The Innovators & Investors Podcast

In this compelling episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Keong Chan, Managing Director of Out the Back Ventures, to explore the unique world of early-stage investing in university research and deep tech startups. Keong shares the surfing-inspired origin story behind Out the Back Ventures, symbolizing a strategic approach to seeking second and third waves of innovation—not the obvious first ones—reflecting a long-term vision focused on breakthroughs five to ten years ahead.

The conversation delves into their specialized investment thesis: co-founding startups by translating cutting-edge university IP into commercial ventures, parti...

In this insightful episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Adam Rubenstein, co-founder and CEO of Traq.ai, to explore how AI-powered conversational intelligence is transforming sales enablement. Adam shares his entrepreneurial journey, from early ventures through building and selling companies, leading to the founding of Traq.ai—a platform designed to solve persistent challenges in sales performance management. They dive deep into the problem of traditional sales processes relying heavily on intuition rather than data, and how Traq.ai uses AI to objectively analyze sales conversations, deliver real-time coaching feedback, and help sales teams b...

In this insightful episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Harry "Hale" Bullen, investment manager at PS27 Ventures, to explore the evolving landscape of venture capital focused on AI-driven investments. Hale shares PS27’s unique thesis emphasizing “sticky plumbing” software embedded deeply within B2B SaaS, FinTech, and health tech sectors, particularly in North Florida’s financial and healthcare ecosystems. They discuss the rigorous due diligence process, highlighting the importance of consistent traction, founder alignment, and clear financial paths to profitability.

Listeners gain a rare look into how PS27 leverages AI tools at every...

In this episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Ryan Falvey, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Restive Ventures, to explore early-stage fintech investing.

Ryan shares insights on how Restive Ventures focuses on being the first institutional capital source for technically skilled founders, helping them navigate the complexities of the financial services market.

They discuss the importance of speed, execution, and technical DNA in startup success, along with strategies fintech founders use to gain early traction by targeting startups before larger corporations. Ryan also delves into the transformative impact of AI—es...

In this insightful episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Vikram Srinivasan, co-founder and CEO of Needl.ai, to explore how AI-driven search technology is transforming enterprise decision-making.

Vikram shares the origin story of Needl.ai and its mission to help CXOs, CFOs, and CEOs cut through the overwhelming noise of disparate and complex data sources to find the precise information they need—the proverbial “needle in the haystack.”

Drawing from his academic background and previous entrepreneurial success in AI-powered search, Vikram explains the challenges of enterprise search compared to internet...

In this insightful episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Aaron Stachel, partner at FirstMile Ventures, to explore the emerging startup ecosystems beyond traditional coastal hubs, focusing particularly on Colorado and Texas. Aaron shares the origin story and investment thesis of FirstMile Ventures, a seed-stage fund dedicated to being the “first partner” for founders in rapidly growing markets outside Silicon Valley.

The conversation delves into geographic advantages, debunking myths about relocating companies and highlighting the growing appeal of regions like Colorado due to cost, talent availability, and quality of life.

Aaron...

In this episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with AJ Dye, COO of Vertex Innovations and venture partner at Unifi Ventures, to explore the intersection of operations and investment in the technology sector. AJ shares insights on Vertex’s focus on quality management and project execution within the telecom and data center industries, highlighting how artificial intelligence acts as both a demand driver and operational enhancer.

He discusses Unifi’s unique deal-by-deal investment model targeting expansion-stage B2B tech companies and explains the value of partnering with a network of experienced operator-entrepreneurs as li...

In this insightful episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Justin Ramsaran, co-founder and CEO of the R Group and VP of Digital Health Solutions at Fukuda Denshi, to explore critical challenges and innovations in healthcare technology.

Justin shares his deep expertise on the persistent problem of medical device fragmentation and interoperability within healthcare systems, highlighting how point-to-point device connectivity has created data silos that hinder clinical efficiency and decision-making.

The conversation delves into industry standards like HL7, the new mandates such as TEFCA and QHIN aimed at unifying data...

