

Forward Obsessed
Pete Sena and David Salinas
Get into the minds of breakthrough business leaders and entrepreneurs to explore their unique stories and ideas for the future. From devastating pitfalls to life-changing aha moments, hosts and serial entrepreneurs themselves Pete Sena and David Salinas push interviews past the surface for an in-depth, insightful glimpse at the future of business and brands. Take your seat at the table to hear guests recount their failures, re-live their midnight planning sessions, share their hopes & passions, and explain what’s next for their business, industry, and the world. Subscribe now and join us in becoming Forward Obsessed, and be sure to watch all the full video episodes on Youtube.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 26, 2023 • 1h 6min
From Mom To Exiting Entrepreneur With Claudia Reuter
Claudia Reuter is Director of The Roberts Innovation Fund at Yale Ventures, author of "Yes, You Can Do This!", and host of the Podcast, “The 43 Percent”. Claudia was previously the founder of SchoolChapters, which was acquired by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2014. She was then the General Manager of Americas East for Techstars, one of the largest startup accelerator programs in the world.
In this episode, Claudia describes what almost half of Americans experience in their lives - dropping out of the workforce for their family. Hear her own story of having children, attempting in vain to re-enter the workforce, and finding her successful path through entrepreneurship.
We take a look at encouraging a growth mindset, what it means to create a “culture of learning,” and why “leaning in” isn’t the only option for working mothers.
OUTLINE:
(00:00) - Intro
(2:00) - Early Years
(6:15) - Learning To Love Web Development At A Young Age
(9:00) - How to Encourage A Growth Mindset
(13:20) - My “Aha Moment" Behind Becoming An Entrepreneur
(17:30) - Founding Little Chapters
(23:00) - Pivoting My Technology To Found A New Company
(27:21) - Raising Money For The First Time
(32:00) - Growing In A Culture Of Learning
(34:00) - Joining Techstars
(43:00) - Leaning In Vs. Leaning Out As A Female Founder
(47:30) - Why 43% Of People Drop Out Of The Workforce
(51:00) - What Is The “Motherhood Penalty” In Society?
(59:00) - Working With Startups At Yale Ventures
EPISODE LINKS:
The 43% Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-43-percent/id1450780307
Yes, You Can Do This, By Claudia Reuter: https://www.amazon.com/Women-Start-Scale-Build-Techstars/dp/1119625602
Claudia’s Website: https://www.claudiareuter.com/
Claudia’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-reuter-6ba4635/
FAVORITE BOOKS:
“Mindset” by Carol Dweck: https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Carol-S-Dweck/dp/1400062756
“Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-In-Sheryl-Sandberg-audiobook/dp/B00B3Z5U0G
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/
Fwd Obsessed Podcast is powered by Digital Surgeons

Jan 12, 2023 • 1h 8min
The Future Of Biotech With Kevin Rakin
Kevin Rakin is the co-founder of HighCape Capital, a growth equity firm that finances and assists innovative life sciences companies transition from the initial stages of their business cycle into successful, thriving organizations.
In this episode, we’ll take you through Kevin’s journey and how he founded multiple biotech companies and took them to IPO and acquisition.
We’ll take a look at the exploding industry of Biotech and its fast-paced startup culture that clashes with the bureaucracy of some of the biggest businesses in the world. You’ll learn about topics like the difficulties of going through a merger, why buying a failing business could be a good investment, and how to attract the best talent to your team.
OUTLINE:
(00:00) - Intro
(2:00) - Early Years
(4:49) - Why Biotech Caught My Attention
(7:00) - Developing Pattern Recognition
(08:50) - The Complexity Of Biotech
(12:45) - First Principles Of Building A Company
(14:25) - The Thin line Between Crazy And Fraudulence
(16:11) - Vision Without Execution Is Hallucination
(19:00) - The Mental Shift In Business School
(21:19) - No-one Was Coming To Rescue Us
(24:00) - Difficulties Of Going Through A Merger
(26:40) - Why Big Business Is Not For Me
(29:20) - Buying A Failing Business
(34:46) - Selling A Company The Night Before An IPO
(41:51) - Giving Up Six Feet Away From Gold
(47:30) - Learning To Understand Financial Instruments
(51:29) - Founding HighCape Capital
(57:30) - Founding a SPAC Fund
(1:00:51) - My Best Piece Of Advice For Entrepreneurs
(1:03:42) - How Do You Attract The Best Team?
EPISODE LINKS:
HighCape Capital - https://www.highcape.com/
CTInnovations Page - https://ctinnovations.com/member/kevin-rakin/
LinkedIn Page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-rakin-13264b4/
HIS FAVORITE BOOK:
Jim Collins, “Good To Great” https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Companies-_Others-Dont_/dp/B0047T9BDW
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/
Fwd Obsessed Podcast is powered by Digital Surgeons

Dec 29, 2022 • 23min
Best Of Forward Obsessed - 2022 Holiday Recap
What a year it has been. 20 episodes, 20 brilliant minds sharing the vast spectrum of the entrepreneurial experience. We heard about “back of the napkin” aha moments, tooth and nail bootstrapping, overcoming every form of adversity, the hardest failures and the sweetest victories. We learned priceless lessons about building partnerships, scrappy fundraising, trusting others, learning to lead, pursuing curiosity, and finding that most elusive concept of all - a true purpose that guides every action in life. To our guests, we have only deep gratitude, for their unique knowledge, and for helping us to make Forward Obsessed into what it is today.
As a parting gift heading into 2023, we decided to compile the top moment from every episode in the last year, as chosen by our viewers and listeners through their engagement.
We hope you enjoy these clips, take inspiration from these wonderful minds, and step into the new year refreshed and Forward Obsessed.
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/
Fwd Obsessed Podcast is powered by Digital Surgeons

Dec 15, 2022 • 1h 17min
Building Better Biotech with Kevin Rocco
Kevin Rocco was the Founder and CEO of Biorez, a Biotechnology company that invented a regenerative and absorbable ligament brace called the Biobrace. Biorez was acquired by Conmed in 2022 for $250 Million dollars, and Kevin is now working as VP of Bioinductive Technologies at Conmed.
In this interview, get the fresh perspective of a founder that went through every pitfall and pivot imaginable, and how he was able to successfully sell his business at the peak of its valuation. Learn about Kevin’s perspective on engineering innovation within teams, how to “hack” getting a PhD, his learnings from raising money, convincing investors to pivot, and how he turned his lack of experience into an essential asset.
OUTLINE:
(00:00) - Intro
(3:00) - Origin Story
(4:00) - Large Companies Struggle To Innovate
(5:58) - Entrepreneurs Shouldn’t Avoid Taking Risks
(9:19) - How To Build An Innovation Engine
(15:28) - How I Hacked Getting A PhD
(20:20) - Your Life Doesn’t Have To Stay On A Traditional Track
(23:15) - Being Number Two At A Startup
(28:00) - Experiencing Failure In A Startup
(31:00) - Learning To Raise Money
(36:34) - Your Story Is Your Strategy
(41:20) - The Big Pivot
(43:53) - Can Inexperience Drive Success?
(48:25) - Learn From Competitors To Beat Them
(52:41) - Venture Capital Incentivizes Businesses To Burn Money
(58:00) - Raising Money Always Sucks
(1:06:20) - All Deals Take Six Months, and Deals Never Happen
(1:10:00) - Tips For Entrepreneurs
EPISODE LINKS:
Biorez: https://biorez.com/
Conmed: https://www.conmed.com/en-us/
Kevin Rocco on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinrocco/
HIS FAVORITE BOOK:
Jim Collins, “Good To Great”: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/
Fwd Obsessed Podcast is powered by Digital Surgeons

Dec 1, 2022 • 1h 10min
The Future Of Sustainability With Al Subbloie
Al Subbloie is president and CEO of Budderfly, the fastest growing Energy Efficiency as a Service company in the United States.
In this episode, learn about the importance of macro-dynamics when starting a business, why fear holds most entrepreneurs back, and whether grinding hard is better than having talent. Listen to Al’s philosophy about turning a loss into a win, finding pleasure in your work, and being disciplined about curiosity.
OUTLINE:
Here's the timestamps for the episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(5:00) - Cutting My Teeth At Anderson Consulting
(6:40) - Fear Holds Entrepreneurs Back
(9:40) - Starting My First business
(12:00) - Look At Macro-dynamics When Starting A Business
(15:00) - Why I Founded Tangoe
(24:00) - The Intersection of Sports And Business
(26:00) - Grinding Vs. Talent
(28:15) - What Is It Like Going Public?
(31:25) - How To Turn A Loss Into A Win
(35:25) - Learning To See Work As Play
(41:11) - How To Find Your Passion
(43:23) - Be Disciplined About Curiosity
EPISODE LINKS:
Budderfly: https://www.budderfly.com/
Tangoe: https://www.tangoe.com/
Al’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-subbloie-92b5302/
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/

