The Disruption Lab

What does it take to bridge the gap between small businesses and the capital they desperately need?

In this episode of The Disruption Lab, we’re joined by Jannae Gammage and Alaia Martin, the powerhouse co-founders of Cyphr, a tech startup revolutionizing small business financing through AI and data innovation. Jannae and Alaia share their inspiring journey of building a borrower-centric platform that’s already transforming how entrepreneurs access funding.

They open up about their early entrepreneurial experiences, from Jannae’s teenage ventures to Alaia’s success scaling and exiting her first business. Together, they’ve tackled the complex world of small business financing with Cyphr, now a profitable and fast-growing startup.

We explore:

Whether you’re a founder, a small business owner, or someone curious about the future of AI-driven startups, Jannae and Alaia’s story is a must-listen. Tune in to uncover their unique strategies, actionable insights, and bold vision for 2025.

What does it take to bounce back after a decade-long startup journey hits a dead end? In this episode of Founder Stories, we sit down with Tim Sylvester, a serial entrepreneur who turned a failed vision of smart roadways into a cutting-edge tech company tackling the rise of internet bots.

Tim opens up about his earliest ventures, including selling custom CDs in high school, and how those experiences shaped his entrepreneurial mindset. He shares the highs and lows of building Integrated Roadways, a bold attempt to transform public infrastructure, and the lessons he took into his newest venture, PaynPoint Inc.

We explore:

Whether you’re an aspiring founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, Tim’s story will leave you inspired to rethink challenges as opportunities. Tune in to discover how to turn setbacks into stepping stones and build a stronger, smarter business.

What does it take to scale a company and disrupt the analytics industry? In this episode, Learie Hercules, founder and CEO of Heft iQ, shares his incredible journey from growing up in Trinidad and Tobago to revolutionizing how companies harness data with AI agents. Now based in Kansas City, Hercules isn’t afraid to challenge the local startup ecosystem and share what needs to change for the region to thrive.

Topics Covered:

Listen to discover the mindset and strategies needed to build a high-growth company, navigate startup challenges, and create game-changing innovation.

What does it take to build a game-changing company in an industry as challenging as GovTech? In this episode, John Thompson, founder and CEO of PayIt, shares his entrepreneurial journey from starting with zero customers to scaling a company that transforms how governments serve their citizens.

Topics Covered:

Listen to learn what it takes to innovate in the public sector, secure funding, and lead with purpose.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the transformative power of music education with community leaders Clint Velazquez, Enrique Chi, and Kyla Pitts-Zevin. From the neuroscience behind music’s impact on the brain to stories of mentorship and resilience, this conversation explores how teaching music goes far beyond the notes—it builds stronger, more connected communities.

Whether you’re an educator, a music lover, or someone curious about the arts' role in building communities and driving innovation, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration. Tune in now to hear how the arts shape our world—or how to better support creative education!

In this episode, we’re joined by Victor Hwang, founder of Right to Start, to explore a compelling question: Why should we all be advocates for entrepreneurship? Victor dives into the power of entrepreneurship as a driving force for economic growth and community revitalization. Whether you're a business owner, policymaker, or simply interested in seeing your community thrive, this conversation sheds light on how supporting entrepreneurs can lead to meaningful economic change.

Victor shares insights on the economic ripple effects of innovation, how new businesses can generate substantial job opportunities, and why it’s crucial to bring entrepreneurship to the forefront of public issues. If you’re curious about why innovation matters on a societal level and how entrepreneurship can empower individuals and communities alike, this episode is for you!