DealMakers: Entrepreneur | Startups | Venture Capital - podcast cover

DealMakers: Entrepreneur | Startups | Venture Capital

Alejandro Cremadesalejandrocremades.com
Welcome to the DealMakers show, hosted by Alejandro Cremades. Alejandro is a serial entrepreneur, best-selling author, and cofounder at Panthera Advisors (M&A and fundraising advisory). On this podcast you will find weekly interviews with entrepreneurs that have been very successful at raising capital or getting their company acquired. You can learn more at https://alejandrocream.wpengine.com

Episodes

Matthew Kligerman on Raising $50 Million To Build A Conversion Platform and AI Sales Agents In Brazil

Matthew Kligerman’s path as a founder is a masterclass in vision, adaptability, and persistence. His entrepreneurial story is woven with bold moves, serendipitous moments, and relentless curiosity. In this engrossing interview, Matthew talks about adapting his experiences as a climber into building, scaling, and financing his companies. He also reveals unique aspects of the adventure of building a company in Latin America. Matthew's company, Escale, has attracted funding from top-tier investors ...

Nov 20, 202441 minEp. 675

Sky Kurtz On Building A Company Acquired By Merck For $150 Million And Raising $300 Million To Grow Food In The Middle East Sustainably

Sky Kurtz’s entrepreneurial journey involves grit, transformation, and strategic excellence. His story traces his humble beginnings in Jerome, Arizona, to crafting multi-million-dollar exits in the tech and agribusiness sectors. Sky's latest venture, Pure Harvest Smart Farms, has attracted funding from top-tier investors like IMM Investment, Samarthya Investment Advisors, StartX (US), and Metric Capital Partners.

Nov 19, 202437 minEp. 674

Fawn Weaver On Raising Over $230 Million To Build A Whiskey Brand That Honors The World’s First-Known African-American Master Distiller

Fawn Weaver’s journey from Pasadena to founding successful businesses has been anything but traditional. In this interview, she talks at length about an interesting concept–how to approach challenges by ignoring them. Fawn also discusses her journey of building and raising funding for her company and her unique approach toward venture capital, private equity, and growing Uncle Nearest. The company has attracted funding from top-tier investors like Hybridge Capital Management, CB3 Holdings, Mosai...

Nov 16, 202439 minEp. 673

Anand Chandra On Raising $275 Million To Build An Agritech Platform To Streamline India’s Agricultural Ecosystem

In the startup ecosystem, building a company from the ground up without extensive capital is an impressive feat, as Anand Chandra has demonstrated. But building one in agriculture—a sector with deeply embedded challenges—is a story of grit, vision, and tenacity. Anand's company, Arya Collateral has attracted funding from top-tier investors like Quona Capital, the U.S. International Development Finance Corp, Lightrock, and Stride Ventures.

Nov 15, 202427 minEp. 672

Gaurav Misra On Raising $100 Million To Develop AI-Powered Tools For Video Editing And Creation

In the AI industry, where innovation evolves at lightning speed, some founders set the pace by combining a unique cultural perspective with a relentless drive to create groundbreaking technology. Gaurav Misra, founder and CEO of Captions, is one of these visionaries. Captions has attracted funding from top-tier investors like Adobe Ventures, HubSpot Ventures, Kleiner Perkins, Sequoia Capital, and Jared Leto.

Nov 11, 202429 minEp. 671

Amir Ben-Efraim On Selling A Company To Juniper For Over $100 Million And Raising $260 Million To Make Internet Browsing Safe From Threats

In this insightful conversation, Amir Ben-Efraim takes us on a journey through his remarkable career in cybersecurity, from growing up in Silicon Valley to building and scaling two successful ventures—Altor Networks and Menlo Security. Menlo Security has attracted funding from top-tier investors like Vista Equity Partners, Neuberger Berman, General Catalyst, American Express Ventures, and Ericsson Ventures.

Nov 10, 202430 minEp. 670

Viraj Parekh On Raising $290 Million To Allow Data Engineers And Data Scientists To Orchestrate Data Workflows

In a world driven by data, it takes a visionary to see beyond the noise and build something truly scalable. Viraj Parekh, co-founder of Astronomer, didn’t have a clear roadmap. His journey from childhood curiosity in technology to becoming a key figure in data orchestration is fascinating. Astronomer has attracted funding from top-tier investors like Venrock, Bain Capital Ventures, Insight Partners, and Sutter Hill Ventures.

