Podcasts about Venture capital

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from FUZZEE, Rise Yaupon, Släcka, Lovely Bunch and Nordic Tree Water. In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week's special co-host is Dr. Sebastian Dreher, the Venture Manager - North America for DöhlerGroup. He offers insightful questions, thoughtful feedback, and strategic perspective alongside regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast. Early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for future episodes of Elevator Talk. Participation is free, interviews are conducted remotely, and it's a unique opportunity to pitch your product, share news, and receive expert feedback from industry leaders. Apply now to be featured in an upcoming episode.

Aging is more than disease—it's the steady decline of function. In this episode of Longevity by Design, Dr. Gil Blander speaks with physicist-turned-biotech innovator Dr. Peter Fedichev about why resilience, not diseases, holds the key to longer lives.Peter explains how his background in theoretical physics shaped his approach to biology and aging. He outlines why startups, not large institutions, are now leading innovation in longevity science. Drawing from physics, he describes aging as a series of “jumps” between states, each leaving the body more fragile.The discussion moves from the limits of current drugs to the promise of new approaches. Peter argues that reducing fluctuations and increasing molecular fidelity could unlock far greater gains in healthspan and lifespan. Listeners gain a fresh lens on what drives aging, where the real breakthroughs may come from, and why the next frontier in longevity will require rethinking the problem altogether.  Guest-at-a-Glance

ChatGPT revealed the 1st study on who actually uses it… The power user? High school girls.Shake Shack invented a French Onion Burger… it's the same affordable luxury strategy as Michael Kors.Robinhood is launching a Venture Capital fund for everyone… but the devil's in the deals.Plus, the untold origin story of… The Sony Walkman$SHAK $HOOD $MSFTWant more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… The Sony Walkman

What does it take to reinvent a legacy category for the modern consumer? In this episode, Mike Lombardo, the co-founder of better-for-you iced tea brand Halfday, shares the journey of transforming a college side hustle into a fast-growing challenger brand. Fueled by a mission to improve gut health without sacrificing flavor, Mike and his co-founder set out to reimagine iced tea for today's health-conscious consumer. Mike opens up about the brand's early missteps, and why putting flavor first became a non-negotiable product principle. He also shares how Halfday secured coveted shelf space at Whole Foods, partnered with one of New York City's most influential distributors, and how a last-minute decision to attend BevNET Live led to a major investment that helped propel the business forward. Show notes: 0:25: Interview: Mike Lombardo, Co-Founder, Halfday – Mike explains the origins of the name “Halfday,” how he and his co-founder initially bootstrapped their way into Whole Foods stores and what they learned from in-store demos. He talks about why the original concept wasn't scalable and how the pandemic became a turning point in which they leaned more heavily into the products' functional benefits, low sugar content and flavor, focusing their message on “iced tea for the modern consumer.” Mike emphasizes the importance of patience and iteration, and building the right team with experienced operators. He reflects on the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, including doubts about scalability, the challenges of fundraising, and the importance of trusting the process.  Brands in this episode: Halfday, Three Wishes, Snapple, Olipop, Liquid Death, Bai, C4 Energy

Dr. Stephen Beaton is Co-founder and CEO of Circularity Fuels, which develops compact reactors that turn waste carbon streams into high-value fuels and chemicals. Rather than compete with fossil fuels from the start, Stephen identified high-purity methane for lab-grown diamonds as a beachhead market—where Circularity's product is 80–90% cheaper than incumbents while proving the core technology needed for clean liquid fuels.Stephen earned a chemistry PhD at Oxford and built deep expertise in synthetic fuels during his U.S. Air Force career, including overseeing jet fuel quality control in the Middle East and launching the Air Force's e-fuels program. His insight: build a fuels company that doesn't begin with fuel.Today, Circularity Fuels operates demonstration reactors in diamond facilities and is scaling toward biogas-to-SAF production using the same reactor platform. The company has raised $3M in venture funding, including from DCVC, plus $5M in grants from ARPA-E, NSF, and the California Energy Commission. MCJ is proud to be an investor.Episode recorded on Aug 12, 2025 (Published on Sept 16, 2025)In this episode, we cover: [03:09] Dr. Beaton's background in clean fuels[07:31] His work with Air Force petroleum in the Middle East[10:12] A brief overview of hydrocarbons[13:08] ESAF as resilience for Pacific operations[16:22] What e-SAF really means and why it matters[19:24] Circularity Fuels' origin story[21:20] The company's three principles[23:04] High-purity methane for diamonds as a beachhead[27:46] Recycling diamond exhaust with microwave-sized reactors[30:40] Building a fuel company without fuel as the initial product[34:35] Hardware sales vs metered methane service model[39:05] Biogas-to-SAF pathway via Fischer-Tropsch[42:38] Circularity's progress to date[44:01] Competing with fossil jet and carbon removals[48:41] How Circularity secured non-dilutive funding Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

“I like to think about ESG not only as a risk management tool, but also as an opportunity. I think the, the flip side of risk is opportunity. So if we think that a diverse team is what will bring more innovation, more ideas, more, let's say different ways of looking at needs and products, then this is an opportunity….What about if we think about the way that people consume, what is the carbon footprint that we have?.... And how do you reduce it? Or maybe build technology that helps reduce your impact on the planet, or helps you reduce the amount of AI or cloud usage that you use? So I, I think that looking at ESG as a risk and, and as an opportunity tool is actually very good.” Cecile Blilious on Electric Ladies Podcast   In 2025 so far, 2.3% of venture capital funding went to companies founded by women, 2.3%. So that means 97.7% of the funding went to men. The percents have been in the same range for decades. Seriously. Think of all the innovations that are not getting funded due to this ridiculous bias. What can we do about it? Listen to Cecile Blilious of Venture ESG and European Women in VC explain new financing models that could work to fund more innovative businesses, especially those founded by women – in this enlightening conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson.   You'll hear about: ●        What venture capital really is and how it works. How male and female VCs differ. ●        Insights into ESG investing that address both the risks and the opportunities – reframing both ●        New financing models we need and that they might look like. ●        Plus, career advice, such as:   “I think being clear about your values is very important. Where would you work and where wouldn't you?... Let's focus on one or two that are the most important things that are like showstoppers... Then in mid-career, what I see happen many times with women is that women don't apply to jobs…but if you don't apply, you're not even considered. So my advice would be, look at the next job that you'd like to have in your career path, and if you think that you're 50% qualified for it, apply because you are grow into the role” Cecile Blilious on Electric Ladies Podcast   Read Joan's Forbes articles here.   You'll also like: ·       Unlocking Capital For Women And Climate Solutions – Women Leaders In Finance And Investment, The Earth Day Women's Summit ·       The SEC Climate Risk Disclosure Rules – Tara Giunta, Global Co-Chair of ESG & Sustainable Finance Practice at Paul Hastings law firm ·       Climate as a Geopolitical Security Emergency, with Svitlana Krakovska, Ph.D. and Mirian Villela, head of Earth Charter, a UN-founded organization and the Center for Education for Sustainable Development. ·       The Hidden Power of ESG – with Natalie Jaresko, Managing Director, EY Parthenon, former Finance Minister of Ukraine Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson

Hey CX Nation,In this week's episode of The CXChronicles Podcast #266, we welcomed Adam Coffey, Founding Partner of The Chairman Group based in Dallas, TX.The Chairman Group™ is a consulting firm founded by Adam Coffey.  Adam spent 21 years building 3 national companies for 9 private equity firms.  During his career Adam completed 58 acquisitions and had $2.4 billion in successful exits.  As an author, Adam's books "The Private Equity Playbook" (2019) (2024), "The Exit Strategy Playbook" (2021) and Empire Builder (2023) all became #1 Amazon Best Sellers.His mission today is to help business owners, private equity firms and executives maximize outcomes. In this episode, Adam and Adrian chat through the Four CX Pillars: Team, Tools, Process & Feedback. Plus share some of the ideas that Adam & his team think through on a daily basis to build world class customer experiences.**Episode #266 Highlight Reel:**1. The "Pilot's Philosophy": Know Your Destination 2. Fixing what matters most in any customer experience 3. Focusing on the "high-value" work as a Founder/CEO 4. Avoiding arrogance & mastering the art of delegation 5. Dreamers vs. Does -- stop dreaming & start doing Click here to learn more about Adam CoffeyClick here to learn more about The Chairman GroupHuge thanks to Adam for coming on The CXChronicles Podcast and featuring his work and efforts in pushing the customer experience & private equity space into the future. For Apple & Spotify podcast listener friends, make sure you are following CXC & leave a 5 star review so we can find new members of the "CX Nation". You know what would be even better?Go tell your friends or teammates about CXC's custom content, strategic partner solutions (Hubspot, Intercom, & Freshworks to name a few) & On-Demand services & invite them to join the CX Nation, a community of 15K+ customer focused business leaders!Want to see how your customer experience compares to the world's top-performing customer focused companies? Be one of our Pioneer users of the recently launched CXC Healthzone, an intelligence platform that shares benchmarks & insights for how companies across the world are tackling The Four CX Pillars: Team, Tools, Process & Feedback & how they are building an AI-powered foundation for the future. Thanks to all of you for being apart of the "CX Nation" and helping customer focused business leaders across the world make happiness a habit!Reach Out To CXC Today!Support the showContact CXChronicles Today Tweet us @cxchronicles Check out our Instagram @cxchronicles Click here to checkout the CXC website Email us at info@cxchronicles.com Remember To Make Happiness A Habit!!

