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Founders in Arms

Latest episodes

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Jan 10, 2025 • 1h 18min

Special New Year Episode & Building in Regulated Industries with Edward Woodford

In this insightful discussion, Edward Woodford, founder of ZeroHash and expert in crypto infrastructure, shares his journey as a British entrepreneur in America. He delves into the complexities of launching crypto and stablecoin products amid varying global regulations. Woodford emphasizes the emotional landscape for founders during market volatility and the critical nature of engaging with policymakers. He also sheds light on the delicate balance between autonomy and regulation, exploring the implications of recent policy changes in the stablecoin industry.
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Dec 20, 2024 • 47min

Building in Longevity, Biohacking and Space Exploration with Dilan Dane

Dilan Dane, a serial founder and biohacking enthusiast, shares his fascinating journey from war-torn Sri Lanka to MIT. He discusses the intersection of longevity science and space exploration, emphasizing how technology can extend human life. Dane delves into biohacking techniques, including supplements like rapamycin, to enhance health. The conversation also highlights the role of AI in wellness coaching, merging human connection with technological advancements, and touches on the philosophical implications of our evolving relationship with AI and robotics.
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Dec 13, 2024 • 49min

Creating Category-Defining Companies with John Bicket, Co-Founder of Samsara & Meraki

Join Immad Akhund and Raj Suri as they dive deep with John Bicket, co-founder and CTO of Samsara and previously Meraki, into the rare feat of building two successful hardware-software companies. From turning MIT research into a cloud networking pioneer at Meraki to revolutionizing fleet operations at Samsara, John shares candid insights about the existential challenges of serial entrepreneurship, the discipline of testing product-market fit, and how to scale company culture while staying ruthlessly focused on customer impact. The conversation offers a unique window into what it takes to spot technological waves early and build enduring businesses in the challenging hardware-software space.Connect with us on Tribe:https://trbcht.com/invites/WmHNjar5ZN
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Dec 6, 2024 • 51min

Navigating M&A and Executive Security with Daniel Kivatinos, Founder of JustPaid and DrChrono

In this episode of Founders in Arms, Immad and Raj sit down with Daniel Kivatinos, founder of JustPaid and DrChrono. The group starts by sharing their startup war stories, including Raj's shocking tale of an intern-turned-criminal and Daniel's unconventional recruitment of a Chipotle employee. The discussion then delves into the complexities of healthcare in America, sparked by recent news of the UnitedHealth CEO shooting, before transitioning into valuable insights about the M&A process. Daniel shares his experience selling DrChrono after 14 years, exploring the challenges of startup acquisitions, the role of investment bankers, and the evolving landscape of startup resources and information available to founders today.Connect with us on Tribe:https://trbcht.com/invites/WmHNjar5ZN
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Nov 22, 2024 • 52min

Quiet Quitting, Government Regulation, and the Commercial Value of AI Today with Box CEO Aaron Levie

In this wide-ranging conversation with Box CEO Aaron Levie, Immad and Raj dive deep into the intersection of technology, politics, and regulation. Levie shares candid insights about quiet quitting, what’s real about AI and crypto, and his thought-provoking views on government regulation. They explore the potential of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) and the delicate balance between regulatory oversight and technological progress. Want to join the conversation? Connect with us on Tribe:https://trbcht.com/invites/WmHNjar5ZN
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Nov 15, 2024 • 53min

Making Creative Deals with Large Enterprises with Clover Co-Founder Leonard Speiser

In this episode of Founders in Arms, Raj sits down solo with Leonard Speiser, co-founder of Clover, to explore the intricacies of building and scaling hardware startups. Speiser shares the remarkable story of how Clover achieved what seemed impossible: developing enterprise-grade payment hardware from concept to production in just nine months, eventually processing over $300 billion in payments. He discusses the innovative acquisition structure with KKR that allowed Clover to maintain startup agility while leveraging enterprise distribution, offering valuable insights for founders navigating corporate partnerships. Through candid discussions about hardware challenges, fundraising difficulties, and creative business models, this episode offers a masterclass in building transformative technology companies through unconventional paths.Want to join the conversation? Connect with us on Tribe:https://trbcht.com/invites/WmHNjar5ZN
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Nov 8, 2024 • 51min

Innovation, Y Combinator, and Tech Under Trump with Wayne Crosby

In this episode of Founders in Arms, Immad and Raj sit down with Wayne Crosby, a serial entrepreneur and former Google executive. They dive into Wayne's journey from his early startup Zenter (which became Google Slides) through his decade at Google, exploring how the tech giant's innovative culture shifted over time. The conversation spans Wayne's current venture OrgOrg, his decision to return to Y Combinator as an experienced founder, and transitions into a thoughtful discussion about the potential impacts of the upcoming Trump administration on technology, regulation, and innovation. The hosts and guest offer nuanced perspectives on everything from AI policy to defense tech startups, while sharing insights about how political changes might affect the startup ecosystem. The conversation provides startup wisdom and thoughtful analysis of the intersection between technology and politics.Want to join the conversation? Connect with us on Tribe:https://trbcht.com/invites/WmHNjar5ZN
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Nov 1, 2024 • 49min

Picking the Right Co-Founder and Crypto Regulation with Dave Balter

In a thought-provoking dialogue, veteran entrepreneur Dave Balter, founder of multiple successful ventures like BuzzAgent, discusses the intricacies of co-founder relationships and the importance of company culture. He shares his candid experiences with self-doubt as a CEO and the necessity for humility. Balter also delves into the evolving landscape of crypto regulation, advocating for clearer guidelines to enhance dialogue between tech companies and government regulators. His insights on building resilience and adaptability in leadership are particularly striking.
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Oct 25, 2024 • 52min

Longevity and Biotech Fundraising with Celine Halioua

Immad and Raj sit down with Celine Halioua, founder and CEO of Loyal, a pioneering biotech company developing drugs to increase lifespan longevity in dogs. This episode highlights the unique challenges of building a biotech company, from navigating FDA approval processes to explaining longevity science to investors. The conversation also explores alternative funding sources beyond traditional VC, with all three founders sharing war stories about their toughest fundraising experiences. Whether you're interested in biotech, startup fundraising, or the future of longevity research, this conversation offers valuable insights into building innovative companies without relying on the typical Silicon Valley playbook.Want to join the conversation? Connect with us on Tribe:https://trbcht.com/invites/WmHNjar5ZN
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Oct 18, 2024 • 42min

Finding Product-Market Fit for Consumer Startups and Gaming with Roger Dickey

In this episode of Founders in Arms, Immad and Raj sit down with Roger Dickey (Mafia Wars, Gigster, and Untitled Capital) for a deep dive into startup ideation and product-led growth. Roger shares his structured process for generating hundreds of startup ideas, including his unique "matrix approach." The three founders discuss the joys and challenges of building consumer-facing products, and examine the nuances between different growth strategies, from inherent virality to word-of-mouth marketing, sharing examples from companies like Figma, Dropbox, and Wise. Tune in for an engaging discussion that blends personal anecdotes with practical wisdom from some of tech's most innovative minds.Roger Dickey’s Startup Ideas List: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XgBM6DyFjH77lyobMgJep2C6YjIyAl9hwNAe7faoOaI/edit?usp=sharing Want to join the conversation? Connect with us on Tribe:https://trbcht.com/invites/WmHNjar5ZN

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