In this episode of Startup & Nation, I sit down with Vijay Rajendran, an investor, founder, venture builder at gAI Ventures, and author of The Funding Framework, one of the most practical and accessible fundraising books released this year.

We discuss how founders can master storytelling, navigate investors with intention, evaluate market size, differentiate from incumbents, and approach fundraising as a repeatable system rather than luck.

Vijay draws from his experience as a startup operator, a VC at 500 Global, a founder, and now a builder of vertical AI companies.If you’re a founder raising your first round or refining your narrative, Vijay’s insights will be very valuable to you.

00:00 How Vijay entered the startup world

02:46 The Funding Framework

04:47 The Art of Storytelling in Pitches

09:12 Understanding Market Size and Raising Capital

17:19 Navigating the Healthcare Space

19:55 Government's Role in Healthcare Innovation

25:10 Vijay's Future Plans and Resources for Founders

📘 Vijay’s Book - The Funding Framework:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DD63Y3FZ

📰 Vijay’s Substack - Startup System:

https://startup-system.substack.com/

In this episode of Startup & Nation, host Meng Fei Shen speaks with with Rob Ganim, a former Capitol Hill staffer, Pentagon appointee, and defense innovation advisor who’s spent years bridging the worlds of policy, startups, and national security. Rob shares insights from his roles as a legislative advisor in the Department of Defense, a lobbyist, and a bridge between the DOD and startups. He discusses the importance of managing expectations, navigating government engagement, and aligning commercial innovations with national security needs. This episode is perfect for startups eyeing government contracts, emphasizing the need for transparent communication, supply chain resilience, and strategic relationships.00:00 Introduction to Rob Ganim's Career

00:50 Rob's Early Career and Capitol Hill Experience

04:43 Transition to Lobbying and Return to Government

06:26 Defense Tech and Innovation Journey

07:01 Blending Startups and Government

09:35 Challenges in Industry-Government Collaboration

17:28 Navigating Relationships in DC

25:10 Supply Chain and National Security

31:43 Current Administration's Impact on Defense Industry

33:31 Policy Changes and Future Outlook

36:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Startup & Nation, we dive deep with Natalie Ma, co-founder and head of business development at Deep Origin. Natalie's journey from environmental science undergraduate to co-founding a startup is a fascinating tale of curiosity-driven transitions. We explore her path through a PhD in synthetic biology, frustrations with the slow application of academic research, and a fortuitous meeting that led her to startups. Natalie explains how Deep Origin aims to build a 'virtual cell' to reduce failures in drug discovery and development, discusses market validation for biotech startups, and elaborates on the importance of industry-academic collaboration. This insightful conversation covers the challenges of translating academic research to practical applications, the nuances of market needs, and the role AI could play in regulatory processes. Tune in to understand the dynamic world of biotech innovation and the human-centric approaches driving it forward.

00:00 Introduction to Natalie Ma and Deep Origin

01:30 Natalie's Journey from Academia to Industry

05:43 Challenges and Insights in Biotech Startups

11:56 Deep Origin's Mission and Innovations

19:33 Balancing Social Impact and Profit

23:44 Cultural and Practical Differences Between Academia and Industry

33:33 The Challenge of Valuing Research

34:39 Practical Problem-Solving in Academia

36:51 Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry

37:32 Teaching Open-Ended Questioning

40:35 The Role of AI in Research and Regulation

50:14 How to think about Public-Private Partnerships

53:35 Networking and Overcoming Social Anxiety

59:22 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Join us for an insightful conversation with Deanna, an expert in transforming breakthrough science and technology into market-shaping products and businesses. With over 25 years of experience at Pfizer, Genentech/Roche, Kite/Gilead, and Johnson & Johnson, Deanna has led seven blockbuster products generating $7B+ annually. In this episode, she discusses her unique bench-to-bedside mindset, combining R&D, commercial strategy, and market access. Deanna shares invaluable advice for entrepreneurs in health tech and biotech sectors, focusing on leadership, commercialization, and patient-centric strategies. Learn how she builds trust across ecosystems, drives cross-functional teams, and employs data-driven execution to accelerate growth and improve patient care.

