Go Slow to Grow Fast

By Mercury Fund

Explore Mercury's innovative podcast, crafted specifically to guide startups through growth hurdles. Gain practical wisdom from experienced investors, advisors, and accomplished founders customized to... more

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FAQs about Go Slow to Grow Fast:

How many episodes does Go Slow to Grow Fast have?

The podcast currently has 22 episodes available.

Go Slow to Grow Fast episodes:

January 27, 2026 How The Ion Sets Founders Up for Success from Day One, with John Reale
Heath Butler goes live from Software Day at The Ion with newly appointed managing director John Reale to talk about Houston’s growing innovation ecosystem. They spotlight the push to make The Ion a founder-centric platform, one that gives startups real value through capital, talent, and resources. During the live Q&A, founders in the audience share what they need most, including stronger hiring pipelines, easier access to capital, and better support systems. The conversation makes one thing clear: building a thriving Houston innovation hub will take collective momentum and alignment across the community.

🎧
Episode Highlights
●       [01:44]: Introduction to Today Is Day One and guest John Reale
●       [08:49]: The innovation cycle: How John Reale envisions The Ion helping build Houston as an innovation hub in the next ten years
●       [19:28]: Live Q&A: How The Ion can help founders access resources including access to talent, funding, and support
●       [29:42]: Founder Advantage Program: A platform designed to remove friction, compress time, and compound outcomes at its core
●       [33:25]: Building success together at The Ion

🔑 Key Takeaways:
●       The Ion is more than just a building, it’s a founder-centric platform that delivers real advantages whether it’s access to talent, knowledge, customers, and capital. It should function like a product that removes friction, compresses time, and compounds founder outcomes from “Day One.”

●       Houston has a unique, shared opportunity to redesign its innovation economy and become a vibrant ecosystem. The city is positioned to build a new category of innovation district, one designed around coordinated incentives, collaborative infrastructure, and modern venture acceleration.

●       Building the ecosystem requires active participation and collective effort from all fronts. The live Q&A illustrates how founders need real-time, hands-on support, and the community must show up for them. The Ion’s success depends on founders, investors, corporates, and partners engaging, giving back, and co-creating the ecosystem together.

👤 Guest Spotlight:
John Reale
John Reale is the managing director at The Ion and Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship. His work focuses on helping founders create category defining companies and building a founder-centric, innovation-led economy in Houston.

For More Information:
Produced by Speakerbox Media.
For more episodes, visit Mercuryfund.com/content/

Stay Connected:
●      https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-jr-reale-75a46810/
●      https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathbutler/
...more
34min
October 16, 2025Capitalize on Trends Without Compromising Profits: How to Position Your Startup to Succeed
Capitalizing on emerging market trends is an essential component of startup success. In today's session, Remington Tonar, co-founder of Cart.com, and Josh Teekell, founder and CEO of SmartAC.com, tackle their combined experiences in fast-growing startups to bring new insights to founders and aspiring business leaders. Together, they share how to recognize opportunities early, adapt to shifts in customer behavior and align your company for growth when the market changes. This episode was recorded at Software Day at the Ion.
Key Insights & Timestamps:
[00:00] Podcast begins

[02:40] Launching Lessons: How early-stage vision becomes mature market strategy

[12:38] Advice to Struggling Founders: Tips from multi-time successful entrepreneurs

[22:07] Finding a Niche in a Big Market: Focused strategy for early startup success

