Liftoff with Keith Newman: For Founders looking for a new growth playbook and further inspiration.

Physical AI is everywhere in the conversation, but getting it to work reliably in the real world is a very different challenge.In this episode of Liftoff with Keith Newman, Keith sits down with Mike Link, COO of Kami Vision, to explore what it takes to move computer vision and physical AI from promising demos to real-world products operating across millions of devices. Mike shares how Kami Vision evolved from home security into AI-powered applications for elder care, including fall detection and remote monitoring, while continuing to expand into enterprise security and robotics. The conversation covers:What makes scaling physical AI different from traditional software Moving from hardware to software and eventually an AI-native model Using computer vision to transform elder care The challenges of enterprise AI deployment Privacy, trust and adoption in real-world environmentsWhy partner-led distribution can accelerate growthHow AI agents are changing internal business operations Why founders should get real customers using their product before trying to scale A practical conversation about the gap between building AI that works in a demo and building AI that works in the real world.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with John: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbrenard/ Website: https://www.southviewtimber.com/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.

Most investors are chasing the next hot market—from AI and data centers to the latest high-growth opportunities.But sometimes, the better opportunity is hiding somewhere few people are looking.In this episode of Liftoff with Keith Newman, Keith sits down with John Brennard, Managing Director & Founder of Southview Timberland Investments, to explore the world of timberland investing and what makes it an intriguing alternative asset class. John shares how his family's timberland investment in 2008 introduced him to the asset class, eventually leading him to build Southview around timberland and rural land investments across the U.S. Southeast. The conversation goes beyond timberland, covering:How to find opportunity in overlooked markets Why disciplined underwriting matters The value of patient ownership and hands-on execution How timber harvesting and land development can create value Why understanding an investment is critical before entering private markets The importance of staying close to sales and making progress every day As John puts it, there are no shortcuts in this game—and sometimes the best opportunities aren't the ones everyone is talking about. Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with John: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbrenard/ Website: https://www.southviewtimber.com/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.

Most founders think they have a growth problem, team problem, or technology problem.But what if the real constraint is the founder?In this episode of Liftoff with Keith Newman, Keith sits down with Damon Flowers, a business growth expert who has spent more than two decades building, scaling, and exiting companies across SaaS, eCommerce, coaching, and real estate—including taking one company from $3.5 million to $30 million in just two years. Damon explains why businesses often struggle to scale because their founders become the glue holding disconnected systems, people, and processes together.The conversation explores:Why a business can only grow as far as its founder doesHow founders become the bottleneck without realizing it The three stages of building a scalable business Why growth should come after the right operational foundation How disconnected tools can create more chaos Why simply adding AI tools isn't enough How an integrated operating system can help businesses move faster What founders need to change to make faster decisions and respond to the market Damon's core message is simple:Don't just try to grow faster. Build a business that is actually ready to grow.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Damon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonflowers Website: https://modernoperators.com/Media Kit: https://on.modernoperators.com/media/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.

What if you're building a successful company—but accidentally building a life you don't actually want?In this episode of Liftoff with Keith Newman, Keith sits down with Charles T. Lee, founder of Ideation, to explore what it really means to build a successful business while protecting your health, relationships, purpose, and personal well-being.Charles shares why founders should:Slow down to create space for better ideas Invest in people, not just technology Understand their personal rhythms and energy Let go of ego and focus on building the right team Make time for reflection and personal development Stop comparing themselves to other founders Think about what "enough" and success really mean They also discuss how AI can give founders something increasingly valuable: more time to focus on the human side of leadership. The goal isn't simply to build a great company.It's to build a great company without losing the life you're building it for.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Charles: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlestlee/ Website: https://theideation.com/ Book: http://www.designyourgoodlife.com/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.#LiftoffPodcast #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Founders #BusinessGrowth #AI #WorkLifeBalance

