki went from $300 days to raising $25M+ * The single decision that changed the trajectory of her business * What it really felt like when everything started snowballing * The reality of building a brand in public * How she handles scrutiny and criticism * The trade-offs of growing a global business while raising young children * Why becoming a mum became her superpower, not a setback * How to grow without losing yourself * Why you need to build yourself before you build success If you're ambitious, building something, navigating change, or stepping into a new level of life, this episode will shift how you think about growth. Because the real question isn't how to succeed. It's who you become along the way. Subscribe for more conversations on ambition, mindset, identity and building a life that feels aligned. #Brooki #FemaleFounder #EntrepreneurMindset #VentureCapital #WomenInBusiness #PersonalGrowth #TheBalanceTheory #StartupJourney #WorkingMum #BuildingInPublic LINKS

Annual venture capital funding into Irish tech SMEs fell for the first time last year since 2018, according to the Irish Venture Capital Association (IVCA) VenturePulse report, published today in association with William Fry. Funding in 2025 was down by 23% to €1.1 billion. Funding in the fourth quarter fell by 46% to €291.4 million. "It's been a roller coaster year for Irish SMEs looking to raise capital," commented Caroline Gaynor, chairperson, IVCA. She said that there had been an undoubted Trump effect after uncertainty caused by tariffs led to the worst second quarter for ten years. "In addition, the fourth quarter saw a 71% retreat from the Irish market by international investors from €470m to €132.4m. This may be due to hesitation and uncertainty by US VC firms due to a number of factors, including an 'America first' focus, negativity from across the Atlantic about Europe, and the impact of a weakening dollar." However, despite these headwinds, the IVCA chairperson said that she remained positive about Irish entrepreneurs looking to raise capital in 2026. "The Government's Seed and Venture Capital Scheme 2025-29 (1) has a record allocation of €250 million, and we should see the benefits kicking in shortly. In addition, progress is being made on the Government's important enterprise scaling fund (2) as well as other policy measures to mobilise capital to Irish SMEs." She added: "Current geopolitical events have highlighted the need for us to be more self-reliant, have more access to local capital, and not be dependent on overseas investors to fund our indigenous tech sectors." Sarah-Jane Larkin, director general, IVCA, said that the fourth quarter highlighted the weakness of not being able to tap into local private capital. "A major reason for the 46% decline in fourth quarter funding was the 71% fall off in international investment." She added, "Another reason for the decrease in international funding may be that US investors may be overly focused on local AI opportunities, and certainly, the amount of money being invested there is sucking up a lot of venture capital. Unicorn status is being achieved by early-stage start-ups in generative AI in the US much quicker than in the past." Ms Larkin said that the decline in overseas funding in 2025 is reflected in the 33% fall in larger deals in the €30m + category to €540.8m. In the fourth quarter, this category fell by more than two-thirds (69%) to €111m. Funding in the €10m–€30m range for the year overall also fell, by 14% to €269.4m. The IVCA data suggests that transactions for smaller rounds held up reasonably well in 2025. Funding in the €3m-€5m category rose by 39% to €113.8m. There was a small decline (3%) in the €1-€3m range to €102.2m. Seed funding, or first rounds raised by SMEs, dropped by 5% to €141m. The top five deals in quarter four were quantum computing company, Equal 1, which raised €30m; Shorla Oncology (speciality pharmaceuticals, €25m); Aerska (biotech, €17m); Fresco (smart kitchen platform, €15m) and Luminate Medical (healthcare technology, €14m). Life science companies attracted most funding in 2025 in Ireland, raising €461m or 40% of the total. This was followed by software with €156m (14%); cybersecurity €136m (12%); AI and machine learning €104m (9%) and fintech €96m (8%). 186 deals were completed in 2025, down from 217 the previous year, a fall of 14%.

Have you thought about what your founder futures look like if you're suddenly not here—and whether your business worth is actually protected? You spend your time thinking about growth, valuation, exits, and risk—but many founders avoid the uncomfortable questions about legacy, control, and continuity. This episode connects estate planning to founder futures, showing how personal preparedness, governance decisions, and AI disruption all shape what really happens to the value you've built when circumstances change. By listening, you'll gain: A practical framework for protecting your founder futures by understanding how estate plans, healthcare directives, and digital assets prevent chaos for your family and your company. Clear insight into scaling a venture-backed platform the right way, including term sheets, preference stacks, board control, and why "IPO-ready" thinking matters more than chasing an IPO. A CEO's perspective on AI disruption and defensibility, including how category leaders must rebuild for an AI-native future before competitors force the change. Press play and learn how to safeguard your founder futures while building a company—and a legacy—that holds up under real-world pressure. Check out: ~06:30–09:30 Why estate planning matters even if you "don't have much" Cody explains why wills, healthcare directives, and digital assets matter regardless of net worth—and why certainty beats assumptions for families and founders. ~32:00–38:00 Venture capital reality: term sheets, preferences, and board control A candid CEO-to-CEO discussion on VC tradeoffs, preference stacks, governance, and why founders must be willing to walk away from bad terms. ~1:07:00–1:14:00 AI disruption and rebuilding to protect the business Cody outlines why AI is both the biggest threat and opportunity, and how Trust & Will is thinking about becoming AI-native before a challenger forces the change. About Code Barbo Cody Barbo is the Co-Founder & CEO of Trust & Will, the leading digital estate planning platform in the U.S., trusted by over one million families. Since launching in 2017, Trust & Will has modernized legacy planning with simple, secure, and attorney-approved online solutions tailored to state-specific laws. Under Cody's leadership, the company has raised over $75 million in funding, and its customers report more than $100 billion in estate assets on the platform. Trust & Will supports 20,000+ financial advisors and 200+ banks and enterprise partners, including AARP, Fifth Third Bank, UBS, and USAA. Recently, the company introduced EstateOS, the first intelligent estate planning platform designed to revolutionize legacy planning through embedded AI guidance, streamlined workflows, and enhanced collaboration between families and financial professionals. Trust & Will was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list for the second consecutive year in 2024. Cody was named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 Pacific Southwest Award Winner and regularly contributes to Forbes, Fast Company, and Inc. He is passionate about leveraging technology to transform estate planning from a transactional task into a deeply meaningful and personal experience.

The Downside of VC Funding Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Venture capital can enable a startup to reach the next level through funding. There are downsides to VC funding. Here's a list: The founders' ownership goes down by 20-25% on each fundraising round. The VC model promotes growth over all other strategies. Taking VC money means taking the VC's business model, which is to give the Limited Partner a return in 3 to 7 years. VCs will want the founders to take a minimal salary so as to apply as much capital as possible to growing the business. The VC is concerned primarily with paying back the Limited Partners in their fund. This means the VC is less likely to support initiatives that are impact-related or others that are important to the founder. Some VCs provide funding but little else, such as coaching or a network. The VC will bring their view of how to grow the business, which may not align with the founder's vision. VCs take board seats, which come with a certain level of control. For some startups, angel money may be a better option. Consider these points before taking VC funding. 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.

The 'D' Got Deleted: How VC Funding Broke the Innovation EcosystemLast week's whitepaper isn't production-ready. But someone's already pitching it to your board. Kence Anderson has deployed 100+ autonomous AI systems for Fortune 500 companies—and watched venture capital create a research-to-PR pipeline that skips development entirely. The 'D' in R&D got deleted. Hype cycles got amplified.Rule-based AI—systems encoding expertise as decision logic—was the 1980s breakthrough. Overhyped, then abandoned when it couldn't do everything. But engineers kept deploying it where codified rules excel: industrial controls, diagnostics, compliance. It's running critical infrastructure today. Every AI wave follows this arc. For leaders, the lesson: stop asking which technology wins. Ask what each does well—and build modular systems that match capabilities to tasks. The fix: if AI can learn, someone should teach it the right way. Machine teaching—goals, scenarios, strategies—creates modular agents that compound capability through orchestration.Paradigm Shifts:

Building a business is hard. Building a $100M legacy without a safety net is a masterclass in resilience. Pranav Dalal, CEO of Office Beacon, bet on himself when the dot-com bubble burst—and he won. In this deep dive, Dalal shares the psychological shift required to bootstrap successfully. It's not just about saving money; it's about maintaining total control over your vision and values. From managing a distributed team across four continents to integrating AI without replacing human talent, Dalal offers a rare look inside a founder-led giant.