00:00 Introduction to Deanna Angelo

01:10 Deanna's Career Journey

05:00 Falling in Love with the Industry

06:55 Commercialization in Biotech

11:19 Challenges in Research Commercialization

15:40 Common Mistakes by BioTech Startups

20:28 Leadership and Self-Awareness

24:45 Big Pharma and Regulatory Trends

27:36 Longevity and Proactive Healthcare

28:45 Challenges in Biotech Funding and Big Pharma

30:08 Opportunities for Startups in Health Tech

32:47 The Role of AI in Drug Discovery

36:35 Comparing Health Tech Ecosystems: DC, SF, and NY

41:54 Adapting and Learning in a Changing Industry

In this episode of the Startup and Nation, we sit down with Tyson, a seasoned entrepreneur who has spent over 20 years in Japan. Recorded at the Sushi Tech conference in Tokyo, the conversation dives into Tyson's journey from Hawaii to Hokkaido, his ventures in the education sector, and his innovative approaches to business challenges. Tyson shares invaluable lessons on bootstrapping, the importance of market fit, and creative problem-solving. We also explore the current opportunities for foreign entrepreneurs in Japan, and Tyson's insights into setting up and scaling businesses in this dynamic market.00:00 Tyson's Journey to Japan02:34 Starting a Business in Japan04:24 Challenges and Cultural Differences06:07 Lessons Learned from Co-Founders08:12 Bootstrapping Success08:25 Innovative Hiring Strategies10:34 Marketing and Growth Hacking14:01 Networking and Building a Consultancy18:47 Creating the Scaling Japan Podcast20:14 Smart Start Japan: Helping Businesses Incorporate24:39 Opportunities for Foreign Consultants in Japan27:47 Advice for Entrepreneurs in Japan32:56 Surprise appearance - Tyson's Co-founder!

In this episode of Startup and Nation, I sit down with Huynh Cong-Thang and Gaku Echizenya at the Sushi Tech Conference in Tokyo. Thang co-founded InnoLab Asia and is a key player in Vietnam's growing startup ecosystem, fostering connections between policymakers, startups, and corporations both domestically and internationally. Gaku, a Japanese entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in Ho Chi Minh City, heads Vietnam's largest recruitment service. 

We discuss Vietnam's rapid economic growth, new infrastructure developments, and the vibrant startup scene. We also touch on the opportunities and challenges in Vietnam’s market for foreign entrepreneurs and the importance of local partnerships. Tune in to learn more about Vietnam's potential as a center of innovation in Southeast Asia.

00:00 Introduction: Huynh Cong-Thang and Gaku Echizenya

01:32 Conference Insights: Networking and Partnerships

02:47 Gaku's Journey and Perspective on Vietnam

03:38 Thang's Vision for Vietnam's Future

04:58 Challenges and Opportunities in Vietnam's Ecosystem

07:44 Infrastructure Developments and Future Potential

10:45 Building the Startup Ecosystem: Programs and Partnerships

15:45 Success Stories and International Collaborations

17:26 Cultural Challenges and Tips for Foreign Entrepreneurs

17:57 Navigating Daily Life in Vietnam

18:34 Business Ethics: Japan vs. Vietnam

19:31 Advice for Foreign Startups in Vietnam

22:24 Understanding the Vietnamese Market

24:32 Building Partnerships in Vietnam

29:33 Reflections on Sushi Tech Conference

In this episode of the Startup and Nation podcast, we sit down with Ashish Gupta, a veteran entrepreneur, investor, and advisor who has played an significant role in the tech sector in shaping how India’s tech sector interacts with the world. Ashish shares the evolution of India's startup ecosystem, and discuss key factors like government regulations, market penetration strategies, and the unique 'man and machine' advantage India holds. We also explore the rising opportunities in deep tech and defense tech in India, making this an insightful episode for anyone interested in cross-border tech ventures.