This year, $160 billion in remittance payments will be sent from the US to Latin America. $65 billion will be sent from the US to Mexico, the world's largest remittance corridor. Yet, the majority of payments will be sent via brick-and-mortar stores like Western Union or Moneygram. The future of payments is already here, yet most people are queuing in line, paying in cash, taking a photo of their receipt, and sending it to their families on WhatsApp for collection in their home country. If we can send receipts over WhatsApp, why can't we send money too?That same question was the motivation for Félix, an AI-powered chatbot that replicates the trusted agent experience om WhatsApp. It's a user experience made possible by stablecoins.In this episode of Money Trails, presented by Stellar Development Foundation, our user-centric series on global stablecoin adoption, we explore how immigrants send money back home. This episode of Money Trails is sponsored by Rain Cards. In this episode, we're joined by Manuel Godoy - Co-founder & CEO, FelixFarooq Malik - Co-founder & CEO, Rain00:00 - Intro01:06 - Sending money in Jackson Heights03:22 - Félix CEO Manuel Godoy04:54 - How Félix works06:20 - Stablecoin-powered remittance payments08:49 - Spending money in Mexico11:38 - Subscribe!Our Links -

Climate tech companies face a range of structural challenges to securing the mid stage investment needed to scale their solutions. The lack of capital at this stage prevents many viable, potentially transformative technologies from going mainstream and eliminating gigatons of emissions. That's why we've been running a series of episodes on the Missing Middle in Climate Tech in partnership with Spring Lane Capital. If you haven't heard our previous three episodes in this series, check them out at investedinclimate.com, and if you have ideas of other topics that warrant a Deep Dive series please reach out through the contact form on our website. For the fourth episode in our series, I'm joined by Spring Lane Capital Co-Founder and Partner Rob Day who guest hosts the conversation with Blackhorn Ventures Managing Partner Melissa Cheong. On today's episode, we cover:2:23 – Introducing Blackhorn Ventures & Melissa Chong3:31 – Melissa's Path to Venture Capital & Impact Investing8:44 – Surprises & Learnings in Venture Capital10:13 – Overview of Blackhorn Ventures' Investment Focus & Strategy13:55 – Addressing the Missing Middle: Digital vs. Hardware Solutions17:18 – Leveraging Accepted Hardware & Digital Solutions19:09 – The Role of Vertical Data Pools in Construction and Energy21:03 – AI, Utilities, and the Urgency for Digital Solutions25:10 – Building Resilience & Anti-Fragile Mindsets in Climate Tech28:14 – Exploring New Financing Instruments & Insurance32:21 – Portfolio Example: Formic – Robotics as a Service36:37 – Portfolio Example: King Energy – Solar for Multi-Tenant Properties38:55 – Lessons from Community Solar & Smart Billing40:00 – Takeaways: The Evolving Role of Venture Capital in Climate Impact43:24 – Closing RemarksResources MentionedSpring Lane CapitalBlackhorn VenturesFormicKing EnergyConnect with usRob DayMelissa CheongJason RissmanKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedIn

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down the differences in risk, returns, and liquidity across private equity, venture capital, and the S&P 500.

The apps and websites we use every day depend on systems most of us never see.Jay Kreps joins Joubin Mirzadegan to share how Confluent became the ‘central nervous system' for companies like Expedia and eBay, letting them respond to business operations instantly.They also break down why the myth of AI-driven efficiency falls short, and why building truly transformative companies takes far longer than most people expect.​Guest: Jay Kreps, Co-Founder & CEO of ConfluentConnect with JayXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.----------------------------------------In this episode of the Investing in Impact podcast, I sit down with Yigal Kerszenbaum, Managing Partner at JFF Ventures, to explore how a mission driven investment fund partners with a national nonprofit to expand access, skills, and quality jobs for working adults.Yigal shares his immigrant journey and why it fuels his commitment to opportunity creation.The conversation covers the structure that aligns JFF's nonprofit mission with a return driven venture fund, the rise of AI in the workforce, and concrete portfolio examples that move people from learning to earning.Jobs for the Future is a forty year old national nonprofit focused at the intersection of education and work. Its North Star is to help tens of millions of adults transition into quality jobs. The organization has deep on the ground expertise, with hundreds of practitioners working across all fifty states and strong relationships with community colleges, employers, and public agencies.JFF Ventures is the investment arm aligned to that mission. It operates as a traditional venture capital fund with an impact thesis, backing founders who build products that increase economic mobility for adults earning less than fifty thousand dollars per year. The fund invests in pre seed and seed rounds, typically with an initial check near five hundred thousand dollars and reserves for follow on.Key takeawaysJFF is a forty year old nonprofit with deep networks in education and workforce, JFF Ventures is its aligned venture fundThe fund backs products that move adults from learning to earning, with a focus on those earning under fifty thousand dollars per yearPortfolio companies like Pace AI, Manifest, and Major League Hacking show the thesis in actionAI can both disrupt and enable, the opportunity is to use it to widen access, lower training costs, and improve job performanceThe structure shares financial upside with the nonprofit, reinforcing the mission as companies scale ----------------------------------------Investing in Impact is powered by PIF Advisory — a global services firm empowering startups and enterprises with expert guidance, tailored solutions, and measurable results. Whether you're launching your first venture or scaling globally, PIF Advisory delivers full-cycle support across every core function of your business:Bookkeeping, Accounting & Tax Management – Organized, compliant, and transparent financials managed by licensed professionals (CPAs, CFAs, CMAs, and lawyers) to drive smarter decision-making.Growth & Marketing – Data-driven strategies across branding, web, advertising, CRM, and sales enablement—all optimized for measurable ROI.Outsourced CFO – Flexible financial leadership covering cash flow, forecasting, and strategic planning.Entity Management – Stay compliant and ready for scale with expert corporate governance and compliance support.Operations, HR & Admin – Streamlined infrastructure to boost team efficiency and keep your business running smoothly.IT & Security – Safeguard your data and operations with best-in-class infrastructure, compliance, and protection.Technology Consulting – Build the right tech stack with expert support across NetSuite, QuickBooks, Avalara, and more.Management Consulting – Unlock growth with industry-specific advisory services focused on metrics, operations, and scalability.As a sister company to PIF Capital Management, they also offer clients direct insights into venture capital and access to a global investor network—ranging from individuals to sovereign wealth funds.

In this eye-opening episode of the Paisa Vaisa podcast, host Anupam Gupta sits down with the legendary Roopa Kudva, former MD of Crisil and author of Leadership Beyond the Playbook. Roopa shares her extraordinary journey from growing up in Assam and Meghalaya with almost no exposure to the business world to becoming a veteran business leader and a formidable force in Indian finance. She provides a rare, honest look at what it was like to be a CEO during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis and how she navigated its challenges. This conversation is packed with invaluable insights for everyone, from young professionals considering the "100-hour work week" to seasoned founders seeking to build long-term value. Roopa also discusses her transition into impact investing and reveals the most common blind spots she sees in startups. From a small town to the boardroom: Roopa Kudva's journey to becoming a finance pioneer. The woman who built Crisil: How she led the company to grow its revenue and market cap by multiples. Surviving the GFC: Roopa reveals the crucial lessons she learned about trust and prudence during the 2008 financial crisis. From CEO to startup investor: Why she made the bold leap into tech and impact investing. Startup advice from a veteran: Roopa shares the biggest blind spots founders and investors need to watch for. Work-life integration, not balance: Her powerful take on building a career that gives you meaning. Inside the boardroom: The truth about what makes an effective board and independent director. Her leadership playbook: An introduction to her book and its practical guide to crafting your own career path. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down the differences in risk, returns, and liquidity across private equity, venture capital, and the S&P 500.

Join hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris in a deep dive into the evolving world of AI, autonomy, and the future of transportation with Gabe Klein, former leader of the U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, and Alexei Andreev, co-founder and managing director at AutoTech Ventures. Gabe brings a wealth of experience from public policy and urban mobility design, while Alexei offers a sharp lens on deep tech investments in autonomous vehicle technology and infrastructure.This episode untangles the complex challenges of achieving full vehicle autonomy, exploring why true self-driving cars remain an elusive goal over a decade after initial excitement. Gabe and Alexei discuss the intricacies of safety definitions, the need for technology that surpasses human driving, and the mathematical challenges posed by unpredictable real-world driving environments.Listeners will gain insights into the current state of autonomous vehicle deployment, including the technological debates over sensor suites like LiDAR versus vision-only systems, and the critical role of liability, insurance, and public perception in shaping adoption. The conversation also highlights promising investment opportunities beyond passenger vehicles—such as off-road agricultural autonomy, logistics automation, and critical supporting infrastructure like vehicle servicing, recharging, and fleet management.With a thoughtful look at cultural differences in safety expectations and the interplay of technology and public policy, this episode is essential for investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the future landscape of mobility and the challenges and opportunities it presents.Follow the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturecapitalfm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcpodcastfmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venturecapitalfm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g&nd=1&dlsi=7b868f1b72094351Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789Website: https://www.venturecapital.fm/Follow Jon BradshawLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshawFollow Peter HarrisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudentInstagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpeteYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@peterharris2812

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent Apple iPhone launch event, highlighting the innovations in the iPhone Air and Apple's semiconductor strategy. They delve into Synopsys's disappointing earnings report and the subsequent market reactions, as well as Broadcom's position in the semiconductor landscape. The conversation also covers Nvidia's new CPX system and the implications for the market, concluding with a discussion on the funding of the AI boom and the financial strategies of major players like Oracle and OpenAI.

