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Greg continues his conversation with Ash Kaluarachchi, CEO of StartEd, diving deeper into the world of education technology. Ash offers valuable insights for both investors and entrepreneurs, emphasizing the long-term potential of EdTech and the importance of patient capital. They discuss the aftermath of the pandemic, which created both an influx of EdTech startups and a subsequent market correction, leaving behind companies "forged in steel" and poised for success. Ash shares his perspective on how technology can help underserved communities access education tailored to their needs, rather than replicating elite educational experiences. This episode provides an exploration of EdTech’s future, investment opportunities, and the role technology plays in creating a more equitable education system.
StartEd’s EDTECH WEEK is the #1 EdTech event in NYC. This year's anniversary edition promises to be their best yet, featuring over 200+ speakers, exclusive networking opportunities, and open discussion sessions on the most talked-about topics impacting EdTech. Mark your calendars 📅 #EDTECHWEEK is back in New York City this October 8-10, 2024 🏙️🍎 Don’t miss this year’s 10th annual event. Tickets are selling fast–register here https://bit.ly/edtechweek-register and use promo code SCIENCE2024 for 20% off your general registration ticket. -
Greg welcomes Ash Kaluarachchi, CEO of StartEd and producer of EDTECH WEEK. Ash shares how his upbringing in a school run by his mother inspired his passion for education technology. They discuss the evolution of the EdTech landscape and how StartEd's innovative accelerator model provides personalized support to startups, moving away from traditional batch processes. The conversation explores the impact of AI on education and the pressing challenges facing the industry today, including the need to adapt to the rapidly changing future of work. Ash offers valuable advice to founders on recognizing product-market fit and assembling the right team. This episode provides thought-provoking insights into the intersection of profitability and social impact within the EdTech ecosystem.
StartEd’s EDTECH WEEK is the #1 EdTech event in NYC. This year's anniversary edition promises to be their best yet, featuring over 200+ speakers, exclusive networking opportunities, and open discussion sessions on the most talked-about topics impacting EdTech. Mark your calendars 📅 #EDTECHWEEK is back in New York City this October 8-10, 2024 🏙️🍎 Don’t miss this year’s 10th annual event. Tickets are selling fast–register here https://bit.ly/edtechweek-register and use promo code SCIENCE2024 for 20% off your general registration ticket. -
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In the second part of their conversation, Greg and Chris delve into insightful discussions around investing in the post-COVID era, the AI hype cycle, and how to evaluate opportunities in today's market. Chris provides a candid perspective on the valuation excesses of 2021 and why prudent valuations are critical for preserving investor capital. He shares his cautious views on the AI gold rush, emphasizing that Solyco is taking a measured approach by applying AI for operational efficiency within portfolio companies rather than betting on unproven AI platforms. The conversation transitions to how Chris's investor base of family offices, institutions, celebrities and more value the transparency and tangibility of Solyco's deal-by-deal syndicate model. Chris explains how being able to "touch and feel" the specific companies resonates better than opaque, traditional funds. As the episode closes, he expresses excitement about recent portfolio additions like an AI scouting company, as well as opportunities Solyco is evaluating in areas like alternative investment platforms and logistics. Overall, Chris provides a refreshingly balanced founder/investor perspective shaped by his embrace of the entrepreneurial struggle.
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In this episode, Greg chats with Chris Van Dusen, a Senior Partner at Solyco Capital - a vertically integrated investment firm taking a unique private equity approach to venture capital. Chris shares his incredible entrepreneurial background, including founding and exiting several companies like a major CBD brand as well as starting a liquor distillery. Chris provides a fascinating inside look at Solyco's differentiated model where the firm's partners are former operators themselves who get deeply involved in helping portfolio companies execute and scale, almost like "fractional C-suite" services aligned with founder incentives. He discusses the range of industries they invest in, the firm's criteria for evaluating opportunities, how they structure deals, and why their interests are so tightly aligned with the founders they back. The conversation dives into hard-earned lessons from Chris's own startup experiences going through acquisition processes, navigating founder disagreements, focusing on the right verticals, and not over-promising during diligence. Chris emphasizes the importance of proving there is a real market "wind" blowing before trying to build the "boat." Overall, this is a must-listen for investors and founders alike interested in an innovative, operator-centric venture capital model.
