Venture Everywhere – Details, episodes & analysis

In episode 60 of Venture Everywhere, host Noah Spirakus, Partner at Everywhere Ventures, talks with Mark Heynen, co-founder of Knapsack, a free, private meeting notetaker and automation platform.  Mark shares his startup journey, from fintech to AI, driven by his passion for expanding access to essential tools. Mark also discusses how Knapsack leverages AI to protect data and build user-friendly applications for diverse customer bases, shaping the future of how businesses interact with technology.

In this episode, you will hear:

• AI models are rapidly becoming commoditized.
• How Knapsack's AI automates meetings and manages contacts, enhancing productivity.
• The vulnerabilities of storing and processing data on third-party AI cloud platforms.
• Underutilization of AI in financial services, particularly in relationship management.
• Why companies delay AI adoption over privacy, regulation, and security risks.

Learn more about Mark Heynen | Knapsack

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markheynen/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markheynen/ 

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@markheynen 

X: https://x.com/markheynen

Website: https://www.knapsack.ai/ 

Learn more about Noah Spirakus | Everywhere VC

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahspirakus/

Website: https://everywhere.vc/

In episode 59 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Scott Harley, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Everywhere VC, chats with Arianna Armelli, founder and CEO of Dorothy, a startup revolutionizing disaster recovery by streamlining post-disaster navigation for policyholders. Arianna shares how her background in urban planning and firsthand experience with disaster response inefficiencies inspired her to launch Dorothy. Arianna also  discusses the company’s pivot to advocating for homeowners in disputes and explains how AI and automation are driving a more proactive and accessible approach to disaster recovery.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Dorothy’s shift on enhancing public adjusters' roles to secure fair homeowner settlements.
• How delayed insurance payouts create financial hardship for homeowners.
• Policyholders' challenges in understanding coverage and resolving claim disputes.
• Community-led efforts can sometimes be more effective than government response.
• Conflict between fair settlements for policyholders and insurers' profit motives.

Learn more about Arianna Armelli | Dorothy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariannaarmelli/

Website: https://www.hidorothy.com/

Learn more about Scott Hartley | Everywhere VC

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotthartley/

Website: https://everywhere.vc/

Episode 50 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Jenny Fielding, Co-founder and GP of Everywhere Ventures. She chats with Matt Biringer, co-founder and CEO of North, a cloud optimization platform designed to democratize cost efficiency for businesses of all sizes. Matt shares his transition from a career in sales to founding North and how it empowers businesses to optimize and reduce cloud costs, especially on AWS. Matt discussed his vision for cloud-based finance management, aiming to transform operations by leveraging AI and innovative automation solutions.

In this episode, you will hear:

• The complexities of cloud licensing and why North started with AWS.
• How North prioritizes customer experience to differentiate from competitors.
• Streamlining cloud management with innovative dashboards to eliminate inefficient manual processes.
• Addressing misconceptions about the cloud finance market.
• Security considerations in product development for tech companies.
• Distinction between one-time services and ongoing cloud optimization processes.
• Recognizing potential and intangibles in people.

Learn more about Matt Biringer |  North

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbiringer/

Website: https://www.north.cloud/

Learn more about Jenny Fielding | Everywhere VC

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyfielding/

Website: https://everywhere.vc/

Episode 49 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Scott Harley, Co-founder and managing director of Everywhere VC. He chats with Amanda Jacobson,  CRO of Radar, an enterprise-focused CFO suite offering treasury management services that specialize in payment reconciliation, disbursement, and collections in LatAm. Amanda shares her journey as a startup leader and experiences in social enterprise, fintech, and operations across markets in Mexico and Chile. Amanda also discussed fintech's evolution in LatAm and how Radar is solving complex financial reconciliation issues for enterprises.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Radar’s suite of products focused on treasury management and financial operations.
• Success with clients like GNP and challenges of complex data reconciliation.
• Regulatory and systemic risks in emerging markets like Mexico and Chile
• Achieving product-market fit and adapting to market differences.
• Listening to clients and adapting Radar’s offerings for specific reconciliation needs.
• Collaboration with established financial institutions to manage risk and drive innovation in fintech.

Learn more about Amanda Jacobson | Radar

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

Website: https://www.somosradar.com/

Learn more about Scott Harley | Everywhere Ventures

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotthartley/

Website:  https://everywhere.vc/ | https://scotthartley.com/

Episode 48 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Becky Yang, venture partner at Everywhere Ventures, previously an operator in high-growth startups, with 20 years of experience in finance, tech, and climate investing and consulting. She chats with Meredith Danberg-Ficarelli, co-founder and CEO of WATS, a waste data management company driving cost savings and waste diversion for multi-site businesses. Meredith shares her journey in co-founding WATS and its innovative solutions to create more sustainable systems. Meredith also discusses the future of waste management, promoting best practices for zero-waste operations while supporting sustainability and local economies.

In this episode, you will hear:

• WATS' mission to drive cost savings and waste diversion using data.
• The complexities of zero-waste operations in urban environments like New York City.
• Utilizing AI and automation to enhance recycling processes and boost operational efficiency.
• Challenges in the waste management sector such as time constraints and insufficient incentives.
• Measuring the impact of waste management on carbon emissions and sustainability.

Learn more about Becky Yang | Everywhere Ventures

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

Website: https://everywhere.vc/

Learn more about Meredith Danberg-Ficarelli | WATS

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

Website: https://www.getwats.com/

Episode 47 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Ari Newman, an LP of Everywhere Ventures and Partner in The Fund Rockies and also the co-founder and managing director at Massive, a multi-stage venture firm that invests in deep tech, enterprise, and climate.

