Growth Capital Podcast

Growth Capital Podcast

By Justin DixonBusinessInvestingCareers
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Growth Capital Podcast episodes

  • How Real Customer Conversations Drive Smarter Decisions with Gaurav Gupta

    👥 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 48 👥

    What happens when founders actually listen to their customers? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Gaurav Gupta, Founder & CEO of Squanto—a gig marketplace app for live entertainment.

    What started as a simple tipping and discovery app for street performers quickly evolved into something bigger. Through countless customer conversations, Gaurav realized the real challenges performers and venues faced: landing gigs, sorting through hundreds of applicants, and building trust in a two-sided marketplace.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:

    🔹 Why assumptions can lead startups in the wrong direction
    🔹 How customer feedback drives pivots that matter
    🔹 The challenge of choosing the right ICP (Ideal Customer Profile)
    🔹 How AI can bring clarity to chaotic processes (and when it doesn’t belong)
    🔹 Why failure in startups still makes you a stronger professional

    Gaurav’s story is a masterclass in adapting strategy to customer reality—something every founder, investor, and operator can learn from.

    📩 Connect with Gaurav and learn more about Squanto: https://squanto.app/

    📧 Email: [email protected]

    👉 If you found this episode valuable, please like, comment, and subscribe to the channel. Your feedback helps us bring more insights from leaders shaping the future of startups and growth.

    38 min
  • Cash Flow Planning: Turning Uncertainty into Control with Salvatore Tirabassi

    📊 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 47 📊

    When does a founder really need a CFO—and how can fractional or interim finance leadership change the trajectory of a business?

    In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Salvatore Tirabassi, Founder & Managing Director of CFO Pro+Analytics, to explore how founders, family-owned businesses, and PE-backed companies can leverage cash flow planning, forecasting, and analytics to scale with confidence.


    💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:

    • Why cash flow clarity is the first step to peace of mind
    • How driver-based forecasts create PE-grade financial discipline
    • The difference between fractional vs. interim CFOs—and when to use each
    • Why financial readiness directly impacts exit value in PE transactions
    • How AI tools like Claude and Copilot are reshaping the finance function

      • 📌 Guest Info:

      🌐 Learn more about Salvatore’s firm at https://cfoproanalytics.com/
      💼 Or connect with him directly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stirabassi/

       

      🎧 Available now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

      👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, comment, and share your biggest takeaway.


      📅 Upcoming Webinar of Salvatore:

      Salvatore will also be speaking on a September 10th webinar hosted by HubiFi on subscription-led growth—ideal for anyone building or investing in recurring revenue SaaS models. To join, reach out to HubiFi via their website - https://www.hubifi.com/

      47 min
    • Agentic AI: The Next Frontier in Business Automation with Jeff Torello

      🤖 Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 46 🤖

      What’s hype, what’s real, and where does AI actually deliver ROI?


      In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, Justin Dixon sits down with Jeff Torello, Founder & CTO of Sinjun AI, to unpack the reality of AI adoption for small and mid-sized businesses.

      From the pitfalls of early adoption to the promise of Agentic AI, Jeff shares how leaders can distinguish between noise and value — and how AI is already transforming workflows, content creation, and workforce structures.

      🔍 What you’ll learn:

      • Why most early AI projects failed — and what’s different this time
      • How Agentic AI moves us beyond automation into decision-making and workflow execution
      • The “Crawl, Walk, Run” approach to adopting AI without million-dollar mistakes
      • How AI will shift human roles from “doers” to “reviewers” in the workplace
      • Why adaptability, not prediction, is the skill that will define careers in the AI era

        • 🚀 Whether you’re leading a PE-backed portfolio company, scaling a startup, or advising growth-stage businesses, this episode cuts through the hype and provides practical insights you can apply today.

        📩 Connect with Jeff Torello: https://sinjun.ai/ or on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtorello/

        👉 Watch more episodes and subscribe for insights on scaling, investing, and building companies with the right talent.


        👍 Like, comment, and share your thoughts — how do you see Agentic AI changing your business?

        55 min
      • Bet Beyond Comfort, Win Beyond Limits with Amy Bett

        🏆 Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 45 🏆

        What does it take to risk everything — and still push forward?

        In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Amy Bett, Co-Founder & CEO of Melo, a sparkling kava beverage disrupting the non-alcoholic drinks market.

