The Silicon Valley Podcast

Ep 280 The Future of Finance & Blockchain with Matthew Le Merle

Guest: Matthew Le Merle, CEO & Managing Partner, Blockchain Coinvestors
About the Guest: Matthew Le Merle is a leading figure in early-stage venture capital, having previously managed Keiretsu, the world's largest angel network. In 2014, he made a strategic pivot into the digital asset space, co-founding Blockchain Coinvestors. The firm is now dedicated to the vision that digital monies, commodities, and assets are inevitable, and all of the world's financial infrastructure must be upgraded. With investment strategies now in their 12th year, Blockchain Coinvestors has backed a combined portfolio of over 1,250 blockchain companies and projects, including more than 110 blockchain unicorns.
In This Episode: Decoding the Future of Finance and Emerging Blockchain Unicorns
Join us for a deep dive with Matthew Le Merle as he shares the strategic insights that drove his firm into blockchain investing over a decade ago. We explore the massive shift toward digital assets, the unique mechanics of the fund-of-funds model, and the critical role of tokenomics in the crypto ecosystem.
Key Discussion Points:
🚀 The Inevitable Digital Shift
The 2014 Pivot: What initial observations and conviction led Matthew to commit deeply to the blockchain space a decade ago?
A New Financial Infrastructure: Dan elaborates on Blockchain Coinvestors' core vision: why the transition to digital monies, commodities, and assets is inevitable, and what that means for the world's current financial systems.
📈 Venture Investing in the Blockchain Space
Screening for Unicorns: With a portfolio of over 1,250 blockchain companies, what common characteristics does the firm look for in promising very early-stage companies?
Filtering the Noise: Matthew details his team's rigorous screening methods used to filter for the most promising startups from a massive pool of opportunities.
SPACs & IPOs:
A simple definition of a SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) for the audience.
How SPACs might play a future role in taking high-growth crypto and blockchain companies public.
The current IPO landscape for blockchain innovators—are traditional IPOs or alternative paths more prevalent?
💰 Understanding the Fund-of-Funds Model
Fund-of-Funds Explained: An operational deep dive into the dynamics of the fund-of-funds investment model.
Investor Rationale: The most common reasons why investors choose to gain blockchain exposure through a fund-of-funds like Blockchain Coinvestors.
Returns and Structure: How the returns and operational/legal structure of a fund-of-funds compare to those of a direct venture capital fund.
🔗 Tokens, Tech, and the Future
Tokenomics 101: A clear explanation of tokenomics—what it is and how it fundamentally works within a blockchain ecosystem to incentivize user behavior and align stakeholders.
Investor Benefits: The primary benefits and unique opportunities associated with companies that issue their own tokens.
The AI-Blockchain Convergence: What excites Matthew most about the merging possibilities of AI and blockchain, and where he predicts the most significant developments will occur in the next few years.
Learn more about Matthew and Blockchain Coinvestors at www.BlockchainCoinvestors.com
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial or legal advice, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

Ep 279 Beyond the Prompt: Scaling Content Productivity with AI Workflows with Dan Fineberg

Guest: Dan Fineberg, CTO and Co-founder, The Fusion Syndicate
About the Guest: Dan Fineberg is a veteran technologist with over 40 years of experience working at the intersection of technology and marketing, including leadership roles at Intel Corp. and FEI Co. As CTO of The Fusion Syndicate, Dan now specializes in leveraging emerging technologies, particularly generative AI, to accelerate content productivity and drive measurable business results for customers.
In This Episode: Beyond the Prompt — Building Strategic AI Workflows
Many organizations are still viewing AI as a simple tool for generating text with a prompt. Dan Fineberg breaks down why that's the biggest misconception and shows us how to transition from basic experimentation to a reliable, scalable system that dramatically improves content production and delivers significant ROI.
Key Discussion Points:
The Biggest Misconception: Dan tackles the most common myth he hears about using AI in the enterprise and shares his simple "signal vs. noise" test for identifying true business value.
Moving Past Prompt Engineering: Learn why focusing only on the quality of a prompt is a limited approach, and how The Fusion Syndicate’s approach goes beyond simple inputs to structure a robust, end-to-end system.
The AI Content Workflow: Dan walks us through the typical, repeatable steps teams should implement, covering the entire process from initial research all the way through to a validated, ready-to-publish output.
Measurable Impact (Before & After): What practical, tangible differences have teams seen once they put this structured AI system in place? Dan shares real-world stories of accelerated productivity and transformation.
The Next Wave of ROI: Where should businesses look beyond marketing and content creation for the next high-value applications of AI workflows?
Strategic Fit: For listeners trying to understand the competitive landscape, Dan explains where this AI workflow approach fits in—is it meant to replace agencies, internal teams, or dedicated point tools?
Getting Started: For founders and teams ready to adopt this approach, Dan recommends the first high-impact workflow they should pilot to ensure early success and build momentum.
Resources: Recommended materials for anyone who wants to learn more and begin experimenting with AI content acceleration.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial or legal advice, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

