Tech Startup Network Podcast with Ashley DiBiase

Shweta Agrawal is a high-impact technology and AI product leader known for turning bold ideas into scalable products and growth. She is the Chief Product Officer at Boston New Technology and Co-President of ProductCamp Boston, she helps founders, executives, and product teams build winning products and accelerate go-to-market success.With experience spanning AI, product strategy, GTM, digital transformation, and startup growth, Shweta is recognized for translating emerging technology into real business outcomes. She is a trusted advisor, speaker, mentor, and judge who has helped countless startups sharpen strategy, find traction, and scale with confidence.During this episode, we discuss:Shweta’s unconventional path from aspiring neurosurgeon to computer science, product leadership, AI, startups, and ecosystem buildingHow impact drives her workThe importance of talking to potential users earlyWhat you should know about go-to-market strategyWhy pivots are often necessary and can be a sign that founders are learning from real market feedbackWhat Boston New Technology is and how they support the tech ecosystemShweta’s leadership of Techstars Startup Weekend BostonHer advice for aspiring foundersAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things product and go-to-market strategy!

Ola Jewusiak, VP of Marketing at Jump Capital, is a generalist who tends to do her best work in environments that are a little undefined, where there’s real urgency and no clear playbook.At Jump, she leads brand, website, content, and events, and regularly advises founders on how to tell their story when it matters most. Her work has included launching a full website and brand refresh in 12 weeks, and building content and programs that translate complex AI and ML, trading, and research work into something people can actually understand.Earlier in her career, she launched Sharp Capital Advisors in six weeks, built an SDR function from scratch at Caremerge, and helped drive momentum and funding at the James Jordan Foundation. She also worked on three presidential campaigns, from Howard Dean to Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama in 2007, which is where she learned a lot about storytelling, urgency, and how momentum actually builds.What ties it all together is how she works: moving across functions, figuring things out quickly, solving problems with empathy, and caring a lot about making things that hold up in the real world.During this episode, we discuss:Ola’s unexpected path from politics and journalism into financial services, startups, investment banking, and venture capitalHow storytelling, narrative-building, and communications skills from politics translated into a career in marketing and VC platformThe role of serendipity, relationships, and networking in breaking into venture capital, including the recruiter conversation that led Ola to Jump CapitalWhy reframing networking as “meeting a new friend” can make relationship-building feel more natural and valuableA look inside Ola’s role at Jump Capital, where she leads brand, website, content, events, and advises portfolio founders on marketing strategyThe value of being a generalist marketer in lean startup and venture environmentsHow PR and marketing are changing for startups, including why trade publications may sometimes be more valuable than major national mediaOla’s perspective on AI adoption across startupsHow events, community-building, and experiential gatherings are becoming even more importantPractical marketing advice for early-stage foundersAdvice for people looking to break into venture capital or platform rolesAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things marketing!

Erynn Petersen is the founder of Emme, a seed-stage healthcare company building the consumer decision layer for healthcare costs. They start at the highest-leverage moment — insurance and basic medical services — where consumers routinely make four-figure mistakes and trust is earned quickly. Erynn has spent her career building and scaling consumer technology at scale (hundreds of millions of MAU). Among other things, she’s been an early builder at Amazon pre-IPO, helped scale a marketplace business at Microsoft, and served as CTO at Drizly through its acquisition by Uber for over $1B. During this episode, we discuss:How Emme began as a smart birth control company before evolving into a broader healthcare affordability platformThe difference between building a product and building a companyA major lesson from Emme’s pivotsThe challenge of balancing long-term strategic thinking with the near-term survival needs of an early-stage startup.Why healthtech is especially difficult but also has opportunitiesHow relationship-building, consistency, empathy, and repeatedly showing up over time have been critical to earning trust in the healthcare ecosystemWhy Erynn is committed to building Emme in Rhode IslandWhy Emme has remained bootstrapped so farErynn’s advice to early foundersAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things healthcare!

Leah Nurik is the co-founder and CEO of Brandi AI, the leading AI visibility and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) platform. Nurik launched Brandi in 2025 after recognizing that generative AI was transforming discovery and creating a critical visibility gap for brands. Today, she leads the company in empowering CMOs, product marketers, digital strategists, content creators and PR leaders with data-driven insights and benchmarks that fuel demand creation, sharpen category positioning and build brand authority in AI-first channels.A proven entrepreneur and marketing innovator, Nurik has built her career at the intersection of technology, strategy and growth. Earlier in her career, before launching Gabriel Marketing Group (GMG), she served as a go-to-market lead for Motorola’s enterprise device business, consulting with more than 300 application partners on product marketing, distribution and revenue strategy. She helped scale the company’s field mobility applications business from $25 million to $250 million in annual revenue in under five years.In 2011, Nurik applied those lessons to found GMG, an award-winning PR and marketing agency that became a trusted partner to more than 400 high-growth technology companies. Under her leadership, GMG helped SaaS and B2B tech brands through product launches, funding milestones and successful exits—earning more than 100 national awards for creative excellence and campaign impact. Her background in SaaS product marketing and category development continues to inform her work at Brandi, where she helps marketing leaders adapt to the next evolution in the AI era.With over 25 years of experience in B2B tech PR, SaaS marketing and strategic communications, Nurik has been recognized by PR News, DC Inno, and SmartCEO as a leader reshaping modern marketing. Her career reflects a relentless curiosity about how technology changes buyer behavior and a track record of building strategies, companies and platforms that keep marketers ahead of disruption and drive measurable results.During this episode, we discuss:Who Leah is and what her background isWhat generative engine optimization (GEO) isWhy AI visibility matters for brandsLeah’s background in product marketing, PR, and agency workFirst steps companies should take to improve GEOWhy traditional SEO still mattersThe relationship between PR, earned media, and AI citationsThe importance of authenticity and long-term brand credibilityWhy GEO is an ongoing, living strategy rather than a one-time effortThe role of social media in AI visibilityWhat companies need to do in 2026 to improve AI visibilityAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things GEO!

Jim Conti is the Talent Partner at Hyde Park Venture Partners and has been with the firm since 2021. In this role, Jim provides strategic talent support and consulting to the firm's portfolio of companies. Prior to Hyde Park Venture Partners, Jim served as head of people at dscout and Sprout Social — both Chicago-based software startups. In these roles, Jim built, grew, and oversaw teams across recruitment, talent management, DEI, culture, HR, and benefits strategy. The impact of this work is seen in awards from Glassdoor, Chicago Tribune, Crain’s Chicago, and Built in Chicago.During this episode, we discuss:Jim’s role as Talent Partner at Hyde Park Venture Partners and how he supports portfolio companies post-investmentHyde Park’s investment focus on early-stage software companies across the Midwest, Toronto, and AtlantaHow startup hiring has evolved from pure headcount planning to balancing humans, AI, and automationJim’s unconventional path into venture capital through startup people leadership and community involvementNetworking advice for job seekersWhy community and relationships matter more than ever in today’s hiring environmentJim’s perspective on how AI is changing recruiting for both candidates and hiring teamsWhy the Midwest is a compelling region for tech growth, including economic diversity and industry depthPractical advice for tech job seekers on standing out in a competitive marketWhy candidates should actively experiment with AI tools and be ready to discuss them in interviewsEncouragement for early-career talent as new AI-native roles begin to emergeWhy job searching should be treated like a job, with structure across applications, networking, learning, and restThe importance of making time for joy during a long job searchAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things talent!

