In this episode, we explore the rise of Shotsy, the leading companion app for GLP-1 medication users. Founder Aja Beckett discusses her transition from a software engineer to a health-tech entrepreneur, the importance of community-led growth, and the nuances of building a subscription business in the modern healthcare landscape.

Learn more about Shotsy work at: https://www.shotsyapp.com/

Connect with Aja Beckett on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aja-beckett/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/

Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? https://finstratmgmt.com

In this episode, Kristian Marquez sits down with Harry Statter, the founder of Frontline Wildfire Defense. They discuss the shift from landscape ecology to wildfire mitigation, the science of ember-driven ignitions, and how automated technology is saving homes where traditional methods fail. Learn how Frontline achieved a 96% effectiveness rate in recent California fires and why the insurance industry is looking at this technology as a mandatory shield for the future.

Learn more about Frontline Wildfire Defense System work at: https://www.frontlinewildfire.com/

Connect with Harry Statter on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-statter-1aa92411/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/

Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? https://finstratmgmt.com

Join host Kristian Marquez as he sits down with serial entrepreneur and investor Rick Marini. In this episode, Marini walks through his legendary career, from the viral success of Tickle to the $2 billion IPO of Grindr. Discover how he is now disrupting the crypto trading space with Rails, a hybrid exchange designed for speed, security, and total compliance.

Learn more about Rails work at: https://rails.xyz/

Connect with Rick Marini on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickmarini/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/

Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? https://finstratmgmt.com

Can AI have a personality? Vishnu Hari, Founder and CEO of ego, joins Kristian Marquez to discuss why the future of AI isn't just "smarter" assistants, but "flawed" digital humans. From modding GTA to researching exoplanets with the pioneers of deep learning, Hari shares his journey and ego AI's mission to build AI that possesses intent, consciousness, and behavioral authenticity. Learn about the Behavioral Turing Test and why the next frontier of the Metaverse depends on filling virtual worlds with digital life.

Learn more about ego AI work at: https://www.egoai.com/

Read the "Behavior is All You Need" research paper: https://www.egoai.com/research/behavior-is-all-you-need

Connect with Vishnu Hari on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ego-ai

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/

Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? https://finstratmgmt.com

How do you build a brand that stands out in a crowded venture capital landscape? Jennifer Zimmerman, former CMO of General Catalyst and current expert in residence at X&O, joins Kristian Marquez to break down the science of Master Branding. With a background managing Fortune 100 brands, Jennifer shares why startups need a "Point of View" rather than just a "Point of Difference." Learn the three pillars of brand storytelling and how to turn complex technology into a compelling human narrative.

Learn more about X&O work at: https://heyxo.co/

Connect with Jennifer Zimmerman on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-zimmerman-711a9454/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show?

Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/

Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? https://finstratmgmt.com

Bobby Franklin, President and CEO of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), joins the show to discuss the critical intersection of venture capital and public policy. From his early days navigating wireless mergers at Alltel to his decade-long tenure leading the CTIA, Franklin shares how his unique background prepared him to advocate for the American startup ecosystem. Tune in to learn how the NVCA works to empower the next generation of transformative companies through strategic investment and national policy initiatives.

Learn more about Nvca work at: https://nvca.org/

Connect with Bobby Franklin on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyfranklin/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/

Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? https://finstratmgmt.com

In this episode, Kristian Marquez speaks with Cyrus Wadia, CEO of Activate. They dive into how Activate supports scientists and engineers through a two-year fellowship that provides the funding, mentorship, and community needed to turn lab discoveries into world-changing businesses. Wadia shares his journey from chemical engineering to the White House and eventually to leading one of the most significant deep-tech incubators in the country.

Learn more about Activate work at: https://activate.org/

Connect with Cyrus Wadia on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyruswadia/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show?

Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/

Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work?

https://finstratmgmt.com

In this episode, Kristian Marquez welcomes Melanie Nabar, an investment professional at Volition Capital. They discuss the nuances of growth equity, the importance of a "bootstrapped mentality" even in funded companies, and how to build scalable customer success functions. Whether you are a founder looking for your next round or an investor refining your thesis, this conversation offers high-value lessons on market resilience and operational excellence.

Learn more about Volition Capital work at: https://www.volitioncapital.com/

Connect with Melanie Nabar on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniejordannabar

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/

Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? https://finstratmgmt.com

In this episode, Kristian Marquez welcomes Andrey Doronichev, founder of BIOPTIC and former Director of Product Management at Google. Andrey shares how his experience scaling YouTube to a billion users informed his transition into the biotech sector. We explore how AI is automating competitive intelligence in pharma, the lessons learned from Google’s Stadia project, and why the next decade of drug discovery belongs to AI-native companies.

Learn more about Optic work at: https://bioptic.io/

Connect with Andrey Doronichev on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doronichev/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/

Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? https://finstratmgmt.com

In this episode, Kristian Marquez is joined by James Paul Costa, founder of Grapetree Ventures. Drawing on a background that includes the Naval Academy and early-stage tech growth, James breaks down the psychological frameworks necessary for elite leadership. They discuss the "Clock on the Wall" strategy for conflict resolution, the importance of "re-attachment" in habit formation, and why solving the world's biggest problems might actually be easier than solving small ones.

Learn more about Grapetree Ventures work at: https://grapetreeventures.com/

Connect with James Paul Costa on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamespaulcosta/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show?

Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/

Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? https://finstratmgmt.com