The Silicon Valley Podcast

110 How a Startup can use Outsourcing to Scale with Eric Espinosa

Eric Espinosa
Eric is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for helping CEOs and Small Business Owners succeed.If you're starting up a business - Venture Validator can help you find product/market fit so you don't waste thousands of dollars on and months of your time building the wrong solution. If you're a community organizer and would like me to speak at your conference, webinar, etc. - I have some good content - send me a message!If you have an established business - Coconut VA is a virtual assistant staffing agency that can help you take back your evenings, weekends, and vacations by outsourcing your $10/hr tasks to a stellar Filipino remote worker. DM me and we can get you started on the #VacationLaptopless Challenge!
On today Show we Talk about:
How do most startups find, or look for, product market fit?
How do you see the University system adapting to better fit the needs of the current startup ecosystem?
What items can a startup use an outsource team for?
How do you see the future of constructing a startup team?
 
 
Connect Eric
Website https://www.coconutva.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-espinosa/
CONNECT WITH SHAWN
https://linktr.ee/ShawnflynnSV
Shawn Flynn’s LinkedInAccount
Silicon Valley LinkedInGroup Account
Shawn Flynn’s FacebookAccount
Email Shawn@thesiliconvalleypodcast.com

109 How will ESG and the Blockchain impact us All with Amy Seidman

Shownotes for Amy Siedman
Noble Profit founder and BFLO creator is an early pioneer of interactive media, Amy created technology experiences for companies like PacBell, Lotus, Sun, ValueClick Media, Disney, MGM, Warner Brothers, Fox, and launched design firm Creative Entity. Earlier, Amy’s activism and passion for the environment expressed through award-winning photography, art, film, writing, music and education. Fusing her work, she formed Incredible Places, Made For the Media, and served as a NPS technology advisor, a scientific visualization artist fellow at SNRI in Yosemite, UNEP blockchain advisor and a myriad of NGO initiatives.
 
NOBLE PROFIT AND BFLO TECHNOLOGY
Noble Profit is a sustainability information and technology company.
 
BFLO is a technology to help businesses and investors track, report and verify sustainability claims. Today we provide a toolset for transparency and connecting disconnected information. We are creating BFLO Commons, a shared decentralized information repository of the world's sustainability information. 
 
BFLO offers a tool for transparency mapping climate and SDGs to support ESG reporting which connects information across silos.  Connected third party verifications offer proof of reputation as anchors of truth using smart contracts in an ever shifting digital landscape.
For businesses, investors and agencies globally looking for transparency around sustainability, BFLO provides a blockchain protocol, network and decentralized solutions to deliver real-time reporting and trusted third-party verification of SDGs and climate information.
 
Unlike other sustainability reporting systems, BFLO NFTs unites disconnected information across value chains and makes it accessible and actionable via a decentralized network. Demonstrate your leadership in transparency and deepen the visibility of your ESG commitments using BFLO technology.
 
On today Show we Talk about:
What were some of the lessons you learned when transitioning from a media company to a technology heavy startup?
What is Environment, Social, and Corporate Governance(ESG) and what we should know about it, in our futures?
What government groups or changes in laws should people be aware of?
 
Connect with Amy
Website
www.NobleProfit.com ~  Connecting Sustainable Business, Impact & Clean Tech
www.BFLO.io ~ Decentralizing Sustainable Business and Investment
 

108 True Grit with Multi-startup Founder Daniel Idzkowski

Daniel Idzkowski
CEO & Co-Founder of Sidepocket and Skunklock
Sidepocket is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor bringing cutting-edge technology and quantitative strategies to the everyday retail investor.
SKUNKLOCK is the first ever bicycle, motorcycle, scooter, and moped lock to "fight back" against thieves using chemicals. 
 
On today Show we Talk about:
How has Fintech changed over the last 5 years
How is being the founder of a pure software company different from being a founder of a hardware company?
What is a quantitative portfolio? 
 
Connect with Daniel
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielidzkowski/
 
CONNECT WITH SHAWN
https://linktr.ee/ShawnflynnSV
Shawn Flynn’s LinkedInAccount
Silicon Valley LinkedInGroup Account
Shawn Flynn’s FacebookAccount
Email Shawn@thesiliconvalleypodcast.com
 

107 A World of Tech outside of Silicon Valley with Ari Newman

Shownotes for Ari Newman
Co-Founder and Managing Director at Massive Capital Partners.Partner at The Fund Rockies (side hustle)15 years on the operating side (2x founder). VC since 2012. Mentor/Advisor and Board Member.Previous Companies:Techstars (Partner on Venture Team - now over 500M in AUM)Filtrbox - Social Media Management - Techstars class #1, sold to Jive Software (Boulder, CO)Newman Venture Advisors (early-stage boutique investing and advisory) (Boulder, CO)JustOn.com - Dot.com era file-sharing platform - sold to Novell, then spun out Volera (Bay Area, CA)Occasionally blogging at arinewman.com
 
On today Show we Talk about:
What’s the difference when working with a company when you are an advisor vs an angel investor in the company?
What was it like building web applications during the 1st dot-com era?
Product vs Sales. What’s it like being the “unpopular” person in any of your roles?
 
