Build Tech Stack Equity

Today we sit with Luis Suarez, the founder of Sanarai, a startup focused on increasing access to high-quality mental health resources for the Spanish-speaking community. Originally from Mexico City, Luis moved to the US to pursue his MBA at Duke University. After struggling to find mental health support in Spanish during the COVID-19 pandemic, Luis recognized the need for better resources for the Latino community. With Sanarai, he aims to bridge the gap and provide culturally sensitive mental health services to Spanish speakers.

Luis shares his personal journey and the inspiration behind starting Sanarai. He highlights the significant gap in mental health services for the Latino population, with only 5% of mental health professionals speaking Spanish despite 13% of the population being Spanish speakers. He shares how they have built a two-sided marketplace connecting patients with mental health providers, focusing on relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and more. The team has leveraged resources like Google for Startups to grow their platform and ensure the highest quality of care for their users.

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development. 

Founder Bio: 

Luis Emilio Suarez pursued his education at Colegio Vista Hermosa, and later attended Universidad Politécnica de Madrid from 2006 to 2011, where he obtained a degree in Mining and Energy Engineering. He then went on to study at Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business from 2015 to 2017, and received a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.).

Luis has an extensive work history starting from 2010, when he worked as a Project Engineer at Soletanche Bachy. He worked as a Contract Manager at SENER from 2012 to 2016, and in 2016 he became an MBA Summer Intern at Kearney. He was later promoted to Management Consultant in 2017. Most recently, in 2020, he founded Sanarai and became its CEO.

Time Stamps:

02:51 Introduction and background of Luis Suarez
06:40 Challenges of serving the Latino market and expanding to Central and South America
09:46 Sanarai as a two-sided marketplace for mental health services
11:04 B2B2C model and partnerships with companies and community organizations
12:00 Strategy for creating and filling demand for therapists
14:20 Matching patients with therapists based on specialties
16:37 Building the technology for the platform started with an MVP.
18:54 How proven interest from therapists and clients led to building a customized platform.
20:20 Focusing on quality of mental health providers rather than the technology.
23:00 What does the Sanarai team look like today
26:32 How does Sanarai’s work mode work
29:27 Explaining 1871 as an incubator and shared space for startups
30:52 Sanarai experience with Google for Startups program
33:03 Funding and resources offered by Google for Startups
35:24 How to get in contact with the Sanarai team

Resources

Company website: https://www.sanarai.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sanaraizen
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sanaraizen/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanaraizen/

In this episode we sit with Veronica Crisafuli, the founder and CEO of Mo Technologies. Veronica shares her journey from a career in consulting to becoming an entrepreneur in the fintech industry. She discusses the problem she identified in the financial ecosystem - the lack of access to formal credit for a large portion of the global population. Veronica explains how she bridged the gap between her consulting background and the fintech industry by leveraging her knowledge of technology and her passion for financial inclusion. She introduces Mo Technologies, a fintech company that offers a credit core platform to enable clients to launch, operate, and scale their credit products. Veronica also highlights the importance of data and artificial intelligence in the underwriting process and discusses the competitive landscape in the fintech industry, including traditional banks and other fintech startups.

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development. 

Founder Bio: 

Veronica Crisafuli is the CEO and Co-founder at MO Technologies. A creative mind that focuses on innovation in the digital space and financial inclusion. She worked as a strategic consultant for more than 15 years for important consulting companies dedicated to TMT and financial services, such as Bain & Company, Delta Partners, and Mastercard Advisor, where she led projects in South Africa, Argentina, United Kingdom, Brazil, Turkey, Czech Republic, Spain, and Colombia. Veronica started her entrepreneurial path on 2016, when she co-founded MO Technologies, a fintech that developed a patent-pending proprietary credit scoring technology based on machine learning, artificial intelligence and all cloud-based with a dream to democratize access to credit all around the world. As of July 27th, 2021, Veronica was appointed CEO at fintech MO. Additionally, from 2020 she co-founded KEO World: a fintech in the pure lending space.
She has been named one of the 10 Most Successful Businesswoman to Watch 2020 by CIOlook, and recently highlighted as one of the 10 Most Inspiring Businesswomen Making a Difference, 2021. Beyond Exclamation also named her one of the 10 Most Successful Women Renewing the Future in Technology, 2021.

Time Stamps:
 
03:15 Introduction and background of Veronica Crisafuli
06:47 Identifying the pain point in the financial ecosystem
09:35 Developing the software-based solution for credit issuance
12:32 Business model: Charging based on the amount of credit offered
15:46 Modular platform allowing customization for clients
18:55 Facing competition from both large financial institutions and fintech startups.
22:15 Collaborative models between big institutions and fintechs accelerate the adoption of new technologies.
25:30 Scalling the product, focusing on the Latin America Market 
27:07 Incorporating AI and machine learning in underwriting and data analysis.
28:47 Criteria for hiring technical roles
33:28 Remote work and finding tech talent in Latin America
38:46 Challenges in fundraising and adapting to market conditions
41:40 Changing fundraising strategies for a sustainable business
43:32 How to get in contact with the Mo Technologies Team
 
Resources

Company website: https://www.wearemo.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MoTecnologias
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mo.cmp/

In this episode we sit with David Silva, a Colombian entrepreneur and community builder. David shares his background growing up in Cali, Colombia, surrounded by a vibrant community of artists, politicians, and intellectuals. He discusses his journey from studying software engineering to becoming a software engineer and eventually transitioning into the startup world. David also talks about the importance of community and how he founded Techqueria, a community for Latino individuals interested in tech.
 
The conversation then shifts to David's current venture, AWSM (“Awesome”), a venture studio focused on launching 100 startups in five years. David explains the need for more Latino leaders in the tech industry and the importance of funding and supporting underrepresented founders. He also discusses the challenges faced by Latino entrepreneurs and the need for mentorship and support networks.
 
Throughout the episode, David emphasizes the importance of collaboration, community, and empowering each other. He shares his vision for creating a strong network of Latino leaders and supporting startups in highly regulated industries such as finance and healthcare. David also highlights the potential of Latin American talent and the need for international collaboration in the tech ecosystem.
 
If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development. 

Founder Bio:
 
David Silva is a multi-faceted professional with a rich history of tech and business community contributions. David's diverse career is marked by innovation and leadership. He currently serves as the founder of Calima which is a dynamic executive community that fosters international business collaboration. Calima provides a unique platform that connects Latin American executives in the US and abroad both online and in physical spaces.  In addition, To his work at Calima.  David holds the position of CTO at AWSM awesome. His role involves deploying complex teams of business owners to efficiently launch innovative ideas with a particular focus on the accelerator community: community engagement, FinTech, and healthcare.  David's commitment to creating inclusive and supportive communities extends to his role as the founder of the tech area.
 
