Capital Calling

Capital Calling

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Capital Calling episodes

  • Grammy Nominated Producer: How to Get RICH Through Content Creation - Jason Tyler Hamilton

    With a career spanning music, media, and storytelling, Grammy-nominated creator Jason Tyler Hamilton has become one of Miami’s leading creative entrepreneurs. As the Founder of QC Studios, he’s built a multidisciplinary production house that captures the rhythm of modern entertainment across music, podcasts, and branded storytelling.

    Jason’s journey embodies the intersection of artistry and business. He’s watched Miami evolve from a regional scene into a global creative hub and has played a pivotal role in shaping that identity through his work with creators, musicians, and brands.

    In our conversation, Jason shares how podcasting became the new stage for authenticity, why he’s cautious about AI’s growing role in entertainment, and what we can all learn from the landmark cultural year of 2016. He reflects on Miami’s unique energy, the challenges of scaling a creative business, and how anyone can start building their own content platform from scratch. From LeBron’s influence on culture to the future of digital storytelling, this episode captures what it means to create in a city and an era defined by change.

    Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:58 There's Something About Miami…07:42 Miami's Role in the Future of Entertainment15:06 Why Has Podcasting Gained Popularity?35:05 Why AI's Role in Entertainment Frightens Him43:35 Reminiscing on 2016 & Why The World Has Changed So Much Since57:19 The Future of Podcasting1:02:21 How to Start Creating Content1:20:06 On LeBron & Coming of Age1:24:50 Final Advice for Aspiring Podcasters1:31:14 Plugs & Where to Find Him


    Subscribe to the Coeus Collective on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@CoeusCollective

    Stay up to date on the pulse of business news and startup culture with our newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/

    Get more insights and interviews on all socials ⁠@CoeusCollective⁠

    Hosted by Antonio DiMeglio and Leon Li

    Special thanks to THE MOVE MIAMI

    1 hr 32 min
  • Modern Day Thomas Edison: The Inventor’s Playbook for America’s Future — Scott Jewett

    With a career defined by invention and impact, Scott Jewett has built a name as a multi-hyphenate inventor, entrepreneur, and problem-solver who turns bold ideas into real-world solutions. Beyond running for Governor of Florida this year, Scott’s professional career has had a powerful impact on critically important industries nationwide.

    As the Co-Founder and CEO of Wisp Energy, he’s developing a new generation of floating wind turbines designed to transform the renewable energy landscape. Featured on the Discovery Channel and winner of a national engineering challenge for his work solving the aftermath of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Scott’s innovations have literally shaped history. After 9/11, he built and sold a specialized material to the Department of Defense that continues to fortify the walls of the Pentagon to this day.

    In our conversation, Scott shares what it takes to create sixteen patents, his experience bringing a product to market alongside the Department of Defense, and why success doesn’t require traditional industry experience. He offers sharp insights into the future of AI, quantum computing, and crypto regulation, and explains why he believes franchising models will shape the next wave of entrepreneurship. From renewable energy to public service, Scott’s story shows what it means to think independently and invent fearlessly in a world that rewards convention.

    Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:02 What it Takes to Create 16 Patents18:47 The Future AI, Quantum, and Crypto Regulatory Regimes33:38 Bringing a Product to Market with the Department of Defense48:52 How To Succeed Without Traditional Industry Experience1:07:50 Why He Believes in Franchising Models1:19:00 This or That1:24:00 Founding Wisp Energy: A Floating Wind Turbine1:37:37 Scott's Campaign in the Florida Governor's Race1:55:16 Final Advice and Where to Find Him


    Subscribe to the Coeus Collective on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@CoeusCollective

    Stay up to date on the pulse of business news and startup culture with our newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/

    Get more insights and interviews on all socials ⁠@CoeusCollective⁠

    Hosted by Antonio DiMeglio and Leon Li

    Special thanks to THE MOVE MIAMI

    1 hr 59 min
  • Certified Health Expert: The SAD Truth About America’s Diet! Our Food’s Hidden Dangers - Asha Walker

    With a mission rooted in improving equity and access to healthy living, Asha Walker has dedicated her career to rethinking how communities experience wellness. As the Founder of Health in the Hood, she has brought fresh food and education into neighborhoods often overlooked by traditional systems. Now, with the launch of Cured, Asha is expanding her reach into the digital space, creating tools that bridge the gap between physical and mental health.