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In the second half of the episode, the conversation dives deeper into the practical applications of AI that entrepreneurs can leverage. David explains time series models for forecasting how situations evolve over time and how founders can use causal discovery techniques to identify the true drivers of outcomes rather than just correlations. They discuss the potential for AI to aid investors in evaluating startup trajectories and finding whitespace opportunities. David stresses the importance of having high-quality data to feed AI models. He advises entrepreneurs to look for repetitive tasks where desired outcomes are clear as areas ripe for applying AI capabilities. The talk also covers AI's limitations around subjective aspects requiring human context and judgment. David recommends having AI handle the routine, mundane elements while reserving higher-level decision-making for humans to get the best combination. Overall, David provides insightful guidance on practical ways founders can utilize AI technologies like time series modeling, causal analysis, and task augmentation while being intentional about which aspects to keep under human control. His advice can help entrepreneurs navigate the hype to determine the right AI applications for their businesses.
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In this fascinating episode, Greg talks with David Danks, Professor of Data Science and Philosophy at UC San Diego. David's research explores the intersection of philosophy, cognitive science, and machine learning to tackle complex interdisciplinary problems around AI. They dive into the philosophical considerations around the rapid advancement of AI technology and its growing impact across industries. David shares his perspectives on the ethical implications of AI systems and the importance of aligning them with human values during the design process. The conversation covers how AI could reshape society by boosting productivity and enabling shorter working hours, but only if we make concerted efforts to steer it in that positive direction. David cautions about the risks of worker dislocation happening much faster with the low-cost scaling of AI compared to previous technological disruptions. They also discuss the challenges of regulating AI given the patchwork of different approaches across nations, the dangers of AI hallucinations and misinformation, and the need for open discussions around which human skills we're willing to "de-skill" as AI handles more tasks. Don't miss this insightful look at the philosophical considerations entrepreneurs must weigh when harnessing the power of artificial intelligence.
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In the second half of this episode, Greg continues his illuminating open-source conversation with Heather Meeker, General Partner at OSS Capital. With her deep expertise on both the legal and business strategy sides, Heather shares invaluable insights for investors evaluating commercial open-source startups. Heather outlines key factors investors should consider when assessing these unique companies. She also dives deeper into one vertical she sees as a major open-source opportunity right now. Tune in to hear Heather's guidance for open source investors on what metrics matter most as well as where she sees fertile ground for new commercial open source ventures taking root and scaling over the next 5 years. You'll walk away better equipped to spot the next big players in open-source business software.
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Heather Meeker, a leading expert on open-source software licensing and business strategy, joins Greg on the podcast. Heather is a General Partner at OSS Capital, an early-stage VC fund investing exclusively in commercial open-source startups. In this episode, Greg and Heather discuss her latest book, "From Project to Profit: How to Build a Business Around Your Open Source Project." They explore Heather's insights on the opportunities and challenges faced by open-source founders seeking to create sustainable businesses. Heather shares her valuable perspective, gained from nearly 30 years of experience advising companies on open source strategy and licensing. Whether you're thinking about launching an open-source startup or looking to scale an existing one, this conversation aims to shed light on turning passion projects into thriving companies.
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In part two of their talk, Owen provides background on the Canadian Fulbright Entrepreneur Initiative, which enables Canadian entrepreneurs to study approaches to innovation and entrepreneurship in leading ecosystems. Owen also touches on his aim to serve as a "humble thought leader" seeking to make meaningful contributions rather than pursue status or fame. He discusses the responsibility he feels to give back by helping develop future generations of entrepreneurs and technology talent capable of driving continued innovation.
About Owen Matthews: Owen helps lead the vision and direction of the Alacrity Foundation and is a major contributor to the local technology community in Victoria. He donates his time and resources to multiple groups within and outside of the Alacrity portfolio.Owen is also a General Partner at Wesley Clover International, responsible for managing their technology portfolio. Wesley Clover is a private investment firm with active portfolios in technology, hospitality and commercial real estate.Prior to his move to Wesley Clover in 2007, Owen was the founder and CEO of NewHeights Software. NewHeights was a pioneer in enterprise unified communication products and was acquired by CounterPath Corporation. Owen is an active member on the Board of Directors for Counterpath Corporation, EchoSec Systems, Encepta Corp., Pretio Interactive, Referral SaaSquatch, and Tutela Technologies.On the community engagement side Owen is a Governor on the Board of Power to Be, a non-profit organization that empowers people to explore their limitless abilities through inclusive adventures rooted in nature. He has been active on the board of advisors for the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria, Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island and St. Margaret’s School.He is also on the board of directors for the Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council, Victoria’s one-stop hub connecting people, knowledge, and resources to grow and promote the local technology sector. -
This week on The Startup Science Podcast, Greg is joined by pioneering technology entrepreneur and investor Owen Matthews. As Chairman of Alacrity Canada, Owen has made major contributions to Western Canada's tech ecosystem through his ventures and his work with Alacrity. As Chairman, Owen has helped bring over $225 million into Western Canada's tech ecosystem and employed 300+ people. He is a true community builder, supporting technology education initiatives, serving on numerous boards, and giving back through philanthropic organizations. On the show, Greg and Owen discuss his varied career, lessons learned along the way, advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, the future of the Canadian tech scene, and more. Tune in to hear insights from this pioneer, who has dedicated his career to building technology companies and giving back.
