As someone passionate about the role of innovation in advancing society, I’m particularly interested in how rapidly evolving technologies - like artificial intelligence, robotics, and dual-use technologies - are reshaping the military landscape. Naturally, I was thrilled and honored that Major General Julian “Ghost” Cheater joined me on the pod to explore this intersection of technology and warfare.Ghost, a senior leader in the U.S. Air Force, shared invaluable insights into how the military anticipates future conflicts and adapts to emerging technologies, as well as the importance of collaboration between the military and private sector tech companies. We dove deep into everything from how advanced software applications are used to streamline operations, to the critical role private companies play in supporting national defense through dual-use innovations.One of the most eye-opening moments of the conversation was when we discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the lessons being learned in real time, especially in terms of adapting technology to the battlefield. Ghost emphasized that the tech industry and military can help prevent conflict through innovation. This episode was a powerful reminder that while the stakes are high in defense, there is tremendous opportunity for technologists and entrepreneurs to contribute to national security in meaningful ways. I'm excited for listeners to hear how they can get involved and make a difference.Links:Defense Innovation UnitAir Force AcquisitionChief Digital and Artificial Intelligence OfficeDoing Business with the Department of Defense Flow ChartPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

Determining how much capital a startup should raise during each funding round is hard. This week, Phuong and I break down the tools and methodologies that founders and VCs use to calculate the right number, emphasizing the importance of creating a detailed operating model. The conversation covers key fundraising strategies, including aligning milestones with investor expectations and avoiding common pitfalls like over-dilution. Our goal during this chat was to offer practical insights on managing capital efficiently and ensuring long-term growth. If you’re a founder looking to navigate the fundraising landscape with confidence, this episode is definitely for you.Links:Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn 

We kick off a new season by sitting down with Patrick Butler, the CEO of BizDefender. Patrick, a seasoned founder with deep technical expertise, discusses his latest venture, BizDefender, a company co-founded with Interplay. BizDefender addresses the growing epidemic of fraud targeting small and medium-sized businesses. The conversation delves into the various types of business fraud, including hacking, social engineering, and brand spoofing. Patrick explains how BizDefender is stepping up with a simple, accessible solution, including a free-tier product, to help businesses monitor and mitigate these fraud risks, which are often invisible yet devastating.Patrick and I also discuss the broader mission behind BizDefender, which aligns with Interplay’s studio model of building companies that create both social value and sustainable business solutions. Patrick emphasizes how small businesses are particularly vulnerable to fraud, with median losses that could cripple many companies. BizDefender aims to provide these businesses with a much-needed defense, offering tools to monitor dark web activity, protect against phishing attacks, and offer human support to navigate the complex landscape of fraud prevention.Give it a shot and see how BizDefender can help your company stay safe at bizdefender.com.Links:BizDefender Links: Website, LinkedIn, InstagramPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

For this week's episode - the last one before the podcast takes a summer break - my colleague Mike Rogers joins to discusses Apple's new updates + AI announcement. Additionally, we touch on the implications of growth round pay-to-play dynamics in the early-stage market.

This week's pod is a mid-year check-in on the global markets with Chris Zhang. Chris shares his insights on the current state of the U.S. and global markets and we dissect key economic data, market trends, and potential risks, offering a nuanced evaluation of the economic landscape.

Phuong delves into the crucial strategies for acquiring initial customers when launching a B2C (business-to-consumer) product. We discuss the importance of targeting early adopters who feel the problem intensely and are willing to tolerate an imperfect product. Practical advice is provided on how to find these initial users both offline and online, emphasizing the value of human contact and direct feedback. The episode also highlights successful pre-launch community building and beta program strategies, with real-world examples such as Harry's pre-launch referral program.Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplayPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

I recently sat down with Chris Zhang, CIO and partner at Ascend Interplay, to discuss the often misunderstood concept of diversification. We explored the endowment model, which focuses on alternative assets like private equity, venture capital, and real estate, and how it can be applied to ultra-high-net-worth families and individuals with long-term investment horizons. I note how this approach can help capture the illiquidity premium and provide diversification benefits. Chris shared his insights on the limitations of traditional measures like volatility and correlation, and we discussed how true uncorrelated assets are scarce in the current macro environment. Our conversation highlighted the importance of understanding the nuances of diversification and risk management in investing.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplayPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

DESCRIPTIONRecruiting and team construction are crucial for any company's culture and success. This week, Phuong and I dive into this topic and how important it is to focus on hiring when building a startup. Phuong provides insights into assessing team needs, creating effective job descriptions, conducting thoughtful interviews, and evaluating candidates based on grit, humility, and integrity. When looking to add people to the team not only should technical qualifications be considered but we underscore the significance of soft skills.  Every person you bring into your team has an impact on shaping organizational culture and success. Lastly, we share a tool used here at Interplay, Superman Analysis. We use Superman Analysis to assess team needs and identify gaps in skills enabling us to ensure our team is structured and staffed as it should be. LINKSFollow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Superman Analysis*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

Mike and I had the pleasure of sitting down with Todd Saunders (CEO of Broadloom), and Chetan Narain (co-founder and CTO of Pepper) to discuss the concept of vertical SaaS and its application in different industries. We explore how Broadloom and Pepper leverage vertical SaaS to serve the flooring and food distribution markets. Our conversation delves into the evolution and advantages of vertical SaaS, emphasizing the importance of owning customer relationships and leveraging industry-specific data. We speak about the potential for vertical SaaS companies to expand into broader markets beyond software, highlighting scalability and value proposition, particularly in high transaction volume industries. Additionally, Todd Saunders and Chetan Narain discuss the impact of AI on their businesses, focusing on its role in increasing internal efficiency, improving customer experience, and driving profitability. Our discussion underscores the broader implications of AI adoption, including its potential to enhance productivity, customer satisfaction, and shareholder value across industries.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @Mikeyjrog, @toddsaunders Company Links: Pepper LinkedIn, Pepper Website, Broadloom Website, Broadloom LinkedIn Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither...

Mike and I sat down this week to chat about current events and their implications for the innovation economy. We begin our conversation by highlighting successful tech IPOs like Reddit and Estera, suggesting a strong demand for tech companies in the public market. We discuss how these IPOs could signal to other entrepreneurs and investors, potentially fueling more listings and investments. Our conversation shifts to a significant settlement in the real estate world, impacting companies like Compass. We analyze how changes in realtor commissions could shift capital to homeowners and potentially disrupt the real estate brokerage industry. Lastly, We touch upon Boeing's recent challenges, reflecting on corporate management issues and the potential for new players to enter the aviation industry. We discuss the lack of innovation in commercial aviation and suggest opportunities for entrepreneurs and government intervention to foster competition and innovation in the sector.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

I joined my alma mater, Columbia Business School to give a talk at The Annual Columbia Business School Real Estate Symposium. I was invited by the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate and decided to discuss the impact of AI on the real estate industry and various sectors. During the talk, I delved into the potential of AI across various sectors, including its convergence with augmented reality, robotics, and quantum computing. I point out how these advancements could transform not only industries but also national security. In the context of real estate, I highlighted the challenges and opportunities AI presents, urging listeners to adapt to this rapidly changing landscape.Ultimately, I believe it's crucial for us to approach AI with responsibility, recognizing its potential for both good and harm. I'm grateful to Columbia Business School for the platform to share my insights, and I hope my talk encourages others to navigate the evolving technological landscape effectively.LINKSFollow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Columbia Business School,  The Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate, The Annual Columbia Business School Real Estate Symposium (December 2023)*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

Phuong is back on the podcast this week to discuss the importance of doing things that don't scale in startups. Phuong explains that this concept, popularized by Paul Graham of Y Combinator, involves manually handling processes to acquire customers, test concepts, and iterate on products before scaling. We dive into examples such as Seamless and Diapers.com, showing how hands-on approaches helped them understand customer needs and refine their offerings. We emphasize the importance of prioritizing learning and validation over rapid growth in the initial stages of a startup. Being involved in the early stages helps founders understand their business deeply, which is crucial for long-term success. Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplayPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

Chris is back on the podcast this week, joining me to discuss recent market shifts. Our overall assessment is that the year started with uncertainties but seems to be stabilizing, with tech companies performing well and equity markets thriving. However, despite positive signs, there's concern over a potential commercial real estate crisis, as refinancing becomes challenging. The Fed is cautious about rate cuts, waiting for labor market weakening and lower inflation. While the economy seems close to a soft landing, the looming commercial real estate issue remains unresolved. Chris shares insights into the commercial real estate market, indicating a significant drop in rental rates. The episode concludes with plans for future discussions on wealth management.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

Phuong is back for her first appearance in 2024, where she shares insights on effectively conducting user testing for MVPs. We discuss the importance of learning from customer behavior, gathering a small group of dedicated users, setting clear objectives, tracking engagement metrics, and using various feedback methods like observing user interactions and conducting interviews and surveys. We emphasize the need to iterate based on user feedback and avoiding falling in love with the product over solving the identified problem. I aim to underscore the importance of solving for "no" rather than seeking only positive outcomes. Phuong highlights the significance of sticking to validated pain points and suggests silently observing users to understand their true interactions with the product. Overall, it's a valuable discussion on the iterative process of refining MVPs based on user feedback.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

On this week’s pod I sat down with Alan Feld, Founder & Managing Partner of Vintage Investment Partners. Vintage is a stalwart in the venture ecosystem and manages roughly $4 billion. As a result of building such an incredible venture firm, Alan has had the chance to really think about and hone in on what makes a company special. What I love about Alan’s perspective is that he uses those insights to focus internally at Vintage so it was only natural that we have a wonderful discussion about team dynamics, humility and character.Additionally, we dive deep into how conflict is affecting Israel’s startup ecosystem. Vintage is based in Israel and Alan was kind enough to share his thoughts and updates.The conversation isn’t about  who's right and who's wrong. The conversation is about the impact of this conflict on an otherwise thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and what this will do after that.I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and I hope you do too. A special thanks to Alan for joining me on the pod.Links:Guest Links: Vintage Investment PartnersFollow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @alanf_feld Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

I sat down to chat with Dylan Taylor, CEO and chairman of Voyager Space. Voyager Space has a contract to build America's next space station, STARLAB, in collaboration with NASA. Dylan I would say is probably one of the top five most significant names  in the entire space industry. A lot of people know Bezos and Musk, but Dylan's  in that bucket. He's got a message for us today around the importance of space as an industry for social advancement.A lot of us get tangled up in thinking about space in the context of the mission to Mars. And it seems pipe dream-ish, Dylan brings us back down to reality, reframing space as a unique environment for scientific research, manufacturing, and societal advancement. He highlights Voyager's mission to scale up space infrastructure projects and recent milestones achieved with Airbus and SpaceX. Our conversation explores the implications of privately owned space infrastructure and the emergence of two distinct space ecosystems led by the US and China. Dylan emphasizes the benefits of privatization in advancing the space industry, citing SpaceX's innovations like reusing rocket boosters to reduce costs and increase accessibility to space. Dylan also shares his personal journey from a real estate executive to involvement in space exploration, highlighting the importance of following one's passion. Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @DylanTaylor, @VoyagerSH Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedInVoyager Space Company Links: Website, Instagram, LinkedInDylan Taylor’s Social Link: Instagram, LinkedInBook Recommendation: The Last Lecture

In the closing episode for 2023,  I’m discussing rapid-fire predictions with my colleagues—Phuong, Mike, and Chris—highlighting insights for the upcoming year.Phuong discusses her predictions for 2024, focusing on AI's impact on businesses, particularly in marketing, customer service, and the rise of co-pilots. Mike dives into predictions about higher valuations for Series A, abundant growth market capital, increased M&A activity, and a potentially opened IPO market in 2024. Chris is foreseeing volatility across various asset classes, a potential credit crunch or crisis, and geopolitical tensions impacting global markets. He predicts lower interest rates, a higher S&P 500, unresolved conflicts in regions like Ukraine and the Middle East, and the likelihood of a new conflict arising, possibly in East Asia.Please remember self-care during the holidays, take time off and take care of yourself for mental relaxation and well-being.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