    In our conversation, Asha breaks down why the Standard American Diet lives up to its “SAD” acronym, why separating mental and physical health is a dangerous mistake, and what she makes of the GLP-1 craze sparked by drugs like Ozempic. She shares the realities of leading a nonprofit, the lessons learned from building a wellness app, and her perspective on where the wellness industry is headed. Her insights, which blend community impact, holistic health coaching, and entrepreneurial grit, offer both a wake-up call and a roadmap for anyone ready to start their own wellness journey.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 Intro

    01:30 Why the Standard American Diet is SAD

    27:12 This or That

    38:20 Health in the Hood's Work in Food Deserts

    45:55 Why We Shouldn't Separate Mental and Physical Health

    57:05 Asha's Thoughts on the GLP-1 (Ozempic) Movement

    1:03:19 What It's Like to Run a Non-Profit

    1:06:45 Launching Her App: Cured

    1:29:51 The Future of Wellness

    1:37:19 Advice on How to Start a Wellness Journey

    1:43:45 Plugs and Where to Find Her

    Subscribe to the Coeus Collective on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@CoeusCollective

    Stay up to date on the pulse of business news and startup culture with our newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/

    Get more insights and interviews on all socials ⁠@CoeusCollective⁠

    Hosted by Antonio DiMeglio and Leon Li

    Special thanks to THE MOVE MIAMI

    1 hr 46 min
  • PUMA Creative Director’s WARNING: Stop Using AI To Save Your Brand! – Matthew Growney

    With decades of experience bridging venture capital, fashion, and culture, Matthew Growney has built a career at the intersection of design and business. As the Co-Founder & Managing Director of Motorola Ventures, he helped steer investments in breakthrough technologies. Later, as Creative Director for PUMA, he drove collaborations with leading designers and trendsetters. Today, he is the Founder & Creative Director of Thermal Brands, a management agency shaping the future of lifestyle and luxury brands

    In our conversation, Matthew explains why traditional VC misses the mark on creativity, why he takes a hard stance on AI, and how he curates his unique “shopping cart” of investments. He also reflects on lessons from law school, insights from running a mobile device company for kids, and the cultural forces that drive collaborations between brands like PUMA and Kith. His stories spanning tech, fashion, and subculture reveal what it takes to anticipate trends and build lasting influence.

    Timestamps:
    00:00 Intro
    01:23 Time as Co-Founder & Managing Director of Motorola Ventures
    18:03 How He Builds His "Shopping Cart" as an Investor
    26:45 Takes on the Future of Social Media, AI, and Fashion
    40:28 His Time Running a Mobile Device Company Built for Use by Children
    58:07 Entry Into Fashion & Trendsetting at PUMA
    1:13:03 Why Puma & Kith Do Collaborations Rather Than Doubling Down On Themselves
    1:31:25 This or That
    1:36:09 Launch of Thermal Brands & His Role as an Agency Founder
    1:47:30 Recap & Where to Find Him

    Subscribe to the Coeus Collective on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@CoeusCollective

    Stay up to date on the pulse of business news and startup culture with our newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/

    Get more insights and interviews on all socials ⁠@CoeusCollective⁠


    Hosted by Antonio DiMeglio and Leon Li

    Special thanks to THE MOVE MIAMI

    1 hr 55 min
  • Introducing Season 2: Inside the Industry (Miami)

    Welcome to the newest season of the Coeus Collective Podcast!