Garima Shah is a dynamic, results-oriented FinTech executive with over 18 years of extensive experience driving revenue growth through strategic business development, corporate acquisitions, and a motivational, hands-on leadership approach. As a sought-after industry expert with a vast network and deep-rooted connections, Shah is committed to revolutionizing the payments and fintech landscape.As President and Co-Founder of Biller Genie, Shah is instrumental in expanding the company’s subscriber base by forging strategic partnerships and fostering a collaborative company culture. Previously, she served as the Chief Business Development Officer for Direct Connect, where she successfully guided the company through a management recapitalization and a lucrative sale to Priority Payment Systems (PRTH) in 2019. Shah’s notable career also includes roles such as SVP at Century Payments and Head of the US Market for eMerchantPay, where she launched the European company into the US market.Her leadership style radiates positivity, and peers describe her as a “consummate deal-maker” capable of creating mutually beneficial partnerships in any situation. Shah’s accolades include being named in the Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, NYC Fintech Women’s CEO of the Year, and a recipient of the Electronic Transaction Association's 40 Under 40 award. She was also recognized as “Female Businesswoman of the Year” by the Indian American Chamber of Commerce. Shah’s achievements led to her inclusion in the Forbes Next 100 list of Upstart Entrepreneurs Redefining the American Dream and as a “Women of the Year” by Orlando Magazine.A coveted industry speaker, Shah is praised for her ability to motivate and educate audiences, having spoken at numerous conferences on topics such as The Value of the MVP, FinTech advancements, and Strategies for Women in the Workplace. She also hosts a LinkedIn livestream, “Gab with Garima,” offering business insights to over 100k viewers.In 2024, Shah founded Brown Girls on a Mission, an initiative dedicated to empowering women of color in business and technology, reinforcing her commitment to diversity and inclusion. She has served on multiple boards through her career and enjoys giving back through mentorship and non-profit work. Shah holds a BS from Boston University in Advertising and Mass Communication and an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship from Rollins College, Crummer Graduate School of Business.Beyond her fintech endeavors, Shah is a lifelong dancer, earning accolades at numerous competitions and performing at Orlando Magic halftime shows.During this episode, we discuss:How Garima has been in fintech before it was called fintechDeciding to change direction with Biller Genie two months after launchingAn overview of how Biller Genie worksHow AI is integrated into their platformThe moment Garima knew Biller Genie was going to be something bigWhat raising a series B did for the companyHow Garima views herself as a leaderHer advice to any fintech founderAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things fintech!

Lakshmi Natarajan is an Indian-American global executive, strategic advisor, community leader, and investor with over 20 years of experience helping Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups define customer strategy, drive sustainable growth, and optimize operations. Her corporate career spans senior leadership roles across marketing, management consulting, strategy, sales, and operations, with experience at organizations including American Express, Accenture, GlaxoSmithKline, Oracle, Compass, and a broad portfolio of global clients.With a strong foundation in global enterprises, Lakshmi bridges corporate rigor with agile startup execution. She is the Founder and CEO of Excelador, where she advises startups and large enterprises through strategic consulting, fractional executive leadership, and growth capital. Lakshmi serves as a strategic board member to startups across property technology, healthcare, and B2B SaaS companies. She currently serves as Head of Venture Strategy and Investment at Xanara Advisors, a UAE-based wealth management firm. Her prior roles include General Partner at Erez Capital, an AI-focused venture capital firm, and Advisor for Crewstone International, a Malaysia-based private equity firm.An alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, Lakshmi is a speaker and podcast guest, recognized as one of MSN’s Top 10 Influential Entrepreneurs in 2025 and named to Top 100 Innovators & Entrepreneurs Magazine. She mentors founders through the City of Miami’s venture programs and Mana Tech, serves as Vice President of the India–US Chamber of Commerce, contributes to Forbes Business Council, and actively supports global youth education initiatives. Having traveled to over 65 countries, she brings cultural fluency, strategic perspective, and purpose-driven leadership to building people-centered, sustainable growth.During this episode, we discuss:Lakshmi’s non-linear career journeyWhat Lakshmi learned after becoming an entrepreneurWhy capital alone does not create a successful companyThe case for being a constant learnerCommunity as a career and growth engineWhy investors ultimately invest in people, not just productsGrowth strategy advice for foundersWhat Lakshmi looks for as an investorA refreshing perspective on startup “failure”And more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things growth!

As Platform Manager of Innovation Works (IW), Jordan Marinkovich supports the growth of software, hardware and health-tech startups throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. She has a passion for creating innovative, equitable opportunities and a community of support to advance entrepreneurs to their next stage of growth. Jordan works closely with IW’s portfolio companies to help them leverage resources and networks to promote their growth and profitability. Prior to overseeing IW’s Platform offerings, Jordan worked in marketing and communications across several industries including legal, non-profit, and healthcare fields. Jordan serves as the Co-President of getWITit Pittsburgh and is an active member of VC Platform, V.I.A (Venture.Influence.Ambition) and the Old Girls Club. In her free time, she enjoys mentoring with the Pittsburgh Tech Council’s L.A.U.N.C.H program which supports high school girls interested in STEM careers.Jordan, her husband, and daughter live in the North Hills of Pittsburgh and enjoy spending their time exploring the city and traveling. Jordan holds a BS from Carlow University and an MBA from Point Park University.During this episode, we discuss:Jordan’s role at Innovation Works and what the organization doesWhy Pittsburgh is an underrated startup hubHer focus on post-investment founder supportThe importance of communityWhy being coachable and deeply obsessed with the customer is importantWhat Innovation Works offersJordan’s own path into venture capitalAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things venture and economic development!

Rebecca Pino, MBA, BFA™, is the CEO and Co-Founder of Inertia and the Founder of Money Her Way. As a financial advisor and behavioral coach, she is deeply committed to empowering people through financial literacy and behavior-based financial planning. With a background in wealth management and a passion for simplifying money, Rebecca helps people understand their money relationships, build confidence, gain clarity, and create lifelong financial independence.During this episode, we discuss:How Rebecca originally never wanted to go into financeThe way behaviors impact financeInertia’s “Duolingo for finance” componentHow Inertia uses gamificationRebecca’s plans for partnering with financial plannersHow she’s been able to juggle her full time role with InertiaHer experience as a non-technical founderWhy Rebecca waited 3 years before acting on her ideaWhat she’s learned along her founder journeyAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things money!

Anna Steffeney is the Executive Director of FamTech.org, leading the only national technology association dedicated to innovators, partners, and policymakers transforming the $648B Care Economy. Their mission is clear: to connect, amplify, and champion the builders creating solutions that make care more accessible, equitable, and sustainable.Anna’s path here began personally. After the birth of her two children—one in Europe, one in the US—she saw firsthand how inadequate family leave policies in the US are compared to our peers abroad. That experience inspired her to found LeaveLogic, a family leave management platform that scaled to serve some of the largest US employers before being acquired by Unum Group. At Unum, she continued to innovate as part of the Digital Ventures and Transformation team.Today, Anna brings more than a decade of entrepreneurship, fundraising, and business development experience—and 15 years of global corporate leadership—to the work of advancing care innovation. She’s passionate about building coalitions, amplifying founders’ voices, and advocating for systems change.During this episode, we discuss:How FamTech is the intersection of femtech, parent tech, baby and kid tech, and aging tech, all viewed through the caregiver’s perspective.Anna’s story that led her to found LeaveLogicWhat inspired her to lead FamTech.orgThe benefits that the organization offersAnna’s focus on policy strategy in 2026Key trends shaping the future of the sectorAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things care economy!

Shruti Shah is General Partner at Symphonic Capital, an early-stage venture fund investing in technology that works for everyone — not just the privileged few. Symphonic's thesis is built on a simple but consequential observation: AI is collapsing the cost of serving a customer in ways that make it possible to reach communities that legacy systems were never built to serve. That's not an efficiency play — it's a structural shift in who gets access to essential services. Shruti co-leads the firm alongside Founder & GP Sydney Thomas, where she developed Symphonic's climate resilience investment pillar.A founder turned investor, Shruti brings a rare combination of operating experience and mission clarity. She co-founded Move Loot, a Y Combinator-backed online marketplace for secondhand furniture, where as COO she helped raise $22 million and scale the company nationally — earning coverage in Forbes, TechCrunch, Bloomberg Businessweek, and CNN. Earlier in her career, she invested in early-stage EdTech companies at the New Schools Venture Fund and taught in Baltimore public schools through Teach for America.Shruti has also served as Entrepreneur in Residence at Nike, advising on sustainability and circular economy strategy, and at Silicon Valley Bank, where she supported early-stage founders on strategic partnerships and fundraising. As an advisor, investor, and fractional COO, she has helped dozens of startups navigate scaling, operations, and capital strategy.At Symphonic, she backs founders who are proximate to the problems they're solving — because infrastructure that people don't trust or won't use isn't infrastructure. She believes the most durable companies in health, wealth, and climate resilience are being built by founders who understand that AI isn't just about doing more with less. It's about restructuring who gets served, who can compete, and what becomes possible.Shruti is also an Investor in Residence at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, where she co-instructs BUSI 490, an applied impact investing course centered on the ACES Student Impact Investing Fund. She is a board member of For Good (Network for Good) and an active voice in the impact investing community.She was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree in Retail & E-Commerce and an Aspen Ideas Festival Scholar in Reimagining Capitalism. Shruti holds a B.A. in Political Science from UNC-Chapel Hill and an M.S.Ed. in Urban Education from Johns Hopkins University.During this episode, we discuss:Shruti’s background as a founder before moving into venture capitalThe investor pressure Shruti faced in her startup, Move LootLessons from being a young founder and the importance of conviction in your business modelShruti’s initial hesitation about entering venture capital after her startup experienceHow Sydney recruited Shruti to join SymphonicWhat a “founder-first experience” means at SymphonicWhat Shruti looks for when evaluating startupsSymphonic’s progress toward raising its second fundAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things venture capital!

