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Rebranding a company is rarely neat, and James Clark makes that clear in this conversation. He talks through the pressure of changing a long established name, the internal tension that came with it and the need to build something that reflects future ambition rather than past comfort. His breakdown of stakeholder alignment, intellectual coherence and disciplined decision making gives founders a practical view of how to manage identity change at scale. It is a calm and honest look at the work behind a brand that now represents a fast growing venture capital firm with global reach.Guest note:James Clark is the Marketing Director at Molten Ventures, known for leading one of the most complex rebrands in European venture capital.Key TakeawaysA rebrand must reflect where the organisation is going, not where it has been.Stakeholder alignment matters more than visual design.Intellectual coherence gives a brand long term strength.Risk is part of the process but it must be managed with structure and clarity.
This week on Swimming with Allocators, it's a bonus episode as Earnest talks about the "Best of Season Three" on the show, highlighting memorable moments and insights from the year's most popular shows. Topics include building intentionally diverse venture portfolios, the value of connecting distinct networks in the VC space, and innovative approaches to GP seeding and strategic partnerships for fund managers. Key takeaways for listeners are the importance of focusing on quality and flexibility over rigid investment categories, embracing discomfort to foster impactful professional connections, and looking beyond the largest funds to find unique opportunities and generate true alpha in venture capital. Don't miss a look back at some of the best moments on the podcast in 2025. Highlights from this week's conversation include: Welcome and Introduction to the Best Of Episode (0:02) Honorable Mention: Joshua Berkowitz on Venture Portfolios (3:43) Embracing “A Mess by Design” in Portfolio Strategy (4:03) Kevin and Raudline on Network Building and Connectivity (9:41) The Value of Bridging Networks and Network Effects (12:36) Capital Concentration and Middle-Market Allocators (14:33) Trends in Venture Capital for 2025 and Beyond (17:35) Jason Howard on GP Seeding and Strategic Partnerships (22:25) Partnership Benefits and Advisor Roles for GPs (27:02) Final Thoughts and Takeaways (35:57) 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK Uddin. In this episode, we explore the evolving world of venture capital and how investing in overlooked founders can unlock powerful innovation and economic opportunity.Our guest is Mana Hosseini, Co founder and Managing Partner at Apex Innovative Investments Ventures, a thirty five million dollar VC fund backing early stage AI, FinTech, and Cleantech startups. Mana shares her unconventional path into VC, her global vision, and practical insights for founders aiming to become VC ready.Key HighlightsA Nontraditional Path: How Mana shifted from law to VC and why Apex backs founders who fall outside the classic mold.Apex's Investment Strategy: What unifies the AI, FinTech, and Cleantech startups they support and how Apex balances traditional and long term bets.Fund 2 and Global Growth: How the new thirty million dollar fund is structured and why expansion to Australia is a timely strategic move.Becoming VC Ready: Common misconceptions about fundraising and the traits that signal a team is prepared for venture capital.Thesis and Future Vision: What Upguys Health reveals about Apex's investment philosophy and Mana's long term mission for the firm. Special Thanks to Our Partners:RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.htmlUPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAGoogle: https://www.google.ca/A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspxFor more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
Joel Dolisy, CTO at WellSky, joins the podcast to reveal why organizational design is the ultimate "operating system" for scaling tech companies. This conversation is a deep dive into how engineering leaders must adapt their strategies when moving between the hyper growth of Venture Capital and the disciplined profitability of Private Equity.Building a high performing team is about much more than just hiring. Joel explains the necessity of maximizing the "multiplier effect" where the collective output far exceeds the sum of individual parts. We explore the pragmatic reality of digital transformation, the "art" of timing disruptive technology adoption like Generative AI, and how to use the Three Horizons framework to keep your core business stable while chasing the next big innovation. Whether you are leading a team of ten or an organization of hundreds, these insights on design principles and leadership context are essential for navigating the complexities of modern software delivery.Core InsightsShifting the perspective of software from a cost center to a core growth enabler is the fundamental requirement for any company aiming to be a true innovator.Private Equity environments require a specialized leadership approach because the "hold period" clock dictates when to prioritize aggressive growth versus EBITDA margin acceleration.Scaling successfully requires a "skeleton" of design principles, such as maintaining team sizes around eight people to ensure optimal communication flow and minimize overhead.The most critical role of a senior leader is providing constant context to the engineering org, ensuring teams understand the "why" behind shifting constraints as the company matures.Timestamped Highlights01:12 Defining the broad remit of a CTO from infrastructure and security to the unusual addition of UX.04:44 Treating your organizational structure as a living operating system that must be upgraded as you grow.10:07 Why innovation must include internal efficiency gains to free up resources for new revenue streams.15:01 Navigating the massive waves of disruption from the internet to mobile and now large language models.23:11 The tactical differences in funding engineering efforts during a five to seven year Private Equity hold period.28:57 Applying Team Topologies to create clear responsibilities across platform, feature, and enablement teams.Words to Lead By"You are trying to optimize what a set of people can do together to create bigger and greater things than the sum of the individual parts there".Expert Tactics for Tech LeadersWhen evaluating new technology like AI, Joel suggests looking at the "adoption curve compression". Unlike the mid nineties when businesses had a decade to figure out the internet, the window to integrate modern disruptors is shrinking. Leaders should use the Three Horizons framework to move dollars from the core business (Horizon 1) to speculative innovation (Horizon 3) without making knee jerk reactions based solely on hype.Join the ConversationIf you found these insights on organizational design helpful, please subscribe to the show on your favorite platform and share this episode with a fellow engineering leader. You can also connect with Joel Dolisy on LinkedIn to keep up with his latest thoughts on healthcare technology and leadership.
SRI360 | Socially Responsible Investing, ESG, Impact Investing, Sustainable Investing
The apparel industry is a $3 trillion market. But a massive share of what it produces goes straight to waste.That combination points to mispriced inputs and broken systems. And to real opportunities for circular economy solutions that work on both the business side and the environmental side.In this end-of-year gift to listeners, I'm revisiting a conversation that shows where to look for investment opportunity: at overproduction, reverse logistics that don't work, and at a system where brands often find it cheaper to write off returned product than resell it.These are highlights from an earlier conversation with Karla Mora, founder of Alante Capital, an early-stage venture fund focused on circular economy solutions and sustainable supply chains across the apparel industry.Karla works directly with brands, manufacturers, and material innovators to understand where waste is created and where capital can change outcomes.You'll hear:How overproduction creates immediate waste in apparelWhere circular economy investments can scale todayHow venture returns and impact align in this sectorListen in.—Featured guest: Karla Mora: Founder and Managing Partner at Alante Capital, an early-stage venture fund backing scalable circular economy solutions in apparel and consumer supply chains—Listen Next: Full conversation with Karla Mora—Discover More from SRI360°:Explore all episodes of the SRI360° Podcast Sign up for the free weekly email update
In the volatile world of Silicon Valley, where the average CEO tenure is often less than five years and startups burn out as quickly as they rise, Ray Zinn stands as a monumental exception. For 37 years, Zinn served as the CEO of Micrel, the semiconductor company he founded in 1978, holding the record as the longest-serving CEO of a publicly traded company in the Valley. His tenure wasn't just about longevity; it was a masterclass in disciplined consistency. Under his leadership, Micrel achieved a staggering record of being profitable for 36 out of those 37 years, a feat almost unheard of in the tech industry.This video dives deep into the story of the man they call the "Iron Man" of the semiconductor industry. We explore how Zinn famously rejected the standard Venture Capital model, choosing instead to bootstrap Micrel using his own savings and bank loans to maintain total control over the company's culture and destiny. You will learn about his unique management philosophy, "Tough Things First," which prioritized discipline and employee well-being over short-term stock manipulation.Beyond the business metrics, we also uncover the incredible personal resilience of Ray Zinn. Later in his career, he went legally blind, yet continued to run the company effectively, relying on his vivid memory and the deep trust he had built with his team. From the early days of 1978 to the final acquisition by Microchip Technology in 2015, this is the definitive story of an outlier who proved that slow, steady, and disciplined leadership can outlast the hype of Silicon Valley.Support the show
What happens when AI becomes your most influential referrer?As consumers turn to ChatGPT for answers, James Cadwallader and his team at Profound help brands like Eight Sleep and MongoDB gain visibility and leverage inside AI models.On this episode of Grit, he explains why brand narrative has shifted away from content, and why Profound is scaling globally ahead of traditional SaaS timelines.Guest: James Cadwallader, co-founder and CEO of Profound and Ilya Fushman, partner at Kleiner PerkinsConnect with James CadwalladerX: https://x.com/thejamescad?lang=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsca/Connect with Ilya FushmanX: https://x.com/ilyafLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilyafushman/Connect with JoubinX: https://x.com/JoubinmirLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joubin-mirzadegan-66186854/Email: grit@kleinerperkins.comFollow on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/kpgritFollow on X:https://x.com/KPGritLearn more about Kleiner Perkins: https://www.kleinerperkins.com/
In this episode, Ben Bajarin, Jay Goldberg, and Austin Lyons delve into the evolving landscape of networking, particularly in the context of AI and GPU technologies. They discuss the transition from traditional networking methods to more complex AI-driven networking, the significance of scaling strategies, and the critical role of SerDes in modern data centers. The conversation also touches on the ongoing debate between copper and optical networking solutions, highlighting the challenges and innovations in the field.
