The Silicon Valley Podcast

142 Tech and Government with Hongyi LI

Hongyi li 
 
Li Hong Yi, is the Director of Open Government Product for Singapore(the SWAT team version of government’s core engineering unit). Hong Yi having worked in Google before returning to Singapore to start and lead his own division from ground up. He is passionate about delivering modern digital solutions to Singapore citizens he has launched some amazing nationwide-adopted consumer services and made huge differences to Singapore national engineering culture through his platform. He’s also the current Prime Minister’s son
 
 
What are the differences between working at google vs working in the Singapore public sector?
How are efficiencies in the government measured?
Are inefficiencies linear or logarithmic?
How is Singapore positioning itself to be an entrepreneur hub?
What resources are there in Singapore that a foreign startup could access and utilize?
How does one go about in the thought process of social impact and implementation of Tech?

141 Post Pandemic Capital Structuring, where will the money come from? - The Business Capital & Exit Strategy Summit Panel 2

Panel 2
• Post Pandemic Capital Structuring, where will the money come from? During the Pandemic did one of these happen to you: 1) You borrowed money and now must recapitalize and are wondering what your options are?2) You struggled, barely survived, and now need capital to bring your company back to life? 3) Your company saw new highs and now you see unknown potential you want to raise capital to reach. These industry experts will share ideas and give you insights into potential solutions that can be implemented immediately to get you to where you want to be.
Moderator 
Shawn Flynn who is a Principal at Global Capital Markets, a premier middle market investment bank with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructuring, and valuation and is the Host of The Silicon Valley Podcast.  LinkedIn
 
Panelist
Armello Rodriguez
Has spent 15 years in the financial services industry, with the past 10 years focused on commercial banking for small to medium sized firms in California. Prior to joining LafayetteSquare, Armello started his career at Wells Fargo and most recently worked at Bank of America as VP on the Global Commercial Banking. Armello's primary focus is to partner with firms by providing strategic capital to help them achieve their growth objectives. LinkedIn profile
Conor Riley  
As a Principal of Global Capital Markets is a full service investment bank focused on facilitating transactions within the Middle Market. Conor advises on a wide array of Mergers and Acquisitions across multiple industries. As well as, structuring growth capital, debt, and equity placements.LinkedIn profile
 
Mark DiTargiani
Senior VP, Technology Banking at Pacific Western Bank where Mark leads the Venture Banking Group that takes the approach of underwriting to the quality of a startup's technology, market opportunity, management team, and investor syndicate, PacWest can provide access to capital throughout a company’s lifecycle.  LinkedIn profile
 

140 Grit and your Startup with Luke Hohmann

140 Grit and your Startup with Luke Hohmann
Founder and CEO of FirstRoot, Inc. Our mission is to create the next generation of impact investors. Our unique go-to-market strategy supports all stakeholders as youth use participatory budgeting to invest real money in their schools. Youth learn the 5 C's of modern education: creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and civics as they experience true agency and stewardship over their futures, learning through their own experiences how money really works.We want to get $1K into 1M schools globally and watch what happens when youth control $1B in capital. Previously a SAFe® Framework Contributor and Principal Consultant, Luke was Founder and CEO of Conteneo, Inc. (acquired by Scaled Agile, Inc.) where he worked with an extraordinary dev team to create the Weave, Strategy Engine and Knowsy® decision agility platforms. The author of four books, numerous articles and cited as an inventor on more than a dozen patents, Luke is an internationally recognized expert in Agile Software Development. Luke co-organized the first Agile conference in 2003, has served on the Board of the Agile Alliance and in partnership with the Scrum Alliance produced the "Collaboration at Scale", the world's largest monthly webinar devoted to helping organizations with 10 or more Scrum teams in 2 or more locations scale agility.Luke is a highly sought after speaker has as keynoted such conferences as the Agile Alliance conference, Agile Australia, Lean-Agile Scotland, Agile New Zealand, the Austrian Innovation Forum, the CXPA and the SAFe Summit.Luke's is the co-founder of Every Voice Engaged Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit that helps citizens, governments and nonprofit organizations collaboratively solve problems that are unsolvable without civic engagement. EVEF has been a leader in the Participatory Budgeting movement, helping citizens prioritize hundreds of millions of dollars through Budget Games. In partnership with The Kettering Foundation (www.kettering.org), Conteneo created Common Ground for Action, the first scalable platform for deliberative decision-making.A former United States National Junior Pairs Figure Skating Champion, Luke likes playing with his four kids, his wife’s cooking and long runs in the Santa Cruz mountains. Luke’s an old school Silicon Valley entrepreneur. Instead of building companies to flip, he builds companies that make the world better!
We talk about
For the different stages of a company’s growth, how can they collaborate using games to get results?
How can a company go about finding the right Investment Banker?
How important is teaching financial literacy?  
What is project based, learning-by-doing?
And much more
 
