Explore every episode of the podcast Lifeselfmastery's podcast I Startups I Venture Capital

I am thrilled to have Oliver Manojlovic, CRO at Dash0, the agentic observability platform that just acquired Lumigo and is supporting 600+ customers globally.

In this conversation, Oliver Manojlovic, the CRO of Dash Zero, discusses his journey from Personio to Dash Zero, the challenges of hyper-growth, and the importance of a customer-centric approach in SaaS. Oliver shares insights on hiring, onboarding, and maintaining team dynamics in a fast-paced environment, as well as the role of AI in sales and the common mistakes founders make in their go-to-market strategies.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Oliver Manojlovic and His Journey

03:31 Transitioning from Personio to Dash Zero

06:19 The Vision Behind Dash Zero

09:21 Customer-Centric Approach in SaaS

12:31 Adapting Sales Strategies in a Changing Landscape

15:34 The Role of AI in Sales and Customer Experience

20:49 Mergers and Acquisitions: Strategic Insights

23:08 Understanding Burnout: The Importance of Purpose

27:03 Leadership Challenges: Navigating Team Dynamics

31:00 Sales Strategy: Building a Strong Pipeline

38:30 Product Development: Timing and Market Fit

41:31 Lessons from Experience: The Journey of Selling

Oliver's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivermanojlovic/

Website – dash0.com

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Stefan Bader, CEO and co-founder of Cello, a referral automation platform used by Typeform, Miro, and VEED. He's a 2x founder who spent a decade in B2B software, including as CRO at Shore. Stefan recently launched the GTM10 Awards, gathering insights from 800+ operators at companies like OpenAI, Stripe, and Gong.

In this conversation, Stefan Bader, CEO and co-founder of Cello, a referral automation platform where he discusses his journey as a two-time founder, the challenges of managing sales talent, the evolution of go-to-market strategies, and the impact of AI on sales and marketing. Stefan shares insights on building successful referral programs, the importance of personal incentives, and the shift from co-marketing to co-products. He also emphasizes the need for companies to adapt to changing marketing channels and the significance of a strong product design in driving growth.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Stefan Bader and Cello

02:40 Lessons from Early Ventures

05:08 Identifying and Addressing B2B Referral Challenges

09:03 The Future of Cold Calling and Go-to-Market Strategies

12:10 Navigating Channel Collapse and New Opportunities

14:32 Successful Referral Programs: Key Variables

16:32 The Complexity of Referral Automation

18:04 Shifts in Sales Strategies and Customer Success

21:10 The Evolution of Co-Marketing to Co-Products

23:30 Developer Experience and Tools

24:30 The Role of AI in Sales and Business Development

26:26 Finding Design Partners: Startups vs. Enterprises

27:24 Subversive Marketing and Growth Loops

30:17 Advice for Future Professionals

32:13 Reflections on Starting Cello

Stefan's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-bader/

Website - https://cello.so/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Eric Jorgenson who is the author of The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, with over 2 million copies sold, and The Anthology of Balaji. His latest book is The Book of Elon.

In this conversation, Eric Jorgenson discusses his latest book on Elon Musk, exploring the unique insights he gained while writing it. He delves into Musk's mindset, execution strategies, and the importance of purpose in achieving success. Jorgenson also addresses the challenges of writing about a figure as polarizing as Musk, the implications of AI on the future of work, and the tension between visionary thinking and conventional startup wisdom.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Eric Jorgensen and His Works

06:33 Navigating Political Dynamics: Framing Elon's Mindset

14:40 Managing Cognitive Load: Elon Musk's Multitasking Strategies

20:47 The Impact of AI on Jobs and Universal Basic Income

28:01 Separating Vision from Chaos: Elon's Decision-Making

36:25 Using AI in Writing and Distribution Strategies

41:55 Future Writing Aspirations: Exploring New Figures

Eric's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/erjorgenson/

Book – https://www.elonmuskbook.org/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Ali Moiz, co-founder of Streamlabs (acquired by Logitech for $170M) and Peanut Labs (acquired for $30M), and currently building Pilot GPT (formerly Stonks).

In this conversation, Ali Moiz discusses his journey from selling stickers in first grade in Pakistan to building and exiting two companies worth a combined $200M+. He shares the raw, unfiltered reality of startup life — from doing mass layoffs and losing a co-founder overnight to nearly shutting down and finding product-market fit through sheer persistence. Ali breaks down his philosophy on pivoting (most founders don't pivot enough), why burnout isn't cured by vacation but by success, and how founder energy is a far scarcer resource than capital.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Ali Moiz and his exits

01:02 Growing up in Pakistan and the road to the US

02:10 Why he chose entrepreneurship over Big Tech

02:32 Selling stickers and trading cards — his first "businesses"

06:10 Why he wrote 3 Startups, 40 Pivots: How to Not F**king Give Up

09:10 Jensen Huang's Stanford speech on pain and suffering

10:15 The hardest chapter: mass layoffs, co-founder departure, health crisis

13:34 How to tell the difference between a pivot that saves you and one that delays the inevitable

15:38 Why the mental pivot is always harder than the product pivot 18:07 The burnout myth: why success cures it, not vacation

20:23 The consumer → SaaS → fintech founder lifecycle

22:00 How Peanut Labs was accidentally born (the "nudes for points" origin story)

23:41 How Streamlabs came from a DraftKings-for-eSports pivot gone wrong

25:25 Nine years and 4.5 years of failure before the $170M exit

27:18 Building three companies with his brother Murthy — what almost broke the partnership

29:27 The #1 mistake first-time founders make

32:28 What pivoting actually requires that nobody talks about

36:23 The League of Legends team he sold for $150K that became worth $300M

40:20 The OpenAI deal at a $20B valuation that blew up over a $10K investor

46:03 Why the Sandhill Markets model failed despite investors loving it

Ali's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/alimoiz/

Book – https://www.amazon.com/Startups-40-Pivots-cking-Give-ebook/dp/B0GMKL5VXT

Website - pilotgpt.com

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Amos Bar-Joseph - CEO of Swan AI, two-time exited founder and ex-KPMG advisor. He's building in public toward $30M ARR with just three founders and an army of AI agents.

In this conversation, Amos Bar-Joseph, CEO of Swan AI, discusses his entrepreneurial journey, the innovative use of AI in go-to-market strategies, and the evolving landscape of pricing models in the AI industry. Amos emphasizes the importance of leveraging AI as an amplification tool for human capabilities rather than a replacement. He shares insights on building a self-learning support system, ensuring GDPR compliance, and the significance of go-to-market innovation over product innovation.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Hiten Sonpal and Rice Robotics

03:06 Hiten's Journey into Technology and Robotics

05:27 Experience at iRobot and Transition to Entrepreneurship

07:06 Innovations at Rise Robotics: The Beltrolix Technology

08:13 Achieving the Guinness World Record for Robotic Arm

09:16 Crowdfunding Success and Retail Investor Engagement

13:41 Balancing Expectations from VCs and Retail Investors

15:10 Shipping Consumer Robots vs. Industrial Machinery

18:07 Future of Home Robots in the Western World

21:42 Supply Chain Dynamics: US vs. China

24:39 AI and Industrial Automation: Future Trends

26:34 Company Culture at Rice Robotics

27:42 Partnerships vs. Product Sales in Enterprise

29:59 Advice for Future Entrepreneurs

Amos's Links 

LDN/ X – https://il.linkedin.com/in/amos-bar-joseph

Website –

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Hiten Sonpal, CEO of RISE Robotics, disrupting a $600B market by replacing century-old hydraulics with Beltdraulic technology—3X faster, 3X more efficient, zero emissions.

In this conversation, Hiten Sonpal, CEO of Rise Robotics, shares his journey from childhood fascination with technology to leading a company that is revolutionizing the robotics industry. He discusses his extensive experience at iRobot, the innovative Beltrolix technology, and the successful crowdfunding campaign that engaged retail investors.  He emphasizes the importance of partnerships, market entry strategies, and the need for resilience and risk-taking in entrepreneurship.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Hiten Sonpal and Rice Robotics

03:06 Hiten's Journey into Technology and Robotics

05:27 Experience at iRobot and Transition to Entrepreneurship

07:06 Innovations at Rise Robotics: The Beltrolix Technology

08:13 Achieving the Guinness World Record for Robotic Arm

09:16 Crowdfunding Success and Retail Investor Engagement

13:41 Balancing Expectations from VCs and Retail Investors

15:10 Shipping Consumer Robots vs. Industrial Machinery

18:07 Future of Home Robots in the Western World

21:42 Supply Chain Dynamics: US vs. China

24:39 AI and Industrial Automation: Future Trends

26:34 Company Culture at Rice Robotics

27:42 Partnerships vs. Product Sales in Enterprise

29:59 Advice for Future Entrepreneurs

Hiten's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiten-sonpal/

Website –https://wefunder.com/riserobotics https://rise.riserobotics.com/invest

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Ronan Chambers is the co-founder of etn., a technology show built for Europe. Previously, he was a founding team member at Convergence, which was acquired by Salesforce, where he worked on Agentforce.

In this conversation, Ronan Chambers, co-founder of ETN, discusses his journey from tech startups to creating a technology show for Europe. He explores the European startup ecosystem, misconceptions, emerging tech hubs, and the future of media in venture capital. Ronan shares insights on building an audience, sponsorship strategies, and the importance of leadership in startups.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Ronan Chambers and ETN

01:12 Ronan's Journey into Tech Startups

02:53 Leaving Salesforce for ETN

04:42 Inspiration from US Media and the Need for European Coverage

06:52 The State of the European Startup Ecosystem

10:38 Misconceptions About European Startups

13:04 Underrated Tech Hubs in Europe

14:37 The Future of Media in Venture Capital

16:57 Advice for New Product Builders

19:04 Balancing Audience Building and Product Development

22:13 Reaching Out to Sponsors

25:25 Creating Content for Diverse European Audiences

27:04 Changing Mindsets in European Founders

29:30 Lessons from Convergence and Salesforce

32:22 Overcoming Fear in Podcasting

34:16 Highlighting Emerging European Founders

36:40 Future Goals for ETN

Ronan's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronan-chambers-189118196/

X - https://x.com/ronanchamberss

Website – https://www.etnshow.co/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Akshat Mandloi, the co-founder of Smallest.ai, a voice AI startup recently named among Inc42's "30 Startups to Watch" for 2025. A former senior data scientist at Bosch and IIT Guwahati alum, he's building hyper-realistic voice agents that support 30+ languages with ultra-low latency for enterprises worldwide.