00:00 Introduction to Ashish Gupta

01:28 Ashish Gupta's Journey: From India to Silicon Valley

03:13 The Evolution of India's Startup Ecosystem

06:40 Government's Role in India's Tech Growth

12:23 Challenges and Opportunities in India's Market

17:15 Cross-Border Business Dynamics

23:21 Challenges of Serving the Indian Market from Abroad

28:04 Introduction to MFV Partners and Deep Tech Investments

28:55 The Intersection of AI and Services

31:35 India's Advantage in AI and Services

37:31 Deep Tech and Its Evolution

41:05 India's Defense Industry and Future Prospects

43:14 Advice for Startups Entering the Indian Market

In this episode of Startup Nation, I interview Bill Reichert, a pioneering figure in Silicon Valley's venture capital ecosystem. Bill shares his journey from founding a software company in the 1980s to establishing Garage Technology Ventures with Guy Kawasaki. Known for coining and popularizing fundamental investment concepts like seed and pre-seed funding, Bill has been instrumental in shaping the modern startup accelerator model and fostering global venture capital accessibility. We discuss the evolution of venture capital, the groundbreaking concept of global VCs, and the rise of seed and pre-seed funding. Now a partner at Pegasus Tech Ventures, Bill elaborates on the innovative 'venture as a service' model that bridges startups with global corporations. We also cover the challenges of corporate partnerships, the significance of open innovation, and the future trends in technology and defense sectors. Bill’s ability to simplify complex concepts is particularly highlighted, making this episode a must-watch for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors.

00:00 Introduction to Bill Reichert and His Impact on Silicon Valley

02:49 Bill's Early Days and First Startup Experience

05:59 Founding Garage Technology Ventures

08:09 The Pegasus Tech Ventures Model

23:12 Startup World Cup: A Global Competition

27:29 Impact of Government Policies on Venture Capital

30:20 Emerging Trends in Defense and Space Tech

Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Jackson Ewing, Director of Energy and Climate Policy at the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment, and Sustainability at Duke University. In this episode, Dr. Ewing discusses his career journey, starting with graduate studies in Australia and leading to impactful work throughout Asia, including China and Southeast Asia. He shares key differences between the U.S. and China's approach to climate commitments, opportunities for startups in Southeast Asia, and future trends in climate technology. Learn about the Nicholas Institute's initiatives and how startups can engage in meaningful partnerships to drive innovation in the climate space.

00:00 Dr. Ewing's Role at the Nicholas Institute

02:05 Career Journey, from Australia, Asia to Duke University

09:50 China vs. US: Climate and Sustainability Approaches

17:25 Opportunities for Startups in Southeast Asia

21:26 Climate Technology Trends in China

25:30 US Climate Policy and Startup Opportunities

31:13 Collaborating with the Nicholas Institute

35:50 Final Thoughts

“The politics change, but policy does not change.”

In this episode of Startup and Nation, I chat with Serena Allen, founder & CEO of AirVitalize, who’s building a clean air tech company across two very different worlds: Fairbanks, Alaska’s public sector and Los Angeles’s athletic space.

Serena studied public policy at USC, and instead of going the nonprofit route, she found her path in climate tech - building a startup that tackles air pollution in some of the most affected areas in the U.S.

I was so impressed by how thoughtfully she navigates today’s political and funding landscape.

Serena shares:

- Why founders need to stop focusing on politics and start understanding policy

- How she’s raised over $200K in non-dilutive funding from grants and competitions

- What it takes to build trust with government stakeholders and local communities

- Why reframing your climate narrative for different audiences is important

- Tips for hardware founders breaking into climate resilience and B2G spaces

We also talk about what it means to build in a sector where exits are slow and the urgency is high - and why grit, clarity, and curiosity matter.

#ClimateTech #StartupFunding #NonDilutiveGrants #HardwareStartup #CleanAir #ClimateResilience #PublicPolicy #FounderStories #AirVitalize #StartupAndNation #B2G #SBIR #PolicyNotPolitics(Filmed on 3/14 so we also did a fun little pi day extravaganza! 🥧)

00:00 Serena's Background and Climate Tech Journey

02:08 Building Trust in Fairbanks, Alaska

04:22 Public Policy and Climate Innovation

05:57 Pi Day Break06:35 Funding and Grants for Startups

18:49 Navigating the Climate Tech Landscape

25:22 Understanding Policy and Law

28:37 Seeking the Right Partners

30:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts