
Advertise on podcast: Lifeselfmastery's podcast I Startups I Venture Capital
Rating
5from
This podcast has
304 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Rohit MalhotraExplicit
No
Date created
2017/08/31
Latest episode
2026/11/05
Average duration
45 min.
Release period
7 days
Description
Life Self Mastery Podcast is an interview based show where I interview online entrepreneurs who started their businesses and scaled up their businesses to improve their lifestyles. Previous guests include Guy Kawasaki, Brad Feld, James Clear, Shu Nyatta, Ida Tin, Elizabeth Yin, Polina Pompliano, Evgenia Plotnikova, Anna Khan, Minnie Ingersoll, Sridhar Ramaswamy, Mac Conwell, Danielle Strachman, Jake Gibson, Wes Kao, Brian Requarth, Vivek Sodera, Eric Siu, Amit Garg, Nischal Shetty, Pranav Pai, Nir Eyal, Paul Shapiro, Nick Huber, Rob Walling, Andrew Dsouza, Fabrice Grinda, and 300+ incredible guests. partnergrow.substack.com
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Building Mexico's Startup Ecosystem with Marcus Dantus on Venture Capital, SMBs, and AI
2026/11/05
I am thrilled to have Marcus Dantus, founder and chairman of Startup Mexico and a Shark on Shark Tank Mexico for 14 seasons. He built Mexico's first internet portal, founded Wayra Mexico, and has backed 30+ startups.
In this episode, Marcus Dantus shares his journey from building Mexico's first internet portal to investing in startups and fostering entrepreneurship across Latin America. Discover insights on startup ecosystems, investment strategies, and the future of AI in business.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Marcus Dantus and his background
01:51 Early internet ventures in Mexico and lessons learned
03:50 Career pattern: Telecom, medical devices, incubators
05:59 Pivoting and business model innovation
08:02 Working with large corporations and startups
09:58 Evolution of the Mexican startup ecosystem
12:07 Focus on traditional SMBs and Ruta Excel
13:59 Insights from 14 seasons of Shark Tank Mexico
16:01 Evaluating founders in the first 60 seconds
17:47 Designing effective first meetings with investors
20:00 Avoiding exaggeration and creating FOMO
22:04 Lessons from backing over 80 startups
23:59 The state of angel investing in Latin America
25:58 Global perspectives: Europe, US, and Latin America
27:54 AI's impact on jobs and businesses in Latin America
30:10 Preparing young entrepreneurs for the future
33:47 Balancing energy and commitments in a busy schedule
36:08 Advice for founders about resilience and persistence
Marcus's Links
LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusdantus/
Website – http://www.startupmexico.com
My Links
Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes
Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/
Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/outbound-sales-mastery/
You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast
2026/11/05
Introducing Oprah Looks Back at Her Best Surprises from The Oprah Podcast.
Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast
Surprise! Oprah is looking back on some of her favorite surprises from 25 years of The Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah shares how when she was surprised by her idol Mary Tyler Moore it sent her into the ugly cry. The time she’ll never forget surprising Tom Cruise’s biggest fan while standing in her robe, no makeup and her hair soaking wet from the shower. More surprises include Mariah Carey’s biggest fans, the iconic car giveaway - “you get a car, you get a car” - and the moment she surprised an entire audience they were all “going to Australia!” When The Oprah Show ended in 2011 she allowed her staff to surprise her over and over again at a star-studded event at the United Center in Chicago.
00:00:00 - Oprah on loving to surprise people on The Oprah Winfrey Show
00:02:15 - Oprah was surprised by Mary Tyler Moore
00:08:14 - The Tom Cruise Surprise
00:12:49 - The Weight Loss Surprise
00:16:10 - The Will and Grace surprise
00:18:36 - The Family surprise
00:20:50 - The Mariah surprise
00:24:00 - The You Get a Car surprise
00:29:20 - The biggest fans surprise
00:33:58 - The Surprise Trip
00:39:30 - Oprah’s 25 year surprise show
Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social:
https://www.instagram.com/oprahpodcast/
https://www.facebook.com/oprahpodcast/
https://www.instagram.com/oprah/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/
Listen to the full podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0tEVrfNp92a7lbjDe6GMLI
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oprah-podcast/id1782960381
DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].