        Amy shares how a personal struggle with alcohol inspired her to create an alternative, how a family crisis shaped her entrepreneurial grit, and why she left Australia to launch her business in the U.S. — moving alone, renting a room, and betting on herself.

        From overcoming supply chain setbacks to breaking into national retail chains, Amy’s story is a candid look at resilience, sacrifice, and the founder’s mindset required to scale in consumer packaged goods.

        🔍 What you’ll learn in this episode:

        • Why true growth demands stepping beyond comfort
        • How to build a beverage brand without industry experience
        • The role of storytelling and pitch competitions in breaking into retail
        • Why founders need thick skin to survive CPG scaling challenges

          • 📩 Connect with Amy: [email protected]

          🌐 Learn more: www.drinkmelo.co

          👉 Watch, subscribe, and comment below — where do you think the line is between smart risk and reckless risk?

          44 min
        • Breaking Free from Golden Handcuffs: The Founder’s Awakening with Mark Stern

          🔗 Growth Capital podcast - Episode 44 🔗

          What does it take to walk away from a high-paying, stable career—and step into the uncertainty of entrepreneurship?

          In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Mark Stern, Founder & CEO of Custom Box Agency, an experiential marketing firm based in Austin, Texas.

          Mark shares how a dream (or premonition) pushed him to leave Deloitte while on the cusp of becoming a partner, the mindset shift required to move from corporate life to entrepreneurship, and why blending physical and digital experiences is the future of customer engagement.

          🔑 Topics Covered:

          • The “golden handcuffs” dilemma and what it takes to break free
          • Why corporate and entrepreneurship are like checkers vs. chess
          • The power of physical + digital touchpoints in building trust and retention
          • “57 Hats”: A framework for founders to shed the roles holding them back
          • Why recognition isn’t just a celebration—it’s a retention strategy

            • 📩 Connect with Mark Stern:

            👉 Website: https://customboxagency.com/ (Free consultation available)
            👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marustern/

            👉 Facebook: ​​https://www.facebook.com/share/19thwK3Ymy/?mibextid=wwXIfr

            🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts

            💬 Like, subscribe, and comment—would you walk away from corporate security to pursue your vision?

            52 min
          • The Shift from Wealth Management to Wealth Enablement with Alexander Harmsen

            🔁 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 43 🔁

            In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Alexander Harmsen, Founder & CEO of PortfolioPilot, to explore how AI is disrupting the financial advisory industry and reshaping how people invest, plan, and build confidence in their financial future.


            Originally built as a personal side project after exiting his first company, PortfolioPilot has since grown to manage $30B in assets across 30,000+ users—all with a lean team of just 9 people and a bold vision to make high-quality, personalized advice accessible to everyone.

            💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:

            • Why AI-native financial tools are moving beyond robo-advisors
            • How PortfolioPilot is reframing advice from money management to financial coaching
            • Why trust, transparency, and velocity are core to building in fintech
            • The generational shift redefining expectations in wealth planning
            • How velocity (weekly shipping) creates product-market momentum

              • Whether you’re a founder in fintech, a growth-stage investor, or someone rethinking how to scale consumer products, this episode is packed with insights on building with speed, trust, and user obsession.


              📍 Connect with Alexander Harmsen
              🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alexanderharmsen
              🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/alexharm?s=21
              🌐 Website: http://portfoliopilot.com/
              💥 Use promo code PODCAST for one month free on PortfolioPilot Gold

              👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders in private equity, high-growth startups, and venture-backed companies.


              🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.

              41 min
            • The Human Edge in an Automated World with Brian Von Ancken

              👤 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 42 👤

               

              What if the strongest growth advantage isn’t found in automation — but in staying human?


              In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, Justin Dixon sits down with Brian Von Ancken, founder and CEO of the Wellness Growth Mastermind, a community for leaders in the wellness industry. What started as an “accidental” mastermind has grown into a trusted hub for founders, executives, and growth leaders.

              Brian shares:
              🔹 Why human-curated connections still outperform AI-driven matches
              🔹 The overlooked challenge of scaling wellness companies in crowded markets
              🔹 How trust compounds in communities, and why it takes time to build
              🔹 The role of distribution strategy in separating winners from noise
              🔹 Why mixing scrappy startups with established brands sparks breakthrough ideas

              This conversation is a blueprint for founders, investors, and operators who believe people—not just platforms—are the real growth engine.