Connect Ari
https://www.linkedin.com/in/arinewman/
 
CONNECT WITH SHAWN
https://linktr.ee/ShawnflynnSV
Shawn Flynn’s LinkedInAccount
Silicon Valley LinkedInGroup Account
Shawn Flynn’s FacebookAccount
Email Shawn@thesiliconvalleypodcast.com

106 Can Technology solve the Homeless Epidemic with Jonathan Parkhurst

Jonathan Parkhurst
As Safehavn's Founder & CEO, Jonathan is a leader and innovator in the recovery industry. Jonathan owned one of the largest continuums of care sober living companies in Northern California, Stepping Up. In 2015 Stepping up was acquired by Cornerstone Sober living. After being acquired, Jonathan started a consulting firm focused on organizations with a need to scale either top talent or topline revenue. As a strategic partner in talent acquisition and market acquisition, Jonathan led talent growth for companies like Enphase Energy, GoPro, and WeWork. Jonathan served on the Board of Marin County Drug and Alcohol, he is the Northern California Outreach Coordinator for the Black Americans in AA, As a homeless activist. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Homes for the Homeless. He experienced homelessness in San Francisco before going on to become a tech entrepreneur and app innovator. Jonathan is also a veteran of Desert Storm. Today, he is using his experience to give back and help others transition from drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness, and other afflictions.
On today Show we Talk about:
Practical leadership advice can you share with founders around the world?
Struggle with “go to market fit” and how one can go about getting their product out to the masses.
Are there any laws or regulations on the horizon that will help drive sustainability?
Taking on the Homeless epidemic in the US with technology.
 
Connect with Jonathan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanparkhurst/
Website https://goseekhaven.com/
 
 
CONNECT WITH SHAWN
https://linktr.ee/ShawnflynnSV
Shawn Flynn’s LinkedInAccount
Silicon Valley LinkedInGroup Account
Shawn Flynn’s FacebookAccount
Email Shawn@thesiliconvalleypodcast.com
 

105 From Startup-up to Grown-up with Alisa Cohn

 
Alisa was named the #1 Startup Coach in the world at the Thinkers50 Marshall Goldsmith Leading Coaches Awards in London. She was also named one of the Top 30 Global Gurus for Startups. Based in NYC, she coaches startup CEOs, co-founders, other startup executives and board members all over the world. She also coach senior and emerging leaders from Fortune 500 companies. Her clients include Venmo, Foursquare, InVision, Etsy, The Wirecutter (sold to The New York Times), Pfizer, Novartis, Dell, Hitachi, IBM, Calvin Klein, Tory Burch, The New York Times. I also speak at Cornell, Harvard, The Naval War College and am the executive coach for the Runway Program at Cornell Tech.
 
On today Show we Talk about:
How can praise be Your Secret Superpower?
When measuring performance, what should be measured?
How does a CEO “Manage their Board?”
What should one do when their co-founder, “Can’t keep up”?
What is the CEO megaphone effect? 
 
 
Connect with Alisa
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/
Website alisacohn.com  
Email alisa@alisacohn.com
 
 
CONNECT WITH SHAWN
https://linktr.ee/ShawnflynnSV
Shawn Flynn’s LinkedInAccount
Silicon Valley LinkedInGroup Account
Shawn Flynn’s FacebookAccount
Email Shawn@thesiliconvalleypodcast.com
 

104 Preparing for a successful Exit with Dylan Malot

Shownotes for Dylan Malot
Most of what matters in leading a fulfilling life cannot be bought. Healthy bodies, minds and relationships are crucial to happiness, as well as the fruits of creative effort beyond the trappings of prosperity. While business stress is present at every level of wealth, confidence in our financial security allows us to focus on our pursuits, family and community to make the lives of others better.Growing up in a family-owned business—what my father always called the “business school of hard knocks,” I witnessed firsthand the passion, struggles and successes that went into a vibrant middle market business with international operations. That experience, coupled with my fascination for business and investing, has led me to where I am today. I advise entrepreneurs through decisions on what matters most to them and tie their creations to their livelihoods, giving and future endeavors. I build bridges between values and capital—in planning, philanthropy and portfolios.Helping my clients solve problems, deeply understand their choices, and make wise decisions is the best part of being an advisor. I help them navigate their complex financial lives and to be wise stewards of their wealth by deeply understanding their values and how to align their resources with those values. Most of my clients are beyond concerns about their financial security—they are most concerned about making sure that they are capturing the right opportunities, mitigating risk and improving tax efficiency. My advice empowers them to make the right decisions while understanding why they are making them.
 
We Talk About
What are some of the biggest mistakes founders of companies make when they sell their companies?
 
