Episoder

  • "If you can really be the lowest risk, highest return option, people will get it. The experts in that industry will get it and they will sign up."

    We sit down with Rachael Nelson, the Founder and CEO of Brandy, in this episode of Founders in LA. Rachael shares her journey from aerospace manufacturing to leading a groundbreaking app that democratizes influence by allowing everyday consumers to earn meaningful money through simple endorsements of their favorite brands.

    She describes the inception of Brandy, highlighting the importance of passive income and the power of word-of-mouth marketing.

    Rachael's insights into creating a low-risk, high-return product, and her commitment to adding value to the economy by supporting consumers, provide invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.

    Join us for an inspiring conversation filled with practical advice and the story behind Brandy’s mission to make affiliate marketing accessible to everyone.

    Top Takeaways:

    Simplified Affiliate Marketing: Brandy is designed to make affiliate marketing incredibly easy and accessible for everyone, including older adults like Rachael's 92-year-old grandmother. The platform allows users to earn money by endorsing brands they already use without needing to create content or build a large following.

    Focus on Passive Income: Rachael is passionate about adding billions to the economy by enabling consumers to generate passive income. She emphasizes the joy and financial relief that can come from earning money by simply sharing products they already love and use in their daily lives.

    Low-Risk, High-Return Product: Rachael stresses the importance of making Brandy a low-risk, high-return option for brands and consumers. By carefully analyzing market options and addressing pain points such as tracking conversion rates and payment difficulties, Brandy positions itself as a reliable and attractive platform.

    Adapting to Market Needs: While staying true to Brandy’s core mission, Rachael acknowledges the need to be aware of market trends and prepare for future features that will keep the platform relevant. However, she advises against chasing every trend, instead focusing on the essential elements that will benefit the community.

    Community and Networking: Rachael highlights the importance of being in the right environment for growth and networking. Moving to Venice, a hub for serious entrepreneurs, provided her with invaluable connections and inspiration. She underscores the value of surrounding oneself with a community that supports and accelerates one’s business goals.

    Top Quotes:

    "It's simple enough that even my grandma who's 92 actually can understand and use that on her iPhone and so it's the most simple form of affiliate marketing that could possibly be produced in my opinion and I'm amazed it doesn't exist yet but we're doing it for the first time."

    "I want to add billions to the economy, to consumers who need passive income, who need to feed their kids, buy Christmas presents... there's so much joy that we get out of the things that we buy when they're the right things that we buy."

    "To be low risk you really have to look at what options are available on the market currently and like make a feature list and go through every single one of those and start talking to people about those different features."

    "I think one thing I will say about anyone who is building I think what was particularly impactful for me was making the decision to move to Venice."

    "And there's certainly ways to watch what the market is doing and watch what people are flocking to and prepare for the day when it is essential for those features to be incorporated into your product in order to be essential and relevant to your community."

  • "You need a great lawyer and you need a great accountant. Those two things are inevitable. But they look at me and I go, 'Oh, you've never looked at your cap table."

    Joshua Lee, CEO and Founder of Ardius explores the vital importance of cap tables in managing startups and guiding investment decisions, in this episode of Founders In LA. With his deep background in accounting and building ventures, Joshua sheds light on the typical challenges and the strategic value of keeping cap tables clean and detailed. He outlines potential issues entrepreneurs may encounter, such as dilution, valuation discrepancies, and investor expectations, offering insightful advice on how to tackle these hurdles. Through practical examples and personal stories, Joshua highlights the need for transparency and meticulous planning in venture relationships and the growth of startups. This episode is a valuable resource for both founders and investors, providing practical tips on how to understand and use cap tables to drive successful business outcomes.

    Key Takeaways:

    Understanding Cap Tables: Joshua Lee highlighted the intricacies of cap table management, noting issues like convertible notes and safe notes. He emphasized the importance of meticulous attention to detail in tracking each entry, as these have significant implications on future strategic decisions, especially concerning funding and exits.

    The First $10 Million In an Exit Can Be Tax Free: Joshua underscored the crucial need for skilled accountants and lawyers to guide founders through the complexities of startup management. These advisors ensure legal and financial robustness -like uncovering thousands of dollars in taxes or understanding that the first $10 million in an exit might be tax free under the right conditions.

    The Difference Between Joining a New Fund vs. One that is Almost Closed: Joshua detailed the challenges of navigating funding cycles and managing investor expectations. For instance, a company joining at the beginning of the fund may have different timelines and expectations than one at the end of the fund.