Neel Kumar from Rentify on Why Agentic AI Will Run the Rental Economy
2026/10/29
I am excited to have Neel Kumar, co-founder of Rentify in Dubai. After leading products at Viacom18 and ZEE5 and exiting coto, he's building Earn AI, an agentic operating system for the rental economy.
In this episode, Neel Kumar from Rentify shares his journey from media to startups, the evolution of Rentify, and insights into AI-driven property management. Discover how his experiences and strategic decisions shape innovative solutions in the rental economy.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Neel Kumar and Rentify
03:10 The origin story of Rentify in Dubai
05:14 Deciding to build again after exiting Koto
07:12 The role of AI in Rentify's evolution
09:01 From rent payments to AI-powered workflows
12:18 What is agentic AI and how does it work?
13:50 Balancing automation and human decision-making
15:37 Gaining trust from landlords and property managers
17:00 Partnership strategies with banks and property managers
18:37 Lessons from raising capital in the GCC market
19:23 Building natively in Arabic for regional markets
20:04 Managing remote teams across multiple countries
22:54 Lessons from building and exiting startups
24:52 The importance of experimentation in startups
25:45 Advice for corporate founders transitioning to startups
27:33 Neel's sports hobbies and their role in creativity
30:20 Reflections on building Rentify and future plans
Neel's Links
LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajneel-kumar/
Website - https://gorentify.com/
My Links
Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes
Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/
Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/outbound-sales-mastery/
Four Levers of Negotiating with Todd Caponi
2026/10/22
I am thrilled to have Todd Caponi, a sales historian, keynote speaker, and three-time author whose work sits at the intersection of transparency and behavioral science. He's a multi-time C-level sales leader who led teams through two successful exits.
In this episode, Todd Caponi, a sales historian and author, shares insights on transparency, negotiation, and the evolution of sales strategies. Discover how historical practices influence modern sales, the importance of transparency, and how AI impacts the sales profession in 2026.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Todd Caponi
03:22 The Journey into Sales and Negotiation
06:38 The Evolution of Negotiation Practices
10:43 Understanding Transparency in Sales
16:12 The Cost of Discounting in Sales
19:17 The Human Element in Sales
23:01 The Impact of AI on Sales Negotiation
27:09 Cold Calling in the Age of AI
30:15 Lessons from Sales History
34:18 Negotiation at High Stakes
Todd's Links
LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddcaponi/
Book – https://toddcaponi.com/four-levers-negotiating/
My Links
Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes
Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/
Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/outbound-sales-mastery/
Vineet Budki from Sigma Capital on Why Most of the World Still Doesn't Get Crypto
2026/10/15
I am excited to have Vineet Budki has spent fifteen years turning volatility into a career - from Emirates cabin crew to CEO of Sigma Capital, a $100M crypto fund with 300+ investments.
In this episode, Vineet Budki from Sigma Capital shares his journey from building startups in India to running a crypto fund, and why education is still the biggest unlock for crypto adoption. He breaks down how to build a diversified portfolio, why NFTs are really membership clubs with utility, how AI will take emotion out of investing, and what it takes to build a fund that scales.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Vineet Budki's Journey
01:48 Early Startup Experiences in India
04:12 Transition into Crypto and Fund Building
05:20 The Role of Education in Crypto Adoption
06:45 Understanding Bitcoin's Utility
09:03 Crypto Portfolio Strategy and Diversification
12:13 Different Types of Cryptocurrencies and Use Cases
17:11 NFTs: Utility and Future Potential
20:12 Valuations and Market Growth in Crypto
21:52 Impact of AI on Crypto Investing
23:02 Building a Scalable Crypto Fund
25:51 Future Trends in Venture Capital and Crypto
28:55 Learning and Adapting in a Rapidly Evolving Space
31:01 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs and Investors
Vineet's Links
LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vineetbudki/
Website – https://sigmavc.com/
My Links
Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes
Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/
Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/outbound-sales-mastery/
Sam Marchant on Why MENA Founders Should Think Bigger
2026/10/08
I am thrilled to have Sam Marchant a Partner at 21 Ventures, backing pre-seed and seed founders across MENA and Southeast Asia with $500K–$1.5M cheques in AI, FinTech, and Industrials.
