Shows
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffBuilding Startups Stronger Pat Riley's Accelerator Playbook with Michael ConniffIn this episode of The Accelerator, Michael Conniff interviews Pat Riley, CEO of Morrow, a company that empowers startups through accelerator support, venture investments, and a focus on sustainable growth. Pat shares his insights on the evolving startup landscape, the importance of redefining success beyond rapid growth, and the critical role of community and work-life balance for founders.Key Takeaways:Understanding the Accelerator Ecosystem: Learn the distinctions between accelerators, incubators, venture hubs, and venture studios.Redefining Startup Success: Explore alternative paths to success beyond the traditional venture capital model.Building a Sustainable Business...
2025-01-0429 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffAI revolution in Education with Michael Conniff | Building a Successful Startup in the Digital AgeJoin us for an insightful conversation with Sean Branigan, the Director of Digital Media Entrepreneurship at the Newhouse School, as he shares his entrepreneurial journey and expertise in the ever-evolving world of digital media.From his early days in typesetting to his successful ventures in internet marketing and consultancy, Sean offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals seeking to navigate the complexities of the digital age.Discover how Sean's experience and expertise can help you develop your own entrepreneurial journey, stay ahead of the curve in the digital landscape, and leverage the power of...
2024-10-1430 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffNIL Deals & Athletes Strategies from Michael ConniffJoin us for an exclusive conversation with Sean Clifford, former Penn State quarterback and co-founder of Limitless, and Pat Waters, sports marketing veteran and co-founder of Team Group Holdings, as they explore the dynamic world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in college athletics.Discover the challenges and opportunities facing athletes in the NIL landscape, the crucial role of collectives, and the strategies for building successful careers both on and off the field. Learn how Limitless is empowering athletes to monetize their brands and achieve their goals.From navigating the complexities of NIL deals to...
2024-10-0228 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffUnlock Bunker's Full Power | Unmasking the Imposters: The Truth About Online TrustDescription:join Michael Conniff as he talks to Kurt Long, a seasoned entrepreneur and the founder of Bunker, a secure messaging platform designed to protect your digital life. In this episode, Kurt shares his insights on the importance of trust in the digital age, the challenges of online security, and how Bunker is revolutionizing the way we communicate.Key topics:The rise of online fraud and scamsThe dangers of unsecured messaging platformsThe benefits of a trusted networkHow Bunker works and its featuresThe future of online securityTags:#online security #trust #privacy #digital safety...
2024-09-2231 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffOvercoming Obstacles: Dave Liniger's JourneyWelcome to The Accelerator, a podcast and newsletter designed to ignite your entrepreneurial spirit and equip you with the tools to turn your ideas into reality. Join host Michael Conniff as he delves into the world of startups, roll-ups, and the entrepreneurial mindset.In each episode, you'll discover:Inspiring interviews with industry leaders: Learn from the experiences of successful entrepreneurs who have navigated the challenges and triumphs of the startup world.Practical advice and strategies:Gain actionable insights to help you develop your business plan, raise capital, build a strong team, and overcome obstacles.
2024-09-1230 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffIs your cyber security strategy ready for 2024 | Find Out with Michael ConniffIn this episode of "The Accelerator," host Michael Conniff interviews Jeremy Lessaris, a serial entrepreneur with eight company exits under his belt. Jeremy discusses his journey through entrepreneurship, sharing both the successes and challenges he's faced along the way. He delves into the lessons learned from his first exit, the online furniture retailer FurnitureStock.com, and how it shaped his approach to future ventures.Jeremy also introduces his current company, Payment Brokers, a business focused on advocating for small to medium-sized businesses in the payment processing industry. Unlike traditional processors, Payment Brokers uses machine learning to analyze...
2024-09-0230 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffNavigating NYC's Tech Ecosystem with Mark Gold A Journey from Startups to SuccessIn this episode of "The Accelerator Podcast," host Michael Conniff engages in a dynamic conversation with Mark Gold, a prominent figure in New York City's tech and startup scene, and the visionary behind 2020 Startups. Mark delves into his extensive experience in digital transformation, sharing how he's helped shape the future of numerous startups through his mentorship and leadership at the New York Startup School. The discussion covers the intricate challenges and immense opportunities that come with scaling startups, the critical role of integrated marketing in today’s digital landscape, and the shifting dynamics of venture capital. Mark als...
2024-08-2230 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffThe Perfect Ten: Dave Liniger's Recipe for Entrepreneurial SuccessIn this episode, we sit down with Dave Liniger, the founder of RE/MAX LLC and author of "The Perfect Ten." Dave shares his journey, starting with the inception of RE/MAX LLC in 1973. RE/MAX is one of the leading real estate empires globally.Dave reflects on the challenges faced in revolutionizing the real estate industry with a model focused on empowering agents and offering higher commission rates.Throughout the conversation, Dave emphasizes the importance of adaptive leadership and humility, highlighting the pivotal role of his partner, Gail Main, in RE/MAX's early success. H...
2024-04-1030 min
The Angel with Michael ConniffLessons from Disney's Global Streaming to Coaching with Alina DoranIn this episode of The Angel with Michael Conniff, Alina Doran, an executive coach and advisor, joins Michael to discuss strategies for success in matrixed organizations and coaching. Alina shares her journey from a corporate career at the Walt Disney Company to pursuing her lifelong dream of coaching. They delve into the challenges of working in matrixed organizations, the importance of influence and visibility, and the dynamics of cross-functional teams.Alina also reflects on her experiences at the New York Times during a tumultuous period of transition in the media industry, where she witnessed the evolution of...
2024-04-0827 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffEnsuring Trust in Tomorrow's Digital Landscape: Kurt Long Speaks on BUNKRJoin Michael Conniff in the latest episode of "The Accelerator" as he sits down with Kurt Long, BUNKR CEO and co-founder. Kurt is a successful entrepreneur with over 25 years of starting, growing, and building financially successful information security and privacy businesses. Kurt is the Executive Director of the Long Family Force for Good Foundation, which focuses exclusively on supporting not-for-profits dedicated to improving the mental health of children and families. In this episode, he talks to us about his latest venture, BUNKR, a platform designed to build the most trusted network of people globally. With a focus o...
2024-03-2031 min
The Angel with Michael ConniffHow Melissa Withers is Cultivating Companies Beyond ExitsIn this episode of "The Angel" with Michael Conniff, Melissa Withers, Managing Partner & Co-Founder of RevUp Capital, joins as a guest to discuss their unique approach to investing in startups.Melissa shares insights into RevUp's non-dilutive revenue-based investment model, which focuses on long-term growth rather than short-term exits. Unlike traditional equity models, RevUp invests in companies based on their revenue potential, allowing for flexibility and support throughout the journey. With a track record of almost a decade, Melissa emphasizes the importance of a diversified capital toolkit for early-stage companies.The conversation delves into the nuances...
