Khalid Saad is a seasoned venture capitalist and FinTech entrepreneur with a proven track record of launching new ventures and accelerating existing ones. Over the years, he has partnered with startups and established companies on digital strategy, business development, partnerships, and market-entry plans—spanning payment systems, remittance services, crypto platforms, open banking, and more . He is the Founder & Managing Partner of Bunat Ventures , a Bahrain-based regulated venture-builder...
Jun 23, 2025•34 min•Season 6Ep. 16
In Episode #114 of Geeks of the Valley , we sat down with Jay Zhao , Founding Partner at Leonis Capital , a San Francisco–based fund focused on backing technical founders building transformative AI, SaaS, data-infrastructure and decentralized-tech companies. As a returning guest, we reflect on the growth journey of Jay and the market. Since 2021, he’s led or co-led investments in breakthrough businesses including Marqeta (NASDAQ: MQ), HireVue (NASDAQ: CG), Mixamo (Acquired by ADBE), Innoviz (NAS...
May 29, 2025•43 min•Season 6Ep. 15
In Episode #113 of Geeks of the Valley , we sat down with Rob Hadick, General Partner at Dragonfly , a leading $2.5bn crypto-focused global investment firm. We explore the seismic shifts in the VC ecosystem, from the rise of trade-sale exits to the resilience of certain sub-sectors like Layer 2 protocols and real-world-asset platforms. A focal point of our discussion is Ripple’s landmark $1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road, where Rob dissects its implications for bridging institutional fina...
May 13, 2025•40 min•Season 6Ep. 14
In Episode #112 of Geeks of the Valley , we sat down with Ivan Casadevall , the CEO of ARYADUTA 's Hotel Group, a leading Indonesian hospitality group and one of the most trusted brands in the region. Today, our portfolio features 10 upscale hotels and resorts strategically located across Indonesia, alongside 5 leisure units. We are currently expanding aggressively, with an exciting pipeline that includes 2 luxury hotels in Jakarta and 2 resorts in iconic destinations such as Ubud and Labuan Baj...
Apr 23, 2025•43 min•Season 6Ep. 13
Join us for an insightful conversation with Aly Madhavji, Managing Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund, as we explore the significance of transparency in venture capital and its impact on Web3 ecosystems. Aly, recognized globally as a leader in blockchain innovation, shares his approach to investment, venture building, and go-to-market strategies across the USA, APAC, MENA, and EU regions. Discover how Blockchain Founders Fund nurtures digital assets and emerging technologies, fostering a cultur...
Apr 15, 2025•45 min•Season 6Ep. 12
In this episode, we sit down with Bam Azizi, the CEO and Co-Founder of Mesh—a fintech infrastructure company revolutionizing how businesses and users interact with financial systems through embedded crypto and stablecoin solution with 300+ integrations today. Mesh empowers developers to seamlessly enable read, write, and transfer functionality within their applications. They recently closed an $82M Series B round, primarily settled in stablecoins, reflecting the company’s core mission of making ...
Mar 31, 2025•33 min•Season 6Ep. 11
Today, we’re excited to welcome Colin, a seasoned clinician with 27 years of experience revolutionizing physiotherapy through personalized treatment plans. Guided by the belief that “every body is unique, therefore every physio treatment plan should be unique,” Colin emphasizes the vital role of the nervous system in pain management and functional movement. With a Bachelor’s in Physical Therapy, an MHS in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, and a Fellowship in Applied Functional Science, Colin’s exper...
Mar 24, 2025•39 min•Season 6Ep. 10
John Sharp is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Hatcher+, a venture firm pioneering data-driven investment strategies. With a distinguished career spanning leadership, technology, and venture capital, he has played a pivotal role in transforming the investment landscape. Previously, John served as CEO of Authentium, where he co-authored three U.S. patents and developed cybersecurity solutions for global organizations like NASA, Google, and Microsoft. His leadership experience also includes ...
Mar 10, 2025•40 min•Season 6Ep. 9
Teddy Himler brings over 15 years of global experience at leading institutions, including Goldman Sachs, SoftBank, Comcast Ventures, and Antler, to his role at Optimist Ventures. Throughout his career, Teddy has cultivated deep expertise in global technology trends, innovative business models, and firm-building, with a focus on sectors such as artificial intelligence, insurance, healthcare, and industrial automation. At Antler, Teddy served as a partner, where he played a key role in the firm’s ...
Feb 24, 2025•28 min•Season 6Ep. 8
In this engaging episode we welcome Saurabh Jain , Executive Chairman of Opyl Ltd , to delve into how artificial intelligence is driving transformative changes in the healthcare and biotech sectors. With a career marked by pioneering tech startups and forward-thinking healthcare innovations, Saurabh provides a compelling perspective on the evolving role of AI in global health. Saurabh Jain is a seasoned leader in technology and healthcare, currently serving as the Executive Chairman of Opyl (ASX...