Ep 278 Robotics Startup Survival Guide: From Prototype to Profit with Alex Dantas (Circuit Launch)

 Podcast Show Notes: Alex Dantas (Circuit Launch & Mechlabs)
Guest: Alex Dantas, CEO of Circuit Launch and Mechlabs
Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrfdantas/
About the Guest & Companies
Alex Dantas is the CEO of two organizations that define the hardware and robotics ecosystem in the San Francisco Bay Area:
Circuit Launch (The "Cofacturing" Space): A coworking and physical center for electronic hardware development and robotics education. It provides private offices, shared electronic labs, and prototype labs for startups, growing companies, and inventors. (http://circuitlaunch.com)
Mechlabs (Mechatronic Education): An educational platform emphasizing a "build-it-to-learn-it" approach to Mechatronic Engineering education. (http://www.mechlabs.io or http://www.mechlabs.ai)
Episode Highlights & Discussion Points
Robotics Today & Public Perception
Alex shares his background and the journey that led him into the world of robotics and startups.
What first sparked his interest in robotics? A look at how the robotics landscape has changed over his career.
Automation All Around Us: What's a robot or automation technology that most people use daily but don’t even realize it?
Addressing public fear: What is the biggest misconception about robotics Alex encounters from the general public?
AI Convergence: How are advances in AI and machine learning changing the pace and capabilities of robots today?
Building & Funding a Robotics Startup
Startup in 2025: What does it fundamentally take to build a robotics startup today?
Hardware vs. Software: If someone is starting a robotics company, what extra challenges (product development, capital needs) should they be aware of compared to a software startup?
The Go-to-Market Journey: How are robots actually built, funded, and launched? What does that journey look like from prototype to market?
Common Mistakes: What is the most common mistake first-time robotics founders make?
RaaS (Robotics-as-a-Service): Explaining the RaaS trend, what this ecosystem looks like, and why this business model is gaining traction.
Investor Strategy & The Future
VC Evaluation: How do top robotics venture capitalists evaluate new opportunities today, and what do they prioritize?
Are investors becoming more open to hardware-heavy startups now that AI and automation are converging?
Metrics & Milestones: What kinds of metrics or milestones do robotics founders need to show to get serious investor attention?
The Next Decade: How does Alex think robotics will reshape the labor market over the next decade?
Future Frontiers: What does Alex think the next frontier in robotics will be—humanoid robots, swarm robotics, or something completely new?
Connect with Alex Dantas & His Work
Circuit Launch Website: http://circuitlaunch.com
Mechlabs Website: http://www.mechlabs.io or http://www.mechlabs.ai
Alex Dantas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrfdantas/
💖 Support Our Cause: Giving Hope to People in Need
This episode supports "Giving Hope to People in Need," a charitable initiative led by The Silicon Valley Podcast. Your donation helps the following charities:
Donation link Donate to "Giving Hope to People in Need", led by The Silicon Valley Podcast
Love Never Fails: Restores survivors of human trafficking with housing, education, and protection.
Five Keys Home Free: Empowers formerly incarcerated women domestic violence survivors to start over with life skills and career support.
Open Door Legal: Ensures everyone has access to justice, preventing homelessness and financial ruin.
Convoy of Hope: Delivers relief and resources to families in crisis around the globe.
Mission Hiring Hall: Connects people in San Francisco to stable jobs through training and placement.
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this podcast are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial or legal advice, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.
 
