VC Unfiltered aims to bring authenticity, humor, and unfiltered advice to the forefront of venture capital. VC Unfiltered features real conversations with entrepreneurs and investors, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the highs and lows of building successful ventures. We want to break down the barriers that often make the VC space feel intimidating and inaccessible, creating a platform where genuine interactions and honest insights can thrive. Through this series, we hope to inspire a sh ...
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The WatchPitch Podcast for start-ups and investors is the inside track to best practices, insights and candid conversations from successful entrepreneurs and investors. We talk about what investors are looking for in a pitch, what entrepreneurs need to avoid and what they need to turn the volume up on when meeting with investors. The show is about empowering decision-making and creating huge efficiencies in deal flow by the way we communicate.
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The Startup Science Podcast, hosted by Gregory Shepard, and produced by ForbesBooks, focuses on conversations in the cross-section of foundership and investing and features best-selling authors like Oren Klaff (Pitch Anything & Flip the Script), David Allen (Getting Things Done), and David Covey COO of FranklinCovey and author of Trap Tales: Outsmarting the 7 Hidden Obstacles to Success. Investing giants like Tim Draper, Leaders like NBA Coach Phill Weber, and newly exited founders like you. ...
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🎙️ To Pitch and Prosper Decoding the DNA of Startup Funding Welcome to To Pitch and Prosper, where host Delia Bogues unravels the complex strands that make up successful startup funding. Through in-depth conversations with founders, investors, and ecosystem architects, we examine the genetic code of venture capital - from pitch psychology to deal structures, from relationship building to scaling strategies. Each episode sequences a different aspect of the funding landscape: The Network Genom ...
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The Truth About Climate Startups | Gabrielle Darbyshire
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32:05Is the power law dead for climate startups? Should VCs stop chasing unicorns and start funding real impact? In this thought-provoking episode, Lucas J Pols, GP at Pegasus Angel Accelerator, sits down with Gaby Darbyshire, General Partner at Dangerous Ventures, to unpack how climate venture capital is shifting — and why that’s a good thing. Gaby sha…
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How AI Is Reshaping Startups | VC Panel + Startup Pitch Competition
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1:01:44In this special episode of VC Unfiltered, recorded live at Lightning Round IV, we kick things off with a high-powered panel discussion on the future of artificial intelligence and its growing impact on the startup ecosystem. Experts from 2045 Ventures, Steamwork Ventures, Eviden, and TCA LA dive into where AI is disrupting industries like healthcar…
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$300M Valuations for AI Startups? It's Just Getting Started | Derek Norton
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25:15In this episode of VC Unfiltered, host Lucas J Pols, GP at Pegasus Angel Accelerator, sits down with Derek Norton, Managing Partner at Watertower Ventures, to unpack how the venture capital landscape is fundamentally shifting — again. Derek shares how his team thinks about investing at the earliest stages, what founders need to survive (and thrive)…
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From Farm to Fortune: Toph Day on Building Businesses, Leading with Humility, and Fueling Innovation in the Midwest (Part Two)
18:40
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18:40In Part 2, Greg continues his conversation with Toph Day, the visionary CEO of Elevate Ventures. Toph dives deeper into his mission to build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Indiana, explaining why the state is becoming a global hub for innovation and why it’s the perfect place for startups to grow. From Indiana’s top-ranked infrastructure a…
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From Farm to Fortune: Toph Day on Building Businesses, Leading with Humility, and Fueling Innovation in the Midwest (Part One)
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31:56
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31:56In this electrifying episode of the Startup Science Podcast, Greg Shepard sits down with Toph Day, the visionary CEO of Elevate Ventures, one of the most active seed and early-stage investors in the Great Lakes Region and a top 20 venture capital firm globally. With over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience and multiple exits to Fortune 500 compa…
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Igne’s Episode – Raising £600k in 6 Months Through Networking
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26:19In this eye-opening episode, Igne shares how she raised £600,000 in just six months by leveraging the power of her network. From relationship-building tactics to strategic asks, Igne reveals the mindset, skills, and perseverance it takes to transform connections into capital. Whether you're a founder looking to fundraise or a professional seeking t…
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Aras Sheikhi: Bridging Academia and Entrepreneurship for Immigrant Innovators (Part Two)
19:49
19:49
