In episode 60 of Venture Everywhere, host Noah Spirakus, Partner at Everywhere Ventures, talks with Mark Heynen, co-founder of Knapsack, a free, private meeting notetaker and automation platform.  Mark shares his startup journey, from fintech to AI, driven by his passion for expanding access to essential tools. Mark also discusses how Knapsack leverages AI to protect data and build user-friendly applications for diverse customer bases, shaping the future of how businesses interact with technology.

In this episode, you will hear:

• AI models are rapidly becoming commoditized.
• How Knapsack's AI automates meetings and manages contacts, enhancing productivity.
• The vulnerabilities of storing and processing data on third-party AI cloud platforms.
• Underutilization of AI in financial services, particularly in relationship management.
• Why companies delay AI adoption over privacy, regulation, and security risks.

Learn more about Mark Heynen | Knapsack

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markheynen/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markheynen/ 

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@markheynen 

X: https://x.com/markheynen

Website: https://www.knapsack.ai/ 

Learn more about Noah Spirakus | Everywhere VC

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahspirakus/

Website: https://everywhere.vc/

In episode 59 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Scott Harley, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Everywhere VC, chats with Arianna Armelli, founder and CEO of Dorothy, a startup revolutionizing disaster recovery by streamlining post-disaster navigation for policyholders. Arianna shares how her background in urban planning and firsthand experience with disaster response inefficiencies inspired her to launch Dorothy. Arianna also  discusses the company’s pivot to advocating for homeowners in disputes and explains how AI and automation are driving a more proactive and accessible approach to disaster recovery.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Dorothy’s shift on enhancing public adjusters' roles to secure fair homeowner settlements.
• How delayed insurance payouts create financial hardship for homeowners.
• Policyholders' challenges in understanding coverage and resolving claim disputes.
• Community-led efforts can sometimes be more effective than government response.
• Conflict between fair settlements for policyholders and insurers' profit motives.

Learn more about Arianna Armelli | Dorothy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariannaarmelli/

Website: https://www.hidorothy.com/

Learn more about Scott Hartley | Everywhere VC

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotthartley/

Website: https://everywhere.vc/

Episode 58 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Scott Hartley, Co-founder and MP of Everywhere Ventures talks with Philip Johnston, CEO of Lumen Orbit, a company that aims to deploy hyperscale data centers in space powered by solar energy and passive cooling. Philip shares his journey from academia and consulting to founding Lumen Orbit, driving a new era of orbital computing amid falling space launch costs. Scott and Philip also discuss the future of AI in space-based computing and the broader impact of shifting data infrastructure toward an off-world economy.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How Lumen Orbit is capitalizing on lower launch costs due to SpaceX.
• Lumen Orbit’s aim to build a self-sustaining space economy powered by Dyson sphere computing.
• Addressing power and mass constraints for large-scale orbital data centers.
• Developing deployable radiators for thermal regulation in space.
• Mitigating potential risks like space debris and nefarious cyber threats.
• Driving innovation in low-cost, high-energy space applications.
• Balancing private investment with non-dilutive funding sources (government grants, defense contracts).

Learn more about Philip Johnston | Lumen Orbit

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnstonphilip/ 

Twitter (X): https://x.com/johnstonphil 

Website: https://www.lumenorbit.com/ 

Learn more about Scott Hartley | Everywhere VC

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotthartley/

Website: https://everywhere.vc/

Episode 57 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Jenny Fielding, Co-founder and GP of Everywhere VC. She chats with Kelvin Chan Co-Founder and CEO of Nirvana — a company transforming healthcare through automated insurance verification and specialty-optimized coverage solutions. Kelvin shares how Nirvana addresses critical pain points in verification to make healthcare more transparent, accessible, and efficient for both patients and providers, strengthening relationships across the healthcare ecosystem and enhancing the overall experience. 