 
Connect with Luke Hohmann
(5) Luke Hohmann | LinkedIn
lukehohmann@yahoo.com
firstroot.co 

139 Disruptive Technology with Guillaume Jaulerry

139 Disruptive Technology with Guillaume Jaulerry
Guillaume Jaulerry is a proven entrepreneur focused on wearable hardware, data security, cybersecurity. Global senior technology leadership experience. Solving security, privacy, and portability of all data for both consumer and enterprise markets. 
International experience in 3 continents, working in sectors like fashion, auto parts, finance, international trade and manufacturing.
 
He started at very young age to play puzzle, having fun building computers in the 90's, gamer with Gameboy/snes and building experience in Company internship. Self-taught and curious, he was passionate in understanding all level of a company from delivering or packing to working in account and exporting/importing product from South Africa or Asia. 
 
Multi-faceted entrepreneurs, inventor, bodyboarder, old school skater and fascinated by created a new system in the information field. 
 
He wanted to create something unique, that's why he is the Founder and CEO of O, the first mini server into a wearable device to manage and store data.
We talk about
Why would one want to manufacture their products in the USA vs overseas?
Is a four-day workweek the best work strategy for a dynamic startup?
What is a bigger problem with network security, the software, or the hardware?
What’s it like growing a startup in stealth mode?
And much more
 
 
Connect with  Guillaume Jaulerry
gjaulerry@ocompany.io
https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaume-jaulerry-6351721a/

138 Corporations, Governments, and the People with Samira Khan

138  Corporations, Governments, and the People with Samira Khan
 
Samira Khan is a social impact changemaker + intrapreneur passionate about empathy-driven, innovative approaches to advancing societal wellbeing and solving global challenges.— This includes through tech, cross-sector business model innovation, art, education, & engagement. She believes that unlocking human potential lies in true empowerment - one amazing way to unleash this potential, for the good of society, is social entrepreneurship + innovation. So, she does all that she can to support those worlds, and is interested in corporate social venturing + venture building, impact VC, & venture philanthropy. I’m especially committed to women, children, youth, marginalized communities, & cross-sector partnerships to address climate change. However, we can’t even get support to those entrepreneurs or segments without shifting mindsets and behaviors/actions toward those vulnerable communities, especially amongst corporate changemakers. The key lies in more transparent access to info. and knowledge + the shared narrative written by the individuals & institutions involved. And this includes co-creating solutions, elevating creative voices, and illuminating the intersection of people & planet through cross-pollination of ideas. Aspiring to drive greater capital commitments to the SDGs / sustainability and high value solutions that bring human beings closer to their purpose - whatever that may uniquely be. Keen on ethical / well-being tech. ~14 years of experience across continents + sectors, w/a commitment to learning & listening, holistic models, & systems change. Focus on Black & Brown communities in the US + Asia / emerging markets. Specialties: Strategy development & implementation; interagency coordination / stakeholder engagement & facilitation; market / customer assessments; tech product innovation; CSR / social innovation; impact reporting; customer experience analyses; business development; monitoring, evaluation & learning / impact measurement & mgmt; sentiment analysis; economic pathways + education; gender; JEDI. Her personal mission: "Empathy is the most powerful force to rewire hearts & minds for the greater wellbeing of society - without empathy, purpose means nothing and sustainability is impossible."
We talk about
 Who is driving more of this movement for global impact; the corporations, the governments, the stockholders, the citizens or who and why?
How can startups benefit from this wave of thought?
 
