Founders Unplugged

By Greg McCallum

Founders Unplugged is a web series capturing long-form conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and investors from all over the world.... more

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FAQs about Founders Unplugged:

How many episodes does Founders Unplugged have?

The podcast currently has 158 episodes available.

Founders Unplugged episodes:

January 29, 2025 Guerrilla Market Research: How to Test Your Product on a Budget w/ Nick McEvily Part 2
Watch Part One of our conversation with Nick here: https://youtu.be/sui__oZ_qgQ
Greg McCallum and Nick McEvily discuss the launch of Nick's new venture, Pinché Agua, a canned water brand in Mexico City targeting the punk and heavy metal scenes. They explore the importance of counterculture, social consciousness, and transparency in building trust.
The conversation also delves into cultural heritage, the influence of moving to Mexico, and lessons from parenting. Nick shares insights on testing consumer preferences, navigating entrepreneurship, and improving communication within organizations, emphasizing the role of curiosity and community in the startup journey.
Chapters
00:00 Launching Pinché Agua: A New Venture in Canned Water
05:53 Testing and Feedback: Understanding Consumer Preferences
12:06 Social Consciousness and Community Impact
18:01 Navigating Challenges in Entrepreneurship
23:28 The Founder Mindset and Cultural Inspirations
34:48 Insights from the Startup Ecosystem
Follow Nick on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickmcevily/
Checkout Further Faster Ventures here:
https://www.furtherfaster.design/
Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd
#entrepreneurship #design #startups #societalimpact #changemakers #collaboration #venturecapitalfirm #capital #userexperience #productdesign #businessmodel #innovation #productmarketfit #entrepreneurship #leadership
...more
40min
January 27, 2025 Building Startups That Matter: Nick McEvily on Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship
Nick McEvily reflects on his journey as a product designer and entrepreneur, highlighting the importance of understanding customer needs, balancing data with intuition, and the intersection of design and leadership.
He discusses lessons from the startup ecosystem, the value of collaboration, and the evolving venture capital landscape. Nick also introduces his latest venture in the water industry, aiming to address water security in Mexico while prioritizing customer value and societal impact over profit.
Chapters
00:00 The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins
08:46 Learning from the Startup Ecosystem
18:14 Collaboration Over Competition
25:57 The Future of Venture Capital and Impact
33:06 Finding Product-Market Fit
39:45 The Balancing Act of Leadership
50:03 Launching a Unique Water Brand
Follow Nick on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickmcevily/
Checkout Further Faster Ventures here:
https://www.furtherfaster.design/
Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd
#entrepreneurship #design #startups #societalimpact #changemakers #collaboration #venturecapitalfirm #capital #userexperience #productdesign #businessmodel #innovation #productmarketfit #entrepreneurship #leadership
...more
1h
January 22, 2025 Investor Explains Why Great Ideas Don't Always Look Good on Paper w/ Mike Bank
This is Part Two of our conversation with Mike Bank.
Be sure to watch Part One here: https://youtu.be/EkiUQ8nddbY

Mike Bank discusses his work with UnderdogX, a startup accelerator that supports founders without requiring them to quit their jobs or relocate. Drawing on his mentoring of over 100 founders, he emphasizes the realities of startup success, common challenges, and the need for a supportive ecosystem.

In conversation with host Gregory McCallum, they explore the multifaceted nature of success in parenting and entrepreneurship, the value of self-awareness, cultural differences in attitudes toward risk, and the evolving entrepreneurial landscape. They underscore the importance of enjoying the journey and creating environments that empower aspiring founders.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Underdog X
05:08 Lessons from Mentoring Founders
10:02 The Reality of Startup Success
15:01 Building a Supportive Ecosystem for Founders
20:06 The Unique Approach of Underdog X
25:08 Defining Success in Entrepreneurship
28:49 Defining Success in Parenting and Entrepreneurship
30:04 The Complexity of Success
32:27 Self-Awareness in Entrepreneurship
34:39 The Importance of Taking Action
36:49 Navigating Rejection and Self-Reflection
38:34 Understanding Different Entrepreneurial Paths
41:09 The Role of Enjoyment in Business
43:56 The New Generation of Entrepreneurs
46:52 Risk and Cultural Perspectives on Entrepreneurship
54:59 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Follow Mike on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mfbank/

