Clock Speed with Shamus Madan

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Heather Hartnett about her journey with Human Ventures. They delve into the tech ecosystem, discuss evaluating potential ventures, and share insights into their founder community. Heather also provides advice for aspiring fund managers, the role of hospitality in business, and the dynamics of social media.

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews David Abney, former CEO of UPS. They discuss Abney's early career, the future of logistics with AI, and UPS's unique strategies like the right-turn policy. The conversation also covers the role of partnerships, acquisition strategies, key takeaways for future business leaders, and essential skills for success.

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Brian Scudamore about his entrepreneurial journey, the expansion of The Rubbish Boys, and the role of franchising in business growth. They discuss Elon Musk's strategy of firing and rehiring employees, Brian's experiences on the Oprah and Ellen shows, and Shamus's podcasting journey. They also discuss handling rejection and creating a $700,000,000 business.

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews Brian Smith, founder of UGG. They delve into UGG's origin story and its connection to surfing, discuss the brand's growth phases and struggles, and explore the pivotal shift in UGG's advertising strategy. They also talk about the power of emotions in advertising, the challenges faced in Brian's entrepreneurial journey, and key lessons from building UGG.

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews Noor Sweid, discussing her background, the role of vulnerability in leadership, and the challenge of maintaining company culture during expansion. They delve into the intricacies of outperforming the S&P 500 for funds, top startups in the Middle East, reasons for rejecting investment opportunities, and pursuing a career in venture capital.

In this episode, Shamus Madan converses with Oscar Höglund, discussing his journey from being a 'number guy' to CEO and the creation of Epidemic Sound. They examine the significance of music in content creation, the evolution of Epidemic Sound's business model, and the role of partnerships in its success. They also explore the future of the music industry, the impact of AI, and the challenges and opportunities in music distribution.

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Bill George about his book "True North" and ethical hiring practices. They critique Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg's leadership, explore the effects of investor hype, and discuss the role of coaching in leadership. They also discuss the impact of leadership change, the importance of prioritizing company over ego, and learning from outside your industry.

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Mike Evans about his entrepreneurial journey, starting with his MIT experiences and early startup involvement. They discuss the creation and challenges of Grubhub, its profitability strategies, and Evans' reflections on the company. They delve into the role of leverage in business negotiations, introduce Fixer, and share lessons from Grubhub's success. The episode concludes with Evans' advice for startup founders and a plug for his book, "Hangry".

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Rebecca Kaden about her journey into venture capital, the startup culture in New York, and the significance of network effects in startups. They discuss memorable investment meetings, tips for pitching, and how to approach VCs. They also explore the future of venture capital, efficient company building, and potential growth areas.

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Gad Allon about his work with early-stage firms and large corporations. They discuss the importance of networking, overcoming growth constraints, customer acquisition challenges, and common mistakes by student entrepreneurs. The conversation concludes with key takeaways for aspiring founders.

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Ashley Aydin about her early career experiences and how they shaped her venture capital journey. They discuss the need for diversity in venture capital, the importance of role models, and Aydin's vision for a diversified startup pipeline. They also share tips for founders and insights on understanding their perspective.

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Scott D. Clary about his experience in tech sales, the key lessons he's learned, and the importance of storytelling in marketing. They discuss strategies for podcast growth, content repurposing, and venture capital fundraising, while also highlighting the need for business success beyond attracting venture capitalists.

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with venture capitalist, Jai Das. They discuss Das's journey into the field, the importance of trust in venture capital, and his investment criteria. They also delve into lessons from pre-dotcom bubble investing, strategies for identifying long-term growth companies, and the future of enterprise software with the rise of blockchain.

In this episode, Shamus Madan sits down with Brett Martin, the mind behind Kumospace. They delve into the future of video chat, tackling Zoom fatigue, and the unique ways Kumospace personalizes remote work. They also discuss the future of virtual offices, lessons learned from previous startups, and monetization strategies. Martin concludes with advice for young entrepreneurs.

In this episode, Shamus Madan and Glenn Hubbard discuss Adam Smith's economic theories, modern economic growth strategies, and the 9/11 economic impact. They delve into the effect of Bush-era steel tariffs and the financial crisis, explore CEOs' perspectives on political dislocations and inflation, and assess the current GDP and unemployment scenario. The future of work, the 'quiet quitting' trend, and the need for fiscal policy reform are also examined.

In this episode, Shamus Madan converses with Lee Jacobs about his early investment journey, the influence of sociology on business, and his experiences with AngelList. They discuss venture capital competition, Jacobs' unique investment strategies, and provide advice for founders in crowded markets. They analyze an investment in Notion and forecast economic trends for 2022 and 2023.