[31:40] Margins Still Matter: Market trends & managing investor expectations

[40:09] Q&A About AI: Scaling software companies & generating revenue
Key Takeaways:
Early Days vs Future Success: For Cart and SmartAC, responding to market needs was extremely important for early success, but maintaining and scaling required mobility and adapting. Listening to customers, thinking about multiple perspectives, and knowing when to change focus is essential in responding to trends without risking investor dollars.
Market Signal vs Trend Noise: Josh Teekell isn’t afraid to get stubborn when it comes to finding your right market fit. “I think the mindset of the entrepreneur and their resolve to make it happen is the most important thing.” Josh advocates for entrepreneurs having resolve in their ideas and to stay in alignment with their vision.
Vision vs Strategy: Remington believes that entrepreneurs have to maintain a distinction between vision and strategy to stay true to themselves. “The vision tells us the end, and you just may need to find a different [strategy to get there.” Remington thinks that building a brand and fitting your market takes time, especially when you’re educating your market.
Guest Spotlight:
Remington Tonar
Remington Tonar is the Co-Founder of Cart.com. He has a background in innovation and growth consulting for both Fortune 500s and early stage venture capital.
Josh Teekell
Josh Teekell is the Founder and CEO of SmartAC.com. He is also the Founder and Owner of Allied Outdoor Solutions and the Founder of Mistbox.
Heath Butler
Heath Butler is a VC at Mercury, an early-stage venture capital firm. Heath is a venture investor, professional board director, startup advisor, author and speaker.
Resources Mentioned:
Mercury |mercuryfund.com, Cart.com, SmartAC.com
For More Information:
Produced by Speakerbox Media. For more episodes, visit Mercuryfund.com/content.
Stay Connected:
Remington Tonar on LinkedIn
Josh Teekell on LinkedIn
Heath Butler on LinkedIn
...more
53min
October 09, 2025The Right GTM Strategy for Your Startup: 3 Experts Weigh in on Dos, Don’ts, & Decisions
A good Go-to-Market (GTM) strategy can make or break your early-stage company, but how do you know which strategy will yield the greatest results? Aileen Allen, Venture Partner at Mercury, meets with 3 experts— Lisa Roberts, CMO of Otto, Mike Miles, VP of RevOps at Cognite, and Sean Rohde, VP of Sales and Marketing at Kahuna— to break down GTM best practices, from hiring to design to pricing. This episode was recorded at Software Day at the Ion.
Key Insights & Timestamps:
[00:00] Podcast begins

[09:18] ICP vs Persona: Unpacking customer-focused strategy & sales

[18:29] Founder vs Sales Team Selling: When to transition & when to share sales responsibilities

[30:35] What Metrics Matter? Marketing, sales, & operations weigh in on data worth tracking

[40:34] Audience Q&A: AI costs, B2B vs B2C models, & usage vs product pricing

[46:19] 10 Pitches, 10 Founders, 10 Minutes: Learn more about potential up-and-comers
Key Takeaways:
Who’s Your Customer? When considering your GTM strategy, you need to know the difference between your ICP (or, Ideal Customer Profile) and your Persona. While your ICP is the ideal model for the businesses you’re trying to sell to, your persona is the individual (or, in the cases of enterprises, individuals) that is going to make the buying decision.

What’s Your Sales Strategy? Founder-led sales don’t just go away as your early-stage business grows and scales. Instead of focusing on taking your founder out of the sales strategy, think of them as a megaphone for your high-level messages, while your sales team can handle the day-to-day.

What Metrics Matter? Data matters, from the earliest marketing decisions to scalable operational strategies. When you’re evaluating the data from your GTM strategy, don’t be afraid to evaluate every stage of the operation and look for insights that lead to repeatability and lessons learned.
Guest Spotlight:
Aileen Allen
Aileen Allen is a Venture Partner at Mercury, investing in ambitious early-stage B2B SaaS/AI founders, and was formerly a B2B SaaS GTM Exec.
Lisa Roberts
Lisa Roberts is the Chief Marketing Officer at Otto, a client communication solution for Veterinary Medicine. She is also the Chief Product Officer at Mercury.
Mike Miles
Mike Miles is the VP of Revenue Operations at Cognite, a global industrial Saas leader. Mike has worked at Fortune 500s and startups, leading RevOps and Enablement teams that drive sustainable growth.
Sean Rohde
Sean Rohde is the VP of Sales and Marketing at Kahuna, a workforce management software. Prior to Kahuna, Sean held sales leadership roles at HashiCorp and Alert Logic.
Resources Mentioned:
Mercury |mercuryfund.com, Otto | otto.vet, Cognite | cognite.com, Kahuna | kahunaworkforce.com
For More Information:
Produced by Speakerbox Media. For more episodes, visit Mercuryfund.com/content/
Stay Connected:
Aileen Allen on LinkedIn

Lisa Roberts on LinkedIn

Mike Miles on LinkedIn

Sean Rohde on LinkedIn
...more
1h 2min
August 26, 2025AI Experts on Enterprise: Buying, Building, & Barriers to Entry
GenAI has the power and promise to transform enterprise operations, but a critical question remains: should F500 companies buy GenAI-based solutions from venture-backed companies, or should they build these next-gen platforms in-house? Heath Butler, Partner at Mercury, is joined by a panel of enterprise experts and venture-backed AI innovators for a dynamic conversation on AI adoption in the enterprise. Panel members include Benjamin Kent, CEO of Ambyint, James Gardner, Principal at KPMG, Jon Sobel, Co-Founder and CEO of Sight Machine, and David Burnley, VP of Product Innovation at Insperity. This episode was originally hosted as a panel at CXO Summit 2025.
Key Insights & Timestamps:
[00:00] Podcast begins

