Electrifying Growth

What separates companies that thrive from those that struggle to keep pace in a rapidly changing market? In this episode of Electrifying Growth, Chris Sugden talks with Ben Laufer , Principal at Edison Partners and lead author of the 2026 Edison Growth Index . With experience as both an operator and investor, Ben brings a unique perspective on what drives sustainable growth, organizational perform...

Is AI changing how companies price and grow?  In this episode, Chris Sugden , Managing Partner at Edison Partners , explores how growth-stage companies are adapting to AI-driven changes in business models, pricing, and productivity. As AI tools reshape workflows and customer expectations, Chris explains why success comes from aligning AI initiatives with measurable business outcomes rather than ch...

What does it take to build not just a product, but a thriving company in today's fast-paced, data-driven world?  In this episode of Electrifying Growth, Chris Sugden talks with Tommy Cotter , Director of Data Products at Benzinga . With a strong background in building high-impact API products and leading cross-functional teams, Tommy has delivered innovative solutions for top financial institution...

Is AI moving too fast for companies to keep up? In this episode, Chris Sugden , Managing Partner at Edison Partners , discusses how growth-stage companies are navigating the pressure to adopt AI while avoiding reactive decision-making. As AI tools evolve at an unprecedented pace, Chris explains why the companies seeing the strongest results aren't necessarily moving first, they're moving with inte...

What happens when a mall's layout changes overnight, and no one knows where to go?  In this episode, Chris Sugden , Managing Partner at Edison Partners , speaks with Hongwei Liu , CEO of Mappedin , about how his company is reshaping how we navigate inside buildings. Hongwei shares how Mappedin started as a side project and grew into a leader in indoor mapping, helping organizations manage dynamic...

 Is it possible to be too focused?  In this episode, Chris Sugden , Managing Partner at Edison Partners explores the flip side of the "bright shiny object" problem: when over-prioritization and excessive processes actually stifle innovation. While most growing companies struggle with distraction rather than too much discipline, there's a real risk as you scale: you become so locked into hitting qu...

What does it take to grow from an engineer into the CEO of a Fortune 500 company? In this episode, Chris Sugden , Managing Partner at Edison Partners , sits down with Rick McKenney , CEO of Unum , to unpack a leadership journey shaped by taking risks, embracing discomfort, and continuously learning. From his early days in GE's legendary training program to leading a public company, Rick shares how...

What if the biggest bottleneck in your company is you? In this episode, Chris Sugden , Managing Partner at Edison Partners , tackles the unintentional bottlenecks CEOs create as they push their companies toward growth. When CEOs are caught in a whirlwind of activity, it's easy to get caught up in the instinct to do more, often leading to chaos rather than progress. Chris discusses how, rather than...

The unpredictable world of entrepreneurship requires the ability to adapt, pivot, and know when to build the right team to fuel growth. On this episode of Electrifying Growth, Chris Sugden talks to Lisa Gersh , a leader who's navigated the intersection of entrepreneurship, media, and celebrity. From founding a law firm to scaling companies alongside icons like Martha Stewart and Gwyneth Paltrow, L...

What separates reliable leaders from the rest? In this episode, Chris Sugden , Managing Partner at Edison Partners and host of Sit Down with Sugden, discusses the habits of great leaders in high-growth businesses and why the busiest CEOs are often the most effective. Chris breaks leadership into practical daily habits: staying organized, keeping a to-do list, following through on commitments, and...

Adapting to market needs and staying focused on the mission is crucial for success in FinTech. In this episode of Electrifying Growth, Chris Sugden sits down with  Riley Lovingood and Thomas Cecil , the co-founders of PAYRA , a FinTech company revolutionizing payment solutions for blue-collar businesses. They discuss their journey from exploring different markets to finding their niche in the B2B...

Everyone is busy, yet results still fall short. Many leaders mistake motion for progress and only see the gap when numbers miss. In this episode, Chris Sugden , Managing Partner at Edison Partners and host of Sit Down with Sugden, shares why effort-based goals mislead teams. Through years of working closely with operators and executives, he explains how leaders should measure what truly drives the...