2024-03-1531 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffGame Changers: How NIL Legislation Empowers Athlete EntrepreneursSummaryIn this conversation, Michael Conniff interviews Sean Clifford and Pat Waters from Team Group Holdings. They discuss the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) legislation on college athletes and the opportunities it presents for them to become entrepreneurs. They also talk about the growth of Limitless, a company focused on NIL business, and its collaboration with Strategic Sports Marketing and Sports Vault. The conversation covers topics such as locker room dynamics, the role of collectives in NIL, and the financial considerations for athletes. Overall, the conversation highlights the changing landscape of sports and the empowerment of...
2024-02-2528 min
The Angel with Michael ConniffFrom Criteria to Collaboration: Scott Jablonski's Guide to Angel InvestingWelcome to another episode of "The Angel with Michael Conniff.” We are joined by Scott Jablonski, founder and CEO of 77 Analytics. A company that provides strategic guidance and mentorship to startups and established brands. This marks Scott's second appearance on our show. You might recall him from our sister show, The Accelerator, where he recently shared insights on how 77 Analytics is helping startups reach their full potential.In this episode, Scott shares his insights into navigating the world of angel investments. He underscores the importance of accelerators and networking in identifying promising companies.
2024-01-2629 min
The Angel with Michael ConniffDecoding Hypernomics: A Conversation with Doug HowarthIn this podcast episode, Michael Conniff interviews Doug Howarth, CEO of Hypernomics Inc. Doug is an Author, Inventor, and Discoverer of Hypernomics. In this episode, he talks about the application of hypernomics in the startup and investment world.Hypernomics is a parametric modeling approach that analyzes the demand, value, and pricing of products. The conversation covers topics such as understanding economic systems, applying hypernomics to electric cars and Tesla's market position, the study of cost, schedule, and risk, real-world applications of hypernomics, and advice for entrepreneurs and investors. The episode provides insights into how hypernomics c...
2024-01-1929 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffHow to Stay Ahead in Digital Media: Sean Branagan's InsightsIn this episode, Michael Conniff talks with Sean Branagan, the Director of the Digital Media Entrepreneurship Program at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. They discuss Sean's experience as an entrepreneur, the transition from traditional typesetting to digital media, the rise of social media and its impact on tech companies, and the role of AI in the media industry. Sean emphasizes the need for media companies to embrace technology and act as tech companies themselves. He also shares insights on teaching students to use AI tools responsibly and shape the future of AI.
2023-12-1330 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffSOAP Health: How AI Synergy is Making Healthcare More Creative and PreciseIn the latest episode of The Accelerator with Michael Conniff, Steve Charlap MD, MBA takes us on a journey into the innovative world of healthcare with SOAP Health. SOAP, which is an acronym for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan, introduces us to Jeannie, an animated character revolutionizing patient interviews using the power of AI.Dr. Charlap, the CEO and founder of SOAP Health, begins by sharing his unique educational background, blending medicine, business, and genetics. His motivation to create SOAP Health stems from a desire to bring creativity back to medicine and address the shortcomings he observed during hi...
2023-11-2829 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffHow Giide is a Platform that Seamlessly Combines the Best Aspects of Podcasts and Social Media Feeds with Allison Kent-SmithWelcome back to The Accelerator, the podcast where we unravel the secrets of startups, entrepreneurship, and groundbreaking innovations. In today's episode, we're joined by a true visionary, Allison Kent-Smith, the CEO and co-founder of Giide.Imagine a world where your podcast isn't just something you listen to but an immersive experience that captivates both your ears and eyes. That's exactly what Giide brings to the table—interactive audio for the business world.In this episode, Allison takes us on a journey through the evolution of Giide, a platform that seamlessly combines the best aspects of po...
2023-11-1530 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffScott Jablonski: How He Helps Startups Achieve Their Full PotentialIn this episode of The Accelerator with Michael Conniff, host Michael engages in a dynamic conversation with Scott Jablonski, the founder and CEO of 77 Analytics LLC, who also has a passion for sports ventures. Scott brings his extensive experience and wisdom to the table as he delves into the world of startups and the challenges they face.In this enlightening discussion, Scott reveals the two facets of his work at 77 Analytics – consulting and advising. He provides strategic guidance to established brands and takes on a mentorship role for budding companies in their early stages, emphasizing the im...
2023-11-0129 min
The Angel with Michael ConniffThe Intersection of Sports, Finance, and Service with Ben GarlandImagine bringing together an NFL star, an Air Force academy graduate, and a genuine finance enthusiast. Well, that's exactly what we've got in this episode of "The Angel with Michael Conniff." Our guest, Ben Garland, breaks the mold of your average athlete. He is the CEO of Wingman63, 11 year NFL Vet, Maj. Air National Guard, Keynote Speaker, Investor and Mental Health AdvocateDuring our conversation, Ben takes us on a remarkable journey, detailing his transition from the military to the NFL and how his deep-seated interest in finance and investment emerged along this unique path.B...
2023-10-2230 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffHow Deep Brain Stimulation Could Revolutionize Stroke Recovery: A Conversation with Dr. Bernardo Perez VillaGreetings, listeners! Welcome back to The Accelerator with Michael Conniff. If you've been following us, you know we love to explore the realms of accelerators, startups, incubators, and all things innovation. Today, we've got a real treat in store. Joining us is none other than Dr. Bernardo Perez Villa, the Senior Innovations Engagement Partner at Cleveland Clinic.In this fascinating podcast, Michael and Bernardo take you on a journey through a groundbreaking study recently published in Nature Medicine Magazine. This isn't just any research; it's the result of over a decade's worth of dedication and hard work...
2023-10-1329 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffHow Dicer.ai Transforms the World of Performance Marketing with AI: A Chat with AJ Elliott, Co-founder Dicer.ai🚀 Dive into the future of marketing on this electrifying episode of The Accelerator with Michael Conniff! Join us as we venture into the world of AI-enhanced marketing with A.J Elliott, the brilliant Co-founder and COO of Dicer.ai, a trailblazing company pioneering AI's potential to skyrocket your marketing game.In this episode, you'll uncover a treasure trove of insights:🔮 Discover the wizardry behind Dicer.ai's AI-enhanced marketing services, equipping marketers with superhuman insights and recommendations to breathe new life into their ad campaigns.🤖 Uncover the secrets of how Dicer.ai assembles a legion of...
2023-09-2729 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffThe Power of Esports and How M80 Differentiates Itself with Marco MereuEver wondered about the captivating world of esports and why it's setting the global stage ablaze with excitement? Esports, short for electronic sports, isn't just about gamers battling it out; it's a dynamic fusion of entertainment, culture, and commerce, igniting the imaginations of millions worldwide, particularly among the younger generation.Picture this: Professional video game competitions and teams, watched by throngs of devoted fans, taking center stage in a new-age arena that's changing how we define entertainment. Now, if you're as curious as we are about this phenomenon, you won't want to miss this...