How did Shubham Garg bootstrap CodeVyasa to $XXM ARR without a single dollar of VC funding?In this episode, we uncover the contrarian playbook behind India's fastest-growing AI-powered IT services firm and why enterprises are ditching SaaS for custom software. Shubham Garg is the Founder and CEO of CodeVyasa, a 600-person bootstrapped IT services company serving unicorns like Mamaearth, UpGrad, and Yatra, plus Fortune 500 clients including HDFC Bank and major oil and gas PSUs. What makes his story remarkable is the journey itself - from failing at a supply chain SaaS startup in 2019 to pivoting into high-value outcome-based engineering services that reached $XXM in annual recurring revenue, all without external funding.In this candid conversation with host Akshay Datt, Shubham reveals how CodeVyasa helped UpGrad slash their AWS cloud bill by 40% (saving $2M annually), replaced SAP's enterprise software for a government PSU in just two quarters, and is now capitalizing on the AI revolution by selling GenAI implementation services. He shares hard-earned lessons of scaling a services business with no VC money, and his controversial thesis that the era of SaaS dominance is ending as enterprises shift to building custom AI-powered tools in-house.This episode is essential viewing for bootstrapped founders, service business operators, enterprise sales professionals, and anyone navigating India's IT services boom in the AI era.What You'll Learn:

In this episode of The SaaS Revolution Show, Alex Theuma speaks with Audrey Soussan, General Partner at Ventech, about how the early-stage SaaS landscape is evolving and what founders need to understand if they're looking to raise. Audrey shares insights from 15+ years investing across Europe, including: - Why AI is no longer a vertical but an expected layer in every SaaS product. - The difference between truly “AI-native” startups and mature SaaS companies adapting their stack. - What VCs like Ventech look for now at seed and Series A. - How founders should think about tech debt, market shifts, and timing. - Lessons from the InSided journey, from bootstrapping to acquisition by Gainsight. - How Ventech supports founders beyond capital, what collaborative board work looks like, and the importance of community. Audrey also discusses competitive dealmaking in AI, why expertise and unique datasets matter, and practical advice for founders raising in the current environment, and how to pitch if you're not building a pure-play AI product. Guest links: Linked - https://www.linkedin.com/in/audrey-soussan-0309b818/ Website - https://www.ventechvc.com/       Check out the other ways SaaStock is helping SaaS founders move their business forward: 

Enterprise Ireland is leading a 20-strong delegation of high-growth Irish technology companies to Slush 2025, Europe's premier start-up and venture capital event. Slush, widely regarded as the largest gathering of venture capital under one roof, is a key platform for Irish start-ups seeking to accelerate their expansion and secure investment. The Nordics have emerged as Enterprise Ireland's fastest-growing export region for Enterprise Ireland supported companies, with client exports reaching €2.1 billion in 2024, up 24% on 2023. Finland is leading the charge as its most dynamic market. Against this backdrop, Irish innovators are leveraging Slush to deepen commercial ties and showcase cutting-edge technologies across AI, fintech, and sustainability. With Nordic markets driving export growth and Finland emerging as a hub for tech collaboration, Enterprise Ireland's presence at Slush underscores Ireland's ambition to position its start-ups at the forefront of European innovation. Momentum in Irish Tech Investment Ireland's start-up ecosystem continues to attract global attention, underscored by strong investment flows and landmark deals. Earlier this year, Tines, the AI-powered work automation platform, became Ireland's latest unicorn following a $125 million Series C round. This success story exemplifies the ambition of Irish companies attending Slush, many of which are scaling internationally and forging strategic partnerships in the Nordics. As part of the Slush programme of events, Enterprise Ireland will host an Irish Innovation event, featuring a fireside chat with George Ardagh of Tines as well as Enterprise Ireland Head of Scaling Finance Karole Egan and leading voices from global finance. The event will spotlight Ireland's vibrant tech ecosystem and its role in shaping global innovation. Among the Irish delegation at Slush are: EVERYANGLE, whose Vision AI technology powers retail giants including H&M, Samsøe Samsøe, and IKEA franchise partners. Fresh from winning Cisco's Global AI Innovation Award, EVERYANGLE is set to unveil its new product, Horizon, designed to transform in-store behaviour into data-driven growth. Otonomee, the customer support outsourcing specialist, has partnered with Finland's Oura to scale global operations during a period of exceptional growth for the health-tech leader. JustTip, Europe's fastest-growing digital tipping platform, is expanding its footprint through a partnership with Sweden's Surfboard Payments, reinforcing its mission to deliver transparent and instant gratuity management across hospitality. Marker Video, the content marketplace platform is launching their Marker Video app. With 10,000 verified users already onboarded and pilot campaigns underway with HelloFresh and Unilever, the app combines human-verification technology with instant user payments. This enables Marker Video to deliver the scale and authenticity modern brands demand, solving one of advertising's fastest-growing challenges. Leading the Irish delegation at Slush, Finland, Viktor Wagner Heide, Senior Market Advisor at Enterprise Ireland Nordics said; "Slush is a proven launchpad for Irish innovation, offering a unique opportunity to connect with international investors and partners. With exports by Enterprise Ireland-backed companies to the Nordics growing by 24% last year, this platform turns ambition into global growth and strengthens Ireland's position as a leader in Europe's technology landscape." Other Irish company participants at Slush 2025 include, BrightBeam, Capella, Chirp, CitySwift, Coroflo, Cytidel, EVE, HR Duo, Luna Systems, Marker Video, Mavarick AI, NoFrixion, Payemoji, Peroptyx, Provizio, Recruitroo and Tines. Full profiles are available in the Irish Innovation Directory. See more stories here.

Is the current level of AI funding and investment rational or irrational? Is it possible that it's both at the same time? Let's look at some numbers and the thought process behind them.SHOW: 976SHOW TRANSCRIPT: The Cloudcast #976 TranscriptSHOW VIDEO: https://youtube.com/@TheCloudcastNET CLOUD NEWS OF THE WEEK: http://bit.ly/cloudcast-cnotwCHECK OUT OUR NEW PODCAST: "CLOUDCAST BASICS"SHOW SPONSORS:[TestKube] TestKube is Kubernetes-native testing platform, orchestrating all your test tools, environments, and pipelines into scalable workflows empowering Continuous Testing. Check it out at TestKube.io/cloudcast[Interconnected] Interconnected is a new series from Equinix diving into the infrastructure that keeps our digital world running. With expert guests and real-world insights, we explore the systems driving AI, automation, quantum, and more. Just search “Interconnected by Equinix”.SHOW NOTES:A whole bunch of AI-related statsSam Altman on BG2 podcastDO WE HAVE ANY IDEA HOW TO MEASURE THE IMPACT OF AI?How much is one model better than another (e.g. Gemini vs. CoPilot)?How much improvement should a software developer get?How much improvement should a knowledge worker get?How much cost savings should a chatbot provide?How long should it take to make a model understand a company's data?How many workers can a company displace with AI?OpenAI in 2030 - 26 gigawatts could power between 3.7 million to 17.3 million modern GPU serversOpenAI in 2035 - 50 gigawatts could power between 37 million to 173 million modern GPU serversFEEDBACK?Email: show at the cloudcast dot netTwitter/X: @cloudcastpodBlueSky: @cloudcastpod.bsky.socialInstagram: @cloudcastpodTikTok: @cloudcastpod

Filipe Castro Matos is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Altar.io, where he helps founders go from idea to MVP with clarity and speed. With over a decade of experience across B2C and B2B startups—including an early exit, viral growth experiments, and advising dozens of founders—Filipe specializes in helping teams find their first customers and build Go-to-Market strategies that actually work. His work today centers on solving one of the biggest problems in early-stage startups: the gap between building and growing. He's quietly building something new to bridge that gap.In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro[01:19] Learning ecommerce by evolving with companies[02:50] Avoiding guesswork through real user engagement[04:57] Avoiding costly guesses in early channels[07:24] Finding people who match your avatar[08:23] Returning to basics for direction clarity[08:51] Distinguishing buyers from friendly critics[11:29] Starting small when validating ideas[14:36] Simplifying business ideas through existing tools[15:29] Stay updated with new episodes[15:40] Capturing insights for go-to-market[17:36] Separating problem discovery from solutions[19:55] Going where the market is active[21:10] Introducing payments only after solutions[22:24] Digesting conversations into ICP[23:17] Pulling branding assets from real conversations[24:56] Testing organically before paid ads[27:04] Building a brand as key differentiatorResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeDigital products for entrepreneurs and business leaders: altar.io/us/Follow Filipe Castro Matos linkedin.com/in/filipecastromatosIf you're enjoying the show, we'd love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Send us a textLearn how you can scale your care team with AI: https://link.CareCo.ai/rmvhvqIn this episode I sit down with Steve Wardell, managing partner at Wardell Advisors LLC, for an eye-opening conversation that peels back the curtain on healthcare venture capital. Drawing parallels between HBO's Silicon Valley and the real digital health VC world, Wardell breaks down the psychology behind investor behavior, explains why playing "hard to get" with VCs can backfire, and reveals the red flags that signal toxic investor relationships. This episode is essential listening for health tech founders navigating today's funding landscape, where AI-enabled startups are capturing the majority of investment dollars and the "full stack" trend is revolutionizing how VCs think about healthcare companies. Wardell provides actionable insights on funding stages, market consolidation opportunities, and the strategic mistakes that waste entrepreneurs' time while sharing proven frameworks for positioning yourself as an expert rather than a supplicant when pitching to venture capital firms.Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome 00:05:58 - The Psychology of VC Funding 00:12:25 - Funding Stages Breakdown00:23:00 - Bootstrapping vs the VC Treadmill 00:25:32 - Red Flags and Toxic Investors 00:35:15 - How to Pitch VCs Effectively 00:41:42 - Specialized vs Generalist Funds 00:48:00 - Closing Thoughts

