Ambition Today, Startup Stories with Kevin Siskar

Episode Description

Today, we sat down with Cory Bergh, the co-founder and CEO of Crbon Labs, to talk about his journey, the hidden infrastructure problem behind the energy industry — and how climate tech is a great solution and can soon become economically viable.

Cory's path into entrepreneurship is anything but traditional. After writing his master's thesis on entrepreneurship in the early 1990s, he spent nearly 30 years working across venture capital, finance, and oil & gas before eventually launching Crbon Labs.

In this episode, we break down the economics of oil wells, why millions of inactive wells still exist across North America, and how Crbon Labs is turning abandoned infrastructure into measurable climate impact.

Crbon Labs identifies and plugs leaking oil and gas wells while generating verified carbon credits tied directly to methane reduction. Cory also walks us through CarbonScope, the company's proprietary software platform that uses data and algorithms to identify the highest-impact projects, as well as Carbon Free, their newer product suite focused on helping businesses offset emissions tied to e-commerce, payments, and even AI workloads.

Other topics we cover include:

• Why many oil wells are never properly plugged or abandoned • The "lower for longer" oil era and how fracking changed the industry • How Carbon Labs validates and monetizes methane reduction • Carbon Free for Shopify, Stripe, and AI platforms • OpenClaw, AI agents, and autonomous software systems • Why AI may become one of the biggest future drivers of energy demand • The intersection of software, infrastructure, and climate innovation

The Greatest Piece of Advice:

👉 "Go down as many paths as you can at the same time, because you never know which one is going to pay off."

Links and show notes from this episode:

Crbn Labs Website

Crbn Labs on LinkedIn

Cory Bergh on LinkedIn

Finta

==========

Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday

Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar

Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar

Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar

Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar

Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat.

Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).

Episode Description

Today, we sat down with the co-founder and partner of Excite Ventures, James Murray. The now venture capitalist shares with us his unconventional journey from law school and bartending in the city to building a biotech-focused venture capital firm. James started his venture career in finance with no prior finance experience, working his way up from an intern to a trader, and before he knew it, he was co-founding Excite Ventures.

Excite focuses on early-stage investments in biotech and life sciences, backing cutting-edge innovations in areas like ophthalmology, surgical robotics, and gene therapy. In the episode, James walks through how the firm was built from the ground up, starting with an $100K investment that quickly turned into an early success, and how they've scaled since.

We dive into biotech vs. traditional VC, why biology is particularly challenging, and James shares his insights on AI, specifically how it's beginning to transform drug discovery and clinical trials.

Beyond investing, James gives founders advice and emphasizes the importance of storytelling, building milestone-driven companies, and the power of simply showing up and saying yes. He also shares his core philosophy—"if not you, who"—and how that mindset has guided his career. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, including:

• His early experience helping grow a firm from $25M to $900M AUM

• Why he chose venture over hedge funds, trading, and private equity

• How Excite Ventures was built through unexpected connections

• Real examples of portfolio companies (like Retrosense + surgical robotics)

• His take on why harder industries (biotech, hardware) may become more attractive than software

• The concept of having a "prepared mind" when investing

• The story of being offered a trader role despite having zero experience

• The idea that biotech startups are really about building "data packages" (not revenue yet)

The Greatest Piece of Advice:

👉"If not you, who?"

Links and show notes from this episode:

Excite Venture's Website

Excite Ventures on LinkedIn

James Murray on LinkedIn

Finta

==========

Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday

Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar

Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar

Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar

Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar

Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat.

Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).

On Tuesday, June 3, Nelson Mullins NYC hosted an energized gathering of founders, investors, and tech enthusiasts eager to dissect modern fundraising strategies through the lens of AI. Set against panoramic city views, with the liquid death flowing, the evening captured quintessential NYC energy.

This episode of Ambition Today is supported by: Finta, the Cursor for Capital ‍

Featured Speakers Kathryn Thiele – Founder & CEO, Buildstock

Kathryn brings 15 years of expertise building skyscrapers and is revolutionizing the $1 trillion construction supply chain through Buildstock—a B2B marketplace enhanced by fintech and AI-driven procurement processes.

Chuck Storman – Managing Partner, StartFast Ventures

An eight-time founder whose exits span natural-language processors, neural-network hardware, and telecom analytics platforms later acquired by Cypress Semiconductor, Osmose, and Oracle. A former chip-level AI researcher mentored by J. Alan Robinson, he now backs deep-tech founders investing $500K–$2M checks into promising B2B SaaS while exploring the frontier of autonomous agents, super alignment, and consciousness.‍

Kevin Siskar – CEO, Finta

Kevin leads Finta, the Cursor for Capital, that's automating over $500M in investor interactions. He is driving innovation through Finta's Aurora AI, designed to triple fundraising speed for founders.

