Advertise on podcast: Innovation with Mark Peter Davis

This conversation blew me away. I sat down with Lydia Fenet, an auctioneer who’s raised over a billion dollars, and what started as a chat about charity auctions quickly turned into one of the most insightful masterclasses on sales, persuasion, and audience psychology I’ve ever heard. Lydia isn’t just good on stage, she’s world-class at reading people, building trust instantly, and closing with confidence. What’s wild is how much of what she does applies directly to startup life: pitching investors, closing enterprise deals, selling your vision. If you’re a founder, operator, or anyone in business, this episode is packed with tactics that’ll shift how you think about selling anything to anyone. ⏱ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Intro: Why Auctioneering Matters To Entrepreneurs 01:15 – Lydia’s Unconventional Path Into Auctioneering 04:00 – The High-Stakes World Of Charity Auctions 06:15 – Launching The First Auctioneer Talent Agency 08:00 – What Makes A Great Charity Auctioneer? 11:00 – Sales Psychology On Stage 13:45 – Audience Dynamics And Identifying Your “Auction Foil” 17:30 – Anchoring Luxury With Impact: Values-Based Selling 20:00 – The Power Of The Underbidder 22:00 – Auction Tactics That Apply To Enterprise Sales 25:00 – Selling With Empathy, Not A Script 27:30 – The Power Of Suggestion And Painting The Picture 31:00 – Closing Thoughts & Key Takeaways Links: Lyndia Fenet: Website, LinkedInBook (Written by Lyndia Fenet): The Most Powerful Woman in the Room Is You: Command an Audience and Sell Your Way to SuccessBook (Written by Lyndia Fenet): Claim Your Confidence: Unlock Your Superpower and Create the Life You WantInterplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterMPD: LinkedIn, Twitter

Brad Svrluga has been a mentor and a close friend of mine for years. Watching him build Primary - one of the most respected firms in the industry - has been a masterclass in itself, so sitting down with him for this episode was a highlight I've been looking forward to and a great way to kick off the year. We went deep on an often overlooked topic in VC: How do you actually scale a firm's infrastructure? Whether you're a GP or a founder, Brad’s perspective on building a modern, institutional-grade firm is unmatched. ⏱ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Intro & Brad's Background 01:00 – What Primary Ventures Does Differently 03:20 – Incubation and Building Companies from Scratch 05:00 – Why Founders Pick Primary 07:00 – Inside the Operational Support Team 09:00 – Is There a Downside to Scaling a VC Firm? 10:30 – Culture and Structure at Primary 12:15 – Aligning Operational Teams with MOIC Goals 14:00 – Ben & Brad: cofounder Dynamics 17:30 – Why Brad Became a VC 21:00 – The Challenge of Scaling Venture Itself 24:00 – The Downfall of Venture Networks 26:00 – Scaling with Specialized Partners 30:00 – Rebranding and Starting Primary 31:30 – Advice for Emerging VCs: Sourcing, Picking, and LPs 38:50 – Wrap-Up and Reflections Links: Brad Svrluga: LinkedInPrimary: Website, LinkedInInterplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterMPD: LinkedIn, Twitter