In this conversation, Akshat Mandloi, co-founder of Smallest AI, discusses his journey from working at Bosch to starting his own company, the challenges of operating in different markets, and the intricacies of developing voice AI technology. Akshat shares insights on language prioritization, the competitive landscape, and what it means to create enterprise-ready solutions. The conversation also touches on funding, building a strong company culture, hiring practices, and the future of voice AI technology.

Timestamps

00:00 The Journey to Smallest AI

02:11 Navigating Operational Challenges

05:12 Language Prioritization in Voice AI

06:57 Building a Competitive Edge in Voice AI

10:15 The Build vs. Buy Debate

12:11 Funding and Investor Insights

14:11 Cultivating a High-Ownership Culture

16:21 Designing for User Needs

18:17 Remote Work vs. In-Person Collaboration

19:11 The Future of Voice AI

21:07 Speed as a Competitive Advantage

22:57 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

25:01 Vision for the Future

Akshat's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshat-2503/

Website - https://smallest.ai/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Bani K Maini: an AI product leader who transforms complex enterprise operations into scalable solutions that actually get adopted. From cutting forecasting errors by 74% to scaling platforms across 600+ sites in seven countries, she's built AI products for Fortune 500 companies - and conducted 70+ executive interviews at Stanford on how GenAI is reshaping enterprises.

In this conversation, Bani Maini, an AI product leader, shares her journey from early exposure to technology in Japan to her current role in transforming enterprise operations through AI. She discusses the challenges of AI adoption across different cultures and regions, emphasizing the importance of understanding local nuances. Bani highlights the non-obvious challenges in rolling out AI products, such as process variance and data issues, and stresses the need for a clear problem-solving approach. She also differentiates between traditional machine learning and generative AI, providing insights into their respective applications.

Timestamps

03:22 Understanding Enterprise AI Adoption Challenges

06:22 Cultural and Regional Differences in AI Adoption

09:18 Non-Obvious Challenges in AI Rollout

11:58 Navigating Inflection Points in AI Integration

15:11 Misconceptions About Generative AI in Enterprises

18:19 Identifying AI Use Cases and Metrics for Success

21:06 Traditional ML vs. Generative AI: Decision Framework

24:19 Generative AI in Supply Chain Optimization

27:18 Turning Unstructured Data into Actionable Intelligence

30:05 Organizational Structure for Global AI Teams

33:25 Driving User Adoption Across Cultures

36:13 Shifts in Enterprise AI Thinking

39:22 Reflections on Scaling AI Products

42:14 Final Thoughts and Resources

Bani's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bani-k-maini-210b5b48/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled ot have Lars Leckie, a Partner at Aspenwood Ventures, bringing a rare founder-turned-investor perspective to early-stage investing. He co-founded AutoFarm (now Novariant), pioneering GPS and robotics in agriculture, where he built sales teams across three continents

In this conversation, Lars Leckie shares his unique journey from coding and gaming to becoming a partner at AspenWood Ventures. He discusses the critical lessons learned from his early experiences in sales and strategy, emphasising the importance of understanding customer needs and the divide between engineering and sales cultures. Lars also delves into the evolving landscape of venture capital, the impact of AI on business models, and the significance of geographic proximity in tech innovation.

Timestamps

00:00 From Gaming to Agriculture: Lars Läcki's Journey

03:23 Lessons from Sales and Strategy in Startups

06:12 The Investor's Perspective: Balancing Technology and Market

09:03 Navigating the Venture Capital Landscape

12:15 The Future of IPOs and Private Capital

15:23 AI's Impact on Revenue and Business Models

18:04 Consumer vs. Enterprise AI: The Competitive Landscape

25:47 The Dynamics of Disruption in AI

28:27 AI Agents: The Future of Sales

30:26 The Role of Geographic Proximity in Tech

36:48 Education in the Age of AI

41:21 The Future of Venture Capital

Lars's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsleckie/

Website - https://aspenwoodvc.com/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled ot have Udi Ledergor, the Chief Evangelist at Gong, where he spent nine years helping build the company from zero to a multi-billion-dollar valuation. A five-time B2B marketing leader, bestselling author of Courageous Marketing, angel investor, and board member

In this conversation, Udi Ledergor, Chief Evangelist at Gong, shares his journey from product management to leading marketing at a billion-dollar company. He emphasizes the importance of human-centric marketing, the need to challenge traditional best practices, and the significance of creating valuable content that resonates with audiences. Udi discusses the evolution of marketing strategies, the role of AI, and the importance of hiring passionate individuals for growth roles. He also highlights insights from his book, 'Courageous Marketing', offering practical advice for marketers and business leaders.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Udi Ledergor and His Journey

02:29 The Decision to Join Gong and Its Potential

04:57 Building a Human-Centric Brand in B2B SaaS

09:48 Risky Marketing Decisions That Paid Off

15:54 Courageous Marketing: Breaking Best Practices

19:37 Finding Channel Fit and Growth Strategies

21:35 SEO and Generative AI: Adapting to Change

24:28 Engaging the 95%: Marketing to Future Buyers

27:20 The Evolution of Marketing Touchpoints

31:07 Hiring for Growth: Skills vs. Potential

34:06 Transitioning from CMO to Chief Evangelist

37:51 Insights from 'Courageous Marketing'

Udi's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/udiledergor/

Book - https://www.udiledergor.com/book

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Sergiy Korolov, who is the Co-CEO of Railsware and co-founder of multiple products

In this conversation, Sergiy Korolov, CEO of Railsware, discusses his journey from software developer to entrepreneur, the evolution of his products like Mailtrap and Coupler, and the challenges faced in the tech industry. Sergiy shares insights on transitioning from service to product, the importance of understanding user segments through surveys, and the role of AI in enhancing productivity. He also reflects on the complexities of email delivery and strategies for competing against larger companies.

Timestamps

00:00 The Journey from Developer to CEO

05:24 Transitioning from Service to Product

10:42 Mailtrap's Evolution and Monetisation

14:57 Controversial Onboarding: The Sign-Up Survey

18:49 Launching Coupler: A New Era

21:56 Technical Challenges in Email Delivery

25:58 Differentiation Strategy Against Giants

29:51 Managing Multiple Products Effectively

33:29 AI's Role in Railsware

38:41 Sales Strategy and Product Growth

42:47 Reflections and Lessons Learned

Sergiy's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergiykorolov/

Website – https://railsware.com/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Brad Harrison, a former Army Ranger turned venture capitalist, and the founder and Managing Partner of Scout Ventures. Brad invests at the intersection of national security and critical technology innovation, backing companies like Unite Us, ID.me, Voyager Space, and Tomahawk Robotics — which was recently acquired by AeroVironment.

In this conversation, Brad Harrison, a former Army Ranger turned venture capitalist, shares his journey into the world of venture capital and the founding of Scout Ventures. He discusses the importance of mission-driven investments, particularly in the intersection of national security and critical technology. Brad emphasises the value of both first-time and experienced founders, the significance of government contracts, and the evolving landscape of AI in defence tech. He also reflects on investment strategies, the importance of people in startups, and the metrics for evaluating fund performance.

Timestamps

00:00 From Army Ranger to Venture Capitalist

03:17 The Birth of Scout Ventures

06:04 Mission-Driven Investment Focus

09:07 The Importance of Non-Dilutive Funding

12:10 Backing First-Time Founders

15:13 Case Studies: Unitas and ID.me

18:09 Navigating Government Contracts

21:17 Defensible AI in Defense Tech

24:05 B2B Startups and AI Integration

26:57 Evaluating Startups: People, Product, Market

30:09 Ownership Stakes in Early-Stage Investments

33:14 The Future of Liquidity in Venture Capital

35:57 Lessons Learned from Exits

39:16 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Brad's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradharrison/

Website – https://www.scout.vc/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Elias Mufarech who is a Senior Associate at Collide Capital, a pre-seed to Series A venture fund investing in fintech, future of work, and supply chain software.

In this conversation, Elias Mufarech, a senior associate at Collide Capital, shares his insights on venture capital, the importance of operational support for founders, and the evolving landscape of startup expectations. Elias discusses his journey from building fintech software in Latin America to investing in startups, highlighting the critical lessons learned along the way. He emphasizes the need for founders to have strong networks and the importance of understanding market dynamics, especially when competing against big tech companies.

Timestamps

02:56 Lessons from Operating in Emerging Markets

06:20 Changing Expectations in Venture Capital

09:21 The Role of Capital and Networks in Founding

12:16 American vs. Emerging Market Founders

15:03 Operational Support in Venture Capital

18:21 Assessing Big Tech Risks in Startups

Elias's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/elias-mufarech/

Website – https://www.collidecap.com/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have  Ankur Patel who is the founder and CEO of Multimodal, where he's automating the most complex workflows in finance and insurance. He has 15+ years of work experience across companies like J.P. Morgan and Bridgewater

In this conversation, Ankur Patel, founder and CEO of Multimodal, traces his path from JP Morgan and Bridgewater to building AI agents that automate complex workflows in finance and insurance. He explains how early exposure to data science and macro trading convinced him that AI would reshape enterprise work. He discusses why agentic AI is fundamentally different from chatbots, how enterprises evaluate risk, and why explainability is essential for adoption. Ankur breaks down pricing models for AI labor, the shift from seat-based SaaS to usage-based consumption, and the realities of selling to banks, insurers, and governments.

