POPULARITY
Categories
"The answer to every problem is a model."Parag Agrawal shares the ideas behind Parallel: products that continuously learn, and teams designed around versatile problem solvers.He also shares why he built an AI agent for himself, anyd why AI's biggest opportunity is expanding what people can achieve.Guest: Parag Agrawal, founder and CEO of Parallel, and former CEO of TwitterConnect with ParagXLinkedInConnect with MamoonXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comFollow Grit on: LinkedInXLearn more about Kleiner Perkins
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
When Andrew Blackmon couldn't find a rental tuxedo that actually fit, he didn't just start a company—he rebuilt the entire formalwear supply chain from scratch, turning a strip-mall industry into a nine-figure business with seven flagship stores and showrooms in more than 40 Nordstrom locations. For more on The Black Tux and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.
In this episode, Ben and Jay analyze the latest developments in the semiconductor industry, focusing on TSMC, ASML, Air, and the broader market implications of AI and chip manufacturing advancements. They explore how these trends impact supply chains, CapEx, and future growth prospects.Key Topics:TSMC's CapEx increase and demand signalsASML's capacity expansion and high NA EUV technologyAir's role in semiconductor testing and optical advancementsMarket sentiment and investor rotation in semiconductorsThe impact of AI on chip demand and manufacturing
(0:00) About the Boardroom Governance Summit (Aug 26-27, 2026) (1:17) Intro (2:45) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel. (3:31) Start of interview. (4:39) AI and Governance Today (5:34) Data Center Politics (reference to moratorium by New York State) (6:48) About the 3rd Rome Conference on AI, Ethics and Governance (9:06) AI Hype and Job Fears (14:45) Birth and focus of The Chairs Circle and Limerick Lane Cellars. (22:53) CEO Succession Lessons (30:58) Founders versus Boards (37:04) EVs and China's Rise (44:58) Semiconductors, Chips and Geopolitics (49:03) Boards in a Fractured World "[W]e now need to have engaged board members, board members who are curious, who read, who stay up to speed on things, who keep asking more questions. You cannot have directors who are just calling it in anymore." (53:31) Government as Shareholder Karen Francis DeGolia is a board member at Vontier, CelLink, and NAUTO. Penny Herscher is a board member at Lumentum, Penguin Solutions, Forvia SA, and Modern Health. You can follow Evan on social media at:X: @evanepsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epsteinevan/ Substack: https://evanepstein.substack.com/__To support this podcast you can join as a subscriber of the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at https://evanepstein.substack.com/__Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License
This week, Candace and Frank are back, diving into a summer that's hot in more ways than one—with quantum breakthroughs, climate conversations, and tech trends heating up worldwide. The duo unpacks the latest global developments in quantum computing, including the U.S. government's renewed commitment, developments in Canada, Europe, and Israel, and Microsoft's milestone in qubit lifetime. They examine the growing intersection of quantum with AI, data centers, and national security, plus the evolving landscape of data infrastructure and the societal impacts of new technology. From venture capital shifts and startup culture to quantum's role in drug discovery and cyber defense, this episode connects the dots between today's tech headlines and the world of tomorrow. Whether you're quantum curious or a seasoned pro, get ready for insightful discussion, international updates, and a look at how quantum is shaping our future.Time Stamps00:00 Portable air conditioning basics03:59 New job at ClearML announcement08:51 AI's Role in Upcoming Elections09:53 High power line concerns13:24 Data centers in Loudoun County18:36 Microsoft's quantum computing breakthrough20:19 Viral movie clip memes24:36 Venture Capital's Role in Tech26:35 Explaining data potential with chess analogy30:38 Tech impact on global stability35:49 Quantum podcast and cosmic connections
“From zero to $3M ARR. One founder. One laptop. No office. No fluff.” Diese Linkedin-Selbstbeschreibung hat mich hellhörig gemacht. Denn dahinter steckt der Seriengründer Michael Schöpfer, der gleich drei Startups nebeneinander aufbaut, nämlich mytello, simsolo und crewsim. Wie Michael mit diesen drei Services auf drei Millionen ARR kommt und was hinter seinen Businesses steckt, das erzählt er uns heute im Podcast. Die Themen:
#733: Venture fund managers can collect years of fees before a single dollar comes back to investors — and the bar to hand over your money is lower than you'd think. David Bell spent 20 years as a chaired professor at Wharton before co-founding the venture firm Idea Farm Ventures, where he's backed early-stage brands like Bonobos, Warby Parker, and Jet.com. In this episode, we discuss: How venture funds actually make money, and why nearly every one runs on the same fee formula Why fund managers get paid before they've invested anything Why the bar to invest in risky private deals is lower than you'd think What to ask before trusting any fund manager with your money The one red flag that should make you think twice about an eager fund manager How some investors make an all-or-nothing bet on a single breakout company Why taking outside money can quietly change what a founder is optimizing for Whether you're weighing becoming a fund investor yourself or you're a founder deciding whether outside money is worth what it costs, this episode gives you a clearer read on how the venture world actually works. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS Note: Timestamps may vary slightly depending on dynamic ad placements. (03:41) How venture capital actually works, in three tiers (06:09) The fee formula nearly every venture fund runs on (10:30) Why fund managers get paid before they invest anything (14:19) The surprisingly low bar to invest in risky deals (26:52) What to ask before trusting any fund manager (29:27) How investors make an all-or-nothing bet on one company (34:33) The red flag hiding in an eager fund manager (42:16) What separates a great fund manager from a mediocre one (48:10) How outside money quietly changes what a founder optimizes for (55:47) Why kids today may never remember life before AI
Technovation with Peter High (CIO, CTO, CDO, CXO Interviews)
For more than four decades, Annie Lamont, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Oak HC/FT, has invested through every major technology wave, from the early days of personal computing and biotech to cloud software, fintech, and today’s AI revolution. In this episode of Technoventure, Annie joins Peter High to discuss what separates enduring investors from those who fade with changing markets. She reflects on lessons learned from working alongside pioneering entrepreneurs, explains why continual reinvention is essential for long-term success, and shares how AI is reshaping healthcare, financial services, enterprise software, and venture investing. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, investor, or technology leader, this conversation offers practical insights on recognizing transformational trends, backing exceptional founders, and leading through periods of unprecedented technological change.
The wellness CPG space was just rocked by a massive headline: Prenetics announced that its supplement brand, IM8 Health (co-founded with David Beckham), secured a staggering $1 billion non-dilutive growth financing commitment from venture capital titan General Catalyst. But behind the gaudy headlines lies a complex financial mechanism that could either change wellness CPG forever. In this video, I'm breaking down the reality of General Catalyst's Customer Value Fund, unpacking the mechanics of cohort financing, and exposing the silent operational risks known as "Growth Trap Over-Optimization."Is Prenetics executing a brilliant sprint to a Big CPG acquisition, or are they walking into another corporate strategy nightmare? Let's look past the spreadsheet illusion.Additionally, I'll cover key topics like:Prenetics' strategic detour and divestiture of Europa Sports ProductsHow General Catalyst's CVF funds up to 70% of digital marketing spend without equity dilutionWhy software scales effortlessly but physical consumer packaged goods do notHow global CPG giants like Unilever or Nestlé unroll internet-famous brands and fix "cost problems"
Anthony Georgiades talks about the spike in venture capital funding, and how it is flowing into more select deals. He says much VC capital is focused on frontier AI names, but he talks about a refocus across sectors, by VC investors, on core distribution, unit economics, and revenue, when deploying capital. ======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day. Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/ About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about
In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You, host Stephen Ibaraki speaks with Thorsten "Thor" Claus, Founding Partner of the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF), venture capitalist, technologist, engineer, and educator.From dismantling discarded electronics as a curious child in Germany to leading investments across Silicon Valley and Europe, Thorsten shares lessons from a career spanning hypergrowth startups, global venture capital firms, and the pioneering NATO Innovation Fund. He discusses the importance of curiosity, servant leadership, supporting diverse emerging fund managers, strengthening transatlantic technology ecosystems, and balancing venture investing with hands-on engineering in advanced manufacturing.Whether you're a founder, investor, innovator, or lifelong learner, Thorsten's journey offers practical insights into building resilient organizations, embracing continuous learning, and creating meaningful impact.