Checkout UnderdogX here:
https://www.underdogx.co/

Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd
...more
59min
January 20, 2025 Debunking Startup Myths: An Insider's View on Fundraising and Valuations w/ Mike Bank
Huge thanks to Yariv Ganor Startup Psychologist for sponsoring this episode.
If you are a founder, learn how Yariv works with founders to provide support throughout the startup journey by booking a free consultation with him today:
https://link.foundersunpluggedpodcast...
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Mike Bank shares his journey from investment banking to entrepreneurship, highlighting his motivations, challenges, and transition into venture capital. He reflects on family influences, the value of work flexibility, and financial independence. Mike underscores the importance of networking, operational involvement in investments, revenue generation, and data-driven decision-making. He also discusses angel investing, venture studios, the challenges of fundraising, and the skills needed to work effectively with founders in the startup ecosystem.
00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Background
02:48 Journey from Investment Banking to Entrepreneurship
05:59 The Real World MBA Concept
08:57 The Decision to Leave Banking
11:57 Family Influence and Generational Perspectives
14:58 The Push for Freedom and Flexibility
18:06 The Cost of Living and Financial Independence
20:45 The Reality of Wealth and Lifestyle Choices
23:56 Transitioning into Venture Capital
27:09 Networking and Building Relationships in Venture
30:07 Operational Involvement in Investments
30:31 Sponsored Segment
32:02 Diving into Angel Investing and Early Ventures
34:49 Transitioning to Venture Studios
38:48 Joining Antler and the Solo Founder Experience
42:04 The Realities of Venture Capital Returns
45:50 Data-Driven Decision-Making in Venture
51:11 The Importance of Revenue Generation
56:55 Fundraising Skills and Closing Thoughts

Follow Mike on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mfbank/
Checkout UnderdogX here:
https://www.underdogx.co/
Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd
...more
1h
January 15, 2025 Navigating VC Investment Landscapes w/ Nick Mitushin
Watch Part One of this conversation with Nick Mitushin here: https://youtu.be/i_nvOpPjLnE
In Part Two, Nick and Greg discuss the state of venture capital, focusing on the exponential growth of startups, AI's transformative role, and democratizing access to private capital. They explore challenges for immigrant founders, VC investment criteria, and the importance of strong teams and skill gaps in startup success. The conversation also highlights streamlining fundraising and building a talent platform to drive innovation.
Chapters
00:00 The State of the Venture Market
13:50 Transforming Venture Capital with AI
22:46 Building a Talent Platform for Innovation
28:06 Leveraging AI for Enhanced Communication
29:55 Supporting Immigrant Founders
30:52 Understanding VC Investment Criteria
34:40 Streamlining the Fundraising Process
39:03 Evaluating Founding Teams and Their Potential
42:44 Building a Strong Team for Success
Follow Nick on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickmitu/
Checkout VC Score here: https://vcscore.ai/
Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd
...more
50min
January 14, 2025 Cracking the Startup Code: Insights from a Global Incubator Founder w/ Nick Mitushin
Nick shares his journey from student to entrepreneur and venture capitalist, exploring the role of curiosity, innovation, and startup analytics in driving success. He and Greg discuss building supportive ecosystems, empowering entrepreneurs with data, and the societal impact of entrepreneurship.
Nick also delves into creativity, the startup house concept, the spiritual side of entrepreneurship, and balancing family life with entrepreneurial challenges.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Nick and His Journey
06:02 The Evolution of Nick's Career
12:05 Building an Ecosystem for Startups
17:51 Empowering Entrepreneurs with Data
24:58 Harnessing Creative Power for Abundance
31:38 Transforming the Entrepreneurial Journey
37:27 Leaving the World Better Than We Found It
45:57 Balancing Family Life with Entrepreneurship
Follow Nick on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickmitu/
Checkout VC Score here: https://vcscore.ai/
Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd
...more
53min
January 08, 2025 AI SDRs: The Future of Sales or Just Hype? Chat with AiSDR CEO Yuriy Zaremba
Watch Part One of the conversation with Yuriy here: https://youtu.be/IvgBiNlC97c
Greg McCallum and Yuriy discuss how AI is transforming sales and education. They examine AI's potential to automate SDR tasks, enable AI procurement agents, and reshape consumer shopping while emphasizing trust and emotional intelligence in sales.
Topics include AISDR's growth, innovative sales outreach, balancing AI with human interaction, and parallels between cold calling and email outreach. They also touch on customer churn, expectations, and critical thinking challenges posed by AI reliance.
Chapters
00:00 The Future of Sales Roles in an AI-Driven World
02:50 AI's Role in Sales and Human Interaction
05:52 The Evolution of AI in Sales Processes
08:57 The Concept of AI Procurement Agents
11:55 Trust and Emotional Intelligence in Sales
14:48 The Arms Race of AI in Buying and Selling
17:50 The Future of AI in Consumer Shopping
21:04 The Balance Between AI and Human Touch
24:12 Critical Thinking in an AI World
33:35 The Role of Educators in AI Integration
35:02 Growth and Challenges in AISDR
39:50 Innovative Approaches to Sales Outreach
43:45 Building a Comprehensive AI Solution
48:11 Navigating Churn and Customer Expectations
49:27 The Intersection of Cold Calling and Email Outreach
Follow Yuriy on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuriy-zaremba/
Checkout AiSDR here: https://aisdr.com/
Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd
...more
59min
January 06, 2025 The Power of Y Combinator & Navigating Silicon Valley w/ Yuriy Zaremba of AiSDR
Yuriy, CEO and co-founder of AiSDR, joins Greg McCallum to share his journey from law to tech entrepreneurship. They explore the impact of generative AI on industries, the role of Y Combinator in shaping startups, and the challenges and rewards of building a company today. Topics include the rise of micro-entrepreneurs, the value of accelerators, legal hurdles for international founders, and how AI can streamline founder-led sales.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurship and AiSDR
02:57 Yuriy's Journey from Lawyer to Founder
05:59 The Role of Y Combinator in Startup Success
09:04 Building X-Draft: The Birth of an Idea
11:52 Transitioning from Law to Tech Entrepreneurship
15:09 Navigating the Y Combinator Application Process
18:06 The Transformative Experience of Y Combinator
21:02 Fundraising and Growth Strategies in Startups
23:57 Lessons Learned from Selling a Startup
26:51 The Future of AI and Entrepreneurship
31:26 The Power of Y Combinator
33:53 Navigating the Accelerator Experience
35:45 Balancing Costs and Benefits of YC
39:53 Building Connections in Silicon Valley
41:55 Legal Complexities for International Founders
47:51 Identifying Problems in Founder-Led Sales

