Shows
C4G SuccessZapp in Alts Ep. 88 In this episode of the C4G Success Podcast, host John Kailunas II interviews Brad Zapp, co-founder and president of Connetic Ventures. Brad shares his unique journey from wealth management to venture capital, discussing the evolution of investment strategies and the challenges faced in angel investing. He highlights the importance of alternative investments and the role of financial advisors in navigating this landscape. The conversation delves into the innovative use of AI in investment decisions and the lessons learned from both venture capital and client interactions. Brad emphasizes the emotional aspects of investing and the need for...
2026-01-0747 min
Bullish & BeyondBullish & Beyond 40 with Brad Zapp: Diversification - Venture Capital, Crypto & StocksIn this episode of Bullish and Beyond, Brad Zapp, founder of Connetic Ventures, shares his innovative venture capital playbook—fueled by AI and tailored for today's markets. He breaks down how AI streamlines investment decisions, navigates recent regulatory shifts in markets, and democratizes access for non-accredited investors. Expect sharp insights on valuation methods that work across public and private sectors, plus stock market strategies to build resilient portfolios through smart diversification.The conversation dives deeper into crypto investing tips from real-world blockchain lessons, the rise of robo-advisors reshaping financial advice, and the future of AI market valuations. Brad, Br...
2025-10-181h 10
2025-10-1318 min
The Alternatives Mason: Building Alts Knowledge Brick by BrickThe Alternatives Mason: Building Alts Knowledge Brick by Brick | Episode 28 | THe VC Firm That Thinks Different and Hires Bots with Brad ZappWhat happens when a banker’s son builds a venture firm in a place most investors overlook? Brad Zapp, Cp-Founder, President and Head of Strategy & Marketing at Connetic Ventures, shares how rejection fueled his pivot into early-stage investing, eventually leading to Wendal, an AI-powered associate that reviews founders 24/7. With this remarkably innovative tool, Brad is reimagining who gets funded and who gets to invest. This episode unpacks how AI, behavioral science, and fund structure innovation are opening venture capital to a much broader audience.Key takeaways: AI can scale deal sourcing and diligence, even from outside tr...
2025-09-1656 min
What's the Alternative? Meet the ManagerWhat's the Alternative? | Episode 22 | From Advisor to VC: How AI and Access Are Reshaping Venture Capital with Brad ZappIn this episode, Brad Zapp, co-founder of Connetic Ventures, shares how he left wealth management to pioneer AI-powered founder analysis and launch one of the first advisor-accessible venture capital interval funds. We dive into his journey building Wendell, an AI “psychologist” that quantifies founder traits, and why making private markets more accessible isn’t just innovation—it’s a necessity. For any advisor looking to bridge the public-private gap without sacrificing ease or scale, this episode delivers a bold new blueprint.Key takeaways: AI can quantify founder psychology and improve early-stage investment decisions. Interval fund structures remove bar...
2025-05-2050 min
Traversing EntrepreneurshipTraversing the Private Equity Landscape: Opportunities and Challenges with Brad ZappEver wonder what it takes to build a successful business from scratch? Join us as we sit down with serial entrepreneur Brad Zapp to get the inside scoop on his journey from wealth management to founding a cutting-edge digital VC firm. You won't want to miss this eye-opening conversation! Brad Zapp is a CFP, was a former founder of an independent Wealth Advisory Firm, sold that, and founded a Digital Venture Capital firm that uses AI to vet opportunities. he is now bringing his private Strategy to the public by registering with the SEC and will be...
2024-10-1057 min
No One Fights AloneAnnette Zapp | Fire Rescue WellnessShe gets it. As a nearly 20-year fire service veteran, She knows you’ve built a career out of serving others. She understands how good it feels to take care of everyone else. You keep your community and your neighborhoods safe. And that’s a fantastic feeling. But she also knows that sometimes this dedication to serving others can get in the way of taking care of yourself. The sleepless nights, mental load, and physical demands all add up. It can feel lonely, isolating, and exhausting. She knows because she is you too. Annette provides wellness systems, structure, and educ...
2023-09-3058 min
Mind Your Business, NKY!Shaking up venture capital by valuing digital first with Brad Zapp, Connetic VenturesThis week on Mind Your Business, NKY!, LINK nky CEO Lacy Starling and Business Reporter Kenton Hornbeck discuss the Sims Furniture building in Covington and new plans for its development as a small business incubator office space. Learn more about what businesses are moving in, the history of the building dating back to 1929, and plans for the space moving forward.Then, Lacy sits down with Brad Zapp, Co-Founder and CFO of Connetic Ventures to chat about the early stages of entrepreneurships, being an at-risk investment company and...
