VNTR Podcast

Token launches, Web3 metrics, RWAs, AI infrastructure and investor incentives — this episode dives into the real mechanics behind building sustainable Web3 companies and why many strong startups fail not because of tech, but because of financial structure and reputation risks. In this episode, Aly Madhavji, Tech Entrepreneur, Blockchain & Web3 Investor and Managing Partner at Blockchain Founde...

In this episode of the VNTR Podcast, we sit down with Chris Yeh who is an entrepreneur, writer, and mentor who helps people build meaningful companies, serving as VP of Marketing at PBworks, a general partner at Wasabi Ventures, and co-author of The Alliance: Managing Talent in the Networked Age. This episode is worth watching if you’re a founder, investor, or operator who wants to understand how...

AI adoption, autonomous agents, the future of work, startup survival, superintelligence timelines — Steve Hoffman (Captain Hoff), founder of Founder Space, joins VNTR podcast with Yuri Rabinovich for an in-depth conversation about what’s coming next. Steve is a global innovation mentor, venture builder, author of three award-winning books, and advisor to Qualcomm, Lenovo, Volkswagen and other Fort...

Building one of India’s biggest tech stories — Zomato ($33B IPO) and launching Gabit, a next-generation health & longevity platform redefining how we track, measure and improve our well-being. In this episode, Gaurav Gupta shares how his journey from consulting to co-founding Zomato shaped his view on building ecosystems and why his next mission is personal: helping millions live healthier, lo...

In this VNTR Podcast episode, we sit down with Russell Deakin, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner at Aceana Group. With over 25 years of global experience in alternative assets — from private equity and venture capital to real estate, infrastructure, and renewable energy — Russell shares his journey of building a family office and investing worldwide. We talk about: The origins of Acean...

In this episode of the VNTR Podcast, we sit down with Michael Kosic and Kamal Hassan, Managing Partners at Loyal VC, to unpack how they’re transforming venture capital with a unique model that combines global reach, open-ended structure, and a data-driven approach.💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:- The origin story of Loyal VC and why they wanted to build a VC fund “that sucks less”- How their...

In this episode of the VNTR Podcast, we sit down with Bill Inman, CEO & Founder of Decentralized Technologies Inc., serial entrepreneur, AI & blockchain pioneer and digital twin visionary Bill shares his journey from building multi-billion dollar companies to creating Twin Protocol — a platform empowering individuals to own their data, monetize their knowledge and thrive in the AI economy....

What does it take to build one of Europe’s leading VC firms from the ground up? 🙌🏼 In this episode of the VNTR Podcast – Oliver Holle, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Speedinvest, shares the full story about bootstrapping his first startup to managing €1.4B AUM and 400+ investments across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa We talk exits, team building, LP dynamics, secondary markets, and wha...

What if companies reinvested 10% of their profits into startups to strengthen their ecosystem? In this episode of the VNTR Podcast, we talk to Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands — the company behind 570+ Web3 investments, from The Sandbox to Polygon and OpenSea. Animoca is a mission-driven operator investing off its own balance sheet to accelerate digital property rights...

Can solo founders still win? In this episode of the VNTR Podcast, we sit down with Jude Gomila — serial entrepreneur and early investor in 20+ unicorns, including Airtable, Mercury, Linear, and Gusto. From building Heyzap to backing iconic startups worldwide, Jude shares hard-earned lessons on what truly drives success in early-stage ventures. Key Topics Covered in This Episode:- Why great teams b...

Does coachability beat raw talent?⚡️ In this episode, we sit down with Cristobal Alonso — serial entrepreneur, early-stage investor in over 450 startups, growth enabler, global executive, bestselling author, and sought-after speaker. With a uniquely diverse background as a chef, former professional basketball player, and passionate pianist, Cristobal shares the kind of deep insight that only a tr...

💡 What really separates billion-dollar founders from the rest: grit, timing or being in the right room? In this episode of the VNTR Podcast, we sit down with Zach Coelius, Managing Partner at Coelius Capital, one of Silicon Valley’s most well-connected solo GPs. With over 50 early-stage investments including Cruise (acquired by GM for $1B), HelloSign, Mercury, and others, Zach shares blunt and in...

