The Silicon Valley Podcast

Show notes Joe Siencinski 2nd interview https://www.linkedin.com/in/joesiecinski/       My passion is mentoring CEOs and Executive Teams who want to be in control of the growth and expansion of their business. My clients develop and grow in confidence, agility, awareness, and leadership essentials. One thing is for sure, they expand their influence, communicate more effectively, cultivate strong business and personal relationships, and develop a powerful team so the company can focus on exponential growth. WHAT I CAN DO FOR YOU: --------------------------------------------------------powerful tools, time-tested processes, and comprehensive resources, I guide my clients to a great business -- one that is achieving optimal success, as defined by them. MY APPROACH: Exponential growth is attainable. My role is to help you strip away the confusion of constantly changing economic, regulatory, personnel, supply chain, and cash flow issues that can cripple a business. I help you dive deep into the bones of the organization – the framework around which you can set the policies, procedures, systems, strategies, tactical plans, marketing initiatives, sales campaigns, hiring & firing processes, and much, much more. Just like building a house, we’ll start with laying the foundation upon which a sturdy, strong, long lasting, profitable, ethical, respected business can be built.       We talk about   The DISC personalities When to raise capital The power of communication and leadership in a business Setting personal goals before business goals AI and how it will impact business owner.   And much more       Connect with Joe   ✅Email me at joe@brainsharecoach.com ✅Schedule a call https://my.timedriver.com/VNTR6 https://www.brainshare.online/pages/3-paths-page    

Ep 217 Silicon Valley and The Middle East with Fouad Alnazawi and Stephanie Richards Guests: Fouad Alnazawi and Stephanie Richards Topic: Exploring the unique challenges and opportunities for startups in Silicon Valley and Saudi Arabia, and how collaboration between these two regions can drive innovation and growth. Intro: Briefly introduce the hosts and the episode's topic. Highlight the expertise of the guests, Fouad Alnazawi and Stephanie Richards, in the startup ecosystems of Saudi Arabia and Silicon Valley respectively. Career Journeys and Regional Insights: Invite Fouad and Stephanie to share their career paths and experiences in the startup scene. Discuss the distinct strengths and challenges faced by startups in Saudi Arabia compared to Silicon Valley. Venture Capital Landscape and Investment Strategies : Compare the availability of venture capital and investment opportunities in both regions. Explore the differences in investment styles and priorities between Silicon Valley and Saudi Arabia. Discuss the role of angel groups and recent developments in the funding ecosystems. Growth Trajectory and Global Collaboration: Analyze the typical growth trajectory of startups in Saudi Arabia and their preferred expansion strategies. Emphasize the importance of global collaboration and partnerships for startups in today's interconnected world. Discuss the potential benefits and opportunities of connecting startup ecosystems on a global scale. International Collaboration and Initiatives: Highlight existing initiatives or programs in both regions that promote international collaboration among entrepreneurs and tech companies. Share specific examples of successful collaborations between startups from Silicon Valley and Saudi Arabia. Regulatory Considerations and Areas of Collaboration: Discuss the regulatory landscape for startups in Saudi Arabia and potential challenges entrepreneurs might face. Identify areas where Silicon Valley and Saudi Arabia can collaborate more effectively to drive innovation and growth. Challenges and Success Stories: Invite Fouad and Stephanie to share personal challenges they have encountered in their roles and how they overcame them. Discuss their approach to measuring the success of companies they work with. Share inspiring examples of successful startups that have emerged from Saudi Arabia and the problems they solve. Connecting with the Guests and Conclusion: Provide information on how listeners can learn more about Fouad, Stephanie, and their work. Briefly summarize the key takeaways from the discussion and reiterate the importance of collaboration between startup ecosystems. Additional Questions: Discuss the current emphasis on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia and its potential impact. Explore the role of universities and research institutions in supporting the local startup ecosystem.   Foaud Alnazawi Bio   https://www.linkedin.com/in/fouad-alnazawi-a1175712/   Foaud is the Managing Director of Lamarka Consulting Services   Lamarka is a consultancy firm that provides range of services; we have been helping visionary leaders to unleash growth and development by Crafting Winning Strategies and Implementing them. Lamarka is a group that has 2 companies; Lamarka Consulting Services and Lamarka 700. We offer range of services for our clients to improve their businesses and take it to the next level. Our purpose is to inspire companies and individuals to achieve their highest potential. Our core values are: Elevation of Standards Dreams, Creativity and Innovation Integrity Encouragement of individual initiatives Stephanie Richards https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieerichards/   Stephanie has 20 years of experience at the intersection of national economic development and innovation ecosystems. She focuses on the strategy, policy, intelligent capital and international connectivity needed to accelerate young innovation and startup environments.  With a background in economics, strategy consulting, entrepreneurship and venture capital, and following nearly a decade as a Middle East and North Africa (MENA) emerging markets and economic development specialist at Monitor Group (subsequently Monitor Deloitte), Stephanie founded her own firm in 2013. She advises and partners with mission-aligned venture capital funds, ecosystem builders, academic institutions and government entities to ensure that pioneering IP, innovation and technologies find a path to international markets and global impact. Stephanie has a particular passion for mentoring researcher-entrepreneurs, building innovator-founder communities, and supporting innovation commercialization and ecosystemic transitions from shallower tech to deeper tech. She serves as an advisory board member, mentor and investor for numerous startups and early-stage companies, and is a business supervisor, guest speaker and regular mentor for entrepreneurial talent at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School. Having been based in MENA since 2005, Stephanie now divides her time between the GCC, the UK (London and Cambridge) and North America (primarily Silicon Valley), actively working to improve collaboration between the diverse set of innovation communities on all three continents.

Building Your Tribe, Unleashing the Power of a Startup Wolfpack with Michael Devellano Topic: Navigating the entrepreneurial journey, fostering strong communities, and leveraging the power of collaboration. Intro: Introduce Michael and his background in startups, investment, and community building. Highlight his book, "Form Your Pack," as a guide for entrepreneurs to create and empower their own support networks. Building Your Wolfpack: Discuss the core concept of the "Wolfpack" and why it's crucial for entrepreneurial success. Explore the book's goal of equipping listeners with tools and strategies to build their own powerful communities. Cracking the Success Formula: Ask Michael to share his personal insights on the elusive formula for success in the business world. Delve into his unique perspective that goes beyond traditional "hustle" or "innovation." Understanding Keiretsu: Briefly explain the history and unique structure of Keiretsu, a venture capital firm focused on community-driven decision-making. Analyze the pros and cons of this model for both entrepreneurs and investors. YC Meets Wu-Tang Clan: Explore the surprising connection Michael draws between Y Combinator, the prestigious startup accelerator, and the legendary hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. Discuss the common threads of building strong communities and driving impact through collaboration. Power of Public Building: Unpack the potential benefits and challenges of building your company "in public," as Michael advocates. Explore effective strategies for engaging communities and leveraging transparency for growth. Behind the Board Ape Club: Share Michael's perspective on the phenomenal success of the Bored Ape Yacht Club, a community-driven NFT project. Analyze the key factors that contributed to its rise and the valuable lessons for other entrepreneurs. Optimizing Your Wolfpack: Discuss ideal pack size and strategies for ensuring everyone contributes meaningfully. delve into the process of establishing a shared agenda and aligning individual goals with the pack's mission. Beware the Dark Triad: Explain the concept of the "three dark triad" personalities (narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy) and their potential to harm a pack's dynamics. Offer tips for identifying and mitigating the negative impact of these individuals. Embracing Wrong Decisions: Dive deeper into Michael's powerful quote about accepting the risk of making wrong decisions. Discuss the importance of failing forward and learning from mistakes in the entrepreneurial journey. Connect with Michael: (9) Michael Devellano | LinkedIn  

CEO and bestselling author, Adam Coffey, shares insights on private equity, business growth, and strategic acquisitions. He highlights the importance of unit economics, pricing strategies, and successful acquisitions. His expertise in building high-performance cultures and driving revenue growth is evident throughout the engaging discussion.