Most founders obsess over products. Jensen Huang built a $3 trillion company by obsessing over inevitabilities. This episode unpacks The NVIDIA Way by Tae Kim—the definitive account of how NVIDIA went from near-death startup to the world's most valuable chipmaker. More than a history, it's a manual for founders and VCs navigating the messy, high-stakes stretch between Series A and IPO. But this isn't just about NVIDIA. It's about you—if you're scaling in deep tech, where survival depends less on genius inventions and more on how you engineer resilience, culture, and urgency into your system. I walk you through 7 scaling lessons that matter now—from why pain is a founder's greatest teacher to how vision and culture become moats no competitor can copy. Each principle is grounded in NVIDIA's story, translated into today's market reality, and wrapped with coaching prompts you can act on this week. Key Takeaways: Pain Builds Resilience: Intelligence helps, but scars compound faster.Reputation Is Currency: Your first product isn't a chip or an app—it's trust.Defy the Innovator's Dilemma: Don't chase quarters—build inevitabilities.Lead with Context: Replace bottlenecks with clarity and extreme ownership.Sell the Vision: Markets follow narratives, not features.Culture Outruns Capital: Execution habits compound longer than cash.Urgency Wins: Complacency kills more companies than competition.Timestamps: (00:00) Why This Episode Matters (02:18) The Big Idea of The NVIDIA Way by Tae Kim (04:36) Who is Tae Kim? (08:15) Lesson #1: Pain and Suffering Are the Recipe for Greatness (12:35) Lesson #2: Your Reputation Is Your Currency (17:05) Lesson #3: The Innovator's Dilemma Will Come for You (21:45) Lesson #4: Lead With Context, Not Control (25:18) Lesson #5: Don't Just Sell the Product—Sell the Vision (30:00) Lesson #6: Culture Outruns Capital—and the Competition (34:32) Lesson #7: Build Urgency Into the System (38:30) Key Takeaways—3x Reading + 25 Years in Public Markets, VC, and Scaling Deep Tech (41:24) Reflection Why Listen:Learn how NVIDIA survived near-death and built inevitabilities that defined AI.Get 7 leadership and culture principles designed for Series A–IPO scale-ups.See how to evaluate companies not by products, but by the systems that endure.Upgrade your founder or investor lens with actionable coaching questions.Found this valuable? Like, share, and follow. Every signal grows the show—and helps bring you more playbooks from the world's most resilient companies.  

Tips from trailblazing brands, strategies to captivate venture capitalists, the explosive growth of the RTD coffee category and much more. This packed episode features highlights from Taste Radio's Chicago meetup and an in-depth look at Nutrabolt's $200 million investment in Bloom Nutrition. The hosts also dive into the next wave of coffee innovation and examine whether energy or indulgence is driving consumer demand. Show notes: 0:25: DO Buy? Ninety Seconds. ‘Bolt & Bloom. A Tost. Coffee Talk. No Pistachio? – The hosts revisit Taste Radio's Chicago meetup and preview upcoming events in San Diego and San Francisco, reminding listeners how easy it is to register. The conversation turns to Nutrabolt's increased investment in Bloom Nutrition and how smaller, fast-growing brands are leveraging relationships with “mini-strategics” rather than selling to giants like PepsiCo or Coca-Cola. They also spotlight non-alcoholic sparkling wine alternative Tost and its recent funding round, before discussing the evolving RTD coffee market and the challenges of standing out in a highly customizable and saturated category. John and Mike highlight Oat Haus' “Dubai Chocolate” granola butter and Jacqui praises Narra's ube vanilla oat milk latte. 27:53: Interviews from Taste Radio's Chicago Meetup – We kick things off with Chomps co-founder and CEO Rashid Ali, who reveals how a $6,500 investment grew into a meat snack empire through smart e-commerce and a customer-first mindset. He's followed by Ingredion's Adams Berzins, who explores the future of sugar reduction and Mollye Santilli of Springdale Ventures, who talks about the investment firm's emphasis on funding culturally resonant, community-driven brands. Brian Rosen of InvestBev detailed his $500M fund's strategic approach to scaling beverage companies, and Hoste Cocktails' Jordan Tepper shared how his premium cocktail brand pivoted during the pandemic. We wrap with SoRSE's Michael Flemings, who explains how brands can navigate the complex cannabis beverage space with a commitment to safety and education. Brands in this episode: Chomps, Hoste Cocktails, C4, Bloom Nutrition, Alani Nu, Celsius, Peet's Coffee, Stumptown Coffee, Intelligentsia, Tost, Laurel's Coffee, Wandering Bear, Chamberlain Coffee, Nguyen Coffee Supply, Rise Brewing Co., Starbucks, Throne Sport Coffee, Happy Coffee, RIP Cold Brew, Beekeeper Coffee, Projo, OatHaus, Narra, Funkytown Brewing, Goodles, Vitaminwater, Bai, Poppi, Begyle Brewing, Spiteful Brewing, Lucky Energy, Apologue, JuneShine, Siempre Tequila, Cann, Nomadica

Martin Böhringer, Gründer von Staffbase, spricht über seinen Weg vom gescheiterten ersten Startup zum erfolgreichen Unternehmen. Er teilt, warum sein erstes Startup trotz Venture Capital scheiterte, wie er daraus die richtigen Learnings zog und wie er mit Staffbase von Anfang an alles anders machte. Was du lernst: Wie du aus Fehlern die richtigen Learnings ziehst Die Balance zwischen Vision und Realität Warum Kundenprobleme wichtiger als Technologie sind Wie du große Enterprise-Kunden richtig managst ALLES ZU UNICORN BAKERY: https://zez.am/unicornbakery  Mehr zu Martin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinboehringer/  Website: https://staffbase.com/  Join our Founder Tactics Newsletter: 2x die Woche bekommst du die Taktiken der besten Gründer der Welt direkt ins Postfach: https://www.tactics.unicornbakery.de/ 

Dustin Lacey is the CTO at Mark-Taylor, the leading developer, owner, and investment manager of luxury multifamily communities in Arizona and Nevada, with over 135 Class A Multifamily properties. He leads the firm's tech evolution, powering the centralization of operations. Under his leadership, Mark‑Taylor has implemented innovative smart‑home integrations, centralized leasing and maintenance teams, and deployed unified resident platforms that enhance efficiency and elevate the resident experience. With a diverse background in irrigation, industrial manufacturing, and brand and marketing strategy, Dustin brings his unique experience into high-tech manufacturing from his tenure at TSMC, where he honed his skills in precision, process excellence, and product innovation.(01:36) - From Brand Strategy to Tech Leadership: Building Digital DNA in Real Estate(02:12) - Enterprise Proptech Success Story: Scaling a Multifamily Management Platform(05:16) - Class A Portfolio Strategy: Maximizing Asset Performance Through Tech(06:50) - Tech Stack Evolution: From AWS Integration to Custom CRM Development(10:29) - ROI Deep Dive: Making the Business Case for Custom Proptech Solutions(15:53) - Tech-Enabled Operations: Achieving Sub-2-Hour Response Times at Scale(20:12) - Feature: Blueprint - The Future of Real Estate - Register for 2025: Friends of Tangent receive $300 off the All Access pass. The Premier Event for Industry Executives, Real Estate & Construction Tech Startups and VC's, at The Venetian, Las Vegas on Sep. 16th-18th, 2025. (21:22) - Go-to-Market Excellence: Standing Out in the Competitive Proptech Landscape(31:41) - Risk Management Innovation: Tech Solutions for Modern Property Operations(38:30) - Founder's Playbook: Key Insights for Proptech Startups Targeting Enterprise Clients

