When Neil Parikh was in medical school, he called his parents to say he was taking a year off to move to NYC. At the time, they were furious, but little did he know that would be one of the best decisions of his life. He partnered with his friend, whom he met at a coworking space, to build a DTC mattress company. Their most recent valuation was at …

At just 12 years old, Sam Obletz decided to put his studies on the back burner and start a computer integration company with his friend. Today, he has come a long way from building computers and is now on a mission to change advertising forever. This is his multi-billion dollar plan. Follow the host: https://twitter.com/shamusmadan 📩 Join The Dealr…

The education system is broken, but Tade Oyerinde is on a mission to save it with his startup Campus. He raised tens of millions from Sam Altman, Dr. Shaquille O'Neal, and many others. This is his multi-billion dollar plan. Follow the host: https://twitter.com/shamusmadan 📩 Join The Dealroom: https://dealroompodcast.com/subscribe Learn more about C…

In 2016, Joe Lemay's balance sheet for Rocketbook was -$400k, and no VC would touch him. Bootstrapping was his only option. After four years of sweat and tears, he and his co-founder, Jake, built the company to a +$50M exit. This is the story of Rocketbook. Connect with Joe Lemay here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lemayjoe/ Follow the host: https://…

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Bobby Brannigan about his entrepreneurial journey, from his father's grocery store to stock trading and textbook business. They discuss Bobby's innovative strategies, business financing, handling lawsuits, and market competition. Bobby shares his personal journey, including a life-changing backpacking trip a…

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Lucie Basch about her fight against food waste, the creation and scaling of her platform, Too Good To Go. They discuss the economic and environmental impacts, onboarding challenges, international expansion, and the importance of a company's story. Lucie also shares advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Meet Luc…

In this episode, Shamus Madan converses with Noah Kagan about his journey from his early marketing experiences to his time at Facebook and Mint. They discuss 'Test and Invest', a strategy used by AppSumo, and Noah shares advice he'd give to his younger self. Not long after graduating from UC Berkeley, Noah became employee #30 at Facebook, where he …

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Ben Van Leeuwen about his journey in the ice cream industry, starting a business with limited capital, and building a positive culture. They discuss hiring strategies, finding capital for growth, overcoming challenges, and the reality of overnight success. It was the summer of 2004. Ben Van Leeuwen was looki…

In this episode, Shamus Madan converses with Matt Chan about his entrepreneurial journey. They discuss Matt's transition to entrepreneurship with Alpine Media, his experiences in agency work, and how he ventured into the pool building industry. Matt shares his encounters with personal challenges, including a robbery in Greece, and how he overcame i…

In this episode, Shamus Madan speaks with Dori Yona about his entrepreneurial journey, from his early ventures to the founding of Ernie. They discuss the challenges of shutting down a company, leading to the creation of Simple Closure, a solution that simplifies this process. Yona shares insights on customer acquisition, growth, and securing ventur…

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks to Ritwik Pavan about his journey from creating his first app, Flappy Yeeke, to establishing Linker Logic Technologies. They discuss Ritwik's transition to Vade, the inception of Krava, its role in addressing the housing crisis, and future goals. Ritwik shares his long-term vision and advice for aspiring entrepre…

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews Kat Cole, discussing her early life, work experiences, and decision to drop out of college. They delve into overcoming stereotypes, imposter syndrome, and the challenges of being a young executive. The importance of financial education and self-love are also discussed, with Cole offering advice on independen…

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Emil Michael about the importance of mentors, his career journey post-Harvard, and his transition to the public sector. They discuss the shifting honor from public to private sector and Emil's experience at Uber, including its growth, international expansion challenges, and evolution into a 'SuperApp'. They …

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews Hussein Fazal, discussing his entrepreneurial journey, the transition from bootstrapping to VC funding, and breaking into a duopolistic market. They also talk about Steph Curry's investment, remote work culture, and traits of successful entrepreneurs. The year is 2008. Hussein Fazal just quit his tech job to…

In this episode, Shamus Madan speaks with Jason Shuman about the challenges of entrepreneurship, from dealing with self-doubt to choosing business locations. They discuss strategies for building a strong VC network, the difficulties of raising capital, and how to handle business failure. The conversation wraps up with Jason's approach to seed inves…

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Bob Muglia about his career from early digital communication to Microsoft and beyond. They discuss startup expansion, cloud computing, AI, and the importance of focus and values in business. The conversation also delves into the future and risks of AI, societal implications, and Bob's book "The Data Pernoor.…