About Owen Matthews: Owen helps lead the vision and direction of the Alacrity Foundation and is a major contributor to the local technology community in Victoria. He donates his time and resources to multiple groups within and outside of the Alacrity portfolio.Owen is also a General Partner at Wesley Clover International, responsible for managing their technology portfolio. Wesley Clover is a private investment firm with active portfolios in technology, hospitality and commercial real estate.Prior to his move to Wesley Clover in 2007, Owen was the founder and CEO of NewHeights Software. NewHeights was a pioneer in enterprise unified communication products and was acquired by CounterPath Corporation.
Owen is an active member on the Board of Directors for Counterpath Corporation, EchoSec Systems, Encepta Corp., Pretio Interactive, Referral SaaSquatch, and Tutela Technologies.On the community engagement side Owen is a Governor on the Board of Power to Be, a non-profit organization that empowers people to explore their limitless abilities through inclusive adventures rooted in nature. He has been active on the board of advisors for the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria, Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island and St. Margaret’s School.He is also on the board of directors for the Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council, Victoria’s one-stop hub connecting people, knowledge, and resources to grow and promote the local technology sector. -
In Part 2 of Victorio Pellicano's conversation on the Startup Science podcast, Greg and Vic go deeper into the mindset and motivation of this tech pioneer. They discuss how Vic stays focused when facing life's turbulence and keeps moving forward with resilience. He shares how he fights adversity and uncertainty as an entrepreneur while maintaining balance as a father and husband. Vic reveals how he handles the constant juggle of managing a startup while being present for his family. He opens up about his techniques for minimizing stress, practicing mindfulness, and achieving work-life harmony. Through stories and insights, Vic paints a picture of how he navigates the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. He offers advice for founders on how to cultivate equanimity and keep sight of their vision during difficult times. Join Greg and Vic for an inside look at the mindset and motivation fueling this inspiring tech leader. Discover how he confronts challenges with courage and purpose on the journey to make a positive impact through innovation.
About Victorio Pellicano: Victorio is a testament to human resilience and the transformative power of a visionary mind. Having journeyed from humble beginnings as the son of a truck driver, and overcoming life-altering setbacks, he carved out his niche in the tech world, breaking barriers and inspiring change.The first in his family to complete high school and venture into college, Victorio's journey has been anything but smooth. After the untimely loss of his parents and subsequent financial hardships that led to homelessness and an unfinished law degree, he rose from adversity like a phoenix from the ashes.Victorio's entrepreneurial journey began with Verenia, a software company that personified his people-first ethos. After a decade of growth and nurturing a culture of compassion, Verenia was acquired by Oracle in 2022. The company's success story echoes Victorio's unwavering belief in the strength of community and the human spirit.However, Victorio's story doesn't stop at Verenia. He has now turned his gaze towards the future of AI and Robotics. He is at the helm of Avianna, a trailblazing venture that aims to merge these technologies and transform our world. In his private life, Victorio is a doting father of four, soon to be five, and a loving husband. He follows the principles of Tao spiritualism, finding balance in the face of life's unpredictability.Victorio Pellicano is not just a tech entrepreneur; he's a visionary guiding us towards a future where AI and Robotics are the cornerstone of innovation. His journey serves as an enduring reminder that no matter the odds, the human spirit, driven by passion and purpose, can achieve great heights. -
In this episode, Greg sits down with Victorio Pellicano, a modern phoenix who overcame homelessness and loss to become a leading tech entrepreneur. After growing his compassion-driven software company Verenia and selling it to Oracle, Pellicano now leads Avianna, merging AI and robotics to transform the world. Beyond his triumphs, Pellicano finds balance as a devoted family man and through Tao spiritualism. His winding journey reveals the power of human resilience and using technology to create a better future. Pellicano shows that with passion and conviction, an entrepreneurial spirit can overcome any odds to achieve greatness. Greg and Vic will dive into this incredible story of adversity and triumph on this episode of the Startup Science Podcast. Join them for an inspiring profile of a true tech visionary.