Time Stamps:
 
00:00 Introduction and background of David Silva
03:50 Getting into startups and learning new skills
06:47 Importance of learning management skills for engineers
09:21 Building the TechArea community
11:44 Empowering members to create their own events
13:14 Different key positions in the tech ecosystem
14:33 Disparity in funding opportunities for Latino and Black communities
17:38 Need to create more mentors and support networks
19:56 Working on launching 100 startups in five years
22:24 Different types of startup studios and incubators
25:10 International expansion without geographic restrictions
27:37 Attractiveness of living and working in Latin America
31:10 Introduction of a secret executive community for events and networking
34:14 Introduction of the Calima community with cultural significance
38:00 How to get in contact with the AWSM team

Resources
 
Company website: https://awsm.vc/;  https://caliman.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/awsmvc
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/awsmvc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awsmvc/

In today's fast-paced world, technology is constantly evolving, and consumers are always on the lookout for the latest gadgets. However, this obsession with newness has led to a significant amount of electronic waste, as people discard their old devices in favor of the latest models. ZeluCash recognized this wasteful trend and saw an opportunity to create a more sustainable and cost-effective solution.
 
Today we sit with Lucas Keen, the founder of ZeluCash, an Argentinean startup that specializes in the recommerce industry. With an MBA in Argentina and a background in startups, Lucas has extensive experience in the e-commerce and technology sectors. He launched ZeluCash in 2015 to address the wastage of valuable technology, such as smartphones, by creating a trading program where customers can trade in their old devices for new ones. Lucas is passionate about the circular economy and believes in giving products a second life.
 
Keen discusses the growth of the recommerce industry in Latin America and the impact of his company's trading program. He explains how ZeluCash allows customers to trade in their old smartphones for new ones, providing a more affordable option and reducing electronic waste. Lucas also highlights the importance of trust and transparency in the recommerce market and the role of technology in facilitating the buying and selling process. He shares his plans for expanding into Mexico and Chile and the potential for growth in the region.
 
If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development. 

Founder Bio:
 
Lucas Keen has 16 years of experience managing digital business in Latam.
He performed as a Sales Manager for 6 years at DineroMail (acquired by PayU in 2012) From 2011 to 2014 he was Country manager and investor at Ticketbis, European ticket exchange platform sold to eBay. He earned his MBA from IAE (Business school of Austral University) in Argentina.
 
Time Stamps:
 
02:57 Introduction and background of Lucas Keen
07:50 Initial challenges faced by ZeluCash
10:45 Expansion of ZeluCash product offerings
12:57 Zelu Cash’s impact on the market in Argentina
14:10 Embracing the circular economy concept
16:48 Using own and third-party technologies for flexibility and efficiency.
19:44 Finding the right developers to build out the product
22:00 Using a recruiting agency to improve the quality of talent and freelancers for projects.
24:50 Buying, pricing and selling based on daily market scans and phone conditions.
29:42 Leveraging retail companies for marketing on the buying side.
32:09 Implementing cost-saving processes with technology
34:08 Ensuring trust through software verification and customer reviews
36:11 Potential growth in the recommerce market in Latin America
39:26 How to get in contact with the ZeluCash team

Resources
 
Company website: https://zelucash.com/home
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZELUCASH
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zelucashlatam/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zelucash/
 

Today, we have the pleasure of introducing Camille Padilla, the co-founder of Vodium, a groundbreaking platform that has introduced the world's first virtual teleprompter. Based in Chicago, Illinois, Vodium operates as a transparent app seamlessly integrated into video conferences, enhancing the virtual communication experience. With Vodium, Camille and her team aim to bring back the sense of genuine human connection in the digital realm by helping users maintain eye contact and communicate with confidence.

Before her entrepreneurial venture with Vodium, Camille served as the vice president at a top boutique political media firm based in Los Angeles. In this role, she demonstrated exceptional skills as an operator and creative thinker, managing operations and budgets for multimillion-dollar ad campaigns. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in her leadership style, actively advocating for employees from diverse backgrounds and ensuring an inclusive and empowering workplace.

In this thought leadership article, we will explore Camille's innovative journey with Vodium, her experience in the political media landscape, and her commitment to fostering diversity and creativity in the workplace. We will delve into the main themes discussed in the podcast and analyze their implications and potential impact on the future of virtual communication.

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development. 

Founder Bio:

Before launching VODIUM, Camille was Vice President at one of the top boutique political media firms. She likes to say she’s a conundrum because she’s a skilled operator and creative. Camille ran all the operations and budgets for multi-million-dollar ad campaigns. But she also wrote, directed, and produced national TV commercials. The idea of VODIUM came to her while she was conducting a video shoot over Zoom, and the first person she had to call was her best friend and roommate, Mary Mellor. Now VODIUM has been operational for three years.
 
Time Stamps:
 
03:02 Camille's Journey and the Birth of Vodium
09:18 Importance of Eye Contact in Virtual Communication
13:03 Challenges and Triumphs of Building Vodium
17:11 The Role of AI in Vodium
23:01 The Importance of Soft Skills in Virtual Communication
25:49 The Challenges of Building a Tech Startup
29:05 Securing Initial Investment and Finding a Development Firm
31:46 The Trade-off Between Hiring Developers vs. Software Development Shop
35:20 Navigating the Enterprise Market
38:12 The Decision to Partner with Avanade
45:38 The Journey to Raising 2 Million in Funding
50:34 How to get in contact with the Vodium team, future Plans and Final Thoughts

Resources

Company website: https://vodium.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vodium_com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vodium-com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vodium_com

In this episode, we interview Aaron Samuels, the Managing Partner, and Co-Founder of Collide Capital, a venture capital fund that invests primarily in black, Latin, and female founders. He has a diverse background, having worked as a spoken word artist, strategy consultant, product manager, and co-founder of Blavity, a media company focused on black culture and news.

Aaron Samuels shares his journey from being a spoken word artist to becoming a fund manager at Collide Capital. He discusses the structural obstacles faced by underrepresented founders in the tech industry and how his experiences at Blavity led him to start a venture capital fund. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration, passion, and the ability to build teams when evaluating startups. He also explains Collide Capital's investment focus on software, including enterprise, SaaS, fintech infrastructure, supply chain, and gen Z productivity. Aaron highlights the value-add services provided by Collide Capital, including their willingness to go the extra mile for their founders. He also shares insights on raising a fund, the importance of finding the right investors, and the need for a well-researched approach when pitching to LPs.

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development.

Founder Bio:

Aaron Samuels is Founder and Managing Partner of Collide Capital. Prior to Collide Capital, Aaron began his career as a spoken word artist before working at Bain & Co. as a strategy consultant and TeleSign as a Product Manager. Combining his love for storytelling, strategy, and technology, Aaron co-founded and served as COO at Blavity, the largest global Black Media company, and AfroTech, the largest Black Tech conference in the world.

Time Stamps:

02:48 Background of Aaron and Collide Capital

04:43 Realization of structural barriers for underrepresented founders

08:44 Creating Collide Capital to invest in underrepresented founders

10:41 Blending operational and investment expertise at Collide Capital

12:28 Valuing collaboration and teamwork in founders

14:48 Founding companies out of passion, not logic or reason.

17:04 Seed stage investments focus on scaling existing solutions.

19:01 Chek size that best fit for new founders

20:57 Focusing on software, enterprise, SaaS, fintech, supply chain, and Gen Z productivity.

23:13 Value-added service is the founders' support and involvement.

25:05 Journey and comparison in raising funds to raise as a startup

28:31 Researching potential investors, convincing them that you're the best person for the job.

31:45 Considering fund size and track record when raising fund one

33:56 Looking for positive signs of success when investing in seed

35:25 How to get in contact with the Collide Capital team

Resources

Company website: https://www.collidecap.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CollideCapital

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/collidecapital/about/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collidecapital/

In this episode, we sit down with Shani Dowell, the founder of Possip, a groundbreaking platform that bridges the gap between parents and schools to enhance student outcomes. Dowell takes us on her inspiring journey, from her background in consulting to her passion for education and the founding of Possip in 2016.

Join us as Dowell discusses the challenges faced in improving student outcomes and explores the vital role parents and teachers play in achieving this goal. We delve into the future of education and the profound impact technology has on the industry. Dowell also shares insights on fundraising and emphasizes the significance of finding the right investors for long-term success.

Discover how Possip empowers parents by providing a platform for valuable feedback to schools. With its inclusive approach, more than half of the feedback received is in languages other than English, ensuring accessibility for non-English speaking parents. Through open-ended sentiment questions, parents can express praise, seek answers to questions, or voice concerns. The technology organizes this qualitative data into subcategories, offering quantitative insights without sacrificing the richness of feedback. The collected data facilitates decision-making at the district level, and schools receive tailored recommendations based on the feedback.

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development.

Founder Bio:

Shani Dowell is a visionary entrepreneur and leader in technology and education. As the founder of Possip, her work helps revolutionize how schools and districts engage with their families, students and staff. A former middle school Math teacher, Shani started her career as a consultant at Bain & Co. and helped launch the Boston office of the Posse Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to increase student retention and engagement on college campuses. Shani has also worked for education organizations across the country - seeking to create the strongest school possible for students, families, staff, and the broader community. Shani earned her BA at Howard University in Washington, DC, and her MBA at Stanford University.

Time Stamps:

03:08 Introduction to Shani Dowell's background

07:34 Paint point that led to the idea for Possip

09:21 The challenges of improving student outcomes

12:41 The role of technology in education

14:59 Use of text prompts and web links for parent engagement

16:56 Importance of building something you understand

19:56 Finding the right tech developer

21:16 Leveraging strengths in tech

24:08 Getting customers and understanding the education market

25:58 Finding the right price point for Possip

27:59 Business model and pricing

32:52 Fundraising journey and the importance of finding the right investors

35:40 Best fit investors for Possip

37:57 What’s coming next for Possip

39:56 How to get in contact with the Possip team

Resources:

Company website: https://possip.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/possipit

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/possipit/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PossipIt/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/possip/

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Mariana, a Peruvian entrepreneur, and her mission to promote diversity and create opportunities in the world of technology. Join us as we explore the origins of Laboratoria, a tech-based education and job placement company founded by Mariana and her partner. After returning to Peru to marry and start a business, Mariana's passion for merging technology and social impact led to the birth of Laboratoria. Discover how Laboratoria's goal to provide tech education, job placement, and mentorship for underprivileged youth has transformed the lives of disadvantaged young people, fostering inclusion and diversity in the tech sector.

As Laboratoria's web shop thrived, Mariana and her partner faced a significant challenge in building a diverse team of software developers. Recognizing the scarcity of such talent and the lack of diversity in the field, they seized the opportunity to empower women in tech. Hear Mariana's firsthand experiences of attending male-dominated tech meetups and the inspiration behind creating Labia, a boot camp designed to equip women with the skills needed to embark on successful careers in software development.

Join us as Mariana reflects on the changing landscape of software engineering in Peru and the positive impact that Laboratoria and Labia have had in bridging the gender gap. Learn how they have shattered stereotypes and inspired thousands of women to pursue careers in tech, creating a more inclusive and vibrant future.

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development.

Founder Bio:

Mariana is the co-founder and President at Laboratoria, an organization empowering women who dream of a better future to start and grow careers in technology. Running bootcamp programs for women across Latin America, Laboratoria is helping shape a more diverse, inclusive, and competitive digital economy in the Region that can create opportunities for every woman to develop her potential. For her work as a social entrepreneur Mariana has received multiple recognitions, including being named one of Peru's leading innovators by the MIT, and one of the world’s most influential women by the BBC. She holds a BSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Columbia University in New York.

Time Stamps:

03:06 Mariana’s background and professional journey

05:17 Starting a web shop and discovering the world of software development

07:57 Exploring the need for diverse tech talent in Peru

10:58 Software development: the immersive boot camp program

14:33 Benefits of the women in tech program bootcamp

17:15 Types of customers and companies hiring Laboratoria alumni

18:39 Laboratoria business model for job placement boot camps

22:33 Laboratoria metrics and use of technology

24:10 Using technology to educate women in tech and incorporating it into business

28:12 Challenges of attracting tech talent for nonprofit education services company

30:26 Laboratoria upcoming plans for 2023

32:27 Skilling up women in AI and data science

34:25 How to get in contact with the Laboratoria team

Resources:

Company website: https://www.laboratoria.la/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laboratoriala/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/laboratoria/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Laboratoriala

In this episode we sit with Kerry Schrader, the co-founder of Mixtroz, a former HR executive with extensive experience in people management, who shares her journey of creating Mixtroz alongside her daughter, to address the challenge of making authentic connections at events. Kerry explores the origins of Mixtroz and the inspiration behind their innovative concept of "mixed introduction." She discuss the common issues faced by individuals at events, both before and during the pandemic, where making genuine connections with strangers seemed daunting. She also sheds light on how her passion for social engagement led her to create Mixtroz, events designed to foster meaningful conversations and connections.