Most founders never think about transfer agents... until they become a problem.In this episode of Liftoff with Keith Newman, Keith sits down with Rob Schoder, Co-Founder & CEO of Vinyl Equity, to discuss why one of the most important pieces of capital markets infrastructure has remained stuck in the past—and how modern technology is changing it.Drawing from his experience leading portfolio operations at AngelList, Rob explains why outdated shareholder systems create unnecessary friction for founders, investors, and public companies, and how Vinyl is building the next generation of ownership infrastructure.In this episode you'll learn:Why transfer agents are critical to every public companyThe biggest challenges companies face during IPOsHow legacy infrastructure slows innovationWhy API-first platforms are changing capital marketsThe growing role of AI in shareholder managementLessons from building a regulated fintech startupWhy founders should market their wins earlierWhat the future of capital markets could look likeWhether you're a founder, CFO, investor, legal professional, or fintech enthusiast, this conversation offers valuable insights into the technology powering modern equity ownership.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Rob: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rwsjr/ Website: https://www.vinylequity.com/Vinyl Equity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vinyl-equity/home/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.

What if the biggest threat to your startup isn't competition, funding, or even product-market fit—but your own management team?In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, I sit down with entrepreneur, investor, and author Hunter Hastings to explore one of the most important—and controversial—ideas in modern entrepreneurship.Hunter is the co-author of Venture Mode: Escape the Administration Trap by Finding and Unleashing Entrepreneurial Leaders, where he argues that companies rarely fail because they grow too quickly. Instead, they lose the entrepreneurial behaviors that made them successful in the first place.As organizations scale, speed gives way to bureaucracy, customer obsession is replaced by internal process, and entrepreneurial leaders become administrators.We dive into what Hunter calls "The Administration Trap"—and how founders can avoid it.In this episode we discuss:Why management—not growth—is often what kills startupsThe earliest warning signs that bureaucracy is taking overHow founders can add structure without losing entrepreneurial cultureWhy customer value—not internal metrics—should drive every decisionHow to identify and empower entrepreneurial leaders inside your companyWhy traditional MBA thinking often fails foundersCash flow, value creation, and building resilient businessesHow AI is changing the economics of startups and leadershipThe biggest misconceptions founders and investors have about scaling companiesHunter's personal lessons from decades as a CEO, investor, executive, and educatorIf you're a founder, executive, investor, or anyone leading a growing company, this conversation offers a fresh framework for scaling without sacrificing innovation.Connect with KeithIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another founder or operator.Follow Liftoff with Keith for conversations with the entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators building the future.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Hunter: Book: Venture Mode: Escape the Administration Trap by Finding and Unleashing Entrepreneurial Leaders https://www.amazon.in/Venture-Mode-Administration-Unleashing-Entrepreneurial-ebook/dp/B0FQWF2FP5LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterhastings/Website: https://venturemode.biz/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.

What if your AI assistant didn't just answer questions—but actually understood how you work and helped get things done?In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, Keith sits down with Jean-Denis Greze, Co-Founder & CEO of Town, to explore the future of personalized AI assistants and what it takes to build AI that can work across the tools people already use.The conversation dives into how AI can move beyond the traditional chatbot experience to help manage tasks, workflows, email, calendars, and more—while learning from the context of how each person actually works.Jean-Denis also shares insights into building an AI product, the challenges of creating a truly useful assistant, and the broader opportunity to make AI more accessible to everyday users and businesses.If you're interested in AI, AI assistants, startups, productivity, entrepreneurship, and the future of work, this episode is for you.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Jean-Denis: Website: https://www.town.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeandenisgreze/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285- Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and Share.

What do Iraq, SpaceX, the EV boom, and autonomous freight have in common?In this episode of Liftoff, Keith sits down with Kevin Damoa , Army combat veteran and founder & CEO of Glīd, to explore the future of logistics and the technology transforming how freight moves between road and rail.Kevin shares how nearly 25 years of logistics experience, including military logistics, SpaceX, and leadership roles across the EV industry, inspired him to tackle one of the biggest challenges in global supply chains: making rail transportation more accessible.We discuss how Glīd is building autonomous vehicles designed to streamline the road-to-rail transition, why the company has focused on building more cost-efficiently, and how Kevin's experiences at SpaceX shaped his approach to culture, innovation, and solving seemingly impossible problems.Kevin also shares lessons on:Building hard tech with limited capital Why culture can make or break a startup The importance of solving customer pain before commercialization How to evaluate risk before launching an MVP The future of autonomous freight and physical AI Why logistics is facing a growing labor and infrastructure challenge What SpaceX taught him about belief, ingenuity, and making the impossible possible From combat logistics to rocket logistics to autonomous freight, this is a conversation about building technology that could fundamentally change how the world moves.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Kevin Damoa: Website: https://www.glidtech.us/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-a-damoa-9b514770 Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithWebsite: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and Share.

