Episode Summary: In this episode, we sit down with Ben Van Roo, CEO and Co-Founder of Legion Intelligence and a seasoned leader whose career spans building cutting-edge AI solutions for both the public and private sectors. From working with the Department of Defense at RAND to leading data science at Chegg, serving as EVP of National Security at Primer AI, and now driving innovation at Yurts, Ben brings a rare perspective on AI, leadership, and scaling technology for mission-critical environment...
Aug 10, 2025•44 min•Ep. 266
Guest: George Panagiotakopoulos, Innovation Ecosystem Development -Advisor, Berkeley SkyDeck Episode Summary: Join us as we sit down with George Panagiotakopoulos, who works with UC Berkeley who has a unique vantage point from his work in Europe, Asia, and beyond, George shares his insights on building global innovation ecosystems and the nuances of cross-border collaboration. We'll explore how Berkeley is expanding its accelerator model internationally, the differences in venture capital ecosys...
Aug 03, 2025•50 min•Ep. 265
Guest: Dr. Tom Coughlin, President, Coughlin Associates, IEEE Past President (2025) Website: https://tomcoughlin.com FMS Conference: https://futurememorystorage.com/ Episode Summary: Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Tom Coughlin, a seasoned digital storage analyst and consultant with over 40 years in the industry. Tom, the President of Coughlin Associates and former IEEE President, shares unparalleled insights into the foundational technologies shaping our digital world. We delv...
Jul 26, 2025•33 min•Ep. 264
“Buying a Business the Right Way — Lessons from the Front Lines” Guest: Jed Morris — Acquisition Entrepreneur, Operator, and Advisor Connect with Jed on LinkedIn In this episode of The Silicon Valley Podcast , we sit down with Jed Morris, a seasoned acquisition entrepreneur with firsthand experience navigating the highs and lows of buying and operating businesses. Jed shares candid lessons from his own journey — including what went wrong, what he’d do differently, and the hard-won wisdom you won...
Jul 15, 2025•54 min•Ep. 263
🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode, we sit down with Arto Bendiken, a self-taught polymath, technologist, and entrepreneur whose journey spans building custom software in Finland at 13, contributing to defense communications for the U.S. Navy, scaling blockchain infrastructure at Aurora Labs, and now launching Haltia.AI in Dubai. We dive deep into the evolution of Web3, the intersection of AI and crypto, real-world blockchain applications, tokenomics, smart contract risks, and how the global la...
Jul 07, 2025•41 min•Ep. 262
Guest: Anita Koimur, Co-founder & COO of LiveFlow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitakoimur/ Episode Summary: Join us as we sit down with Anita Koimur, a seasoned entrepreneur and the brilliant mind behind LiveFlow. Anita shares her compelling journey from a successful career in Business Development to co-founding a groundbreaking company. We delve into her experiences, including her time at the prestigious Y Combinator, and explore the critical decisions founders face, such as reloc...
Jun 29, 2025•32 min•Ep. 261
In this episode, we sit down with Ron Petrinovich, a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Freedom Equity Group (FEG). With deep roots in Silicon Valley and a legacy shaped by family, faith, and business acumen, Ron shares pivotal moments from his entrepreneurial journey—including multiple business restarts, scaling a company to national success, and eventually exiting in 2024. Ron offers candid insights into what it takes to build a company with values at the core, the importance of team-buil...
Jun 23, 2025•45 min•Ep. 260
In this episode of The Silicon Valley Podcast , we sit down with Rick Otton, author of How to Sell Without Ever Saying a Word , and a global expert in communication, influence, and what he calls Subliminal Science. Rick has built a career challenging traditional sales tactics, instead unlocking the power of subconscious communication and emotional decision-making. Introduced through M&A strategist Craig Keegan, Rick shares the lessons and philosophies that have helped him build successful br...
Jun 14, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 259
Episode Summary: In this episode of The Silicon Valley Podcast , we sit down with Jeffrey Tiong, the visionary founder and CEO of Patsnap, a global leader in IP and R&D intelligence. From identifying a market gap in patent data to building a unicorn that serves some of the world’s top innovators, Jeffrey shares the insights behind his entrepreneurial journey—and where he sees the future of innovation heading. We explore how the role of intellectual property is evolving in a fast-moving tech ...
Jun 07, 2025•45 min•Ep. 258
In this episode, we sit down with Keshia Theobald-van Gent, a seasoned venture capital investor with deep expertise in fund economics, portfolio strategy, and founder alignment. Keshia shares her sharp insights into how today’s most successful VCs operate and what emerging fund managers and founders need to know to succeed in this dynamic ecosystem. Whether you're a founder seeking to better understand how VCs evaluate your startup, or an emerging fund manager preparing to launch your first fund...