The conversation takes an exciting turn as Kerry delves into the importance of meaningful connections in today's society, whether in-person or in virtual settings. Kerry shares the premise of Mixtroz and how their technology-driven platform aids individuals in making these connections effortlessly. She emphasizes that attending an event is only the first step while building relationships and having meaningful conversations is the other half of the equation. Kerry reveals how Mixtroz helps bridge this gap, allowing people to connect with those who truly matter.

As the discussion continues, Kerry highlights the prevalent tendency of individuals to stick to familiar faces at events, neglecting the opportunity to meet new people. Kerry elaborates on the idea behind launching Mixtures, a software platform specifically designed to assist event leaders in facilitating meaningful engagement. She emphasizes that while Mixtures isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, it serves as a valuable tool to help individuals forge deeper connections and foster a sense of community.

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development.

Founder Bio:

Kerry Schrader BBA, MBA, is the co-founder/CEO of Mixtroz. She is the 37th Black Female to ever raise over $1M in pre-seed funding. Kerry has more than 25 years of experience positively impacting the human assets of large companies including Ford, Alcoa, and Sears Holdings Corporation. Mrs. Schrader is a former board member of Creative Startups, Birmingham’s Inaugural Mayor’s Small Business Council, and UAB’s O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Advisory Board. She is currently a board member of the Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center. In addition to being included in Inc. Magazine’s 2022 100 Female Founders list, Kerry and her daughter were named “Powerful Women” by Entrepreneur Magazine on their inaugural list and Kerry has been included in Forbes Next 1000. Most importantly, however, KERRY is a breast cancer survivor!

Time Stamps:

03:13 Kerry’s background and professional journey

05:34 Pain point on live events that led to creating Mixtroz

09:00 Maximizing engagement at events

11:10 Mixtroz technology for event organizers

13:24 Utilizing Mixtroz data to increase engagement

16:10 Event Planning and Targeting Customers

18:53 Power of Meaningful Social Connectivity in Mental Health Awareness

20:52 Enhancing Engagement in Virtual Events with Mixtroz Platform
24:41 Building an Engaging Event Platform

27:16 Journey of Bootstrapping and Fundraising for a Startup

32:58 Barriers to Raise Capital as a Black Female Founder

36:55 Overcoming Challenges to Launch a Tech Startup

41:32 Conversation on Supporting Black Companies and Female Founders

44:48 How to get in contact with the Mixtroz team

Resources:

Company website: https://www.mixtroz.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mixtroz/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mixtroz/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mixtroz

In this episode, we sit with Sheridan Claybourne, an entrepreneur whose journey began at the age of 15 with a passion for startups and a knack for making profits. Discover how Sheridan's early success in acquiring and selling sneakers led him to launch his own company, Lendtable, and embark on a remarkable entrepreneurial career. Sheridan shares his experiences working in the finance industry, including stints at renowned firms like JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs. Tune in as he discusses his decision to leave these prestigious positions behind in pursuit of creating startups that could address the flaws he observed in the existing financial landscape. Learn how he identified opportunities to generate outside returns and provide non-accredited investors access to private equity funds through his FinTech ventures.

Explore Sheridan's diverse background, from working at a credit-boosting startup to becoming a machine learning product manager at Dropbox. Find out why he ultimately decided to forge his own path and how his varied experiences equipped him with the necessary skills to launch Lendtable. Discover how this platform is revolutionizing the way small and medium-sized businesses access financial services.

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development.

Founder Bio:

 Sheridan is Co-Founder & CEO of Lendtable - the first platform for providing "wealth-building loans". Born in Chicago, Sheridan was the youngest African-American to ever get into Northwestern at age 15. Since enrolling in school, he built his first business (Snatcher - automatically buying and selling limited edition items/tickets) to $10million+ in revenue in 3 years. During which, he spent time working at Goldman and J.P. Morgan in their Special Situations Group. This ignited his passion for fintech and creating financial equality for all people. In its first 3 months, Lendtable raised $1million+.

Time Stamps:

 03:13 Sheridan’s background and professional journey

07:41 Exploring the possibilities of fintech to create a positive impact

10:59 Exploring wealth-building loans for 401k match and employee benefits

12:26 Benefits of debt financing for wealth building

14:35 Exploring guaranteed returns and artificial intelligence in financial platforms

16:46 Collecting data and leveraging third-party vendors

18:54 Direct-to-consumer 401k matching services

20:08 Significance of user interface and user experience in consumer-facing technology

21:21 Collaboration between co-founders to create a fintech business

25:43 Team makeup, fundraising journey, and learnings raising capital for a start-up

29:44 Seed and pre-seed round investment considerations for a startup

30:03 Identifying the best investors for a startup

32:13 Generating wealth through referrals and word of mouth

34:51 What’s next for the Lendtable team

35:54 How to get in contact with the Lendtable team

Resources:

Company website: https://www.lendtable.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lendtable/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lendtable/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lendtable

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lendtable

In this episode we sit with Harold Hughes, the founder & CEO of Bandwagon, Harold shares his journey from being a first-generation American in South Carolina to becoming a tech entrepreneur in Austin, Texas. Inspired by his experiences at Radio Shack and driven by a passion for uniting people, Harold founded Bandwagon — a technology-based solution to break down barriers and foster community through the love of sports.

We delve into the concept of affinity groups and community building, exploring how technology can be harnessed to create meaningful connections among people from diverse backgrounds. Their platform allows fans to access exclusive content, join fan clubs, and celebrate their favorite teams, regardless of geographical limitations. Discover how Harold's vision bridges gaps and builds a stronger community, empowering individuals to engage, support, and understand one another better.

In addition to Bandwagon, Harold discusses his latest innovation, Poet (Proof of Experience Token). Poet allows artists and athletes to invite their fans to submit content directly to their pages, with commercial rights belonging to the creators themselves. This innovative approach empowers entertainers and athletes to control their brand while enabling fans to share their experiences and build deeper connections with their favorite icons.

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development.