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19:49In Part 2, Greg Shepard and Aras Sheikhi explore the intricate world of entrepreneurship, offering profound insights for academics and startup founders. They delve into the mechanics of innovation hubs and accelerators, revealing how early-stage startups can transform innovative ideas into market-ready solutions. Greg shares critical advice for res…
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Aras Sheikhi: Bridging Academia and Entrepreneurship for Immigrant Innovators (Part One)
19:20
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19:20In this episode of Startup Science, Greg sits down with Aras Sheikhi, a dynamic leader who transformed his academic career into a mission of empowering immigrant entrepreneurs. From pioneering blockchain research in Iran to founding the Janus Innovation Hub in San Diego, Aras shares his remarkable transition from university professor to startup fou…
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Venture Capital Data & Trends Decoded | Peter Walker
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41:30In this special episode of VC Unfiltered, Taissa Maleh, Venture Partner at Pegasus, introduces an insightful webinar featuring Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta. Peter dives deep into data trends shaping the venture capital and startup landscape as we approach 2025. From the rise of AI in startups to shifts in funding strategies and market dy…
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Navigating Risks, Rewards, and Innovations in Angel Investing with Patrick Gouhin (Part Two)
19:17
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19:17In part two of this engaging conversation on The Startup Science Podcast, Greg continues his discussion with Patrick Gouhin, CEO of the Angel Capital Association (ACA). This episode dives deeper into the dynamics of angel investing, focusing on balancing risk and opportunity for both investors and entrepreneurs. Patrick emphasizes the critical role…
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Navigating Risks, Rewards, and Innovations in Angel Investing with Patrick Gouhin (Part One)
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24:02In this episode of The Startup Science Podcast, Greg engages in an insightful conversation with Patrick Gouhin, CEO of the Angel Capital Association (ACA). Patrick shares his remarkable journey from aerospace engineering to leading an organization that represents over 16,000 angel investors, collectively deploying nearly $1 billion annually to fund…
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Venture Capital, Power Law, & Startups | VC Panel
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32:18In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Len Lanzi of The Preccelerator interviews Petra Griffith of Wedbush Ventures, Andrew Darcovich of Alpha Edison, and Brandon Maier of LvlUp Ventures. The panel discusses the current state of venture capital, emphasizing the challenges of fundraising in today's environment. They explore the benefits of bootstrapping,…
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Investing in Health & Wellness Startups | Helene Servillon
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27:20In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Lucas J Pols, General Partner of Pegasus Angel Accelerator, interviews Helene Servillon from JourneyOne Ventures. Helene discusses her investment strategies in the health and wellness sector, focusing on modernizing ancient healing practices, exploring innovative solutions in mental health, and much more! The conve…
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In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Griffin Hermes, Principal at Pegasus Angel Accelerator, interviews Marshall Smith of Steamwork Ventures, Maurice Maschmeyer of BAM Ventures, and Blake Caldwell of FoundersBoost. Join our expert panel as we dive deep into the nuances of venture capital and offer essential insights for founders navigating the startup…
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Investing in the Future of Gaming | Dan Bunting
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29:52In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Lucas J Pols, Managing Partner of Pegasus Angel Accelerator, interviews Dan Bunting from 1AM Gaming. In this conversation, Dan discusses the unique focus of their venture capital fund on content-driven investments in the gaming industry. He elaborates on the lifecycle of game development, the challenges indie devel…
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How Coolwater Capital Accelerates New Fund Managers | Winter Mead
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30:48In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Lucas J Pols, Managing Partner of Pegasus Angel Accelerator, interviews Winter Mead from Coolwater Capital. 0:19 - Intro 0:50 - What is Coolwater Capital? 5:04 - Coolwater's application process 09:13 - Coolwater's Training Program 13:18 - Mistakes emerging managers make when talking to LPs 21:16 - Coolwater role in…
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Forging the Future: EdTech, Investment, and Education Equality with Ash Kaluarachchi (Part Two)
20:51
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20:51Greg continues his conversation with Ash Kaluarachchi, CEO of StartEd, diving deeper into the world of education technology. Ash offers valuable insights for both investors and entrepreneurs, emphasizing the long-term potential of EdTech and the importance of patient capital. They discuss the aftermath of the pandemic, which created both an influx …
