Shows
Founder's VoyageNick McEvily - Missionaries and MercenariesIn this episode, we engage in a dynamic conversation with Nick McEvily, a designer and business advisor, who shares his entrepreneurial journey and insights on cultivating a mission-driven company culture. Nick, founder of Relivable and Further Faster Ventures, distinguishes between "missionaries" (employees passionate about the mission) and "mercenaries" (those motivated by financial gain). He emphasizes the importance of adaptability, customer discovery, and maintaining a balance between these employee types. Hosts Spencer and Nancy facilitate discussions on effective leadership, team dynamics, and defining success beyond financial metrics, offering valuable takeaways for entrepreneurs and business leaders.2025-01-0238 minFounder's VoyageGuillermo Jose - AI EthicsIn this engaging podcast episode, we explore the journey of Guillermo Jose, a data scientist and software engineer with a rich background in healthcare and AI. We delve into Guillermo's influences, experiences, and insights on AI and its ethical implications. Guillermo shares his passion for leveraging AI to improve lives, emphasising the importance of understanding data science fundamentals and ethical considerations. The episode inspires listeners to reflect on their own career paths and the evolving role of AI in society.2024-11-2848 minFounder's VoyageRoss Kolodyazhnyi - Fintech, Web3, and the Future of HiringIn this podcast episode, we engage with Ross, an experienced fintech executive and entrepreneur, currently serving as CTO and CPO of Calypso, a Web3 and AI-based hiring platform. Ross shares his journey, emphasizing the significance of mastering programming languages and continuous learning. He discusses the challenges of maintaining work-life balance while pursuing ambitious goals and highlights the ethical considerations in AI, particularly in hiring practices. Ross offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, advocating for open engagement and feedback on their ideas. The episode provides a comprehensive look at the intersection of technology, learning, and ambition in the fintech space.2024-11-1451 minFounder's VoyageAnna Luísa Bessera - Monumental Goals and Life AmbitionIn this episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Anna Luísa Beserra, a LinkedIn Top Sustainability Voice and CEO of SDW for All, a startup dedicated to solving sanitation issues and providing access to clean water. Anna Luísa shares her personal and professional growth, including overcoming public speaking challenges and developing innovative solar water disinfection technology. Host Nancy Spencer and a third participant engage in a rich discussion about the impact of climate change, the importance of sustainable solutions, and the significance of resilience in social entrepreneurship. The episode highlights the ongoing efforts to improve sanitation and ac...2024-10-3140 minFounder's VoyageChristian Pierce - What Business Can Learn from the MilitaryIn this episode of Founders Voyage, we welcomed Christian, a former U.S. Army officer now working at the Competence Center for Diversity and Inclusion at the University of St. Gallen. Nancy facilitated the discussion, while Daniel engaged Christian with insightful questions. Christian shared his dynamic journey, from a transient childhood influenced by his father and grandfather, to his military service, and his current role in promoting diversity and inclusion. He emphasized the importance of empathy, lifelong learning, and a pro-social mindset in leadership. The conversation highlighted how military experiences can translate into effective leadership and problem-solving in diverse...2024-10-171h 02Founder's VoyageAssiye Süer and Jitte Sjösäter - Bridge to Women's SafetyIn this podcast episode, we delve into the journey of Spher, an impact tech company focused on women's safety. The co-founders, Jitte Sjösäter and Assiye "Assi" Süer, share their experiences, challenges, and successes in building their company, emphasizing the importance of diversity, communication, and resilience. We discuss the hurdles faced, such as the departure of their CTO and the need to rebuild their app from scratch. The conversation also highlights their strategic approach to recruitment, the significance of community support, and their long-term vision for Spher. The episode concludes with valuable insights into entrepreneurship and the pow...2024-10-0339 minFounder's VoyageShamyl Bin Mansoor - The Need for DisciplineIn this episode, Shamyl Bin Mansoor, co-founder and CTO of Learner Bots, shares his entrepreneurial journey with host Nancy. The discussion covers the challenges of building an edtech company, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shamyl emphasizes the importance of self-discipline, persistence, and passion for founders. He reflects on the evolution of Learner Bots, the impact of