Founder Bio:

Harold Hughes is the founder & CEO of Bandwagon, a South Carolina-based live experience technology company. Under his leadership, Bandwagon has raised more than $3M in venture capital and successfully acquired IdealSeat, Inc. in 2020. Their customers include Fortune 50 brands, entertainers, as well as professional and collegiate athletes. As a first-generation American, Harold prioritized education, receiving two bachelor's degrees (Economics and Political Science) from Clemson University and later received his MBA from Clemson while he led business development at a Fortune 1000 company based in Greenville, South Carolina. As a web3 builder and community leader, Harold published "A Kids Book About Blockchain" to help educate people "from 6 to 60" about the revolutionary technology that Bandwagon specializes in. To that end, Harold is also an active angel investor, primarily investing in women, people of color, and Black founder-led companies. Most notably, he has invested in Partake Foods, the Jay-Z-backed CPG company making allergy-friendly snacks, and companies like Goodr, Chipper, Athletic Greens, Republic, Stix, and the National Cycling League.

Time Stamps:

03:18 Harold’s background and professional journey

05:31 Exploring the pain point behind Bandwagon fan club

08:05 Benefits of poet and fan club for artists and fans

11:50 Exploring the benefits of using Poet for content creation and monetization

14:47 Benefits of connecting fans and artists through data

17:55 Leveraging blockchain technology to build value in an ecosystem

22:06 Building a blockchain platform

24:47 Recruiting and go-to-market strategy for blockchain-based platform

28:19 Value propositions and benefits of token access for artists and entertainment brands

31:03 Data analysis and funding for expansion of the brand

32:29 Leveraging social capital for successful fundraising

36:19 Potential of proof of experience technology

38:18 Discussing Bandwagon's product roadmap and connecting with fans

39:37 How to get in contact with the Bandwagon team

Resources:

Company website: https://bandwagonfanclub.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builtxbandwagon/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/builtxbandwagon

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bandwagon-fan-club/

In this episode, we interview Barbara, a technical founder who has significantly impacted the tech industry. Barbara is the creator of a Clubhouse group called Let's Imagine Life with Ladies at It, which helps women learn to code and expand their knowledge and skills in tech. With over 3000 members, the group celebrates women in tech and encourages men to bring more women onto their teams. She is also passionate about helping other women reach their potential and make a difference in the tech industry. Recently, she launched an initiative with a nonprofit and an organization in Angola to get 100 Portuguese-speaking African women coding. She has already hired one of them as a QA analyst for her company.

During the interview, Barbara shares her entrepreneurial journey, including how she started in tech and her experience with hackathons. She also talks about her successful software company that is used in over 4000 stores in the US, Canada, and Japan, and her experience creating algorithms for gift receipts and point-of-sale systems.

Additionally, Barbara shares insights into the value of equity versus raises, and how she used her experience with a previous startup to start her own business, Freeing Returns. She explains how her team won a hackathon sponsored by WorldPay and ended up receiving $75,000 in cash and prizes for their solution to fix returns. This success led to WorldPay becoming one of the first customers of Freeing Returns, and the CTO of WorldPay becoming a mentor to Barbara, opening many doors for her in the tech industry.

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development.

Founder Bio:

Barbara Jones is the founder/CEO of Lillii RNB Inc which is doing business as Freeing Returns.  Barbara has been in the Retail Technology sector for over 20 years and has been on the founding teams of 2 Retail Technology startups that both exited for close to $100M. Barbara has created Retail Tech Software that is running in over 4000 stores throughout the US, Canada, and Japan. She has been in the POS Architect and Solutions Architect roles for The Home Depot, LL Bean, PepBoys, and many more solving multi-million dollar issues for them. Her newest venture has been to transition Lillii RNB Inc from a System Integration consulting company to an Enterprise Solutions company with their Returns Management and Profit Optimization platform, Freeing Returns™ - which helps retailers find the Fraud and Shrink that's HIDING in their Data.  We have successfully closed our Seed round, led by Serena Williams' venture fund and Aperture Venture Capital - bringing our total investments to over $4M.Barbara lives in Lithonia, GA with her husband of 2 years, but is from Austin, TX.  She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.  She is a Gulf War Veteran, an Avid supporter of Women in STEM, and hires and trains minorities in the space of Retail Technology.

Time Stamps:

03:17 Barbara’s background and professional journey with Freeing Returns

08:00 Benefits of starting a career in tech

12:48 Exploring the growing issue of retail fraud with Freeing Returns

16:15 How Freeing Returns solve the problem: E-commerce loss prevention

18:49 Identifying areas of loss and solutions for improvement

22:10 Defining the ideal customer and exploring solutions for retailers

25:20 Company target and experience with the product

28:18 Difference between building tech for an enterprise and an SMB

30:32 Potential of data science and AI for real-time alerts and predictive capabilities

33:58 Raising $4 million for a startup company

38:48 Validation through hard work: building resilience and preparing for the next funding round.

41:37 Raising a pre-series round for retail technology platform to support growth and scale

43:57 How to get in contact with the Freeing Returns team
 

Resources:

Company website: https://freeingreturns.com/

LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/freeingreturns/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/freeingreturns

In this episode, we speak with Manuel Jimenez, a Spanish professional who moved to Colombia to take a high-responsibility position with the Bank of Falabella and ended up creating his own company to tackle the issue of financial exclusion in the country. He shares his experience of moving to Colombia with his family and realizing that the country was not as dangerous as he had initially thought. He talks about his desire to create something with social impact and how he identified the problem of financial exclusion in Colombia.

Manuel discusses the differences between access to credit and financing in the United States and Spain, and how these resources are more difficult to access in Colombia. He then introduces his company, Aflore, which aims to bridge the gap in the market by providing people with the tools to fulfill their financial roles more effectively. Manuel explains how his research uncovered an informal market in which people lend money to each other, and how Aflore is designed to make people aware of their role in this market and give them the tools to do it more efficiently. He also talks about his partnership with PolyMath Ventures, a venture studio, which generates ideas to become businesses and provides initial funding. He describes how he and his co-founder set out to solve the problem of lack of trust in the financial sector by analyzing how people solve their financial needs without the formal system.

Finally, Manuel shares his vision for the future of Aflore and his plans to expand the company's reach in Colombia and beyond. This episode offers a unique perspective on the issue of financial exclusion in emerging markets and the role that technology can play in addressing this problem.

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development.

Founder Bio:

Manuel is the COO/CPO and co-founder of Aflore, a Fintech company that distributes financial products through a community of Informal Advisors. Manuel was previously Vice President of Banco Falabella Colombia, Head of Sales Channels, where he led areas including branch networks, remote channels (internet/mobile, contact centers, and ATM networks), and customer service. Manuel has more than 20 years of experience in international financial institutions, including roles in Finance, O&T, Business Analysis, Credit Scoring, Product Management, Business Development, and Sales and Distribution. He holds an Executive MBA from IE Business School, a BS in Business Administration from UNED, and a Computer Science degree from Universidad de Valladolid (Spain).