2023-09-2230 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffHow IdeaPros Helps Entrepreneurs Turn Their Ideas into Reality with Fred CaryIn this episode of The Accelerator with Michael Conniff, our guest is Frederick Cary. He is a senior executive, strategic consultant, attorney, and investment banker with over 25 years of experience building global companies. He is the CEO of IdeaPros, a company that helps entrepreneurs turn their ideas into profitable ventures across various sectors.Fred talks to Michael Conniff about his unique approach to helping entrepreneurs launch their ventures. Idea Pros charges $100,000 and takes 30% equity in exchange for providing comprehensive support and guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs who don't fit the typical startup mold. Idea Pros w...
2023-09-1130 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffFrom Startup to 10 Million: Brian Will's Growth BlueprintWe are thrilled to have Brian Will in this episode of The Accelerator with Michael Conniff's podcast. Brian Will is a serial entrepreneur, a two-time Wall Street Journal best-selling author, and an industry-leading business and sales management consultant.The conversation kicks off with Michael asking Brian about his book The Dropout Multi-Millionaire.Brian shares his incredible story of overcoming a troubled childhood, a rebellious attitude, and a learning disability to become a successful business owner and speaker. The pivotal moment in Brian's journey came when he realized the value of being coachable. He emphasizes that su...
2023-09-0730 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffHow to Master Go-to-Market Strategies with Raviv KeremIn this episode, we have a special guest who is a master of go-to-market strategies and a passionate advocate of data-driven technologies. He is Raviv Kerem, a seasoned specialist in strategy operations, product, and go-to-market.Raviv Kerem has an impressive background that spans across different industries and continents. He is originally from Israel, where he witnessed the rise of one of the most vibrant and successful tech ecosystems in the world. He moved to New York City a few years ago and fell in love with the city and its dynamic startup scene. He currently lives in...
2023-08-3028 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffPat Riley: How to Make an Impact with Your Startup through AcceleratorsIn this episode of The Accelerator with Michael Conniff, we speak with Pat Riley, the CEO of Morrow and Managing Partner at Morrow Ventures.The conversation starts off with Pat explaining the mission of Morrow. The mission of Morrow is to give startups the power to create and grow their business and to make an impact wherever they call home. Pat believes that accelerators are the best way to do this, as they provide startups with the necessary support, data, tools, and community. He also explains the difference between a...
2023-08-2329 min
The Angel with Michael ConniffNonprofit Leadership Spotlight: From Special Ops to CEOIn this episode, Michael talks to Ryan Del Grosso, a Harvard MBA, special operations veteran, and nonprofit leader. Ryan shares his journey from the military to business school, his upcoming role as the president/CEO of a small media company with TeamShares, and his involvement with Hutz for Vets. Ryan discusses the transition from the highly competitive and structured environment of special operations to the similarly competitive world of Harvard Business School. He highlights the challenges of adapting to a new business-centric language and environment while leveraging his resilience and competitiveness.Michael C...
2023-08-1529 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffFrom Lab to Launch: Inside UConn's Startup FoundryWelcome back to The Accelerator Podcast hosted by Michael Conniff! In today's episode, we are excited to introduce three remarkable guests: Ryan Coles, Ph.D. He is a Professor at UConn (University Of Connecticut) School of Business along with Peter Goggins from Pisces Atlantic and Massyl Malem from PatentPlus AI.Our conversation begins with Professor Coles, who shares his inspiring journey into entrepreneurship and his passion for startup culture. He narrates a captivating story of his involvement in a volunteerism startup in the Middle East during the Arab Spring in 2011. This experience exposed him...
2023-08-0330 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffInvestBay: Bridging the Gap to Real Estate Success with Daniel RajnochAre you passionate about real estate investing but feel like the traditional options are limiting your chances? Well, let's introduce you to Daniel Rajnoch, the visionary founder of InvestBay, a platform that's changing the game for aspiring real estate investors.InvestBay's mission is to make real estate investment accessible to everyone, regardless of the financial challenges they may face. They achieve this through cutting-edge blockchain innovation, a supportive investor community, and valuable educational resources that provide a fresh perspective on real estate investing.Join Michael Conniff as he sits down with Daniel Rajnoch to explore...
2023-07-2530 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffEmpowering Champions: The Union Community Inc with Saskia Webber & Michael MagidAre you ready for a game-changing episode of The Accelerator? This week, we dive into the fascinating world of sports and innovation with a groundbreaking company - The Union Community Inc! We had the honor of sitting down with Saskia Webber and Michael Magid, the visionary co-founders of The Union Community Inc! The Union Community Inc is a game-changing platform designed to revolutionize the way youth athletes engage with professional players and coaches. Their mission is to create a safe haven away from the toxicity of social media, offering a quality space where young talents can thrive...
2023-07-1933 min
The Angel with Michael ConniffHow to Drive Change in Gaming Advertising and Investments: Insights from Christian FaceyToday's guest is Christian Facey, the founder, and CEO of AudioMob, a startup that has created the world's first non-intrusive audio ad solution for the mobile gaming sector. Christian is not only a successful entrepreneur, but also a Forbes 30 Under 30 list, an investor, and a mentor.In this episode, Christian shares with us his fascinating journey from working at Google and Facebook to creating his own mobile video game and finding a huge opportunity for audio advertising. He also reveals how he met his co-founder and CTO, Wilfred, and how they built innovative technology that allows mobile g...
2023-07-1731 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffInvesting in Real Estate and Sound: Insights from Brent BarcusWelcome, everyone, to another exciting episode of the Accelerator with Michael Conniff podcast! We're here to bring you inspiring conversations with remarkable entrepreneurs who are making waves in various fields. Today, we have an extraordinary guest joining us: the incredible Brent Barcus. Not only is he a successful real estate investor, but he's also a remarkably talented musician and sound designer. How cool is that?In our conversation, Brent chats with our host, Michael Conniff, about his company, 65Capital. They specialize in acquiring Multi-Family assets, catering to passive investors. But that's not all—Brent takes us on...
2023-07-1131 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffRevolancer: Revolutionizing Freelancing with Karl SwanepoelIn this episode of The Accelerator with Michael Conniff, we explore the world of freelancing and sit down with Karl Swanepoel, the visionary founder, and CEO of Revolancer. With over 20,000 users, Revolancer is revolutionizing the freelance marketplace by giving freelancers, businesses, and independent professionals the freedom they deserve. Karl's personal experience as a freelancer on outdated platforms motivated him to create Revolancer. He wanted to establish a platform that prioritizes fairness, effective communication, and better relationships between freelancers and clients. He strongly believes that the current setup on platforms with high commissions and communication restrictions is unfair f...