Our 2026 predictions are in. From IPOs to AI to robots - check out what we think is actually coming in 2026. To wrap up 2025, I regroup with Mike and Phuong for our annual end-of-year episode, where we look back at last year's predictions (they passed with flying colors) and set our sights on what’s ahead. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the topics covered: ✅ AI’s real impact on blue and white collar jobs. 📈 The slow thaw of the IPO market. 💸 The maturing of venture capital into a robust capital market ecosystem. 🤖 Why humanoid robots might finally enter the chat. 🚀 How seed-stage startups have fundamentally changed - and what will make or break them next year. If you're a founder, investor, or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, this one’s packed with insight. 🎧 Listen & let us know what YOU think is coming in 2026? Drop your predictions in the comments. 👇 ⏱ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Intro: 2025 Recap & Predictions for 2026 01:00 – Michael’s 2025 Prediction Scorecard: AI, Jobs & Valuations 06:30 – IPO Market Outlook & The Tale of Two Venture Markets 12:00 – AI Foundational Models vs. Application Layer 16:45 – 2026 Exit Landscape & The Rise of Secondaries 21:00 – Will Big Tech Pull Back from the Application Layer? 25:00 – AI Enterprise Adoption & Salesforce’s Big Bet 28:00 – The Robotics Curve: Consumer vs. Construction Use Cases 33:00 – Phuong’s 2025 Prediction Debrief: Tariffs & CX 38:00 – AI at Home? Why Consumers Aren’t Adopting (Yet) 41:00 – How Seed-Stage Startups Have Changed in 2025 46:00 – Labor Mismatch & The Talent Problem in AI Startups 49:00 – Who Wins in 2026: Full Workflow Automation 52:00 – Who Loses: Commoditized Content, Support & Legal Tools 55:00 – The Real Risk: Obsolescence & Distribution Moats 57:00 – Wrap Up & 2026 Outlook Links: Book: AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World OrderBook: The Lean StartupBook: The Power Law: Venture Capital and the Art of DisruptionInterplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterMPD: LinkedIn, TwitterMichael Rogers: LinkedIn, TwitterPhuong Ireland: LinkedIn, Twitter

What if you approached philanthropy like a startup? The results might shock you and completely rewire how you think about giving. I sit down with Mark Gerson, Cofounder of GLG (Gerson Lehrman Group) and Cofounder and Chair of 3i Members, to dive deep into how you can treat generosity like a capital allocation decision. We unpack a framework for ROI-driven giving that prioritizes measurable impact over emotional check-writing. Whether you give already or you’re just starting to think about it, this is a practical, purpose-driven guide to doing the most good in a faster and smarter way Special thanks to Mark for joining me on the pod and for all the amazing work he does. ⏱️ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Introduction to Mark Gerson & GLG Origins 02:45 – The Accidental Start of a $650M Business 06:00 – Lessons in Entrepreneurship from GLG’s Growth 08:50 – Why Business Advice is Often Useless 09:30 – The Life-Saving Problem in Global Emergency Response 11:00 – United Hatzalah: Crowdsourcing First Response in Israel 13:30 – Politics, Union Challenges & US Expansion 15:00 – How an Orange Jacket Saves Lives 16:45 – ROI-Driven Philanthropy: Measuring Cost per Life Saved 18:30 – African Mission Healthcare: Saving Lives with $350 C-Sections 21:00 – Partnering with Christian Missionary Doctors 25:00 – Effective Philanthropy vs. Emotional or Prestige Giving 29:00 – The True Definition of Charity & ROI vs. Emotion 32:30 – When and How Much Should You Give? 36:00 – Why Giving Never Makes You Poor 37:45 – Books, Content & Torah as Self-Help 40:00 – 3i: A Crowdsourced Investment + Community Platform 43:00 – How Business & Charity Reinforce Each Other Links Mark Gerson 3i Members, United Hatzalah of Israel, African Mission Healthcare, GLG, Twitter, LinkedInBooks: God Was Right: How Modern Social Science Proves the Torah Is True, The Telling: How Judaism’s Essential Book Reveals the Meaning of LifeMPD: LinkedIn, TwitterInterplay: Website, LinkedIn, Twitter

Beneath the surface of many everyday products lies a complex web of ethical dilemmas. In this powerful conversation, entrepreneur and investor Ryan Ansin peels back the curtain on global supply chains and the moral questions behind them. From chocolate and diamonds to blockchain transparency, he shares what ethical manufacturing really entails and how even simple choices carry weight. The episode also explores how to raise grounded children, the role of impact investing, and why major corporations must evolve for real change to happen. This discussion challenges the idea you to think about ethics, offering a roadmap for aligning values with action across business, family, and capital. ⏱️ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Introduction: Meet Ryan Ansin 01:00 – Defining Ethical Manufacturing 03:20 – Chocolate & Child Labor: A Case Study 06:00 – Diamonds, Supply Chains & Transparency 09:00 – Who Really Drives Change: Startups or Giants? 12:00 – Consumers vs. Regulators: What Sparks Reform? 14:00 – Blockchain & The Future of Supply Chain Tracking 15:00 – Ryan's Journey into Social Entrepreneurship 18:00 – Family Legacy & Ethical Business Foundations 24:00 – Is Ethical Living a Privilege or a Choice? 26:00 – Grandfather Wisdom: Helping the Helpers 30:00 – Giraffes, Accountability & Courage in Business 31:00 – Wealth, Responsibility & Raising Grounded Kids 37:00 – Teaching Grit Through Friction & Curiosity 40:00 – Final Thoughts: Aligning Impact with Action Links Interplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterBook: Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You ThinkMPD: LinkedIn, Twitter