Time Stamps:

03:05 Manuel's background and professional journey

05:17 Taking the decision to move to Colombia and start a company

07:33 A problem to be solved: access to fair credit and building assets

12:51 Exploring the informal financial market

15:06 Business model of a financial services provider

18:02 Serving the informal advisor market in Latin America

19:39 Making a digital transformation: where is tech involved

25:43 Leveraging technology to provide financial products to consumers

27:28 Combining technology and support to create trust with clients

29:06 Benefits of software and human interaction in business success

32:03 Utilizing technology and informal advisors to improve efficiency and manage risk

35:54 Raising equity and debt for track record creation

39:57 Raising capital for Latin American companies

43:46 Reorganizing team and developing channel strategy for growth and profitability

46:41 How to get in contact with the Aquabyte team

Resources:

Company website: https://www.aflore.co/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afloreco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aflore_co/

LinkedIn: https://co.linkedin.com/company/aflore

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfloreCo

In this episode, we sit down with Alexandra, Co-founder of Eight Sleep, a health and wellness company focused on sleep fitness. Alexandra discusses her background in marketing and communication and how she acquired her skills through hands-on experience. She then delves into the inspiration behind Eight Sleep, which was founded to address the lack of technology available to help people understand and improve their sleep.

Alexandra explains how the company's flagship product, the Pod, was created to bridge the gap between bad sleep and good sleep. The Pod uses sensors to monitor sleep and health biometrics and adjusts the temperature in real-time to create the perfect sleeping environment for each individual's needs in every sleep phase. The conversation also touches on the attention Eight Sleep has received from high-profile fans like Elon Musk, and Alexandra's excitement about the amazing team she has built at the company.

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development.

Founder Bio:

Alexandra Zatarain is the Co-founder and VP of Brand and Marketing of Eight Sleep, the world's first sleep fitness company. Eight Sleep has raised over $165M in venture funding and has helped hundreds of thousands of people get sleep fit with its hardware and digital products. In 2017, Alexandra was named by Forbes to the 30 Under 30 list in Consumer Technology, and in 2020 she was named by INC as one of the top 100 Female Founders. Alexandra is also an angel investor in female-founded companies. She was raised in Tijuana, Mexico, and now lives in Miami.

Time Stamps:

02:59 Alexandra’s background and professional journey with Eight Sleep

06:04 Benefits of technology for sleep optimization with Eight Sleep

08:45 What is Eight Sleep technology

10:41 Solving environmental issues through temperature control technology

13:01 Benefits of learning from experts, thinkers, and customers for entrepreneurship

15:39 Conversation on sleep and the evolving role of marketing in business

19:45 Benefits of early-stage brand marketing and technology infrastructure

21:32 Technology behind the most extraordinary sleep experience

24:42 Building a dev team: hiring strategies and expertise needed

27:11 Company hiring and retaining talent in a small company

33:25 Crowdfunding process and successful campaigns

36:31 The value of validation and networking

40:04 Finding the right investors for a hardware company

41:43 Value-added services provided by investors

44:31 Discussing board partners, reference checks, and product roadmap

45:32 What’s coming for Eight Sleep in 2023

47:01 How to get in contact with the Eight Sleep team

Resources:

Company website: https://www.eightsleep.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eightsleep/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@eight_sleep

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eightsleep

In this episode, investment professional Taj Ahmad Eldridge reveals the need for a more informed approach to venture capital investing. He discusses the importance of diversity, both in terms of demographics and geography, in maximizing financial returns. He explores the role of fund of funds, which bridge the gap between large institutions and smaller venture funds, and shares insights into their structure and purpose. Taj sheds light on the importance of diversity in venture capital, going beyond gender and racial diversity and highlighting the significance of geographic diversity. He argues that investing in underserved and undervalued markets, especially those with lower living costs can yield higher financial returns for investors. By taking on the role of a limited partner in LP himself, Taj aims to address this issue and empower more founders to succeed.

Our conversation delves into the reasons and benefits of running a fund of funds that focuses on investing in underrepresented markets, including women and people of color. Fund of funds serve as conduits for larger institutions that cannot invest directly in smaller venture funds, which typically have an average size of $50 million. Furthermore, we explore the role of fund of funds as capital funds that invest in venture capital firms. Taj reveals that fund of funds typically receives a 1% management fee and a 7% carry, enabling them to share in the profits made by these venture capital firms. This approach ensures that fund managers choose effective strategies and invest in firms that can generate favorable returns.

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development.

Founder Bio:

Taj Ahmad Eldridge is a 25+ year investment professional whose career has included high-level executive roles in banking, asset management, alternative investments, and entrepreneurship. Taj serves as Managing Director of Climate Innovations at JFF.

As General Partner of Include Venture Partners and former Senior Director of Investments at the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), Eldridge has built a longstanding career with expertise in the fields of fintech, media, energy, transportation, and the circular economy. He is also one of the 70 Black Investors in Bevy.com - a $325 million virtual conference platform as noted in AfroTech. At LACI, he established both the LACI Impact Fund I (LIF I) and the LACI Debt Fund to allow cleantech companies to grow with diverse capital. These funds utilize an equity impact lens to encourage invested companies to have environmental, economic, and social impact - particularly on increasing the number of underrepresented voices in the cleantech industry. In addition, Eldridge created programs such as LACI Investor Talks (LIT), the LACI Investor in Residence program, and the Player to CEO Athlete-Investor Impact Summit Series with JP Morgan Chase. He has been named one of the 53 Investors to Watch in 2021 by Pitchbook & 101 Black Titans in Tech while nurturing and building a team of investment activists.

Time Stamps:

03:00 Taj's background and professional journey

05:24 Venture risk capital and diversifying investment strategies

07:20 Fund of funds and geographic diversity in venture capital

10:47 Venture capital investment criteria with include ventures

15:49 Role of fund managers in artist funding and progress for emerging fund managers

18:37 Value of grants for underrepresented climate funds

21:60 A program to help minority underrepresented founders become venture investors

25:34 Key considerations for setting up a venture capital fund

27:21 Fund manager's secret sauce for success

30:14 Exploring diversity in venture capital

32:52 Staying in business and raising funds: tips for fund managers

35:00 Benefits of smaller fund sizes in venture capital

36:09 Evaluating fund managers and investment processes +

38:39 Fundraising strategies and climate initiatives +

40:33 Climate change: a public health, economic, and social justice issue

45:42 How to get in contact with the Include Ventures team

Resources:

Company website: https://www.includeventures.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/include-ventures

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IncludeVentures

In this episode, we speak with Amy Jarczynski, founder and CEO of Kiss & Tell, a wedding and group travel booking platform that aims to revolutionize the way guests communicate and book events. Amy shares her background and how her experiences working in consumer tech inspired her to create a platform that solves the pain points of booking and managing group travel. Amy talks about how Kiss & Tell was created in response to the dissatisfaction of guests with the current personal wedding website model, and how her previous work at the Knot in travel and international partnerships gave her the insight to know that the key to getting everyone to a wedding or gathering was tying everyone together in a social conversation.

