The Founders Peak Podcast

From commercial pilot to co-founding Latin America’s biggest unicorn, Rappi, Juan Pablo Ortega knows about navigating turbulence. In this talk, he offers a powerful reminder that the greatest companies are not just built on hustle, but on a deep, unwavering purpose that fuels you through the inevitable storms of the founder’s journey.

Your greatest idea might be hidden in your deepest frustration. Joe Kinvi, founder of Borderless, delivers a powerful lesson on how your personal pain can be your greatest asset, revealing a systemic problem that, when solved, can unlock economic empowerment for an entire generation.

Can code dismantle inequity? Winston Damarillo, a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist, delivers a powerful call to action, urging us to use the meritocracy of code not just to build products, but to disrupt systemic inequality and create true economic freedom for everyone.

Starting a company is like “eating glass while staring into the abyss.” Vince Vissers of Firsty gives a raw and hilarious tour of the founder’s marathon, reminding us that the joy isn’t in the comfort of the finish line, but in the courage you discover during the brutal, glass-eating climb.

How do you lead a company through a military coup and a global pandemic? Brad Jones tells the powerful story of Wave Money in Myanmar, revealing that true resilience is built on three pillars: prioritizing your people, cultivating adaptability through brutal honesty, and leading with deep empathy.

The entrepreneurial journey takes a toll that no one talks about. Shivashish Chatterjee, co-founder of DMI Group, delivers a candid and necessary conversation about the hidden neurological costs of being a founder and the critical importance of managing the one risk we often ignore: our own well-being.

How do you hit profitability in three months and scale to an 8-figure revenue in less than a year? Salim Dhanani of Pave Bank offers a masterclass in execution, showing how the greatest opportunities for innovation and value creation lie at the edges of convention, in the spaces that others overlook.

An entrepreneur’s journey is rarely a straight line. David Hanna, founder of Finmo, shares his brilliant story of evolution from delivering cupcakes in a beat-up van to building global payment infrastructure. This talk is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship is the accumulation of small failures and moments of resilience.

In a world of conventional wisdom, your greatest advantage might be the one no one sees coming. Saurav Bhatia delivers a masterclass in contrarian thinking, arguing that the only unfair advantage left is being yourself and trusting your own judgment, especially when everyone else expects you to conform.

Is financial inclusion the end goal, or just the beginning? Dr. Yanan Wu, a former nuclear physicist turned fintech founder, shows us that the future isn’t just about access, but about “agentic inclusion,” where technology empowers true agency. This talk reminds us that in the long run, it’s not about who runs fastest, but who can last to the finish line.

Welcome to Season 14 of The Founders Peak Podcast, live from a brand new city on our circuit: Tbilisi, Georgia! For the first time, we planted our flag at the Tbilisi Finance Summit to bring you unfiltered stories from nine exceptional founders from across the Silk Road. This season is all about resilience, reinvention, and the courage it takes to build something from nothing. Tune in for the real...

What happens when a world-class chess Grandmaster, one of the few to hold a winning record against the legendary Garry Kasparov, steps away from the board? Joel Lautier shares his journey of reinvention, applying the strategic mind of a champion to the world of venture capital. In this talk, Joel offers a fascinating look at how the skills of a truth-seeker can be adapted to any new playing field,...

What happens when you’re three days away from giving up on your dream? Nato Toronjadze shares the inspiring story of hitting rock bottom after leaving her corporate career to build a startup. This talk is a testament to how vision, friendship, and a sense of humor can help you find your breakthrough just when you’re about to quit.

Is quitting always a failure? Solo founder Lisa JY Tan argues that sometimes, it's the wisest move a founder can make. In this incredibly honest and vulnerable talk, Lisa explains why she chose to kill her first startup. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes the bravest choice isn’t to pivot, but to compost the entire meal and start cooking again.

After receiving 235 rejections from investors, Alex Tavkhelidze learned a vital lesson: confidence is a skill you build, not a trait you’re born with. In this talk, the Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur delivers a masterclass in self-belief, sharing how he went from being unable to speak clearly to winning pitching competitions and proving that your biggest obstacle is often your own self-doubt.

In the world of startups, crisis is inevitable. But what if you had an algorithm for resilience? Aleksi Khoroshvili, Founder & CEO of JSC Silk Bank, shares his powerful framework for finding opportunity in every challenge. This talk explores his 'resilience algorithm' and proves why the only true failure is giving up.

Sometimes the most powerful entrepreneurial move isn't a pivot or a new product—it's having the courage to quit. Hasan Hasanov tells the candid story of betting on himself, and how that one recurring thought can be the spark for extraordinary change. This talk is a powerful story about the realities of the founder’s journey and the courage it takes to build your own path.

What if the key to building the future of finance is to let go of control? Siddharth Shetty, a self-described “plumber of financial industry pipes,” shares his vision for the Finternet—a universal, open fabric for value. This talk explores how a snowboarding accident cracked open the illusion of control for him, unlocking a more intuitive and powerful way to build, lead, and live.

Many startups feel like they have nine lives, but few actually live to tell the tale. Davit Kvitsiani, co-founder & CEO of CNICK, shares the rollercoaster journey of his company, which was declared dead before being reborn. This is a powerful lesson in persistence and how sometimes you have to fail multiple times before finding your breakthrough product-market fit.

Welcome to Season 13 of The Founders Peak Podcast - recorded live from the Point Zero Forum 2025 in Zurich. This special edition hits different. Over two soulful hours on stage, six remarkable founders shared sharp, usable wisdom drawn from real-world building. From Silicon Valley’s shifting ethos to learning how to let go, from grief as entrepreneurial fuel to the raw truths behind leadership - t...

Theremin player, horror film composer, and Tradeshift co-founder Gert Sylvest reflects on the Silicon Valley ethos that shaped him - and why it may be heading off course. In this powerful talk, he asks the question every founder must face: Where are we really going? A thought-provoking episode on tech, trust, and finding your true compass.

Dr. Lidia Kurt built her first computer with a screwdriver - and later built Switzerland’s first DLT trading system. In this bold, reflective talk, she shares the hard truths of letting go, rewriting the rules of global finance, and becoming a builder in uncharted territory. Grit, reinvention, and real talk.

What happens when the people who believe in you - your family, friends, mentors - also back your startup? CrowdSports co-founder Leroy Bächtold opens up about the guilt, pressure, and unexpected leadership lessons that come with raising money from your closest circle. A heartfelt and brutally honest listen.

At 18, he dreamed of windsurfing. Now, he’s leading two companies fighting financial crime. But it was one in-flight conversation that changed Joel Winteregg’s leadership forever. This is his candid journey of delegation, ego, and growth - and a lesson in what happens when holding on starts holding you back.

Monique Morrow didn’t plan to be a tech pioneer, but life had other plans. In this intimate talk, she shares how loss, rejection, and grief became unexpected sources of strength. Vulnerable, deeply human, and full of purpose - this episode shows that sometimes, our hardest moments forge our boldest missions.