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews Matt Higgins, discussing his journey from poverty to becoming the youngest press secretary in history. They delve into topics like self-reliance, the relationship between opportunity and data, and the importance of supportive partnerships. The conversation also touches on personal growth through depression, …

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews Neil Blumenthal, co-founder of Warby Parker. They discuss Blumenthal's journey from Vision Spring to Warby Parker, the importance of customer experience, and the company's expansion strategies. They also delve into the future of glasses industry, Warby Parker's social impact, and key takeaways for entreprene…

In this episode, Shamus Madan converses with Ben Lamm about his journey from early life to becoming the founder of Colossus Biosciences. They discuss the company's mission, the inspiration behind it, and the challenges of biodiversity loss and raising funding. They also talk about balancing investor advice, the role of celebrity involvement, and de…

In this episode, Shamus Madan converses with Josh Felser about his entrepreneurial journey, the importance of pioneering in new technologies, and the role of AI in climate tech. They delve into Felser's leadership style, transition from entrepreneurship to venture capitalism, and the significance of investing in Climate Tech. The episode also touch…

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Courtney Reum, co-founder of M13. They discuss Courtney's journey from Goldman Sachs to entrepreneurship, the role of investment banking in business success, and the unique dynamics of founding a business with a family member. They delve into the concept of 'doing the impossible' in business, the transition …

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks to Mike Salguero about his entrepreneurial journey, from his early ventures to the birth and growth of ButcherBox. They discuss the impacts of venture capital, hiring strategies, and the future of meat consumption, concluding with advice for young adults. Let’s talk about entrepreneurship. Over the last few decad…

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Wes Kao about her early career, transition into entrepreneurship, and the role of Maven in online learning. They discuss the impact of COVID-19 on e-learning, the potential of solopreneurship, and the future of online education. Wes Kao is the Co-Founder of Maven, the platform for cohort-based courses. Prior…

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews venture capitalist Maryanna Saenko. They discuss her journey from science and engineering to venture capital, the formation of Future Ventures, and their investment strategy in future tech companies. The conversation also explores the concept of winner-take-all markets, Saenko's interest in sustainable solut…

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews Indus Khaitan, discussing his journey to Oracle, the challenges faced by immigrant entrepreneurs, and the importance of networking. They delve into Khaitan's role at Quollum, the customer acquisition process, and valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Indus Khaitan is the CEO of Quolum. He has over two …

In this episode, Shamus Madan converses with Noam Bardin about his tech journey and the creation of Post. They delve into comparisons between Post and TikTok, Post's business model, and its moderation policies. They discuss user engagement, verification processes, misinformation, and the community's role. The impact of social media on mental health…

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Oscar Muñoz about his journey from his grandmother's lessons to becoming the first Hispanic CEO of a major airline. They discuss Oscar's transition into the beverage industry, the role of mentors, strategies for turning around struggling companies, and the impact of personal health crises on his business dec…

In this episode, Shamus Madan engages with Matt MacInnis, discussing his journey from founding Inkling to his transition to Rippling. They delve into the concept of Rippling as a compound startup, misconceptions about such startups, and how to manage growth in economic tightening. They also touch on ethical layoff management and insights for future…

In this episode, Shamus Madan converses with ChatGPT-4 about the challenges in the current secondary education system. They delve into the role of AI in revolutionizing education, balancing automation with learning, and personalizing education using AI. They also discuss fostering critical and creative thinking and the need to prepare educators for…

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews Adam Pritzker, discussing his unique business approach influenced by anthropology, the transition of General Assembly from a co-working space to an educational institution, and the role of culture, service, and values in business success. They also dive into the mission of Assemble Brands in the retail fashi…

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Heather Hartnett about her journey with Human Ventures. They delve into the tech ecosystem, discuss evaluating potential ventures, and share insights into their founder community. Heather also provides advice for aspiring fund managers, the role of hospitality in business, and the dynamics of social media. H…

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews David Abney, former CEO of UPS. They discuss Abney's early career, the future of logistics with AI, and UPS's unique strategies like the right-turn policy. The conversation also covers the role of partnerships, acquisition strategies, key takeaways for future business leaders, and essential skills for succes…

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Brian Scudamore about his entrepreneurial journey, the expansion of The Rubbish Boys, and the role of franchising in business growth. They discuss Elon Musk's strategy of firing and rehiring employees, Brian's experiences on the Oprah and Ellen shows, and Shamus's podcasting journey. They also discuss handli…