2023-06-2830 min
The Angel with Michael ConniffMastering the Founder to CEO Leap with Katy TrostGet ready for another insightful episode of "The Angel with Michael Conniff". This time, we sit down with Katy Trost, an accomplished business coach, and advisor. Renowned across Europe and North America, Katie specializes in guiding tech founders and CEOs through the intricate stages of business development, particularly focusing on transitioning from startup to established enterprise.In their discussion, Michael and Katie delve into the unique challenges founders face when transitioning to the role of a CEO, addressing how only a small fraction of founders manage to maintain their leadership roles up to the IPO stage.
2023-06-2330 minThe Accelerator with Michael ConniffPowering Pitches and Transforming Startups with Katie Dunn and Kat WeaverOn this episode of The Accelerator with Michael Conniff, we're catching up with Katie Dunn and Kat Weaver, the dynamic duo behind Power To Pitch. Power to Pitch is helping founders confidently raise their first round of capital and get directly matched with investors. Kat is the CEO of Power to Pitch.In the podcast, the discussion revolves around Kat Weaver's experiences with pitch contests, her entrepreneurship journey, and her current venture called "Power to Pitch". Kat won 22 out of 23 pitch contests she participated in, and her loss was to a deserving candidate who went on...
2023-06-2130 min
The Angel with Michael ConniffInside the World of High-Stakes Investments with Derek BediakohWelcome to the latest episode of "The Angel with Michael Conniff", where we get up close and personal with industry leaders and their trailblazing ventures. In this engaging episode, we have a heart-to-heart with Derek Bediakoh, a visionary and seasoned leader in the world of private equity funds. As the Senior Vice President of Trans-Bay Capital Partners and the founder of Rapid Growth Properties, Derek has left his unique mark on the industry with his knack for identifying and pursuing opportunities, solving complex problems, and setting a fast pace in business.In this chat, Derek helps us...
2023-06-1432 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffThe Startup House Impact: A Conversation with Marek PalysIn a captivating discussion, Marek Palys, co-founder and Head of Sales at Startup House, spoke with Michael Conniff about the unique value proposition of his company in serving startups. Marek's entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 26 when he and his best friend decided to quit their jobs and establish their first company, a decision that would lay the groundwork for their future endeavors.Despite the inherent risks, the pair embarked on this journey driven by a shared vision and unwavering determination. This experience endowed them with invaluable insights and skills that would eventually inform t...
2023-06-0629 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffTech Time Travel: Russell Brand on Software Progression from the '70s and its Impact on Today's StartupsJoin us for an invigorating episode of 'The Accelerator', as host Michael Conniff engages in a rich conversation with Russell Brand, the Director at Responsible Solutions Limited and Entrepreneur in Residence at the Founders Institute. This episode unveils the inspiring journey of Responsible Solutions, a company that emerged in 1994 to introduce open-source technologies to the federal government, a venture that ended up saving taxpayers about a quarter billion dollars over seven years.Russell sheds light on their journey towards assisting companies in prioritizing efficiency, sustainability, and employee wellbeing. Through this mission, they unearthed that focusing on these...
2023-05-3030 min
The Angel with Michael ConniffThe Think8 Transformation Process: An in-depth discussion with Mark ShekterToday's guest is the multitalented Mark Shekter, a #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author, Co-founder and CEO of Think8 Global Institute, Speaker, Educator, and Business Design Strategist. Known for his trailblazing book, "Think8: 8 Steps to Ignite Your Creative Genius in Business, Career, & Life", Shekter is a leading voice in business innovation and creativity.In this insightful episode, Michael and Mark, who are both seasoned writers, delve into the power of writing as a valuable skill in the business sphere. They explore the genesis of Think Eight, both as a philosophy and a transformative program.Mark’s jo...
2023-05-2631 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffCare2Talk: Revolutionizing Senior Care with Jordan SchleyWelcome to another inspiring episode of The Accelerator with your host, Michael Conniff! In this episode, we're diving deep into telehealth with our special guest, Jordan Schley, the trailblazing founder of Care2Talk.Born out of a personal need to connect with his grandfather during the pandemic, Jordan's vision quickly transformed into Care2Talk, a revolutionary telehealth platform tailored specifically for seniors. It's not just a tool, but a lifeline catering to many conditions, from the nuances of aging and dementia to cognitive and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, vision impairment, and physical disabilities.
2023-05-2230 min
The Angel with Michael ConniffVenture Capital Disrupted: Seismic Capital's Approach to Inclusive InvestingWelcome to episode 3 of "The Angel" with Michael Conniff. This week's guest is Steve Weinstein, CEO and Chair of the Board at Seismic Capital Company. Seismic is not just another venture capital firm; they're democratizing the field by lowering the typical $10,000 investment minimum to a more accessible $1,000.Beyond that, Seismic stands out by supporting startups throughout their entire business lifecycle, freeing these companies to focus on their unique strengths. With a keen eye for early-stage digital companies ready to disrupt their markets, Seismic invests in a diverse array of sectors from emerging tech to sustainability and...
2023-05-1630 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffHow to Transform Healthcare Innovation: A Conversation with Dr. Arlen MeyersIn this exciting episode of the Accelerator with Michael Conniff podcast, we sit down with Dr. Arlen Meyers, Founder, President, and CEO of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (SoPE). SoPE is a non-profit global biomedical and healthcare innovation network dedicated to helping doctors bring their ideas to life.Join us as Dr. Meyers shares the story of how an irritating situation inspired him to create the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs. Despite not initially setting out to be an entrepreneur, he's made a significant impact by enabling physicians to turn their innovative ideas into reality.
2023-05-0230 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffFrom Intelligence Analyst to Energy Efficiency Entrepreneur: Aviv Shalgi's StoryIn this episode, we have Aviv Shalgi as our guest. Aviv is the CEO of Solar Simplified, a company that helps homeowners, renters, and businesses save money on their monthly utility bills by connecting them to local solar farms. He's a true visionary when it comes to renewable energy, and we're excited to hear his story.Aviv started his career working in Israeli intelligence. He has had an interesting career journey. He switched careers five times before becoming an entrepreneur. If you're someone who's questioning your career fit or wondering if you're in the right industry, you'll...
2023-04-2430 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffAI and Media: How Axle AI is Making Media Smarter with Sam BogochIn today’s episode of The Accelerator with Michael Conniff, we're excited to bring you an exciting conversation featuring Sam Bogoch, CEO of Axle AI. Axle AI is a cutting-edge company using AI to revolutionize the media industry and make media smarter. Axle AI is the home of radically simple AI-driven MAM, no-code video workflows, and collaborative browser editing.What's really cool about Axle AI is that they're focused on serving business clients, rather than just individual consumers. But Sam has hopes for the future, and he's optimistic that Axle AI's technology will eventually be available to...