In this episode, you will hear:

• Nirvana’s vision as a trusted symbol of certainty and transparency in healthcare.
• Simplifying insurance verification with a button that instantly clarifies coverage and costs.
• Overcoming slow healthcare change through partnerships and ROI with innovators.
• AI's potential to improve care efficiency and address biases
• Building products that challenge the status quo and address real pain points.
• Focusing on "narrow excellence" to build trust and a strong brand.

Learn more about Kelvin Chan | Nirvana

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvin-k-chan-9222232b/

Website: https://www.meetnirvana.com/

Learn more about Jenny Fielding | Everywhere VC

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyfielding/

Website: https://everywhere.vc/

In episode 56 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Scott Harley, MP of Everywhere VC, chats with Julie Kennedy, co-founder and CEO of RubyWell, a digital healthcare platform dedicated to assisting unpaid family caregivers. Julie shares insights how RubyWell supports caregivers, particularly those in the "missing middle," in managing the financial challenges of caring for loved ones on Medicare. Julie also discusses RubyWell’s aim to empower caregivers and their families by offering resources that improve access to care and the logistical burdens of long-term caregiving.

In this episode, you will hear:

• RubyWell's solution involves training family members to become certified home health aides.
• Policy and regulatory insights that guide RubyWell's business model.
• Building a tech stack to assist providers with workflow and reimbursement challenges.
• Expanding beyond Medicare Part B to influence broader care models.
• Improving system efficiency to reduce costly emergencies with proactive in-home care.
• Fostering a supportive community for caregivers through technology and shared experiences.

Learn more about Julie Kennedy | RubyWell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-b-kennedy-b86118/

Website: https://www.rubywell.com/

Learn more about Scott Harley | Everywhere VC

LinkedIn: https://scotthartley.com/

Website: https://everywhere.vc/

Episode 55 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Hugh Dixson, founder and CEO of Switchboard, a platform that allows businesses to easily integrate and exchange data with any supply chain system. He chats with Sumeet Trehan, co-founder and CEO of Starboard, a virtual infrastructure company specializing in global trade. Sumeet shares insights on how Starboard leverages cutting-edge AI and ML to streamline complex operations, optimize routing, enhance transparency, and reduce costs. Hugh and Sumeet also discuss how companies like Switchboard and Starboard are revolutionizing the logistics industry with AI and advanced technologies.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Starboard aims to cut freight forwarders' workloads by up to 70% with AI bots.
• Challenges in digitizing an industry reliant on outdated systems and manual processes.
• Starboard’s vision as a centralized hub for global trade. 
• How small and mid-sized players can leverage technology to compete with larger players.
• Parallels between supply chain modernization and the fintech boom.
• Why smaller players are adopting innovative solutions faster.

Learn more about Sumeet Trehan | Starboard

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumeettrehan1/

Website: https://www.starboard.biz/

Learn more about Hugh Dixson | Switchboard

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughdixson/

Website: https://www.switchboardcloud.com/

Episode 54 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Andy Ambrose, partner in The Fund Austin, as part of Everywhere VC and Managing Partner of Palm Venture Studios. He chats with Marty Ringlein, CEO and Co-Founder of Agree.com, an all-in-one platform for sending, signing, and managing agreements securely. Marty shares the "why" behind Agree.com focusing on the fragmented nature of digital signatures and money movement. Marty also discussed how the company is positioning itself as an "advanced agreement platform" that not only streamlines the signing process but also integrates invoicing and payment processing, making transactions more efficient for everyone.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Agree.com’s vision to dominate the AR/AP automation space via e-signature integration.
• Using OCR and Generative AI to enhance data extraction and invoice generation.
• Monetization strategies via SaaS subscriptions for larger teams and transaction-based revenue models.
• Integrating CRMs and ERPs for large enterprises to foster collaboration, breaking down departmental silos.
• Iterative storytelling when pitching and aligning product growth with market needs.
• Ensuring a positive user experience while managing the evolution of the product.