This week’s episode explores one of the most pressing challenges early-stage startups face: competing against well-funded incumbents. We cover how startups can beat giants by focusing on niche markets, iterating fast, building emotional brands, and providing world-class customer experiences. This is the ultimate guide for founders navigating a David vs. Goliath scenario. Whether you’re bootstrapping or just closed your seed round, these tactics will give you the edge. A friendly heads up - this episode is our season closer before we take a pod break for the summer. Thanks for listening and enjoy your summer - we’ll be back from a new studio, recharged and ready to roll. ⏱️ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Intro and Summer Break Announcement 01:00 – Why Competing with Big Players is Tough But Doable 02:30 – Foundational Assumptions Before Competing 04:00 – Strategy #1: Own Your Niche 06:00 – Strategy #2: Move Fast and Iterate Faster 08:30 – Strategy #3: Build a Brand People Want to Root For 10:00 – Emotional Branding Examples: Slack, Duolingo, Superhuman 12:00 – Strategy #4: Win on Customer Experience 13:30 – Recap of the Underdog Playbook 14:00 – Final Thoughts and Farewell Until After Summer Links Interplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterBook: The Fundraising RulesMPD: LinkedIn, Twitter

Outsourcing isn't new — but the way startups can use it today has radically changed. On this week’s ep, I sat down with Shaun Walker, CEO of Spoke, to unpack what business process outsourcing (BPO) can look like for high-growth startups in 2025. Let me say this upfront: most early - stage founders are missing out. Outsourcing isn’t just about slashing costs - it’s about building operational leverage and unlocking global talent pools in a way that accelerates your entire business. Spoke’s model stands out because it focuses on fully embedded, dedicated teams that feel like extensions of your startup - they're engaged team members motivated to help you hit your milestones. Whether it’s customer support, finance, data operations, or even engineering, there’s a strategic opportunity here. Especially in today’s hybrid and AI-enhanced world, Shaun argues that outsourcing can be a “bionic” function — letting you scale up or down with flexibility, access talent faster, and focus your internal team on what truly matters. If you're a founder thinking about how to stretch your funding and build operational leverage, this is a must-listen. Hope it helps you navigate your own growth journey. 🕒 Chapter Markers 00:00 – Intro & Welcome 01:10 – What Spoke Does Differently in BPO 03:00 – Human-Centric Approach to Outsourcing 05:00 – Why Not Hire Offshore Directly? 07:00 – Building Embedded Global Teams 08:00 – Why Founders Miss BPO Opportunities 10:00 – When to Consider Outsourcing 12:00 – How Spoke Supports Startups 14:00 – The Cost vs. Strategic Advantage Debate 17:00 – Global Talent Quality and Motivation 19:00 – BPO as a Bionic Growth Function 21:00 – Helping Startups with U.S. Hiring Too 22:00 – High-Skill Roles & No Upper Limit 26:00 – AI’s Role in the Future of Outsourcing 28:00 – When Outsourcing Doesn’t Work 32:00 – Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up Shaun Walker: LinkedInSpoke: WebsiteInterplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterBook: The Fundraising Rules