    Long-term Vision and Strategic Exits:Joshua shared his approach to strategic exit planning, stressing the need for alignment between a startup's operational activities and its exit strategy. He noted how a well-maintained and clear cap table is essential for facilitating smooth transitions and maximizing stakeholder benefits during exits.

    Founder Diligence: Joshua advocated for proactive founder engagement with their cap tables, emphasizing the critical nature of understanding the implications of each entry. He highlighted the risks of dilution and the necessity for founders to remain vigilant about how transactions affect their control and align with their long-term goals.

    Top Quotes:

    "We started opening up the cap table. Start seeing the convertible notes, the safe notes, the priced rounds even venture debt and the warrants that have been issued. It's all over the place."

    "What is QSBS? It sounds like BS. No, it's called Qualified Small Business Stock. Just look that up. That will pay for itself."

    "You need a great lawyer and you need a great accountant. Those two things are inevitable. But they look at me and I go, 'Oh, you've never looked at your cap table.'"

    "So when you take money, there come expectations of different sorts. One is the return, depending on how their fund's doing."

    "This is why our last company was sold in 18 months, and, very interestingly enough, it was done in a way where I thought everyone's numbers were achieved."

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  • "Cold calls are the base of our entire business. The first three months we spent in Flick's basement, cold calling, and it's still the best tool that we have. We still do it every day."

    Flick Moradian and Louis Pascal Walsh, Co-Founders of Tequio, a premium canned tequila cocktail brand, share their entrepreneurial journey, highlighting their persistent cold-calling efforts to establish connections, secure partnerships, and obtain valuable insights from industry experts on this episode of Founders In LA.

    Key Takeaways:

    The importance of persistence and not taking "no" for an answer, as demonstrated by the founders' relentless cold-calling and in-store pitching efforts.

    The value of building relationships and making personal connections, even with prominent industry figures or unlikely prospects.

    The significance of differentiation and focusing on quality ingredients, as exemplified by the decision to use premium tequila in their canned cocktails.

    The critical role of sales and marketing in the early stages of a startup, even for founders without prior experience in those areas.

    The importance of expressing gratitude and following up with contacts, as a lack of follow-up can be perceived as disrespectful.

    The value of leveraging local resources and opportunities, especially in a city like Los Angeles with its diverse network of entrepreneurs and influencers.

    The significance of perseverance and maintaining a positive attitude in the face of rejections and setbacks, as success often comes after numerous failures or unsuccessful attempts.

    Top Quotes:

    "It's actually similar to cold calling. You need the same persistence. But instead of actually, like, picking up the phone and calling these people, you just have to walk into their store." (Flick Moradian, on getting into retail stores)

    "Cold calls are the base of our entire business…and it's still the best tool that we have." (Louis Pascal Walsh, on the importance of cold calling)

    "We literally just bootlegged a couple bottles over the border, brought them back to LA, and did a bunch of, like, at home bench samples." (Louis Pascal Walsh, on early product development)

    Chapter 1: The Origins of Tequio

    This chapter covers the initial idea of Flick and Louis to create a fermented coconut water beverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, their subsequent pivot to a premium tequila-based canned cocktail, and the challenges they faced in finding a suitable tequila distillery in Mexico.

    Chapter 2: Navigating the Tequila Industry in Mexico

    This chapter delves into Flick and Louis's journey of cold-calling various tequila distilleries in Mexico, their initial struggles, and the serendipitous encounter with the Benuelos family, who became their partners and provided the high-quality tequila for their canned cocktails.

    Chapter 3: The Art of Cold Calling

    This chapter focuses on the importance of cold calling in the early stages of their business, the strategies they employed, the lessons learned from persistent follow-ups, and the value of building relationships and connections through these calls.

    Chapter 4: Breaking into Retail

    This chapter explores Flick and Louis's efforts to secure shelf space in retail stores, their persistent in-store pitching, and the challenges they faced in selling a premium-priced product in a competitive market.

    Chapter 5: Future Plans and LA Moments

    This chapter discusses Flick and Louis's plans for expanding Tequio's presence in Southern California, increasing brand awareness through marketing efforts, and shares amusing anecdotes involving celebrity encounters during their product demonstrations in Los Angeles.

    Keywords:

    Entrepreneurship

    Startups

    Beverage Industry

    Tequila

    Cold Calling

    Persistence

    Relationship Building

    Sales & Marketing

    Product Development

    Find Founders In LA on Deepcast.fm:

    https://deepca.st/founders-in-la



  • "It's these knowledge graph relationships that tie all these episodes together and enable users to discover each other's new content somewhat serendipitously or organically."