[03:55] Why Enterprise Pursue AI: Data-driven problem-solving on a massive scale

[14:51] Failures & Victories: Startup perspectives on selling AI products

[20:24] Buy vs Build: How can enterprises fulfill their AI needs effectively?

[33:36] Where Consultants Come In: Selecting AI solutions for customers & clients

[41:20] Final Advice to Founders: Research, readiness & reflective selling practices
Key Takeaways:
Buy vs Build: With an enterprise perspective, David Burnley has both bought and built AI products with Insperity. For enterprise companies, the capacity to build or buy is heavily determined by the talent and operations they already have in place. If an enterprise has engineers and experts at their disposal, it’s going to be harder to sell to them, when they know they might be able to make something better.

Show Your Work: For founders looking to break into enterprise selling, Jon Sobel is a strong advocate for finding a way to show your work and prove your effectiveness to your client from the beginning. With his team at Sight Machine, Jon has become an expert on identifying the right ways to show value, because AI products need buy-in from the people within an enterprise, not just the leadership.

Align Your Values: From the consulting side, James Gardner and his team at KPMG consider recommending startup products and services to their clients based on aligning values. Consultants are looking for high-quality solutions to topical and trending problems for their clients, and they want to see that a startup can fill that niche without compromising on quality.

Consider Your Customer: Benjamin Kent at Ambyint has learned the hard way to be considerate and even choosy about the enterprise clients he sells to. His advice to other startups? Be mindful of when you’re selling to enterprises, if they’ve tried their hand at AI in other ways, and the readiness and depth of the data they’re working with.
Guest Spotlight:
Benjamin Kemp: CEO, Ambyint
James Gardner: Principal, KPMG
Jon Sobel: Co-Founder & CEO, Sight Machine
David Burnley: Vice President of Product Innovation, Insperity
Heath Butler: Partner, Mercury
Resources Mentioned:
Mercury | mercuryfund.com, Ambyint | ambyint.com, KPMG | kpmg.com, Sight Machine | sightmachine.com, Insperity | insperity.com
For More Information:
Produced by Speakerbox Media. For more episodes, visit Mercuryfund.com/content.
Stay Connected:
Benjamin Kent on LinkedIn

James Gardner on LinkedIn

Jon Sobel on LinkedIn

David Burnley on LinkedIn

Heath Butler on LinkedIn
...more
47min
August 19, 2025AI-First Scaling: Product & Operations in a Brave New Tech World
What does it really take to scale product and operations in an AI first world? In this episode, three operators and investors at the forefront of this transformation share their insight and expertise: Adrian Fortino at Mercury Fund, Dan Watkins of Mercury Fund and Pelagos Forma, and Roberto Montezuma of Fractal River. Together, they’ll unpack the operational shifts needed to succeed in a world where AI isn't the add on— it's at the center of your strategy. This episode was recorded live at the CXO Summit.
Key Insights & Timestamps:
[00:00]: Podcast begins

[02:42] Where’s the Market Headed? Predicting the rapidly changing AI future

[19:53] What About Development? Scaling operations from an AI-curious perspective

[36:01] All About Mindset: Realistic expectations from the new world of AI-first tech

[46:01] Focus vs Prioritization? Roberto’s advice to leaders embracing AI

[50:35] Co-Creation & Customization: Dan helps startups get in on the enterprise ground floor
Key Takeaways:
What’s Next: Buying vs building is a big discussion for companies and enterprises when integrating AI into their workflows, but perspectives are likely to shift towards a buy and build mindset. Companies will continue to integrate AI, but as software capabilities expand and evolve, many will want to build within the tools they’re buying, customizing AI agents for their unique needs without compromising on having to use multiple tools.

When to Strike: The iron is hot for AI startups, but Dan Watkins of Mercury warns that this won’t always be the case. As AI usage ramps up, the prediction is that only the fittest of providers will survive, honing their services for specific industries and verticals to meet the needs of companies and customers who want a fully integrated AI in their workflows.