10 Essential Takeaways 1. Relationships Fuel the Flow

Warm introductions account for 92% of fundraising success. Utilize your inbox and networks to find second-degree connections and send personalized, genuine outreach. The best results come from authentic relationship-building rather than impersonal mass emails.

2. AI as a Teammate, Not a Tool

AI agents have evolved from basic automation tools to essential team members. They now manage investor prospecting, personalize email outreach, and maintain data room integrity. This frees founders to focus on critical storytelling and strategic relationships.

3. Master the Triple-Triple-Double-Double

Seed-stage founders must clearly articulate a path to 10x revenue growth within two years. Investors prioritize startups that can significantly boost fund performance and deliver returns consistent with VC expectations.

4. Caution: Avoid Over-Raising

Securing excessively large funding rounds early might feel impressive, but it creates heightened expectations and intense pressure for unsustainable growth. Carefully align your fundraising amount with achievable milestones to ensure sustainable success.

5. Build Density for Momentum

Kathryn shared her highly effective strategy for fundraising: densely scheduling up to 10 investor meetings per day, strategically timed during the holiday season to create urgency. She spent extensive time beforehand warming relationships, allowing her to close a round swiftly in just three weeks.

6. Distinctive Data Matters

Chuck emphasized evaluating AI startups through three lenses: unique datasets, distinctive computational infrastructure, or novel algorithms. Investors aren't impressed by generic AI claims; real differentiation in these core areas makes the difference.

7. Ask Investors, "What Keeps You Up?"

Addressing investors' specific concerns directly in follow-up communications helps convert hesitant prospects into active supporters. Explicitly outlining how you will mitigate their concerns shows thoughtfulness and commitment.

8. Making Fundraising Fun

Chuck Storman provided a valuable mental shift: view fundraising as an opportunity to engage deeply with intelligent, interesting people about your passion. Shifting the focus from outcome-driven pressure to genuine interactions helps maintain positivity and mental resilience.

9. Prioritize Strategically, Save Whales for Last

Kathryn advises against pitching the biggest investors first. Be strategic: rank and prioritize investors, refining your pitch with earlier conversations, and approach major "whale" investors when your story and momentum are strongest.

10. Understanding the Venture Capital Super Cycle

We might be experiencing a "once-in-a-millennium" venture capital cycle, marked by constrained LP investment and heightened caution. Despite these challenging conditions, as Warren Buffett advises, it's often beneficial to invest when others are fearful, setting up opportunities for bold founders.

(Explore more about the current venture capital super cycle here.)

Bonus Insight: The Human Edge

AI excels at many tasks but cannot replace authentic relationship building. The critical skills of intuitive "vibe checking" and genuine commitment remain indispensable, ensuring investor and founder relationships thrive.

Special Thanks

We extend heartfelt gratitude to Nelson Mullins for hosting, StartFast Ventures for their invaluable insights, and every dedicated founder who joined us amidst the vibrant chaos of NY Tech Week.

========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar

Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat.

Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).

This episode of Ambition Today is supported by: Finta, The Capital Copilot

In October 2024, Finta hosted a panel for LA Tech Week called "How I Raised - Seed, Series A, Series B." Featuring founders exploringthe unique challenges and insights of securing capital at different stages of their company. Our incredible panel for this event consists of:

David Kervin‍

Proteus Space ($8M Raised) - Revolutionizing satellite design with AI-driven platforms, aiming to reduce the time and cost of deploying satellites through automation and cutting-edge technology.

Gaurav Bhattacharya

Jeeva ($16M Raised) - Harness AI-driven customer intelligence, helping companies optimize their customer experience and reduce churn through actionable insights​.

Scott Wayman

Kangarootime ($37.5M Raised) - A leading innovator in the childcare management software industry, Kangarootime has risen to the forefront, providing vital solutions for daycares and preschools.

Key Fundraising Insights From This Episode: 1. Getting Investor Buy-In: Confidence Over Convincing

Founders emphasized that successful fundraising begins with confidence, not just pitching facts. Believing in your mission sets the tone for investor meetings, as confidence drives a stronger, more resonant narrative.

