In the fast-paced world of tech entrepreneurship, experience is invaluable. Oleg Golynker, a seasoned tech entrepreneur, manager, and investor since the mid-90s, shares his insights garnered from a journey marked by both epic failures and mind-blowing successes.

With a track record spanning decades, Oleg's journey in the tech industry has been nothing short of remarkable. From founding CTO of Global-e (Nasdaq: GLBE) to his current venture, Trueli, Oleg's career is a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of tech entrepreneurship.

At Global-e, Oleg played a pivotal role in solving significant challenges for millions worldwide, culminating in one of the most celebrated IPOs of 2021. Now, with Trueli, Oleg aims to tackle another pressing issue – rescuing memories from the digital clutter that plagues our smartphones.

1. Approaching New Ventures: Oleg sheds light on how the anticipation of an exit from a previous venture impacts the approach to starting a new company. Drawing from his wealth of experience, he discusses the importance of strategic planning and foresight in navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.
2. Evolution of Startup Culture: Having witnessed the evolution of startups over the last two decades, Oleg shares his observations on how working at a startup has changed. From organizational structures to technological advancements, Oleg provides valuable insights into adapting to the ever-changing startup environment.
3. Understanding Your Product: Oleg emphasizes the significance of thoroughly understanding the product or service you are selling. By delving into the importance of product-market fit and customer-centric approaches, Oleg offers invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

To learn more about Oleg Golynker and his ventures, connect with him on LinkedIn or visit Trueli's website,

https://www.linkedin.com/in/oleggolynker/

https://www.trueli.me/

Episode Title: How AI is Disrupting Sales and Marketing with Raj Prasad

Episode Description: In this episode of The Silicon Valley Podcast, our host dives deep into the world of AI in marketing with expert Raj Prasad. With over 25 years of marketing experience, including roles as a CEO and Fractional CMO, Raj has developed a deep understanding of brand development and revenue growth. Join us as Raj shares insights from his impressive career and explores the transformative impact of AI on marketing strategies. From search engine optimization to targeted advertising, learn how AI is revolutionizing the way marketers understand consumer behavior and optimize their campaigns. Whether you’re a small business owner or a seasoned marketer, this episode is packed with valuable advice on integrating AI into your marketing efforts.

Key Questions and Topics:

1. Career Journey: Raj, can you tell our audience a little bit about your career up to this point?
2. AI in Marketing Applications: What are some specific applications of AI in marketing that you find most impactful?
3. SEO and Content Optimization: Can you discuss the impact of AI on search engine optimization (SEO) and content optimization?
4. Consumer Behavior Analysis: How has AI changed the way marketers understand and analyze consumer behavior?
5. Revolutionary AI Tools: Can you share examples of AI-powered tools or platforms that have revolutionized marketing strategies?
6. Future of Targeted Advertising: How do you see AI shaping the future of targeted advertising and audience segmentation?
7. Campaign Performance and ROI: In what ways does AI contribute to improving marketing campaign performance and ROI?
8. Social Media Marketing: How can marketers leverage AI to optimize their social media marketing efforts?
9. Challenges and Limitations: What challenges or limitations do marketers face when implementing AI in their strategies?
10. AI for Small Businesses: How can small businesses or startups with limited resources benefit from AI in their marketing efforts?
11. Future Role of Marketers: How do you see AI influencing the role of marketers in the future?
12. Advice for Marketers: What advice would you give to marketers who are considering integrating AI into their marketing strategies?

About Raj Prasad: Raj Prasad has over 25 years of marketing experience, including roles as a CEO and Fractional CMO. He has developed a deep understanding of brand development and revenue growth, focusing on using a range of marketing tools, such as PPC, SEO, Influencer Marketing, and Event Marketing, to build and strengthen brands. A key achievement was leading the product management for an Online Franchise Dealer Portal, an innovative B2B subscription model, which generated $24 million in revenue over four years. His approach centers around implementing effective digital marketing strategies, contributing to enhanced brand recognition and business performance. This experience is well-suited for roles requiring a strategic yet hands-on approach to digital marketing, where data-driven decisions and a clear vision are essential for driving growth.