Timestamps

00:01 – 01:46. Intro & journey from markets to ML

01:46 – 03:21. Why agentic AI is the next frontier

03:21 – 04:48. Multimodal's ambition vs prior startups

04:48 – 06:08. Judgment calls in lending workflows

06:08 – 07:47. Risk, unpredictability, and explainability

07:47 – 09:26. Compliance objections from financial institutions

09:26 – 11:46. Deploying AI in government

11:46 – 13:40. Pricing AI labor

13:40 – 15:34. Why seat-based SaaS breaks

15:34 – 17:44. ROI framing with banks and insurers

17:44 – 19:31. Common pricing mistakes

19:31 – 21:32. Usage pricing with budget predictability

21:32 – 23:51. Enterprise sales motion & channels

23:51 – 25:40. When to activate partnerships

25:40 – 27:32. Leadership lessons across domains

27:32 – 29:44. Content as a strategic advantage

29:44 – 32:39. Vertical AI will win

32:39 – 35:41. Future of agentic AI & student advice

Ankur's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankurpatel9/

Website – https://www.multimodal.dev/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Vivek Krishnamurthy, who is a Partner at Commerce Ventures, where he's spent over 8 years investing in commerce infrastructure and fintech. Before Venture, he was an Investment Banking Analyst at Financial Technology Partners. He's particularly bullish on AI's transformation of insurance, backing companies like Kin Insurance, Liberate, and Authentic.

In this conversation, Vivek Krishnamurthy, a partner at Commerce Ventures, discusses his journey into venture capital, the evolution of investment strategies, and the intersection of commerce and fintech. Vivek shares insights on the impact of AI on business, the importance of understanding market dynamics, and the traits of successful founders. He also addresses the challenges of staying private and the role of VCs in the startup ecosystem.

Timestamps

00:00 Journey into Venture Capital

03:08 Evolution of Investment Thesis

06:20 Commerce and Fintech Intersection

09:10 AI's Role in Modern Startups

12:01 Understanding Market Dynamics

15:23 Growth Metrics in Today's Market

18:09 The Impact of Staying Private

20:59 Traits of Successful Founders

24:20 The Role of VCs in Success

27:12 Sales Strategies in AI

30:03 Hiring Trends in AI Startups

33:13 Evaluating Investment Opportunities

Vivek's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivekkri/

Website - https://commerce.vc/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Dallas Price, a Venture Builder at Forum Ventures, where he helps launch and scale six B2B SaaS startups every year through their AI Studio. His work centres on turning early-stage concepts into real companies, guiding founders across product, go-to-market, and fundraising

In this conversation, Dallas Price, a venture builder at Forum Ventures, discusses his journey into the startup world, the workings of a venture studio, and the current landscape of AI startups. Dallas shares insights on navigating chaos in startups, the importance of defensibility, new distribution channels, and evolving pricing models. He emphasizes the significance of customer traction and the need for founders to focus on their strengths when pitching to investors. The discussion also touches on the future of AI spending and the potential for full stack AI companies.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Dallas Price and His Journey

03:08 Transitioning to Venture Capital and Forum Ventures

06:10 Understanding the Venture Studio Model

09:18 Navigating the AI Landscape and Talent Wars

12:13 Defensibility in AI Startups

15:14 Emerging Distribution Channels in AI

18:07 Innovative Pricing Models for AI Startups

21:15 The Future of AI Native Companies

24:18 Spotlight on Startups: Credit Pulse and Scout Climate

26:52 Investor Signals and Customer Demand

30:07 The Importance of Founders in Startup Success

33:30 Current Trends in AI Spending and Future Outlook

36:21 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Dallas's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dallascprice

Website – https://www.forumvc.com/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Seth Levine, venture capitalist and co-founder of Foundry, and Elizabeth MacBride, international business journalist and founder of Times of Entrepreneurship. Together, they co-authored The New Builders and now their latest book, Capital Evolution, explores how American capitalism is shifting—and why businesses, not government, may hold the keys to building a more inclusive and prosperous future.

In this conversation, Seth Levine and Elizabeth McBride discuss their new book, 'Capital Evolution,' which explores the shifting landscape of American capitalism. They delve into the challenges posed by neoliberal capitalism, the consequences of prioritizing shareholder value, and the need for a more inclusive economic model. The authors advocate for 'dynamic capitalism,' which emphasizes the importance of meritocracy, economic mobility, and the role of businesses in society. They also touch on the impact of AI on the workforce and the necessity for government reform to restore balance in power dynamics.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Capital Evolution

03:14 The State of American Capitalism

04:54 Neoliberalism and Its Consequences

05:19 The Rise of Business Over Government

08:28 Meritocracy and Economic Mobility

11:40 Global Perspectives on Capitalism

14:22 The Future of American Democracy and Business

17:16 Comparative Economic Models

20:35 Conclusion and Reflections on Capitalism

25:41 The Dynamics of the American Economy

27:07 Understanding Dynamic Capitalism

30:09 Elements of Dynamic Capitalism

31:45 Success Stories in Employee Ownership

33:44 The Impact of AI on Employment

37:34 Universal Basic Income: A Controversial Solution

41:30 Reforming Government for a Sustainable Future

44:58 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

Seth and Elizabeth's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethjlevine

LDN - linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-macbride-85a3806

Website – https://thecapitalevolution.com/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Marcos Rivera, the founder and CEO of Pricing I/O, where he helps B2B SaaS companies capture the value they've built. Former Head of Pricing at Vista Equity Partners, he's priced over 400 SaaS products and has authored Street Pricing.

In this conversation, Marcos Rivera, founder and CEO of Pricing.io, discusses the intricacies of pricing strategies in B2B SaaS. Marcos shares his journey from product management to pricing, highlighting common mistakes companies make, especially in underpricing their products. He emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs, the blend of art and science in pricing, and the impact of AI on pricing strategies. The discussion also covers diagnosing churn, building a pricing team, essential metrics for pricing decisions, and aligning sales and marketing efforts.

Timestamps

03:04 Common Pricing Mistakes in B2B SaaS

06:22 The Art and Science of Pricing

09:02 AI and the Future of Pricing Models

12:18 Diagnosing Pricing Problems and Churn

15:10 Counterintuitive Pricing Strategies for Success

20:10 Innovative Pricing Strategies

22:20 Building a Team and Company Culture

25:07 The Role of Data in Pricing Decisions

26:28 Key Metrics for SaaS Pricing

29:11 Aligning Teams for Effective Pricing

32:28 Integrating AI into Pricing Strategies

36:08 Advice for Founders on Pricing

Marcos's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcoslrivera/

Website – https://www.pricingio.com/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

Aabhas Khanna, is General Partner at MyAsiaVC, a venture syndicate and fund with $125M AUM backing 250+ companies, including 5 unicorns. Previously at HSBC and Deloitte, he now invests in pre-seed and seed AI-native startups across enterprise growth, healthcare, fintech, and advanced manufacturing, focusing on obsessive founders tackling overlooked challenges.

In this conversation, Aabhas Khanna, a general partner at MyAsia VC, discusses his journey from working in large corporations to venture capital. Aabhas shares insights on evaluating AI startups, the importance of founder quality, and the unique challenges and opportunities in different Asian markets. He emphasizes the need for adaptability in business models, the significance of understanding market dynamics, and the flow of capital in the Asian tech ecosystem.

Timestamps

00:00 From Banking to Venture Capital: A Journey Begins

04:49 Navigating the AI Landscape: Signal vs. Noise

11:42 Regional Insights: Building in Hong Kong vs. Silicon Valley

17:31 Market Expansion: Local vs. Global Strategies

22:07 Investment Strategies: Reserves and Follow-On Investments

23:55 Identifying Future Unicorns: The Role of Founders

26:40 Navigating AI Disruption in Startups

28:29 The Role of Investors in Founder Decision-Making

30:56 Defining Good Growth in the AI Era

34:32 Capital Flows in the Asian Tech Ecosystem

38:20 Common Mistakes Founders Make

41:45 Reflections on Venture Capital and Personal Growth

Aabhas's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/aabhaskhanna/

Website – https://www.myasiavc.com/

Sajid interview - https://lifeselfmastery.com/2020/05/30/ep-143-sajid-rahman-on-investing-in-emerging-markets/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Doreen Pernel, Chief Sales Officer at Scaleway, Europe's leading sovereign cloud provider. She's built and scaled sales teams across Meta, Dataiku, Box, and Bloomberg, navigating Sydney, New York, London, and Paris.

In this conversation, Doreen Pernel, Chief Sales Officer at Scaleway, shares her insights on sales leadership, cultural adaptability, and innovative strategies in the cloud computing industry. She discusses the importance of resilience in hiring, the evolving role of cold calling, and how to motivate teams against larger competitors. She also reflects on the impact of AI on sales roles and offers advice for women in sales leadership, highlighting the importance of taking initiative and seeking feedback for personal growth.

Timestamps

02:12 Cultural Influences on Sales Leadership

04:10 Transforming Sales Strategies at Scaleway

06:13 Innovative Sales Outreach Techniques

08:22 Hiring for Resilience in Sales

10:20 The Evolving Role of Cold Calling

12:12 Identifying True Grit in Sales Hires

14:19 Motivating Teams Against Big Competitors

16:10 Balancing Celebrations and Reality in Sales

18:03 Selling on Values: Sustainability and Carbon Transparency

20:05 Supporting Startups and Sustainable Consumption

22:14 Using AI Tools in Sales

24:18 Future of Pricing in Cloud Services

26:14 Success Metrics for Scaleway's Go-to-Market Strategy

28:09 Advice for Women in Sales Leadership

30:23 Reflections on Career Growth and Feedback

Doreen's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreen-pernel-1b30919b

Website – https://www.scaleway.com/en/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Daniel Layfield, who is Director of Product Management at Diligent and founder of Subscription Index, advising subscription businesses on monetisation.

In this conversation, Daniel Layfield shares his journey from finance to product management, discussing his experiences at Code Academy and Diligent. He emphasises the importance of understanding churn, effective pricing strategies, and the role of AI in product management. Daniel also explores the complexities of subscription models, the significance of metrics, and the impact of price localisation on revenue.

Timestamps

03:48 Growth Strategies at Code Academy

07:11 Understanding Churn and the Four Horsemen

10:55 Identifying Ideal Customer Personas

13:04 The Hidden Math of Churn

15:55 Pricing Strategies for Subscription Models

19:04 The Future of Pricing in SaaS

20:45 Paywall Strategies and Feature Design

23:05 When to Invest in Subscription Management Tools

25:50 The Impact of AI on Product Management

26:49 The Future of AI and Software Development

29:24 OpenAI's Role in the Tech Stack

31:05 Challenges of Subscription Business Models

33:26 Identifying Key Metrics for Success

36:12 The Importance of Price Localization

40:33 AI's Impact on Subscription Monetization

42:32 Building a Writing Cadence and Sharing Knowledge

44:54 Lessons from Product Management Experience

Daniel's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/layfield/

Website – Subscriptionindex.com

Playbook - https://www.subscriptionindex.com/playbook

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Ryan Johnson, who is the Chief Product Officer at CallRail, an AI-powered lead intelligence platform serving 200,000+ businesses with over $100M ARR.