In this episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with David Brem, Managing Director of the University of Michigan’s Zell Lurie Commercialization Fund. David offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a student-led endowment fund focused on early-stage, sector-agnostic investments primarily in the Michigan ecosystem. He shares insights on their unique, founder-first investment approach, how they navigate pre-seed to Series A venture opportunities, and the rigorous due diligence process involving qualitative analysis over pure numbers.

David also discusses his roles with global VC networks including Electro Ventures, the London Venture Ca...

In this insightful episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast hosted by Kristian Marquez, Yash Hemaraj, General Partner at BGV, shares deep expertise on early-stage venture capital investing in enterprise AI startups. Yash discusses BGV’s investment thesis, emphasizing human-centric AI that augments enterprise workflows with ethical guardrails and human oversight.

He sheds light on the firm’s rigorous evaluation criteria, including market potential, team composition, technology, and business models, highlighting the importance of founders with domain expertise and complementary skill sets. Yash also covers his personal journey from engineering to venture capital, and how his operator experience infl...

In this compelling episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Romy Kochan, General Partner at Frances Ann Capital Partners, to explore a distinctive investment thesis centered on customer acquisition strategies as the primary driver of business growth and venture success. Drawing from over 15 years and 300 transactions in private markets, Romy and his sister and co-founder Natalie emphasize the importance of sales acumen over traditional focus on tech moats or product features, spotlighting companies that may not be “unicorns” but excel at selling and retaining customers.

Listeners will gain deep insights into how Franc...

In this insightful episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Ash Vaidya, Managing Director of Multiplier Capital, to explore the evolving landscape of venture debt and technology investing. Ash shares his firm’s investment focus on mission-critical technology and technology-enabled services businesses that demonstrate strong recurring revenue, product-market fit, and scalable growth within large addressable markets. Listeners gain a deep understanding of the rigorous due diligence process Multiplier Capital employs, including key financial metrics such as LTV to CAC ratios, gross and net retention rates, and the importance of audited financials and a strong ma...

In this insightful episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Andrea Dottillo and Jeff Esposito, co-founders of VeraAI Technologies, to explore how their AI-powered SaaS platform is revolutionizing the remodeling industry.

Drawing from Jeff’s 20+ years of experience in remodeling sales and Andrea’s expertise in technology and research, they discuss the challenges remodelers face—such as cumbersome design tools, prolonged sales cycles, and difficulty in client visualization—and how their innovative platform simplifies the process by enabling accurate, one-consultation designs with real-time AI guidance.

The conversation dives into their journey...

In this insightful episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Jim Curry, co-founder and CEO of BuildGroup, to explore a unique operator-led investment philosophy.

Jim shares how their permanent fund focuses on early growth-stage, data-enabled workflow SaaS companies, leveraging deep operational expertise to drive long-term value beyond just entry and exit. Listeners gain valuable perspectives on AI integration in SaaS, the importance of clear strategic alignment for founders, and how Build Group’s hands-on approach elevates portfolio companies through active problem-solving and scaling support.

Jim also discusses fo...

In this episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Edward Hieatt, Chief Customer Officer and Board Member at Mechanical Orchard, to explore the complex challenge of modernizing legacy mainframe systems that underpin many of today’s largest enterprises. Edward shares the genesis of Mechanical Orchard, a startup dedicated to solving the decades-old problem of migrating critical, often fragile, mainframe-era code—written in languages like COBOL—into modern, cloud-based environments.

The conversation delves into why these systems remain entrenched despite the risks and high maintenance costs, the unique technological hurdles involved, and how Mechani...

In this insightful episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Kim Thanos, founder and CEO of Lumen Learning—a pioneering company transforming higher education by providing affordable, digital textbook alternatives aimed at increasing student success in critical gateway courses.