    This season, we set foot in Miami, expanding what it means to be an innovator and covering it ALL: fashion, food, sports, wellness…and that’s just the start.


    Featuring Puma Creative Director Matthew Growney, Grown Founder Shannon Allen, NFL Agent David Canter, Health Coach Asha Walker, James Beard Winner Chef Michael Schwartz, The Move Miami COO Jason Tyler Hamilton, and more.


    This is the trailer: episodes will launch on our YouTube channel every Tuesday starting September 23 with the first episode featuring Matthew Growney.


    Subscribe so you never miss an episode!

    2 min
  • OpenAI's Plan to Revolutionize Education | Siya Raj Purohit - OpenAI

    In this exclusive live interview with Siya Raj Purohit, Education Lead at OpenAI, we discuss the ongoing transformation of education in the AI era. From ChatGPT's impact on universities to working with teachers at all levels of the educational spectrum, Siya shares insights on how OpenAI is revolutionizing the future of learning.


    Key topics covered include the evolution of ChatGPT EDU and its implementation in universities, how professors are innovatively using AI in their classrooms, custom GPTs and their role in personalized learning, OpenAI's approach to K-12 education and trade schools, the concept of AI-native universities, balancing AI integration with critical thinking skills, and OpenAI's expansion into New York City.


    This conversation was recorded live in front of an audience in New York City. The event was hosted by The Front Yard at Pace University, powered by True Leap Inc., and organized in partnership with Born Global Community.


    Coeus Collective is building a global community of entrepreneurs, advisors, and investors. Visit coeuscollective.xyz to learn more. For more insights from top founders and leaders in global entrepreneurship, follow @CoeusCollective on all socials. Stay up to date on the key trends in business, entrepreneurship, and culture by subscribing to our newsletter at coeuscollective.beehiiv.com


    Special Thanks to:


    The Front Yard at Pace University

    Tamir Harosh

    Born Global

    True Leap

    Leon Li

    Arwa Sharif

    33 min
  • How to Impact 1 Billion People | Kiran Panjwani - FounderWay

    On average, only 2% of startups are accepted into business incubators. So, what about the other 98%?


    Kiran Panjwani, Co-Founder and CEO of FounderWay and our guest on this week’s final episode of the first season of the Coeus Collective Podcast, is on a mission to use AI to provide these 98% of founders with the critical resources they need to succeed. 


    With a background in startup development from her experience working with 600 early-stage ventures at MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, Kiran has built her career guiding entrepreneurs through the most crucial stages of growth. 


    In this episode, Kiran shares key best practices for early-stage startups and discusses how AI tools like FounderWay can help entrepreneurs streamline their operations, track progress, and make informed decisions faster. She told us she wants “to directly or indirectly impact 1 billion people,” and FounderWay is how she is going to reach that goal.


    From unique startup theory ideas like “problem-customer fit” to analytical discussions about AI’s impact on the role of a founder, this episode is packed with practical advice for founders looking to level up their startups. You’ll be left behind as a founder if you ignore the AI tools that your competitors are using, so don’t miss this opportunity to get ahead.


    P.S. At the end of the episode, Kiran flips the script: asking us how we are feeling about this being the final episode of season one: The Founder’s Series!

    https://www.founderway.ai/ 

    Timestamps:
    00:00 Intro
    00:49 Background
    08:55 FounderWay's Origins
    14:30 Customer Discovery Deep Dive
    18:07 AI CoPilot Initial Marketing Strategy
    20:38 Building Founder Communities
    30:31 AI, Education, and Mentorship
    37:34 Most Common Founder Painpoints?
    39:29 Building Investor Interest in AI Startups
    43:40 Surprises, Challenges, and Advice
    47:29 What Would You Change?
    48:34 Flipping the Script on Antonio & Leon: End of Season Review
    51:34 Plugs


    Subscribe to the Coeus Collective on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective⁠


    Stay up to date on the pulse of business news and startup culture with our newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/