Connect with Raj Prasad:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajpras/ Raj Prasad | LinkedIn

Listen Now: Tune in to this insightful conversation with Raj Prasad and discover how AI can transform your marketing strategies for better performance and results.

Make sure to subscribe to The Silicon Valley Podcast for more expert insights and discussions on the latest trends in technology and business. Don’t forget to leave us a review and share this episode with your network!

Episode Summary:

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with J.P. Keating, a prominent figure in the supply chain and mobility sectors. J.P. shares his extensive career history and provides deep insights into the rapidly evolving world of supply chain technology, mobility startups, and the complexities of navigating these industries. From discussing the sexiness of supply chain tech to addressing the critical challenges and sustainability considerations, J.P. offers a comprehensive look at the present and future of these dynamic fields.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Career Background:
   • P. Keating gives an overview of his career journey and experiences that have shaped his expertise in supply chain and mobility sectors.
2. Supply Chain Technology:
   • Why supply chain tech is one of the most exciting fields in technology today.
   • The impact of recent advancements and why people should be excited about this sector.
3. Evolving Mobility:
   • Navigating the complexity of mobility startups amidst advancements in autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and other technologies.
4. Regulations and Policies:
   • The importance of understanding regulations and policies when building or investing in companies within the supply chain and mobility spaces.
5. Challenges in the Sector:
   • Unique challenges faced by startups and investors in supply chain and mobility compared to other sectors.
6. Technology Evolution:
   • How technologies like human-less electric cargo planes evolve compared to software MVPs and iterative testing.
7. Resilience to Disruptions:
   • Assessing the resilience of supply chain startups to disruptions caused by global events like the COVID-19 pandemic.
8. Sustainability Initiatives:
   • Evaluating the sustainability practices of companies in the supply chain and mobility industries.
9. Economic Impact:
   • The importance of supply chain and mobility to the overall economics of cities and countries.
   • How the adoption of new technologies can impact GDP.
10. Global Interest:
    • Identifying the regions and stakeholders most interested in supply chain and mobility technologies.
11. Philosophy on Success:
    • P. shares his philosophy on "stacking bills without anyone knowing who you are" and its implications for business success.
12. Exit Strategies:
    • Discussing the preferred exit strategies for companies in the supply chain and mobility sectors.
    • IPO vs. earlier round exits.
13. Value to Founders:
    • Why founders should be excited to have J.P. and his team on their cap table.
14. Success Stories:
    • P. shares a compelling story of a company he worked with or one in the supply chain and mobility space.
15. Connect with J.P.:
    • How listeners can learn more about J.P. Keating and his current projects.

Listener Takeaways:

• Gain insights into the cutting-edge developments in supply chain and mobility technologies.
• Understand the challenges and opportunities in navigating these rapidly changing industries.
• Learn about the importance of sustainability and regulatory knowledge in building successful startups.
• Discover the economic impact and global interest in supply chain and mobility advancements.
• Hear real-world success stories and practical advice from an industry expert.

Resources:

• P. Keating's LinkedIn

LinkedIn Profile: Ms. Thelma Ekiyor-Solanke

In this episode, we dive into the Nigeria Office for Philanthropy & Impact Investing (NPO) with distinguished panel members Ms. Thelma Ekiyor-Solanke, Ms. Ayodele Olojede, Ms. Elizabeth Oguegbu, and Mr. Tola Adekunle-Johnson. They share insights into the NPO's objectives, strategies, and initiatives aimed at fostering job creation and economic growth in Nigeria.

• Ms. Thelma Ekiyor-Solanke: Chairperson of the NPO, providing a brief overview of her role and background.
• Ms. Ayodele Olojede: Representative from Wema Bank and NPO Implementing Committee member, sharing her expertise and involvement.
• Ms. Elizabeth Oguegbu: Representative from Access Bank and NPO Implementing Committee member, introducing her role and contributions.