In this episode of Tank Talks, host Matt Cohen sits down with Nikunj Kothari, Partner at FPV Ventures, to explore his journey from product leader at LinkedIn, Opendoor, and Meter to early-stage investor. Nikunj shares candid insights on why the best companies thrive under benevolent dictatorships, how AI is reshaping SaaS pricing models, and what makes founders truly exceptional.From his early years growing up in India to becoming one of the most thoughtful voices in venture, Nikunj opens up about his decision to leave operating roles, his angel investing beginnings, and his transition to VC at storied firm Khosla Ventures before joining FPV. He also dives deep into evaluating founders, navigating hypergrowth, and why outcome-based pricing may define the next decade of SaaS.Whether you're a founder looking to scale, an investor trying to spot the next breakout company, or simply curious about how AI is rewriting business models, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons and bold ideas.A Quick Word from our Sponsor, FaskenAt Fasken, our clients don't wait for the future. They build it. As the first and largest dedicated emerging tech practice in Canada, our team is composed of founders, ex in-house counsel, developers and business advisors who have guided clients from startup, to scale-up, to exit. The trust of our clients has enabled us to consistently rank at the top of every major Canadian M&A, Capital Markets and Venture Capital league table. With deep industry knowledge and experience across all areas of emerging and high growth technology including ClimateTech, MedTech, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, and AgTech we're your partners within the innovation ecosystem as you transform the landscape of what's possible.Tomorrow starts here. Own it with us.For more information, visit fasken.com/emergingtech and follow us on LinkedIn.From India to Silicon Valley: Nikunj's Early Journey (00:08:21)How his blend of engineering, design, and business led him to product management at LinkedIn and startups.Learning From Hypergrowth at LinkedIn and Opendoor (00:011:23)Why talent density and ambitious missions drive scaling organizations.The Investor's Lens: Spotting Latitude in Founders (00:013:32)Nikunj's framework for evaluating founder vision and depth at the earliest stages.Why the Best Companies Are Benevolent Dictatorships (00:015:39)How companies like Shopify and Coinbase thrive under strong, opinionated leaders.The Tension for Non-Founders in Dictatorship Environments (00:21:09)Nikunj's personal lessons as a PM executing a founder's vision.The Pivot to Investing: From Angel Checks to Khosla Ventures (00:23:26)Why he left operating roles, and what he had to unlearn as he became a VC.Joining FPV Ventures and Betting on Founder POVs (00:27:18)How FPV approaches concentrated early-stage investing with diligence and conviction.Gross Margins, Kingmaking, and the VC Trap (00:32:09)Why focusing on revenue quality matters more than chasing top-line growth.AI and the Future of SaaS Pricing Models (00:39:31)How outcome-based and usage-based pricing will disrupt per-seat SaaS models.Navigating Enterprise AI Adoption (00:44:22)The role of champions in enterprise sales and lessons from scar tissue in early adoption.Competing in Crowded Markets: The Series A Challenge (00:47:31)Why exceptional founders and market depth matter more than being first.Hot Takes: Solo Founders in the AI Era and the Future of IPOs (00:54:24)Nikunj's contrarian views on solo founders and whether Canva will go public.About Nikunj KothariNikunj Kothari is a Partner at FPV Ventures, where he focuses on early-stage investments with a founder-first approach. Previously, he was a product leader at LinkedIn, Opendoor, and Meter, where he helped scale hypergrowth startups and navigate tough product challenges. Nikunj began angel investing while at Opendoor and later joined Khosla Ventures, before moving to FPV to pursue concentrated, high-conviction seed and Series A investments. Known for his sharp writing on venture and product strategy, Nikunj has become a leading voice on topics ranging from benevolent dictatorships to the future of SaaS pricing.Connect with Nikunj Kothari on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikunjkVisit the FPV Ventures website: https://fpvventures.com/Connect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com

What happens when you stop chasing returns and start investing in purpose?Ron Diamond, Founder and Chairman of Diamond Wealth, believes the future of finance isn't just about building wealth—it's about what that wealth can do. As a trusted advisor to over 100 family offices ranging from $250 million to $30 billion, Ron has spent more than two decades helping ultra-wealthy families align their capital with causes that matter.In this episode, Ron shares how the collapse of Drexel Burnham shaped his perspective on loyalty, legacy, and leadership—and why “patient capital” is poised to disrupt the short-termism of private equity. We explore how purpose-driven investing is solving real-world challenges, from cancer to climate, and what it takes to build sustainable family office infrastructure in an era of unprecedented generational wealth transfer.And the timing couldn't be more relevant: family offices are no longer niche players. The number of single-family offices has surged 31% since 2019, with projections reaching over 10,700 globally by 2030. As trillions of dollars transition to the next generation, Ron offers a front-row seat to the values, strategies, and systems needed to steward that wealth wisely.Ron is also the Founder, Host, and CEO of Family Office World Media, and helped establish the Family Office Program for TIGER 21, where he chairs a national peer group. He lectures at Oxford, Stanford, Harvard, and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and was recently appointed Editor-in-Chief of The National Law Review's first Family Office newsletter. A LinkedIn Top Voice, TEDx speaker, and former hedge fund founder, Ron began his career on Wall Street at Bear Stearns and Drexel Burnham.Key TakeawaysPeople Over Companies: Ron's experience during Drexel's collapse taught him that relationships—not institutions—are what endure.Patient Capital Is a Game-Changer: Family offices can think in decades, not quarters, offering strategic advantage over traditional funds.Purpose Before Profit: Legacy and social impact must anchor investment decisions.Professionalization Is Essential: Governance, infrastructure, and talent are what turn capital into capability.The Ego Barrier: Great wealth doesn't guarantee great management—humility is crucial for longevity.Five Core Principles from Ron Diamond1. Guiding North Star: Profit with PurposeAnchor investments in something bigger than financial return—personal mission, legacy, or societal impact. → Tip: Define your North Star early and align capital accordingly.2. Trust & Relationships FirstBack character over credentials. Trust and personal integrity build more resilient partnerships than models or metrics. → Tip: Focus on people, not pitch decks.3. Patient, Long-Term CapitalThink in decades, not exit cycles. Family offices can outperform by holding steady and avoiding short-termism. → Tip: Let compounding do the heavy lifting.4. Professionalizing Family OfficesFamily offices must evolve beyond legacy systems—invest in governance, talent, and infrastructure like any top-tier fund. → Tip: Treat talent as a profit center, not a cost.5. Entrepreneurial PhilanthropyDeploy strategic, venture-style capital into social challenges. Purpose and profit can—and should—coexist. → Tip: Apply the same rigor to social impact as you do to your investments.Episode Highlights00:00 – Episode...

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Lara Banks, Managing Director at Makena Capital Management. Lara shares her journey from real assets to venture capital and offers an inside look at Makena's approach to manager selection, portfolio construction, and the evolving role of LPs. The discussion also covers the endowment model, the impact of AI and market shifts on venture and private equity, and the growing importance of grit, adaptability, and unique value for emerging managers. Listeners will gain insights into current challenges like illiquidity, the rise of secondaries, and the need for cross-pollination between venture and PE, as well as practical advice for building durable firms and navigating today's dynamic investment landscape. Don't miss this great conversation!Highlights from this week's conversation include:Lara's Career Path and Origin Story (1:14)Overview of Makena Capital Management (4:04)Changes in Venture Strategy and Market Dynamics (6:06)Investable Building Blocks Explained (9:14)Challenges for Allocators in Today's Market (10:18)Goals for 2025 and Manager Selection (16:02)Advice for Managers Navigating Market Cycles (22:36)What Makes a Great Growth Equity Manager (26:16)Cross-Pollination Between PE and Venture (28:16)Opportunities in Underfunded Founders and Growth Equity (31:34)How Emerging Managers Can Stand Out (34:02)Final Thoughts and Takeaways (36:51)Makena Capital is a ~$22B endowment-style investment firm founded in 2005 by alumni of the Stanford Management Company. Located on Sand Hill Road, Makena partners with world-class managers across asset classes with a legacy of early and ongoing investment in venture capital. Learn more at www.makenacap.com.Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a division of First Citizens Bank, is the bank of the world's most innovative companies and investors. SVB provides commercial and private banking to individuals and companies in the technology, life science and healthcare, private equity, venture capital and premium wine industries. SVB operates in centers of innovation throughout the United States, serving the unique needs of its dynamic clients with deep sector expertise, insights and connections. SVB's parent company, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCNCA), is a top 20 U.S. financial institution with more than $200 billion in assets. First Citizens Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at svb.com.Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

"We took a longer time, there was a bit of roundabout, but the fact that we actually made like two or three times on whatever investment amount we did in the beginning - that for me was a very pivotal moment. Just because we didn't give up. The line between success and failure is so thin. So the impact of being a VC space is that you really can influence the technology founders that you back." - Beatrice Lion Fresh out of the studio, Beatrice Lion, the chief executive officer and global partner from True Global Ventures, shares the remarkable story of how she became one of the youngest fund managers and the backstory to secure Singapore's Capital Markets Service license from MAS equivalent to Sequoia & Andreessen Horowitz's RIA licence in the US. Beatrice begins with her unconventional career journey from university straight into venture capital in 2017 and details TGV's investment thesis of backing only tested serial entrepreneurs across AI and blockchain applications. Beatrice offers her perspectives on the convergence of AI and crypto, the evolution of stablecoins as crypto's killer app, corporate treasury strategies such as Michael Saylor's Strategy with Bitcoin and Ethereum Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs), and why TGV maintains their performance-focused philosophy of keeping fund sizes at $100-200 million rather than chasing larger management fees. Last but not least, Beatrice shares what great would look like for TGV in the future. Episode Highlights: [00:00] Quote of the Day by Beatrice Lyon [01:00] Introduction: Beatrice Lyon, CEO of True Global Ventures [04:27] Supporting portfolio companies through business development [05:03] Successful turnaround story and investment recovery [08:30] How she take the CEO role as operational glue among partners [11:25] MAS approval process for Capital Markets Licence (CMS) [13:00] TGV fund structure: four, five, six overview [14:55] Investment thesis: AI and blockchain applications globally [16:01] Focus on serial entrepreneurs, not first-timers [17:39] CMS license removes 20% constraint limitations [20:54] The rationale behind applying for broad licenses [26:57] Secondary market opportunities and liquidation preferences [30:18] Blockchain landscape evolving toward financial applications [34:49] Private stock tokenization and where it is heading [38:27] Stablecoin as killer app for crypto [39:09] AI agents settling payments with stablecoins [42:25] Different regulatory approaches across jurisdictions [43:36] Corporate crypto treasury strategies beyond Bitcoin, Ethereum DATs and Solana [48:35] 80-20 rule for portfolio company treasuries [50:37] Four-year crypto cycles may be extending [54:31] What does great look like for TGV [59:09] Closing Profile: Beatrice Lion, Chief Executive Officer and General Partner, True Global Ventures: https://www.tgv4plus.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatricelion/ Podcast Information: Bernard Leong hosts and produces the show. The proper credits for the intro and end music are "Energetic Sports Drive." G. Thomas Craig mixed and edited the episode in both video and audio format. Here are the links to watch or listen to our podcast: Analyse Asia Main Site: https://analyse.asia Analyse Asia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kkRwzRZa4JCICr2vm0vGl Analyse Asia Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/analyse-asia-with-bernard-leong/id914868245 Analyse Asia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/analyse-asia/ Analyse Asia X (formerly known as Twitter): https://twitter.com/analyseasia Sign Up for Our This Week in Asia Newsletter: https://www.analyse.asia/#/portal/signup Subscribe Newsletter on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7149559878934540288