Samder Singh Khangarot is a global entrepreneur and fintech leader bringing a rare blend of policy, entrepreneurship and international business experience to BON Credit, where he serves as co-founder and CEO.Before launching BON Credit, Samder helped the Government of India’s Ministry of Finance establish a $300 million fund-of-funds to support emerging entrepreneurs. He previously co-founded Absolute Foods, a venture-backed company that raised over $100 million and scaled to a team of 200 employees and later co-founded Growspace Crypto, one of India’s fastest-growing blockchain startups.A Stanford MBA and Young India Fellow, Samder has built and scaled companies across food systems, finance and emerging technologies. Today, through BON Credit and its free AI assistant CredGPT, he is focused on improving financial literacy, fixing broken credit systems and making financial freedom more accessible- especially for the next generation.During this episode, we discuss:Samder’s career as an engineer by trainingHow BON automatically handles credit card debtWhat their AI agent can do with promptsHow they have pivoted since launchingWhy founders should reach out to customers and learn from themWhat’s coming up for BON in the next yearHow BON fundraised moneySamder’s advice for other fintech foundersWhat he’s noticing in fintech this yearAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things debt!

Mandy Major is a recognized entrepreneur and healthcare operator. After 15 years in media, she became a certified doula, built one of the first telehealth doula startups in the U.S., Major Care, and then exited to Assured Health Partners. In addition to a master’s degree from Columbia University, Mandy is a trained Scrum master and holds a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt from Purdue University — expertise that fuels her work in scaling companies via strategic growth, operational development and process improvement. She recently launched The Startup Doula to help founders build sustainable companies without burning out through 1:1 consulting and workshops.During this episode, we discuss:Mandy’s career journey, from working in media to becoming a doula, launching and exiting a startup, and offering consultingHow she bootstrapped and grew her startup, Major CareA difficult fundraising experience with her startupThe importance of resilience as a founderWhat it was like to get acquiredWhy it’s important to prevent burnoutAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things startups!

Jason Kraus is the Founder & CEO of Prepare 4 VC, where he works with early-stage founders to help them become investor-ready, sharpen their narrative, and build companies that actually last. Prepare 4 VC supports startups from pre-seed through Series A, with founders collectively raising over $480M+ in capital.Jason is also an active investor in 20+ ventures and the author of Venture Forward: Lessons from Leaders. He’s deeply involved in the startup ecosystem as a community builder and advisor, helping founders strengthen decision-making, leadership habits, and clarity around fundraising and growth.At the core of his work is a simple belief: fundraising isn’t just about capital—it’s about readiness, conviction, and execution.During this episode, we discuss:How Jason working at early stage venture funds showed there are a lot of great founders who need support with getting in the doorPrepare 4 VC’s support with GTM, growth, and fundraisingWhat goes into crafting a perfect pitchWhy the customers don’t always care about the product but rather what it doesThe balance between cold emails vs warm emails to investorsWhere founders should begin if they don’t even know where to startThe proof points that show traction to investors beyond revenueWhy Jason isn’t a fan of stealth modeSuccess stories from Prepare 4 VCWhat’s coming up for Prepare 4 VC in 2026Why Boston is a great place to buildAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things fundraising!

Ritesh Patel is the co-founder and co-CEO of Ticket Fairy, an advanced AI-native vertical SaaS platform built specifically for the live entertainment industry. Ticket Fairy combines ticketing, fintech, AI (artificial intelligence), marketing automation, and real-time analytics to help event and festival producers across music, gaming/esports, and food & beverage increase revenue, reduce operational costs, and lower financial risk — all while tackling some of the industry’s toughest consumer challenges, including ticket scalping and resale fraud.Since launch, Ticket Fairy has powered tens of thousands of events around the world, generating more than $300 million in ticket sales. The platform’s technology gives organizers a competitive edge by enabling precision marketing, expanding audience reach, and providing data-driven insights that improve decision-making and profitability.The company has earned the backing of some of the most respected investors in technology and entertainment. This includes Y Combinator, early backers and founders of YouTube, Twitch, and Reddit, and leaders in blockchain innovation such as Brock Pierce (Chairman, Bitcoin Foundation), Craig Sellars (co-creator of the stablecoin), and the team behind the Polygon blockchain. These relationships reflect Ticket Fairy’s position at the intersection of live entertainment, fintech, and cutting-edge technology.Before co-founding Ticket Fairy, Ritesh built a global reputation as an event producer. He created LOCUS, a drum & bass events brand that has been active since 2000, with shows in Bristol, UK, and Sydney, Australia. In 2022, he launched the first LOCUS multi-day destination festival in Tulum, Mexico — an event that attracted attendees from around the globe — and in 2024, expanded the concept to Bali.Ritesh’s contributions to live music culture extend beyond event production. In the early 2000s, he was instrumental in building online communities that helped shape the global electronic music scene, including a music discussion forum called Dogs on Acid, which became the busiest dance music forum in the world at the time, and Hijack, a hub for the thriving Bristol music scene.Today, Ritesh brings together decades of industry experience and a deep understanding of technology to push the boundaries of what’s possible in live events. He speaks frequently about the future of ticketing, the role of AI in live entertainment, and how data-driven tools can transform the economics of event production — making him a sought-after voice on both conference stages and podcasts worldwide.During this episode, we discuss:How Ritesh started his company with his brother with an idea that spanned 10 yearsHis own experience producing a series of events that revealed what the gaps were in the industryHow event companies don’t have access to raw capital like tech companies doThe use of gamification and leaderboards to get ticket salesHow founders know if they should do launch something now or waitWhat Ritesh wishes he did differently with Ticket FairyHis advice to new foundersWhat it’s like having a brother as a co-founderAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things tech for live entertainment!

As co-founder of MAG PR, Nina Pfister brings over a decade of professional experience helping VC firms and early-stage B2B startups find their voice in crowded markets through strategic media relations. She built the boutique agency from the ground up, led by senior-only practitioners who deliver both strategy and execution without the typical agency runaround.Beyond PR, Nina is a published children’s author and serves as Communications Director for the Weymouth Libraries Foundation, championing community literacy and the belief that great stories should be accessible to everyone.During this episode, we discuss:Nina’s background with starting MAG PRWhat inspired her to focus on techWhen she knew it was time to start her own companyThe signals that a founder might be ready to bring in a PR expertWhat the lead time is for getting resultsWhy you still need PR even though you may not be launching something newThe shift to valuing independent newsletters and blogsWhere AEO shows up in PRWhy press releases are backWhat to do with coverage once you get featured somewhereThe importance of sharing coverage with investorsWhy VC firms need to invest in PRMistakes that startups make in PROne thing VC firms and startups can do to jumpstart PRAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things PR!

