Iconic Conversations with Jacob Schoenberg - Founder & CEO of GrantX.

Jacob Schoenberg is the Founder & CEO of GrantX. He is a former AI strategist and grant seeker with a robust background in finance and digital marketing. Driven by his firsthand frustration with outdated and inefficient grant funding processes while leading various projects in the  ClimateTech sector, Jacob founded Grantx to revolutionize how funding is accessed and applied for.

Following the inception of Grantx, Jacob dedicated over a year to in-depth market research, collaborating closely with nonprofits, startups, and researchers to hone his vision and deepen his understanding of the systemic challenges grant seekers face.

Takeaways:

• Building a company is an art form that requires creativity.
• Gratitude plays a crucial role in maintaining a positive mindset as a founder.
• Transitioning from pitching to selling is a significant shift for entrepreneurs.
• Jealousy can be transformed into inspiration for personal growth.
• Listening to diverse stories enriches our understanding of the world.
• Personal growth often involves embracing discomfort.
• The journey is as important as the destination.
• Every struggle is a shared human experience.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Iconic Conversations
01:20 The Art of Building a Company
02:24 Gratitude and Support in Entrepreneurship
04:46 Transitioning from Investor Pitches to Sales
06:29 From Small Town to Startup Hub
07:27 Overcoming Jealousy with Inspiration
10:33 The Role of Comparison in Creativity
12:54 The Journey to Founding GrantX
13:08 Navigating Non-Traditional Paths in Finance
19:04 Lessons from a Tesla Interview
22:20 The Journey to Success and Failure
27:30 Finding Purpose in Uncertainty
32:02 The Art of Storytelling
38:59 Reflections on Growth and Expectations

GUEST: Jacob Schoenberg
 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobschoenberg
 Website: https://www.grantx.io/
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HOST: Tanaka Tava
 Website: ⁠⁠https://www.tanakatava.com/⁠⁠
 Podcast: ⁠⁠Listen to Podcast⁠⁠
 YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iconicconver⁠⁠...
 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/tavamultimediagroup/⁠
 TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tanaka.mindset

Michael Palank has been General Partner at MaC Venture Capital since its inception in January 2019. At MaC, Michael focuses on seed-stage consumer and enterprise startup investing across a number of sectors. Prior, he was General Partner at M Ventures, a Los Angeles and Bay Area based early-stage venture fund.

Michael was a member of the founding team of MACRO Media, a disruptive media company founded by Charles D. King and focused on the multicultural market where he led digital strategy and operations. Michael has six and a half years experience working both inside and alongside early-stage startups in the media and technology sector.

GUEST: Michael Palank
 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpalank/
 Website: https://macventurecapital.com/team/michael-palank/
 -
HOST: Tanaka Tava
 Website: ⁠⁠https://www.tanakatava.com/⁠⁠
 Podcast: ⁠⁠Listen to Podcast⁠⁠
 YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iconicconver⁠⁠...
 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/tavamultimediagroup/⁠
 TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tanaka.mindset⁠

Sonia worked for Amazon 15+ years ago as part of the team that launched the clothing category. She then co-founded a venture-backed mobile shopping startup that was acquired by RetailMeNot, at the time the largest digital coupon marketplace in the U.S.

She led the mobile team at RetailMeNot for 2 years before joining Pritzker Group Venture Capital where she was a General Partner. At PGVC her marketplace investments included Backlot Cars, Cameo, Coinbase, ShopThing, Machinery Partner, Maisonette, Yay Lunch, Batch and FuelMe. Sonia started her career as an engineer at General Motors in their advanced engineering group.

GUEST: Sonja Nagar

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonias3

💻 Website: https://snak.vc/
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HOST: Tanaka Tava

💻 Website: ⁠https://www.tanakatava.com/⁠

🎙 Podcast: ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iconicconver⁠...

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tavamultimediagroup/

🕺 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tanaka.mindset

John Diaz is the Founder and Managing Partner of Stone Mountain Ventures. His focus is on early stage investments throughout the healthcare, AI, consumer and technology space.

Before founding Stone Mountain Ventures, John worked at Bain Capital Private Equity as an Associate, Grant Park Ventures as an Advisor, and Wellington Management as a Business Development Associate.

He previously interned with Bloomberg and Goldman Sachs and received his BBA in Finance and Risk Management from St. Mary’s University. John is also on the Alumni Board of Directors for St. Mary's University. Additionally, he has founded 2 companies and operated multiple businesses.

GUEST: John Diaz

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-diaz

💻 Website: https://www.stonemountainventures.com/
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HOST: Tanaka Tava

💻 Website: ⁠https://www.tanakatava.com/⁠

🎙 Podcast: ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iconicconver⁠...