Nov 17, 2022 • 1h 3min
Co-Founding Honest Tea With Barry Nalebuff
Barry Nalebuff is Co-Founder of Honest tea, Kombrewcha, Real Made Foods, and Just Ice Tea. Barry is also a professor at Yale School Of Management, and has authored multiple award-winning books.
In this episode, learn how Barry co-founded multiple successful food and beverage products using real economic principles. Class is in-session: Dive into concepts like declining margins of utility, arbitrage, games of inversion and symmetry, and negotiation tactics like “splitting the pie.” Don’t forget to take notes as Barry explains how these concepts helped him build a successful business that sold for $43 Million.
OUTLINE:
(00:00) - Intro
(06:46) - The Idea Behind Founding Honest Tea
(11:17) - The Declining Margin Of Utility
(15:15) - You Can’t Have Lovers If you Don’t Have Haters
(17:34) - How To Make “Honest” Products
(20:00) - Origin Of The Name “Honest Tea”
(22:09) - Personal Financial Guarantees In Entrepreneurship
(24:51) - What Does It Mean To “Split The Pie”
(25:44) - Selling Honest Tea to Coca Cola
(28:57) - Never Offer A Deal You Wouldn’t Take Yourself
(38:38) - What Is “Just Ice Tea”
(44:27) - What Is The Game Of Arbitrage?
(48:04) - The Games of Inversion and Symmetry
(51:49) - Pitfalls
EPISODE LINKS:
Just Ice Tea: https://eatthechange.com/products/just-ice-tea
Honest Kids: https://www.honestorganic.com/products/honest-kids
Real Made Foods: https://realmadefoods.com/
Eat The Change: https://eatthechange.com/
Personal Website: https://barrynalebuff.com
BOOKS BY OUR GUEST:
Split the Pie: https://www.splitthepiebook.com/
The Art of Strategy: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Strategy-Theorists-Success-Business/dp/0393337170
Why Not?: https://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Ingenuity-Solve-Problems-Small/dp/1591391539
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Charlie Munger’s Mental Model of Inversion: https://modelthinkers.com/mental-model/inversion
Never Split The Difference (Chris Voss): https://www.amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/0062407805
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/

Nov 3, 2022 • 1h 3min
Buying Weed From Women With Meg Sanders
Meg Sanders is CEO of Canna Provisions, a chain of cannabis dispensaries in New England. She worked directly with the governor of Colorado to develop its cannabis laws, then personally led the charge by opening one of the state’s first dispensaries. Meg is now one of the biggest forces in the new Massachusetts cannabis cultivation and consumer sales fields.
Tune in to explore the ups and downs of the Cannabis industry, the importance of compliance, and what it means to be an ‘accidental entrepreneur.’ In this episode you’ll learn about what quiet quitting is, how companies should try to make better humans, and why everyone should buy weed from women. Listen in to learn from Meg about why women must take a seat at the table, and how men can be better allies to their peers.
OUTLINE:
Here's the timestamps for the episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(2:00) - Early Years
(6:22) - Compliance In the Cannabis Industry
(7:38) - Accidental Entrepreneurship
(11:40) - Best Resources For Leaders
(13:50) - What is Quiet Quitting?
(16:28) - Leaders Are Put On A Pedestal
(21:12) - Leaders Must Develop Their Own Teams
(23:14) - Companies Should Try To Make Better Humans
(26:18) - Buy Weed From Women
(35:40) - The Drug War Is Not Over
(39:45) - What Is Missing From The MSO World?
(42:45) - Learn To Get Back Up When You Fail
(46:40) - What Is The Future Of Canna Provisions?
(52:32) - Women Must Take A Seat At The Table
EPISODE LINKS:
Canna Provisions: https://cannaprovisions.com/
Meg Sanders Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-sanders-16001441/
Meg Sanders Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megajuana_mass/
BOOKS OUR GUEST LOVES:
Dare To Lead, Brené Brown: https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Lead-Brave-Conversations-Hearts/dp/0399592520
Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
CliftonStrength Test: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx
It’s The Manager: https://www.gallup.com/itsthemanager/home.aspx
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/

