Funds and Founders

Why does every billion-dollar company start with simple plans? Our episode with Ryan Atkinson, the founder of Spacebar Visuals and UpFlip and TechGuide podcast host, who’s had the chance to interview some incredible entrepreneurs—like the founder of a $1 billion company! Ryan shared how he’s learned so much from conversations with founders like Alexander Zatarin, CEO of Eight Sleep, Sam Corcos, founder of Levels, and even Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon. Here’s what I took away from our chat: ?? Simple business plans can lead to billion-dollar companies. ?? Conversations with successful founders reveal the importance of staying focused and executing on your vision. ?? Ryan’s experiences show how learning from the best can shape your own entrepreneurial journey. Check out the full episode on Funds and Founders Podcast for more insights ?? https://lnkd.in/eEBvceem #Entrepreneurship #FounderStories #BillionDollarCompanies #BusinessGrowth #StartupJourney #Innovation #Uplift #RyanAtkinson #LessonsLearned

Why Podcasting is One of the Best Career Life Hacks. The conversation with Ryan Atkinson, founder of Spacebar Visuals and host of UpFlip and TechGuide podcasts revealed what he loved most about podcasting, and his answer was nothing short of inspiring. He shared how podcasting started as a way to connect with people and grew into one of the best tools for his entrepreneurial journey. Here’s what I learned from him: ?? Podcasting is a way to connect with executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. ?? He recommends podcasting for anyone early in their career—it's one of the best ways to learn from the people you meet. ?? Podcasting became one of his best life hacks—allowing him to grow, learn, and connect. If you’re starting out in your career or looking to grow your network, podcasting could be a game-changer for you. Check out the full episode for more insights ?? https://lnkd.in/eEBvceem #Podcasting #Networking #Entrepreneurship #CareerGrowth #BusinessConnections #LifeHacks #StartupJourney #PersonalDevelopment #FundsandFounders

Which channel works best for opening and closing deals? I see so many companies struggling to get conversations going. But in this episode, we spoke with Ryan Atkinson, CEO of Spacebar Visuals, about what really works. With a $20K monthly investment and consistent outreach 2–3 times a month, email marketing turned out to be the best channel for opening and closing deals. Here’s what I learned: ?? Cold emailing with a solid strategy leads to real conversations. ?? Consistency is key, outreach 2–3 times per month works best. ?? A well-invested budget can drive big results. If you’re looking to improve your strategy and drive better results, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Check out the full episode ?? https://lnkd.in/eEBvceem #EmailMarketing #ColdEmailing #LeadGeneration #SalesStrategy #RyanAtkinson #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

Founders risk falling behind if they ignore "Shiny Object Syndrome." In my conversation with Catalin Briciu, CEO of Linnify, we discussed how crucial it is for founders to stay focused and not get pulled in by every new trend. As a founder, if you’re not aware of the shiny object syndrome, you’re at risk of losing sight of your goals. Here’s how Catalin Briciu suggests you can stay on track: 1?? Get the overall vision and strategy of your current project, know where you're headed and why. 2?? Check if the shiny object aligns with your company’s goals, if it doesn’t, it’s a no. 3?? Integrate what you can, but stay focused on the core vision. The ability to stay laser-focused is a key trait, just like Steve Jobs had. As Steve Jobs wisely said, “What you’re building matters—that’s what’s going to change the world, not the shiny object.” If you're building something, don’t let distractions pull you. Check out the full episode on Funds and Founders for more insights from Catalin ?? https://lnkd.in/gAdxnUdA #Focus #ShinyObjectSyndrome #FounderAdvice #Entrepreneurship #StartupJourney #Leadership #CatalinBriciu #Linnify #SteveJobs

Is personal branding the secret to more customers? I had a conversation with Catalin Briciu, CEO of Linnify, about the balance between personal and company branding. The key takeaway? They should work hand-in-hand, not as separate entities. People trust the person behind the product, so personal branding isn’t just important for founders, it’s essential for your whole team. Aligning your team’s personal brands with the company vision can even help you command premium pricing. Here’s what I learned: ?? Personal branding builds trust—key for both you and your team. ?? Aligning personal and company brands strengthens your market position. ?? A strong personal brand drives loyalty, which leads to business growth. If you’re looking to improve your branding strategy, check out the full video ?? https://lnkd.in/gAdxnUdA #PersonalBranding #CompanyBranding #BusinessInsights #TeamGrowth #PremiumPricing #Entrepreneurship #StartupTips #Fundsandfounders