In this episode, Sam Marchant, a partner at Twenty One VC, shares his unconventional journey into venture capital, insights on investing in MENA and Southeast Asia, and the impact of AI on startups and investment strategies. Discover how regional markets are evolving and what founders need to succeed today.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Sam and his journey into VC
01:14 Sam's unconventional path into venture capital
02:09 Early entrepreneurial experience with a low sugar cereal business
03:00 Balancing IQ and EQ in VC decision-making
04:04 Launching AI-focused venture builder Inaugural
04:57 Joining Twenty One Ventures and regional market insights
07:15 Building media assets to highlight regional startups
08:32 Market inflection points in MENA and Southeast Asia
11:21 Sector focus: Overfunded and underfunded areas
13:51 Supporting founders beyond capital: fundraising, commercial, human
17:41 Leading rounds in a competitive market
20:32 Big vision and innovation in the Middle East
24:45 Key traits for founders: belief, focus, commitment
27:43 Cultural diversity and universal goals in Dubai
29:13 The future of AI agents and user experience
32:20 Building a media business to showcase regional talent
Sam's Links
LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-marchant/
Website – https://www.21vc.com/
My Links
Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes
Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/
Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/outbound-sales-mastery/
Rebuilding Trust in News with Kira Shishkin from informed.now
2026/10/01
I am happy to have Kira Shishkin, the founder and CEO of informed.now, the leading news-by-SMS service reimagining how Americans stay informed without the bias and noise of traditional media.
In this episode, Kira Shishkin, founder and CEO of informed.now, shares insights on building a bias-free, primary source-driven news platform, the importance of trust in media, and innovative growth strategies. Discover how his background and experiences shape his approach to creating healthier news consumption habits.
Timestamps
00:00 Meet Kira Shishkin
02:16 The Path to Entrepreneurship
02:43 Navigating Today's Media Landscape
05:40 The News Compression Challenge
07:53 Measuring Impact on Misinformation
10:05 How informed.now Grows
12:18 Lessons from Past Ventures
14:15 Community vs Company
18:21 Hiring While Bootstrapped
19:44 How Background Shapes Trust
21:18 Fighting Sensationalism
23:55 Understanding Your Customer
25:40 Advice for Portfolio Founders
27:57 Lessons from the Investor Side
29:31 The Future of News
Kira's Links
LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirashishkin/
Website – https://informed.now/
My Links
Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes
Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/
Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/outbound-sales-mastery/
Why Positioning Beats Pipeline - Renat Gersch on Winning Buyers
2026/09/24
I am excited to have Renat Gersch who is the co-founder of 10xGTM and a product marketing and go-to-market strategist with 15 years of experience scaling B2B SaaS companies.
In this episode, Renat Gersch, a seasoned product marketing strategist with over 15 years of experience in B2B SaaS, shares insights on go-to-market strategies, positioning, and building successful startup teams. Discover how to translate vision into traction, avoid common pitfalls, and leverage AI for growth.