This week we delve into the intricate dynamics of global markets and the impact of the Federal Reserve's decisions on economic shifts worldwide. Chris is back to dissect the recent tumultuous events in the public equity and bond markets. Our discussion centers on the significant shift in the Federal Reserve's stance, moving from a pessimistic outlook, indicating rate increases and economic slowdown, to a more lenient approach.We touch on the potential intersection of political influence and economic policy, suggesting a plausible strategic move by the current administration for a rate cut in line with the election cycle. Also discussing the global repercussions of these market movements, with the US setting the tone for Western economies while affecting currency values and commodity prices worldwide.We emphasize the complexity and interconnectedness of global economic systems, shedding light on how decisions made by the Federal Reserve reverberate across various regions and markets. As usual, big thanks to Chris for taking the time to share his insights! *DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast; may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast; does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast; is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

Description: Instead of our usual discussions, I'm excited to share some recent tech discoveries that have caught my attention. These recommendations, I believe, can truly help you level up a few parts of your life. I've been exploring some fascinating Apple features, like stunning screensavers from Apple TV on Macs, widgets on the desktop, and a game-changing contact-sharing feature on iOS 17 that simplifies exchanging info at events. I highly recommend two impactful books: 'Unreasonable Hospitality' by Will Guidara for exceptional service and 'Essentialism' by Greg McKeown for efficiency in work and life. For software, Airtable stands out as a powerful cloud-based platform that could replace costly CRM systems for many companies. The iPhone health app surprises with a nifty at-home hearing test using the Mimi app. Lastly, I've come across two travel gadgets that have made big differences for me—a versatile Anchor portable charger and the AirFly dongle for seamless AirPods connectivity on flights.I hope you find these recommendations useful. Thanks for tuning in, and catch you next week for more insights!Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovationwithmpd" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

DESCRIPTIONThis discussion revolves around what Phuong and I believe to be the essential qualities of a successful founder. We emphasize four key traits: grit, consistent execution, humility, and integrity. Phuong highlights how successful founders possess unwavering determination despite setbacks, actively learn from failures, execute plans effectively, remain open to feedback, and prioritize ethical decision-making, understanding its impact on the business long-term. I personally stress the importance of acknowledging and learning from failures while emphasizing the necessity of getting back up after setbacks. We both agree that these characteristics outweigh factors like education, wealth, or intelligence in determining success. The discussion concludes by underscoring the enduring significance of these traits for founders navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplayPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

DESCRIPTIONThis conversation between MPD and Chris provides a comprehensive analysis of current market dynamics, emphasizing the nuanced interplay between economic indicators, geopolitical tensions, and the impact on investment strategies. Our discussion underscores the complexity of financial markets, urging caution amidst shifting tones from central banks and global conflicts' potential repercussions on various sectors, encouraging a deeper understanding beyond surface-level market trends.MPD and Chris discuss that despite global turmoil, the focus remains on market dynamics, predominantly influenced by the Fed rather than geopolitical unrest. Chris, well-versed in derivatives trading, brings a data-driven perspective. We delve into the job market's softening, citing a decline in job additions, elevated unemployment rates, and a cautious rise in average hourly earnings. While the Fed previously emphasized strong job growth and spending, Chairman Powell's recent dovish tone signals potential shifts in interest rate policies. Chris cautions against over-optimism in the market's response to the Fed's tone, highlighting the unaddressed impacts of conflicts in the Middle East and Russia-Ukraine zones, specifically on energy supply chains and global economies.Disclaimer: note that this discussion does not constitute investment advice.&nbsp;Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay&nbsp;Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

DESCRIPTIONThis week, Phuong and I are discussing pricing strategies. Pricing plays a critical role in various aspects of your business. You can either position yourself as the lowest or highest price player in the market, while being in the middle can cause confusion for customers.Deciding whether you want a high or low volume business is essential. Choose a pricing model that aligns with your value proposition, such as monthly, annual, metered pricing, or revenue share. Ensure your pricing aligns with your overall business strategy, focusing on either high price and high quality or low price and high volume, but avoid mixing the two for the best results.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay&nbsp;Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

DESCRIPTIONThis week I’m joined by Amy Rubenstein, founder of Clear Investment Group LLC, a multifamily real estate firm focused on revitalizing distressed workforce housing. Amy's journey into real estate began by accident, and she highlights the tangible nature of the industry that drew her in. She discusses the transformative work her company does, emphasizing the alignment of profitability with social impact by improving living spaces for tenants.Amy also identifies two areas in need of innovation within the real estate sector: key management and photo tracking. We discuss cost-effective technological solutions to streamline these processes. Despite concerns about the multifamily real estate market in 2024, Amy remains optimistic about its fundamentals and foresees potential loan renegotiations as opposed to a "bloodbath." This conversation sheds light on the real estate industry and its potential for innovation.Thank you Amy for joining the pod this week!&nbsp;Links:Guest links: Clear Investment Group LLC Website, Clear Investment Group LLC LinkedInFollow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplayPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

DESCRIPTIONInterplay’s Incubator Partner, Phuong and I discuss the importance of managing boards and investors effectively for entrepreneurs. We chat about how boards can either be a significant asset or a liability and provide guidance on how to ensure they are a valuable resource. It is important to carefully select board members who you trust and who have the best interests of your company in mind. Setting clear expectations, communicating transparently, and regularly connecting and nurturing the relationships are key. Phuong and I finish off the conversation chatting about how a well-structured board can be a valuable resource for entrepreneurs if best practices are followed, including making board meetings more than just updates and ensuring alignment of KPIs with the company's stage.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

DESCRIPTIONIn this week’s pod, I am joined by Mike Rogers, our VC Partner, to chat about&nbsp; the state of the market, especially in relation to technology companies and the venture capital space. We discuss the disappointment in recent tech IPOs, which have not performed as well as expected. Our conversation touches on the importance of strong IPOs for the entire venture ecosystem, as they drive liquidity events for investors and unlock talent for new ventures.Our conversation dives into the changing landscape of venture capital, including the shift from traditional seed rounds to larger pre-seed rounds and the high expectations for Series A rounds. We emphasize that building real businesses with solid fundamentals is more important than inflated valuations.&nbsp;Thanks Mike for joining me this week, always a good time.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

DESCRIPTIONIn this week’s pod, we celebrate our 100th episode! I want to acknowledge the work of our amazing podcast producer, Will Richardson who keeps this going. The main topic of discussion is pivoting in the context of startups and entrepreneurship. Phuong, Incubator Partner at Interplay, provides insights into the pros and cons of pivoting and how to approach it strategically. She emphasizes that pivoting is a natural part of the early stages of a business and suggests that founders should continually evaluate and make changes to optimize their product, customer base, business model, and positioning.&nbsp;Phuong also offers guidance on recognizing the right time to pivot, such as when initial efforts are not yielding results or when external factors impact the business. We discuss the importance of receiving honest feedback, not settling for vague responses and emphasize the value of finding the right balance between pivoting and sticking with a failing idea.Thank you to Phoung and to our listeners for celebrating our 100th episode!Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay,Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

DESCRIPTIONOn this week’s episode, I’m joined by Chris Zhang, Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Interplay, on the current state of the world markets and the shift in interest rates signaled by the Federal Reserve. This is Chris’ first time back on the pod since June, so we have a lot to dive into.We discuss the mixed reactions in the market, with some seeing opportunities amidst the changes, especially in commercial real estate, while others are concerned about the potential long-term effects. Chris explains the implications of this shift on various financial assets and the mixed reactions in the market. We dive into political tensions and emphasize the importance of monitoring the 10-year Treasury yield as an indicator of economic health.&nbsp;Chris also shares some hopeful news, highlighting that consumer spending and the job market remain strong, which provides a sense of optimism and supports the idea of a "soft landing."As usual, big thanks to Chris for taking the time to share his insights!&nbsp;Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay&nbsp;Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type, i.e., podcast&amp;gt;&amp;gt; are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

On this week’s episode we have a very special guest join to talk about the future of mental wellbeing and hygiene. Zak Williams - son of the entertainer Robin Williams - shares how his journey has influenced the creation of his company PYM. PYM creates natural supplements with science-backed amino acids, vitamins and minerals to boost neurotransmitter health, an often overlooked part of mental health.Research in nutritional psychiatry is gaining momentum, with organizations like Harvard Medical School and Stanford exploring the link between metabolic health and mental wellbeing. Zak's team at PYM has become educators and advocates, emphasizing the importance of connecting data environments to understand lifestyle factors' impact on mental health.Big thanks to Zak for joining the pod and sharing his story!Links:Guest Links: PYMBooks Referenced: Brain Energy by Christoper PalmerFollow us on Twitter: @zakwilliams, @youcanpym, @mpd, @interplay

Welcome back to Innovation w/ Mark Peter Davis. After taking a few months off from the pod, we’re back at it. Here’s what’s covered on this week’s episode:Mike Rogers shares insights on the current market dynamics and data indicating a possible upturn in the venture capital market. The discussion emphasizes the importance of pricing your startup appropriately during different funding rounds.Mike and MPD also discuss the growth stage and IPO market, including Instacart's potential IPO and its impact on the private market.Mike also shares some tips on how entrepreneurs can hit the ground running after the summer slow down.Phuong Ireland talks about the significance of crafting a clear and concise value proposition for startups and provides a tool to help define it.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

Summer is upon us and - as we do every year - we’ll be taking a little podcast break until mid-September, so this is the last episode for a couple of months.Since this one will be the most recent ep for a while, we chose to focus on two important topics to help founders navigate the summer lull: summer fundraising tactics + useful parenting strategies for the entrepreneurs out there raising kids AND a company.Have a great summer everyone and see you in September. As usual, if there’s anything we can do to help, please feel free to reach out to us via socials and/or engage with us at interplay.vc/engage.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

This week I sit down with Adam Nathan, Cofounder and CEO of Almanac, a collaboration platform that helps remote teams work on the internet, with more structure, more transparency, and fewer meetings.&nbsp;Adam emphasizes that the debate between remote and office work is irrelevant because even before the COVID-19 pandemic, most companies were already operating online and utilizing tools like document editors, Slack, and Zoom. He refers to it as "internet work" and believes that remote work brings flexibility, focus, and improved productivity for employees. Adam argues that the transition to internet work is an inevitable force of change that cannot be reversed, despite some resistance from those who are invested in traditional office environments.However, Adam also acknowledges that there are challenges to remote work. While remote teams offer benefits like global hiring and individual flexibility, there is a need for more structured and transparent workflows. Many teams still rely on traditional office mechanisms such as meetings and messages, which can overload calendars and hinder productivity. Adam suggests that successful remote teams work with more structure, transparency, and fewer meetings. He also addresses the importance of creating human connection and fostering synchronous collaboration in remote settings. By implementing structured best practices and thoughtful approaches, remote teams can overcome the cons associated with remote work and achieve effective collaboration.Special thanks to Adam for joining the pod!Links:Follow us on Twitter: @adampnathan, @AlmanacDocs, @mpd, @interplay,&nbsp;Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

This week’s pod is a two segment episode with my partners Phuong Ireland and Mike Rogers.As usual, Phuong shares some great startup advice. This week she shares valuable insights on team construction and the key factors to consider when making your first hires.Mike and I then discuss the current state of AI and its hype cycle. There’s no question AI is here to stay, but we note that the initial wave of hype and investments in the field is subsiding. We chat about the challenges of AI reliability and the presence of hallucinations in AI platforms, emphasizing that these technologies are not yet fully trustworthy. Despite this, we believe in the long-term potential of AI and its future impact on various industries.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @Mikeyjrog,Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

This week, Phuong and I discuss the importance of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for entrepreneurs. We emphasize the need to choose a limited number of KPIs to avoid analysis paralysis and prioritize actionable metrics. The primary KPI should align with the business model, such as revenue for most companies, and additional supporting metrics can provide a more comprehensive understanding of performance. They highlight the role of KPIs as a feedback mechanism to assess the effectiveness of strategies and suggest setting goals for the primary metric to drive growth. The episode emphasizes the value of being data-driven from the early stages of a startup and encourages entrepreneurs to start tracking KPIs as soon as possible.Links:Links: Interplay IncubatorFollow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplayPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

This week Chris Zhang and I discuss the impact of the recent debt ceiling resolution and the conflicting signals from the equity market and the bond market.While the stock market remains calm and confident, the bond market indicates a continuing inflationary cycle and a decline in the long-term creditworthiness of US treasuries. Chris suggests that the bond market has historically been more accurate in its predictions.We also touch on the regulatory actions against crypto companies. Chris emphasizes that it is still too early to predict what will happen with crypto and - on a more macro level - determine the winner in the global currency battle. He believes that market forces will ultimately determine the outcome.&nbsp;As usual, some great insights from Chris on the complex dynamics and uncertainties surrounding the financial markets and the potential impact of these factors on the global economy.Links:Links: Interplay Family OfficeFollow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplayPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