Jun 01, 2025•36 min•Ep. 257
Episode Description: In this insightful episode, we sit down with Mohamed Ahmed—engineer-turned-founder, investor, and author—to explore the real mechanics of venture capital, startup life, and personal growth. Mo brings his unique perspective from launching a successful startup, exiting, and now advising others through the VC lens. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or someone navigating your own career transition, this episode is filled with real talk, valuable frameworks, and unfiltere...
May 25, 2025•43 min•Ep. 256
In this episode, Shawn sits down with John Bisack, an experienced operational strategist and advisor who specializes in helping private equity-backed companies navigate the critical post-acquisition phase. With a background in transforming businesses for profitability, growth, and long-term scalability, John brings deep insights into what it really takes to deliver on the promises of a private equity deal—beyond the closing table. Disclaimer: The content in this episode is for informational purp...
May 19, 2025•36 min•Ep. 255
In this episode, Shawn sits down with Paul Adler, a veteran strategist in global revenue growth and a trusted advisor for companies entering the complex world of Federal Government markets. With decades of experience guiding businesses through the intricacies of federal contracting, Paul shares practical insights, battle-tested strategies, and hard-won lessons for founders and executives ready to scale through government channels. Whether you’re a startup looking for your first pilot program, or...
May 11, 2025•37 min•Ep. 254
In this episode, we’re joined by Stan Christensen, a veteran dealmaker, negotiation expert, and founder of Arbor Advisors. With over two decades of experience teaching negotiation at Stanford University and leading high-stakes transactions in the tech world, Stan offers a masterclass in how to navigate complex deals, align incentives, and come out ahead—whether you're raising capital, selling your company, or simply trying to keep a negotiation from falling apart. Stan shares his career-defining...
Apr 30, 2025•44 min•Ep. 253
Episode Overview Today’s guest is Shalabh Gupta, a visionary entrepreneur and the CEO of a publicly traded company. With deep experience in both public and private markets, Shalabh brings a mission-driven mindset to solving complex problems through innovation. In this episode, he shares his journey to the public markets, lessons learned from operating in the spotlight, and what it really takes to drive long-term shareholder value while staying true to your company’s core mission. Whether you’re ...
Apr 24, 2025•36 min•Ep. 252
Rahul Pangam — Entrepreneur, AI Strategist, and Founder 🎧 Episode Overview: In this episode, we’re joined by Rahul Pangam, a seasoned entrepreneur and AI leader who successfully built and exited a company during its Series B round. Rahul takes us through the pivotal moments of his entrepreneurial journey — from raising capital to navigating a strategic sale — and shares his deep insights on how AI is reshaping industries, businesses, and the future of work. This candid conversation covers the e...
Apr 15, 2025•36 min•Ep. 251
In this episode, we sit down with Manish Patel, whose career has spanned Google, venture investing, and product innovation. From playing a pivotal role in scaling transformative products like AdWords and Google Maps to shaping Silicon Valley’s startup ecosystem, Manish brings invaluable insights from the front lines of technology, entrepreneurship, and venture capital. Listeners will hear about his inspiring journey — from growing up in a family business to navigating the world of big tech and e...
Apr 13, 2025•35 min•Ep. 250
In this episode of The Silicon Valley Podcast , we sit down with Tom Eggemeier, CEO of Zendesk, to discuss the transformative power of AI Agents, the evolving landscape of M&A, and the future of customer experience. Tom shares his insights on how businesses can leverage AI to drive growth, the decision-making process behind strategic acquisitions, and what’s next for Zendesk. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ AI Agents vs. Traditional AI – What sets them apart and how they’re reshaping cu...
Mar 31, 2025•44 min•Ep. 249
In this episode of The Silicon Valley Podcast, we sit down with Cameron Herold, a world-renowned business leader, entrepreneur, and the mastermind behind the explosive growth of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, where he scaled the company from $2 million to $106 million in just six years. From launching businesses as a teenager to coaching top CEOs—including Kimbal Musk—Cameron has mastered the art of scaling operations, creating high-performance cultures, and driving business success. He’s also the founder of ...
Mar 23, 2025•44 min•Ep. 248
Episode Summary: Shutting down a business is a complex and often overwhelming process—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, we sit down with Dori Yona, Co-Founder & CEO of SimpleClosure, a venture-backed startup using technology to streamline business closures. Dori shares his personal journey as a founder facing the challenges of winding down a company, what he learned, and how those experiences led to building a solution that reduces a months-long process into days or weeks. From und...