Feb 05, 2025•39 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Warwick Pearmund leads Madison Pearl's Hong Kong operations, specializing in sourcing top-tier talent across a wide array of disciplines, including financial technology, quantitative and systematic finance, payments, digital strategy, insurtech, data science, analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, blockchain, and cybersecurity. Prior to his career in recruitment, Warwick worked as an equities trader and sales trader in both the UK and Asia. With extensive experience acro...
Dec 09, 2024•18 min•Season 6Ep. 6
In this episode, we welcome John Sleeting , Executive Partner at Clearwater Capital Partners and host of the podcast Entrepreneurial Legacies . We dive deep into the challenges and opportunities unique to entrepreneurial families, exploring topics such as pre-liquidity event planning, intergenerational wealth transfer, and the role of family offices in navigating global markets. John Sleeting is an Executive Partner at Clearwater Capital Partners (CCP) and Managing Partner of Clearwater Capital'...
Nov 19, 2024•39 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Ever wondered how small indie studios become global game changers? Jason Della Rocca—game industry entrepreneur, funding advisor, and co-founder of Execution Labs—shares his extensive experience in transforming the game industry. He provides unique insights into pitching, funding, and ecosystem development, offering a glimpse into what it takes to thrive in the competitive game industry. Jason Della Rocca is a game industry entrepreneur, funding advisor, and cluster expert. He specializes in bus...
Nov 11, 2024•40 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Osvaldo Giménez serves as the President of Fintech at Mercado Libre, and is also the CEO of Mercado Pago, its financial services division. Osvaldo shares his journey, the challenges of building fintech solutions for diverse markets, and the strategies that have made MercadoLibre Latin America's largest e-commerce powerhouse, Mercado Pago is Mercado Libre’s financial services unit accounting for over 50M active users and over $50B in transaction volume, where he oversees the business strategy, in...
Oct 23, 2024•44 min•Season 6Ep. 3
In this episode, we sit down with Russell Palmer , CEO & Co-Founder of CyberFilm AI and the co-creator of the first and leading Generative AI app for screenwriters and filmmakers called SAGA ( WriteOnSaga.com ). We explore how Generative AI is transforming the world of filmmaking. Russell shares his journey from his engineering and product management roots at Microsoft and JPMorgan to co-creating the first AI app tailored for screenwriters and filmmakers. He has a background in Electrical ...
Oct 09, 2024•45 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Rick is the CEO of Illumination International, a family office based between the US and Asia. He is a seasoned investor specializing in distressed consumer assets, with an impressive track record of managing a diversified portfolio of over six businesses. His expertise extends into the real estate sector, where he has successfully developed and constructed multi-family residential complexes in the Midwest. Rick is also recognized for his strategic procurement abilities and commodity specializati...
Sep 23, 2024•34 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Craig S. Smith, born on October 13, 1955, in Spokane, Washington, is an American journalist and former executive at The New York Times. Until January 2000, he wrote for The Wall Street Journal, notably covering the rise of the Falun Gong movement in China. In 2000, he joined The New York Times as the Shanghai bureau chief, reporting extensively on the practice of harvesting organs from executed prisoners in China. In 2002, Smith moved to Paris and reported from over forty countries, including Ir...
Sep 15, 2024•36 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Dr. Seth Dobrin is the founder and CEO of Qantm AI, a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) with over two decades of experience driving innovation in the tech space. Formerly IBM’s inaugural Global Chief AI Officer, Dr. Dobrin has made significant contributions in developing human-centered AI strategies that drive business modernization and data-driven insights. His work has been recognized globally, earning accolades such as AIConics Innovator of the Year and a spot among the Top 10 Most Influ...
Sep 02, 2024•36 min•Season 5Ep. 12
Eric Davich is the Founder and CEO of Jammy, a mental health coaching app with music committed to enhancing the emotional well-being of young adults. Prior to Jammy, he co-founded Songza, later acquired by Google, and was an early team member of Amie Street, acquired by Amazon. During his 8.5 years at Google, he led various partnership marketing functions for Android, YouTube Subscriptions, and Google Play. His depth in music, mindfulness, and mental health comes from a lifelong practice in emot...
Aug 11, 2024•44 min•Season 5Ep. 11
John Patrick Mullin is a Hong Kong-based entrepreneur and builder, specializing in DeFi, blockchain technology, digital assets, and Web3. He is the CEO and co-founder of MANTRA and SOMA.finance, with over 10 years of experience in crypto and digital asset investment. John's journey began with Bitcoin in 2013 while studying International Business at SLU-Madrid. He later earned dual Master's Degrees in Management and Economics, working as a senior research analyst at a prominent Chinese State-Owne...