In this episode of The Venture Capital Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Muthu Alagappan, CEO & Co-Founder of Council Health, and Rob Biederman, Managing Partner at Asymmetric Capital Partners, to explore how AI is reshaping healthcare delivery.We unpack the idea of “care at the cost of compute”, why primary care is fundamentally broken, and how AI-native, physician-supervised models could dramatically expand clinical supply without sacrificing safety.You'll hear a candid discussion on:Why healthcare has massive supply–demand gapsAI hallucinations and why off-the-shelf models aren't safe for medical adviceHow Council combines medical AI with real doctors in the same workflowWhether AI will replace primary care doctors or act as a co-pilotThe role of data, prevention, and personalized care in the future of medicineA grounded, real-world look at where AI actually works in healthcare — and where it shouldn't.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
Bryan and Adam reflect on Oxide and Friends in 2025--favorite moments, episodes, and images. Happy new year and see you in 2026!Your hosts are Bryan Cantrill and Adam Leventhal.Some of the topics we hit on, in the order that we hit them:RFD 576: Using LLMs at Oxide (hacker news comments)OxF: Oxide and Friends 6/2/2025 -- AI Discourse with Steve Klabnik (around 1:08:00)Shell Game podcastOxF s05e12 – Hell is other networks — April 4, 2025"No Egress" was a ChatGPT joke!OxF s05e33 – A Grown-up ZFS Data Corruption Bug — November 26, 2025Simpsons scene deleted in syndicationOxF s05e29 – AI in Higher Education with Michael Littman — October 17, 2025OxF s05e28 – Systems Software in the LargeOxF s05e18 – AI, Materials, and Fraud with Ben ShindelOxF s04e21 – Adventures in Data Corruption"Duck season, Fire!"MLG Airhorn aka "the jj airhorn"OxF s05e31 – FuturelockLaura's blog post: A disappearing Service ProcessorOxF s05e34 – Death by Uptime"Painfully concrete" - ChatGPTOxF s05e03 – Holistic Engineering with Robert MustacchiOxF s05e30 – RIP USENIX ATCTeam DTrace meets Dennis Richie, redux"Fart Boy"OxF s05e?? – Books in the Box V — The latest annual book recommendation episode.Oxide Bingo by John HollowayOxF s05e16 – Scaling ManufacturingOxF s05e22 – Founder vs. InvestorOxF s05e27 – Character LimitStretch goal for 2026: finally a C&DOxF s05e24 – Diving InBryan's blog: College Baseball, Venture Capital, and the Long MaybeOxF s03e31 – Hiring Processes with Gergely OroszOxF s04e06 – Crucible: The Oxide Storage Service"Don't worry, Alan, no one will listen" -> one of our most popular episodesOxF s04e23 – RFDs: The Backbone of OxideOffice Space: Michael Bolton as AI em-dash"This isn't nostalgia, it's epistemology" - ChatGPT"Weaponized weariness" - ChatGPT"Dry Fatalism" - ChatGPT"Cougar turned in his wings..."OxF s05e16 – Solutions Software Engineering with Matthew SanabriaAlexander Hamilton: amazing. Also the world's pre-eminent subtweeter and blogger?If we got something wrong or missed something, please file a PR! Our next show will likely be on Monday at 5p Pacific Time on our Discord server; stay tuned to our Mastodon feeds for details, or subscribe to this calendar. We'd love to have you join us, as we always love to hear from new speakers!
Eliza Lochner is a seasoned marketing leader with experience spanning Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups. She leads global marketing for Airbnb's real estate development partnerships and new supply initiatives, including the Airbnb Friendly Apartments program, which helps renters earn supplemental income while giving property owners transparency, controls, and new revenue opportunities. Passionate about building human connections that fuel business growth, Eliza focuses on partnerships at the intersection of housing affordability, flexibility, and real estate innovation.(01:30) - Airbnb-friendly Apartments (02:55) - Addressing Housing Affordability(04:34) - Owner & Property Manager Controls(06:28) - Program Success & Expansion(09:25) - Impact on Resident & Investor Attraction(14:24) - Revenue Sharing & Incentives(18:56) - Building Trust with Property Managers(21:14) - Blueprint - The Future of Real Estate - Register for 2026: The Premier Event for Industry Executives, Real Estate & Construction Tech Startups and VC's, at The Venetian, Las Vegas on September 22nd-24th, 2026. As a friend of Tangent, you can save $300 on your All-Access pass(22:05) - Channel Partners & Distribution Strategy(24:00) - Boutique Hotels Partnerships(25:45) - Major Events: World Cup and Olympics(29:43) - Future of Airbnb Friendly Buildings Program(31:26) - Collaboration Superpower: Michelle Obama & Eumaeus (Wiki)
Dr. Christina Smolke runs a brewery, except the yeast isn't making alcohol. It's making medicine. At Antheia, Smolke has turned a long-shot Stanford research project into a new way to manufacture critical pharmaceutical ingredients, using biology instead of traditional chemistry.The approach is already being used to produce opioid precursors for Narcan, with more drugs in the pipeline aimed at chronic shortages and supply-chain failures. Smolke talks about regulation, security, and why some of the hardest problems in science are worth chasing—especially when everyone says they won't work. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Was tun, wenn eine E-Mail das ganze Leben verändern könnte? Dr. Philipp Baaske hat für sein Unternehmen ein Kaufangebot über mehrere hundert Millionen Euro erhalten. Ein Exit, der vieles ermöglichen würde. Und doch hat er das Angebot abgelehnt. In dieser Podcastfolge spreche ich mit dem Gründer von NanoTemper Technologies über diese Entscheidung und über das, was folgt, wenn man sich bewusst gegen das schnelle Geld entscheidet. Heute beschäftigt NanoTemper rund 240 Mitarbeitende an neun Standorten weltweit. Ihre biophysikalischen Messgeräte spielen eine zentrale Rolle in der Entwicklung von mRNA-Impfstoffen. Für seine Arbeit wurde Philipp Baaske mehrfach ausgezeichnet, unter anderem mit dem Deutschen Gründerpreis und dem Deutschen Innovationspreis. Seine Haltung hat er in seinem Buch „The Honorable Entrepreneur“ beschrieben. Unser Gespräch kreist um Fragen, die selten offen gestellt werden: um Verlockung und Verzicht, um Unabhängigkeit, Verantwortung und Vertrauen. Wir sprechen darüber, was Geld ermöglicht und was es nicht lösen kann. Über persönliche Prägungen, über ein starkes „Warum“ und über den Preis und die Chancen, die werteorientiertes Unternehmertum mit sich bringt. Im Gespräch geht es unter anderem um: - die bewusste Entscheidung gegen Venture Capital und für Kundenfinanzierung - die Verlockung des schnellen Geldes und ihre Wirkung auf Unternehmer - Führungskultur jenseits von Schlagworten - schnelles Wachstum, seine Risiken und Lernmomente - den Schritt vom operativen Co-CEO zum Executive Chairman Ein Gespräch über unternehmerische Verantwortung, über Vertrauen – und darüber, was Erfolg bedeuten kann, wenn man ihn nicht nur in Zahlen misst. Ihr findet Philipp auf LinkedIn unter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipp-baaske/ und auf seiner Website gibt es den Zugang zum Buch und zu weiteren Informationen: https://www.philippbaaske.com Alle Informationen zu meiner Arbeit findet ihr wie immer unter: www.hannah-panidis.de Und hier begegnet ihr mir meist tagesaktuell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahpanidis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-panidis-55141a145/?originalSubdomain=de Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HannahPanidisKommunikation/?locale=de_DE
Business unplugged - Menschen, Unternehmen und Aspekte der Digitalisierung
In this episode of Collisions YYC, Tyler is joined by Hugo Lafontaine, Vice President of Schneider Electric, to unpack the human side of digital transformation in Canada's infrastructure and energy sectors. From automation to AI, Hugo offers a refreshing take on why technology alone isn't enough to drive progress—and why Canada needs to rethink its approach to risk, mentorship, and innovation culture.In this episode:The three pillars of successful digital transformation: tech, adoption, and implementationWhy Canada's conservative business culture is slowing innovationHow Schneider Electric is investing in Calgary's energy and tech ecosystemThe rise of smart buildings and what's stalling their mainstream adoptionThe promise and pitfalls of AI in operations and trainingThe importance of simplifying tech to make it more humanTop 3 Wisdom Bombs"By doing all that at the same time—making sure you grow, making sure you're profitable, and being sustainable—they're not mutually exclusive, they actually can work quite well together.” - Hugo Lafontaine“The main reason [the US is accelerating] is the massive investment that countries, sectors, and so on are doing with technology.” - Hugo Lafontaine“Technology is not going to come and fix your process.” - Hugo LafontaineThis 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.comThank 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.comTyler's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerchisholmGuest links:Hugo Lafontaine's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugolafontaineSchneider Electric's Website: https://www.se.com/ca/en/Schneider Electric's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/schneider-electricSchneider Electric's Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/SchneiderElectricSchneider Electric's Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/schneiderelectricSchneider Electric's X: https://www.x.com/SchneiderElecCASchneider Electric's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/SchneiderElectricCollisions YYC is a Tyler Chisholm original production // Brought to you by clearmotive marketing
In this episode, Sasha Orloff speaks with Usman Gul, founder and CEO of Metal, about building an AI-driven operating system for fundraising backed by Y Combinator and Andreessen Horowitz that helps founders avoid wasting 80% of their investor meetings by using data-driven insights to identify the most likely investors based on historical funding patterns, industry benchmarks, and relationship intelligence across over 500,000 venture rounds. -- SPONSORS: Notion Boost your startup with Notion—the ultimate connected workspace trusted by thousands worldwide! From engineering specs to onboarding and fundraising, Notion keeps your team organized and efficient. For a limited time, get 6 months of Notion AI FREE to supercharge your workflow. Claim your offer now at https://notion.com/startups/puzzle Puzzle
Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Hillary Talbot and Jennifer Kuan, Ph.D., Managing Partners of être Venture Capital. Hillary is a sailor, surfer, and former competitive Alpine skier who brings over 20 years of startup ecosystem experience to VC, helping founders shape strategy, drive profitability, and build toward successful exits. She co-founded être to dismantle barriers for women and minority founders and support entrepreneurs solving real-world challenges through manufacturing and critical technologies. Jennifer, a Ph.D. in Business from UC Berkeley and MS from Stanford, is a tenured economics and entrepreneurship professor whose academic research explores how nonprofit structures support innovative industries like venture capital, open-source software, and semiconductors. She co-founded être to put collaborative, research-driven VC principles into practice, and developed the free online course Venture Capital 101 for Women to make the industry more accessible. In this episode, Catherine, Hillary, and Jennifer dive into the journey of becoming a lead investor—what it means, why it matters, and how women can confidently step into this influential role. They discuss how être VC structures investments to empower women as leaders in capital deployment, the importance of understanding term sheets and due diligence, and why taking that first leap as a lead investor can create ripple effects for future founders and funds. The conversation also touches on the collaborative nature of successful venture ecosystems, the mindset required to lead a round, and how women can use their lived experience and decision-making strengths to transform the investment landscape. Catherine and her guests break down both the strategic and psychological components of leadership in venture capital, offering listeners a clear roadmap for getting started and building confidence in the process.