Oct 20, 2022 • 1h 14min
Building Purpose Built Ventures with Miles Lasater
Miles Lasater is the CEO and Founding Partner of Purpose Built Ventures. In this episode, hear from Miles on why learning to sell at a young age is so important to learn entrepreneurship, and how you can manage your time more effectively to create new habits. Miles dives into the pitfalls behind taking a company public, the real role of a start-up investor, and what it means to be a “purpose built venture.”
OUTLINE:
(00:00) - Intro
(2:00) - Early college years
(3:50) - Working in food service gives transferable skills
(8:45) - Starting his first business, “Help With Home Computers”
(10:25) - Founding Higher One in college
(14:25) - How did Higher One help university students?
(18:48) - How do new entrepreneurs pick a partner?
(32:05) - Books and podcasts for developing leadership skills
(36:15) - Time management and making habits
(42:19) - Running a public company is painful
(47:13) - What is it like to take a company public?
(52:01) - Developing pattern recognition skills
(55:00) - The role of a start-up investor
(57:55) - What is Purpose Built Ventures?
EPISODE LINKS:
Purpose Build Ventures: https://www.purposebuilt.vc/
Higher One: https://www.linkedin.com/company/higher-one
Miles Lasater LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mileslasater/
Miles' Podcast, "Startups For Good": https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/startups-for-good/id1538756698
Miles' Newsletter, Venture Patterns: https://venturepatterns.com/blog/general/start-here-welcome-to-venture-patterns/
BOOKS OUR GUEST LOVES:
The 15 Commandments Of Conscious Leadership - Jim Dethmer
Getting Things Done - David Allen
The Great CEO within - Matt Mochary
Shoe Dog - Phil Knight
Miracle Morning - Hal Elrod
PODCASTS OUR GUEST LOVES
How I Built This: https://www.npr.org/series/490248027/how-i-built-this
Acquired: https://www.acquired.fm/
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/

Oct 6, 2022 • 23min
Leading An Entrepreneurial State With Governor Ned Lamont
Ned Lamont is the Governor of the State of Connecticut. In this episode, learn about the governor’s early years as he transitioned from running a local newspaper to founding Campus Televideo, a telecoms company that was acquired by Apogee in 2015. Hear about his pivot into politics, and how he measures success as Governor of the State of Connecticut. Governor Lamont shares his personal experiences as he led the state through the pandemic, delving into how he designed a strategy that helped Connecticut have one of the best outcomes in the country. In the end of the episode, Governor Lamont shares his ideas for the future of entrepreneurship in his state.
OUTLINE:
(00:00) - Intro
(1:00) - Early Years As A Journalist
(4:21) - Founding Campus Televideo
(6:11) - Pivoting From Entrepreneurship To Politics
(7:10) - How Does A Politician Measure Success?
(9:10) - How To Lead Through A Pandemic
(11:05) - Why Did Connecticut Do Well During the Pandemic?
(12:10) - Tips To Develop Entrepreneurial Skills
(13:51) - Dealing With Mental Health During A Crisis
(18:00) - How I Built My Administration
(19:58) - What Is The Future Of Entrepreneurship In Connecticut?
EPISODE LINKS:
Website: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/govnedlamont
Facebook: https://facebook.com/GovNedLamont
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/govnedlamont/
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/

Sep 22, 2022 • 1h 16min
Building An Entrepreneurial Ecosystem With Matt McCooe
Matt McCooe is the CEO of Connecticut Innovations, a strategic venture capital firm and leading source of financing for Connecticut's technology, consumer, and life sciences companies.
In this episode, learn what it takes to get funded by one of the top VCs in Connecticut. Explore what breakthrough entrepreneurs all have in common, which heuristics are used by VCs when they choose a project, and whether delusions of grandeur are helpful when establishing a business.
OUTLINE:
Here's the timestamps for the episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(1:41) - What is a “state venture capital arm?”
(6:12) - What do breakthrough entrepreneurs have in common?
(7:57) - What heuristics are used to fund new projects?
(11:02) - Characteristics of exceptional founders
(14:00) - Cultivating clarity of vision and purpose
(15:45) - Jockey or Horse?
(18:33) - Hustling in the early years
(22:22) - Selling Brazilian soft drinks in a first job
(27:14) - What does it feel like to lose?
(28:47) - Founding a Telecom business at the end of the boom
(40:55) - Theranos and delusions of grandeur
(44:28) - Good Venture Capitalists can sense BS
(50:00) - ADD is a superpower
(55:00) - Columbia University Science and Technology Ventures
(57:03) - What Is Connecticut Innovations
(1:04:15) - How successful is Connecticut Innovations?
(1:09:00) - The Future of Connecticut Innovations
EPISODE LINKS:
Connecticut Innovations: https://ctinnovations.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/connecticut-innovations/
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/