Atlanta Startup Podcast

In this candid LP roundtable, Lisa Calhoun , Founder of Valor Ventures , is joined by sophisticated investors Tom Weithman , CIO of Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation , and Beth Kytle Chandler , Managing Director at Cresset , to unpack how venture capital is evolving across the South in 2026. From the return of exits and capital recycling to disciplined AI investing and the power of patie...

🎙️ Venture Atlanta 2025: Know Before You Go Get insider highlights from VCs, founders, and corporate partners so you can hit the ground running. Tune in now and be ready for the Southeast’s biggest startup conference! Let's take this conversation to real time. Join Valor for an upcoming event .

Start here, scale anywhere. Discover what founders and investors need to succeed with Anastasia (Nicole) Simon, new Managing Partner of Techstars Atlanta, and why she’s certain the South is where startups should scale now.  Let's take this conversation to real time. Join Valor for an upcoming event .

The South is heating up in AI. On this deep dive special episode of the Atlanta Startup Podcast , our AI-generated hosts break down where founders are building real enterprise traction, how local talent is leading the way, and what’s shifting in this new phase of the AI cycle.  Don’t miss this numbers-driven snapshot of the South’s innovation frontier. Let's take this conversation to real tim...

Summer in Atlanta means a fresh crop of rainbow umbrellas slinging fresh pops and friendly smiles. Meet Steven Carse, co-founder and CEO of the iconic Atlanta brand King of Pops, in our July podcast. He says "today IS the good ole days."  Listen in as he shares his surprising recipe for fun at work and at home every single day.  If you hate work right now, if the heat is getting you down...

Enjoy this radically transparent conversation with Jennifer Dorian , CEO of WABE , a “76 year old startup.”  Hosted by Lisa Calhoun , managing partner at Valor Ventures, these leaders drive into topics of truth and courage today, including: How public broadcasting shapes culture, community, and innovation, particularly in Atlanta How storytelling, and the perception of truth, is changing Research...

We tracked 123 new startups, uncovered key trends around revenues and financings, and broke it all down in an 11-page Valor Ventures report. Better news! You don’t even have to read it. Hit the highlights in this week’s special podcast, hosted by our favorite AI hosts.  Get your copy of the AI IN THE SOUTH Q1 2025 report. Get a detailed, AI review of your deck, focusing on what it takes to be perf...

What if the key to unlocking true autonomy isn’t just more real-world testing—but a perfect digital twin of reality? Meet Autonoma, the company revolutionizing AI and autonomy through ultra-high-fidelity simulation. From self-driving cars to smart cities, their tech is accelerating the future—faster than real time. 🔹 Why simulation? Because 11 billion miles of real-world driving is impossible—unl...

Join Lisa Calhoun and Christy Johnson, Performance Engineering Leader at BIP Capital, for an inspiring and insightful conversation on what it takes to build, scale, and thrive in innovation today. From Christy’s unique journey—from rural Costa Rica to leading high-growth companies—to defining the milestones that matter, this episode is packed with actionable advice for founders and investors alike...

In this episode, Lisa Calhoun sits down with Atlanta visionary entrepreneur David Cummings to explore the transformative changes he’s instigated in the heart of Atlanta. David offers a deep dive into his mission to revitalize the city through the purchase of a sixteen acre lot of historic property–and urban blight. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the past, present, and future of one of...

Get ready for an exciting episode of the Atlanta StartUp Podcast! Founders, ever wondered if you’ve raised too much or too little capital? Not sure how to lock in the best terms in today’s market? Or maybe you’re asking, "Is the South the next big hub for funding, or should I head to the coasts?" We’ve got you covered! This month, we’re joined by Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta,...

In this episode of the Atlanta Startup Podcast, we welcome Jillian Anderson, founder of HERide, the innovative ridesharing platform designed to provide safe, reliable, and inclusive transportation for women. HERide is reshaping the ridesharing industry by addressing the unique safety concerns faced by women while empowering women drivers. Jillian recently won the EmpowerHER award, presented by NCR...

In this episode of the Atlanta Startup Podcast , we’re joined by Lauren Siff , Founder of SurgicalEd VR , the groundbreaking platform that won the first showcase in the Startup Runway Virginia program in Richmond. SurgicalEd VR is redefining how surgical training is approached, offering immersive VR simulations that make training more accessible and effective. Lauren shares her journey, her vision...