About Victorio Pellicano: Victorio is a testament to human resilience and the transformative power of a visionary mind. Having journeyed from humble beginnings as the son of a truck driver, and overcoming life-altering setbacks, he carved out his niche in the tech world, breaking barriers and inspiring change.The first in his family to complete high school and venture into college, Victorio's journey has been anything but smooth. After the untimely loss of his parents and subsequent financial hardships that led to homelessness and an unfinished law degree, he rose from adversity like a phoenix from the ashes.Victorio's entrepreneurial journey began with Verenia, a software company that personified his people-first ethos. After a decade of growth and nurturing a culture of compassion, Verenia was acquired by Oracle in 2022. The company's success story echoes Victorio's unwavering belief in the strength of community and the human spirit.However, Victorio's story doesn't stop at Verenia. He has now turned his gaze towards the future of AI and Robotics. He is at the helm of Avianna, a trailblazing venture that aims to merge these technologies and transform our world. In his private life, Victorio is a doting father of four, soon to be five, and a loving husband. He follows the principles of Tao spiritualism, finding balance in the face of life's unpredictability.Victorio Pellicano is not just a tech entrepreneur; he's a visionary guiding us towards a future where AI and Robotics are the cornerstone of innovation. His journey serves as an enduring reminder that no matter the odds, the human spirit, driven by passion and purpose, can achieve great heights. -
In part two of his talk with Greg, Geoffrey Moore reveals the two critical mistakes that often trip up startup founders. He outlines how to avoid innovation adoption pitfalls and successfully cross the chasm from early adopters to mainstream customers. The conversation centers on Moore's pioneering frameworks for crafting compelling narratives during industry disruption. He also shares tips for adapting your narrative as new competitors emerge, while still appealing to increasingly diverse customers. Moore downloads decades of wisdom on leveraging storytelling to accelerate through the tornado phase when niche markets go mainstream. Gain a masterclass from Geoffrey Moore on building stories that inspire early adopters yet resonate with the mainstream market. Get proven techniques to craft and evolve your startup’s narrative at each phase of growth.
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Buckle up for an electrifying conversation with Geoffrey Moore, the guru behind seminal works like Crossing the Chasm and Inside the Tornado. Drawing on decades advising leading companies, Moore downloads his wealth of wisdom about navigating disruptive innovations and bridging the chasm between early adopters and the mainstream market. You'll get a masterclass in Moore's pioneering frameworks for technology adoption lifecycles, spotting tectonic market shifts, and leveraging disruptions. Whether you lead a startup or a giant enterprise, this episode will rewire your perspective. You'll gain invaluable principles and mental models applicable to business today and the deeper meaning we seek. Join Greg for an exhilarating tour through the remarkable mind of Geoffrey Moore.
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The brand storytelling continues as Park explains how Joseph Campbell's Heroes Journey theory can transform B2B company narratives. Going beyond product features and benefits, you'll learn how to craft a compelling origin story that emotionally resonates with your audience. Park also dives into the necessary ingredients for an engaging brand narrative, from defining your core values and purpose to introducing an adversarial force that helps your customers defeat their challenges. You'll come away with actionable tips for architecting a strategic brand story that feels like a heroic myth. Also, Park tackles how to bounce back from mistakes through ABT (And, But, Therefore) communication. When you falter, emotion often leads us to fixate on what went wrong. However, Park advocates acknowledging mistakes briefly before pivoting to positive solutions. You'll gain communication strategies to recover from missteps, rebuild trust and morale, and move forward powerfully.