the pandemic, and his changing leadership style. The conversation also explores the growing interest in STEM education, the difficulties of scaling a business, and the role of AI in education. Shamyl's insights offer valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.2024-09-1946 minFounder's VoyageLori Fahidi Cohen - The Soft Skills and EntrepreneurshipIn this engaging episode, we welcome Lori, the head of drama at Tanenbaum Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto. Lori shares her journey and insights into the evolving landscape of education, particularly in the arts. She reflects on her early influences, the impact of the pandemic, and the evolution of teaching methods. Lori emphasizes the importance of curiosity, problem-solving, and learning from mistakes. The conversation highlights the challenges students face in navigating modern information and the vital role of arts in fostering critical thinking. Lori concludes with inspiring words on embracing challenges and continuous learning.2024-09-0549 minFounder's VoyageMónica Albarrán - Empowering Entrepreneurs to ThriveIn this episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Mónica Albarrán, founder of Muuk, a business and personal development platform. Mónica shares her transition from a tax consultant to an entrepreneur and investor, driven by a desire to create meaningful impact. We discuss with Mónica the importance of aligning business with personal values and the transformative power of mentorship. Monica emphasises self-awareness, client selection, and authentic leadership. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to find personal meaning in their work and commit decisively to their goals, encapsulating the essence of purpose-driven entrepreneurship.2024-08-2242 minFounder's VoyageTopical Discussion - Sport ScienceIn this podcast episode, we explore the dynamic intersection of sports technology, entrepreneurship, and genetic testing in athletics. Spencer Walker-Fooks introduces the topic by highlighting Turkish Olympian Yusuf Dikec's success using unconventional equipment, sparking a discussion on the impact of advanced technology in sports. Nancy Nash delves into the mental and ethical implications of specialized gear and genetic testing, and the conversation covers controversial technologies like the Nike Zoom Vaporfly shoes. The conversation underscores the need for ongoing dialogue and thoughtful regulation to balance innovation with fairness and the core values of sportsmanship.2024-08-1535 minFounder's VoyageMaca Botta - Self CreationIn this episode, we engage with Maca Botta, the co-founder and CEO of Brava, who shares her inspiring journey from Uruguay to becoming a successful entrepreneur and advocate for women's empowerment. The discussion, guided by our host, delves into her experiences growing up, the challenges of being a female leader, and the importance of vulnerability in leadership. Another speaker adds personal reflections on entrepreneurship and family dynamics, highlighting the societal expectations faced by male entrepreneurs. The episode emphasizes the significance of diversity, personal growth, and redefining success on one's own terms, encouraging listeners to embrace their unique paths.2024-08-0850 minFounder's VoyageEmily Hao - From Vending Machines to InvestmentIn this episode of the Founders Voyage podcast, we delve into the inspiring journey of Emily, a dynamic entrepreneur and software engineer at Capgemini. Emily shares her experiences from college to founding "Investing at Home" and "Zen Path Wellness." She discusses the challenges of taking over her mother's business during her illness, launching a gelato shop, and her focus on alternative investments and mental wellness. Hosted by Nancy, the conversation also touches on gender bias in venture capital, Emily's MBA pursuit at Oxford, and her innovative vending machine business. The episode highlights the importance of resilience, community, and continuous...2024-07-2546 minFounder's VoyageMarwa Louati - Following the Data to InnovationIn this podcast episode, we interview Marwa Louati, a molecular biologist, biochemist, and entrepreneur from Tunisia. Marwa shares her inspiring journey from aspiring medical doctor to co-founding Mo, a company focused on investment management in Tunisia and Africa. She discusses her pivotal experiences in startups, the importance of precision medicine, and her involvement in various associations. Marwa also delves into her approach to work-life balance, team selection, and leadership. Her passion for science, entrepreneurship, and making a meaningful impact in healthcare and investment management is evident throughout the conversation.2024-07-1152 minFounder's VoyageTibor Zechmeister - MedTech and EntrepreneurshipWe had the pleasure to talk with Tibor Zechmeister, an experienced entrepreneur in the healthcare and medtech sectors, who shares his journey