2023-04-0531 min
The Angel with Michael ConniffThe Journey of a Climate Tech Investor with Brian WayneWelcome to our very first episode of The Angels with Michael Conniff podcast! We're thrilled to have you join us on this exciting journey, where we'll be exploring the world of angels, venture capitalists, investors, and family offices.For our inaugural episode, we're delighted to have Brian Wayne, a climate tech investor and co-founder of the Aegon Impact Venture Credit strategy, as our special guest. Brian is responsible for evaluating new investment opportunities in early to growth-stage companies that are working on solving major climate challenges.During the...
2023-03-2832 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffDisrupting Car Rentals: How Greenclick Technologies is Revolutionizing the Industry with Brian CorderoAt The Accelerator with Michael Conniff, we bring you insights into the world of disruptive startups and the entrepreneurs behind them. In this episode, recorded in October 2022, we catch up with Brian Cordero, the Founder, and CEO of Greenclick Technologies, a company that is shaking up the car rental service industry.Greenclick Technologies is the world's first 24/7 car rental service at hotels, providing on-site car fleets from 5-30 cars to cater to guests' needs when other rentals don't. Their self-serve valet box is the first of its kind in the world and is placed...
2023-03-2320 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffExploring the Thriving Startup Scene in South Africa with Amina PattersonWe recently had the pleasure of hosting Amina Patterson, former Head of Operations at AlphaCode, on The Accelerator with Michael Conniff podcast. Amina is an experienced strategist and startup supporter who shared her insights on the thriving startup scene in South Africa and her time at AlphaCode.AlphaCode is an accelerator that provides a physical workspace and virtual platform for financial services entrepreneurs. Their mission is to identify exceptional individuals with innovative ideas that have the potential to transform the financial services industry. AlphaCode offers an intensive business training program to equip these entrepreneurs with the skills...
2023-03-1630 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffTFX Capital Founder Brandon Shelton on How Military Experience Prepares Veterans for Startup SuccessWelcome to The Accelerator with Michael Conniff, where we talk to trailblazers in the world of startups and venture capital. In this episode, we sit down with Brandon Shelton, the founder and managing partner of TFX Capital, an early-stage technology venture capital firm that invests in service-driven, high-performing, and commercially tested military and national security Veterans.Brandon passionately believes that Veterans make great startup founders because of their experience in service. With over 20 years of military, financial, strategy, and operational experience, he brings a unique perspective to investing. TFX Capital's mission is to solve...
2023-03-0630 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffRolan Reichel on Arrow.ai: Helping Small Businesses Thrive in the Digital WorldIn this episode, the CEO of Arrow, Rolan Reichel, and Michael had a motivating conversation. Small businesses are being helped by the company to increase their social influence, their impact, and their revenue. With the use of artificial intelligence and a pending patent, Arrow, businesses may use content creation to gain the impact they require. Every company, according to Rolan, is involved in the creation of content, and the companies that succeed are the ones that are able to maintain all of their social media content relevant and interesting.Rolan has had a career in marketing and...
2023-02-2130 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffGoing Toxic-Free: How Tampon Tribe is Revolutionizing the Period Product IndustryGet ready for an engaging conversation as Michael sits down with the unstoppable Jennifer Eden, CEO, and Co-founder of Tampon Tribe. Jennifer, together with her business partner Gabriela Alves(Gaby), embarked on a journey to create a company that is truly making a difference in the world. It all began in Beijing, where Jennifer worked on marketing for Gaby's restaurant. Their successful partnership led to the sale of the restaurant and the start of a new chapter as business partners, with Tampon Tribe at the forefront.Tampon Tribe is revolutionizing the period product...
2023-02-1731 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffRevolutionizing Social Media Monetization: The Story of PrestoIn this episode, Michael sits down for a chat with Courtney Presto, the CEO and Founder of Presto(https://presto.social/). This is a revolutionary social media platform that's changing the game for content creators everywhere! With Presto, artists no longer have to struggle to monetize their content - they can start earning as soon as they sign up. This is the first social media platform that monetizes artists with no barrier to entry.Courtney isn't just talking the talk. She's walking the walk. She's a seasoned content creator with a background in film production and computer...
2023-02-0730 min
The Accelerator with Michael Conniff"Unleashing Your Startup Potential: An Interview with SK Lee on The Accelerator with Michael Conniff"In this episode, Michael Conniff sits down with SK Lee, the dynamic founder of The Launch Coaching Lab and successful angel investor. Lee is making a huge impact in the world of startup acceleration, bringing her unique combination of legal and economic knowledge to the table.As a self-proclaimed "boss lady," Lee believes that businesses can not only be profitable, but also have a meaningful mission that positively impacts society. She is passionate about providing founders with the practical guidance and support they need to succeed, beyond just capital.One of Lee's key insights is...
2023-02-0230 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffBen L and Michael Conniff talk about an e-commerce platform that offers gifting with no limits.Ben L is the co-founder and CEO of Gesture. Gesture is an e-commerce platform for sending gifts. Gesture uses pre-selected A.I.-driven recommended gestures, and is the only App that understands budget and cost-friendly methods to send tangible gestures. At Gesture, the mission is to help people let their loved ones know that they are thinking of them. You can send flowers, wine champagne, etc via the application. What sets Gesture apart from other solutions is the fact that you do not need an address to send the gift. You can use a phone number, email address, or social medi...
2023-01-1631 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffMichael Conniff and Maarten de Hoop talk about how UNIPLAT helps researchers from developing countriesIn today's episode, Maarten de Hoop and Michael Conniff talk about research and the role of UNIPLAT in creating opportunities for researchers and scientists in less developed countries.
Maarten de Hoop is a researcher and a Professor of Computational and Applied Mathematics at Rice University. Maarten’s research interests are in extracting subtle signal information from the ever-expanding data sets produced from advances in data acquisition by dense arrays and sensor technology. Maarten is interested in exploiting the foundations of the theory of seismic waves, their properties, and multi-scale interaction with complex, highly heterogeneous media and nonlinear inverse theory, and in de...
2023-01-1331 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffAleks Smechov talks about a tech solution in conversational intelligenceConversational intelligence can be defined as a combination of machine learning and natural language processing technology. Today's episode is focused on someone who has made an amazing invention in conversational intelligence.
Aleks Smechov is the co-founder and CEO at Wordcab. This is a technology that uses deep learning to automatically summarize conversions at scale. Aleks has a background in journalism and copywriting. It is during his journalism career that he came up with the idea behind the technology. Alecks is on a mission to build the world’s summarisation layer one call at a time with the aim of expanding th...
2022-10-2030 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffDr. Nigel Clarke talks about the start up scene in the field of healthcareDr. Nigel Clarke is the Senior IT Professional focused on sales, marketing, and customer success. An Executive with 20+ years of experience in international (Europe, APAC & Middle East, and North America) technology sales and SaaS.
Dr. Nigel Clarke wears many hats. However, he has a special heart for startups, marketing, and capital raising. Since he is in the Startup scene, he gets a lot of pitches. As a healthcare investor, these are some of the qualities that distinguish a potentially successful Startup from the rest include,
Interesting science. The Startup should be able to offer a solution where current treatments are...