Electricity demand in the U.S. is climbing faster than the grid can comfortably absorb, driven largely by AI data centers that need power 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The U.S. power system needs all the reliable clean energy it can get, and once-forgotten geothermal energy is one such resource. In the 1960s, the United States was a world leader in building large-scale geothermal power plants, but during the fracking boom of the mid-2000s, drillers turned their attention to oil and gas. As wind, solar and batteries got cheaper, bankers and developers put their money into those resources. Geothermal development around the world had flatlined, until a new generation of geothermal developers and entrepreneurs borrowed the horizontal drilling techniques that powered the fracking boom and used them to make geothermal viable in far more geographies One of those entrepreneurs is Tim Latimer, Co-Founder and CEO of Fervo Energy. Fervo Energy is a geothermal developer using advanced drilling techniques from fracking in the oil and gas industry to make it easier to find and harness heat underground. In our conversation, recorded in December 2021, Tim told me about how he combined his expertise in oil and gas drilling with a dedication to solving the climate crisis, and used his experience to break open an overlooked renewable resource. Tim predicted the 2020s would be "the geothermal decade," noting that we can't transition to a zero-carbon grid without round-the-clock clean energy resources to supplement intermittent renewables. Geothermal offers that always-on feature needed now more than ever. We're revisiting this conversation now in celebration of what Fervo has accomplished: signing hundreds of megawatts of power purchase agreements with hyperscalers and utilities alike, and recently completing the largest IPO of any clean energy company. About Powerhouse Innovation and Powerhouse Ventures Powerhouse Ventures backs seed stage founders building the future power system across energy, infrastructure, and AI. If you are thinking about building something in this space, get in touch with our team. Powerhouse Innovation is a best in class consulting firm, powered by the strongest energy innovation network, data and team in our industry. We partner with world's leading corporations, investors, and utilities to source and evaluate disruptive startups shaping the future of energy and industry. To hear more stories of founders building our energy abundant future, hit the “subscribe” button and leave us a review.
Send us Fan MailWhat no one tells you about making money online is that online business, entrepreneurship, AI business, digital marketing, SaaS, venture capital, bootstrapping, Gen Z careers, and personal branding are often sold through the same manufactured FOMO. In this conversation, Riley Lamont explains why distribution matters more than product, why most people should not become entrepreneurs, and how online gurus can quietly shape your definition of success.Riley breaks down the difference between building a real company and chasing short-term internet income, the hidden cost of venture funding, and why some $400,000 employees live better than founders. He also explains how AI creates leverage, why businesses fail to integrate AI correctly, and how better data, prompting, and systems turn artificial intelligence into a genuine operating advantage.The episode closes with a live breakdown of Labify Health's offer, including competitive positioning, blood testing, recurring revenue, supplements, coaching, and customer lifetime value.Subscribe to The Alchemist's Library for more conversations on business, technology, psychology, wealth, and self-mastery—and comment with the biggest belief this episode challenged.TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Building Darwin: A New Online Business Model05:00 – Why Distribution Beats Product Quality12:28 – How Online Talent Can Scale Real Businesses15:44 – Escaping the Online Business Echo Chamber21:56 – Venture Capital vs Bootstrapped Companies33:58 – Why Most People Shouldn't Be Entrepreneurs39:17 – How Online Funnels Shape Your Ambition45:40 – How AI Is Changing Gen Z Careers56:33 – Why Gen Z Distrusts Traditional Experts1:19:48 – Why AI FOMO Is Manufactured1:23:08 – How to Integrate AI Into a Business1:39:29 – Where AI Creates Real Business Value1:42:13 – How to Give AI Better Data and Context1:49:18 – Live Business Teardown: Labify Health1:59:13 – How to Position a Competitive Health Offer2:04:31 – Turning Lab Tests Into a Stronger OfferConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala
Sesh looks like a consumer brand. 8VC looks like the last fund that would back it. That mismatch is the fastest way to see what Austin is becoming.Sesh founder Max Cunningham and 8VC's Jake Medwell start with the logic that makes the deal make sense. Sesh holds a legal moat most competitors can't cross for years, and it earns software-like margins on a physical product. From there the conversation opens into a bigger question about where ambitious companies belong, and why more of them are choosing a city that now draws the founders and families betting on that future.Agenda00:00 What Sesh is06:05 Why 8VC backed a nicotine company10:44 Regulatory timing and the six-year door16:37 Software margins and owning the factory22:01 Who buys this and why the market is growing29:27 Why some companies need SF and others do not34:32 What Austin talent looks like now42:10 The Elon spillover and the coming IPO wave 48:37 Raising kids in the AI age55:07 Safety, schools, and what comes nextGuest LinksSesh: Max Cunningham, Website, X, Instagram8VC: Jake Medwell, Website, X -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack
What separates an exciting business idea from an investable opportunity?In this episode of The Money Mondays, Dan Fleyshman sits down with venture capitalist, investment banker and global operator Granger Whitelaw for a wide-ranging conversation about investing, innovation, philanthropy and generational wealth.Granger shares lessons from building companies around the world, helping pioneer early digital-commerce legislation, working with rocket and motorsports ventures, and investing in technologies designed to solve meaningful global problems. He explains the difference between venture capital and investment banking, why the management team matters more than the pitch, and why investors should focus on industries, products and customers they genuinely understand.Dan also breaks down his 40/40/20 investing framework and explains why he prefers backing companies that have already proven demand, developed operating systems and generated meaningful revenue rather than taking the earliest—and riskiest—step with an untested idea.The conversation then turns to giving and legacy. Dan and Granger discuss donor-advised funds, nonprofit organizations, family trusts, life insurance, teaching children about money, and why charitable impact is about far more than writing a check. They close with a powerful discussion about faith, ego and finding peace when financial markets, technology and the media feel increasingly chaotic.This episode is about more than making money. It is about using money as a tool to build, serve and create an impact that lasts beyond your lifetime.Like this episode? Watch more like it
In this Venture Capital Bootcamp, Chris Haroun shares a practical framework for raising capital, from developing a compelling business plan and using other people's money strategically to creating an investor pitch deck and building long term relationships with investors. He also answers live questions on venture capital, startup fundraising, equity structure, investment banking careers, AI, entrepreneurship, finance, and the future of business.Refer to chapter marks below for a complete list of topics covered and to jump to a specific section. Get mentored by Chris: Book a Zoom call to discuss joining my Business Academy, Finance Bootcamp (to get a job in finance) or MBA Degree Programs or for investing/business/personal development coaching: https://haroun.short.gy/1on1CallYTWDownload my free "Networking eBook": www.harouneducation.comAttend my weekly YouTube Live every Thursday's 8am-11am PT. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel to receive notifications. Learn more about my MBA Degree ProgramChapter Marks: 0:25 Welcome & Venture Capital Bootcamp2:56 How to Raise Money for Your Business5:54 Business Plan12:49 Other People's Money17:16 Investor Pitch Deck21:35 Building Investor Relationships28:14 Q&A Begins28:14 Raising Money from Small Investors29:04 US vs China Capital Raising30:05 Voting vs Non Voting Shares31:30 Biggest Fundraising Mistakes33:19 Contrarian Beliefs34:16 Phoenix-ing Explained37:24 Breaking into Investment Banking42:09 Following Your Dreams43:35 Skipping Workouts44:14 Future of Iran44:47 US Dollar Reserve Currency46:03 Options & Short Selling48:13 Becoming a YouTuber Today50:09 Bitcoin-Backed Countries51:52 AI Options Trading Bots52:35 Overcoming Fear54:45 Religion in China56:46 Will AI Replace College?58:32 AI Opportunities in Developing Countries59:29 Finance Certifications1:00:19 Why Curiosity Matters1:01:05 Europe's Future1:01:50 Big Tech Layoffs1:03:14 Raising Money in Silicon Valley1:03:59 What VCs Look For1:06:19 Likeability in Business1:07:59 Building a 5 Stock Portfolio1:09:42 Dealing with Tough Parents1:10:06 BYD vs Tesla1:10:49 Starting an Instagram Business with AI1:13:20 Knowing When You're Ready1:15:33 Are Reaction Videos Worth It?1:19:43 Future of Video1:21:17 Viral Marketing on a Budget1:24:04 Alternatives to Giving Up Equity1:25:19 Finance Without a Degree1:26:12 How Important Is Your Website? Connect with me: Schedule a 1:1 call with Chris: https://haroun.short.gy/1on1CallYTWYouTube: ChrisHarounVenturesCompleteBusinessEducationInstagram @chrisharounLinkedIn: Chris HarounTwitter: @chris_harounFacebook: Haroun Education Ventures TikTok: @chrisharoun
In this episode of The Circuit, Ben and Jay dive into SK Hynix's ambitious US stock listing, discussing how the AI-driven memory boom and a need for deeper capital pools prompted the move, while speculating if companies like MediaTek might follow suit. The hosts also explore the fierce competition among frontier AI models, noting that enterprise evaluation is shifting toward token efficiency for knowledge work and emphasizing the growing importance of AI orchestration layers and data ownership. Additionally, they break down Wall Street's harsh reaction to ON Semiconductor's acquisition of Synaptics, attributing the stock drop to a lack of clear corporate messaging regarding both sprawling businesses. Finally, the duo analyzes the rumors surrounding Nvidia's product roadmaps, concluding that while minor delays won't impact Nvidia's overall revenue given the massive compute demand, these shifts can trigger significant market volatility for the smaller optical and supply chain players dependent on those exact timelines.