and valuable insights. Tibor discusses his background in biomedical engineering, the inspiration behind his first startup, and the challenges he faced, such as raising funds and navigating regulations. He emphasizes the importance of aligning personal values with projects, the significance of feedback, and the value of networking. Tibor also highlights the need for innovation in the medtech space and shares his expertise in regulatory affairs. His insights provide aspiring entrepreneurs with practical guidance and inspiration.2024-06-2756 minFounder's VoyageBethanie Couri & Pierre Paul - Bridging the gap of Assisted TechIn this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Bethanie Couri and Pierre Paul, the innovative minds behind We Hear You LLC. They shared their personal and professional journey of creating technology to enhance communication for the deaf community. They discussed the inception of their sign language translator, the challenges they faced, and the importance of community feedback and mentorship. Their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility shone through as they talked about their future plans to expand across Midwest universities. Bethanie and Pierre also imparted valuable advice on staying true to one's values and embracing discomfort for...2024-06-1347 minFounder's VoyageJustin Paluku - Up with AfricaIn this inspiring podcast episode, we welcomed Justin Paluku, General Director of Up With Africa, who shared his journey from being a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo to empowering fellow refugees in Uganda. Justin discussed the significant role mentors played in his integration and professional development, particularly in learning English and computer skills. He detailed the work of Up With Africa, which he co-founded to connect refugees with remote work opportunities through advanced computer technology and education. Justin highlighted the need for scholarships, startup capital for businesses, and practical support in education and livelihood opportunities for refugees...2024-05-3045 minFounder's VoyageAshutosh Tiwari - Promoting Entrepreneurship, Intrapreneurship and Societal Change in NepalIn this insightful podcast episode, we had the pleasure of hearing from a seasoned entrepreneur with roots in Nepal who has made significant strides in various sectors, including social activism, media, non-profit, and the private sector. Ashutosh Tiwari, the founder of SAFAL Partners and co-founder of Enterprise Entrepreneurs for Nepal, delved into his journey of economic development and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the critical role of problem-solving and an entrepreneurial mindset in tackling social and environmental challenges. He shared his transition into angel investing, underscoring the importance of qualities like drive, execution, and adaptability in entrepreneurs.The conversation...2024-05-231h 05Founder's VoyageLorena Sánchez García - The Latam DreamIn this engaging podcast episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Lorena, the CEO of Erudit and a General Partner at Billioneurons. She shared her entrepreneurial journey and insights into the tech industry in Latin America. Lorena discussed her role in building Rappi, a successful regional company, and her venture Erudit, which harnesses HR tech and AI. She also touched on her leadership at Founder Institute Mexico and the challenges posed by changes in government support for tech entrepreneurship. Lorena highlighted the venture capital landscape in Latin America, emphasizing the need for experienced fund managers and a supportive network...2024-05-0945 minFounder's VoyageKratika Agarwal - Bringing Hope to Mental Health2024-04-1847 minFounder's VoyageAdonica Shaw - WingwomenIn this podcast episode, Adonica Shaw, founder of Wingwomen Inc and a preeclampsia survivor, discusses her advocacy for women's health and her entrepreneurial journey. She shares her personal experience with preeclampsia and how it inspired her to create a platform for peer support in maternal and reproductive health. The conversation covers the challenges of healthcare biases, the importance of continuous education, and the impact of the pandemic on digital health services. Adonica emphasizes the need for self-care and offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, inviting listeners to connect with her and learn more about her work.2024-03-2155 minFounder's VoyageXimena Buffa - Variety and Challenging YourselfIn this podcast episode, Ximena from MTI Selling discusses her entrepreneurial journey with hosts Nancy and Spencer also addressing questions from the audience. Ximena recounts her transition from aspiring to work abroad to co-founding a B2B marketing consultancy for IT companies in Latin America. She credits her mentor, Andrea, for guiding her early business steps and discusses her educational background in communication