2023-05-1637 min
Middle Tech187. Connetic Ventures: Brad Zapp on Leveraging Machine Learning to Take Bias Out of InvestingBrad Zapp is a co-founder and managing partner of Connetic Ventures, a Covington, Kentucky based VC firm that has built a machine learning model that allows them to make data-driven investment decisions. Through using this machine learning model, Connetic has been able to reduce the amount of bias present in their investment decisions and allocate a significant portion of their fund to underrepresented founders. Our conversation with Brad covers how they’ve found success by using a data-driven investment approach, his perception of this region’s startup ecosystem, and the role that the University of Kentucky has played in Brad...
2022-03-2144 min
Side Hustle CityS2 - Ep52 - Are you a natural leader or startup founder? The answer could be in this test Brad and Vance join us to discuss.Send us a textThis week we welcome friends of the podcast, Brad Zapp and Vance VanDrake. Both have been involved in the startup scene for years and are considered OG's in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.Vance VanDrake is a legendary Patent Attorney at Ulmer & Berne LLP and Author of The Patent Game. We tell people he literally wrote the book on patents, which he technically did. Vance is also our go-to guy when it comes to anything Myers–Briggs related. Not sure what that is? Well, listen to this episode because Vance breaks it do...
2021-12-241h 13
The AggregateS1E10 - Derek Manuge, CEO of Corl and CTO of Railz - StrategistDerek is Co-Founder / CEO of Corl and Co-Founder / CTO of Railz.On this episode, Chris Hjelm and Derek Manuge discuss: - His background before launching- How he ended up launching his second venture-backed startup while running his first- How he manages to run two companies- The future of DeFi and Crypto- What company he'd launch if he had any more time- What's nextDerek is a Strategist in our TeamPrint Assessment. Her individual traits are:- Leadership: Champion- Social: Q...
2021-11-0947 min
The AggregateS1E10 - Derek Manuge, CEO of Corl and CTO of Railz - StrategistDerek is Co-Founder / CEO of Corl and Co-Founder / CTO of Railz.On this episode, Chris Hjelm and Derek Manuge discuss: - His background before launching- How he ended up launching his second venture-backed startup while running his first- How he manages to run two companies- The future of DeFi and Crypto- What company he'd launch if he had any more time- What's nextDerek is a Strategist in our TeamPrint Assessment. Her individual traits are:- Leadership: Champion- Social: Q...
2021-11-0947 min
The AggregateS1E9 - Jennifer Williams, Co-Founder and Chief Cloning Officer of Cuddle Clones - StrategistJennifer Williams is Co-Founder and CEO of Cuddle Clones. On this episode, Brad Zapp and Jennifer Williams discuss: - Her life before startups and what made her make the jump- Why she decided to launch a business making clones of people's animals- Running a multi-million dollar startup with manufacturing operations overseas- Raising venture money in Kentucky- What's nextJennifer is a Strategist in our TeamPrint Assessment. Her individual traits are:- Leadership: Champion- Social: Cordial- Patience: Purposeful- Fo...
2021-10-0741 min
The AggregateS1E9 - Jennifer Williams, Co-Founder and Chief Cloning Officer of Cuddle Clones - StrategistJennifer Williams is Co-Founder and CEO of Cuddle Clones. On this episode, Brad Zapp and Jennifer Williams discuss: - Her life before startups and what made her make the jump- Why she decided to launch a business making clones of people's animals- Running a multi-million dollar startup with manufacturing operations overseas- Raising venture money in Kentucky- What's nextJennifer is a Strategist in our TeamPrint Assessment. Her individual traits are:- Leadership: Champion- Social: Cordial- Patience: Purposeful- Fo...
2021-10-0741 min
The AggregateTeamPrint Crossover #4 - The Problem SolverOn today's episode, Brad Zapp and Chris Hjelm dive into the Problem Solver Profile. What makes Problem Solvers unique? What roles and tasks do they excel in within organizations? When you should think about hiring one?We will also layer in quotes from our conversations with fellow Problem Solvers: Gary Darna and Elise Tresley.A few notes on The Disruptor:- The most reserved profile of the Enterpriser vector- Directive, factual, outspoken, and frank- Hesitant to delegate major authority or responsibility- Values own judgments more t...