"There's 20 fires going on at every moment in the office and you have enough water to put out four."Mark Roberge shares what it takes to build and scale a company, from finding product-market fit to knowing when it's time to grow.He also shares the framework behind his new book, The Science of Selling, and why founders should scale based on their own data, not another company's success.Guest: Mark Roberge, Founding CRO of HubSpot, HBS Professor, and Co-Founder at Stage 2 CapitalConnect with Mark: XLinkedInConnect with Joubin:XLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comFollow Grit on: LinkedInXLearn more about Kleiner Perkins
Origins - A podcast about Limited Partners, created by Notation Capital
What separates the investors and founders who thrive in moments of radical change from those who don't? According to Alec Litowitz, it isn't intelligence or emotional maturity - it's adaptability.Alec is the founder of Magnetar Capital, one of the most respected multi-strategy hedge funds in the world, and the founder and managing partner of QStar Capital, his single family office and investment platform. Over a 30-year career that began at J.P. Morgan, continued as a founding partner and global head of equities at Citadel, and culminated in building Magnetar from scratch, Alec developed a framework he calls the Adaptability Quotient - AQ - for making decisions under genuine uncertainty. His book, The Adaptability Quotient, publishes September 15th.Today, through QStar, Alec invests with no fund mandate and no LP constraints - thematically across both public and private markets, in everything from CoreWeave and SpaceX to top-tier VC and PE managers. That unconstrained vantage point, combined with three decades of pattern recognition across market regimes, gives him a distinctive lens on where venture capital sits inside the current moment of change.Nick and Beezer dig into the core distinction Alec draws between risk and uncertainty - a difference he argues most investors collapse at their peril - and how the AQ framework maps directly onto how founders build, how VCs back them, and how the venture ecosystem itself needs to adapt. They also get into what he calls the second cognitive revolution: why AI isn't just a new tool but a system-level regime change, what that means for the capital stack and liquidity timelines in venture, and why the answer for smaller players isn't resistance - it's remapping.Quotes"What entrepreneurs get paid for is not risk. They get paid for uncertainty, for resolving the uncertainty. People may stay at some stranger's house or they may not, but I don't know the probability. If it's high, I have a business. If it's zero, I don't have a business. Let's go resolve that probability. And when someone does a startup and tests it, raises money, probes around it, and gets feedback loops - the answer is yes. That's what they get paid for, for resolving that uncertainty."Time Stamps00:00 What Entrepreneurs Actually Get Paid For00:31 Introducing Alec Litowitz: Citadel, Magnetar, and QStar02:49 Three Career Chapters and the Through Line: A Systematic Approach to Uncertainty06:09 The Book: Why Alec Wrote The Adaptability Quotient07:29 AQ Defined: Why IQ and EQ Aren't Enough When the Frame Itself Changes9:40 Why QStar: No Constraints, No Mandates, Just Mapping the Moment12:22 QStar's Investment Framework: Thematic, Top-Down, Technocentric and Anthrocentric14:51 Why Venture Still Matters: The Venture 20, the Mag Seven, and Where Disruption Lives17:03 Risk vs. Uncertainty vs. Black Swan: The Framework Most Investors Get Wrong22:30 Applying AQ in Venture: MVPs as Probes, Pivots as Feedback Loops22:51 A Case Study in Failing Without Feedback Loops24:33 The Second Cognitive Revolution: Why AI Is a Regime Change, Not a Tool29:20 Is SaaS Uninvestable? What Becomes Abundant and What Becomes Scarce32:53 Mapping the Venture Ecosystem: Capital Intensity, New Entrants, and IRR Pressure37:08 The Liquidity Problem Reframed: DPI, TDPI, and Timeline Mismatch40:12 Secondary Markets as a Structural Response43:48 Final Advice: Upgrade Your Operating SystemLinksConnect with the guest and hosts on LinkedIn!Alec LitowitzBeezer ClarksonNick ChirlsLearn more about:The Adaptability Quotient (pre-order on Amazon)QStar CapitalMagnetar CapitalEarly Adapters NewsletterAsylum VenturesOpenLP
This episode is a compilation of answers to YOUR questions that were asked directly from my listeners who attend my weekly business education YouTube live webcast. I'll be covering the topic on: Private Equity vs Venture Capital, Term Sheets, & Life Regrets and more. Refer to chapter marks below for a complete list of topics covered and to jump to a specific section. Get mentored by Chris: Book a Zoom call to discuss joining my Business Academy, Finance Bootcamp (to get a job in finance) or MBA Degree Programs or for investing/business/personal development coaching: https://haroun.short.gy/1on1CallYTWDownload my free "Networking eBook": www.harouneducation.comAttend my weekly YouTube Live every Thursday's 8am-11am PT. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel to receive notifications. Learn more about my MBA Degree ProgramChapter Marks: 0:25 Welcome to the 369th Weekly Live Webcast of July 2, 2026! 0:57 Should prospective investors sign NDAs for my startup? How to review a term sheet? 4:03 Is SpaceX still overvalued? Will Elon be able to put people on Mars? 5:21 How to train your biceps and triceps? Will kids have more or less toys in the future? 8:22 What would make you leave America? How to fix the United Kingdom? What business would you start if you had to start over? 12:54 How to invest in private equity? Is Oracle too big to fail? Thoughts on MicroStrategy? What is the future of Intuit and SAP? 18:50 Biggest regret in your life? How do you stay humble? Do you have a funnel strategy for marketing? What is some of the best love and money advice? 25:46 How long will Mamdani last? Have you ever hated someone? Should I get into private equity or venture capital after having startup experience? Do you like the idea of tokenization for real estate? Do you worry about the US debt level? 33:12 Where can I find your finance courses? Will Samsung ever not be the largest company in Korea? Connect with me: Schedule a 1:1 call with Chris: https://haroun.short.gy/1on1CallYTWYouTube: ChrisHarounVenturesCompleteBusinessEducationInstagram @chrisharounLinkedIn: Chris HarounTwitter: @chris_harounFacebook: Haroun Education Ventures TikTok: @chrisharoun
There are so many moments in our lives that we may brush off spiritually. Gray areas can be hard to understand, rationalize, or even see when we aren't in the Word daily. Todays guest, William Norvell, talks about how important it is to pray on those gray areas and how important it is to listen to what comes through. In this episode, you'll discover… William's Story on Prayer led decision-making (2:50) Daily spiritual habits (9:00) When you feel like you are not enough (14:06) Tektones. (20:17) William's Bio: William is the Co-Founder of Forte- the world's first SoulCare platform for the workforce. Prior to Forte, William spent approximately ten years in Private Equity, Venture Capital, and Investment Banking, along with over five years pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors. He has invested in numerous sectors and industries throughout his career. He loves finding unique investment opportunities, working with people, and helping them become the best version of themselves. William loves engaging in any conversation about how to make work more meaningful in the world. He received an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BS in Finance, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Alabama, where he was named a USA Today Academic All-American. He is also the Co-Founder and Podcast Host of Faith Driven Entrepreneur and Faith Driven Investor. William is married to a wonderful woman, Deb, that continually challenges and refines him. They welcomed their son Liam in 2018, their daughter Eloise in 2020 and their son Henry in 2021. Learn more about Tektones here. What's Next? NEW!! Join the new RISE community. Check out my newest book, 'Rise and Go', HERE!