Nov 09, 202424 minEp. 669

Khadim Batti On Raising $270 Million To Co-Found A Platform To Help Users Navigate Software Applications By Providing Guidance And Support

In the field of enterprise SaaS, some founders set out with clear roadmaps, while others, like Khadim Batti, blaze new trails through sheer determination, pivots, and a deep-rooted commitment to solving customer pain points. In a recent conversation, Khadim delved into his journey from growing up in Mumbai to scaling his current venture, Whatfix. Whatfix has raised funding worth $270M from top-tier investors like Warburg Pincus, Softbank Vision Fund 2, Dragoneer, Peak XV Partners, and Eight Road...

Nov 08, 202425 minEp. 668

Kate McAndrew On Co-Founding A $100 Million Venture Fund To Support Founders And Businesses At The Frontiers Of Technology And Design

In today’s rapidly evolving venture capital landscape, one of the most exciting developments is the rise of investors like Kate McAndrew. Kate, a visionary founder and leader, recently launched Baukunst, a $100M fund. Baukunst has attracted funding from top-tier investors with whom Kate and her co-founders had built long-term relationships.

Oct 26, 202430 minEp. 667

Alexander Jekowsky On Raising $80M To Build A Tech Platform To Help Laundry Businesses Run More Efficiently And Grow

In the entrepreneurial world, every journey is unique. Alexander Jekowsky’s path from aspiring baseball player to tech entrepreneur was marked by unexpected turns, unrelenting passion, and an affinity for solving unconventional problems. In this riveting interview, he talks about vertical integration, verticalizing in the SaaS industry, and ultimately disrupting an industry many would consider far from glamorous—laundry. His company, Cents, has attracted investment from top-tier investors like C...

Oct 25, 202438 minEp. 666

Adeniyi Abiodun On Raising $336 Million With His Team To Build An Infrastructure And Tools To Decentralize The Internet And Make It Secure And User-Friendly

Adeniyi Abiodun’s career is a tale of foresight, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of innovation, from his early fascination with astrophysics to building large-scale Bitcoin mining operations. Along with his team at Mysten Labs, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer Adeniyi is now launching groundbreaking decentralized protocols. His journey showcases the boldness of a true visionary.

Oct 24, 202426 minEp. 665

Othman Laraki On Raising $350 Million To Build The First Virtual Cancer Clinic

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and entrepreneurship, few stories are as multifaceted and inspiring as that of Othman Laraki. This interview dives into Othman’s story, offering a deep exploration of the world of building, scaling, and transforming companies. Othman relates his experiences working in healthcare and artificial intelligence and eventually building Color Health. This venture has attracted funding from top-tier investors like General Catalyst Partners, Viking Global Inve...

Oct 22, 202448 minEp. 664

Chris Walti On Raising $78 Million To Build Software-Driven Robotics To Automate Moving And Storing Goods In Warehouses

Chris Walti is a seasoned engineer and entrepreneur whose career spans across world-class companies like Tesla and innovative startups. His story is one of resilience, constant reinvention, and an unwavering passion for building, culminating in the establishment of Mytra. Mytra has attracted funding from top-tier investors like Greenoaks, Eclipse Ventures, 515 Ventures, and Promus Ventures.

Oct 21, 202432 minEp. 663

Barney Balmforth On Raising $60 Million To Build A Genomic Technology Platform For Genome Testing And Cancer Diagnostics

Barney Balmforth's journey is a testament to calculated risk-taking, resilience, visionary leadership, and two pivotal lessons: the importance of taking calculated risks and pursuing meaningful endeavors. These values, along with the inspiration to work hard, drove Barney's career in the high-stakes world of tech and biotech startups. His latest startup, Biofidelity, has attracted funding from top-tier investors like Agilent Technologies, Octopus Ventures, BlueYard Capital, and SBI Investment....