We also discuss how Kiss & Tell is making a difference for the Latino community, with the company being nominated by angel investors for the first-ever Google for Startups Latino Founders Fund and winning. This partnership has led to Kiss & Tell becoming a perk for all of Google's 300,000 plus employees, offering a free engagement trip if they book their wedding with Kiss & Tell.

Amy shares her experiences as a Latina and a female in tech, and how it has influenced the company's mission to include underrepresented folks in the products and pain points they are solving. She also talks about Kiss & Tell's solutions, which include building and booking event venues, packages, and group stays, as well as communication tools such as segmented group conversations like WhatsApp. Lastly, we get some insights on how she finds diverse talent, and how long-standing networks exist for different demographics.

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development.

Founder Bio:

Amy Jarczynski is the Founder & CEO of Kiss & Tell, an award-winning wedding and group travel booking platform that ties everyone together in a streamlined conversation. She is an industry expert who for over a decade witnessed booking and deal flow problems impacting consumers and the industry while she spent 13 years growing and scaling The Knot’s (www.theknot.com) global presence. Kiss & Tell enjoys broad industry support, high user conversion rates of wedding guests to future event hosts and the recognition of winning both Google For Startups Latino Founders Fund in 2022 (post-revenue) and Capital Factory’s $100K Challenge in 2017 (pre-product). Amy is passionate about travel and bringing people together with loved ones around the world, while always finding joy in the journey.  A problem solver at heart, she's deeply committed to creating a robust and lasting solution, helping people gather globally. When not traveling or working, Amy loves spending time with friends and family, people watching or lingering over good wine and food.

Time Stamps:

02:45 Amy’s background and professional journey with Kiss & Tell

06:43 Leveraging Google for startups and supporting underrepresented folks

09:18 Exploring the benefits of Kiss & Tell

13:30 What does it look like to engage with Kiss & Tell

16:57 Building the platform from a technical perspective

21:12 Rebuilding a platform during covid-19

23:59 Hiring talent to build a platform

27:52 Onboarding event venues and hotels building trust and improving user experience

29:49 Investigating a payment glitch during site rollout

33:35 Partnerships and strategies for growing destination wedding awareness

36:57 How to get in contact with the Kiss & Tell team

Resources:

Company website: https://kissandtell.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doyoukissandtell/

Pinterest: https://co.pinterest.com/DoYouKissAndTell/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoYouKissNTell

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Melvin Hines, a professor, mentor, and entrepreneur who is passionate about leveling the playing field for students from smaller towns. Melvin shares his journey, from growing up in South Georgia and being inspired to help his classmates succeed, to working with the CIA and founding his own EdTech business, Upswing. Melvin discusses the challenges faced by students in smaller towns, including limited access to resources like tutors, advisors, and mentors, and how the Upswing platform was created to bridge this gap by connecting students with mentors from larger cities and providing access to campus resources and third-party networks.

Melvin also shares how Upswing has evolved to address other barriers to student success, including mental health resources, and how their virtual assistant helps students stay on track with reminders and check-ins on how technology can be used to support students and level the playing field for those from smaller towns.

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development.

Founder Bio:

Melvin is the co-founder and CEO of Upswing, an organization that uses engagement software to help keep online students and adult learners on the path toward graduation. Today, Upswing supports nearly 1 million students in nearly 70 colleges. Melvin grew up in south Georgia, where he was one of only 68 students to graduate out of a class of 250. This ignited his passion for finding a way to empower students to take their futures into their own hands through higher education. After graduating from the University of Georgia, Melvin received a JD/MBA from Duke University where he started a law forum for educational equality. Afterward, he became a professor at North Carolina Central University, where he supported first-year student success.

Time Stamps:

02:45 Melvin's professional journey and background

05:45 Leveraging technology to level the playing field in small-town America +

10:19 Leveraging technology to create connections and opportunities for smaller communities

13:31 Upswing's proactive approach to student mental health and financial AID support

17:35 Scaling human intervention with AI technology

21:34 Exploring the impact of Chat GPT on human interaction

24:19 Benefits and challenges of utilizing technology to support vulnerable communities

26:35 Pricing model for student retention services

30:45 Joining forces in an accelerator program

33:36 Equity considerations for co-founders and external investors

39:47 Discussion on equity splitting and liquidation preferences in venture capital funding

42:32 How to get in contact with the Upswing team

Resources:

Company website: https://upswing.io/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upswing.io/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/upswing-io/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/upswing

In this episode, we sit down with Sydney, an experienced investor in the venture capital world who has recently launched her own fund, Impressionism Capital. Sydney shares her journey from working in the public sector to discovering her passion for fintech and digital health in venture capital. She also discusses the different stages of venture capital, from pre-revenue to private equity, and the importance of understanding the right type of capital needed to start a company. Sydney provides valuable insights into the fundraising process and shares her experience of raising a fund for Impressionism. She talks about the challenges of raising capital and how it is similar to launching a company. We also touch on the Kaufman Fellows program and the importance of creating a space for vulnerability and honesty within the venture capital industry.

Finally, she stresses the importance of education when it comes to venture capital and the different types of capital available to entrepreneurs. She emphasizes the need to be clear on what one wants to build and what they want to do with their life, as this will help determine the type of business to build. 

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development.

Founder Bio:

Sydney is the Founder and General Partner of Impressionism Capital - a venture capital firm that invests in companies making life better for the 99%. The launch of her fund was recently covered by TechCrunch. She has focused on this thesis for the past 6 years and has created a distributed network invested in this space by founding a podcast where she profiles these companies, launching a newsletter where she writes about these companies, and hosting events where she organizes people who care deeply about the impact these companies can have on our society. She participates in several extracurricular activities to increase diversity in tech and level the playing field more broadly. She is on the strategy committee of BLCK VC, on the Board of Colorwave, and on the Advisory Board of Invanti – a startup generator in the Midwest. This work awarded her a Black VC’s Making an Impact designation and an article in Marie Claire. She is deeply involved in her community in Oakland. In 2020, she was honored to receive the Champion of Justice Award from Esq. Apprentice, an Oakland-based nonprofit she supports that creates alternative pathways to a legal career. She was also appointed by the mayor to serve as a Commissioner for the City of Oakland’s Public Safety and Services Commission.

