The Innovators & Investors Podcast: Connecting the Startup Ecosystem. We are on a mission to bridge the gap between founders, investors, and industry leaders across the early-stage ecosystem. By bringing together visionaries from cutting-edge startups, venture capitalists, family offices, angel investors, accelerators, and studios, we offer a platform for sharing invaluable insights, market trends, and first-hand experiences. Whether you’re an entrepreneur navigating the challenges of buildi ...
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1
Breaking Barriers: Fostering Diversity in Angel Investing with Ralph Groce
40:48
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40:48In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez welcomes Ralph Groce, an angel investor and partner at Scroobious. The conversation dives into the systemic challenges faced by underrepresented founders—especially women and people of color—in accessing capital. Scroobious aims to bridge the gap between these talented f…
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How BrightHive is Unlocking the Power of AI to Transform Data-Driven Work
46:32
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46:32In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Suzanne El-Moursi, co-founder and CEO of BrightHive, to discuss how AI-driven data solutions are transforming the workplace. Suzanne shares BrightHive’s mission to make data insights accessible to all employees through agentic AI—specialized autonomous age…
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Navigating the Startup Landscape: Insights from Raj Malik of Pixel Perfect Ventures
43:43
43:43
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43:43Join host Kristian Marquez in this insightful episode of The Innovators and Investors Podcast featuring Raj Malik, partner at Pixel Perfect Ventures. In this episode, Raj delves into the significance of grit and adaptability in founders as they navigate the uncertain landscape of startups and shares the firm’s unique perspective on investing, roote…
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AI, Healthcare, and Early Detection: Investing in a Healthy Future with Erin Niehaus
32:23
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32:23In this episode of Innovators and Investors, host Kristian Marquez talks with Erin Niehaus, partner at DigitalDx Ventures, about how AI is transforming healthcare. Erin shares her journey from finance to venture capital and explains DigitalDx’s focus on non-invasive early disease detection. They discuss the challenges of AI adoption in healthcare, …
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Building Strong Cofounder Partnerships with Tanis George
27:54
27:54
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27:54In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Tanis Jorge, author of “The Cofounders Handbook” and founder of the Cofounders Hub. The conversation delves into Tanis’ entrepreneurial journey and insights regarding co-founding partnerships. Tanis emphasizes the importance of communication, shared expectatio…
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Matt Smith from Kickstart on Early-Stage Investing in the Mountain States
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31:55In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Matt Smith, principal at Kickstart, a Colorado-based venture capital firm. Matt shares insights into the firm’s investment thesis, which focuses on early-stage funding for entrepreneurs in the mountain states, particularly between Phoenix and Bozeman. The conv…
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Innovating Construction Tech: SmartBarrel’s Labor Management Solution
38:34
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38:34In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Albert Bou Fadel, founder and CEO of Smart Barrel, a company that has developed a unique hardware-software solution for labor management in the construction industry. Albert shares his journey from a decade in the construction field to launching SmartBarrel, d…
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Funding SaaS Growth: Keith Harrington on Novel Capital’s Entrepreneur-Friendly Approach
34:27
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34:27In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Keith Harrington, the co-founder and COO of Novel Capital. Keith discusses the unique approach Novel Capital takes as a capital provider for early-stage Software as a Service (SaaS) and tech-enabled service businesses. Keith shares insights on the importance o…
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The Future of Flexible Work: Yakov Filippenko on Building Intch for SMBs
28:34
28:34
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28:34In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Yakov Filippenko, founder of Intch, a platform designed to connect companies and professionals for part-time projects. Yakov discusses the challenges of the evolving workforce landscape, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, where many professiona…
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Empowering Innovation: The Intersection of Corporate Venture Capital and AI-Driven Startups
1:00:22
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1:00:22Join us for an engaging episode of The Innovators and Investors Podcast, hosted by Kristian Marquez, where we explore the vibrant intersection of technology, investment, and entrepreneurship. This week, Kristian welcomes two dynamic guests: Kevin Weber, Managing Director at Amex Ventures, and Ayal Karmi, Co-founder and CEO of Nakuda. In this episod…
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Inside the Venture Studio Model: JT Benton on Building Startups from the Ground Up
44:05
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44:05In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews JT Benton, a founding partner of 9point8 Collective and a general partner at B'More Venture Studio. JT discusses the venture studio model, which focuses on creating companies by starting with a defined thesis or problem to solve rather than just taking existin…
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Mastering Startup Fundraising: Insights from FounderSuite CEO Nathan Beckford
30:22
30:22
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30:22In this episode of The Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Nathan Beckord, the CEO of FounderSuite.com and FundingStack.com. Nathan shares his journey from investment banking to entrepreneurship, outlining the inception of his companies aimed at easing the capital-raising process for startups and venture funds. Throug…
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Smart Seed Investing With Illuminate Ventures Founder and Managing Partner Cindy Padnos