-----------------------------------------------
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Renat Gersch and Her Journey
02:52 The Unicorn Experience: Growth and Challenges
08:11 Positioning: The Key to Buyer Engagement
13:41 The Role of Sales in Building a Pipeline
23:59 Founders and Sales: Timing and Strategy
29:31 Building a Strong Co-Founder Relationship
33:23 The Go-to-Market Roadmap Across Industries
36:48 Healthy Conviction vs. Self-Deception in Founders
39:55 The Reality of Early Pipeline Building
42:52 Advice for Founders: Focus and Growth
45:05 Reflections on Career Growth and Loyalty
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Subscribe on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3G514tA5EuZ8Py9ofTXj8T
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3G514tA5EuZ8Py9ofTXj8T
Raphaël Boukris from Didomi on acquisition Playbook for Regulatory Tech
2026/09/17
I am thrilled to have Raphaël Boukris, co-founder and CRO of Didomi. Roughly 2% of global web traffic runs through their SDK. He's raised three rounds, made two acquisitions, and sold majority control to private equity. Now the group does 40 to 60m ARR with under 200 people.
In this episode, Raphaël Boukris, CRO and co-founder of Didomi, shares insights on compliance solutions, strategic acquisitions, and scaling SaaS businesses globally. Discover how to navigate international markets, build high-performance sales teams, and adapt to AI-driven sales tools.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Raphaël Boukris and Didomi
02:11 Raphael's journey from startups to compliance tech
04:04 What does Didomi sell and its market focus
06:12 Customer profile and who Didomidoes not serve
07:52 Pricing models and AI impact on SaaS
10:05 Acquisition strategy: Buying vs. building
13:01 Expanding into US and European markets
16:01 Fundraising journey and lessons learned
22:51 Building a high-performance sales team
32:00 The role of AI in outbound sales
35:01 Maintaining lean operations at scale
36:51 Advice for founders and investors
Raphael's Links
LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rboukris
Website – didomi.io
My Links
Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes
Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/
Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/outbound-sales-mastery/
Vincent Jong on Building Profitable SaaS Without Outside Money
2026/09/10
I am thrilled to have Vincent Jong, the founder of DataMerge, a B2B data platform challenging ZoomInfo and Apollo with smarter enrichment waterfalls and transparent pricing and Meetbot which is an AI‑first scheduling platform. He also builds AI-first companies through Poolside Ventures and hosts SaaS on the Beach, an exclusive retreat for top SaaS founders.
In this interview, Vincent Jong, shares insights on building AI-first SaaS products, data enrichment, and startup strategies. Discover how he leverages AI to create cost-efficient, scalable solutions and his approach to building successful ventures without external funding.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Vincent Jong and His Ventures
03:42 Vincent's Journey into Startups and Product Management
06:15 The Value of Company Data in Sales and Marketing
09:41 Understanding Enrichment Waterfalls in Data Providers
12:42 Transparent Pricing in Data Services
15:38 Building AI-First Companies Without Traditional Engineering Teams
18:42 The Role of AI in Marketing and Content Creation
26:35 Optimizing for AI Understanding
28:50 Profitability and Competitive Advantage
30:42 Building for Longevity and Growth
34:03 Intentional Decision-Making in Startups
39:36 Creating Meaningful Connections at SaaS on the Beach
Vincent's Links
LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentjong/
Website – https://www.poolside.ventures
My Links
Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes
Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/
Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/outbound-sales-mastery/
Fadwa Ouardani from Leblon Capital on Why European Startups Have to Think Globally
2026/09/03
I am excited to have Fadwa Ouardani, a business angel and VC investor at Leblon Capital, backing founders across the US and Europe.
In this interview, Fadwa Ouardani, a VC investor at Leblon Capital, shares her journey from operator to investor, her views on startup culture, the impact of AI, and advice for founders navigating the global landscape. Discover key traits of successful founders, the importance of company culture, and the future of venture capital.
Timestamps
03:40 Traits of Successful Founders
06:18 Building Strong Company Culture
09:38 Comparing European and American Founders
12:33 The Future of Innovation Globally
15:35 Navigating Founder and Investor Relationships
18:25 Challenges of High Valuations
21:18 Growth Frameworks in AI
24:21 The Role of IPOs in Venture Capital
27:07 Advice for Emerging Managers
Fadwa's Links
LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/fadwa-ouardani/
Website – https://leblon-capital.com
My Links
Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes
Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/
Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/outbound-sales-mastery/
Alex Shartsis from Skyp on Winning Outbound in the Age of AI Email
2026/08/27
I am thrilled to have Alex Shartsis, the founder and CEO of Skyp, a bootstrapped AI email platform powering personalized outbound for sales teams at leading companies.
