Seth Farbman on Podcast - From Startup to Stock Exchange

A $5 billion stock market, and the kind of insight that helps founders avoid becoming a cautionary tale about it.In this episode of From Startup to Stock Exchange, Seth Farbman sits down with Jason Paltrowitz, a cross-border equity and capital markets consultant at Cross Bridge who has worked with companies across more than 40 countries. They discuss what a real secondary market looks like once the IPO hype fades, why the US market isn't one market at all, why late filings are a red flag for investors, and why early-stage companies probably shouldn't be held to the same standard as a company like Microsoft. Jason also explains why he no longer ties himself to any single exchange, structure, or country, and what that independence lets him tell clients that a paid banker often can't.If you're a founder, executive, or investor thinking about going public, or you're already listed and rethinking your capital markets strategy, this conversation is for you.Subscribe to the channel for more conversations on what it really takes to go from startup to stock exchange.Connect with Jason Paltrowitz, Founder & Principal, Crossbridge Advisors LLCLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-paltrowitz-a870a91/Chapters: 00:00 – Trailer00:40 – Introduction01:44 – Jason's background03:51 – Leaving OTC and starting Cross Bridge09:11 – The biggest misconception about US markets12:20 – IPO vs. secondary market, and the Mongolia stat14:24 – The Times Square billboard problem17:11 – The Kazakhstan airport story18:02 – Nasdaq and NYSE delisting rules, "lawful but awful"26:44 – How he picks which companies to work with30:10 – What separates companies that survive from ones that don't34:26 – Working with exchanges instead of just issuers40:00 – His take on 24-hour trading45:54 – How to reach Jason, and the 7.5% stake he turned downConnect with Seth LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethfarbman/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sethfarbmanstock TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@sethfarbman Twitter (X) – https://x.com/sethfarbman1

On this episode, host Seth Farbman sits down with Jonathan Reich, CEO of Zedge, the publicly traded company behind Zedge Marketplace, the leading platform for mobile phone personalization content including ringtones, wallpapers, app icons, and dynamic wallpapers.Zedge has built a community of around 20 million monthly active users, and Jonathan breaks down how that scale turned into an unexpected new business line: licensing content and building custom data sets for frontier AI models. He shares how the opportunity came about, what makes Zedge's data valuable to AI companies, and where he sees the business heading next.Jonathan also talks through what it's like running a publicly traded company on the NYSE American, the competitive landscape for a personalization platform this size, and what's got him most excited about Zedge's future.If you're interested in how a consumer app scaled to millions of users and found a second act in the AI economy, this is a conversation worth your time.Chapters:00:00 Cold Open: Episode Highlights00:48 Welcome & Guest Introduction01:52 Why the Name "Zedge"?02:35 What Zedge Does: Marketplace, GenAI Suite & Guru Shots03:17 The Pivot: Licensing Data to AI Models05:38 From Ringtones in 2008 to Today08:17 Jonathan's Journey: Wall Street to Zedge CEO13:07 Zedge's Innovation Track: Deciding What Gets Built16:07 Going Public: Advantages & Global Revenue Mix22:14 Competition, What's Next & Where to Learn MoreConnect with Seth LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethfarbman/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sethfarbmanstock TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@sethfarbman Twitter (X) – https://x.com/sethfarbman1

What does it take to build a healthcare company at the intersection of telehealth, compounding pharmaceuticals, and technology?In our latest episode of Startup to Stock Exchange, host Seth Farbman talks with Giorgio R. Saumat, Chairman & CEO of Earth Science Tech, about his journey from real estate investing into the healthcare industry and ultimately leading a publicly traded company.Giorgio explains how he became involved with Earth Science Tech, how the company has built a vertically integrated healthcare model across telehealth, compounding pharmacies, and its doctor network, and why he believes this approach creates opportunities for long-term growth.The conversation also explores how AI is transforming telehealth operations. While many companies are reducing headcount because of AI, Giorgio shares why his own IT team has grown 4–5x as new technology allows the company to build faster, improve efficiency, and handle growing volumes.Giorgio also discusses expanding the company's geographic footprint, entering the animal healthcare market, and his approach to capital allocation, growth, and building long-term shareholder value.Watch the full conversation to hear Giorgio's perspective on building and scaling a healthcare business in a rapidly changing industry.Connect with Giorgio:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giorgio-r-saumat-etst/Chapters:00:00 — Trailer00:45 — Meet Giorgio Saumat & Earth Science Tech02:10 — Building a Vertically Integrated Healthcare Company04:15 — Expanding Into Animal Healthcare05:20 — The Telehealth Market06:40 — From Real Estate Investor to CEO09:10 — Learning the Healthcare Business11:35 — What Makes Their Model Different?17:35 — How AI Is Transforming Telehealth19:30 — Scaling Across the US25:25 — What Investors Get Wrong About the CompanyConnect with Seth LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethfarbman/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sethfarbmanstock TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@sethfarbman Twitter (X) – https://x.com/sethfarbman1