2022-10-1030 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffRossana Ceccato and Matias Hercovich own a swapping digital marketplace for barely used wardrobe.Rossana Ceccato is the CEO of Redress and Matias Matías Hercovich is, Global Inhouse General Counsel & Board member at Redress. This is a platform for trading slightly used garments. What you need to do is to take a picture of the garment and send it to them where they inspect it for eligibility. Not every dress/clothing item is eligible. Generally, they look for dresses that have been worn either once or twice. When you send a garment, you get points which you can use to redeem other clothing items from the Redress inventory
2022-10-0529 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffMaggie Brennan talks about a unique opportunity with the Start-up NationMaggie Brennan is an educational consultant. She currently works as the Admissions Director at Innovation Experience. One of the programs that she is working on is called Israel 360. This program seeks to create an ecosystem where founders can interact with the Israeli business ecosystem. The goal is to create networking opportunities as well as investment opportunities.
The Israel 360 program has two components. The first is an online academy which is run online on zoom. This component runs for 13 weeks. The second component is a one-week trip to Israel where the participants go through a series of business meetings and also...
2022-09-2929 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffApoorva Ruparel Talks About Venture Funding That Transforms Startups to Fully Compliant Scale-ups.
In this episode, one of the things Apoorva talks about is the untapped use of Web3. He describes Web3.0 as the future of computing.
Apoorva Ruparel describes himself as a Problem Solver, Sales Leader, Entrepreneur, and Growth Catalyst. Additionally, he is a general partner at Venture Rock Capital.
Venture Rock seeks to help Startups at the most critical stages where they are most likely to fail. They invest in multiple rounds from pre-seed to scale, through a metered and auditable process. Based on progress metrics, founders earn equity in the venture.
2022-09-2230 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffDiane Bailey Talks about What it Takes to Create a Successful StartupDiane Bailey is an expert Startup Lifer and Accelerator. She wears many hats including Head of Accelerator Growth & Colorado Director at Founder Institute, Investor, and Community Builder. Founder Institute is The World’s Largest Pre-Seed Accelerator. They specialize in working with early-stage companies and help turn ideas into fundable startups. Diane is also a successful entrepreneur.
In this episode, one of the things she talks about is the Lean Startup Model. This involves, creating something, testing, and then measuring the idea. The findings and learnings are then used to create a better model. This is useful for founders to do be...
2022-09-1429 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffPhuong Phan shares insights from her experience working with startups in AfricaPhuong Phan- is the Regional Manager - East & Southern Africa for Draper Startup House. This is an entity under the Draper Network which was founded by Tim Draper. The vision that Draper Startup House has is to build a global network for entrepreneurs and digital nomads so that they can invest in Startups.
Some of the criteria that they go for in screening companies is they look at companies that are solving real problems in the communities and also companies that are scalable.
2022-09-0729 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffManveer Sandhu talks about service-oriented and impact-driven investingIn today’s episode, we talk to a service-oriented and impact-driven professional, Manveer Sandhu. Manveer Sandhu is a Venture Capitalist and an intelligent analyst with the Air Force. He is driven to make an impact in his areas of influence. As a VC, he seeks to find companies with promising ideas in order to help foster them to reach their full potential. In addition, he is an elected Trustee to the Travis Unified School District Governing Board. Interestingly, this is where he went to school.
2022-08-3129 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffMichael Pastko tells us about a full stack NFT solution for the real worldMichael Pastko is one of the co-founders of Satoshi’s closet. The company creates physical apparel on the blockchain via NFT. Satoshi's Closet made its first mark on the blockchain in 2019 as the first project to create ERC-721 tokenized streetwear. The motivation behind the company is to enable the NFT economy in real life. Ultimately, the goal is to enable a full stack NFT solution at sporting events, concerts, art galleries, retail, etc to help in building a decentralized economy.
2022-08-2229 minThe Accelerator with Michael ConniffBear Matthews talks to us about his company, Vylto, which is disrupting the music and ticketing spacVylto enables royalty revenue on all secondary market transactions, product authentication, and more. This is especially great as it connects artists and their audiences while ensuring artists get royalty revenue on secondary market transactions.
2022-08-1130 minThe Accelerator with Michael ConniffKurt Hallead talks to us about NFTs in the field of sportsKurt Hallead is the co-founder and president of Legacy League. This company has carved out a niche in the NFT space. They enable college athletes to monetize their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) by creating, marketing, promoting, and trading NFTs.
Kurt has a wealth of experience with 30 years spent working in a number of global investment firms. He has always had a passion for sports and saw an opportunity in Sports. This made him step away from Wall Street and that is how he founded Legacy League which incorporates business, technology, and sports.
The technology enables college athletes to make...
2022-08-0329 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffScott Levy talks about coaching for business ownersScott Levy is the founder of SNL consulting. People need help. We all need help. This is especially true for business owners and start-up founders who because of the nature of their work, wear many hats. Family, friends, and the people that they work with can’t necessarily offer the support business founders need. This is where coaching comes in. Tune in to listen to how Scott Levy accelerates business through coaching. He has a lot of experience, he is highly communicative, and is a certified business coach.
2022-07-2630 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffJim Friedrich tells us about his company which offers a revolutionary proprietary tech in AgricultureJim Friedrich CEO is the CEO of Native Traits Corporation. The company uses proprietary technology that screens ancestral strains of corn as a natural source of genes to improve commercial varieties. The seeds are screened for drought tolerance and the ability to tolerate extreme temperatures. The company has successfully passed the proof of concept stage and is already seeing tremendous outcomes.
2022-07-1928 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffEdwin Matta enlightens us about the cryptocurrency marketsIn this episode, he simplifies the concept of blockchain, tokens, smart contracts, and everything crypto.
He is the CEO and co-founder of Brickken which is a tokenizing solution. The company offers tools to help tokenize the world. The company’s mission statement is to help asset owners around the world raise decentralized funding utilizing blockchain-based technology, giving individuals and businesses the chance to generate passive revenue. Brickken is providing the tools needed to tokenize the world.
2022-07-1229 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffRoberto Tame is revolutionizing the way companies pay for travelRobert Tame is the CEO of Noktos. The company offers a solution that is revolutionizing the way companies pay for travel. What sets them apart is they give corporates the ability to control their travel costs and the ability to have a one-stop shop for all accommodation needs.
Robert is a serial entrepreneur who has experienced both success and failure on the business front. He shares some of the lessons that he has learned in his entrepreneurial journey.
2022-07-0530 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffNathan Beckord offers the Ultimate Funding Stack for start up founders raising capitalNathan Beckord CEO Foundersuite. This is a SAAS platform that has a collection of tools for startups seeking capital. They have built products from every part of the startup journey. It is the “Ultimate Funding Stack” The team has plans to add more features to the platform in order to make startups more discoverable.