In this episode, Alex Shartsis, founder and CEO of Skyp, shares insights on building a bootstrapped GTM software company, writing outbound that actually earns replies, and winning a crowded category against far better-funded rivals. Discover how one conference-outreach play packed an enterprise pipeline with 130 leads in a single quarter, why a $20M exit can beat a $20M raise, and what most people still get wrong about AI-generated cold email in 2026.
Timestamps
00:50 What a great sales team actually looks like
02:48 Why Alex bootstrapped Skyp instead of raising VC
07:42 The payback math: when a $20M outcome beats a $20M raise 10:32 Outbound in 2026 — personalization that works vs. slop
15:05 Do follow-up emails work? (why he ignores your first one)
18:02 Email + LinkedIn + phone: the multi-channel workflow
22:42 AI coding tools for non-technical founders & GTM leaders 27:54 Pricing: why Skip refuses credit-based pricing
33:51 Winning a crowded category against better-funded rivals 37:59 Personal brand & newsletter as a GTM engine
41:39 Rapid fire: favorite business book
43:08 What he'd do differently building Skyp
Alex's Links
LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/shartsis/
Website – https://skyp.ai/
My Links
Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes
Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/
Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/outbound-sales-mastery/
Mike Zisman from GolfGenius on Building a Niche Software Empire
2026/08/20
I am happy to have Mike Zisman, the founder and Executive Chairman of Golf Genius Software, the leading tournament management platform serving 11,000+ golf clubs across 62 countries
In this episode, Mike Zisman, founder of Golf Genius Software, shares insights on building a capital-efficient tech company, forming game-changing partnerships, and navigating today's exit landscape. Discover how a single USGA deal transformed the company's trajectory, why raising less capital can make a startup stronger, and what it really takes to build resilient remote teams that stick around.
Learn
What did it actually take to build enough trust with the USGA to replace their entire tournament management system? Michael targets 20% EBITDA margin and reinvest the rest - how did he land on that number specifically Michael runs acquired brands as separate brands rather than folding them in. What's the actual criteria for when to keep a brand alive versus absorb it? What's your favourite business book ->innovator's dilemma What's your favourite business tool ->gmail If you could go back, what would you do differently ->understand how a golf course operates Timestamps
00:00 From MIT Professor to Software Entrepreneur
03:04 Leaving Academia: The Leap Into Building Companies
06:13 The Birth of Golf Genius and Its Early Struggles
09:08 Why Trust and Relationships Win Deals
12:12 The USGA Partnership That Changed Everything
15:13 Raising Less: The Case for Capital Efficiency
18:21 Employee Ownership and Building a Real Culture
21:09 Remote Teams and the Retention Playbook
24:05 Where AI Actually Fits in Business Today
27:05 The Future of Programming and Productivity
28:25 The Brutal Job Market Facing New Graduates
32:16 Why Interpersonal Skills Still Beat Technical Ones
34:19 The Golf Industry's Shifting Strategies
36:24 Reading Market Dynamics and Growth Levers
39:52 Exit Strategies in Today's Market
41:55 How Company Ownership and Investment Are Evolving
43:56 The Future of Venture Capital and Private Equity
49:13 Resilience: The Entrepreneur's Real Edge
Mike's Links
LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-zisman-51528/
Website – https://golfgenius.com/
My Links
Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes
Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/
Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/outbound-sales-mastery/
Ron Levin from Alumni Ventures on What a Real Moat Looks Like
2026/08/13
I am thrilled to have Ron Levin, Managing Partner at Alumni Ventures Seed Fund and co-founder of Perk, formerly TravelPerk, which scaled to a $2.7 billion valuation. He has backed 1,600+ companies and written Higher Purpose Venture Capital.