In this conversation, Ryan Johnson, Chief Product Officer at CallRail, shares his journey from finance to product management, discussing the evolution of CallRail from a call tracking service to a lead intelligence platform. He emphasises the importance of scaling product organisations, balancing sales and product-led growth, and navigating the challenges posed by AI disruption. Ryan also delves into pricing strategies, monetisation challenges in B2B SaaS, and the significance of a cohesive engineering, product, and design team structure. He highlights the role of self-reported attribution in marketing and draws parallels between racing and product management, underscoring the need for incremental improvements and customer obsession.

Timestamps

03:30 Scaling Product Organizations: Lessons from Banjo

06:54 The Evolution of CallRail: From Call Tracking to Lead Intelligence

10:47 Balancing Sales and Product-Led Growth

13:12 AI Disruption in the Search Industry

15:53 Pricing Strategies in a Scaling Company

19:01 Challenges in Monetization and Standardization

22:44 Organizational Structure for Product Velocity

25:26 Agile Experimentation in AI-Enabled Organizations

26:16 Navigating Unit Economics in the Age of AI

28:45 Decisions That Drive Cost Efficiency

31:57 Product Strategy Across Different Stages

36:06 Balancing Partnerships and Product Simplicity

38:33 Solving Attribution Challenges with Conversation Intelligence

42:31 Racing Towards Product Market Fit

45:10 Reflections on Career Growth and Learning

Ryan's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandjohnson/

Website –https://www.callrail.com/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Gary Bailey, founder of Strategim, a monetisation & pricing expert with a deep background in financial services, accounting, pricing, and AI.

In this conversation, Gary Bailey, a monetisation and pricing expert, shares his journey from accounting to product management and pricing. He discusses the importance of pricing as a core discipline in business education, the evolving role of finance in pricing strategies, and the impact of AI on SaaS pricing models. Gary emphasizes the need for training the next generation in pricing and the role of a monetization architect in modern businesses. He also highlights common pricing mistakes, the importance of starting the monetisation journey with a feature list, and the need to redesign business education to adapt to the changing landscape.

Timestamps

06:00 The Importance of Pricing in Business Education

09:17 Balancing Certainty and Uncertainty in Pricing

13:17 The Evolution of SaaS Pricing with AI

16:50 Training the Next Generation of Pricing Professionals

20:35 The Role of a Monetization Architect

22:26 The Architecture of Pricing Strategies

23:37 Evolving Pricing Models in SaaS

25:58 The Impact of AI on Job Markets

29:19 Preparing for an AI-Driven Future

32:17 Learning from Pricing Mistakes

33:48 Rebundling Features for Better Monetization

36:12 Rethinking Business Education in the AI Era

Gary's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-bailey-monetization-cfo/

Website –

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Naveen Mohan, who leads monetisation at Otter.ai, bringing deep experience from Adobe and Loom. With a Carnegie Mellon Information Systems degree and software engineering background, he combines data science expertise with product management.

In this conversation, Naveen Mohan, Product and Monetisation Lead at Otter.ai, shares his journey from data science to product management, emphasising the importance of experimentation in pricing strategies and the evolution of monetisation in tech startups. He discusses the balance between soft and hard paywalls, the rise of hybrid pricing models, and the significance of data-driven insights in growth strategies. Naveen also highlights the importance of regular pricing reviews and the role of monetisation across different departments in a company.

Timestamps

02:13 Career Journey and Transition to Product Management

04:04 Monetization Strategies and Pricing Evolution

07:02 Common Pricing Mistakes and Experimentation

10:00 Balancing Paywalls and Conversion Strategies

12:16 Hybrid Pricing Models in SaaS

14:12 Bundling AI Features in SaaS Products

17:20 Growth Strategies and Resource Allocation

20:10 Key Metrics for Growth and Monetization

24:17 Hiring for Growth Teams

26:09 Pricing AI-Powered Features

30:25 Revisiting Pricing Strategies

33:02 Monetization Ownership Across Departments

36:22 Competitive Pricing in a Crowded Market

40:09 Lessons Learned in Monetization Leadership

Naveen's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohannaveen

Website – Otter.ai

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Ben Gutkovich, co-founder of Superlinked, helping AI engineers build information retrieval systems using vector embeddings.

In this conversation, Ben Gutkovich, co-founder of Superlink, shares his journey from a software engineer to an entrepreneur in the AI space. He discusses the differences between consulting and building technology, the challenges of recruiting talent in a competitive market, and innovative strategies for business development. Ben also addresses the impact of remote work on startups, insights into M&A deals, and predictions for the future of AI. He emphasises the importance of usage-based pricing models and shares valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Timestamps

03:20 From Consulting to Startup: The Entrepreneurial Shift

05:58 Attracting Talent in the AI Landscape

08:00 Innovative Partnerships and Recruitment Strategies

10:36 Remote Work: Challenges and Opportunities

12:32 M&A Insights: Evaluating Value Creation

13:34 Predictions for the AI Market

18:21 The Future of Computer Science Education

19:39 The Rise of Usage-Based Pricing Models

23:44 Raising Capital: Positioning for Success

25:40 Navigating AI Infrastructure Economics

Ben's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/benben

Website – https://superlinked.com/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Casey Woo, founder of Operators Guild, a community of 800+ top operators. He is also a General Partner at FOG Ventures, where he's witnessing how AI is killing the 18-month fundraising cycle, enabling 1000x returns in half the time.

In this conversation, Casey Woo, founder of Operators Guild and general partner at Fog Ventures, discusses his journey from Wall Street to the startup world, the evolving landscape of fundraising, and the impact of AI on job roles and business operations. He emphasises the importance of generalists in startups, the need for effective distribution strategies, and the shift towards shorter fundraising cycles. Casey also shares insights on pricing strategies for AI startups, the rise of fractional roles, and the significance of relationships in business.

Timestamps

02:53 Key Patterns in Startup Success

05:35 The Shift Towards Generalists in Startups

07:49 The Death of the 18-Month Fundraising Cycle

10:56 Optimizing Dilution in a Fast-Paced Environment

13:10 The Importance of Distribution and Velocity

15:12 Pricing Strategies for AI Startups

17:40 AI's Impact on Human Labor and Job Roles

20:31 The Rise of Fractional Roles in Startups

21:32 The Ideal Operator in the Age of AI

22:40 Operator-Backed Capital vs. Traditional VC

26:09 M&A Trends and the Role of Private Equity

27:55 Sectors Best Positioned for AI Transformation

30:43 Predictions for AI Company Dominance

32:30 Common Operational Mistakes in AI Startups

34:04 The Importance of Relationships in Business

36:03 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Casey's Links 

LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseywoo/

Website – https://www.fog.ventures/

Operators Guild - https://www.operators-guild.com/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am happy to have Harvey Liu, the CEO of LeveX Exchange, where he's building a cutting-edge platform for spot and futures trading in digital assets.

In this conversation, Harvey Liu, CEO of Levex Exchange, discusses his journey from computer science to venture capital and now leading a crypto exchange. We explore misconceptions about blockchain, the psychology of trading, the challenges of asset tokenisation, and the importance of a strong team and culture in business. Harvey shares insights on investing principles, strategies for startups going global, and the dynamics of venture capital, emphasising the need for real cash flow and the risks associated with founder-friendly terms.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Harvey Liu and Levex Exchange

02:00 Misconceptions About Blockchain Adoption

06:30 The Psychology of Trading Success

09:33 Bottlenecks in Asset Tokenization

12:26 High-Level Decisions at Levex

16:50 Investing Principles in China vs. the West

20:38 Going Global: Strategies for Startups

23:38 Signals of a Surviving Web3 Startup

25:31 Brand vs. Performance in Venture Capital

27:44 Founder-Friendly Terms and Their Risks

31:16 Sustainable Returns in DeFi

32:53 Strategic Moves During Market Downturns

36:29 Long-Term Vision and Business Philosophy

Harvey's Links 

LDN/ X - https://x.com/harveylevex

Website – levex.com

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Shankar Maruwada, Co-Founder and CEO of EkStep Foundation, a pioneering non-profit working to improve learning outcomes for millions of children in India through technology and learner-centric platforms. Shankar has been featured in MIT Sloan Management Review India's 'Policy 50', a definitive list of the 50 leaders who are steering and shaping India's digital economy.

In this conversation, Shankar Maruwada shares his journey from corporate leadership to social impact through the Ekstep Foundation. He discusses the importance of digital infrastructure in education, the lessons learned from the Aadhaar initiative, and the role of innovation and inclusivity in scaling educational solutions. Shankar emphasizes the transformative potential of AI in India and the need for a socio-economic architecture that supports digital public infrastructure. He also reflects on the responsibilities that come with influence and the balance between structure and chaos in organizations.

Timestamps

06:03 Building Digital Infrastructure for Education

12:04 Innovations in Education: The Role of Technology

18:07 Designing for Scale and Inclusivity

21:09 Lessons from India's Digital Initiatives

21:39 Building Shared Digital Infrastructure

25:39 Adoption and Usability of Digital Services

27:11 Adapting Digital Models Globally

30:25 Integrating AI with Digital Public Infrastructure

34:28 The Future of AI in Agriculture and Healthcare

35:14 Challenges and Opportunities for AI Startups

39:41 Advice for Future Generations in Tech

43:48 Influence and Impact in the Digital Age

46:00 Scaling Startups and Organizational Structure

48:33 Reflections and Lessons Learned

Shankar's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/shankarmaruwada

Website – https://ekstep.org/

I am excited to have Shane Ray Martin—a venture capitalist who's rewriting the playbook for what investing can look like. He's an investor at B Ventures, the first-of-its-kind global peace VC fund that backs tech founders building solutions for both profit and peace.

In this conversation, Shane Ray Martin, a venture capitalist at B-Ventures, discusses his unique journey into the world of venture capital, emphasising the potential profitability of peace tech. He shares insights on the challenges of pitching peace tech to investors, common mistakes founders make in their pitches, and the balance between instincts and metrics in venture capital. Shane also explores the role of AI in sales and negotiations, offers advice for aspiring founders, and reflects on his travel experiences that shaped his understanding of peace and conflict.