About Park Howell: Park is known as The World’s Most Industrious Storyteller having grown purpose-driven brands by as much as 600 percent. He is a 35+ year veteran of the advertising industry and now consults, teaches, coaches, and speak internationally to help business, sales, and marketing leaders excel through the stories they tell.He is the host of the popular weekly Business of Story podcast, which is ranked among the top 10% of downloaded podcasts in the world. Park published Brand Bewitchery in 2020 to help you use his proven Story Cycle System to craft spellbinding stories for your brand. In 2021, he co-authored The Narrative Gym for Business, a short 75-page guide on how to use the foundational narrative framework of the ABT (And, But, Therefore) to make you a more confident, compelling and persuasive communicator. -
What story does your brand tell? This week on Startup Science Podcast, Greg talks with Park Howell, the world's most industrious storyteller. Park has spent over 35 years growing purpose-driven brands by up to 600% through strategic storytelling. As host of Business of Story and author of Brand Bewitchery and The Narrative Gym for Business, he's helped thousands clarify their brand narrative to connect authentically. His illustrious client list includes Dell, The Home Depot, Hilton, and Walgreens. Recognized as Advertising Person of the Year, Park consults, teaches, and speaks globally about the immense power of stories to build brands and amplify their impact. Tune in to hear Park's tried-and-true tactics for crafting compelling narratives that engage your audience and elevate your mission. You'll come away inspired to tell your own transformative brand story.
About Park Howell: Park is known as The World’s Most Industrious Storyteller having grown purpose-driven brands by as much as 600 percent. He is a 35+ year veteran of the advertising industry and now consults, teaches, coaches, and speak internationally to help business, sales, and marketing leaders excel through the stories they tell.He is the host of the popular weekly Business of Story podcast, which is ranked among the top 10% of downloaded podcasts in the world. Park published Brand Bewitchery in 2020 to help you use his proven Story Cycle System to craft spellbinding stories for your brand. In 2021, he co-authored The Narrative Gym for Business, a short 75-page guide on how to use the foundational narrative framework of the ABT (And, But, Therefore) to make you a more confident, compelling and persuasive communicator. -
In the second part of Greg’s conversation with Alice Bentinck, the co-founder of Entrepreneur First, they dive deeper into the topic of diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Alice shares her vision and mission behind Code First: Girls, a not-for-profit organization that has taught 30,000 women to code for free while they were at university. She explains why diversity is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage for startups and investors. She also reveals the simple fact that every founder needs to understand to succeed in the competitive and fast-changing world of technology. If you missed the first part of our interview, where Alice talks about how to be a founder and her new book “How to Be a Founder”, make sure to check it out. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Startup Science Podcast for more inspiring and informative episodes with the best minds in tech.
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What does it take to be a founder of a successful tech startup? How do you find the right co-founder, idea, and market? How do you overcome the challenges and uncertainties of building something from scratch? In this episode of the Startup Science Podcast, Greg talks to Alice Bentinck, a co-founder and General Partner at Entrepreneur First, an international talent investor that supports individuals in building tech companies. Alice shares her insights and advice on how to be a founder, based on her experience of creating and investing in hundreds of startups across the world. Whether you are an aspiring founder, a curious student, or a seasoned entrepreneur, you will learn a lot from Alice’s wisdom and stories. Tune in and discover how you can unleash your potential and create an impact with technology.
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Greg wraps up his conversation with Argyris Stasinakis, the inspiring Executive Partner and Board Member at MarineTraffic. In this episode, Greg and Argyris dive into the intersection of science and business and explore the challenges of executing ideas in the early stages of a startup. Argyris shares his insights on how MarineTraffic was able to retain top talent and prevent the team from spreading too thin, all while maintaining a strong vision and focus on innovation. Join them as they uncover the secrets to building and scaling successful startups, from recruiting and retaining top talent to navigating the challenges of growth and expansion. Argyris provides valuable advice on how startups can leverage their unique strengths and resources to achieve their goals and create a lasting impact in their industry. Whether you're an entrepreneur, scientist, or simply interested in the world of business, this episode is a must-listen.
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On this episode of the Startup Science Podcast, Greg has the privilege of speaking with the one and only Argyris Stasinakis, a true visionary and pioneer in the world of maritime technology. Join them as they explore Argyris's journey, from his early days as an entrepreneur to his current role as Executive Partner and Board Member at MarineTraffic. Discover how he turned MarineTraffic into a global leader in ship tracking and data intelligence, revolutionizing the way we understand and navigate the world's oceans. Argyris shares his insights on the importance of innovation, collaboration, and resilience in building successful businesses. He also discusses the exciting acquisition of MarineTraffic by Kpler, and the potential for data intelligence to transform the maritime industry's future. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply interested in the world of business, this episode is a must-listen. So grab your earbuds and join us as we embark on an inspiring journey with one of the brightest minds in the world of business.
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