This week we chat with Paige Finn Doherty!Paige is the Founding Partner of Behind Genius Ventures, an early-stage venture firm managing nearly $14 million in AUM. Behind Genius makes concentrated investments in pre-seed and seed-stage companies led by technical storytellers across applied AI, frontier tech, and what's next.A writer and former engineer, Paige first broke into venture capital in a truly unconventional way by writing a best-selling “children's book for adults” about how venture capital works, Seed to Harvest. At the time, she was working as a Developer Success Engineer at WorkOS, a role she actually landed through Twitter!Paige's impact and storytelling have earned her widespread recognition: she was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Cover in Venture Capital (2022), named a Rising SDSU Aztec Awardee, and most recently, inducted into the Rancho Bernardo High School Hall of Fame.Originally from San Diego and now based in San Francisco, Paige continues to bring transparency, creativity, and heart to the world of venture through storytelling and curio✨ This episode is presented by Brex.Brex: brex.com/trailblazerspodThis episode is supported by RocketReach, Gusto, OpenPhone & Athena.RocketReach: rocketreach.co/trailblazersGusto: gusto.com/trailblazersQuo: Quo.com/trailblazersAthena: athenago.me/Erica-WengerFollow Us!Paige Finn Doherty: @paigedohertyBehind Genius Substack: @behindgenius.substack.com@thetrailblazerspod: Instagram, YouTube, TikTokErica Wenger: @erica_wenger
Fluent Fiction - Italian: Luca's Leap: Embracing Innovation Over Tradition in Milan Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2025-12-16-23-34-02-it Story Transcript:It: Milan.En: Milan.It: È pieno inverno.En: It is the middle of winter.It: Fuori, i fiocchi di neve cadono leggeri, ma dentro l'incubatore di startup, l'atmosfera è calda e vivace.En: Outside, snowflakes fall gently, but inside the startup incubator, the atmosphere is warm and lively.It: Nell'aria c'è il profumo di caffè appena fatto, e sul tavolo della sala riunioni, tra documenti e laptop, ci sono anche pandori e panettoni decorati per il Natale.En: There is the aroma of freshly brewed coffee in the air, and on the meeting room table, among documents and laptops, there are even pandori and panettoni decorated for Christmas.It: Luca, il giovane venture capitalist, guarda fuori dalla finestra.En: Luca, the young venture capitalist, looks out the window.It: Nato in una famiglia di affermati uomini d'affari tradizionali, sente la pressione della loro approvazione.En: Born into a family of established traditional businessmen, he feels the pressure of their approval.It: Sa che devono essere convinti del suo prossimo investimento.En: He knows they must be convinced of his next investment.It: La sala è arredata in modo moderno-ma accogliente.En: The room is decorated in a modern yet cozy manner.It: I muri sono bianchi, ma le decorazioni natalizie portano gioia e colore.En: The walls are white, but the Christmas decorations bring joy and color.It: Luca, con un tailleur semplice ma elegante, è seduto accanto a Giulia.En: Luca, wearing a simple yet elegant suit, is seated next to Giulia.It: Lei è la collega pragmatica, brava con i conti.En: She is the pragmatic colleague, good with numbers.It: Sono lì per una presentazione importante.En: They are there for an important presentation.It: Marco, il giovane fondatore della startup, si prepara a presentare HeatWave, una tecnologia energetica rivoluzionaria che promette di ridurre le emissioni di carbonio.En: Marco, the young startup founder, is preparing to present HeatWave, a revolutionary energy technology that promises to reduce carbon emissions.It: Luca è emozionato.En: Luca is excited.It: Vede il potenziale, ma Giulia resta scettica.En: He sees the potential, but Giulia remains skeptical.It: "Marco, i tuoi numeri sono vaghi," dice Giulia, mentre Marco sfoglia le diapositive.En: "Marco, your numbers are vague," says Giulia, as Marco scrolls through the slides.It: Lui risponde con entusiasmo, spiegando la visione grandiosa dietro il progetto.En: He responds enthusiastically, explaining the grand vision behind the project.It: Luca è colpito dalla passione di Marco.En: Luca is impressed by Marco's passion.It: Ma sa che la sua decisione deve avere basi solide.En: But he knows his decision must be based on solid foundations.It: La presentazione continua.En: The presentation continues.It: Giulia alza un sopracciglio, mai convinta.En: Giulia raises an eyebrow, still unconvinced.It: È un momento cruciale.En: It's a crucial moment.It: Marco, notando il dubbio nella stanza, fa un passo in avanti e propone una dimostrazione pratica.En: Marco, noticing the doubt in the room, takes a step forward and proposes a practical demonstration.It: Mostra un prototipo funzionante di HeatWave.En: He shows a working prototype of HeatWave.It: La stanza si riempie di un'energia diversa, palpabile.En: The room fills with a different, palpable energy.It: Gli occhi di Luca brillano.En: Luca's eyes sparkle.It: In un attimo, vede quello che Marco racconta: un mondo più pulito, più verde.En: In an instant, he sees what Marco is describing: a cleaner, greener world.It: È un'immagine che non riesce più a ignorare.En: It is an image he can no longer ignore.It: Dopo l'incontro, Giulia e Luca discutono.En: After the meeting, Giulia and Luca discuss.It: Lei è cauta.En: She is cautious.It: "Non possiamo rischiare tanto," dice.En: "We can't risk so much," she says.It: Ma Luca ha già deciso.En: But Luca has already decided.It: Vuole credere nella promessa del cambiamento, della sostenibilità.En: He wants to believe in the promise of change, of sustainability.It: Pensa alla cena di Natale con la sua famiglia.En: He thinks of the Christmas dinner with his family.It: Vuole davvero la loro approvazione, ma sente anche un impulso profondo verso l'innovazione.En: He really wants their approval, but he also feels a deep drive toward innovation.It: Con cuore deciso, contatta Marco e conferma l'investimento.En: With a determined heart, he contacts Marco and confirms the investment.It: Giulia non è convinta, ma accetta la decisione del collega.En: Giulia is not convinced, but she accepts her colleague's decision.It: È un rischio, sì, ma Luca sente che è quello giusto.En: It is a risk, yes, but Luca feels it is the right one.It: Nei giorni successivi, l'energia pulsante dell'incubatore si accentua ancora di più.En: In the following days, the pulsing energy of the incubator intensifies even more.It: L'atmosfera festiva e la speranza per il futuro animano tutti.En: The festive atmosphere and hope for the future animate everyone.It: Arriva il Natale.En: Christmas arrives.It: Durante la cena, Luca parla della startup.En: During dinner, Luca talks about the startup.It: Descrive la passione di Marco e la dimostrazione che ha trasformato il suo scetticismo in convinzione.En: He describes Marco's passion and the demonstration that turned his skepticism into conviction.It: La sua famiglia lo ascolta, alcuni sorridono, altri annuiscono.En: His family listens, some smile, others nod.It: Per la prima volta, Luca non cerca più la loro completa approvazione.En: For the first time, Luca no longer seeks their full approval.It: È sicuro della sua scelta.En: He is confident in his choice.It: È sicuro di sé.En: He is confident in himself.It: Questo Natale, a Milano, nonostante la neve e il freddo, Luca sente il calore di una nuova fiducia.En: This Christmas, in Milan, despite the snow and the cold, Luca feels the warmth of newfound confidence.It: Ha intrapreso un percorso di cui non conosce ancora l'esito, ma è un percorso che ha scelto con il cuore e con la testa.En: He has embarked on a path the outcome of which he does not yet know, but it is a path he has chosen with both heart and mind.It: Questo è il suo regalo più grande.En: This is his greatest gift. Vocabulary Words:winter: l'invernosnowflakes: i fiocchi di nevearoma: l'aromaincubator: l'incubatorebrew: appena fattopressure: la pressioneapproval: l'approvazionecozy: accoglientepragmatic: pragmaticafounder: il fondatoreenergy: l'energiacarbon emissions: le emissioni di carboniopotential: il potenzialevague: vaghipassion: la passioneskepticism: lo scetticismoprototype: il prototipodemonstration: la dimostrazionefoundations: le basisolid: solidedoubt: il dubbioapproval: l'approvazionesustainability: la sostenibilitàinnovation: l'innovazionerisk: il rischioconfidence: la fiduciadecision: la decisionedetermination: il cuore decisoatmosphere: l'atmosferapath: il percorso
