Shows
Silicon StreetInvesting Across Diversified Venture OpportunitiesMike Joslin is currently a partner at the 1842 Fund and a Build Director at High Alpha Innovation, where he focuses on creating and investing in startups in collaboration with universities and corporations. We begin by discussing the start of his career at Best Buy’s corporate headquarters, followed by his MBA at Harvard Business School, where he conducted research under the late Clay Christensen. Mike then explores his experiences across various sectors of venture capital, including corporate VC, venture studios, and fund-of-funds investing. Further, Mike provides guidance to listeners on breaking into the various types of venture capital investing. Fi...2025-03-061h 00Silicon StreetUnderstanding Ethics, Developments, and Outlooks on Artificial IntelligenceDr. John Behrens is the Director of the Technology and Digital Studies Program as well as the Idzik Computing and Digital Technologies Program at the University of Notre Dame. Prior to joining Notre Dame, Dr. Behrens spent 20 years in industry where he held several executive positions at large tech firms like Cisco and Pearson, where he was most recently the Vice President of AI Product Development. Before working at these firms, John was a tenured professor at Arizona State where he taught educational data science. Dr. Behren now focuses on preparing current and future leaders to successfully transition through...2024-03-201h 05Silicon StreetOptimizing Digital AdvertisingHenry Kittle is the COO and Co-Founder of Tiger Tracks, a digital advertising agency focused on helping companies build effective and tailored marketing strategies centered around the top ad platforms. Prior to founding Tiger Tracks, Henry spent over 8 years at Google as a shopping lead, helping companies strategize and deploy their digital marketing budgets. In this episode, we discuss Henry’s career path and some of the lessons he has learned along the way, specifically focusing on how to make the most of opportunities that present themselves to you. Next, we dive into the digital advertising industry and Henry’s mo...2024-02-281h 04Silicon StreetBalancing Career Excellence, Impact, and AuthenticityMichelle Seitz is the Founder and CEO of MeydenVest Partners, an investment and strategic advisory firm that partners with businesses within the technology, healthcare, and financial services sectors who are aiming to solve important problems. Prior to founding MeydenVest, Michelle was the Chair and CEO of Russell Investments and CEO of William Blair Investment Management. First, we explore the mission and strategy of MeydenVest by looking at how Michelle aims to create value and impact in her investments. Next, we dive deeper into the role that investment firms should play in providing a social impact through their investments. After...2024-02-141h 01Silicon StreetThe Art and Science of Consumer InvestingMike Mauzé is a Founder and Partner at VMG Partners, a leading investment firm that backs visionary consumer products and technologies. First, we discuss some of the most important considerations before starting your own private equity fund and explore the sacrifices and benefits involved. Next, Mike elaborates on the art and science of consumer investing, offering insights for aspiring investors to master both aspects. Following this, he outlines the consumer trends VMG is monitoring and how the firm aims to capitalize on these opportunities. Lastly, Mike shares his perspective on the qualities of an ideal private equity professional and o...2024-01-3140 minSilicon StreetVC Fundraising and Inclusive InvestingAndy Will is a Partner at Zeal Capital Partners, an early-stage VC fund pioneering an investment thesis focused on inclusive investing. Prior to joining Zeal, Andy worked as a Consumer Fintech investor at Listen Ventures, Head of Trading at TOMS Capital Investment Management, and an associate at JP Morgan in the Equities Derivatives group. He also holds an MBA from the Chicago Booth School of Business. In this podcast, we discuss Andy’s path into the VC realm and go over some suggestions he has for breaking into these roles and maximizing your potential as a young investor. Andy al...2023-11-1650 minSilicon StreetExploring the Evolving Nature of Consumer Tech InvestingMary Miller is the Head of Business Development within Growth Equity Investing at Norwest Venture Partners. Prior to joining Norwest in 2023, Mary was a Director at SoftBank’s Vision Fund and has held a number of other positions focused on investments in consumer technology companies. First, we explore some of the administrative and investing roles that Mary has worked in as she explains how she ended up in her current role. Next, we talk about some of the advantages and opportunities that working for SoftBank’s Vision Fund gave Mary as well as some of the lessons learned while work...2023-11-0250 minSilicon StreetInsights from an Artificial Intelligence PioneerProfessor Raymond Mooney is the Director of the Artificial Intelligence Lab at the University of Texas at Austin. Having written his first paper on AI as a 17 year-old and spending his entire academic and professional career as an AI researcher, Prof. Mooney has become one of the most respected and distinguished thought leaders in the world on artificial intelligence and natural language processing. First, we talk about what the blanket term “artificial intelligence” really encompasses and dig into some of the groundbreaking research that Prof. Mooney has conducted in the recent past. Next, we take a look into how AI h...2023-09-1840 minSilicon StreetMonetizing Talent and Investing in the Creator EconomySara McLay is a Director at UTA Ventures, the growth arm of the United Talent Agency. First, Sara talks about her career journey through the entertainment industry and delves deeper into what UTA is, specifically highlighting the unique role she has on the Ventures team. Next, Sara explains what the Creator Economy is and how celebrities like Mr. Beast have been able to leverage their talent and platforms in this new economy to create business empires. Afterward, Sara discusses how UTA aims to capture value in this type of economy by investing in and partnering with celebrities who have...2023-06-1430 