    This episode with Lucas Dickey, CEO and Co-Founder of Deepcast.fm, explores the platform's mission to revolutionize podcast discovery and engagement through AI-driven indexing and structuring of audio content.

    Lucas shares his extensive background in software product management and passion for podcasting, discussing the challenges faced by both listeners and podcasters in navigating the vast podcast landscape. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging AI tools, prioritizing execution over perfection, and adopting product-led growth strategies for startups, while also offering insights into customer acquisition and team building on this week's episode of Founders In LA.


    Top 10 Topics Covered

    Podcasting

    AI Technology

    Audio Content

    Product Management

    Entrepreneurship

    Startup Advice

    Content Discovery

    Product-Led Growth

    Team Building

    Los Angeles Tech Scene

    Lucas Dickey (Person) - https://linkedin.com/in/lucasdickey

    Deepcast (Company) - https://www.deepcast.fm

    Ethan Cole (Person) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethancolephd/

    Amazon (Company) - https://www.amazon.com

    Spotify (Company) - https://www.spotify.com

    The Echo Nest (Company) - https://wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Echo_Nest

    Fernish (Company) - https://www.fernish.com

    Techstars (Company) - https://www.techstars.com

    Okapi Ventures (Company) -https://okapivc.com

    IMDb (Product) - https://www.imdb.com

    genius.com (Company/Product) - https://genius.com

    YC (Company) - https://www.ycombinator.com

    Chamath Palihapitiya (Person) - https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamath_Palihapitiya

    Tyra Banks (Person) - https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyra_Banks

    Shay Mitchell (Person) - https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Shay_Mitchell

    Chamillionaire (Person) - https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamillionaire

    "Co-Intelligence" (Book) - https://www.amazon.com/Co-Intelligence-Living-Working-Ethan-Mollick/dp/059371671X/

    Deepcast leverages AI technology to structure and index podcast audio content, making it more discoverable and engaging for listeners through features like episode summaries, key takeaways, and searchable transcripts.

    Lucas Dickey has over 20 years of experience in software product management, spanning various industries such as digital media, ad tech, and martech, which has prepared him for his current role as CEO and co-founder of Deepcast.

    Dickey emphasizes the importance of doing more with less, particularly in the early stages of a startup, by leveraging AI tools, virtual assistants, and fractional resources to maximize efficiency and minimize costs.

    Product-led growth strategies, such as organic content distribution and word-of-mouth marketing, are crucial for startups like Deepcast to acquire both listener and podcaster customers.

    Continuous learning and adaptation are essential for entrepreneurs, as Dickey highlights the need to stay up-to-date with emerging technologies like generative AI and multimodal content creation.

    Building a strong team with a diverse set of skills and leveraging AI tools as co-pilots can help founders navigate the challenges of starting and scaling a business.

    The Los Angeles tech scene offers a unique blend of various industries, from media and entertainment to logistics and aerospace, creating opportunities for startups to thrive in different verticals.

    Prioritizing execution over perfection and adopting an iterative approach to product development can help startups validate their ideas and gather feedback quickly, which is crucial in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

  • "I've talked to founders who have been in LA for years and never felt like they had a sense of community within like a group of other founders who were doing the same things."

    In this episode, we sit down with Zack Oliver, the innovator behind Founders Table, a community initiative that connects LA founders over intimate dinner settings. Zack shares his journey from finance in New York to creating a network in LA through curated gatherings, aiming to foster relationships and exchange knowledge among local entrepreneurs.

    As Zack details the evolution of Founders Table from casual meetups to structured, meaningful interactions, listeners will gain insights into the significance of community in the entrepreneurial landscape. This episode of Founders In LA explores how personal connections can amplify professional journeys and the role of shared experiences in overcoming business challenges.

  • "We specialize in creating experiences that are immersive and spatial."

    Jack Gerrard and Jake Sally of Jadu AR take us into the development of their groundbreaking augmented reality game on this episode of Founders In LA. They describe the innovative challenges and creative solutions involved in bringing a mobile AR fighting game to life.

    Jack and Jake discuss their philosophy of creating immersive, spatial experiences that push the boundaries of traditional gaming, using augmented reality to enhance player interaction with their environment.

    They also delve into the iterative process that shapes their design decisions, from avatar scale to gameplay dynamics, revealing how they balance technical limitations with user engagement.