Kim shares the origin story of Lumen Learning, detailing how a grant from the Gates Foundation inspired a mission to help at-risk students overcome costly textbook barriers by leveraging openly licensed materials. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on how Lumen has disrupted traditional textbook pricing models, the importance of engaging faculty and students di...

In this insightful episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Manfred Heiss, Founder of MyAutoData and President of MAUD Incorporated, to explore the revolutionary concept of automotive data ownership.

Manfred shares his extensive experience from BMW, Oracle, and Hewlett Packard, explaining how his frustration with current data practices inspired him to create MAUD—a secure cloud-based data vault empowering vehicle owners to control, manage, and monetize their automotive data.

The discussion delves into how static, dynamic, and customer experience data are collected and monetized, the impact of privacy laws like GD...

In this episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Jacqui and Steve DIMarco, the CEO and the President of IMAGExRay, about their groundbreaking development of a portable, ultra-low dose radiation x-ray system designed specifically to diagnose and treat dysphagia, a dangerous swallowing disorder.

They discuss how their FDA-approved and patented technology addresses critical challenges exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic by enabling skilled nursing facilities to perform modified barium swallow studies on-site, minimizing delays that often lead to life-threatening complications such as aspiration pneumonia. Jacqui and Steve share insights into the device’s innovation, including it...

In this insightful episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Jon McLaughlin, managing partner at Emberline and CEO of TBX. Jon shares his unique journey from Wall Street derivatives trading to backpacking around the world, followed by an MBA and deep private equity operational experience.

Together, Jon and Kristian explore Emberline’s thematic investment approach that targets transformative opportunities in legacy industries like wildfire risk management and aviation safety. Jon discusses the significance of investing with strategic vision, adding value through active management, and the crucial importance of trustworthy partnerships with business own...

In this insightful episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Todd Thomas, founder and CEO of Woodchuck and bestselling author of Unleashing Abundant Energy.

Todd shares how Woodchuck is tackling two pressing global challenges—waste reduction and renewable energy generation—by diverting wood waste from construction and manufacturing sectors destined for landfills and transforming it into clean, renewable biomass energy. The conversation dives deep into the genesis of Woodchuck’s innovative solution, its early success with major clients like Amazon, and how AI-driven technology enables precise tracking and reporting on waste diversion and ene...

In this compelling episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Adam Mangana, President and CEO of Optima, to explore how immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing K-12 education. Adam shares the origin story of Optima—born from his experience as an AP computer science teacher—and how the company tackles critical issues such as the inequity of educational funding and teacher shortages by delivering accredited VR-powered, interactive curricula accessible nationwide.

Listeners will gain insights into how Optima partners with government programs, notably pioneering a business-to-government-to-consumer model to r...

In this insightful episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Levi King, CEO and Chairman of Nav, to explore the crucial role of business credit and financial health for small businesses.

Levi shares his entrepreneurial journey, from bootstrapping multiple ventures in diverse industries to founding NAV, a fintech platform that empowers over a million small business owners to understand, build, and protect their business and personal credit.

The conversation delves into how managing credit affects access to financing, vendor relationships, and business growth, alongside Levi’s ex...

In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Amar Bakshi, founder of Shared Studios and Noro, to explore how Amar’s visionary work is redefining human connection through immersive technology.

Amar shares the evolution from his original art project, which connected strangers worldwide via life-size video portals installed in locations from New York to Tehran, refugee camps, and universities, to creating Noro’s cutting-edge video conferencing solutions that bridge the gap between virtual meetings and face-to-face interaction. They discuss the inspiration behind his projects, including his personal experiences as a jour...

In this episode, host Kristian Marquez welcomes David Evans, managing partner at Sentiero Ventures, to discuss the firm’s investment thesis focused on seed-stage companies that leverage AI-enabled software to address real-world challenges in sectors like manufacturing and e-commerce.

David elaborates on how Sentiero Ventures is uniquely positioned to combine proprietary, private data with public AI models. He emphasizes the complexities involved in creating tailored AI solutions amid the rise of accessible AI tools like ChatGPT. The conversation delves into the distinctions between AI applications categorized as “co-pilots,” which enhance user productivity, and “agents,” which focus on automation...