and educational technology. Ximena highlights MTI Selling's expansion into international markets as a major victory, while acknowledging the challenges of managing a growing company. She envisions maintaining a medium-sized, women-supportive company and aims to empower future...2024-03-0850 minFounder's VoyageParthiban S - Obsession, Hard Work and Raw TalentIn this podcast episode, Parthiban, a robotics engineer and entrepreneur, shares his experiences founding KreatIn and Myunichums. He discusses the challenges Indian students face studying abroad, the startup scene in India, and the importance of transparency in education. Parthiban highlights Myunichums' success in connecting students with mentors and resources, and the role of passion and obsession in learning new skills. He also touches on the significance of SEO in business naming and the dedication required for entrepreneurship. The episode wraps up with a positive note, emphasizing the value of hard work and continuous learning for aspiring entrepreneurs.2024-02-2248 minFounder's VoyageWycliffe Barasa - Lighting CandlesIn this podcast episode, Wycliffe Barasa, a leader in donor relations at Impact Africa Network and founder of Kosi Africa, recounts his challenging upbringing and how it shaped his commitment to empowering youth and fostering entrepreneurship. He discusses his work with Vana Trust, his transformative experience at MIT boot camps, and his belief in the entrepreneurial mindset. Wycliffe emphasizes the importance of learning from failure, mentoring, and creating sustainable solutions to societal problems. His dedication to innovation, environmentalism, and community volunteerism is evident as he shares his journey and insights into African startups and leadership.2024-02-091h 03Founder's VoyageAashi Dutt - AI and Women Tech MakersAashi Dutt, an AI engineer and Women Techmakers ambassador, discusses her career and insights into AI and machine learning. She shares her background, the creation of Med Engage Healthcare Pvt Limited during the pandemic, and her work with TFUG Chandigarh. Aashi talks about the importance of AI ethics, data privacy, and her role in mentoring within the Women Techmakers community. We explore Aashi's perspectives on technology, her experiences with her startup, and her advice for those interested in tech and healthcare. Aashi's story highlights resilience, learning, and the pursuit of new challenges.2024-01-2252 minFounder's VoyagePatricia Silveyra - Trailblazing Scientist2024-01-061h 14Founder's VoyageShamyl Bin Mansoor - Education, Technology, and PassionIn this podcast episode, Shamyl, co-founder of LearnOBots, shares his journey of starting an edtech company aimed at making learning more engaging through technology. He discusses the challenges they faced in convincing schools to adopt their model and how they overcame these by conducting their own workshops and utilizing social media. Shamyl also talks about the company's evolution from a hardware-oriented model to a scalable software-as-a-service model. He highlights the importance of having advisors and maintaining a work-life balance. The episode concludes with Shamyl discussing LearnOBots future expansion and emphasizing the importance of passion in entrepreneurship.2023-11-2045 min
Founder's VoyageSelene Garcia - Embracing Challenges as OpportunitiesIn this podcast episode, our guest Selene Garcia, a cybersecurity business developer and customer success manager, shares her career journey and insights. She discusses her transition from the paper and packaging industry to cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of seeing challenges as opportunities for growth. Selene also emphasizes the value of continuous learning in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.2023-11-0259 min
Founder's VoyageHassan Hankir - AI, Football and Doing What You LoveIn this episode, mathematician, entrepreneur, and research scientist Hassan Hankir shares his journey from studying in Morocco to co-founding a VR startup in the US. We discuss the importance of pursuing passion, the challenges of selling VR, and the transition to AI and data science. Hassan also talks about his role as a scientific R&D consultant for Layton, the future of consulting in data science, and the use of social media algorithms and APIs in AI. We also touch on the human aspect in AI applications and Hassan's interest in teaching. We conclude with Hassan emphasizing the importance...2023-10-0555 min
Founder's VoyageAndrew Hendrawan - Hello Sister2023-09-2251 min
