It's More Than Grit

In this episode, Mariana speaks with Mothanna Gharaibeh, former Jordanian Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship with 15 years of experience in the private sector across the Middle East.  They discuss a story that is being overshadowed by the current war in Iran: a story about human capital, tech adaptation, and the sheer entrepreneurial hustle in the Middle East.  They also discuss the...

In this episode, Mariana speaks with Adolfo Babatz, Founder and CEO of Clip, the company that transformed the Mexican streetscape by not only putting a payment terminal into the hands of micro-merchants but also by offering them financial services to help them become more efficient to survive. They discuss the structural issues blocking Mexico’s fintech revolution and digital currency adoption. Th...

In this episode, Mariana speaks with David Fialkow, co-founder and managing director of General Catalyst, a venture capital firm, and an Academy Award-winning storyteller. David discusses his life defined by relentless curiosity from his early days as a serial entrepreneur who built and sold four companies to his pivot toward venture capital. David shares his personal “why” behind the creation of...

In this episode of It’s More Than Grit, Mariana is joined by Jim Hake, the founder and CEO of Spirit of America. Mariana and Jim pay tribute to the show's late co-host Andrew Schwartz, who was a close friend of Jim and Spirit of America. Jim discusses the origin and mission of Spirit of America, how the U.S. is perceived around the world, and his journey from tech entrepreneur to non-profit founde...

In this episode, Mariana speaks with Peggy Yu, founder and Executive Chairwomen of DangDang, the largest e-commerce book seller in China. They speak about how China has changed from a country that had very little to a country filled with competition and ambitious entrepreneurs fighting in a saturated market. They also discuss the challenges she faced while starting DangDang when credit card penetr...

Mariana and Andrew are joined by Gopi Kallayil, Google’s Chief Business Strategist for AI, to explore what he calls “the most profound technology ever created by human beings.” Gopi shares how AI’s evolution is reshaping industries while amplifying human cognition and creativity. They discuss the tightrope between AI’s promise and risks, including the need for new “checks and balances” and emergin...

Mariana sits down with Arnaud Vaissié, co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of International SOS, a leading provider of health and security services around the world. Arnaud shares how he and a childhood friend founded the company in the 1980s and reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped its growth. Mariana and Arnaud also explore the advantages of remaining a private, independent company after 40 yea...

This is part-two of Mariana's discussion with Evan Greenberg—Chairman and CEO of Chubb Insurance, a CSIS Trustee, and her husband. The pair breaks down the state of the insurance industry, Evan's experience operating in China, his experience as an entrepreneur, and his outlook for the future.

In this episode, Mariana sits down with Evan Greenberg—Chairman and CEO of Chubb Insurance, a CSIS Trustee, and her husband. They discuss Evan's journey from cook to CEO and how he built Chubb into what it is today. Evan dives into the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise, recognizing market conditions, and the critical role of having a great team. Stay tuned for part two with Evan,...

Mariana sits down with Andrés Díaz Bedolla, the CEO and Co-Founder of Yumari, a B2B platform connecting international buyers to manufacturers in Latin America, and the recent winner of the Early Stage Entrepreneurship World Cup 2024 in Riyadh. They discussed Andrés’ journey from a young entrepreneur inspired by the offshoring boom to an advocate for sustainable, value-driven regional integration i...

In this episode, Mariana is joined by Sarah Calhoun, founder of Red Ants Pants, a Montana-based retailer meeting the needs of working women across the country. Together, they discuss the power of serendipity, the value of mentorship, and the experience of starting a business in a state with more entrepreneurs per capita than any other in America. They also delve into the challenges of expanding fr...

Mariana and Andrew are joined by Billy Blaustein, the co-founder and COO of Vammo, a Brazilian electric mobility company. The trio discusses Billy’s journey from consulting to entrepreneurship, his experience launching a business in Brazil, and his mission to electrify the vehicles of Latin America.

Andrew and Mariana sit down with Jacqueline Novogratz, founder and CEO of Acumen, a pioneering nonprofit venture capital fund. Jacqueline shares her journey from Wall Street to working in Africa’s most underserved communities, offering insights on how entrepreneurship, combined with the power of markets and philanthropy, can drive meaningful and lasting change in the fight against poverty.

In this episode, Mariana and Andrew are joined by the "mother" of cognitive experience design, Joanna Pena-Bickley. Joanna is a design engineer who created one of the first video streaming players, invented AI-powered Alexa devices for Amazon, and recently founded her own company, Vibes. AI. The group discusses Joanna's journey to becoming a pioneer in generative AI, her outlook for the future of...

In today's episode, Mariana speaks with Moses Lo, the founder and CEO of Xendit, a leading fintech company known as the Stripe of Southeast Asia. They discuss the growing entrepreneurial landscape in the region and the importance of resilience when building a business.

In this episode of It's More Than Grit, Eduardo della Maggiora, Founder and CEO of Betterfly, joins Mariana to discuss his journey of driving social change through Betterfly, a life insurance platform which helps individuals manage their well-being. He shares insights into the challenges entrepreneurs face in Latin America and talks about balancing Ironman training with leading his company. Eduard...

In this episode of It's More Than Grit, Mariana and Andrew sit down with Adolfo Babatz, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Clip. He discusses the early days of founding Clip, the challenges of attracting and retaining talent, and the efforts to promote financial inclusion in Mexico. As the founder of Mexico’s first payment unicorn, Adolfo also offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Adolfo Ba...

In this episode of It's More Than Grit, Mariana and Andrew sit down with Dr. Parag Khanna, Founder & CEO of AlphaGeo. They discuss Southeast Asia's dynamic entrepreneurial landscape, highlighting Singapore as a global startup hub. Dr. Khanna also analyzes the intersection between entrepreneurship, AI, and climate. Dr. Parag Khanna is a leading global strategy advisor, world traveler, and best-sell...

In this episode of It’s More Than Grit, Mariana and Andrew sit down with Raj Koneru, CEO and Founder of Kore.ai, to explore Raj’s entrepreneurial journey. Raj discusses the challenges facing entrepreneurs in India, as well as the opportunities and risks associated with AI. He also offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the technology landscape. Raj Koneru has been at the forefront of innovati...

On this episode of It's More Than Grit, Linda Rottenberg, Co-founder and CEO of Endeavor, joins Mariana and Andrew for a discussion on Linda’s journey to Endeavor. She highlights the qualities of a good entrepreneur and the regions she is most optimistic about. As a leader of the global entrepreneurship movement, Linda also shares advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Linda Rottenberg is one of the w...

In this first episode of It's More Than Grit, Mariana and Andrew sit down with Bill Ford, Chairman and CEO of General Atlantic. They discuss Bill's journey to General Atlantic, the entrepreneurial ecosystem, mistakes he has made, the importance of AI as a transformational technology, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.  Bill Ford is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Atlantic,...

Entrepreneurs are crucial participants in the global economy and play a pivotal role in a country’s economic security. Their ventures drive innovation, create new industries and employment opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and foster competition. It’s More Than Grit delves into the untold stories of entrepreneurs, highlighting how their success is shaped not just by grit, but by the econom...