In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez welcomes Ralph Groce, an angel investor and partner at Scroobious. The conversation dives into the systemic challenges faced by underrepresented founders—especially women and people of color—in accessing capital.

Scroobious aims to bridge the gap between these talented founders and a vast network of angel investors, tackling misconceptions about perceived risks associated with diverse entrepreneurs. Ralph shares his journey into angel investing, which was influenced by his father’s early investment education and his own entrepreneurial experiences. He emphasizes the importance of team dynamics, proble...

In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Suzanne El-Moursi, co-founder and CEO of BrightHive, to discuss how AI-driven data solutions are transforming the workplace.

Suzanne shares BrightHive’s mission to make data insights accessible to all employees through agentic AI—specialized autonomous agents that function like a full data team. She explains how this technology accelerates decision-making, improves governance, and empowers businesses to unlock the full potential of their data. From the early challenges of adoption to the rapid rise of AI in enterprise settings, Suzanne provides a compelling look...

Join host Kristian Marquez in this insightful episode of The Innovators and Investors Podcast featuring Raj Malik, partner at Pixel Perfect Ventures.

In this episode, Raj delves into the significance of grit and adaptability in founders as they navigate the uncertain landscape of startups and shares the firm’s unique perspective on investing, rooted in their extensive operational experience as former leaders at Rally Health. He underscores the necessity of having a robust founding team, whether it includes multiple founders or a skilled solo entrepreneur.

The conversation also explores the importance of pr...

In this episode of Innovators and Investors, host Kristian Marquez talks with Erin Niehaus, partner at DigitalDx Ventures, about how AI is transforming healthcare. Erin shares her journey from finance to venture capital and explains DigitalDx’s focus on non-invasive early disease detection. They discuss the challenges of AI adoption in healthcare, investment trends, and how DigitalDx supports early-stage founders.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Erin advises becoming technically competent in their area of passion and not letting setbacks deter them. She also emphasizes the importance of generosity and mentorship in fostering innovation.

Overall, th...

In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Tanis Jorge, author of “The Cofounders Handbook” and founder of the Cofounders Hub. The conversation delves into Tanis’ entrepreneurial journey and insights regarding co-founding partnerships. Tanis emphasizes the importance of communication, shared expectations, and roles within co-founder relationships. She advocates for a structured approach to partnerships, including the use of vesting periods for shares to mitigate risks. Tanis introduces the Cofounders Hub, a platform designed to strengthen cofounder partnerships through guided exercises and mentorship. The discussion also touches on the significance of adaptability in entrepreneurship, the challe...

In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Matt Smith, principal at Kickstart, a Colorado-based venture capital firm. Matt shares insights into the firm’s investment thesis, which focuses on early-stage funding for entrepreneurs in the mountain states, particularly between Phoenix and Bozeman. The conversation covers Matt’s personal journey into venture capital, the maturation of founders in understanding the investment landscape, and the evolving dynamics of the startup ecosystem. He emphasizes the importance of understanding investor models while navigating the fundraising process and discusses Kickstart’s supportive approach to portfolio companies, including a new in...

In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Albert Bou Fadel, founder and CEO of Smart Barrel, a company that has developed a unique hardware-software solution for labor management in the construction industry. Albert shares his journey from a decade in the construction field to launching SmartBarrel, driven by the need to solve prevalent issues like labor management and timekeeping through an innovative system. The conversation delves into the challenges of integrating hardware with software, the importance of understanding customer needs, the complexities of sales and marketing in a niche market, and the necessity...

In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Keith Harrington, the co-founder and COO of Novel Capital. Keith discusses the unique approach Novel Capital takes as a capital provider for early-stage Software as a Service (SaaS) and tech-enabled service businesses. Keith shares insights on the importance of optionality for entrepreneurs in raising capital, the streamlined processes Novel employs to provide timely funding, and the metrics they prioritize for underwriting loans. The conversation also touches on the founders’ personal experiences in raising capital and the significance of building relationships in business.

