Growth Capital Podcast

💼 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 56 💼 What really changes when a founder moves from a scrappy, bootstrapped operation to a venture-backed, high-growth company? In this episode, Justin Dixon sits down with Jeff Majka, Founder of The Security Bulldog, to unpack the mindset shift, execution challenges, and strategic demands that come with raising outside capital. The Security Bulldog is an AI-driven cybersecurity intelligence platform helping teams turn overwhelming data into fast, actionable decisions. Jeff shares his founder journey—from building professional services businesses to launching his first VC-backed SaaS company—and the unexpected realities he’s faced along the way. 🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • Why cybersecurity is ultimately a human problem—not a technology one • How lean teams can build enterprise-grade products without heavy overhead • The real tradeoffs of taking venture capital vs. bootstrapping • Why founder-led sales and thought leadership still matter • How AI fits into cybersecurity workflows in the real world • What it takes to raise capital in today’s market • How revenue and “new logos” solve most early-stage challenges 📩 Connect with Jeff: Website: https://securitybulldog.com/ Email: jeff@securitybulldog.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmajka/ If you’re building, investing in, or scaling tech companies—especially in cybersecurity or enterprise SaaS—this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. 👉 Watch more episodes, subscribe, and leave a comment with your biggest takeaway!

🌉 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 55 🌉 What does it really take to turn a great idea into a real, functioning business? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, Justin Dixon sits down with Zackary McKibbon, CEO & Founder of Vellora.AI. This next-generation AI-driven sales platform automates the administrative tasks that hold teams back. Zack shares how he moved from raw inspiration to true implementation—rapid prototyping, leveraging accelerators, building a specialized technical team, and navigating today’s funding environment. We also dive into a live demo of Vellora.AI and explore how AI-driven sales systems are reshaping how modern teams sell, scale, and compete. Whether you're a founder, operator, or investor, this episode offers a practical look at the execution gap that separates ideas from actual businesses—and what it takes to cross it. 🔍 What You’ll Learn Why sales teams spend only 28% of their time actually selling—and how AI can change that The real startup chasm: moving from concept → product → paying customers How accelerators like Antler shorten execution cycles and improve go-to-market strategy Why time—not capital—is the biggest killer of early-stage startups The founder mindset needed to build from zero, and how to attract the right early team A live demo of Vellora.AI and how it automates CRM, next steps, and deal execution 📩 Connect with Zack LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zmckibbon/ 👍 Enjoyed the episode? Like the video, drop a comment with your biggest insight, and subscribe for conversations with leaders across private equity, venture capital, and high-growth startups.

👥 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 54 👥 In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Ron Ondechek Jr., Founder & Managing Director of South Highland Ventures, to unpack how his firm is redefining what business succession looks like for the next generation. Ron shares how his partnership with Novastone Partners has created a first-of-its-kind model that pairs experienced operators with legacy businesses—preserving jobs, culture, and decades of founder-built success. Together, they explore why the $10 trillion “succession gap” is one of the most overlooked investment opportunities of our time. 🔍 Key Topics Discussed: The $10 trillion opportunity behind America’s succession crisis How South Highland Ventures and Novastone’s 10-step model pairs capital with leadership Why legacy and long-term growth can outperform short-term returns How “operator-led entrepreneurship” is transforming private equity What experienced leaders look for when taking over founder-led companies 💬 Connect with Ron Ondechek Jr.: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rondechek/ 📧 Email: rondechek@shvllc.com 🏢 Company: South Highland Ventures If you believe the next wave of growth comes from preserving what’s already great, this episode is for you. 👉 Watch, subscribe, and drop a comment on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts: How do you define smart succession?

📘 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 53 📘 In this episode, Marc Pickren, CEO of Springbot, shares with Justin Dixon how he’s rewriting the rules of leadership — scaling an AI-powered marketing platform through creative deal structures, non-dilutive capital, and relentless operational discipline. Marc has built a reputation as a multi-time turnaround CEO, leading companies from chaos to clarity. Here, he breaks down the real work of modern leadership — how to scale smarter, integrate teams without breaking momentum, and build predictable growth in an unpredictable market. 🔍 In this episode: How to scale a company through roll-ups and tuck-ins The new “lean unicorn” model: 10 people, $100M in revenue Why stability — not speed — defines great leadership Creative, non-dilutive capital strategies (including Regulation CF) How AI agents are redefining productivity and headcount The death of vanity metrics — and what real growth looks like 📍 Connect with Marc Pickren: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcpickren/ Learn more about Springbot → http://www.springbot.com 🎧 Listen now on: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts 💬 If this conversation challenged your thinking, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway — and don’t forget to subscribe for more insights from PE-backed CEOs and founders building businesses that last.

⚡ Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 52 ⚡ In crowded markets, being “better” isn’t enough — you have to be different. In this episode, Otherwise Brewing Co-Founder and CEO Aaron Gervais joins host Justin Dixon to unpack how he built one of the only gluten-free beer brands in the U.S. — and turned a small niche into a scalable business opportunity. Aaron shares how he identified a white space in a saturated industry, found the right co-founder to complement his strengths, and built a company rooted in process, not just passion. From product-market fit to operational discipline, this conversation reveals why differentiation is the real growth engine behind enduring brands. 🔍 What You’ll Learn: Why differentiation matters more than competition How to find (and validate) white space in mature markets The importance of complementary co-founders Applying MVP thinking to physical products Turning passion into process for scalable growth 📩 Connect with Aaron Gervais: Visit their website — https://www.otherwisebrewing.com/ to learn more or get in touch. 🎧 Listen now on: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts 👉 Subscribe for more conversations with founders, investors, and PE leaders who are building the next generation of growth. 💬 Drop a comment: What’s the biggest differentiator in your business today?    

🪖 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 51 🪖   What happens when leadership, discipline, and service meet entrepreneurship? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Patrick Flood, Founder & CEO of Owners in Honor, a nonprofit helping veterans transition from military service to business ownership through acquisition. A 26-year Army veteran and former Green Beret, Patrick shares how his post-service mission evolved from personal success to collective purpose — building a model where veterans don’t just find jobs, but own their next mission. 🔍 What you’ll learn: Why purpose, not profit, drives sustainable leadership How Owners in Honor helps veterans acquire, grow, and exit small businesses The six-phase system behind successful Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) How “service-first” leadership translates into business success Why fulfillment, not just financial return, defines modern leadership 🌐 Connect with Patrick Flood: Website: https://www.ownersinhonor.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmichaelflood/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more leadership conversations that move the market forward.

🏗️ 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/