May 19, 2024•31 min•Season 5Ep. 10
Nitin Mahajan, a visionary in the tech industry, is actively transforming the tech universe one company at a time while currently building 88 Ventures to achieve unprecedented success. Recognizing the transformative power of AI, Nitin is passionate about ensuring its widespread adoption in a way that positively impacts lives and maximizes its reach to the masses. 88 Ventures serves as the culmination of Nitin's unwavering dedication, extensive knowledge, and far-reaching vision. Through this ven...
May 12, 2024•35 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Eddy Chan is a founding partner of Intudo Ventures, an independent venture capital firm exclusively focused on investing in Indonesia. With approximately US$300 million in committed capital, Intudo Ventures serves as the "Indonesia-beachhead" strategy provider for top-tier institutions, Forbes Midas List investors, family offices worldwide, and a network of over 35 hyperlocal Indonesian conglomerates and families. Eddy's extensive background includes venture investments in startups like PayPal a...
Mar 05, 2024•36 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Brendan Rogers is the Co-Founder of 2am [VC], an early-stage India Fund. Previously, he co-founded Wag! (NASDAQ) PET, the largest pet platform in the US. Brendan is a respected advisor and mentor to numerous companies, accelerators, and universities globally. He is a sought-after speaker at major startup conferences worldwide and has appeared on top podcasts in the industry, gaining millions of views. Prior to Wag!, Brendan co-founded a social discovery service with 50 million users across 10 co...
Feb 18, 2024•28 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Joby Bernstein and is running for Congress (CA-16) because it’s time for fresh leadership in Silicon Valley. He is deeply committed to addressing the pressing issues his district faces, from climate change to education and immigration. Palo Alto is his home. Joby is an avid nature seeker, and spends his free time biking on Skyline and trail running in Wunderlich Park. But you don’t have to look far beyond his doorstep today to realize that our planet is in trouble. To effectively turn the tides ...
Jan 24, 2024•37 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Matthew King is an Entrepreneurial Investor passionate about venture investing & building, deeptech, sustainability, mental health, wellness, automotive, luxury goods, and hospitality. Currently Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Valhalla Ventures, a venture capital firm backing visionary founders at the forefront of social and technological breakthroughs. Inveterate connector of extraordinary human beings who frequently colors outside the lines and thrives on helping founders accomplish l...
Jan 07, 2024•49 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Josh Chapman is a co-founder and Managing Partner at Konvoy , a venture capital firm that invests in early stage companies in the video gaming industry. Their firm focuses on companies building technology, infrastructure, and platforms in the gaming industry . Prior to founding Konvoy, Josh worked at Blackrock and Morgan Stanley in New York City. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshchapmanb/...
Dec 18, 2023•22 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Ken joined GB in 2021. As General Partner, he oversees the entire fund activities including strategy development, investment in Japanese and overseas startups, post-investment support, support for collaboration with corporations, fundraising, and forming/operating CVC funds. He is an expert in growth strategy and digital transformation based on his 17-year experience of strategic consulting. He also focuses on overseas fund deployment and investment. Ken joined GB after working at NTT Group and ...
Nov 20, 2023•31 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Virginie Hello is an accomplished professional currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Rainmaking APAC, a globally recognized venture builder established in Denmark over 15 years ago. Rainmaking APAC has achieved remarkable success, boasting a diverse portfolio of more than 55 ventures, investments in nearly 1,000 startups, and strategic partnerships with over 100 leading corporations worldwide. While the task of building corporate ventures may appear daunting, Rainmaking APAC ...
Oct 22, 2023•27 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Raj comes with a deep background across payments, tech and Web3 in a multitude of roles - operator, investor and consultant. Raj's Past Experience: Ex CEO, OYO Vacation Homes, a top 3 specialist vacation rental business (fully owned sub of OYO). Ex Global Head of Investments and M&A for PayU, a Prosus Company (Prosus is a leading listed global technology investment company). Made investments globally across fintech companies including in Payments, Credit, Remittances and Crypto / Blockchain....
Sep 10, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Burak Büyükdemir is a well-known investor, startup ecosystem builder, author, and founder. He is the founder of Etohum, a leading accelerator and seed investor organization in Turkey, as well as the founder of Startup Istanbul and Startup Turkey. Through these programs, he has supported and invested in over 100 startups, providing training, mentorship, and seed investment to help them grow and develop. He is known for his work supporting the global startup ecosystem and has a strong global netwo...
Aug 21, 2023•25 min•Season 4Ep. 13