37:07
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37:07In this episode of The Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Cindy Padnos, the founder and managing partner of Illuminate Ventures, a seed-stage venture capital firm focused on enterprise software. Cindy shares her insights on the importance of investing in areas where one has operational experience, the dynamics of see…
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Revolutionizing Talent Acquisition with AI: With Bahia AI Founder Danika Chilibeck
27:10
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27:10In this episode of The Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Danika Chilibeck, founder and CEO of Bahia AI. Danika discusses her company, Bahia AI, which offers an AI talent sourcer named Mia, designed to streamline the talent acquisition process. Danica shares her personal frustrations with traditional recruitment meth…
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Bridging Care: The Future of Family Caregiving and Health Plans with Avanlee Christine
29:04
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29:04In this episode of The Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Avanlee Christine, CEO of Avanlee Care. Avanlee discusses her company’s mission to streamline communication between families and healthcare systems to support the aging population, emphasizing the need for technology in healthcare to improve patient outcomes. …
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Harnessing High-Performance Computing: Todd Smith’s Vision for OpnBook’s TAHO Infrastructure
43:25
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43:25In this episode of The Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Todd Smith, co-founder and CEO of OpnBook, to discuss their innovative software product, TAHO. This infrastructure solution addresses the growing demand for high-performance computing by optimizing existing hardware resources, effectively navigating the ch…
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43 - AI, Entrepreneurship, and Bold Decisions: Gaurav Bhattacharya's Journey with Jeeva.ai
30:46
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30:46In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Gaurav Bhattacharya, the founder and CEO of Jeeva.ai. Gaurav discusses the origins, mission, and growth of his company, which aims to automate repetitive tasks using AI technology. He explains how Jeeva.ai began as a pivot from a previous product focused on cu…
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42 - Connecting Gen Z: Adam Metcalf on ZeeMee’s Evolution and Startup Insights
29:13
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29:13In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Adam Metcalf, co-founder of ZeeMee, a platform designed to facilitate connections among Gen Z college students. The conversation covers ZeeMee’s evolution, the challenges of achieving product-market fit, and the eventual pivot to focus on building a community.…
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41 - Funding the Future: Bigfoot Capital's Brian Parks on Flexible Lending for B2B Growth
34:52
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34:52In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Brian Parks, CEO of Bigfoot Capital, about their approach to lending for B2B software companies. Brian emphasizes the importance of providing flexible debt options for companies with established revenue. He discusses the current investment landscape, the impac…
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40 - Empowering Investors: Navigating Value Investing with Tykr's Sean Tepper
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29:54In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, Kristian Marquez interviews Sean Tepper, Founder and CEO of Tykr. Sean discusses the platform’s mission to empower retail investors by providing tools for confident stock trading. Drawing from his extensive background in tech and finance, Sean emphasizes the importance of value investing and …
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39 - Deep Tech and National Security: Insights from J2 Ventures' Yeri Lopez
29:25
29:25
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29:25In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, Kristian Marquez interviews Yeri Lopez, Director of Partnerships at J2 Ventures. Yeri discusses J2’s investment thesis focused on deep tech with applications in national security and large commercial markets. He also shares insights on the importance of passion for founders, the significance …
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38 - Investing in Healthcare Innovation: Insights from HealthX Ventures' Brian Lindstrom
29:57
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29:57In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, Kristian Marquez interviews Brian Lindstrom from HealthX Ventures. Brian discusses HealthX’s investment strategy, due diligence, key metrics for evaluating startups, and the unique challenges of selling in the healthcare industry. He emphasizes the importance of founder traits, product-market…
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37 - Cultivating Innovation: BoodleBox's France Hoang on AI, Culture, and Customer-Centric Strategies
24:46
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24:46In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, Kristian Marquez interviews France Hoang, co-founder and CEO of BoodleBox. France discusses BoodleBox’s mission to create a collaborative AI platform for higher education, the evolution of the company, the importance of culture in startups, and insights into sales and marketing strategies. Fr…
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36 - From Startup to IPO Success with Founder and Family Office Head Rick Lasch
29:44
29:44
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29:44In this episode of the Innovators and Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews founder and investor Rick Lasch. Rick discusses his career journey and the importance of listening to customer needs. Rick delves into the significance of team dynamics, investment strategies, and the value of face-to-face interactions in building relationship…
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35 - Navigating Non-Dilutive Capital: Insights with Decathlon Capital's Kevin Grossman
26:20
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26:20In this episode of the Innovators and Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Kevin Grossman from Decathlon Capital Partners discussing alternative financing for high-growth companies. Kevin emphasizes the benefits of non-dilutive capital, the importance of due diligence, and how current market dynamics, including interest rate changes,…