What if AI could understand the physical world as well as it understands text?In this episode of The Liftoff, Keith sits down with Paul Powers, CEO & Co-Founder of Physna, to explore why the next wave of AI won't just generate content—it will understand objects, manufacturing, engineering, and supply chains.Paul explains how Physna's "Physical DNA" technology enables AI to understand 3D objects, helping companies dramatically improve product design, procurement, robotics, digital twins, and manufacturing intelligence. The conversation also covers reshoring manufacturing, AI infrastructure, startup timing, and why physical AI could become one of the biggest technology shifts of the decade. In this episode:What Physical AI actually meansHow Physna teaches computers to understand 3D objectsWhy AI struggles with the physical world todaySaving manufacturers hundreds of millions of dollarsDigital twins, robotics & engineering AIThe future of manufacturing and reshoringAI, 3D printing & security challengesStartup lessons from building deep-tech companiesWhy timing matters more than most founders realizeIf you enjoy conversations about AI, startups, innovation, deep technology, and entrepreneurship, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Trip Hawkins: Website: https://www.ea.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/triphawkins/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithWebsite: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and Share.#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #PhysicalAI #Physna #PaulPowers #Manufacturing #Engineering #Robotics #DigitalTwins #SupplyChain #Innovation #DeepTech #Startup #Entrepreneurship #TheLiftoff

What does it take to build a company that changes an entire industry?Note: Due to some video connection challenges the host wasn't on the video feed for the entire programIn this episode of Liftoff with Keith, legendary entrepreneur Trip Hawkins, Founder of Electronic Arts (EA) and creator of one of the world's most influential gaming companies, shares the principles behind building category-defining businesses.From launching EA and helping create the Madden franchise to investing in the next generation of AI startups, Trip explains why lasting companies don't simply build better products they change customer behavior.In this conversation, you'll learn:How Electronic Arts transformed the gaming industryThe strategy behind creating billion-dollar companiesWhy changing customer behavior creates lasting valueWhat investors really look for in foundersAI opportunities every business leader should understandWhy enterprise AI readiness matters more than AI hypeLessons from decades of innovation and venture investingWhether you're an entrepreneur, founder, investor, executive, or technology leader, this episode is packed with timeless insights on innovation, leadership and building businesses that last.If you enjoyed this conversation, like the video, subscribe, and share it with someone building the future.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Trip Hawkins: Website: https://www.ea.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/triphawkins/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithWebsite: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and Share.

The AI boom isn't over but the first wave is.In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, Keith sits down with Clint Chao, Co-Founder & General Partner at Moment Ventures, to discuss where AI is really headed, why enterprise software is entering a new phase, and what founders should focus on as the hype settles.They explore venture capital, AI adoption, enterprise transformation, startup execution, and what separates companies that create lasting value from those simply following the latest trend.Whether you're a founder, investor, operator, or simply curious about the future of AI, this conversation is packed with practical insights.Key TopicsWhy the first wave of AI is endingWhat comes next for Enterprise AIBuilding companies during technology shiftsVenture capital perspectives on AI startupsEnterprise software trendsWhat investors are looking for todayLong-term opportunities in AIIf you enjoy conversations with world-class founders, investors and operators, subscribe to Liftoff with Keith.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Clint Chao: Website: http://www.momentventures.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clintchao Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and Share.