He chats with Gadalia Montoya Weinberg O'Bryan, Founder and CEO of Dapple Security, a cybersecurity company protecting companies against phishing and ransomware by securing their workforce logins. Gadalia shares how Dapple’s biometric login solution is transforming security, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. Gadalia also discusses the future of multi-factor authentication (MFA) and the impact of quantum computing in the cybersecurity landscape.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Key difference between traditional MFA (such as SMS-based) and phishing-resistant technology.

• Evolution of cryptographic standards in the face of growing computational power.

• How Dapple’s biometric solution eliminates shared secrets.

• Balancing security with ease of use to drive higher adoption rates for MFA solutions.

• Dapple’s aim to enhance user experience and security with low-friction solutions for greater adoption.

Learn more about Ari Newman | Everywhere Ventures |

The Fund Rockies | Massive Capital Partners

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

Websites: https://everywhere.vc/

                  https://thefund.vc/community/rockies/  

                  https://www.massive.vc/

Learn more about Gadalia O'Bryan | Dapple Security

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gadalia-o-bryan/

Website: https://dapplesecurity.com/

Episode 46 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Mishal Thadani, co-founder and CEO of Rhizome, a company offering advanced climate risk mitigation for communities and businesses against extreme weather events. He chats with Eren Aksu, CEO and co-founder of ThreeV, an insights automation platform for asset-intensive industries, starting with power and utilities and expanding into oil, gas, and public infrastructure. Eren shares his journey from augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to creating an insights automation platform. Mishal and Eren also discussed social impact in their work and the need for innovative solutions to address real-world problems.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Consolidating diverse data sources to build effective models for utilities.
• ThreeV's core values—mission, mastery, and moral integrity for a transparent, collaborative work environment.
• Executive buy-in for innovation and the collaborative nature of the utility industry.
• Combination of timing, product, and the team for ThreeV’s success in the market.
• AI’s rise and its opportunities for innovation and efficiency in the utility sector.

Learn more about Mishal Thadani | Rhizome

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mishal-thadani/

Website: https://www.rhizomedata.com/

Learn more about Eren Aksu | ThreeV

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eren-aksu

https://www.erenaksu.net/

Website: https://www.threev.ai/ 

Episode 45 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Tim Hsia, co-founder and CEO of VetraFi, a fintech company offering financial tools specifically designed for military personnel. He chats with Carrie Marshall, co-founder and CEO of Rebel Space, a company developing autonomous cybersecurity software to protect spacecraft, ground stations, and mission operations. Carrie shares how her experience in cybersecurity and military background shaped her approach to operations in the aerospace sector. Carrie also discusses the challenges of modern space infrastructure, cybersecurity threats, and the critical role automation plays in space systems today.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Complexity of space operations and the increased commercial involvement.
• Rebel Space aims to automate space and cyber operations to reduce human errors.
• The need for effective military-commercial communication in space and cybersecurity.
• Growing threats from both foreign actors and everyday hackers in the space domain.
• Challenges of training and supporting operators in a complex and contested space environment.
• “Buy what you can, build what you must” approach to address issues and cut costs.

Learn more about Tim Hsia | VetraFi

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

Website: https://www.vetrafi.com/

Learn more about Carrie Marshall | Rebel Space

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

Website: https://www.rebelspacetech.com/

Episode 44 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Gabriela Isturiz, General Partner at The Fund XX, ex-legal tech founder with two Fortune 500 exits, now investing in and supporting startups. She interviews Kory Kelly, the Founder and CEO of Legal Karma, a platform offering estate planning solutions, such as trusts and power of attorney, through financial institutions. Kory shares his journey of founding Legal Karma and its mission to make these services more accessible and affordable. Kory also discusses how the company is revolutionizing legal tech by collaborating with trusted financial institutions to deliver estate planning and other legal services.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Legal Karma’s shift from direct-to-consumer to partnering with financial institutions for legal services.
• Kory’s motivation to improve access to legal services for marginalized communities.
• Aligning with the generational transfer of wealth for impactful growth opportunities.
• Strong partnerships and a modular product structure to minimize tech debt.
• Future fundraising plans to reach a Series A round by 2026.
• The long-term goal to transform how Americans access legal services.

Learn more about Gabriela Isturiz | The Fund

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

Website: https://ideas.thefund.vc/

Learn more about Kory Kelly | Legal Karma

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

Website: https://www.legalkarma.io/

Episode 43 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Juan Camilo (JC) González Trujillo, the co-founder and CEO of Figuro, a SaaS platform transforming insurance distribution in Latin America, empowering agents and intermediaries to sell more policies with cutting-edge technology. He chats with Amr Darwish,  co-founder and CEO of Oola, a startup building digital tools that bring transparency and scalability to the insurance industry in Egypt and the MENA region. JC and Amr talk about insurance in their geographies and explore the need for collaboration among Insurtech companies to drive growth and innovation.

In this episode, you will hear:

• The importance of digitization in Insurtech especially in emerging markets.
• Oola's strategy to enhance communication between brokers and carriers.
• The lack of region-specific reinsurance options in MENA and LATAM.
• How Figuro and Oola are leveraging data and technology to modernize insurance distribution.
• Increasing gap between consumer expectations and outdated insurance systems.
• Potential for improving reinsurance solutions with better local data and understanding.
• The long-term vision for Oola and Figuro in transforming the insurance landscape.

Learn more about Juan Camilo (JC) González Trujillo | Figuro 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-camilo-gonzalez-t/ 

Website: https://www.figuro.la/ 

Learn more about Amr Darwish | Oola

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amr-hmdarwish/ 

Website: https://www.oola.tech/en/home