Rachel Tsui is a Partner at The Council Capital, an early stage VC firm investing in First Builders that disrupt essential industries (industrial tech and healthcare), with her focus on healthcare as one of the essential industries. She is the former Head of Customer Success at Komodo Health, a healthcare data insights platform company, where she started as the founding CS leader of a new business unit and helped scale the business unit from $1M to $40M in 4 years. Being on the front lines of CS and support is often a grind, and Rachel loves digging into what works and doesn’t work in the earliest stages of customer success, and building and scaling high functioning teams.During this episode, we discuss:Why she focuses on first buildersHow her career originally started as a scientistWhat she’s enjoyed being in VCThe three things she looks for in healthtech startups before investingHer predictions and opportunities for healthtechHow concierge health models are gaining tractionThe metrics that show momentum for healthtech companiesWhere she sees the cross section of healthtech with famtech or caretechHer advice for any first-time healthtech founders looking to fundraiseThe value of a warm introHow there’s a big push on reindustrializing in the USHer advice for anyone looking to get into VCAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things healthtech!

Lindsey Whiteley is the founder of CampNexxus, a platform helping parents find and manage school break camps with clarity and confidence. After years running a successful marketing agency, Lindsey pivoted from client work to building infrastructure: creating the operating system for camp planning that parents and camps didn't know they needed.She's known for her strategic, no-BS approach: thoughtful product decisions, transparent partnerships with camps, and a refusal to chase vanity metrics. CampNexxus isn't trying to be the loudest voice in the room. It's trying to be the most trusted. Lindsey is building a business that treats people like adults, respects their time, and quietly makes their lives easier. She's a mom, a systems thinker, and someone who believes the best growth happens when you build signal before scale.During this episode, we discuss:How she got the idea for CampNexxus through her own camp experience with her kidsWhy she brought in an agency to create the product at the beginning before realizing she could build it herselfHow she got through the chicken and the egg problemHer decision to start with a smaller geographic region before going largerHow she has listened to her gut the most in the past six monthsWhat her typical day looks like as a founderHer plans for CampNexxus throughout the next yearWhat advice she would give to other tech founders getting startedWhy she loves Boston for the tech spaceAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things camp!

Courtney Greenwood is the founder of Greenwood Marketing Collective, where she offers a fractional CMO and product marketing leadership for tech startups and SaaS companies that are mission driven. With over 15+ years of experience driving go-to-market strategies for technology solutions—including AI-powered platforms, EHR systems, and educational software—Courtney has a proven track record of delivering measurable results through strategic product launches and comprehensive sales enablement.As a fractional marketing executive, Courtney specializes in launching and scaling SaaS products through data-driven marketing strategies, voice-of-customer research, and comprehensive sales enablement. Her deep tech background spans healthcare technology, privacy engineering platforms, and autism/IDD therapy solutions, making her uniquely positioned to translate complex technical products into compelling market narratives that drive ROI and customer acquisition.During this episode, we discuss:What Courtney does at Greenwood Marketing CollectiveHer story for starting her companyWhat startups should think about with their go to market strategyHow go to market is so much more than just marketingThe mistakes startups make when it comes to go to market strategyWhat needs to go into a beta launchWhy the customer journey matters so muchHow startups can build a waitlistThe value in influencersWhy blogging is still importantWhen you need to bring in a go to market expertWhy your launch date and project finish date don’t need to be the sameThe audiences a startup should speak toWhere she sees things going in 2026Why community is so importantThe value in joining incubators and startupsAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things marketing!

Tony Tjan is the Chairman and Managing Partner of Cue Ball – a private investment firm based in Boston – and the CEO and Co-Founder of MiniLuxe, a personal care and lifestyle brand that seeks to transform the nail care industry. With a focus on purpose-driven long-term investments, Cue Ball has committed more than 50% of its capital for women-led, inclusionary ventures, most notably MiniLuxe, whose company’s core purpose is to empower and enrich lives through self-care and self-expression. The company is achieving this through medical-grade hygiene standards, safe products, an employee-first model, and a data-driven and predictive booking platform for beauty professionals.As a multiple-time founder and a trusted strategic counsellor to numerous CEOs, leaders and entrepreneurs, Tony is known for driving business transformations and for his human-centric, multidisciplinary approach. His professional and personal focus is to use capital and entrepreneurship as a force for good.Tony is also a prominent author and speaker, having written 125 articles for the Harvard Business Review, the author of Good People and co-author of Heart, Smarts, Guts, and Luck (a New York Times bestseller and one of Fast Company’s ‘Best Business Books’ of the year). Tjan holds AB and MBA degrees from Harvard University, where he served as a Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government. He sits on the Advisory Council for the MIT Media Lab and is board member The Tory Burch Foundation that focuses on empowering the next generation of women entrepreneurs. In 2018, he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.During this episode, we discuss:What inspired Tony to start his entrepreneurial journeyHow he uses entrepreneurship and capital for goodWhen he started MiniLuxeHow he balances between MiniLuxe and Cue BallHis investments he’s been proud ofTony’s full circle moment of working in self careWhat it was like to start his fundThe flexibility of doubling down on what’s realWhat he looks for when finding potentialHow he learned from investments that didn’t work outWhat’s next for MiniLuxe throughout 2026Where Cue Ball is going in the next yearHis advice for getting into private investmentWhat he’s learned through being a franchisorAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things private investment!

Kelsey Mullaney is a founder, builder, and operator who’s spent the last decade working across martech, data, and go-to-market teams. She’s currently the co-founder and CEO of Strata, an AI-native integration platform focused on helping companies get customer data where it needs to go—reliably and without engineering bottlenecks.During this episode, we discuss:How she started her career in martech in San FranciscoThe pattern she noticed with companies struggling with integrationsHow Strata saves lots of time and resourcesThe level of maintenance that’s required with so many integrationsInteresting requests she’s seeing right nowWhy Strata is a better tool than ZapierWhat the founder journey has been like throughout the past 10 monthsGoing through a self-discovery phase when becoming a founderHow they’ve bootstrapped their startupThe benefits of having two co-foundersWhy cofounders should do strengths finderWhat’s being released this yearWhy Boston is a great city for techAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things integrations!

Ann Marie Guzzi is focused on building leverage & community for early-stage startup founders. Through Dalmatian Ops, she gives pre-seed and seed founders time & energy back to focus on product & sales by taking over their business operations. As co-founder of the non-profit Agora Initiative, she’s created a platform in Washington, D.C. that gives women founders not just capital, but networks and visibility. And as a founding partner at Levy, she works alongside startups to design coalitions and public-private pilots that turn local energy into lasting systemic change. As an angel investor, she backs the talented founders she meets along the way. She has been an entrepreneur for the past 2 years, and prior to that had a career in product in analytics & fintech startups.During this episode, we discuss:How Ann Marie spends a lot of her time in and around the early stage product worldWhat she offers at Dalmatian OpsWhy she decided not to focus on product consultingHow founders can let go of controlWhat happens when people try to hand away the wrong workWhat Agora is, what it offers, and how female founders in DC, Maryland, and Virginia can get involved in thisAnn Marie’s process for balancing all of her projectsWhat founders should know if they’re looking to raise in 2026And more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things operations and fundraising!

Alex Benik is the founder of Encoded Ventures, an early-stage venture fund investing in the next generation of cloud, data, and security infrastructure. Before launching Encoded Ventures, Alex spent more than two decades at Battery Ventures, where he focused on enterprise infrastructure and cybersecurity investments and partnered with founders from early stage through IPO. Drawing on his deep technical expertise and long track record supporting category-defining companies, Alex now backs ambitious technical founders building the infrastructure stack for the AI era.During this episode, we discuss:Alex’s transition from over 20 years at Battery Ventures to founding the solo GP fund Encoded VenturesWhy large venture funds often struggle with true early-stage investing and how smaller funds fill that gapWhat draws Alex to seed and pre-seed investing, and the energy of being “first money in”The “favorite uncle, not the parent” philosophy for supporting foundersWhat Alex looks for in foundersKey lessons learned from launching a first-time venture fundMajor trends in cloud data, security infrastructure, and AI-driven efficiency across the stackWhy Boston remains an amazing tech hubAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things investing!