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews Brian Smith, founder of UGG. They delve into UGG's origin story and its connection to surfing, discuss the brand's growth phases and struggles, and explore the pivotal shift in UGG's advertising strategy. They also talk about the power of emotions in advertising, the challenges faced in Brian's entrepreneuri…

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews Noor Sweid, discussing her background, the role of vulnerability in leadership, and the challenge of maintaining company culture during expansion. They delve into the intricacies of outperforming the S&P 500 for funds, top startups in the Middle East, reasons for rejecting investment opportunities, and pursu…

In this episode, Shamus Madan converses with Oscar Höglund, discussing his journey from being a 'number guy' to CEO and the creation of Epidemic Sound. They examine the significance of music in content creation, the evolution of Epidemic Sound's business model, and the role of partnerships in its success. They also explore the future of the music i…

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Bill George about his book "True North" and ethical hiring practices. They critique Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg's leadership, explore the effects of investor hype, and discuss the role of coaching in leadership. They also discuss the impact of leadership change, the importance of prioritizing company over …

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Mike Evans about his entrepreneurial journey, starting with his MIT experiences and early startup involvement. They discuss the creation and challenges of Grubhub, its profitability strategies, and Evans' reflections on the company. They delve into the role of leverage in business negotiations, introduce Fix…

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Rebecca Kaden about her journey into venture capital, the startup culture in New York, and the significance of network effects in startups. They discuss memorable investment meetings, tips for pitching, and how to approach VCs. They also explore the future of venture capital, efficient company building, and …

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Gad Allon about his work with early-stage firms and large corporations. They discuss the importance of networking, overcoming growth constraints, customer acquisition challenges, and common mistakes by student entrepreneurs. The conversation concludes with key takeaways for aspiring founders. Gad Allon is th…

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Ashley Aydin about her early career experiences and how they shaped her venture capital journey. They discuss the need for diversity in venture capital, the importance of role models, and Aydin's vision for a diversified startup pipeline. They also share tips for founders and insights on understanding their …

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Scott D. Clary about his experience in tech sales, the key lessons he's learned, and the importance of storytelling in marketing. They discuss strategies for podcast growth, content repurposing, and venture capital fundraising, while also highlighting the need for business success beyond attracting venture c…

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with venture capitalist, Jai Das. They discuss Das's journey into the field, the importance of trust in venture capital, and his investment criteria. They also delve into lessons from pre-dotcom bubble investing, strategies for identifying long-term growth companies, and the future of enterprise software with the…

In this episode, Shamus Madan sits down with Brett Martin, the mind behind Kumospace. They delve into the future of video chat, tackling Zoom fatigue, and the unique ways Kumospace personalizes remote work. They also discuss the future of virtual offices, lessons learned from previous startups, and monetization strategies. Martin concludes with adv…

In this episode, Shamus Madan and Glenn Hubbard discuss Adam Smith's economic theories, modern economic growth strategies, and the 9/11 economic impact. They delve into the effect of Bush-era steel tariffs and the financial crisis, explore CEOs' perspectives on political dislocations and inflation, and assess the current GDP and unemployment scenar…

In this episode, Shamus Madan converses with Lee Jacobs about his early investment journey, the influence of sociology on business, and his experiences with AngelList. They discuss venture capital competition, Jacobs' unique investment strategies, and provide advice for founders in crowded markets. They analyze an investment in Notion and forecast …

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Yoav Vilner, founder of AppChamp and Walnut. They discuss Vilner's entrepreneurial journey, the role of network effects and growth hacking in business, and how Walnut is revolutionizing the product demo industry. The conversation also covers the importance of visuals in website design, strategies for startup…

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Ben Samaroo about his transition into the crypto industry and the evolution of DeFi. They delve into the inception of WonderFi, its mission, and the importance of team dynamics in its acquisitions. Further discussions include strategic partnerships, preparing for potential market crashes, and the crucial rol…

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Aarthi Ramamurthy about her transition from Facebook to Clubhouse, the importance of curiosity and constant learning in tech, and her investment strategies. They also discuss the power of cold emailing and the journey of the MBIT podcast. Shamus Madan sits down with Aarthi Ramamurthy who is formerly a Produc…

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Mercedes Bent about her journey from Goldman Sachs to venture capital, emphasizing the importance of sales and partnerships. They discuss strategies for customer retention in crypto, the globalization of pop culture, and how to overcome uncertainty in the venture capital industry. The conversation wraps up w…