Timestamps

03:04 The Concept of Peace Tech and Its Profitability

06:40 Challenges in Pitching Peace Tech to Investors

08:10 Common Mistakes Founders Make in Their First Pitch

10:19 Balancing Instincts and Metrics in Venture Capital

11:32 Implementing AI in Venture Capital Decision Making

14:08 Changing the Venture Capital Industry from Within

15:51 Lessons from Failed Deals and Their Impact

18:05 The Future of Cold Calling in Sales

19:47 Sales Strategies for Founders Transitioning from Founder-Led Sales

23:48 The Future of Sales and AI

25:32 Navigating Career Choices in Tech

27:21 The Competitive Landscape of AI Models

29:56 Mastering Negotiation Skills

32:06 Real-Life Negotiation Experiences

34:59 The Role of AI in Negotiation

35:48 Writing and Content Creation Strategies

39:04 Global Perspectives on Peace and Conflict

41:15 Lessons from Building a Venture Fund

Shane's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaneraymartin/

Website – https://www.bventuresgroup.com/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have James Roycraft-Davis, an investor at Evio, a venture capital firm dedicated to supporting founders who innovate at the intersection of mental health and human performance. Evio's notable portfolio includes successful companies like Calm, Grow Therapy, BetterUp, Foresight, Sway Health, Mental, and Favs.

Timestamps

00:00 Journey into Venture Capital

03:25 Mental Health and Personal Experience

06:18 Advice for the Younger Generation

09:26 Family Business Dynamics

12:30 The Future of Engineering and AI

15:33 Marketing in the Age of AI

18:27 Growth Strategies for Startups

21:29 Investing in Mental Health Startups

24:30 Building an Authentic Brand

27:30 The Role of Community in Entrepreneurship

James's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrd2024/

Website – https://evio.vc/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Michael Colonnese, the CEO of SV Academy, a pioneering talent platform that helps companies hire pre-trained sales and customer success professionals—with no fees and no catch.

In this conversation, Michael Colonnese, CEO of SV Academy, discusses the innovative approaches to talent acquisition and training in the sales sector. He shares insights on the skills gap, the importance of potential over experience in hiring, and the transformative impact of tech sales careers. Michael also addresses the challenges of onboarding, the role of AI in sales, and the need for a reformed education model that aligns with job market demands. The discussion emphasizes the importance of personalized education and the integration of sales strategies in a product-led growth environment.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Michael Colonnese and SV Academy

01:11 The Journey into Startups and Skills Gap

02:38 Innovative Business Models in Talent Training

04:28 Understanding Student Demographics and Career Changes

05:07 Income Transformation in Tech Sales

06:14 Ideal Personas for Sales Roles

07:44 Myths in Hiring Entry-Level Sales Talent

08:47 Identifying Grit in Sales Hires

10:08 Onboarding Challenges for SDRs

11:33 The Role of AI in Sales

13:06 Cold Calling Strategies for SDRs

14:32 Multi-Channel Outreach Strategies

15:43 Tools for Sales Prospecting

16:40 Client Acquisition Strategies

17:38 The Broken Education Model

20:09 Trends in Personalized Education

22:04 Sales Pipeline Ownership in Different Companies

23:17 Preparing for Technical Sales Roles

24:44 Avoiding Bad Hires Under Pressure

25:53 Integrating Sales into Product-Led Growth

27:11 The Future of Outbound Sales with AI

28:11 Scaling Sales Teams Effectively

29:20 Innovating Business Models in Education

30:24 Applying Military Strategies to Business

31:33 Reflections on Scaling SV Academy

Michael's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcolonnese/

Website – https://sv.academy/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Cesare Pesci, a Junior Associate at YOBE  Ventures, where he combines a background in investment banking, sustainable finance, trading, consulting, and sales to support growth-stage and tech founders.

In this conversation, Cesare Pesci , a junior associate at Yobe Ventures, discusses his journey into venture capital, the dual role of investment and advisory, and the importance of networking. Cesare shares insights on evaluating founders, the significance of sustainability in investing, and the differences between European and US ecosystems. He emphasises the value of failure as a learning process and offers advice for aspiring venture capitalists.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Cesare Pesci  and His Journey

02:38 Career Progression in Venture Capital

05:23 The Dual Role of Investment and Advisory

06:52 Evaluating Founders and Startups

10:20 Lessons from Early Stage Founders

11:32 Financial Modeling for Startups

12:53 Advisory Support vs. Traditional VC

14:30 Comparing European and US Ecosystems

16:17 Integrating Sustainability in VC Investing

17:40 Sales and Finance: A Winning Combination

19:08 Networking in Venture Capital

20:48 Reflecting on Career Milestones

22:18 Recommended Business Books

24:00 Advice for Aspiring VCs

Cesare's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/cesare-pesci-99b09021b/

Hubble - https://www.hubble.social/cesarepesci

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Gaurav Gulati, co-founder and COO of Innov8, which was acquired by OYO. Gaurav is a GP at Aroa Venture Partners, which he backs startups that deliver strong returns and meaningful impact.

In this conversation, Gaurav Gulati, founder of Aroha Venture Partners, shares his journey from the US to India, his experiences in building startups, and the founding of his mission-driven VC firm. He discusses the importance of a global perspective in venture capital, the challenges of supporting founders, and the evolving landscape of AI and pricing strategies in startups. Gaurav emphasises the significance of partnerships with founders and the need for resilience in the startup ecosystem, and much more.

Timestamps

00:00 The Journey Begins: From the US to India

02:46 Global Perspectives: Shaping Venture Capital in India

05:21 Building and Exiting Startups: Innovate and Purist

08:30 Aroha Venture Partners: The Birth of a New Fund

11:08 Understanding Aroha: The Meaning Behind the Name

13:46 Evaluating Early Stage Founders: Jockey vs. Horse

18:39 Multi-Sector, Multi-Stage Approach: Risks and Rewards

21:29 Supporting Founders: Beyond Capital

26:10 New Venture Programs: What We Look For

27:14 Navigating Startup Programs and Applications

28:25 Identifying Problems and Solutions in Startups

29:28 The Shift in Coding and MVP Development

31:41 The Evolution of Computer Science Education

34:25 The Future of Employment in Tech

36:50 Pricing Strategies for AI and SaaS Companies

39:45 Market Strategies for Indian Startups

42:18 Opportunities in AI and Infrastructure

45:17 Reflections on the Journey and Future Aspirations

Gaurav's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/gulatigr

Website – https://www.aroaventures.com/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Clay Norris is a GP at Outlaw and founder of ConfluenceVC, known for pioneering "narrative capital"—leveraging media to build venture scale.

In this conversation, Clay Norris, a General Partner at Outlaw and founder of Confluence VC discusses his journey into venture capital, the importance of building an audience, and the concept of narrative capital. Clay shares insights on fundraising challenges for emerging managers, portfolio construction strategies, and the evolving landscape of venture capital, including the impact of AI and the role of founders in running their own funds. The discussion emphasizes the need for GPs to craft compelling narratives and build relationships to succeed in a competitive market.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Venture Capital and Clay Norris

03:14 Building an Audience and Content Strategy

06:28 Crafting a Compelling Narrative

09:17 Emerging Managers and Fundraising Challenges

11:21 Portfolio Construction Strategies

13:41 Reserves and Investment Strategies

17:48 The Evolution of VC and Multi-Stage Funds

20:58 Founders Running Their Own Funds

23:10 Winning Competitive Deals

24:46 AI and the Future of Venture Capital

27:40 The Changing Landscape of SaaS and VC

29:45 Balancing Personal and Institutional Brands

31:40 Skills for Future General Partners

Clay's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbnorris/

Website – outlaw.vc

Confluence - https://confluencevcweekly.beehiiv.com/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Sameer Narkar, the founder of Konnect Insights. This unified customer experience management platform brings together social listening, omni-channel ticketing, analytics, and AI under one roof.

In this conversation, Sameer Narkar, founder of Konnect Insights, shares his journey of building a successful SaaS company focused on customer experience management. He discusses the importance of bootstrapping, the role of AI in enhancing customer interactions, and strategies for global expansion. Sameer emphasises the need for effective sales teams, the evolution of product management roles, and the impact of AI on job markets. He also touches on pricing strategies, the significance of brand logos versus revenue, and fostering a people-first culture within the organisation.

Timestamps

00:00 The Genesis of Konnect Insights

04:12 Bootstrapping Success: The Journey Without Funding

10:02 AI in Customer Experience: The Future Unveiled

14:03 Defensibility in a Competitive SaaS Landscape

17:16 Pricing Strategies: Shifting from Seat-Based to Usage-Based

19:13 Evolving Product Management: The Role of Teams

23:16 The Future of Engineering and AI's Impact on Jobs

28:02 AI in Customer Support: A New Era of Experience

30:18 The Impact of AI on Jobs

31:33 Strategies for Global Expansion

34:43 Hiring for Sales and Partnerships

38:01 Building a Sales Playbook

40:22 The Role of Discounts in Sales

43:55 Quality of Clients vs. Revenue

48:05 Building a People-First Culture

50:08 Future Product Innovations

Sameer's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/sameernarkar

Website - https://konnectinsights.com/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Dario De Wet, a VC investor and founder of LTV Capital, and managing director at Monza Group International. 

In this conversation, Dario De Wet shares his entrepreneurial journey from selling Game Boy emulators in South Africa to becoming a venture capital investor and founder of LTV Capital. He discusses the unique entrepreneurial spirit in South Africa, the balance between his passion for motorsport and his VC career, and the evolution of his investment strategies. Dario emphasises the importance of understanding the venture capital landscape, the impact of AI on startups, and the challenges of navigating high valuations and IPOs. He also reflects on the metrics that matter in VC and the future of billion-dollar funds.