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Forging the Future: EdTech, Investment, and Education Equality with Ash Kaluarachchi (Part One)
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29:23Greg welcomes Ash Kaluarachchi, CEO of StartEd and producer of EDTECH WEEK. Ash shares how his upbringing in a school run by his mother inspired his passion for education technology. They discuss the evolution of the EdTech landscape and how StartEd's innovative accelerator model provides personalized support to startups, moving away from tradition…
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In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Lucas J Pols, Managing Partner of Pegasus Angel Accelerator, interviews Carey Ransom from BankTech Ventures! Listen to find out more about venture capital and early-stage startup investing! 0:00 - Intro 1:06 - What is BankTech Ventures? 6:02 - How hands-on are they? 8:51 - What is Operate? 14:11 - Tell a war story …
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The Operator Approach to Venture Capital with Chris Van Dusen (Part Two)
22:49
22:49
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22:49In the second part of their conversation, Greg and Chris delve into insightful discussions around investing in the post-COVID era, the AI hype cycle, and how to evaluate opportunities in today's market. Chris provides a candid perspective on the valuation excesses of 2021 and why prudent valuations are critical for preserving investor capital. He s…
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The Operator Approach to Venture Capital with Chris Van Dusen (Part One)
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32:51
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32:51In this episode, Greg chats with Chris Van Dusen, a Senior Partner at Solyco Capital - a vertically integrated investment firm taking a unique private equity approach to venture capital. Chris shares his incredible entrepreneurial background, including founding and exiting several companies like a major CBD brand as well as starting a liquor distil…
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AI, Startup Investing, Due Diligence, & Angel Investing | TCA Venture Group Panel
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40:25In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Pat Hwang, president of TCA OC, leads a panel discussion with Sanjeev Rao of River Guide Labs and Yipeng Zhao of Embark Ventures! Listen to find out more about venture capital and early-stage startup investing! Our website: pegasusangelaccelerator.com Follow Us: pegasusunfiltered.substack.com linkedin.com/company/p…
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Venture Capital Panel Discussion | TCA Venture Group
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28:39
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28:39In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Parisa Khosropour, president of TCA LA, leads a panel discussion with John Tabis of M13, Laurent Grill of JLL Spark Global Ventures, Howard Ko of Morpheus Ventures, and Rick Smith of Crosscut Ventures. Listen to find out more about venture capital and early-stage startup investing! Our website: pegasusangelaccelera…
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Ilya Strebulaev | Author of Venture Mindset
41:57
41:57
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41:57Introducing "VC Unfiltered" - A New Series Hosted by Lucas J. Pols We're thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new series, "VC Unfiltered," hosted by our founding partner, Lucas J. Pols. This exciting series promises to deliver candid conversations and invaluable insights from industry leaders and experts in venture capital and startup ecosy…
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The Philosophy of AI: Examining the Ethical Implications with David Danks (Part Two)
22:20
22:20
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22:20In the second half of the episode, the conversation dives deeper into the practical applications of AI that entrepreneurs can leverage. David explains time series models for forecasting how situations evolve over time and how founders can use causal discovery techniques to identify the true drivers of outcomes rather than just correlations. They di…
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The Philosophy of AI: Examining the Ethical Implications with David Danks (Part One)
30:03
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30:03In this fascinating episode, Greg talks with David Danks, Professor of Data Science and Philosophy at UC San Diego. David's research explores the intersection of philosophy, cognitive science, and machine learning to tackle complex interdisciplinary problems around AI. They dive into the philosophical considerations around the rapid advancement of …
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The Business of Open-Source: A Conversation with Heather Meeker (Part Two)
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27:40In the second half of this episode, Greg continues his illuminating open-source conversation with Heather Meeker, General Partner at OSS Capital. With her deep expertise on both the legal and business strategy sides, Heather shares invaluable insights for investors evaluating commercial open-source startups. Heather outlines key factors investors s…
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The Business of Open-Source: A Conversation with Heather Meeker (Part One)