              📩 Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianvonancken/

              🎧 Watch now on YouTube or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you get your shows.

              👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the Growth Capital Podcast for more insights from founders, investors, and private equity leaders.

              40 min
            • From Data Chaos to Clarity: The Next Era of Business Intelligence with Mikael Lemberg

              🏢 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 41 🏢

               

              Static dashboards. Siloed tools. Endless logins.

              What if you could connect every app you use, ask it a question, and get the answer instantly — in plain English?

              In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Mikael Lemberg, Founder & CEO of mybizz, an AI-native platform that unifies thousands of business applications into one command center. Together, they explore:

              • How AI is transforming business intelligence from charts to conversations
              • The challenge (and cost) of “tool sprawl” in SMBs and scaling companies
              • Why privacy-first AI adoption matters for leaders in data-sensitive industries
              • Lessons from raising a friends-and-family funding round as a first-time founder
              • The next 24 months in AI — and what it means for startups and enterprise alike

                • 🚀 Whether you’re running a PE-backed portfolio company, a growing SaaS startup, or an agency managing multiple clients, this conversation will change how you think about data, decisions, and scale.

                 

                📍 Connect with Mikael Lemberg:

                Website: https://mybizz.ai (note: two Z’s)
                LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikaellemberg/

                🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms or watch full episodes on YouTube.

                👍 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment — How would you use AI to simplify your business?

                56 min
              • Outsider Perspective, Clean Tech Breakthrough with Nick Holland

                🔋 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 40 🔋

                What happens when an oil & gas user sets out to electrify one of the most overlooked parts of aviation?


                In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, Justin Dixon sits down with Nick Holland, Co-Founder & CEO of VIRV, to explore how an outsider’s perspective uncovered a massive opportunity: bringing swappable batteries and electrons-as-a-service to airports and other high-uptime, off-highway vehicle fleets.

                They discuss:

                ✅ Why hardware startups require patience, grit, and a different funding strategy
                ✅ How an outsider mindset can expose hidden problems
                ✅ Why regional airports are an untapped innovation market
                ✅ How Verve is making clean tech adoption a cost advantage, not just a green initiative
                ✅ The role of AI in smarter battery swaps and fleet uptime

                Guest Info:
                📌 Nick Holland — Co-Founder & CEO, VIRV
                🌐 Website: http://virv.io
                💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickhollandvirv2020/

                 

                🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

                Watch here on YouTube, or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.
                💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments — what’s the most overlooked electrification opportunity you’ve seen?
                📌 Like, share, and subscribe for more founder insights, PE/VC perspectives, and real stories of scaling companies.

                45 min
              • From Forgettable to Essential: One Founder’s Pivot Story with Trevor Lee

                💡 Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 39 💡

                What happens when your product is good—but not good enough?

                In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Trevor Lee, Co-founder & CEO of Myko AI, to unpack the hard-earned lessons behind one of the smartest pivots in early-stage tech. Originally a financial modeling tool, Myko is now an AI-powered platform helping field sales teams eliminate admin work and streamline post-meeting execution—entirely by voice.

                Trevor shares how he navigated early failure, what it takes to earn product-market fit, and why most founders wait too long to pivot. From fundraising rejection to enterprise traction, this is a candid look at what it takes to go from nice-to-have to must-have.

                🔍 In this episode:

                • The moment Trevor knew it was time to pivot
                • Why product-market fit isn’t about features—it’s about pain
                • How AI can automate sales workflows without losing trust
                • The tools founders should use to scale smarter, faster
                • What enterprise adoption of AI looks like today

                  • 📩 Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevorlee20/

                  🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and right here on YouTube.


                  👉 Subscribe for weekly insights from founders, operators, and PE-backed CEOs.

                  39 min

                About Growth Capital Podcast

                From the publisher's feed

                Welcome to the GCP Channel! Tune in to gain exclusive insights from leaders in private equity, CEOs of PE-backed companies, and startup entrepreneurs. Each episode dives into their unique career journeys, sharing valuable lessons on starting, investing in, and scaling successful businesses. And most importantly how the Right Talent drives business success.