Timestamps

00:00 Dario's Entrepreneurial Journey

04:46 The South African Entrepreneurial Spirit

07:17 Balancing Motorsports and Venture Capital

10:53 Transitioning to Jumo and Anthemis Group

17:14 Founding LTV Capital and Investment Thesis

21:51 Distinguishing True Investors from Asset Gatherers

23:59 The Impact of AI on SaaS and Venture Capital

26:09 Sustainability of Billion Dollar VC Funds

27:34 Emerging Managers vs. Billion Dollar Funds

28:34 Factors Influencing IPOs

30:09 Market Liquidity and Investor Sentiment

32:09 US vs. UK IPO Landscape

33:57 Understanding VC Metrics: TVPI and DPI

36:02 Navigating High Valuations in AI Funding

38:37 Investment Strategies in Today's Market

41:09 The Reality of Unicorn Valuations

42:25 Challenges for B2B Startups

43:47 Lessons from 50 Cent's Hustle

45:44 Building Confidence in VC Careers

Dario's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariodewet/

LTV Capital - https://www.ltvcapital.co/

Course - How to become a successful emerging manager

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Shashank Randev — a seasoned operator turned investor and the Founder & General Partner at 247VC, one of India's boldest new seed funds. Before launching 247VC, Shashank co-founded 100X.VC, where he backed over 180 startups and helped pioneer the iSAFE note in India.

In this conversation, Shashank Randev, a seasoned operator and investor, discusses his journey from 100XVC to founding 247VC. We explore the evolving landscape of venture capital in India, the importance of backing diverse founders, common mistakes made by pre-seed founders, and the unique position of 247VC in the seed funding ecosystem. Shashank shares insights on valuation strategies, the significance of deep tech and AI investments, and the growing opportunities in non-metro India. The discussion also touches on the importance of education for aspiring engineers and the key considerations for investors when evaluating startups, and much more!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Shashank Randev and 247VC

01:05 Transition from 100XVC to 247VC

03:02 Backing Diverse Founders: Experience vs. Hunger

05:41 The Drive of Second-Time Founders

07:51 Common Mistakes of Pre-Seed Founders

10:15 Filling Gaps in the Indian Seed Landscape

13:09 Fundraising Insights for 247VC

16:04 Valuation Strategies for Seed Rounds

20:50 Investing in Deep Tech and Enterprise Tech

23:41 The Future of AI in India

27:49 Building for India: Opportunities and Growth

30:11 Understanding Non-Metro Markets: Insights and Strategies

33:48 The Evolution of AI: Industry-Specific Applications

35:19 The Future of Software: Pricing and Consumption Models

38:08 Education and Skills for the Future: Preparing the Next Generation

40:31 Investing in Startups: The Role of Founders and Market Dynamics

45:14 Navigating Founder Relationships: Capital vs. Value-Add

48:34 The Importance of Smart Capital: Beyond Just Funding

50:47 Reflections on the VC Journey: Lessons Learned

Shashank's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/shashankrandev/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shashankrandev/

Website – https://www.247vc.in/

Substack - https://substack.com/@shashankrandev

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Sachit Rajan, who is a Venture Capital Partner at Erez Capital and a Venture Partner at NetworkVC.org, specialising in early-stage startups across SaaS, fintech, and AI. With extensive experience leading multi-market operations at Charter Finco, Sachit has driven strategic growth, business scalability, and global market expansion.

In this conversation, Sachit Rajan shares his extensive journey in the world of startups and venture capital, discussing his experiences in market entry strategies, supporting early-stage startups, and navigating the evolving Middle East market. He emphasises the importance of clarity in startup ideas, the impact of AI on pricing models, and the balance between AI and human interaction in customer service. Sachit also reflects on the future of venture capital funds, emerging trends in early-stage investing, and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, and much more!

Timestamps

00:00 The Journey into Startups and Venture Capital

03:07 Navigating Early-Stage Startups

06:09 The Middle East Market Dynamics

09:08 The Evolving VC Landscape

12:11 Emerging Trends in IPOs and Investments

15:01 The AI Revolution in Investing

18:09 Differentiating Products in a Crowded Market

21:12 The Human Touch in Customer Service

24:03 The Future of OpenAI and AI Competition

27:19 Investment Decision-Making Framework

30:12 Mentorship and the VC Experience

33:10 Future of Growth Investing

36:13 Advice for Future Generations

Sachit's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/sachit-rajan/

Website - https://erezcapital.io/

Charles Finco - https://charterfinco.com/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Michelle Denogean is the author of the book "GrowUp! Take Your Startup to the Next Level," offer a comprehensive guide to navigating the challenges of scaling a startup.  She is the CMO of Mindtrip, a travel company. Michelle Denogean earned her MBA at Pepperdine University

In this episode, Michelle Denogean, author of 'Grow Up', shares her extensive experience in startups and marketing, discussing the impact of AI on the travel industry, the importance of understanding one's superpowers as a founder, and strategies for growth in challenging markets. She emphasises the significance of reputation management, recognising leadership blind spots, and the potential of pivots as opportunities for startups. Michelle also reflects on her journey of writing her book while managing a full-time career and offers insights into effective leadership and growth strategies for entrepreneurs and much more!

Timestamps

03:01 The Impact of AI on Travel and Marketing

07:43 Writing 'Grow Up': Insights and Unique Perspectives

10:29 The Role of Operators in Early-Stage Startups

13:11 Identifying Startup Superpowers and Core Competencies

18:11 Strategies for Growth in a Challenging Market

19:53 The Importance of Reputation Management for Startups

22:11 Winning Customers: The Role of Founders

24:01 Addressing Leadership Blind Spots

27:59 Recognizing When to Pivot

31:32 Overcoming the Fear of Failure

34:14 Transitioning from Startup to Growth Phase

35:41 The Book Writing Process and Lessons Learned

Michelle's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelledenogean/

Book - https://www.amazon.com/GrowUp-Take-Your-Startup-Level-ebook/dp/B0DG1GJRCB

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

Ali Hafizji is the CEO of Wednesday, an engineering services company specializing in - Data Engineering, Generative AI, and Application Modernization.

In this episode, Ali Hafizji, founder of Wednesday, shares how his frustration with clunky banking APIs sparked the idea to launch a high-performance engineering services firm. He dives into building outcome-focused teams, the evolution from MVP to product-market fit, and why founders must shift from intuition to data. Ali unpacks common mistakes startups make post-MVP, tips for leveraging AI tools effectively, and why retention—not vanity metrics—matters most. He also breaks down how India's unicorns embrace experimentation, when to pivot, and how to build brand and distribution moats in the AI era - and much more!

Timestamps

01:20 – How Ali got into startups and his first experience at an 11-person startup.

03:40 – Early startup exit and how he alternated between building and joining startups.

05:10 – Origin story of Wednesday and the inefficiencies he noticed while working with banks.

07:05 – Insight: Enterprises often "throw people at the problem" instead of solving it structurally.

08:30 – His vision of small, outcome-driven teams in engineering as a service.

10:15 – Advice on choosing between product vs. service startups for first-time founders.

12:20 – Key hiring advice: choose where you'll have a voice and mentors, not just "product vs service."

14:10 – Why sticking to an idea without market validation is risky.

16:00 – The major difference between MVP and Product-Market Fit (PMF).

17:30 – Most startups fail post-MVP due to chasing vanity metrics and scaling prematurely.

19:45 – What founders should track in the 30 days post-MVP (pirate metrics: AARRR).

22:00 – Ideal early retention metrics for B2C and B2B startups.

24:40 – Founders must shift from intuition-led to data-led decision-making post-MVP.

26:10 – The rise of no-code, AI, and solo MVP development—even for non-technical founders.

28:10 – Why founders should be building smarter, not just faster.

29:45 – On hiring post-MVP: what founders should evaluate in product development teams.

31:40 – How to build a moat and brand in the AI era—infuse values from day one.

33:20 – Distribution strategies: pick one GTM strategy based on your strengths and market.

35:40 – Powerful insight: start with unhappy users of competitors and work outward.

37:15 – How Wednesday charges for outcomes, not hours—reinventing the services model.

39:50 – What India's unicorns do right: mindset shift, humility, and relentless experimentation.

42:00 – When to pivot vs. when to persist: make decisions based on return on invested capital.

44:20 – Common MVP mistake: building too much instead of staying focused.

Ali's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/alihafizji

Website – https://www.wednesday.is/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Tom Kelly, a global tech leader and angel investor, works as the senior director of account management at Braze.  With deep expertise in customer success, AI adoption, and GTM strategy, Tom builds high-performing teams and invests in the next wave of startups shaping the future of tech.

In this episode, Tom Kelly, Senior Director at Braze and angel investor, shares his journey from physics and hedge funds to building global technical account teams. Tom dives into launching a new services arm inside a high-growth SaaS company, how to scale AI adoption across teams, and why distribution is the ultimate moat in today's product-rich world. He unpacks early-stage GTM mistakes, what he looks for as an angel investor, and how he's building an "AI ETF" through OpenAI, Anthropic, and XAI. Tom also shares why he moved to Dubai, the power of community, and the underrated impact of personal reinvention, and much more!

Timestamps

01:30 – Tom's unconventional start in tech from a physics and hedge fund background.

04:00 – Early career at CrowdVision and exposure to AI and machine learning in crowd tracking.

06:20 – Joining Braze: From generalist customer success to building the London office.

08:45 – Wearing multiple hats in the early days of Braze's CS team.

10:15 – Evolution into Technical Account Management (TAM) and co-founding the TAM team.

12:00 – Finding product-market fit for TAM services and rapid scale-up.

14:30 – Global TAM growth: Expansion into APAC, Dubai, London, and the U.S.

16:00 – The importance of leadership support and internal advocates when launching services.

18:15 – Making early customers your biggest advocates to accelerate adoption.

20:00 – KPIs beyond CSAT: Using OKRs effectively to track TAM performance.

23:00 – Mistakes with OKRs and how TAM team restructured them to be metrics-driven.

25:30 – How Tom led AI adoption across his 35-person TAM team.

28:00 – Hackathons and AI showcases to encourage AI culture internally.

30:00 – Klarna's AI workforce experiment: Layoffs, savings, and human comeback.

33:00 – Distribution as the new moat in a world where everyone can build with AI.

35:30 – Why early-stage companies rely on network and personal brand for GTM.

37:15 – The shift to regional, vertical SaaS businesses and specialized solutions.

39:00 – Should students still study computer science in an AI-first world?

41:30 – Most underrated skill in services: Empathy and personalized ROI communication.

44:00 – Tom's angel investing thesis: Founder passion, resilience, and baked-in distribution.