Devika Sarin is the founder of soal, an app making art discovery a daily ritual for millennials and gen z. Her path into entrepreneurship blends a multidisciplinary background, beginning in economics, investment management, an MBA in London, and several years consulting on M&A diligence and strategy.soal is her second startup in the art-tech space, built from a deep belief that creativity, ritual, and storytelling can change the way people see themselves and the world. They just need permission to jump in. She is passionate about building mission-driven companies that sit at the intersection of ambition and impact, and about designing a product that makes the art world feel more accessible and engaging.She also loves exploring ideas at the intersection of creativity, wellbeing, personal growth, and startup life- threads she brings into her work, writing, and leadership. Devika is curious by nature and loves spending time outdoors, exploring, and noticing the small daily moments of magic.During this episode, we discuss:What Devika is building with soal and how it’s making the art world more accessible to younger people or people who feel excludedHow her first startup closely brought her into the pain points of younger peopleThe role of AI in soalHow Devika’s journey as a second founder has been very different from her first startupThe self-awareness she now has as an individual and leaderThe concept of “no rules” as a founderHow Devika has pivoted many times as a founderWhat goes into finding the right investorWhy it’s important to look into communityWhat goes into building a waitlist for an appDevika’s advice to a new founder for finding successAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things art!

Sonia Baschez is the founder of Bend Growth Co, a fractional CMO and marketing consultancy helping early-stage startups build momentum through narrative, growth, and press. She specializes in taking companies from zero to their first major milestones—whether that's landing enterprise deals, raising capital, or driving viral product launches.Before Bend Growth, she led growth at Atmos, a homebuilding startup. As Head of Marketing and part of the leadership team, she joined pre-YC and scaled inbound 20x and pipeline 10x through Series A, directly supporting $16M+ in fundraising from Bedrock, Sam Altman, Dylan Field, and Khosla. She helped take the company from early idea to multi-state launch, with major coverage across TechCrunch, Forbes, and Business Insider.Additionally, Sonia co-hosts Meme Team, a weekly marketing podcast decoding the intersection of business, culture, and brand strategy. Marketing isn't just logic — it's culture. Each week, she and co-host Amanda Natividad break down real campaigns and cultural moments with sharp takes and zero fluff.During this episode, we discuss:Sonia working with startups for almost 10 years nowHow she’s learned how to do pressThe level of legitimacy and trust that comes with being featured somewhereUnderstanding where your customers are and what they’re talking about to bring your content back to themThe non-negotiables that should be a part of building your marketing & comms strategyWhy you need to focus on brand awarenessHow startups actually know if their strategy is workingWhat companies are doing wrong with their marketingTune in as we dive into all things marketing!

Raja Ghawi is a Partner at Era Ventures, a venture capital firm he joined at inception in 2022 to drive transformational change in our physical world.Prior to joining Era, Raja worked at Suffolk Construction. While there, he helped to found Suffolk’s venture arm, Suffolk Technologies, which invests in startups in the AEC industry and helps them to scale by leveraging Suffolk’s network and resources. At the end of 2020, he was named Suffolk Tech’s Investment Director. While at Suffolk, he founded and led Boost, Suffolk Technologies’ accelerator program, the leading AEC innovation accelerator, which has since graduated 30 companies.Before joining Suffolk, Raja worked for McKinsey & Company in Boston and spent meaningful time at QuantumBlack, McKinsey’s AI/ML arm. A native of Syria and a Harvard graduate, Raja currently lives in Brooklyn. He’s an avid reader, a budding cyclist, and a big fan of Brooklyn’s underground art scene.During this episode, we discuss:How Era Ventures invests in innovation in the physical worldWhat got Raja really excited about VCHow he joined Era at inceptionSome of his favorite portfolio companies throughout that timeTypes of industries that he works with in the physical world (real estate, construction, agriculture, energy, manufacturing, etc.)Where he sees the physical world going in 2026The impact of inflation and labor shortages on these industriesSpending more time in robotics and physical AIThe problems that come with go to market - how to prove your products workHow robots can be used for growth in companiesWhat Raja looks for when investing in startupsThe importance of having a trusted community/network who will try your productAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into investing in the physical world!

Lily Vittayarukskul, Waterlily's CEO and Co-Founder, was on the path to become an aerospace engineer at an exceptionally young age, a patented inventor, starting college at 14 and interning at NASA by 16. But her life took an unexpected turn when her Aunt, a cornerstone of her first-generation immigrant family, was diagnosed with terminal stage colon cancer.Post chemotherapy her family was shocked to learn that health insurance doesn't cover long-term care costs, driving their family to provide care from the home, stepping away from work and school to take on the physically demanding tasks of daily caregiving.This devastating event revealed the profound gaps in the healthcare preparedness of most families, leaving lasting impacts on her own. Determined to ensure a future where no one else would face the same hardships, Lily shifted her focus from aerospace engineering to healthcare innovation.Graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in Genetics and Data Science, Lily led product and engineering teams at multiple startups before founding Waterlily, a company dedicated to making healthcare and its costs accessible, understandable, and empowering for all.During this episode, we discuss:What she does at WaterlilyHow she got the idea for her startupThe expense that goes into long-term careThe solutions that Waterlily offersWhy parents shouldn’t be paying for thisHow Lily never wanted to become a founder but what led her away from being an aerospace engineerWhy she did a lot of things YC teaches you not to doWhat led her to bringing on a co-founderHer advice for anyone looking to fundraiseAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things long-term care!

Sarah Mattina is a strategic communications consultant with nearly a decade of experience across startups, venture capital, and financial communications. She has held in-house roles leading communications at JetBlue Ventures, the National Venture Capital Association, and Southwest Airlines, and has advised founders and funds alike at Edelman Smithfield.As founder of Mattina Media, Sarah partners with her clients on funding announcements, product launches, and executive visibility, with a specialty in translating complex offerings into compelling, media-ready narratives.During this episode, we discuss:How Sarah started her career in aviation but how she wanted to pivot from an internal comms role to external comms roleWhat led her to starting her own PR firm with two previous clients that saw her LinkedIn post and wanted her to do fractional workIf you don’t ask, the answer is always noWe’re all our own worst critics at the end of the dayHow VCs and startups benefit from working with a professional for PR & commsWhy it’s important to have owned and earned mediaWhat the communications flywheel is and how you can repurpose media multiple timesWhen to get started with bringing in an external PR & comms expertHow VC firms become media enginesAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things PR and media!

Phylicia Koh is a General Partner at Play Ventures a leading early-stage VC fund that invests globally in gaming, consumer apps and gaming-adjacent tech. Phylicia has led investments into Alter (avatar tech company acquired by Google, Arya (AI-driven couple intimacy platform), BibleChat (fastest growing AI-powered faith app, #4 US App Store). She most recently led Alinea's $10.4m Series A (personal financial investing app for Gen Z).Before joining Play as Employee #1, Phylicia spent 9 years in marketing and growth, working with the likes of Mighty Bear Games, Voice Labs, Homage, Ethnicraft Online, as well as for the Singapore Economic Development Board.During this episode, we discuss:What Phyl does at Play and what they invest inHow she started her career in growth and what led her to transition into VC insteadHer career break with her “year of yes” and how that led her to try various opportunitiesHow game companies are at the forefront of user acquisitionThe big adjustment getting into the gaming industryHer advice on how to beat the learning curveWhy curiosity, initiative, and problem solving are good qualities to haveHow the stranger something sounds, the more excited she is about itThe reality of the mindset of “there’s an app for that”What she looks for in startups before investingThe attractiveness of how quickly you can get an MVP live due to AIWhy founders need to be excited about what they’re buildingThe normality of pivoting and changeAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things gaming and VC!

Philip Toussaint is the founder of Ecopreneur, an EdTech company that helps schools and students manage, track, and fulfill community service hours. A Stonehill College graduate from the Class of 2019, Philip’s professional journey began at the age of 19 in sales and marketing, where he developed a deep passion for these fields. Outside of work, he enjoys being outdoors, volunteering, hitting the gym, and watching movies. Philip is committed to both personal growth and making a positive impact across the world.During this episode, we discuss:What Ecopreneur isWhen Phil knew it was time to pivotHow to understand when it is and isn’t the right time to roll out new featuresWhy you need to do market research ahead of timeHow Phil built his advisory boardHis process for building his personal brandThe importance of being involved as a founderWhy you need to do what doesn’t scaleThe value in taking time off and having good habitsWhat Phil’s day looks like as a founderWhy having a co-founder is keyHis advice for getting into edtechAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things edtech!