Where to Prioritize: With AI growing in popularity and usage, it can feel impossible for a company leader to know where to start or where to focus their energy most. In Roberto’s opinion, leaders need to accept AI as an evolving tech and focus on creating a culture within their workplaces that embraces AI and furthers innovation at all levels.
Guest Spotlight:
Roberto Moctezuma
Roberto is an entrepreneur, board member, advisor and angel investor with over 20 years of senior executive experience in the high-tech industry. Roberto is the CEO of Fractal River, a consulting firm that helps growth startups create the strategic and operational infrastructure they need to scale faster.
Dan Watkins
Dan is a Venture Partner and Co-Founder of Mercury Fund, CEO of Pelagos Pharma, and Director and Co-Founder at OmniScience.
Adrian Fortino
Adrian is an early stage investor focusing on entrepreneurs and technology innovation originating in the U.S. Midcontinent. He is a General Partner at Mercury Fund.
Resources Mentioned:
Mercury | mercuryfund.com, Fractal River | fractalriver.com
For More Information:
Produced by Speakerbox Media. For more episodes, visit Mercuryfund.com/content/.
Stay Connected:
Robert Moctezuma on LinkedIn

Dan Watkins on LinkedIn

Adrian Fortino on LinkedIn
...more
56min
August 12, 2025Beyond Search: Winning in the Answer Engine Era with Aileen Allen & Pete Blackshaw
Large language models have taken over the world of search and transformed how products are discovered, driving more than 5 billion visits per month with 65% of users being open to purchasing based on AI recommendations. Pete Blackshaw, Co-Founder and CEO of BrandRank, refers to GenAI LLMs as “answer engines,” because consumers aren’t afraid to turn to these models for answers to their most complex inquiries about products, companies, and even the professionals behind them. Is your company discoverable in the new era of search, or will AI uncover insights you aren’t prepared for? This episode was originally hosted as a Fireside Chat at CXO Summit 2025, moderated by Aileen Allen from Mercury.
Key Insights & Timestamps:
[00:00]: Podcast begins

[05:53] Answer Engines & the New Frontier: Tapping the $250B online search market

[15:38] Visibility, Vulnerability, Readability: Is your company ready for the AI takeover?

[20:36] How LLMs Change Consumer Perspectives: Rethinking search engine optimization

[26:02] BrandRank’s Sales Cycle: How Pete’s team grows their client base

[35:06] When Will AI Be Default? Predicting the future of online searches

[42:18] Audience Q&A: Pete talks AI agents, content formatting, & attributions
Key Takeaways:
Consumers Turn to AI for Answers: Whether you’re only exposed to AI search results through Google integrations or you’re a ChatGPT inquiry master, your online searching habits are already impacted by LLMs. Pete explains that consumers have already seen the potential of this technology to give them in-depth, all-encompassing answers to complicated questions– and they’re trusting AI to tell them about what they want, or even need, to buy.

Visibility, Vulnerability, Readability: When BrandRank evaluates and audits a company’s readiness for AI-driven search, it depends on 3 key categories. For visibility, Pete wants to know if companies are on an LLMs radar at all when performing an inquiry. Vulnerability is about understanding how answer engines can understand even the worst aspects of your business. Readability is about your content and if you’re putting enough out there for AI to work with.

Optimize Your Content for LLMs: Beyond the 3 key aspects BrandRank uses for evaluation, Pete and his time try to recommend actionable and realistic steps for companies to take without compromising organic search engine optimization. Rethinking and restructuring your content for AI-driven engines should still value transparency and thoroughness, especially considering how many sources that LLMs can pull from when crafting summaries for users.
Guest Spotlight:
Pete Blackshaw
Pete Blackshaw is Co-founder and CEO of BrandRank.AI, a fast growing start-up on a mission to help brands measure, protect, and grow trust through the power of AI-driven search and discovery, especially in high-consequence areas such as sustainability, product performance, data usage and supply chain.
He is author of a book by Doubleday entitled “Satisfied Customers Tell Three Friends, Angry Customers Tell 3000: Running a Business in Today’s Consumer-Driven World”. He’s a 2016 Mediapost "Online All Star" recipient, a 2014 inductee of the World of Mouth Marketing Hall of Fame, and a 2010 Grand Prize winner of the “Great Minds” award from the Advertising Research Foundation.
Aileen Allen
Operator turned Investor. Aileen Allen invests in ambitious B2B SaaS founders, most of whom are located outside of the coastal hubs. Her current focus is on dev tools, infrastructure, and workplace productivity solutions. She leverages 15+ years of GTM experience to help portfolio companies achieve their growth objectives.
Resources Mentioned:
Mercury | mercuryfund.com, BrandRank.AI | brandrank.ai, CXO Summit 2025
For More Information:
Produced by Speakerbox Media. For more episodes, visit Mercuryfund.com/content.
Stay Connected:
Aileen Allen on LinkedIn