Paul Epstein, leadership expert, organizational culture guru, and Founder of Purpose Labs. With nearly fifteen years of experience in professional sports management and business coaching, Paul shares his transformative journey and insights with our audience. Career Journey: A brief overview of Paul's career, from his roles in multiple NFL and NBA teams to his current mission with Purpose Labs. The life-changing transformation at the San Francisco 49ers that led Paul to discover his 'Why' and inspire purpose in others. Navigating Corporate Challenges: Selling for a "losing" team and playing "offense" in a "defense" environment. Insights into a competitive corporate environment and rising up in a challenging workplace. Engaging with Professional Athletes: Strategies for founders to capture the attention of professional athletes or teams. Best practices for founders partnering with celebrities for endorsements. Transition from Sports to Purpose Labs: Reasons behind Paul's transition from the world of sports to founding Purpose Labs. Insights and lessons for entrepreneurs and business owners. Exploring the Book "Playing Offense": Understanding "Most Valuable Decision" (MVD) and its significance. Green-light life vs. red-light life, the "Head + Heart = Hands" equation, and the challenge of a "yellow light" situation. Decision-Making and Confidence Building: The 4 Cs for making better decisions faster. Building unshakable confidence and the role of a growth mindset. CEO Traits and Future Goals: Traits observed in the best CEOs. Paul's goals for the scalability of impact in the coming years. Connecting with Paul: How to learn more about Paul, Purpose Labs, and his impactful work. Additional Insights (if time permits): Faking it until you make it vs. real authenticity. Understanding "breaking the needle." Being at peak performance in business when needed. Discoveries from Paul's podcast interviews with exceptional individuals. Tune in to gain valuable insights on leadership, decision-making, and building unshakable confidence with Paul Epstein. Connect with Paul: LinkedIn

Show notes for Jon Staenberg https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonstaenberg/   The Search Fund Model with Jon Smith   Introduction and Career Background Jon shares insights into his career journey leading up to his current role.   Understanding Search Funds Definition and historical context of search funds in the business landscape.   Risks and Challenges A discussion on potential risks and challenges associated with the search fund model.   Evolution of Search Funds Insight into how search funds are evolving and what excites Jon about their future.   Track Record Overview An overview of the track record and success stories associated with search funds.   Participants in the Search Fund Model Exploring who typically opts for the search fund route, including the backgrounds of investors and operators.   Identification and Evaluation The process of identifying and evaluating potential target companies for acquisition.   Exit Strategies and Timelines Addressing whether search funds have specific exit timelines and the parameters involved.   Due Diligence Insights into how search funds approach due diligence and factors considered in the evaluation of potential acquisitions.   Access to Deals How search fund operators gain access to premium deals and compete with larger institutions.   Why Choose a Search Fund as a Buyer? Common reasons why sellers may opt for a search fund as the buyer for their company.   Seller Due Diligence The due diligence process sellers typically undertake when considering a search fund acquisition.   Value Creation and Growth Plans Strategies employed by search funds to create value and drive growth in acquired businesses.   Investor Involvement Post-Acquisition The level of investor involvement and oversight in the operations of the acquired company.   Management Fee Structure and Incentives Explaining the fund's management fee structure and performance incentives for the search fund team.   Investor Communications How communication is managed with investors and the frequency of updates on the search fund's progress.   Closing Remarks and Contact Information Jon invites listeners to connect and learn more about him and his work.   To learn more about Jon and his insights,   Connec with Jon   https://www.agatehound.fund/ https://twitter.com/AgateHoundFund https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonstaenberg/ jon@staenberg.com   Jon’s bio   Founder / Managing Partner   Jon Staenberg   Jon Staenberg has been an active venture capitalist for over 30 years, serving as a General Partner in three Funds managing over $250 million. He is also a venture partner in three Venture Funds. As an angel investor, Jon has made over 250 investments.   Currently, he is focused on building Agate Hound Fund, a fund for Search Funds. This asset class is relatively unknown but has shown exceptional performance over the past 40 years. Additionally, he spends his spare time working on his vineyard in Argentina, www.handofgodwines.com.   In these intriguing times, Jon has a captivating story to share about what lies ahead and why search funds are the new venture capital.