Megan Kane is the founder of Rellia, a platform that connects early-stage digital health, medical device, wellness, and diagnostic companies with industry experts, healthcare practitioners, and engaged investors.During this episode, we discuss:What she does at Rellia, an incubatorHow she got the idea for Rellia and the gaps she noticed for healthtech startupsWhy having a positive community is so importantHow Rellia has grown and changed throughout the past yearWhat Rellia offers for anyone who’s in healthtechHer advice for building community and why it’s importantHow she went full-time with Rellia after building it on the sideWhy you can’t plan everything perfectly in techWhat she does with consulting in addition to RelliaHer advice for healthtech founders for being successfulHow to ask someone for helpWhat will be coming for Rellia in 2026Her favorite part of what she does at RelliaAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things healthtech!

Elliott Parker is CEO of Alloy Partners, a venture builder that co-creates advantaged startups with corporations and entrepreneurs. He previously launched dozens of startups at High Alpha, the pioneering venture studio, and helped Fortune 100 firms design and execute growth strategies at Clayton Christensen’s firm Innosight. Elliott is passionate about helping big organizations move fast and think boldly—and wrote The Illusion of Innovation to inspire transformation through bold experimentation.During this episode, we discuss:How Elliott builds startups from corporationsWhy corporations may want to spin out an idea into a separate startup rather than keeping it within the corporationExamples of corporations he’s supported to help create startups fromWhen corporations should NOT create separate startupsWhy “learning problems” are what become startups while “execution problems” stay within the corporationElliott’s journey for starting AlloyThe industries that he finds the most opportunities inHow he can create companies in as quickly as 8-16 weeksWhy right now is the best time to build a new companyHow there are $100 million companies coming with extremely small teamsAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things VC!

Cory Borman is the co-founder and tech-savvy mind behind Swoon Learning. With a diverse background in software, design, and marketing, Cory has a proven track record of success in various industries. His experience spans from shipping over 200 educational products at Pearson Education to starting Communication Lab during the pandemic — a business working with children who are on the Autism spectrum. Cory's personal experience with ADD fuels his passion for creating effective learning solutions, especially for neurodivergent learners. His expertise in technology and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) complements Carla's educational vision, making Swoon Learning a unique and impactful force in the tutoring landscape.From hardware design engineering to educational leadership, Carla Bayot's journey has been defined by innovation and a passion for learning. As co-founder of Swoon Learning, she brings a wealth of experience to her role, including years as a math tutor, while successfully working on hardware products for leading tech and consumer electronics companies including Apple, NASA, XBox, and Anova. Her experience working remotely between the US and Asia honed her skills in online tutoring, utilizing virtual classrooms and file-sharing techniques to effectively engage students. This experience fostered her collaborative approach and ability to connect with students from various backgrounds. Carla's dedication to student success drives Swoon Learning's mission to provide personalized and engaging educational experiences that empower every learner.During this episode, we discuss:What led Carla and Cory to starting Swoon Learning togetherHow their software is a supplement, not a replacementThe challenge of getting schools to accept and adopt new technologyWhy you need solid vendor relationshipsThe hedgehog conceptWhat’s become known as the “Zoom Generation”How Swoon Learning plans to grow in the next yearTheir process for implementing feedback and requestsHow to balance activities and academicsAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things learning!

Corporate attorney Lindsey S. Mignano, based in San Francisco, is a go-to expert for startup founders, small business owners, and international companies looking to break into the U.S. market. A former attorney at an international law firm, Lindsey now leads her own boutique practice, SSM Law, where she helps emerging tech companies navigate everything from formation and fundraising to mergers and acquisitions and commercial transactions.Lindsey has advised hundreds of startup founders and small businesses at every stage of growth. She helps founders turn an idea into a company, raise venture capital, and navigate the legal landmines of scaling in a competitive tech market. She brings deep insight into how early-stage companies operate and what legal pitfalls they face. Reporters often turn to Lindsey because she makes complex legal and business issues easy to understand, speaks the language of both founders and investors, and has a profound understanding of what is happening in Silicon Valley and beyond.In addition to her legal work, Lindsey is a passionate advocate for diversity in tech and venture capital. She founded Venture Betches and Syndicate Betches, two fund-of-funds designed to bring investment opportunities to women and BIPOC investors and to support fund managers from historically underrepresented backgrounds.During this episode, we discuss:What she does at SSM LawWhen startups come to her law firm for helpTypes of mistakes startups make that they realize when they’re getting ready to raise and how Lindsey helps them fix thatThe business and financial metrics they should have in place before raising a roundWhy it’s not a good time to raise right nowHow solo female founders have an especially hard time with raisingWhat her most successful startup founder clients do to differentiate themselves from other startups to get fundingAdvice for anyone looking to raise in the next yearThe most popular verticals she sees VCs investing in for early stage startupsAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things startup law!

Elizabeth McCluskey is a Managing Director at TruStage Ventures, the venture capital arm of TruStage. She leads the TruStage Ventures Discovery Fund, which invests in early stage fintech companies led by underrepresented founders. Over the last four years, she has deployed ~$15M to companies building solutions in lending, financial wellness and banking technology. Elizabeth is responsible for sourcing, diligence, and deal execution, as well as supporting a portfolio of 25 companies. She is an active community builder and thought leader in the fintech space, regularly appearing on panels, podcasts, and articles to share advice and commentary.Beyond fintech, Elizabeth is passionate about empowering and mentoring early-stage entrepreneurs building solutions rooted in community, sustainability, and health. She is an Executive in Residence at Johns Hopkins University’s Ward Infinity Accelerator, where she provides strategic coaching, network introductions, and advisory support to early-stage ventures. She also serves on the Investment Committee at the Agora Initiative, the Advisory Committee at Sidelines VC, and as a Founding Member of Brydge Club.Prior to TruStage, Elizabeth was a Principal at Impact Engine, where she helped launch the investment firm’s first venture capital fund. There, she invested in early-stage software companies in economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and health equity.Elizabeth began her career at UBS in investment banking and wealth management. She graduated cum laude from Harvard College with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, and received an MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. She is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).During this episode, we discuss:How Elizabeth started her career in banking before transitioning to VCHer focus on underrepresented foundersThe angel investing she does on the sideHow there are more women writing checks nowAdvice for any underrepresented founder who is looking to raise a roundA few portfolio companies she’s been proud to supportHow companies can crack into both B2C and B2B audiencesHer advice for anyone looking to make their first angel investmentWhat she would recommend to fintech founders looking to get fundedHer shoutout to Lexsy and founder Kristina SubbotinaAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things VC!

Vijay Ravindran, the CEO and founder of Floreo, combines his extensive expertise from pivotal roles at Amazon and The Washington Post to spearhead innovation in immersive technology for autism therapy. His tenure as the Chief Digital Officer at The Washington Post saw groundbreaking advancements in digital media and content delivery, revolutionizing how news is consumed in the digital age. Ravindran's leadership, honed through his experiences at Amazon including leading the launch of Amazon Prime, underscores Floreo's mission to leverage virtual reality (VR) for transformative autism therapy. With a deep-rooted commitment to harnessing technology for societal benefit, his strategic vision intertwines lessons from the forefronts of tech and media, propelling Floreo as a pioneering force in utilizing VR to enhance the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum.During this episode, we discuss:His personal story of starting FloreoWhat Floreo offersHow they incorporate feedback and lived experienceHow AI is used in the companyWhat is coming up for FloreoRoadblocks Vijay has faced as a founderHis advice for anyone looking to build a startupHow to maintain resiliency when things don’t go right the first timeWhat he’s learned from working with investorsAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things VR!