Nathan’s whole career has been focused on helping startups raise capital. He started off in investment banking. This path led him to start Foundersuite. He made a product out of the process of raising capital. In addition to the software, the company offers additional support outsid...
2022-06-2824 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffHayden Hughes makes Crypto easyHayden Hughes is the Co-Founder and CEO of Alpha Impact, social trading built for the 80% of people who aren’t yet in crypto. He is originally from Canada but is based in Singapore.
Alpha Impact is a copy-trading social media platform designed to connect followers with professional traders. Users can connect their investment account to Alpha Impact to copy top traders in our community, get the latest market news from traders, and learn crypto investing from influential traders, masterclasses, and beginner guides. Traders can earn another stream of income from sharing trades, trading knowledge, and building industry reputation.
2022-06-2130 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffTorkel Falkenberg BSc in Biology, PhD in Pharmacology/Neuroscience is dedicated to global healthTorkel Falkenberg graduated with Ph.D. from Karolinska Institutet close to 30 years ago. After getting his Ph.D., he discovered that he was more geared to global health. He has dedicated his time and effort since 1995 to help low and middle-income countries with healthcare reforms. Through this work, he started working with the World Health Organisation. He is one of the authors of global strategy for traditional medicine for the World Health Organisation.
He is also on the advisory board for UNIPLAT. This is a platform specifically designed to help researchers and entrepreneurs worldwide get more exposure and connect with...
2022-06-1629 minThe Accelerator with Michael ConniffJonathan Moore talks to us about the Startup scene in South KoreaJonathan Moore is a tech enthusiast and entrepreneur who has lived in Korea since 2006- He is originally from Texas. He randomly decided to go to South Korea right after college off a spinning globe and he has lived there ever since. Jonathan started off as an English teacher. Later on, met his future co-founder and they started a company called Be Native. This is when he discovered his purpose was in the startup scene. He has been a part of a couple of Startups in Korea. He derives a lot of joy from accelerating startups. He is driven to...
2022-06-1329 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffAnastasia Lit is Dedicated to LongevityAnastasia Lit is the Director of Investor relations for Europe and the Middle East for the Deep Knowledge GroupDeep Knowledge Group is a consortium of commercial and non-profit organizations active on many fronts in the realm of DeepTech and Frontier Technologies (AI, Longevity, FinTech, GovTech, InvestTech), ranging from scientific research to investment, entrepreneurship, analytics, media, philanthropy and more.The vision for the company began back in 2014. Over the years they have grown and now work with amazing companies in the longevity industry like pension and insurance companies.
2022-06-0825 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffMichael Guastamacchio empowers organizations and individuals to communicate through video in a unique way!Michael Guastamacchio Co-Founder / CEO at MediaZilla talked to Michael Conniff about his revolutionary company.
MediaZilla empowers organizations and individuals to communicate powerful information and experiences through video. MediaZilla specializes in making sure your important recordings remain confidential. The company has put specialized security protocols to ensure the videos remain private. What sets the company apart is the fact that they are customer-focused
2022-06-0230 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffAdam C Grant talks about Overlooked Capital. A venture firm that invests in a special category of start-upsAdam C Grant is a venture partner at Republic. He is currently investing with a venture firm called Overlooked Ventures. This is a venture capital firm focused on transparently supporting and investing in early-stage companies with one or more historically ignored founders. The community is made up of minorities, women founders, people of color, and the LGBTQ community. They work with winners and disruptors who have the vision to change the world.
Adam’s dream is to change the world through investing. He also believes in good and authentic leadership.
2022-05-3132 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffFrancis Santora is an Angel Investor and a blogger!He Worked in medical software for 14 years, first as an employee and then as a consultant. He began his investor journey soon afterward. He primarily focuses on C-stage startups. He shared with us some of the great companies he has invested in. When the pandemic struck, he started looking for a hobby that wouldn’t be affected by lockdowns and that is how his blogging journey began. His blog is called tremendous. blog. The blog is an angel investor's take on life and business.
2022-05-2428 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffRenat Khairullin is a global citizen who helps international business founders scale their businessesHe is Russian by Nationality and has Tatar origins. He works for Starta VC where is the Head of African Track. This entails creating an African Accelerator business for Starta VC which has its Headquarters in New York. Starta VC is a global accelerator that helps international business founders scale their businesses irrespective of their origins.
He talks to us about his experience working with African start-ups and how the Start-up scene compares to Russia where he is from and New York. One of the ways that Starta VC empowers business founders is by offering communication workshops and one on...
2022-05-1631 minThe Accelerator with Michael ConniffAndy Gibbs speaks dogAndy Gibbs is the CEO of Fidotek Corporation. Fidotek enables pet owners to speak with their pets via a smart speaker. The company achieved this by acquiring dog data, using AI to determine dog behavior, and converting it into a human voice played into a smart speaker in the home which enables the pet owner and the pets to communicate.
Andy has a wealth of experience in starting and running businesses. So far, he has started six companies. He started his first start up venture when he was 14 years old.
Tune in to today’s episode to learn more about Fi...
2022-05-0940 minThe Accelerator with Michael ConniffDr. Irène Kilubi recently had a conversation with Michael Conniff about the start-up scene in Germany.She is a sought-after brand strategist, entrepreneur, and investor. As an investor, she thrives at helping start-ups thrive.
She is also the founder of Brandprenuer, Brandfluencer a marketing agency that supports visionaries and change-makers, and pioneers to gain traction and acquire new clients. Dr. Irene Kilubi uses her background in corporate influence strategy to achieve this.
2022-04-2629 minThe Accelerator with Michael ConniffMichael Conniff talks with Huey Ching, a young aspiring entrepreneur from Malaysia.Huey Ching is an aspiring entrepreneur doing amazing things while in university. She is the founder and CEO of Chingspire Webdesign Solution. This is a company that creates websites for businesses for the purpose of marketing and identifying potential leads and bringing revenue to the business. She is currently majoring in International Business at Sunway University where she has won the Outstanding Leadership Award and Commitment Service Award.
Huey has always had a passion for business since she was young. When her friends were busy reading comics, she would be reading books on business. She strongly believes in lifelong learning...
2022-04-2030 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffGiannandrea Giammanco talks to Michael Conniff about FVTURA(pronounced as fyoo-chura) A start-up builderGiannandrea Giammanco is the CEO of FVTURA. This is not your typical start-up incubator. Giannandrea describes the company as a venture builder rather than a start-up incubator
A typical start-up incubator usually offers just funding and mentorship. What differentiates Fvtura from other incubators is that they give more. In addition to funding and mentorship, they offer support in terms of operational support. They have the capability in terms of manpower to support the different functions of a start-up, be it coding, marketing, design, etc. All this is done through the in-house Fvtura team.
Andrea took this path from personal experience...