2021-09-2043 min
The AggregateTeamPrint Crossover #4 - The Problem SolverOn today's episode, Brad Zapp and Chris Hjelm dive into the Problem Solver Profile. What makes Problem Solvers unique? What roles and tasks do they excel in within organizations? When you should think about hiring one?We will also layer in quotes from our conversations with fellow Problem Solvers: Gary Darna and Elise Tresley.A few notes on The Disruptor:- The most reserved profile of the Enterpriser vector- Directive, factual, outspoken, and frank- Hesitant to delegate major authority or responsibility- Values own judgments more t...
2021-09-2043 min
The AggregateS1E8 - Gary Darna Part 2, Founder of CompleteSet and GM of Fast - Problem SolverGary had so much knowledge to impart, we had him back for round two. On this episode, Gary Darna talks about his career after CompleteSet. Some of the topics covered are:What is a soft landing? And why are they important for entrepreneursWhy do big corporations struggle to innovate and retain entrepreneurial talentWhy entrepreneurs don't make great corporate employeesHow to develop a more successful entrepreneurial ecosystemHis future as an entrepreneurEnjoy!
2021-08-3147 min
The AggregateS1E8 - Gary Darna Part 2, Founder of CompleteSet and GM of Fast - Problem SolverGary had so much knowledge to impart, we had him back for round two. On this episode, Gary Darna talks about his career after CompleteSet. Some of the topics covered are:What is a soft landing? And why are they important for entrepreneursWhy do big corporations struggle to innovate and retain entrepreneurial talentWhy entrepreneurs don't make great corporate employeesHow to develop a more successful entrepreneurial ecosystemHis future as an entrepreneurEnjoy!
2021-08-3147 min
2021-08-1747 min
The AggregateS1E7 - Gary Darna Part 1, Founder of CompleteSet and GM of Fast - Problem SolverA new episode
2021-08-1747 min
The AggregateS1E6 - Elise Tresley, Co-Founder of Realm Foods - Problem SolverElise Tresley is Co-Founder and CEO of Realm Foods. Elise is a multi-time founder across software and CPG industries. On this episode Chris Hjelm and Elise Tresley discuss:- Her life before startups and what made her make the jump- What's required to building a successful startup- How she went from exiting a software startup to launching a CPG company (and which one she likes better)- What it's like being a female founder- How she thinks about building high-performing teams- What she would be doing i...
2021-08-0244 min
The AggregateS1E6 - Elise Tresley, Co-Founder of Realm Foods - Problem SolverElise Tresley is Co-Founder and CEO of Realm Foods. Elise is a multi-time founder across software and CPG industries. On this episode Chris Hjelm and Elise Tresley discuss:- Her life before startups and what made her make the jump- What's required to building a successful startup- How she went from exiting a software startup to launching a CPG company (and which one she likes better)- What it's like being a female founder- How she thinks about building high-performing teams- What she would be doing i...
2021-08-0244 min
The AggregateTeamPrint Crossover #3 - The DisruptorOn today's episode, Brad Zapp and Chris Hjelm dive into the Disruptor Profile. What makes disruptors unique? What roles and tasks do they excel in within organizations? When you should think about hiring one?We will also layer in quotes from our conversations with fellow Disruptors: Brad Zapp and Gavi Begtrup.A few notes on The Disruptor:- The most proactive profile of the Enterpriser vector- Delegates authority and details somewhat freely- Risk-taker, responds positively to pressure- Struggles to adhere to structure or direction...
2021-07-1346 min
The AggregateTeamPrint Crossover #3 - The DisruptorOn today's episode, Brad Zapp and Chris Hjelm dive into the Disruptor Profile. What makes disruptors unique? What roles and tasks do they excel in within organizations? When you should think about hiring one?We will also layer in quotes from our conversations with fellow Disruptors: Brad Zapp and Gavi Begtrup.A few notes on The Disruptor:- The most proactive profile of the Enterpriser vector- Delegates authority and details somewhat freely- Risk-taker, responds positively to pressure- Struggles to adhere to structure or direction...
2021-07-1346 min
The AggregateS1E5 - Gavi Begtrup, Founder of Polymath Strategies - DisruptorGavi Begtrup is a scientist, multi-time startup founder, and candidate for the Mayor of Cincinnati.On this episode Brad Zapp and Gavi Begtrup discuss:- How he began his entrepreneurial journey- The need to be driven by passion and purpose- Why failure as an outcome is much different than failure as a person- What thing came naturally for him as an early-stage CEO- How he plans to change the City of Cincinnati Enjoy!