Mar 12, 2025•42 min•Ep. 247
Episode Description: In this episode, we sit down with legendary entrepreneur and scientist T.J. Rodgers, the founder of Cypress Semiconductor, investor in clean energy, and advocate of free-market principles. With a career spanning decades in Silicon Valley, Rodgers has been at the forefront of technological innovation, business strategy, and corporate governance. We dive into his experiences building and leading companies, his views on boardroom dynamics, and his insights into the future of en...
Feb 24, 2025•40 min•Ep. 246
Episode Overview: In this episode, we sit down with Gil Feig, co-founder of Merge, to explore the challenges and innovations in API integrations. Gil shares his journey from software engineering to entrepreneurship, the technical hurdles faced while building Merge, and the strategic decisions that drive the company’s success. We also dive into team building, financial strategy, and the future of Merge’s platform. Topics Covered: Gil’s Career Journey – From software engineer to co-founding Merge ...
Jan 30, 2025•29 min•Ep. 245
Episode Summary: Join us for an inspiring conversation with Vanessa Larco, Partner at NEA, one of the world's largest venture capital firms. In this episode, Vanessa shares her career journey from working at leading tech companies like Microsoft, to becoming a prominent VC investor. She dives into her investment philosophy, the importance of strong leadership, leveraging data-driven decisions, and fostering diversity in venture capital. Whether you're an entrepreneur, aspiring VC, or tech enthus...
Jan 16, 2025•33 min•Ep. 244
Show Notes for "The Silicon Valley Podcast" – Dave House Interview Guest: David House, American Engineer and Computer Designer Bio: David House, also known as Dave House, is a distinguished American engineer and computer designer renowned for his significant contributions to Intel, where he was pivotal in developing the company's microprocessor product line. He is widely recognized for coining the slogan “Intel Inside,” a marketing campaign that transformed Intel into a household name. Career Hi...
Dec 04, 2024•46 min•Ep. 243
Show Notes: Featuring Adam Coffey About Adam Coffey Adam Coffey is a dynamic CEO, Board Member, best-selling author, and international speaker renowned for driving transformative growth and fostering high-performance cultures. With over 21 years of experience, Adam has built three national service companies for nine private equity sponsors, completing 58 acquisitions with outcomes measured in the billions. His books, "The Private Equity Playbook," "The Exit Strategy Playbook," and "Empire Builde...
Nov 12, 2024•48 min•Ep. 242
Guest: David Hamilton Nichols Bio: David Hamilton Nichols is an American speaker, author, investor, and producer. Hailing from a prominent California farming family, David is best known as a global investor with a diverse portfolio spanning industrial and retail real estate, fast-growing startups, and impact investments across North America, Europe, Oceania, Asia, and Africa. His focus sectors include climate change, renewable energy, blockchain, AI, EdTech, and healthcare in Africa. David has s...
Oct 31, 2024•27 min•Ep. 241
From Startup to Exit: Brian Will's Lessons on Building and Scaling Successful Businesses Guest: Brian Will, Serial Entrepreneur, Two-Time Wall Street Journal Best-Selling Author, Business and Sales Management Consultant Bio: Brian Will has built a remarkable career creating successful companies across diverse industries. His experience in startups and Fortune 500s offers him a unique perspective on agile processes and their impact on businesses. Currently, he owns various businesses and serves o...
Sep 27, 2024•36 min•Ep. 240
Guest: Marsha Wulff, Impact investing pioneer with 40 years of experience building corporations, managing investments, and establishing a venture capital firm focused on Africa. Key Discussion Points: Marsha's Journey: Marsha will share her career path, including her role in building multi-billion dollar corporations and establishing a successful venture capital firm in Africa. Global Perspective vs. Afro-optimism: Explore the difference between these perspectives and their influence on African ...
Sep 19, 2024•34 min•Ep. 239
Bio: Kristi Herold is the founder and CEO of JAM, a multi-million-dollar global business that has connected millions of people through play since its inception as one of the largest adult recreational sports leagues in the world. The JAM team has produced and delivered over 4,000 playful corporate events, in over 30 countries since the summer of 2020 and the JAM team consults organizations helping them integrate fun and play into their “workPLAYce culture”. JAM has been awarded “Canada’s Most Ad...
Sep 12, 2024•39 min•Ep. 238
Guest Speakers: Dario Fusato: CEO of Savvly Tony Derossi: Co-founder of Savvly About the Guests: Dario Fusato is the CEO of Savvly, a platform revolutionizing personal pensions and long-term financial security with market-driven solutions. He has extensive experience in building fintech solutions aimed at removing financial uncertainty. Tony Derossi is the co-founder of Savvly, an online platform designed to optimize retirement savings through innovative risk-sharing algorithms. With a backgroun...
Aug 23, 2024•39 min•Ep. 237