    Throughout our conversation, the duo highlight the potential of AR to transform not just gaming, but how we interact with the digital world. Tune in to discover the future of augmented reality through the eyes of two visionary builders.

  • "Customer feedback is gold. Whether it's good, bad, ugly- whatever the feedback is- that's gold."

    We welcome back Sumeet Rana, the CEO and Founder of Prodhub.ai, in this episode of Founders In LA. Sumeet shares progress on prodhub.ai and how it has continued its mission to serve as a co-pilot for product managers, automating routine tasks to allow for the creation of superior products more efficiently.

    Beyond merely speeding up product development processes, Prodhub has significantly broadened its scope to include strategic elements like product discovery and ideation tools, enabling product managers to explore new revenue opportunities and develop comprehensive business strategies.

    Sumeet underscores the critical role of customer feedback in shaping the trajectory of Prodhub, detailing how insights gathered from hundreds of interviews have informed the platform’s development and helped pivot towards features that resonate deeply with users’ needs.

    The discussion touches on the importance of genuine feedback over niceties, the strategic decision to offer a free plan for individuals, and the ongoing effort to demystify AI and data security concerns among their clientele.

    The conversation also highlights the latest developments at Prodhub.ai, including the introduction of an Opportunity Dashboard designed to help Product Managers identify and prioritize the most valuable opportunities based on customer feedback and market data. Sumeet reveals plans for further innovation, with a focus on enterprise maturity and infrastructure improvements powered by Azure to ensure data security and build trust with large enterprise customers.

    This episode not only showcases the impressive strides Prodhub has made under Sumeet Rana’s leadership but also offers valuable insights into the importance of customer feedback, the strategic application of AI in product management, and the challenges and opportunities of innovating in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

  • "One of the biggest problems we see, at least on the physician side, is that any other kind of disease that you have, you always get a quantitative test. So if you have heart disease or high cholesterol, you get that blood panel back with concrete numbers on it. and if it's diabetes, it might be A1C, it might be glucose, but for musculoskeletal disorders, it's always in either an x-ray or an MRI, which is considered qualitative"

    We sit down with Rebecca Zheng, the mind behind Calcu, a groundbreaking company at the forefront of medical device technology for musculoskeletal disorders in this episode of Founders In LA.

    We uncover the inspiration behind Calcu's inception, driven by Rebecca's personal battle with a herniated disc and subsequent journey into wearable technology during her time at Georgia Tech.

    Calcu’s mission is to transform the diagnosis and treatment of conditions like sciatica and knee pain through smart, sensor-based devices, providing real-time, actionable data outside the clinical setting.

    This episode peels back the layers on the challenges of healthcare entrepreneurship, the pivot from a consumer-focused model to a medical-oriented approach, and the future of wearable technology in enhancing patient care.

    Join us as Rebecca shares insights on the importance of quantitative data in musculoskeletal disorders, the potential to reduce reliance on surgery and medications, and her vision for integrating Calcu into the healthcare ecosystem.

  • "Failing is the best way to learn"

    In this episode of Founders in LA, Jason Vego, CEO and Co-Founder of Bevz, shares insights into the journey of revolutionizing retail operations for independent liquor and convenience stores through innovative SaaS solutions.
    With a focus on simplifying inventory management and enhancing e-commerce capabilities, Vego illuminates the challenges and triumphs of catering to a sector often overlooked by technology advancements. The conversation navigates the intricacies of understanding customer needs, adapting to industry shifts, and leveraging personal experiences to drive a business forward.
    Beyond the narrative of Bevz's evolution, Vego's personal anecdotes about entrepreneurship, resilience, and the spirit of collaboration offer valuable lessons on navigating the tech startup landscape.
    This episode not only highlights Bevz's mission to empower small businesses but also reflects on the broader implications of technology in transforming traditional business models.

  • "So now these humans, these agencies, are stuck with going with these other platforms that are available out there that are catering clearly saying we hate the middleman like you. And I'm like, what's going on here?"

    In this episode, we're joined by Julio Chaves, the visionary founder and CEO of XrossWorld, a pioneering platform revolutionizing influencer marketing in this episode of Founders in LA.

    Julio takes us into the fascinating journey of XrossWorld, sharing how they leverage artificial intelligence to empower advertising agencies and streamline influencer campaigns.

    With a refreshing perspective on the role of middlemen in the digital era, Julio argues for the value of human connection in marketing, challenging conventional industry wisdom. He sheds light on the challenges facing influencers and creators, including the lack of standardized monetization and the complexities of brand collaborations.

