Lifeselfmastery's podcast I Startups I Venture Capital

I am thrilled to have Raphaël Boukris, co-founder and CRO of Didomi. Roughly 2% of global web traffic runs through their SDK. He's raised three rounds, made two acquisitions, and sold majority control to private equity. Now the group does 40 to 60m ARR with under 200 people.

In this episode, Raphaël Boukris, CRO and co-founder of Didomi, shares insights on compliance solutions, strategic acquisitions, and scaling SaaS businesses globally. Discover how to navigate international markets, build high-performance sales teams, and adapt to AI-driven sales tools.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Raphaël Boukris and Didomi

I am thrilled to have Vincent Jong, the founder of DataMerge, a B2B data platform challenging ZoomInfo and Apollo with smarter enrichment waterfalls and transparent pricing and Meetbot which is an AI‑first scheduling platform. He also builds AI-first companies through Poolside Ventures and hosts SaaS on the Beach, an exclusive retreat for top SaaS founders.

In this interview, Vincent Jong, shares insights on building AI-first SaaS products, data enrichment, and startup strategies. Discover how he leverages AI to create cost-efficient, scalable solutions and his approach to building successful ventures without external funding.

Timestamps

I am excited to have Fadwa Ouardani, a business angel and VC investor at Leblon Capital, backing founders across the US and Europe.

In this interview, Fadwa Ouardani, a VC investor at Leblon Capital, shares her journey from operator to investor, her views on startup culture, the impact of AI, and advice for founders navigating the global landscape. Discover key traits of successful founders, the importance of company culture, and the future of venture capital.

Timestamps

03:40 Traits of Successful Founders

06:18 Building Strong Company Culture

09:38 Comparing European and American Founders<...

I am thrilled to have Alex Shartsis, the founder and CEO of Skyp, a bootstrapped AI email platform powering personalized outbound for sales teams at leading companies.

In this episode, Alex Shartsis, founder and CEO of Skyp, shares insights on building a bootstrapped GTM software company, writing outbound that actually earns replies, and winning a crowded category against far better-funded rivals. Discover how one conference-outreach play packed an enterprise pipeline with 130 leads in a single quarter, why a $20M exit can beat a $20M raise, and what most people still get wrong about AI-generated cold email in 2026.<...

I am happy to have Mike Zisman, the founder and Executive Chairman of Golf Genius Software, the leading tournament management platform serving 11,000+ golf clubs across 62 countries

In this episode, Mike Zisman, founder of Golf Genius Software, shares insights on building a capital-efficient tech company, forming game-changing partnerships, and navigating today's exit landscape. Discover how a single USGA deal transformed the company's trajectory, why raising less capital can make a startup stronger, and what it really takes to build resilient remote teams that stick around.

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I am thrilled to have Ron Levin, Managing Partner at Alumni Ventures Seed Fund and co-founder of Perk, formerly TravelPerk, which scaled to a $2.7 billion valuation. He has backed 1,600+ companies and written Higher Purpose Venture Capital.

In this episode, Ron Levin, Managing Partner at Alumni Ventures and co-founder of TravelPerk, shares insights on venture capital, startup fundraising, and the future of AI. Discover how founders can decode a VC pass, what a real moat looks like for AI companies, and why social impact and strong returns aren't mutually exclusive.

Timestamps

00:26 From McKinsey to...

I am thrilled to have Mike Ryan, CEO of Bullet Point Network, who was earlier Partner at Goldman Sachs, Global Co-Head of Equities, investment committee at Harvard's endowment.

In this episode, Mike Ryan, CEO of Bullet Point Network and former Goldman Sachs Partner and Global Co-Head of Equities, shares insights on AI in investing, disciplined capital allocation, and building a startup late in a storied career. Discover why quality control is the real battleground in AI, how the "AI + 1" model keeps humans in the loop, what decades on Harvard's investment committee taught him about betting on people...

I am thrilled to have Tal Kirschenbaum, co-founder and CEO of Ledge. He's not building software that tracks the month-end close. He's building AI agents that that tracks the month-end close.

In this episode, Tal Kirschenbaum, CEO of Ledge, shares insights on AI in finance, startup growth, and go-to-market strategies. Discover how AI is transforming accounting, the importance of deterministic models, and lessons from building a successful AI company.

Timestamps

01:12 Understanding Corporate M&A and its Relevance to Startups

02:42 Insights from Corporate M&A Experience and Building Ledge

03:28 Origin...