On this week’s pod ep I sit down for a chat with Seth Levine, Partner of Foundry. Seth has played a significant role in shaping the venture ecosystem over the past two decades and is known for his work in accelerating the democratization of innovation outside of Silicon Valley.We cover a range of topics but do a double click on the importance of having a clear intention and plan for the future of a venture firm, which includes the need for VCs to adopt a business-building mindset. We agree that venture capital firms need to be better at running their own businesses and making strategic decisions for the long term, especially if the goal is to have the firm outlive its founders.Seth is amazing and shares valuable insights into the dynamics of the venture capital industry and the efforts to advance society through entrepreneurship, a topic he covers in his book The New Builders. We chat about that book, plus the&nbsp; new one he’s currently working on (which I can’t wait to read).Overall, this was a great chat. Big thanks to Seth for coming on the pod!LinksGuest Links: Book | The New Builders by Seth Levine, Article | A Friedman doctrine‐- The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its ProfitsFollow us on Twitter: @sether, @foundryvc, @newbuildersbook, @mpd, @interplayPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

Here’s what’s covered on this week’s pod:A step by step guide on how to iterate your MVPPhuong and I discuss the importance of testing Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to iterate and achieve product-market fit. She outlines a step-by-step process for testing MVPs, starting with defining test objectives and creating metrics to track performance. Fong emphasizes the significance of creating user personas and recruiting testers that represent different user types. By gathering feedback from testers, entrepreneurs can optimize their products to better serve each user group. Fong suggests providing clear instructions to testers and analyzing usage data to understand user behavior and identify areas for improvement. The iterative process of updating and refining the product based on feedback and data is also highlighted.Dos and don’ts for portfolio/vc relationship ethicsMike and I delve into the ethics of the portfolio venture capital (VC) relationship. They acknowledge that transparency and ethics should be the guiding principles but highlight instances where founders may skew data or misrepresent numbers. Mike suggests that founders should be open, transparent, and willing to ask for help when needed. He emphasizes the significance of maintaining trust and a healthy relationship with investors by being transparent about challenges and seeking support.LinksFollow us on Twitter: @mpd, @Mikeyjrog, @interplayPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

On this week’s episode I do a deep dive into the world of venture debt with special guest Billy Libby, CEO and Co-founder of Upper90. Get ready to uncover a groundbreaking approach to financing early-stage startups that challenges the traditional equity-focused model. Upper90 is on a mission to make credit accessible to tech companies at an earlier stage, allowing founders to retain a greater ownership stake in their businesses. Billy shares valuable insights on how venture debt can provide a lifeline to entrepreneurs, highlighting real-world examples of asset-based lending and innovative solutions for capitalizing on growth opportunities. Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking financing options or simply curious about the evolving landscape of startup funding, this episode is a must-listen. Join the conversation and gain a fresh perspective on the intersection of technology, finance, and entrepreneurship.LinksFollow us on Twitter: @Billy__Libby, @upper__90, @mpd, @interplayGuest Links: Upper90Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

Here’s what’s covered on this week’s episode:Phuong Ireland joins us to talk about bootstrapping startups. Bootstrapping means building and growing your business without external funding, relying on personal savings, revenue, or loans. It offers benefits like maintaining full ownership, having control over the company's direction, and focusing on profitability. It also makes you more attractive for future funding. However, bootstrapping comes with risks like limited funds and lack of access to mentorship and connections.Mike Rogers shares his insights on the current state of Series C funding. Series C funding peaked in 2021, but 2022 showed a decline and 2023 is showing signs of following suit. This is due to a flight to quality, with investors being highly selective in their investments and demanding best in class metrics and profitability. On the flip side, many companies meeting these criteria choose not to raise funds in the current market. This confluence of factors has led to a smaller pool of eligible companies and a decrease in Series C funding.Links:Links: The Fundraising RulesFollow us on Twitter: @mpd, @Mikeyjrog, @interplayPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

This week’s episode is a special one. I have a chat with my partner and CIO of the Interplay Family Office, Chris Zhang, to discuss China's remarkable advancements over the past few decades and what its current status looks like.Chris is uniquely positioned to opine on this topic. He was born in China and spent the first 16 years of his life there, moving to the United States for high school. Since his move, he has visited China annually until Covid-19 halted all travel. After a three year hiatus, Chris visited this past April and was astounded at the progress he witnessed, including how built up his hometown of Zhengzhou had become (known as the iPhone city since they’ve produced most iPhones there).That’s what inspired this episode. By challenging outdated perceptions and showcasing China's progress, this conversation is meant to highlight the need for a nuanced understanding of China's current status as a global powerhouse.Here are some of the main topics covered:Education and work ethic: Chris shares insights into his rigorous Chinese middle school experience, highlighting the dedication and discipline ingrained in the system.China's private sector contributes over 50% to GDP more than 80% of employment opportunities, fostering a competitive landscape and driving innovation.China's middle class has grown significantly, with the number of Chinese citizens enjoying a standard of living comparable to the US increasing steadily.Chinese technology companies are making significant strides, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, with high-quality, affordable EVs gaining popularity globally.China's infrastructure growth has been substantial, with the construction of entire cities and urbanization projects transforming landscapes previously dominated by farmlands and villages.The Chinese currency, the yuan, is gaining prominence, as demonstrated by its surpassing of the US dollar in Chinese cross-border transactions.Links:Links: Interplay Family OfficeFollow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplayPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

Here’s what’s covered on this week’s episode:Startup Tip of the Week: Building a Killer MVP (Minimum Viable Product).An update on the situation with First Republic Bank.A brainstorm on how to stop bank runs.Links:Links: RSVP to Is This A Thing?!,Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplayPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

Here’s what’s covered on this week’s episode:The AI horse race and how it will affect the future of searchCrypto prices are up. Is the dark cloud of FTX gone?The Shanghai Upgrade for the Ethereum network.Startup Tip of the Week: Validating an MVPAn update on the inflation battle.Links:Links: Bruvi, Ethereum's Shanghai UpgradeFollow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @brettpalatiello, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type, i.e., podcast&amp;gt;&amp;gt; are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

On this week’s episode, I interview Taylor Adams, a fifth-generation family member who is an entrepreneur, investor, and coach to families on multi-generational wealth. We discuss the challenges of managing wealth across generations while empowering individuals to find their purpose, as well as the importance of education, purpose, and giving back.Taylor suggests that money should be used to create opportunities and make a difference in the world and emphasizes the importance for families with wealth to tackle the challenges that come with generational wealth head on.Taylor provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of multi-generational wealth. It is a must-listen for anyone who is interested in growing wealth for future generations.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplayPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

This week's episode has a special guest, Vivian Wang - Founder and CEO of Landed. Landed is the first end-to-end recruiting platform helping restaurants and hospitality employers hire top-notch candidates fast. During the interview Vivian and I chat all about how Landed is making it easier for restaurants to hire folks (which is especially helpful due to the incredibly high turnover rates), how tech is and will affect the restaurant industry and strategies for navigating Y Combinator (which Vivian is a graduate of).In addition to the guest interview with Vivian, we have two partner meeting segments. Here’s what’s covered:Startup Tip of the Week: how/when to build your startup’s sales team.Blockchain: Brett shares news about a recent crypto airdrop from Arbitrum (an Ethereum Layer 2) and we discuss how crypto enables an amazing ability for open governance.Enjoy.Links:Links: LandedFollow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @brettpalatiello, @vivwang_Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type, i.e., podcast&amp;gt;&amp;gt; are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

Here’s what’s covered on this week’s episode:The fallout from SVB’s closure.Different strategies founders can keep in mind when deciding on where to keep and invest their cash reserves, including bond laddering.With the banking system's current status, there has been a lot of crypto activity. Brett breaks it down.Startup Tip of the Week: how to navigate advisor relationshipsLinks:Links: Rho | Business finances made frictionless, Chelsea Capital, Janet Yellen’s testimonyFollow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @brettpalatiello, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type, i.e., podcast&amp;gt;&amp;gt; are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

In the past week three prominent banks closed their doors. On this week's episode we break down what's happening.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @brettpalatielloPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

Tax season is upon us so we decided to bring on a guest from the Interplay ecosystem to help break down some must-knows for startups when navigating the process. The guest is Kate Kelly, CEO and Co-Founder of Chelsea Capital. Chelsea Capital is a financial services company, offering alternative financing, accounting, tax, and fractional CFO services. Kate shares some great tax season tips for startups.Here’s what’s covered during the other partner meeting segments:Mike and I discuss our current content intake and strategies for consuming news.Chris and I chat about the last round of Q4 earnings and how those earnings stacked up against estimates. We also chat about Foxconn’s announcement to open up new plants in India and what that means for China.Links:Links: Chelsea CapitalFollow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type, i.e., podcast&amp;gt;&amp;gt; are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

On this week’s episode we’re going back to our interview roots as we focus solely on a guest interview. For the chat, I sit down with Peter Hebert - Co-Founder &amp; Managing General Partner of Lux Capital - to discuss strategies on how to build and develop a venture capital firm. Lux has been around for a long time and is one of the premier VCs out there so Peter - as usual - shares some great insights. Enjoy!Links:Links: Lux CapitalFollow us on Twitter: @peterjhebert, @mpd, @interplayPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

Here’s what’s covered on this week’s pod:Tesla’s recall.Predictions on when self-driving cars will be the norm.The process of the tech innovation cycle for sectors and industries.Startup Tip of the Week: The Importance of Customer SupportBrett is back with a state of crypto and blockchain update, including an update on the SEC’s stance on staking.Spy balloon madness and US China relations.Links:Links: Staking-as-a-Service | Office Hours with Gary Gensler,&nbsp;Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @Mikeyjrog, @brettpalatielloPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type, i.e., podcast&amp;gt;&amp;gt; are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

Here’s what’s covered on this week’s pod:Startup Tip of the Week: How startups land partnerships Part 2Messy corporate earnings resultsIs the January bump in the economy the start of a trend?A lack of mega roundsThe aftermath of January’s job dataLinks:Links: Explained Season 2 Episode 3 “Animal Intelligence”Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type, i.e., podcast&amp;gt;&amp;gt; are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

On this week’s episode I interview Tomer Biger (Co-Founder &amp; CEO of Noble) about his company and the embedded finance space they operate in + we cover the following topics:Startup Tip of the Week: The power of partnerships and how to choose the right/best partnersSurprise January jobs data and what it means for the US economyThe FED’s latest actionsUS China relationsQ1 corporate tech earningsLinks:Guest Links: NobleFollow us on Twitter: @BeNobleHQ, @mpd, @interplay, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type, i.e., podcast&amp;gt;&amp;gt; are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

Here’s what we cover during this week’s Partner Meeting segments:The current state of Series A valuationsThrive Capital sells stake and the institutionalization of venture capitalCurrent state of inflationData is showing how households are finally starting to conserve capital by spending less and saving more as they plan for a downturn&nbsp;What it means when labor participation goes upStrength of USD and what that might mean for US startups selling to cash rich countries&nbsp;Startup Tip of the Week: B2B pricing strategiesLinks:Books: Fall in Love with the Problem Not the Solution by Uri LevineFollow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type, i.e., podcast&amp;gt;&amp;gt; are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

With another year almost in the books, we take a look back at some of the notable events and lessons learned in 2022 + discuss our predictions for 2023 and suggest ways founders can navigate the near future.Show Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @brettpalatiello, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type, i.e., podcast&amp;gt;&amp;gt; are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

Here’s what we cover during this week’s Partner Meeting segments:Open AI’s ChatGPT and what it means for tech + societyStartup Tip of the Week: Co-Founder relationship managementUS domestic economic data&nbsp;China’s updated Covid policyRussian oil price cap and whether or not it will workShow Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @brettpalatiello, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type, i.e., podcast&amp;gt;&amp;gt; are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

Here’s what we cover during this week’s Partner Meeting segments:VC deal flow has slowed, but there’s still a lot of action including an increase of insider roundsApple’s in-app purchase policy and what it means for mobile blockchain adoptionDissecting November’s economic dataChina’s zero Covid policy protestsStartup Tip of the Week: Community BuildingShow Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @brettpalatiello, @MikeyjrogLinks: Podcast with Lisa Barnett of Little Spoon, Gavekal Research - Covid And China’s Polical Choices, Vanguard investor pulse: Anxiety and cash needs on the risePodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type, i.e., podcast&amp;gt;&amp;gt; are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