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34 - Scaling Food Innovation: How RisingFoodStars Supports Startups in the Food Industry
26:10
26:10
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26:10In this episode of the Innovators and Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Lena Marijke-Wenzel, an innovation program manager at EIT Food, focused on the RisingFoodStars accelerator. Lena discusses the program’s aim to support food-related companies in addressing significant challenges within the food system, such as promoting health…
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33 - Navigating NextGen Recruitment: Brad DiPaolo's Journey with CandidateHub
28:06
28:06
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28:06In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Brad DiPaolo, founder of CandidateHub. Brad discusses the challenges in recruitment, the innovative solutions CandidateHub provides to engage qualified candidates, and his journey to achieving product-solution fit. He emphasizes the importance of building rela…
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32 - Secure File Transfer 2.0: Botdoc's Karl Falk on Innovation, Client Focus, and Team Culture
30:29
30:29
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30:29In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Karl Falk, CEO of BotDoc, a cybersecurity company that enhances security while ensuring operational convenience. Karl shares the inspiration behind BotDoc’s technology, the importance of listening to clients, and the challenges of market adoption. He emphasize…
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31 - Revolutionizing Contracts with Agree.com Co-Founder Marty Ringlein
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26:28In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Marty Ringlein, Co-Founder and CEO of Agree.com. Marty discusses how Agree.com improves the process of contracts by bridging the gap between signature and payment, making it free and user-friendly for sales teams. He emphasizes the importance of customer exper…
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30 - Automating Airborne Intelligence with Overwatch Imaging's Greg Davis
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23:10
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23:10In this episode of the Innovators and Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Greg Davis, founder and CEO of Overwatch Imaging. Greg discusses Overwatch’s focus on automating airborne imagery intelligence for various sectors, including defense and civil applications. Greg shares insights on the company’s dual hardware-software model, an…
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29 - Redefining Financial Analytics with dataroomHQ Founder Jeff Schwartz
20:34
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20:34In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Jeff Schwartz, CEO of Data Room HQ. Jeff discusses Data Room HQ’s automation services for B2B SaaS companies and investors, Jeff’s journey from a successful startup to founding his company, the importance of metrics in business management, and the evolving dyn…
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28 - Investing in the Mountain West with Next Frontier Capital General Partner Les Craig
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31:51In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Les Craig, General Partner with Next Frontier Capital. Les discusses the investment firm’s focus on early-stage companies in the Mountain West region, and how the unique dynamics of this area provide opportunities for founders. Les also shares insights on the …
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27 - Driving Impact: Balancing Metrics, Culture, and AI in Business with Tree and Leaf Partners Founder Andy Galpin
22:21
22:21
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22:21In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Andy Galpin, founder of Tree & Leaf Partners, a redemptive acquisition fund focused on acquiring and scaling companies in the education and healthcare sectors. Andy discusses the importance of creating impact through business, evaluating companies based on fin…
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26 - Investing in Web3 and Decentralized Blockchain Networks with Arcanum Capital Founding Partner James McDowall
29:44
29:44
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29:44In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews James McDowell, founding partner at Arcanum Capital. James discusses Arcanum’s investment thesis in the blockchain and crypto space, emphasizing early-stage investments, the unique characteristics of Bitcoin and Ethereum, and the evolving landscape of decentra…
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25 - Investing in the Skies: Aero X Ventures' Kyle Mounts on Aerospace, Drones, and Capital Efficiency
28:50
28:50
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28:50In this episode of the Innovators and Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Kyle Mounts, general partner at Aero X Ventures and Singularity Capital Advisors. Kyle discusses Aero X’s focus on early-stage investments in aerospace and defense, the importance of capital efficiency, and the evolving role of drones in logistics and warfare.…
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24 - Inside a Hands-On Venture Studio with Paragraph Partner Michelle Cole
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28:38In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Michelle Cole, Partner at Paragraph. Michelle shares her extensive experience as a former COO and discusses the importance of product-market fit, customer success, and the challenges of scaling operations in software companies, emphasizing the need for resilie…
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23 - Hands-On Investing with Blu Venture Investors Partner and ColoWatch Co-Founder Bikram Bakshi
31:43
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31:43In this episode of the Innovators and Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez speaks with Bikram Bakshi, Partner with Blu Ventures and Co-Founder of ColoWatch. Bikram discusses Blue Ventures’ hands-on investment approach focusing on B2B SaaS, cybersecurity, and health tech. Bikram also shares insights about ColoWatch, a non-invasive colon cancer s…
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22 - From Nonprofit AI to BoodleBox with Founder Shawn Olds
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24:02In this episode of the Innovators and Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez talks with Shawn Olds, co-founder and COO of boodleAI. Shawn discusses his journey from a nonprofit-focused AI platform to BoodleBox, an AI tool designed for marketing, sales, and higher education. He emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs, pivoting ba…
