Podcasts about venture funding

Wisp's CEO discusses how the women's digital health company has grown significantly and is profitable with only a small amount of investor capital. 

Women raise just 2% of venture capital. Naseem is on a mission to move that number and she has some uncomfortable truths about why women keep losing the room before they've even pitched. Naseem spent years at BCG Digital Ventures as one of just two female partners out of forty-five worldwide, sitting in boardrooms where capital flowed freely everywhere except towards women. She left to co-found Emmeline Ventures, a seed-stage fund backing female founders in health tech, financial services, and sustainability, and now works with female founders to fundraise and scale innovation. We explore: - Why women still get called "abrasive" while men get called "proactive", and the BCG experiment that proved the bias was real - The pitching reframe that rewires your brain so you can tell the story investors need to hear: "Lead with money. Put the empathy in the appendix." - Why picking up the coffee cups, taking the notes, and finishing sentences with an upward inflection is costing women deals, and promotions - The IVF journey that reshaped Naseem's career, purpose, and view on health tech for women (female founders in healthcare knew more about her body than her doctor did) - How to build investor relationships to fundraise successfully (how men raise $10M over a weekend, and why you aren't) - Why "abundance" is a strategy, not a vibe  Chapters 00:00  The 2% problem: why women still aren't getting the capital 02:00  Inside BCG: politics, lobbying for promotions, and life as the lone female partner 05:00  The newborn moment that ended her consulting career 07:30  Job descriptions, performance reviews, and the experiments that actually moved the needle 10:30  Confidence, the cups, and the notebook trap 14:00  Why women don't talk about money — and the deconditioning we owe ourselves 16:30  "Lead with money. Put the empathy in the appendix." 22:00  IVF, female health, and the capital disparity she couldn't unsee 27:00  Building Emmeline Ventures and changing where capital flows 31:00  Building investor trust before you need it. Living in abundance. Connect with Naseem: Her Linkedin Her Podcast "The Capital Flex Podcast" Connect with me:IG: https://www.instagram.com/whereboundariesdissolvepodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@helena.arjuna?_t=8oSbtTilPSQ&_r=1LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenasuter/ Support the show

Are you ready for a world where true personal computing is under threat? This week's candid conversation with Framework CEO Nirav Patel tackles why owning your own AI hardware matters more than ever—and what's at risk if we don't. Alphabet tops Q1 estimates on strong Google Cloud growth Is OpenAI Falling Further Behind in the A.I. Race? OpenAI Releases 'Spud' GPT-5.5 Model OpenAI Breaks Free From Exclusive AI Pact With Microsoft Google signs classified AI deal with the Pentagon for 'any lawful government purpose' Elon Musk appeared more petty than prepared OpenAI Set to Redefine Smartphones; MediaTek, Qualcomm & Luxshare Key to Its AI Agent Phone Why Manus has become a crucial prize in the global AI race - Fast Company Australia unveils a 2.25% levy on Meta, Google, and TikTok The Man Behind AlphaGo Thinks AI Is Taking the Wrong Path Amateur armed with ChatGPT 'vibe-maths' a 60-year-old problem Introducing talkie: a 13B vintage language model from 1930 Cursor-Opus agent snuffs out startup's production database OpenAI Really Wants Codex to Shut Up About Goblins Now we know who paid $100,000 to unlock a Sam Altman podcast interview Study Finds A Third of New Websites are AI-Generated The Bloomberg Terminal Is Getting an AI Makeover, Like It or Not Generative AI vegetarianism To buy this Bay Area home, you'll need Anthropic equity | TechCrunch * Chloe vs. History Jack Dorsey-backed Vine reboot Divine launches to the public | TechCrunch noscroll Felvidek Amazon's AI product podcasts 64″D Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Timmy's rescue Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, and Paris Martineau Guest: Nirav Patel Download or subscribe to Intelligent Machines at https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: scribe.how/machines outsystems.com/twit zscaler.com/security

Are you ready for a world where true personal computing is under threat? This week's candid conversation with Framework CEO Nirav Patel tackles why owning your own AI hardware matters more than ever—and what's at risk if we don't. Alphabet tops Q1 estimates on strong Google Cloud growth Is OpenAI Falling Further Behind in the A.I. Race? OpenAI Releases 'Spud' GPT-5.5 Model OpenAI Breaks Free From Exclusive AI Pact With Microsoft Google signs classified AI deal with the Pentagon for 'any lawful government purpose' Elon Musk appeared more petty than prepared OpenAI Set to Redefine Smartphones; MediaTek, Qualcomm & Luxshare Key to Its AI Agent Phone Why Manus has become a crucial prize in the global AI race - Fast Company Australia unveils a 2.25% levy on Meta, Google, and TikTok The Man Behind AlphaGo Thinks AI Is Taking the Wrong Path Amateur armed with ChatGPT 'vibe-maths' a 60-year-old problem Introducing talkie: a 13B vintage language model from 1930 Cursor-Opus agent snuffs out startup's production database OpenAI Really Wants Codex to Shut Up About Goblins Now we know who paid $100,000 to unlock a Sam Altman podcast interview Study Finds A Third of New Websites are AI-Generated The Bloomberg Terminal Is Getting an AI Makeover, Like It or Not Generative AI vegetarianism To buy this Bay Area home, you'll need Anthropic equity | TechCrunch * Chloe vs. History Jack Dorsey-backed Vine reboot Divine launches to the public | TechCrunch noscroll Felvidek Amazon's AI product podcasts 64″D Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Timmy's rescue Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, and Paris Martineau Guest: Nirav Patel Download or subscribe to Intelligent Machines at https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: scribe.how/machines outsystems.com/twit zscaler.com/security

Are you ready for a world where true personal computing is under threat? This week's candid conversation with Framework CEO Nirav Patel tackles why owning your own AI hardware matters more than ever—and what's at risk if we don't. Alphabet tops Q1 estimates on strong Google Cloud growth Is OpenAI Falling Further Behind in the A.I. Race? OpenAI Releases 'Spud' GPT-5.5 Model OpenAI Breaks Free From Exclusive AI Pact With Microsoft Google signs classified AI deal with the Pentagon for 'any lawful government purpose' Elon Musk appeared more petty than prepared OpenAI Set to Redefine Smartphones; MediaTek, Qualcomm & Luxshare Key to Its AI Agent Phone Why Manus has become a crucial prize in the global AI race - Fast Company Australia unveils a 2.25% levy on Meta, Google, and TikTok The Man Behind AlphaGo Thinks AI Is Taking the Wrong Path Amateur armed with ChatGPT 'vibe-maths' a 60-year-old problem Introducing talkie: a 13B vintage language model from 1930 Cursor-Opus agent snuffs out startup's production database OpenAI Really Wants Codex to Shut Up About Goblins Now we know who paid $100,000 to unlock a Sam Altman podcast interview Study Finds A Third of New Websites are AI-Generated The Bloomberg Terminal Is Getting an AI Makeover, Like It or Not Generative AI vegetarianism To buy this Bay Area home, you'll need Anthropic equity | TechCrunch * Chloe vs. History Jack Dorsey-backed Vine reboot Divine launches to the public | TechCrunch noscroll Felvidek Amazon's AI product podcasts 64″D Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Timmy's rescue Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, and Paris Martineau Guest: Nirav Patel Download or subscribe to Intelligent Machines at https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: scribe.how/machines outsystems.com/twit zscaler.com/security

Are you ready for a world where true personal computing is under threat? This week's candid conversation with Framework CEO Nirav Patel tackles why owning your own AI hardware matters more than ever—and what's at risk if we don't. Alphabet tops Q1 estimates on strong Google Cloud growth Is OpenAI Falling Further Behind in the A.I. Race? OpenAI Releases 'Spud' GPT-5.5 Model OpenAI Breaks Free From Exclusive AI Pact With Microsoft Google signs classified AI deal with the Pentagon for 'any lawful government purpose' Elon Musk appeared more petty than prepared OpenAI Set to Redefine Smartphones; MediaTek, Qualcomm & Luxshare Key to Its AI Agent Phone Why Manus has become a crucial prize in the global AI race - Fast Company Australia unveils a 2.25% levy on Meta, Google, and TikTok The Man Behind AlphaGo Thinks AI Is Taking the Wrong Path Amateur armed with ChatGPT 'vibe-maths' a 60-year-old problem Introducing talkie: a 13B vintage language model from 1930 Cursor-Opus agent snuffs out startup's production database OpenAI Really Wants Codex to Shut Up About Goblins Now we know who paid $100,000 to unlock a Sam Altman podcast interview Study Finds A Third of New Websites are AI-Generated The Bloomberg Terminal Is Getting an AI Makeover, Like It or Not Generative AI vegetarianism To buy this Bay Area home, you'll need Anthropic equity | TechCrunch * Chloe vs. History Jack Dorsey-backed Vine reboot Divine launches to the public | TechCrunch noscroll Felvidek Amazon's AI product podcasts 64″D Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Timmy's rescue Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, and Paris Martineau Guest: Nirav Patel Download or subscribe to Intelligent Machines at https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: scribe.how/machines outsystems.com/twit zscaler.com/security

Are you ready for a world where true personal computing is under threat? This week's candid conversation with Framework CEO Nirav Patel tackles why owning your own AI hardware matters more than ever—and what's at risk if we don't. Alphabet tops Q1 estimates on strong Google Cloud growth Is OpenAI Falling Further Behind in the A.I. Race? OpenAI Releases 'Spud' GPT-5.5 Model OpenAI Breaks Free From Exclusive AI Pact With Microsoft Google signs classified AI deal with the Pentagon for 'any lawful government purpose' Elon Musk appeared more petty than prepared OpenAI Set to Redefine Smartphones; MediaTek, Qualcomm & Luxshare Key to Its AI Agent Phone Why Manus has become a crucial prize in the global AI race - Fast Company Australia unveils a 2.25% levy on Meta, Google, and TikTok The Man Behind AlphaGo Thinks AI Is Taking the Wrong Path Amateur armed with ChatGPT 'vibe-maths' a 60-year-old problem Introducing talkie: a 13B vintage language model from 1930 Cursor-Opus agent snuffs out startup's production database OpenAI Really Wants Codex to Shut Up About Goblins Now we know who paid $100,000 to unlock a Sam Altman podcast interview Study Finds A Third of New Websites are AI-Generated The Bloomberg Terminal Is Getting an AI Makeover, Like It or Not Generative AI vegetarianism To buy this Bay Area home, you'll need Anthropic equity | TechCrunch * Chloe vs. History Jack Dorsey-backed Vine reboot Divine launches to the public | TechCrunch noscroll Felvidek Amazon's AI product podcasts 64″D Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Timmy's rescue Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, and Paris Martineau Guest: Nirav Patel Download or subscribe to Intelligent Machines at https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: scribe.how/machines outsystems.com/twit zscaler.com/security

Are you ready for a world where true personal computing is under threat? This week's candid conversation with Framework CEO Nirav Patel tackles why owning your own AI hardware matters more than ever—and what's at risk if we don't. Alphabet tops Q1 estimates on strong Google Cloud growth Is OpenAI Falling Further Behind in the A.I. Race? OpenAI Releases 'Spud' GPT-5.5 Model OpenAI Breaks Free From Exclusive AI Pact With Microsoft Google signs classified AI deal with the Pentagon for 'any lawful government purpose' Elon Musk appeared more petty than prepared OpenAI Set to Redefine Smartphones; MediaTek, Qualcomm & Luxshare Key to Its AI Agent Phone Why Manus has become a crucial prize in the global AI race - Fast Company Australia unveils a 2.25% levy on Meta, Google, and TikTok The Man Behind AlphaGo Thinks AI Is Taking the Wrong Path Amateur armed with ChatGPT 'vibe-maths' a 60-year-old problem Introducing talkie: a 13B vintage language model from 1930 Cursor-Opus agent snuffs out startup's production database OpenAI Really Wants Codex to Shut Up About Goblins Now we know who paid $100,000 to unlock a Sam Altman podcast interview Study Finds A Third of New Websites are AI-Generated The Bloomberg Terminal Is Getting an AI Makeover, Like It or Not Generative AI vegetarianism To buy this Bay Area home, you'll need Anthropic equity | TechCrunch * Chloe vs. History Jack Dorsey-backed Vine reboot Divine launches to the public | TechCrunch noscroll Felvidek Amazon's AI product podcasts 64″D Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Timmy's rescue Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, and Paris Martineau Guest: Nirav Patel Download or subscribe to Intelligent Machines at https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: scribe.how/machines outsystems.com/twit zscaler.com/security

In this episode, we examine the astonishing $300 billion venture funding in Q1 2026, with 80% allocated to AI startups. We also discuss the implications of new AI regulations, healthcare breakthroughs, and Meta's recent AI security incident.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:43 AI Regulation Surge04:00 Georgia's AI Bills05:41 NOAA Labs Breakthrough09:51 Meta's AI Incident13:26 Venture Funding Insights Get the top 80+ AI Models for $8.99 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiHow I Grow and Scale My Business with AI: https://www.skool.com/aihustle

In this episode, we examine the astonishing $300 billion venture funding in Q1 2026, with 80% allocated to AI startups. We also discuss the implications of new AI regulations, healthcare breakthroughs, and Meta's recent AI security incident.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:43 AI Regulation Surge04:00 Georgia's AI Bills05:41 NOAA Labs Breakthrough09:51 Meta's AI Incident13:26 Venture Funding Insights Get the top 80+ AI Models for $8.99 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiHow I Grow and Scale My Business with AI: https://www.skool.com/aihustle See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we examine the astonishing $300 billion venture funding in Q1 2026, with 80% allocated to AI startups. We also discuss the implications of new AI regulations, healthcare breakthroughs, and Meta's recent AI security incident.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:43 AI Regulation Surge04:00 Georgia's AI Bills05:41 NOAA Labs Breakthrough09:51 Meta's AI Incident13:26 Venture Funding Insights Get the top 80+ AI Models for $8.99 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiHow I Grow and Scale My Business with AI: https://www.skool.com/aihustle See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we examine the astonishing $300 billion venture funding in Q1 2026, with 80% allocated to AI startups. We also discuss the implications of new AI regulations, healthcare breakthroughs, and Meta's recent AI security incident.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:43 AI Regulation Surge04:00 Georgia's AI Bills05:41 NOAA Labs Breakthrough09:51 Meta's AI Incident13:26 Venture Funding Insights Get the top 80+ AI Models for $8.99 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiHow I Grow and Scale My Business with AI: https://www.skool.com/aihustle

In this episode, we examine the astonishing $300 billion venture funding in Q1 2026, with 80% allocated to AI startups. We also discuss the implications of new AI regulations, healthcare breakthroughs, and Meta's recent AI security incident.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:43 AI Regulation Surge04:00 Georgia's AI Bills05:41 NOAA Labs Breakthrough09:51 Meta's AI Incident13:26 Venture Funding Insights Get the top 80+ AI Models for $8.99 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiHow I Grow and Scale My Business with AI: https://www.skool.com/aihustle See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we examine the astonishing $300 billion venture funding in Q1 2026, with 80% allocated to AI startups. We also discuss the implications of new AI regulations, healthcare breakthroughs, and Meta's recent AI security incident.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:43 AI Regulation Surge04:00 Georgia's AI Bills05:41 NOAA Labs Breakthrough09:51 Meta's AI Incident13:26 Venture Funding Insights Get the top 80+ AI Models for $8.99 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiHow I Grow and Scale My Business with AI: https://www.skool.com/aihustle See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we examine the astonishing $300 billion venture funding in Q1 2026, with 80% allocated to AI startups. We also discuss the implications of new AI regulations, healthcare breakthroughs, and Meta's recent AI security incident.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:43 AI Regulation Surge04:00 Georgia's AI Bills05:41 NOAA Labs Breakthrough09:51 Meta's AI Incident13:26 Venture Funding Insights Get the top 80+ AI Models for $8.99 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiHow I Grow and Scale My Business with AI: https://www.skool.com/aihustle

In this episode, we examine the astonishing $300 billion venture funding in Q1 2026, with 80% allocated to AI startups. We also discuss the implications of new AI regulations, healthcare breakthroughs, and Meta's recent AI security incident.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:43 AI Regulation Surge04:00 Georgia's AI Bills05:41 NOAA Labs Breakthrough09:51 Meta's AI Incident13:26 Venture Funding Insights Get the top 80+ AI Models for $8.99 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiHow I Grow and Scale My Business with AI: https://www.skool.com/aihustle See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we examine the astonishing $300 billion venture funding in Q1 2026, with 80% allocated to AI startups. We also discuss the implications of new AI regulations, healthcare breakthroughs, and Meta's recent AI security incident.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:43 AI Regulation Surge04:00 Georgia's AI Bills05:41 NOAA Labs Breakthrough09:51 Meta's AI Incident13:26 Venture Funding Insights Get the top 80+ AI Models for $8.99 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiHow I Grow and Scale My Business with AI: https://www.skool.com/aihustle

In this episode, we examine the astonishing $300 billion venture funding in Q1 2026, with 80% allocated to AI startups. We also discuss the implications of new AI regulations, healthcare breakthroughs, and Meta's recent AI security incident.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:43 AI Regulation Surge04:00 Georgia's AI Bills05:41 NOAA Labs Breakthrough09:51 Meta's AI Incident13:26 Venture Funding Insights Get the top 80+ AI Models for $8.99 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiHow I Grow and Scale My Business with AI: https://www.skool.com/aihustle See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we examine the astonishing $300 billion venture funding in Q1 2026, with 80% allocated to AI startups. We also discuss the implications of new AI regulations, healthcare breakthroughs, and Meta's recent AI security incident.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:43 AI Regulation Surge04:00 Georgia's AI Bills05:41 NOAA Labs Breakthrough09:51 Meta's AI Incident13:26 Venture Funding Insights Get the top 80+ AI Models for $8.99 at AI Box: ⁠⁠https://aibox.aiHow I Grow and Scale My Business with AI: https://www.skool.com/aihustle See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Video episode!Start Summit 2026, an event organized by students in Switzerland. Featuring an elevator and a challenge every entrepreneur knows well: explain a complex idea in 60 seconds without losing what truly matters.From Start Summit 2026 in St. Gallen, we recorded an Intangiblia Flash episode capturing the energy of a place where investors, founders, and inventors come together to accelerate, expand, and turn real technology into reality.The best founders don't treat intellectual property like paperwork, they treat it like strategy. I walk around the Start Summit, talking about patents, trademarks, open-source licensing, and the real reason IP matters to customers and investors. If you're building a startup and wondering what “defensible” actually means, these short interviews make it concrete in minutes. We talk about a dual approach that many deep tech companies overlook: patent the core hardware innovation while keeping software open source under a permissive license to drive adoption and let customers go deep without fear of IP constraints. Then we jump into consumer and assistive tech, including a cat health-monitoring station that measures intake, temperature, and more, plus a smartwatch built for people with cognitive impairments that uses symbols, schedules, and voice prompts. It's a reminder that product design, trust, and usability can be as important to protect as the underlying tech. An experienced investor and company builder shares why IP is a game-changer in biotech, medtech, semiconductors, and industrial technology, especially when partnerships or acquisitions are the likely path to scale. We also touch on common founder pitfalls, like filing too early, and why a strong IP portfolio is something you reinforce over time, not a snapshot you frame once. If you want more founder field notes like this, subscribe, share the episode with a builder friend, and leave a review with the smartest IP lesson you've learned so far. Video episode!Send us Fan MailCheck out "Protection for the Inventive Mind" – available now on Amazon in print and Kindle formats.The views and opinions expressed (by the host and guest(s)) in this podcast are strictly their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the entities with which they may be affiliated. This podcast should in no way be construed as promoting or criticizing any particular government policy, institutional position, private interest or commercial entity. Any content provided is for informational and educational purposes only.

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, hosts Ben Murray and Matt Perrott sit down with Dan Beck, CEO and co-founder of 401GO, to dive into the world of SaaS-driven financial services and the unique challenges facing founders and small businesses when it comes to retirement plans. Dan Beck shares his entrepreneurial journey, including the story behind launching 401GO with his brother, the company's mission to simplify and automate 401(k) plans for smaller organizations, and how modern technology is transforming retirement solutions. From tackling outdated industry systems to enabling instant, automated plan set-ups, Dan reveals why 401GO stands out in a space dominated by complexity and legacy platforms. We also explore Dan's experience transitioning from bootstrapping businesses to raising over $48 million in venture capital, including the differences, stresses, and rewards between these two worlds. Whether you're a CFO, founder, or anyone curious about scalable SaaS solutions and startup growth, Dan's insights on unit economics, partner channels, and operational metrics will leave you inspired and informed. Tune in for actionable advice, behind-the-scenes stories, and fresh perspectives on building a SaaS business that's reimagining financial wellness for employees everywhere. Show Notes: 00:00 "Challenges of Offering 401(k)s" 05:40 "Outdated 401(k) Systems Persist" 07:11 Modular Custodial Tech Enhancements 12:15 "Bootstrapping to Venture Funding" 14:19 "Understanding Different Investor Roles" 20:01 SaaS-Based 401(k) Pricing Model 21:19 "Growth, Revenue, and Retention Dynamics" 24:54 "Enterprise Layer Technology Solution" Links: SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/401go-secures-33-million-series-b Dan Beck's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielgbeck/ 401GO's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/401go/ 401GO's Website: https://401go.com/ To learn more about Ben check out the links below: Subscribe to Ben's daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben's SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben's SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray

Scott Dancy is the founder and CEO of Azuna, a fast-growing brand in the natural air freshener space. With a background in staffing, technology, and several entrepreneurial ventures, Scott started Azuna in Buffalo in 2019, scaling the business from hand-packaging orders to becoming the world's largest purchaser of tea tree oil and achieving significant success in both DTC and Amazon channels. In this episode of DTC Pod, Scott shares his journey of launching Azuna, from navigating supply chain challenges and product R&D to unlocking consistent growth and managing cash flow as order volumes soared. He covers the pivotal product decisions, strategies for boosting AOV, lessons from high-profile partnerships, and Azuna's approach to retail expansion. Scott also offers practical advice for founders on knowing their numbers, avoiding expensive mistakes, and building a team that's invested in the brand's success. Episode brought to you by Stord - 3PL for Commerce Episode brought to you by EMF Radar - Health Starts with EMF Safety in mind Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack. On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover: 1. Scott Dancy's entrepreneurial background and Azuna's origin story 2. Early-stage bootstrapping: packaging, fulfillment, and ad writing 3. Scaling operations: manufacturing, 3PLs, and hiring expert talent 4. Product and packaging strategy: sustainable materials, bundling, and raising AOV 5. Building a brand moat with proprietary tea tree oil sourcing 6. Subscription economics and customer retention strategies 7. Navigating cash flow, funding growth, and working with MCAs 8. Knowing key metrics: revenue, gross profit, AOV, and cash allocation 9. D2C vs Amazon vs retail channel strategy 10. In-house vs agency operations and pitfalls 11. Brand marketing and influencer partnerships 12. Lessons learned from sports and celebrity partnerships 13. Timing retail entry and optimizing product mix for channels 14. Importance of customer service and product quality 15. Entrepreneurial learnings: failures, details, and staying data-driven Timestamps 00:00 Scott Dancy's background and founding Azuna 03:05 The “aha moment”—tea tree oil product discovery 04:10 Early days of hand-packaging, first sales, COVID impact 05:36 Scaling up: building the team, manufacturing, growth in Buffalo 07:14 Transition to 3PL and challenges of scaling past $10M 08:10 Product development, bundling, and packaging strategy 10:05 Target audience and tea tree oil sourcing 13:41 Growth channels: Meta, Google, and influencer seeding 15:53 Subscription model economics and retention 19:03 Funding growth: inventory buys, cash flow, using Clearco 22:24 Data-driven decisions and knowing your numbers 26:25 Channel mix: Amazon, DTC, retail launch, pricing strategy 32:00 Learning from agency mistakes and shiny object syndrome 35:06 Retail timing, product mix, and learnings from entering stores 42:02 Brand partnerships: AKC, NFL, influencer marketing 46:44 Final lessons and what Scott would have done differently 47:50 Where to find Azuna and connect with Scott Show notes powered by Castmagic Past guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.   Additional episodes you might like: • #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth • #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content • #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views • #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands • #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook • ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands ----- Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you. Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox? Check out our newsletter here. Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for Content Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Scott Dancy - CEO & Founder of AzunaBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

This episode continues with our series highlighting women at the top of their careers, featuring the remarkable Loretta McCarthy. Loretta, a high level executive, has decades of experience in investment, fund management, and public speaking. She has served in executive roles at both OppenheimerFunds and the American Express company. Currently, she is Co-CEO and Managing Partner of Golden Seeds, an investor consortium that focuses on funding women-led businesses. Golden Seeds has invested over $175 million in companies led by women since it started in 2005. Loretta also serves as a Board member on both corporations and non-profits, including Sanctuary for Families which supports women who are victims of gender violence. Join us for an enlightening conversation on the incredible work that Loretta is supporting!

How can universities become powerful engines of innovation, startups, and economic growth—especially in a challenging funding environment? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Kimberly Gramm, PhD, MBA, the David & Marion Mussafer Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer at the Tulane Innovation Institute and Managing Director of Tulane Ventures. Kimberly shares how Tulane is building a comprehensive innovation ecosystem—from early-stage programming and mentorship to venture funding—designed to help researchers, students, and founders translate discovery into real-world impact. Together, they explore what it takes to change institutional culture, scale innovation thoughtfully, and position universities as active investors in the future of biotech and healthcare. In this episode, you'll learn: How universities can support founders and technologies across every stage of the innovation journey, not just at commercialization. Why mentorship, alumni engagement, and listening to stakeholders are critical to building sustainable innovation programs. How strategic venture funds and proof-of-concept investments can accelerate biotech spinouts and regional economic growth. Whether you're a researcher, founder, or innovation leader, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how universities can step up, take risks, and help innovation thrive—even in uncertain times. Links: Connect with Kimberly Gramm, PhD, MBA, and check out Tulane Innovation Institute and Tulane Ventures. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Check out our previous episode with Kimberly. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Check out BIO on the BAYOU. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast. Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.

By Chris Burge, Co Founder and CEO of Spark Venture Funding. I spend much of my time meeting founders who want to shape the future of technology. Every so often a company appears that does more than participate in a growing market. It expands the market itself. And Social Voice is one of those companies. A blind spot in social media analytics, Social Voice solves this problem Video now dominates platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. Yet most analytics tools can interpret only the text that surrounds a video rather than the words spoken within it. Titles, hashtags and comments receive scrutiny. The audio track does not. Social Voice argues that this gap accounts for ninety three per cent of brand mentions online. The company's technology is designed to close that gap at scale. It can process an hour of video in under ten seconds and combine audio and imagery to present brands with a complete view of their actual presence on social media. This approach challenges long standing assumptions in the consumer intelligence market, a sector now worth almost nine billion dollars a year. With the creator economy reaching an estimated two hundred and fifty billion dollars, the demand for more accurate insight is rising sharply. Commercial validation and strategic partnerships What sets Social Voice apart is that it is not entering the market with an untested concept. The company has already secured early customers and has formed a global partnership with Meltwater, one of the world's largest social intelligence companies. More than two million euro has been invested in the technology to date and the company holds granted patents in the United States and other key jurisdictions. This foundation, combined with a team that has a track record in building and exiting technology ventures, places Social Voice in a stronger position than many early stage AI companies competing for investor attention. Key investment highlights The company is seeking seven hundred and fifty thousand euro for nine point seven per cent of the business. This places Social Voice at a pre money valuation of seven million euro. Social Voice qualifies for the thirty five per cent EIIS tax incentive which reduces the effective cost of investment for eligible investors. The minimum investment is two hundred and fifty euro. Spark Venture Funding does not charge investors commission. For investors who are excited by deep tech, this is a rare chance to support a company that is still early but already proving itself in the market. A new standard for social media intelligence Fergal Lennon, CEO of Social Voice, often explains the current analytics landscape with a simple analogy. He compares it to a radio that shows the song title without letting the listener hear the music. Social Voice aims to change that. If spoken content becomes a mainstream metric for brands worldwide, the company's technology could redefine how social intelligence is gathered and interpreted. Campaign now live The Social Voice equity funding campaign is now open on the Spark Venture Funding platform. Investors can review financial details, product information and a campaign video outlining the company's vision and technology. More details are available here. Author bio: Chris Burge is the CEO and co founder of Spark Venture Funding, one of Ireland's leading platforms for early stage investment. Since 2018 he has worked with thousands of private investors and dozens of high potential Irish companies to help channel private capital into innovation. See more breaking stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a rang...

This week on Unsupervised Learning, Jacob Effron is joined by Jordan Schneider, host of China Talk, who challenges widespread assumptions about US-China AI competition. China's AI development is driven by private capital and market competition—not central government planning—with companies like DeepSeek, Alibaba, and ByteDance operating more like Silicon Valley startups than state projects. The critical bottleneck is compute: the West maintains a 10-15x advantage in advanced chips, and US export controls implemented one month before ChatGPT created a structural edge favoring America for years. Chinese companies aggressively open-source models from strategic necessity—they couldn't establish a quality gap justifying paid access like OpenAI. Jordan explains why the "Goldilocks strategy" of controlled chip dependency fails, why expert consensus opposes selling advanced semiconductors to China despite Nvidia's lobbying, and how Taiwan's invasion risk is driven more by domestic politics than AGI scenarios. China's real advantage may emerge in robotics manufacturing at scale, where they're already deploying while the US debates strategy. Inside the Politburo's AI Study Session: https://www.chinatalk.media/p/xi-takes-an-ai-masterclassSubmit your questions to Jacob here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1vHBYv0bTT_EgFWTjbKnLr_sn3pZnFmcFGWYVTltKEco/edit (0:00) Intro(1:45) The Chinese AI Ecosystem: Pre and Post ChatGPT(3:45) Government Influence and Private Sector Dynamics(6:40) Venture Funding and Major Players(8:36) Talent and International Collaboration(11:25) Open Source Models and Market Dynamics(15:24) What Role Does The Chinese Government Play?(31:17) US-China AI Policy and Strategic Competition(36:18) The Argument for Selling AI Accelerators(37:02) Risks of Not Selling to China(43:34) Technological Constraints and Huawei's Challenges(51:18) US-China Relations and Taiwan(1:02:46) Quickfire With your co-hosts: @jacobeffron - Partner at Redpoint, Former PM Flatiron Health @patrickachase - Partner at Redpoint, Former ML Engineer LinkedIn @ericabrescia - Former COO Github, Founder Bitnami (acq'd by VMWare) @jordan_segall - Partner at Redpoint

Send us a textOur guest today is Jeremy Jarrett, an attorney at Sacks Tierney in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he focuses on corporate, securities, and finance law. Jeremy brings more than 10 years of experience advising businesses on complex transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, recapitalizations, commercial lending, and equity and debt financings. His clients have ranged from early-stage startups to large public companies, spanning industries such as technology, oilfield services, agriculture, defense contracting, automotive, and manufacturing.In addition to representing venture capital-backed companies in financing transactions, Jeremy has played a key role in supporting Phoenix-area entrepreneurs and growth-minded businesses. His unique path to corporate law began in the sports industry, where he worked with NCAA and NBA organizations, sports agents, and management firms before transitioning to private practice.Jeremy holds a JD from Tulane University Law School, where he specialized in sports law, and a BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. With his diverse background, Jeremy offers engineers and technical leaders a unique perspective on how smart legal strategies can safeguard innovation, attract capital, and unlock growth opportunities.About Being An Engineer The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community. The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us

For the third year running, Boston Speaks Up took over the Startup Boston Week stage for a three-hour live podcast marathon. This year, we dove into three big themes: raising capital the right way, modern venture studio models, and the evolving role of AI in product building. We kicked things off with Steve Walsh (Hands On Angel, Pitch Lift) and Rob Hughes (Koo Capital, HelpBnk, Pitch Lift). Their chemistry was obvious — friends who often collaborate, they riffed on when founders should pursue dilutive (equity) versus non-dilutive (debt) capital. Steve was blunt about the importance of networks over checks: “The most valuable thing I will ever bring a startup is my network. The money is the least valuable thing.” Rob broke down how Koo Capital plays matchmaker between growth-stage companies and private credit funds, often structuring deals from $500K to $600M. His reminder was clear: “Equity is about opportunity. Debt is about risk. Equity investors ask how much they'll make; debt providers ask if you can pay it back.” Together, they painted a picture of complementary capital strategies — and why founders should think beyond the binary of VC or nothing.

We filmed this episode back in May, before Bree welcomed a new life into the world and before Vik lost his mother. A lot has changed since then. As we release it now, it feels more relevant than ever. Drinks With a VC has always been about more than startups and term sheets. It's about the humans behind the headlines, the resilience it takes to build, the humility to grow, the clarity to catch the next wave, and the wisdom to know when to let one go.There's no better guest to rejoin the conversation with than Tae Hea Nahm. He is the founding managing director of Storm Ventures, co-author of Survival to Thrival, and a deeply thoughtful investor, operator, and teacher. From St. Louis to Seoul to Sand Hill Road, Tae Hea has seen it all, and he continues to anticipate the next wave before most founders even paddle out.In this episode, we dive into his Path to Surfing Unicorn framework and why founders need to anticipate the wave before they try to surf it if they want to build category-defining companies.We also get into:

Ready to raise venture funding—but wondering if you're actually ready to lead at that level? In this inspiring and honest conversation, I sit down with Emily Dinu, founder and CEO of Numinous Capital, to explore what VCs really look for—and what kind of leadership mindset shifts are essential to succeed as a founder in today's market. We go deep on the emotional and strategic prep work that's required to lead through uncertainty, communicate vision clearly, and move forward with grit and clarity—even when you feel uncomfortable or underqualified. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to build executive mindset tools to lead with confidence in ambiguity Why clarity often beats charisma in VC pitches The truth about confidence vs. clarity in leadership How to reverse engineer a successful exit What it looks like to lead with values while raising capital The role of decision-making clarity and thought reframing when the pressure's on

Global venture funding totaled $23 billion in April 2025, unchanged from the previous year but down from $68 billion in March. April marked one of the slowest months for funding in the past year. The decline followed a strong March, which experienced a record $40 billion financing for an AI company. The largest funding deal in April was $2 billion for an AI research lab, raising its valuation to $32 billion. The artificial intelligence sector dominated startup funding in April, attracting about $7 billion, representing 30% of global funding. Healthcare and biotech received $4.1 billion, while financial services obtained $3.8 billion. U.S.-based startups raised $14 billion, comprising approximately 62% of global funding, an increase from 2024. China collected $1.7 billion, with the UK and India each securing over $800 million.Key investors led significant post-seed rounds, with private equity and venture capital firms contributing to major deals. Funding distribution included 10% for seed-stage companies, 37% for early-stage startups, and 53% for late-stage financings. The funding results reflect uncertainty in the venture market influenced by economic challenges, such as tariffs and trade tensions. Data reported is as of May 2, 2025, and covers various stages of funding, including seed, early, and late stages.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tune in to this episode of the Security Token Show where this week Herwig Konings and Kyle Sonlin cover the industry leading headlines and market movements, including RWA DeFi vaults, venture funding coming back, and more RWA news! Company of the Week - Herwig: Particula Company of the Week - Kyle: KfW  The Market Movements 1. Circle Rejects Ripple's $5B Acquisition Offer, New $20B Offer Reported: https://cointelegraph.com/news/ripple-circle-bid-rejected-bloomberg  https://x.com/Cointelegraph/status/1918261724224098651  2. BlackRock Files to Tokenize $150B Treasury Trust Fund with BNY Mellon: https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/04/30/sec-filing-shows-blackrock-preparing-150-billion-tokenized-treasury-trust-offering  3. Particula Closes $5.5M Raise and Moves to USA: https://particula.io/particula-raises-5m-funding-round/  4. Dinari Raises $12.7M Series A led by Hack VC and Blockchange Ventures: https://dinari.com/blog/12m-series-a-equities-onchain  5. Tether Attestation Report: More than 7.7 Tons of Gold Backing XAUT: https://crypto.news/tether-holds-more-than-7-7-tons-of-gold-backing-its-xaut-token/  6. MetaWealth Now Registered in Lithuania as VASP: https://thepaypers.com/online-mobile-banking/metawealth-gains-a-virtual-asset-service-provider-licence-in-lithuania--1273351  7. Sony's Soneium and Plume Partner for Onchain Staking and Yield Opportunities: https://www.techinasia.com/news/sonys-blockchain-plume-partner-tokenized-yields  The Token Debrief 1. Calastone Announces Fireblocks as Infrastructure Partner for Fund Tokenization: https://financefeeds.com/calastone-partners-with-fireblocks-to-launch-fund-tokenization-platform/   2. Centrifuge Introduces RWA Launchpad: https://centrifuge.mirror.xyz/Ujcfp4flrFUGxLUEXiDlwZH1ZCfLmh4HMdXI1CUP-XQ  3. ERC3643 Association Announces Interoperable DvP Proof of Concept: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/erc3643_erc3643-activity-7323571899043659776-aPCX 4. Goldman Sachs to Expand Crypto Trading and Explore Crypto Lending & Asset Tokenization: https://www.coinspeaker.com/goldman-sachs-eyes-expansion-in-crypto-trading/  5. Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and DeFi Technologies Create Kenya Digital Exchange: https://coingeek.com/kenya-prepares-tokenizing-rwas-on-homegrown-exchange/   6. Securitize and Gauntlet Use Morpho to Launch Vault for Apollo's ACRED: https://securitize.io/learn/press/securitize-and-gauntlet-launch-levered-rwa-strategy-on-apollo-diversified-credit-securitize-fund  7. Libre to Bring Institutions to TON with $500M Telegram Bond Fund ($TBF): https://www.librecapital.com/insights/libre-and-ton-foundation-launch-500m-telegram-bond-fund-tbf-on-ton-blockchain  8. Hilbert Group Announces Tokenized Bitcoin Yield Offering on Rebranded Syntetika Platform: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hilbert-group-announces-launch-tokenized-082000090.html  9. KfW Moves from Issuer to Investor, Invests €10M in Berlin Hyp's €100M Covered Bond: https://www.kfw.de/About-KfW/Newsroom/Latest-News/Pressemitteilungen-Details_848192.html  10. Wormhole to Provide Interoperability for Mercado Bitcoin's $200M Pipeline and Invests in Offering: https://www.tronweekly.com/mercado-bitcoin-partners-with-wormhole/  11. MultiBank to Tokenize $3B of MAG's UAE Real Estate on Mavryk: https://cointelegraph.com/news/multibank-mag-mavryk-3b-rwa-tokenization-launch  12. Liquid Noble Adds More Utility to $LGAU Tokenized Gold: https://coingeek.com/liquid-noble-revamps-for-improved-tokenized-bullion-trading/  13. Solana Policy Institute, Superstate, and Orca Submit Proposal for Project Open: US Equities on Public Blockchains https://www.linkedin.com/posts/solana-policy-institute_project-open-wireframe-blueprint-4282025-activity-7323417793951895553-e_W0 14. Pakistan Approves First Tokenized Gold Solution under Fasset's Sandbox License: https://www.urdupoint.com/en/technology/fasset-secures-sandbox-license-to-launch-paki-1971443.html 15. Argentinian Regulator Presents Tokenization Framework: https://invezz.com/news/2025/04/27/latam-crypto-news-itau-to-invest-210m-in-bitcoin-and-argentinas-cnv-to-present-new-tokenization-regime/ 16. World Federation of Exchanges Releases Report on CBDC Impact on Tokenization: https://www.ledgerinsights.com/world-federation-of-exchanges-explore-cbdc-for-tokenization/ 17. Deloitte Predicts 25% of Cross-Border Payments Delivered Onchain by 2030, $50B in Savings: https://fintechmagazine.com/articles/deloitte-tokenised-networks-to-reshape-global-payments   = Stay in touch via our Social Media = Kyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylesonlin /   Herwig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herwigkonings/  Opinion articles, interviews, and more: https://medium.com/security-token-group   Find the video edition of this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@stmtvofficial     STM Predicts $30-50T in RWAs by 2030: https://docsend.com/view/7jx2nsjq6dsun2b9  More STM.co Reports: https://reports.stm.co/ Join the RWA Foundation and Read the Whitepaper: RWAF.xyz ⏰ TABLE OF CONTENTS ⏰ 0:00 Introduction 0:16 Welcome 1:05 Market Movements 14:14 RWA Foundation Update 15:04  Token Debrief 26:04 Companies of The Week

Send us a textIn this episode, a seasoned investor with 25 years of experience in commercial real estate and finance shares invaluable insights into their journey and approach to business. The conversation delves into the evolution of their family legacy, navigating through various investments like alternative assets, hedge funds, and ETFs, as well as their focus on commercial real estate. They discuss the importance of diversification, risk management, and the impact of interest rates on investments. The speaker also reflects on the mistakes made throughout their career, including missing out on understanding market fundamentals, and how they've learned to balance their portfolio for long-term success. The episode touches on lessons learned from the real estate industry, venture funding, and the world of technology, offering practical advice on building resilience and scaling businesses effectively.

Omar Alvarez is on a mission to reinvent how we connect—by bringing storytelling back to the heart of technology. With his startup KINNECT, he's doing exactly that—creating a platform that helps people share their life stories, from past experiences to future dreams, in a way that's meaningful, inclusive, and easy to use. Not only has he secured support for his vision, but he's now poised to disrupt an outdated market and drive innovation, building a fresh space where technology meets human connection. With professional experience at some of the world's most iconic storytelling brands like Nike, Levi's, Hilton, and Hims and Hers, Omar brings a unique blend of creative expertise and personal passion to every piece of the KINNECT experience Creating Connections at Work KINNECT creates social spaces for people to connect and drive belonging, whether with your family, friends, or team at work. Each environment is hyper-personalized.  One big challenge–and opportunity–in the marketplace is creating connections in the workforce. How do you feel like you belong when you work remotely or never see the higher-ups? Employees want to know about the people they work with, who their executives are, and who's responsible for big decisions at the company. To be effective at work, you have to feel like you're part of a team. KINNECT is hoping to help bridge that gap. Securing Funding In the beginning, the thought of raising capital was daunting for Omar. The odds were stacked against him. But he didn't let the odds hold him back. At the end of the day, investors are just people. Omar shares his story and the mission behind KINNECT (which was partly inspired by the death of his grandfather), and the right people connect with the product. Some people have told Omar it's unprofessional to share personal stories, but he knows it's important for investors to believe in the founder–and that means being authentic to who he is. To date, he's raised over $400,000 in funding. Enjoy this episode with Omar Alvarez… Soundbytes 6:32-6:43 “I really want to think about all the beautiful and cool things about social media and ways of connection today, but I want to cherry-pick what I like about them and then build a complete opposite direction.”  28:52-29:06 “I was like, All right, I have this amount of money. I have this big vision. How am I going to build an AI that is not going to change the algorithm to focus on behaviors for purchasing, but instead, how can I use the algorithm to actually help people?” Quotes “How do you feel like you belong at work when there's such little information and little ways of actually driving belonging besides like a random Slack huddle?” “To be effective at work, you have to feel like you're part of a team.” “Investors are also people. They should definitely look at the needs for business growth. But why not let someone who is Latino, first-generation, English as a second language? Why can't I just act that way too in building a company that is venture scalable?” Links mentioned in this episode: From Our Guest Website: https://www.kinnect.club/ Connect with Omar Alvarez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heraldalvarez/ Connect with brandiD Download our free guide to learn 16 crucial website updates that attract more leads and convert visitors into clients: https://thebrandid.com/website-tweaks/ Ready to elevate your digital presence with a powerful brand or website? Contact us here: https://thebrandid.com/contact-form/

What does it take to turn a groundbreaking idea into a reality, especially when it challenges societal norms and confronts widely held taboos? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood explores this question with her guest, Cindy Gallop, a trailblazer reshaping conversations around sex, pornography, and sexual wellness. Cindy's journey into entrepreneurship is anything but conventional, providing a fascinating look at how one can use business to drive social change.Cindy Gallop is not only a veteran of the advertising world but also a pioneering advocate for open and honest discussions about sex. Her unique background, which combines decades in brand building and personal experiences, led her to found MakeLoveNotPorn, a platform aimed at socializing and normalizing real-world sex. Cindy's venture started as a response to the adverse effects of pornography being the default form of sex education and has since evolved into a crusade for better sexual understanding and education.Listeners are in for an enlightening discussion that dives deep into Cindy's mission to transform societal perceptions through her two interconnected ventures: MakeLoveNotPorn.com and the upcoming Make Love Not Porn Academy. The episode addresses critical issues such as the impact of porn on youth, the cultural stigma around sex, and the struggles of funding a venture in the sex tech industry. It's a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship that's grounded in social impact, the challenges of being an underrepresented founder, and the importance of using innovative platforms to drive change in global issues. To get the latest from Cindy Gallop, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindygallop/https://cindygallop.com/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

This episode originally aired in February 2024 and quickly became one of the most popular episodes of The Journey. Whether you're tuning in for the first time or revisiting this conversation, this episode will help you make informed decisions in your business!   Ever thought about raising venture capital for your business? In this episode, Morgan DeBaun breaks down everything a founder should know before diving into the venture fundraising process, sharing her invaluable insights from the perspective of both a fundraiser and an investor.   In this episode: 00:00 Introduction to Venture Funding 00:10 Should You Raise Money? 00:48 Understanding Angel Investors 02:55 The Importance of Traction 05:23 Navigating the Seed Round 06:44 Legal Considerations and Mistakes 08:29 Painting a Big Vision 10:57 Executing Your Plan 11:48 Hitting Milestones and Fundraising Timelines 12:31 The Importance of Momentum 13:31 Series Seed and Extensions 15:16 Navigating Series A 17:29 Series B and Beyond 19:19 Balancing Operations and Fundraising 20:56 Final Tips and Resources   First up, Morgan dives into a crucial question: Should you even raise venture capital for your business? Spoiler alert: More often than not, the answer is no. But for those who do opt for the fundraising path, Morgan warns that the venture capital journey won't be easy.   Through the episode, Morgan breaks down the phases of venture funding, from the Friends and Family and Angel Round to the critical Seed Round, all the way to the Series A, B, and C Rounds and beyond. She shares the benefits and challenges of each round and highlights what founders should pay attention to as they navigate the process. Morgan shares what she looks for in the entrepreneurs she chooses to support as an angel investor: resilience and grit. It's these qualities that often make the difference between success and failure in the cutthroat world of startups. Not sure if venture funding is the right choice for your business? After you listen to the episode, check out Morgan's workshop [link below] which will help you decide if fundraising is the appropriate next step for your startup. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review!   Pre-order Rewrite Your Rules: https://worksmartprogram.com/book/   Make sure you are following Morgan on TikTok to follow along with her beauty and wellness journey! https://www.tiktok.com/@morgandebaun?_ Join the Newsletter for More Exclusive Content: https://worksmartprogram.ac-page.com/thejourneypodcast Visit Mormatcha.com to make a purchase. Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thejourneybymdb Produced by MicMoguls.

Today more than 48 million Americans self-identify as black per Pew research. Representing 14.4% of the US population. As reported in TechCrunch, if funding share was in line with population, one would expect companies with a black founder or co-founder to attract more than 14.4% of all funding, given that startups commonly have more than one founder. Darren Dodson, founding partner and managing director at Lumen Capital, a venture fund operating on the basis that bias hinders optimal financial performance, says there's a lot of work to do on addressing issues of bias. The proportionately low funding totals demonstrate that investors appear to be passing on promising entrepreneurs due specifically to racial bias, and demographics support this.

S5 Ep2 - Fabrice Marquet is an accomplished entrepreneur and the innovative Co-Founder of Monaco Foundry, a venture dedicated to fast-tracking access to market for innovation and revolutionising the fundraising process for startups. In this fascinating episode, Fabrice shares his journey from being a scientist to becoming an entrepreneur, discussing his impressive academic background and his enriching experiences in both Europe and the US. He delves into why Monaco Foundry was founded, the challenges they faced, and the crucial pivot that has now positioned them to support a wider range of creators and entrepreneurs. With discussions ranging from the inefficiencies in the venture capital space to the future prospects of AI and intellectual property, this is a conversation brimming with insights for any startup enthusiast.

Are you an entrepreneur looking to secure funding and mentorship to grow your business? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with John Roberts, Managing Partner at Boot64 Ventures, to explore the unique challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs in Louisiana and beyond. John shares his journey from entrepreneur to investor, the role of Boot64 Ventures in supporting startups, and his advice for navigating the venture capital landscape in the Gulf South. In this episode, you'll discover: How Boot64 Ventures is driving growth and innovation for Louisiana-based entrepreneurs. The hidden advantages and challenges of starting your business in the Gulf South. Practical advice for entrepreneurs seeking funding and mentorship in this dynamic ecosystem. Tune in for a deep dive into venture funding tailored to this unique and vibrant Gulf South region! Links: Connect with John Roberts and check out Boot64 Ventures. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Check out Moxey and the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Check out BIO on the BAYOU and make plans to attend October 28 & 29, 2025. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast. Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.

Alex Dewez, a partner at 20VC, just released its highly anticipated State of the French tech ecosystem report. This is a nice followup to Atomico's State of European Tech report, with a more granular view on French startups in particular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The latest episode of the Startup CEO Show features an enlightening conversation with Nick Franklin, the visionary behind ChartMogul, a leading subscription analytics platform. Mark McLeod explores ChartMogul's evolution from a niche product to a comprehensive platform for B2B SaaS companies. Nick shares fascinating insights into the state of SaaS metrics, revealing that while core metrics like MRR and churn remain crucial, the rise of AI and metered billing is reshaping the landscape. The discussion touches on ChartMogul's unique position as a barometer for the SaaS industry, offering listeners a rare glimpse into industry-wide trends and benchmarks. Nick's journey from an illustration background to becoming a successful tech CEO is both inspiring and instructive, highlighting the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in the startup world. The episode also dives into the challenges of remote work, with ChartMogul embracing a distributed model long before it became mainstream. Listeners will appreciate Nick's candid reflections on the pros and cons of venture funding, and his decision to prioritize profitability over rapid, unsustainable growth. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the industry's most experienced and thoughtful leaders.--------------------------Since 1999, I have sat at the right-hand side of the leaders of high growth technology companies as either a CFO, VC or deal maker. I served as CFO for software companies including Shopify (NYSE: SHOP) and Freshbooks. As a CFO I experienced outright failures, wildly profitable exits, and everything in between.I was a General Partner in Real Ventures, Canada's largest and most active seed stage fund. My investments there include the fund's largest cash on cash and highest IRR returns to date. Most recently, I founded SurePath Capital Partners the leading investment bank for SMB SaaS companies where we did hundreds of millions in financing and exit transactions.Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themarkmacleod/Connect on X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/markmacleod_Contact Mark: https://markmacleod.me/Contact Mark: https://markmacleod.me/

What does it take to redefine venture capital while empowering founders to disrupt industries and drive meaningful change? Meet Dan Bowyer, a bold investor from Superseed VC reshaping the game with a no-nonsense approach and a passion for impactful innovation.In this episode, Dan shares his journey from entrepreneur to VC and dives deep into what's wrong with traditional venture capital. He reveals the personality traits that define world-changing founders, the importance of customer obsession, and the stark realities of boardroom dynamics. Dan's candid insights and thought-provoking lessons are as entertaining as they are eye-opening.Whether you're an aspiring founder, an experienced investor, or someone intrigued by the startup world, this conversation will teach you:Why venture capital doesn't work for 99.9% of founders—and what needs to change.The three personality traits that separate great founders from the rest.How misaligned boards and outdated practices can derail even the best startups.At the heart of it all, Dan's passion for connecting people, products, and processes shines through. As he says, “The next wave of commercial activity is about making money and doing good—it's not just about the bottom line anymore.”Curious for more? Listen to the full episode here and dive deeper into Dan's bold vision and unfiltered perspective.Quotes:(3:44) "Most VCs have never worked in a startup, so how can they advise one?" (9:42) "The greatest founders are not just charming—they're determined, disagreeable, and unrelenting in disrupting the status quo." (22:02) "We've moved on from 'don't be a dick' to 'do some good'—and that's how we transform the future."Timestamps(01:37) Bridging the Gap: Why Venture Capital Fails 99% of Founders (03:44) Startup Struggles: The Hard Truths Founders Need to Hear (09:42) Decoding Greatness: Traits of Exceptional Founders (12:58) From Prototype to Profit: Why Customer Obsession Wins (17:01) Boardroom Battles: Misaligned Boards and Startup Success (21:02) A New Era: Making Money While Doing GoodDon't miss this chance to learn from Dan Bowyer's dynamic journey, sharp insights, and inspiring approach to venture capital. Press play, and let's spark some bold ideas together!Send us a textSupport the showJoin the Podcast Newsletter: Link

Discover the unexpected side of a remarkable leader, Julie Castro Abrams, as she shares her journey and vision for women's empowerment. Stay tuned to find out her surprising hopes for 2025 and the inspiring work she's doing to make a difference worldwide. Don't miss out on this exclusive conversation that will leave you feeling inspired and empowered. In this episode, you will be able to: Mastering the art of empowering women in leadership roles leads to increased career fulfillment and success. Uncover effective strategies for building diverse boards and creating an inclusive workplace culture. Explore the critical importance of diversity in corporate governance and its impact on organizational success. Discover powerful ways to support women entrepreneurs and startups, driving innovation and economic growth. Learn how to navigate career growth and seize board opportunities, propelling your professional journey to new heights. My special guest is Julie Castro Abrams Julie Castro Abrams, the CEO and Founder of How Women Lead, is a highly accomplished expert in empowering women in leadership roles and driving diversity in corporate governance. With a strong commitment to justice and community, Julie has played pivotal leadership roles in various organizations focused on women, children, Latinos, economic development, and the arts. Her extensive accolades, including the Women of Color Action Network Leadership Award and her role as Governance Chair for the Women's Funding Network, attest to her significant impact in supporting women entrepreneurs and startups. Julie's dedication to creating a supportive network for women and her proven ability to facilitate rich conversations that drive change make her an invaluable asset in navigating career growth and board opportunities for women. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:02 - Welcome and Introduction 00:03:27 - Personal and Professional Development 00:09:46 - The Credo of How Women Lead 00:10:16 - Supportive Network and Advocacy 00:12:44 - Visibility and Empowerment 00:13:27 - Taking Up Your Power 00:14:33 - Countercultural Behaviors 00:16:37 - Celebrating Black Women's Leadership 00:18:53 - Unabashedly Visible Struggle 00:23:31 - Disrupting Groupthink on Boards 00:26:16 - Importance of Diversity in Decision Making 00:28:35 - Empowerment through Women's Retreats 00:32:06 - Evolution of How Women Lead's Programming 00:33:18 - Addressing Gender Equity in Venture Funding 00:36:14 - Reversing Cultural Narratives of Division 00:39:32 - Encouraging Women to Pursue Leadership Roles 00:40:26 - Normalizing Conversations about Leadership 00:41:03 - Redefining Masculinity 00:43:36 - Creating Supportive Spaces for Women 00:49:33 - Hopes for 2025 Connect with Julie Castro Abrams on LinkedIn to stay updated on her work and initiatives. Visit www.howwomenlead.com to learn more about How Women Lead and their programs for women's leadership and board opportunities. Join the Difference Makers community on Patreon at www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference to access exclusive content, including additional insights from Julie Castro Abrams and other guests. Explore other interviews and articles featuring Julie Castro Abrams to gain further insights into her work and expertise. Consider supporting and advocating for women in your network by encouraging them to explore leadership roles and opportunities, and by recognizing and valuing their contributions. Connect with us: https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com Linkedin YouTube FaceBook Instagram Threads Patreon Bluesky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn a personal experience into a thriving business? In this inspiring episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we dive into the incredible entrepreneurial journey of Jasmine Jones, a remarkable founder and CEO who channeled her life's experiences and challenges into creating a groundbreaking company. This episode offers invaluable insights for anyone interested in the power of resilience, innovation, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.Jasmine Jones, the dynamic founder, and CEO of Myya, joins host Marcia Dawood to share her unique journey. From witnessing her father's real estate investments to selling diamonds at Tiffany's, Jasmine's path to entrepreneurship is anything but conventional. A former beauty pageant winner and Miss DC USA, Jasmine leveraged her varied background and life experiences to create Myya, a company dedicated to providing customizable and insurance-billable breast prosthetics for breast cancer survivors. Jasmine's inspiring story was also featured in the documentary Show Her the Money, showcasing her entrepreneurial journey to a global audience.This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom and inspiration. Jasmine discusses the evolution of Myya, from its humble beginnings as a boutique store to its current status as a scalable telehealth platform serving patients nationwide. Hear firsthand how Jasmine navigated the complexities of fundraising, securing over $2.25 million in venture capital, and why the COVID-19 pandemic was a surprising catalyst for her business growth. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or an angel investor, Jasmine's compelling story offers invaluable lessons on persistence, adaptability, and the importance of aligning business with purpose. This is a must-listen episode for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact through entrepreneurship. To get the latest from Jasmine Jones, you can follow her below!LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminerjones/https://myya.com/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

Global startup funding was up 16% in the second quarter, according to Crunchbase data, led by an uptick in mega-rounds. That increase was led, unsurprisingly, by the AI sector. Funding to companies in AI made up 30% of all dollars invested and actually doubled quarter over quarter to $24 billion.On today's episode of TechCrunch's Equity podcast, Mary Ann was joined by Gené Teare, a Senior Data Editor at Crunchbase and Crunchbase News, to talk through the numbers. Teare is a well-known analyst of the global venture capital market, and was instrumental to Crunchbase's early life and remains one of its more tenured staffers.“I was actually quite shocked by the doubling in AI because we're six quarters in from the launch of Chat GPT,” Teare said. “I think part of that is that in venture, things take time to sort of filter through.”There were also signs that larger M&A deals increased in the second quarter, providing much needed liquidity in a continued dry IPO market.“We're definitely seeing a stronger M&A environment compared to 2022,” Teare said. “The big expectation is that M&A is going to pick up more significantly and I'm not sure we've seen that yet, partly because prices have come down. There's a lot of companies who might realize they're not gonna make it to going public in the next 3 to 5 years…So, I think it has improved but not as much as many in the bench community were wanting or expecting.”Equity is back on Friday with our weekly news roundup. So come back then!Before we let you go, some disclosures: We invited Gené on the show because we wanted to get her valuable insights regarding the venture capital markets. We knew she'd be great on the topic, because Mary Ann worked with her for years at Crunchbase. During her tenure at Crunchbase, she was paid partially in stock options, and retains a minor stake in Crunchbase itself. We do our best at Equity to cite the best data source for whatever topic we're looking at, which means we use Crunchbase data as well as information from its competitors at PitchBook and CB Insights. For instance, we had a PitchBook denizen on the show to chat through Q2 2023 results last year. We think we put together the best possible show for you on its merits alone, but did want to note some professional overlaps right up top.Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday. Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts.You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes over at Simplecast Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. Bryce Durbin is our Illustrator. We'd also like to thank the audience development team and Henry Pickavet, who manages TechCrunch audio products.

In E86, Mike and Charlie deep dive into the latest trends in venture funding, highlighting key insights from CB Insights and PitchBook.  They explore the significant impact of AI on venture capital, discussing whether AI is propping up the funding landscape and the scrutiny AI startups face from VCs.  The conversation also touches on the rise of deep tech and the resurgence of SaaS-based FinTech.  This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.  Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation with us at podcast@localogy.com.

Did you know the secret to venture success isn't just in groundbreaking ideas? It's in the people behind them. Learn how empathy and grit fuel extraordinary success in this insightful episode. Many investors fail by only chasing ideas. Discover why focusing on the right founders can unlock revolutionary outcomes. Join us as Hampus Jakobsson reveals how empathy and grit are the true drivers of innovation and success. Most investors miss out on potential unicorns by focusing only on concepts. What if the real key to revolutionary success lies in the unique qualities of the founders? 

Are you a short term rental owner? Airbnb-er?   Want to know how AI is fundamentally changing the real estate industry?   Then listen to today's episode with guest Luca Zambello, founder of Jurny.   I guarantee it'll be worth your while and here's why. Today, one person can handle 7-8 short term rental (STR) units on their own.  Using current technology, at a stretch, maybe 16-17 units.  With Jurny - one person will be able to manage 200 units.   You have to listen to this episode.   Luca is fascinating.   Key Points: How Jurny does it: Integrates IoT devices like smart locks and thermostats to streamline operations. AI-driven dynamic pricing. Integrating cleaning management. Automated guest check-in with AI chat bots. Real-time problem-solving through AI bots. Chat bots are indistinguishable from humans – except they're faster and do a better job. Unifies fragmented hospitality solutions into a single, cohesive system.   Benefits for STR owners:   Efficiency: Reduces manual tasks and operational overhead, enabling focus on high-level tasks. Improved Guest Experience: Provides timely, professional, and consistent guest interactions. Scalability: Supports efficient management of a large number of units with fewer staff. Reliability: Ensures high reliability and consistency in operations through integrated systems.   From Luca:   Why Should Real Estate Professionals Pay Attention to AI Today? AI is a major disruptor similar to how e-commerce impacted retail. The efficiency gap created by AI means businesses not adopting it will struggle to compete. Massive investments by leading companies in AI signal its importance and potential impact.   How Do You Use AI on a Daily Basis? ChatGPT: Primarily uses custom GPTs created through ChatGPT Premium. Example: Created an "Investor Helper" GPT to handle frequently asked investor questions, saving significant time. Word Polisher: Uses AI to refine and polish email content for professionalism and clarity.   One Easy Win for Listeners to Try Using AI: Learn How to Prompt: Understanding how to craft effective prompts is crucial. Example: Instead of a simple request, ask the AI to generate a series of questions to gather all relevant information, resulting in a more accurate and useful output. Suggested Method: "I want to write an article on AI. Can you ask me 20 questions to ensure you have all the relevant information to create the best prompt?" ***** The only Podcast you need on real estate and AI.   Learn how other real estate pros are using AI to get ahead of their competition.   Get early notice of hot new game-changing AI real estate apps.   Walk away with something you can actually use in every episode.   PLUS, subscribe to my free newsletter and get: • practical guides, • how-to's, and • news updates   All exclusively for real estate investors that make learning AI fun and easy and insanely productive, for free.   EasyWin.AI

Here's what Mary Ann and Alex got into:Stripe's valuation recovers: As part of a tender offer, Stripe is now worth $65 billion. The company's valuation has been on an up-and-down path in recent years as the company works to make its massive bulk fit into the private markets. Alex has thoughts on when it should go public, as you might imagine.Fervo Energy's $200M+ round: What if the solution to our energy problems was not in the stars, but beneath our feet? And no, I am not talking about carbon-based fuels. No, instead, what if geothermal energy is what we've been waiting for? Fervo wants to make that question into a reality.Why VCs are investing in companies that shut down companies: With more startups than usual heading for closure, there's a mountain of work ahead for founders and backers to shutter companies. Now some angels and other investors are putting their own capital into several companies that specialize in helping other firms close. Grim, but necessary.AI and the law: Microsoft's move to invest in French AI company Mistral is not a bad way to spread its bets. Or to potentially fend of regulatory scrutiny that is building. AI in general is having a bit of a time sorting out rights — or lack thereof — that some training data may retain.Coming up this weekend we have an interview with Nubank's CEO, and we have another great interview planned for the weekend after! Chat soon!For episode transcripts and more, head to Equity's Simplecast website.Equity drops at 7 a.m. PT every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, so subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. TechCrunch also has a great show on crypto, a show that interviews founders and more! Credits: Equity is hosted by TechCrunch's Alex Wilhelm and Mary Ann Azevedo. We are produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. Bryce Durbin is our Illustrator. We'd also like to thank the audience development team and Henry Pickavet, who manages TechCrunch audio products.

Erik Allebest is the CEO @ Chess.com, the #1 online chess service on the planet with more than 150+ million members and 15+ million games played each day. Erik has scaled the company to over 700 people and $100M+ in revenue with no venture funding. In Today's Episode with Erik Allebest: 1. From Unemployable to $100M+ Revenue Founder: How did Erik make his way into the world of tech and startups? Was his MBA worth it? How does he advise others on whether to get one or not? What does Erik know now that he wishes he had known when he started? 2. Scaling to $100M Revenue with No Venture Funding: Why did no one want to invest in Chess.com in the early days? What did Erik do differently as a result of not raising any venture funding? What would Erik have done if he had money from the start? What are Erik's biggest pieces of advice to founders with funding today? 3. Hard Lessons Scaling to 150M Members: What are 1-2 of Erik's biggest lessons on how to scale users with zero budget? What customer acquisition worked? What did not work? How important was COVID and The Queen's Gambit to memberships and sign-ups? What are the single biggest mistakes Erik sees founders make on customer acquisition today? 4. Parenting, Marriage, Metrics and Money: Why does Erik not care about money or capitalism today? How has Erik's style of parenting changed over the years? What works? What does not? What does Erik believe is the secret to marriage? What have been his biggest lessons? Why does Erik hate metrics? If so, how does he run the business towards goals and output?