What global changes are we going to be seeing in the years to come?
How would one go about living a purpose-driven life and creating a world of Changemakers?
And much more
 
 
Connect with Samira Khan
(28) Samira Khan | LinkedInTwitter: @samiraakhanClubhouse: @samirakhan

137 Israel and Silicon Valley with Shlomi Kofman

137 Israel and Silicon Valley with Shlomi Kofman
Shlomi Kofman began his term as Israel’s Consul General to the Pacific Northwest in August 2017. Prior to this appointment he served as a Policy Advisor to the Deputy Foreign Ministers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Headquarters in Jerusalem, Israel.
 
Over the course of his 20-year diplomatic career, Kofman has served as Israel’s Deputy Consul General in New York City, Chief of Staff to Ambassadors in Washington D.C., Deputy Ambassador in Thailand and Deputy Consul General in Shanghai. His past domestic Foreign Ministry positions include Director of North American Economic Affairs, Policy Advisor to the Deputy Foreign Minister, Diplomatic Advisor & Director of the International Department in the Parliament and Ministry of National Infrastructure, and the Head of the Northeast Asia sector. Prior to joining the Foreign Ministry, Kofman worked in the high-tech industry representing the Israeli company Orbot in South Korea, as well as a consultant to a leading Israeli company, ECI.
Kofman holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations & East Asian studies from Hebrew University in Jerusalem and a Master’s from Webster University – Shanghai University of Finance & Economics. He also holds an Associate’s engineering degree.
Kofman was born in Tbilisi, the capital of the Soviet Republic of Georgia and made Aliya (immigrated) to Israel at the age of nine, after being refused for three years by soviet authorities.
He has been married for 20 years to Sharon and they have two children, Emma and Jonathan.
 
We talk about
 
What’s an average day like for a consulate general in Silicon Valley?
What are the perks or benefits the government has provided to encourage entrepreneurism among the citizens?
How important are bilateral agreements for economic development?  
How advanced is the technology in Israel for desalination of water?
And much more
 
Connect with Shlomi Kofman
The Consul General (embassies.gov.il)
(7) Shlomi Kofman | LinkedIn

136 Selling your Company with Shawn Flynn

135 Selling your Company with Shawn Flynn
Shawn Flynn started as a business owner, founding, and growing a successful company in Beijing China before returning to the US to work with companies ranging from fast growing Silicon Valley startups to established overseas public companies. He brings his international experience working with all stages and sectors of businesses to his role as Principal at a premier middle market investment bank with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructuring, and valuation.
Shawn holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from UCSD and speaks Mandarin and Spanish (lived abroad for almost 8 years) and he is the host of the award-winning Podcast "The Silicon Valley Podcast"
You can contact Shawn at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpflynn/
Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/TheSiliconValleyPodcast
 
We talk about
Why would someone want to work with an Investment Banker to Sell their Business?           
Why do companies decide to sell their business?
What are the steps involved, with selling a business?
How does one go about putting a value on their company?
And much more...
 