Oct 20, 202430 minEp. 662

Mario Schlosser On Raising $2.2 Billion To Build A Tech-Driven Health Insurance Company, Making Good Health Accessible And Affordable For All

Mario Schlosser's story resonates with entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of building companies across different cultures, facing financial hardships, navigating board dynamics, and even being fired from their own startups. Mario's latest venture is Oscar Health that has raised funding from top-tier investors like Lakestar, Alphabet, Coatue, Baillie Gifford, and Reinvent Capital.

Oct 19, 202439 minEp. 661

Jeffrey Wessler On Raising Over $65 Million To Build The Largest Virtual Cardiologist Practice In The US, Serving All 50 States

Jeffrey Wessler’s story is a captivating blend of medicine, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He is a cardiologist and the founder of Heartbeat Health, the largest, countrywide virtual cardiologist practice in the US. Heartbeat Health has attracted funding from top-tier investors like Cressey & Company, 406 Ventures, Echo Health Ventures, Optum Ventures, and Kindred Ventures.

Oct 18, 202427 minEp. 660

Guilherme Weigert On Raising Over $60 Million To Build A Digital Health Platform Providing Improved Access To Telemedicine Solutions in Brazil

Guilherme Weigert's story is one of remarkable transitions—from growing up in Rio de Janeiro to founding successful companies reshaping the healthcare landscape in Latin America. In this riveting interview, Guilherme talks about pivoting, driving his company, Conexa, from growth to profitability, and navigating the ups and downs of building a business. Conexa has attracted investment from top-tier investors like Vivo Ventures, Endeavor Promessas, Wayra Brazil, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, and...

Oct 17, 202425 minEp. 659

Diane Yu On Selling A Company To Comcast For ~$400 Million And Now Building A Platform To Revolutionize The Mortgage Industry

In this engaging interview, Diane Yu, a repeated founder and highly successful entrepreneur, offers valuable insights into her extraordinary journey from a young graduate to a leading force in the technology and finance sectors. From her early days at DoubleClick to her role in building FreeWheel, which Comcast acquired for about $400M, and now her current venture, TidalWave, Diane has consistently focused on innovation, learning, and building strong relationships. TidalWave has attracted fundin...

Oct 15, 202429 minEp. 657

Micha Grueber On Raising $400 Million To Build A Climate Tech Startup That Helps Customers Reduce Energy Bills And Carbon Footprint

Micha Grueber’s story stands out in the dynamic world of entrepreneurship thanks to the resilience, adaptability, and strategic foresight he has demonstrated. Micha is the founder of 1KOMMA5°, a home electrification company with a vision to revolutionize adopting clean energy. 1KOMMA5° has attracted funding from top-tier investors like Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, G2 Venture Partners, and b2venture.

Oct 14, 202427 minEp. 656

Taher Elgamal On Building And Exiting A Cybersecurity Company, Delivering 5x Returns To Investors, And Now Co-Managing A $2 Billion Fund Supporting Startups

When you think of the pioneers in cryptography and cybersecurity, one name that stands out is Dr. Taher Elgamal. He has had an incredible journey spanning decades of innovation, from growing up in Cairo and studying at Stanford to building and selling companies. Today, Taher is an investor in Evolution Equity Partners, a $2B operation deploying capital to upcoming companies like Torq, Protect AI, Cytactic, and Anvilogic.

Oct 13, 202429 minEp. 655

Kieran Donovan On Raising Over $50 Million To Build A Platform To Ensure Regulation-Compliant Gaming For Kids And Teens

Kieran Donovan’s journey is a fascinating tale of creativity, resilience, and the unexplored paths of entrepreneurship. His professional experiences have taken him across continents, from New York to London, Hong Kong, and now Singapore, where he co-founded k-ID. Kieran’s company, k-ID, navigates the complex regulatory landscape of kids’ and teenagers’ online privacy and has raised capital worth over $50M from top-tier investors like Andreessen Horowitz, Lightspeed, Z Venture Capital, and Everyw...