Pete Blackshaw on LinkedIn
...more
49min
August 05, 2025The Golden Era of Innovation: American Exceptionalism Needs New Tech to Survive
The first 100 days of President Trump's second term have been among the most destabilizing in history. Rapid changes in innovation policy have taken place, while AI has become unregulated, digital currencies are becoming more regulated, and America has developed a sharper focus on defense and space innovation initiatives. While some have been surprised by the chaos, others believe that disrupting the global economic order is the only option to drive America forward, and entering us into a Golden Era of Innovation. American macro and geopolitical analyst Worth Wray joins Blair Garrou and Heath Butler of Mercury as he discusses his views on what just happened, what lies ahead, and why he believes the best of American Exceptionalism is yet to come. This episode was recorded live at the CXO Summit.
Key Insights & Timestamps:
[00:00] Podcast begins

[09:07] What’s Wrong with America? How the US became a victim of its own success

[20:45] Trump & the Future of Foreign Policy: Is the era of globalization officially over?

[33:08] Is China an Ally or a Threat? Managing complex global relations in a new tech world

[48:56] Elon Musk & Prime Movers: Is the quest for US innovation worth the risk of chaos?

[58:05] American Dreams & Unalienable Rights: Collectivism brings conflicting ideas & policies

[1:05:23] Space, Crypto, & AI: Will American Exceptionalism return to its former glory?
Key Takeaways:
What’s Wrong with America? American success has been a sword that cuts both ways; the country has spent years at the top of global markets with unparalleled strength, but this success, this strength has pulled policies in every direction and spread resources thin. Offshoring, interference in global conflicts, and de-industrializing America has made exceptionalism and innovation harder to come by, while the nation’s top competitors make strides to close the gaps.

What’s the Biggest Threat to the US? The current US administration under the Trump presidency is leading to chaotic and catastrophic impacts in the national and global economy, but Worth isn’t afraid to admit that a shake-up in power structures was much needed. Although current policies aren’t always guided with the best intentions, Worth emphasizes that global threats to American security, power and production need to be reckoned with. The United States needs to build its way out of its current predicament, or the nation will have to bend the knee to others.

What’s Next for American Exceptionalism? Exceptionalism isn’t dead and hope isn’t lost, and Worth wants innovators and entrepreneurs to be mindful of 3 key categories for the future of American success: space, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence. In these key tech areas, the United States has the power, resources, intelligence and innovation to succeed— but action is needed and more people need to be willing to take the risk on new ideas.
Guest Spotlight:
Worth Wray
Worth Wray is the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) at Phantom Space. Worth’s prior experience includes leading macro strategy at Corriente Advisors and strategy roles at STA Wealth Management (Avidian Wealth Solutions), Evergreen GaveKal, and Salient Partners. He has also advised and invested in early-stage deep technology companies.
Resources Mentioned:
Mercury | mercuryfund.com, Phantom Space | phantomspace.com
For More Information:
Produced by Speakerbox Media. For more episodes, visit https://mercuryfund.com/content/
Stay Connected:
Worth Wray on LinkedIn

Blair Garrou on LinkedIn

Heath Butler on LinkedIn
...more
1h 17min
July 29, 2025CXO Summit Highlights: Growth Venture, Private Equity, & M&A Path to Liquidity
The Mercury CXO Summit in Austin is the largest gathering of software ecosystem participants in the Midcontinent and featured expert panels and next-level conversations. These conversations explored the full spectrum of growth stage capital, from sourcing venture capital and private equity to strategic exits. In this highlight reel episode, we kick things off with the Private Equity Panel, diving deep into how PE firms approach founder led businesses. Then, we move into the Growth Venture Panel, where seasoned investors share insights into what it takes to raise capital at the growth stage. Finally, we wrap with the M&A Path to Liquidity Fireside Chat, a candid discussion about navigating the acquisition process. If you're a founder or growth executive thinking about the next capital raise or your exit, this episode is a must listen.
Key Insights & Timestamps:
[00:00] Podcast begins