Taking VC Funding Means Taking the VC's Business Model Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In taking venture funding, the startup is also taking the VC's business model. The VC must provide the Limited Partners a venture-level return. It's a high-risk, high-reward endeavor. A venture-level return requires the following: Continually raising funding. Startups will need to raise funding all the way to the exit to achieve the milestones. This can be challenging as venture sectors move in and out of favor over time. Dilution. The founders will find they are continually diluting their positions on each round of funding. As the valuation grows, the dilution becomes less, but hopefully the pie is getting bigger to offset it. Selling before the full potential. The VC must return funds to the LPs, and needs exits to do so. Most funds are on a ten-year cycle.   At some point, the LP will require an exit even if the business is not at its full potential. VC  funding brings with it venture risk and the costs associated with a high-growth company. Consider these points before taking VC funding.   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 .

A few years after being voted 'least likely to succeed' in high school, Brandon Dawson defied expectations by scaling his first company from zero to $75 million. Since then, he has built and sold multiple nine-figure businesses. As the co-founder of Cardone Ventures, he helps entrepreneurs build wealth, scale effectively, and lead with purpose. In this episode, Brandon reveals why 97% of businesses fail and shares how to beat the odds and achieve business growth. He also discusses his core leadership principles and the key traits of a great business partner. In this episode, Hala and Brandon will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (02:21) His Early Life and Entrepreneurship Journey (09:27) Bootstrapping a Startup vs. VC Funding (19:10) Why Entrepreneurs Should Prioritize Cash Reserves (26:14) Scale vs. Scaling: Redefining Business Growth (36:48) Why 92% of Businesses Fail to Scale Past $3M (40:25) The ‘Law of the Lid' in Leadership (45:47) Actionable Steps to Improving Leadership Skills (55:46) Building 9-Figure Businesses with Grant Cardone (01:03:01) The Key Traits to Look for in Business Partners Brandon Dawson is an entrepreneur, scaling expert, and co-founder of Cardone Ventures. As CEO of Sonus Corporation, he grew it to over 1,400 locations and raised $58 million. He later founded Audigy Group, scaling it from $500,000 to $35 million before selling it for $151 million. With over 30 years of experience, Brandon helps businesses scale using data-driven strategies, navigate breakpoints, and avoid common pitfalls. Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING  OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first 6 months at OpenPhone.com/profiting Airbnb - Find a co-host at airbnb.com/host  Mercury - Streamline your banking and finances in one place. Learn more at ⁠⁠mercury.com/profiting⁠⁠  Policy Genius - Secure your family's future with Policygenius. Head to policygenius.com/profiting  Framer - Launch your site for free at Framer.com, and use code PROFITING Resources Mentioned: Brandon's Website: bdawson.com  Brandon's Book, Nine-Figure Mindset: bit.ly/9FigureMindset Brandon's Podcast, Building Billions: bit.ly/BuildingBillions-Apple  The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell: bit.ly/21-Laws  Good to Great (6 book series) by Jim Collins: bit.ly/GTG-Series  Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant by Robert T. Kiyosaki: bit.ly/CashQuadrant  Sell or Be Sold by Grant Cardone: bit.ly/Sell-Be-Sold  Start The Work by Natalie Dawson: bit.ly/StartTheWork  Three Feet from Gold by Sharon L. Lechter: bit.ly/3-Feet-Gold  Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals  Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap YouTube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new  Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health, Growth Mindset, Passive income, Online Business, Solopreneur, Founder, Networking

In this episode of HR Heretics, Kelli and Nolan sit down with Dave Margulius discussing Quizlet's remarkable 18-year journey from a bootstrapped startup founded with teenage co-founders to a globally successful education platform, sharing insights on building company culture, managing young talent, transitioning from founder to board member, and maintaining mission-driven values while achieving sustainable growth.*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.coFor coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.Support HR Heretics Sponsors:Planful empowers teams just like yours to unlock the secrets of successful workforce planning. Use data-driven insights to develop accurate forecasts, close hiring gaps, and adjust talent acquisition plans collaboratively based on costs today and into the future. ✍️ Go to https://planful.com/heretics to see how you can transform your HR strategy.Metaview is the AI platform built for recruiting. Our suite of AI agents work across your hiring process to save time, boost decision quality, and elevate the candidate experience.Learn why team builders at 3,000+ cutting-edge companies like Brex, Deel, and Quora can't live without Metaview.It only takes minutes to get up and running. Check it out!KEEP UP WITH DAVE, NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDINDave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davemarguliusNolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/—Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(02:00) The $5 Trillion Education Opportunity(04:06) Meeting Andrew - The 17-Year-Old Co-Founder(06:04) CEO Transitions and Early Career(09:11) Sponsors: Planful | Metaview(12:10) Building a Teenage Team(16:03) Managing Young Talent and Pure Adrenaline(19:17) The Shift to VC Funding(22:15) Company Culture and Values(26:19) Mission vs ROI Balance(29:05) 18-Year Journey and Staying Competitive(32:01) Employee Value Proposition and Liquidity(35:00) Competition and Market Position(36:06) Closing Thoughts(37:27) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

This week, the TWIG crew goes full galaxy brain. We kick things off with the real effects of celebrity cringe marketing. Then it's onto the real news: Probably Monsters' search for $220M ROI, Match Villains' monster raise, Lilith's search for growth, and Roblox's unstoppable growth. 00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions02:46 Episode Overview and Key Topics03:32 Celebrity Gaming League and Brand Marketing04:56 Sydney Sweeney and American Eagle Partnership05:54 Review Bombing and Gamer Activism08:00 Gamescom Event Announcements09:15 Medica and Multi-Arm Bandit Experimentation13:11 FIFA Online and Free-to-Play Discussion16:39 Probably Monsters and AAA Development21:51 Epic vs Google Lawsuit Update26:55 Atari Acquires Thunderful Group30:42 Good Job Games Raises $60 Million31:58 Analyzing Revenue Per Download32:32 Hypothesis on Grand Games' Rapid Fundraising34:05 Match Villains' Market Performance34:28 VC Funding vs. Non-Dilutive Funding36:36 Investment Trends in Turkey's Gaming Market37:42 Challenges in Scaling Puzzle Games41:47 Farlight 84: A Relaunch Story45:37 Lilith Games' Portfolio Performance49:33 DC Worlds Collide and the Squad RPG Market54:02 Roblox's Monetization and Engagement Strategies

Brian Gracely (@bgracely) Aaron Delp (@aarondelpt) and Brandon Whichard (@bwhichard, @SoftwareDefTalk) discuss the top stories in Cloud and AI from July 2025.SHOW: 947SHOW TRANSCRIPT: The Cloudcast #947 TranscriptSHOW VIDEO: https://youtube.com/@TheCloudcastNET NEW TO CLOUD? CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCAST:  "CLOUDCAST BASICS"SPONSORS:[VASION] Vasion Print eliminates the need for print servers by enabling secure, cloud-based printing from any device, anywhere. Get a custom demo to see the difference for yourself.[DoIT] Visit doit.com (that's d-o-i-t.com) to unlock intent-aware FinOps at scale with DoiT Cloud Intelligence.SHOW NOTES:Link to July 2025 News and ArticlesFEEDBACK?Email: show at the cloudcast dot netBluesky: @cloudcastpod.bsky.socialTwitter/X: @cloudcastpodInstagram: @cloudcastpodTikTok: @cloudcastpod

