Fireside with Founders & Leaders

Summary: Alan shares his journey from starting in IT to becoming the CTO of LeftBrain, a workplace technology consultancy. He discusses the importance of empathy in technology, the evolving role of AI in business, and how LeftBrain aims to be a strategic partner for its clients. Alan also opens up about his experiences with imposter syndrome and the culture at LeftBrain that fosters growth and adaptability. The conversation concludes with Alan's vision for the future of LeftBrain and its commitment to providing value to clients. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 10:30 LeftBrain's Role in Technology Consulting 20:21 Navigating AI and Technology Trends 29:48 The Importance of Adaptability in Business 33:21 Future Aspirations for Left Brain www.linkedin.com/in/alanavins/ www.leftbrain.io/

Summary: Dan Roberts, founder of Nayms, shares his unique journey from starting consumer goods businesses to creating a blockchain-based insurance platform. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in transitioning industries, the importance of building a strong team culture in a remote work environment, and the evolving landscape of fundraising. Dan also highlights the future of blockchain technology in the insurance sector and how it can enhance efficiency and transparency. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:19 Entrepreneurial Journey and Transition 12:27 Building a Remote-First Team 22:26 The Future of Insurance 28:20 The Power of Convenience 37:16 The Intersection of Blockchain and Insurance www.linkedin.com/in/danielajroberts www.nayms.com

Summary: Jinesh Vohra, Founder and CEO of Sprive App, shares his journey from investment banking to entrepreneurship, driven by a desire to help homeowners manage their mortgages more effectively. He discusses the inspiration behind Sprive, its innovative features that allow users to pay off their mortgages faster, and the company's growth strategies. Jinesh also addresses the challenges faced in the fintech space and outlines the revenue model that supports Sprive's sustainability. He emphasizes the importance of community impact and the future vision for the company. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 04:27 The Inspiration for Sprive 09:00 Helping Homeowners Find Spare Cash 10:19 Shop and Earn with Sprive App 18:48 Scaling Through Television Advertising 29:44 Future Plans: Expanding Services and Giving Customers a Voice www.linkedin.com/in/jinesh-vohra/ www.sprive.com

Summary: In this episode, Rowan discusses his role as CTO at Tewke, a company focused on revolutionizing home energy management through innovative technology. He shares insights into the development of smart grid solutions, the importance of user experience in product design, and the challenges of building trust in smart home technology. Rowan also highlights the significance of integrating hardware and software, the recognition Tewke has received for its design, and the company's future plans for product development and expansion. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:24 Rowan's Background and Journey to Tewke 04:24 Seizing Opportunities and Learning from Mistakes 09:10 The Value of Networking and Luck 10:37 The Journey to Tewke and the Impact of COVID-19 12:32 Introduction to Tewke and their Vision 17:24 Tewke's Focus on Energy 24:31 Innovative Design and Display 32:09 Security and Data Control 39:09 Recognition and Awards 50:20 Future Plans and Expansion www.linkedin.com/in/rowan-dixon/ www.tewke.com/

Summary: Julia Sinclair, Head of Product at Capital Rise, discusses her background in engineering and how she transitioned into product management. Julia also talks about the challenges and opportunities of working in a regulated industry, and how Capital Rise prioritises customer experience. She highlights the use of data and insights to inform decision-making and improve the user experience. Julia also shares her passion for singing and how it brings a different perspective and creativity to her work. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:56 Transition from Engineering to Product Management 06:19 Working in a Regulated Industry 09:35 Prioritising Customer Experience 14:42 Using Data and Insights 20:38 Balancing Compliance and Innovation 28:08 Human-Centric Approach 32:36 Educating Customers and Democratizing Property Investment 36:38 Finding Balance and Sparking Creativity www.linkedin.com/in/julia-sinclair-80750a14b/ www.capitalrise.com/

Summary: Jonathan, the founder of Mountside Ventures, discusses the challenges of fundraising for both founders and VC funds. He emphasizes the importance of preparation, spreading investor conversations strategically, and targeting the right investors. He also highlights the need for founders to determine their goals and the type of investor they want to work with. Jonathan provides tips for creating a sense of urgency during fundraising, such as responding to investor requests promptly, sharing good news regularly, and meeting investors in person. He also explains the key elements of term sheets and recommends resources for further information. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background of Mountside Ventures 02:23 The Gap in Fundraising and Launching Mountside Ventures 03:20 Challenges of Fundraising for Founders and VCs 06:39 Tips for Successful Fundraising 11:43 Creating Urgency and FOMO in Fundraising 15:24 Understanding and Negotiating Term Sheets www.linkedin.com/in/jhjhollis www.mountsideventures.com

Summary: In this podcast episode, Harris Wellner, Operating Partner at Cadenza, discusses his background in the investment world and the focus of Cadenza's portfolio. He highlights the importance of blockchain technology in emerging markets and the potential for digital assets to provide solutions for hyperinflation and restricted monetary policies. Wellner also shares insights into what makes startups successful, including the importance of assembling a world-class team and choosing the right investors. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the goal of returning DPI (Distributed Performance Index) to investors. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:32 Exploring the Potential of Blockchain in Emerging Markets 11:50 The Key Factors for Startup Success 18:23 The Role of Investors in Startup Growth 19:29 Working Towards Returning DPI to Investors www.linkedin.com/in/harris-wellner www.cadenza.vc

Summary: In this episode, Seth Spergel discusses his background in investing in cybersecurity and the establishment of Merlin Ventures. He explains the unique ecosystem in Israel that has led to a concentration of cybersecurity startups and a high acquisition rate. Seth also shares how Merlin Ventures is bridging the gap between Israeli startups and the US market through their Israeli Startup Advisory Network. He highlights the importance of AI in addressing budget and staffing pressures in the cybersecurity space. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 07:41 The Concentration of Cybersecurity Companies in Israel 12:29 Strategies for Penetrating the US Market 18:27 The Acquisition Rate of Israeli Cybersecurity Companies 20:10 Trends in the Cybersecurity Space 22:29 The Role of AI in Cybersecurity www.linkedin.com/in/sethspergel https://www.merlin.vc

Summary: In this conversation, Sam Wen discusses his background in engineering and his experience at Square before joining Green Visor Capital Management. He explains the incentives in venture capital and how these drive VC decisions. Sam also shares his thoughts on promoting diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of outreach and creating an inclusive environment. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 07:45 Understanding the Incentives in Venture Capital 13:33 Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in the Tech Industry 24:27 Overcoming Societal Norms and Biases www.linkedin.com/in/samwen www.greenvisorcapital.com

Summary: Marcos Fernandez, the managing partner of Fiat Ventures, discusses his background in the investment world and the type of investments that Fiat Ventures makes. He emphasizes the importance of disqualifying VCs early on in the fundraising process and asks qualifying questions to ensure a good fit. Marcos also talks about the transparency between founders and VCs and the long-term relationship that is formed. He shares insights into the criteria Fiat Ventures uses to select investments and the process of raising funds from LPs. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 07:35 Disqualifying VCs: The Importance of Asking Qualifying Questions 13:36 Portfolio Construction in Venture Capital: Criteria for Selecting Investments 19:07 How to Build Funds www.linkedin.com/in/marcosfernandez0401 www.fiat.vc