Spotlight Podcast

In this episode, we explore how AI is changing website design and development.Today, we’re excited to have Dan Anisse, co-founder of Relume, an AI website builder that helps design and build websites faster.Dan's journey began with a clothing business and evolved into tech, where he co-founded an influencer analytics platform before launching Relume.Subscribe to Zypsy Spotlight wherever you listen to podcasts to learn more useful insights on what the future of venture capital looks like.Links & resourcesDan Anisse’s LinkedIn and TwitterRelume’s website, LinkedIn and TwitterTimestamp00:00 Introduction00:58 Dan’s journey04:40 Doing the work05:44 Agency lessons08:34 Juggling client work10:54 AI website builder14:11 Getting acquired15:55 Real value of community18:18 Relume’s next steps

Héctor Giner, co-founder of Z1, a digital product studio, shares his journey from researcher to web developer and entrepreneur. He dives into the essentials of launching ideas, emphasizing the importance of clear positioning and understanding clients. The discussion covers acquiring clients through innovative outreach and scaling an agency while maintaining quality. Héctor also explores the impact of AI on human connections and future opportunities in the tech landscape, offering insights for aspiring agency founders.

In this episode, we dive into the billion dollar pool market.Today, we’re excited to have Jeremy Yamaguchi, founder of Splash, a new venture that buys and operates pool service companies.Jeremy’s journey started with building a marketing agency, followed by founding two home services companies, Golden Shine and Lawn Love. Now, his mission is to build the first national brand in pool cleaning.Subscribe to Zypsy Spotlight wherever you listen to podcasts to learn more useful insights on what the future of venture capital looks like.Links & resourcesJeremy Yamaguchi’s LinkedIn and TwitterSplash LinkedInTimestamp00:00 Introduction00:59 Jeremy’s background03:00 Challenges of scaling07:56 Upgrading the pool cleaning industry15:10 VC strategies and profitability18:27 The next steps

In this episode, we focus on building businesses that last. Today, we're excited to have Andrew Dumont founder at curious, a long term holding company that buys and grows software companies with empathy. Andrew's background include roles at Betaworks,  where he was involved with companies like Giphy and Bitly and at Tiny, where he managed and scaled several companies. We'll also talk about how his journey through the tech industry influenced his current mission to build companies that are built to last.Subscribe to Zypsy Spotlight wherever you listen to podcasts to learn more useful insights on what the future of venture capital looks like.Links & resourcesAndrew Dumont’s LinkedInAndrew Dumont’s TwitterCurious LinkedInTimestamp00:00 Introduction01:05 Andrew’s commitment to growth02:36 Building businesses from zero03:52 A studio’s journey from growth to exit06:24 Being a problem-solver07:43 Building for the long-term10:18 Acquiring companies at Curious11:37 AI and FOMO12:34 What AI is doing to the industry13:19 Evolving dynamics of venture capital

Kevin Knight, a seasoned CMO and consultant known for his impactful work with Pinterest and Facebook, joins to share invaluable insights. He emphasizes the synergy between branding and marketing, debunks myths around B2C vs. B2B distinctions, and highlights the importance of storytelling for startups. Kevin also discusses the ever-evolving role of technology, advocating for the use of AI to boost productivity while keeping human creativity intact. His practical strategies aim to empower both new and established brands for sustainable growth.

In this episode, we talk to Kris Kaczmarek. He is an investor at 2xN, a quantum inspired early stage VC fund. The team at 2xN combines the resources you'd expect from big investors, with the personal dedicated support you get from angel investors.Kris discusses the transition from academic research in quantum technologies to a business-focused role, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of this shift. He also shares his reasons for moving into venture capital with 2xN, highlighting his desire to have a broader impact on the quantum technology sector.Subscribe to Zypsy Spotlight wherever you listen to podcasts to learn more useful insights on what the future of venture capital looks like.Links & resourcesKris Kaczmarek’s Twitter and LinkedIn2xN’s Twitter and LinkedInTimestamp00:00 Introduction01:01 Kris Kaczmarek’s story02:25 A family of academics03:57 Practical applications of quantum computing06:28 Theories of how the world works09:11 CPUs, GPUs, and QPUs10:38 Healthcare, cryptography, materials engineering13:54 Exciting investments in quantum tech15:45 Role of quantum computing in drug discovery and AI17:22 Cryptography and quantum challenges20:31 Challenges of investing in quantum tech22:23 How 2xN help startups beyond funding