Shownotes for Emily Ward   Join us for an insightful conversation with Emily Ward, Founder and CEO of AlcaCruz, as we explore her remarkable journey from VP and Chief Technology Counsel at eBay to the helm of her own tech startup.   Key Questions and Topics:   Career Overview: Emily shares a summary of her distinguished career leading up to her current role.   Global Market Expansion: Lessons learned from eBay's expansion into China and global markets. Strategies for fast-growing startups planning to enter new markets.   Intellectual Property for Startups: The importance of intellectual property for startups. Insights on filing patents from a legal and technology perspective.   Mergers and Acquisitions: Emily's experiences on eBay's M&A teams and the importance of a strong legal team. Stories and lessons from assessing and acquiring companies like GSI, Bill Me Later, and Braintree.   Diversity on Boards: Emily's thoughts on diversity on company boards. Considerations for founders when creating a board.   Leadership Wisdom: Wisdom on leadership from Emily's extensive speaking engagements in the tech community.   Transition to Tech Entrepreneurship: Emily's decision to start a tech company instead of a law practice. Insights on women CEOs in the tech startup space.   AlcaCruz Overview: Emily provides an overview of AlcaCruz and the problems it aims to solve.   Tech Readiness for Problem Solving: The intersection of technology and problem-solving for AlcaCruz's mission.   Career Transition Advice: How Emily's corporate experience prepared her for entrepreneurship. Advice for individuals transitioning from well-funded companies to starting their own ventures.   Resources for Women Founders: Insights into resources available for women founders. Personal experiences regarding advantages and disadvantages in Emily's career.   Connect with Emily: Learn more about AlcaCruz and connect with Emily.   Closing: Don't miss this enriching conversation with Emily Ward, where we delve into the nuances of tech leadership, entrepreneurship, and the journey from corporate giants to startup dreams.   Stay tuned for more insights and inspiration!     Connect with Emily   https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilysward/ com (Company) com (Company) emilyward@gmail.com   Full Bio:   CompetesTV uses our award winning MultiView tech for video competitions. Creators use their videos to showcase their talents and share contests to grow viewership and revenue streams. www.competes.tv. Launching soon!  AlcaCruz created MultiView video streaming technology that live streams multiple camera views or multiple games (sports, esports, concerts, channel programming, etc.) into one interactive screen. Available in IOS & Android as CruzTV. Emily is CEO of CompetesTV & AlcaCruz. Previously, Emily was Vice President & Worldwide Chief Technology Counsel at PayPal and eBay for many years. Legal tech leader for PayPal’s and eBay’s technologies, products and companies. Legal tech lead on eBay’s M&A teams that assessed and bought GSI ($2.4B), Bill Me Later ($1.2B), Braintree ($800M), and many other companies, as well as divested Skype. Split the IP portfolios for eBay and PayPal during PayPal’s spin-off from eBay. Testified on patent reform before Congressional committee. Successfully resolved bet-the-company lawsuits, including Merc Exchange v. eBay (previous unanimous US Supreme Court decision for eBay). She has won numerous awards, including being recognized as one of the Most Influential Women in Silicon Valley (SV Business Journal), one of the Top Women Leaders in Technology Law, one of the World’s Leading IP Strategists, Legal Impact Winner, Multicultural Leadership Award, Legal Momentum Women of Achievement honoree and the Direct Women Board Institute program. She enjoys spending time with family, friends and church, and she and her family are avid dog lovers and currently have 4 rescue dogs at home. They also support the Hope Technology School (a full inclusion school for special needs children).