🎙️In this episode of the VNTR Podcast, we sit down with David Cohen, founder of Techstars, to explore how the accelerator model evolved, what makes a great founder, and why Techstars backed nearly 5,000 companies globally with 22 unicorns in its portfolio We dive into👨🏼‍💻 - How to spot a great founder team (and what gets you rejected) - Why the “give first” philosophy powers the Techstars netwo...

In this episode of the VNTR Podcast, hosts Yuri Rabinovich & Niko Leo sit down with: 🔹 Pavel Yurovitsky – CEO of KIT Global, a top digital marketing platform 🔹 Wahid Chammas – Founder and CIO of TyreGate Capital Holdings Key Topics Covered in This Episode: ⚡️ Is AI replacing marketers? The real impact of AI on digital marketing ⚡️ The rise of KOL marketing – How to use influencers to scale...

Why do 90% of startups fail while a select few become unicorns? Is it just luck, or is there a playbook for startup success? 💡 In this episode of the VNTR Podcast, hosts Yuri Rabinovich & Niko Leon sit down with Oskar Hartmann – a serial entrepreneur, investor, and unicorn hunter who has launched & invested in 150+ ventures, lacked 14 unicorns from seed to billion-dollar valuations and su...

In this episode, we speak with Fabrice Grinda, Founding Partner of FJ Labs and a serial entrepreneur, investor, and tech pioneer with over 1,100 startup investments. Fabrice shares his incredible journey from launching startups to becoming one of the world’s most active angel investors. We go into his approach to early-stage investing, the importance of pattern recognition, and his philosophy when...

In this episode, we speak with Sébastien Borget, co-founder and COO of The Sandbox https://www.sandbox.game, a leading decentralized gaming metaverse that empowers players and creators. Sébastien shares his journey from tech entrepreneurship to building The Sandbox, diving into how blockchain and NFTs redefine ownership in virtual worlds. We explore the platform's vision for user-generated content...

In this episode, we talk with Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta, a platform that simplifies equity management for private companies and investors. Peter shares his journey from data analytics roles to building Carta's insights practice, covering trends from thousands of companies on the platform. He talks about his approach to using private market data, lessons from shaping equity and owners...

In this episode, we talk with Neville Teagarden, Managing Partner at AI Capital, a venture capital firm specializing in early growth stage, enterprise applied AI software companies. Neville shares his journey from leading in data management to becoming an advisor and investor. He discusses his experience in venture investing, lessons from raising a VC fund, and how to spot and secure great deals....

In this episode, we talk with Ali Jamal, Founder and Managing Partner at First Check Ventures, an investment syndicate that invests in early-stage startups. Ali is dedicated to investing in and supporting early-stage founders, whom he joins as a first-check angel syndicate investor. He guides them with his experience in go-to-market strategy and helps connect them with follow-on investors. Before...

In this episode, we sit down with Stephan Moraes, Founder and Managing General Partner at Indico Capital Partners, Portugal’s leading tech-focused VC firm. With a rich private equity and entrepreneurship background, Stephan has played a pivotal role in shaping Southern Europe’s venture scene. Under his leadership, Indico Capital has backed innovative, high-growth companies across AI, fintech, SaaS...

In this episode, we sit down with Asher Siddiqui, General Partner at Sukna Ventures https://suknaventures.com. Asher is a seasoned venture capital professional with a proven history of helping companies scale and secure funding. Previously, he was a Partner at 500 Startups, one of the world’s most active VC firms, and played a key role in building the M&A and CVC departments at Etisalat, one o...

In this episode, we sit down with Dov Moran, the inventor of the USB flash drive and a prominent figure in the tech industry. As a Managing Partner at Grove Ventures (⁠https://www.grovevc.com⁠), Dov brings decades of experience in innovation and entrepreneurship, having founded and led several successful tech companies. His deep understanding of the intersection between hardware and software and h...

In this episode, we sit down with William Bao Bean, General Partner at Orbit Startups https://orbitstartups.com. With over two decades of experience in the startup ecosystem, William is a leading investor in early-stage tech companies in emerging markets. His expertise in venture capital and wide knowledge of the Asian startup landscape make him a key figure in the industry. We explore William’s c...

In this episode, we sit down with Diane Fraiman, a seasoned Venture Capitalist and Managing Director at Voyager Capital (https://www.voyagercapital.com). Diane has been a trailblazer in the Pacific Northwest's technology ecosystem, bringing over 35 years of industry expertise. Her deep understanding of building and scaling successful tech companies—especially in enterprise software, cloud comp...