This week’s pod ep is another Partner Meeting + guest interview combo.Here’s what we cover during the Partner Meeting segments:Twitter and some thoughts on the situationAn update on the continued FTX fallout and how classic crypto principles like Proof-of-Reserves and self custody could help us avoid similar situations in the futureG20 summitDomestic midterm elections and potential ways a gridlocked gov might affect the economyStartup Advice of the Week: social media strategies for startupsAfter the Partner Meeting segments I chat with Jehan Luth, Founder &amp; CEO Banyan. Banyan is a global infrastructure company for item-level receipt data that allows its partners to enrich transactions. This is a super interesting topic that led to some great tangents about how new tech enabled data collection will unlock a whole world of studies and possibilities.Follow us on Twitter: @jehan_luth, @get_banyan, @mpdGuest Links: BanyanPartner Segment References: Relief (debt app),&nbsp;Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type, i.e., podcast&amp;gt;&amp;gt; are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

On this week’s Partner Meeting episode we cover the following topics:Recent tech layoffs and whether or not it’s an indicator for what’s to comeCPI data that suggests inflation is slowingThe FTX debacle and what that means for cryptoBusiness Lesson: building marketplacesShow Links:Podcast: The King of Marketplaces with Fabrice Grinda of FJ LabsBooks: The Cold Start Problem: How to Start and Scale Network Effects by Andrew Chen*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast/vodcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast/vodcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast/vodcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast/vodcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

On this week’s pod ep we’re combining our traditional guest interview style with the new partner meeting format. We start with the partner meeting and then I chat with a guest.Here’s what we cover during the partner meeting segments:The connective tissue between the amount of capital a startup raises and future valuationsNew domestic data that is actually good news, rather than good news masking bad newsReddit NFTs, how it brought 3+ millions users to blockchain and how it’s an example of how web2.5 will play an integral role in onboarding new usersStartup Advice of the Week: Pricing strategiesAfter the partner meeting segments I chat with Alon Talmor of Ask-AI to discuss how his business is using AI to create a Google answers solution for enterprises. Ask-AI is based out of Israel, so we also chat about the current tech scene and startup trends in that area. It’s a great conversation. Enjoy.Follow us on Twitter: @AlonTalmor, @mpdGuest Links: Ask-AIPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type, i.e., podcast&amp;gt;&amp;gt; are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The &amp;lt;&amp;lt;insert advert type&amp;gt;&amp;gt; is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

On this week’s guest episode I chat with Tensie Whelan, a Clinical Professor of Business and Society and the Director of NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business.Many people think that sustainability and profits don’t align, but Tensie takes us through how they can by connecting the financial sustainability of a business to the social and environmental sustainability of a business's core focus. She believes companies should make money by doing better.She also runs through the flaws of the broader ESG framework, suggesting ways to improve it.Before she built the Center for Sustainable Business at NYU Stern, Tensie ran the Rainforest Alliance - a multinational non-profit designed to help conserve rainforests. We dive into that issue and touch on ways to tackle it as wellThese are some fascinating and important topics that I think every entrepreneur should think about. I hope you enjoy it.Show Links:Show Links:Follow us on Twitter: @TensieWhelan, @NYUSternCSB, @mpdGuest Links: NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business, Rainforest Alliance,&nbsp;Articles by Tensie:ESG Reports Aren't a Replacement for Real SustainabilityHow to Talk to Your CFO About SustainabilitySustainable Market Share Index from NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business&nbsp;Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

On this week’s Partner Meeting episode we cover the following topics:What founders should do when deals aren’t getting doneQ3 earnings start to roll inChina’s 20th National Congress and what it means for the global economyOFAC sanctions in cryptoBusiness Lesson: should you have a co-founder?*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast/vodcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast/vodcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast/vodcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast/vodcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

On this week’s guest episode, I sit down with Mike Packer, Partner at QED Investors.QED is one of the big dogs in FinTech investing. They have roughly $5B of AUM and the firm was founded by one of the founders of Capital One.We obviously get into all things FinTech, but we also dive into the Latin American market, where Mike happens to focus.If you’re interested in either fintech or LATAM, or the intersection of the two this pod is for you. Enjoy.Show Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mikepacker_qed, @QEDInvestors, @mpdGuest Links: QED Investors WebsitePodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

On this week’s Partner Meeting episode we cover the following topics:Jobs reportEconomic historical normsThe war in UkraineBlockchain interoperability and CosmosWork-life integrationThe importance of customer insights and how to use that data to help inform the direction of your business*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast/vodcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast/vodcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast/vodcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast/vodcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

On today’s episode I chat with Brian Levine, the Founder and CEO of Nodal.Nodal is a marketplace that matches surrogates with families that want to have children. Their mission is to significantly reduce the time and cost required to secure a surrogate by cutting out the middlemen who currently control the market. If they succeed, they will help more families have children.&nbsp;There’s a lot of nuance in this market. We discuss stigmas, the impact of Roe v Wade being overturned and challenges caused by profiteering in the overall healthcare system. If you’re interested in healthcare, this is a great one for you. Enjoy.Show Links:Follow us on Twitter: @nodalhealth, @mpdGuest Links: NodalPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

We’ve been at this podcast thing for a few years now. I’ve had some amazing conversations and have learned a TON, but we’ve decided that it’s time to try something new.I get some of my most trusted and valuable updates from the partners at Interplay, so we’ve decided to try to capture some of those convos and share them with you.Introducing, the Partner Meeting.I’m going to have a quick one on one chat with four partners from Interplay about their area of expertise.Segment 1: Mike Rogers - partner of our venture capital vertical - will come on to chat about VC and startup trends.Segment 2: Chris Zhang - partner of our Family Office - is going to cover global macro trends.Segment 3: Brett Palatiello - partner of our blockchain vertical - is going to fill us in on the latest in the world of blockchain, crypto and web3.Segment 4: Phuong Ireland - partner of our incubator - is going to share a business tip of the week.So without further ado, let’s dive in.PS we need better names that segment one, two, three and four, so if you have any ideas, please share!

On this week's episode I chat with Gregory Galant, the Co-Founder and CEO of Muck Rack and the Co-Founder and CEO of The Shorty Awards.Muck Rack is a Public Relations management platform that helps organizations find the right journalists to pitch, report on media coverage and prove the value of their work.Greg has been in the NY startup game for a long time.He famously launched The Shorty Awards where they gave out awards for the best tweets in the early days of Twitter. Along the way he tinkered with a dozen business ideas until Muck Rack finally hit and took him to the moon.During our chat we talk about Muck Rack, the PR industry and his wisdom about entrepreneurship. Enjoy.Show Links:Follow us on Twitter: @gregory, @mpdGuest Links: Muck Rack, The Shorty Awards, LinkedIn, Facebook, InstagramPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

On this week's episode I chat with Freddie Huynh, a veteran data scientist in the credit risk space. Most notably, Freddie oversaw the development of the FICO Score from 1996 to 2015.It was really before analytics and data is what it is today. In a way, Freddie is one of the OG data scientists, one of the original guys out in that space. During our chat we discuss how the FICO Score works, we break down some of the urban myths about how scores are calculated, and we chat about the evolution of the data science industry. Enjoy.Show Links:Guest Links: LinkedInPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

On today’s episode I chat with Jose Bonilla, Co-Founder and CEO of Chiper. Chiper is the leading B2B distributor of consumer goods to corner stores in Latin America. They’re moving hundreds of thousands of products every month across Colombia, Mexico and Brazil.Corner stores are prominent in some cities in the US, but in other places around the world they have a massive market share of grocery sales. In India it’s around 90% and in LATAM they account for about 50% of groceries.Jose is more than the founder of Chiper, he’s one of the godfathers of the Colombian startup scene. He’s a cofounder of Imaginamos, a development shop that became a startup studio. His partner Simon spun Rappi out of their studio and it’s now a mega-unicorn in the region that has raised over $2B. Jose spun out Chiper. Collectively they’ve trained thousands of future entrepreneurs.We talk all about Chiper, tips for founders and entrepreneurs, and the start up scene in latin and south America. It’s a fascinating chat. Enjoy!Show Links:Guest Links: ChiperPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

Hey everyone,It’s that time of year again - the pod’s second summer!Like last year, we’re not going to release any new episodes for July and August, so I just wanted to let you know that we’re not leaving you hanging.We’re going to focus on recording new interviews and ideate on some other content ideas.Though there won’t be new episodes, we’ll be releasing some snippets and highlights from past episodes on Twitter, YouTube, and our brand new TikTok account. The username for our TikTok is Interplay.vcLast but not least, I just wanted to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone who’s been tuning in to the pod. I truly appreciate the support.I hope you all have a great summer and we’ll see you on the other side!Until then,MPD

On today’s episode I chat with Dan Porter, Co-Founder and CEO of Overtime.Overtime is the leading brand for the next generation of sports fans. Dan and his team at Overtime identified that the traditional sports media players were (and still are) heavily invested in the old infrastructure like cable deals. That left an opportunity to create an agile sports media brand that would cater to the younger generation utilizing new technology such as social platforms.What started as an app turned into a community and has now morphed into creating and managing sports leagues. They currently operate two leagues OTE and OT7, one basketball and football.Dan is a startup guru. He’s sold a few companies before starting Overtime and teaches entrepreneurship at NYU. If you’re interested in media, the business of sports or entrepreneurship this episode will have something for you. Enjoy.Show Links:Follow us on Twitter: @overtime, @tfadp, @mpdGuest Links: Overtime, OTEPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

On this week’s episode I sit down with the CEO of Grayscale Investments, Michael Sonnenshein.Grayscale is one of the biggest heavyweights in the world of crypto investing. They offer investors direct access to crypto. Their premier product, the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, is a long-bitcoin offering that anyone can access like they would a normal stock. You can simply buy the ticker. This is big, especially for folks looking to invest their money that exists in certain portfolios, like retirement savings accounts. With over 20b of assets across 17 investment vehicles they facilitate many people’s first interaction with crypto and Michael is at the center of it.Crypto is currently down, the market is taking a hit seemingly in-line with the state of the broader stock markets so it was great to hear Michael’s perspective on the market and the future of crypto applications. Enjoy.Show Links:Follow us on Twitter: @Sonnenshein, @Grayscale, @mpdGuest Links: Grayscale InvestmentsPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On today’s pod I chat with Richard Harris, the Founder &amp; CEO of Black Crow AI.Black Crow is a no-code, real-time machine-learning based predictive software that helps companies understand likely customer behavior.Richard’s a veteran entrepreneur and has been involved in tech since the 90s. He cut his teeth in the world of consulting, was involved with Travelocity during the dot com boom, then has continued to be a serial founder.As you’ll hear him explain, the world is turning into a browser. Between mobile devices, computers, wearable tech, self driving cars - real time data will be streaming from every part of our lives. He’s using this insight to build a company to help startups and brands collect and understand their first party data so that they can increase revenue and margins.In addition to discussing how Black Crow operates and the machine learning industry, we also talk about some strategies for how founders can navigate down market cycles - like the one we’re entering now. He’s been through three of these cycles and has some very helpful wisdom. If you started your company after 2010, then I definitely recommend that you give this one a listen.Show Links:Follow us on Twitter: @blackcrowai, @mpdGuest Links: Black Crow AIReferenced Content: Waking Up appPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedInPlease note, Interplay is an investor in Black Crow.

On this week’s episode I chat with Andrew Gazdecki, Founder &amp; CEO of MicroAcquire. MicroAcquire is a marketplace that helps software companies match with interested buyers.Andrew is a serial founder with a clear passion for entrepreneurship - which I obviously love. After selling his last company, he embarked on his current mission to help founders sell their companies more easily. He’s making a ton of progress. A significant number of companies are being sold through MicroAcquire every month.During our chat we went well beyond MicroAcquire. We discussed Andrews’s tips for being a solo founder and dove deep into how to sell a company - where we covered important strategies to consider, the M&amp;A process and market dynamics.Show Links:Follow us on Twitter: @agazdecki, @microacquire, @mpdGuest Links: MicroAcquireReferenced Content: Andrew’s skateboard petition from when he was a kid, MPD’s article about M&amp;APodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedInPlease note, Interplay is an investor in MicroAcquire.