I am happy to have Sudhir Syal, President at Orios Venture Partners. Sudhir spent fifteen years on both sides of the table. He covered India's earliest startups as a journalist, then went and grew three of them himself across Indonesia, UAE, SGP, and India.

In this episode, Sudhir Syal, President at ORIOS Venture Partners, shares insights from his 15+ years of startup and investment experience across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. He discussed startup scaling, international expansion, GTM strategies, and the future of AI and tech in emerging markets.

Timestamps

00:00 The Journey f...

I am excited to have Alex Chompff, the Co-founder and Executive Director of Evolution Ventures and Lead General Partner of MinervaFund, an active early stage venture capital firm investing in women and traditionally underrepresented founders.

In this episode, Alex Chompff, co-founder of Evolution Ventures, shares his journey from military service to venture capital, explores the impact of AI on the future of work, and discusses how startups can leverage new technologies and investment strategies.

Timestamps

00:00 The Journey into Venture Capital

02:59 Military Influence on Leadership

06:09 Comparing Dot Com Boom and...

I am thrilled to have Allison Byers, founder and CEO of Scroobious. She is the author of the book, Fundraising for The Rest of Us.

In this episode, Alison Byers shares her journey from entrepreneurship to venture capital insights, discusses biases in the industry, and introduces her relationship-first platform, Scroobius. She offers valuable advice for founders and emerging fund managers navigating the complex world of startup funding.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital

03:07 The Challenges of Fundraising and Gender Bias

06:13 Understanding Venture Capital Dynamics

09:17 The Importance...

I am thrilled to have Jeremy Au was earlier COO of cancer-biotech Lucence. He's now CEO of Cosmetic Physician Partners Asia. Forbes 30 Under 30, 50+ startups backed, host of BRAVE.

In this interview, Jeremy Au shares his diverse journey from founder to CEO, insights on startup building, cross-border healthcare, Southeast Asia tech, and investment strategies. A must-listen for entrepreneurs and investors aiming to navigate the complex Asian landscape.

Timestamps

00:00 Journey of a Builder: From Founder to CEO

07:22 Navigating the Global Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities

10:49 Southeast Asia's Untold Stories: The Ground Realities<...

I am excited to have Tom Chi, Founding Partner at At One Ventures and founding member of Google X, where he led teams creating self-driving cars and Google Glass. A physicist-turned-venture capitalist, he's authored Climate Capital, investing in deep-tech startups helping humanity become net positive to nature—a 200-500 year mission.

In this interview, Tom Chi, a pioneering inventor and venture capitalist, discusses the intersection of technology, climate change, and long-term impact. He shares his journey from astrophysics to climate investing, emphasizing the importance of physical reality in economics and the need for multi-generational thinking.

Ti...

I am thrilled to have Ana Malhotra, Co-Founder and CEO of Tato, building Ai agents for pet industry. Previously, she founded Rome, a yard-sharing platform for dogs, backed by Jason Calacanis's LAUNCH. A former AWS Security Engineer, Ana spent nearly five years at Amazon before betting on the pet industry's AI future.

In this conversation, Ana Malhotra discusses her journey from AWS security engineer to startup founder, the pet industry's resistance to technology, and how AI agents are reshaping marketplaces. She shares insights from building Tato, navigating supply and demand dynamics, and the tools transforming startup operations.<...

I am excited to have Anand Raghavan, the Chief Product Officer at Snorkel AI, the leading data-centric AI platform for enterprise. Before that he co-founded Armorblox, sold it to Cisco, and spent two and a half years launching AI products inside one of the world's largest technology companies. 

In this conversation, Anand Raghavan discusses the evolution of AI security, product management in the AI era, and the future of enterprise software. He shares insights from his career, including building startups, AI defense, and the impact of AI on labor and skills.

Timestamps

01:51 Risk a...

I am thrilled to have Oscar Rubio, the founder and CEO of Lodgerin, the first digital ecosystem simplifying international mobility by connecting organizations with housing providers and personalized services.

In this conversation, Oscar Rubio, the founder and CEO of LodgerIn, a digital ecosystem that simplifies international mobility. shares his entrepreneurial journey, the impact of COVID on his business, and the challenges of being a solo founder. He discusses the importance of software in scaling operations, sales strategies, and building a strong team culture. Oscar also reflects on the role of AI in business, the decision to raise...

