Clock Speed with Shamus Madan

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Ashley Aydin about her early career experiences and how they shaped her venture capital journey. They discuss the need for diversity in venture capital, the importance of role models, and Aydin's vision for a diversified startup pipeline. They also share tips for founders and insights on understanding their perspective. From growing up in Staten Island, NY, Ashley is empowering - and funding - Latinx and women as an investor with the VC firm VamosVentures. The firm invests in diverse founding teams and mission-oriented companies across Health and Wellness, FinTech, Sustainability, the Future of Work, and Commerce. Today Shamus Madan sits down with Ashley to discuss her journey in venture capital and how she is supporting the next generation of LatinX startups and VCs. Twitter of Host (Shamus Madan): @mbitpodcast Twitter of Guest (Ashley Aydin): @ashaydin (0:00) Introduction and Background of Ashley Aydin (3:27) Ashley's Journey as a First-Generation College Student and Early Career Experiences (9:22) Lessons from Early Career and Influence on Venture Capital Journey (11:39) Addressing the Lack of Diversity in Venture Capital (14:10) Importance of Role Models and Promoting Awareness in Venture Capital (15:27) Ashley Aydin's Vision for a Diversified Startup Pipeline (16:40) Tips for Founders and Understanding the Founder's Perspective (17:22) Conclusion and Acknowledgements

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Scott D. Clary about his experience in tech sales, the key lessons he's learned, and the importance of storytelling in marketing. They discuss strategies for podcast growth, content repurposing, and venture capital fundraising, while also highlighting the need for business success beyond attracting venture capitalists. So today, a very special guest, Scott Clary, joins the podcast for a second appearance on the show. Scott is the Host of the Success Story Podcast, a show with over 20 million downloads in just a matter of years. He is also the CEO of the startup OnMiPatch and a General Partner at Celestial Ventures. Today We Discuss: How to share compelling stories that scale Journey building an engaging audience Is BeReal next for social media? And more... Twitter of Host: @mbitpodcast Twitter of Guest: @scottdclary (0:00) Introduction of guest Scott D. Clary (2:01) Scott's transition and experience in tech sales (8:09) Key lessons Scott learned from his background in tech sales and product understanding (12:18) The importance of storytelling in marketing and customer growth (16:24) Growth and cross-promotion strategies of a podcast on different platforms (21:49) Repurposing long-form content for multiple platforms (26:03) Challenges and strategies in venture capital and private equity fundraising (32:06) The need for business success beyond gaining attention from venture capitalists (33:12) Key takeaways and advice for startup founders from Scott D. Clary (34:47) Closing remarks and end of episode

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with venture capitalist, Jai Das. They discuss Das's journey into the field, the importance of trust in venture capital, and his investment criteria. They also delve into lessons from pre-dotcom bubble investing, strategies for identifying long-term growth companies, and the future of enterprise software with the rise of blockchain. (0:00) Introduction and background of guest, Jay Das (2:03) Journey into venture capital and experiences in the field (6:33) Importance of trust and relationship building in venture capital (9:45) Investment criteria and insights on public vs private companies (14:03) Lessons from pre-dotcom bubble investing and current market strategies (16:37) Identifying long-term growth companies and resilience of software/SaaS in downturns (18:49) Future of enterprise software and rise of blockchain-based platforms (20:43) Closing remarks and thanks to Jai Das

In this episode, Shamus Madan sits down with Brett Martin, the mind behind Kumospace. They delve into the future of video chat, tackling Zoom fatigue, and the unique ways Kumospace personalizes remote work. They also discuss the future of virtual offices, lessons learned from previous startups, and monetization strategies. Martin concludes with advice for young entrepreneurs. Today Shamus Madan sits down with Brett Martin, the President and Co-Founder of Kumospace. Kumospace is a platform that offers virtual offices and events where remote and hybrid teams collaborate and connect. Brett is also the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Charge Ventures, a pre-seed-focused venture fund based in Brooklyn, NY. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, teaching data analytics and technology strategy. Twitter of Host (Shamus Madan): @mbitpodcast Twitter of Guest (Brett Martin): @brett1211 (0:00) Introduction of guest Brett Martin (2:07) Overview of Kumospace and its functionality (5:16) Discussion on the future of video chat and overcoming Zoom fatigue (8:47) Kumospace's unique approach to personalization in remote work (12:24) Vision for the best in-person experience online with Kumospace (15:18) Monetization strategies and the human cost of commodifying remote workers (18:13) Navigating through the potential return to office work (20:23) The future of virtual offices with Kumospace (23:44) Lessons learned from previous startups and positioning KumuSpace for success (26:12) Brett Martin's advice for young entrepreneurs and podcast conclusion