#robotics #siliconvalley #startups #ai #machines

Ep 277 AI, Cybersecurity, and Leadership: with Doug Merritt

Podcast Show Notes
Guest: Doug Merritt – CEO of Aviatrix, former CEO of Splunk Host: Shawn Flynn- Managing Director os SVH Capital
🔹 Episode Summary
In this episode, we sit down with Doug Merritt, one of the most respected leaders in enterprise technology. Doug discusses the emotional journey of stepping down from a CEO role, what pulled him back into leadership at Aviatrix, and how AI is reshaping companies, cloud security, and competitive strategy.
We explore how organizations can stay secure and agile in a rapidly evolving tech landscape, and Doug shares leadership lessons drawn from his lifelong involvement in athletics.
Whether you're a founder, executive, or technologist, this episode offers valuable insight into the intersection of AI, leadership, and organizational resilience.
🔹 Topics We Cover 
Doug’s career path and return to CEO life
Emotional challenges of stepping down from leadership
How AI is reshaping business and cloud network security
Key findings from Doug’s recent industry survey
How companies can strengthen security and stay agile
Lessons from athletics applied to leadership
What Doug is focused on now at Aviatrix
🔹 Connect with Doug Merritt
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-m-33169/ Learn more about Aviatrix: https://aviatrix.ai
🔹 Disclaimer
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial or legal advice, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

Ep 276 Building Better Funds & Partnerships with Dr. Bijna Kotak Dasani

Guest: Dr. Bijna Kotak Dasani, Founder of ArthAum Group
Dr. Bijna Kotak Dasani is a global leader in venture capital, strategic partnerships, and capital formation. As the Founder of ArthAum Group, she has built a firm that helps funds and companies scale smarter—through tailored launch strategies, operational excellence, and global investor networks.
In this episode, Dr. Bijna shares her journey from financial services leadership into founding ArthAum Group, and offers practical insights for fund managers, entrepreneurs, and investors navigating today’s fast-moving venture capital markets.
We cover:
Fund launch strategies – how first-time managers differ from established funds
The biggest mistakes new funds make during launch and how to avoid them
The role of fund operating administration in long-term success
Why strong back-office operations can make or break a venture fund
How to structure partnerships for growth and diversification
The KPIs she uses to identify high-value partners for clients
Leveraging global investor networks to form capital and expand reach
The importance of a global perspective when seeking capital
Key trends in venture capital and partnerships across geographies and sectors
Where the VC and partnership landscape is headed in the next five years
Finally, Dr. Bijna explains what differentiates ArthAum Group from other firms, and how fund managers or companies can best connect with her team.
About the Guest Dr. Bijna Kotak Dasani is the Founder of ArthAum Group, a firm specializing in fund market strategy, operating administration, and capital formation. With decades of experience across global financial institutions, she is recognized for her expertise in helping funds and companies build scalable structures, forge partnerships, and unlock growth through innovation.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial or legal advice. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.
#venturecapital #fundoffunds #siliconvalley #tech #investing

Ep 275 Measuring & Managing Value with Tim Koller, Co-Author of McKinsey’s Valuation

Guest: Tim Koller, Partner at McKinsey & Company and Co-Author of Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies
For over three decades, Valuation has been the definitive guide to corporate value creation. Called “the best practitioners’ guide to valuation” by the Financial Times and one of “the most influential contemporary books about the world economy” by The Economist, the book has sold over one million copies worldwide.
Now in its 8th edition, Tim Koller and his co-authors bring fresh insights on AI, sustainability, digital transformation, and geopolitics—helping business leaders sharpen their decision-making and balance long-term value creation with the pressures of today’s markets.
In this episode, Tim shares:
Why short-term earnings obsession remains the biggest misconception in corporate strategy
How AI can help identify groupthink and bias in real time
The real impact of tariffs and geopolitics on company valuations
How leaders can balance shareholder value with stakeholder needs
Why sustainability priorities should be tailored to the unique risks of each industry
Lessons from Warren Buffett and contrarian thinkers who resisted market hype
What has—and hasn’t—changed about being a great CEO since 1990
Tim also reflects on 35 years of writing Valuation, explaining why timeless principles of growth, innovation, and long-term orientation matter more than ever in both stable and volatile times.
About the Guest Tim Koller is a partner at McKinsey’s Denver office and founder of McKinsey’s Strategy and Corporate Finance Insights team. With more than 40 years of consulting experience, he has helped countless executives, boards, and investors navigate complex financial and strategic decisions.
Resources & Links 📖 Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies (8th Edition) – Available May 20, 2025 from Wiley 🔗 Connect with Tim Koller via his PR contact: Rebecca Proulx, rebecca@fortierpr.com
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial or legal advice. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.
 