    Julio's story is a testament to the power of curiosity, resilience, and a deep passion for creating meaningful connections in a digital world. This episode of Founders In LA offers invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, content creators, and anyone interested in the evolving landscape of digital marketing and influencer relations.

  • "In Uruguay, we are used to going against the odds."

    In this episode, we welcome Hilario Canessa, the visionary Founder of Studio4D to Los Angeles. Canessa brings us with him into the world of digital twins for urban planning, a concept that merges cutting-edge video game technology with the complexities of city development.

    He shares how his company uses immersive environments to simulate future urban landscapes, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions. By providing unmatched accessibility to the designs, in an intuitive, hyper-realistic video-game-like experience, Studio 4D allows a broad range of personas (inspectors and contractors to city planners and real estate developers) to easily understand complex aspects of urban planning like the resultant shadows throughout the day or even the type of vegetation that will be incorporated into the project.

    Canessa's unique journey from an architecture student in Uruguay to pioneering the use of video game technology for urban planning reveals the innovative intersections between gaming, architecture, and urban development. His insights into the challenges and opportunities of virtual reality and the potential future of digital urban planning make this episode of Founders In LA a must-listen for tech enthusiasts and urban planners alike.

  • "We think it is unethical and broken for tech companies to steal people's copyrighted artwork and train models and derive value from it without permission and without compensation."

    In this episode of Founders in LA, Matthew Adell, Co-Founder and COO of SOMMS.AI, we dive into the intersection of generative AI and the music industry, focusing on ethical practices and artist compensation.

    Matthew criticizes big tech for exploiting artists' copyrighted work without permission or fair compensation, highlighting the detrimental impact on the music ecosystem. He advocates for a new approach where artists retain control over their work and are adequately compensated.SOMMS.AI offers solutions that emphasize attribution and rights management, allowing artists and rights holders to navigate the digital landscape more effectively.

    His insights offer a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the music industry, advocating for a future where technology supports rather than undermines creative professionals.

  • "Humans are really good at workarounds. We have finite brain capacity and the flood of information that's coming in, especially with Gen AI, can't be processed by humans."

    In this episode, Jon Lemelman Founder and CEO of Classify, showcases its role as a beacon in the realm of personal productivity tools. Classify is not just another app—it's a groundbreaking platform designed to address the modern dilemma of information overload through its innovative use of AI-based workflows.

    The workflows are meticulously crafted to automate routine tasks, including the dynamic preparation for meetings, thus ensuring users are always a step ahead.Jon elaborates on the thoughtful integration of features aimed at users with ADHD, making productivity accessible to a broader audience. He shares the startup's journey, emphasizing the importance of a user-centric approach in design and functionality, and Classify's commitment to transforming our digital interactions into a more manageable, efficient, and less overwhelming experience.

    This episode of Founders In LA reveals the exciting trajectory of Classify, from its inception to its mission to redefine personal organization through technology, making it a must-listen for anyone intrigued by the future of work and digital well-being.

  • "We solve the problem of knowledge walking out the door when someone retires or changes jobs, and we elevate everyone to the level of a star performer"


    In this Founders in LA podcast episode, Joe Rogers, CEO of Workdone.ai, shares his entrepreneurial journey from consulting to creating an innovative AI platform that captures and automates corporate knowledge.

    Joe discusses how Workdone.ai prevents knowledge loss due to employee turnover, ensuring all team members perform at their highest capability. He emphasizes the significance of adaptability in entrepreneurship, the impact of accelerator programs, and strategies for acquiring initial customers.

    His insights offer valuable lessons on leveraging AI for business efficiency and navigating the challenges of building a startup.

  • "How do you make [athletes] reach their best performance without injuring them? That's it. That's the equation we're trying to solve."

    In this episode of Founders in LA, Luca Buratto and Ahmed Issaoui introduce Lubu. This innovative startup is redefining the landscape of sports and healthcare with its smart orthotics designed to elevate athletic performance while minimizing the risk of injury.

    Embedded with advanced sensors, Lubu's orthotics meticulously analyze foot dynamics and body forces in real-time, offering unprecedented insights into movement patterns and biomechanical data previously available only in high-end research labs.

    Luca and Ahmed, both athletes turned entrepreneurs, share their transformative journey from experiencing firsthand the challenges of sports injuries to pioneering a solution that bridges the gap between technology and wellness.A groundbreaking venture transforming athletic performance and injury prevention with smart orthotics. These devices, embedded with sensors, analyze foot movement and body force, providing insights for risk assessment and decision-making.

    The duo's journey from athletes to innovators is showcased, highlighting Lubu's mission to make elite lab analysis accessible to all. They discuss their vision for Lubu's impact on sports, healthcare, and beyond, emphasizing the potential for early detection of neurological conditions.


    They discuss Lubu's broader mission to democratize access to elite sports science, enhancing not just athlete performance but also offering potential early detection of various neurological conditions through gait analysis.

    This episode not only highlights Lubu's technological breakthroughs but also illuminates the founders' dedication to improving health outcomes and the quality of life through innovation. Join us to explore how Lubu is setting new standards in preventive healthcare and performance optimization.

  • Mike Chen of Cohere Commerce offers a deep dive into the intersection of retail and technology. As a former chef turned data scientist, Chen brings a unique perspective to the retail industry, emphasizing the importance of data in making informed buying and selling decisions.

    He details the journey of creating a platform that not only facilitates smarter sourcing for retail buyers but also helps vendors showcase their market fit with solid data. Chen also opens up about the hurdles in traditional retail sourcing methods and how Cohere Commerce aims to streamline the process, bringing transparency and efficiency to the forefront.

    This episode of Founders In LA paints a picture of a transformed industry where data-driven decisions lead to more robust business strategies and trusted brand relationships. Chen's story from the kitchen to coding captures the essence of innovative problem-solving in the entrepreneurial world.

  • "We didn't really understand how big the problem was until we really went live with the Fairmont hotel. And then after Techstars, we finished Los Angeles CleanTech Incubator, and they kept pushing us to go bigger and bigger. And it's, can we solve organics at a massive scale for massive businesses? Sowe can do it for businesses and now we can do it from municipalities."

    In this episode of Founders in LA, Lee Robinson, CEO and founder of Dyrt returns to our podcast studio to provide an update on how he and his company have grown in the last 6 months.

    Lee elaborates on how his company has transitioned from a small-scale waste collection to a larger operation focused on organic waste. He highlights Dyrt's groundbreaking methods for reducing waste in the food industry by implementing composting solutions that turn organic refuse into reusable compost.

    Hear his challenges and triumphs encountered while scaling up, such as gaining acceptance within established businesses and strategizing the logistics of waste collection.

    Finally, Lee outlines Dyrt's vision for creating a closed-loop system that contributes to environmental sustainability, particularly through innovative composting techniques that could revolutionize the management of organic waste in urban settings.

  • "Education is about inspiration, not memorization. Memorization is part of it but really to inspire students, professors need these insights and they need high-quality, engaging content"

    In this episode of Founders in LA, Steven Walters, Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer at Breakout Learning, discusses the innovative approach of his AI-enabled educational publisher.

    Breakout Learning focuses on engaging content and AI-powered small group discussions, aiming to revolutionize critical thinking and discussion in education.

    Walters shares insights on how the company scales the Harkness method, using AI for moderation and assessment, and enhances the learning process by replacing traditional homework with dynamic, story-driven content.

    He also reflects on his journey from a creative entrepreneur to an ed-tech innovator, and the unique challenges of merging storytelling, technology, and education.

  • "I always offer [prospective clients] to be their intern [for a day]. So if you want me to do work for you, I'm happy to do it. But what we are actually doing is just taking notes."

    In this episode of Founders in LA, Dan Botero, CEO and Founder of inlike, shares his journey in revitalizing real estate development through technology. inlike is a groundbreaking project management platform tailored for small to medium real estate developers, blending AI and software engineering to enhance efficiency.

    Dan discusses the platform's inception, its focus on a digitally adept new generation of developers, and its unique approach to integrating various project management aspects.

    He emphasizes understanding customer needs, product-led growth, and future ambitions to become a comprehensive back-office solution for real estate developers, reflecting on the challenges and successes of innovating in a traditional industry.

  • "Every [banking] app is different, but they're all different in a similar way. So for us, it's actually to have that meta understanding of what an app is, and what needs to be modified and how, and that's what I think we've cracked in a pretty good way."

    In this episode of the Founders in LA podcast, Jorge Garcia, CEO and Co-Founder of Linker Finance, shares his remarkable journey from Honduras to the US and his mission to revolutionize community banking.

    Jorge discusses the importance of community banks in the American economy and how Linker's digital banking platform is empowering them to compete with larger institutions. He highlights their white-label solutions, low-code approach, and open ecosystem, enabling banks to provide efficient, modern services.

    Join us for an insightful conversation about the future of banking and supporting small businesses with Jorge Garcia.