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20:50Heather Meeker, a leading expert on open-source software licensing and business strategy, joins Greg on the podcast. Heather is a General Partner at OSS Capital, an early-stage VC fund investing exclusively in commercial open-source startups. In this episode, Greg and Heather discuss her latest book, "From Project to Profit: How to Build a Business…
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Paving the Way in Canadian Tech: A Chat with Owen Matthews (Part Two)
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27:04
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27:04In part two of their talk, Owen provides background on the Canadian Fulbright Entrepreneur Initiative, which enables Canadian entrepreneurs to study approaches to innovation and entrepreneurship in leading ecosystems. Owen also touches on his aim to serve as a "humble thought leader" seeking to make meaningful contributions rather than pursue statu…
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Paving the Way in Canadian Tech: A Chat with Owen Matthews (Part One)
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18:38This week on The Startup Science Podcast, Greg is joined by pioneering technology entrepreneur and investor Owen Matthews. As Chairman of Alacrity Canada, Owen has made major contributions to Western Canada's tech ecosystem through his ventures and his work with Alacrity. As Chairman, Owen has helped bring over $225 million into Western Canada's te…
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Rising from Adversity to Trailblaze the Future: The Incredible Journey of Tech Visionary Victorio Pellicano (Part Two)
23:58
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23:58In Part 2 of Victorio Pellicano's conversation on the Startup Science podcast, Greg and Vic go deeper into the mindset and motivation of this tech pioneer. They discuss how Vic stays focused when facing life's turbulence and keeps moving forward with resilience. He shares how he fights adversity and uncertainty as an entrepreneur while maintaining …
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Rising from Adversity to Trailblaze the Future: The Incredible Journey of Tech Visionary Victorio Pellicano (Part One)
29:04
29:04
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29:04In this episode, Greg sits down with Victorio Pellicano, a modern phoenix who overcame homelessness and loss to become a leading tech entrepreneur. After growing his compassion-driven software company Verenia and selling it to Oracle, Pellicano now leads Avianna, merging AI and robotics to transform the world. Beyond his triumphs, Pellicano finds b…
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Crossing the Chasm Between Markets and Meaning with Geoffrey Moore (Part Two)
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28:18In part two of his talk with Greg, Geoffrey Moore reveals the two critical mistakes that often trip up startup founders. He outlines how to avoid innovation adoption pitfalls and successfully cross the chasm from early adopters to mainstream customers. The conversation centers on Moore's pioneering frameworks for crafting compelling narratives duri…
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Crossing the Chasm Between Markets and Meaning with Geoffrey Moore (Part One)
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26:42Buckle up for an electrifying conversation with Geoffrey Moore, the guru behind seminal works like Crossing the Chasm and Inside the Tornado. Drawing on decades advising leading companies, Moore downloads his wealth of wisdom about navigating disruptive innovations and bridging the chasm between early adopters and the mainstream market. You'll get …
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Crafting Compelling Narratives That Transform Brands: A Chat with Park Howell (Part Two)
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26:43The brand storytelling continues as Park explains how Joseph Campbell's Heroes Journey theory can transform B2B company narratives. Going beyond product features and benefits, you'll learn how to craft a compelling origin story that emotionally resonates with your audience. Park also dives into the necessary ingredients for an engaging brand narrat…
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Crafting Compelling Narratives That Transform Brands: A Chat with Park Howell (Part One)
31:26
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31:26What story does your brand tell? This week on Startup Science Podcast, Greg talks with Park Howell, the world's most industrious storyteller. Park has spent over 35 years growing purpose-driven brands by up to 600% through strategic storytelling. As host of Business of Story and author of Brand Bewitchery and The Narrative Gym for Business, he's he…
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How to Be a Founder with Alice Bentinck (Part Two)
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23:00In the second part of Greg’s conversation with Alice Bentinck, the co-founder of Entrepreneur First, they dive deeper into the topic of diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Alice shares her vision and mission behind Code First: Girls, a not-for-profit organization that has taught 30,000 women to code for free while they were at university.…
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How to Be a Founder with Alice Bentinck (Part One)
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23:44What does it take to be a founder of a successful tech startup? How do you find the right co-founder, idea, and market? How do you overcome the challenges and uncertainties of building something from scratch? In this episode of the Startup Science Podcast, Greg talks to Alice Bentinck, a co-founder and General Partner at Entrepreneur First, an inte…