    Get more insights and interviews on all socials ⁠@CoeusCollective⁠


    Music from this Episode by ⁠Houis⁠


    Hosted by Antonio DiMeglio and Leon Li


    Special thanks to:

    ARWA SHARIF

    KAI OTOMO

    NICK ARENA

    WTF MEDIA

    COLLECTIVE DESIGN AGENCY

    LEON JON

    53 min
  • Saving the Economy’s Central Nervous System | David Silverstein - Ned

    Since the Silicon Valley Bank collapse of 2023, the startup and small business lending landscape has been undergoing rapid changes. David Silverstein, Co-Founder of Ned and our guest this week on the Coeus Collective Podcast, knows that personalization is key to this transformation. Ned, which just announced a $4.2 million seed fundraise, is leading a customized approach to lending, offering a white-label platform that handles every stage of the lending process, from application to servicing, and empowers lenders to provide fixed and revenue-based loans seamlessly.


    In this episode, David explores the current challenges in small business financing and how Ned is building solutions that enhance cash flow insights and lending efficiency. David also discusses how his role as a Founder is informed by his diverse career background, which includes time in the public sector as Press Secretary for former US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and in the media industry as Chief of Staff at MediaLink.


    From broad discourse on the current state of the small business funding ecosystem to advice on leading a technical company as a non-technical founder, this episode has it all. Cash flow is essential to the vitality of any business, so don’t miss this opportunity to learn an expert outlook on the current state of play in lending and financing. https://www.nedhelps.com/

    Timestamps:
    00:00 Intro
    00:51 Background as Senate Majority Leader Press Secretary
    05:21 Why Get an MBA?
    09:43 What is a Chief of Staff?
    16:58 What is Ned?
    25:43 Why the Name Ned?
    29:35 Building a Bespoke Software Business
    34:26 Being A Non-Technical Tech Founder
    38:28 Fundraising as a First-time Founder
    44:31 Why Do Businesses Not Apply for Loans?
    49:27 General Advice & Goals
    53:15 One Thing You Would Change?
    55:05 Plugs

    Subscribe to the Coeus Collective on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective⁠


    Stay up to date on the pulse of business news and startup culture with our newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/


    Get more insights and interviews on all socials ⁠@CoeusCollective⁠



    Music from this Episode by ⁠Houis⁠


    Hosted by Antonio DiMeglio and Leon Li


    Special thanks to:

    ARWA SHARIF

    KAI OTOMO

    NICK ARENA

    WTF MEDIA

    COLLECTIVE DESIGN AGENCY

    56 min
  • Hacking Healthcare with Generative AI | Rui Maki - Truffle Health

    The healthcare industry is ripe for disruption, and Truffle Health Co-Founder Rui Maki, our guest this week, knows that generative AI is the next game-changer in the industry. Truffle Health is pioneering a new approach to healthcare access, leveraging conversational AI to simplify and improve the patient experience. Their mission? To help individuals navigate the complexities of healthcare, from understanding medical bills to maximizing insurance benefits—all through one seamless platform.


    In this episode, Rui examines the challenges facing healthcare today and how Truffle Health is building a solution that empowers patients with clarity and control. We explore how technology can bridge “the incentive gap” between healthcare providers and patients, creating a more transparent and efficient system. Rui also shares the story behind Truffle Health’s creation, the role innovation plays in healthcare, and where the future of healthcare tech is headed.