What separates unforgettable brands from businesses that constantly fight for attention?In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, branding expert Bill Harper, Founder of Brand Boss HQ and one of the world's Top 20 Branding Experts, shares why branding—not just marketing—is the ultimate competitive advantage.Bill explains why most companies spend too much time optimizing ads and too little time building a memorable brand. From GEICO and Volvo to startups and SaaS businesses, he reveals how successful companies create differentiation, simplify their message, and become the obvious choice for customers.We also discuss:Brand Strategy vs Brand IdentityWhy performance marketing alone eventually failsHow AI is changing branding and marketingThe psychology behind memorable brandsHow startups can stand out in crowded marketsReal-world branding success storiesCreating a brand customers actually rememberWhether you're a founder, entrepreneur, marketer, or business leader, this conversation is packed with practical branding advice you can implement immediately.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Bill Harper:Website: https://www.brandbosshq.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandbosshq/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and Share.#Branding #Marketing #Startup #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #BrandStrategy #AI #MarketingStrategy #Founder #Podcast

Most businesses don't fail because they lack ideas.They fail because they struggle to execute, communicate their value clearly, and connect with the right customers.In this episode of Liftoff, Keith Newman sits down with Stephen Cozzolongo, Partner & CMO at Digital Position, to discuss growth marketing, customer acquisition, AI, business scaling, leadership, and the mindset required to build successful companies.Stephen shares why trying to market to everyone is one of the biggest mistakes businesses make, how AI is transforming marketing workflows, why great marketers aren't being replaced by AI, and how discipline and consistency influence every aspect of business and life.Whether you're a founder, marketer, entrepreneur, or business leader, this conversation is packed with practical insights on growth, execution, and long-term success.Topics discussed: Why most brands stop growingThe importance of customer segmentation and ICPsHow AI is changing marketing and advertisingThe future of content creationPaid media, SEO and growth strategies Leadership and company cultureThe mindset behind consistent executionWhy "How you do one thing is how you do everything"Connect with Stephen Cozzolongo: Website: https://www.digitalposition.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephencozzolongo Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith #Marketing #GrowthMarketing #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #DigitalMarketing #AI #Leadership #SEO #PaidMedia #BusinessPodcast #LiftoffPodcast

Healthcare costs continue to rise, employees have fewer choices than ever, and many employers are stuck navigating a system that feels increasingly unsustainable.In this episode of Liftoff, Keith Newman sits down with Brandy Thompson, Founder & CEO of BenefitBay, to discuss the future of healthcare benefits, employee choice, leadership, entrepreneurship, and building a fast-growing company in one of the most complex industries in America.Brandy shares why she believes employees should have greater control over their healthcare decisions, how transparency can improve outcomes, and why the future of benefits may look very different than today's one-size-fits-all model.The conversation also explores founder lessons, leadership, raising six children while building a career, and what it takes to lead through growth and change.About Brandy Thompson:Brandy Thompson is the Founder & CEO of BenefitBay, a Kansas City-based company helping employers modernize healthcare benefits through Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs). BenefitBay recently announced an $18 million Series A funding round to expand its platform and infrastructure supporting personalized employee healthcare benefits.Connect with Brandy Thompson: Website: https://www.benefitbay.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandy-thompson-24389536 Benefitbay just raised a series A, which will lend itself to really good growth questions: https://www.einpresswire.com/article/914114134/benefitbay-raises-18-million-series-a-led-by-ten-coves-capital-to-scale-its-broker-first-ichra-platform Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith #Healthcare #Leadership #EmployeeBenefits #Entrepreneurship #FounderJourney #CEO #FutureOfWork #HealthInsurance #HealthcareInnovation #BusinessPodcast #LiftoffPodcast #BenefitBay