In this episode, we talk to Brendan Alper. He is the co-founder of Everbloom, an investment platform that allows anyone to invest in creators. Since Everbloom was founded in 2020, they have helped some of the world's most talented creators grow their communities.Brendan's journey from finance at Goldman Sachs to comedy writing, and eventually to entrepreneurship, positions him to understand the creative and business sides of the creator economy. He shares his transition from creating the dating app, Hater, to his appearance on Shark Tank, and finally his move to Stockholm to incubate Everbloom.Subscribe to Zypsy Spotlight wherever you listen to podcasts to learn more useful insights on what the future of venture capital looks like.Links & resourcesBrendan’s LinkedIn and TwitterEverbloom’s website, LinkedIn, and TwitterTimestamp00:00 Introduction00:57 Brendan’s journey03:26 Story of Everbloom06:00 Re-imagining creator funding09:33 A creator’s financial challenges10:28 The accelerator program12:37 Capital needs of creators14:55 Partnering with big creators17:24 Everbloom’s future

In this episode, we talk to Dylan Reid. He is a partner at Zetta Venture Partners, the first VC firm exclusively focused on identifying and supporting AI-driven, B2B businesses in critical domains like biotechnology, climate technology, DevOps and cloud infrastructure, security, and more.Dive into Dylan’s thoughts on the convergence of AI, biology, and business, understanding the evolution and future prospects of AI startups. He reflects on Zetta's dedication to fostering AI solutions, emphasizing the importance of practical AI applications in advancing biology and healthcare.Subscribe to Zypsy Spotlight wherever you listen to podcasts to learn more useful insights on what the future of venture capital looks like.Links & resourcesDylan’s LinkedIn and TwitterZetta Ventures website, LinkedIn, and TwitterTimestamp00:00 Introduction01:00 Dylan’s journey03:27 LLMs and biological data05:54 Advancement of technology09:55 Finding and interacting with biotech founders13:47 The power and promise of data in drug discovery20:24 The world of research investments and potential breakthroughs

Healey Cypher from Atomic shares insights on building startups, not just discovering them. He discusses the true value of a company, the highs and lows of starting a business, and the importance of the giver mindset in business relationships. Tune in for a fresh perspective on the journey from startup birth to launch.

In this episode, we talk to Peter Pan. He is the co-summoner of Hydra Ventures, the first fund of funds for investment DAOs. Before starting Hydra, Peter co-founded MetaCartel Ventures, the first live investment DAO that invests in pre-seed and seed crypto projects.Peter takes us through his journey as the co-summoner of Hydra Ventures, the pioneering fund of funds DAO. He sheds light on the transition from traditionally centralized investment funds to a community-based approach, revealing the potential of aggregating deal flow and assessing investments as a collective.Subscribe to Zypsy Spotlight wherever you listen to podcasts to learn more useful insights on what the future of venture capital looks like.Links & resourcesFollow Peter on LinkedIn or Twitter1kx website, LinkedIn, and TwitterHydra Ventures website, LinkedIn, and TwitterMetaCartel Ventures website and TwitterTimestamp00:00 Introduction01:07 What is an Investment DAO?05:55 Origin and inception of community driven investment09:33 Journey of MetaCartel Ventures10:42 Inspiration behind Hydra Ventures12:13 Ideal form of investment DAOs in the future13:36 Hydra’s mission and vision