Follow Yuriy on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuriy-zaremba/

Checkout AiSDR here: https://aisdr.com/

Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meet...
...more
54min
December 18, 2024 From Setbacks to Success: Building MyArk's Data Revolution w/ Jen Lothian
Huge thanks to Deel for sponsoring this episode. Learn how their people management software can streamline your global organisation here:
https://bit.ly/4eZeJ88
-----------------------------------------
This is Part Two of the conversation. Watch Part One here: https://youtu.be/tQw3jZW6ny0
We continue the conversation with Jen Lothian as she shares her journey building MyArk, highlighting the challenges of startup life, product development, and team dynamics. She discusses MyArk's innovative features for streamlining customer onboarding and data management and the complexities of pitching a multifaceted vision to investors.
Together with Greg McCallum, they explore cultural differences in UK and US entrepreneurship, gender biases in funding, and the balance between confidence and humility in pitching. The conversation emphasizes resilience, dealing with failure, and the need for a supportive startup ecosystem.
Chapters
00:00 The Journey to MyArc
03:06 Building a Strong Team
06:02 Navigating Early Challenges
09:11 The Development of Noah
11:59 Understanding MyArc's Product Offering
18:09 Conveying Vision to Investors
23:54 The Landscape of Startup Investment
38:31 Cultural Mindsets in Entrepreneurship
40:13 Building a Conviction in Innovation
42:57 The Gendered Nature of Investment Conversations
46:50 The Balance of Confidence and Arrogance
51:48 Expectations vs. Reality of Founding
55:36 Dealing with Failure and Self-Expectations
Follow Jen on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-lothian/
Checkout MyArk here: https://www.myark.io/
Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c7ed45d8-c8fe-4b6a-9eda-d062fd02c9ad
...more
1h 7min
December 15, 2024 Navigating Chaos: Military Service, Banking, and Founding MyArk w/ Jen Lothian
Huge thanks to Deel for sponsoring this episode. Learn how their people management software can streamline your global organisation here:

https://bit.ly/4eZeJ88

-----------------------------------------

Jen Lothian, co-founder and CEO of MyArk, shares her journey from military service to entrepreneurship. She discusses overcoming adversity, the challenges of fundraising and transitioning to civilian life, and the role of purpose and resilience in her success.

Jen reflects on founding MyArk to provide accessible information, the importance of a supportive network, and lessons from corporate life. She also highlights the value of banter in relationships, integrity, and truth-telling friends, concluding with insights on parenting and the humour in family dynamics.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Jen Lothian and MyArk
02:30 Fundraising Journey and Support Network
04:43 Jen's Unique Background and Military Experience
10:31 Overcoming Adversity: The Accident and Recovery
15:40 The Role of Banter in Military and Personal Life
25:42 Navigating Parenthood and Humor
26:18 Finding Purpose in Adversity
31:12 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
38:43 Navigating the Corporate World
42:15 The Birth of MyArk
50:09 The Journey of Entrepreneurship

Follow Jen on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-lothian/

Checkout MyArk here: https://www.myark.io/

Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c7ed45d8-c8fe-4b6a-9eda-d062fd02c9ad
...more
58min

FAQs about Founders Unplugged:

How many episodes does Founders Unplugged have?

The podcast currently has 158 episodes available.