The Founder Series

In this episode, we feature Andrew Gauthier, the founder of Mighty Startup, a seasoned executive, and investor with a passion for launching and scaling businesses globally. Andrew's background includes leading finance at Botkeeper, a startup that grew to over 100 employees and raised significant funding. Prior to Mighty Startup, he ran a successful tax and consulting firm, gaining diverse industry experience. Andrew's expertise in finance and operations, coupled with his hands-on approach, makes him a valuable advisor for early-stage ventures looking to build sustainable and financially sound businesses.

In this episode, we explore the influential role of AKM Global, a leading chartered accounting firm in India, under the stewardship of Amit Maheshwari, its Managing Partner and International Tax Lead. With offices in Gurgaon, New Delhi, and Mumbai, AKM Global advises multinational giants and startups on complex cross-border tax and regulatory matters. Amit's leadership extends beyond client advisory, as he shapes industry standards through his active participation in significant industry chambers and frequent contributions to international conferences and publications. Tune in to discover how AKM Global, guided by Amit’s expertise, navigates the intricate world of international tax and regulatory frameworks, driving strategic growth across global markets.

In this episode, we spotlight Anil Advani, a visionary startup lawyer, angel investor, and mentor whose extensive experience is shaping the future of startups in Silicon Valley and around the world. Anil's journey from prestigious law firms like Cooley Godward and Orrick Herrington to founding Inventus Law illustrates his commitment to empowering early-stage startups. With over 19 years of experience, Anil has advised more than 3,000 startups, participated in nearly 500 financing and M&A transactions valued at over $3 billion, and made over 25 angel investments. His work extends beyond the U.S., offering legal counsel in California, New York, and India, and supporting startups from diverse geographies in their quest for growth and success. At Inventus Law, Anil and his team offer founder-friendly legal services, emphasizing cost-effectiveness and responsiveness.

In this episode, we delve into the world of Cliff Pierre, a technology consultant renowned for his expertise in digital marketing and Web3 and niche tech expertise. With an impressive following of 1.5 million on Instagram, Cliff has become a figure in unveiling the secrets behind effective website strategies and search engine optimization. His insights and methodologies, shared widely across this platform, have revolutionized how businesses approach online visibility and growth.

In this episode, we spotlight Gary Hoberman, the visionary Founder and CEO of Unqork, whose innovative codeless platform is revolutionizing the software industry. Gary's journey from a seasoned CIO at MetLife to a groundbreaking tech entrepreneur embodies a shift towards simplifying complex technological processes. At Unqork, he's redefining software development by enabling faster, more flexible solutions without traditional coding. This episode offers a deep dive into how Unqork's unique approach is transforming businesses, pushing the boundaries of digital transformation, and setting new standards in enterprise technology.

n this episode, we explore Jon Brenan's influential role as CEO of Opentrons, a leading lab automation company valued at over $1 billion. Jon's strategic vision and operational expertise have been key in advancing Opentrons' mission to democratize lab automation with their flagship product, the OT-2. Under his leadership, Opentrons has become a pivotal player in the scientific community, providing accessible, high-precision robotics to streamline and enhance laboratory research globally.

In this insightful episode, we focus on Michelle Kwon's remarkable impact as Head of Operations and Finance at Runway, a dynamic AI company now valued at over $3 billion. Michelle's strategic leadership and deep financial acumen have been instrumental in scaling Runway's innovative business management solutions, significantly enhancing its market position and valuation. Runway is a platform used to create and edit images through AI, with users only needing to provide speech, text or images to enhance their video.

From a New York upbringing, Reed's journey spans from diner tables to pioneering entrepreneurship in apparel and an Operations Lead role at a music streaming startup. In 2021, while studying finance and technology at Wharton, Reed founded Hopscotch—a groundbreaking FinTech startup. Hopscotch disrupts business payments with real-time, fee-free transactions designed for small businesses and solopreneurs, backed by prominent investors like Stellation Capital, Shine Capital, and NOEMIS Ventures raising 6.1M in their most recent round.

Dimitri Sirota has taken the data privacy world by storm with BigID, an innovative data privacy and risk management platform that utilizes advanced machine learning and data intelligence to protect client data. Deemed by CNBC to be one of the top enterprise startups in 2022, BigID has grown to be a formidable force in the data privacy industry. In this episode, Sirota joins us to discuss his journey to founding BigID, from his initial entrance into the tech world to the obstacles he faced along the way.

Delve into the future of debt management with Solve Finance: a platform to manage financial debt. Sean Hundtofte is the co-founder and CEO, with a strong background in household finances and credit, listen to his thoughts on how financial systems and platforms like Solve Finance will shape the future of the economic industry.