Growth Capital Podcast

🏗️ Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 50 🏗️ Private equity isn’t just about capital—it’s about connection. In this episode, Justin Dixon sits down with Rob Regan, Principal of Business Development at Boyne Capital, to explore why the most successful investors put people first. Rob’s journey—from military intelligence and diplomacy to private equity dealmaking—reveals how trust, empathy, and disciplined leadership build companies that stand the test of time. They discuss: 🔹 The people-first approach behind Boyne Capital’s founder-friendly investments 🔹 How relationship intelligence beats financial modeling in driving lasting value 🔹 Why adding human capital matters more than replacing it 🔹 How AI is reshaping due diligence and portfolio strategy in private equity 🔹 What discipline and humility from military life teach us about leadership and growth Whether you’re a founder considering outside capital, a PE professional, or a startup operator, this episode dives deep into the mindset that sustains real, human-centered growth. 📩 Connect with Rob Regan: LinkedIn or via https://boynecapital.com/ 🎧 Watch on YouTube 💬 Like, comment, and share: What does “people-first investing” mean to you? 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights from leaders in private equity, venture capital, and high-growth entrepreneurship.

🌊 Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 49 🌊 Artificial Intelligence has evolved through three distinct eras—from logic-based systems to today’s data-hungry LLMs. But are we truly getting smarter, or just scaling bigger? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Peter Voss, Founder, CEO, and Chief Scientist at Aigo.ai, to explore the next frontier: Cognitive AI—machines that can think, learn, and reason like humans. Peter breaks down the three waves of AI as defined by DARPA, why current large language models (like ChatGPT) have reached their limits, and how the next phase of AI will be defined by adaptability, learning, and reasoning—not brute force. 🔍 What you’ll learn: The evolution from symbolic logic to statistical AI to cognitive AI Why bigger models no longer mean smarter systems How cognitive AI could reshape business, work, and society The moral and human implications of truly “thinking” machines Why fear of AI is overblown—and how intelligence can actually improve morality 🎯 About Peter Voss: Peter is a serial entrepreneur, engineer, and AI pioneer. His company, Aigo.ai, is leading the development of cognitive AI—a system that learns and reasons like humans, designed to create more personalized and ethical intelligence.   📩 Connect with Peter: Email: peter@aigo.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vosspeter/ Check his articles on Substack and Medium 🎧 Watch or listen now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. 💬 Drop a comment: Do you believe AI will make humanity better—or just faster? 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of business, technology, and growth.

👥 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 48 👥 What happens when founders actually listen to their customers? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Gaurav Gupta, Founder & CEO of Squanto—a gig marketplace app for live entertainment. What started as a simple tipping and discovery app for street performers quickly evolved into something bigger. Through countless customer conversations, Gaurav realized the real challenges performers and venues faced: landing gigs, sorting through hundreds of applicants, and building trust in a two-sided marketplace. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🔹 Why assumptions can lead startups in the wrong direction 🔹 How customer feedback drives pivots that matter 🔹 The challenge of choosing the right ICP (Ideal Customer Profile) 🔹 How AI can bring clarity to chaotic processes (and when it doesn’t belong) 🔹 Why failure in startups still makes you a stronger professional Gaurav’s story is a masterclass in adapting strategy to customer reality—something every founder, investor, and operator can learn from. 📩 Connect with Gaurav and learn more about Squanto: https://squanto.app/ 📧 Email: gaurav@squanto.app 👉 If you found this episode valuable, please like, comment, and subscribe to the channel. Your feedback helps us bring more insights from leaders shaping the future of startups and growth.

📊 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 47 📊 When does a founder really need a CFO—and how can fractional or interim finance leadership change the trajectory of a business? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Salvatore Tirabassi, Founder & Managing Director of CFO Pro+Analytics, to explore how founders, family-owned businesses, and PE-backed companies can leverage cash flow planning, forecasting, and analytics to scale with confidence. 💡 What you’ll learn in this episode: Why cash flow clarity is the first step to peace of mind How driver-based forecasts create PE-grade financial discipline The difference between fractional vs. interim CFOs—and when to use each Why financial readiness directly impacts exit value in PE transactions How AI tools like Claude and Copilot are reshaping the finance function 📌 Guest Info: 🌐 Learn more about Salvatore’s firm at https://cfoproanalytics.com/ 💼 Or connect with him directly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stirabassi/   🎧 Available now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, comment, and share your biggest takeaway. 📅 Upcoming Webinar of Salvatore: Salvatore will also be speaking on a September 10th webinar hosted by HubiFi on subscription-led growth—ideal for anyone building or investing in recurring revenue SaaS models. To join, reach out to HubiFi via their website - https://www.hubifi.com/

🤖 Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 46 🤖 What’s hype, what’s real, and where does AI actually deliver ROI? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, Justin Dixon sits down with Jeff Torello, Founder & CTO of Sinjun AI, to unpack the reality of AI adoption for small and mid-sized businesses. From the pitfalls of early adoption to the promise of Agentic AI, Jeff shares how leaders can distinguish between noise and value — and how AI is already transforming workflows, content creation, and workforce structures. 🔍 What you’ll learn: Why most early AI projects failed — and what’s different this time How Agentic AI moves us beyond automation into decision-making and workflow execution The “Crawl, Walk, Run” approach to adopting AI without million-dollar mistakes How AI will shift human roles from “doers” to “reviewers” in the workplace Why adaptability, not prediction, is the skill that will define careers in the AI era 🚀 Whether you’re leading a PE-backed portfolio company, scaling a startup, or advising growth-stage businesses, this episode cuts through the hype and provides practical insights you can apply today. 📩 Connect with Jeff Torello: https://sinjun.ai/ or on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtorello/ 👉 Watch more episodes and subscribe for insights on scaling, investing, and building companies with the right talent. 👍 Like, comment, and share your thoughts — how do you see Agentic AI changing your business?