In this episode of Collisions YYC, Tyler is joined by Katrina German, Founder and CEO of Ethical Digital, to explore how we can build technology that respects people. From AI governance to inclusive design, Katrina shares the mission behind her company's work: making digital tools that are not only effective, but truly ethical. They explore into how organizations can implement AI and data systems responsibly, how diverse teams lead to better tech, and why we're at a critical crossroads in digital evolution. Katrina offers practical strategies, personal stories, and big-picture thinking about what it means to create tech with humanity at its core.In this episode:Why AI and digital ethics matter more than everThe role of diverse lived experience in ethical innovationHow AI can be weaponized—and how to prevent itTech solutions that prioritize inclusion, consent, and transparencyHow to move from compliance-driven to values-driven systemsTop 3 Wisdom Bombs"Technology is influencing every single industry. It is creating the future as we speak.” - Katrina German“If we want to see changes in the Internet, we need to make sure that corporations and businesses are educated in terms of what some of these impacts are of where they're putting their money.” - Katrina German“ The biggest skill you need right now is resilience.” - Katrina GermanThis 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.comThank 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.comTyler's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerchisholmGuest links:Katrina German's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinagermanKatrina German's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katrinavisionEthical Digital's Website: https://www.ethicaldigital.caEthical Digital's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ethicaldigitalcaEthical Digital's Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/ethical_digitalEthical Digital's Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/EthicalDigitalCAEthical Digital's X: https://www.x.com/Ethical_DigitalCollisions YYC is a Tyler Chisholm original production // Brought to you by clearmotive marketing
Why has Acquired — seemingly against all odds — “worked”? It's a puzzling question: episodes are four hours long, they come out infrequently, and they usually don't have guests or video. Hardly the standard-issue playbook for podcasting success! And yet well over a million smart, curious and exceedingly busy humans share their (your!) valuable time with us every month. Why? This is the exact paradox that has been rolling around in the head of Michael Lewis (yes, that Michael Lewis) since he found the show earlier this year.So we asked Michael to be our guest "interlocutor" and share what he thinks is going on here, while we share ten lessons we've stolen (graciously) from companies we've studied and brought into Acquired itself. He takes us through the entire Acquired journey: how we started, why we've never hired anyone or raised money, how we pick episodes, what our business model actually is, why we focus on quality and enjoyment over maximizing enterprise value, and ultimately why we're all — you, him, us — kindred spirits together. Oh, and just for fun, we recorded this episode where another special journey began — the garage where Google was founded.Thank you for an incredible decade together… here's to the next one!Thank-yous:First, to Google for loaning us the garage. The sawhorse table desk, PC and CRT monitor on display in the background were all Google originals courtesy of the Google Founders Collection at the Computer History Museum. So cool!Second, to our friends at Shep Films for helping us seriously up our game on production quality this episode!Sponsors:Many thanks to our fantastic Fall ‘25 Season partners:J.P. Morgan Payments (you can watch our full show with them at AWS re:Invent here!)WorkOSSentryShopifyOur Favorite Michael Lewis Books:Home GameMoneyballLiar's PokerThe Blind SideThe Undoing Project (as referenced by Michael in the beginning, about Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky)Carve Outs:Books: The Name of the Wind by Patrick RothfussScience, the Endless Frontier by Vannevar BushLast Man Standing: The Ascent of Jamie Dimon and JPMorgan Chase by Duff McDonaldThe Art of Spending Money by Morgan HouselEmperors of Chocolate by Joel Glenn BrennerMorris Chang's AutobiographyPodcasts: Against the RulesRevisionist HistorySmartLessThe DailyThe Bill Simmons PodcastGraham Duncan on Invest Like the BestGlue GuysVideo: Jay KellyThe RehearsalDoug DeMuroTiresF1 The MovieAndorFalloutSeveranceSiloVideo Games: Sea of StarsKirby and the Forgotten LandProducts: ARTEZA Rollerball Pen 0.7mm FineRotring 800 Mechanical PencilFujifilm X100VIUniqlo Socks!On Running ShoesRimowa LuggageParenting: Guided Access on iPadToy StorySlumberPodBluey Experience in NYCMore Acquired:Get email updates and vote on future episodes!Join the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Check out the latest swag in the ACQ Merch Store!Note: 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.
Turning down a $3B offer from Facebook is a bold move for any young CEO.Evan Spiegel shares how Snap's early dream was to stay independent and give its community an authentic voice, a bet that proved right.He also explains why they are now doubling down on AR glasses and why the anxiety around AI deserves far more attention from tech leaders.Guest: Evan Spiegel, co-founder and CEO of Snap Inc. and Bing Gordon, Advisor at Kleiner PerkinsConnect with Evan SpiegelX:https://x.com/evanspiegel?lang=enLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-spiegel/Connect with Bing GordonX: https://x.com/bingfish LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/binggordon/Connect with JoubinX: https://x.com/JoubinmirLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joubin-mirzadegan-66186854/Email: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins:https://www.kleinerperkins.com/
This discussion analyzes the evolving landscape of semiconductor networking and custom silicon, anchored by recent updates from Marvell and Broadcom. Ben and Jay review Marvell's Industry Analyst Day, noting the company's strategic pivot toward networking and optical interconnects over pure custom logic. They debate the technical and timeline challenges of shifting AI clusters from copper to optical (fiber) cabling, contrasting Google's proprietary all-optical approach with the broader merchant market. The conversation then moves to Broadcom's recent earnings, dissecting the market's negative reaction to CEO Hawk Tan's low-energy performance, the looming competitive threat of MediaTek at Google, and the complexities of modeling AI revenue. Finally, they close with a year-end review of AI stock performance, highlighting growing capital sensitivity and skepticism regarding the sustainability of current AI infrastructure spending.