2021-06-2841 min
The AggregateS1E5 - Gavi Begtrup, Founder of Polymath Strategies - DisruptorGavi Begtrup is a scientist, multi-time startup founder, and candidate for the Mayor of Cincinnati.On this episode Brad Zapp and Gavi Begtrup discuss:- How he began his entrepreneurial journey- The need to be driven by passion and purpose- Why failure as an outcome is much different than failure as a person- What thing came naturally for him as an early-stage CEO- How he plans to change the City of Cincinnati Enjoy!
2021-06-2841 min
The AggregateS1E4 - Brad Zapp, Founder of Connetic Ventures - DisruptorHosted by Connetic Ventures, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Brad Zapp and Killer Creamery COO, Matt Price discuss: Brad’s journey into VC Introducing Wendal, the AI that is money balling founders The disruption of VC from overlooked markets Imposter syndrome Leading with the “risk” when pitching VC’s Connetic Ventures true value add on your cap table Enjoy!
2021-06-1447 min
The AggregateS1E4 - Brad Zapp, Founder of Connetic Ventures - DisruptorHosted by Connetic Ventures, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Brad Zapp and Killer Creamery COO, Matt Price discuss: Brad’s journey into VC Introducing Wendal, the AI that is money balling founders The disruption of VC from overlooked markets Imposter syndrome Leading with the “risk” when pitching VC’s Connetic Ventures true value add on your cap table Enjoy!
2021-06-1447 min
The Really ReallyCan you “moneyball” startup investments? - with Brad Zapp, Managing Partner at Connetic VenturesWhat if VCs made their bets based on who the startup team is, not what they’ve done? What if startups could take a test based on their business and personality, then receive a $100k round of seed funding based on those test results? What can we learn from the make-up of founding teams?
Brad Zapp and Connetic Ventures are the new kids on the block in VC. They’ve been using Wendal, an opportunity-vetting AI, as their launching point for their fund's investment decisions.
In this episode, we discuss the dynamics of fund raising base...
2021-05-231h 05
The AggregateTeamPrint Crossover #2 - The AcceleratorOn today's episode, Brad Zapp and Chris Hjelm dive into the Accelerator Profile. We will also layer in quotes from our conversations with fellow Accelerators: Alex Burkhart and Blake Allsmith.A few notes on The Accelerator:- The fastest-moving profile of the Enterpriser vector- Willing to build employees, not afraid of successors- Thrive on being challenged- Blunt, no-nonsense, and persuasive- Can be hard-headed and doesn't like delaysEnjoy!
2021-05-2145 min
The AggregateTeamPrint Crossover #2 - The AcceleratorOn today's episode, Brad Zapp and Chris Hjelm dive into the Accelerator Profile. We will also layer in quotes from our conversations with fellow Accelerators: Alex Burkhart and Blake Allsmith.A few notes on The Accelerator:- The fastest-moving profile of the Enterpriser vector- Willing to build employees, not afraid of successors- Thrive on being challenged- Blunt, no-nonsense, and persuasive- Can be hard-headed and doesn't like delaysEnjoy!
2021-05-2145 min
The AggregateTeamPrint Crossover #1 - Introduction to the TeamPrint Personality AssessmentOn this episode, Brad and Chris introduce StartupDNA and how the gut-driven VC model led them to build it. TeamPrint is the world's first behavioral assessment that analyzes and creates high-performing teams. It is also the first assessment to have been validated for fairness across race, age, and gender.
2021-05-2045 min
The AggregateTeamPrint Crossover #1 - Introduction to the TeamPrint Personality AssessmentOn this episode, Brad and Chris introduce StartupDNA and how the gut-driven VC model led them to build it. TeamPrint is the world's first behavioral assessment that analyzes and creates high-performing teams. It is also the first assessment to have been validated for fairness across race, age, and gender.
2021-05-2045 min
The AggregateS1:E3 - Dan Healy, Founder of Pickup - AcceleratorDan Healy is the CEO of Pickup, PickUp is a fan opinion platform that makes content interactive by letting publishers embed contextual and shareable editorial. Prior to Pickup Dan was the COO of Prolific Interactive which was sold to WeWork in 2019. On this episode Chris and Dan discuss:- The future of sports betting- How the future of sports content will be driven by fans- What is was like being acquired by WeWork- Dan's principles and best practices for building teams and company culture- The benefits of le...
2021-05-1946 min
The AggregateS1:E3 - Dan Healy, Founder of Pickup - AcceleratorDan Healy is the CEO of Pickup, PickUp is a fan opinion platform that makes content interactive by letting publishers embed contextual and shareable editorial. Prior to Pickup Dan was the COO of Prolific Interactive which was sold to WeWork in 2019. On this episode Chris and Dan discuss:- The future of sports betting- How the future of sports content will be driven by fans- What is was like being acquired by WeWork- Dan's principles and best practices for building teams and company culture- The benefits of le...
2021-05-1946 min
The AggregateS1:E2 - Blake Allsmith, Founder of JumpDocs - AcceleratorBlake Allsmith is Co-Founder and CEO of Jumpdocs.com. Blake is an integral part of the Cincinnati entrepreneurial ecosystem and still leans in to help local startups raise capital and enter hypergrowth. Prior to Jumpdocs, Blake was CEO of Cladwell, a Connetic portfolio company that was sold in 2019.Brad and Blake discuss:- What it's like building a family while being an entrepreneur- Why fatherhood and entrepreneurship are similar- The benefit of select Accelerators- Why he loves fundraising (and doesn't love selling)- The mindset differences between building a...
2021-05-1730 min
The AggregateS1:E2 - Blake Allsmith, Founder of JumpDocs - AcceleratorBlake Allsmith is Co-Founder and CEO of Jumpdocs.com. Blake is an integral part of the Cincinnati entrepreneurial ecosystem and still leans in to help local startups raise capital and enter hypergrowth. Prior to Jumpdocs, Blake was CEO of Cladwell, a Connetic portfolio company that was sold in 2019.Brad and Blake discuss:- What it's like building a family while being an entrepreneur- Why fatherhood and entrepreneurship are similar- The benefit of select Accelerators- Why he loves fundraising (and doesn't love selling)- The mindset differences between building a...
2021-05-1730 min
The AggregateS1:E1 - Alex Burkhart, Founder of Tixers - AcceleratorAlex Burkhart is an Accelerator and founder of multiple companies included Tixers, a Connetic portfolio company, that was sold in 2015. Alex is the definition of a serial entrepreneur and has very insightful information for any entrepreneur. Currently, Alex is the founder and CEO of Prime Prospects and Zooky, as well as an Adjunct Professor at University of Cincinnati.Brad and Alex discuss:- What it's like being an Accelerator CEO- The real differences between big cos and startup- The soft landing of a corporate job after running a startup- H...
2021-05-1744 min
The AggregateS1:E1 - Alex Burkhart, Founder of Tixers - AcceleratorAlex Burkhart is an Accelerator and founder of multiple companies included Tixers, a Connetic portfolio company, that was sold in 2015. Alex is the definition of a serial entrepreneur and has very insightful information for any entrepreneur. Currently, Alex is the founder and CEO of Prime Prospects and Zooky, as well as an Adjunct Professor at University of Cincinnati.Brad and Alex discuss:- What it's like being an Accelerator CEO- The real differences between big cos and startup- The soft landing of a corporate job after running a startup- H...
2021-05-1744 min
After The Exit - An Allsmith Growth PodcastVC Brad Zapp Talks About Investing During COVID-19Venture Capitalist Brad Zapp (Connetic Ventures) talks with Blake about how he is thinking about investing during the COVID-19 crisis. He also shares his advice / thoughts for startups depending on their stage / situation.
2020-03-2026 min
1.21 Geekawatts1.21 GEEKAWATTS Episode #30 (with Anthony Marques, Corry Brown, and Jeff Beck!)What is the state of the comic book industry? Comic book store owners Corry Brown of Zapp! Comics, Jeff Beck of East Side Mags, and Anthony Marques of Dewey’s Comic City share their opinions! Plus a 13-year-old reviews “Ant-Man and the Wasp”! All in the life-changing 30th episode of 1.21 Geekawatts!
2018-07-2500 min
Mister MonjMR. DJ MONJ - TROPICAL AIRMR. DJ MONJ - TROPICAL AIR
1. Sebastien feat. Satellite Empire - Escape (Extended Mix)
2. NERVO, Kylie Minogue, Jake Shears, Nile Rodgers - The Other Boys (Teenage Mutants Remix)
3. Mert Eser - Immortal (Original Mix)
4. Giom - Dr Zapp feat. Apple Rochez (Original Mix)
5. Azbooka - South Dance (Original Mix)
6. No Hopes SevenEver - L.A.M (Original Mix)
7. Uncle Fritz - DAWG (Original Mix)
8. Andrey Vakulenko - Boogie Dance (Brad Rock Remix)
9. Roman G. - Down (Original Mix)
10. Nopopstar - I Need U (Original Mix)
11. Yam Nor - Piano Night (Original Mix)
2016-06-2058 min