Can you drive growth without losing sight of the human side of business? This replay episode brings back a standout conversation with Shane Kim, founder of Baleon Capital, who says yes. With over 20 years in growth equity, Shane has built his investment approach around empathy and connection, putting people first. From his early days as an analyst to founding Baleon, he's focused on fintech and he...

How often does your board meeting force you to look back instead of ahead? In this episode, Chris Sugden , Managing Partner at Edison Partners and host of Sit Down with Sugden, discusses why CEOs and CFOs lose entire weeks to board prep that does not help them plan the future. Drawing from decades on more than 50 boards, he explains how to shift reviews out of the boardroom, streamline materials,...

Leading a team through change demands the same instincts as an NFL quarterback: read the field, set direction, and earn the trust needed to move as one. On this episode of Electrifying Growth, Chris Sugden talks with  Tom Flick , former NFL quarterback and President of Tom Flick Communications . Tom shares how his experience on the field shaped his views on leadership, especially the importance of...

Are you measuring the right metrics to supercharge your sales growth in 2026? In this episode, Chris Sugden , Managing Partner at Edison Partners and host of Sit Down with Sugden, breaks down the critical metrics every sales leader needs to track to fuel durable growth, whether you're raising capital, planning for an exit, or gearing up for 2026. From raising quotas without losing top talent to un...

What happens when your former company becomes your biggest competitor? On this episode of Electrifying Growth, Ryan Ziegler sits down with Barry Conlon , CEO of Overhaul , for a conversation about building one of the most advanced logistics risk management platforms in the world. Barry shares his journey from founding FreightWatch to acquiring it a decade later, all while navigating the challenges...

Healthy urgency can't be rushed. Chris Sugden , Managing Partner at Edison Partners , discusses what it really means to lead with healthy urgency - the balance between moving fast and staying focused. In this episode, he explores why constant pivots and chasing the "next big thing" often do more harm than good, how to separate meaningful feedback from noise, and why sustainable growth starts with...

What happens when an entrepreneur leaves corporate America to tackle a critical healthcare gap? On this episode of Electrifying Growth, Chris Sugden connects with Krish Chopra , founder and CEO of NPHub , to discuss his 10-year journey from bootstrapping the company to securing a $20 million growth investment.  Krish shares how his unique path from corporate America to healthcare entrepreneur led...

What shifts when a CFO becomes CEO of an enterprise SaaS company focused on automation and AI? On this episode of Electrifying Growth, Chris Sugden sits down with Kevin Herr , CEO of KnowledgeLake , following Edison Partners' recent $65 million investment. Kevin shares how his journey from founder to financial leader to chief executive is shaping the company's strategy as it scales. With a focus o...

Is your company scaling or just sprinting? Chris Sugden , Managing Partner at Edison Partners , explains the concept of "healthy urgency" and why it's a defining trait in high-growth leadership. In this episode, he reflects on lessons from Edison's recent CEO Summit and outlines how urgency can either drive disciplined execution or spiral into chaos when left unchecked. He shares the patterns he s...

This re-release of Electrifying Growth features host Chris Sugden from Edison Partners in a conversation with Steve Schloss, Founder of ListenForward & Edison Operating Partner. Steve's unique career path spans Fortune 500s, startups, and nonprofits, all unified by a core focus: how leaders show up and build teams that scale. With experience at Citibank, Time Inc., LivePerson, and USGA, Steve brin...

Thinking about bringing in a private equity partner? Chris Sugden , Managing Partner at Edison Partners , zooms in on the critical decisions founders face when considering a private equity deal. In this episode, he highlights the importance of building relationships with investors, understanding the difference between growth equity and traditional private equity, and knowing when it's time to brin...

What does it really take to lead through uncertain times while growing with focus and vision? On this episode of Electrifying Growth, Chris Sugden is joined by Mitch Caplan , a fintech pioneer whose career includes CEO roles at E-Trade and Jefferson National, as well as leadership at Telebank and Yieldstreet . With three decades of financial services experience, Mitch brings a rare perspective on...

Chris Sugden , Managing Partner at Edison Partners , shares what really happens when a founder sells to private equity. Drawing on over 20 years of experience and Edison's approach to backing scale-ready leaders, he walks through what signals a founder is fit to stay in the CEO seat – and what doesn't. This episode maps the most common red flags investors spot, the traits they value in high-perfor...