In this episode, Aaron and Don are joined by Chris Gillings of Cut Through Venture to understand the key insights from the Q2 2025 Australian Venture Capital Funding Report. We discuss: Funding outcomes. Whilst the quarter was disappointing, there is evidence to suggest there is a lot of activity occurring behind the scenes.  Valuations.  How Chris is seeing AI play out in early stage ventures. Lots more! hello@tribeglobal.vc

Host Alex Theuma is joined by DuploCloud Founder and CEO Venkat Thiruvengadam. Venkat shares his journey from Microsoft Azure to building a $50M-funded DevSecOps platform. He discusses bootstrapping the company for the first three years, through to leading the company through what he calls an “existential moment” for all SaaS businesses: the shift to AI-native operations. Guest links: Website: https://duplocloud.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/venkat-thiruvengadam-35a7396/      Check out the other ways SaaStock is helping SaaS founders move their business forward: 

Dan Hobbs, CEO & Co-Founder of Protex AI, joins SaaStock's Alex Theuma to break down how his startup is transforming factory safety using AI and how they scaled to triple-digit growth with an enterprise-first GTM motion. In this episode, you'll learn: - How Protex AI went from YC to 300% YoY growth - Why they moved fast into the U.S. (and why you should too) - The AI tools Dan actually uses to drive team efficiency - How to close enterprise clients - Dan's biggest founder lessons and what he'd do differently - Top tier advice from Pitbull aka Mr. Worldwide…. Yes, really. Guest links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-hobbs-258998ab/ Website: https://www.protex.ai/      Check out the other ways SaaStock is helping SaaS founders move their business forward: 

Wallace Wong built Spatula Foods through strategic networking. Discover how he went from Michelin restaurants to 2M+ followers, and learn his breakthrough mindset.For more on Spatula Foods and show notes click here.  Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

In today's episode, we're joined by Keli Callaghan, early team member at Algorand and now partner at Arrington Capital, to break down the biggest trends shaping crypto markets right now. We dig into the $2.8B surge in crypto VC, the rise of ETH as a treasury asset, and the controversial Pump.fun token launch that some say could signal the end of memecoin mania.~~~~~

Bootstrapping vs VC: John Rush on Building 25 Successful Products

After a huge year of growth, Abacum just raised a $60M Series B. In this episode, Co-founder and COO Jorge Lluch joins Alex to discuss how they did it, including: tripling revenue without growing headcount, staying laser-focused on efficiency, and delivering a great product. They discuss: - Abacum's early stages, including the decision to take time and invest heavily in the product early on. - How Jorge's frustrations as a CFO helped shape the Abacum platform. - How they stayed disciplined to balance fast growth and efficiency. - The pillars behind Abacum's GTM motion. - Growing a global company and expanding from Europe into the US. - Life as a co-founder and the true meaning of success. Guest links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgelluch/ Website: https://www.abacum.ai/       Check out the other ways SaaStock is helping SaaS founders move their business forward: 

It seems like we are bombarded by news about millions of dollars pouring into AI startups, which have crazy valuations. In this episode, Chris and Dan dive deep into the highs, lows, and hard choices behind funding an AI startup. They explore early bootstrapping, the transition to venture capital, and what it's like to trade in code commits for investor decks. Featuring:Chris Benson – Website, GitHub, LinkedIn, XDaniel Whitenack – Website, GitHub, XLinks:Builder.ai Collapses: $1.5bn 'AI' Startup Exposed as 'Actually Indians' Pretending to Be BotsSponsors:Miro: Feeling overwhelmed by AI? Miro brings clarity by combining human creativity with intelligent tools to help teams get great work done. Learn more at miro.com.

What does it take for circular and impact-driven startups to raise funding from VCs? In this episode, Charlotte Lafont, Principal at Ring Capital, explains how funds can integrate impact into every stage of the investment process, from evaluating impact intentionality to setting KPIs that are audited and tied to carried interest. Charlotte highlights what circular founders need to demonstrate to attract funding: strong product–market fit, alignment with existing value chains, and the ability to scale beyond niche markets. This episode is part of VC for Circularity - the Venture Capital Perspective on Circular Economy Startups.

Reflecting on 10 years since its launch, the honeypot maker explains why the company did not take on any VC funding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Venture capital funding into Irish SMEs soared to €532.8m in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Irish Venture Capital Association VenturePulse survey published today in association with William Fry. This was a record for a first quarter and represents a year-to-year increase of over 100%. But Mr Gerry Maguire, chairperson, Irish Venture Capital Association said: "It should be noted that over 80% of the total in this quarter was due to deals worth over €10m." He said that the picture for start-ups raising under €3m was less rosy and this may reflect an imbalance in the market. The first quarter excluded the impact of US "Liberation Day" tariffs on 2nd April. Mr Maguire said that anecdotal evidence suggested that the uncertainty and caution caused by this, especially amongst international investors, is likely to show up in following quarters. Sarah-Jane Larkin, director general, IVCA said that funding by international venture capital into Irish companies rose to 82% of the total, compared to 71% in the same quarter last year. "This is a doubled edged sword. While it reflects the high quality and potential of Irish tech firms and demand by overseas investors, it also reflects Ireland Inc's vulnerability to international influences if the tide goes out." Deals in the €30m+ category grew by nearly 90% to €296.8m. Funding in the €10m-€30m range rose by 184% to €132m. Deals between €5m-€10m grew 138% to €43.8m. Funding in the €3-€5m increased 346% to €35m from €7.8m the previous quarter. Deals in the €1m-€3m category fell by 5% to €21.6m. Deals under €1m fell by 42% to €3.6m from €6.2m the previous year. There was also a big fall in the number of deals in this category, down from 21 to six. Seed funding, or first rounds raised by SMEs, marked time, falling by 3% to €39.3m from €40.4m the previous year. The total number of deals in the first quarter was 43, slightly ahead of the same quarter last year (41). Top five deals in the first quarter were lifescience company, Let's get Checked which raised €150m. Cybersecurity firm, Tines raised €115m followed by AI company, Protex AI (€31.8m), drone delivery firm, Manna (€27m) and medical technology manufacturer, Perfuze (€22m). More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Welcome back to Tank Talks! In this episode, host Matt Cohen sits down with John Ruffolo to dissect the latest turbulence in venture capital, political uncertainty, and Canada's looming economic challenges. From shrinking VC deals to a controversial budget delay, this conversation cuts through the noise to reveal what's really happening beneath the headlines.* The steepest drop in Canadian VC deal count since 2020* Seed rounds oversubscribed by U.S. funds, while Series A bars skyrocket* Growth equity freezes as Canadian LPs hunker down* The “denominator effect” myth dies in a two-week market rally* Cabinet curveballs: Tim Hodgson calms resource markets, but policy vacuum lingers* Can Ottawa really cut taxes without a budget vote?* Why investors fear 18 months of fiscal radio silenceVenture Capital in Crisis: Deals Down, Dollars Up (00:00:02)Canada's VC market showed worrying signs in Q1 2025, with just 116 deals - the lowest since 2020 (seed) and 2021 (pre-seed). While total investment held at $1.26B, this was propped up by large late-stage rounds. U.S. investors retreated, forcing startups to rely on shaky domestic funding. AI deals masked deeper weakness - excluding them, the market looked "very, very low." The data reveals growing risk aversion, particularly at early stages, threatening Canada's innovation pipeline as capital becomes increasingly concentrated in fewer, later-stage companies.John's Take: If early-stage funding collapses, innovation dies with it. We're already seeing the warning signs - fewer deals mean fewer future companies getting to Series A and beyond. The government doesn't seem to grasp how critical this pipeline is.Risk Aversion: Canada vs. U.S. (00:02:00)The U.S. market is surging, stocks rally, IPOs soar (eToro jumps 40% on debut), and capital flows despite turbulence. Canada, meanwhile, pulls back as local investors freeze while Americans dive in. The denominator effect fades as rebounding public markets revive LP confidence, unlocking fresh venture funding. Optimism returns, but risks linger beneath the rally's glow. Will momentum hold, or will volatility resurface? For now, the bulls are running, and the world is watching.John's Take: This is classic Canadian risk aversion - we pull back exactly when we should be deploying. In the U.S., they see volatility as an opportunity. Here? We see it as a reason to hide. It's economic self-sabotage.Carney's New Cabinet Sends Mixed Signals (00:11:24)Carney's cabinet shuffle has drawn scrutiny, particularly with controversial picks like Evan Solomon overseeing AI compute. Meanwhile, the budget delay, now pushed to Fall, leaves Canada without a fiscal roadmap for 18 months since the disastrous April 2024 plan. Though the government promises middle-income tax relief, the lack of legislative details fuels skepticism. Is this genuine reform or mere political theater? With uncertainty looming, critics question whether Carney's agenda can deliver.John's Take: Kicking the budget down the road is disrespectful to businesses making investment decisions. You can't claim to be pro-market while operating in a policy vacuum. This isn't governance - it's negligence.Higher Bars, Shifting Tides in Startup Funding (00:06:50)Canadian startups now face tougher Series A requirements, with investors demanding Series B-level metrics like $3M+ revenue. Meanwhile, U.S. capital is pouring into seed rounds, oversubscribing deals as American funds seek early-stage bargains. Yet the later-stage market has frozen, with growth equity drying up amid rising risk aversion. The funding landscape is increasingly polarized, hot at the seed level, brutal for scaling companies. For founders, adaptability is now the ultimate test.John's Take: The U.S. is eating our lunch because they understand something we don't - downturns create winners. While our investors panic, theirs are backing the next generation of companies. We're being outplayed at every turn.The Bottom LineJohn's Final Warning: Canada is at a crossroads. Without urgent policy fixes and a cultural shift toward risk-taking, we'll wake up in five years wondering why all our best companies moved south. The time to act was yesterday.Connect with John Ruffolo on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/joruffoloConnect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com