Natalie Hoop is a Fractional Strategic Operations Partner who helps startups scale without stalling or burning out their teams. She specializes in revenue and operational turnarounds — from rebuilding sales operations that drove +238% sales growth in 30 days to improving gross margin by 68 points in four months.She partners with founders at Seed to Series B companies to fix the work behind the work — aligning people, process, and profit. Natalie is also the creator of The Fractional Launch Lab, a coaching program helping executive leaders build sustainable fractional businesses.During this episode, we discuss:How Natalie got into operationsWhat inspired her to start her own businessWhen a company may need an operations personHow to know if something needs to change within your opsWhy ops are crucial for getting acquiredThe clear correlation between operations and revenueThe hill she will die on with operationsHer shoutout to Molli HealthAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things ops!

Nik Talreja is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sydecar, an SPV and fund automation platform for venture. Nik previously practiced securities & transactional law at Cooley LLP and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, and held leadership roles in operations, finance, and as general counsel at venture-backed companies. In addition to his role at Sydecar, Nik actively invests in early-stage companies at 18.ventures and serves on the Board of Directors of Maxine’s Heavenly. Nik graduated from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business with a BS in Corporate Finance & Entrepreneurship. Nik subsequently obtained his JD from the UCLA School of Law.During this episode, we discuss:How Sydecar helps investors create SPVs and invest and founders they really care aboutHis pain points at 18.ventures that led him to starting SydecarWhat Sydecar doesThe amount of time it saves and how it flags potential flags where you might want to speak with an attorneyThe relationships Sydecar has with banksWhen investors might need something like SydecarHow Sydecar is beneficial for founders who might have 30 individual investorsHis advice for founders who are looking to raise their next roundHow Sydecar has changed throughout the past 5 yearsThe importance of focusing on the problems you have solved rather than problems you need to solveWhere Sydecar is going in the next yearHow their customer base started to expand because they realized their user base was going beyond their ICPWhy you need to take risksHis shoutout to Vishal Rana of DeciensAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things SPVs!

Natalie Barbu is the founder and CEO of Rella, a VC-backed startup helping social media teams streamline content planning, collaboration, and analytics. With over a decade of experience as a content creator and entrepreneur, she’s built a personal brand with a community of 380K+ and now focuses on building tools that support creators, marketers, and agencies behind the scenes. Natalie is passionate about simplifying the workflows that power digital content and creating products that solve real problems for modern teams.During this episode, we discuss:The problems Natalie faced in her agency in 2019/2020 with systems and how it was so inefficientWhy Rella decided to pivot and relaunch to focus on social media managersWhat her pivoting process was likeThe importance of listening to customer feedback and being customer-obsessedHow to get started with customer feedbackWhat made Rella decided to go with investors rather than bootstrappingWhy you should not have a free tier of a productHow to build trust and credibility with potential customers before they buy the productWhat’s coming up next for Rella in 2026The importance of nailing down your pricing and targetingAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into what really goes into being a founder!

Emmaline Swanson is a 2x founder and startup operations specialist who has spent over 10 years building operational infrastructure as a founding team member and Chief of Staff at early-stage tech companies across healthcare, crypto, fintech, big data, GRC, logistics, and AI.She takes a data-driven approach to operations, but what sets her work apart is applying behavioral science to design systems that actually work with how humans operate. The result: intuitive processes that people actually follow, making compliance and operations less of a nightmare and more of a competitive advantage. Her focus areas include strategic HR, business operations, data privacy and security, and compliance.Currently, she runs two companies: Frameworks Labs, providing fractional operations, compliance, and HR support for early-stage startups, and Privacounsel, offering HR compliance guidance and advocacy for employees navigating workplace issues.Emmaline specializes in the critical business processes every company needs but typically dreads. Her work helps founders establish operational rigor without sacrificing the speed and flexibility required to scale. She builds foundations that last, so startups can focus on what they actually care about: building their product and growing their business.During this episode, we discuss:Being a self-proclaimed founderWhat made her want to start Frameworks LabsHow she juggled her full-time job and businessWhy you should not move fast and break thingsHow she got the idea for her second company, PrivacounselHer process for balancing both companiesHow she transitioned out of burnoutWhy 9-9-6 isn’t impressive or necessaryWhat the invisible foundation of a company isThe value in working with someone fractionallyAdvice for finding success in techHer shoutout to Bryan Singleton of FlowGuide.ioAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things HR and compliance!

Kt McBratney is a community innovator and investor obsessed with disrupting the status bro. As General Partner and Head of Community at Renew Venture Capital, they’re redefining how founders, capital, and networks work together — building community as an operating system, not a marketing channel or afterthoughtBefore joining Renew VC, Kt co-founded and helped scale OwnTrail, the community-powered platform acquired in 2023, and spent years as a startup operator and marketing leader across venture-backed companies. Their work lives at the intersection of systems change, storytelling, and strategy.Kt is also the host and producer of the Founded On Purpose podcast and a writer, artist, and speaker who brings a non-linear lens to leadership, entrepreneurship, and power. Known for candor, creativity, and an allergy to business-as-usual, they’ve built a career across roles and sides of the startup world — founder, operator, marketer, investor, and community architect — proving that innovation comes from crossing boundaries, not staying in lanes.During this episode, we discuss:How they use community as an operating system to build the next generation of venture capital firmsBuilding community infrastructure and showing up virtually and in personProviding access to relationships and knowledgeWhat sets Renew’s community apart from othersHow they don’t have the typical power dynamic that typical investors haveWhy there’s harm in not having community from the startWhat Kt’s startup was and what led them to starting itWhy you should do reflection when realizing you may need communityBy saying yes to one thing, we’re saying no to something elseTheir shoutout to Emily Best from Seed & SparkAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things VC and community!

Dr. Ashley Blackington, OTD, OTR/L, is a board-certified Occupational Therapist, founder, and storyteller at the intersection of caregiving, technology, and culture. She is the creator of Dovetail®, a CareTech platform that launched in July 2025 to help family caregivers organize care, streamline communication, and build sustainable support networks. She also hosts AND/BOTH, a podcast that brings the emotional realities of caregiving and motherhood into the open through raw, thoughtful conversations.With more than 15 years of clinical experience and her own lived perspective as a caregiver and mom of four, Ashley knows that caregiving is not just a personal role but a systemic challenge that demands better tools, deeper conversations, and more compassion. Her dual mission through Dovetail and AND/BOTH is to create both infrastructure and space: practical tools to ease the daily load and honest dialogue that validates the emotional weight.Ashley is also the founder of Home Field Advantage, PLLC, extending her work in community health and occupational therapy practice. Whether she’s mentoring therapists, building technology, or sharing stories on the mic, her work is rooted in one core belief: those who care for others deserve to feel supported, equipped, and never alone.During this episode, we discuss:How she’s an OT by training and wanted to integrate her clinical, caregiving, and practice experience togetherHer mission to smooth out as much friction as possible with the things that bog down caregivingWhy Dovetail is crucial right now for the sandwich generationHow society’s introduction to caregiving is not gradual; it’s like teaching someone to swim by throwing them in the poolWhat Dovetail is and how it will integrate with healthcare portalsHow Dovetail relieves the mental loadBalancing her practice with DovetailThe lack of care infrastructure in this countryWhy she bootstrapped Dovetail in the beginningAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things caregiving!

Manasi Shukla is the founder of Safrela Consulting and brings over twenty years of experience designing and implementing customer education and training programs for healthcare organizations. She has trained clinical teams and driven product adoption at industry leaders such as Medtronic and Intuitive Surgical, as well as several innovative startups. Manasi specializes in scaling onboarding, driving product adoption, and building strategic training solutions that deliver measurable business impact. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Ottawa and a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering from Cornell University.During this episode, we discuss:Her career as a biomedical engineer working in hospitals and supporting physicians during proceduresWhat made her want to pursue customer educationThe importance of investing in education and training programsHow to leverage happy customers and ensure they stay happyAdvice for getting started with an education and training programHow to get all teams on the same pageSetting metrics for your productUsing AI for content developmentThe importance of talking to people when you get into techAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things customer education!