What happens to your taxes when there is a valuation “POP” in your startup’s equity?
Should Environment, Social, and corporate governance (ESG) concern a startup founder and their company?
Is there benefits for Startup founders to join ACG?
 
For informational purposes only; not an advertisement and does not constitute an endorsement of any particular wealth transfer strategy. Bernstein does not provide legal or tax advice. Consult with competent professionals in these areas before making any decisions.
 
 
Connect with Dylan
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-dylan-malot-a782648/
Email  

103 Looking at problems from new Perspectives with Axel Kloth

Axel Kloth
 
Axel is a physicist by training, and he is used to the need for large-scale compute. Axel, discovered over 30 years ago that scalability of processor performance was paramount for solving any computational problem. That necessitated a new paradigm in computer architecture. At Parimics, SSRLabs and Axiado he was able to show that new thinking was needed, and what novel practical solutions could look like. He is now repeating that approach with Abacus Semi.
 
 
 
On today Show we Talk about:
What is an Application Programming Interface, an API for short?
Why do we need API’s?
Are there legal issues on use and modification of APIs?               
If you are in school right now, studying Computer Science, what would you learn and why?
Where will industry have the most problems in the years to come?
 
 
What would be an ideal API?
What are the Pros and Cons of API’s?
 
 
Connect Axel
https://www.linkedin.com/in/axelkloth/
http://www.abacus-semi.com/
 
CONNECT WITH SHAWN
https://linktr.ee/ShawnflynnSV
Shawn Flynn’s LinkedInAccount
Silicon Valley LinkedInGroup Account
Shawn Flynn’s FacebookAccount
Email Shawn@thesiliconvalleypodcast.com
 

102 Having the Midas Touch with Fusion Fund Founder Lu Zhang

Shownotes for Lu Zhang
Lu Zhang is the Founder and Managing Partner of Fusion Fund, a renowned Silicon Valley based investor, a serial entrepreneur and a Stanford Engineering alumna. Fusion Fund is active in supporting early-stage entrepreneurs who are looking to build globally disruptive companies using innovative technologies to drive systemic change originating from the U.S market. For the past couple of years, Lu leads the Fusion Fund team funnels exits of multiple portfolios’ IPO and M&As.
Lu is a World Economic Forum (Davos) Young Global Leader and was also recently selected as the Best 25 Female early stage Investor by Business Insider. She has also garnered other accolades including the Featured Honoree in VC of Forbes 30 Under 30, Silicon Valley Women of Influence, Town & Country 50 Modern Swans – Entrepreneurship Influencer and Top 10 All America Chinese Youth. As one of the top female investors in America, Lu was featured in the book – Women Who Venture, and her story was a case study of UN Women Leaders in Action series. Prior to starting Fusion Fund, Lu was the Founder and CEO of a medical device company focused on non-invasive technology for the early diagnosis of Type II diabetes (acquired in 2012).
Lu is a frequent speaker at tech events and conferences and also serves as a mentor and advisor to several tech innovation programs in Silicon Valley. Lu is also the board member and chairman of the Youth Council of Future Forum and Future Science Award
 
On today Show we Talk about:
What experiences, education, or background, should a fund manager have?
Techniques or strategies to raising a fund?
How is raising the second fund different from the first?
Secrets for founder or investors on time management or priorities with goals and getting things done?
 
Connect with Lu
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/luzhangvc/
Website www.fusionfund.com
Twitter @luzhangvc
 
CONNECT WITH SHAWN
https://linktr.ee/ShawnflynnSV
Shawn Flynn’s LinkedInAccount
Silicon Valley LinkedInGroup Account
Shawn Flynn’s FacebookAccount
Email Shawn@thesiliconvalleypodcast.com
 

101 What’s it like to have your company Acquired with CEO Coach Sam Wong

Sam is a CEO coach, interim CEO/CTO/CFO, a Silicon Valley advisor and the author of 21 Secrets of Successful Startups, a book about world-class execution for startups. As a serial entrepreneur, he has been CEO, CTO, or VP Engineering / TechOps for five companies, driving multiple acquisitions. As a hands-on “roll up the sleeves” startup advisor, Sam draws from his 30+ years of successes and failures to train and help entrepreneurs with execution, fundability, fundraising, strategy, product/market fit, product management, finance, operations, legal, talent development and founder wellness. 
 
 
We Talk About
How did going through a failed acquisition affect the company?
How was your M&A deck different from a fundraising pitch deck?
Why is having multiple offers to choose from important, as the seller of a business?
How does an Investment Banker prep an Owner/ Founder of a company for a sale?
 
 
 
Connect with Sam Wong
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-wong-startup/
Website https://www.fundablestartups.com/
 
 
 
 
CONNECT WITH SHAWN
https://linktr.ee/ShawnflynnSV
Shawn Flynn’s LinkedInAccount
Silicon Valley LinkedInGroup Account
Shawn Flynn’s FacebookAccount
Email Shawn@thesiliconvalleypodcast.com