Amir Kabir, Founder and Managing Partner at Overlook Ventures, discusses his journey from entrepreneur to venture capitalist and explains why he founded Overlook Ventures to invest at the earliest stages of company building. He shares his investment philosophy around founder quality, intellectual honesty, unique market insight, and the emerging opportunity around AI, autonomy, and risk infrastructure. Throughout the conversation, Amir offers practical advice for founders on validating problems, building venture-scale businesses, and standing out in an increasingly crowded AI landscape. In this episode, you'll learn: [02:15] How Amir's journey from entrepreneur to venture capitalist shaped the investment philosophy behind Overlook Ventures. [07:10] AI, autonomy, and the "infrastructure of risk" represent the next frontier for startup innovation. [14:50] Why founders should focus on solving real problems and developing unique insights instead of building products in search of a market. [20:50] How Amir evaluates founders by uncovering the unique knowledge and conviction that drive them to solve a particular problem. [27:55] The most common reasons Amir says "no" to startups, and why intellectual honesty often beats polished answers. [30:45] Venture capital is shifting toward specialized funds. What does that mean for founders raising capital today? The nonprofit organization Amir is passionate about: Presidential Leadership Scholars About Amir Kabir Amir Kabir is the Founder and Managing Partner of Overlook Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm investing at the inception, pre-seed, and seed stages. Previously, he helped build Munich Re Ventures and has spent years investing across insurance technology, financial services, AI, and risk infrastructure. Today, he focuses on companies building the next generation of AI safety, governance, autonomy, and regulated-market infrastructure. About Overlook Ventures Overlook Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm founded by Amir Kabir that invests at the inception, pre-seed, and seed stages. The firm focuses on what Amir describes as the "infrastructure of risk"—backing founders building across AI, autonomy, cybersecurity, insurance, financial services, and regulated markets. Overlook partners with entrepreneurs developing the technologies that make AI systems more trustworthy, secure, and accountable, while helping modernize how risk is measured, managed, and transferred. The firm typically invests early and supports founders with strategic guidance, customer introductions, and deep industry expertise. Portfolio companies include: Strala, Crabi, Soteris, Soma, Prediction Guard, Mesh, Pax Markets, Asymmetric Security, Eloquent AI, Seedless, Flyra, and IronGrid. Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.
In this episode of The Circuit, Ben and Jay break down the recent volatility and AI fatigue hitting semiconductor stocks. They analyze how retail "tourists" and passive index funds might be driving market valuations ahead of actual fundamentals. The hosts also unpack the rumors surrounding Meta reportedly leasing data center capacity to Google, debating whether Mark Zuckerberg's broad AI vision is struggling to align with the company's core advertising model, or if the company is simply bartering excess compute for access to coding tools like Gemini. Finally, the conversation shifts to the evolving foundry landscape, highlighting Infineon's new 300mm fab in Germany and Samsung's strategic use of its memory business to win new logic deals. They conclude with a warning about the unprecedented pricing power and margin expansion currently rippling through the entire semiconductor supply chain
Je reçois Corentin Orsini, entrepreneur, investisseur et fondateur d'Hyper Capital (anciennement cofondateur de Super Capital).On revient sur son parcours : de journaliste tech à investisseur, en passant par la création de médias, les premiers business sur Internet et la naissance de Super Capital.On parle surtout d'investissement dans les startups, de fonds d'investissement, de business angels, de private equity, mais aussi des erreurs à éviter lorsqu'on commence à investir.Corentin partage également sa vision du marché en 2026, pourquoi il croit de plus en plus au repreneuriat, aux entreprises rentables et aux modèles moins risqués que les startups traditionnelles.Au programme :Comment fonctionne réellement un fonds d'investissementPourquoi la majorité des startups ne rapportent jamais d'argentLes coulisses de Super Capital et la création d'Hyper CapitalComment repérer une startup capable de devenir une licorneBusiness Angels, VC, private equity : quelles différences ?Pourquoi le repreneuriat pourrait devenir l'une des plus grandes opportunités des prochaines annéesComment investir même avec un petit capitalLes erreurs que font la majorité des nouveaux investisseursL'impact de l'IA sur les opportunités d'investissementLes meilleurs conseils pour construire une stratégie patrimoniale sur le long termeUn épisode passionnant pour tous ceux qui s'intéressent à l'investissement, à l'entrepreneuriat et à la création de patrimoine.Bonne écoute ❤️
For decades, investing in high-growth private companies was reserved for venture capital firms and institutional investors. Today, the rapidly evolving secondary market is changing that landscape—creating new opportunities for founders, employees, early investors, and institutions to access liquidity long before an IPO. In this episode, we sit down with Brianne Lynch, a venture and private markets expert whose career spans traditional finance, startups, hedge funds, and venture capital. After beginning her career in relationship management and financial services, Brianne made the leap into the startup world before joining EquityZen, where she has become a leading voice on venture secondaries and private market investing. Having worked across sales, partnerships, strategy, market intelligence, business development, and research, Brianne has had a front-row seat to the explosive growth of the secondary market. Her insights have been featured by CNBC, Bloomberg, The New York Times, and Yahoo Finance, making her one of the industry's most recognized voices on private market liquidity. Whether you're a founder considering liquidity options, an investor exploring venture secondaries, or simply curious about how private markets really work, this conversation provides an inside look at one of the fastest-growing segments of venture capital. In This Episode Brianne's journey from traditional finance to startups and venture secondaries What venture secondaries are—and why they matter Why the secondary market has earned the reputation as the "Wild West" Understanding SPVs, secondary structures, and common industry terminology How companies influence employee and investor liquidity What investors should evaluate before investing in secondary transactions Why so many intermediaries exist in private market transactions How secondary markets impact startup financing and IPO decisions The growing role of Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) in venture investing Resources for learning more about private markets and venture secondaries Key Takeaways Venture secondaries are transforming how liquidity is created in private markets. Understanding transaction structures is just as important as evaluating the underlying company. Company participation can significantly influence pricing, access, and transaction success. A healthy secondary market can strengthen employee retention and investor alignment. As companies stay private longer, secondary markets are becoming an increasingly important part of the venture capital ecosystem. About Brianne Lynch Brianne Lynch is a venture and private markets professional with experience spanning financial services, startups, hedge funds, and alternative investments. At EquityZen, she has worked across multiple functions including partnerships, strategy, market intelligence, business development, operations, and research, helping educate investors and entrepreneurs about the rapidly evolving venture secondary market. Brianne is also a frequent media contributor, providing commentary on venture capital and private markets for leading financial news organizations. Who Should Listen Startup founders Venture capital investors Angel investors Family offices Employees with startup equity Private market investors Financial advisors Anyone interested in venture capital and alternative investments #Venturecapital #angel #startups #secondaries #VC Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute investment, legal, tax, or financial advice, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. Any discussion of securities, private investments, or investment strategies is general in nature and should not be relied upon as a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any security. Listeners should consult their own professional advisors before making any investment or financial decisions.