minSilicon StreetFrom Idea to Exit: Breaking Down the Business Life CycleKonrad Billetz has built and led several startup companies over the past decade, including his current company Outliant, and has received many distinctions for his entrepreneurial work, including an appearance on Shark Tank, being listed on Forbes 30 under 30 list, and being featured in numerous media outlets including Forbes and Entrepreneur. First, we talk about Konrad’s unique career journey and what a typical day in the life of a busy startup founder like Konrad looks like. Next, we break down the different stages of a typical business life cycle: from formulating an idea, to creating a business model, to lo...2023-05-3034 minSilicon StreetNavigating the Wall Street “Conveyor Belt”Cody Kittle is a Portfolio Manager at Elliot Management. Prior to joining Elliot, he worked as a private equity associate at Wind Point Partners and an Investment Banking Analyst at JP Morgan. First, we talk about the typical finance career path and the discernment process of finding the right role within the industry. Next, we discuss interview and networking tips for progressing through careers in finance. Specifically, Cody gives advice on how to craft your story and stand out in an interview. Finally, Cody speaks about what makes a good investment and how an activist investor can serve as...2023-05-1552 minSilicon StreetDeveloping a Competitive Advantage in an Oligopolistic MarketKeith Melaragno was a long time manager at Pepsi Beverages Company and spent time in various high-level roles throughout the company including the VP of Marketing, VP of Foodservice, and VP of Retail in the Midwest. First, Keith talks about his career journey through the food and beverage industry, how the broad exposure he got by rotating through various divisions of Pepsi benefited him later in his career, and the benefits that can come from working at a large corporation like Pepsi. Next, we dive into the various strategies that Pepsi uses to create a competitive advantage beyond price...2023-03-0948 minSilicon StreetFrom Boardrooms to Breakthroughs: Exploring the Role of the Board Member in Venture CapitalJeff Bocan is a partner at Okapi Venture Capital, which is a venture capital firm based in Ladera Ranch, California that invests during the seed stage in technology and software driven companies. First, we talk about the factors that led Jeff to pursue a career in venture capital and some of the unique insights he gained from interesting experiences that he had early on in his career. We also talk about his current role at Okapi, and we analyze Okapi’s unique investment strategy and how they work to create value for their portfolio companies. Next, we do a de...2023-02-241h 03Silicon StreetSolving Global Issues Through InvestingSean Davis is the founder of and a managing director at Merton Capital Partners, which is a US-based investment firm that specializes in creating efficient vehicles to deploy large-scale philanthropy. First, we chat about how Sean’s experiences living abroad opened his eyes to the need for philanthropy giving and take a look at the major issues that Sean addresses in his book “Solving the Giving Pledge Bottleneck.” Next, we take a deep dive into the structure of Merton’s investment philosophy and compare it to typical structures of venture capital and private equity firms. We also analyze some of the p...2023-02-1053 minSilicon StreetDeveloping a Marketable AI SolutionRyan Welsh is the co-founder and CEO of Kyndi, a natural language technology platform that utilizes artificial intelligence to assist enterprises. First, we discuss how the processing, storing, and transfer of information has advanced via technology while the ability of humans to read and consume information has not. This pivots into a discussion of how AI, specifically Kyndi, will allow us to bridge this gap. Next, we discuss some nuances within the AI industry, including barriers to widespread adoption and some possible solutions. We conclude by looking into some of the realities of running a business and the direction...2023-01-261h 01Silicon StreetCreating Value in an Unstable EconomyRussell Steenberg is a 40-year veteran in the private equity industry and is transitioning from his role as a managing director and the global head of the BlackRock’s Private Equity Partners business to serve as Chairman for the business. First, we discuss the challenges Russell faced and the lessons he learned throughout the process of building and leading BlackRock’s PEP into its current form. Next, we take a look at some of the important qualitative traits and quantitative metrics that Russell considers when making investments. We also talk about current trends in private equity and how investors can...2023-01-1950 minSilicon StreetStories from a Serial Pharmaceutical EntrepreneurSteve Tullman has founded and led 12 pharmaceutical startup companies during his impressive career and currently serves as the Executive Chairman of Nexstone Immunology, a clinical stage drug development company. First, we discuss Steve’s experiences at pharmaceutical giant GSK, where he spent 15 years gaining exposure to several different business sectors and spending time abroad, until he eventually worked his way into senior leadership roles. Next, we hear some assorted stories from Steve’s experiences while investing in, founding, and leading pharmaceutical startup companies. Finally, Alex Tullman, former co-host and founder of Silicon Street, comes back on the podcast to high...2023-01-051h 29Silicon StreetInvesting from an Operational PerspectiveRichard Dresdale is a senior managing director at Jefferson River Capital, which is a small family office private equity firm that invests across a number of industries including in industrial and healthcare businesses. First, we talk about Richard’s long and distinguished career in private equity, including his involvement in starting a middle-market private equity firm called Fenway Partners and his current role at Jefferson River Capital. Next, we dive into Richard’s perspective on the value and benefits that having operational experience can have when it comes to private investing. Richard also breaks down the structure and typical role...2022-12-2945 minSilicon