In this episode, Keith sits down with an AI infrastructure leader to unpack what is really happening behind the current AI boom.While most conversations focus on models and hype, this discussion goes deeper into the engineering realities of building reliable AI systems at scale.The conversation explores why observability, telemetry, debugging, and system architecture are becoming critical as enterprises move from experimentation to production AI.They also discuss why terms like “agentic AI” are often misunderstood, why many AI projects end up being rebuilt from scratch, and why the future competitive advantage may come from the tooling built around models rather than the models themselves.Topics covered include:Why most AI systems fail due to poor observabilityThe real engineering challenges behind enterprise AIWhy “agentic AI” may be the industry’s most overused termThe shift toward commoditized foundation modelsWhy telemetry and debugging will define reliable AI systemsThe underrated founder skill of ignoring distractionsWhat the AI stack could look like by 2028This episode is a practical conversation about the difference between AI demos and real AI infrastructure.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Greg Whalen: Website: https://prove.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-m-whalenDiscord Server (Multi-Agent Systems Engineering Group) - https://discord.gg/sXpr2Hh Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: [email protected]#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #EnterpriseAI #MachineLearning #SoftwareEngineering #AIInfrastructure #StartupGrowth #Leadership #FounderMindset #TechLeadership

AI infrastructure is breaking the old data center model.In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, I sit down with Lukas Gentele, CEO & Co-Founder of vCluster Labs, to unpack what it really takes to operate GPU infrastructure at scale in 2026.As AI workloads explode and neoclouds race to meet demand, Lukas and his team are building the operational backbone for modern AI clouds — from managed Kubernetes and tenant isolation to automated node provisioning and GPU lifecycle management.We discuss:Why traditional data center assumptions are collapsing under AI pressureWhat’s fundamentally changed since the VMware eraHow an early partnership with CoreWeave shaped vCluster’s trajectoryAnd the one mistake AI cloud operators are making right now that could hurt them over the next 18 monthsIf you care about AI infrastructure, GPU economics, hyperscaler strategy, or building category-defining platforms — this conversation is essential.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/ Connect with Lukas Gentele: Website: https://www.vcluster.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentele/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: [email protected] the Host: A special shout-out to our Great Host of the Ignite Studios: https://www.ignitegtm.com/ and Producers of AI Infra5 @Plug and Play World, HQ in Sunnyvale, CALiftoff is sponsored by a strategic consulting firm and the M&A specialists at Compass Strategic Advisors - https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/ and The GTM Firm - https://www.thegtmfirm.com/

Welcome back to Liftoff with Keith, the show where we sit down with the founders, operators, and industry leaders building the future in real time.Today’s guest is one of the most respected voices in digital infrastructure — Dean Nelson.Dean has spent nearly four decades at the center of the internet economy, helping build more than $10 billion in digital infrastructure across four continents for companies like Sun Microsystems, eBay, PayPal, and Uber.He’s also the founder of Infrastructure Masons, a global community uniting the builders of the digital age, now celebrating its 10-year anniversary.In this episode, we unpack the explosive growth happening across AI infrastructure and data centers — including staggering projections that the industry could spend $500 billion this year alone, scale toward $3 trillion by 2028, and potentially hit $7 trillion by 2030.The conversation explores:Why the industry could spend $7 trillion by 2030The explosive rise of AI infrastructureThe shift toward inference and edge computingCommunity and environmental pressures facing data center growthThe labor and construction challenges slowing deploymentWhy Texas has become ground zero for AI infrastructure expansionAnd how power availability may become the defining constraint of the AI eraIf compute scaled like this but power didn’t… are we effectively bottlenecking the AI era on energy infrastructure?This is a fascinating conversation about the future of AI, data centers, infrastructure, and the physical systems powering the next generation of innovation.Let’s lift off.Connect with Dean Nelson: Website: https://imasons.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannelson/ Publication: https://imasons.org/publications/ Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith From the Host:A Special Shout out to our Great Host of the Ignite Studios: https://www.ignitegtm.com/ and Producers of AI Infra5 @ Plug and Play World HQ in Sunnyvale, CALiftoff is Sponsored by - Strategic Consulting firm and the M&A specialists at Compass Strategic Advisors - https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/ and The GTM Firm - https://www.thegtmfirm.com/ #AIinfrastructureexpansion #Digitalinfrastructuretrends #Datacentergrowth #Powerandenergyconstraints #Waterstewardship #Skilledlaborshortages #Communitypushback #Digitalsovereignty #dgecomputingandAIinference #PrivateAImodels #Largescaleinfrastructureconstruction