2022-04-1128 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffJames Spurway talks to Michael Conniff about his purpose driven investor journeyJames Spurway is a purpose-driven, impact-focused, angel lead investor who helps first-time sustainable business model founders navigate their external fundraising journey.He is also known as the fundraising angel. He is originally from Australia. He comes from a rural setting in Queensland Australia. In his own words, he was born in a very poor family. His family was literally dirt poor. This phrase had a whole meaning to him since their floor was even made of dirt! With such an upbringing, he learned very early in life the importance of working hard, that hard work gets you to where you...
2022-04-0531 minThe Accelerator with Michael ConniffBjørn Ekeberg talks to Michael Conniff about a revolutionary technology for managing painBjorn Ekeberg is the Chief Commercial Officer at Recharge Health. The company offers a revolutionary technology called the FlexBeam which is targeted red light therapy. The technology offers an alternative way of managing pain without using painkillers. The target user of the device is people who are keen on trying new technology and people aged between 35 to 55 years. The technology is still evolving and they are now targeting people who are in sports, fitness and active recreation since they are more prone to pain and injury. Bjorn is a screenwriter by profession and was approached by the co-founder of the...
2022-03-2832 minThe Accelerator with Michael ConniffMichelle Katics talks to Michael Conniff about a revolutionary training solution for banking and finance professionalsMichelle Katics is the Co-Founder and CEO of BankersLab. BankersLab was started in Thailand by former bankers who decided to come up with solutions to the pain points they encountered in the Industry. The company has been around for ten years and is in 30 countries! Being in the business for this amount of time has seen the company go through a lot of pivotal moments. The most recent change was brought about by COVID which opened up new ways of doing business. The company has developed an improved digital lending process through its core product, The Simulator which is an...
2022-03-2429 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffLev Chneider talks to Michael Conniff about Happiness As A Service (HAAS)Lev Chneider is the CEO of Happiness As A Service (HAAS). According to Lev, HAAS is a mindset. They take data on customer satisfaction and curate it to give customers a 9/10 and even 10/10 satisfaction index. They focus on smaller/silent voices that may otherwise be overlooked or drowned by popular voices. Lev believes that companies and corporations who do not listen to their customers will disappear over time. HAAS does not only apply to customer service but also to job satisfaction. The tool is versatile and adaptable to different markets and use cases. Lev is passionate about the business of...
2022-03-2132 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffAditya Sharma talks to Michael Conniff about a solution for recent grads looking for their dream jobAditya Sharma is the Co-founder and CEO of HiCounselor. This is a career accelerator for recent grads and early stage professionals. The company has been in existence for two years, 8 months and has a success rate of 100%. Candidates who go through HiCounselor get ten times more interviews, they get jobs within five to six weeks instead of waiting for six months or more.
Aditya was prompted to start the company from a personal experience. He sent out numerous applications for a job after clearing grad school at Duke University without any success. The few interviews he got, he wasn’t re...
2022-03-1726 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffAlex Porter, Founder & CEO Mod Tech Labs Inc talks to Michael Conniff about their revolutionary tech
Alex Porter, Founder & CEO of Mod Tech Labs Inc talks to Michael Conniff about their revolutionary technology. MOD is a mobile + cloud-based software that makes 3D in minutes! The way this works is, you take images using your mobile phone or any camera and upload it to the MOD processing portal. The automated portal outputs 3D digital content. The technology uses the data from the photos and scans to create a real and true 3D object. The goal is to make 3D data much more accessible. The company is always evolving and adding features to make 3D imagery more accessible...
2022-03-1445 minThe Accelerator with Michael ConniffAndre Facote talks to Michael Conniff about his highly impactful business, Skizo(Part 2)Andre Facote is from Lisbon, Portugal. He is the co-founder of Skizo. Skizo is a company dedicated to making an impact on the environment by cleaning up plastic in the ocean. They do this in collaboration with fishermen. The idea came to Andre when he and his one-and-a-half-year-old son were out having fun on the beach and his son picked up plastic waste and started to eat. He was greatly disgusted by this and was prompted to do something about the menace of plastic. This is how Skizo was born. Andre runs the company together with his wife.
The company...
2022-03-1017 minThe Accelerator with Michael ConniffAndre Facote talks to Michael Conniff about his highly impactful business, Skizo.(Part One)Andre Facote is from Lisbon, Portugal. He is the co-founder of Skizo. Skizo is a company dedicated to making an impact on the environment by cleaning up plastic in the ocean. They do this in collaboration with fishermen. The idea came to Andre when he and his one and a half-year-old son were out having fun on the beach and his son picked up plastic waste and started to eat. He was greatly disgusted by this and was prompted to do something about the menace of plastic. This is how Skizo was born. Andre runs the company together with his...
2022-03-1010 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffMichael dives deep with Daniel Sarquis, an Angel Investor from Mergus Ventures in BrazilDaniel Sarquis from Brazil. He is a managing partner at Mergus Ventures. At Mergus Ventures, they believe in investment through a transparent, balanced, and prosperous environment. They are made of founders who dive into problem-solving opportunities. They operate in markets that have a lot of potential.
He has an engineering background but was introduced to the world of investment by his dad.
2022-03-0730 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffMichael talks to Jeremy Baksht, a director at Azafran Capital Partners (ACP), a seed+ VC fund specialising in Applied Voice, Acoustic, Imagery Modalities focused on Industry 4.0 and Health & Wellness.Jeremy believes that the best investors are former founders. It takes being a founder to know a founder.
Jeremy is both an investor and an entrepreneur at heart. He believes that the best investors are former founders. He comes from a family of entrepreneurs. His dad instilled in him the value of caring for the people around you, whether family, colleagues, or the society at large. According to Jeremy, the true mark of an investor is not someone you avoid, it is someone you seek help from not only when things go well but also when things don’t go we...
2022-03-0331 minThe Accelerator with Michael ConniffMichael hosts Lyubov Guk and David Gilgur from Blue Lake Venture Capital, UK.Blue Lake is a venture capital firm with a focus on the UK to Ukraine companies. They are keen on helping founders from under-represented places such as Ukraine, India Greece, and France
2022-02-2238 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffMichael hosts Lyubov Guk and David Gilgur from Blue Lake Venture Capital, UK.Blue lake is a venture capital firm with a focus on the UK to Ukraine companies. They are keen on helping founders from under-represented places such as Ukraine, India Greece, and France
2022-02-2238 min
The Accelerator with Michael ConniffMichael talks to Travis Bruffy of Ligo PartnersLigo Partners co-invests with their discrete and invitation-only consortium of like-minded investors into disruptive tech-focused deal flow sourced directly from family offices and top venture capital firms worldwide.
Travis believes that the best companies are the ones that solve smaller problems. When you solve smaller problems, you stumble into billion-dollar solutions. He believes that the pursuit of trillion-dollar ideas usually comes in the way of the small steps along the way which are very fundamental.
2022-02-1537 min