46:00 – Investing in OpenAI, Anthropic, XAI: Building an "AI ETF" portfolio.

48:00 – Why Tom moved from London to Dubai and how it transformed his lifestyle.

51:00 – Building new networks in Dubai: GCC Club, OPUS, wellness, and low alcohol lifestyle.

Tom's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkelly91/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

Agency: https://bit.ly/41YuNnx

I am thrilled to have Jason Schappert, the CEO of Moola, an AI-powered stock scoring and decision engine designed to empower the next generation of investors to achieve true financial freedom. Earlier - MzeroA was named one of the Inc. 500's top-growing private companies and recognized as a "Best Place to Work."

In this episode, Jason Schappert, founder of Moola, shares his journey from pest control routes to an eight-figure exit. Jason dives into bootstrapping his aviation edtech startup, turning early YouTube lessons into a thriving business, and scaling with scrappy tools and mindset. He unpacks key lessons on culture, hiring, and preparing for acquisition—plus why clean books matter more than user growth. Jason also discusses starting Moolah, an AI-powered finance app, and his philosophy on investing, crypto, and building through downturns. He shares advice on feature-locking MVPs, no-code tools, and embracing AI early—and much more!

Timestamps

00:02 – Jason's origin story: growing up in an entrepreneurial family and moving to Florida.

01:41 – Early lessons from his parents and his first flying experience at age 12.

03:31 – Starting MZeroA from his parents' house and his "wrong side of the deal" realization.

05:53 – Discovering GoPro cameras and using them to film flight lessons.

07:42 – Turning YouTube videos into a subscription-based business.

10:07 – The powerful advice: "You don't have to get it right, you just have to get it going."

11:49 – Losing their first acquisition deal due to messy bookkeeping.

14:08 – Turning the loss into an opportunity: hiring a fractional CFO and cleaning up the books.

16:38 – Viewing an acquisition like dating: aligning visions with the buyer is critical.

18:25 – Culture wake-up call: "This business is like a fraternity that makes money."

20:46 – Hiring based on culture fit, not just skill; story of a cop-turned-COO.

22:44 – Jason's hiring criteria: personality, hunger to learn, curiosity.

23:25 – Managing extreme personalities and team morale during exits.

25:37 – Post-exit identity crisis and getting back in the game within 48 hours.

28:02 – The philosophy of "hit the ball in one more time" and launching Moolah.

29:57 – Using AI to help users identify small savings and grow investments.

31:55 – How Jason allocates his portfolio across stocks, crypto, and other assets.

34:22 – XRP, Bitcoin, and the potential of #2 or #3 crypto players.

36:05 – Real estate investments: owning 600+ rental units and market observations.

37:58 – Emerging markets: ETFs, Africa, India, and policy-influenced investment strategy.

40:01 – European markets, regulation challenges, and strategic shifts.

42:14 – Building tech products without coding: tools, Upwork, and early hustling.

44:12 – Feature-locking MVPs and dealing with SEC, FINRA, FDIC regulations.

46:19 – Global expansion plans: why Latin America is next for Moolah.

48:14 – Advice to Gen Z & college grads: embrace AI, prompt engineering, and tech savviness.

Jason's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonschappert/

Website – https://moo.la/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

Agency: https://bit.ly/41YuNnx

I am excited to have Joseph Lee, the founder of Supademo - The fastest and easiest way to create high-converting interactive demos with AI. Over 70k professionals in marketing, growth, sales, and success use Supademo to enable customers, scale product adoption and close more deals.

In this episode, Joseph Lee, founder of Supademo and former Freshline co-founder, shares his journey from seafood marketplaces to revolutionizing product demos. Joseph dives into building a product-led SaaS company, how Supademo scaled through SEO, Reddit, and handcrafted outreach, and why intuitive UX beats feature bloat. He unpacks the importance of market over founder, building brand as a moat in the AI age, and lessons from past pricing and hiring mistakes. Joseph also shares why startups shouldn't overcapitalize early, how AI is reshaping the maker role, and his vision for Supademo becoming the "Calendly" of interactive demos—and much more!

Timestamps

01:05 – Joseph's accidental path into entrepreneurship and early projects.

02:30 – Founding Freshline and tackling inefficiencies in the seafood supply chain.

04:05 – Pivoting Freshline during the pandemic to serve food distributors.

05:10 – What inspired Joseph to build Supademo based on past demo frustrations.

07:00 – The problem Supademo solves for knowledge workers across teams.

08:20 – Lessons from Superhuman and thoughts on pre-launch hype and waitlists.

09:35 – Getting early traction: Product Hunt, SEO, Reddit, and cold outreach.

11:25 – Manual demo outreach tactic Joseph used to hook potential users.

12:40 – Supademo's PLG (Product-Led Growth) approach and ideal customers.

13:55 – Fundraising strategy: optimizing for optionality over maximization.

15:20 – Startup lessons from Freshline that influenced Supademo's early success.

16:55 – Why a strong market matters more than just a shiny idea or founder pedigree.

18:10 – Supademo's competitive moat: craftsmanship and brand, not features.

19:25 – Thoughts on remote vs. co-located teams for startup collaboration.

20:45 – The evolving definition of an engineer in the AI age.

22:05 – Future of product managers and convergence of maker skillsets.

23:15 – Supademo's proactive adoption of AI tools like Cursor and Windsurf.

24:10 – Crazy product bet: making the whole experience login-less—and winning big.

25:30 – Supademo's wide adoption across multiple functions beyond sales.

26:15 – Founders using Supademo for interactive investor pitch decks.

27:00 – Monetization lessons: underpricing and value-based pricing evolution.

29:00 – When to raise Series A: only with a clear growth thesis.

30:30 – Building outside Silicon Valley: Why Joseph moved from Canada to NYC.

Joseph's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhylee/

Website - https://supademo.com/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

Agency: https://bit.ly/41YuNnx

I am excited to have Vanessa Larco, who was a Partner at NEA and is now launching a fund called Premise, where she led investments in breakthrough companies like Cleo, Rocket.Chat, Mejuri, EvidentID, Greenlight Card, Feather, and Lily AI. She also served as a board observer for high-growth startups including Robinhood, Willow Pump, and OmniSci.

In this episode, Vanessa Larco, ex-Partner at NEA and founding GP of Primis, shares her journey from product management at Microsoft and Box to becoming a leading early-stage VC. Vanessa dives into how AI is reshaping product roles, what makes the next wave of consumer tech exciting, and why she believes we're entering a new era of category-defining startups. She unpacks the traits of exceptional founders, the underrated importance of TAM, and how the VC landscape is evolving with secondaries and mega-funds, and much more!

Timestamps

[04:20] – Building and shipping at Microsoft, then moving to Xbox and gaming startups.

[06:05] – Transitioning from startups to Twilio and Box, and building mobile products.

[07:50] – Pete from NEA mentoring Vanessa and convincing her to join venture.

[09:40] – Staying at NEA for 8.5 years instead of the original 2-year plan.

[10:50] – Rohit asks about the future of product management in the AI era.

[12:00] – Vanessa shares frustrations with tedious PM tasks and hopes for automation.

[15:00] – Desire for AI to handle unstructured data like tickets, reviews, and bugs.

[16:50] – Shift in mindset: From fire drills to strategic product thinking.

[18:00] – Vanessa's bullish view on consumer tech while others are pulling back.

[20:00] – Three historical waves in consumer tech and the emergence of a fourth wave.

[22:00] – ChatGPT and LLMs as a tech unlock leading to radical behavioral change.

[24:15] – AI transforming how consumers buy and evaluate products online.

[26:00] – Rise of personal AI agents and implications for e-commerce.

[27:30] – Democratizing concierge-level services via LLMs in sectors like travel and styling.

[29:00] – Opportunity to offer top 1% experiences at 10% of the cost.

[30:30] – TAM expansion as a key to iconic company creation.

[31:30] – Discussion on multistage funds and changing venture dynamics.

[34:00] – The role of secondaries and need for different capital bases in long private cycles.

[36:00] – Common VC mistake: Underestimating TAM in consumer startups.

[37:00] – Lessons from scaling Robinhood: faster, cheaper, easier always wins.

[39:15] – Trust as the key reason consumer fintechs fail across borders.

[41:00] – Key traits Vanessa looks for in founders: obsessive learners, storytellers, and detail-oriented.

Vanessa's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessalarco/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

Agency: https://bit.ly/41YuNnx

I am thrilled to have Nick Huber, the founder of TheSweatyStartup.com, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and popular content creator focused on small business ownership. Nick cofounded and operates his primary business, Bolt Storage, a commercial real estate firm, which owns 1.9 million square feet of self-storage facilities across 62 locations in 11 states. He is the author of the new book, The Sweaty Startup.

In this episode, Nick Huber, founder of The Sweaty Startup and Bolt Storage, shares his journey from building a "boring" service business to managing 1.9 million square feet of self-storage facilities and investing in global talent through Somewhere. Nick unpacks why most people shouldn't be entrepreneurs, how to find your first sweaty startup idea, and the underrated power of consistency and confidence. He dives into the dangers of passion-driven businesses, the long road to leverage, and how to build wealth through simplicity, not scale, and much more!

Timestamps

[01:30] Why Nick invested in "Somewhere" after being a customer
[03:10] Raising $20M to acquire a business – Nick's first big acquisition
[04:50] Why he wrote "The Sweaty Startup" and its core message
[06:15] The myth of needing a world-changing idea to become wealthy
[07:40] How to pick a "sweaty startup" idea from Nick's curated list
[09:10] Why using credit cards or debt to start a business is risky
[10:35] Why most people shouldn't become entrepreneurs
[12:05] The idea of building equity without launching a business
[13:45] Why Nick's kids won't be doctors or lawyers
[15:00] What beginners misunderstand about leverage
[17:00] Climbing the leverage ladder – Nick's early journey
[18:45] Entrepreneurship is a long-term game: the snowball analogy
[20:30] Advice for founders affected by AI disruption and uncertainty
[22:10] Breaking analysis paralysis and how to start earning today
[24:00] Should you copy a successful business? Yes – with integrity
[25:15] Why following your passion is terrible business advice
[26:40] Making fast decisions vs. being over-prepared
[28:15] How to spot and fire bad customers
[30:00] Example of testing a business idea: local house painting
[32:00] Confidence over intelligence – underrated entrepreneurial trait
[34:00] The danger of crabs-in-a-bucket mindsets and bad environments
[36:00] First hires: why you should start low-risk and go offshore
[38:10] Nick's evolving definition of success
[41:00] Why "The Sweaty Startup" was written as a reminder to himself

Nick's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup/

Website – https://sweatystartup.com/ideas

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

Agency: https://bit.ly/41YuNnx

Levi Velez Reed is the founder of Twig Ventures is an investment syndicate specialising in sustainable consumer products and tech startups across North America, targeting companies at the pre-seed to seed stage. 