StreetWork and Life in Private EquitySara Gilson is a principal at Freeman Spogli & Co., a middle-market PE fund based in Los Angeles with an industry focus in the consumer and distribution sectors. During our conversation, we first take a look at the lessons Sara learned during her experiences in investment banking as well as the benefits she gained by attending Harvard Business School. Next, we dive into the unique investment approach and board structure utilized at Freeman Spogli. Finally, we wrap up with a discussion of work-life balance and the challenging but rewarding experience of being a mother in finance.2022-12-161h 13Silicon StreetRevolutionizing the Telecom SpaceDennis Thankachan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Lightyear, a telecom company that allows businesses to buy and manage all telecom services through a single platform. Additionally, he is an angel investor in numerous tech start-ups. First, we take a look at the lessons Dennis learned through his career in banking and at a hedge fund. Next, we dive into the telecom space, where Dennis elaborates on some of the issues he is working to solve. We also look into how Dennis came up with the idea for Lightyear and how he has successfully taken his product to market...2022-12-0855 minSilicon StreetBreaking into Private Equity Right Out of CollegeTom Daly is an analyst at Great Point Partners, a healthcare private equity fund based in Greenwich, CT that invests across all sectors of the healthcare industry. Tom is a recent graduate of Notre Dame, where he started a gamified learning platform called “TD3 Innovative Gaming” and also worked in M&A at Evercore in the Investment Banking division during his junior year summer. As private equity firms have become more open to recruiting straight out of college, we talk to Tom about the journey he took to secure a private equity job directly after graduating and his advice on w...2022-11-1832 minSilicon StreetAn Update on the Future of Silicon StreetWith Conor, Alex, and Chris recently graduated from college and currently focused on starting their professional careers, Silicon Street is excited to announce Michael Cutler and James Barham will be taking over as co-hosts. Michael and James, both sophomores at the University of Notre Dame, are extremely passionate about the mission of Silicon Street and look forward to adding new energy to the podcast. On this episode, Conor, Alex, and Chris reflect on their journey creating Silicon Street into the successful educational platform that it is today. Additionally, Michael and James introduce themselves and outline their goals and aspirations...2022-11-0406 minSilicon StreetThe Evolution of Private Equity & Guiding Companies through the Recent Market DownturnThomas Hagerty is a managing director at Thomas H. Lee Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm investing in the Financial Technology & Services, Healthcare, and Technology & Business Solutions sectors. We chat about Thomas’s 30+ years at THL and the evolution of private equity from when he started in the industry in 1988 until today. For instance, we discuss increased competition, the globalization of PE, and the rise of sector specific funds. Thomas also gives us astute insights into the current market contraction and how businesses should navigate these turbulent times. We wrap up with some life advice on making it in th...2022-08-0950 min
Silicon StreetGrowth Investing in Latin AmericaLuiz Ribeiro is a Managing Director and Co-Head of the Brazil Office for General Atlantic, a leading global growth equity firm. First, we discuss the impact of Luiz’s early career experiences at buyout firm Advent International on his investment philosophy and the lessons he learned from serving as the CFO of one of his portfolio companies. We then dive into the importance of investing in digital first companies and flexible management teams in volatile markets as well as the rise of copycat companies in Latin America. We wrap up with a conversation on price discipline in the face of...2022-06-1040 minSilicon StreetHealthcare Private EquityChris Smith is a Director at GTCR, a leading private equity firm based in Chicago focused on investing in growth companies. In this conversation, we discuss the firm’s investment philosophy and the Leaders Strategy in which GTCR finds and partners with management teams in core domains to identify, acquire, and build market leading companies. We then do a deep dive on the rise of value based care in the healthcare industry and the opportunities to invest in this revolutionary trend. Chris also walks us through the impact of healthcare regulation on deal dynamics as well as his personal de...2022-05-2552 minSilicon StreetNavigating & Leveraging a Larger Fund SizeGurmaan Bhatia is a Vice President at FTV Capital focusing on the Vertical Software and Payment verticals. In this episode, we dive into the advantages of raising a $2.3 Billion fund - over 2x FTV’s previous fund size. We discuss the opportunities that come with larger check sizes, more follow-on offerings, and even special situations investments. Gurmaan lays out FTV’s thematic focused approach to investing combined with their unique style of engaging with entrepreneurs pre and post investment. Gurmaan also gives his thoughts on what makes a strong value-add partner to entrepreneurs and management teams at large as well...2022-05-1941 minSilicon StreetSales Excellence at Insight PartnersTravis Kassay is an Executive Vice President in the Sales Center of Excellence at Insight Partners, a leading global private equity and venture firm with over $90 billion in assets under management. Travis explains the role of the Insight Onsite Team to help guide portfolio companies in product & tech, marketing, sales, talent, business development, and more. Specifically, we discuss the key ways in which Travis helps Insight’s portfolio companies in the areas of sales and customer success. Travis breaks down some of the best tactics to scale a sales organization at a growing software company and maintain alignment between di...2022-05-0542 minSilicon StreetLessons from a Storied Career in Private EquityThomas Franco is a veteran of the private equity industry and currently leads fundraising at Clayton, Dubilier, & Rice (CD&R), one of the largest and oldest private equity firms in the world. Tom provides incredible insight on his journey into the private equity world, the rise of CD&R in the early days of the industry, and lessons learned from leading fundraising for over 15 years. We also discuss CD&R’s investment strategy and focus on operational value-add, alongside the rise of specialization within the private equity space. We conclude with a conversation on the role his liberal arts ed...2022-05-0244 minSilicon StreetInvesting in Middle Market Software and Tech-Enabled CompaniesRJ Gentile is a Vice President at Providence Strategic Growth (PSG), a growth equity firm that has raised over $10 billion in capital and partners with middle-market software and tech-enabled service companies. We dive into RJ’s transition from private equity to growth equity and discuss his time at Summit Partners, one of the earliest entrants into the growth equity space. RJ then discusses PSG’s approach to sourcing and making investments compared to other middle market growth equity firms and talks about the end markets he focuses on. We wrap up with a conversation on career advice for progressing as a...2022-04-2936 minSilicon StreetMedia, Entertainment & Communications Private EquityMike LaSalle is a Partner of Shamrock Capital Advisors, a Los Angeles based investment firm with a rich history of investing in the media, entertainment and communications sectors. He has a wealth of experience in the industry and has served on the board of companies like FanDuel, Harlem Globetrotters International, and Excel Sports Management. On this episode, we discuss the key investment strategies of the firm and how investing in the entertainment and media space differs from other spaces like industrials or consumer. Mike provides amazing perspective from his time on the board of directors at FanDuel, including how...2022-04-1545 minSilicon StreetA Wall Street Veteran’s Perspectives on Fixed Income, DeFi, and the BlockchainGary Chan is a Managing Director at JP Morgan with a long history in the financial services industry. We cover his experience in fixed income and his perspective on the role of the blockchain in driving innovation in the space. We also dive into how DeFi is disrupting the entire world of traditional finance, discuss the talent wars between Wall Street and Silicon Valley, and the importance of crypto regulation.2022-03-2034 minSilicon StreetSourcing & Technology Growth EquityMatthew Nash is a Senior Associate at Silversmith Capital Partners, a Boston-based growth equity firm with $2.0 billion of capital under management. During our conversation with Matt, we discuss his path from investment banking to growth equity and his transition from a largely prescriptive role to a more entrepreneurial one. We walk through a day in the life of a young professional at a growth equity firm, including sourcing and speaking with founders of transformational technology businesses. Matt also describes what he looks for in a potential investment, his interest in SaaS & Information services, and his thoughts on the strategies...2022-02-2848 minSilicon StreetThe Private Equity Deal ProcessMatt Roesch is a Vice President at HGGC, a leading middle market private equity firm. HGGC is based in the Bay Area, has $5.6 billion in cumulative capital commitments, and has completed over 300 portfolio investments. During our conversation, Matt discusses his motivation to pursue a career in private equity and perspective on his decision to forgo business school after his completing his associate stint. We also walk through the types of investments HGGC focuses on and the primary strategies the firm deploys to help its portfolio companies succeed. Finally, we do a deep dive on the private equity deal process...2022-02-2346 minSilicon StreetHelping Athletes Monetize their Name, Image, and LikenessOn this episode Alex and Conor chat with Ayden Syal and Brandon Wimbush, the co-founders of MOGL. MOGL is a two-sided marketplace connecting college athletes and businesses to help the athletes monetize their name, image, and likeness. Ayden and Brandon both graduated from the University of Notre Dame and Brandon was the starting quarterback at Notre Dame as well. These two amazing entrepreneurs discuss the strategy behind the creation of the business, and how they have gone about building out the marketplace. 2022-02-1543 minSilicon StreetOpportunistic Investing at Sixth StreetBrian D’Arcy is a Partner at Sixth Street, a global investment firm managing over $60 billion in assets. He joins the show to discuss his journey in the world of finance and Sixth Street’s unique investment philosophy. We cover how Sixth Street capitalizes on the flexibility of its mandate, explore the process of sourcing deals aligned with investment themes, and dive into the firm’s investments in the San Antonio Spurs and avocado farms. Brian also provides an overview of his role in leading the Capital Formation & Strategy Group and what he finds fulfilling about his career. We wrap u...2022-02-1046 minSilicon StreetWhat is Middle Market Private Equity?Alex, Conor, and Chris, chat with Elias Dokas, a Managing Director within Midocean Partner’s private equity investing arm. Elias Dokas began his career working with Morgan Stanley in their LBO group and transitioned to work for Blackstone before moving to his current role. Elias gives insight into how Midocean Partners differs in its operations from a mega PE firm like Blackstone and his ultimate motivation behind transitioning from a mega PE fund to a middle market fund. Additionally, Elias provides perspective on the conflicts that may exist between portfolio companies and private equity investors and how investors can en...2022-02-081h 02Silicon StreetBuilding a Unicorn Tech StartupJason Boehmig, CEO of Ironclad, joins the podcast to discuss his journey launching a revolutionary software company disrupting the legal industry. Jason and his team have raised capital from some of the best VCs in the world, including Accel and Sequoia, and we dive into the process of successfully fundraising in Silicon Valley. Jason also talks about the insights he learned from his time on Wall Street, how he went about early product development, and the