(0:00) Intro.(1:27) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel.(2:14) Start of interview. *Reference to prior episodes/reports with Richard (E126 from Feb 2024 and E158 from Dec 2024)(3:11) AI dominance in public and private markets(4:14) About WSGR's 2025 SV150 Corporate Governance Report. Major Findings in DEI Disclosure (impact on board diversity)(12:25) Broader ESG Changes and Challenges to SEC Climate Disclosure Rule(16:03) California approach to climate risk disclosures (SB 253 and SB 261) and greenhouse gas emissions disclosure(19:04) State vs. Federal Regulatory Landscape(21:13) On SEC's change of policy relating to mandatory arbitration bylaws(23:41) SEC Changes Under Chair Atkins: changes in exec comp disclosures and removing quarterly reporting (27:18) SEC Changes to Rule 14a-8 proposals(29:23) On Lack of Minority Party SEC Commissioners(32:30) Delaware vs. Other States on Corporate Incorporations(39:26) Other findings from the 2025 report. Including on dual-class shares and sunset provisions.(41:12) The State of Private Markets, IPOs and VC(49:55) Biggest winner in business in 2025(50:55) Biggest loser in business in 2025(53:00) Biggest business surprise in 2025(54:32) Best and worst corporate governance trend from 2025(58:18) What's the biggest corporate governance trend to watch out for in 2026Richard Blake is a partner at Wilson Sonsini and the leader of the firm's public companies' practice. 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
Most founders obsess over ideas.Breakthrough companies obsess over inflections, conviction, and structure.This episode unpacks Pattern Breakers by Mike Maples Jr.—a book that quietly explains why most startups never break out… and why a small minority reshape entire categories.But this isn't a book summary.It's a thinking upgrade for founders, operators, board members, and investors navigating the most fragile phase of company building: Series A to IPO, where timing, conviction, and structure matter more than features or pitch decks.Across seven tightly structured lessons, this episode explores how pattern-breaking companies are built before the world is ready for them—and why success is rarely about genius ideas, and almost always about seeing the future early and designing for it deliberately.You'll hear why:breakthroughs start with external inflections, not internal brainstormingwinning companies are non-consensus and right, long before they're popularmovements outperform products when markets get noisyMVPs test interest, but prototypes test desperationproductive disagreeableness protects insight when pressure risescorporate success quietly creates biases that kill innovationand why structure—not culture—is the hidden lever behind breakthroughsEach lesson is grounded in real company examples, translated into today's market reality, and finished with coaching questions you can use immediately—in leadership meetings, boardrooms, or investment decisions.Key TakeawaysInflections Beat Ideas Breakthrough timing comes from external change, not creativity.Non-Consensus Is the Signal If everyone agrees, upside is already gone.Movements Outrun Products Identity compounds longer than features.Test Desperation, Not Interest Scalability starts with craving, not curiosity.Protect Conviction Consensus feels safe. It rarely creates breakthroughs.Design for Breakthroughs Small, protected, fast teams outperform bureaucracy every time.Timestamps(00:00) Intro(02:58) The Big Idea Behind Pattern Breakers (05:19) Who Is Mike Maples — and Why His Perspective Matters (07:35) Lesson 1: Start With Inflections, Not Ideas (12:36) Lesson 2: Be Non-Consensus and Right (17:31) Lesson 3: Prototype the Future, Not the MVP (21:31) Lesson 4: Recruit, Lead, and Scale Through Movements (26:20) Lesson 5: Master Productive Disagreeableness (30:04) Lesson 6: Break the Corporate Biases That Kill Breakthroughs (35:00) Lesson 7: Structure for Breakthrough Execution (39:41) Key Takeaways — The Lenses and Habits That Matter (42:21) Personal Reflection & Critique Why ListenLearn how category-defining companies are built before markets openUpgrade how you evaluate startups, strategies, and leadership teamsReplace product thinking with inflection, conviction, and structureWalk away with questions that immediately sharpen decisionsFound this valuable?Like, share, and follow.Every signal helps grow the show—and brings you more thinking frameworks from people and companies who didn't follow patterns… they broke them.Send us a textSupport the showJoin the Podcast Newsletter: Link
Rob Hadick (GP at Dragonfly) joins VC.fm to break down how crypto venture actually works through cycles — and why the smartest firms stay countercyclical when everyone else is panicking.We go deep on the shift from “protocols capture all value” to the rise of crypto applications that generate real revenue, including prediction markets (Polymarket), stablecoin infrastructure, DeFi-backed fintech products, and the next era of tokenization + onchain financial rails.Rob also explains stablecoins in plain English, why adoption is accelerating across emerging markets and Fortune 500s, and where AI + crypto overlaps in ways that aren't pure speculation.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 of Crazy Wisdom, I—Stewart Alsop—sit down with Garrett Dailey to explore a wide-ranging conversation that moves from the mechanics of persuasion and why the best pitches work by attraction rather than pressure, to the nature of AI as a pattern tool rather than a mind, to power cycles, meaning-making, and the fracturing of modern culture. Garrett draws on philosophy, psychology, strategy, and his own background in storytelling to unpack ideas around narrative collapse, the chaos–order split in human cognition, the risk of “AI one-shotting,” and how political and technological incentives shape the world we're living through. You can find the tweet Stewart mentions in this episode here. Also, follow Garrett Dailey on Twitter at @GarrettCDailey, or find more of his pitch-related work on LinkedIn.Check out this GPT we trained on the conversationTimestamps00:00 Garrett opens with persuasion by attraction, storytelling, and why pitches fail with force. 05:00 We explore gravity as metaphor, the opposite of force, and the “ring effect” of a compelling idea. 10:00 AI as tool not mind; creativity, pattern prediction, hype cycles, and valuation delusions. 15:00 Limits of LLMs, slopification, recursive language drift, and cultural mimicry. 20:00 One-shotting, psychosis risk, validation-seeking, consciousness vs prediction. 25:00 Order mind vs chaos mind, solipsism, autism–schizophrenia mapping, epistemology. 30:00 Meaning, presence, Zen, cultural fragmentation, shared models breaking down. 35:00 U.S. regional culture, impossibility of national unity, incentives shaping politics. 40:00 Fragmentation vs reconciliation, markets, narratives, multipolarity, Dune archetypes. 45:00 Patchwork age, decentralization myths, political fracturing, libertarian limits. 50:00 Power as zero-sum, tech-right emergence, incentives, Vance, Yarvin, empire vs republic. 55:00 Cycles of power, kyklos, democracy's decay, design-by-committee, institutional failure.Key InsightsPersuasion works best through attraction, not pressure. Garrett explains that effective pitching isn't about forcing someone to believe you—it's about creating a narrative gravity so strong that people move toward the idea on their own. This reframes persuasion from objection-handling into desire-shaping, a shift that echoes through sales, storytelling, and leadership.AI is powerful precisely because it's not a mind. Garrett rejects the “machine consciousness” framing and instead treats AI as a pattern amplifier—extraordinarily capable when used as a tool, but fundamentally limited in generating novel knowledge. The danger arises when humans project consciousness onto it and let it validate their insecurities.Recursive language drift is reshaping human communication. As people unconsciously mimic LLM-style phrasing, AI-generated patterns feed back into training data, accelerating a cultural “slopification.” This becomes a self-reinforcing loop where originality erodes, and the machine's voice slowly colonizes the human one.The human psyche operates as a tension between order mind and chaos mind. Garrett's framework maps autism and schizophrenia as pathological extremes of this duality, showing how prediction and perception interact inside consciousness—and why AI, which only simulates chaos-mind prediction, can never fully replicate human knowing.Meaning arises from presence, not abstraction. Instead of obsessing over politics, geopolitics, or distant hypotheticals, Garrett argues for a Zen-like orientation: do what you're doing, avoid what you're not doing. Meaning doesn't live in narratives about the future—it lives in the task at hand.Power follows predictable cycles—and America is deep in one. Borrowing from the Greek kyklos, Garrett frames the U.S. as moving from aristocracy toward democracy's late-stage dysfunction: populism, fragmentation, and institutional decay. The question ahead is whether we're heading toward empire or collapse.Decentralization is entropy, not salvation. Crypto dreams of DAOs and patchwork societies ignore the gravitational pull of power. Systems fragment as they weaken, but eventually a new center of order emerges. The real contest isn't decentralization vs. centralization—it's who will have the coherence and narrative strength to recentralize the pieces.
Gus Tai is a veteran Venture Capitalist and a close friend. We discuss why the Venture Capital industry needs to shrink in size. The post 711th 1Mby1M Entrepreneurship Podcast with Investor Gus Tai first appeared on Sramana Mitra.
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Elizabeth Egan of TIFF Investment Management shares her journey through the investment industry, offering insights from her experiences as both an LP and GP, and highlighting the valuable lessons learned from her time in the consumer sector. The conversation also explores TIFF's focused approach to private markets, why brand and network effects matter in venture investing, and the necessity of diligence and unique perspectives to identify emerging managers in a competitive landscape. Key takeaways include the importance of building long-term relationships, the critical role of GP talent density, and how LPs can generate strong returns by backing early-stage, specialist managers. Also, don't miss our insider segment as Shane Goudey of Sidley discusses how fund managers are increasingly engaging with the secondary market and adopting creative structures like continuation funds and preferred equity to provide liquidity options and manage complex relationships with limited partners. Highlights from this week's conversation include: Welcome, Introductions, and Elizabeth's Career Journey (0:42) Benefits of Early LP Experience and Investment Perspective Shift (3:07) The Importance of Evaluating Deals with the "Sniff Test" (4:43) How Consumer Packaged Goods Experience Informs Investing (6:39) The Role of AI in Venture Capital and the Importance of Judgment (8:37) Human-Centric Strategies and Network Effects in Venture Capital (10:19) Defining Success at TIFF and Generating High Returns (14:07) Discussion of Venture and Private Equity Liquidity Strategies (18:12) The Negotiation Layers in SPV and Fund Structures (23:35) Rationale Behind TIFF's Focus on Specific Market Segments (26:19) How TIFF Selects and Builds Relationships With Early Managers (28:43) Communicating Early Investment Focus to Clients (31:10) Growing With Managers Through Direct and Fund Investments (32:55) Seeking Long-Term Vision in Fund Managers, Not Just Investors (35:09) The Future of Venture: GP Talent Density and Market Trends (37:59) The Importance of Finding Breakout GPs and Parting Thoughts (41:02) TIFF Investment Management TIFF is an OCIO (Outsourced Chief Investment Office) founded by the Rockefeller and MacArthur Foundations to serve the nonprofit community. TIFF manages approximately $10 billion in assets as of September 30, 2025, including roughly $3.0 billion overseen by the private markets team across venture capital, private equity, and direct equity strategies. Learn more at https://www.tiff.org. Sidley Austin LLP is a premier global law firm with a dedicated Venture Funds practice, advising top venture capital firms, institutional investors, and private equity sponsors on fund formation, investment structuring, and regulatory compliance. With deep expertise across private markets, Sidley provides strategic legal counsel to help funds scale effectively. Learn more at sidley.com. 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. Elizabeth Egan is a Director at TIFF Investment Management. The views expressed on this podcast are her own and are for informational purposes only. They should not be construed as investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell any security, or an offer to provide investment advisory services. Any examples or discussions are intended for general educational purposes and should not be relied upon for making investment decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investments in private funds involve a high degree of risk, including the potential loss of principal. TIFF does not endorse, sponsor, or approve any advertisements that may appear during this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Von Termsheet bis Exit: Venture Capital einfach erklärt
Guest: Derek Baird, CEO & Co-founder, Switchboard HealthResources:Switchboard Health: https://switchboardhealth.com/Conduce Health: https://www.conducehealth.com/Connect with Derek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debaird/Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-crabbs-5674a233/ Product in Healthtech is community for healthtech product leaders, by product leaders. For more information, and to sign up for our free webinars, visit www.productinhealthtech.com.