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After building a successful VC-backed company, Esben Friis-Jensen took a different path — bootstrapping his next SaaS startup to $5M ARR with just a team of 3.In this episode, he shares why he turned down venture funding, how he built an efficient, product-led growth engine, and lessons on scaling smart without sacrificing ownership or speed. (00:00) - Introduction (00:32) - Meet Esben Friis-Jensen (02:30) - The Decision to Bootstrap (06:27) - Product-Led Growth Strategy (11:25) - Competing in a Crowded Market (18:54) - The Role of AI in Business Operations (22:08) - Efficiency and Execution in Small Teams (27:48) - Making Tough Decision (31:17) - Revenue Metrics (32:10) - Speed of Decisions (38:43) - Challenges and Benefits of Founder-Led Companies (40:49) - Joining a Bootstrapped Company  Never miss a new episode, join our newsletter on revenueformula.substack.com

When Jessie Gabriel told me that less than 2% of venture capital funding goes to businesses founded by women, my jaw literally dropped. And that's just the beginning of the equity gap we unpack in this episode.Jessie—founder of the law firm All Places—is on a mission to change that. She works with founders and fund managers to make capital more accessible and equitable, and today she's pulling back the curtain on how money really moves in the entrepreneurial world.We dive deep into what venture capital is, how to know if your business is ready for funding, and the often-ignored topic of gender equity in the VC and private equity world. This episode is eye-opening for any entrepreneur, whether you're service-based, product-based, or just curious about how money moves in this industry.In this episode:What a venture capital fund is—and why it may (or may not) be right for your businessThe reality behind who controls capital in the U.S.Why less than 2% of venture funding goes to women founders—and what that really meansHow to protect ownership of your business even when raising moneyHow Jesse turned grief and encouragement from her community into launching her own firmWhat every entrepreneur can do to help shift inequities in the industryAction Steps for the week:Spend 5 minutes researching a brand you support—learn who owns it and whether it aligns with your values.Have a real conversation with a client or customer to understand your unique value from their perspective.Pick up a business book that's been on your radar and actually read it (or listen to it!) to spark new ideas.Connect with Jessie:Website: https://www.all-places.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisallplaces/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessiegabriel/Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:Steal my Podcast Launch Checklist for free: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/⁠checklist⁠Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EspressoPodcastProductionInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@espressopodproductionMusic: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.comProduced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? Share your thoughts and key takeaways with me on social media using the hashtag #EmployeeToBoss. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network.

In this special mailbag episode of Generative Now, Lightspeed Partner Michael Mignano tackles your questions from X and LinkedIn. He gets into AI's market expansion, startup defensibility, which verticals investors are watching, and how the most interesting new roles are being shaped by AI.  Plus, Michael shares what is exciting about consumer AI products right now.Episode Chapters(00:00) Introduction (00:35) AI Opportunities: New vs. Existing Markets (02:09) Will SaaS TAMs Expand or Contract with AI? (02:59) Creating Defensibility for Consumer AI Startups (05:29) Emerging Roles: Agent Engineers vs. Agent Managers (08:25) Best Verticals for Consumer AI (11:39) What Acquisition Could Fix Apple's AI Lag? (13:19) AI's Potential in Dispute Resolution (14:38) The State of VC Funding in AI Stay in touch:www.lsvp.comX: https://twitter.com/lightspeedvpLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightspeed-venture-partners/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightspeedventurepartners/Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: generativenow.coEmail: generativenow@lsvp.comThe content here does not constitute tax, legal, business or investment advice or an offer to provide such advice, should not be construed as advocating the purchase or sale of any security or investment or a recommendation of any company, and is not an offer, or solicitation of an offer, for the purchase or sale of any security or investment product. For more details please see lsvp.com/legal.

Ernest Garcia is the Co-Founder and CEO @ Carvana. Under Ernie's leadership, Carvana went from a back-of-the-napkin idea to a $50+ billion public company, became the fastest-growing online used car retailer in U.S. history, and landed on the Fortune 500 in under 10 years. However, it was not all up and to the right, in 2022, the stock plummeted 99% to a market cap of just $400M. Today they are back with a market cap of $35BN, that is a 100x in the public markets and selling 400,000 cars sold annually, with a logistics network that rivals Amazon.  In Today's Episode with Ernie Garcia We Discuss:  04:12 Are all great founders just “stubborn egomaniacs”? 06:55 How Carvana Almost Died on Several Occasions 08:46 Is Carvana's Inability to get VC Funding a Sign the VC Model is Broken? 11:58 Operators vs. Strategists: What Hires Can Make or Break a Company? 21:46 Billionaire's Biggest Lessons on Parenting 26:52 Is Life About Happiness or Achieving 32:21 The Reality of Being a Public Company CEO 39:07 Why Companies Should Go Public  43:55 Why You Should Price Your IPO to Perfection with No Pop 50:50 “What I Wish I Had Known About Debt in Building Carvana” 52:32 Quick Fire Round: Favourite CEO, Marriage Advice, Carvana in 10 Years  

Join us as we break down key insights from GDC this year, covering self-publishing, securing a publisher, and navigating VC funding. Whether you're an indie dev or part of a studio, this episode offers practical takeaways to help you make smarter publishing decisions.Learn more abour ClaireLearn more about usJoin the next episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour LIVE every Wednesday at 12pm EST on our Discord channel to answer your own burning questions and be immortalized in the recordings.

Right now the news around GenAI seems scattered, all of the place, and confusing. Let's dig into what's working, what's not, and where some future trends are heading. SHOW: 902SHOW TRANSCRIPT: The Cloudcast #902 TranscriptSHOW VIDEO: https://youtube.com/@TheCloudcastNET CLOUD NEWS OF THE WEEK: http://bit.ly/cloudcast-cnotwCHECK OUT OUR NEW PODCAST: "CLOUDCAST BASICS"SHOW SPONSOR:Try Postman AI Agent Builder Todaypostman.com/podcast/cloudcast/SHOW NOTES:Most AI Investments Will Lose Money as Market Enters ‘Greed' Cycle (Vinod Khasla, VC)My LLM CodeGen workflow (Harper Reed)"Gen AI: Too Much Spend, Too Little Benefit?" (Goldman Sachs) Microsoft cancels leases on Data Centers for AINVIDIA announces Q4 earnings IF YOU'RE CONFUSED ABOUT AI, YOU'RE NOT ALONE. There is a ton of AI out there, but it's not always simpleThere's a ton of AI out there, but it's not always affordableThere's a ton of AI out there, and sometimes it blows our mindThere's a ton of AI out there, and open source is starting to be disruptive (again)There's a ton of AI out there, and people are trying to forecast a future that changing too fastThere's a ton of AI out there, and people are struggling with technology and politics overlapping so muchFEEDBACK?Email: show at the cloudcast dot netTwitter/X: @cloudcastpodBlueSky: @cloudcastpod.bsky.socialInstagram: @cloudcastpodTikTok: @cloudcastpod