🏆 Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 45 🏆 What does it take to risk everything — and still push forward? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Amy Bett, Co-Founder & CEO of Melo, a sparkling kava beverage disrupting the non-alcoholic drinks market. Amy shares how a personal struggle with alcohol inspired her to create an alternative, how a family crisis shaped her entrepreneurial grit, and why she left Australia to launch her business in the U.S. — moving alone, renting a room, and betting on herself. From overcoming supply chain setbacks to breaking into national retail chains, Amy’s story is a candid look at resilience, sacrifice, and the founder’s mindset required to scale in consumer packaged goods. 🔍 What you’ll learn in this episode: Why true growth demands stepping beyond comfort How to build a beverage brand without industry experience The role of storytelling and pitch competitions in breaking into retail Why founders need thick skin to survive CPG scaling challenges 📩 Connect with Amy: amy@drinkmelo.co 🌐 Learn more: www.drinkmelo.co 👉 Watch, subscribe, and comment below — where do you think the line is between smart risk and reckless risk?

🔗 Growth Capital podcast - Episode 44 🔗 What does it take to walk away from a high-paying, stable career—and step into the uncertainty of entrepreneurship? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Mark Stern, Founder & CEO of Custom Box Agency, an experiential marketing firm based in Austin, Texas. Mark shares how a dream (or premonition) pushed him to leave Deloitte while on the cusp of becoming a partner, the mindset shift required to move from corporate life to entrepreneurship, and why blending physical and digital experiences is the future of customer engagement. 🔑 Topics Covered: The “golden handcuffs” dilemma and what it takes to break free Why corporate and entrepreneurship are like checkers vs. chess The power of physical + digital touchpoints in building trust and retention “57 Hats”: A framework for founders to shed the roles holding them back Why recognition isn’t just a celebration—it’s a retention strategy 📩 Connect with Mark Stern: 👉 Website: https://customboxagency.com/ (Free consultation available) 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marustern/ 👉 Facebook: ​​https://www.facebook.com/share/19thwK3Ymy/?mibextid=wwXIfr 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts 💬 Like, subscribe, and comment—would you walk away from corporate security to pursue your vision?

🔁 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 43 🔁 In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Alexander Harmsen, Founder & CEO of PortfolioPilot, to explore how AI is disrupting the financial advisory industry and reshaping how people invest, plan, and build confidence in their financial future. Originally built as a personal side project after exiting his first company, PortfolioPilot has since grown to manage $30B in assets across 30,000+ users—all with a lean team of just 9 people and a bold vision to make high-quality, personalized advice accessible to everyone. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why AI-native financial tools are moving beyond robo-advisors How PortfolioPilot is reframing advice from money management to financial coaching Why trust, transparency, and velocity are core to building in fintech The generational shift redefining expectations in wealth planning How velocity (weekly shipping) creates product-market momentum Whether you’re a founder in fintech, a growth-stage investor, or someone rethinking how to scale consumer products, this episode is packed with insights on building with speed, trust, and user obsession. 📍 Connect with Alexander Harmsen 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alexanderharmsen 🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/alexharm?s=21 🌐 Website: http://portfoliopilot.com/ 💥 Use promo code PODCAST for one month free on PortfolioPilot Gold 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders in private equity, high-growth startups, and venture-backed companies. 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.

👤 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 42 👤   What if the strongest growth advantage isn’t found in automation — but in staying human? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, Justin Dixon sits down with Brian Von Ancken, founder and CEO of the Wellness Growth Mastermind, a community for leaders in the wellness industry. What started as an “accidental” mastermind has grown into a trusted hub for founders, executives, and growth leaders. Brian shares: 🔹 Why human-curated connections still outperform AI-driven matches 🔹 The overlooked challenge of scaling wellness companies in crowded markets 🔹 How trust compounds in communities, and why it takes time to build 🔹 The role of distribution strategy in separating winners from noise 🔹 Why mixing scrappy startups with established brands sparks breakthrough ideas This conversation is a blueprint for founders, investors, and operators who believe people—not just platforms—are the real growth engine. 📩 Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianvonancken/ 🎧 Watch now on YouTube or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you get your shows. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the Growth Capital Podcast for more insights from founders, investors, and private equity leaders.

🏢 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 41 🏢   Static dashboards. Siloed tools. Endless logins. What if you could connect every app you use, ask it a question, and get the answer instantly — in plain English? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Mikael Lemberg, Founder & CEO of mybizz, an AI-native platform that unifies thousands of business applications into one command center. Together, they explore: How AI is transforming business intelligence from charts to conversations The challenge (and cost) of “tool sprawl” in SMBs and scaling companies Why privacy-first AI adoption matters for leaders in data-sensitive industries Lessons from raising a friends-and-family funding round as a first-time founder The next 24 months in AI — and what it means for startups and enterprise alike 🚀 Whether you’re running a PE-backed portfolio company, a growing SaaS startup, or an agency managing multiple clients, this conversation will change how you think about data, decisions, and scale.   📍 Connect with Mikael Lemberg: Website: https://mybizz.ai (note: two Z’s) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikaellemberg/ 🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms or watch full episodes on YouTube. 👍 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment — How would you use AI to simplify your business?