 
Connect with  ShawnFlynn
Shawn Flynn’s LinkedIn Account
 

135 Wealth Beyond Your Startup with Marcel Pfister

135 Wealth Beyond Your Startup with Marcel Pfister
 
Marcel is Wealth Advisor at Farther, where he advises startup founders and early-stage employees on holistic wealth management solutions. He enjoys being part of his clients’ wealth-creation journey, from starting a business to navigating a potential exit, as well as strategizing the best and most efficient ways to leave a legacy for the next generation. 
Prior to joining the Farther team, he spent most of his career as an Investment Advisor at Goldman Sachs, advising entrepreneurs, public executives, and non-profit organizations. He started his career as a Financial Analyst at Blackrock. Marcel was born and raised in Germany. At the age of 19, he moved to the United States to attend Drexel University where he obtained a degree in Finance.
 
We talk about
When should one start to talk about wealth management or tax strategist in the Merger or Acquisition process of their company?
Are there any rumors of regulation changes that might take place in the next year or so...?
What are some of the biggest tax issues that founder and early employees at a company face?
What are some ways that an early employee can sell shares in a private company?
And much more
Connect with Marcel Pfister
marcel@farther.com
215-317-7077 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-pfister1/

134 Beyond the Beauty Pageant with Wendy Shew

134  Beyond the Beauty Pageant with Wendy Shew
Wendy Shew, Founder of Building Education, experienced early tragedy which became her catalyst for social impact work. She’s served 25 years in community service as a youth advocate, international volunteer, and board member for numerous non-profit organizations.
Prior to community service work, Wendy attended Southern Illinois University where she studied aeronautical science, aviation management, and learned to fly, logging over 60+ hours in single engine prop planes. She went on to work in international aviation business, managing jet engine consignments while joining Women in Aviation and becoming a board member for Women In Defense, a national security organization affiliated with NDIA. 
In the same year that her project brought in $5 million for the company, she volunteered at a girl’s orphanage in India which changed the way she saw herself in the world. She realized that if she could bring in $5 million to her then company, she could bring in $5 million anywhere, especially to make a greater global impact. She quit her job 4 months later and left the country to travel the world all across Asia, Europe, and Africa for six years.Wendy Shew founded Building Education after volunteering in Nepal for disaster relief during the April 2015 earthquake that damaged over 9,000 schools. Building Education’s mission serves to alleviate extreme poverty by sponsoring education and building schools to spark a legacy of change. Building Education has served to rebuild 3 schools, provide education to 400+ students, build 2 water systems, providing water to over 100+ homes, and launched women empowerment conferences that have provided skills in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and menstruation health.
Wendy is also an ultramarathon runner, and completed the 58k Cami de Cavalls North island route in Menora, Spain. As an avid runner she has placed 2nd in the Pollenca Half Marathon in Mallorca and 3rd place in the 10k Pokhara Marathon in Nepal. She is a mountain climber who has trekked mountains from the Himalayas to summiting Mount Toubkal, the tallest mountain in North Africa. She was named Top 100 Visionaries in Education in 2021 by GFEL. She is also a fashion enthusiast, model, and the current title holder of The Global Citizen’s Collective, Miss Nepal 2021 vying for the International title of Global Citizen’s Miss 2022. 
We talk aboutHow is scaling a Mountain like scaling a startup?What is multidimensional poverty? How does education impact the cycle of poverty?How does one go about learning the business culture in another country?From winning Miss Nepal, how does building a personal brand help with what you are doing?What are some of the hidden benefits of winning a beauty pageant?
 
Connect with Wendy Shew
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-shew-22431470/
shewendy822@yahoo.combebuildingeducation.org

133 The Best Communicators Win with Brian Sparkes!

133 The Best Communicators Win with Brian Sparkes!
 
Brian Sparkes is an experienced consultant with a demonstrated history of working in higher education, and startup culture. Experienced in high stakes communication, presentation skills, strengthening emotional intelligence in leadership and teams, business development, building business culture, community and social capital.
 
We talk about
 
How does one emotionally connect with their message?
How to tailor a presentation with who you are talking to?
How is it best to tailor the message on each slide of a pitch deck?
When should one start to practice their communication skill...
And much more
 
 
Connect with Brian Sparkes
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian%F0%9F%92%A5-sparkes-9967a8a0/