In this sharp and strategy-packed episode of That Will Nevr Work, Maurice Chism sits down with startup advisor and pitch deck expert Garrett Dailey to break down the elements of a successful pitch deck—and why most founders get it wrong.Garrett shares what investors are really looking for, the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make in their presentations, and how to distill your message into a story that sells. Whether you're raising your first round or just trying to get your idea across clearly, this episode offers clarity, structure, and expert-level advice you can apply today.

When Oscar-nominated actor William H. Macy joined Woody Creek Distillers, it wasn't a Hollywood deal – it was a neighborhood one.  Living just down the road from the founders in Woody Creek, Colorado, Bill – known for starring roles in the hit TV series “Shameless” and iconic films “Fargo” and “Boogie Nights” – became a true partner in the craft distillery, not just its face. Now, he's helping build a spirits brand rooted in authenticity, local sourcing, and uncompromising quality – all while writing songs about it and leading surprise ukulele performances at distributor events. In this episode, Bill and award-winning bartender and spirits educator Sean Kenyon discuss how Woody Creek evolved from a small-town operation into a nationally respected brand, all while staying true to its roots: crafting world-class spirits at accessible prices. Show notes: 0:25: Interview: Willam H. Macy & Sean Kenyon, Woody Creek Distillers – Ray opens the conversation by asking Bill about his collaboration with musician John Oates, before the actor shifts to recounting how his involvement with Woody Creek Distillers first began. He reflects on the early days of the partnership, including writing and performing ukulele songs inspired by the distillery during the pandemic and how it became a unique way to build stronger relationships with distributors and customers. Sean shares how he was initially drawn to Woody Creek vodka by its commitment to local sourcing and its accessible pricing. He contrasts the company sharply with other celebrity-backed spirit brands, praising Woody Creek for its authenticity and integrity. Both Bill and Sean emphasize the importance of education and storytelling in their work and discuss how Woody Creek sets itself apart via a welcoming, unpretentious approach. They also highlight some of the most surprising and rewarding aspects of their relationship with the brand and praise its emphasis on connection, community and craftsmanship. Brands in this episode: Woody Creek Distillers

In this episode of Clover, I'm joined by Camille Ricketts, now a partner at XYZ Venture Capital and formerly a marketing leader at Tesla, First Round Capital, and Notion.Camille's career journey has been anything but linear—starting as a journalist at The Wall Street Journal, moving into communications at Tesla, where she worked directly with Elon Musk, then pioneering content marketing with First Round Review, and later scaling community-led growth at Notion. Today, she brings that breadth of experience to her work in venture capital, helping founders and startups thrive.We cover:What it's like to pivot when the path you've been working toward isn't the right fit.Lessons from building Tesla's early communications team and learning from Elon's leadership style.How Camille created the First Round Review, one of the most influential startup content platforms.What it takes to scale community and user-led storytelling at Notion.Why understanding which “stage” of company you thrive in is essential to building your career.How Camille defines success today—by helping others rise and giving credit away.Camille's story is a reminder that careers aren't ladders—they're winding, evolving journeys built on curiosity, adaptability, and purpose.Related links or mentions within the episode:Communities / Resources:Play Bigger: How Pirates, Dreamers, and Innovators Create and Dominate Markets (book)'Give Away Your Legos' and Other Commandments for Scaling Startups (article)Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead (book)Social Media / Links:Twitter/X: @CamilleRickettsLinkedIn: Camille Ricketts

In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains goes deep with Juan Betancourt, CEO of Humantelligence and creator of the AI-powered Ask Aura coach. Juan shares his fascinating transition from leading major corporations like P&G and Siebel Systems to scaling a tech startup aimed at transforming HR and team collaboration. We dive into the challenges of selling into the HR tech space, how leveraging psychometrics with AI can radically improve engagement, retention, and teamwork, and what it really takes to transition from executive to founder. Juan also reveals hard-earned lessons from multiple pivots, what makes Ask Aura unique, and how every organization—and founder—can prepare for the AI-powered future of work.Key Takeaways00:00 AI-Driven Talent Management Solutions05:04 Seamless, Multilingual, Voice-Activated Insights07:49 Revolutionizing Leadership Efficiency Tools12:31 "Prescriptive Action Replaces Reports"15:31 Lessons Learned from Corporate to Startup16:41 Venture Capital and Startup Realities20:23 Startup's Code Impresses Potential Buyer24:59 "TalentFit: Analyzing Workforce Performance"28:54 Marketing Failure Due to Misaligned Strategy31:36 AI Tool Implementation Challenges34:11 Ensuring Effective Employee Training39:02 "Unique AI: Personalized Coaching"42:05 AI's Future Impact on JobsTweetable Quotes"Who doesn't want to know how to get along better with that jerk who busts their balls every meeting?" — Juan Betancourt"The more you can democratize leadership insights company-wide, the bigger your edge." — Jeff Mains"Technology finally caught up—with AI in workflow, what used to be a $20,000 executive coach is now a $2/month subscription for everyone." — Juan Betancourt"We reduced turnover by 30%. That's the kind of impact that's only possible when psychometrics meet workflow." — Juan Betancourt"Even if you build the right thing, you'll lose if you try to outspend competitors on marketing instead of solving a pain the market understands." — Juan Betancourt"If you only see a blank screen, you're missing the real adoption battle—every user needs use cases, not just features." — Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership LessonsLean Into People Development:Scaling isn't just about products—it's about the quality of leadership and ongoing development. Invest in understanding and empowering your teams.Prioritize Actionable Insights:Make sure that psychometric or engagement data is not just collected—but used daily, in the flow of work, for real impact.Adopt Founder-Led Sales Early:In the beginning, rely on your network and credibility. First deals rarely happen because of the product alone.Pivot Relentlessly, But Learn Each Time:Don't be afraid to kill what's not working. Each failed pivot, portal, or product iteration paves the way to something better.Foster Ownership Over Perfection:Empower your “Bad News Bears” team: grit and ownership beat waiting for rare A+ players. Innovation comes from belief, not just brilliance.Make Product Value Obvious and Accessible:Users need clear use cases and context. Interface design and onboarding should start with “What do you want to accomplish today?”Guest ResourcesJuan BetancourtEmail: juan@humantelligence.com or...

How do you go from a cultural icon like the yellow wristbands to building AI products?  Livestrong's CEO Suzanne Stone argues that the through line is a focus on survivorship, the life you live from diagnosis onward. This is the leap from story to community to software and back again.Highlights01:34 Mission: Survivorship Over Cures06:18 The Wristband as Community Signal12:39 Fertility Program and Real Cost of Cancer14:34 Copycats and What Persists 25:20 From Guidebook to Ellis, a Trusted Closed-Loop AI38:56 Guardrails, Swim Lanes, and Safety51:35 Revenue Engines and Scaling01:02:40 What's Next Austin? Guest BioSuzanne Stone is a Texas Christian University graduate and Louisiana native whose career began in television, earning a regional Emmy Award for her work in Dallas. In 1998, she transitioned from producing television to teaching it in the nonprofit sector, leading public access television initiatives in Naperville, Illinois, and later in upstate New York.Beyond media, Suzanne spent four years as Head Coach of a New York Community college women's basketball team while simultaneously managing a local TV station. Her passion for impact-driven work led her back to Texas, where she has since dedicated her career to leading nonprofit organizations across the state, including Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Children's Miracle Network, Lake Travis Education Foundation, and Susan G. Komen Greater Central and East Texas.In 2019, she joined Livestrong to spearhead its mission initiatives, and in November 2023, she was named President & CEO. Today, she leads the organization in its commitment to ensuring that anyone affected by cancer has the resources and support they need to live the highest quality of life possible, regardless of the diagnosis.Guest LinksSuzanne Stone: LinkedInLivestrong: Website, X, Ellis, Livestrong Challenge 2025 -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