 Time Stamps:

03:08 Sydney background in venture capital

05:34 Venture capital, growth equity, and private equity with Impressionism investor

09:28 Benefits of building a company from scratch

11:14 Understanding the right capital for starting your own company

13:18 Discussion on Venture Capital Investment Outcomes

16:10 The importance of timeline when working with venture capital firms

17:63 Evaluating investment opportunities in digital health and fintech

21:22 Exploring the commitment of founders to solving problems

23:47 Different ways to make a living while building something exciting

28:15 Fintech and digital health investment opportunities with Impressionism ventures

31:61 Building relationships to find diverse founders in the digital health and fintech

34:30 Supporting founders through investment and value-add strategies

37:15 How to get in contact with the Impressionism team

Resources:

Company website: https://www.impressionismcapital.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydneypthomas/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sydneypaige10

In this podcast episode, we sit down with Tomás Uribe, a composer from Colombia who moved to New York to pursue his dreams of creativity and entrepreneurship. We learn about his background in business and how he came to start his company, Mavity, which helps creative freelancers find ways to monetize their passions. Tomás shares his journey to entrepreneurship, which began with difficult competition in the music industry. He had no exposure to business classes or the concept of entrepreneurship, but he had always been an artist and creator. After deciding to pursue an entrepreneurial lifestyle, he began to explore how to solve problems in the creative industry, which led to the creation of Mavity.

We discuss the idea of monetizing passion and how Mavity provides an alternative to the traditional gig economy. Through its platform, creative freelancers can collaborate with others and earn money doing what they love. The company has made it. Its mission is to help people make a living from their passions and realize their full potential.

Tomás also explains that Mavity focuses on two verticals: design and audiovisual. The pool of creatives is global, with most of them coming from Colombia due to the founders' backgrounds. We also discuss the rise of creativity in Latin America, with companies like Netflix and gaming companies entering the market.

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development.

Founder Bio:

Tomás Uribe is an entrepreneur, Co-founder, and CEO at Mavity, the collaboration marketplace for cloud-based creative teams. Tomás has been featured in INC. Magazine, Forbes, and an invited speaker at several conferences and events. Mavity is backed by Pharrell Williams, Techstars, Google, and L'Attitude Ventures, among other investors. Prior to Mavity, Tomás worked with global brands including Qualcomm, United Nations, and Leica Camera, and was a touring musician and composer. He has been recognized in the Forbes Next 1000 list, as well as by the Colombian Government Trade Agency - ProColombia.

Time Stamps:

03:03 Conversation with Tomas Uribe: Background

05:09 Mavity market pain point
07:17 Benefits of the gig economy for creative professionals

08:29 Monetizing passion through creativity

12:53 Understanding the buyer profile of a creative marketplace platform

14:32 Leveraging freelancers for creative projects

18:14 Benefits of high-frequency communication in creative teams

19:44 Mavity's unique project management services

23:53 Waiving fees for creators on Mavity platform and creative ops subscription for clients

25:26 conversation on the scope of work and internal team dynamics

28:12 Exploring a new model for offshore software development

30:32 Hiring processes and team dynamics

32:15 Fundraising journey for a startup, VC funding for underrepresented founders

37:45 Benefits of TechStars network and generative AI tools

39:23 Exploring the benefits of ai-driven tools for creators

43:57 How to get in contact with the Mavity team

Resources:

Company website: https://www.mavity.co/home

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mavity.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mavity/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MavityCo

In this episode, we sit with Chrissa McFarlane, the creator of Patientory. Chrissa joins the show to discuss the backstory behind her patient care app. With a background in emergent health, including managing a telemedicine company and consulting for pharma and EMRs, Chrissa was driven to create Patientory from the pain point of building the insurance side of the telemedicine company, as there was not a lot of consumer focus when it came to patient records. Patientory was born from the need for an easier, more organized system for patient records, and it revolutionized the healthcare industry by connecting patients with doctors over an app.

The conversation also delves into the need for consumer-friendly access to medical records, highlighting the difficulty that parents faced when trying to access their child's medical records through traditional methods. Patientory solves this problem by providing a digital health data wallet that allows users to access and manage their medical records from anywhere, making it easier for patients to keep track of their health data and stay on top of their healthcare needs.

What sets Patientory apart is its incorporation of blockchain and cryptocurrency, which allows patients to have control over their health data and potentially monetize it through a marketplace ecosystem. Additionally, Patientory provides rewards for users who take steps to improve their health, such as walking a certain number of steps. These rewards can come in the form of a crypto token, NFTs, or other forms of incentives, incentivizing users to stay active and engaged in their healthcare.

If your company is looking to scale its AI initiatives, head over to Tesoro AI (www.tesoroai.com). We are experts in AI strategy, staff augmentation, and AI product development.

Founder Bio:

Named one of the top women “leaving their mark on the MedTech field in Health IT,” by Becker’s Hospital Review as the Founder and CEO of Patientory, Inc. Chrissa McFarlane publishes international healthcare research articles and actively writes for Forbes on emerging healthcare technological advances. In 2019, McFarlane authored her first book titled Future Women: Minority Female Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the Era of Blockchain and Cryptocurrency. Devoted to fostering digital innovation in the healthcare industry, McFarlane served as co-chair of the Inaugural HIMSS18 Blockchain Workgroup, a member of the; HIMSS Interoperability & Health Information Exchange Committee, Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Access Network and the World Economic Forum as a Technology Pioneer. With an array of professional experiences in the healthcare industry, specializing in technology transformation, delivering cost-efficient services and products for corporate 500 enterprises/ startups achieving prestigious awards, McFarlane serves as an Influencer for the Inaugural Class of the Metro Atlanta Chamber's Choose ATL campaign and Digital Influencer for HIMSS.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Chrissa McFarlane: Patientory and her background in emergent health

02:35 Challenges of accessing medical records

04:52 Benefits of Patientory for managing medical records and health data

08:31 Benefits of Blockchain and crypto in Healthcare

11:39 Leveraging dev shops and educating teams for a successful blockchain product launch

15:26 Patientory partnership-based approach to attracting users in the US

17:23 Raising capital for repository

22:31 Benefits of joining an accelerator for early-stage startups

25:02 conversation on regulatory compliance for blockchain and crypto companies

29:09 Exploring the blockchain development landscape

31:05 Managing time zone differences when hiring remote talent from Europe

33:41 How to get in contact with the Patientory team

Resources:

Company website: https://patientory.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patientory_inc/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/patientory/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/patientory