I am thrilled to have Anuraag Gutgutia, founder of True Foundry which provides provides an enterprise-grade AI Gateway that encompasses an LLM Gateway, MCP Gateway, and Agent Gateway, enabling enterprises to securely connect, observe, and govern access to models, tools, guardrails, and agents from a single control plane.

In this conversation, Anuraag Gutgutia, co-founder of True Foundry, discusses his journey from IIT Kharagpur to building a startup focused on AI infrastructure. Anuraag shares insights on the evolving landscape of AI, the importance of understanding AI costs, and the challenges enterprises face when scaling AI solutions. He emphasizes...

I am excited to have Andrew Pignanelli, Co-Founder and CEO of The General Intelligence Company. Andrew is building Cofounder, the first full-stack agent platform designed to run companies end-to-end. Previously he founded Velvet and Decheque Securities. 

In this interview, Andrew Pignanelli, CEO of the General Intelligence Company, shares his journey through founding multiple companies, the ambitious vision of AI-driven agent companies, and the rapid advancements towards AGI. Discover the technical challenges, strategic insights, and future predictions shaping the future of AI and business automation.

Timestamps

03:16 The Vision Behind General Intelligence

05:57 The R...

I am thrilled to have Aly Madhavji, Managing Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund, a Singapore-based VC investing in early-stage Web3 startups globally. A Schwarzman Scholar and INSEAD MBA, he consults for the United Nations on blockchain for financial inclusion and is a judge on CryptoKnights, the upcoming Shark Tank-style show for crypto founders.

In this conversation, Ali Madhavji, managing partner at Blockchain Founders Fund, discusses his journey into venture capital, the impact of the Schwarzman Scholars Program, and the future of Web 3, AI, and stablecoins. They explore the geopolitical implications of currency, the intersection of AI and...

I am excited to have George Kurdin, the Co-Founder of Monk, Monk.com helps businesses get paid fast. Monk.com handles everything from invoices to collections to payment reconciliation and are using AI to solve the cashflow problem.

In this interview, George Kurdin shares his unique perspective on startup decision-making, the challenges of accounts receivable, and how AI is transforming payment processes. Discover how his diverse background from poker to Minecraft informs his approach to building Monk, a platform that helps businesses get paid faster.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to George and His Journey

I am thrilled to have Charlie O'Donnell who founded Brooklyn Bridge Ventures, backing 105 startups including Hungryroot and Brigit. He wrote the #1 bestseller Founder Unfriendly, what Investors Won't Tell You About Getting Funded

In this interview,Charlie O'Donnell shares insights from his 20-year venture capital career, including how founders can improve their pitch decks, navigate biases, and build successful relationships with investors. Learn practical strategies to increase your chances of funding and succeed in the startup ecosystem.

Timestamps

00:00 The Journey into Venture Capital

03:08 Understanding Startup Funding Dynamics

06:08 The Role of...

I am thrilled to have Or Dagan, the Chief Product & Strategy Officer at AI21 Labs, where he leads product, strategy, and the development of enterprise AI systems including Maestro, their AI planning and orchestration platform.

In this interview, Or Dagan, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at AI21 Labs, shares his journey from software developer to leading enterprise AI innovation. Discover how AI is transforming product development, enterprise adoption, and the future of AI orchestration.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to AI21 Labs

03:22 The Journey of AI21 Labs and Product Development

06:22 Defining Great...

I am happy to have Ekaterina Gorbacheva, Global Expansion Lead at Flowwow, who's scaled the gifting marketplace across 40+ countries with 166% year-over-year GMV growth.

In this conversation, Ekaterina Gorbacheva , a global expansion lead at FlowWow, shares her journey from studying in China to becoming a tech co-founder and eventually leading expansion efforts at FlowWow. We discuss the importance of cultural insights in product development, the role of technology in gifting, and the strategies for successful market localization.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Ekaterina Gorbacheva and Her Journey

03:21 Transitioning to FlowWow: A New Chapter

I am thrilled to have Oliver Manojlovic, CRO at Dash0, the agentic observability platform that just acquired Lumigo and is supporting 600+ customers globally.

In this conversation, Oliver Manojlovic, the CRO of Dash Zero, discusses his journey from Personio to Dash Zero, the challenges of hyper-growth, and the importance of a customer-centric approach in SaaS. Oliver shares insights on hiring, onboarding, and maintaining team dynamics in a fast-paced environment, as well as the role of AI in sales and the common mistakes founders make in their go-to-market strategies.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Oliver Manojlovic and...