In this episode, my guest is Timothy Rann, Managing Partner of Mercy Corps Ventures. He leads what is likely the only venture capital fund in the world to have emerged from within a humanitarian NGO. When the fund was first created, Mercy Corps itself was a $600 million-a-year organization working in more than 40 conflict and climate-stressed countries.After years of building businesses in fragile markets such as Cambodia, Vietnam, and Afghanistan, he and his wife moved to Jakarta, where he was recruited to help launch what became Mercy Corps Ventures. The original idea was to create “the equivalent of Google X inside a nonprofit.”But that venture-building model proved too expensive. Tim and his team pivoted and convinced the board to let them invest directly in startups serving the Global South.From those beginnings, Mercy Corps Ventures has scaled into a family of four funds with more than 60 portfolio companies across Africa, Latin America, and Asia.Their first fund was evergreen, seeded by family offices and corporates, later joined by institutions like USAID and Proparco. It's already produced a unicorn and multiple exits.The second fund, now aiming for $50 million, focuses on climate adaptation and resilience.The third fund is the Venture Lab. It puts small grants behind frontier ideas – everything from anticipatory cash transfers to glacier restoration.And the fourth is a Web3 fund. Its purpose is simple: to test whether decentralized finance can lower costs and expand access in emerging markets. Mercy Corps Ventures has what they call a resilient future thesis. The idea is to back startups that help communities in emerging markets adapt to climate change and recover faster from shocks.Their thesis is built around three verticals:adaptive agriculture and food systemsinclusive fintechclimate-smart technologiesInstead of waiting years for perfect research to act on, they put capital to work now. They test what works and learn along the way. As Tim puts it, “We need to take as much impact risk as commercial risk within the realm”.It's this willingness to test, fail, and adapt that's helped MCV move from an experiment inside a nonprofit to one of the most innovative impact investors in the Global South today.In this interview, Tim talks about what it takes to back founders in fragile markets, why impact investing sometimes means taking risks no one else will, and why boring products like factoring can unlock climate resilience.Tune in to hear more about his remarkable journey.—About the SRI 360° Podcast: The SRI 360° Podcast is focused exclusively on sustainable & responsible investing. In each episode, I interview a world-class investor who is an accomplished practitioner from all asset classes.—Connect with SRI360°:Sign up for the free weekly email updateVisit the SRI360° PODCASTVisit the SRI360° WEBSITEFollow SRI360° on XFollow SRI360° on FACEBOOK—Additional Resources:

Venture capital funding into Irish SMEs in the second quarter fell to its lowest level in ten years, according to the Irish Venture Capital Association VenturePulse survey published today in association with William Fry. Funding plummeted to €112.6m, from €494m in the same quarter last year. This is the lowest figure the IVCA has recorded since the second quarter in 2015. As a result, funding in the first half of the year fell by 14% to €645.5m from €752.7m the previous year. "The fall off would have been worse if not for a record first quarter 2025, which saw an increase of over 100% to €532.8m compared to the same period last year," commented Caroline Gaynor, chairperson, Irish Venture Capital Association. She added that the quarterly result was largely explained by an 81% pullback by international investors, which invested €69.5m in the quarter, compared to €375.3m the previous year, a shortfall of over €305m. "This is a timely warning sign for Ireland and highlights the need for us to stand on our own feet in terms of funding and backing for our brightest and best indigenous start-ups, instead of depending on volatile international support," she said. Sarah-Jane Larkin, director general, IVCA, said that bearish international sentiment was reflected in quarter two deal sizes. "There was only one deal (Nomupay) in the 30m+ category, compared to five last year. Funding fell by 88% to €37m from €300.3m." There was also only one deal in the €10 10m+ category (Kota), down from six rounds last year. Funding fell by 87% to €12.4m from over €100m. "There was a falloff in all deal sizes, with the exception of those under €1m," added Sarah-Jane Larkin. "Seed funding, or first rounds by SMEs, fell by over a half to €25.5m." She added, "The IVCA applauds the recent DETE report, which found that 'there is a need for future government intervention to improve the supply of scaling finance'. This new data emphasises the urgency of the situation. "In an increasingly isolationist global economic market, it is more important than ever that we are not dependent on international capital or sentiment and have the capacity to fund our own indigenous winners." The life sciences sector with €255.3m (40%) led the way in funding for the half year, followed by cybersecurity (18%); fintech (14%); software (9%); and AI & machine learning (8%).

In this exciting episode, host Tyler Chisholm welcomes Rosa Twyman—regulatory lawyer, energy strategist, and one of Alberta's sharpest legal minds on the realities behind Canada's climate and energy ambitions. Rosa pulls back the curtain on:How Alberta's deregulated electricity market shapes what's possible—and what's riskyWhy legal certainty is make-or-break for innovation in renewables and carbon captureWhat investors, founders, and regulators are getting wrong about policy timelinesThe urgent need for systems-level thinking in climate law and energy governanceIf you work in cleantech, finance, infrastructure, or policy, Rosa's insights will change how you think about Canada's path to net zero.This episode is brought to you by clearmotive marketing. When it comes to marketing that truly matters to your business, clearmotive is your go-to partner. With a proven track record of more than 15 years, they understand what makes your business tick. Learn more at https://www.clearmotive.ca and discover how clearmotive can help your marketing thrive.We're on social media! Follow us for episodes you might have missed and key insights on Western Canada directly on your feeds.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collisionsyycLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/collisions-yycYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@collisionsyycWebsite: https://www.collisionsyyc.com Thank you for tuning into Collisions YYC!Remember to subscribe and follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode.If you loved the episode, please leave us a 5-star review and share the show with your friends! These things really help us reach more potential fans and share everything that's amazing about Western Canada.We sincerely appreciate your support of our local podcast.Host links:Tyler's website: https://www.tylerchisholm.com Tyler's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerchisholmGuest links: Rosa Twyman's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosa-twyman-12a2513aRegulatory Law Chambers' Website: https://www.regulatorylawchambers.caRegulatory Law Chambers' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/regulatory-law-chambers/Collisions YYC is a Tyler Chisholm original production // Brought to you by clearmotive marketing

Can a no-code giant reinvent itself in the AI-native era?This week on Grit, Airtable CEO Howie Liu shares what it means to “refound” a company, how speed comes from tearing up old playbooks, and why conversational AI is reshaping his product—and his company.Guest: Howie Liu, Co-Founder & CEO of AirtableChapters:00:00 Intro01:04 First startup & YC04:06 Salesforce acqui-hire07:31 Life-changing exit at 2211:07 Scaling too fast, layoffs14:04 Sparks vs. coasting growth19:33 Two years to launch24:04 Could AI Build It Faster?27:06 Vibe coding & AI startups36:47 Everyone can build software41:08 Refounding Airtable with AI51:04 Sprint vs. marathon58:15 Cap tables & control01:03:29 Always be hiring01:05:00 What grit meansLinks:Connect with HowieXLinkedInConnect with AirtableWebsite: airtable.comXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

Join us for an insightful conversation with Taylor Brandt, a Partner at Headline, where we dive into the world of venture capital and B2B software. Taylor specializes in vertical SaaS, B2B marketplaces, and commerce infrastructure as a Partner in Headline's In this episode, we explore Taylor's unique perspective, shaped by her background in marketing and analytics engineering: We cover key topics for founders and aspiring VCs, including: Fundraising Misconceptions: What is a common mistake founders make when pitching to VCs, especially regarding their focus on senior partners? Founder Traits: What underrated qualities does Taylor look for in strong founders of B2B companies? Breaking into VC: Taylor shares her advice for those without a “traditional” resume and reveals her own path into the industry. Assessing Risk: How does she evaluate the adoption risk of investing in infrastructure and logistics companies? The Future of Tech: We get Taylor's take on the next big opportunities in vertical SaaS and B2B marketplaces, and what signals she's tracking. AI Adoption: A discussion on how AI is being adopted in businesses, particularly when it doesn't require a change in existing processes. Athlete & Founder Mindset: Exploring the correlation Taylor sees between being an athlete and a successful founder or VC. Disclaimer: The views expressed on this podcast are for informational purposes only and not financial or legal advice. Consult with a professional for your specific situation. The views expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. Connect with Taylor Brandt: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-brandt-89415250/ Headline Website: https://headline.com/ #VentureCapital #FounderAdvice #TechInvesting #SaaSTech #StartupFunding #VC

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

Ben and Jay unpack why Broadcom's “fourth customer” (~$10B) custom-ASIC win reset sentiment even after a modest beat/raise, and how that squares with hyperscalers second-sourcing away from NVIDIA in the near term. They frame the true battleground as networking—Ethernet's ubiquity vs. NVLink's tight integration—then differentiate GPUs' performance-per-watt advantages from custom ASIC cost calculus, arguing that “lumpiness” (program outcomes) is not “cyclicality” (inventory swings). They stress TAM realism: it's easy to total up CapEx, but the ROI numerator (revenue/profit) is still unknowable. Structurally, TSMC remains the default winner, with a plausible Intel Foundry financing path in the wings, while Google looks more likely to “sell capacity” for TPUs than chips. Net: GPUs keep the bulk of spend through 2030 even as select first-party silicon scales, and the market should judge claims against networking choices and workload fit—not headlines.