• The origin and evolution of the Nigeria Office for Philanthropy & Impact Investing.
• The role and significance of the NPO in Nigeria's economic landscape.

• How the NPO collaborates with the Vice President's office to streamline efforts.
• The integration of public and private sector initiatives.

• Primary objectives of the NPO and the strategies in place to achieve them.
• Key focus areas and intended outcomes.

• Developing a robust pipeline of companies.
• Resources and support required to scale up job creation efforts.

• Definition and criteria for women recipients (founders, co-founders, advisors).
• Long-term goals and impacts of this allocation criterion.

• Conditions and potential matching investment requirements tied to grants.
• Efficiency in deploying grants to ensure timely job creation.

• Specific sectors targeted for capital deployment.
• Rationale behind the selection of these sectors.

• Possibilities of other African countries adopting a similar model.
• Expected outcomes and benefits for the broader African continent.

• Opportunities for Silicon Valley investors to partner with and invest in the NPO initiative.
• Ways to foster collaboration and mutual growth.

• Plans for companies to expand into new markets.
• Strategies for growth and international expansion.

• Assurance mechanisms for proper utilization of grant money.
• Governance structures tied to financial assistance.

• Information companies need to provide to secure funding.
• Criteria and eligibility requirements for applicants.

• Additional support provided to companies beyond funding.
• Resources and mentorship available to aid business growth.

• Importance of technology and innovation in the NPO's investment strategy.
• Future trends and opportunities.

Guest: John Hittler | LinkedIn

Overview: In this episode, we dive deep into the extraordinary journey of John Hittler, a CEO Trusted Advisor, 9-time Founder and CEO, funding source, author, TEDx speaker, and father of seven. John shares his wealth of experience, insights into leadership, and strategies for balancing a demanding career with personal life.

Discussion Points:

1. Career History

• John provides an overview of his career path, highlighting key milestones and achievements.

• As a busy professional with multiple roles, John discusses how he efficiently manages his time and responsibilities.

• John shares notable challenges and setbacks he has faced in his career and the strategies he used to overcome them.

• Reflecting on the companies he has started, John recounts some memorable experiences and lessons learned.

• John explains his motivation for founding Evoking Genius after successfully starting nine other companies.

• Insight into the specific methodologies or frameworks John utilizes with his clients to drive success.

• Discussing the key characteristics that differentiate elite leaders from the average person and what makes them successful.

• What a first session with John looks like and how he sets the stage for productive coaching relationships.

• John's approach to identifying and leveraging unique strengths and talents within an organization.

• Strategies for supporting leaders in maintaining balance and preventing burnout in high-pressure environments.

• Anonymous success stories showcasing how John has helped clients achieve their goals.

• How John stays informed and ensures his insights and strategies remain relevant in the ever-evolving business landscape.

• Advice for aspiring leaders or entrepreneurs on fostering innovation and creativity within their teams.

• Addressing common challenges and misconceptions encountered when working with organizations and how John handles them.

• Exploring common misconceptions people have about CEOs and the realities of their roles.

• Information on how to learn more about John and his current projects, along with contact details for further engagement.

Ep 228 Unlocking Venture Capital Insights with Brian Bell: Strategies, SPVs, and Future Trends

Brian Bell Bio

Managing Partner at Team Ignite Ventures | ex AI at AWS, Microsoft, and several startups.

Main Discussion

1. Background and Experience

• Brian’s Journey: Brian shares a brief introduction to his background, career path, and how he became a venture capitalist.

• Evolution of Venture Capital: Brian discusses the evolving landscape of venture capital, including current trends and future outlooks.

• Starting in VC: Practical advice from Brian for those aspiring to enter the venture capital industry.

• Investing and Managing SPVs: Insights into Brian’s experience with SPVs, including the benefits and challenges.

• Future Value-Add: Brian’s perspective on where the most significant value-add for venture capitalists will lie in the future from both the investor and company perspectives.