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From Sea to Success: How Argyris Stasinakis Turned MarineTraffic into a Global Leader in Ship Tracking and Data Intelligence (Part Two)
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15:14Greg wraps up his conversation with Argyris Stasinakis, the inspiring Executive Partner and Board Member at MarineTraffic. In this episode, Greg and Argyris dive into the intersection of science and business and explore the challenges of executing ideas in the early stages of a startup. Argyris shares his insights on how MarineTraffic was able to r…
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From Sea to Success: How Argyris Stasinakis Turned MarineTraffic into a Global Leader in Ship Tracking and Data Intelligence (Part One)
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16:30On this episode of the Startup Science Podcast, Greg has the privilege of speaking with the one and only Argyris Stasinakis, a true visionary and pioneer in the world of maritime technology. Join them as they explore Argyris's journey, from his early days as an entrepreneur to his current role as Executive Partner and Board Member at MarineTraffic.…
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Episode 31 | Part Two: The Next Generation
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22:58In the conclusion of Greg's conversation with Umran Beba and Korhan Beba from the Beba Innovation & Entrepreneurship Foundation, Umran & Korhan discuss the importance of building a strong team and how academia is preparing the next generation of start-up entrepreneurs.By Gregory Shepard
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Episode 31 | Part One: The Next Generation
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24:35Greg welcomes Umran Beba and Korhan Beba from the Beba Innovation & Entrepreneurship Foundation to the podcast. Umran is the foundation's founder and is an experienced senior business executive with over 30 years of experience in general management, talent, and diversity. Korhan is the foundation’s Executive Director and has 25 years of experience …
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In the conclusion of Greg's chat with Alessandro Marianantoni, the Founder of M Accelerator, Alessandro provides some guidance for startup entrepreneurs and talks about how his program is helping entrepreneurs avoid potential landmines.By Gregory Shepard
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Greg is joined by Alessandro Marianantoni this week. Alessandro is the Executive Director and Founder at M Accelerator in Los Angeles which offers programs to serve southern California and International Startup ecosystems and provides students, early stage, and later stage founders with skills to grow their startups. In part one, Alessandro explain…
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In the conclusion of Greg's talk with Magnus Grimeland, the Founder of Antler, Magnus discusses why his team does not define Antler as an accelerator, and he shares some advice on what every startup entrepreneur should always do first.By Gregory Shepard
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Greg welcomes Magnus Grimeland to the BOSS Podcast. Magnus is the founder of Antler, a global early-stage VC, investing and enabling thousands of entrepreneurs worldwide to realize their dreams and change the world. In part one, Magnus shares his inspiration for helping leaders build businesses and what he learned from his experiences at Facebook, …
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Episode 28 | Part Two: Investment and Growth
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29:35Greg concludes his conversation with Jan Arp and Elisabeth Laett, the Managing Partners at the Holt Xchange. In part two, Jan & Elisabeth talk about the importance of product management and why they believe “fintech is life.”By Gregory Shepard
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Episode 28 | Part One: Investment and Growth
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34:13This week, Greg is joined by Jan Arp and Elisabeth Laett, the Managing Partners at Holt Xchange, a global seed-stage Venture Capital fund investing in fintech business application companies across the globe. In part one, Elisabeth explains how Quebec has become the Silicon Valley of Canada, and Jan shares why the Holt Xchange was founded and why it…
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Episode 27 | Part Two: The Spirit of Houston
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16:27In the conclusion of Greg's conversation with David Cook, the Executive Director of the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, Dave talks about the hands-on activities incorporated into his program and the accomplishment he is most proud of at the University of Houston.By Gregory Shepard
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Episode 27 | Part One: The Spirit of Houston
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20:23Greg often discusses what academia is doing to improve the entrepreneurial failure rate, and this week he's highlighting one of the best programs in the country. The Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship at the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston has been named the #1 undergraduate entrepreneurship program in the United States for th…
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