What happens when entrepreneurial success results in a web of investments, assets, and stories that grew too complex for any one person to manage? This episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast dives into the often-overlooked challenges of building and preserving a family legacy while maintaining clarity and order for generations to come.Our guest, Josh Kanter, brings firsthand experience from growing up as the son of a legendary tax lawyer and later managing his family's highly intricate financial affairs. His journey through the legal, venture, and family office worlds inspired him to create Leaf Planner—a tool designed to help families and entrepreneurs untangle their personal and financial complexities.Listeners will gain a high-level playbook for managing investments, capturing important family stories, and laying the groundwork for true multi-generational success. Josh Kanter and Marcia Dawood offer practical steps and compelling anecdotes, making this a must-listen for anyone looking to streamline their legacy and protect what really matters. To get the latest from Josh Kanter, you can follow him below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-kanter/https://leafplanner.com Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comDo Good While Doing WellLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood
Send us a textIs it ethical to build a for-profit business based on faith? Most people think religion and Venture Capital don't mix. In this video, The creator of PRAY.COM breaks down why we raised capital not for a 5-year exit, but for a 200-year mission, and the brutal reality of scaling an app to 2 million users in the AI era.Claim your FREE Year of the Prayer.com App! When you watch the video Watch video here: https://youtu.be/kKgY8G5gUqALearn how to invest in real estate with the Cashflow 2.0 System! Your business in a box with 1:1 coaching, motivated seller leads, & softwares. https://www.wealthyinvestor.com/Want to work 1:1 with Ryan Pineda? Apply at ryanpineda.comJoin our FREE community, weekly calls, and bible studies for Christian entrepreneurs and business people. https://tentmakers.us/Want to grow your business and network with elite entrepreneurs on world-class golf courses? Apply now to join Mastermind19 – Ryan Pineda's private golf mastermind for high-level founders and dealmakers. www.mastermind19.com--- About Ryan Pineda: Ryan Pineda has been in the real estate industry since 2010 and has invested in over $100,000,000 of real estate. He has completed over 700 flips and wholesales, and he owns over 650 rental units. As an entrepreneur, he has founded seven different businesses that have generated 7-8 figures of revenue. Ryan has amassed over 2 million followers on social media and has generated over 1 billion views online. Starting as a minor league baseball player making less than $2,000 a month, Ryan is now worth over $100 million. He shares his experiences in building wealth and believes that anyone can change their life with real estate investing. ...
Join our community of unreasonable leaders achieving undeniable success: https://www.findingpeak.com Watch on YouTube: https://link.ryanhanley.com/youtube In this episode of Finding Peak, Ryan Hanley sits down with Larry Cheng, founder of Volition Capital, for a masterclass in resilience, fundraising, and brand building. Larry shares the unfiltered story of how he overcame 200 rejections to raise his first fund, the philosophy that drives his success, and why he believes a founder's personal brand is more critical than ever. This is a no-BS conversation packed with actionable insights for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone looking to level up their game. Connect with Larry Cheng Volition Capital: https://www.volitioncapital.com Larry Cheng on X: https://twitter.com/larryvc Larry Cheng on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrycheng/ Key Topics Discussed: The Power of Resilience: Larry shares the story of facing 200 rejections before securing the first investment for Volition Capital and the mindset that kept him going. Fundraising Philosophy: Learn Larry's core principle: "Don't take no's personally. Don't take yeses for granted." Venture Capital vs. Growth Equity: A clear breakdown of the different stages of private equity and what it means for founders. The Chewy Story: The inside story of how Volition Capital's investment in Chewy became a multi-billion dollar success. The Founder's Brand: Why Larry believes a founder's personal brand and community engagement are non-negotiable in today's market. Authenticity in Leadership: How to be an external and authentic leader, even if you're an introvert. --Recommended Tools for GrowthOpusClip: #1 AI video clipping and editing tool: https://link.ryanhanley.com/opusRiverside: HD Podcast & Video Software | Free Recording & Editing: https://link.ryanhanley.com/riversideWhisperFlow: Never waste time typing on your keyboard again: https://link.ryanhanley.com/whisperflowCaptionsApp: One app for all your social media video creation: https://link.ryanhanley.com/captionsappGoHighLevel: It's time to take your business workflow to the Next Level: https://link.ryanhanley.com/gohighlevelPerspective.co: The #1 funnel builder for lead generation: https://link.ryanhanley.com/perspective--Episodes You Might Enjoy:From $2 Million Loss to World-Class Entrepreneur: https://lnk.to/delkFrom One Man Shop to $200M in Revenue: https://lnk.to/tommymelloIs Psilocybin the Gateway to Self-Mastery? https://lnk.to/80upZ9 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Sabari Raja, Managing Partner at JFF Ventures, joins us to discuss her unique journey from founder (NEPRIS, now Pathful) to leading a pioneering venture fund focused on economic mobility. JFF Ventures operates at the intersection of philanthropy and venture scale, proving that investments focused on the middle and low-wage worker can achieve both high returns and massive social impact.In this powerful conversation, Sabari breaks down the three main investment themes that target the worker's full journey, from skills access to career advancement. We dive into the most difficult areas of the market, including the challenge of investing in wrap-around support like childcare and credit access.Sabari shares the questions every investor and founder should be asking about AI—is it taking away agency or expanding it? Finally, she reveals a surprising area of alignment for future capital: the $1 trillion investment needed to support the industrial backbone of the AI economy (power grids, data centers, and semiconductors).Key Takeaways You Won't Want to Miss:Impact as an Enabler: Why JFF Ventures views strong outcomes (like reduced transfer credit loss via companies like Advisely) as a direct line to revenue and growth.The AI Agency Test: The fundamental question investors should ask to gauge a startup's longevity: Does your AI give the worker more agency or less?The Industrial Investment Thesis: How JFF Ventures is aligning with the global infrastructure boom, targeting the massive labor shortage in energy and utilities.The Lived Experience: Why founders with a lived understanding of problems—like the transfer credit crisis or lack of social capital—are better positioned to build mission-driven, scalable solutions.