On this week’s episode I chat with Ryan Eisenman, Co-Founder &amp; CEO of Arch. Arch is a tech-enabled service that helps private investors organize all of the paperwork associated with their investments.Collecting statements, tax documents and legal docs from private markets has become a nightmare for investors, and Arch is providing a way to solve that. Ryan&nbsp;interestingly compares the admin of the private markets to what it used to be for public companies back when companies issued paper stock certificates.Arch’s tech tentacles into dozens of platforms to centralize data and the flow of information seamlessly.&nbsp;During the convo we discuss the Arch solution, startup lessons and the fairness of investor accreditation laws in the US. Enjoy.Show Links:Follow us on Twitter: @Ryeisenman, @mpd&nbsp;Guest Links: ArchPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On this week’s episode I chat with Diana Heldfond, Founder &amp; CEO of Parallel. Parallel is an edtech platform empowering students with learning differences by providing them with a lower cost, faster solution for getting the support they need. Parallel is tackling a big problem. According to Diana 1 in 5 students has a learning and thinking difference that her platform can help address.Their service is cheaper and faster because it’s tech-enabled.&nbsp;They create efficiencies by automating the admin work that specialists used to have to do and by mixing and matching specialists to make sure fewer specialists bottleneck the process. This has brought the price of care down by a whopping 50%. And it allows parents to get their child’s assessment done in days, whereas it used to take weeks. They work directly with families and with school districts. It’s pretty smart.&nbsp;It’s always so cool to see founders start a company that hits close to home.&nbsp; Diana was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia. That didn’t hold her back - she went to Georgetown and worked on Wall Street before starting Parallel.It’s a great conversation. I learned a lot and hope you do too. Enjoy.Show Links:Follow us on Twitter: @dheldfond, @joinparallel_us, @mpdGuest Links: ParallelReferenced Topics: The Lime Connect Fellowship ProgramPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On this week’s episode I chat with Jeremy Levine, a Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners. Bessemer has been around for over 100 years and was originally founded by a family that partnered with Andrew Carnegie back in the day.Jeremy has been at the firm for 21 years and has seen a few cycles. He’s a hell of an investor and has quite the track record. He’s been on the Forbes Midas List and his investments include the likes of Yelp, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Shopify.If you’re interested in how the VC industry works this is a great conversation for you. We cover how Bessemer operates, how to be a good early-stage investor, the impact of macro trends on the VC landscape, Jeremy’s point of view on contrarian investing and much more. Enjoy.Show Links:Follow us on Twitter: @jeremyL, @mpdGuest Links: Bessemer Venture PartnersPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On this week’s episode I chat with the Founder and CEO of MARGIN, Chas Sanders. MARGIN is a tech-enabled procurement solution that helps Ambulatory Medical Centers purchase the equipment they need to operate. Apparently, before MARGIN supplies were purchased via phone calls and fax machines. MARGIN has not only put that process on the Internet, but they have also helped doctors to reduce their spend by 15-20%. That’s big bucks - in many cases that’s hundreds of thousands of dollars per office.&nbsp;Chas is a veteran of the healthcare industry. He’s been an executive at Zimmer Biomet, DaVita and others. After that he stepped out of the&nbsp; industry to launch MARGIN.In addition to hearing about his company and lessons learned as a founder, what’s great about this conversation is hearing a sophisticated business person provide insights into why the healthcare industry is dysfunctional. And low and behold, one of the reasons is that it’s managed in a similar way to the government of communist Russia. Enjoy.Show Links:Follow us on LinkedIn: /chassanders, /markpeterdavisGuest Links: MARGINMentioned Media/Organizations: Vinod Dasa: Doc Social, Aaron Fritts: BackTableBooks: The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt, Jeff CoxPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn**** MARGIN is an Interplay Incubator portfolio company.

I’m super excited about this week’s episode because it hits close to home. If you’ve listened to the pod before, you’ve probably heard me mention the passion project I’m involved with, a platform that’s helping to democratize access to capital called Thunder. On this week’s episode I sit down with Thunder’s Co-Founder and CEO, Jason Kirby.To give a bit more context, Thunder is a company that’s come out of the Interplay Foundry, the part of Interplay that builds companies from scratch. Jason is the incredible CEO we brought in to build and grow Thunder.Thunder is a platform that connects founders and VCs by utilizing a double opt-in, AI-based matching protocol that not only creates relevant deal flow for all parties, but also helps everyone save time and avoid spam. We started this with the mission of helping founders that lacked a strong network raise capital.Jason is a serial entrepreneur and has done an incredible job so far. Not only has he advanced the business, but he has also advanced the vision. I think this company is going to materially improve the way capital flows in the alternative asset classes such as venture capital. I’m so excited to watch what he does and help support him. Be sure to check it out at thunder.vc.During our chat we talk all about how Thunder works, how it helps both founders and investors, why it’s important for platforms like it to exist and much more. Enjoy.Show Links:Follow us on Twitter: @jasonkirby, @mpdGuest Links: Thunder.vcPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On this week’s episode I chat with Sterling Campbell, CEO of Minotaur. Minotaur is a web3 platform that helps people and brands launch NFT projects. There are a lot of steps - including a fair bit of technology - required to take an NFT launch from concept to launch. Minotaur’s tech-enabled service does all of this. As they put it, they “bring together artists, blockchain engineers and community managers to build successful NFT projects that can scale.”Sterling has been in NFTs since 2017, which for this space is a long time, so he’s been around the block a few times and learned a bunch of stuff.If you are still scratching your head when you hear about NFT, well he breaks it down pretty well in this conversation.He also dives into what’s wrong with the industry right now and how he is hoping for a transition to what he calls NFTs 2.0, where NFTs flip from their focus on providing membership access to being technically more integrated as a method for adding value to communities.&nbsp;Sterling is the right guy for this space - he has lived at the nexus of media, entertainment and business. And as far as being in a risky space - that’s not really an issue. He tells us about the time his parachute didn’t open while sky diving.&nbsp;Oh yeah…and if that wasn’t enough…he’s a DJ that toured with the likes of Lil John and T-Pain. Enjoy the conversation.Show Links:Follow us on Twitter: @djsterlingc, @mpdGuest Links: MinotaurGuest Articles: NFTs: What You’re Missing And Where They’re Going Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn**Note** I’m an investor in the company.

This week I chatted with Fabrice Grinda, Founding Partner at FJ Labs. FJ Labs is a VC that specializes in marketplaces and invests in every geography in every category at any stage. As Fabrice puts it they do angel investing at venture scale, meaning they don’t lead rounds but do a massive number of investments every year. Last year they made almost 200 investments.Fabrice is super interesting beyond being a VC. He’s been a serial entrepreneur for a couple of decades at this point and has interesting views on wealth and impact.He started what was essentially the ebay for Europe and then OLX, the Craigslist for the rest of the world.During our chat he shares some incredibly useful tips for entrepreneurs - especially for those who are interested in marketplaces. We talk all about his approach to venture capital, how FJ Labs operates and makes decisions and much more. Enjoy.Show Links:Follow us on Twitter: @fabricegrinda, @mpdGuest Links: FJ LabsGuest Articles: Pandemic, Populism and Policy Failure – The Surprising Case for Optimism in 2020Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

This week I chat with Zack Gray, Co-Founder and CEO of Ophelia. Ophelia is helping to combat the opioid crisis by revamping the drug rehab model. As they put it, their mission is to “replace folklore with science, drug dealers with doctors, and stigma with privacy, convenience, and choice.”Covered by either health insurance or a monthly subscription of $195, Ophelia helps people struggling with addiction by plugging them into their platform that connects them with clinicians that use modern, science based treatments.We chat all about the company and the general opioid epidemic, including its history and the failed government response. Zack breaks it all down for us. He also shares why he started the company in the first place, which has a touching personal story about the loss of a loved one to opioids. Ophelia and Zack are on a mission and Interplay is proud to be an investor.As usual, the conversation goes beyond just the formal topics. Zach studied astrophysics and philosophy at Columbia and it’s safe to say he’s a deep thinker. We talk about whether for-profit companies are good or evil, a new concept for taxation based on social utility and much more. Enjoy.Show Links:Follow us on Twitter: @meetophelia, @zarkgray, @mpdGuest Links: OpheliaPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

John Gannon is Founder of The VC Careers Blog and Co-Founder of GoingVC.Between these two endeavors, John has become one of the goto channels for getting a job in venture capital. He started The VC Careers blog shortly after we graduated business school together in the late 2000s. Since then, it’s scaled and become one of the sources of transparency in the VC industry, listing available jobs, compensation and much more.In addition to his prolific blogging career, John started an educational program called GoingVC a few years ago. They have graduated over 400 people into the ecosystem with over half of them going into professional VC roles. Impressive stuff.It was a blast catching up with John and learning more about GoingVC, discussing important VC trends to keep an eye on and much more. Enjoy.Show Links:Follow us on Twitter: @johnmgannon / @mpdGuest Links: The VC Careers Blog, GoingVCMentioned Content Links: Podcast - Smart Passive Income by Pat FlynnPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Divya Narendra is the Founder &amp; CEO of SumZero, an investment community where peer-reviewed professional investment research is shared amongst its members. Its network of analysts is growing rapidly and offers some extraordinary insights. If you’re interested in public equities - check it out.In addition to SumZero, Divya sits on the board of Gemini, one of the leading crypto exchanges, so - as you can guess - we went down the crypto rabbit hole.Before his professional career, Divya attended Harvard where he became friends with the Winklevoss twins. If you’ve seen the movie The Social Network, Divya is the 3rd founder of ConnectU. Divya shares some fun stories about that chapter of his life - including crashing the set of The Social Network.Big thanks to Divya for joining me on the pod to share his story.Show Links:&nbsp;Follow us on Twitter: @divyanarendra / @sumzero @mpdGuest Links: SumZero websitePodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

This week I chatted with David Rabie, Co-Founder &amp; CEO of Tovala.As Tovala puts it, they provide impossibly convenient home-cooking. They invented a smart oven that perfectly cooks the chef-crafted meals that they offer, which makes them an interesting part hardware / part subscription hybrid.Between choosing what to eat, buying the ingredients, cooking the food and cleaning up the dishes, people spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Tovala has created a solution that streamlines that whole process and still gets you a home-cooked meal at the end of it. They’ve been gaining traction and were&nbsp; actually on Oprah’s 2021 Favorite Things List. Interplay is proud to be an investor.During the chat we discussed the ins and outs of Tovala - including the in-depth shipping process that’s required to efficiently and safely deliver ready to cook food, how David came to start Tovala and much more. Enjoy.Show Links:&nbsp;Follow us on Twitter: @tovalafood / @mpdGuest Links: Tovala websitePodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Chris Yeh is the General Partner of Blitzscaling Ventures and author of the book Blitzscaling.Chris co-wrote the book with his good friend Reid Hoffman (who - as many of you probably know - is the founder of LinkedIn). The book explains when and how to focus on scaling rapidly to beat the competition in a winner-take-all market. The nuance is the concept of prioritizing speed over efficiency in an environment of uncertainty.Blitzscaling is certainly a popular strategy in today’s startup world where everything is moving a million miles a minute, but - as you’ll hear us discuss - it’s not necessarily the right move for everyone. Chris and I talked about some exceptions, including a few companies I’ve personally seen play the long game of organic growth and outlast their competition.In addition to the book, we chatted about the VC fund Chris started called Blizcaling Ventures - where he leverages the blitzscaling concept to inform his investment strategy.Chris also shared some awesome life hacks, a hilarious story from the early days of the internet and a pretty awesome personal story about the time he competed on - and won - a game show. Enjoy and thanks for listening.Show LinksFollow us on Twitter: @chrisyeh, @mpdGuest Links: Blitzscaling (the book), Blitzscaling Ventures, Unreasonable GroupArticle Links: Tim O’Reilly - Why it’s too early to get excited about Web3Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Jarred Kessler is the Founder &amp; CEO of EasyKnock. EasyKnock is a PropTech platform that offers a way for people to access the capital that’s locked in the value of their homes through sale leasebacks. This is a big issue for folks that don’t have great credit scores because that usually means they can’t get access to mortgages.Historically, reverse mortgage products have had a bad rap, but EasyKnock is doing its part to right the ship. They do everything they can to help people avoid eviction.&nbsp;Though they’re building a business, they’re on a bit of a moral crusade and Interplay is proud to be an investor.In tandem with EasyKnock, Jarred has also helped start a non-profit organization called The Stay Mission, which helps Americans fight evictions and foreclosures.During our chat we discussed how EasyKnock works and the various products they offer, Jarred’s path from Wall Street to entrepreneurship, the challenges in the overall housing market in America (including whether Fannie and Freddie are doing their job) and much more. Enjoy.Show LinksFollow us on Twitter: @EasyKnock, @JarredKessler, @mpdGuest Links: EasyKnock, The Stay MissionBook Links: Death of a Real Estate Salesman by Jarred Kessler, Evicted by Matthew Desmond, The Third Door by Alex Banayan&nbsp;Movie Links: The Big ShortPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Vivek Sharma is the Co-Founder and CEO of&nbsp;Movable&nbsp;Ink.&nbsp;Movable&nbsp;Ink has created a marketing solution that helps brands work data into personalized content. Basically, they help businesses leverage their data to help customize content and marketing messages. And it works. Companies who switch from a one-size-fits-all-marketing model to customization tend to see large increases in engagement.Vivek started his career as an engineer &amp; sales, making him a double threat as a startup founder.During our chat we discussed the ins and outs of&nbsp;Movable&nbsp;Ink, some important lessons Vivek&nbsp;has&nbsp;learned while growing the company and&nbsp;rapidly increasing headcount,&nbsp;overcoming unpredictable obstacles, his perspective on capitalizing a startup&nbsp;and much more.Show LinksFollow us on Twitter: @movableink, @mpdGuest Links: Movable InkPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Hey everyone, I just wanted to share an update with you.First and foremost, a big thanks to all of you for joining me on this journey. It's been a blast and I can't wait to continue to this wild ride in 2022.Second, this podcast is meant to be an educational experience for everyone involved. I know I've learned a lot and I hope you have too. If there’s a particular topic you’d like to learn about or guest speaker you’d be interested in hearing, please let me know. Best way to contact me is on Twitter @MPD.Third, we're taking a break for next month or so. New episodes will come in mid-January.Until then, I wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe end of the year.See you in '22!