Ep 274 What Makes Entrepreneurs Unstoppable? With Lori Rosenkopf

Guest: Lori Rosenkopf – Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship, Wharton School
Bio
Lori Rosenkopf is the Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship and the Simon and Midge Palley Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. As Wharton’s Faculty Director for Venture Lab, she supports student entrepreneurs across the university.
She previously served as Vice Dean and Director of Wharton’s 2,500-student Undergraduate Division from 2013 to 2019, where she introduced a new curriculum, expanded career pathways, and created more opportunities for students. Her research and teaching draw from her background in systems engineering and social science, with a focus on networks and learning in knowledge industries. With deep connections to Wharton alumni and a sharp understanding of millennial and Gen Z aspirations, Lori brings a unique perspective on the future of entrepreneurship.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
The most transformative changes in entrepreneurship education at Wharton
What makes Wharton’s approach effective in producing world-class leaders
How students are expanding their definition of entrepreneurship beyond Silicon Valley stereotypes
The role of mentors and role models in shaping entrepreneurial careers
Traits Lori has seen consistently in students who go on to build impactful ventures
Insights from her book Unstoppable Entrepreneurs and the stories that inspired it
How Wharton alumni networks create opportunities for the next generation of founders
Lessons from organizations like Harlem Capital on the future of venture funding
How Gen Z founders are rethinking impact, purpose, and business models
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this podcast are Lori’s own and are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial or legal advice, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

Ep 273 How AI is Changing Deals & Global Development with Jeff Kafka and Brian Rogers

 How AI is Changing Deals & Global Development with Jeff Kafka and Brian Rogers
 
 
Jeff Kafka
Bay Area entrepreneur, cybersecurity startup founder, and medical device/supply chain import partner. Internationally renowned professional kiteboarder and big wave safety expert.
Brian Rogers
Design and business thinker, expert in AI/ML, IoT, big data, fintech, and platform development. Author of patents, guest lecturer, and industry leader in blockchain.
Episode Summary
In this episode, we dive deep into how technology, infrastructure, and strong personal networks converge to drive capital and growth in sectors from medical devices to public works. We speak with Jeff Kafka, the founder behind the famous Silicon Valley kite surfing pitch events, about the value of relationships in business growth, and with Brian Rogers, an expert in AI, IoT, and digital transformation, about the future of finance and government partnerships. We explore how their new venture, Storyboard Capital, focuses on opportunities in areas typically ignored by traditional tech investors.
Key Discussion Points & Topics
I. The Power of Relationships and Networking (Jeff Kafka)
Kite Surfing Pitch Events: The origin story of the famous Silicon Valley kite surfing pitch events and the key lessons learned while observing early-stage companies raising capital.
Missed Opportunities: Jeff shares his list of companies he met early on but passed on investing in, and the reasons why those opportunities were missed at the time.
The Role of People: How Jeff's diverse career—from cybersecurity to big wave safety to medical supply chain—has consistently revolved around people and relationships.
Business Growth: The crucial importance of relationships when scaling a business.
II. Technology, Government, and Global Development (Brian Rogers & Jeff Kafka)
Public/Private Partnerships (P3s): A detailed explanation of what Public/Private Partnerships are and how companies currently go about identifying these government opportunities.
AI in Government Financing: How Artificial Intelligence can help streamline the process for companies to find and obtain government contracts.
Technology for Development: How technology, public/private partnerships, and infrastructure development are creating opportunities in remote or "off the grid" areas globally.
III. The Future of Finance and Investment Banking
AI and Financing: How Jeff and Brian see AI changing the landscape for companies obtaining financing, particularly in how deals are sourced and structured.
Investment Banker's Role: The evolving role of the investment banker in the future and how they will integrate AI into transaction processes.
The Future of Outreach: How customized, AI-driven outreach will change the success or failure rates for projects and deal sourcing.
Beyond the Interview: Key concepts related to AI that the audience should be thinking about moving forward.
Learn More
Storyboard Capital Website: https://storyboardcapital.com/
Jeff Kafka's Contact: Jeffkafka8@gmail.com
Jeff Kafka's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkafka/
Brian Rogers' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brogers/
Affiliate Companies:
https://grapheene.com
http://www.strongwatertech.com
Disclaimer
The views expressed on this podcast are for informational purposes only and not financial or legal advice. Consult with a professional for your specific situation and do not necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

Ep 272 Startup Founder Pay, AI’s Impact, and Bootstrapping Trends with Pilot CEO Waseem Daher