In this episode, Ron Levin, Managing Partner at Alumni Ventures and co-founder of TravelPerk, shares insights on venture capital, startup fundraising, and the future of AI. Discover how founders can decode a VC pass, what a real moat looks like for AI companies, and why social impact and strong returns aren't mutually exclusive.
Timestamps
00:26 From McKinsey to Booking.com to Co-Founding TravelPerk
02:53 Building TravelPerk: The First 12 Months and Manual Grind
05:48 Crossing the Table: What Founders Get Wrong
08:11 The Alumni Ventures Model: Co-Investing Alongside Top VCs
09:44 Decoding a VC Pass: When It's Really About the Team
13:18 Securing a Lead Investor Without Social Proof
16:13 What's Moving the Needle: AI-First Investing Now
17:44 The AI Wrapper Trap and What a Real Moat Looks Like
20:08 Why SaaS Metrics Don't Map to AI Companies
21:49 Who Wins the AI Model War
23:42 The Anthropic IPO and AI Valuations
26:06 Higher Purpose Venture Capital: Returns Meet Social Impact
29:30 IPOs, Secondaries, and Staying Private Longer
31:48 Should VCs Ignore Price for Generational Companies?
33:50 Structuring a Seed Raise With No Warm Network
Ron's Links
LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/levinron/
Website – https://www.av.vc/
My Links
Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes
Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/
Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/outbound-sales-mastery/
Mike Ryan from Bullet Point Network on Building the AI Wall Street Will Rely On
2026/08/06
I am thrilled to have Mike Ryan, CEO of Bullet Point Network, who was earlier Partner at Goldman Sachs, Global Co-Head of Equities, investment committee at Harvard's endowment.
In this episode, Mike Ryan, CEO of Bullet Point Network and former Goldman Sachs Partner and Global Co-Head of Equities, shares insights on AI in investing, disciplined capital allocation, and building a startup late in a storied career. Discover why quality control is the real battleground in AI, how the "AI + 1" model keeps humans in the loop, what decades on Harvard's investment committee taught him about betting on people, and why return on capital still matters most in an age of sky-high private valuations.
Timestamps
00:36 — Allocating capital at Harvard's endowment vs. running a trading desk at Goldman
02:21 — The moment he decided to leave Goldman and Harvard to build a company
04:12 — "AI + 1": where the system stops and human judgment starts
07:01 — Selling AI into skeptical investment teams — the sales cycle and quality control
09:15 — Turning a geopolitical/macro signal into an investable thesis vs. a narrative
12:28 — From the token subsidy era to the token shortage era
14:54 — Where AI creates real leverage in the deal lifecycle — and where it's hype
17:40 — Patterns from the dot-com and subprime cycles; are we in a bubble?
21:43 — Why companies stay private longer, secondaries, and the IPO question
25:08 — Creativity, persuasion, judgment, and the death of apprenticeship learning
27:59 — The operator problems Goldman and Harvard never prepared him for
30:26 — GTM motion: who the first buyer is inside an investment firm
32:12 — McKinsey's 12M-jobs projection and whether firms are ready
34:53 — Value vs. growth investing at high valuations
Mike's Links
LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-ryan-bpn/
Website – https://bpnai.com/
My Links
Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes
Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/
Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/outbound-sales-mastery/
Podcast reviews
Read Lifeselfmastery's podcast I Startups I Venture Capital podcast reviews
Dan Layfield 2025/11/12
Great Podcast
Was a guest on Rohit's podcast and found him to be an great host. I've listened to a couple of episodes and they're excellent. I would highly recommen...
oliviabaker13 2022/04/21
Quality business insights! 💡
If you’re currently a business owner, entrepreneur, or want to be one in the future then this podcast should be part of your weekly content diet. Rohi...
Grusha - ElitePodcastBookings 2020/07/07
Interesting Content!
Can't wait for your next shows! Kudos!
~ Elite Podcast Bookings
_SDD99 2017/12/01
Enjoying the range of topics and guests!
I like the interviews on the rage of topics since some of them are things I am interested in learning more about since I like learning about business....
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