** Exploring China's Economic Shift and Data Insights with Robert Wu**Introduction to Robert Wu and His ExpertiseConnect with RobertVisit BigOneLabRead BaiguanRead China TranslatedIn this episode of the Asia Business Podcast, we have an engaging conversation with Robert Wu, a respected figure in the field of economic analysis and business strategy. Robert is known for his insightful writings and is the author of "China Translated," a newsletter that offers a deep dive into China's economic trends and their long-term impacts. He is also the co-editor of Baiguan, which provides data-driven insights into China's business sector, and the CEO of Big One Lab, a data-centric market research company.China's Economic Transition: From Investment to ConsumptionThe episode begins with a discussion on China's economic transition towards boosting domestic consumption. Robert emphasizes a pivotal shift in policy thinking, focusing on the relationship between investment and consumption. Historically, China's economy has been heavily skewed towards investment, leading to impressive infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities. However, this model has reached a tipping point, requiring a rebalancing towards consumption to sustain growth. Robert suggests that while the government recognizes this need, the shift requires long-term structural changes and cannot be achieved overnight.Obstacles to Enhancing Domestic ConsumptionArt and Robert explore the challenges in increasing domestic consumption in China. Contrary to some perceptions, Robert asserts that China's safety nets, including healthcare and education, are relatively robust. However, he highlights issues such as child care expenses and regional disparities that need addressing to encourage consumer spending. Cultural factors also play a role, with older generations tending to save rather than spend. Robert predicts potential policy initiatives, such as birth subsidies, to incentivize higher consumption levels.The State of Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital in ChinaThe conversation shifts to the state of entrepreneurship and venture capital in China. Robert paints a picture of a changing landscape, where U.S. capital, a significant driver of China's VC scene, has withdrawn amidst geopolitical tensions. This retreat has forced local entrepreneurs to adapt, focusing more on sustainable, profitable operations rather than relying on VC funding. Although this environment poses challenges, Robert sees it as an opportunity for businesses to build solid foundations, paving the way for a resurgence in entrepreneurial activity.Government Policies and Economic BalanceArt and Robert delve into the complexities of China's government policies, particularly the balancing act between fiscal stimulus and avoiding moral hazards. Robert provides insights into how the government carefully manages domestic economic policies, recognizing the challenges posed by local government debt and the need to drive consumption. Through careful prioritization and measured interventions, Robert believes China aims to sustain growth while preventing excessive risk-taking by local governments.Navigating Regulatory Environments and Market ReactionsThe episode also touches on China's regulatory environment, where crackdowns on sectors such as online education and FinTech have sparked debates. Robert acknowledges the government's need to manage these industries while also recognizing the importance of considering broader market reactions. By learning from past experiences, the government aims to communicate more effectively and avoid unintended economic consequences.Conclusion: An Objective Look at China's Economic DynamicsIn closing, Robert emphasizes the importance of maintaining an objective perspective when analyzing China's economic dynamics. Despite facing various challenges, the country continues to present significant opportunities for businesses and investors. Through his writings, Robert aims to shed light on the complexities of China's business environment, encouraging a balanced and well-informed discussion. Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:27 Robert Wu's Background and Career Journey05:55 China's Economic Evolution and Policy Shifts14:03 Challenges in Boosting Domestic Consumption19:43 The State of Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship in China27:37 Challenges in VC Funding and Entrepreneurship29:16 VC Funding: A Double-Edged Sword30:21 Government's Fiscal Discipline and Economic Priorities31:05 Balancing Fiscal Stimulus and Moral Hazard35:40 Sector Crackdowns and Policy Implications41:21 Navigating Misinformation and Bias46:38 The Motivation Behind Writing and Sharing Insights51:02 Conclusion and Future Plans ProducerJacob ThomasFollow UsLinkedInApple Podcasts

Wayne Ting is CEO of Lime. The global leader in micromobility, the first to achieve a fully profitable year (2022). Last year, Lime did over $600M in gross bookings, $90M in EBITDA. Their 4-year top-line CAGR is 30%. Before joining Lime, Wayne spent four years at Uber in various roles, including Chief of Staff to CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, and General Manager of Uber's Northern California business. Wayne previously served as a Senior Policy Advisor on the White House's National Economic Council under President Obama.  In Today's Episode with Wayne Ting We Discuss: Is Lime Really a Good Business: How did Wayne turn Lime from losing $3 on every $1 to $90M in EBITDA? What worked? What did not work? What did Lime do that he wishes they had not done? What did they not do that he wishes they had done?  The Moments that Changed Everything: COVID: Lime lost 95% of their revenues overnight. What did Wayne and Lime do to save the business in such a short space of time? Uber Deal: How did the Uber deal led by Uber CEO, Dara, save Lime as a business? Battery Innovation: How did an innovation on the transportability of batteries and replacing them change the entire Lime business? The Dangers of VC Funding and Capital Efficiency: Why does Wayne believe that VC hype cycles are so damaging for companies and sectors? How did the heat around micromobility damage Lime?  What did Wayne and Lime do to increase their capital efficiency so much? What worked? What did not? AMA with the CEO of Lime: What company did Lime not acquire that Wayne wishes they had? How did having a stroke change the way that Wayne leads? Which competitor does Wayne most respect and admire? What were his biggest lessons from working with Dara @ Uber?      

As we start in 2025, we wanted to offer advice on job searching and evaluating roles. The market and the interviewing process have shifted; what do you need to know in 2025 if you seek a new opportunity?SHOW: 887SHOW TRANSCRIPT: The Cloudcast #887 TranscriptSHOW VIDEO: https://youtube.com/@TheCloudcastNETCLOUD NEWS OF THE WEEK: http://bit.ly/cloudcast-cnotwNEW TO CLOUD? CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCAST: "CLOUDCAST BASICS"SHOW NOTES:Considerations when evaluating a startup vs. a more traditional roleRed FlagsConsidering BurnoutHow has the macro environment changed funding and employmentNetworkingKeeping a routineFEEDBACK?Email: show at the cloudcast dot netBluesky: @cloudcastpod.bsky.socialTwitter/X: @cloudcastpodInstagram: @cloudcastpodTikTok: @cloudcastpod

In this episode of the Build Tech Stack Equity Podcast, Eduardo Kupper, the founder of Airborne Ventures, shares his unique professional journey from an Air Force pilot in Brazil to a Wharton MBA graduate and successful venture capitalist. The conversation delves into his diverse experiences in management consulting at McKinsey, tech entrepreneurship through Rocket Internet, and leading a venture capital arm in one of Brazil's biggest banks. Eduardo outlines the challenges and strategies in raising a $5 million fund in Brazil, emphasizing the importance of adding value to others. He discusses the focus of his first fund and plans for raising a $10 million second fund, highlighting the importance of investing in FinTech, healthcare, and B2B companies in Brazil. Eduardo also elaborates on the VC landscape in Brazil, the significance of productivity and efficiency, and the potential for Brazilian startups to compete on a global scale. Finally, Eduardo provides valuable insights for potential LPs and founders on navigating the Brasilian venture capital market.   If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development.     Founder Bio:   Eduardo is a seasoned VC with 17+ years of experience across various industries and sectors, including entrepreneurship, venture capital, management consulting, private equity, and investment banking. Previously, he served as the Head of VC at Bradesco Venture Capital arm, where he successfully managed two funds totaling R$ 800mm of invested capital and R$ 1.7 billion AUM. As an experienced VC investor, he has made 70+ deals across several stages and industries over the last decade, with successful exits, including a +1bi BRL sale and a Nasdaq IPO, and sat on the boards of several companies in different sectors and stages. As an entrepreneur, he founded and co-founded a few companies, including Remessa Online, Finpass, MAR Ventures, and the Wharton Alumni Angels. As an investor with a track record of successful deals, he has made marquee investments in companies including Beep Saúde, D1, Conexa, Jeitto, Asaas, and Skyone. Highly connected and well-networked within the venture capital industry, with close relationships and co-investments with several VC funds, angel investors, and internet & tech startups. He brings a wealth of expertise and strategic guidance and an eye for promising opportunities, helping to identify and invest in promising startups and drive returns for our investors on ESG-compliant/target companies, reflecting his commitment to responsible and sustainable investing.   Time Stamps:   00:49 Eduardo's Unconventional Path to Venture Capital 05:44 Insights on Venture Building and Finding Founders 08:21 Corporate Venture Capital Experience 10:00 Launching Airborne Ventures 14:06 Investment Strategies and Fund Management 17:34 Reflections on Fund Performance 24:08 Navigating Investment Strategies 26:04 Investment Stages and Requirements 28:21 Leading vs. Following in Investments 30:07 Investment Structures in Brasil 34:18 B2B vs. B2C in Brasil 41:08 Challenges and Strategies for B2B Startups 47:15 Looking Ahead to 2025   Resources   Follow Darius Gant LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-darius-gant-cpa-44650aa/ Company Website - www.tesoroai.com   Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4uDVNgsK3iNeu7yU4Inu2n   Subscribe on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/the-darius-gant-show/id1527996104   Company website: https://airborne.ventures/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airborne-ventures  