I am excited to have Stefan Bader, CEO and co-founder of Cello, a referral automation platform used by Typeform, Miro, and VEED. He's a 2x founder who spent a decade in B2B software, including as CRO at Shore. Stefan recently launched the GTM10 Awards, gathering insights from 800+ operators at companies like OpenAI, Stripe, and Gong.

In this conversation, Stefan Bader, CEO and co-founder of Cello, a referral automation platform where he discusses his journey as a two-time founder, the challenges of managing sales talent, the evolution of go-to-market strategies, and the impact of AI on sales...

I am thrilled to have Eric Jorgenson who is the author of The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, with over 2 million copies sold, and The Anthology of Balaji. His latest book is The Book of Elon.

In this conversation, Eric Jorgenson discusses his latest book on Elon Musk, exploring the unique insights he gained while writing it. He delves into Musk's mindset, execution strategies, and the importance of purpose in achieving success. Jorgenson also addresses the challenges of writing about a figure as polarizing as Musk, the implications of AI on the future of work, and the tension...

I am excited to have Ali Moiz, co-founder of Streamlabs (acquired by Logitech for $170M) and Peanut Labs (acquired for $30M), and currently building Pilot GPT (formerly Stonks).

In this conversation, Ali Moiz discusses his journey from selling stickers in first grade in Pakistan to building and exiting two companies worth a combined $200M+. He shares the raw, unfiltered reality of startup life — from doing mass layoffs and losing a co-founder overnight to nearly shutting down and finding product-market fit through sheer persistence. Ali breaks down his philosophy on pivoting (most founders don't pivot enough), why burnout is...

I am excited to have Amos Bar-Joseph - CEO of Swan AI, two-time exited founder and ex-KPMG advisor. He's building in public toward $30M ARR with just three founders and an army of AI agents.

In this conversation, Amos Bar-Joseph, CEO of Swan AI, discusses his entrepreneurial journey, the innovative use of AI in go-to-market strategies, and the evolving landscape of pricing models in the AI industry. Amos emphasizes the importance of leveraging AI as an amplification tool for human capabilities rather than a replacement. He shares insights on building a self-learning support system, ensuring GDPR compliance...

I am excited to have Hiten Sonpal, CEO of RISE Robotics, disrupting a $600B market by replacing century-old hydraulics with Beltdraulic technology—3X faster, 3X more efficient, zero emissions.

In this conversation, Hiten Sonpal, CEO of Rise Robotics, shares his journey from childhood fascination with technology to leading a company that is revolutionizing the robotics industry. He discusses his extensive experience at iRobot, the innovative Beltrolix technology, and the successful crowdfunding campaign that engaged retail investors.  He emphasizes the importance of partnerships, market entry strategies, and the need for resilience and risk-taking in entrepreneurship.

Timestamps

I am excited to have Ronan Chambers is the co-founder of etn., a technology show built for Europe. Previously, he was a founding team member at Convergence, which was acquired by Salesforce, where he worked on Agentforce.

In this conversation, Ronan Chambers, co-founder of ETN, discusses his journey from tech startups to creating a technology show for Europe. He explores the European startup ecosystem, misconceptions, emerging tech hubs, and the future of media in venture capital. Ronan shares insights on building an audience, sponsorship strategies, and the importance of leadership in startups.

Timestamps

00:00...

I am thrilled to have Akshat Mandloi, the co-founder of Smallest.ai, a voice AI startup recently named among Inc42's "30 Startups to Watch" for 2025. A former senior data scientist at Bosch and IIT Guwahati alum, he's building hyper-realistic voice agents that support 30+ languages with ultra-low latency for enterprises worldwide.

In this conversation, Akshat Mandloi, co-founder of Smallest AI, discusses his journey from working at Bosch to starting his own company, the challenges of operating in different markets, and the intricacies of developing voice AI technology. Akshat shares insights on language prioritization, the competitive landscape, and what...

I am excited to have Bani K Maini: an AI product leader who transforms complex enterprise operations into scalable solutions that actually get adopted. From cutting forecasting errors by 74% to scaling platforms across 600+ sites in seven countries, she's built AI products for Fortune 500 companies - and conducted 70+ executive interviews at Stanford on how GenAI is reshaping enterprises.

In this conversation, Bani Maini, an AI product leader, shares her journey from early exposure to technology in Japan to her current role in transforming enterprise operations through AI. She discusses the challenges of AI adoption across different cultures and...