There’s NO such thing as the perfect product idea for a startup. I had the chance to talk with Catalin Briciu, CEO of Linnify about a mistake many founders make, chasing perfection. Instead, Catalin recommends focusing on launching quickly. Build something unique, get it out there, and adapt as you go. Perfection can actually slow you down, and you might miss valuable insights that come only after real-world feedback. Here’s what I learned from our conversation: ?? Start fast and don't wait for everything to be perfect. ?? Focus on the core of what makes your product stand out. ?? Be flexible and willing to adapt based on feedback. Whether you're in tech or any other field, the principle holds true. Waiting for everything to be flawless can cost you valuable time. In any career, learning and adapting along the way is often more important than trying to get it 100% right from the start. If you’re building something, this episode is packed with insights to help you move forward. Check out the full video ?? https://lnkd.in/gAdxnUdA #Entrepreneurship #StartupJourney #CareerGrowth #ProductDevelopment #Innovation

Formula 1 isn’t just creating champions, it’s creation CEOs. I had the chance to talk with Hunter Burkey about how his experience with Formula 1 racing teams helped shape his path to becoming the CEO of @Next Level Security. Starting in 2018, Hunter worked with Formula 1 teams, handling club security and collaborating with a key security figure named Dillium. From coordinating local teams to traveling to places like Miami, Mexico, Vegas, and Canada with F1, these experiences laid the foundation for his leadership style. By 2021, his unique approach to working and building connections earned him recognition and set him on the path to leadership. Here’s what I learned from Hunter’s journey: ? The value of hands-on experience in leadership roles ? How working with high-pressure teams can shape your business mindset ? The importance of building meaningful connections For more on Hunter’s journey and how Formula 1 played a pivotal role in his business success, check out the full video link here ?? https://lnkd.in/eDqEGuuw #Leadershiplessons #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #FounderJourney #Founderinspiration #Founderspodcast #Becomeafounder #Fundsandfounders

From Failed Business to CEO: A Journey of Growth and Resilience. Had the chance to talk with Hunter Burkey about his journey from his first failed business to becoming the CEO of Next Level Security. Hunter started HT Customs with no experience or mentorship, and although it didn’t take off, the lessons he learned shaped his future path. We shared some valuable insights during our conversation, including: ?? Failure isn’t the end—it’s part of the process. ?? Sometimes, all you need is someone to push you in the right direction. ?? Real growth comes from learning from your mistakes and adapting. Hunter’s story is a reminder that the road to success is rarely straight—it’s full of lessons and opportunities to grow. For more on Hunter’s journey and the lessons he learned, check out the full video, link below. https://lnkd.in/eDqEGuuw #Entrepreneurship #StartupJourney #Leadershiplessons #FounderStories #Startupmistakes #Founderspodcast #Becomeafounder #Fundsandfounders

In our previous episode of Funds and Founders, I had the chance to talk with Nikhil Dixit, CTO of Hylio, about the company’s growth and journey in the world of drone technology for agriculture. Hylio is based in Texas and handles everything—from designing to manufacturing their crop-spraying drones. We shared some great insights during our conversation, including: ?? You need someone to nudge you in the right direction—like Nikhil’s partners did for him. ?? Sometimes, all it takes is a small leap of faith to move forward in whatever you’re pursuing. ?? Don’t hesitate to make changes based on customer needs and feedback. I also asked Nikhil about their $80,000 drone, and he broke down the investment that goes into building these high-tech machines. It’s amazing how much goes into making sure these drones work with precision in the agriculture field. Check out the full video on Funds and Founders for more on how Hylio got to where it is and the challenges it faced. ?? Here is the podcast link: https://lnkd.in/eC4Vrd9b #AgriTech #DroneTech #Innovation #StartupJourney #Agriculture #Fundsandfounders

I had an amazing conversation with Nikhil Dixit, CTO of Hylio, and something he shared really stood out to me. When I asked him about their sales and customer acquisition journey, he said, There are still some rough edges. Competition is getting stronger with new drones every year. However, we figured out that onboarding dealers as brand ambassadors solved most of our sales problems. We’re still growing, but it’s a process. It’s a great reminder that even when you find a solution, growth is a continuous journey. It’s not always about perfection—it’s about adapting and improving. Here’s what I learned from Nikhil’s experience: ?? They’ve learned that onboarding dealers as brand ambassadors have been key to solving their sales issues. ?? Despite the challenges, Hylio is still growing and improving its sales strategy. For more insights into Hylio’s growth and the lessons Nikhil learned, ?? check out the full podcast https://lnkd.in/eC4Vrd9b #SalesStrategy #StartupGrowth #AgriTech #Innovation #CustomerAcquisition #Fundsandfounders