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tavamultimediagroup/

🕺 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tanaka.mindset

Ash Moraca is the founder of Retreat, an app dedicated to mental and emotional well-being through various holistic practices.

With an Oxford MBA and certifications in yoga, breathwork, and other wellness modalities, Ash blends business expertise with spirituality to empower individuals to overcome limiting beliefs and connect with their true selves.
Order some merch, Iconic Luxury Streetwear: ⁠https://www.iconicluxurystreetwear.com/⁠

Podcast & Content Creation Course: ⁠https://tanakatava.gumroad.com/l/LVySW⁠

The Download (Keys & Codes) - Newsletter featuring previous episodes of Iconic Conversations and musings of my mind: ⁠https://tanakatava.substack.com/https://tanakatava.substack.com/⁠

Book a FREE consulting call to discuss your creative strategy or business idea: ⁠https://calendly.com/tanakatava/tava-consulting-20-minute-meeting⁠

Listen to this podcast (but in audio form): ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

GUEST: Ash Moraca

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashmoraca/

💻 Website: https://www.ashmoraca.com/
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HOST: Tanaka Tava

💻 Website: ⁠https://www.tanakatava.com/⁠

🎙 Podcast: ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tavamultimediagroup/

🕺 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tanaka.mindset

Irys Kornbluth is an LA-based entrepreneur, designer, and musician. She has been building sustainable fashion brands since 2011 and studied Design at Stanford. She’s performed at Carnegie Hall, worked on Netflix feature films, and co-designed products that are on shelves globally at major retailers.

Order some merch, Iconic Luxury Streetwear: ⁠https://www.iconicluxurystreetwear.com/⁠

Podcast & Content Creation Course: ⁠https://tanakatava.gumroad.com/l/LVySW⁠

The Download (Keys & Codes) - Newsletter featuring previous episodes of Iconic Conversations and musings of my mind: ⁠https://tanakatava.substack.com/

Book a FREE consulting call to discuss your creative strategy or business idea: https://calendly.com/tanakatavavc/tava-consulting-20-minute-meeting

Listen to this podcast (but in audio form): ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

GUEST: Irys Kornbluth

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iryskornbluth/

💻 Website: https://everywhereapparel.com/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everywhere/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irysiseverywhere/
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HOST: Tanaka Tava

💻 Website: ⁠https://www.tanakatava.com/⁠

🎙 Podcast: ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TanakaTava

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanakatava/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tavamultimediagroup/

🕺 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tanaka.mindset

Irys Kornbluth is an LA-based entrepreneur, designer, and musician. She has been building sustainable fashion brands since 2011 and studied Design at Stanford. She’s performed at Carnegie Hall, worked on Netflix feature films, and co-designed products that are on shelves globally at major retailers.

Order some merch, Iconic Luxury Streetwear: ⁠⁠https://www.iconicluxurystreetwear.com/⁠⁠

Podcast & Content Creation Course: ⁠⁠https://tanakatava.gumroad.com/l/LVySW⁠⁠

The Download (Keys & Codes) - Newsletter featuring previous episodes of Iconic Conversations and musings of my mind: ⁠⁠https://tanakatava.substack.com/⁠

Book a FREE consulting call to discuss your creative strategy or business idea: ⁠https://calendly.com/tanakatavavc/tava-consulting-20-minute-meeting⁠

Listen to this podcast (but in audio form): ⁠⁠Listen to Podcast⁠⁠

GUEST: Irys Kornbluth

💼 LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/iryskornbluth/⁠

💻 Website: ⁠https://everywhereapparel.com/⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/everywhere/⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/irysiseverywhere/⁠-HOST: Tanaka Tava

💻 Website: ⁠⁠https://www.tanakatava.com/⁠⁠

🎙 Podcast: ⁠⁠Listen to Podcast⁠⁠

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TanakaTava⁠

💼 LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanakatava/⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/tavamultimediagroup/⁠

🕺 TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tanaka.mindset

Sarthak Kaul is the Host of True Kauling, a podcast that helps people find clarity and inspiration to do the things that inspire them.
Outside of that, he's a Founding member at Gigpay, a fintech that's revolutionizing the way the gig economy gets paid globally.
He's in a MS program focused onTech Commercialization program at McCombs school of Business, UT Austin.