importance of avoiding feature creep as a software company scales. Other topics include the evolving role of the CEO, goal setting and change...2022-02-0246 minSilicon StreetProduct Development and Design at Snap & ShefWe are joined by Mike Murray, Head of Product at Shef, which is a homemade meal delivery marketplace bringing the sharing economy to your table. Prior to Shef, Mike was an early employee and Product & Design Lead at Snapchat, where he helped grow daily active users and introduce new features to the app, including Stories, Chat, and Discover. During our conversation, we talk about some of the early design decisions made at Snap, how to make ‘what to build’ decisions as a product manager, and the importance of iteration in product development. In the context of his work at Shef...2022-01-2641 minSilicon StreetPursuing Your Passion at Home and at WorkAlex and Conor chat with Mike Sayles, Founder and CEO of Fresh Street. Fresh Street is seeking to create a revolutionary and innovative grocery experience by creating grocery stores that exclusively offer pick-up groceries. In our discussion about his business, Mike discusses his career path and strategies for career discernment, the importance of operating experience for CEOs and how to best build and maintain a professional network. We also discuss the importance of hiring high quality employees in the early days of a startup. Mike concludes by offering his insights into work-life balance, specifically his experience being a founder...2022-01-1951 minSilicon StreetCorporate Development & StrategyAlex Huang, Director of Strategy & Business Development at LiveRamp, joins the show to discuss what it means to work in corporate strategy and business development. We discuss the M&A process from the perspective of a strategic acquirer, including due diligence, the mechanics of getting a deal done, and post acquisition integration plans. We also dive into his operational role as Chief of Staff and advice for young professionals seeking a career in corporate development.2022-01-1741 minSilicon StreetPartner in Operational Excellence in Software Growth EquityWe are joined by Vinny Prajka, Partner in the Operational Excellence Group, at the software growth equity firm JMI Equity. In our conversation, Vinny gives his take on what makes software attractive from an investment perspective, the role of a member of a private equity operating team, and the main ways in which he helps portfolio companies. We also dive into the major challenges software companies often face and the key metrics SaaS businesses should track to measure their success.2021-12-0645 minSilicon StreetGlobalizing the Crypto EconomyOn this episode: Amy Flanagan, an International Strategy and Operations Lead at Coinbase, discusses her experiences working within the crypto economy. Coming from her background in consulting at Bain & Co., Amy was not extraordinarily familiar with cryptocurrencies prior to joining Coinbase. She discusses how she found herself working in crypto, how crypto coins work, why they have value in society, and how she came to trust them. Amy also speaks to what it means to be an “International Strategy and Operations Lead” at Coinbase and the evolution of crypto adoption in different regions of the world.2021-11-3050 minSilicon StreetThe Power of Inflection PointsTCV is one of the largest growth equity firms in the world and has invested over $16B in public and private technology companies. We had the pleasure of speaking with David Zhang, a Principal at TCV, to discuss his career in technology investing. David has over a decade of experience in the global tech industry and he focuses on investments in fintech, digital media, and e-commerce, including investments in Airbnb, Brex, and Klarna. During our conversation, we cover the rationale for TCV’s crossover investing approach as well as the power of investing at pivotal moments and inflection points in...2021-11-2249 minSilicon StreetMaking the LeapConor and Alex chat with Cristina Riojas, co-founder of Sila, a tea brand focused on mindfulness and connection. We discuss starting a company as a college student, Cristina’s passion for tea, and the importance of making the most of a few key decisions in one’s life. Cristina also describes how she has learned to deal with failure during her entrepreneurial journey and her goals for Sila over the coming years.2021-11-1536 minSilicon StreetPrivate Equity SecondariesIn this episode, we speak with Kevin Dunwoodie, a Partner in Pantheon’s Global Secondaries Investment Team. We discuss what the private equity secondaries market is, the value proposition for buyers and sellers, and the key drivers of returns for a secondaries fund. We also dive into the way in which secondaries markets have reacted to recent financial crises and the evolution of GP-led secondary transactions.2021-11-0848 minSilicon StreetInvesting in Automation & AIIn this episode, we are joined by Jason Schoettler, co-founder and managing partner of Calibrate Ventures. Jason and his investing partner have funded companies like Dollar Shave Club (acquired by Unilever), Soft Robotics, Ring, SolarCity, and Chegg. In our conversation, we discuss his decision to start his own venture firm, synthetic data, the challenges robotics companies face over SaaS businesses, and what startups need to achieve to secure a Series A investment after seed capital.2021-10-2535 minSilicon StreetPrivate Investing - From The TopIn this episode we speak with Peter Bell. Peter is the Chairman at Amity Ventures, a VC and PE firm investing in "category defining" technology companies, and the CEO of Epiphany Technology Acquisition Corporation, a SPAC targeting technology companies. Peter's career began in entrepreneurship and has led him to private investing. Peter has a unique view on making private investments and his firm invests across various stages from early stage VC to late stage SPAC investments and buyouts. We discuss Peter's decision-making process, fund strategy and investment strategy, and SPAC deal structure and management. Listen to learn from his...2021-10-1345 minSilicon StreetEdTech and Micro-InternshipsOn this episode: We chat with Jeff Moss, Founder and CEO of Parker Dewey, an education technology marketplace focused on connecting