What are the 7 was to build a successful SaaS without big VC funding? In this episode of the Grow Your B2B SaaS Podcast, host Joran Hofman chats with Greg Head, a veteran in the software industry with over 30 years of experience. Greg has played a key role in the growth of multiple companies in the CRM space, such as Act, SalesLogix, and Infusionsoft. Currently, he advises SaaS founders through his Practical Founders group and hosts the Practical Founder podcast. In this episode, they explore his insights into building a successful SaaS business without the need for big venture capital (VC) funding. This episode is essential for any SaaS founder exploring alternative paths to success. Whether you're bootstrapping or considering alternative funding options, Greg Head's insights are invaluable for building a thriving SaaS business. Key Timestamps (2:56) - Understanding the Practical Founder Approach (3:07) - Building a SaaS Without Big VC Funding (4:23) - Should Founders Aim to Sell Their SaaS? (5:49) - Building a Profitable Software Company (7:07) - Seven Paths to Success for SaaS Founders (13:10) - The Cost of Starting a Software Business (14:08) - Understanding the Value of Strategic Exits (16:45) - The Two-Bite Exit Strategy (19:16) - Private Equity vs. Strategic Exits (23:03) - The Startup Flipper Path (28:29) - Later VC Funding as an Option (36:22) - Advice for Founders at 10K MRR (39:11) - Building a Reliable Go-To-Market Motion

Welcome to our weekly Renewable Energy Briefing! Stay informed on the latest industry trends. Join us for a comprehensive analysis that combines expert commentary with up-to-the-minute news, offering you a strategic overview of the renewable energy market. Don't miss out on the crucial details that can impact your investment decisions. Tune in weekly for your essential dose of Renewable Energy insights! Episode #16 Briefing Highlights: Corporate and VC Funding for the Renewable Energy Sector New Mexico Expanded Community Solar Program Section 48D ITC Guidance Provided PJM Interconnection Reform If you have any questions or comments, please email me at info@reneuenergy.com.

Are you a SaaS founder dreaming of scaling your company from $1 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) to a $100 million exit? Well, you're not alone! In this episode of the Grow Your B2B SaaS Podcast, host Joran Hofman talks with Ryan Allis, the CEO and founder of SaasRise, to explore how to achieve just that. Ryan has a proven track record, having built iContact from zero to $50 million in ARR and selling it for $169 million. Now, through SaasRise, Ryan helps other SaaS founders build their businesses with expert guidance, coaching, and digital ad agency services. If you're looking to take your B2B SaaS business to the next level, this episode is packed with valuable insights to guide you on your journey. Key Timestamps (0:52) - Guest Introduction (1:29) - Should SaaS Founders Aim for an Exit? (2:38) - How to Achieve Nine-Figure Exits (2:41) - Bootstrapping vs. VC Funding (3:32) - The Importance of Bootstrapping (4:19) - Building Revenue Before Seeking Investment (4:39) - Mistakes SaaS Companies Make (5:01) - Effective Ways to Grow a SaaS Business (5:35) - Importance of Outbound Marketing (6:22) - Importance of Community for SaaS Founders (7:24) - Specific Forums for SaaS Growth (7:53) - Introduction to the SaaS Growth System (8:51) - Unit Economics and Customer Value (9:29) - Critical Metrics for SaaS Founders (10:24) - Calculating Customer Lifetime Value (LTV) (11:07) - Determining Target Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) (11:49) - Importance of Paid Customer Acquisition (12:19) - Outbound Reach and Advertising (12:42) - Acquiring Customers Below Target CAC (13:09) - Outbound Marketing Strategies (14:18) - Educating the Market Proactively (14:33) - Creating a Comprehensive Lead List (15:54) - Utilizing Lead Lists for Marketing (16:21) - Creating Matched Audiences for Ads (16:52) - Email Sequences and Brand Omnipresence (17:34) - Transitioning to Warm Email Lists (19:54) - Importance of a Comprehensive Lead List (22:47) - Importance of Market Education (23:28) - Efficient Sales and Marketing Spend (24:12) - Providing Value in Content (24:23) - Creating Content and Distribution (25:09) - Building a SaaS Content Machine (25:39) - Importance of Founder-Led Content Creation (26:07) - Distribution Formats for Content (26:34) - Calculating Content Impressions (27:12) - Content Impressions and Growth (27:37) - Measuring Content Impressions (29:26) - Recap of the Content Strategy (30:17) - Content Creation Process (31:21) - Scaling and Building a Team (32:55) - Key Team Members for Scaling (33:33) - Building a System That Operates Without You (35:36) - Preparing for an Exit (35:47) - Steps for Scaling and Exiting (36:12) - Raising Capital and Timing (37:13) - Risks of Raising Capital Too Soon (38:00) - Building Revenue and Systems Before Raising Capital (38:46) - Guidelines for Series A and B Funding (39:59) - The Path to a Successful SaaS Exit (40:15) - Preparing for an Exit (41:12) - Working with M&A Advisors (42:10) - Professional Investment Banks for Exits (43:08) - Maximizing Exit Value with Investment Banks (43:39) - Benefits of Working with Investment Banks (44:24) - Final Advice for SaaS Founders (44:49) - Starting Out and Growing Initial Revenue (47:14) - Contact Information for Ryan Allis

When Michael Brown was killed in his home state of Missouri in 2014, Morgan DeBaun was dismayed by the poor media coverage of the story. Realizing there was a gap in authentic, real-time coverage of Black issues, she set out in search of venture capital to build a platform for Black voices. To her disappointment, everyone she approached said no. But she found her way to social impact investors who provided the first round of funding she needed to build Blavity, a leading digital media company for Black culture and millennials. In this episode, she shares how she built an influential media empire and offers practical advice on navigating the toughest challenges of founding and leading a company. In this episode, Hala and Morgan will discuss:  - Why hard work is not enough - Being an outsider in Silicon Valley - Bootstrapping vs. raising venture capital  - Finding social impact investors to fund Blavity - Rallying her investors to raise more capital - How diversity can boost your bottom line - Celebrating wins to attract and keep the best talent - Using anonymous feedback to build a stronger team - Learning to lead 200 employees  - Balancing entrepreneurship with personal life - And other topics… Morgan DeBaun is the founder, CEO, and Chairman of Blavity Inc., a company that builds product solutions and media for Black consumers and the enterprises that want to reach them. She launched Blavity in 2014 to address the lack of media representation for Black audiences and has grown it into a multimedia empire that includes brands like Blavity News, AfroTech, Travel Noire, and Shadow & Act. Under her leadership, Blavity reaches over 100 million readers monthly and hosts AfroTech, the largest Black tech conference. Morgan advises top brands on diversity strategies and shares her insights through her podcast The Journey and The Journey Newsletter. Her work and thought leadership have earned her recognition on Forbes' 30 Under 30, America's Top 50 Women in Tech, and The Root 100. Connect with Morgan: Morgan's Website: https://www.morgandebaun.com/  Morgan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgandebaun/  Morgan's Twitter: https://twitter.com/MorganDeBaun  Morgan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgandebaun/  Sponsored By: Teachable - Claim your free month of their Pro paid plan at https://teachable.com/ with code PROFITING Airbnb - Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.com/host Fundrise - Add the Fundrise Flagship Fund to your portfolio in minutes at https://fundrise.com/PROFITING  Mint Mobile - To get a new 3-month premium wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month, go to https://mintmobile.com/profiting  Working Genius - Get 20% off the $25 Working Genius assessment at https://www.workinggenius.com/ with code PROFITING at checkout Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://youngandprofiting.co/shopify    Indeed - Get a $75 job credit at https://indeed.com/profiting    Resources Mentioned: Blavity Website: https://blavity.com/  Morgan's Podcast, The Journey: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-journey-with-morgan-debaun/id1687058364  LinkedIn Secrets Masterclass, Have Job Security For Life: Use code ‘podcast' for 30% off at yapmedia.io/course. Top Tools and Products of the Month: https://youngandprofiting.com/deals/  More About Young and Profiting Download Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com Get Sponsorship Deals - youngandprofiting.com/sponsorships Leave a Review -  ratethispodcast.com/yap Watch Videos - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting   Follow Hala Taha LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ TikTok - tiktok.com/@yapwithhala Twitter - twitter.com/yapwithhala   Learn more about YAP Media's Services - yapmedia.io/

The joy of making new friends as an adult is something nobody tells you about when you're a kid. Mutual friends insisted that Shaheen and I needed to meet. We trusted them, and I was amazed by what an incredible, smart, and fun woman she is. Of course, I was going to keep her! Since then, we've discovered so much alignment in how we think, do business, and what drives us. It's been such a joy to have another powerful woman in my life who's all about leveling up her life and helping other women make lots of money. This woman is the definition of a powerhouse. Don't miss this episode!