In this episode, Keith speaks with Anthony Vinci, CEO of VICO, about how AI is changing decision-making for founders, investors, governments, and financial institutions.Anthony’s background spans intelligence, national security, investing, and artificial intelligence. Before founding VICO, he worked at Cerberus Capital Management, Bridgewater Associates, and served as the first Chief Technology Officer at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.The conversation explores how AI is moving beyond chatbots and becoming a real decision-making layer for businesses.Anthony explains why the future is not about replacing human judgment, but improving it through better frameworks, probability forecasting, and scenario planning.They discuss:Why AI alone is not enough without human judgmentHow VICO combines LLMs with mathematical forecastingThe difference between information and decision intelligenceWhy founders need better frameworks for uncertaintyHow AI is reshaping risk assessment and strategic planningThe future of building companies in the AI eraThis episode is a thoughtful look at what happens when AI moves from generating answers to helping people make better decisions.Connect with Anthony Vinci: Website: https://vico.io/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-vinci/Book: https://www.anthonyvinci.com/ Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: [email protected]#ArtificialIntelligence #AI #DecisionMaking #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #RiskManagement #FounderMindset #MachineLearning #StartupGrowth #FutureOfWork

Steven Pivnik scaled his company to 200+ employees across 12 countries before executing a strategic acquisition to a $4B competitor. Along the way, he completed 17 IRONMAN triathlons and climbed at extreme altitude — including Everest.In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, we break down:The difference between growth and disciplined growthWhy founders should design their exit years in advanceHow endurance training builds better leadershipAvoiding burnout while scaling under pressureWhat it really means to “finish strong”This is a conversation about commitment, structure, and the mindset required to endure when quitting would be easier.If you’re building, scaling, or thinking about your long-term exit — this episode is for you.Connect with Steven Pivnik: Website: https://stevenpivnik.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenpivnik/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenpivnik/ Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: [email protected]#Entrepreneurship #Ironman #FounderMindset #Leadership #Endurance #StartupGrowth #BusinessLeadership #MentalToughness #PersonalGrowth

In this episode, Keith sat down with Michael Fors, inventor and owner of the Liquid Jazz Experience, to explore how a simple ritual turned into a patented product.What started as a weekly wine night with friends evolved into something much bigger. Over time, Michael began to notice a small but consistent problem. Great wine often needed time to open up, but real moments do not wait.That observation led to an idea. And that idea eventually became Liquid Jazz, a decanter designed to bring wine to life in minutes.In this conversation, Michael shares:How a 26-year tradition became the foundation for a productThe moment of insight that came from watching ocean wavesWhat it really takes to turn an idea into a patentThe challenges of bringing a product to marketWhy not every idea should become a businessThis is a story about paying attention, solving real problems, and knowing when to take something seriously.Connect with Michael Fors: Website: https://liquidjazzexperience.com/pages/about Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liquidjazzexperience/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: [email protected]#StartupStory #ProductInnovation #FounderJourney #Entrepreneurship #DesignThinking #ConsumerProduct #Innovation #BusinessStory

In this episode, we sit down with Gal, Founder of Borenstein Group, to unpack what it really takes to be visible in an AI driven world.Most founders still think visibility is about content or marketing channels. Gal takes a different view. He explains why visibility today is about building a system that AI can understand, trust and reference.We talk about what he calls a “minimum viable visibility system” and why most companies get it wrong. Instead of trying to do everything, the focus should be on a few clear signals that help AI connect your brand to a specific problem.The conversation covers: Why most founders are invisible in AI searchThe shift from traditional SEO to AI driven discoveryWhat a minimum viable visibility system looks like in practiceHow founders can become the face of their categoryWhy clarity matters more than volume in contentIf you are building a company and want to stay relevant as AI becomes the first place people go for answers, this episode will give you a simple way to think about visibility.Connect with Gal Borenstein: Website: https://www.borensteingroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/galborensteinexecutiveprofile/Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keithnewman74 For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: [email protected]#AIVisibility #FounderBranding #AEO #GEO #B2BMarketing #PersonalBranding #ContentStrategy #StartupGrowth #DigitalStrategy #AI