For this week’s episode, I chatted with Kelly Oriard &amp; Callie Christensen, the Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of Slumberkins.Slumbkerins is a pre-school brand aiming to support families in the emotional wellness development of their children with educational products. Through carefully crafted characters and stories they’ve packaged psychological techniques up to make it easy for parents to help teach their kids about emotions. If you visit their website you’ll see that one way they sort the products is by theme: creativity, family change, mindfulness, self-esteem.Before Slumberkins, Kelly was a school therapist and Callie was a teacher, so they have the background to start this kind of company. Kelly and Callie become moms at the same time, and during their maternity leave they became unexpecting entrepreneurs.Kelly and Callie are rockstars, so it’s no surprise that Slumberkins off to the races. Interplay is an investor and we’re so excited and proud to be a part of their journey.During the interview, we discussed the story behind Slumberkins, why teaching kids about emotions is important, the history of parentings and how strategies have changed over time, what they’ve learned about entrepreneurship, and much more. Enjoy.Show LinksFollow us on Twitter: @slumberkins, @mpdGuest Links: SlumberkinsPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Stephen Kuhl is the Co-Founder and CEO of Burrow, a furniture company for the modern age that delivers the most convenient customer experience in the industry.They started out by making beautiful modular couches that come in easy to carry boxes that more or less snap together without tools. They have since expanded their product line to carry all types of more intelligent furniture. You can basically buy your entire living room on their website. It’s an awesome company and Interplay is a proud investor.Stephen shared a ton of great insights into the world of manufacturing, which includes some crazy stories from the early days of Burrow.If you’re building a DTC business or a company that relies on manufacturing this is worth a listen.Show LinksFollow us on Twitter: @hiburrow, @mpdGuest Links: BurrowPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Mike Rudoy is the Co-Founder and CEO of Jetty, a financial services platform that helps make renting a home more affordable and flexible.Jetty offers three products to help renters get into homes:Jetty Deposit - security deposit replacementJetty Rent - rent payment programJetty Protect - renters insuranceNot only does Jetty help renters, the services makes managing properties easier too. It's a win win situation and example of a successful business model that places the product in the middle of a sales chain.During the interview, we discussed the business model behind Jetty, Mike's entrepreneurial journey, the general state of housing in America and much more.Show LinksFollow us on Twitter: @mrudoy, @mpdGuest Links: JettyPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Ali Hamed is a Partner at CoVenture Holding Company LLC. Since his college days he’s been building an impressive network and unsurprisingly has built an impressive business.&nbsp;What’s unique about CoVenture’s model is that they’ve found an interesting synergy between debt financing and venture capital. In addition to making venture investments, Ali and his team provide balance sheet capital to innovative companies that are financing new asset classes. As CoVenture puts it: “CoVenture partners with founders who are inventing new asset classes, identifying new economies, or who require alternative types of capital to grow -- and backs them with venture capital and/or debt financing.”If you’re interested in the business models of venture capital, debt or general finance I think you’ll find this conversation to be educational. I certainly did.&nbsp;Show LinksFollow us on Twitter: @AliBHamed / @coventurevc / @mpdGuest Links: CoVenture Holding Company LLC, Crossbeam Venture PartnersPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Nhon Ma is the CEO and Co-Founder of Numerade, a Los Angeles based EdTech platform that’s using AI and short form videos to democratize access to tutoring for kids around the world. What is brilliant about their idea is that they are bringing supplemental learning to students who can’t afford traditional private tutoring.Nhon is an ex-Googler so he’s a tech-savvy founder who just knows how to run a business.&nbsp;During the chat, Nhon shared his extremely inspiring personal journey and if you follow the thread of his story it seems as though he was destined to start this company. We discussed the intricacies of Numerade, how learning varies by states and countries, how education is evolving in the US and so much more.Show LinksFollow us on Twitter: @nhonma / @numerade_edu / @mpdGuest Links: NumeradePodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Jason Saltzman is the Co-Founder of Relief and a well known member of the New York start-up community. Relief is an app that helps people navigate the craziness when dealing with debt. According to Jason, Relief is here to kill your debt.The statistics about debt in America are staggering:Average amount of debt = $6k/personAverage number of credit cards = 8 credit cards/person1 out of 3 people are behind on credit card paymentsBeyond Relief, Jason is one of the best community builders out there. Rolling Stone actually called him a “cruise director,” a hilarious and accurate phrase if you know Jason.He is also very much on top of his social media game, especially TikTok, which he believes that all businesses should be active on.During the chat we discussed a lot about the intricacies regarding debt in America, building communities and winning strategies for creators on TikTok.Follow us on Twitter: @SaltzmanJason / @startrelief / @mpdShow LinksGuest Links: Relief, AlleyBooks Mentioned: Tipping Point by Malcolm GladwellPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Nihal Mehta is the Co-Founder of Eniac Ventures, a successful seed venture firm that has invested in unicorns like AirBnb and Boxed. Nihal has been a serial founder and an active investor for over a decade.&nbsp;The only way to know what a founder is REALLY going through is by being a founder yourself. IMHO, VCs who have operator experience have a great competitive advantage.Nihal is one of the best startup player-coaches out there so it was a blast discussing how his founder experience has influenced his VC strategy.During the chat, we also talk about some of Nihal's other endeavors, one of which is the India Internet Group (IIG). IIG is a fund based out of India so we talk about the startup and VC scene there.He also started The 100K Pledge, a website that holds people and companies accountable when they make public pledges to help fight injustice. The site keeps tabs on what they're actually doing to help the cause.As you can tell, we cover a lot during the chat. Big thanks to Nihal for joining me on the pod to catch up and share his thoughts on everything.Follow us on Twitter: @nihalmehta / @eniacventures / @mpdShow LinksGuest Links: Eniac Ventures, The 100k Pledge, HelpMainStreet.comPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

For this week’s episode I chatted with Maureen Farrell, a New York Times reporter and the co-author of The Cult of We. The Cult of We is about the rise and fall of WeWork, which Maureen covered extensively while she was working at the Wall Street Journal. She is such an expert on the topic that she was featured in the Hulu documentary WeWork: Or The Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maureen is a veteran tech journalist. She graduated from Duke, got a masters from Columbia’s journalism school, and has spent more than 15 years working for publications like Forbes, CNN, the Wall Street Journal and now the New York Times.In this conversation today, we extract some business insights from the WeWork saga, things entrepreneurs can learn - both the good and bad.I also took this opportunity to get her raw advice on how entrepreneurs should maintain their media relationships, and Maureen was kind enough to give us a bit of a playbook.Follow us on Twitter: @maureenmfarrell / @nytimes&nbsp; / @mpdGuest Links: The Cult of We, Maureen’s articles from The Wall Street Journal, Hulu doc about WeWorkPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On this week’s episode I chatted with Sam Lessin, Co-Founder of Fin and General Partner at Slow Ventures.Sam is, in the truest sense, a Silicon Valley insider. He’s a part of the Harvard tech mafia, friends with Zuckerberg and has built a few different tech startups.Beyond all of that, he is an extremely deep and abstract thinker. I’ve always been a fan of listening to and learning from him.During our chat we discussed how he sees the VC model changing (he has some strong opinions on this which are great), the evolution of media and its business models, the differences between US and China government strategies towards tech and a whole lot more. Enjoy.Follow us on Twitter: @lessin / @slow / @betterwithfin / @mpdGuest Links: Slow Ventures, Fin, The Information, Book: The Invention of NewsPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Zheng Huang is the President of the Committee of 100. Committee of 100 is a non-profit U.S. leadership organization of prominent Chinese Americans in business, government, academia, healthcare, and the arts focused on public policy engagement, civic engagement, and philanthropy.Z is incredibly smart and during our chat we cover a lot.We talk about what the Committee of 100 is and why it was created (which includes a bit of history on the Chinese-American experience in the US), the different approaches of the US and China when it comes to tech and free speech, and how the two countries can avoid war (which history shows normally happens during the a transition of economic power).&nbsp;This is a FASCINATING conversation. I thoroughly enjoyed and hope you do too.Follow us on Twitter: @ZhengZhuang / @Committee100 / @mpdGuest Links: Committee of 100Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

For this week’s episode I chatted with Angela Lee, Founder of 37 Angels, an investment network that activates female investors through an educational bootcamp. She is also a professor at the Columbia Business School where she focuses on teaching about venture capital.Angela is great at sharing her knowledge about the world. She has a very structured way of communicating her wonderful insights. During our chat she shared some of her favorite lessons she teaches at CBS and useful business strategies everyone should keep in mind, like how to ask for help the best way. We also talked about the gender gap in angel investing and venture capital, an issue that Angela and 37 Angels is doing amazing work to help with. I always love catching up with Angela and I hope you enjoy the conversation.Follow us on Twitter: @angelawlee / @37AngelsNY / @mpdShow LinksGuest Links: @37AngelsNY / @Columbia_Biz / Give and Take by Adam GrantPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

For this week’s episode I chatted with Hal Callais, Managing Partner and CIO of Callais Capital. Callais Capital is a southern Louisiana based alternative asset management firm that invests in tech companies in the South and Mississippi River Delta region.&nbsp;Hal is from a multi-generational family of entrepreneurs in Louisiana. He is very connected to the geography of the region and has been playing a crucial role in New Orleans’ blossoming startup and innovation scene. I thought this was a really interesting conversation, a way to see into a nascent ecosystem and get a sense of what it is like in the earlier days of an entrepreneurial boom. We talk about everything from tech and innovation in New Orleans to the evolution of this ecosystem post Hurricane Katrina. Enjoy.Follow us on Twitter: @hal_callais / @CallaisCapital / @mpdShow LinksGuest Links: Callais CapitalPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On this week's episode I sit down with John Lochner, the Vice President of Innovation at New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).NYSERDA was established in 1975 to support clean energy and protect the environment. They're the government entity in the state of New York that is taking the lead to help drive innovation in the CleanTech ecosystem. Not only are they helping NY meet climate goals, they're also essentially writing the playbook for how governments can drive drive the initiatives and investments needed to combat climate change. What they're doing is incredible. This is a wildly interesting and important topic. I hope you enjoy learning about it as much as I did.Follow us on Twitter: @NYSERDA / @mpdShow LinksGuest Links: NYSERDA, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram&nbsp;Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On this week’s episode I sit down with Mike Tarullo, COO of Banza. Banza makes pasta, pizza, and macaroni and cheese from chickpeas. You’ve probably seen their products at your local grocery store with their signature orange packaging. They’ve raised about $30 million and have products in 18,000 stores nationally.&nbsp;Before Banza, Mike helped run Venture for America, the non-profit company Andrew Yang started.As you will hear during the chat, Mike is clearly an expert on food start-ups and we dive deep into some of the intricacies of what it takes to build them.&nbsp;We get into the nitty-gritty of how the food industry operates, useful strategies that young companies might want to keep in mind, why raising mega rounds might not always be the best strategy, and the importance of conducting research (and actually following what the data tells you!). Enjoy.Follow us on Twitter: @tarullo / @eatbanza / @mpdGuest Links: Banza, Venture for America, Oath PizzaFood Documentaries: What the Health, Fed UpPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

As you can tell from the title, this isn’t a normal episode. I just wanted to give a couple of quick updates.1) THANK YOU for listening and supporting the pod. It's crazy to think that we’re 27 episodes in!! I very much appreciate you joining me on this journey.2) We’re taking a summer break and just wanted to let you know so you didn’t think we were bailing on you! We’re going to take the rest of July and the month of August to record a bunch of episodes and plan for the future, but maybe most important of all… to CHILL a bit. Life is too short to not enjoy.We’ll continue to broadcast the live recordings on Twitter Spaces so if you want to tune in give me a follow on Twitter @ MPD.New episodes will come late August / early September.3) I’d love to hear from you about... anything! Topic suggestions, thoughts on the podcast structure, general VC questions, or whatever else is on your mind. Please feel free to reach out to me on socials.Once again, thanks so much for listening. Have a GREAT summer. I’ll see you on the other side.