students to micro-internships with reputable companies. We discuss the value of micro-internships, how Jeff transitioned from being a director at Susquehanna Growth Equity, and how Parker Dewey overcame the challenges of building out a two-sided marketplace. Jeff has amazing wisdom on how to develop your career, don't miss this one! 2021-09-2442 minSilicon StreetExploring the BlockchainOn this episode: Conor and Alex chat with Joel Neidig, CEO and co-founder of Simba Chain, a blockchain-as-a-service platform that makes it easy to deploy this exciting new technology across multiple blockchains and data platforms. This conversation defines the blockchain, evaluates potential use cases, and breaks down where Simba Chain fits into the current ecosystem. We specifically dive into smart contracts and NFTs as well as how to selling a product and educate customers in a new industry.2021-09-2151 minSilicon StreetJumping into the Deep EndOn this episode: Jere Doyle is a Boston College professor and proven entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and angel investor across many different companies and funds over the course of his illustrious career. In our conversation, Jere gives his take on the role of innate ability and learning in becoming a successful entrepreneur and describes how entrepreneurship is “the pursuit of opportunity with total disregard for current resources." Drawing from Jere’s company-building experience, we discuss when the best time is to take the leap into entrepreneurship and the challenging evolution of the CEO role as a company scales. We wrap up t...2021-09-1551 min
Silicon StreetGrowing Money - Notre Dame's WayOn this episode: We are joined by Scott Malpass who served as the Chief Investment Officer for Notre Dame’s endowment, growing it from $400 million to over $12 billion. We discuss the strategies and practices that allowed Notre Dame’s investment office to achieve amazing long-term returns on its endowed capital. Specifically, Scott gave his thoughts on asset managers and how to find good ones, the University’s role in private investing, and acting as a co-investor for world-class private equity firms. Scott’s wisdom on long-term investing is unparalleled, don’t miss this episode.2021-09-1048 min
Silicon StreetThe Bank Behind the Innovation EconomyWe are joined by Brian Plamondon, a member of the Healthcare Corporate Venture Relationships team at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). With over 50% of venture-backed life sciences and tech companies in the US banking with them, SVB is engrained within the Silicon Valley ecosystem. During our conversation with Brian, we cover how SVB helped its clients during the pandemic and COVID’s impact on the venture and M&A space. Additionally, we discuss growing verticals within the healthcare industry, increased capital allocation to megafunds and solo GPs, and the state of the venture capital industry abroad.2021-09-0845 min
Silicon StreetAccelerating Solar Energy with SoftwareJohannes Burgard, MD and Founder at the solar energy software company Solytic, joins us for this episode discussing his path as a founder. Johannes explains Solytic’s product and go-to-market strategy that has allowed the company to raise millions in capital and operate in over 60 countries in just 4 years after its founding, and shares his advice from founding his company. As a trained engineer, Johannes is able to provide insight into what it’s like founding a company from a non-business background, and tells the hardships of starting his company.2021-09-0230 min
Silicon StreetFunding Female Founders in FinTechElizabeth Davis, a venture investor at Anthemis on their Female Innovators Lab team, helps us kick off the fall semester with an exciting discussion on early-stage investing and the rise of financial technology companies. In addition to diving into key sub-verticals and investment themes within fintech, we focus on how Elizabeth is working to combat inequities that women face in the venture funding space. Only about 2% of all venture funding goes towards women and Elizabeth wants to change that by helping female founders on the front lines.2021-09-0137 minSilicon StreetSink or SwimJustin Schneider, CEO and co-founder of the LA-based men's fashion brand Wolf & Shepard, joins the show to discuss his journey from track star to shoe designer. Justin talks about the adaptability and willingness to face the unknown that is necessary to become a founder. We also touch on Justin’s industrial design background, his work with Reebok, Adidas, and New Balance, as well as some of his big successes, including seeing Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson wear his shoes.2021-05-1142 minSilicon StreetIntro to Venture StudiosMike Fitzgerald, co-founder and partner at High Alpha, a venture studio in Indianapolis, comes on the show to discuss the strategy and operations of venture studios. Mike’s background in software, sales, and entrepreneurship guides our conversation on starting companies at venture studios, the attractiveness of B2B SaaS, and guiding exits and innovation through large corporations. This episode also provides insight into Mike’s experience founding a venture studio and his advice from that process.2021-05-0439 min
Silicon StreetCorporate Culture & LeadershipOn this episode: Tom Mendoza, former President and SVP of Sales at NetApp and benefactor of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, joins the show to discuss his philosophy behind goal setting and establishing a clear vision for an organization. Drawing on his experience at NetApp, Tom also outlines how he developed a strong corporate culture at NetApp and how others can do the same at fast-growing tech companies.2021-04-2852 min
Silicon StreetNavigating Y CombinatorOn this episode: Conor McCarter is the co-founder of Prequel, which helps companies set up and manage their data stacks so they can focus on what matters: getting insights to drive their businesses. We talk about with Conor about pursuing a dual engineering masters degree and MBA at Harvard and subsequently deciding to jump in full time to work on his startup. We also focus on Conor’s experience with Y Combinator, which is the premier American seed money startup accelerator. Topics include applying and interviewing for YC, maximizing time given the unstructured nature of the program, the infamous Dem...2021-04-2829 min