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21 - Unlocking Active Investment Success with Latimer Ventures' Founding General Partner, Luke Cooper
23:29
23:29
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23:29In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez talks with Luke Cooper, founding general partner of Latimer Ventures. They discuss Latimer’s investment thesis, which focuses on building M&A capabilities in startups, particularly among diverse founders. Luke shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing…
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20 - From HealthTech IPO to Family Office Success with Dan Rizzo
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25:35In this episode of the Innovators and Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez talks with investor Dan Rizzo. Dan shares his journey from management consulting to leading a successful healthcare IT company that went public. Dan also discusses the importance of understanding client needs, the balance between consulting and software services, and his…
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19 - From Exit to Empowerment: A LegalTech Operator’s Journey with Ishan Girdhar
27:03
27:03
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27:03In this episode of the Innovators and Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez talks with Ishan Girdhar, a legal tech entrepreneur who shares his journey from founding Preva to leading a legal tech studio. They discuss the importance of niche markets, founder-led sales, and the role of human services in tech products. Ishan emphasizes the value of …
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18 - Bridging Healthcare Innovation and Investment with Joel Martin with HealthX Ventures' Joel Martin
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34:22
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34:22In this episode of the Innovators and Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez talks with Joel Martin, Chief of Staff at Veda Data Solutions and Operating Partner at HealthX Ventures. Joel discusses his career journey and the challenges in healthcare technology. He emphasizes the importance of accurate provider data, the transition from fee-for-ser…
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17 - Redefining Venture Support with Paragraph Founding Partner Brad Wisler
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26:53In this episode of the Innovators and Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez talks with Brad Wisler, founding partner of Paragraph, a venture studio focused on building and investing in scalable software companies. They discuss the unique approach of recruiting co-founders before developing ideas, the importance of understanding distribution, and…
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16 - Inside Angel Investing: Strategies and Insights from Early-Stage Investor Bernard Chong
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24:55In this episode of the Innovators & Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez talks to angel investor and entrepreneur, Bernard Chong. Bernard shares his diverse background in coffee, retail, tech platforms, and eSports, highlighting his journey into angel investing. He emphasizes the importance of a founder's character and alignment in business par…
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15 - Streamlining On-Site Project Management with OnStation Founding CEO Patrick Russo
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21:53In this episode of the Innovators and Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Patrick Russo, the founding CEO of OnStation, a software solution aimed at improving location and documentation for roadway construction projects. Patrick discusses the inception of OnStation, its growth strategy, the importance of user feedback, and the compa…
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14 - Investing in Disruption with Recursive Ventures Founder and General Partner Itamar Novick
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27:05In this episode of the Innovators Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Itamar Novik, founder and General Partner of Recursive Ventures. Itamar discusses his extensive experience in startups, investment strategies focusing on data and AI, and the importance of founder quality in venture capital. Itamar emphasizes the need for startups…
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13 - Revolutionizing Legal Depositions with Skribe Founder Karl Seelbach
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43:01In this episode of the Innovators and Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Karl Seelbach, founder of Skribe and law firm Doyle & Seelbach. Karl discusses his journey from aspiring attorney to innovator in legal technology. He emphasizes the challenges and opportunities in modernizing deposition processes through AI, which makes them …
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12 - Bridging Science and Consumer Satisfaction with Tastry Founder and CEO Katerina Axelsson
27:41
27:41
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27:41In this episode of the Innovators and Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Katerina Axelson, founder of Tastry. Katerina shares her journey from aspiring scientist to entrepreneur, highlighting the importance of understanding consumer preferences through chemistry. She discusses the challenges of introducing innovative technology in …
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11 - Backing Extraordinary Founders with Founder and Managing Director of Forefront Venture Partners Phil Nadel
22:38
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22:38In this episode of the Innovators and Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Phil Nadel, founder, and Managing Director at Forefront Venture Partners. Phil discusses his journey into venture capital, the investment thesis of Forefront Venture Partners, and the importance of founder evaluation and communication. He emphasizes the need f…
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10 - Investing in Early-Stage Cybersecurity and Enterprise Software Startups with Rain Capital Partner David Cross
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25:03In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews David Cross, a venture partner at Rain Capital. David discusses his journey into venture capital, the importance of cybersecurity, the influence of AI on the industry, and key factors in evaluating startups. David emphasizes the need for passion in founders, t…
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