Hans Swildens started Industry Ventures in 2000, and this is his first podcast since selling it to Goldman Sachs in 2026.Hans has been buying venture secondaries longer than almost anyone, and the combined business is one of the largest VC portfolios in the world: 525 firms, 1,600 funds, and over $22B in capital commitments.We get into why he sold to Goldman, the barbell market quietly killing middle-stage venture, how VC's are manufacturing their own exits, why most seed funds without a real angle have 5 years left, the LP base that's a completely different species every fund cycle, how he started Industry by acquiring funds at 99% discounts during the Dot Com Collapse, the day he passed on a multi-billion-dollar data center, and why the secondary market may eventually be multiples the size of the primary market.Thank you to Zach Coelius, Will Quist, Emily Zheng, and Andrea McGee for help brainstorming topics for the conversation.Thank you to Numeral, Flex, Amplitude, and Merge for supporting this episode.Numeral: The end-to-end platform for sales tax and compliance https://www.numeral.comFlex: Get premium banking and a net 60 day credit card at 0% APR https://home.flex.one/referral/bananacapitalAmplitude: AI analytics, all you have to do is ask https://www.amplitude.comMerge: Every model. One API. Total control. Check out Merge's Agent Handler. merge.dev/turnerTimestamps:(0:00) Inside Goldman's $22B venture bet(7:57) 1,600 funds over 525 firms(11:11) Why scale lets you “see the cube”(14:17) Most humbling lesson in 26 years(16:19) Three types of Seed funds(18:47) LP's evolve every fund cycle(22:00) VC is a sales game(24:38) A strong CRM is non-negotiable(29:06) Buying secondaries during the Dot Com Collapse(31:33) Triangulating opinions across GP's, founders, and LP's(37:22) Seed without differentiation doesn't work(42:16) Biggest mistakes by first-time GP's(44:31) Buying Enron's VC portfolio at a 99% discount(50:15) Entrepreneurial finance is underappreciated(52:15) Why asset managers are acquiring venture firms(58:47) Why it's hard to start venture programs(1:03:20) Secondaries: $250M to $150B market in 25 years(1:08:06) Continuation funds & debt structured secondaries(1:12:02) “Secondaries might be multiples bigger than primaries”(1:19:52) How to structure secondary transactions(1:26:00) What happens after SpaceX, OpenAI, Anthropic IPO's(1:30:35) How Seed survives the asset manager era(1:35:16) How to manufacture liquidity(1:41:41) How AI is impacting secondary marketsReferencedIndustry Ventures: https://www.industryventures.com/How Big Is The Secondary Market for Venture Capital?: https://www.industryventures.com/insight/2023-2025e-how-big-is-the-secondary-market-for-venture-capital/Exploring the Growth of Venture Secondaries: https://www.chronograph.pe/exploring-the-growth-of-venture-secondaries/Pitchbook's US Secondaries Market Watch: https://pitchbook.com/news/reports/2025-annual-us-vc-secondary-market-watchFollow HansTwitter: https://x.com/HansSwildensLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hansswildensFollow TurnerTwitter: https://twitter.com/TurnerNovakLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/turnernovakSubscribe to my newsletter to get every episode + the transcript in your inbox every week: https://www.thespl.it/
Obligaties, de yen, goud. Het zijn normaal gesproken veilige investeringen. Al is dat dit jaar niet meer het geval. De veilige havens voor beleggers doen hun werk niet meer, concludeert CNBC. Goud staat flink lager dan begin dit jaar, de yen staat er zwak bij en obligaties worden ook verkocht. Deze aflevering kijken we wat er aan de hand is en vooral: waar jij dan wel moet schuilen. Wat voor jou veilige havens zijn in onrustige tijden. Hebben we het ook zeker over Christine Lagarde. Ze hint erop om tóch eerder te vertrekken bij de ECB. Ze is nu nog president bij de centrale bank, maar ze denkt er aan om president van Frankrijk te worden! Waardoor wij weer op onderzoek uit moeten: wie moet haar bij de ECB opvolgen? Een wonderlijke stap. Daarover gesproken: de wonderen zijn de wereld nog niet uit. President Trump zegt dat hij en Elon Musk weer een hele goede band hebben. Sterker: Musk zou SpaceX aandelen aan zijn regering willen schenken. Verder in dit beurstheater: Mark Zuckerberg geeft zijn fouten bij Meta toe De olieprijs gaat naar beneden! Naar 60 dollar, denkt Citi Toezichthouder denkt dat beursgangen HongKong zijn opgeblazen Nike aangeklaagd door 7-Eleven Bending Spoons of Prosus: in welke investeerder moet je? Te gast: Jim Tehupuring van 1Vermogensbeheer BNR Beurs is een journalistiek onafhankelijke productie, mede mogelijk gemaakt door Saxo. Over de makers: Jelle Maasbach is presentator van BNR Beurs en freelance financieel journalist. Zijn favoriete aandeel om over te praten is Disney, maar daar lijkt hij de enige in te zijn. Sinds de eerste uitzending van BNR Beurs is 'ie er bij. Maxim van Mil is presentator van BNR Beurs en journalist bij BNR, waar hij zich focust op de financiële markten en ontwikkelingen in de tech-wereld. Je krijgt hem het meest enthousiast als hij kan praten over ASML, of oer-Hollandse bedrijven zoals Ahold of ABN Amro. Jorik Simonides is presentator van BNR Beurs, economieredacteur en verslaggever bij BNR. Hij wordt er vooral blij van als het een keer níet over AI gaat. Je hoort hem ook in de BNR-podcast Moerdijk: dorp van de rekening. Milou Brand is presentator van BNR Beurs, freelance podcastmaker en columnist bij het Financieele Dagblad. Jochem Visser is presentator van BNR Beurs, maakt Beursnerd XL en is redacteur bij de podcast Onder Curatoren. Vraag hem naar obscure zaken op financiële markten en hij vertelt je waarom het eigenlijk nóg leuker is dan je al dacht. Over de podcast: Met BNR Beurs ga je altijd voorbereid de nieuwe beursdag in. We praten je in een kleine 25 minuten bij over alle laatste ontwikkelingen op de handelsvloer. We blijven niet alleen bij de AEX of Wall Street, maar vertellen je ook waar nog meer kansen liggen. En we houden het niet bij de cijfers, maar zoeken ook iedere dag voor je naar duiding van scherpe gasten en experts. Of je nu een ervaren belegger bent of net begint met je eerste stappen op de beurs, de podcast biedt waardevolle inzichten voor je beleggingsstrategie. Door de focus op zowel de korte termijn als de lange termijn, helpt BNR Beurs luisteraars om de ruis van de markt te scheiden van de essentie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this webinar turned podcast, Scott Becker is joined by Bart Walker, Jeff Freedman, Nader Samii, and Dr. Paul Slosar to discuss the evolving healthcare deal market. Sponsored by McGuireWoods LLP, Perpetuate Capital, Priority Search Management, Thinkspan, Baird & Warner, Elevate Talent Advisors, & Grange Park Partners.
In this webinar turned podcast, Scott Becker is joined by Bart Walker, Jeff Freedman, Nader Samii, and Dr. Paul Slosar to discuss the evolving healthcare deal market. Sponsored by McGuireWoods LLP, Perpetuate Capital, Priority Search Management, Thinkspan, Baird & Warner, Elevate Talent Advisors, & Grange Park Partners.
Can Europe build the next generation of global fintech leaders?In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Stefan Klestil, General Partner Fintech EMEA, joins the show to discuss venture capital, fintech investing, AI, digital assets, founder psychology, and why the Middle East and Africa have become one of the world's most compelling investment opportunities.Stefan explains why Speedinvest launched its dedicated EMEA fund, what separates exceptional founders from everyone else, and why venture investors are increasingly looking beyond Europe for the next wave of global fintech success.The conversation explores the rise of AI-driven fintech, stablecoins, tokenization, venture capital, cross-border financial infrastructure, regulation, and why governance often determines whether startups become lasting businesses.
A custom board that ran two thousand dollars five years ago now costs fifteen and ships in two weeks. That collapse is why a hundred teenagers flew to Austin to build in the physical world instead of code in the digital. The organization behind it is Zach Latta's Hack Club, the hackathon was created by seventeen-year-old Meghana Madiraju, and Blake Liberman of 021 Ventures is why it happened in Austin. The conversation ranges from how that collapse happened to what teenagers do with the agency it hands them, and turns sharper on what threatens it. Underneath the optimism is a real question about who controls the tools of creation, code, energy, and hardware.The Agenda00:00 What Hack Club Stasis Is 06:28 How Hack Club actually works 13:01 Why hardware, why now 18:05 The case against the credential machine 24:11 Agency and the pressure myth29:33 What's actually worth building 34:38 Open source is quietly closingGuest LinksHack Club021 Ventures -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack
In 2020, Airwallex lost nearly half its revenue overnight. Today it's worth $11 billion.Jack Zhang reflects on the decisions that kept the company alive, raising capital during uncertainty, and leading through its toughest chapter.This episode is a candid look at why Jack chose to keep building, even when a $1.2 billion acquisition was on the table.Guest: Jack Zhang, founder and CEO, AirwallexConnect with Jack ZhangXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comFollow Grit on: LinkedInXLearn more about Kleiner Perkins
This episode of The Circuit covers a mix of tech industry tributes and major semiconductor financial updates. Hosts Ben and Jay begin by paying their respects to pioneering tech blogger and journalist Om Malik, who recently passed away. They then dive into Cerebras's first earnings report as a public company, highlighting strong top-line demand for AI inference but noting investor concern over their complicated gross margins. Next, the hosts unpack Qualcomm's Investor Day, focusing on the company's aggressive $15 billion data center revenue guidance for fiscal 2029, their "Dragonfly" custom ARM CPU roadmap, and their strategic acquisition of software startup Modular. Finally, they analyze Micron's massive earnings report, detailing a staggering 60% quarter-on-quarter memory price surge that has caught major buyers like Apple by surprise, concluding with a lively discussion on the "Game of Thrones" style market dynamics driving the memory industry.
