High Stakes

Political operative turned tech entrepreneur, Sara Fagen, shares a wealth of knowledge in this episode of High Stakes. Join us as Sarah and host Paige Soya discuss lessons from raising venture capital, timing an exit, the dynamics of venture-backed versus self-funded businesses, and strategic reasons behind acquisitions in the tech industry. Throughout the conversation, Sarah reflects on the realities of building and exiting successful tech companies.

Join us as we sit down with Hans Miller, founder of Airside, a pioneering company in the digital identity and travel space, to explore his strategic exit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hans shares how the pandemic reshaped Airside's trajectory, and offers lessons learned for startup founders and his perspectives on the future landscape of digital identity in travel. Hans's candid reflections provide valuable insights for founders and investors alike.

Step into the boardroom with host Paige Soya, seasoned public investor and former investment banker specializing in IPOs Rob Schwartzberg, and investment banker specializing in mergers and acquisitions Darren Womer as they discuss two paths that founders may ultimately find themselves deciding between: M&A or IPO. Drawing from their extensive experience and expertise, Rob and Darren offer listeners a behind-the-scenes look at both processes, sharing insider tips and practical advice for founders taking their businesses to the next level. 

In this episode of High Stakes, host Paige Soya chats with serial entrepreneur Rami Essaid about his journey founding, scaling, and ultimately exiting three successful companies. From paying his way through college selling cell phones in a mall to leading multimillion-dollar ventures, Rami's journey is marked by a series of strategic exits, each offering unique challenges and lessons. He candidly discusses the need for founders to keep doors open, maintain optionality, and prioritize strategic alignment when considering exit opportunities. Whether negotiating with investors, managing expectations, or planning for the future, his pragmatic advice serves as a guiding light for entrepreneurs navigating the complex landscape of exits.

Explore the intersection of risk and reward in the cannabis industry with Mark Smith's candid account of one of his earliest investments. From early optimism to unexpected challenges, Mark shares the valuable lessons he learned while investing in a rapidly evolving industry and the resilience required to weather the storms of market volatility.

Mei Xu's inspiring story is one of resilience, determination, and true entrepreneurial spirit. With candor and wisdom, Mei recounts the challenges and triumphs of navigating the sale of her business, providing a poignant glimpse into the emotional and practical complexities she encountered along the way. From managing the demands of chemotherapy to overseeing a high-stakes business transaction, Mei offers a compelling narrative of entrepreneurship as a journey of growth, discovery, and passionate pursuit of excellence.

Join host Paige Soya and featured guests, Richard Leggett, former CEO of FrontierView and Tom McCormick, lead investor, as they discuss their highly successful exit after facing unprecedented challenges including the impact of the pandemic and rescuing the company from a potential fire sale offer. Rich and Tom offer candid insights into lesson’s learned and the importance of adaptation, resilience, and strategic decision making in a dynamic business environment.

In this Season 2 premiere, host Paige Soya sits down with Roy Schwartz, exited founder/CEO of Axios, to discuss his journey through exits and entrepreneurship. The conversation highlights the complexities of acquisition deals, the rollercoaster of negotiations, and the importance of finding the right fit for both parties involved. Roy sheds light on the pivotal decisions that are made during the exit process, when to say no, when to say yes, and how to keep dialogue open and communication transparent so that acquirers and founders can align. His exit experience with Axios exemplifies how rewarding it can be to stay in the game until you find just the right buyer. 

Join us in the final episode of Season 1 of High Stakes as we delve into the vibrant world of Consumer Marketing and GTM strategies. Hear firsthand insights from Shizu Okusa, the visionary behind Apothekary's wellness journey; and Sahil Rahman, the co-founder of Rasa, who's charting new territories in the restaurant industry. Together with host, Paige Soya, they'll shed light on the challenges, innovations, and foresights of today's dynamic venture landscape. 

In this episode, we dive into the do's and dont's founders should know while fundraising. To help dig into this topic are two members of the K Street Capital team, Nick Duafala, Principal, and James Culver, Associate. Tune in to gain the knowledge and strategies that can make a real difference in your startup's fundraising efforts. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your journey, this episode provides essential guidance from the experts at K Street Capital.