Shownotes for Andrew Butt   Founder & CEO at Enable, creating the Rebate Management software category. Used by manufacturers, distributors and retailers globally to increase earnings. Since 2020 we've grown 15X and raised $275m from top tier investors.  My mission is to enable trusted trading relationships that serve customers better together. My vision is to empower thriving partner ecosystems of manufacturers, distributors and retailers where people can find the best products, services and value. Enable is a B2B SaaS platform for companies across 50+ sectors to analyze, negotiate and execute complex trading agreements to drive profitable growth. Served on the Board of Directors of several other companies and not-for-profits. I have started and grown multiple businesses into profit and positive cash flow, including exit to PE. * Founded 4 businesses, and demonstrated traction and growth in every case * Grown revenues every quarter without exception - now a permanent team of 500 * Served on main board of directors for 3 years for Helicopter Club of Great Britain * Served on main board of directors for 3 years for a $300m business * Co-founded and sold business to private equity   Episode Highlights:   Introduction to Andrew's Career:   Andrew provides an overview of his career journey, highlighting key milestones and experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial path.   Startup Ecosystem: UK vs. Silicon Valley:   Andrew shares insights into the similarities and differences between the startup ecosystems in the UK and Silicon Valley since he now resides in San Francisco.   Expansion Routes and Advice for Silicon Valley Companies:   Discussing Andrew's experience with expanding companies from the UK to Europe or the US, and valuable advice for Silicon Valley companies eyeing entry into the European market.   Evaluating Ideas for Building a Company:   Andrew delves into his approach to evaluating ideas for building a company, offering valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.   Evolution of SaaS Over Time:   Reflecting on the evolution of SaaS since Andrew's first venture in 2004, exploring the changes and challenges faced by founders in the SaaS space.   Raising Capital and Working with Top Tier VCs:   Andrew shares his experiences with fundraising, from the early struggles to landing a significant investment, and discusses what it's like to collaborate with top-tier venture capitalists.   Key Metrics for Company Tracking:   Exploring the metrics Andrew tracks for his company, revealing how he identified and prioritized these metrics for success.   Rebate Management Software:   Andrew provides insights into rebate management software, shedding light on its significance in the business landscape.   Organic Growth vs. Acquisition:   Discussing the decision-making process behind growing a company organically versus through acquisitions, with a focus on the acquisition of Profectus Group’s RDM Platform.   Managing Culture Integration Post-Acquisition:   Andrew shares tips on managing the integration of different company cultures after an acquisition, drawing from his experiences.   Employee Liquidity and Staying Private Longer:   Addressing the trend of companies staying private longer and conversations around employee liquidity, providing perspectives on these industry shifts.   Continuous Learning and Board Membership:   Andrew discusses his commitment to continuous learning, serving on boards, and the best practices for being an effective board member.   Entrepreneurial Journey and Valuable Lessons:   Andrew reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, sharing the most valuable business lesson he has learned over the years.   Looking Ahead and Final Thoughts:   Andrew discusses topics not covered in the episode, his future plans, and invites listeners to connect for more insights. Connect with Andrew   https://www.linkedin.com/in/awbutt/

Show notes for Adam Nash - Adam and the Daffy team are offering all our listeners a free $25 to give to the charity of their choice when they get started with Daffy. Simply use this sign-up link to get started.  Adam is a proven advocate for development of products that go beyond utility to delight customers. At Dropbox, he led the teams responsible for growth, product strategy, product management & product analytics for a platform with over 600 million registered users with responsibility for all of Dropbox self-service revenue (~90% of all company revenue in 2019). Before Dropbox, Adam served as the President & CEO of Wealthfront, where for four years he championed the creation of a new category of automated investment services. While Adam was at Wealthfront, the company grew its client base by over 60x, and grew assets under management 45x from less than $100m to over $4 billion. During his tenure, Wealthfront delivered industry-leading innovations including Direct Indexing, the Single-Stock Diversification Service, and the first automated 529 College Savings Plan. Prior to joining Wealthfront, Adam was Vice President of Product Management at LinkedIn. Adam led LinkedIn’s Platform & Mobile products, including the launch of LinkedIn’s open developer platform and their highly successful native applications and mobile web experiences. Adam was the founder and architect of LinkedIn Hackdays, a seminal program for driving the innovation culture at the company. He also was responsible for leading LinkedIn’s search & cloud efforts, as well as forming and leading their user experience & design team. Prior to joining LinkedIn, Adam held a number of leadership roles at eBay, including Director of eBay Express, an innovative new site focused on new, fixed-price products. Previously, Adam also held strategic and technical roles at Atlas Venture, Preview Systems and Apple. Adam holds an MBA from Harvard Business School as well as BS and MS degrees in Computer Science with a focus on Human Computer Interaction from Stanford University. Adam was born and raised in Silicon Valley where he lives with his wife, four children and a golden retriever.   We talk about What is exciting between the intersection of finance and technology? What is some due diligence one should do on a company before investing? Knowledge, experiences or a network…what is the most important when building a company? What are common behavioral biases or tendencies that individuals exhibit when making financial decisions?

Ian Leisegang   Co-Founder & Managing Partner at 3SPOKE https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-leisegang-3spoke/ 3SPOKE provides balanced liquidity solutions for the stakeholders of leading growth stage private technology companies. Utilizing an innovative financing structure combining attractive features of debt and equity, we offer individual shareholders and their companies a highly favorable form of capital. Utilized as an alternative to a secondary market sale or to provide for the capital necessary for employees to exercise their stock options and purchase their shares, 3SPOKE’s solutions are designed to maximize value and minimize risk and disruption.   We talk about: What should people know about Secondary’s and the private markets? How do investors do their due diligence on these private companies? What is the concept of balanced liquidity solutions for stakeholders of private technology companies? In the past, what have GP’s, LP’s, done for liquidity?