In this episode, Seth sits down with Lourdes Felix, CEO & CFO of BioCorRx, to discuss what it really takes to build and lead a publicly traded biotech company focused on substance use disorder.Lourdes shares her journey from finance professional to CEO, her 14+ years with BioCorRx, and how the company has evolved from a reverse merger into a drug-development business working on innovative addiction treatment solutions.They discuss the realities of running a public biotech company, from raising capital and managing investor expectations to navigating clinical trials, regulatory development, and the challenge of being pre-revenue. Lourdes also explains BioCorRx’s approach to medication-assisted treatment and the company’s naltrexone implant technology.The conversation also gets personal, exploring the patients and families who have been impacted by the company’s work and what continues to motivate Lourdes after more than a decade in the industry.Finally, Lourdes discusses BioCorRx’s first revenue-generating commercial asset and what could be next for the company.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CFOs, and advisors shaping today's capital markets.00:00 — Introducing Lourdes Felix & BioCorRx 01:42 — Building a Company Around Addiction Treatment 03:52 — How BioCorRx Helps People With Addiction 05:59 — From Finance Professional to CEO 07:43 — Balancing Business With Capital Raising 10:43 — From Finance to the World of Biotech 11:50 — Developing BioCorRx’s Naltrexone Implant 15:18 — The Biggest Misconceptions About Addiction 18:26 — The Patients Who Keep Her Going 19:34 — BioCorRx’s First Revenue-Generating Asset & What’s Next Connect with Seth LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethfarbman/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sethfarbmanstock TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@sethfarbman Twitter (X) – https://x.com/sethfarbman1

The real challenge begins once the company goes public.In this episode of From Startup to Stock Exchange, host Seth Farbman talks with Jaylvin Chan, Executive Director of Astute All Advisory and former CFO of two Nasdaq-listed companies. Based in Malaysia, Jaylvin has seen the IPO journey from both sides: as the executive preparing to go public, and now as the advisor guiding other companies through it.Jaylvin explains why the real challenge for public-company CFOs isn't audits or compliance deadlines, but coordinating global teams across time zones. He also breaks down why companies with plenty of capital still choose to list in the US, using Grab's decision to list on Nasdaq instead of Singapore as an example, and shares his take on the SEC's proposed 24-hour trading day.In this episode:The real biggest challenge for a public-company CFOWhy foreign companies list in the US even without needing the capitalWhat life looks like after the IPO bell ringsHot industries in Malaysia right now (renewable energy, AI, IoT)Jaylvin's advice: don't wait to be perfect🔗 Learn more: astuteall.com👉 Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CFOs, and advisors shaping today's capital markets.00:00 Don’t Wait for the Perfect IPO01:01 From Nasdaq CFO to IPO Advisor 02:40 Preparing Malaysian Companies for Nasdaq 04:10 Why He Chose the U.S. Markets 05:30 The Biggest Challenge of Going Public 08:17 The CFO as the IPO Quarterback 10:57 Why Foreign Companies Choose Nasdaq 13:22 Being Public Is Harder Than Going Public 15:26 Malaysia’s Hottest Growth Industries 21:31 The Future of 24-Hour Trading & Going Public FastConnect with Seth LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethfarbman/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sethfarbmanstock TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@sethfarbman Twitter (X) – https://x.com/sethfarbman1

Most founders think going public is a liquidity event, but Sam Van says it's a credibility test.In this episode of Startup to Stock Exchange, Seth Farbman sits down with Sam Van, founding partner at SRO Partners and a former 11 year veteran of the New York Stock Exchange, to unpack why the IPO itself is rarely what sinks a company. It's the 12 months after.Sam shares what he's learned advising companies through the full lifecycle of going public, from 25 to 30 months before the bell rings to the critical first year of trading, including why going public today is less a liquidity event and more a credibility test, what actually separates companies that survive their first year public from those that don't, and how his own journey from NYSE regulator to founder of SRO Partners was born by accident out of client relationships. He also opens up about SRO's deep ties to Asian capital markets, his personal connection to Vietnam, and his role brokering the NYSE-Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange relationship.In this episode, you'll learn:- Why most companies don't fail at the IPO. They fail 12 months later- Why going public is a credibility test, not a liquidity event- What it really costs to run a public company (and why capital disappears faster than founders expect)- How Sam evaluates whether a company is ready to go public, 25-30 months out- Why SRO Partners was founded by accident, and what the name actually stands for- How Sam built a career bridging Asian markets and US capital, from Singapore to Vietnam- What founders need to understand about credibility, buy-in, and due diligence before they ever consider the public marketsWhether you're a founder, investor, CEO, or simply interested in the journey from startup to public company, this episode offers insights into IPO readiness, capital markets, post-IPO survival, and what it really takes to build a company that lasts beyond the opening bell.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with founders and CEOs building the next generation of public companies.Connect with Seth LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethfarbman/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sethfarbmanstock TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@sethfarbman Twitter (X) – https://x.com/sethfarbman1

For most, the IPO is the milestone. For Jay Heller, that’s when the real work begins.In this episode of Startup to Stock Exchange, Seth Farbman sits down with Jay Heller, former Head of Capital Markets at Nasdaq, to discuss the lessons he’s learned from overseeing more than 3,000 IPOs and now building a company of his own.Jay shares what separates companies that succeed from those that don’t, why going public is only the beginning, what founders need to understand about investors and the public markets, and why he ultimately left Nasdaq to become CEO of K-Lab.AI, a programmable payment infrastructure company using AI and blockchain to bring greater speed, transparency, and accountability to payments.In this episode, you'll learn:What Jay Heller learned from overseeing more than 3,000 IPOsWhy the IPO is only the beginning, not the finish lineWhat separates companies that succeed in the public markets from those that don'tWhy Jay left Nasdaq to become CEO of K-Lab.AIHow K-Lab.AI is using AI and blockchain to transform payment infrastructureWhy strong teams, clear roadmaps, and investor alignment matter when building a public companyWhat founders need to understand about delivering on their promises once they enter the public marketsWhether you're a founder, investor, CEO, or simply interested in the journey from startup to public company, this episode offers insights into IPOs, capital markets, leadership, and what it really takes to build a company for the long term.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with founders and CEOs building the next generation of public companies.Connect with Jay:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-heller-345a033/Chapters:00:00 - Trailer 00:01:00 - Introduction of Jay Heller & K-Lab.Ai Overview 00:02:39 - How K-Lab.Ai Solves Supply Chain Friction 00:05:05 - Market Focus: Expansion in the US & Latin America 00:07:12 - Why Jay Heller Left Nasdaq to Become CEO 00:12:17 - The True Meaning of the Nasdaq Bell Ceremony 00:13:42 - Key Traits of Successful Public Companies 00:16:10 - The Origins & Evolution of K-Lab.Ai 00:18:52 - Navigating Government Contracts & White House Meetings 00:23:00 - What Makes an Effective CEO Across Different Industries 00:26:12 - Fundraising & Building the Ideal Cap TableConnect with Seth LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethfarbman/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sethfarbmanstock TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@sethfarbman Twitter (X) – https://x.com/sethfarbman1