Join our community of unreasonable leaders achieving undeniable success: https://www.findingpeak.com Watch on YouTube: https://link.ryanhanley.com/youtube In this episode of Finding Peak, Ryan Hanley sits down with Larry Cheng, founder of Volition Capital, for a masterclass in resilience, fundraising, and brand building. Larry shares the unfiltered story of how he overcame 200 rejections to raise his first fund, the philosophy that drives his success, and why he believes a founder's personal brand is more critical than ever. This is a no-BS conversation packed with actionable insights for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone looking to level up their game. Connect with Larry Cheng Volition Capital: https://www.volitioncapital.com Larry Cheng on X: https://twitter.com/larryvc Larry Cheng on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrycheng/ Key Topics Discussed: The Power of Resilience: Larry shares the story of facing 200 rejections before securing the first investment for Volition Capital and the mindset that kept him going. Fundraising Philosophy: Learn Larry's core principle: "Don't take no's personally. Don't take yeses for granted." Venture Capital vs. Growth Equity: A clear breakdown of the different stages of private equity and what it means for founders. The Chewy Story: The inside story of how Volition Capital's investment in Chewy became a multi-billion dollar success. The Founder's Brand: Why Larry believes a founder's personal brand and community engagement are non-negotiable in today's market. Authenticity in Leadership: How to be an external and authentic leader, even if you're an introvert. --Recommended Tools for GrowthOpusClip: #1 AI video clipping and editing tool: https://link.ryanhanley.com/opusRiverside: HD Podcast & Video Software | Free Recording & Editing: https://link.ryanhanley.com/riversideWhisperFlow: Never waste time typing on your keyboard again: https://link.ryanhanley.com/whisperflowCaptionsApp: One app for all your social media video creation: https://link.ryanhanley.com/captionsappGoHighLevel: It's time to take your business workflow to the Next Level: https://link.ryanhanley.com/gohighlevelPerspective.co: The #1 funnel builder for lead generation: https://link.ryanhanley.com/perspective--Episodes You Might Enjoy:From $2 Million Loss to World-Class Entrepreneur: https://lnk.to/delkFrom One Man Shop to $200M in Revenue: https://lnk.to/tommymelloIs Psilocybin the Gateway to Self-Mastery? https://lnk.to/80upZ9 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Cix Liv challenges the Silicon Valley consensus that humanoid robots belong in the warehouse or the battlefield. By explicitly rejecting the “Terminator” military arbitrage and the “Jetsons” domestic servant model, REK validates a new thesis: entertainment is the only sector where the reliability is acceptable and economically viable. The discussion dissects the unit economics of robot combat, the “context window” required for mainstream sport adoption, and why American “lawyer culture” is fundamentally losing the hardware war to Chinese “engineering culture” explored in Dan Wang's Breakneck This is a forensic look at building “Real Steel” without government grants or safe software margins.The Agenda:00:00 - Beta Testing Robot Roadshows05:06 - Defining the Real Steel Concept07:14 - "Context Window" of Violence vs. eSports16:59 - State of Bipedal Balance & Chinese Hardware26:02 - Robot Soldier vs Real Steel Decision33:01 - B2B SaaS Brain Drain37:01 - Unit Economics: Reliability Arbitrage45:04 - Tech Stack of Tele-Operation52:07 - Dan Wang's Breakneck Thesis: Engineer China vs Lawyer US57:37 - Bringing Detroit to TexasGuest LinksREK: Website, X, Instagram, LinkedInFollow Cix: X, LinkedIn -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
Actively Black didn't start with a product—it started with a community. By building a 23,000-person audience before launch, founder Lanny Smith turned purpose-driven storytelling into a $55,000 first day and a $2 million first year. His journey shows aspiring entrepreneurs why demand-first thinking, authentic mission, and smart list-building can change everything.For more on Actively Black click hereYou'll Learn:Why Actively Black built community before developing a productThe email + SMS strategy that led to $55K in sales on launch dayHow to sell $2M+ in your first year—even with constant stockoutsWhy fast growth can be just as dangerous as no growthHow to use storytelling and cultural pride to create brand resonanceWhat it takes to build long-term customer trust without discountingHow Lanny structured partnerships with Marvel, Disney, and iconic estatesThe real math behind inventory planning at scale (and why it's so hard)How to align investors with your vision, not just your bottom lineWhy purpose is more powerful than product in competitive industriesHow Lanny's personal values fuel every decision—from pricing to hiringChapters:00:00 Introducing Lanny Smith, Founder of Actively Black01:02 How a Career Pivot Sparked a $2M Vision01:27 Building 10K Followers Before Launching a Product03:31 Why Purpose-Driven Branding Fueled $55K on Day One06:54 What Selling Out in 3 Weeks Taught Us About Manufacturing10:30 How Actively Black Landed Partnerships with Marvel, Disney & More17:52 The Traits Behind Scaling to 8 Figures and Beyond18:48 What to Know Before Entering the $1.5T Apparel Market19:54 From “No” to $2M: How to Power Through Rejection21:43 Turning a Personal Setback Into Multi-Million Dollar Growth25:35 Why Actively Black Is More Than Just Merch (And Why That Matters)29:04 How Mission and Authenticity Drive Repeat Purchases Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.
In this episode, Ben and Jay discuss a range of topics including Ben's health update, Amazon's recent AWS event focusing on AI compute, the competitive landscape with Nvidia and Google, Marvell's earnings and challenges in custom silicon, networking innovations with DPUs, Marvell's acquisition of Celestial, Nvidia's investment in Synopsys, Intel's resurgence in advanced packaging, and the leadership changes at Apple. The conversation highlights the evolving dynamics in the tech industry, particularly in AI and cloud computing.
In this captivating episode of the Goal Crazy Podcast, host Jason VanDevere sits down with Alexander Harmsen, the visionary founder of Portfolio Pilot. Alexander shares his remarkable journey from aspiring astronaut to tech entrepreneur, highlighting his relentless pursuit of innovation and success. Dive deep into Alexander's experiences as he recounts the challenges and triumphs of pitching to over 100 investors, ultimately raising millions of dollars in venture capital. Discover the strategies and insights that helped him navigate the complex world of fundraising, and learn how his tenacity and unique vision led to the creation of groundbreaking technologies. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, this episode offers invaluable lessons on perseverance, innovation, and the art of the pitch. Tune in to be inspired by Alexander's story and gain a fresh perspective on the entrepreneurial journey.Enjoy The Show! Use promo code “PODCAST” at PorfolioPilot.com to get 30 days free!Guest Links: https://portfoliopilot.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=organic&utm_content=goal+crazyTwiter: @AlexHarmChapters00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Background02:59 The Journey from NASA to Startup Founder05:57 Building Iris Automation: Challenges and Innovations10:05 Navigating Regulatory Hurdles in Drone Technology12:56 The Importance of Customer Discovery and Feedback18:03 Lessons Learned from Fundraising and Investor Relations23:58 Securing the First Investor and Building Credibility25:53 Navigating Investor Feedback and Rejections29:02 Shifting Strategies: From Vancouver to San Francisco32:24 Finding the Right Investor Fit36:24 The Importance of Regulatory Understanding37:35 Leveraging Past Success for New Ventures40:19 Identifying Market Gaps in Financial Advisory45:45 Building a Personalized Financial Advisory Platform52:13 The Future of AI in Financial Management
What does it take to go from advising founders to becoming one?On this week's special Reverse Grit episode, we flip the script and put our Grit podcast host Joubin Mirzadegan in the guest seat.Joubin recently founded Roadrunner, where he is now co-founder & CEO. Roadrunner is building an AI‑native CPQ to modernize the quote‑to‑cash stack, drawing on years of conversations he's had with enterprise revenue leaders.Stepping into the host role, Mamoon Hamid joins Joubin to talk about his transition from sales leader to founder, how Roadrunner came together, and why it became our first incubation since Glean.Roadrunner is hiring! Check them out: https://www.roadrunner.ai/Guest: Joubin Mirzadegan, Partner, Kleiner PerkinsConnect with MamoonXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins
The Haves & Have-Nots Of 2025 | Threshold Ventures Co-founder Emily MeltonThis week for our 2025 recap, we're joined by VC Emily Melton, co-founder of Threshold Ventures. Melton highlights her reflection of 2025, which splits the market into "haves and have-nots" with nothing in between, noting the concentration of venture dollars on "high flyers" and the indifference shown to established companies with respectable revenue.We cover:
One of the biggest names in the startup ecosystem is launching a new investment fund targeted at a $2.2B raise. We dig into the news, and how the AI boom is transforming the Venture Capital and Megacap investing landscape Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
246 | Muss der Spotify-Gründer Angst vor einem AI-Startup haben, das alle 2 Wochen soviel Musik erzeugt wie insgesamt auf Spotify verfügbar? Nein! Von AI Slop über Europas Chancen in 2026 bis zu Kinderkotze ist alles drin in dieser Folge.Partner dieser Folge: Clockodo: https://www.clockodo.com/optimisten, Gutschein-Code: optimisten25 Finde eine Geschäftsidee, die perfekt zu dir passt: digitaleoptimisten.de/quizMehr zum Pitch Deck von Suno: https://archive.is/7uNePKapitel:(00:00) Intro(02:00) Sunos geleaktes Pitch Deck - keine guten Nachrichten für AI Startups(14:40) Liquidationspräferenzen - der leise Killer von Startups(20:15) ST. Gallen Ökosystem Rising(29:05) Europe First oder europäischer Patriotismus(32:20) Startup-Deutschland: Loser Mentalität?(41:09) Roast my Geschäfsidee: Autositz Reinigung(51:17) Geschäftsidee von Samuel: Offline Club(57:55) Geschäftsidee von Alex: Meeting-TamagotchiMehr Kontext:In dieser Folge von Unicorn Ideas diskutieren Alex Mrozek und Samuel Schneider den AI-Musik-Hype rund um Suno, den Vergleich zum Metaverse und warum viele Venture-Capital-Modelle wertvolle Startups zerstören. Samuel stellt den HSG Startup Accelerator in St. Gallen vor und zeigt, warum Deep Tech Europa eine echte Chance hat. Außerdem: ein Reality-Check für die Longevity-Bewegung rund um Brian Johnson, eine Roast-Idee „Car Seat Heaven“ und zwei neue Pitches – Offline Membership Clubs und das Meeting-Tamagotchi für bessere Arbeitskultur.Keywords: AI Musik, Suno, AI Slop, Metaverse, Deep Tech Europa, Venture Capital, Liquidationspräferenz, HSG Accelerator, Iron Energy, Forkis, Longevity, Brian Johnson, Digital Detox, Offline Club, Tamagotchi Meetings, Digitale Optimisten, Unicorn Ideas Podcast.