On this week’s episode I chat with Jed Katz, Managing Director at Javelin Venture Partners. Javelin is a premier VC firm that has invested in a ton of successful companies including a bunch of unicorns like Master Class and Thumbtack.Now, this episode is a bit special for me because Jed gave me my first break into VC back in 2006. He’s been a long time friend and mentor, so much so that I thanked him for all that he has done for me in the opening of my book.Though Jed might not like it, he’s a vetern venture capitalist and entrepreneur. Before helping to start Javelin over 12 years ago, he was a successful entrepreneur that navigated the craziness of the dot com boom and bust era, eventually landing a $1 billion acquisition of his venture Move.comDuring our chat we discussed how Javelin operates, the current state of the VC world, the political implications of social media, important lessons he’s learned from both the VC and entrepreneur perspective and much more. Enjoy.Follow us on Twitter: @JedKatz / @javelinvp / @mpdShow Notes: Javelin Venture PartnersPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On this week’s episode I chat with Alex Taub. Alex is the Co-Founder &amp; CEO of Upstream, a digital platform that is redefining professional networking.Over the years I’ve watched many community platforms fail. I don’t know the exact stats, but the success rate is low. I think one of the reasons why a community platform is so hard to build is that it requires so many features to deliver sufficient value.Upstream seems to have broken through by rapidly iterating on features and keeping the overall product lean. They delivered a complete product fairly quickly and the platform appears to be scaling.In addition to running Upstream, Alex manages one of the communities on the platform: NFT Community.We get into a general overview of what NFTs are, plus chat about some of his favorite projects which include NBA Topshot and a digital horse racing game called Zed Run.If you’re interested in understanding the NFT market and how to profit from it, have a listen.Follow us on Twitter: @ajt / @JoinUpstream / @mpdShow Notes: Upstream, NFT Community, Zed Run, NBA Topshot, Epic Games vs Apple Court HearingPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On this week’s episode I chat with Beezer Clarkson of Sapphire Partners. Sapphire Partners invests in early-stage venture capital funds and Beezer leads their investment team, focusing on both domestic and international funds.

Beezer is a star and began her career in financial services over 20 years ago at Morgan Stanley in its global infrastructure group. Since, she has held various direct and indirect venture investment roles, as well as operational roles in software business development at Hewlett Packard. Prior to joining Sapphire in 2012, Beezer managed the day-to-day operations of the Draper Fisher Jurvetson Global Network, which then had $7 billion under management across 16 venture funds worldwide.

In 2016, Beezer led the launch of OpenLP, an effort to aggregate and amplify insights across the entrepreneur-to-GP to LP venture ecosystem.&nbsp;There’s a lot of helpful information in this conversation with some great tips for GPs to keep in mind when working with LPs. If anyone is interested in raising capital from institutional LPs, this is a worthwhile listen.Follow us on Twitter: @Beezer232 / @Open_LP / @SapphireVC / @mpdShow Notes: OpenLP, Sapphire Partners, Sapphire Ventures, Article - Fund RecyclingPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On this week’s episode I sit down with Noah Glass, Founder and CEO of Olo. Olo isn’t a household name, but that’s by design. They are a white label solution that powers most of the restaurant apps you have on your phone. These apps streamline ordering and specialize in supporting takeout.&nbsp;While I suspect that most people would correctly guess that the majority of the food ordered from restaurants is eaten off premise, I doubt that most folks would know that takeout is 13-times larger than delivery. Olo is supplying the software products to make that happen and have been on an upward trajectory for years. They just recently IPO'd this past March.Noah is clearly brilliant. I went a bit off my prepared questions in order to do some deep dives with him about how he operates Olo.He shares some incredibly valuable wisdom about how they use analytics to craft their products, how to leverage a product advisory council, navigating the IPO process, and much more.Follow us on Twitter: @nhglass / @olo / @mpdShow Notes: OloPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On this week’s episode I chat with Darius Monsef, Founder and CEO of Brave Care.Brave Care is creating a new, better healthcare system for kids by providing primary, urgent &amp; remote care catered just for them, 365 days a year. By tech-enabling a system that’s been long overdue for an upgrade, Darius hopes to make Brave Care the premier children’s healthcare partner for parents.Interplay is lucky enough to be an early investor in the company and we absolutely love their mission.Darius is a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits. You might think that things get easier for entrepreneurs with each new company they start, but the journey is always an arduous one. Darius and I explore this topic (which includes a thoughtful and - IMO - very helpful discussion about wealth in the tech community), why he went through Ycombinator multiple times, the startup scene in Portland, and much more.It was a great conversation. I hope you enjoy it.Follow us on Twitter: @bubs / @BraveCare / @mpdShow Notes: Brave Care, Darius’ Non-Profits: Hands.org, Nalukai Foundation&nbsp;Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On today’s episode I sit down with Peter Sullivan, the Founder and CEO of Jackpocket. Jackpocket is digitizing the lottery - allowing everyone to play the lottery from their phone.Peter shares his epic entrepreneurial tale that I think will one day become startup folklore. He persevered through an extremely long development cycle - during which he put it all on the line - only to emerge with a company that is going to be a unicorn.I am an investor in Jackpocket so I’ve had the opportunity to watch this journey first hand. I think this is going to be one for the ages.The lottery industry is GIGANTIC and states heavily rely on the revenue generated from lottery ticket sales. Roughly 30-40% of every lottery ticket sold goes to state programs, such as education, job creation, veteran care, and outdoor recreation and preservation.As you might suspect, this means dealing with a TON of governmental red tape, which is both a challenge and a great way to create a competitive barrier.During our chat, Peter shares mind blowing stats about the lottery, teaches us how to think about partnering with governments, details his crazy entrepreneurial journey and much more.Follow us on Twitter: @pjsullivan3 / @Jackpocket / @mpdShow Notes: Jackpocket, Jackpocket CommercialPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On today’s show I chat with Jeff Bussgang, Co-Founder and General Partner of Flybridge Capital Partners, a Boston based VC fund with 700M under management.As you know from previous episodes, I’ve been interviewing different VCs on the show with the goal to highlight different geographies. Jeff’s on to represent Boston.Along with being a VC, Jeff is the author of “Mastering The VC Game” and a professor at Harvard Business School, which has helped him become a true expert on VC. He’s also a bit of a mentor to the current generation of VCs. A lot of people in the industry look to him for guidance, so I’m honored to have him on the show.As if Jeff already doesn’t do enough, he also actively invests in Harvard grads through a vehicle called the Graduate Syndicate and is a Co-Founder of Hack Diversity - a non-profit focused on helping Black and Latinx/e/a/o technologists find their way into tech companies.During the chat we talk about how Flybridge Capital operates, what’s going on in the Boston VC game, some of his favorite lessons that he teaches in class, and much more.&nbsp;Follow us on Twitter: @bussgang / @mpdShow Notes:Flybridge CapitalGraduate SyndicateHack.DiversityJeff’s Book - Mastering the VC GamePodcast Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On this week’s episode I have a great conversation with David S. Rose, a serial entrepreneur who’s current venture is US Real Estate Market, also known as USREM. US Real Estate Market is a startup developing a capital markets platform for fractional institutional investment in commercial real estate.&nbsp;David's path to this current venture has been a lifelong journey. He comes from one of the generational NY real estate families and has dedicated a significant portion of his life to modernizing and tech-enabling the industry. As you’ll hear him explain, he was amongst the early pioneers of proptech, which included using spreadsheets for real estate projects when a friend invented the spreadsheet!&nbsp;David shares some fascinating insights to the history of NY real estate and why the real estate industry in general has been slow to adopt tech.We also discuss Singularity University and Andrew Yang’s run for NYC Mayor. There’s a pattern here in that both groups are highly forward thinking. The thesis around Singularity University is that tech is advancing at an exponential pace - which is even faster than what people think. He talks about their theories and the potential impact on society. David is a supporter of Andrew Yang and he makes his case for Andrew’s candidacy.David is brilliant. His insights are unique and opinions well thought out. We cover a lot in this chat, and I think it’s an entertaining one. Enjoy.Follow us on Twitter: @davidsrose / @mpdShow Notes:US Real Estate MarketDavid’s Ted TalkPodcast Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On today’s show I chat with Jon Stein, the Founder and Chairman of Betterment. Betterment is an investing platform that helps people manage their money. Jon and I met at Columbia Business School way back in 2007, which is when he first told me about his idea for Betterment. I didn’t get it at the time, but Jon had a vision.After navigating the murky waters of a HIGHLY regulated sector, Jon launched Betterment in 2010, which was revolutionary at the time for being the first no-fee trading platform. Now they have $30b in AUM serving 600,000 customers. It’s officially a unicorn.After 13 years at the helm, Jon recently stepped down from being CEO and is now the Chairman of the Board. Here in the States it’s become strangely taboo for a CEO to step down, while in other countries it’s an obvious sign of growth and development. I view Jon’s move as a promotion. During our chat Jon was very candid about the transition which I think will be helpful to a lot of other founders.We also discuss Betterment’s founding story, how to navigate regulatory challenges as an entrepreneur, and much more.Follow us on Twitter: @jonstein / @Betterment / @mpdShow Notes: Betterment, Howard Marks MemosPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On today’s episode I catch up with Nick Moran of New Stack Ventures. New Stack is a VC firm based out of Chicago, IL that focuses on early seed stage investing. With a strong focus on investing in their own backyard, Nick and New Stack are on pace to build a brand name VC between the coasts that represents the Midwest on the national stage. It was great to hear about how things are going and what they have planned for the future.Along with being a big time VC, Nick is also a veteran podcaster. He hosts a podcast called The Full Ratchet where he interviews fellow venture capitalists and investor experts. It’s a great pod and I highly recommend checking it out. He was kind enough to have me on the show back in 2015. If you’d like to listen to those episodes, I’ve included links in the show notes below.During today’s chat you’ll hear some pretty honest, real talk about the world of venture capital and how it functions, what’s broken, and where it’s going.Enjoy.Follow us on Twitter: @TheFullRatchet / @NewStackVC / @mpdGuest Links:Twitter - Nick, The Full Ratchet (Nick’s podcast), New Stack Ventures&nbsp;Here’s a link to The Full Ratchet episodes with Mark as the guest: Part 1, Part 2Podcast Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

On today’s episode I catch up with David Cummings, an entrepreneur on a mission to put Atlanta on the map when it comes to tech and venture capital. He also happens to be an old friend of mine.&nbsp;David and I met during our undergraduate days at Duke where we were two of only a few entrepreneurs on campus. My endeavors fizzled out while David’s became massively successful. He sold one of them - Pardot - to Salesforce for $95m and another - Hannon Hill - is still active and continuing to scale.David’s current focus and passion is the Atlanta Tech Village, an innovation hub he’s created in a building located in the heart of Atlanta. As he puts it, by creating an ecosystem for startups and entrepreneurs he’s “engineering serendipity” with the goal to make sure Atlanta is reaching its full entrepreneurial potential. Out of it has come many successful companies, including Calendy of which David is an investor/board member.During our chat David breaks down how the Atlanta Tech Village operates, the VC fund he invests out of, and why companies should HEAVILY consider getting their start in Atlanta.Guest Links:Twitter - David, Twitter - Atlanta Tech VillagePodcast Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