Silicon StreetSupporting High Growth CompaniesOn this episode: Conor and Alex chat with Mike Anello, co-founder and managing director at M33 Growth, a growth equity firm in Boston MA. On this episode we discuss key aspects of providing value to Growth Equity portfolio companies. Mike touches on his experience in his role as a managing director, creating operations teams, and pitching a company's value to its potential customers.2021-04-2240 min
Silicon StreetHow do Companies Prepare for the Future?On this episode: Conor and Alex chat with Michael Bechtel, Chief Futurist at Deloitte. Michael discusses what it means to be a futurist, how to analyze trends defining future operating systems and opportunities, and how companies can prepare workforces for changing technological environments. Get a glimpse into his thought process and learn about how you can prepare yourself for careers in large corporations.2021-04-1546 min
Silicon StreetHealthcare VC InvestingOn this episode: With over 20 years of experience in venture capital and degrees from MIT and Harvard, Dr. Jeff Himawan, Managing Director at EW Healthcare Partners, joins the show to discuss the role of venture capital in research-intensive pharmaceutical startups. Jeff outlines the impact that longer holding periods have on healthcare venture firms’ relationships with LPs as well as the characteristics needed to raise new financing rounds for pharma startups. Other topics include the impact of the pandemic on healthcare investing, the entrance of big tech into healthcare, and the lack of innovation by big pharma.2021-04-1454 min
Silicon StreetCloud Technology and Big DataConor and Alex chat with Rory Conway, Principal Product Manager at Walmart Global Tech. We discuss the necessity of cloud software solutions, the value of data in business operations, and the threat of this data with respect to cybersecurity. Rory also provides insight on how to position yourself for success in cloud and tech.2021-04-0648 min
Silicon StreetDemocratizing AIConor and Alex chat with Michael Hortatsos, VP of Partnerships at Dataiku, a leading enterprise AI company focused on providing a centralized data platform for businesses. We discuss the basics of enterprise AI, Dataiku’s mission to enable professionals of all backgrounds to be data-driven, and the key applications of AI in industry. Michael also dives into what leading partnerships entails and how to position new technology products to potential customers in a market.2021-04-0140 min
Silicon StreetThe Art of Selling TechnologyConor and Alex chat with Michael Watt, VP of Sales, Strategy, and Operations at expert.ai, an enterprise artificial intelligence company focused on natural language processing. This episode dives into the key corporate objectives of the CEO, mission-critical priorities of the sales team, and the rise of growth marketing. We also discuss the relationship between marketing and sales departments as well as utilizing consultative and value selling to acquire clients.2021-03-3131 min
Silicon StreetDriving Sales Through Competitive AdvantagesOn this episode Conor and Alex chat with Chris Stevens, the man behind Keurig's monumental rise in the at-home, instant coffee industry. Chris discusses the marketing and sales strategies he employed, the importance of competitive advantages, and management of rapid growth in the beginning of the company's history. Listen until the end to also hear Chris' advice on giving back in your communities, and making long-lasting impacts. 2021-03-2528 min
Silicon StreetReimagining Education FinancingOn this episode: Tess Michaels, founder of Stride Funding, talks with Conor and Alex about her journey to expand the opportunities available to students for financing their education. Tess discusses the basics of income share agreements (ISA’s) and Stride Funding’s efforts to provide a differentiated service to students. We also chat about the importance of hiring a strong team as well as Tess’ experience raising capital from both traditional venture capitalists and strategic investors.2021-03-2331 min
Silicon StreetCapital Markets & Private EquityOn this episode: Doug Brody, a Managing Director at KKR, joins the show to discuss his career in capital markets and the basics of private equity. Doug outlines the process of finding and making deals, the structure of leveraged buyouts, and how private equity firms leverage operational efficiencies and financial engineering to create attractive returns. We also discuss common PE exit strategies and how KKR responded to the pandemic to ensure the health of its portfolio companies.2021-03-1857 min
Silicon StreetThe Business Behind Growth EquityOn this episode: Conor and Alex chat with Sean Cantwell, founder and managing partner of Boston-based growth equity firm Volition Capital. Sean provides insight into the process of raising capital from limited partners (LPs) for a new fund and factors of differentiation for investment firms. We also discuss the key metrics and qualities Sean looks for when making new investments and Volition Capital’s stake in the growing low-code/no-code technology space.2021-03-1659 min
Silicon StreetNavigating InnovationOn this episode: Conor and Alex chat with Jay Newman, director of strategy at Jump, a strategy and innovation consulting firm. This episode provides insight into what it’s like to work as an innovation consultant, and also discusses the struggle of trying to find and develop innovative new products. Learn about why this branch of consulting is becoming a must-have service for innovators.2021-03-1148 min
Silicon StreetCreating a B2B SaaS PlatformOn this episode: Ireland Carter, founder of innovative management platform Bricleir, joins the show to discuss the process of creating a B2B SaaS business. Specifically, Ireland highlights her experience with convincing different stakeholders to join her platform, facilitating corporate and startup partnerships, and pursuing a career in tech with a liberal arts background.2021-03-0933 min
