PODCAST · business
Dorm Room Ventures
by Zaki Wali
Breaking into startups, finance, and emerging tech as a student isn’t easy- but you don’t have to do it alone. Dorm Room Ventures is your go-to podcast for navigating the world of business while still in school. Hosted by Zaki Wali, this show dives into the latest market trends, startup strategies, corporate finance insights, and game-changing innovations shaping the future.Join me as I chat with industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, and students making waves in the business world. Whether you’re looking to launch your own venture, land a top finance role, or simply stay ahead of the curve, this podcast gives you the tools, insights, and inspiration to make it happen.New episodes weekly- because your future starts now. 🚀
Episodes
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From Dorm Room to Forbes 30 Under 30: The Founder Roadmap w/ Salman Habib
From validating your first idea to leading a team of 100 - this episode is a full founder kit, straight from someone who's lived every stage of it. I'm joined by Salman Habib, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and co-founder & CEO of Burq, an AI-based delivery infrastructure platform he's scaled to…
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Your Startup Idea Might Not Be Solving a Real Problem w/ Nelson Chu
The best startup ideas don't start with a solution - they start with a problem that can't be ignored. In this week's episode of Dorm Room Ventures, I'm joined by Nelson Chu, a venture capitalist at Kinetic Ventures with nearly three decades of experience and a mentor at Virginia Tech's APEX…
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The Leadership Advantage Most Founders Overlook w/ Israel Oyedare
In this episode of Dorm Room Ventures, I’m joined by Israel Oyedare, founder of Teens and Youth in Leadership (TYIL), for a conversation that challenges how founders think about impact, leadership, and long-term sustainability. Israel shares his journey of building an organization rooted in…
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It's All Mindset: The Key to Startup Success w/ Aram Attar
In this episode of Dorm Room Ventures, we launch into 2026 with Aram Attar, a venture capital expert who bridges the gap between investment psychology and practical application. Aram introduces us to Mindset-Based Investing, a unique framework that not only dissects the cognitive patterns of top...
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What They Don’t Tell You About Building a Startup w/ Adam Rossi
In this week's episode of Dorm Room Ventures, we wrap up 2025 with a deep dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Adam Rossi, a Virginia Tech alum, serial entrepreneur, and investor. Adam shares his experiences from founding and scaling companies to mentoring the next generation of founders. We...
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What 17 Startups Teach You About Success w/ Rick Gilchrist
Building a startup starts with more than just an idea - it starts with a mission. In this week’s episode of Dorm Room Ventures, I’m joined by Rick Gilchrist, a serial entrepreneur with 17 startups and multiple exits, and the Founder & CEO of Vannadium, where he’s pioneering blockchain and Web3...
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What it Takes to Succeed as a Founder in 2025 w/ Saad Bin Shafiq
Launching a business isn't just about having a groundbreaking idea- it's about taking swift action to bring it to life. In this week's episode of Dorm Room Ventures, I'm joined by Saad Bin Shafiq, Founder of Nodes.inc, who shares his journey from growing up in a remote region of Pakistan to…
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Do You Need a Co-Founder? w/ Nick Schutt
Navigating the entrepreneurial journey isn't just about having a great idea—it's about finding the right co-founder. In this episode of Dorm Room Ventures, Nick Schutt joins us to reveal what it takes to build a strong entrepreneurial partnership. We explore the dynamics of co-founding, from...
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The Funding Playbook You Wish You Had Sooner w/ Vijay Rajendran
Fundraising can feel overwhelming, especially for student founders trying to break into the startup ecosystem. In this episode, Vijay Rajendran breaks down a clear, four-part funding framework that helps bring structure and confidence to the fundraising process. We dive into the art of...