How do you determine if your idea is truly worth pursuing? In this week’s episode, we dive into a practical framework that breaks down the evaluation process into four critical components: the pain point, the market size, the defensibility of your product, and how you plan to monetize and scale. Whether you're just brainstorming or already building, these criteria will help you gut-check your concept and avoid wasting time on ideas that aren’t big - or painful - enough. We also discuss market sizing (TAM/SAM/SOM), moats, and why competitive advantage isn’t always what it seems. This is a must-listen for any founder looking to go from “cool idea” to real business. Links: Interplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterBook: The Fundraising RulesMPD: LinkedIn, Twitter Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Intro: Why Idea Validation Is So Hard 02:00 – The Real Question: Do You Have a Big Idea? 03:00 – The 4-Part Framework for Validating an Idea 03:45 – Step 1: Pain Point – Is This a Must-Have? 06:00 – Step 2: Market Size – TAM, SAM, SOM Explained 09:40 – Step 3: Product – Is It Defensible? 12:10 – Step 4: Monetization – Can It Scale? 15:10 – Final Thoughts: Gut-Check Your Idea 16:30 – Outro: Still Learning After Decades in the Game

Y Combinator has long been - and continues to be - the tip of the innovation spear. That's why I was especially excited to sit down with Garry Tan, President & CEO of Y Combinator, for a conversation that gets right to the core of what’s changing across the startup landscape. At Interplay, I've spent years working alongside entrepreneurs who are laser-focused on building, scaling, and making a lasting impact. Over that time, I've seen countless trends come and go - but when a true seismic shift hits, like the one we’re seeing with AI today, it’s critical to step back and understand the bigger picture. Garry and I dove deep into why vertical SaaS and AI-native startups are poised to drive the next wave of innovation, how lean, AI-augmented teams are rewriting the rules of company building, and why real traction still comes down to solving tangible user problems. We also explored the geographic shifts reshaping where startups thrive, the current realities of AI adoption, and what it truly takes to build a product the world actually wants. It’s a great, timely conversation. A special thanks to Garry for joining me and sharing his insights. 00:00 – Introduction: Why Garry Tan and Y Combinator Matter 00:48 – Garry Tan Joins the Conversation 02:00 – Trends at the Top of the Startup Funnel 02:45 – The Rise of AI and Vertical SaaS Opportunities 04:00 – Leaner Startups: Building Companies with Smaller Teams 05:00 – How AI is Reshaping Company Growth and Scaling 06:00 – Internal Use of AI: Operational Efficiency Across Startups 07:30 – Early Innings: The Long-Term Impact of AI 09:00 – Mainstream AI Adoption: How Far We Have to Go 10:00 – Geography Trends: Where Startup Hubs Are Emerging 11:00 – Why San Francisco Still Matters for Founders 12:30 – The Golden Age of Startups: What's Next 13:30 – Critical Skills for Founders in the AI Era 14:00 – The #1 Reason Startups Fail: Solving Real User Problems 14:30 – Closing Thoughts: Building the Future of Innovation Links: Garry Tan: LinkedInY Combinator: Website, LinkedInBook: The Fundraising RulesInterplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterMPD: LinkedIn, Twitter

At Interplay, I've spent years working with entrepreneurs who are driven to build, scale, and make an impact - but too often, legal structuring gets overlooked in the frenzy of product development and fundraising. I've seen firsthand how costly early legal missteps can be so we brought on legal expert Eric Broad of Bowery Legal on to the pod to demystify early stage startup legal questions from entity type selection to the nuanced tax advantages like QSBS that most founders only hear about once it’s too late. Our goal at Interplay is to equip founders with practical insights so they can focus on growing transformative businesses without getting tripped up by preventable legal issues. Whether you’re about to raise your first dollar or just brainstorming your MVP, this conversation will help you make smart, strategic choices. We cover the why behind Delaware's dominance, when to hit the "incorporate" button, and why trying to hack the system with clever workarounds rarely works in your favor. I hope this deep dive helps founders avoid headaches and build with confidence. Links: Eric Broad: LinkedInBowery Legal: Website, LinkedInPhuong Ireland: LinkedInBook: The Fundraising RulesInterplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterMPD: LinkedIn, Twitter