    If you’ve ever felt lost in the maze of medical bills and insurance jargon, this conversation will open your eyes to how technology can revolutionize the way we interact with healthcare. Tune in to hear how Truffle Health is transforming an industry in desperate need of change. https://truffle.health

    Timestamps:
    00:00 Intro
    00:44 Rui's Background
    04:29 Choosing Her Co-Founder
    07:55 Starting a Company in Grad School
    13:19 What Is Truffle Health?
    16:17 Customer Experience Walkthrough
    23:51 The Lack of Healthcare Literacy
    27:22 Future Plans and Business Model
    30:06 What the US Can Learn from International Healthcare Systems
    36:41 Truffle Health's AI Capabilities
    41:13 Memorable Moments & Advice
    44:35 One Thing You Would Change?
    46:16 Plugs


    Subscribe to the Coeus Collective on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective⁠


    Stay up to date on the pulse of business news and startup culture with our newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/


    Get more insights and interviews on all socials ⁠@CoeusCollective⁠



    Music from this Episode by ⁠Houis⁠


    Hosted by Antonio DiMeglio and Leon Li


    Special thanks to:

    ARWA SHARIF

    KAI OTOMO

    NICK ARENA

    WTF MEDIA

    COLLECTIVE DESIGN AGENCY

    JASON WONG

    48 min
  • Blockchain’s Next Big Breakthrough | Billy Huang - Insomnia Labs

    The Web3 landscape is evolving rapidly, and the world of digital ownership is being completely redefined. At the forefront of this transformation is our guest this week, Billy Huang, Co-Founder and CEO of Insomnia Labs. Insomnia is a leading Web3 digital ad firm that’s worked with major brands like Under Armour, Coca-Cola, and L'Oreal. Insomnia Labs is responsible for creating Steph Curry’s record-breaking NFT for Under Armour, and they're pioneering what it means to connect brands with blockchain.


    In this episode, Billy shares how Insomnia Labs is bridging the gap between the world’s biggest brands and Web3 technologies. From designing groundbreaking digital assets to leading high-profile NFT projects, Billy examines how blockchain is reshaping marketing and user engagement. He also offers insights into the future of decentralized ownership, discussing how Web3 is creating new opportunities for brands, creators, and consumers alike.


    This is a conversation you won’t want to miss, especially if you're interested in how “the ownership layer” of the internet is being built and where it’s headed. Web3 is more than just a trend; it’s a fundamental shift, and Billy Huang is at the helm of this next era of digital innovation. Tune in to get a first-hand look into the world of Web3 from one of the leaders shaping its future. https://insomnialabs.io 

    Timestamps:
    00:00 Intro
    00:48 Billy's Background
    10:47 Building Insomnia's Team
    14:20 Creating Steph Curry's Record-Breaking NFT
    16:22 Insomnia's Blockchain Loyalty Program
    20:56 Target Web3 Literate Clients?
    23:37 Getting Coca-Cola and Under Armour to be Clients
    25:47 Fundraising Tips for Web3 Founders
    28:40 BIlly's Prediction: App Chains Are The Future
    33:12 Future of NFTs Not Correlated to Asset Value
    41:54 DAOs - Can Brands Participate?
    46:55 Emerging Web3 Trends: Competitive App Chains
    49:57 Successes, Challenges, Advice & Plugs


    Subscribe to the Coeus Collective on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective⁠


    Stay up to date on the pulse of business news and startup culture with our newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/


    Get more insights and interviews on all socials ⁠@CoeusCollective⁠


    Music from this Episode by ⁠Houis⁠


    Hosted by Antonio DiMeglio and Leon Li


    Special thanks to:

    ARWA SHARIF

    KAI OTOMO

    NICK ARENA

    WTF MEDIA

    COLLECTIVE DESIGN AGENCY

    58 min

About Capital Calling

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to Capital Calling: a video podcast where founders pitch live, and investors decide. Our show features leading early-stage founders pitching their startups directly to leading venture capitalists, including investors from iconic firms like Draper Associates, Initialized Capital, Pioneer Fund, and SOSV. Produced by Coeus Collective Ventures in partnership with the NYU Stern Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship, the show offers an unfiltered look at how venture decisions are actually made. This is a show that takes you "behind the curtain" of venture investing: viewers see how investors evaluate teams, markets, and traction in real time, and how founders respond when the stakes are real and outcomes are uncertain.