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Betting on Yourself: Risk-Taking as a Student Entrepreneur w/ Soham Mehra
Risk is guaranteed for student entrepreneurs, but how do you navigate it effectively? In this episode, Soham Mehra, co-founder of Morph Labs, shares his journey of taking bold risks and building a startup while still in college. We explore the unique advantages of starting a business as a…
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A VC’s Playbook for Students: Part 2 - A Student’s Path to VC
Everyone wants to break into venture capital- but what actually works when you're starting as a student at ground-zero? In this episode, Rajiv Mehta, Senior Associate at Blu Ventures, returns to share how students can go from founder to funder- and why VC might be more within reach than you…
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A VC’s Playbook for Students: Part 1 - Raising Smart, Scaling Fast w/ Rajiv Mehta
Everyone wants to build the next big thing- but what actually makes a student startup stand out to investors? In this episode, Rajiv Mehta, Senior Associate at Blu Ventures, shares what VCs are really looking for when it comes to early-stage college-led startups- and what separates the flashes of...
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Students, Startups, and the Age of GenAI w/ Kevin Tupper
AI is everywhere- but how do you actually use it well as a student? In this episode, Kevin Tupper, Chief Architect of AI Transformation at Microsoft, joins me to unpack how GenAI is changing the way we learn, build, and lead- especially for student entrepreneurs and future innovators. We dive…
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Startups, School, and Sanity: Finding Balance as a Student Founder w/ Ron Poff
Entrepreneurship in college sounds exciting- until you're juggling classes, internships, and a startup all at once. In this episode, Professor Ron Poff of Virginia Tech breaks down what it really takes to build something meaningful while balancing 100 other responsibilities as a student. Learn…
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Leadership Isn’t a Title- It’s a Mindset w/ Carol Moxam
Leadership isn’t about titles- it’s about how you think, communicate, and connect. In this episode, Carol Moxam, international speaker and leadership mentor, shares how students and young entrepreneurs can step into real leadership by showing up intentionally and leading from within. Learn how to...
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Bridging STEM and Entrepreneurship w/ Riyam Ojaimi
STEM and entrepreneurship might seem like two separate worlds, but they don’t have to be. In this episode, Riyam Ojaimi, founder of Space Point Publications and aerospace medicine student and researcher at the University of Toronto, shares how she turned her passion for space, research, and...
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Building a Startup in College And Keeping It Going After w/ Ben Morin
Starting a startup in college is one thing- staying in the entrepreneurial world after graduation is another. In this episode, Ben Morin, founder of FYNIL and Virginia Tech’s #1 Emerging Startup in 2023, shares how he transitioned from student founder to post-grad professional while staying…
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Networking and Getting in the Right Rooms w/ Muhammad Hunain
Networking isn’t just about meeting people- it’s about getting into the right rooms and creating real opportunities. In this episode, Muhammad Hunain, founder of Melagen Labs and Techstars DC alum at just 19 years old, shares how students can build meaningful connections, stand out, and avoid...
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The College Startup Landscape in 2025 w/ Rob Cummings
What does it take to launch a successful startup as a college student in 2025? In this episode, I sit down with Rob Cummings, an investor, advisor, and Executive in Residence at Virginia Tech’s Apex Center for Entrepreneurs. We dive into how the college startup scene has evolved and developed…
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Welcome to Dorm Room Ventures!
A podcast for students breaking into startups, finance, and emerging tech. Hosted by Zaki Wali. 🚀
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Breaking into startups, finance, and emerging tech as a student isn’t easy- but you don’t have to do it alone. Dorm Room Ventures is your go-to podcast for navigating the world of business while still in school. Hosted by Zaki Wali, this show dives into the latest market trends, startup strategies, corporate finance insights, and game-changing innovations shaping the future.Join me as I chat with industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, and students making waves in the business world. Whether you’re looking to launch your own venture, land a top finance role, or simply stay ahead of the curve, this podcast gives you the tools, insights, and inspiration to make it happen.New episodes weekly- because your future starts now. 🚀
HOSTED BY
Zaki Wali
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Dorm Room Ventures have?
Dorm Room Ventures currently has 20 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Dorm Room Ventures about?
Breaking into startups, finance, and emerging tech as a student isn’t easy- but you don’t have to do it alone. Dorm Room Ventures is your go-to podcast for navigating the world of business while still in school. Hosted by Zaki Wali, this show dives into the latest market trends, startup strategies,...
How often does Dorm Room Ventures release new episodes?
Dorm Room Ventures has 20 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Dorm Room Ventures?
You can listen to Dorm Room Ventures on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Dorm Room Ventures?
Dorm Room Ventures is created and hosted by Zaki Wali.
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