Chris Zhang, Partner and CIO of Ascend Interplay (Interplay’s multi-family office), returns to the pod to provide an in-depth analysis of China’s economic landscape in 2025, offering insights beyond mainstream media narratives. We discuss the current state of China’s economy, examining key indicators such as GDP growth, industrial production, and trade activity. At the same time, Chris highlights major concerns, including deflation, a struggling housing market, and long-term demographic challenges, while also shedding light on the country’s transition from a manufacturing-driven economy to a service-oriented one. We then dive into the geopolitical dynamics between the U.S. and China. In addition to discussing the tariffs, we compare today’s economic competition to the Cold War era, and how shifting alliances - particularly in Europe and the Middle East - are reshaping global power structures. We also cover China’s technological advancements, particularly in AI and EV manufacturing, where it continues to challenge U.S. dominance. Chris analyzes the impact of U.S. tariffs, supply chain shifts, and investment flows, emphasizing how China remains a key player in the global economy despite short-term volatility. We wrap up with Chris’s firsthand insights from his recent trip to Beijing and Zhengzhou, where he observes China’s strong consumer activity despite ongoing real estate struggles. The episode concludes with a deep dive into China’s investment landscape, shifting geopolitical dynamics, and the nation’s long-term trajectory—offering critical perspectives on how it will continue to shape global trade and economic power structures. Links: Book: The Fundraising RulesInterplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterMPD: LinkedIn, Twitter

Seed-stage valuation can feel like a black box. Unlike later-stage companies with clear financial metrics, early-stage startups are evaluated based on qualitative factors, market conditions, and investor demand. Founders with finance backgrounds often expect rigid valuation models, only to realize that early-stage investing is more art than science. However, strategic valuation methods and investor benchmarks offer a structured approach, helping founders navigate the process with confidence. In today’s podcast, we break down the most common seed-stage valuation methods—including the Investor Target Ownership approach, the Berkus Method, and the increasingly popular SAFE note. We also highlight key founder pitfalls, such as over-inflating valuations or underpricing their startups, and explain how investor demand influences the equation. Understanding these factors can help you navigate fundraising with clarity. The goal isn't just to get the highest valuation—it's to secure the right investment partners and ensure long-term success. Links: Book: The Fundraising RulesInterplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterMPD: LinkedIn, Twitter

On this week’s episode I chat with Kass and Mike Lazerow, a powerhouse entrepreneurial duo known for building and exiting multiple companies, including Golf.com and Buddy Media (which was acquired by Salesforce for $745 million). The conversation dives into their unique dynamic as a husband-and-wife co-founding team, their entrepreneurial journey spanning decades, and their latest venture—writing "Shoveling $h!t: A Love Story" a brutally honest book about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. We discuss what makes a strong co-founder relationship, the realities of scaling a business, and Kass and Mike’s ongoing mission to mentor and support founders. With thoughts on fundraising, company culture, and life after an exit, this episode offers a candid look at the realities of entrepreneurship—perfect for founders, investors, and anyone navigating the startup journey. Links: Book: Shoveling $h!t: A Love StoryKass & Mike: Instagram, YouTube, X, Facebook, LinkedIn (Kass), LinkedIn (Mike)MPD: LinkedIn, XInterplay: Website, LinkedIn, Twitter

Navigating startup taxes can be challenging, but this comprehensive guide simplifies the process. Learn how to handle 1099 filings, leverage R&D tax credits for significant savings, and strategically use tax extensions to reduce stress. Discover practical tips for managing financial books, avoiding common tax pitfalls like Delaware franchise tax panic, and handling remote employee tax implications. Whether you're pre-revenue or scaling quickly, this article provides actionable insights to help startups stay compliant, optimize financial resources, and focus on growth. Links: Book: The Fundraising RulesInterplay: LinkedIn, Twitter, WebsiteMPD: LinkedIn, TwitterKate Kelly: LinkedInChelsea Capital: LinkedIn, Website

The time of year for reflection is upon us, so in this week’s episode the team and I review our 2024 predictions and dive into bold forecasts for 2025. From the impact of geopolitical shifts to the state of venture capital and global deglobalization trends, we explore what lies ahead for technology, startups, and markets. We cover key trends like AI's application layer boom, the rise of humanoid robots in the workforce, the evolving IPO market, and much more. What do you think is going to happen in 2025? Share in the comments below. Links: Book: The Fundraising RulesInterplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterMPD: LinkedIn, Twitter