Rogers Healy says venture capital is shifting away from speculation toward disciplined investing with a clear path to profitability. He notes that while AI captured 65% of funding last year, investors are prioritizing experienced leadership, human capital, and consumer brands with tangible products.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about
„Miałem wtedy 27 lat, gdy rozpocząłem tworzenie funduszu”. Co się dzieje, gdy zamiast podążać utartą ścieżką i kupować kolejne nieruchomości, rzucasz bezpieczny świat lokalnych biznesów i postanawiasz rzucić wyzwanie największym graczom na globalnym rynku venture capital?
Send us Fan MailUri Levine, co-founder of Waze and one of the entrepreneurs behind two billion-dollar exits, joins The Alchemist's Library Podcast to share his startup playbook for founders, product-market fit, business strategy, AI, venture capital, and decision-making. In this conversation, Uri breaks down why great startups start with a painful customer problem, how to validate demand, when to pivot, and why failing fast is a competitive advantage.Ryan and Uri also discuss how AI changes entrepreneurship, why unique data and customer trust matter more than “AI company” branding, and what founders misunderstand about raising money from venture capital. Uri explains how to build a strong team, find mentors, make hard decisions, and stay grounded through the lonely roller coaster of building a company.If you're an entrepreneur, startup founder, creator, investor, or anyone trying to build something that matters, this episode is a practical masterclass in value creation, leadership, and simplicity. Subscribe for more conversations with world-class founders, investors, and thinkers.#UriLevine #StartupPlaybook #EntrepreneurshipBuy the book here!TIMESTAMPS:00:00 – How Uri Levine Built Two Billion-Dollar Exits02:20 – Why Failure Is Required for Startup Success03:43 – How to Find a Problem Worth Solving06:53 – Turning Personal Pain Into a Startup Idea13:47 – Product-Market Fit and Customer Retention17:43 – How AI Changes the Startup Game20:58 – Why Unique Data Creates Startup Defensibility25:22 – Fall in Love With the Problem35:17 – How Founders Can Find Real Mentors44:28 – Should Entrepreneurs Chase Money or Happiness49:50 – How to Build and Fire a Startup Team57:32 – Venture Capital vs Bootstrapping a Startup01:03:34 – How Successful CEOs Make Hard Decisions01:07:25 – Why Simple Products Win Massive MarketsConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala
What happens when overlooked innovators are empowered to solve problems for communities often left out of the conversation—and, even more, when those innovators have lived experience of the challenges they're addressing? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia sits down with Brittany and Rich Palmer, a dynamic entrepreneurial couple, to explore how true innovation and impact are ignited at the intersection of necessity, lived experience, and meaningful capital. Brittany and Rich Palmer are not only successful entrepreneurs and angel investors but are also the visionary founders behind Adaptation Ventures, an investment firm and community dedicated to empowering startups focused on disability, neurodivergence, accessibility, and aging. Brittany, herself born with a limb difference, brings firsthand perspective to the conversation, while Rich's journey includes a personal medical challenge that became a catalyst for his mission-driven career shift. Together, they've built a unique fund and ecosystem that actively includes investors and decision-makers with disabilities—something almost unheard of in the traditional VC world. This episode covers why only 1% of venture capital currently flows to accessibility-related innovation, details Brittany and Rich's journey to plugging that gap, and shares stories of the groundbreaking companies they're backing—from hardware innovations with million-dollar pipelines to products with the “curb cut effect” that benefit everyone. Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or passionate catalyst for change, this conversation reveals how capital, community, and lived expertise can combine to drive scalable, high-impact solutions. If you care about innovation that truly changes lives, this episode is a must-listen—showcasing why Adaptation Ventures' ecosystem model may reshape the future of inclusive investing. To get the latest from Rich and Brittany Palmer, you can follow them below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/therichpalmer/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanytofinchio/ https://adaptation.vc/ Rich's first appearance on the Angel Next Door Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood
Justin Smith-Lorenzetti, VP of Investments at Intact Private Capital, shares his journey from leading innovation initiatives within Intact Insurance to helping build a global investment platform managing more than $1.6 billion in assets. Drawing on lessons from investments across insurtech, mobility, AI, and financial services, he explains how Intact approaches startup and LP investing. Justin also offers practical advice for founders and investors, arguing that focus and conviction matter more than ever in today's AI-driven world. In this episode, you'll learn: [02:08] How Justin accidentally became a venture capitalist [06:55] How Intact Private Capital invests from idea to IPO [09:11] The evolution of insurtech over the last decade [11:26] Why Coterie and Shepherd stood out as investments [16:56] What Justin looks for in founders across every stage [20:23] Why founders choose investors—not the other way around [23:15] How Intact makes high-conviction investment decisions [25:17] What Justin looks for as an LP investing in venture funds [29:57] His advice for founders building in the AI era [32:17] What venture capital can do better The nonprofit organization Justin is passionate about: Lorenzetti Foundation About Justin Smith-Lorenzetti Justin Smith-Lorenzetti is VP of Investments at Intact Private Capital, where he oversees venture, growth, and fund investments across insurance, financial services, mobility, and emerging technology. Since helping launch Intact's venture investing activities more than a decade ago, he has backed companies ranging from Turo to leading insurtech startups. Justin is widely recognized as one of Canada's most active investors in the insurance technology ecosystem and serves on the boards of multiple venture-backed companies. About Intact Private Capital Intact Private Capital is the private investment arm of Intact Financial Corporation, one of North America's leading property and casualty insurance companies. The firm manages approximately $1.6 billion across venture capital, growth equity, and fund investment strategies. Leveraging Intact's deep industry expertise and global network, the team invests in companies across insurance, financial services, mobility, AI, and adjacent sectors, supporting founders from the earliest stages through IPO. Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.