Guest: Waseem Daher – Founder & Executive Chairman of Pilot LinkedIn: Waseem Daher Pilot: pilot.com | Founder Salary Report 2025 
Bio
Waseem Daher is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Pilot, a modern finance team offering bookkeeping, tax, and CFO services for startups, e-commerce businesses, and professional services firms. Backed by Sequoia Capital and Bezos Expeditions, Pilot has become the go-to back office solution for growing companies.
An engineer by training and a serial entrepreneur, Waseem previously co-founded Ksplice (acquired by Oracle) and Zulip (acquired by Dropbox). He now combines his experience as a three-time founder with insights into startup finance, scaling, and leadership. Beyond Pilot, Waseem writes regularly about building startups on LinkedIn and in his newsletter, Startup Real Talk.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Why founder salaries dropped 43% in 2025 and what this means for early-stage companies
How founders should think about compensation when talking to investors
Risks startups face when founders underpay themselves
How company stage, funding, and geography influence salary decisions
The role of boards and investors in shaping compensation
What lessons Waseem carried from Ksplice and Zulip into Pilot
Insights into bootstrapping vs. venture-backed founder pay
How founders can use Pilot’s salary data to benchmark and negotiate effectively
Why the number of AI startups surged by 287%, yet founder salaries declined
What the rise in bootstrapped startups (up 77%) says about today’s funding environment
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are my own and are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial or legal advice, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.
 

Ep 271 Reimagining Work and Storytelling in the Age of AI with Shawn Villaron

Guest: Shawn Villaron, Vice President of Customer and Strategic Initiatives, Office Product Group at Microsoft | Former VP & GM of PowerPoint | Bay Area Site Leader | Executive Sponsor of HOLA
 
Episode Overview
In this episode, we sit down with Shawn Villaron, a 29-year veteran at Microsoft who has helped shape some of the company’s most widely used products and strategies. Now serving as Vice President of Customer and Strategic Initiatives in the Office Product Group, Shawn partners with Microsoft’s most important customers to better understand their needs around AI, workplace modernization, and productivity—insights that directly shape the future of Microsoft Office.
Previously, Shawn was Vice President & General Manager for PowerPoint, where he led teams across multiple platforms—Windows, Mac, Web, iPad, Android, and iOS—reimagining how billions of people create and deliver stories. He also serves as Engineering Site Leader for Microsoft Bay Area, working across commercial, consumer, hardware, and AI platforms, while championing diversity and inclusion as executive sponsor of HOLA (Hispanic & Latinx Organization of Leaders in Action).
Shawn brings a rare perspective: spending nearly three decades at a single company, driving innovation from the inside, and now exploring how AI and agents are reshaping the way we work, create, and build businesses.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
The positives and challenges of building an entire career at one company in the fast-moving tech world.
How PowerPoint and Office are being reimagined for the AI storytelling era.
Practical ways companies can encourage employees to use AI responsibly and effectively.
How leaders can use AI to boost both creativity and productivity within teams.
When employees might be using too much AI—or not enough.
What it means to become an “AI Agent Boss” and how agents can give startups enterprise-level capabilities.
Whether the concept of the one-person unicorn is realistic, and what’s still missing.
How recent graduates can stand out in an AI-driven job market.
The emerging technologies Microsoft’s Bay Area teams are most excited about right now.
One piece of advice Shawn would give to founders and technologists building the next generation of workplace tools.
Key Questions We Discuss
What are the upsides and downsides of staying at one company for nearly three decades?
How is Microsoft rethinking storytelling with AI in PowerPoint and Office?
How can leaders balance productivity and creativity when adopting AI tools?
What role will AI Agents play in empowering both startups and enterprises?
Are we truly heading toward the era of the one-person unicorn?
What advice would you give to graduates entering an AI-powered job market?
Which emerging technologies are your Bay Area teams most focused on right now?
About Shawn Villaron
Shawn Villaron is Vice President of Customer and Strategic Initiatives in the Microsoft Office Product Group, where he drives strategy by working closely with top customers to shape the future of AI and productivity. Previously, he served as Vice President & GM of PowerPoint, guiding the product across every platform and ensuring seamless experiences for millions of users. He also serves as Engineering Site Leader for Microsoft Bay Area and as executive sponsor of HOLA, advancing diversity and inclusion at Microsoft.
Resources & Links
LinkedIn: Shawn Villaron | LinkedIn
Microsoft Bay Area Blog: Microsoft Bay Area Blog
Microsoft Work Trend Index: The 2025 Annual Work Trend Index: The Frontier Firm is Born
 
The views expressed on this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial or legal advice. Please consult with a professional for guidance on your specific situation. The opinions shared are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.