Sarthak is originally from Gurgaon, India and loves to share moments with strangers that hopefully light them up.
Listen or read below:
Order some merch, Iconic Luxury Streetwear: ⁠https://www.iconicluxurystreetwear.com/⁠

Podcast & Content Creation Course: ⁠https://tanakatava.gumroad.com/l/LVySW⁠

The Download (Keys & Codes) - Newsletter featuring previous episodes of Iconic Conversations and musings of my mind: ⁠https://tanakatava.substack.com/https://tanakatava.substack.com/⁠

Book a FREE consulting call to discuss your creative strategy or business idea: ⁠https://calendly.com/tanakatava/tava-consulting-20-minute-meeting⁠

Listen to this podcast (but in audio form): ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

GUEST: Sarthak Kaul

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarthakkaul/

💻 Website: https://www.youtube.com/@truekauling?app=desktop
-
HOST: Tanaka Tava

💻 Website: ⁠https://www.tanakatava.com/⁠

🎙 Podcast: ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iconicconver⁠...

🐣 Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/tanakatava/⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/tanakatava⁠

🕺 TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@heytanakatava

Gabriel Nambila is an Interdisciplinary Engineer specializing in Cloud Computing and Geospatial Engineering. He develops innovative products and services that fuse technology, spatial insights, and user-centric design; with a driven to create solutions that address real-world problems, enhance user experiences, and better the planet.
Takeaways

Chapters

00:59 The Impact of Art and Early Inspirations

04:13 Dreaming of Utopia: Aspirations and Visions

09:54 Defining Luxury: A New Perspective

11:48 The Intersection of Science and Art

18:01 Innovation and the Future of Technology

19:51 Conversations on Mental Health and Society

23:02 The Power of Love and Human Connection

25:51 Final Thoughts and Future Aspirations
Order some merch, Iconic Luxury Streetwear: ⁠https://www.iconicluxurystreetwear.com/⁠

Podcast & Content Creation Course: ⁠https://tanakatava.gumroad.com/l/LVySW⁠

The Download (Keys & Codes) - Newsletter featuring previous episodes of Iconic Conversations and musings of my mind: ⁠https://tanakatava.substack.com/https://tanakatava.substack.com/⁠

Book a FREE consulting call to discuss your creative strategy or business idea: ⁠https://calendly.com/tanakatava/tava-consulting-20-minute-meeting⁠

Listen to this podcast (but in audio form): ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

GUEST: Gabriel Nambila

💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/gabrielnambila
-
HOST: Tanaka Tava

💻 Website: ⁠https://www.tanakatava.com/⁠

🎙 Podcast: ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iconicconver⁠...

🐣 Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/tanakatava/⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/tanakatava⁠

🕺 TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@heytanakatava

Triet Nguyen is a Principal at Render Capital. His journey in the world of investing began as a self-taught retail trader, a path he pursued to support his college education.

After exploring multiple majors and universities, he ultimately earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a specialization in market research from the University of Texas in Dallas.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Triet co-founded Cheese Plug, an on-demand charcuterie board delivery service, applying lessons learned from the tech space to enhance convenience and affordability in the catering business. He then transitioned to MicroVentures as a Venture Deal Flow Associate before joining Render Capital in March 2023.

Triet has a wealth of experience in portfolio support, angel investing, venture scout networks, advising emerging funds and startups, and has also been a founder himself. In his leisure time, he enjoys reading, distance running, golf, and actively participates in volunteering for Startup Weeks in emerging regions outside of major tech hubs.
Listen or read below:
Takeaways:

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Iconic Conversations

02:15 Navigating the VC Ecosystem

08:49 The Dynamics of Middle America VC

14:11 Identifying Trends in Venture Capital

16:38 The Journey to Becoming a VC

24:34 The Drive to Succeed in VC

29:00 Defining a Great Investor
Order some merch, Iconic Luxury Streetwear: ⁠https://www.iconicluxurystreetwear.com/⁠

Podcast & Content Creation Course: ⁠https://tanakatava.gumroad.com/l/LVySW⁠

The Download (Keys & Codes) - Newsletter featuring previous episodes of Iconic Conversations and musings of my mind: ⁠https://tanakatava.substack.com/https://tanakatava.substack.com/⁠

Book a FREE consulting call to discuss your creative strategy or business idea: ⁠https://calendly.com/tanakatava/tava-consulting-20-minute-meeting⁠

Listen to this podcast (but in audio form): ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

GUEST: Triet Nguyen

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trietnguyen93/

💻 Website: https://www.render.capital/
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HOST: Tanaka Tava

💻 Website: ⁠https://www.tanakatava.com/⁠

🎙 Podcast: ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iconicconver⁠...

🐣 Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/tanakatava/⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/tanakatava⁠

🕺 TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@heytanakatava