The Walt Disney Company is the most successful enterprise ever created for monetizing human nostalgia. Today it's the king of global entertainment, holding the intellectual property rights to the childhood memories of billions of people (including, likely, all of you) and is a reliable, predictable profitable business. But it didn't start that way.During Walt's era, Disney operated like an unhinged moonshot factory, blowing its finances on one seemingly crazy project after another, like the very first feature-length animated film or a theme park inspired by Walt's fascination with model trains (spoiler: Disneyland). Walt's relentless ambition to bet the company over and over again not only created some of the most monumental artistic achievements of the 20th century (Snow White, Fantasia, Disney Imagineering), but also resulted in the accidental invention of the modern “flywheel” business model. In this episode, we tell the story of the ultimate marriage of art, commerce, and engineering — The Walt Disney Company: Walt's Era.Sponsors:Many thanks to our fantastic Spring '26 Season partners:J.P. MorganWeAreDevelopers eventVercelServiceNowStatsigLinks:Sign up for email updates, get our takeaways and research photos from each episode, and vote on future topics!The Acquired Disney Companion PDFOur Disney column in WSJThe original 1958 WSJ “Flywheel” article"Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination by Neal GablerThe Animated Man by Michael BarrierWalt Disney: An American Original by Bob ThomasBuilding a Company: Roy O. Disney and the Creation of an Entertainment Empires by Bob ThomasThe Disney Version: The Reedy Creek Improvement District in the Contemporary Florida Story by Richard SchickelPBS American Experience: Walt DisneyDisneyland HandcraftedWalt's 1966 EPCOT pitch videoWorldly Partners' Multi-Decade Disney StudyThe Walt Disney Family MuseumAll episode sourcesCarve Outs:Brooks Vanguard sneakersDefunctland YouTube ChannelAnimagraffs YouTube ChannelVolvo EX30The San Francisco SymphonyMore Acquired:Get email updates and vote on future episodes!Join the SlackCheck out the latest swag in the ACQ Merch Store!00:00 Start01:09 Intro06:03 Walt's Early Life & Artistic Calling (1901-1919)12:37 From Commercial Art to Laugh-o-grams (1919-1923)23:04 Hollywood, The Alice Comedies & Oswald's Loss (1923-1928)43:31 Mickey Mouse & The Synchronized Sound Breakthrough (1928)01:01:53 The IP Flywheel & Mickey Merch Explosion (1929-1933)01:09:57 Analysis: The Disney IP Flywheel Unpacked01:59:02 Snow White & The Folly That Defined Animation (1937)01:41:08 The Burbank Studio & Pre-War Struggles (1937-1941)02:04:20 The Animators' Strike & Walt's Disillusionment (1941)02:15:44 World War II & The Accidental Disney Vault (1941-1945)02:24:27 Post-War Slump to Cinderella's Comeback (1945-1950)02:33:46 Walt's Obsession: Model Trains to Disneyland (1950-1952)02:38:44 Financing Disneyland: ABC, SRI & Davy Crockett (1953-1955)03:17:00 Disneyland's Grand Opening & The Evolving Flywheel (1955-1958)03:39:04 The Florida Project: Walt's Vision for EPCOT City (1958-1966)03:54:20 Walt's Untimely Death & Roy's Legacy (1966-1971)04:00:06 A Parks Company & Creative Decline (1971-1984)04:09:44 Analysis: Why No Other Disney Flywheels?04:17:15 The Seven Powers of Disney04:20:30 Quintessence: Art, Commerce & Timeless IP04:23:47 Carve-Outs + OutroNote: Acquired hosts and guests may hold assets discussed in this episode. This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.
Jake Paul and Geoff Woo join the podcast to announce Anti Fund's new $100 million growth fund and discuss the evolution of their investment strategy. The conversation covers the fund's portfolio, including investments in companies such as SpaceX, OpenAI, Anthropic, Anduril, Cognition, Etched, and Modal, as well as the lessons they've learned backing founders and identifying emerging technologies. They discuss founder psychology, resilience, ambition, and why they believe attention, culture, and distribution are becoming increasingly important advantages in the AI era. Along the way, Jake reflects on his path from creator to entrepreneur, athlete, and investor, while Geoff shares his views on venture capital, technology, and how AI is reshaping opportunity for founders and builders. Resources: Follow Jake Paul on X: https://x.com/jakepaul Follow Geoff Woo on X: https://x.com/geoffreywoo Stay Updated:Find a16z on YouTube: YouTubeFind a16z on XFind a16z on LinkedInListen to the a16z Show on SpotifyListen to the a16z Show on Apple PodcastsFollow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Please 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Key Topics:AI infrastructure evolutionServer and rack engineering innovationsAnalog components and power managementSemiconductor industry growth and GPU impactEnterprise and hyperscaler strategies for differentiationCooling technologies and hybrid solutionsNetworking and infrastructure for AI workloadsMulti-cloud and on-prem AI deployment trends
In this America 250 special edition of Marks on the Market, Richard Cunningham and Luke Roush sit down with Donna Harris — founder and CEO of Builders and Backers, venture investor, and co-author of the redemptive investing playbook at Praxis — for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of American entrepreneurship, the limits and promise of venture capital, and how the AI revolution is democratizing who gets to build. As the country approaches its 250th birthday, Donna brings a decade of venture investing experience and a conviction that America's greatest competitive advantage isn't its capital markets — it's its people. Builders and Backers has helped launch nearly 800 companies, backing nurses, bartenders, dog breeders, and disability attorneys who are using AI to bring ideas to life that would have required $35,000 MVPs just a year ago. Key Topics: Why venture capital is a "solid tool for a specific use case" — and why it's the single most expensive capital a startup can take The real entrepreneurship data: startups are creating a third fewer jobs per company than 15 years ago, and 62% of Americans have an entrepreneurial dream but less than 2% act on it How AI is democratizing startup formation — from a $35K MVP to a $20 Claude Pro subscription Donna's investment thesis for the AI era: stop asking which AI model wins and start asking which people are uniquely positioned to create value with it The concept of "re-risking" from a faith perspective — and why prosperity itself can become the greatest obstacle to obedience Scripture at the close: Donna on God's broken heroes, and Luke on the woman with the alabaster jar and the boy with five loaves Notable Quotes: "There has never ever in history been a greater moment to become an entrepreneur." — Donna Harris "The best investors aren't just investing in AI companies. They're investing in smart people who will use the tool well and solve meaningful problems in sustainable ways." — Donna Harris "We need to aggressively re-risk, otherwise we get lulled into this stupor of prosperity and comfort and building bigger barns." — Luke Roush
(0:00) Intro to this episode (2:52) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel (3:39) Start of interview (4:18) Keith Giarman's origin story. About DHR Global (9:33) Tony Abate's origin story. Current boards: Wolfspeed, GTT Communications, Mitel, and Tacora Resources. (23:52) Turnaround Board Playbook. Three phases: 1) Fix the balance sheet; 2) Turnaround strategy, and time to turn to the income statement; and 3) Exit the business. (28:50) Private Equity Board Structure. It is all contextual. (33:40) Compensation in PE boards. (31:15) What Makes Boards Effective, from Tony based on his chairmanship experience. Execution vs process. *Execution: 1) Skill Set Distribution ("Three is too few, five too many."), 2) Relevance of that skill set distribution to the situation at hand, and 3) Willingness to engage with the management team between board meetings ("the most important" goes to board culture). (38:34) Building the Board Agenda, from Tony: Tight agenda in three buckets: 1) Decisions needed now, 2) input without a decision, and 3) FYI. Most boards get stuck on FYI and never reach the real decisions. Then 40 to 50% of the deck should be standardized financial and operational KPIs (flag only what's changing), one rotating deep dive, and executive sessions with and without the CEO. (42:53) LLCs and Governance Dynamics in PE. (45:52) AI and Board Talent Demand. "Matrix management" (50:36) Underestimated Governance Risks. From Keith: for board members: "Are they aligned? Are they courageous? And are they adaptive?" From Tony: "The board should talk about the what, not the how." Difference between supervising and execution. Caveat: some PE firms are very prescriptive. (56:23) Founder-Led or Board-Led companies. (1:00:16) What are the 1-3 books that have greatly influenced your life: Tony: Titan by Ron Chernow (1998) Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris (volume 2 of the trilogy) (2001) The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson (2004) Keith: Mornings on Horseback, by David McCullough (1981) The Outsiders, by William N. Thorndike Jr. (2012) The Evolving Self, by Robert Kegan (1982) (1:05:00) Who were their mentors, and what they learned from them. (1:09:07) Quotes they think of often or live their life by. Tony: The Man in the Ring by Teddy Roosevelt. Rudyard Kipling poem If. Keith: "Everybody has a plan until they get hit in the face" (1:11:17) An unusual habit or an absurd thing that they love. (1:12:21) The living person they most admire. Keith Giarman is a Managing Partner of the Private Equity Practice at DHR Global, and Tony Abate is an experienced board chair, director, investor, and operating executive. You can follow Evan on social media at:X: @evanepsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epsteinevan/ Substack: https://evanepstein.substack.com/__To support this podcast you can join as a subscriber of the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at https://evanepstein.substack.com/__Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License
Guest: Carrie Freeman Title: CEO, Eden Radioisotopes Company: Eden Radioisotopes, LLC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-freeman/ Episode Overview In this episode, we sit down with Carrie Freeman, CEO of Eden Radioisotopes, to explore the intersection of deep science, commercialization, and leadership. After spending 15 years at Intel and serving as a multi-time CEO, Carrie has built a career around transforming breakthrough technologies into scalable businesses. We discuss what it takes to commercialize innovations emerging from national laboratories, the resurgence of the nuclear industry, and why private capital is increasingly driving the next generation of nuclear technologies. Carrie also shares her perspective on leadership transitions, fundraising for long-horizon ventures, and how organizations can remain focused on human impact while operating at the cutting edge of science. Topics Covered Lessons learned from a 15-year career at Intel and their application to nuclear science Leading established organizations through executive transitions Commercializing technologies developed inside national laboratories The current state of the nuclear industry and emerging market opportunities Turning regulatory complexity into a sustainable competitive advantage Building and positioning a company that spans healthcare, energy, and security markets Communicating transformational opportunities to investors without losing credibility Differences between Family Office, Venture Capital, and Private Equity investors Managing investor expectations through long commercialization timelines Creating a mission-driven culture around "Precision Science, Human Impact" Key Discussion Points From Semiconductors to Nuclear Science Carrie reflects on the most important lessons learned during her tenure at Intel and explains how principles of operational excellence, precision, and scalability transfer directly into the highly regulated nuclear industry. Leading on Day One As a multi-time CEO, Carrie shares her framework for entering an organization, building trust quickly, assessing priorities, and establishing momentum without disrupting existing strengths. Commercializing Deep Technology Moving a breakthrough technology from a national laboratory into the private sector presents unique challenges. Carrie discusses the critical steps required to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and market adoption. The Nuclear Renaissance The conversation explores why nuclear technologies are experiencing renewed interest and how private-sector companies are accelerating innovation across healthcare, energy, and national security applications. Regulation as a Competitive Advantage Rather than viewing regulation solely as a barrier, Carrie explains how companies can leverage regulatory expertise to create durable competitive moats and strengthen market positioning. Raising Capital for Long-Term Innovation Deep-tech ventures often require patient capital and extended development timelines. Carrie shares insights on communicating vision, maintaining investor confidence, and aligning expectations for long-term value creation. Building Mission-Driven Teams With the company tagline "Precision Science, Human Impact," Carrie discusses how leaders can keep teams connected to the real-world impact of their work while navigating complex scientific and technical challenges. About Carrie Freeman Carrie Freeman is the CEO of Eden Radioisotopes and an experienced technology executive with leadership experience spanning semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and nuclear science. Her career includes 15 years at Intel and multiple CEO roles focused on commercializing breakthrough technologies and scaling innovation-driven organizations. About Eden Radioisotopes Eden Radioisotopes develops advanced nuclear technologies that support applications across healthcare, energy, and security. The company's mission is captured in its guiding principle: "Precision Science. Human Impact." Learn more: https://edenrad.com/ Connect with Carrie Freeman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-freeman/ Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial or legal advice, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. #Podcast #BusinessPodcast #CEO #FounderJourney #NuclearIndustry #NuclearEnergy #NuclearInnovation #Radioisotopes #DeepTech #Commercialization #TechnologyTransfer #NuclearMedicine #EnergyInnovation #AdvancedManufacturing
Jeff and Robert talk AI and capitalism, Elon Musk and Cyberpunk, Marketing and scamming in tech,Venture Capital and the Casino Economy, tech billionaires, Patent trolling by giant corporations, Danhausen, Zohran associating the Knicks winning with socialism, Zohran's vs James Dolan, Mandatory Fun at work, The Iran War, restraining Israel and more. ----more---- Support us on Patreon Follow us on Tiktok Subscribe on Youtube Follow Jeff on Twitter Email us! goodmorningcomrade.com Tiktok Bluesky Twitter Facebook Leave a review! 5 stars and say something nice to spread the word about the show!
Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com This special episode is brought to you by our dear friends at Blood Cancer United. An organization very near and dear to me. I'm here to remind you to give to causes that make a difference. You want to help, but you don't know where to start? Blood Cancer United is at the top of my list. They are the global leader in helping patients and families with blood cancer, and your dollars fund research, patient support, and advocacy. Please give today here: Thank you for supporting this important mission. Learn more and donate here: https://pages.lls.org/voy/nyc/nyclls26/aposner Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Leah Sullivan and TaskRabbit 03:04 Leah's Early Life and Career Path 05:58 Transition from IBM to Entrepreneurship 08:57 The Birth of TaskRabbit 11:55 Challenges in Building a Marketplace 14:59 The Evolution of Gig Work and Future Perspectives 21:30 Building a Team and Hiring Practices 24:41 Managing Challenges as a Founder 26:34 The IKEA Acquisition: Lessons Learned 31:18 Redefining Identity After an Exit 33:32 Investing in Founders: What to Look For 34:59 Creating a New Venture Ecosystem 36:31 The Importance of Community for Founders 41:59 Defining Success: Winning vs. Impact
Today GP and SP talk to James Gettinger, founding partner of Gutter Capital - one of the top preforming VC funds in the world.Why is James on our podcast you might ask? Well, before venture capital, James was one of the most profitable Daily Fantasy Sports players of all time. He pioneered contest simulations and was a first mover in many strategies that now are common amongst the best players. That ability to make the plays conventional wisdom says are stupid not only made him millions in DFS - but give him a big edge in a similar game in VC.It was great to have James on - as he proves that the people that succeed in our industry can go out and crush other industries.0:00 Intro/ Poker14:30 Transition to DFS52:00 Going from DFS to VCApply to Elbow Grease: https://elbowgrease.cc/Gutter Capital: https://www.gutter.cc/Welcome to The Risk Takers Podcast, hosted by professional sports bettor John Shilling (GoldenPants13) and SportsProjections. This podcast is the best betting education available - PERIOD. And it's free - please share and subscribe if you like it.Follow SportsProjections on Twitter: https://x.com/Sports__ProjFollow GP on Twitter: https://x.com/goldenpants013
AI may change software overnight, but company building still takes time.Ryan Smith explains why, despite the pace of AI, “the race is going to be way longer than anyone thinks.”He reflects on Qualtrics surviving multiple market cycles and ultimately being acquired by SAP for $8 billion days before going public.Guest: Ryan Smith, co-founder QualtricsConnect with Ryan SmithXLinkedInConnect with Joubin:XLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comFollow Grit: LinkedInXLearn more about Kleiner Perkins
Healthcare AI funding is booming, but the money is flowing to fewer companies than ever before. As investors pour capital into a small group of breakout winners, founders are navigating a fundraising environment where expectations seem to change every quarter. Based on interviews with 24 healthcare founders and a dozen healthcare investors, Halle breaks down what is actually happening in the market today, from pitch meetings and diligence processes to the growing debate over whether AI has fundamentally changed venture capital itself. Why healthcare AI fundraising has become a tale of two marketsThe two questions dominating investor meetings in 2026The metrics VCs are looking for todayThe debate over whether investors should abandon traditional ownership targetsWhy high valuations can be both a gift and a trap for founders —Show notes:Submit questions for our Eric Larsen healthcare AI Q&A here Part I: AI ate digital health (and what that means for fundraising)Part II: Convicted or disciplined: How healthcare VCs are split on investing—
Ash Schroeder, a brand strategist who helps purpose led female founders uncover what truly sets them apart and build businesses rooted in clarity and self trust.Through bespoke brand strategy, fractional CMO support, and deep purpose driven work, Ash guides women to realise that their product is not the magic - they are, and she helps bring that truth to life.Now, Ash's journey from VP of Marketing in tech and leading Creator Marketing at Pinterest to becoming a sought after personal brand therapist for women in Venture Capital demonstrates the power of redefining what brand really means.And while balancing the unpredictable highs and lows of entrepreneurship, launching her own oral care brand, and raising two young children, she is building an aligned business grounded in purpose, creativity, and self trust.Here's where to find more:Website: www.ashschroeder.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/ashschroederLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schroederashleyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ashschroeder1________________________________________________Welcome to The Unforget Yourself Show where we use the power of woo and the proof of science to help you identify your blind spots, and get over your own bullshit so that you can do the fucking thing you ACTUALLY want to do!We're Mark and Katie, the founders of Unforget Yourself and the creators of the Unforget Yourself System and on this podcast, we're here to share REAL conversations about what goes on inside the heart and minds of those brave and crazy enough to start their own business. From the accidental entrepreneur to the laser-focused CEO, we find out how they got to where they are today, not by hearing the go-to story of their success, but talking about how we all have our own BS to deal with and it's through facing ourselves that we find a way to do the fucking thing.Along the way, we hope to show you that YOU are the most important asset in your business (and your life - duh!). Being a business owner is tough! With vulnerability and humor, we get to the real story behind their success and show you that you're not alone._____________________Find all our links to all the things like the socials, how to work with us and how to apply to be on the podcast here:https://linktr.ee/unforgetyourself