In this episode, Shamus Madan and Glenn Hubbard discuss Adam Smith's economic theories, modern economic growth strategies, and the 9/11 economic impact. They delve into the effect of Bush-era steel tariffs and the financial crisis, explore CEOs' perspectives on political dislocations and inflation, and assess the current GDP and unemployment scenario. The future of work, the 'quiet quitting' trend, and the need for fiscal policy reform are also examined. Today Shamus Madan sits down with Glenn Hubbard, a Professor and former Dean of Columbia Business School. Dean Hubbard is a specialist in public economics, managerial information, and incentive problems in corporate finance and financial markets and institutions. He has written over 100 articles and books on corporate finance, investment decisions, banking, energy economics, and public policy, including two textbooks, and has authored The Wall and the Bridge and coauthored Balance, The Aid Trap, and Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise. Hubbard has applied his research interests in business (as a corporate director consultant on taxation and corporate finance), in government (as a former Chair of the U.S. Council of Economic Advisers and the OECD Economic Policy Committee, as well as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Department and as a consultant to the Federal Reserve Board, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and many government agencies) and in academia (in faculty collaboration or visiting appointments at Columbia, University of Chicago and Harvard). He is co-chair of the Committee on Capital Markets and Regulation and past chair of the Economic Club of New York and the Study Group on Corporate Boards On today's show, Dean Hubbard will be breaking down today's current economic landscape and digging deeper into his recent book on how countries can take advantage of bridges to solve economic issues. Twitter of Host (Shamus Madan): @mbitpodcast Purchase The Wall and The Bridge Here. (0:00) Introduction of guest Glenn Hubbard (2:53) Adam Smith's relevance in economics and the concept of 'walls and bridges' (7:07) Suggestions for modern bridges for economic growth and reflection on 9/11's economic impact (12:59) Impact of steel tariffs under George W Bush's administration and the financial crisis (15:46) CEOs' views, political dislocations and inflation discussion (18:44) Current state of GDP, unemployment, and future economic landscape (21:05) The future of work, implications of remote and hybrid work, and 'quiet quitting' trend (22:23) The fiscal policy dilemma, need for budget reforms, and wrap-up

In this episode, Shamus Madan converses with Lee Jacobs about his early investment journey, the influence of sociology on business, and his experiences with AngelList. They discuss venture capital competition, Jacobs' unique investment strategies, and provide advice for founders in crowded markets. They analyze an investment in Notion and forecast economic trends for 2022 and 2023. Today, we have a very special guest Lee Jacobs the Founder and General Partner of Long Journey VC. Lee has been an investor for over a decade, investing in notable companies in the world like Loom, Wonderschool, and Pipefy, along with Cyan Banister and the team with experience in investing in SpaceX, Uber, Thumbtack, Notion, Affirm, and many more. On the show, we will discuss how he worked to help get Venmo funded off the campus of UPenn, where he studied sociology, his journey into venture investing in the first Angel List syndicate with Naval, and little-known areas the firm is taking a look at what may be the next big thing. Twitter of Host (Shamus Madan): @mbitpodcast Twitter of Guest (Lee Jacobs): @LeeJacobs (0:00) Introduction and Lee Jacobs' early investment journey (2:04) The role of sociology in business and venture capital (3:38) Traditional vs. networking routes in business (8:38) Lee Jacobs' experience with AngelList and its impact on his career (12:31) Competitive situations in venture capital and the values of Jacobs' firm (15:16) Investing strategy in out-of-the-ordinary companies (18:05) Advice for founders in crowded markets and how to stand out (20:24) Case study: Investing in Notion (21:09) Economic challenges and opportunities in 2022 and 2023 (23:14) Wrap-up of the episode

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Yoav Vilner, founder of AppChamp and Walnut. They discuss Vilner's entrepreneurial journey, the role of network effects and growth hacking in business, and how Walnut is revolutionizing the product demo industry. The conversation also covers the importance of visuals in website design, strategies for startups to attract investors, and the significance of storytelling in business. Today Shamus Madan sits down with Yoav Vilner. Yoav is the Co-Founder and CEO of Walnut, a no-code platform that allows sales teams to instantly create individually tailored and interactive product demos that improve sales experiences and conversions. Walnut recently raised $35M in series B financing, bringing their total money raised in their first 1.5 years to $56M. The company is already working with over 100 SaaS clients, including Adobe, Dell, and Medallia, to improve sales experiences for their prospects. Walnut has also been recognized as one of the Top 50 startups to work for, Product Hunt's top product, one of Europe's hottest SaaS startups, and the Best startup out of NYC. Yoav is considered one of the leading marketers in the world. He was named the Forbes Marketer to Watch in 2017 and has been mentoring startups in accelerators by Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, Amazon, and the United Nations. He also published the wildly popular Medium post, Godlike CMO. Check Out Walnut Here: https://www.walnut.io/ Twitter of Host (Shamus Madan): @mbitpodcast Twitter of Guest (Yoav Vilner): @YoavVilner (0:00) Introduction and guest Yoav Vilner's introduction (1:26) Vilner's career journey and the creation of AppChamp (2:08) Insights on network effects, growth hacking, and the inception of Walnut (4:43) Disrupting the traditional product demo industry with Walnut (6:10) The validation of Walnut's business idea and its benefits (9:22) Importance of visuals and design in website impressions (11:48) Strategies for startups to attract big investors (14:39) Role of storytelling in business and building a culture of storytelling (16:14) Why every company should consider using Walnut (16:52) Closing remarks by Shamus Madan