Founder's VoyageChryssi Chorafa - Decoding the Fintech PuzzleIn this podcast episode, Chryssi Chorafa, CEO of StarLix, shares her extensive experience in the financial industry, focusing on financial inclusion and sustainable finance. Interviewed by Spencer and Matt, she discusses her engineering background, roles in regulation, banking, and fintech, and her advocacy work. Chryssi talks about leveraging technology like distributed ledger and machine learning to tackle industry challenges, mentoring companies, and navigating power dynamics. The episode explores the impact of legacy systems, the rise of platform-integrated finance, and Chryssi's vision for embedding compliance in transactions. She leaves entrepreneurs with advice on market understanding and balance. The episode concludes...2023-08-1752 min
Founder's VoyageBen Thorpe - Designing as an Entrepreneur2023-07-061h 01Founder's VoyageJoshua Richards - Product Design and Entrepreneurship2023-06-2257 minFounder's VoyageJonathon Braun - Integrity in Politics and EntrepreneurshipIn this podcast episode, Jonathon, the founder of Perikles, discusses his startup aimed at improving voter confidence and participation by providing quality election information. Jonathon shares his journey from feeling uninformed and apathetic during the 2016 presidential race, to creating an app that could help others navigate the political landscape. He emphasises the importance of maintaining unbiased information on the platform, and his hopes for increasing voter engagement, particularly among young people. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on politics, the transition from a 9-5 job to a personal project, and the importance of embracing fear in...2023-04-0253 minFounder's VoyageAbu Benna - Building a Green Unicorn2023-02-2343 minFounder's VoyageClay Stelzer - Entrepreneurship and Yourself2022-09-111h 00Founder's VoyageTadeo Taguma - Entrepreneurship in Africa2022-07-2354 minFounder's VoyageNicolas Benenzon - Digital EmpowermentIn this episode, forward-thinking CEO and Co-Founder at Humand, Nicolas Benenzon talks with us about diving head-first into his first entrepreneurial venture as a 10 year old running a successful gaming server in Argentina, the process of finding a problem he fell in love with, and what building a Human Resources company at 22 taught him about how hard work paired with a strong vision and good intentions is far better than good luck.2022-03-1852 minFounder's VoyageRedmond Siu - Empowering Global Innovation2022-02-2055 minFounder's VoyageLaura Smulian - Entrepreneurship in Education2022-01-2857 minFounder's VoyageDr Nithyashree Koratagere - Care On Call2021-09-1649 minFounder's VoyageZara Huseynova - Vision and LeadershipIn this podcast episode, Zara, an MIT bootcamps alumni and entrepreneur, shares her journey from her conservative upbringing in Azerbaijan to becoming a successful businesswoman. She discusses the importance of independence, embracing failure, and maintaining personal values in entrepreneurship. Zara also talks about her approach to leadership, the challenges she faced as a young woman in business, and her philosophy on success. Despite taking a break to focus on motherhood, Zara is exploring opportunities in the environmental sector and emphasizes the importance of self-care and enjoying the entrepreneurial journey.2021-07-181h 04Founder's VoyageMattheus Veloso Dias - Improving Daily Life through Data Science and AI2021-04-211h 02Founder's VoyageDaniel Melo - Development, Design, and Inner Drive2021-04-181h 14Founder's VoyageMateo Nakach - Scaling For Success2021-01-311h 10Founder's VoyageShoko Takahashi and Jaime Garcia - Social Robotics and Team Dynamics2021-01-121h 03Founder's VoyageLeana Silverberg - Healthcare with Purpose2021-01-0952 minFounder's VoyageTommaso Troiani - Tech With Heart2021-01-0956 minFounder's VoyageLeana Silverberg - Healthcare with Purpose2021-01-0252 minFounder's VoyageWasim Mohindeen - Medical Thinktank Discussion2020-12-2440 minFounder's VoyageWasim Mohindeen - Medical Thinktank Discussion 22020-12-2445 minFounder's VoyageJorge Carlos Barrientos - Unattended Markets2020-12-241h 09Founder's VoyageAdriana Mellozi - Assistive Technology Innovator2020-12-241h 00Founder's VoyageAndrew Community - Red Biz Growth Camp2020-12-151h 05Founder's VoyageSharmin Choudhury - Start With Tinni2020-12-1557 minFounder's VoyageMark Pigram - Travelling Dads and Travelling Mums2020-12-1548 minFounder's VoyageLuciano Araujo - Deep Diver into Creativity and Innovation2020-12-151h 14Founder's VoyageAlice Layton - Asset Based Approach to Community DevelopmentIn this episode of the Founders Voyage community discord live discussion, social entrepreneur Alice Layton shares her experiences and insights on creating social change through innovative solutions in South America. She discusses the importance of addressing social issues like education and conservation, leveraging tourism for revenue, and the power of entrepreneurship in empowering indigenous communities. Alice emphasizes measuring impact through positive community outcomes and the need for inclusion and understanding of local dynamics. We explore the complexities of Alice's business model, her role as a catalyst for change, and the philosophy of utilizing community resources.2020-12-1554 min