• Importance of VC Brand: Discussion on the future significance of having a venture capital brand on a company's cap table.

• Tracking Investments: How angel investors typically keep track of their portfolio companies.
• Effective Communication: Examples of how companies effectively maintain communication with their investors.

• Timing and Strategy: Brian’s thoughts on why some founders wait until the last minute to seek capital or consider selling their companies.

• Implications of Write-Offs: The impact of writing off an investment in terms of taxes, returns, and LP reports.

• Types of Reports: Insights into the types of reports venture capitalists typically provide to their limited partners.

• Advantages of Newsletters: The benefits for both venture capitalists and founders in maintaining a newsletter.

• Marketing Efforts: Brian’s approach to managing his marketing efforts and building his personal brand.

• Pros and Cons of Moving: Brian shares his experiences and thoughts on relocating from Silicon Valley, including the pros and cons of his new living situation.

• Staying Connected: Information on how to learn more about Brian and his current ventures, including the best ways to connect with him.

Connect with Brian

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bblinkedin/

Subscribe to Brian’s substack https://brianrbell.substack.com/

Sara Zare Bio

Leadership philosophy: Inform, Enable, Empower - and witness the magic.

Mission: building the "3 Founder Unicorns" community.

Slogan: quoting Alexander Hamilton -- as he allegedly sang: I am not throwing away my shot!

Armed with degrees in Mechanical, Electrical, Nano, Bio, and Software Engineering from prestigious institutions in the USA, Germany, and Iran, coupled with fluency in English, German, and Persian, my perspective is detailed and holistic as well as local and global. My insatiable curiosity about human psychology, on top of my background, afford me a unique vantage point on the interplay of engineering, science, and the mosaic of human aspiration, desire, and motivation.

My track record in the productization of emerging technologies, transformative leadership impacting hundreds of teams at Google and beyond, and an insatiable curiosity for historical reflection and future forecasting, form the cornerstone of my fascination with '3 Founder Unicorns'. A vision of a future where innovation is democratized, enabling the creation of highly profitable startups with minimal capital, at unprecedented speeds. Hence I am building and leading the 'Gen-AI-Enabled Founder Community', where super savvy, creative and capable entrepreneurs gather to teach each other and learn from each other how to build their own Virtual Workforce.

In this weeks episode, we talk about

How Ai is impacting Silicon Valley

The Future of Venture Capitalism and how it will never be the same

The opportunities for everyone with the power of AI

Should we afraid of AI

And Much more…

Connect with Sara on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarazare/

In this episode of The Silicon Valley Podcast, we delve into the dynamic world of investment banking with the esteemed Vincent Monteparte, a visionary leader with over 25 years of experience in managing strategic enterprise initiatives across various industries.

Vincent Monteparte serves as a Board Director and Chair of the Audit Committee for Dalrada Financial Corporation (DFCO), a Healthcare, Technology, and Clean Energy Company. Additionally, he holds Board Director positions for Measurabl, a global sustainability SaaS Software company, and Slingshot Aerospace, a computer vision AI SaaS software company for the commercial/government satellite industry. He also serves on the boards of Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business and the College of Business and Engineering for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

With a background spanning mergers & acquisitions for the middle market, board leadership & governance, market expertise & positioning, and strategic business investment & planning, Vincent brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.

Here are some key questions we explore with Vincent:

1. How early should a business owner start to talk to an investment banker for planning the sale of their business, and when should a company start to prepare for an exit?
2. How important is it for a founder to plan for an exit?
3. How does one think about the valuation of their company?
4. What are some warning signs that an investment banker can see that may indicate a deal will not work?
5. After the sale is complete, what do you want your client to say about you as an investment banker?
6. How will investment banking change with the addition of new technology?

We also touch on the evolution of investment banking over the years and explore the potential competition between Venture Capitalists and family offices for deals in the future.

Join us for this enlightening discussion with Vincent Monteparte as we uncover the intricacies of investment banking and gain valuable insights into the world of finance and deal-making.

Connect with Vincent Monteparte on LinkedIn