Oct 12, 202428 minEp. 654

Ran Shaul On Raising $380 Million To Build A 24×7 Virtual Healthcare Platform To Offer Assistance Via A Mobile App

In the world of entrepreneurship, few stories are as inspiring as that of Ran Shaul, a serial entrepreneur who embodies the resilience, adaptability, and foresight required to build and scale companies on a global level. Ran also offers insights into raising $380M for K Health from top-tier investors like Valor Equity Partners, 14W, Mangrove Capital Partners, GGV Capital, and Comcast Ventures.

Oct 11, 202433 minEp. 653

Shawn Marcell On Selling His Healthtech Company For $350M, Bringing 6x Returns To Stakeholders in 4 Years

Few stories in the world of entrepreneurship depict the perfect blend of grit, vision, and serendipity like Shawn Marcell's. A seasoned entrepreneur with a knack for founding, scaling, and exiting multiple ventures, his story offers a wealth of lessons. Shawn's company, Torus Biosystems, has attracted funding from top-tier investors like David R. Walt and Northpond Ventures.

Oct 10, 202432 minEp. 652

Tanuj Mohan On Raising Over $100 Million To Build An Intelligent Buildings Systems Platform Later Acquired By Siemens

Tanuj Mohan is no stranger to the world of entrepreneurship. From growing up in India to becoming a successful, repeated founder, his journey is a testament to innovation, perseverance, and a deep understanding of technology. Tanuj's latest company is AirEye, which has attracted funding from top-tier investors like Canaan, USVP, toDay Ventures, and Steve Krausz.

Oct 04, 202434 minEp. 651

Maheen Rahman On Raising $50 Million To Build A Credit Enhancement Company To Issue Guarantees For Promoting Private Infrastructure Projects

In a rapidly changing world, navigating uncertainty, building scalable solutions, and creating positive social impact are more critical than ever. These were the focal points of the conversation with Maheen Rahman, a trailblazing entrepreneur and finance leader who has raised a balance sheet capability of over $400M. Her company, Infra Zamin. has attracted funding from top-tier investors like InfraCo Asia Investments and Karandaaz Pakistan.

Oct 02, 202427 minEp. 650

Daphna Nissenbaum On Raising $125 Million To Develop And Manufacture Compostable Packaging Solutions For The Food And Fashion Industries

In an era where environmental concerns are more pressing than ever, Daphna Nissenbaum is a shining example of how passion and determination can spark innovative solutions. She is the CEO of TIPA, a company dedicated to solving the world's plastic pollution. TIPA has attracted funding from top-tier investors like Blue Horizon Ventures, Triodos Organic Growth Fund, Horizons Ventures, and Greensoil Investments.

Sep 29, 202430 minEp. 649

Tomer London On Raising $700 Million To Build A Payroll and HR Software Platform Enabling SMEs To Manage And Grow Their Workforce

Tomer London, co-founder of Gusto, a company with over 2,500 employees, relates what it means to go from humble beginnings to building a hypergrowth business. His journey is an exciting blend of personal history, entrepreneurial lessons, and hard-earned wisdom. Gusto has attracted funding from top-tier investors like Kleiner Perkins, Sands Capital, Fidelity Management and Research Company LLC, and Cross Creek.

Sep 28, 202439 minEp. 648

Bence Jendruszak On Raising $100 Million To Build A Fraud Prevention And Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Platform

In a candid and insightful conversation, Bence Jendruszak, co-founder of a leading fraud prevention company, shared his entrepreneurial journey, offering a blueprint for aspiring founders on scaling a global business, leadership growth, and staying ahead of market trends. Bence talks about how Seon has offices in four locations worldwide with over 270 employees. It has raised $100M from top-tier investors like Creandum, IVP, Fielder Capital, and PortfoLion Capital Partners.

Sep 27, 202431 minEp. 647

Greg Mulholland On Raising $75 Million To Build An AI And informatics Platform For Creating Cost-Efficient And Performance-Oriented Materials

Few stories in the world of technology and entrepreneurship demonstrate resilience, constantly reinventing technology and lessons learned from hard-fought battles better than that of Greg Mulholland, founder of Citrine Informatics. Greg's story is a valuable resource for entrepreneurs facing similar challenges in building a lasting company in an old-line industry like chemicals and materials. Citrine has attracted funding from top-tier investors like DRIVE Catalyst, Innovation Endeavors, DCVC (D...

Sep 25, 202428 minEp. 646