In this thought-provoking episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris take listeners deep inside the complex financial structures that define modern venture capital. The conversation centers around a critical observation in today's industry: most VC funds can now be classified as either "2% funds", large, brand-name firms prioritizing substantial management fees, or "20% funds", smaller, more performance-driven firms focused on carry and outsized returns.Peter breaks down the economic incentives behind each type, explaining how mega-funds like Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia generate enormous management fees just by virtue of their size, while smaller funds must make riskier bets and actively chase exceptional outcomes to realize significant profits. The hosts explore the growing divide between these two models and discuss the challenges founders face in choosing the right VC partner.Jon and Peter debate the strategic trade-offs from a founder's perspective, including:The real benefits (and drawbacks) of working with large, brand-name funds versus smaller, scrappier onesHow the structure of a fund influences VC motivation, founder support, and board involvementThe evolving role of secondary markets, liquidity, and exit strategies for early-stage investorsHow asset manager dynamics and the influx of institutional capital driven by endowments and sovereign wealth funds are reshaping the VC landscapeThey also touch on trends like later-stage company scaling, the boom in private market investments, and the rise of secondary sales as an alternative to waiting for an IPO. Throughout the discussion, Jon and Peter offer candid insights and personal anecdotes, revealing the sometimes unseen incentives that drive behavior in venture capital.This episode is essential listening for founders weighing their funding options, as well as anyone curious about the changing face of the venture capital ecosystem.Follow the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturecapitalfm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcpodcastfmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venturecapitalfm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g&nd=1&dlsi=7b868f1b72094351Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789Website: https://www.venturecapital.fm/Follow Jon BradshawLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshawFollow Peter HarrisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudentInstagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpeteYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@peterharris2812

Is non-consensus investing overrated—or the secret to venture returns?a16z General Partner Erik Torenberg is joined by Martín Casado (General Partner, a16z) and Leo Polovets (General Partner, Humba Ventures) to unpack the debate that lit up venture Twitter/X: should founders and VCs chase consensus, or run from it?They explore what “consensus” really means in practice, how market efficiency shapes venture outcomes, why most companies fail from indigestion, not starvation, and the risks founders face when they're too far outside consensus. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction 01:04 Defining Consensus and Market Efficiency06:30 The Role of Hot Rounds and Market Signals10:25 Founder Perspective: Risks of Non-Consensus13:19 Investor Perspective: Indigestion vs. Starvation18:28 Market Cycles & Sector Hype23:55 The Evolution of Venture Market Efficiency26:29 Case Studies & Personal Anecdotes33:02 Fund Size, Ownership, and the Impact on Strategy51:40 The Future of Venture: Multi-Stage vs. Seed Funds Resources: Find Leo on X: https://x.com/lpolovetsFind Martin on X: https://x.com/martin_casado Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16zFind a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

Michael is a recognized corporate leader who built two successful financial technology companies, which collectively report on more than $6 trillion of assets. Michael's previous ventures have helped millions of Americans meet their financial goals and asset protection needs. Michael is a financial thought leader who holds two patents for his innovations in financial technology. Both of these inventions help financial institutions and advisors better understand and manage client portfolios. Michael is a graduate of Stanford University, where he combined his love of finance and technology to earn an undergraduate degree in Economics and a Master's degree in Management Science and Engineering. While at Stanford, Michael helped manage the Charles R. Blyth Fund, a student-run investment portfolio that invests a portion of Stanford University's nearly $37 billion endowment. Michael has deep expertise in alternative investments, including experience as a Partner at Andreessen-Horowitz, a leading Venture Capital firm that manages more than $42 billion, and a General Partner at ACG, a real estate firm responsible for more than $2 billion of developed properties.   Let's Talk Now    In this episode, Karen and Michael discuss: Success Story of Michael  Commit to Get Leads Spend at least 20-25% of your budget on different things to see what works. Consult to Sell Sophisticated portfolios will be tailored to the person while maintaining many sources of diversification. Connect to Build and Grow Check your metrics regularly, every day if you can. Quarterly or even monthly doesn't allow you to pivot when needed in the moment.  Success Thinking, Activities, and Vision Block out the noise and focus on what matters most. Sweet Spot of Success   "This is a phenomenal time to be investing in real estate and take some contrarian positions."- Michael Paulus   Connect with Michael Paulus: Website: https://encoreinvestment.com/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pcm-encore/   About the Podcast Join host Karen Briscoe each month to learn how you can achieve success at a higher level by investing just 5 minutes a day! Tune in to hear powerful, inspirational success stories and expert insights from entrepreneurs, business owners, industry leaders, and real estate agents that will transform your business and life. Karen shares a-ha moments that have shaped her career and discusses key concepts from her book Real Estate Success in 5 Minutes a Day: Secrets of a Top Agent Revealed. Here's to your success in business and in life!   Connect with Karen Briscoe: Facebook: 5MinuteSuccess Website: 5MinuteSuccess.com Email: Karen@5MinuteSuccess.com   5 Minute Success Links  Learn more about Karen's book, Real Estate Success in 5 Minutes a Day Karen also recommends Moira Lethbridge's book "Savvy Woman in 5 Minutes a Day" Subscribe to the 5 Minute Success Podcast   Spread the love and share the secrets of 5 Minute Success with your friends and colleagues!   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

From college campuses to cannabis aisles, this episode explores how emerging CPG brands are carving out space in crowded categories. The hosts unpack Better Sour's rapid retail expansion – including an exclusive Sprouts flavor and placement on United Airlines – while also spotlighting Toom's strategic refresh that helped turn a niche garlic dip into a national brand. Plus, the challenges of adaptogen overload, and how design influences consumer trust. Show notes: 0:15: Joe Who? Better Breakfast. Too(m) Good. Old Gold? Stock & Shot. Review & Win. – Jacqui's unfamiliarity with football legend Joe Montana sparks lighthearted banter about generational divides and the pitfalls of marketing to “old men.” While Mike is understandably deflated by the moment, he and Ray quickly pivot to recap a recent breakfast with the co-founders of Better Sour, a better-for-you gummy brand. The brand has secured new retail placements at Boston University, Total Wine, United Airlines, and is gearing up to launch an exclusive tart cherry flavor at Sprouts. The hosts also shine a spotlight on Toom, a garlic dip brand led by founder Matt Joyce, and commend his deliberate, slow-growth strategy. Later in the episode, the conversation turns to the relevance of endorsements from athletes of past eras and whether they still hold sway with today's consumers. The hosts also sample a range of new THC and functional beverages from brands including Woodstock, Tonik, and Golden Root. Ray gives a special shoutout to Elephant Green Chili Chutney, a zesty new condiment featured on Taste Radio's Elevator Talk series. The episode wraps with a call for listeners to review the podcast, sweetened with the promise of free T-shirts in return. Brands in this episode: Better Sour, Poppi, Toom, Yaza, Gold Bar Distillery, Spindrift, Woodstock, Golden Root, Tonik, Elephant Green Chutney

Liz Hart is President of Leasing for Newmark's operating businesses in the U.S. and Canada, where she drives the strategy of the firm's leasing platform, leads talent development and recruitment, and helps integrate technology to deliver better outcomes for clients. She also serves on Newmark's Executive Committee, reporting directly to CEO Barry Gosin. With more than 20 years at Newmark, Liz has completed close to 35M square feet of transactions valued at over $4.2 billion. She has consistently ranked among the firm's top producers and was a regular Top Five Producer in Newmark's San Francisco office. Her experience spans advising technology companies from startups to Fortune 50 giants, repositioning large-scale developments that have reshaped skylines, and leading Newmark's Technology & Innovation Practice Group to help landlords and tenants in the TAMI/TMT sectors create spaces that attract and retain talent.(01:16) - State of the Office Market: Shrinking Supply & Turning Point(05:05) - How to Approach Office Leasing in 2025(13:45) - Talent, Culture & Competitive Advantage(15:49) - Data-Driven Leasing & Advisory: Automation vs. Augmentation(18:07) - Feature: CREtech - Join CREtech New York 2025 on Oct 21-22 for the largest Real Estate Meetings program. Qualified Real Estate pros get free full event pass plus up to $800 in travel and hotel costs.(19:39) - Brand Building in Commercial Real Estate(24:32) - Flex Space vs. Traditional Leasing (27:00) - End-to-End Platform: Evolving the Leasing Function(29:02) - In-House vs. Outsourcing Tech & Data(29:41) - Data Sharing & Antitrust: The RealPage Settlement(31:31) - Collaboration Superpower: Steve Jobs

What if the path to building a lasting company isn't about explosive growth and quick exits? Dave Whorton, former venture capitalist, challenges Silicon Valley's "get big fast or die" mentality in this eye-opening conversation. After witnessing the Netscape IPO transform startup culture forever, Dave discovered an alternative approach: evergreen companies built for profitability, purpose, and generational endurance. From his experience at Hewlett Packard to founding the Tugboat Institute, Dave shares why some of today's most successful businesses—from See's Candies to Enterprise Rent-A-Car—chose patience over pressure. His book "Another Way" reveals the seven principles that create companies designed to last decades, not just reach the next funding round.---Guy Kawasaki is on a mission to make you remarkable. His Remarkable People podcast features interviews with remarkable people such as Jane Goodall, Marc Benioff, Woz, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Bob Cialdini. Every episode will make you more remarkable.With his decades of experience in Silicon Valley as a Venture Capitalist and advisor to the top entrepreneurs in the world, Guy's questions come from a place of curiosity and passion for technology, start-ups, entrepreneurship, and marketing. If you love society and culture, documentaries, and business podcasts, take a second to follow Remarkable People.Listeners of the Remarkable People podcast will learn from some of the most successful people in the world with practical tips and inspiring stories that will help you be more remarkable.Episodes of Remarkable People organized by topic: https://bit.ly/rptopologyListen to Remarkable People here: **https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/guy-kawasakis-remarkable-people/id1483081827**Like this show? Please leave us a review -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!Thank you for your support; it helps the show!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Juicybite, Send Bars, Date Smarter, Keya's Snacks and Elephant Green Chili Chutney. In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week's special co-host is Ken Collis, the founder and CEO of TLK Fusion. He offers insightful questions, thoughtful feedback, and strategic perspective alongside regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast. Early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for future episodes of Elevator Talk. Participation is free, interviews are conducted remotely, and it's a unique opportunity to pitch your product, share news, and receive expert feedback from industry leaders. Apply now to be featured in an upcoming episode.