How do you convince investors to bet over $100 million on your innovative beverage company? If you're Matt Roberts, you start by making them a great cup of coffee. Matt is the founder of Cometeer Coffee, which markets innovative frozen coffee capsules crafted using premium coffee beans sourced from leading specialty roasters. The single-serve capsules can be used to make hot or cold coffee, and are produced using a proprietary process in which fresh beans are ground, brewed and flash-frozen to preserve flavors and aromas.  Launched in 2015, Cometeer was developed in partnership with coffee industry legend George Howell, who believes that the brand "will do for coffee what the bottle did for wine." He's not alone in his lofty expectations for the Massachusetts-based company, which has raised venture capital funding from coffee and tech heavyweights, including the founder of Keurig Green Mountain, the former president of Nespresso and lead investors in Blue Bottle Coffee, among others. Cometeer has built a thriving direct-to-consumer business and is gradually expanding distribution to brick-and-mortar retailers. The brand is currently available in over 500 stores nationwide including Sprouts, Central Market, New Season, and Gelson's. In the following interview, I spoke with Matt about how he identified the opportunity to disrupt the instant coffee category by delivering a high quality drinking experience, how Cometeer has crafted an effective consumer education strategy and how his constant desire to learn more has helped him become a better leader. Show notes: 0:35: Matt Roberts, Founder & CEO, Cometeer Coffee – Matt chats about growing up and launching Cometeer in Massachusetts, why the company is based in Gloucester and the city's history as “Freezetown USA.” He also talks about the science and process behind Cometeer and why “brew tech” is the company's stock in trade, what he considers to be the company's “moat” and who its' primary competitors are, and gives a brief, but informative, explanation as to how the company captures and preserves coffee at its peak form. He also discusses how scientific validation of the company's processing methods attracted tech and consumer brand investors, why education and trial remains Cometeer's biggest challenge, and its plans to create a mainstream offering. Matt also talks about Cometeer's relationship with roasting partners and coffee farmers, why he's bullish on climate-resistant coffee crops, how “the extended coffee TED talk” and the success of Nespresso have been effective in attracting new investors and how he talks to them about potential M&A deals, and how podcasts (like this one) have been instrumental in his personal education about business and leadership. Brands in this episode: Cometeer Coffee, Blue Bottle, George Howell, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, James Hoffman, Onyx Coffee, Nespresso

Dax Dasilva is the Founder & CEO Lightspeed Commerce, one of the most incredible stories in startups. For 7 years they did not raise outside funding and ran a very profitable business. Ultimately they partnered with Accel and Innovia before going public on the Canadian Stock Exchange with just $70M in ARR. Lightspeed also undertook 9 acquisitions over the course of a four year period to consolidate the global market. Today they have a whopping $900M in ARR but are only valued at $2.6BN. Today we ask the question, is Lightspeed one of the public market's most misunderstood companies? In Today's Episode with Dax Dasilva We Discuss: 1. VC Funding is Distorting SaaS: Why did Dax decide not to raise money for Lightspeed in the early days? Does Dax believe Lightspeed would have been successful had they have raised a seed round like many do today in SaaS? Why does Dax believe venture funding is distorting a generation of SaaS companies today? How does Dax advise founders scaling their business today from $0-$1M in ARR? 2. What Went Wrong: The Founder Returns: Why did Dax feel he had to come back to the role of CEO in 2024? What was not working? What was the single biggest problem that the public markets had with Lightspeed? What were some of the biggest challenges that came with the intense amount of M&A? What would Dax most like to do that the public market will not allow? 3. What Makes a Great Leader: How it Changes: What required skills in leadership change with the changing scale of the company? What skill does Dax have that he is slightly ashamed of but has most contributed to his success? What did Dax not know when he founded Lightspeed that he wishes he had known? What question is Dax never asked that he should be asked more?

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Robert Leshner, and Tarun Chitra explore the latest trends in the crypto world. In this episode, we dive into the impact of celebrity-endorsed memecoins, featuring discussions around Iggy Azalea's 'Mother' token, Waka Flocka Flame's 'Flocka' token, and other celebrities. We debate the broader implications of these phenomena on the crypto market, address criticisms of venture capital's role in crypto, and explore the seasonal nature of crypto trading. Tune in for an in-depth look at how pop culture intersects with cryptocurrency, shaping current market sentiment. Show highlights

When 18-year-old Michael Brown was killed in his home state of Missouri in 2014, Morgan DeBaun was working at a technology company in Silicon Valley. Unhappy with her job and dismayed about the media coverage of the story, she decided to change course. She co-founded Blavity, which became a leading digital media company for Black culture and millennials. Morgan has succeeded despite steep odds to forge an incredibly successful portfolio of companies. In today's episode, she is going to share with us how she built an influential media empire and give us some pointers on how to navigate some of the most challenging parts of founding a company.   Morgan DeBaun is a serial entrepreneur, executive, and corporate advisor. She is the founder, CEO, and Chairman of Blavity Inc., a leading digital media company for Black culture and millennials. Morgan also acts as an advisor to influential global brands and companies including PepsiCo., American Airlines, CES, and other businesses.   In this episode, Hala and Morgan will discuss: - Why hard work is not enough - Being an outsider in Silicon Valley - How to pitch a VC firm - How to enlist your donors for help - The right amount of equity to give away in a startup - Talent acquisition and diversity in the tech space - Advising Pepsi and American Airlines - The virtues of anonymous employee surveys - Balancing entrepreneurship with personal relationships - And other topics…   Morgan DeBaun is a serial entrepreneur, executive, and corporate advisor. She is the founder, CEO and Chairman of Blavity Inc., a leading digital media company for Black culture and millennials. Through her work at Blavity, Morgan has grown the company into a market leader for Black media, reaching millions of readers through a growing brand portfolio that includes: Blavity News, 21Ninety, AfroTech, Travel Noire, Shadow & Act, and Blavity TV. Morgan also acts as an advisor to influential global brands and companies including PepsiCo., American Airlines, CES, and other businesses. She also hosts The Journey podcast, a weekly podcast that delves into the captivating stories of purpose-driven achievers on their quest to live their best lives and has her own newsletter, The Journey Newsletter, which gives advice on building a sustainable and scalable career and life.   Resources Mentioned: Morgan's Website: https://www.morgandebaun.com/ Morgan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgandebaun/ Morgan's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgandebaun Morgan's Twitter: https://twitter.com/MorganDeBaun Morgan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgandebaun/ Morgan's Podcast, The Journey: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-journey-with-morgan-debaun/id1687058364 Morgan's Company, Blavity: https://blavity.com/   LinkedIn Secrets Masterclass, Have Job Security For Life: Use code ‘podcast' for 30% off at yapmedia.io/course.   Sponsored By: Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at youngandprofiting.co/shopify Articulate 360 - Visit articulate.com/360 to start a free 30-day trial of Articulate 360 MasterClass - Right now you can get Two Memberships for the Price of One at youngandprofiting.co/masterclass Nom Nom - Go to youngandprofiting.co/trynomnom for 50% off on your two-week trial  HelloFresh - Go to HelloFresh.com/profitingfree and use code profitingfree for FREE breakfast for life! Help Save Palestinian Lives:  Donate money for eSIM cards for the people of Gaza at https://youngandprofiting.co/DonateWHala   More About Young and Profiting Download Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com  Get Sponsorship Deals - youngandprofiting.com/sponsorships Leave a Review -  ratethispodcast.com/yap Watch Videos - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting   Follow Hala Taha LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ TikTok - tiktok.com/@yapwithhala Twitter - twitter.com/yapwithhala   Learn more about YAP Media Agency Services - yapmedia.io/