[02:59] Private Equity Panel: A sharper perspective on how to win in the PE sponsor market

[21:44] Sophisticated Storytelling to Private Equity Firms: Where expectations meet reality

[35:41] Growth Venture Panel: Align with investor expectations for rare IPO opportunities

[55:45] How Gen AI Changes Valuations: Navigating a new world of tech investments

[1:07:22] M&A Path to Liquidity: Planning tools to control your company’s future

[1:22:53] Finding Your FInancial Fit: Advice for navigating the acquisition process
Key Takeaways:
Private Equity Panel: In a market where uncertainty is the new constant, private equity buyers are rewriting the playbook for what makes a company valuable. This Private Equity Panel, led by Aziz Gilani of Mercury and featuring Ramesh Venugopal from Riverwood Capital and Mike McMullan from Vista Equity Partners, unpacks how shifting revenue multiples and the rise of AI narratives are reshaping the path to a successful PE-led buyout.

Growth Venture Panel: As the venture markets reset, founders face new rules for securing growth capital. The Growth Venture Panel, hosted by Samantha Lewis of Mercury in discussion with Karen Page of B Capital and Roberto Avila of Sageview Capital, dives into how Growth VCs are underwriting deals during the Age of AI and how AI adoption is reshaping valuation and exit expectations. Additionally, Karen and Roberto give their professional opinions on what sets standout companies apart and how the best are preparing for faster-moving markets.

The M&A Path to Liquidity: In today’s volatile capital markets environment, the M&A process requires more than just good timing—it demands precision, preparation, and perspective. Blair Garrou, Managing Partner at Mercury, leads this Fireside Chat with Pooyan Mehdizadeh and Will Cass from Needham & Company as they unpack why some venture-backed companies break through uncertainty while others stall, how shifts in buyer behavior are reshaping deals, and what it takes to stand out in a crowded field. From navigating AI disruption to sharpening transaction strategy, Will and Pooyan offer guidance for founders on creating a successful exit.
For More Information:
Produced by Speakerbox Media. For more episodes, visit Mercuryfund.com/content.
...more
1h 36min
July 18, 2025Why Stable Coins? The Future of Money Management with OpenTrade CEO Dave Sutter
Do you want to dive deeper into the exciting world of blockchain, stable coins and the future of money management? Samantha Lewis, Partner at Mercury, sits down with Dave Sutter, CEO of OpenTrade, to explore how OpenTrade is leveraging blockchain to create stable coin infrastructure and yield for the next generation of financial services. If you've been wondering when blockchain will move from the theoretical to transformative, this conversation will give you a front row seat to the shift already underway. This episode was recorded live at the CXO Summit.
Key Insights & Timestamps:
[00:00] Podcast begins

[09:22] Stable Coins: Why they’re important, who uses them, what’s next

[17:22] Why Now? Infrastructure, administration & access lead to stable coin success

[33:27] Impact on US Dollar: Stable coins as a defense technology for dollar hegemony

[39:14] “Dark Side” of the Coin: Understanding risks & regulations in blockchain

[48:14] OpenTrade’s Future: The de facto standard for stable coin yield?
Key Takeaways:
Fair Financials & Equitable Access: Understanding the appeal of stable coins like USDC and USDT requires consideration for a world outside of the dependable neighborhood bank. Dave explains that, in a large portion of the world, banking and finances are not always stable. A US dollar-based digital currency allows for global stable currency regardless of borders, while encouraging the hegemony of the US dollar in global markets.

Risks & Regulations: Concerns about illegal activities and lack of sanctions have plagued blockchain from the beginning, but Dave is confident in stable coins as a regulatable and widely adoptable digital currency. Security and sanctions will have to be prioritized as stable coins like USDC become increasingly widely used nationally and abroad, and the infrastructure being prioritized today will ensure a safe, financially viable future for stable coins.