Learn more ab...

In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Yakov Filippenko, founder of Intch, a platform designed to connect companies and professionals for part-time projects. Yakov discusses the challenges of the evolving workforce landscape, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, where many professionals seek flexible work arrangements. He shares insights into the founding of Intch, the strategic focus on small-to-medium businesses (SMBs), and the necessity of profitability in the current economic climate. The conversation highlights the importance of product-market fit, the changing dynamics of venture capital, and the role of AI in hiring...

Join us for an engaging episode of The Innovators and Investors Podcast, hosted by Kristian Marquez, where we explore the vibrant intersection of technology, investment, and entrepreneurship. This week, Kristian welcomes two dynamic guests: Kevin Weber, Managing Director at Amex Ventures, and Ayal Karmi, Co-founder and CEO of Nakuda.

In this episode, Kevin shares his fascinating career journey, including his transition from corporate finance and M&A to venture capital at Amex Ventures, where he focuses on early-stage investments in sectors like fintech, AI, and cybersecurity. As Kevin describes his investment thesis, he emphasizes the importance of...

In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews JT Benton, a founding partner of 9point8 Collective and a general partner at B'More Venture Studio. JT discusses the venture studio model, which focuses on creating companies by starting with a defined thesis or problem to solve rather than just taking existing ideas. JT explains how this model differs from incubators and accelerators, emphasizes the importance of product-market fit, and shares insights about the structure of ownership between studios and founding teams. The conversation also touches on the evaluation of founders, the significance of sales and...

In this episode of The Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Nathan Beckord, the CEO of FounderSuite.com and FundingStack.com. Nathan shares his journey from investment banking to entrepreneurship, outlining the inception of his companies aimed at easing the capital-raising process for startups and venture funds. Through his experience, Nathan emphasizes the importance of focusing on core problems rather than spreading too thin across multiple solutions. The discussion highlights valuable lessons on fundraising, investor relationships, and product development, while also addressing the influence of artificial intelligence on the startup ecosystem.

Learn more about Nathan's...

In this episode of The Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Cindy Padnos, the founder and managing partner of Illuminate Ventures, a seed-stage venture capital firm focused on enterprise software. Cindy shares her insights on the importance of investing in areas where one has operational experience, the dynamics of seed-stage investing versus later rounds, and the value of diversity in entrepreneurship. She emphasizes the significance of strong teams, the lessons learned from her own experiences as an operator, and the structured support systems Illuminate Ventures has built, including a business advisory council and a program for student...

In this episode of The Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Danika Chilibeck, founder and CEO of Bahia AI. Danika discusses her company, Bahia AI, which offers an AI talent sourcer named Mia, designed to streamline the talent acquisition process. Danica shares her personal frustrations with traditional recruitment methods, which inspired her to automate the talent sourcing process. She also discusses her company’s philosophy on product development, emphasizing the importance of customer feedback. She also shares insights on metrics important for evaluating their business, such as customer acquisition cost and churn rates.

Learn more ab...

In this episode of The Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Avanlee Christine, CEO of Avanlee Care. Avanlee discusses her company’s mission to streamline communication between families and healthcare systems to support the aging population, emphasizing the need for technology in healthcare to improve patient outcomes.

Learn more about Avanlee's work https://www.avanleecare.com/

Connect with Avanlee on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/avanlee/

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In this episode of The Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Todd Smith, co-founder and CEO of OpnBook, to discuss their innovative software product, TAHO. This infrastructure solution addresses the growing demand for high-performance computing by optimizing existing hardware resources, effectively navigating the challenges of energy consumption and operational efficiency. Tune in to discover how transitioning from a business intelligence tool to a robust software platform has unlocked new business potential, enhanced environmental sustainability, and revolutionized data center operations. Todd shares insights into patenting strategies and lessons learned in raising capital, offering valuable wisdom for...