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Ben Samaroo about his transition into the crypto industry and the evolution of DeFi. They delve into the inception of WonderFi, its mission, and the importance of team dynamics in its acquisitions. Further discussions include strategic partnerships, preparing for potential market crashes, and the crucial role of education in the DeFi industry. Today Shamus Madan sits down with Ben Samaroo, the Co-Founder & CEO of WonderFi (a publicly listed DeFi exchange based in Canada) and backed by Kevin O'Leary. Ben Samaroo joins the podcast to discuss how the company is working to create and democratize digital assets compliantly for the consumer. On today's show, we cover: What's next for crypto? Describing DeFi in one sentence and the problem it solves. Top misconceptions for DeFi? And more... Twitter of Host (Shamus Madan): @mbitpodcast Twitter of Guest (Ben Samaroo): @BenSamaroo Disclaimer: The podcast is not financial or investment advice. The podcast is also not a research report or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. The podcast is for informational purposes only. (0:00) Introduction and background of Shamus Madan and the MBIT podcast (1:37) Ben Samaroo's journey and transition into the crypto industry (4:12) The evolution of the crypto industry and the concept of DeFi (7:08) Inception of WonderFi and its mission in the DeFi industry (9:57) Strategy and importance of team dynamics in WonderFi's acquisitions (14:01) Role of strategic partnerships in business growth and WonderFi's collaboration with Coinbase (16:11) Preparing for potential crypto market crashes and opportunities during down markets (17:51) Misconceptions and the importance of education in the DeFi industry (19:36) Making the crypto industry more accessible and understandable (21:05) Wrap up and closing remarks from Shamus and Ben

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Aarthi Ramamurthy about her transition from Facebook to Clubhouse, the importance of curiosity and constant learning in tech, and her investment strategies. They also discuss the power of cold emailing and the journey of the MBIT podcast. Shamus Madan sits down with Aarthi Ramamurthy who is formerly a Product Manager at Microsoft, Netflix, the Co-Founder of multiple startups including True&Co, Lumoid (a try before you buy service for consumer electronics), the former Director of Product for Facebook, and more recently the Co-Host of the Good Time Show hosting guests like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Marc Andressen, The Chainsmokers, and many more. Learn how Aarthi has built up a network from ground 0 with the Good Time Show. Twitter of Host (Shamus Madan): @mbitpodcast Twitter of Guest (Aarthi Ramamurthy): @aarthir (0:00) Introduction and background of Shamus Madan (1:33) The start of Aarthi's journey in the tech ecosystem (7:09) Aarthi's experience transitioning from Facebook to Clubhouse (11:59) Importance of staying curious and learning on the job (15:01) Building reputation in the tech ecosystem (17:39) Building a portfolio of companies through investing (20:06) The journey of the MBIT podcast (21:23) The power of cold emails and putting yourself out there (21:58) Closing remarks and thanks to Aarthi Ramamurthy

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Mercedes Bent about her journey from Goldman Sachs to venture capital, emphasizing the importance of sales and partnerships. They discuss strategies for customer retention in crypto, the globalization of pop culture, and how to overcome uncertainty in the venture capital industry. The conversation wraps up with key takeaways and Mercedes' advice for success in venture capital. Mercedes Bent is an investor and operator who lives and breathes startups. Currently, Mercedes serves as a Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, however, Prior to Lightspeed, she was an early employee / General Manager at General Assembly (sold for $412mm 2018). In a short period of time Mercedes ultimately grew her division from $0 to $30mm+ in 2 years. Then, in 2016 she was named a 40 Under 40 for Tech Diversity in Silicon Valley. Mercedes is an investor in Forage, Stori, Flink, Outschool, Hawku, Fan Controlled Sports, Flockjay, Honeylove, House of LRC, and more. In addition, she co-leads Lightspeed's LATAM region and Scout Fund (angel fund). https://lsvp.com/about-us/mercedes-bent Twitter of Shamus Madan (Host): @mbitpodcast Twitter of Mercedes Bent (Guest): @mercebent *Disclaimer: Not investment or financial advice (0:00) Introduction and Background of Shamus Madan (1:25) Journey of Mercedes Bent: From Goldman Sachs to Venture Capital (5:07) Importance of Sales and Partnerships in Venture Capital (9:13) Encouraging Diversity in Venture Capital Funding (13:08) Strategies for Customer Retention and Community Building in Crypto Industry (14:15) Globalization of Pop Culture: Anime, DJan Cultures, and Global Artists (15:57) Overcoming Uncertainty in the Venture Capital Industry (17:27) Transition and Exploration: From EdTech to Fintech and Latin American Market (19:09) Key Takeaways: Investing in Pop Culture and Underrepresented Founders (20:20) Mercedes Bent's Advice for Success in Venture Capital