In this episode, Levi Velez Reed, founder of Twig Ventures, shares his journey from bootstrapping a marketing agency in New York to launching an investment syndicate focused on sustainable consumer products and tech startups. He explains the impact of removing unconscious bias in VC funding, supporting underrepresented founders, and creating accessible accelerator programs like Startup425. Levi discusses the unique business model of Twig Ventures, sustainable fashion innovations, and the importance of regenerative acquisition over paid ads, and much more!

Timestamps

01:11 - 03:40 – Levi discusses his background in startups, bootstrapping a marketing agency in upstate New York, and working with startups around Cornell University.

03:41 - 05:25 – Levi shares his decision to pursue an MBA in Barcelona at ESADE, which had an on-site accelerator and incubator program.

05:26 - 07:30 – Levi talks about his internship at a Barcelona-based eCommerce startup and his experience learning Spanish.

07:31 - 09:45 – Levi's summer internship at Amazon in Luxembourg, his experience there, and his journey back to Seattle for a full-time role.

09:46 - 13:15 – Levi's involvement with Founder Institute in Seattle, mentoring founders, and eventually becoming a co-director.

13:16 - 16:45 – Levi explains how Founders Institute works, its sponsorship model, and the support it provides to startups.

16:46 - 19:30 – Levi discusses the Startup425 accelerator in Seattle, which he helped design to support both traditional small businesses and venture-scale startups.

19:31 - 22:50 – Focus on underrepresented founders, particularly women and minorities, and how Startup425 is addressing funding inequities.

22:51 - 27:30 – Levi shares insights into unconscious bias in venture capital, referencing studies like the orchestra blind auditions and Loyal VC's model.

27:31 - 30:00 – Levi explains Loyal VC's portfolio and its efforts to remove bias, leading to higher investments in women-led startups.

30:01 - 33:15 – Discussion on immigrant founders and how global perspectives influence VC investments differently in various regions.

33:16 - 36:40 – Launching Twig Ventures, its focus on sustainable fashion and textiles, and its unique approach to syndicate investing.

36:41 - 39:30 – Levi shares the rationale behind forming a syndicate versus a traditional fund and how it aligns with his and his partner's career paths.

39:31 - 42:00 – Levi's views on angel investing as a way for people to have an impact even with small investments.

42:01 - 44:45 – Levi explains how angel investors can support founders beyond capital through mentorship and community involvement.

44:46 - 48:20 – Levi shares two exciting Twig Ventures investments: Sentient, a vegan leather brand, and Wear It, a digital fashion AI platform.

48:21 - 52:40 – Levi discusses the future of sustainable fashion, the role of AI, and why VCs have been cautious after the D2C boom of the 2010s.

52:41 - 55:30 – Levi's views on Shein, its business model, and its environmental impact on the fashion industry.

55:31 - 58:00 – Levi shares thoughts on thrifting, consumer awareness of fast fashion, and the potential for sustainable alternatives.

58:01 - 59:45 – Levi talks about how consumers voting with their wallets can drive change in sustainable fashion.

Levi's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/levireed/

Website – https://www.twig.se/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

Agency: https://bit.ly/41YuNnx

I am thrilled to have Greg Alexander, the founder of Collective 54, the first mastermind community for thriving professional services firms. Collective 54 helps founders and leaders grow, scale and exit their firms bigger and faster.

In this episode, Greg Alexander, founder of Collective 54 and author of The Boutique, shares his journey of building and scaling professional services firms. He explains the three life-cycle stages: Grow, Scale, and Exit, and the importance of moving away from trading time for money. Greg discusses the unique business model of Collective 54, monetisation strategies for boutique firms, the critical elements that make a firm sellable, and much more!

Timestamps

[00:02:30] - Inspiration behind writing The Boutique during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[00:04:15] - Explanation of the three phases of a boutique firm: Grow, Scale, and Exit.

[00:06:00] - Importance of moving away from trading time for money in monetization strategies.

[00:08:20] - Collective 54's unique model: mastermind community with monthly dues.

[00:09:45] - Retainers as a monetization strategy for marketing agencies.

[00:11:30] - Scaling professional services firms with technology and global talent.

[00:13:00] - The concept of leverage in professional services: increasing the ratio of non-partners to partners.

[00:14:45] - Example of a 100-to-1 leverage ratio in Collective 54.

[00:16:20] - Key differences between Collective 54 and other professional networks like Pavilion.

[00:18:00] - Collective 54's focus: professional services, boutique firms (25-250 employees), and the owner.

[00:20:10] - Criteria that make a boutique professional services firm sellable.

[00:22:00] - Importance of diversified client base and growth metrics for attractiveness to buyers.

[00:23:45] - The role of private equity in acquiring boutique professional services firms.

[00:25:30] - Focus on North American market due to time zone challenges and market size.

[00:27:10] - Different growth strategies for communities like Collective 54 and Pavilion.

[00:29:00] - Collective 54's member cap at 500 to maintain quality and meaningful connections.

[00:31:00] - Six key features of Collective 54: Network, Content, Events, Data, Software, and Coaching.

[00:34:00] - Future of professional services: increasing complexity and demand for expertise.

[00:35:30] - The shift towards gigification in professional services.

[00:37:20] - Advice for starting out in professional services: start with identifying a problem, not a solution.

[00:39:00] - Importance of selling painkillers (urgent problems) over vitamins (nice-to-have solutions).

Greg's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/gpalexander/

Website – https://www.collective54.com/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

Agency: https://bit.ly/41YuNnx

Renan Devillieres is the CEO of OSS Ventures. Renan Devillieres is a CEO who is passionate about making a positive impact on society and the environment, and who believes in using technology to drive change. Renan has a wealth of experience in areas such as manufacturing operations, SaaS, and venture capital. 

Timestamps

01:00 – Renan's unconventional path from Google search to joining McKinsey.

03:00 – Transition from factory director to building a tech startup; early failures and pivots.

05:10 – Moving to San Francisco, finding product-market fit, and exiting the company.

06:30 – Renan's "two-brain" perspective: manufacturing ops + tech nerd.

07:45 – The "McKinsey Mafia" mindset and lessons in execution and client obsession.

09:10 – Building a business in Brazil due to GDPR limitations in Europe.

10:30 – Insights into Brazil's leapfrog into mobile-first B2C products and the "Brazil Tax."

12:20 – Founding OSS Ventures to marry tech and factories.

13:50 – Crawling 400 industrial startups and discovering lack of deal flow.

15:30 – OSS Ventures' two-track model: invest or build startups from scratch.

17:00 – 22 companies launched, 11 have reached Series A, $34M ARR collectively.

18:15 – OSS is geography agnostic; scaling across 2,200 factories globally.

19:30 – U.S. vs. European ecosystems: founder mindset vs. investor influence.

21:00 – Lack of scale-stage capital and talent density in Europe.

22:40 – AI's impact: blue-collar factory jobs have already been reduced—white-collar roles are next.

24:00 – Supply chains must adapt to geopolitical uncertainty and rising material costs.

25:30 – Manufacturers now facing extreme swings in inputs like cocoa and need vertical integration.

27:15 – War economy forces creative supply chains; rethinking of products and processes.

28:30 – Advice to manufacturing founders: swing for big markets; this space is hard but rewarding.

29:40 – Learning from Elon Musk: physical innovation and first principles over optimizing CTRs.

31:10 – A cultural shift: new builders prefer solving real-world physical problems.

32:40 – The 12-week co-founding trial to test for resilience and fit with OSS.

Renan's Links 

LDN– https://fr.linkedin.com/in/renan-devillieres

Website – https://www.oss.ventures/

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

Agency: https://bit.ly/41YuNnx

Shubham Khoker was the Head of Growth at Topmate. Topmate.io is a fast-growing online platform that connects freelancers and clients, he used to lead the growth strategy and execution for the company. rifa.ai founder. IIT bombay

In this episode, Shubham Khoker, former Head of Growth at Topmate and founder of Rifa AI, shares his unconventional journey from UPSC preparation to the startup world, insights from scaling Topmate in India and the US, lessons from failed experiments, and the evolution of the creator economy. He discusses the future of AI in growth and operations, the difference between growth sales and traditional sales, and how brands can drive user retention, and much more!

Timestamps

[09:00] Early days at Topmate – not a marketplace, but a tool for freelancers.

[11:30] Topmate's shift from tool to marketplace model.

[13:00] Initial traction in India – focus on Bangalore and Mumbai.

[15:00] Decision to expand internationally – choosing the US market over others.

[18:00] Unique challenges in India: hesitation to pay for someone's time.

[20:00] Lessons learned from experimenting with free incentives in the US.

[22:00] How lack of pricing on Topmate's website hurt US expansion.

[24:00] CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) vs LTV (Lifetime Value) differences between India and US.

[26:30] Failed experiments: why cold outreach strategies in India didn't work in the US.

[29:00] Lessons from automation failures in early US outreach efforts.

[31:00] Shubham's view on when startups should consider paid acquisition.

[33:00] Key metrics Shubham used for growth and user acquisition.

[36:00] Difference between traditional sales vs. growth sales mindset.

[39:00] Importance of brand building even for small startups.

[41:30] Driving user retention: why talking directly to customers matters.

[44:00] Defining a retained and engaged user at Topmate.

[46:00] Underappreciated growth channel: how LinkedIn worked for Topmate.

[48:00] Creator economy trends in India vs. the US and sustainability challenges.

[52:00] How Shubham sees AI impacting marketing and growth roles.

[54:00] How Shubham uses AI tools like ChatGPT to support growth strategy.

Shubham's Links 

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/shubhamkhoker/

Website – Topmate.io, rifa.ai

My Links 

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

Agency: https://bit.ly/41YuNnx