‍

2. Parallel vs. Sequential Fundraising Processes

Gaurav shared that sequential meetings can be a trap, leading to prolonged efforts. Instead, structuring outreach as a concentrated, parallel push creates urgency and FOMO among investors, leading to quicker commitments.

‍

3. Navigating Round Dynamics with Clear Milestones

For each funding stage, specific milestones are critical. Scott noted that Series B investors expect well-established product-market fit and sales efficiency, while Series A focuses on validating product intent. Seed rounds, by contrast, require strong founder conviction and a scrappy dedication.

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4. Leveraging Warm Intros for Better Outcomes

Cold outreach has a low conversion rate. David and Gaurav underscored the importance of warm intros, building relationships long before "the ask," as connections formed early often convert to funding opportunities.

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5. Pitfalls in Equity Structure and Term Negotiations

Gaurav and Scott highlighted the importance of a clean cap table and an informed approach to term sheets, particularly for liquidation preferences and convertible notes, which can heavily dilute founder control if unchecked.

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6. Evolving Pitch Focus: Metrics Over Mission at Later Stages

With each funding stage, the pitch shifts. For Series B, Scott mentioned that metrics and market dynamics become critical to justify high-value funding rounds, moving beyond storytelling toward quantifiable business growth.

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7. The Role of Timing and Market Trends

Market trends, such as the rise of AI, can be powerful, but founders caution to present technology realistically. David shared that aligning milestones with tech waves and managing investor perceptions is essential for positioning within emerging sectors.

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8. Finding the Balance in Deal Terms and Equity Retention

David noted that while SAFE notes and convertible debt can expedite early funding, they can also lead to significant dilution. Founders should prioritize understanding term sheets and use cap table modeling tools like Carta to project long-term equity impacts.

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9. Building and Utilizing Investor Relationships Over Time

David emphasized the value of maintaining relationships with VCs who may not invest immediately. Regular updates and casual interactions allow investors to track your progress and feel more comfortable when it's time to commit.

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10. Strategic Use of Milestones to Drive Up Valuation

Meeting critical operational or revenue milestones before the next round can significantly enhance valuation and interest. Scott's journey highlighted that proving product-market fit and high sales efficiency before Series B can allow for strong, valuation-focused negotiations.

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11. Positioning Within Tech Waves for Strategic Advantage

Each wave of technology (e.g., AI, blockchain) offers a unique angle for storytelling and market positioning. Scott and Gaurav recommended founders lean into tech trends authentically, showcasing how the wave aligns with their product rather than simply following hype.

‍

Hosting this event was a blast! A massive thank you to everyone who helped make this event happen and a success. We can't wait to see you all at the next one!

========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar

Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat.

Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).

During NY Tech Week 2024 we hosted a live panel discussion in midtown Manhattan on the state of fundraising in 2024. Delving deep into the nuances of fundraising from three different perspectives: an investor, a founder, and a lawyer.

Hear from 3 different sides of the table when we gather an investor, founder, and a lawyer to discuss what fundraising venture capital in 2024. Our incredible panel for this event consists of:

​The Founder

‍David Silverstein, is the CEO of Ned, a white label lending platform that makes it easy for lenders to effortlessly deploy capital.

The Investor

Rachel ten Brink, General Partner at Red Bike Capital, an early-stage VC fund based in New York, specializing in SaaS, Health & Wellness, and Fintech sectors in the U.S. With over 30 years of experience, including founding a Y Combinator-backed startup that reached $100M in revenue and managing $2B in assets.

The Lawyer

​Jack Sousa, is the Partner & Co-Chair of the Emerging Companies and Venture Capital Practice Group at Wiggin. He is also a wiggin(x) Co-Founder and Partner. Jack focuses his practice on venture capital, startup and early-stage companies and their financing needs.

Key Fundraising Insights From This Episode: How Should Founders Think About Fundraising

David Silverstein kicked off the event emphasizes the importance of focus during a raise. Trying to shrink the amount of time you spend fundraising so you can get back to building the business. Highlighting the importance of relationship building in fundraising, while de-risking and hitting the right milestones to build trust with investors.

Rachel ten Brink advises founders to start planning their next round of funding as soon as they close their current round. She emphasizes the need to reverse-engineer the process, understanding how far the current funds will take the company and what metrics need to be hit for the next raise.

AI's Influence On Startups

AI will fundamentally transform the venture capital landscape. Rachel notes that AI is not just a sector but a foundational technology that will touch every industry. David adds that while AI is important, it is crucial to solve fundamental business problems first.

VC Investor Relations with LP's

Rachel discusses the current trends in VC strategies and the importance of understanding the dynamics between VC funds and their LPs. She highlights the necessity for founders to be aware of the financial health and commitments of the VCs they are pitching to.

Current Market Trends and Company Valuations

The discussion centers around the importance of always being prepared to fundraise and understanding market dynamics. David stresses the situational nature of fundraising, advising founders to be ready to adapt to market conditions.

Important Fundraising Legal Considerations

Jack Sousa recommends involving a lawyer early in the fundraising process to navigate complex legal terms and agreements. He mentions the return of redemption provisions and full ratchet anti-dilution clauses as trends to watch.

How Can Founder's Stand Out To Investors

To stand out, David suggests focusing on demonstrating real customer traction and needs. Rachel emphasizes the importance of clear, concise pitch decks and consistent communication with investors.

Strong Investor Communication

Balancing warm introductions and cold outreach is crucial. David recommends building relationships with investors before needing to raise funds, while Rachel highlights the importance of thoughtful signaling and avoiding desperate outreach.

Practical Tips for Founders

Jack Sousa and Rachel discuss essential legal terms, noting the increasing prevalence of liquidation preferences and full ratchet anti-dilution clauses. They advise founders to keep their cap tables clean and to be aware of the long-term implications of their fundraising choices.

Industry-Specific Insights

Raising funds for deep tech ventures involves unique challenges compared to traditional SaaS startups. Rachel and David emphasize the importance of understanding sector-specific milestones and investor expectations.

The End of Software...?

The panel debates whether the software market has matured. Rachel argues that while the market is evolving, there is still significant upside potential for innovative software solutions, particularly those integrating AI.

A massive thank you to everyone who helped make this event happen and a success. We can't wait to see you all at the next one!

========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday

Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar

Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar

Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar

Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar

Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat.

Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).

We sat down with one of the most influential people in tech, Lorenzo Thione, who shares his very inspiring journey and how that led him to be where he is today.

Lorenzo grew up in Milan, Italy and had a technical background at an early age. He completed his studies at the University of Texas at Austin, from which he holds a M.S. in Computer Engineering.

He is now the Managing Director of Gaingels, a leading LGBTQIA+/Allies investment syndicate and one of the largest and most active private investors in North America. He is also the co-founding Chairman of StartOut, Chairman of the Board at Social Edge, and previously co-founded Powerset, a natural-language search engine startup sold to Microsoft for $100 million in 2008.

Lorenzo is named one of the most influential LGBT people in tech in 2014 and 2018 and his dedication in supporting and elevating leaders of the LGBTQ+ in the venture startup is amazing.

As the Managing Producer at Sing Out, Louis! Productions, he is also a Tony-Award winner (Hadestown, The Inheritance). He produced and co-created the Broadway musical, Allegiance starring George Takei and Lea Salonga. He is currently working in a new original musical, Indigo, as well as The Elephant Whisperer.

We covered a lot of ground in this episode, including:

Topics Discussed:

• Where his passion comes from and how Lorenzo found entrepreneurship.

• Helping others to build a diverse company by providing more than just funding.

• The different companies that he had a part in building.

• His mark on Broadway.

• How your descent can make a difference in your future and your thinking.

• How the model of angel groups is evolving to syndicates and SPV's.

• The role of a "Platform" strategy to help Gaingels portfolio companies.

• What does Lorenzo think about the future of Venture Capital.

Quote of the Episode:

"Strategic Value, what is all being brought to the table"

The Greatest Piece of Advice:

His mentor told him to, " be obsessive, about how you can add value, to your own network and relationships"

Links & show notes from this episode:

• Lorenzo Thione on Bio

• Lorenzo Thione on LinkedIn

• Lorenzo Thione on Twitter

• Gaingels

• StartOut

• Shearshare

• Bryan Janeczko episode

========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday

Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar

Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar

Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar

Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar

Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat.

Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).

In the fall we sat down with one of the godfathers of Venture Capital, Jordan Levy, who shares his very inspiring founder story and how that led to his career as an investor.

Jordan co-founded Software Distribution Services which was acquired by Ingram Micro, before going on to be a Partner on the early-stage investing team at SoftBank Capital (SBNY) for 16 years.

Jordan has served on the boards of BuzzFeed, TalkSpace, Work Market, ACV Auctions, and many others. Using his upbringing and religion to pay it forward (Tzedakah) to the community that he grew up in, in Buffalo, New York. Jordy also co-founded Z80 Labs, a startup incubator in Buffalo, and 43North, an accelerator that hosts an annual startup competition, investing $5M per year in Buffalo, NY. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, including:

Topics Discussed:

• Building Software Distribution Services in the early days of venture capital.

• How to think about the private vs public markets.

• The intricacies of SPACs vs the IPO.

• Lessons learned from decades of investments.

• Betting on the first days of the internet and what has changed since.

• Investing through the dot com boom and bust.

• How ACV Auctions re-defined the auto market.

• The importance of investing in people over markets, trends, and other aspects of the business.

Quote of the Episode:

"You invest in the people and I will always believe that" and "if you don't think someone can take this company to the promised land, then don't invest in them."

The Greatest Piece of Advice:

As his grandmother passed down to him, "never go to bed angry with your wife."

Links & show notes from this episode:

• Jordan Levy's Bio

• Jordan Levy on LinkedIn

• Jordan Levy on Twitter

• Finta

• 43North

========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday

Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar

Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar

Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar

Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar

Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat.

Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).

Scott Wayman's shares his epically inspiring founder story. His passion for Kangarootime is next level and the company is currently focused on winning the childcare management software space for daycares and preschools. With plans to expand to the larger "care economy" which includes not only early education & childcare but also elder & senior care. A $648B TAM in the U.S. Alone according to Melinda Gate's Pivotal Ventures.

The Kangarootime team brilliantly positioned themselves throughout COVID19 as leaders in the space, by taking time to host educational sessions about how their customers can best adapt their centers, as well as quickly shipping new features such as contactless check-in/out, health checks, and more. I have personally watched Scott relentlessly grow this company from their early days at Founder Institute, through several investments from 43North, and was very excited to sit down with him for this episode.

========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar

Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat.

Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).

Pete Kazanjy is Ambition Today's new guest from Southern California. He is sitting in San Francisco, CA right now as we speak, enjoying Alamo Square.

He is a serial founder and seasoned early stage Saas executive, advisor, and investor. Pete has cofounded many companies including TalentBin, Modern Sales, and Atrium. He is also an author of "Founding Sales".

He went to Stanford where he learned English and Philosophy.

Pete is still going strong and has a lot to offer his clients, be sure to read his book "Founding Sales", a Startup Sales Handbook.

Topics Discussed:

• Branding and Design

• Go-to-Market and Marketing Strategies

• Product Development

• Hiring and On-Boarding

• Sales, Revenue, and Accounting

• Work-life balance

• End Game

Quote of the Episode:

"Three main rules: focus, focus, focus".

The Greatest Piece of Advice: Checkout the podcast's back channel, The A-List where you can listen to exclusive audio clips containing the single greatest piece of advice our guests have ever learned!

Links & show notes from this episode:

• Atrium

• Peter's Bio

• Founding Sales

• Connect with Peter on LinkedIn

• Connect with Peter on Twitter

• Finta

========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar

Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat.

Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).

From growing up on a dairy farm, to a successful entrepreneur with hundreds of employees, meet our next guest, Jack Greco. Greco co-founded ACV Auctions, an online auction dealer platform, which was last valued at $1.5B. He never thought that he would be the person to co-found Buffalo's first unicorn startup in 2014. The great part is the story behind his success. He later reveals to Kevin that he has been fired from every job before he became a founder, and what kicked him in gear, was learning that he had a baby on the way. Every success story is different, and I think this is great for our audience to hear, and prove to you, never give up, or think that you are not worth something because you got fired! Pick your feet up and move on!

As of 2018, Greco left ACV Auctions and is now an angel investor. To date, he has invested in over 50 companies and is trying his hardest to maintain a quality work-life balance for his son.

Topics Discussed:

• A little background on Jack Greco

• Unicorn Start-Up

• Angel investing in 50 companies

• Working with others

• Covid effects on the world

• Work-life balance

• Mental Health

• Having a coach is so important

• Buffalo Bridge

Quote of the Episode:

"This [ACV Auctions] is a great learning experience, and it will shape who I am going to be as an investor, a mentor, executive, father, for the rest of my life." - Jack Greco

The Greatest Piece of Advice: Checkout the podcast's back channel, The A-List where you can listen to exclusive audio clips containing the single greatest piece of advice our guests have ever learned!

Links & show notes from this episode:

• ACV Auctions

• Connect with Jack on LinkedIn

• Connect with Jack on Twitter

• Buffalo Bridge

• Finta

========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar

Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat.

Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).