What happens when you take the discipline of an Oxford-trained surgeon and apply it to crypto? You get Nic Roberts-Huntley, founder of Concrete and Glow, two of the fastest-growing DeFi protocols.In this episode, Nic and Charlie dive deep into the frameworks, philosophies, and practical decisions that turn ideas into billion-dollar realities. From early mornings at 4:30 AM to late-night calls across continents, Nic's journey shows how rigor, kindness, and a surgeon's precision can reshape digital finance.

How did Clio Snacks evolve from a homemade Greek yogurt bar created in a New Jersey garage into a national brand generating $90 million in annual sales? In this episode, company CEO John McGuckin shares the strategic blueprint behind the brand's explosive growth, from prototype to distribution in nearly every major grocery and mass retail chain across the U.S. On location at Clio's 80,000-square-foot facility in New Jersey, John dives into how the brand is riding the wave of health-conscious snacking trends. He discusses the complexities of managing a vertically integrated business, where Clio controls both manufacturing and marketing, and how that structure has been key to their agility and innovation. John also highlights the critical role of transparency and emotional investment from Clio's board in driving the brand's remarkable rise. Show notes: 0:25: Interview: John McGuckin, CEO, Clio Snacks – Ray details a behind-the-scenes tour of the Clio bar production process, highlighting its proprietary methods and high-quality ingredients. John shares how Clio evolved from founder Sergey Kowsky's homemade snack for his kids, inspired by traditional Eastern European cheesecake bars. He discusses Clio's growth – $90 million expected for 2025, from $28 million four years ago - is fueled by widespread consumer loyalty, strong repeat purchases, expanded distribution, including a jump from 250 to 1,200 Target stores. He emphasizes the importance of consistent manufacturing, supported by a vertically integrated model and a highly experienced leadership team and how the brand leverages sales and operations planning (SNOP) to manage demand forecasting. John highlights a HelloFresh campaign that distributed 500,000 bars and talks about how innovation remains central to Clio's strategy, with plans to reintroduce its parfait line, enhance protein content, and explore kid-friendly options. John also credits Clio's board, which includes early supporter and investor John Bush, with enabling the company's agility, transparency, and long-term vision.  Brands in this episode: Clio Snacks, Perfect Snacks

Esther Wildenberg is committed to empowering women while leaving a sustainable legacy today and for the next generation. She's Co-Founder and President of Codebreaker Technologies, a world leader in personality coding. She's also the author of The Undermined Soul, a book dedicated to help women step into their power in business sharing the lessons she learned along the way. By the age of 33, she was the CEO of a consulting company in Europe, leading a team of over 800 employees. From there, she held multiple C-Suite Executive Leadership positions while building her own consulting and coaching company in the Netherlands. With over two decades of international experience, she understands culture, diversity, inclusion, and the power of team like no other. Her passion? People. Her mission? To equip and empower people to manifest their own greatness in business and in life. 

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

Bhaskar Ghosh, Partner at 8VC, reflects on his journey from Calcutta to Silicon Valley, spanning influential roles at Oracle, Yahoo, LinkedIn, and NerdWallet before moving into venture capital. Now a leader at 8VC, BG introduces his “geometry framework” (persona, product, budget) for enterprise startups, shares insights on the opportunities in generative AI and data infrastructure, and talks about why managing uncertainty is the core skill in zero-to-one journeys. He also emphasizes intentional networking, the long-term nature of venture relationships, and his deep passion for music through his support for Ragas Live.In this episode, you'll learn:[01:56] BG's early journey from Calcutta to Silicon Valley and his career in academia, Yahoo, Oracle, LinkedIn, and NerdWallet[06:10] Why he calls himself a “secondhand entrepreneur” and what excites him most about venture capital[11:22] 8VC's focus areas and why incubation is core to the firm's strategy[14:05] The “geometry framework” for evaluating enterprise startups: persona, product, budget[19:30] Where BG sees opportunity in generative AI: orchestration, knowledge graphs, semantic layers, observability[25:12] Why networking must be intentional and based on service, not transactions[28:34] BG's advice to founders on standing out and building authentic investor relationshipsThe non-profit Bhaskar is passionate about:  SACSA (Society for Arts and Culture of South Asia)About Bhaskar GhoshBhaskar Ghosh (BG) is a Partner at 8VC, where he leads investments in enterprise software, AI, data infrastructure, fintech, and healthcare, while incubating multiple startups. Previously, he held senior roles at Oracle and Yahoo, was the founding head of data infrastructure at LinkedIn, and served as CTO at NerdWallet, helping scale it to IPO. BG holds a PhD in Computer Science from Yale and is passionate about helping founders navigate zero-to-one journeys. Outside venture, he is deeply engaged in Indian classical music and supports community initiatives like Ragas Live.About 8VC8VC is a venture capital firm with approximately $7B in assets under management, investing in transformative technologies across enterprise software, AI, healthcare, logistics, fintech, and defense. With offices in Austin and San Francisco, 8VC partners with early-stage founders and also dedicates significant capital to incubation—building new companies alongside entrepreneurs. Its mission is to back ambitious founders solving global problems with scalable, science-driven solutions. 8VC's portfolio includes category-defining startups that are shaping industries and tackling global challenges, including DataHub, Yugabyte, LightBeam, Tezi, OpenGov, Nile, AI21 Labs, AMP, Bedrock Robotics, 180° Insurance, Cambium, Candid Health among others.Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

For Bill McDermott, work has never been just a job.On this Labor Day rerun of Grit, first published Jan 9, 2023, the ServiceNow CEO reflects on what he learned from his earliest jobs and how he carried those lessons from a deli counter in Long Island to the boardroom of an $80B software company.We cover:Why Bill bought a deli when he was in high school — and how he competed against 7-Eleven (04:00)Interviewing at Xerox and wanting it more than anyone else (08:17)Unwavering optimism and being a source of strength for others (12:34)How a love of work has shaped Bill as a person (16:44)Facing challenges and keeping a promise to his father (22:00)Enjoying the present and keeping an eye on the future (30:01)Leaving Xerox for Gartner and learning from a tough experience (33:29)Sloan Kettering and Father Michael Judge (39:22)Following the “original dream” vs. building something new at ServiceNow (44:59)Losing an eye and getting a pep talk from two Medal of Honor winners (51:15)Why Bill started and ended his book with quotes from two Kennedys (01:01:21)Connect with BillXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

Venture capital has powered companies like Facebook and TikTok—but what if that same urgency fueled America's defense and industrial base? Katherine Boyle, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz and cofounder of the firm's American Dynamism practice, argues this is the biggest business opportunity of our time.In this conversation from The Shawn Ryan Show, Boyle discusses the rise of defense tech startups, why optimism drives her work, and how a new generation of engineers and founders is rethinking innovation and patriotism in America. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction 0:41 Patriotism, Optimism, and American Innovation4:27 Startups vs. Legacy Primes in Defense10:08 Venture Capital's Unique Incentives17:21 Katherine's Backstory: Family & Upbringing21:07 The Decline of Community & Family Pillars23:23 Polarization, Religion, and Social Fabric26:16 America's Birth Rate Crisis29:46 Cultural Shifts and the Family Structure42:01 Katherine's Path: Journalism to Venture Capital1:06:06 Breaking into Silicon Valley1:18:06 Investing in Defense: The Anduril Story1:37:37 The American Dynamism Movement2:04:27 Manufacturing, Space, and the Future of Defense2:14:06 Espionage, China, and National Security2:37:38 The Attack on the American Family2:48:29 Cultural Change, Suffering, and Purpose2:55:30 Closing Thoughts Resources: Find Katherine on X: https://x.com/KTmBoyleShawn Ryan Show Links YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkoujZQZatbqy4KGcgjpVxQ/joinListen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shawn-ryan-show/id1492492083Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5eodRZd3qR9VT1ip1wI7xQ?si=7abec4d61c324b24 Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16zFind a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.