In this episode we explore the importance of timing, simplicity, and passion in crossing the chasm from early adopters to mass market adoption for any company or product. We also talk about personal branding and storytelling in business success.TakeawaysThe importance of timing in market adoption is crucial for success.Simplicity in product and message helps in crossing the chasm.Passion of the founder is key to engaging customers and building trust.Personal branding and owning your domain are essential in today's digital age.Podcasts are a powerful medium for entrepreneurs to share their stories.Taking photos with others can help expand your network and reach.The cascade theory emphasizes the need for a product to be easily shareable.Entrepreneurs should focus on grassroots marketing strategies.Building a business with passion can lead to success without large budgets.About Jim JamesJim has spent over 25 years running his own PR and Marketing Firm, EastWest Public Relations. He sold his firm and now helps Founders/Entrepreneurs get noticed in the noisy world we live in.You can find him and his podcast, the Unnoticed Entrepreneur at: https://www.jimajames.com CONNECT WITH USGet Your Weekly EDGE Newsletter. It's FREE.Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)Brandon writes a weekly email newsletter called EDGE that over 22,000 people rely on for an edge to achieve their best selves in business and life.ContentBrandon writes about what he knows...lessons from 2x exits, 20+ strike outs Venture Capital, Marketing at AOL, writing a #1 Amazon Best Seller, Podcasting, Angel Investing, Philanthropy, Public service, Fitness and peak performance.Who it's forPeople that want to achieve their full potential.Claim your edge with others who have been getting a step ahead. Link to sign up: https://edge.ck.page/bea5b3fda6 A Podcast for entrepreneurs and peak performersPart of the Best Podcast Network: Productivity Podcast, Marketing Podcast, Business Plan Podcast, 401k Podcast, Car Accident Lawyer Podcast,
The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch
AGENDA: 04:20 Thrive and OpenAI Partnership 07:14 Databricks Raising $5BN at $134BN Valuation: Cheap or Not? 17:39 Eventbrite Acquired by Bending Spoons for $500M 21:39 Pagerduty's $1BN Market Cap, Just 2x Revenue 26:59 The TAM Trap: Why SaaS Is Like Japan 37:42 Lessons from Companies Hitting $100M ARR 44:57 The Future of Labour Markets is F****** 52:10 The Importance of Compounding in Investments 56:45 The Relevance Game in Venture Capital 01:05:01 Supabase at $5BN or Lovable at $6BN: Which One?
My guest in this episode is Chris Macintosh. Chris has founded and built several multi-million dollar businesses in the investment arena, including overseeing the deployment of over $30m into Venture Capital opportunities and advising family offices internationally. Before this, Chris built a career at Invesco Asset Management, Lehman Brothers, JPMChase, & Robert Flemings.Interview Links:Capital Exploits: https://capitalistexploits.at/Glenorchy Capital: https://glenorchycapital.net/Interview Links:Accountable Equity: https://accountableequity.com/Learn & Grow Event: https://accountableequity.com/learngrow/Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter:The Wealth Dojo: https://subscribe.wealthdojo.ai/Download all the Niches Trilogy Books:The 21 Best Cashflow NichesDigital: https://www.cashflowninjaprograms.com/the-21-best-cashflow-niches-bookAudio: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/21-best-cashflow-nichesThe 21 Most Unique Cashflow NichesDigital: https://www.cashflowninjaprograms.com/the-21-most-unique-cashflow-nichesAudio: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/21-most-unique-nichesThe 21 Best Cash Growth NichesDigital: https://www.cashflowninjaprograms.com/the-21-best-cash-growth-nichesAudio: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/21-cash-growth-nichesThe 21 Next Level Cashflow NichesDigital: https://www.cashflowninjaprograms.com/the-21-next-level-cashflow-niches-book-free-downloadAudio: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-21-next-level-nichesListen To Cashflow Ninja Podcasts:Cashflow Ninjahttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cashflowninjaCashflow Investing Secretshttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cashflowinvestingsecretsCashflow Ninja Bankinghttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cashflow-ninja-bankingConnect With Us:Website: http://cashflowninja.comPodcast: http://cashflowinvestingsecrets.comPodcast: http://cashflowninjabanking.comSubstack: https://mclaubscher.substack.com/Amazon Audible: https://a.co/d/1xfM1VxAmazon Audible: https://a.co/d/aGzudX0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cashflowninja/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mclaubscherInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflowninja/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cashflowninjaLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mclaubscher/Gab: https://gab.com/cashflowninjaYoutube: http://www.youtube.com/c/CashflowninjaRumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-329875
Alex Modon is CEO and Co-founder of Unlimited Industries, a company transforming infrastructure development through AI-driven automation. Unlimited tackles one of the biggest bottlenecks in climate and industrial innovation: the outdated, risk-averse world of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC). Traditional EPCs are often misaligned with the needs of first-of-a-kind projects. Unlimited flips the script by using AI to generate thousands of design permutations, drastically cutting feedback loops, iteration time, and overall cost. Alex shares how his background in software, combined with childhood exposure to industrial environments, inspired him to take on this hard problem—and why he believes the only way to build faster is to rebuild the entire system from the ground up.Episode recorded on July 29 (Published on Dec 3)In this episode, we cover: [03:15] An overview of EPCs[05:05] How EPCs make money[07:06] Why FOAK projects face EPC challenges[10:02] Reducing marginal cost of engineering design with AI[12:35] Alex's pivot from software to infrastructure[15:39] Why EPCs resist adopting AI tools[19:14] Unlimited's capital projects platform explained[23:41] How Unlimited manages physical construction[26:36] The company's vision of fully autonomous construction in the future[28:08] Why physical abundance drives Alex 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
Venture Unlocked: The playbook for venture capital managers.
Follow me @samirkaji for my thoughts on the venture market, with a focus on the continued evolution of the VC landscape.Welcome back to another episode of Venture Unlocked, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the business of venture capital.In this episode, I sit down with Lior Susan from Eclipse to explore his journey from building companies in the physical world to founding and scaling a unique venture firm. We discuss the importance of high-conviction investing, assembling elite teams from operator backgrounds, and staying adaptable in a rapidly shifting market shaped by technology and AI. Lior shares lessons on discipline, honesty, and the realities of venture investing, offering actionable insights for anyone interested in building resilient companies or understanding what it takes to succeed in today's venture landscape.Thanks for listening to another episode of Venture Unlocked. We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Lior. If you'd like to get Venture Unlocked content straight to your inbox, go to ventureunlocked.substack.com and sign up, or go to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and subscribe. Thanks again for listening.About Lior SusanLior Susan is the founder and managing partner of Eclipse, a venture capital firm focused on backing entrepreneurs who are building companies to transform physical industries. He began his career as a co-founder of Intucell, a software-defined networking startup that was acquired by Cisco in 2012. After that, he led the hardware investment platform Lab IX at Flextronics, deploying capital across energy storage, additive manufacturing, robotics, and wireless infrastructure. In 2015, Lior launched Eclipse to invest in startups transforming critical industries like manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, transportation, energy, and on. He draws on experience as an operator, investor, and former Israeli special forces serviceman to support founders tackling complex, real-world problems.Eclipse is a firm headquartered in Palo Alto (with a New York presence) that partners with entrepreneurs building category-defining companies in physical industries. The firm builds and invests in companies at all stages, combining hardware, software, and systems to modernize “bits and atoms.” Since its founding in 2015, Eclipse has built and backed over 100 companies and helped accelerate startups like Bedrock, VulcanForms, True Anomaly, and Cerebras — companies driving innovation in construction, digital manufacturing infrastructure, defense capabilities, and AI infrastructure.During the conversation, we discussed:* Lior's Career Path and Founding Eclipse (3:38)* Reflecting on the Fund's Origins and Initial Fundraising (6:46)* Adjusting Firm Size and Strategy as Opportunities Grow (9:49)* High-Conviction, High-Ownership Investment Approach (12:45)* Decision-Making Process and Team Dynamics (14:57)* Patterns Among Founders of Large Companies (17:27)* The Evolution of Eclipse's Value Proposition (20:23)* Operator-to-Investor Transitions and Internal Training (24:49)* Market Shifts and Macro Changes in Venture Capital (27:07)* Exit Challenges, IPOs, and Long-Term Private Markets (30:27)* Alignment Between LPs and Managers Around Exits (33:44)* Lior's Investment Lessons and Reflections on Power Law (35:17)* Thoughts on Deglobalization and Future Predictions (36:32)I'd love to know what you took away from this conversation with Lior. Follow me @SamirKaji and give me your insights and questions with the hashtag #ventureunlocked. If you'd like to be considered as a guest or have someone you'd like to hear from (GP or LP), drop me a direct message on X. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ventureunlocked.substack.com
Fifteen years in, it can still feel like “we're just getting started.”Michelle Zatlyn, co-founder of Cloudflare, returns to Grit with Joubin Mirzadegan to share how Cloudflare secures the internet for millions, with a vision built to last generations.She also shares why staying close to reality and to customers becomes harder as success compounds, and how Cloudflare is helping content creators regain control in an AI driven internet.Guest: Michelle Zatlyn, co-founder and President of CloudflareConnect with Michelle ZatlynXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins