Podcasts about Venture capital

Will Pokemon save us from the Ai? Stormgate, you remember Stormgate right? Tim Morten had a rather honest rundown of where he feels the post-Blizzard design team went wrong and brings up the changing landscape of Venture Capital. The episode can't help but get real on the eve of Pokemon's release. Love em or hate em, Nintendo is about to drop another massive Poke'drama'pocalypse into the world as reviews come in around 8/10. Xbox continues its cursed run by talking about an upcoming “ad supported” tier of Xbox Game Pass. We're both playing Megabonk. Emails and more.

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from All Día, Grisly's Cosmic, Sipli, Olia and Birdie. In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week's special co-host is Andrew Guard, the founder of Right Coast Brands. He offers insightful questions, thoughtful feedback, and strategic perspective alongside regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast. Early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for future episodes of Elevator Talk. Participation is free, interviews are conducted remotely, and it's a unique opportunity to pitch your product, share news, and receive expert feedback from industry leaders. Apply now to be featured in an upcoming episode.

Make your product irresistible, and everything else will follow.That's the philosophy of Grant Lee, co-founder and CEO of Gamma, an AI design platform with an 'anti-PowerPoint approach', used by over 50M people.This week on Grit, he also shares why enduring businesses aren't one person shows, and how their deliberate hiring process shapes and strengthens company culture.Connect with Grant LeeXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

In a category flooded with fast-followers and flashy branding, Straightaway Cocktails is taking a radically different path: embracing the hard way. In this episode, founder and CEO Cy Cain reveals how the Portland-based brand is carving out a distinct space in the booming ready-to-drink category by prioritizing bar-quality cocktails crafted from in-house ingredients and held to uncompromising standards. Cy outlines a strategy rooted in deliberate, thoughtful growth rather than chasing viral trends. He dives into the brand's innovative approach to creative R&D, leveraging limited releases and direct-to-consumer exclusives to experiment boldly and gather insights that shape future core offerings.  He also highlights how investments in in-house production, B Corp certification and sustainability efforts, alongside strategic partnerships with Costco, Alaska Airlines and Shake Shack, demonstrate that a patient, craft-centric mindset and a strong brand identity can make a powerful impact in even the most crowded markets. Show notes: 0:25: Interview: Cy Cain, Founder & CEO, Straightaway Cocktails – Just hours before Taste Radio's San Francisco meetup, Cy joins Ray Latif to share highlights from Straightaway's latest cocktail lineup, including the French 77, Pickle Tini, and Golden Negroni. He underscores the brand's North Star: unwavering product quality, rooted in a deep love of cocktail culture. Cy reflects on the evolution of the RTD category and credits Straightaway's success to its focus on excellence and deliberate, sustainable growth. Strategic partnerships with Alaska Airlines and Breeze Airways have boosted exposure, while support from regional retailers and Costco has added traction and credibility. Comparing innovation to Formula 1, Cy describes it as a proving ground for bold ideas. Straightaway's mission, he says, isn't shaped by exits or investors, but by craft, storytelling, and elevating cocktail experiences. From farm-to-glass sourcing to using local ingredients – like fir needles from near Cy's childhood home – the brand stays true to its values of authenticity, sustainability, and craftsmanship. Inspired by lifestyle brands like Patagonia and Shinola, Cy emphasizes values-driven partnerships, such as a test collaboration with Shake Shack. He also shares excitement over the brand's growing recognition in top spirits competitions, including a potential Triple Crown win. Brands in this episode: Straightaway Cocktails, Stumptown Coffee, Smith Tea, Jacobsen Salt Co.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent partnership between OpenAI and AMD, exploring its implications for the AI compute landscape. They delve into the competitive dynamics between AMD and NVIDIA, OpenAI's ambitions to become a hyperscaler, and the financial challenges associated with massive AI infrastructure investments. The conversation shifts to Intel's advancements showcased during a tour of their Fab 52, highlighting their competitive edge in semiconductor manufacturing. Finally, they touch on Qualcomm's acquisition of Arduino and its potential impact on the IoT sector.TakeawaysOpenAI's partnership with AMD marks a significant shift in AI compute.AMD is positioning itself as a serious player in AI GPUs.OpenAI's ambition to become a hyperscaler raises questions about funding.The demand for AI compute is concentrated among a few major players.Intel's Fab 52 showcases advanced manufacturing capabilities.Intel's 18A process is competitive but needs to prove itself in products.Qualcomm's acquisition of Arduino aims to strengthen its IoT strategy.The AI infrastructure build-out is unprecedented in scale and cost.There is uncertainty about the long-term demand for AI services.The competitive landscape in cloud computing is rapidly evolving. 

Fresh off an exhilarating meetup in London, the team shines a spotlight on the standout brands that captivated attendees at the event. They delve into how fiber-forward brands are reshaping their categories and why Gen X might be your brand's unexpected secret weapon. This episode also revisits insightful interviews from Taste Radio's San Diego meetup, featuring Sol-ti CCO Shawn Hamilton and visionary founders behind Recoup, Innerbloom, Hydr8, Erva Brew Co., and Lixir. Show notes: 0:25: British Debrief. Nom News. Big Candy Revamp. X's & $'s. Fiber FTW. ‘Key' Crisps. – The hosts reflect on their recent London meetup, highlighting standout interviews with Olivia Ferdi of Trip, Kathryn Bricken of Doughlicious, and Olly Dixon of Something & Nothing. They also shine a spotlight on attendees Veronique Mbida, founder of Bantu Chocolate, and Fan Yang of Other Foods, whose interview with Mike featured a hilarious outtake. Melissa previews upcoming educational content and community resources launching on Nombase, while the hosts encourage listeners to attend BevNET's upcoming events in L.A., sharing personal stories of meaningful connections and business breakthroughs from past shows. The conversation also turns to new data revealing Gen X as the leading force in CPG purchasing power, underscoring the importance of engaging older demographics. Finally, the hosts introduce a wave of innovative, better-for-you snacks, from a "gigantic" brand revamp and playfully "dirty" chocolate to bold, zesty chips and beyond. 30:43: Interviews from Taste Radio's San Diego Meetup – Held at BevNET's West Coast office, our lineup includes a conversation with Shawn Hamilton, Chief Commercial Officer of Sol-ti, who detailed how the wellness and juice shot brand scaled from a Southern California startup into a national powerhouse with products in over 15,000 retail locations and sold nationally at Starbucks. We also speak with the founders of several exciting emerging brands, including Erva Brew Co., a fresh take on yerba mate; Innerbloom, a startup crafting kanna-based tonics for mood and focus; Hydr8, a mission-driven water brand supporting veterans; Lua Coffee, which markets Vietnamese-style coffee infused with MCT oil; Birdie, a new sparkling tea brand with standout branding; Recoup, a brand of gut-healthy hydration drinks and a past winner of BevNET's New Beverage Showdown; and Lixir, a brand reimagining mead for the modern drinker. Brands in this episode: Sol-ti, Trip, Doughlicious, Something & Nothing, Orangina, Other Foods, Bantu Chocolate, Terranean, Halfday, Gigantic Candy, Dirty Gut, Royo Bread, Zesty Z, Yaza, Huel, TruBar, Keya's, Recoup, Innerbloom, Hydr8, Erva Brew Co., Lixir, Lua Coffee, Birdie

(0:00) Introducing Roelof Botha (1:08) Sequoia's Scout program and its best-performing funds ever (3:38) State of Venture Capital: Why it's broken, too much capital, not enough great companies (9:01) Why Sequoia separated from its China business, how they adapt to changing macro landscapes (13:05) Sequoia's culture, picking partners, investment decision-making, The Sequoia Capital Fund and holding winners (20:18) What makes a great founder, what Roelof learned from Doug Leone and Michael Moritz (26:06) Investing in biotech, importance of expertise in VC Thanks to our partners for making this happen! Solana - Solana is the high performance network powering internet capital markets, payments, and crypto applications. Connect with investors, crypto founders, and entrepreneurs at Solana's global flagship event during Abu Dhabi Finance Week & F1: https://solana.com/breakpoint OKX - The new way to build your crypto portfolio and use it in daily life. We call it the new money app. https://www.okx.com/ Google Cloud - The next generation of unicorns is building on Google Cloud's industry-leading, fully integrated AI stack: infrastructure, platform, models, agents, and data. https://cloud.google.com/ IREN - IREN AI Cloud, powered by NVIDIA GPUs, provides the scale, performance, and reliability to accelerate your AI journey. https://iren.com/ Oracle - Step into the future of enterprise productivity at Oracle AI Experience Live. https://www.oracle.com/artificial-intelligence/data-ai-events/ Circle - The America-based company behind USDC — a fully-reserved, enterprise-grade stablecoin at the core of the emerging internet financial system. https://www.circle.com/ BVNK - Building stablecoin-powered financial infrastructure that helps businesses send, store, and spend value instantly, anywhere in the world. https://www.bvnk.com/ Polymarket - The world's largest prediction market. https://www.polymarket.com/ Follow Roelof: https://x.com/roelofbotha Follow the besties: https://x.com/chamath https://x.com/Jason https://x.com/DavidSacks https://x.com/friedberg Follow on X: https://x.com/theallinpod Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theallinpod Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theallinpod Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/allinpod Intro Music Credit: https://rb.gy/tppkzl https://x.com/yung_spielburg

Today, we are talking with Oliver Mitchell, Partner at ff Venture Capital, the most engaged technology venture capital firm in New York City since 2008. They have an extensive portfolio, and have created billions of dollars in market cap value.Recently, Oliver has released a book titled A Startup Field Guide in the Age of Robots and AI. In the book, he sets the stage to mentor - and provide mentors - around building a hardware startup in modern day times. The book is full of advice, real life stories from the trenches, and practical information to help you succeed.Questions:Tell me about the book - what was the main goal of you writing it, what were you trying to accomplish?In the book, you discuss what it takes to launch a business in this industry. What are the five essential rules for launching a successful automation company?How do you attract investors, given their visceral reaction to hardware sensors and robots? How do you prepare, circumvent or comfort these investors when they spot the red flags?Hardware startups require the right people, the right R&D, etc. - just to get to MVP. What are some strategies for validating product-market fit in hardware startups?At times, the government creates roadblocks through over-regulating and slow pace of play. But how can these partnerships be used for funding and even potentially customer acquisition channels?In your book, you've interviewed some of the most respected luminaries in the space. Can you elaborate on these real world case studies? What were the significant challenges they overcame?If you could give one piece of advice to someone heading down this path, what would it be?SponsorsVentionCodeCraftersFull ScalePaddle.comSema SoftwarePropelAuthPostmanMeilisearchLinkshttps://ffvc.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliverbmitchell/https://www.amazon.com/dp/1032827491Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/code-story-insights-from-startup-tech-leaders/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

AGENDA:  03:29 OpenAI and AMD's Major Partnership 07:35 Microsoft Have F***** Up the OpenAI Partnership  17:08 OpenAI's Developer Day Announcements 20:45 Why VC is the Most Forgiving Asset Class on Price and Valuation 29:10 What Does it Take to IPO in 2025: Why Snyk Will Not IPO 42:30 Four Strategies Companies Need to Take to Own Their Own Destiny 49:31 Vercel Raises $300M at $9BN: Suicide Round or Strategic 55:39 Does King Making Really Work in Venture Capital: Legora vs Harvey 01:08:11 Chamath Raises Latest SPAC: SPACs are Back 01:10:56 Polymarket Raises $2BN at a $9BN Valuation 01:14:53 Quick Fire Questions and Wrap-Up  

Ryan Sawchuk is the VP of Product at Crexi, where he leads cross-functional teams to build advanced, data-rich tools aimed at transforming the commercial real estate workflow. With more than 15 years in product leadership, Ryan specializes in crafting AI-enabled, scalable solutions that boost transaction velocity, improve user experience, and integrate seamlessly into CRE operations. Prior to Crexi, Ryan held senior product roles at Indeed, Procore, and LinkedIn, shaping core features and driving growth in high-scale tech environments. He earned his education from Princeton University, which laid the foundation for his data-driven, user-first product philosophy. At Crexi, Ryan's vision is to bridge the gap between real estate professionals and cutting-edge technology, making complex CRE data more accessible, actionable, and efficient. This is episode was recorded live at Blueprint Vegas 2025.

In this episode of Tank Talks, Matt Cohen and John Ruffolo break down the latest developments in U.S.-Canada trade negotiations, particularly around tariffs and energy, with insights into how these pressures could shape future relationships.The conversation shifts to the growing energy demands of AI, as Matt and John explore how both the U.S. and China are navigating energy needs, and whether Canada could play a more significant role. They also analyze NVIDIA's $110 billion vendor financing strategy, drawing comparisons to the telecom bubble, and discuss the growing risks in data center financing. With the IPO of Fair Me America, they examine how the market is reacting to tech companies with no assets but huge valuations. A packed episode full of fresh insights on the intersection of tech, politics, and business.A Quick Word from our Sponsor, FaskenAt Fasken, our clients don't wait for the future. They build it. As the first and largest dedicated emerging tech practice in Canada, our team is composed of founders, ex in-house counsel, developers and business advisors who have guided clients from startup, to scale-up, to exit. The trust of our clients has enabled us to consistently rank at the top of every major Canadian M&A, Capital Markets and Venture Capital league table. With deep industry knowledge and experience across all areas of emerging and high growth technology including ClimateTech, MedTech, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, and AgTech we're your partners within the innovation ecosystem as you transform the landscape of what's possible.Tomorrow starts here. Own it with us.For more information, visit fasken.com/emergingtech and follow us on LinkedIn.US-Canada Relations & Trump's Tariff Strategy (04:28)Matt and John discuss the ongoing negotiations between Mark Carney and President Trump regarding trade policies, tariffs, and key sectors like steel, aluminum, and energy. Can Canada withstand the pressure, or will it need to change its approach?The Energy Battle Between the US and China (09:03)What role does energy play in geopolitics? Matt and John explore how both the US and China are navigating their energy needs, and why Canada has lost some of its leverage as the world's energy supply game changes.NVIDIA's Vendor Financing Playbook: Lessons from Lucent & Nortel (11:18)John shares a deep dive into how NVIDIA's vendor financing strategy mirrors the mistakes made during the telecom bubble, drawing parallels to the strategies employed by Lucent and Nortel. What's the risk when revenues are tied to customers who may never pay?AI, Data Centers, and the Future of Technology (17:20)From the massive energy demands of AI to the rise of private equity-backed data centers, Matt and John dissect the latest AI and GPU investments and how the industry's future could be shaped by companies like Meta and OpenAI.The “Yellowstone Club” of Hyperscalers (20:26)The two discuss the bizarre world of hyperscalers and REITs, looking at how some data center startups are getting massive valuations without any real assets or revenue, and what this means for the future of tech investments.Bezos Weighs In on the AI Bubble (25:12)Jeff Bezos surprises everyone with his thoughts on the AI industry, calling it an “industrial bubble” rather than a financial one, and analyzing the disconnect between massive investments and real-world returns.Connect with John Ruffolo on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/joruffoloConnect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Michael Downing, serial entrepreneur and venture investor, shares his journey from founding startups to building MDSV Capital, while diving into the essential role of emerging manager funds in today's venture landscape. The discussion covers the evolution of venture capital, key strategies for both LPs and GPs, the importance of innovative sourcing and community-building, and how the Promontory platform fosters stronger connections and investment outcomes. Listeners will take away insights on industry shifts, the value of supporting innovative early-stage funds, practical guidance for thriving amid changing venture dynamics, and so much more.Highlights from this week's conversation include:Michael's Entrepreneurial Journey & Early Startups (1:20)Transition from Founder to Investor and Early Micro VC Experience (5:23)Power Law, Missed Opportunities, and Emerging Manager Alpha (9:57)Capital Extension Structure & Alignment with Managers (14:13)Filtering and Assessing Emerging Managers in a Crowded Market (16:52)Common LP Misunderstandings and Venture Capital Dynamics (19:22)Insider Segment: Trends in LP Activity and Fund Composition (22:20)Direct Investment vs. Fund Commitment by LPs (25:14)Trends Managers Are Missing & Seed Funding Explosion (25:54)Sourcing Methodology and the Platform Approach Advantage (28:48)Criteria for Managers to Engage with Michael Downing (29:05)Deep Tech/Defense Tech Priority & Generalist Outperformance (33:41)Best Practices for Building Relationships with LPs via Promontory (35:33)Future Vision: Programmatic LP Allocation and Software Approach (38:28)Final Thoughts and Takeaways (40:30)MDSV Capital is a Palo Alto-based investment firm led by Silicon Valley veterans with over two decades of entrepreneurial and venture experience. The firm has built a premier ecosystem of top-tier emerging manager funds (EMFs) and LPs through its invitation-only community, The Promontory, and its Emerging Horizons event series. MDSV's Emerging Manager Alpha at Scale strategy targets the top 1% of emerging managers while investing directly in early-growth outliers from their portfolios. Learn more at www.mdsvcapital.com.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.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Fielding Jamieson, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Tipt Ventures. With a rich background in innovation across major media and tech companies like NBCUniversal, Comcast, and R/GA Ventures, Fielding brings her expertise in scaling startups and fostering sports and tech collaborations to the conversation. In this episode, Fielding shares how her work at the intersection of media, sports, and technology led to the creation of Tipt Ventures. She talks about the changing landscape of women in sports, the importance of inclusive investment, and how the industry is evolving to support female founders and leaders. Fielding also reflects on what it takes to drive innovation in such competitive spaces and the lessons learned from sourcing over 1,000 startups throughout her career. https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels   #InvestInHer #FinancialWellness #WomenInFinance #FinancialEmpowerment #MoneyMindset #InclusiveFinance #FintechForGood #BehavioralEconomics #WealthBuilding #FinancialHealth #EmpowerWomen #MoneyMatters #SheAngelInvestors #InvestInYourself #FinancialFreedom  

What kind of founder drives a U-Haul full of perishable product through the desert at 3 A.M.… and calls it progress? That's the kind of relentless, purpose-driven hustle behind Forager Project, the plant-based food and beverage company reshaping what dairy-free can taste and feel like. In this episode, co-founders Stephen Williamson and JC Hanley open up about the mission-fueled (and occasionally messy) evolution of their brand, from cold-pressed juice to cashew-based yogurts and creamers that compete head-on with dairy. They discuss what it really takes to build a standout CPG brand in saturated categories, why “project” is still part of their name, and how lessons from prior businesses and discontinued product lines have shaped their approach. They also explain why they walked away from juice, how they knew yogurt was the future, what it means to innovate with both a moral compass and a culinary one and how they define success. Show notes: 0:25: Interview: Stephen Williamson & JC Hanley, Co-Founders, Forager Project – In a conversation hosted at Forager Project's office in San Francisco, Stephen and JC discuss how the brand was created by a desire to create clean, minimally processed, plant-based foods and how “project” reflects their ethos of exploration and ongoing improvement. The founders recount their early days launching Forager Project in 2013, initially inspired by the ultra-premium juice space before pivoting – what they describe as “foraging” – into new categories. They explain how they began fermenting plant-based ingredients, particularly cashews, to create plant-based yogurts, and have since expanded into Greek-style yogurts and creamers. Stephen and JC emphasize an innovation philosophy rooted in clean, organic ingredients, including vegetables, nuts, seeds and ancient grains, and talk about the grit and craziness required to build a mission-driven company. They note how – despite challenges like tariffs, competition, and changing categories – they've remained focused on their mission: to help replace animal dairy with plant-based alternatives. They close with a broader reflection on success and staying true to their values. Brands in this episode: Forager Project, Odwalla, Blueprint Juice, Evolution Fresh, Starbucks, Suja, Coca-Cola, Stonyfield Farm

Maryam Haque, Founding Executive Director of Venture Forward, discusses how she is helping to open doors to venture capital for people from all backgrounds. She traces her journey from Mississippi to Silicon Valley and highlights the structural barriers that kept venture capital concentrated for decades. Maryam offers a grounded view of the current market dynamics, the growing importance of education and mentorship for emerging managers, and how programs like VC University and the GP Masterclass help build a stronger, more inclusive industry.In this episode, you'll learn:[01:55] From Mississippi to Silicon Valley: Maryam's unexpected path into venture capital[04:18] The origins of Venture Forward and its mission to democratize access to VC[07:13] Why venture capital lacked diversity for so long[09:17] The champions who sparked change and why progress takes time[12:46] How Venture Forward educates and supports emerging managers[15:16] The scale of Venture Forward's programs and the launch of the GP Masterclass[18:00] The story of Chingona Ventures and how early support creates lasting impact[20:54] What successful emerging managers do differently[24:43] Why starting a fund is harder than it looks—and what most underestimate[25:47] The future of venture: specialization, innovation, and realistic optimismThe nonprofit organization Maryam is passionate about: PBSAbout Maryam HaqueMaryam Haque is the Founding Executive Director of Venture Forward, a nonprofit organization dedicated to democratizing access to venture capital. She has over 15 years of experience in the venture ecosystem, including leadership roles at the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) and Dow Jones VentureSource. Maryam is passionate about broadening participation in venture capital, supporting emerging fund managers, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the industry.About Venture ForwardVenture Forward is a Silicon Valley-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit launched under the NVCA to foster a more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable venture capital ecosystem. The organization supports individuals from all backgrounds through education, mentorship, and community programs such as VC University, Emerging Manager Office Hours, and the GP Masterclass. Its mission is to empower the next generation of investors, strengthen venture firms, and drive lasting change in the innovation economy.Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

In this conversation, Ashley Chang and I discuss the challenges faced by working mothers in balancing their careers and family life.Ashley shares her personal experiences and insights from her research on the struggles of working parents, emphasizing the need for support systems and the importance of recognizing the mental load that comes with parenting. They explore the concept of creating a supportive environment for mothers, including the role of executive assistants in alleviating some of the burdens of family management. The discussion highlights the ongoing challenges in workplace culture and the need for more effective solutions to support working families.IN THIS EPSIODE:Ashley was inspired by her mother's experience as a working mom.Many women feel they have to choose between career and family.The concept of 'perceived choice' in motherhood is often misleading.Balancing work and family can feel like being two people in one.Expectations placed on mothers can lead to feelings of inadequacy.Research shows that many parents struggle with time management.Sundays aims to help families reclaim their time together.Executive assistants can alleviate the mental load for parents.The emotional connection to the baby can differ between parents.Creating a supportive work environment is crucial for working mothers.ABOUT ASHLEY:Bio - Ashley Chang is the co-founder and CEO of Sundays. She was inspired to start Sundays by her own mom, a software engineer in the 80's who left the workforce because she felt like she had to make a choice between work and family. Ashley spent a decade prior to Sundays in early stage technology companies – as the first employee at a developer tool company, building member experience for health insurance and benefits at Collective Health, and joining Carta to help scale their Venture Capital products from $10 to >$100M in revenue. During this time she saw many of the smartest women she knows have to make the same choice between family and work, 30 years later. In the past year, she has spoken to >1,000 parents about what makes it so hard to have both a meaningful career and family. She's on a mission to make it possible for future generations.CONTACTS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleymchang/https://www.linkedin.com/company/with-sundayshttps://www.instagram.com/with_sundaysWebsite Details - https://withsundays.com/utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=happymamapodcastCHAPTERS:00:00 The Journey of Motherhood and Career12:51 The Reality of Balancing Work and Family24:48 Creating Support Systems for Working Mothers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest today is Daniel Izzo, co-founder and CEO of Vox Capital – Brazil's first impact investing firm.When Vox launched in 2009, the term "impact investing" barely existed in Latin America. There was no roadmap, just a few people who believed business could do more than serve the top of the pyramid.Daniel teamed up with Kelly Michel, co-founder of Artemisia, an accelerator for social entrepreneurs. Kelly introduced him to Antonio Ermírio de Moraes Neto, a young investor from one of Brazil's most prominent business families. Together, the three launched Vox Capital.When Vox began in 2009, few understood what they were trying to do – and fewer believed in it. “People thought it was cute... crazy... or got angry at us.” The infrastructure wasn't there. Most investors ignored 85% of the population outside their own social class. Daniel understood why – but he also knew what they were missing.His team wasn't avoiding Brazil's social challenges, but solving them. They focused on early-stage companies that could scale – businesses built for scarcity, but still desirable for all.The breakthrough came from the results. Their second fund proved returns were possible – over 30% IRR – and suddenly, the skepticism began to fade. Today, Vox manages over $300 million across VC, credit, and real estate – all aiming to unlock opportunity for Brazil's low-income communities.They invested early in a medical education company that slashed the cost of specialist training from $10,000 to $1,000 and made it available online. They also backed Latin America's leading ventilator maker, years before COVID hit. When the pandemic overwhelmed Brazil's hospitals, that company supplied over 80% of the ventilators procured by the Brazilian government during the crisis.But Vox isn't just about writing checks. They take board seats, offer strategic advice, connect founders with new markets, and help navigate major crises.Today, they're leaning into catalytic capital, reforestation, regenerative agriculture, and environmental finance – the next frontier for impact.In Brazil, where deforestation and unsustainable land use drive climate damage, Daniel sees a huge long-term opportunity. Not just to earn returns, but to restore ecosystems.When I asked him what he'd fix with a magic wand, he went straight to mindset. “It'll only be good for everyone, when it's really good for everyone.” He believes ultra-wealthy families have a responsibility to mobilize their capital for collective survival.This is a conversation about what it takes to build in a place where the challenges are complex, the urgency is real, and the opportunity is bigger than most people realize. Daniel makes the case that the next era of capital won't just be about returns – it'll be about restoration, resilience, and responsibility.Tune in.—About the SRI 360° Podcast: The SRI 360° Podcast is focused exclusively on sustainable & responsible investing. In each episode, I interview a world-class investor who is an accomplished practitioner from all asset classes.—Connect with SRI360°:Sign up for the free weekly email updateVisit the SRI360° PODCASTVisit the SRI360° WEBSITEFollow SRI360° on XFollow SRI360° on FACEBOOK—Additional Resources:- Vox Capital website- Daniel Izzo LinkedIn- The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty Through Profits

Google faces the greatest innovator's dilemma in history. They invented the Transformer — the breakthrough technology powering every modern AI system from ChatGPT to Claude (and, of course, Gemini). They employed nearly all the top AI talent: Ilya Sutskever, Geoff Hinton, Demis Hassabis, Dario Amodei — more or less everyone who leads modern AI worked at Google circa 2014. They built the best dedicated AI infrastructure (TPUs!) and deployed AI at massive scale years before anyone else. And yet... the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022 caught them completely flat-footed. How on earth did the greatest business in history wind up playing catch-up to a nonprofit-turned-startup?Today we tell the complete story of Google's 20+ year AI journey: from their first tiny language model in 2001 through the creation Google Brain, the birth of the transformer, the talent exodus to OpenAI (sparked by Elon Musk's fury over Google's DeepMind acquisition), and their current all-hands-on-deck response with Gemini. And oh yeah — a little business called Waymo that went from crazy moonshot idea to doing more rides than Lyft in San Francisco, potentially building another Google-sized business within Google. This is the story of how the world's greatest business faces its greatest test: can they disrupt themselves without losing their $140B annual profit-generating machine in Search?Sponsors:Many thanks to our fantastic Fall ‘25 Season partners:J.P. Morgan PaymentsSentryWorkOSShopifyAcquired's 10th Anniversary Celebration!When: October 20th, 4:00 PM PTWho: All of you!Where: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84061500817?pwd=opmlJrbtOAen4YOTGmPlNbrOMLI8oo.1Links:Sign up for email updates and vote on future episodes!Geoff Hinton's 2007 Tech Talk at GoogleOur recent ACQ2 episode with Tobi LutkeWorldly Partners' Multi-Decade Alphabet StudyIn the PlexSupremecyGenius MakersAll episode sourcesCarve Outs:We're hosting the Super Bowl Innovation Summit!F1: The MovieTravelpro suitcasesGlue Guys PodcastSea of StarsStepchange PodcastMore 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.

In this episode, Scott Becker explores the surge in global venture capital funding, with a record share flowing into AI and machine learning, and considers whether soaring valuations could signal the start of an AI-driven market correction.

Scaling a business globally comes down to leaders who align teams and drive them forward together.Snowflake serves over 12,000 customers, and early executives Chris Degnan and Denise Persson share how they scaled the company while keeping the unlikely pairing of sales and marketing perfectly aligned through hypergrowth.They join Joubin Mirzadegan to share insights from their new book, Make It Snow, revealing how they built Snowflake's ‘go-to-market engine' and fostered a customer-first culture across every function.Guests: Chris Degnan, former CRO and advisor to the CEO at Snowflake, and Denise Persson, CMO at Snowflake.Connect with Chris Degnan LinkedIn​Connect with Denise PerssonLinkedIn​Connect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins:https://www.kleinerperkins.com/

How do top VCs really pick winners, and what's the “fine print” every founder misses? In this Demo Day episode, we go deep inside the investing mind of Jeff Crusey, EVP at Blacklake Group—one of the most unique and active voices in deep tech, defense, and venture capital.Jeff Crusey's journey moves from building batteries in his garage to becoming a leader at Blacklake Group, where he now guides founders and scouts the “thick tail” of defense technology startups. Jeff opens up about the habits that separate great investors from the crowd—including why reading the legal and technical fine print is a repeatable, unfair advantage in venture capital.You'll hear candid stories about Jeff's investment process—from corporate VC in climate tech to navigating the corruption of emerging markets, bouncing back from failure, and ultimately shaping the next generation of defense, energy, and deep tech founders. Jeff also debunks common venture myths: it's not always the best product or team that wins, but resilience, timing, and a willingness to start over as a beginner.Whether you're fundraising for a startup, considering a shift into deep tech, or aiming to decode what real founder success looks like, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and mindset shifts—from evaluating defensible markets to fostering low-ego, high-intellect teams. Jeff's honest blueprint for bouncing back from failed ventures, focusing on true value creation, and the future rise of AI in deep tech is a must-listen for anyone in the startup or VC world.Don't miss Jeff's practical tips for both angel investors and founders, inside stories from Blacklake Group, and a discussion of which defense innovations are set to reshape national security, from missile technology to next-gen satellite navigation.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg delve into the evolving landscape of hyperscalers and Neo clouds, discussing their definitions, the significance of power contracts, and the shift from Bitcoin mining to AI infrastructure. They explore the challenges posed by storage constraints in the age of AI, the implications of OpenAI's new app Sora, and Meta's acquisition of Rivos for custom silicon development. The conversation culminates in a reflection on the importance of semiconductor manufacturing and the future of technology.

Connect with Early Riders // Connect with OnrampPresented collaboratively by Early Riders & Onramp Media…Final Settlement is a weekly podcast covering the underlying mechanics of the bitcoin protocol, its ongoing development and funding, and real-world applications of the technology.00:00 - Market Breakthroughs: Gold and Bitcoin Surge02:55 - The Debasement Trade: Shifting Sentiments in Finance05:43 - Institutional Adoption: The Role of TradFi in Digital Assets08:51 - Galaxy One Launch: Bridging TradFi and Crypto11:43 - Yield Products: Evaluating Risks and Opportunities14:54 - The Future of Financial Metrics: Nominal vs. Real Returns17:55 - The Wild West of Finance: Embracing Change20:39 - Bridging the Gap: Crypto Services for TradFi23:53 - Incumbents Entering Crypto: Walmart and Stripe's Moves39:51 - The Future of Stablecoins43:50 - Interoperability and User Experience in Finance45:33 - Walmart's Role in Financial Inclusion48:10 - Risks of Stablecoins and Financial Systems49:44 - The Evolving Landscape of Stablecoin Competition53:23 - Credit Market Risks and Financial Distortions01:03:18 - AI's Impact on Venture Capital and Market DynamicsIf you found this valuable, please subscribe to Early Riders Insights for access to the best content in the ecosystem weekly.Links discussed:https://x.com/QTRResearch/status/1974204995273654475https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-01/nyc-pilot-funded-by-coinbase-tries-basic-income-payments-in-cryptohttps://www.theblock.co/post/373468/galaxy-launches-galaxyonehttps://finance.yahoo.com/news/wall-street-pivots-morgan-stanley-114628117.htmlhttps://fortune.com/crypto/2025/10/01/stripe-crypto-stablecoins-open-issuance-bridge-blockchain-tempo/https://www.theblock.co/post/373510/standard-chartered-estimates-1-trillion-could-exit-emerging-market-bank-deposits-for-us-stablecoinshttps://murmurationstwo.substack.com/p/the-stablecoin-duopoly-is-endinghttps://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/06/openai-amd-chip-deal-ai.htmlhttps://www.reuters.com/business/ai-venture-funding-continued-surge-third-quarter-data-shows-2025-10-06/https://www.bestbrokers.com/forex-brokers/the-state-of-ai-venture-capital-in-2025-ai-boom-slows-with-fewer-startups-but-bigger-bets/https://x.com/exec_sum/status/1974120982614061197https://bitcoinmagazine.com/markets/wall-street-takes-the-lead-in-bitcoin-options-as-blackrocks-ishares-overtakes-coinbases-deribithttps://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/blackrocks-ibit-enters-top-20-102855648.htmlhttps://www.theblock.co/post/372763/binance-offers-turn-key-crypto-as-a-service-solution-for-trad-institutions-looking-to-offer-trading-custody-compliance-serviceshttps://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/06/who-is-sanae-takaichi-the-first-woman-set-to-helm-japanese-government.htmlhttps://x.com/LukeGromen/status/1974184554782220583https://x.com/TimmerFidelity/status/1974112204271296790https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/03/walmart-onepay-is-rolling-out-crypto-to-mobile-banking-app.htmlhttps://x.com/calleymeans/status/1608618928561074177?lang=enKeep up with Michael:https://x.com/MTangumahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mtanguma/Keep up with Brian:https://x.com/BackslashBTChttps://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cubellis-00b1a660/Keep up with Liam:https://x.com/Lnelson_21https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-nelson1/

In this episode, Scott Becker explores the surge in global venture capital funding, with a record share flowing into AI and machine learning, and considers whether soaring valuations could signal the start of an AI-driven market correction.

On location in London, the hosts delve into emerging trends and spotlight the brands and entrepreneurs driving innovation in the food and beverage space. Their discussion offers a look at what's gaining traction across the pond… and what may soon be making its way to the U.S. market. Show notes: 0:25: Dine & Dash. Feisty Missions. Not Your Father's Whole Foods. Fizzy Tea FTW? Wedges & Broc. – Ray calls out one of the hosts over a breakfast blunder at a cash-only café, before Mike and Jacqui reflect on their recent visit to Mission Kitchen – a commercial kitchen space designed to support emerging packaged food brands – and share insights from a conversation with the founders of Perfect Ted, a matcha-based beverage company. Ray unveils a haul of innovative products picked up at Portobello Whole Foods, featuring everything from protein soda and bamboo water to kombucha-based sparkling tea, sea moss gummies, vacuum-fried broccoli, cola-flavored kombucha, and prickly pear water. Their discussion dives into how sparkling tea brands are pushing to stand out through elevated formats and complex flavor profiles. They also explore how U.K. and European startups are leading the way with nuanced, layered flavors that deliver on both taste and functional benefits. Brands in this episode: Trip, Doughlicious, Mission Kitchen, PerfectTed, Juno, Genni, DJ&A, Holos, Sound, Birdie, OOSO, Every State, GT's Kombucha, Revive Kombucha, Live Soda, Suma, Feisty, Kult, Cacto, The Giving Tree, Brisk Lager, Infinite Session, Something & Nothing, Uncracked

From aspiring fine artist to co-founding a groundbreaking media company and advising Fortune 500s, Cynthia Nelson's journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless curiosity. With more than 25 years leading at the intersection of capital, innovation, and culture, Cynthia has proven herself a powerhouse in entrepreneurship and growth strategy.Her story begins in the unlikeliest of places: a receptionist desk at a computer repair shop in the mid-80s. From there, she witnessed the tech industry's birth, climbed the ranks at Ingram Micro, and navigated the turbulence of early startups, including a devastating betrayal by a business partner. But rather than stepping back, she leaned into every challenge, becoming one of the few Latina women to raise $15 million in private equity and ultimately selling her company Todobebé after a decade of pioneering media, parenting content, and cultural storytelling.Cynthia shares the pivotal lessons that fueled her success, from the importance of listening deeply to your customers, to the courage of saying “yes” to unfamiliar challenges, to the discipline of surrounding yourself with advisors who tell you the hard truths. She reminds us that entrepreneurship is not just about scaling fast, but about staying grounded in what people actually need, not just what founders imagine.Her reflections stretch beyond business into the deeper realities of being a woman in leadership: the sacrifices, the biases, and the double standards that continue to shape the funding landscape. Yet Cynthia's approach is one of fierce generosity, mentoring other women, championing female investors, and encouraging founders to build smarter, more sustainable businesses.This is a story of grit, creativity, and impact, and a masterclass in building with purpose. Tune in to hear Cynthia Nelson's remarkable journey and her wisdom for the next generation of women entrepreneurs.Chapters 

Episode Summary:In this episode, Eric Weiss sits down with Andy Ballester, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of GoFundMe and EyePop.ai, to unpack the highs, lows, and lessons of building category-defining startups. Andy shares how an early college job at a software startup sparked his passion for technology, why he bootstrapped GoFundMe into a global fundraising platform, and what it took to scale from two founders to a household brand that processed over a billion dollars in giving.Andy also reveals the insights behind his newest venture, EyePop.ai, a computer vision platform making AI accessible to developers and businesses across industries. He explains how modern visual intelligence can turn everyday images and video into actionable data—from analyzing pickleball swings to inspecting drone footage of rooftops—and why speed, lean teams, and clear product design are essential in today's fast-moving AI landscape.Listeners will learn:How GoFundMe evolved from a simple savings concept into the world's leading personal fundraising site The technical and UX hurdles of early fintech and how Andy's team overcame them Why bootstrapping worked for GoFundMe but venture funding is key for AI startups The critical role of co-founders, emotional resilience, and a “stoic CEO” mindset in surviving the startup grind Practical advice for founders on team building, product iteration, and staying ahead of AI's rapid innovation curve Whether you're a first-time founder, a product leader, or an investor tracking the next wave of AI infrastructure, Andy's journey offers a masterclass in startup strategy, growth, and perseverance. Don't forget to subscribe to the Chaos to Clarity Podcast for more invaluable episodes to help you grow your business and stay ahead of the curve!To reach out to Eric, visit https://chaostoclarity.io/

In this episode of Tank Talks, host Matt Cohen is joined by John Ruffolo to dive deep into the rapidly evolving AI landscape, its economic ramifications, and Canada's growing potential as a global tech leader. They discuss pivotal topics, such as energy challenges in AI infrastructure, the rise of AI tokenization, and the impact of government policies on the sector. With a focus on the future of tech, investments, and the role of Canada, this episode offers an insightful look at where the industry is headed.A Quick Word from our Sponsor, FaskenAt Fasken, our clients don't wait for the future. They build it. As the first and largest dedicated emerging tech practice in Canada, our team is composed of founders, ex in-house counsel, developers and business advisors who have guided clients from startup, to scale-up, to exit. The trust of our clients has enabled us to consistently rank at the top of every major Canadian M&A, Capital Markets and Venture Capital league table. With deep industry knowledge and experience across all areas of emerging and high growth technology including ClimateTech, MedTech, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, and AgTech we're your partners within the innovation ecosystem as you transform the landscape of what's possible.Tomorrow starts here. Own it with us.For more information, visit fasken.com/emergingtech and follow us on LinkedIn.AI Energy Demands & Canada's Opportunity (00:04:39)John and Matt discuss the massive demand for compute power in AI and Canada's potential to lead by meeting these energy needs. They highlight the importance of matching energy capacity with data center development to become a global tech leader.The AI CapEx Boom and the Trillion-Dollar Question (00:07:05)The discussion shifts to the booming capital expenditures in AI, with a particular focus on the rising costs of building AI infrastructure and whether this growth is sustainable in the long term.Canada's AI Strategy and Sovereign Identity (00:14:21)The conversation turns to Canada's AI strategy, with a task force focusing on innovation, research, and talent retention. John shares his thoughts on the potential challenges and opportunities for Canada in becoming a key player in the AI space.The SEC's Push for Tokenization in the U.S. (00:19:33)The episode also delves into the SEC's efforts to allow the tokenization of stocks and what this could mean for the financial industry and blockchain adoption.Connect with John Ruffolo on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/joruffoloConnect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com

Produced by Foundersuite (for startups: www.foundersuite.com) and Fundingstack (for VCs: www.fundingstack.com), "How I Raised It" goes behind the scenes with startup founders and investors who have raised capital. This episode is with with Mark Phillips of 11 Tribes, an early stage VC fund that invests in the care and resilience of its founders. Another notable difference is that the fund focuses on businesses and founders that are pursuing profitability within their business model and comfortable seeking exit opportunities between $75M-$250M. Learn more at https://11tribes.vc/ In this episode, we discuss Mark's journey to getting into VC and how his previous (failed) startup shaped his vision, how he had over 200 Zoom pitches to get to his first yes, why selling the vision and passion worked well for Fund I, how the narrative changed for Fund II, the critical importance of resilience, tips for landing Family Offices, and more. 11 Tribes most recently raised a $46 million for Fund II from 220 HNW investors and Family Offices. That follows a Fund I that was $11 million and largely sourced from around 80 HNW LPs. How I Raised It is produced by Foundersuite, makers of software to raise capital and manage investor relations. Foundersuite's customers have raised over $21 Billion since 2016. If you are a startup, create a free account at www.foundersuite.com. If you are a VC, venture studio or investment banker, check out our new platform, www.fundingstack.com

Untapped markets to rising tides, Ruchi Desai career has spanned law, craft beer, and now venture investing. As co-founder of EIGHT Brewing Co. with NFL legend Troy Aikman, Ruchi scaled one of Texas's fastest-growing beer brands before launching Rising Tide Ventures, a fund dedicated to fueling untapped consumer markets with often overlooked founders. She shares lessons from navigating industry to her playbook for spotting disruptive opportunities to the trends shaping the future of consumer goods and venture capital.

(0:00) Intro(1:36) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel(2:23) Start of interview(3:11) Brad's origin story(4:54) Venture Capital Beginnings(5:39) The Rise of the Internet(8:10) His role in Softbank Technology Ventures and later Mobius Venture Capital. Reference to Heidi Roizen E6, E108 and E116(12:26) Transition to Techstars and Foundry(13:36) Origin and focus of his book Startup Boards. Reference to his blog post: Feld Thoughts. "Boards (and board members) for private companies operate on a bell curve" (some are excellent, some are horrific, and most are average).(15:31) The Evolution of Founder-Friendly Terms(30:06) Effective Board Composition(35:00) Defining a Great Board: the Board as a Team. Reference to Matt Blumberg's Rule of 1s: see E52 (2022)(38:05) "The goal of the board is to get different skill sets around the table" "I think a founder should fight against investors having additional observer seats."(41:13) Why he considers it a red flag when a director claims they're acting out of "fiduciary duty." *Reference to the Startup Litigation Digest(44:50) Governance concerns in the AI Boom(47:37) Books that have greatly influenced his life:Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig (1974)The entire pantheon of Neal Stephenson and William Gibson Science fiction written by female writers (as a category)Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons(50:05) His mentors: Len Fassler and his uncle, Charlie Feld.(51:55) Quotes that he thinks of often or lives his life by: from his Dad: "If you're not standing on the edge, you're taking up too much space.", from Len: "Brad, they can't kill you and they can't eat you. Suit up."(53:00) An unusual habit or an absurd thing that he loves. "I love philanthropically funding bathrooms." Also, the Banana Lounge at MIT.(55:38) The living person he most admires: his wife Amy Batchelor.Brad Feld has been an early-stage investor and entrepreneur since 1987. He co-founded two venture capital firms, Foundry Group and Mobius Venture Capital, and multiple companies, including Techstars.  You can follow Evan on social media at:X: @evanepsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epsteinevan/ Substack: https://evanepstein.substack.com/__To support this podcast you can join as a subscriber of the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at https://evanepstein.substack.com/__Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Joshua Berkowitz of Berkocorp joins Earnest and Alexa to share his journey transitioning his family office from real estate to venture capital, offering candid insights on building relationships with top VC and PE managers, the importance of patience and long-term thinking, and the realities of portfolio construction. The discussion covers how to underwrite exceptional managers, the value of GP and LP recommendations, and the evolving landscape of venture, especially the rise of young founders and AI-driven startups. Listeners will also hear from Shane Goudey from Sidley on trends in fund formation and the current state of the venture market. Key takeaways include the need for genuine interest and commitment in venture investing, the benefits of a diversified yet opportunistic portfolio, practical advice for family offices considering this asset class, and so much more. Highlights from this week's conversation include:Joshua's Background and Transition From Real Estate to Venture Capital (0:12)Diversifying from Real Estate to Venture (1:43)Commitment and Learning Curve in Venture Capital (3:45)GP References vs. LP Recommendations (5:36)Reflections on First Investments & Portfolio Design (7:24)Deployment Strategy and Allocation Modeling (10:53)Fund Formation Market Trends and Sponsor's Perspective (16:21)Underwriting Individual GPs & What Makes a Good Manager (18:11)Suitability and Motivation for Family Offices in Venture (20:57)Return Expectations and Investment Strategy (24:55)Challenges with Fund Lives & Reclassifying Mature Assets (27:21)Trends: Resurgence of Young Founders & AI (29:45)Closing Thoughts and Next Steps for Berkocorp (33:11)Berkocorp is a Canadian family investment office managing a Vancouver-based real estate portfolio and actively backing top venture capital and private equity managers across North America. Led by Managing Principal Joshua Berkowitz, Berkocorp takes an independent, long-term approach to capital partnerships, with a portfolio spanning micro VCs to billion-dollar growth funds. Learn more at www.linkedin.com/company/berkocorp.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.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Jennifer Abele, founder and managing partner of Milwaukee-based venture capital firm VC 414. Jennifer co-founded VC 414 in 2023 with Raquel Filmanowicz, building a 100% women- and 50% Latina-owned firm focused on backing underdogs and outsiders who are poised to become market leaders. Their mission is to support early-stage startups founded by women and undercapitalized entrepreneurs, with a focus on vertical SaaS and AI companies driving both people and prosperity. Jennifer's impressive career includes serving as a public sector executive, water utility CEO, and higher education leader, with over two decades of leadership shaping transformative projects in Milwaukee. She also leads Kitsune Capital, her personal investment entity, and was named a Woman of Influence by the Milwaukee Business Journal. In this episode, Jennifer shares her journey from government leadership to venture capital, including how her experiences shaped her vision for creating opportunities in underrepresented communities. She and Catherine dive into the strategies VC 414 uses to identify promising founders, the importance of diversity in building stronger companies, and how investing in underestimated entrepreneurs can unlock overlooked returns. Jennifer also discusses balancing her role as an investor, community leader, and philanthropist while helping to reshape the future of business and innovation. https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com www.sheangelinvestors.com  https://vc414.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-abele-2859684/   Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels   #InvestInHer #FinancialWellness #WomenInFinance #FinancialEmpowerment #MoneyMindset #InclusiveFinance #FintechForGood #BehavioralEconomics #WealthBuilding #FinancialHealth #EmpowerWomen #MoneyMatters #SheAngelInvestors #InvestInYourself #FinancialFreedom  

Retail is experiencing seismic shifts, and businesses that don't adapt risk becoming irrelevant overnight. In this compelling episode of Talk Commerce, recorded live from Shop Talk Fall in Chicago, host Isaac Morey sits down with Pano Anthos, founding member of XRC Ventures, to explore how agentic AI is reshaping consumer behavior and business operations. Their conversation reveals why traditional e-commerce strategies won't survive the next wave of technological disruption.About Pano AnthosPano serves as a founding member of XRC Ventures, an investment firm operating at the intersection of consumer behavior and technology. His expertise spans venture capital, retail innovation, and emerging technology trends that impact how businesses connect with customers. Pano's investment philosophy centers on understanding consumer adoption patterns to predict corporate technology trends. He's particularly focused on agentic AI applications across supply chain management, customer support, and e-commerce optimization. His insights come from years of observing how consumers embrace new technologies before enterprises catch up. Throughout his career, Pano has maintained that studying consumer behavior provides the clearest roadmap for understanding where business technology is headed next.Episode SummaryPano explains why XRC Ventures focuses on consumer behavior as a predictor of technological advancement. "Consumers are responsible for two trillion in spend and a massive portion of our GDP," he explains. "They tend to be relatively much faster early adopters of technology than corporations." This philosophy drives their investment strategy and provides unique insights into market direction.When discussing agentic AI, Pano breaks down the concept into four essential components: autonomous planning, adaptive reasoning, tool integration, and goal orientation. "AI to figure out the rules. You have to really lay out the rules first," he emphasizes. "That's the misconception of autonomous AI is that it will make decisions within boundaries. But you have to set those boundaries or you get nothing."The conversation takes a practical turn as Pano shares examples of agentic AI in action. He describes an investment opportunity involving supply chain automation where AI intercepts and processes manufacturer communications. "There's a very set of manual tasks today," he explains. "This team out of Israel has figured out how to automate using an LLM to basically take all those messages they're going back and forth and make decisions based on the rules that have been set by the organization."For small e-commerce businesses, Pano delivers stark advice about the changing landscape. "Your website is toast," he warns. "Unless you are a fashion-oriented product where discovery is important and inspiration is important and it's truly discretionary, the chat engines are going to take over." He demonstrates this point using Perplexity Shopping, showing how consumers can research, compare, and purchase products without ever visiting a brand's website.The discussion reveals how AI-powered shopping platforms threaten traditional cross-selling strategies. "You are, you know, for that transaction, yes. To build some brand awareness, maybe. Cross-sell, absolutely not," Pano states. This fundamental shift forces businesses to reconsider their entire customer acquisition and retention strategies.Pano's advice for content teams reflects the urgency of this transition: "Start using the engines and asking all the questions that any consumer and they give you all the questions that consumers can ask and go figure out whether you're in the top three or top one or top two." He stresses the importance of understanding where brands rank in AI responses and working backward to improve visibility in source content.The conversation concludes with predictions about Google's future. "The judges in the trial that just came out last week or two weeks ago, it's pretty obvious that the judge knows that what we all know is Google search in the traditional SEO, SEM world, it's over," Pano observes. He compares Google's potential fate to previous tech giants, noting how quickly market leaders can become irrelevant when disrupted by superior technology.Key Takeaways• Consumer adoption drives innovation: Consumers spend two trillion dollars annually and adopt technology faster than corporations, making them the ultimate predictor of future trends• Process documentation is crucial: Successful AI implementation requires clearly defined rules and boundaries before automation can begin• Reddit has become the new SEO: Chat engines prioritize Reddit content over traditional website reviews, fundamentally changing how brands build credibility• Website traffic will decline dramatically: Hard goods businesses face inevitable traffic drops as consumers turn to AI-powered shopping experiences• Transparency is the new currency: AI engines expose product quality issues that brands previously could hide through marketing• Google's dominance faces serious threats: Traditional search is being replaced by conversational AI interfaces that provide instant, comprehensive answersFinal ThoughtsThe retail revolution isn't coming—it's already here, reshaping how consumers discover, evaluate, and purchase products. Pano Anthos delivers a clear message: businesses must abandon traditional web-centric strategies and embrace AI-powered commerce platforms or risk obsolescence. The winners won't be those with the prettiest websites but those who understand how to position themselves effectively within AI-driven discovery systems. As we navigate this transformation, one question remains: will your business become an agent of change or merely another victim of technological disruption?Connect with XRC Ventures:https://xrcventures.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/xrcventureshttps://www.instagram.com/xrcventuresFollow Talk Commerce on your favorite platform:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkcommerceBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/talkcommerce.bsky.socialApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-commerce/id1561204656Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Alx6N7ERrPEXIBb41FZ1nTwitter: @talkingcommerceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talk-commerceFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkingcommerceWebsite: https://talk-commerce.com/

How do we nurture and protect the most human endeavors of creation and discovery?  Zachary Levi joins us to discuss calling, technology, and a creative Ark in Austin. We move from one's life mission to concrete plans for land and film incentives. The central question of our time is whether we ride the AI tsunami or get swept under it. Highlights00:00 Opening and Zachary Levi's journey to Austin05:53 Calling vs discovery13:48 Build the ark and fix Hollywood25:13 Community, work, and purpose30:20 Why Bastrop for Wyldwood38:05 Austin's energy and first principles46:57 Film incentives and ROI54:00 AI reshapes studio vs creatives1:10:40 Purpose through creation and discovery1:19:07 What's Next Austin?Guest BioZACHARY LEVI has proven himself a triple threat- he is an accomplished actor, singer, and dancer that was displayed with his Tony- nominated performance for “Best Leading Actor in a Musical” in the critically praised Broadway production, SHE LOVES ME. In August 2024, Zachary starred in HAROLD & THE PURPLE CRAYON for Sony, based on the wildly popular children's book written by Crockett Johnson. He will next star in both MGM/Amazon's SARAH'S OIL as well as Joe Carnahan's real-life survivor thriller, NOT WITHOUT HOPE. Zac is also set to appear in HOTEL TEHRAN, a new thriller from writer-director, Guy Moshe. In March 2023, Levi reprised his role as Shazam! in the Warner Bros. DC franchise, SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS. Directed by David F. Sandberg, this was the follow-up to the first installment, SHAZAM! which held the #1 spot at the box office for weeks following its April 2019 release. In 2021, Zachary portrayed iconic NFL MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback, Kurt Warner in AMERICAN UNDERDOG for Lionsgate directed by Andrew and Jon Erwin. Zac will return with the Erwin brothers for another Lionsgate film THE UNBREAKABLE BOY, based on the true story of the most inspiring boy who touched and changed the lives of those around him in theaters February 21, 2025. In a fan favorite recurring role, Levi took home a SAG Award for “Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series” for season two and three of Amazon Studios' Emmy winning series, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL. The first season of the show won six Primetime Emmys, two Golden Globes, as well as a Peabody Award and two Critics' Choice Awards. The second season won one Golden Globe, three Screen Actor Guild Awards, one PGA Award, two Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards, one Critics Choice TV Award, and TV Program of the Year at the AFI Awards.Additional previous film credits include: CHICKEN RUN: DAWN OF THE NUGGET; TEDDY'S CHRISTMAS; APOLLO 10 ½: A SPACE AGE CHILDHOOD; THOR: THE DARK WORLD; ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL; and TANGLED. The song “I See the Light,” written for TANGLED (performed by Levi & Mandy Moore) was nominated that year for an Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Original Song. The pair performed the duet at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards ceremony. “I See the Light” also won the Grammy Award for “Best Song Written for Visual Media” at the 54th Grammy Awards. Levi is best known for his fan favorite performance as Chuck Bartowski in the hit NBC series, CHUCK. Other previous TV credits include the Netflix mini-series ALIAS GRACE & HEROES REBORN. In June 2022, Levi made his author debut with his memoir, RADICAL LOVE: LEARNING TO ACCEPT YOURSELF AND OTHERS, which shares his emotional journey through a lifetime of crippling anxiety and depression to find joy, gratitude, and ultimate purpose Guest LinksZachary Levi: X, Instagram Wyldwood -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

This week, we chat with Maya Bakhai! Maya Bakhai is the founder of Spice Capital, a first-yes fund investing at pre-seed and seed. Maya's Fund II is a $25M Fund that will invest in ~40 companies with check sizes ranging from $250k-$750k. Spice Capital has over 50 companies in the portfolio including Beehiiv, MUBI, Prosper Health, Hype, Skej, and more.In the last 8 years, Maya has backed 100+ founders.. Prior to starting Spice Capital in 2021, she ran venture investments for Kevin Durant at Thirty Five Ventures where she invested in multiple now-unicorns including: Hugging Face, Robinhood, Skydio, Mercury, Whoop, Rubrik, and Underdog Fantasy. She has a B.S. in Finance and Data Science from NYU. In 2023, she was recognized for her investing in Forbes 30 under 30's Venture Capital list.Maya is based in NYC. Fun fact: In a past life, she produced a sold out off-broadway musical- “Aliens Coming”, a narrative podcast -“Illuminati Interns” and an award-winning web series called “Freelance”.✨ 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!Maya Bakhai: @MayaBakhaiSpice Capital: @spice_cap@thetrailblazerspod: Instagram, YouTube, TikTokErica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Small firms are facing a new era, and on Episode 231 of The Unique CPA, Randy sits down with Steve Shein, the co-founder of Franklin Alliance, to talk about a new partnership model in the profession. Steve shares his journey from capital markets to building a collaborative network that grants firms access to capital, while they maintain their independence. Franklin Alliance brings with it a vibrant community of strategic advisors and forward-thinking leaders, Randy included. Find out how you can grow your firm on your terms while keeping its identity and autonomy. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Karey Barker  is Founder and Managing Director of Cross Creek, a late-stage venture capital firm headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.  She has over 25 years of broad public and private investment experience and holds a number of Board roles, including ARUP Laboratories. Our conversation walks through Karey's career which saw the unusual move from analysis of public equities into venture capital investing, and we hear why they are more similar than we might think. We move then to the current opportunity set in venture investing - particularly at the late stage of venture investing (within 1-2 years of going public) which is the expertise of Cross Creek. Karey discusses some of the sectors where she sees the most compelling opportunity sets, including areas likely to impact the consumer, some of which have been overlooked in the current market hype.We end with a reflection on lessons learned and the industry as it is today, from an LP and allocator perspective. With thanks to Baillie Gifford for sponsoring Series 4 of 2025. Baillie Gifford is a long-term investment manager, dedicated to discovering the innovations and changemakers that deliver exceptional growth opportunities for its client

Feeling burned out or stuck in your job? Chris Walker says the real problem might not be your boss or your paycheck, it's the frequency you operate in.In this episode, he shares with Toni how trusting his intuition led him to sell Refine Labs and step away from the company he built, and why he believes we're leaving the Information Era and entering a new “Frequency Era,” where your energy and mindset matter more than credentials or experience. Chris explains the six tiers of frequency, what it takes to move beyond stress and burnout, and how urgency and constant pressure can quietly pull a whole company into low-frequency habits.Want to work with us? Learn more: revformula.io(00:00) - Introduction (01:56) - The Decision to Exit Refine Labs and What's Next (11:09) - The Shift from Information Era to Frequency Era (15:37) - What is Frequency? (20:13) - Frequency Tiers and Personal Growth (22:46) - Tier One: Recognizing the Illusion (24:05) - Tier Two: Breaking the Illusion (26:17) - Tier Three and Beyond: Energetic Mastery (32:10) - Example: How You Relate to Time (33:49) - Where Frequency meets Business (37:06) - Defining Success Beyond Financial Metrics (42:39) - The Power of Choice and Awareness (44:13) - Examples of Different Company Frequencies (46:54) - The Role of Urgency and Pressure (51:19) - Impact of Venture Capital on Company Frequency (55:16) - Leadership and Frequency Alignment (01:05:45) - Final Thoughts and Personal Journey (01:09:13) - Next Week: Zoominfo's James Roth on AI in Sales and Marketing

Fluent Fiction - Danish: From Envelope to Opportunity: Søren's Entrepreneurial Leap Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/da/episode/2025-09-30-07-38-20-da Story Transcript:Da: I København, midt i det moderne Startup Incubator, var der en særlig energi i luften.En: In København, in the middle of the modern Startup Incubator, there was a special energy in the air.Da: Søren, en ivrig ung iværksætter, færdedes mellem glasdøre og skinnende skriveborde, hvor idéer fødtes og formede fremtiden.En: Søren, an eager young entrepreneur, navigated between glass doors and shiny desks where ideas were born and shaped the future.Da: Han havde en klar mission.En: He had a clear mission.Da: Hans hjerte bankede for bæredygtige teknologier, og han arbejdede utrætteligt for at gøre sin vision til virkelighed.En: His heart beat for sustainable technologies, and he worked tirelessly to turn his vision into reality.Da: En råkold oktobervind blæste i det åbne kontorrum, og gyldne blade susede mod de store vinduer.En: A raw cold October wind blew in the open office space, and golden leaves swirled against the large windows.Da: På en morgen præget af sådan skarphed, opdagede Søren en mystisk kuvert i sin postkasse hos inkubatoren.En: On a morning marked by such sharpness, Søren discovered a mysterious envelope in his mailbox at the incubator.Da: En simpel, brun konvolut uden afsender.En: A simple brown envelope with no sender.Da: Uden at spilde tid åbnede han den.En: Without wasting time, he opened it.Da: Et enkelt stykke papir egnede sig ud og bar en kryptisk besked: "Følg sporet til byens lys."En: A single sheet of paper emerged, bearing a cryptic message: "Follow the trail to the city's lights."Da: Søren rynkede panden, mens han overvejede betydningen.En: Søren furrowed his brow as he contemplated its meaning.Da: En del af ham ønskede at ignorere det og fortsætte sin oprindelige plan for at sikre den eftertragtede partnerskab.En: Part of him wanted to ignore it and continue his original plan to secure the coveted partnership.Da: Men nysgerrigheden greb ham.En: But curiosity grabbed him.Da: Hvad hvis dette kunne føre til den nøgleinvestor, han havde drømt om?En: What if this could lead to the key investor he had dreamed of?Da: Han forlod skrivebordet og trådte ud i efterårsluften, fornuft og håb i en skrøbelig blanding.En: He left his desk and stepped out into the autumn air, reason and hope in a fragile mix.Da: Han pralede rundt i Kopenhagens gader, fulgte spor af vage lampelys, der førte ham hen mod et lille og afsidesliggende café.En: He wandered around København's streets, following traces of vague lamplights that led him towards a small and secluded café.Da: Her blev mystikken dybere.En: Here, the mystery deepened.Da: Da han trådte ind i caféen, var der en enkelt kunde ved et bord bagerst.En: As he entered the café, there was a single customer at a table in the back.Da: En velklædt mand med en aura af indflydelse vinkede Søren hen.En: A well-dressed man with an aura of influence beckoned Søren over.Da: Det var den kendte, men hemmelighedsfulde venturekapitalist, Anton Vestergaard.En: It was the well-known but secretive venture capitalist, Anton Vestergaard.Da: "Jeg har ventet på dig," sagde Anton med et nik, der både var betryggende og udfordrende.En: "I've been expecting you," said Anton with a nod that was both reassuring and challenging.Da: De talte om Sørens projekt, om bæredygtighed og fremtidige muligheder.En: They talked about Søren's project, about sustainability and future opportunities.Da: Anton afslørede, at han havde fulgt Søren og hans arbejde.En: Anton revealed that he had been following Søren and his work.Da: "Din dedikation er beundringsværdig," sagde han, "og jeg vil hjælpe dig."En: "Your dedication is admirable," he said, "and I want to help you."Da: Søren forlod mødet med en overraskende allieret.En: Søren left the meeting with a surprising ally.Da: Det var begyndelsen på en ny rejse fyldt med ukendte, men spændende udfordringer.En: It was the beginning of a new journey filled with unknown but exciting challenges.Da: Han havde vovet sig ud fra det trygge og fandt en vej, han aldrig havde forestillet sig.En: He had ventured out from the safe and found a path he had never imagined.Da: Som Søren gik tilbage til inkubatoren, følte han sig ændret.En: As Søren headed back to the incubator, he felt changed.Da: Livets uforudsigelighed skræmte ham ikke længere.En: The unpredictability of life no longer scared him.Da: Han havde lært at omfavne det ukendte, og i København denne dag, blev en ny succesfulde historie skrevet.En: He had learned to embrace the unknown, and in København on this day, a new successful story was written.Da: Han var ikke længere kun en iværksætter.En: He was no longer just an entrepreneur.Da: Han var blevet en pioner på vej mod nye horisonter.En: He had become a pioneer on his way toward new horizons. Vocabulary Words:incubator: inkubatorentrepreneur: iværksættersustainable: bæredygtigetirelessly: utrætteligtenvelope: konvolutsender: afsendertrail: sporetcoveted: eftertragtedecuriosity: nysgerrighedensecluded: afsidesliggendeventure capitalist: venturekapitalistdedication: dedikationadmirable: beundringsværdigunpredictability: uforudsigelighedembrace: omfavnepioneer: pionermission: missioncryptic: kryptisklamplights: lampelysalliance: allieretjourney: rejsefragile: skrøbeliginfluence: indflydelsemystique: mystikkenopportunity: mulighederhover: praledesharpness: skarphedventure: vovettransform: ændrethorizons: horisonter

What does it take to reinvent entire industries, over and over again?This week on Grit, Sebastian Thrun, the “godfather” of self-driving cars and massive open online courses, reflects on a career pushing the boundaries of technology across mobility, education, and AI.With Joubin Mirzadegan, he shares why he believes autonomous driving could become the biggest lifesaving technology in history, and how a wake-up call led him to found Udacity to truly democratize higher education.Guest: Sebastian Thrun, CEO of Stealth Startup, founder of Google X and UdacityConnect with Sebastian ThrunXLinkedIn​Connect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

Hurray's Girl Beer isn't just another craft brand. It's a calculated rebellion against an industry stuck in the past. In this episode, Hurray's founder Ray Biebuyck joins Taste Radio editor Ray Latif and Brewbound managing editor Jess Infante to share her vision for a beer brand that doesn't just challenge convention, it openly mocks it. Witty, unapologetic, and intentionally unorthodox, Hurray's markets flavored light beers, including Pineapple Yuzu and Blueberry Lavender varieties, crafted not to honor tradition, but to disrupt it. The brand's satirical, female-forward positioning flips the script in a category that has long overlooked nearly a third of its audience: women. Ray discusses how Hurray's draws more from stand-up comedy than legacy brewing playbooks, using humor and irreverence as tools for connection, and conversion. She also reveals how this disruptive approach is translating into real-world traction, with Hurray's on track to reach over 3,000 retail locations, including Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, BevMo, Total Wine, Sprouts, and Walmart, by Q1 2026. Show notes: 0:25: Interview: Ray Biebuyck, Founder & CEO, Hurray's Girl Beer – Ray traces her roots back to New England and her early career in the corporate world, with stints at J.P. Morgan and WeWork after graduating from college in New York City. She discussed how, at the onset of the pandemic, she stepped in to support operations for a local beverage alcohol brand and recognized a gap in the market: a disconnect between male-dominated beer branding and female consumers. Ray eventually launched Hurray's Girl Beer in 2024 and shares the uphill journey of pitching a new beer brand in a male-dominated, slowing market, and how she carved out a niche by courting an underserved audience. She recalls self-distributing cases out of a Toyota Camry to landing shelf space in 200 retail doors across Los Angeles and Orange County and how Girl Beer secured distribution at Whole Foods, BevMo, and Total Wine. Ray also details the pivotal relationship with an Anheuser-Busch-aligned distributor, which accelerated growth and expanded reach and why she believes the brand is on track for a breakout year in 2026. Brands in this episode: Hurray's Girl Beer, Shacksbury Cider, Woodchuck Cider, Magic Hat, Ben & Jerry's, Seventh Generation, Green Mountain Coffee, Poppi, Olipop, Liquid Death, Garage Beer, Surfside, Budweiser, Bud Light, Golden Road, Elysian, Busch, Heineken, White Claw, Truly, Bud Light Seltzer, Michelob Ultra, Friday Beers

In this conversation, Jay Goldberg and Michael Cunningham discuss the evolving landscape of semiconductor recruitment, focusing on macro trends, the impact of AI, and the challenges of reshoring manufacturing. They explore the skills in demand, the dynamics of the job market, and provide valuable advice for both entry-level engineers and senior directors looking to advance their careers. The discussion emphasizes the importance of soft skills, ownership in leadership roles, and the need for companies to adapt to the changing technological landscape.

Special purpose vehicles are the biggest underworld in startups. They're creating more opportunity to invest in some of the biggest companies in the world. That doesn't mean they don't come with risk. Peter Walker from Carta gives us a full breakdown. 00:00 Too Good to Be True?  01:05 Deep Dive into SPVs  04:03 The Growth and Impact of SPVs  06:04 Understanding SPVs in Venture Capital  23:31 The AI Bubble and Its Implications  32:43 Will Startups Shut Down? 33:52 Hiring and Firing in Startups 39:09 Private Equity vs. Venture Capital 44:28 AI's Role in Business Strategy 55:03 Navigating Uncertainty and Capital Management 58:23 Concluding Thoughts and Advice for Entrepreneurs   Thanks for tuning in! Catch new episodes every Wednesday.  Subscribe to Topline Newsletter. Tune into Topline Podcast, the #1 podcast for founders, operators, and investors in B2B tech. Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders to keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!

In this replay, I'm on the other side of the mic, as I'm interviewed by Joe Magyer, the founder of Seaplane Ventures. This is a wide-ranging conversation where we talk about the Fed rate cut, cover different asset classes including VC, PE, Fixed Income, and Public Equities, and my journey in building Canopy Capital. This episode first appeared on the Investing in Startups podcast hosted by Joe, which I highly recommend you check out. Please enjoy this conversation with Joe Magyer. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page HERE. ----- Making Markets is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Markets, visit joincolossus.com/episodes. Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @makingmkts | @ericgoldenx Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes (00:00:00) Welcome to Making Markets (00:00:19) Overview of Canopy Capital (00:00:44) The Evolution of Asset Management (00:01:54) The Importance of Tax Individualized Investing (00:02:44) Starting the Podcast Journey (00:03:16) Crypto: From Skepticism to Interest (00:04:18) Exploring Various Asset Classes (00:06:08) Challenges and Rewards of Podcasting (00:11:12) Competitiveness in Different Asset Classes (00:16:38) Insights on Venture Capital (00:22:59) Building a Venture-Backed Company (00:24:18) The Founder's Dilemma: Risk and Innovation (00:25:17) A Career at Fidelity: Reflections and Decisions (00:27:17) The Transition: From Intrapreneur to Entrepreneur (00:30:21) Market Insights: The Fed and Economic Cycles (00:36:27) Investment Strategies: Observing and Predicting (00:39:40) Web3 and Crypto: Future Prospects Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colton Pace is a founder and currently the CEO of Ownwell, a Proptech company dedicated to democratizing access to real estate expertise and reducing the hidden costs of homeownership. Under his leadership, Ownwell helps homeowners and property owners identify and appeal overvalued property taxes, reduce insurance and utility costs, and manage other home‑related expenses through data, automation, and local expert teams. Before founding Ownwell, Colton served as an investor, asset manager, and venture capitalist, helping manage billions of dollars across various asset classes. He was part of funds that made early investments in companies such as Uber, Spotify, Redfin, Snowflake, UiPath, Zuora, and Grab. (01:05) - VC to PropTech Founder(03:10) - $797B Property Tax Problem(04:48) - Ownwell Traction: 700K+ Homes and SMB/CRE(06:18) - AI Plus 80 Consultants: How Appeals Get Done(08:50) - Success Rates and Savings: Residential vs Commercial(11:27) - Portfolio Case Study: 124 SFR Properties in Texas(13:45) - Valuation Methods and Local Differences(16:13) - Market Size: $50 to 60B Opportunity(17:29) - Feature: CREtech - Join CREtech New York 2025 on Oct 21-22 for the largest Real Estate Meetings program. Qualified Real Estate pros get free full event pass plus up to $800 in travel and hotel costs. (19:02) - Beyond Taxes: Insurance, Loans, Utilities, Concierge (21:30) - Building Trust with Homeowners and CRE Owners (24:03) - Advice for PropTech Founders Selling into Real Estate (26:49) - Collaboration Superpower: Matthew McConaughey

Ten years ago, the idea of canned milk powering a fast-growing brand might have seemed far-fetched. And yet, Slate – which recently announced $23 million in fresh funding – has proven just how powerful a novel concept can be. What can CPG founders – and the industry at large – learn from its rise? The hosts also look back on an unforgettable meetup in San Francisco, where industry veterans, insiders, and ambitious early-stage founders came together in a high-energy atmosphere. Show notes: 0:25: SpearsTok. S.F. Straightaway. Soaring Slate. Aggressive Snacks & Sprinkles. — The show kicks off with banter about AI job titles and algorithm-driven social media feeds, before the hosts reflect on the energy of Taste Radio's recent San Francisco meetup and how the event fostered valuable industry connections and spotlighted emerging brands. They also preview the show's London meetup on October 2 as well as BevNET's Live events in December. The hosts then turn their attention to a $23M funding round for milk-based protein beverage platform Slate, which sparked a deeper conversation about brand evolution, product positioning and the importance of timing in industry success. They also discuss a plant-based meat snack brand with “aggressive” branding. Ray highlights Sprinkles' new cupcake bites, John gulps Zico's organic coconut water, Mike touts THC and turmeric drinks and Jacqui spotlights an innovative CPG brand designed for women. Brands in this episode: Slate, Spindrift, Health-Ade, Trip, In Good Taste Wines, Slapp, Dokkaebeer, Kechi, Mindful, Jules Matcha, Fort Point, Standard Deviant, Straightaway Cocktails, Plift, MixMix, KiuKiu, Uncle Matt's, ZICO, Drink Folks, Q Drinks, Benni Pops, Sprinkles, Rootless, AGRO, Yasso, Forager Project, Uncracked, Yerba Madre

This week Andrew talks with Amanda Goetz. Amanda is a 2x company founder & 5x Chief Marketing Officer. After spending two decades building & growing consumer-facing brands, Amanda pivoted her career to writing, teaching, & coaching ambitious working parents on how to balance success and life. She is the author of the upcoming book TOXIC GRIT: How To Have It All And (Actually) Love What You Have. This is a powerful conversation about actionable frameworks you can utilize to juggle life's seemingly never-ending to-do lists & competing priorities — all while living a life of intention & purpose. You'll hear why our lives need “spin cycles”, how to be ambitious with intention, ways to be more present for moments that matter most, & so much more. ** Amanda's Book **https://www.toxicgrit.com/** Follow Andrew **Instagram: @AndrewMoses123Twitter/X: @andrewhmosesSign up for e-mails to keep up with the podcast at everybodypullsthetarp.com/newsletterDISCLAIMER: This podcast is solely for educational & entertainment purposes. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional.

What separates beverage brands that break out from those that burn out? In this episode, industry veteran Ken Sadowsky – often known by his sobriquet, the “Beverage Whisperer” – offers a behind-the-scenes look at what's working (and what's not) in the fiercely competitive drinks industry.  Ken, who is the executive director of the Northeastern Independent Distributors Association (NIDA) and a senior advisor with Belgium-based investment firm Verlivest, draws from decades of experience and shares practical, battle-tested insights, from store checks in NYC bodegas to the growing influence of non-alcoholic spirits. He dives into a range of hot-button topics, including the ROI of trade shows like Expo West, the crucial role of effective packaging, and the delicate balance between innovation and consumer confusion. Along the way, he shares candid opinions on up-and-coming brands, expressing optimism for some while voicing skepticism toward others. Show notes: 0:25: Interview: Ken Sadowsky, Sr. Advisor, Verlinvest – Ken Sadowsky talks about his passion for conducting store checks to stay current on emerging brands and trends and emphasizes the importance of trying new products, especially in diverse markets like New York City. He also explains how his background as a distributor and investor informs his observations and why advises early-stage founders to perfect their product in their hometowns before attempting to break into bigger markets. He and Ray sample a non-alcoholic margarita from Pentire and a collagen-infused sparkling water from Liquid Youth. They then discuss the rise of ANA beverages and the evolution of sweeteners in better-for-you sodas. Ken acknowledges Poppi's branding success and PepsiCo's acquisition of the company, but he remains skeptical about the long-term viability of the prebiotic soda category. The conversation continues with an exploration of the value of trade shows like Expo West, why ROI can be elusive and difficult to quantify, and his advice for startups with limited budgets. Ken and Ray sample more brands, including Fhirst, a U.K.-based probiotic soda brand, and Orange Toucan, a moringa-infused beverage. The discussion turns to the meaning of innovation in CPG, as Ken defines it as introducing something truly new, ideally with a functional or sustainability benefit that can reach mainstream audiences. They wrap the episode by spotlighting 67 Water, a culturally resonant brand targeting Gen Z and Gen Alpha; Glucosal, a Guatemalan electrolyte beverage only distributed in Miami; and Cadence, an isotonic drink brand. Brands in this episode: Liquid Youth, Poppi, Olipop, Liquid I.V., Celsius, Prime, Red Bull, Vitaminwater, Hint, 67 Water, Cadence, Pentire, Orange Toucan, Ringa, Kuli Kuli, Glucosal, Woody Creek Distillers, Mountain Dew, Vita Coco, Fhirst, Casa Azul, Bud Light, Electrolit, AriZona Beverages, GNGR Labs, MOTH Drinks  

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