Silicon StreetLessons from Running a Tech Investment BankOn this episode: Conor and Alex chat with Ted Smith, co-founder of technology investment bank Union Square Advisors, on his 25-year career serving clients on strategic transaction execution, finance, and operations. Ted walks through his day to day and provides his perspective on the state of the technology markets. We also discuss the rise of technology-focused private equity firms and the intersection of the tech mega-trends cybersecurity, edge computing, and the internet of things (IoT). Finally, Ted tells us about the opportunity he had to sit down for lunch with Steve Jobs as a young investment banker.2021-03-0451 min
Silicon StreetExperimentation & The Path to Product-Market FitOn this episode: Heather Eaton, co-founder of Frankly Apparel, joins the show to discuss her braless clothing company and her journey as an entrepreneur. We dig into the process of understanding the customer through ethnographic interviews, developing an initial product line, and utilizing experiments to test market hypotheses and product viability. Heather also talks about some of her favorite classes she took during her time at Stanford Business School and how she organizes her day to stay productive.2021-03-0340 min
Silicon StreetSupercharging Startups & Corporate InnovationOn this episode: Conor and Alex chat with Cristin Pacifico, manager and venture capitalist at TechNexus. We discuss TechNexus’ unique combination of businesses, corporate joint-ventures, and a fast-growing startup investment portfolio in addition to Cristin’s outlook on the biggest opportunities for technological disruption. Cristin also talks about her background in financial planning and analysis, the M&A process for a startup seeking an exit, and the rise of SPACs as a means for companies to go public.2021-02-0843 min
Silicon StreetThe Tech Transforming the Cannabis IndustryOn this episode: Ryan G. Smith is the co-founder and CEO of LeafLink, a wholesale cannabis marketplace and technology platform. Ryan talks about growing a technology business in a highly regulated space and his focus on creating diversified business solutions that tackle hair on fire problems for cannabis brands and retailers. We discuss his navigation of raising capital, including his plans for the $40 million his company just raised from Founders Fund, and examine the biggest challenges LeafLink has faced during its product-market fit and growth stages. Finally, Ryan tells us about his experiences maintaining company culture during rapid hiring...2021-01-2837 min
Silicon StreetBuilding a Sustainable and Ethical Activewear BrandOn this episode: Tommy Flaim, founder of activewear brand Fox & Robin, joins the podcast to discuss his desire to create a sustainable and humane clothing brand that seeks to partner with manufacturers that provide factory workers with living wages. Tommy talks about incorporating as a benefit corporation, applying for B corp certification, and the importance of ethics in business. We also chat about designing and manufacturing an initial product line, advertising, and competing against the big guys.2021-01-2348 min
Silicon StreetLeveraging Liberal Arts in TechOn this episode: Conor and Alex talk with Tom White, an ex-Googler and current writing partner at On Deck. Tom has worked in a variety of roles at Google including an associate for Google Launchpad’s pre-incubation program, senior editor for responsible innovation, and mentor with Google for Startups Accelerator Program. We discuss how Tom pursued a career in technology with a liberal arts background and his current entrepreneurial ventures as an advisor for a Silicon Valley startup and writing partner for On Deck, a platform serving the many strands of identity of ambitious people who want to change th...2021-01-2133 min
Silicon StreetPursuing & Monetizing your PassionOn this episode: Conor and Alex chat with Alessandro DiSanto, the co-founder and head of growth and finance for the catholic meditation app Hallow. Prior to pursuing entrepreneurship, Alessandro worked as an investment banking analyst and private equity associate at Goldman Sachs and GTCR, respectively. During our conversation with Alessandro, we discuss the importance of structure and cohesion amongst the founding team, the lean development process, forecasting and achieving growth benchmarks, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.2021-01-0440 min
Silicon StreetHow to Start a Company in CollegeOn this episode: Bryan Ritchie is the first vice president and associate provost for innovation at the University of Notre Dame and he leads the University’s IDEA (Innovation, De-risking, and Enterprise Acceleration) Center. Conor and Alex discuss with Bryan the process of developing an idea from conception to minimum viable product to commercialization as well as the opportunities available for Notre Dame students to find funding for their ideas.2020-10-2032 min
Silicon StreetWhat is Growth Equity?On this episode: Conor and Alex speak with Fred Kauber, an analyst at the software and consumer-focused growth equity firm Stripes. We discuss the defining characteristics of growth equity compared to early-stage venture investments, Stripes’ investment thesis, and the importance of leveraging the firm’s network and operational expertise to help portfolio companies tackle their toughest challenges. Fred also provides some background on how he broke into the growth equity space and what his day to day job entails as a growth equity analyst.2020-10-2032 min
Silicon StreetBreaking into VCOn this episode: Conor and Alex interview Caroline Yeager, a Senior Associate at Vitalize Venture Group, and discuss the fundamentals of venture capital, how to break into VC, and the role of an entry-level analyst. Drawing from her experience sourcing potential investments and managing the due diligence process at Vitalize Venture Group and GE Ventures, Caroline provides her perspective on what makes a successful startup and touches upon the differences between corporate and traditional VC.2020-08-2137 min
Silicon StreetIntroduction to Silicon StreetConor and Alex, the co-founders of Silicon Street, introduce themselves and outline the origin and main features of this free ecosystem of educational resources relating to venture capital, entrepreneurship, and technology. Check us out at siliconstreetacademy.com
2020-07-2904 min