I am thrilled ot have Lars Leckie, a Partner at Aspenwood Ventures, bringing a rare founder-turned-investor perspective to early-stage investing. He co-founded AutoFarm (now Novariant), pioneering GPS and robotics in agriculture, where he built sales teams across three continents

In this conversation, Lars Leckie shares his unique journey from coding and gaming to becoming a partner at AspenWood Ventures. He discusses the critical lessons learned from his early experiences in sales and strategy, emphasising the importance of understanding customer needs and the divide between engineering and sales cultures. Lars also delves into the evolving landscape of venture...

I am thrilled ot have Udi Ledergor, the Chief Evangelist at Gong, where he spent nine years helping build the company from zero to a multi-billion-dollar valuation. A five-time B2B marketing leader, bestselling author of Courageous Marketing, angel investor, and board member

In this conversation, Udi Ledergor, Chief Evangelist at Gong, shares his journey from product management to leading marketing at a billion-dollar company. He emphasizes the importance of human-centric marketing, the need to challenge traditional best practices, and the significance of creating valuable content that resonates with audiences. Udi discusses the evolution of marketing strategies...

I am excited to have Sergiy Korolov, who is the Co-CEO of Railsware and co-founder of multiple products

In this conversation, Sergiy Korolov, CEO of Railsware, discusses his journey from software developer to entrepreneur, the evolution of his products like Mailtrap and Coupler, and the challenges faced in the tech industry. Sergiy shares insights on transitioning from service to product, the importance of understanding user segments through surveys, and the role of AI in enhancing productivity. He also reflects on the complexities of email delivery and strategies for competing against larger companies.

Timestamps

00:00 T...

I am thrilled to have Brad Harrison, a former Army Ranger turned venture capitalist, and the founder and Managing Partner of Scout Ventures. Brad invests at the intersection of national security and critical technology innovation, backing companies like Unite Us, ID.me, Voyager Space, and Tomahawk Robotics — which was recently acquired by AeroVironment.

In this conversation, Brad Harrison, a former Army Ranger turned venture capitalist, shares his journey into the world of venture capital and the founding of Scout Ventures. He discusses the importance of mission-driven investments, particularly in the intersection of national security and critical technology. Br...

I am thrilled to have Elias Mufarech who is a Senior Associate at Collide Capital, a pre-seed to Series A venture fund investing in fintech, future of work, and supply chain software.

In this conversation, Elias Mufarech, a senior associate at Collide Capital, shares his insights on venture capital, the importance of operational support for founders, and the evolving landscape of startup expectations. Elias discusses his journey from building fintech software in Latin America to investing in startups, highlighting the critical lessons learned along the way. He emphasizes the need for founders to have strong networks and...

I am excited to have  Ankur Patel who is the founder and CEO of Multimodal, where he's automating the most complex workflows in finance and insurance. He has 15+ years of work experience across companies like J.P. Morgan and Bridgewater

In this conversation, Ankur Patel, founder and CEO of Multimodal, traces his path from JP Morgan and Bridgewater to building AI agents that automate complex workflows in finance and insurance. He explains how early exposure to data science and macro trading convinced him that AI would reshape enterprise work. He discusses why agentic AI is fundamentally different f...

I am thrilled to have Vivek Krishnamurthy, who is a Partner at Commerce Ventures, where he's spent over 8 years investing in commerce infrastructure and fintech. Before Venture, he was an Investment Banking Analyst at Financial Technology Partners. He's particularly bullish on AI's transformation of insurance, backing companies like Kin Insurance, Liberate, and Authentic.

In this conversation, Vivek Krishnamurthy, a partner at Commerce Ventures, discusses his journey into venture capital, the evolution of investment strategies, and the intersection of commerce and fintech. Vivek shares insights on the impact of AI on business, the importance of understanding market dynamics...

I am excited to have Dallas Price, a Venture Builder at Forum Ventures, where he helps launch and scale six B2B SaaS startups every year through their AI Studio. His work centres on turning early-stage concepts into real companies, guiding founders across product, go-to-market, and fundraising

In this conversation, Dallas Price, a venture builder at Forum Ventures, discusses his journey into the startup world, the workings of a venture studio, and the current landscape of AI startups. Dallas shares insights on navigating chaos in startups, the importance of defensibility, new distribution channels, and evolving pricing models...