Learn more about Marty Ringlein | Agree.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martymadrid/

Website: https://agree.com/

Learn more about Andy Ambrose | Everywhere VC | The Fund Austin | Palm Venture Studios

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyambrose/

Website: https://everywhere.vc/

Episode 53 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Gabriela Isturiz, General Partner at The Fund XX, ex-legal tech founder with two Fortune 500 exits to Thomson Reuters and Roper Tech, now investing in and supporting startups. She chats with Doug Bemis, co-founder and CEO of Syntracts, a legal tech startup transforming legal contracts into actionable intelligence. Doug shares insights into how Syntracts is revolutionizing legal knowledge management. They extract precise, reliable information from any contract with the  information staying on-premise. Doug also discusses how generative AI is influencing legal workflows and his approach to creating technology that respects law firms' need for high security and accuracy. 

In this episode, you will hear:

• Syntracts' shift to self-service enabling users to enhance accuracy and develop structured workflows.
• Differences from traditional AI models with a focus on accuracy, rich metadata, and reliability.
• Understanding the legal industry's unique constraints to navigate challenges effectively.
• Addressing the problem of buried institutional knowledge in legal contracts.
• Syntracts’ vision for providing legal tech tools that integrate AI and streamline information retrieval.

Learn more about Gabriela Isturiz | The Fund

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielaisturiz/

Website: https://ideas.thefund.vc/

Learn more about Doug Bemis | Syntracts

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-bemis-4481093b/

Website: https://www.syntracts.com/

Episode 52 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Beth Lopez, founder of Outfox Health, an AI tool for quick healthcare answers, price checks, and affordable provider guidance. Beth chats with Mark Jackson, founder of Besolo, a company that supports solopreneurs with an all-in-one platform for benefits, taxes, compliance, and essential business tools. Mark shares his journey from a marketing leader to scaling unicorn companies and ultimately founding Besolo. Mark also discusses Besolo’s long-term goal of supporting millions of solopreneurs and empowering them to pursue independence with the security of traditional employment benefits.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Potential for Besolo to become a major player by leveraging a large user base to negotiate benefits.

• The societal shift towards solopreneurship and its implications for the workforce.

• How the post-COVID era has accelerated the growth of the solopreneur and freelancer market.

• The battle between enterprise-focused and independent-centric platforms.

• Building customer trust through educational content, strategic partnerships, and network effects.

• The gap in affordable coverage options for self-employed individuals.

Learn more about Beth Ann Lopez |  Outfox Health

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/balopez999  

Website: https://outfoxhealth.com/ 

Learn more about Mark Jackson | Besolo

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jaxnmarx 

Website: https://www.besolo.io/ 

Episode 51 of Venture Everywhere is hosted by Shafiq Khartabil, Co-founder and CEO of Ogram, an on-demand staffing platform in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Greece, matching qualified workers to jobs in hospitality, retail, and logistics. He chats with Madhav Krishna, Founder and CEO of Vahan.ai, an AI-powered recruitment platform for India's blue-collar workforce.  Madhav shares how Vahan.ai is transforming the hiring process for India's 300 million blue-collar workers by using AI to connect job seekers with employment opportunities. Shafiq and Madhave discuss the $670 billion global temp staffing challenge and explore how platforms like Vahan and Ogram are reshaping employment dynamics worldwide.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Vahan.ai's AI solutions match workers to roles, verify qualifications, and expedite hiring.
• Staffing hurdles in high-demand sectors like hospitality, logistics, retail and the blue-collar workforce.
• Vahan's strategies to leverage community networks for trust-building.
• Shift towards flexible staffing from traditional outsourcing in various industries.
• Benefits of voice-based AI in expanding access to job-seeking platforms.
• The similarities and differences of on-demand staffing across India, the UAE, Europe, and beyond. 

Learn more about Madhav Krishna |  Vahan

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/madhavkrishna 

Website: https://vahan.co/ 

Learn more about Shafiq Khartabil | Ogram

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/shafiq-khartabil-ba592a20 

Website: https://www.ogram.co/uae/en/