The Cleveland Clinic recently tapped an Atlanta entrepreneur to lead one of its cutting-edge healthcare innovation companies. In this episode, we dive into a conversation with Linda Li, Partner, at the Cleveland Clinic. Discover how they’re driving innovation, their investment strategies, and the key trends they’re tracking. Founders, this is your chance to learn how to connect with the Cleveland...

Lisa Calhoun, Founding General Partner of Valor VC, released a new podcast titled "AI Startups in the South: Highlights Q3 2024." In this episode, she breaks down key insights from Valor's latest report, exploring trends, opportunities, and actionable strategies for early-stage startups, alongside our AI host. Tune in now to catch all the insights! And don’t forget to download the f...

In this special episode for Venture Atlanta Week, we're dropping a first-of-its-kind podcast--AI talking to AI, about AI. No kidding! Content is completely vetted, but no human voice boxes were abused in this podcast's creation. Listen in to hear about how Valor uses AI to help founders get discovered. You won't be disappointed, and we can't wait to hear your thoughts on this u...

Join us on this episode of the Atlanta Startup Podcast as we sit down with Raha Saremi, founder of Ecoatex, a pioneering company in sustainable fashion and textiles. Ecoatex is dedicated to offering eco-friendly, non-toxic textiles and synthetic leather that significantly reduce environmental impact. Raha recently earned the Women’s Empowerment Award, presented by NCR Foundation, at the 26th Start...

In this episode of the Atlanta Startup Podcast, we dive into a conversation with Georgina Dukes-Harris, the visionary founder of Swishvo. Swishvo is transforming the healthcare landscape by providing a platform that connects individuals seeking holistic medicine with skilled healers, while also supporting holistic practitioners in building their businesses. Georgina shares her journey of launching...

Join us on this episode of the Atlanta Startup Podcast as we welcome the innovative Brian Glover, Founder of Previewed. Tune in to our conversation about how Previewed is transforming the job interview process through immersive videos, gamification, and AI matching. We’ll also delve into Brian’s recent success, winning the Audience Choice Award at the 26th Edition of the Startup Runway pitch showc...

In this engaging episode of the Atlanta Startup Podcast, Lisa Calhoun sits down with Daniel Dorfman, co-founder of Roots Investment Community, to explore their groundbreaking real estate investment model. Roots uniquely allows renters to invest and build wealth alongside traditional investors, creating a mutually beneficial system. Daniel delves into their data-driven strategies, the importance of...

In this episode of the Atlanta Startup Podcast, Lisa Calhoun interviews Chris Keller, a Kauffman Fellow and partner at Catalyst Partners. They discussed Chris's career journey and his work in seeding new private equity firms. Chris shared some insights from his research on emerging managers, highlighting their significant outperformance compared to established funds. He explains that first-ti...

Join us on this episode of the Atlanta Startup Podcast as we welcome the inspiring Janessa Ferrel, founder of QuestRead. Dive into our conversation about how QuestRead is dedicated to enhancing literacy by providing interactive reading experiences customized to match children's interests and learning levels. We'll also discuss Janessa's recent achievement of winning the Women’s Empo...

In today’s episode of the Atlanta Startup Podcast, we sat down with Scott Lopano, newly promoted Partner at Tech Square Ventures in Atlanta. Scott opens up about his journey from Associate to Partner, sharing real reflections on his career ascension. We get into his top fundraising tips for early-stage founders navigating today's market and highlight the rise of VC platforms and how they&apos...

Explore how Dena Lewis transforms the running experience with Running Mate on this episode of the Atlanta Startup Podcast. Learn about her journey to create a safer runner environment through a real-time, on-demand app that pairs them with verified, safe mates. Dena's personal experiences and dedication to runner safety drive this innovative solution, making every run safer and more enjoyable...

Software founders, as you grow to millions in ARR, are you encountering bigger tax liabilities than you anticipate? Transaction tax law is evolving fast, and if you're not prepared, rather than sell your startup at the price you agreed to in the LOI, you can find after diligence you get significantly less if you don't prepare in advance. In this episode, join Lisa Calhoun, founder and ma...