Entrepreneurs & Late(r) Adopters: For fintech entrepreneurs and finance professionals on the fence about whether they should be thinking about stable coins, Dave urges having at least some experience, personal or professional, with stable coins to test the usability. Dave has found that, with an increasing demand for seamless global transactions, fintech companies of all sizes will see the positive impact of making stable coin systems available to their customers.
Guest Spotlight:
Samantha Lewis
Samantha Lewis is a Partner at Mercury Fund. Her specific focus is on Mercury’s Power theme, where she seeks to fund startups utilizing blockchain, data platforms and fintech to rethink the way people access capital and transact globally.
Dave Sutter
Dave Sutter is an experienced entrepreneur, executive, builder, and expert in the area of distributed ledgers, blockchain, and crypto technologies and global trade, payments, and transaction banking. He is a veteran of the industry who has pioneered the technology's application in financial services, specifically in asset tokenization, stablecoins, and transaction banking. He is the CEO at OpenTrade.
Resources Mentioned:
Mercury | mercuryfund.com, OpenTrade | opentrade.io
For More Information:
Produced by Speakerbox Media. For more episodes, visit https://mercuryfund.com/content/
Stay Connected:
Samantha Lewis on LinkedIn

Dave Sutter on LinkedIn
...more
52min
April 18, 2025Breaking Down Blockchain: Exciting Present Applications & Future Innovations
Is blockchain a game changer, or just another buzzword? This week, Go Slow to Grow Fast dives into the world of blockchain, beyond the hype and speculation, into real applications shaping industries. Samantha Lewis, Partner at Mercury, is joined by Manolo Sanchez, former CEO of BBVA, and Ian Epstein, co-CEO of Profitr and Global Head of Capital Markets & Distribution at Republic. Talking points include the power of decentralized technology, how startups can harness blockchain for security and transparency, and where the blockchain space is headed next. This episode is part of the Software Day at the Ion series, a collaborative initiative between the Ion and Mercury fund.
Key Insights & Timestamps:
[00:00]: Podcast begins
[01:28]: Background & introductions for Manolo, Ian & Samantha
[06:30]: Increasing relevance & revolutionizing blockchain across industries
[16:12]: Blockchain’s application to the everyday person anywhere
[22:02]: What’s holding blockchain back from increasing adoption?
[31:56]: Investment backing for blockchain & how to talk to customers about it
[35:54]: Q&A, including AI vs blockchain & new US administration impact
Key Takeaways:
Blockchain Has a Marketing Problem: “Blockchain is an incredibly valuable piece of technology infrastructure,” Samantha explains, citing Mercury’s focus on blockchain and fintech investments as a sign of blockchain’s current market impact and future success. “It gets a bad name because of the craziness that goes on in the crypto markets, so being able to separate those two is key.”
Programmable is Key: “if you want to dumb this down, blockchain is digital money that’s programmable,” Manolo defines, explaining the importance of blockchain as an accessible transaction of value. “The ability to transfer value at the speed of the internet and to use native tools for programming, that creates a new paradigm.”
Breakout Failures & Lack of Killer Apps: “Blockchain has failed to break out, and I think that the reason are business leaders in the web3 industry are pretty bad,” Ian states, lending his opinion to the growing sentiment that blockchain should be given more of an opportunity to make a mark in US financials. “I think it’s been a failure to have a contiguous operating system and to find high quality application layers.”
Guest Spotlight:
Manolo Sanchez:
Manolo Sanchez is the former Chairman, President and CEO of BBVA Compass. Currently, he is an Adjunct Professor at Rice University and serves on the Boards of several fintech startups and companies.

Ian Epstein:
Ian Epstein is the Co-CEO of Profitr, CEO of OpenDeal Broker, and EVP at Republic. He has a background in global capital markets, liquid cross asset portfolio management, and private equity strategies.

Samantha Lewis:
Samantha Lewis is a Partner at Mercury Fund. Her specific focus is on Mercury’s Power theme, where she seeks to fund startups utilizing blockchain, data platforms and fintech to rethink the way people access capital and opportunity, build wealth, spend money and organize as communities.
Resources Mentioned:
Mercury | mercuryfund.com, Profitr | profitr.com, Republic | republic.com, Rice University | business.rice.edu
For More Information:
Produced by Speakerbox Media. For more episodes, visit MercuryFund.com/Content.
Stay Connected:
Ian Epstein on LinkedIn
Manolo Sanchez on LinkedIn
Samantha Lewis on LinkedIn
...more
46min

FAQs about Go Slow to Grow Fast:

How many episodes does Go Slow to Grow Fast have?

The podcast currently has 22 episodes available.