Founders In LA

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Rapaport and Allen Song, co-founders of Kenko, an innovative mobile platform designed to empower physical therapists. Kenko's app is reshaping how home exercise programs are delivered, replacing traditional paper instructions with a comprehensive digital solution that fosters patient engagement and tracks progress. The founders discuss the origins of Kenko, from stretching breaks at USC to a funded startup on the verge of launching its beta. The platform not only enhances patient recovery but also has potential for wider applications in the healthcare system.

We dive into the world of food inequality with Sam Polk, founder and CEO of Everytable. With a past rooted in Wall Street and a drive to make fresh, healthy food accessible for everyone, Polk's story is a testament to the power of mission-driven entrepreneurship. Listen in as he discusses the challenges and triumphs of creating a business that challenges the norm and aims to eradicate food deserts in underserved communities. From discussing the inception of Everytable to highlighting the challenges of operationalizing a fresh food business at fast food prices, this episode provides a unique insight into the intersections of business, health, and social justice.

Dive into the insightful world of Vadi Efe, Founder and CEO of Businesswise, in this episode of Founders In LA. Discover how Businesswise connects brands and clients with audio and video creators for B2B marketing, reshaping content delivery. From bridging the gap between creatives and businesses to his journey from Turkey to sunny Los Angeles, Vadi shares the inception of his visionary platform. Uncover the challenges of contextual targeting and the rise of AI in the audio-video landscape.

We sit down with Selin Tamer, the co-founder and CEO of Cubtale, a groundbreaking platform designed to alleviate the anxiety that often accompanies parenting. Selin introduces us to the world of Cubtale, explaining how their personalized product, expert, and content recommendations offer parents tailored support throughout their parenting journey. We delve into the power of personalization, how it goes beyond general parenting advice, and how Cubtale's innovative physical device – reminiscent of Amazon buttons – aids caregivers in tracking routines. Join us as Selin shares her journey from engineering decision-making tools to creating a platform that empowers parents with precise guidance and a sense of community.

In this episode of Founders in LA, we delve into the journey of Alex Hejazi, CEO of Placement (formerly Ballbox). Alex's visionary insights take center stage as he unveils the evolution of Placement's concept—a platform enabling brands to sell and sample products in automated retail spaces. Exploring beyond digital marketing saturation, Alex reveals the mission of reviving physical product discovery.

Host Ethan Cole engages Alex in a candid conversation about his entrepreneurial drive and transformative path. From childhood exposure to entrepreneurship to rebranding Placement, Alex's journey showcases his commitment to enhancing product experiences. Learn how strategic partnerships like Luxer One propel Placement's global presence, maximizing user experience and revenue streams. Tune in for this episode's unique blend of visionary entrepreneurship and insightful storytelling.

In this episode of Founders in LA, host Ethan Cole sits down with Derek Osgood, the founder and CEO of Ignition, a groundbreaking go-to-market operating system. Osgood provides a comprehensive overview of Ignition's mission, which is to streamline the process of bringing new products, features, and campaigns to market, from concept to launch. Osgood explains how Ignition's suite of tools bridges the gap between product development and marketing, enhancing communication, collaboration, and accountability across teams. He delves into a powerful upcoming feature that leverages AI to identify deal-blocking feature ideas and quantifies their revenue impact. The conversation covers challenges in product development, the power of data-supported arguments, and the frustration that led Osgood to build Ignition.

In this episode of "Founders in LA," host Ethan Cole interviews Cullen Gallagher, the Co-founder and CEO of Lunch. Lunch is a company aiming to build payment networks in legacy industries, starting with government payments. Cullen discusses how Lunch is addressing the issue of slow payment times in government transactions, particularly affecting small businesses and startups. By creating a free payments network, Lunch allows governments to pay vendors quickly and efficiently, while also offering supplier financing to ensure working capital for businesses. Cullen shares insights into the challenges and opportunities of disrupting payment systems and how his background in the military and tech industry influenced his entrepreneurial journey. He also shares a humorous story of an unforgettable karaoke experience involving a celebrity party and a surprise duet with actor Lamorne Morris from "New Girl."

In this episode, we dive into the world of tech-enabled divorce solutions with Laila Aitken, the co-founder of Split.Fyi. Laila introduces us to the revolutionary platform that serves as a divorce management tool, community, and emotional support hub. She sheds light on the inspiration behind Split.Fyi and its role in guiding individuals through the complexities of divorce and separation.

Laila shares her journey from being a serial entrepreneur in Italy to creating a successful jewelry line in London, UK, before her life took an unexpected turn with a divorce. She reflects on the challenges and isolation she faced during that period and how her personal experience propelled her to establish Split.Fyi, a safe space where people can find guidance, resources, and connect with others going through similar experiences.

We explore the unique features of Split.Fyi, including its forums, community initiatives, and mentorship opportunities, all accessible through technology. Laila emphasizes the importance of education in the divorce process and discusses the platform's role in helping users strategize their legal approach and build confidence.

The conversation also touches on the parallels between divorce tech and other life event tech spaces, such as death tech, where the need for guidance and support is crucial during challenging times and references Founder In LA conversations with Sarah Grifferty of LooseEnds.co and Daniel Shaw of Autumn.co.

Join us as we explore the intersection of technology and personal transformation with Laila Aitken on this enlightening episode of Founders in LA.

In this captivating episode of the Founders in LA podcast, we're joined by Ryan Morrissey of Happiest Ours. Dive into the world of startup founders as he discusses Happiest Ours, a unique marketplace that lets you book bartenders and purchase alcohol for events with remarkable ease. Discover how Happiest Ours streamlines the process, solves the challenge of estimating alcohol quantities, and creates memorable experiences. Ryan also shares his journey from bartending in England to founding Happiest Ours in LA.