What does it take to build a public medtech company that's transforming the future of hearing?In this episode of Startup to Stock Exchange, Seth Farbman sits down with Brent Lucas, CEO of Envoy Medical (NASDAQ: COCH), to discuss the journey of bringing groundbreaking hearing technology to the public markets.Envoy Medical is developing the world's first fully implanted cochlear implant, a breakthrough that could redefine how people with severe hearing loss experience sound. But this conversation goes far beyond the technology.Brent shares what it takes to lead an innovative medical device company, the realities of raising capital, navigating the public markets, telling a compelling story to investors, and why having a great product alone isn't enough to build a successful public company.In this episode, you'll learn:- How Envoy Medical is reinventing hearing technology- Why the company chose to go public- The challenges of building a public medtech company- Why great products don't automatically win in the public markets- The importance of investor storytelling- How fully implanted cochlear implants could transform millions of lives- The emotional impact of helping patients reconnect with their loved onesGuest featured in this episode:Brent Lucas, CEO of Envoy Medical -https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-lucas-envoy/Whether you're a founder, investor, healthcare professional, or simply fascinated by breakthrough innovation, this episode offers valuable insights into the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and the public markets.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with founders and CEOs building the next generation of public companies.Chapters:00:00 Introducing Brent Lucas & Envoy Medical02:38 Building Invisible Hearing Technology05:14 Disrupting a 40-Year-Old Industry07:16 How Brent Got Into MedTech10:22 A 30-Year Overnight Success Story11:26 Why Envoy Medical Went Public13:01 The Reality of Going Public Through a SPAC14:38 The Challenge of Building in Public16:34 The Patient Story That Changed Everything19:36 The Public Market Challenge Nobody Talks AboutConnect with Seth LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethfarbman/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sethfarbmanstock TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@sethfarbman Twitter (X) – https://x.com/sethfarbman1

Most people hear "quantum" and think it's years away.Yaki Barnes disagrees.As CEO of Nasdaq-listed Quantum X Labs, he's building quantum computers, quantum navigation systems, and quantum sensing technology that are already moving from the lab toward commercial applications.In this episode, we break down what quantum technology actually is, why companies like IBM, Google, Amazon, and Nvidia are investing billions into it, and how quantum navigation could replace GPS in industries where accuracy and security are mission-critical.Yaki also shares his journey from serving as an officer in the Israeli Navy to helping take multiple companies public on Nasdaq, and explains the leadership lessons that shaped his approach to building one of the industry's most ambitious quantum companies.Whether you're an investor, founder, or simply curious about where technology is headed next, this conversation offers a practical look at one of the most exciting fields in innovation.Guests featured in the Episode:Yaki BaranesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaki-baranes-5a71b059/Chapters00:00 Trailer00:50 Building a Nasdaq-Listed Quantum Company06:26 Why Great CEOs Need Smarter Teams08:05 Leadership Lessons from the Israeli Navy11:58 The Career Path to Becoming a Quantum CEO13:50 The Technology That Could Replace GPS18:56 The Secret Behind Quantum X Labs' Advantage21:47 IPO or Reverse Merger? Why They Chose Nasdaq24:07 The Biggest Mistake Founders Make Before Going Public26:10 The Future of Quantum TechnologyConnect with Seth LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethfarbman/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sethfarbmanstock TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@sethfarbman Twitter (X) – https://x.com/sethfarbman1

Cybersecurity isn't just an enterprise problem anymore, it's a business survival problem.In this episode of Startup to Stock Exchange, Seth Farbman sits down with Kevin Kelly, CEO of Cycurion, to discuss how the cybersecurity landscape is changing and why small and mid-sized businesses have become targets.Kevin shares insights from decades of leadership experience, from leading global organisations to running a publicly traded cybersecurity company. The conversation dives into how AI is reshaping cybersecurity, the unique challenges of serving government and enterprise customers, protecting underserved businesses, and what it takes to build and scale a public cybersecurity company in today's rapidly changing market.Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, investor, or simply interested in the future of cybersecurity, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the world's fastest-evolving industries.Guest featured in this episodeKevin Kelly – CEO, CycurionLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-kelly-cycu/Chapters00:00 Introduction02:15 Meet Cycurion: Serving the underserved cybersecurity market06:42 Why healthcare, banks, and government are prime cyber targets09:42 The true cost of ransomware attacks12:16 Cybercrime, ransomware, and the rise of "disorganized crime"14:40 Kevin Kelly's journey to leading Cycurion20:28 How AI is transforming cybersecurity22:45 Why cybersecurity is becoming an AI arms race25:13 The realities of building a public cybersecurity company32:53 Scaling Cycurion through government contracts and AI-driven productsIf you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of Startup to Stock Exchange, where we bring you conversations with founders, CEOs, and market leaders building the companies shaping tomorrow.Connect with Seth LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethfarbman/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sethfarbmanstock TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@sethfarbman Twitter (X) – https://x.com/sethfarbman1