David Cohen is the Founder and Chairman of Techstars, one of the largest venture capital operations in the world. Since 2006 they’ve been on a mission to help entrepreneurs succeed and have invested in over 2,400 companies.What began in Boulder, CO is now a global network of entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, and cities. You know innovation isn’t far behind when Techstars comes to town!&nbsp;During our convo we discuss the inner workings of Techstars, tips for entrepreneurs on how to get admitted into their programs, and the most valuable entrepreneurial lessons David has learned along the way.Follow us on Twitter:@davidcohen / @techstars / @mpdGuest Links:Twitter - David, Twitter - TechstarsPodcast Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Samer Hamadeh is the Founder and CEO of Zeel. Zeel started by providing in-home massage therapy, but looks a bit different these days. As you might suspect, the pandemic crushed their business and overnight their revenue went to zero. But in a time of crisis Zeel was able to leverage the logistics network they had built over the years to start offering in-home COVID testing. They’ve now expanded their services to include in-home medical services and have positioned themselves to be a pioneer in the nascent in-home-medicine market.During our conversation we discuss the growth potential for the in-home healthcare industry that is quickly taking shape, the difficulties of a logistics based company, how companies can navigate crises, and much more.&nbsp;Follow us on Twitter:@samerham / @getzeel@mpdShow Notes:Book - The GoalGuest Links:Twitter - Samer, Twitter - ZeelPodcast Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

As the Managing Partner of Upfront Ventures, Mark Suster has helped Los Angeles, where he and Upfront are based, reach the national stage when it comes to venture capital. The landscape was totally different 20 years ago and Mark/Upfront is a big reason why.After two successful exits as a founder, Mark joined Upfront in 2007. Since then Mark has become one of VCs most prominent venture capitalists. The main reason being his savvy business decisions, but he’s also always been ahead of the game when it comes to social media.&nbsp;Between his blog (www.bothsidesofthetable.com) and Twitter, he has always made his presence known by sharing fantastic insights into the world of venture capital.During today’s chat we discuss what has changed in venture over the last decade and where it’s moving forward, Mark’s take on how VCs should think about branding and social media, and how to balance politics and business.Follow us on Twitter:@msuster / @Upfrontvc@mpdGuest Links:Twitter - Mark, Twitter - Upfront, Mark’s Blog,&nbsp;Podcast Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

VCs invest in startups and founders, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they always provide the support and patience that the founders need. On this week’s episode I chat with Josh Stein - Managing Partner of Threshold Ventures - about Threshold’s emphasis on how they champion their founders by supplying them with that support and giving them time to develop.Josh is acutely aware of this need in VC because he was a founder himself before becoming a VC, so his experience has helped shape this empathic perspective!During our chat we cover a lot… we discuss the impact of covid on operations, global fund strategies, pros/cons of blending growth &amp; early-stage funds, dynasty funds, and advice for up &amp; coming VCs. Enjoy!Follow us on Twitter:@JoshSteinVC / @thresholdvc@mpdGuest Links:Twitter - Josh, Twitter - Threshold, Website - ThresholdPodcast Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Ian Sigalow is the Co-Founder and Partner of Greycroft, one of the biggest and most successful VCs out there. Over their 14 year history they've invested in a long list of success stories such as Public, Acorns, Goop, Bird, and many more.On this week’s episode Ian and I discuss the strategies Greycroft has followed in order to grow into a firm that manages more than $2 billion. We chat about how they evaluate talent, sectors, and global trends as well as specific do’s and don’ts for the world of venture capital. Ian is wildly smart and very candid so I hope you find the convo to be helpful and informative. Enjoy!Follow us on Twitter:@sigalow / @GreycroftVC@mpdGuest Links:Twitter - Ian, Twitter - Greycroft, GreycroftPodcast Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Limited Partners are a critical part of the venture capital ecosystem. They provide capital to VCs who in turn invest that money in companies, so the LP perspective is important to consider when trying to fully understand how VCs operate.Graham Pingree is a Partner at Cendana Capital, one of the preeminent LPs in the tech community.Graham and I discuss the role of LPs in venture capital, strategies that Cendana Capital keeps in mind when making investments, and his take on the global startup scene.Follow us on Twitter:@gpingree / @CendanaCapital@mpdGuest Links:Twitter, Cendana CapitalPodcast Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Modern Meadow is revolutionizing the materials industry by inventing brand new materials that can be used in our everyday lives.Inventing new materials is exciting, but Modern Meadow's sustainable approach might just be the best part. By using nature's building blocks - proteins - to build these brand new materials, they hope to replace the the materials used in most of today's goods that are large contributors to global warming (ie leather derived from cows and plastic oriented synthetics derived from fossil fuels).The potential is MASSIVE!Andras and I discuss Modern Meadow's ZOA technology, how these new materials will hopefully help save our world, and how Andras ended up at this current venture.Follow us on Twitter:@ModernMeadow / @atforgacs@mpdGuest Links:Twitter, Modern MeadowPodcast Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

The full legalization of cannabis is approaching FAST and with it a multi-billion dollar industry looms.Ryan G. Smith is a serial entrepreneur who’s current venture - LeafLink - is a B2B e-commerce platform servicing the cannabis industry.Ryan, who at 30 years old has built/exited multiple successful startups and is a member of Forbes 30 Under 30, breaks down the current state of the cannabis industry.We discuss how without federal support each state is essentially operating in its own bubble, when the federal government will legalize marijuana, and which sectors within the industry (retail, growers, brands, etc.) will have the most success.Follow us on Twitter&nbsp;@LeafLinkUS@mpdGuest Links:Twitter, LeafLinkPodcast Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Philip James is the Founder and CEO of Penrose Hill / Firstleaf, a wine club for the modern age that uses data science to match the perfect wine for each customer based on their personal preferences. They ship over 100k boxes of custom wine every month. The company is a behemoth.This isn’t Philips first go around in the wine industry. Philip has been a dominant force in the space for the past 15 years. We chat about his previous endeavors and how that helped him get to where he is today.Along with being one of the most successful wine entrepreneurs in the world, Philip is an adventurer. In 2003 he climbed Mt. Everest, which turned into a rescue mission when one of his climbing partners broke their leg and had to crawl down the mountain in order to survive.Philip and I discuss how Firstleaf operates, the three tier alcohol system, what it means when a wine is “Estate Grown,” and his myriad of adventures that I would argue makes him a candidate for the most interesting person in the world.Special thanks to Philip for joining the podcast.Follow us on Twitter&nbsp;@philipjkjames@firstleafclub@mpdShow Notes:Everest Story - Connan HarrodGuest Links:Twitter, FirstleafPodcast Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Zach Sims is the Co-Founder and CEO of Codecademy, an education company that empowers people to transform their personal and professional lives by helping them learn modern skills.Zach started Codecademy 10 years ago when he was still an undergraduate student at Columbia University. As Codecademy gained momentum and took on investors, Zach decided to pursue it full time and left college. Now a decade later, Codecademy has helped over 45 million users in 179 countries learn new skills to gain a competitive advantage in our rapidly changing world.Zach and I discuss his decision to leave college and pursue Codecademy full time, what coding languages are the most durable, and how education is changing.Follow us on Twitter:@zsims@codecademy@mpdShow Notes/Links:Documentary - Ivory TowerGuest Links:CodecademyShow Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

What is Israel doing to produce the most startups per capita, VC dollars spent per capita, and unicorns per capita?Yaron Samid is the Founder of TechAviv, a global Israeli startup founders club that's 3,000 members strong.He is also the Managing Partner of TechAviv Founder Partners, a pre-seed venture fund backed and powered by some of the world’s most successful company builders.Yaron was born in Israel, grew up and began his career in the US, and is now back in Israel where innovation and venture capital is booming. We discuss what Israel has done and is doing to support its startup community, why community is crucial for innovation, and what other countries and communities can do to mimic Israel’s innovation success.Follow us on Twitter:@yaronsamid@techaviv@founderpartners@mpdShow Notes:Book Suggestions - Give and Take by Adam Grant, The Culture Map by Erin Meyer

Peter Boyce II is a Partner at General Catalyst, one of the preeminent venture capital firms out there. General Catalyst makes early-stage and transformational investments while backing exceptional entrepreneurs who are building innovative technology companies and market leading businesses. Investments include the likes of Airbnb, ClassPass, HubSpot, KAYAK, Oscar, Snap, Stripe, and Warby Parker.Peter is also a Co-Founder of Rough Draft Ventures, an organization that helps university students in their journey from creating ‘rough drafts’ to startup companies by investing at the earliest stage.Peter and I discuss the way his firm operates, why it’s important to give companies time to develop, and how universities can better assist their entrepreneurs.Follow us on Twitter:@badboyboyce@mpdGuest Links:Twitter, General Catalyst Website, Book Suggestion - The RainforestShow Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn&nbsp;Host: Mark Peter DavisGuest: Peter Boyce II

Lisa Barnett is the Co-Founder, President, and CMO of Little Spoon, a fresh, direct-to-consumer baby food and early childhood nutrition company reinventing the modern parent’s experience of keeping their child happy and healthy.Lisa and I discuss her journey (which has a unique twist as she left a coveted job in venture capital to start Little Spoon), the importance of identifying an enemy when honing the focus of a company, special marketing tactics that everyone should embrace, and what her ideal legislation would look like if she could implement sweeping government changes to the food industry.What is your enemy? What problem are you trying to solve with your business?Special thanks to Lisa for joining the podcast.Follow us on Twitter:@LisaBarnett_11@mpdGuest Links:Twitter, Little SpoonShow Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn&nbsp;Host: Mark Peter DavisGuest: Lisa Barnett

Jeff Wald is the Founder of WorkMarket, an enterprise software platform that enables companies to efficiently and compliantly organize, manage and pay freelancers. Jeff built WorkMarket from the ground up and sold the company to ADP for $400million. Along the way he learned some incredibly valuable lessons, some of which came during the exit process.Jeff shares his journey, what it’s like to take on investors as a company grows, his thoughts on the future of work and Universal Basic Income, and why retraining will be key to a successful economy.What lessons have you learned along the way as you’ve started and grown your business?Follow us on Twitter&nbsp;@jeffreywald@mpdShow Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn&nbsp;Guest Links:Twitter, Jeff's BookHost: Mark Peter DavisGuest: Jeff Wald

Max is the CEO of Launcher, a company that's developing the world’s most efficient rocket to deliver small satellites to orbit.Max discusses his background (which includes an important role in the development of live streaming), the cost of sending satellites into orbit, what it's like working with the State Department, his take as to why space exploration is important, and important entrepreneurial/startup advice.How would you use a satellite to help you grow your business or create a new one?Follow us on Twitter&nbsp;@maxhaot@mpdGuest Links:LauncherHost Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn&nbsp;Guest: Max HaotHost: Mark Peter Davis

Tal Kerret is the President of Silverstein Properties, a real estate development and management firm based in New York City. Silverstein Properties owns and operates 40MM square feet of office space and residential properties including the World Trade Center, which they bought just six weeks prior to 9/11. Tal shares his unique perspective of what it's been like to rebuild One World Trade and help rejuvenate downtown New York City.&nbsp;Before joining the family business of Silverstein Properties, Tal was a successful entrepreneur who was a part of the dot com boom in the early days of the internet. He used that experience and passion to start SilverTech Ventures, an accelerator, incubator, and venture capital firm. Tal tells us about SilverTech’s mission and a uniquely positioned company for the COVID era they’ve incubated called Dojo. By using their proprietary technology, Dojo allows companies to actually quantify the risk of contagion in their office space. It takes into account the airflow, the size of the space and other variables to give business owners a clear understanding of the risk in each room of an office.How do you think the future of office space will look in this new COVID shaped era?Guest Links:Silverstein Properties, SilverTech Ventures, DojoShow Links:Website, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn&nbsp;Host: Mark Peter DavisGuest: Tal Kerret

I believe innovation is hope. We live in a world full of challenges. Innovation is how we solve problems and create the path forward. To me, innovation represents the best of mankind.The mission of this podcast is to help entrepreneurs more efficiently innovate. I’m speaking with very successful entrepreneurs, investors, politicians and community organizers to share their stories and their views so that listeners can both better identify the best opportunities to add value and learn from their mistakes.Enjoy.