Alfredo Mercedes is the co-founder at VU Talent Partners, a modular, talent enablement platform deeply embedded within a VC firm, combining signal, workflows, and search as a service. He started his career in the Marine Corps as a CoS, before moving into executive search, where he helped high growth tech companies and venture funds build teams to scale. Today he works at the intersection of hiring, investing, automation, and network, partnering with founders to scale their businesses and advising on how to leverage talent as a core driver of returns.During this episode, we discuss:How he started his career in the Marine CorpsWhat led him to get into recruitingAdvice for which positions founders should prioritize hiringWhat it was like to cofound VU Talent PartnersThe downside of traditional, third-party recruitersHow we’re going to have our first single-person, billion dollar unicorn company & we can grow and scale companies with less and less peopleWhy hiring and recruiting processes will look different with AIWhat founders should know before they get ready to hire an executiveCreative tactics to get executives to sign on if the salary isn’t high enoughHis advice for candidates who are interviewing for executive rolesAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things talent!

Anna Belova is an influential AR and generative AI entrepreneur, currently leading DEVAR and OpenWay AI as their founder and CEO. She holds a Master’s degree in Arts and Human Science and was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2019.With more than a decade of experience in immersive tech, Anna has overseen the launch of over 300 AR products, including interactive children’s books that have sold 15 million+ copies across 75 countries and 27 languages. DEVAR has partnered with major global brands like Hasbro, Nickelodeon, McDonald’s, Google, Siemens, Colgate‑Palmolive, and Nasdaq. In response to the growing no-code movement, she created MyWebAR, a generative AI-powered XR platform that enables users to build AR experiences in their browsers—no programming required. With over 230,000 users and adoption by 200+ universities, the platform is now among the top two most popular webAR tools globally.In 2025, Anna founded OpenWay AI, a cutting-edge company developing AI tools and infrastructure for immersive content creation and automated interaction.Aside from her entrepreneurial achievements, Anna contributes thought leadership through regular columns in Forbes and Entrepreneur, sharing insights on immersive technologies, startup growth, and the convergence of art and AI.During this episode, we discuss:Anna’s experience in AR and AIWhat inspired her to start OpenWay AI, after noticing an internal problemHow she juggled managing 2,000 users/daily without having the human resources behind themWhat’s coming next for OpenWay AI in the next yearHow she’s an AI-native personHer belief that AI can be your own personal superpower if you learn how to use it rightWhy every person needs to embrace AIThe importance of finding something that you really love as a founder because it’s a lifestyleAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things AI!

Argentina Beltran is the Founder & CEO of InclusifAI, a platform supporting underrepresented founders using AI for social good. With over 20 years of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and startup sectors, she’s helped build ecosystems where innovation and equity go hand in hand. Her work lives at the intersection of emotional intelligence, systems design, and cultural change — shaped by both boardroom experience and a deep commitment to community.She’s also the author of What We Teach the Machines, Emotional Intelligence in an Artificially Intelligent World, a powerful exploration of how our emotional conditioning shapes the technologies we build — and how reclaiming our humanity is one of the most important design challenges of our time.During this episode, we discuss:Argentina’s upbringing in the Philippines, coming from a family of entrepreneurs, before moving to Canada as an adultHow she’s been in the innovation space for over two decadesHer work has always in communityWhy the funding gap needs serious attention and how she prioritizes providing the right innovators with opportunitiesHow the rise of AI made technology grow so fastWe already have the resources and technology to resolve and address the important problems in the world but we’re choosing not toThe importance of community in the startup worldHow non-technical founders can adopt AIAdvice for building a community if you don’t have one yetThe book she recently publishedHer shoutout to Amandipp Singh from Enabled TalentAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things AI!

Anita Ly began her career as a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry before pivoting into entrepreneurship and venture capital. With hands-on experience in SBIR funding, hedge fund diligence, and traditional VC, she brings a cross-sector approach to innovation and early-stage growth. She’s built accelerator programs from the ground up, worked side-by-side with founders to secure funding, and helped companies raise over $5M while scaling operations in emerging markets. Based in Oklahoma City, Anita is passionate about building inclusive, founder-first ecosystems that turn bold ideas into reality.In her free time, she enjoys chasing around her cat Basil and dog Caden, experimenting in the kitchen with new recipes, and cosplaying, where creativity and craftsmanship come together as in startups.During this episode, we discuss:How Anita originally thought she wanted to get into the medical field, but after starting a part-time role supporting founders, that’s what made her realize that’s what she wanted to pursueThe importance of pivotingHow crucial community is for foundersWhat she did to build accelerators from the ground upWhy she wanted to join Renew VCWhat makes Oklahoma a good spot to build in and support/invest inHer shoutout to Devika Sarin who’s building SoalAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things startups and Oklahoma!

Jesse Williams is the Co-Founder and COO of Jozu, a DevOps platform for AI agents, applications, and models. Jozu enables organizations to securely manage, optimize, and deploy machine learning models from development to production. With over a decade of experience in marketing and operations for SaaS, cloud, and open-source products, Jesse’s work reflects a commitment to fostering innovation and scalable growth through open-source strategy, product positioning, and startup development.During this episode, we discuss:What Jozu is and how Jesse got the idea for itHow Jesse and his team changed gears from one tool to anotherThe challenge of getting people to understand the new productThe importance of having a co-founding team that you have worked with successfully in the pastWhere Jozu is going in the next yearWhy you shouldn’t jump on every trendReminder: don’t take money just because someone has it!Why you need to lead by exampleAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things DevOps!

Gab Saper is a personal stylist and founder of Wardrobe Editor™️, who helps you uncover the coolest, hottest, best version of yourself through what you’re putting on your body. She’s part stylist, part emotional translator—known for helping clients untangle the mess of “shoulds” in their closet and figure out what actually feels good again.Drawing on her experiences from fashion school and working in retail, media and tech; she brings an intuitive-meets-practical approach to style that works as hard as you do.Gab guides you to dress in a way that commands respect at work, turns every head at the restaurant and makes you the envy of every mom (or aunt!) on the playground – without sacrificing comfort or utility.One of the primary ways she does this is by flipping typical style advice on its head. She’ll never advise you to keep up with the trends and she believes deeply that horizontal stripes are for everyone. Her process isn’t about perfection—it’s about building a wardrobe that saves you time, reflects who you actually are and feels damn good to wear.Gab lives in Greenwich Village with her husband and children…and by children, she means handbags. Some of her favorite things include an empty inbox, spicy margaritas and laughing out loud to a podcast. She was once featured in The New York Times for her very tiny, very organized apartment—proof that she lives what she teaches: edit ruthlessly, wear joyfully.During this episode, we discuss:What Gab does as a personal stylist, working with many women in techHow a wardrobe should support your lifeWhat inspired Gab to leave her tech career and pursue her styling businessAdvice for what people who are newer to tech should wear to a job interviewHow to determine the balance between being too fancy and too casualWhat to wear if you work remotelySuggestions for what to wear to networking eventsHow to dress for conferences, especially as a speakerGab’s top product recommendationsWhy you should wear clothes that make you feel like yourselfHow to dress when you get into a leadership roleAdvice for anyone who would like to pursue a career in stylingHer shoutout to NoveAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things styling in tech!

Andrew Ackerman is a VC, angel investor, SPV syndicate sponsor, and former entrepreneur with over a decade of startup investing experience and 70+ early-stage deals. A former generalist who later specialized in EdTech and now focuses on PropTech and Construction Tech, Andrew has built a reputation for turning networks into true platforms.At Dreamit, he launched industry verticals and co-created the Customer Sprint and Investor Sprint programs, connecting founders with hundreds of investors and enterprise partners — and helping them raise capital and close deals faster through structured processes instead of one-off introductions.Beyond venture, Andrew advises corporate innovation teams, CVCs, developers, general contractors, and landlords on designing high-impact venture structures. He’s also a prolific contributor with 60+ published articles in outlets like Fortune, Forbes, Propmodo, BUILDER Online, and Edsurge, and is a frequent speaker and panelist at conferences across the U.S. and globally.During this episode, we discuss:How Andrew did consulting for a few years before spending 8 years building a startupWhy the best startups want to be with the best investors and vice versaHow he got started as an angel investorWhat it was like to jump from small angel investing to large amount of applicants for acceleratorInvesting in husband and wife teams before and why many VCs don’t do itWhat made him want to specialize in ed tech then later proptech and construction techHow he got the inspiration to write his bookAnd more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things investing!