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Yoav Vilner, founder of AppChamp and Walnut. They discuss Vilner's entrepreneurial journey, the role of network effects and growth hacking in business, and how Walnut is revolutionizing the product demo industry. The conversation also covers the importance of visuals in website design, strategies for startups to attract investors, and the significance of storytelling in business.

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Ben Samaroo about his transition into the crypto industry and the evolution of DeFi. They delve into the inception of WonderFi, its mission, and the importance of team dynamics in its acquisitions. Further discussions include strategic partnerships, preparing for potential market crashes, and the crucial role of education in the DeFi industry.

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Aarthi Ramamurthy about her transition from Facebook to Clubhouse, the importance of curiosity and constant learning in tech, and her investment strategies. They also discuss the power of cold emailing and the journey of the MBIT podcast.

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Mercedes Bent about her journey from Goldman Sachs to venture capital, emphasizing the importance of sales and partnerships. They discuss strategies for customer retention in crypto, the globalization of pop culture, and how to overcome uncertainty in the venture capital industry. The conversation wraps up with key takeaways and Mercedes' advice for success in venture capital.

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Vitaliy Katsenelson about his journey into investing, the concept of value investing, and the role of managerial ability in assessing a company's worth. They debunk stock chart misconceptions, discuss the importance of people in a company's success, and how value investing adapts to market conditions. Vitaliy also shares his networking strategies in the investment industry and offers advice to young investors.

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews Touraj Parang, discussing Parang's startup journey, navigating recession, and venture capitalism. They delve into the significance of an early exit strategy, building strategic relationships, and the crucial role of trust. The episode concludes with valuable takeaways for startup founders.

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Bill George about his book "True North," the "Great Resignation," and his time at Medtronic. They delve into the importance of a strong founding team, the significance of aiding others to reach their potential, and building a company culture at scale. They also discuss Facebook's pivot to Meta.

In this episode, Shamus Madan converses with venture capitalists Hunter Walk and Kate Shillo Beardsley. They delve into their venture capital journeys, discuss the rise of new consumer products and fintech, and explore contrarian strategies. They also examine the evolution of the self-driving car market and government contractors, the significance of customer focus, and the transition from operations to venture capital. The conversation concludes with reflections on recognizing VC patterns, improving investment outcomes, and advice for founders on investor relationships.

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews Matt Mahar, CEO of Cana. They discuss Mahar's shift from athleisure to smart home tech, the problems in the beverage industry, and Cana's innovative solution: Cana 1, the first molecular beverage printer. They explore the potential market expansion, customizable drink options, and Cana's environmental impact. The conversation ends with future predictions about the beverage printing industry.

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Lara Hodgson about her journey from Harvard to NOW, highlighting her early ventures and the role of NOW during an economic recession. They discuss the 'great resignation's impact on entrepreneurship, the power of storytelling in business, and insights for small businesses during economic tension. The episode concludes with a discussion on the 'tailwind effect' and companies that thrived during recessions.

In this episode, Shamus Madan converses with Tim Draper about his journey into venture capitalism. They discuss Draper's successful investments, his advice for building networks for early VCs, and his approach to global economies. They also delve into sustaining reputation, problem-solving strategies, and their shared experiences investing in Tesla. Draper concludes with advice for budding VCs and entrepreneurs.

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews Ariel Camus, discussing his entrepreneurial journey and the creation of Torastai and Microverse. They delve into Microverse's unique business model and its impact on graduates' salaries. They also discuss the challenges of expanding Microverse's reach, the future job market, and the importance of passion in entrepreneurship.

In this episode, Shamus Madan speaks with Mark Cuban about his venture into the pharmaceutical industry with Cost Plus Drugs. They discuss startup strategies, challenges in building a manufacturing plant, and ways to increase consumer knowledge. The conversation also covers the role of personal branding, the potential of Gen Z, and the importance of lifelong learning in business.

In this episode, Shamus Madan converses with Molly Wood about her transition into tech and business journalism. They discuss the role of storytelling in journalism and entrepreneurship, and delve into the rise and future of the climate tech industry. They also explore financial tools for climate change solutions, measuring their impact, and the trade-offs involved.

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Paige Finn Doherty about her venture into venture capital and her plans for Behind Genius Ventures. They discuss the importance of cold emailing, the use of social media for content creation, and the impact of macroeconomics on early-stage markets. Paige also shares her advice for first-time fund managers and how COVID-19 affected VC strategies.

In this MBIT episode, Shamus Madan talks with Eric Bahn about his transition from law to Silicon Valley, and the inception of HUSL Fund. They delve into the definition of "hustle", the venture capital process, Bahn's five pillars for assessing deals, and the potential of MBIT becoming a VC fund. They also discuss the characteristics of potential IPO companies, the power of storytelling in entrepreneurship, and Bahn's philosophy on business relationships.

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Jesse Randall about the challenges and limitations of traditional venture capital, introducing listeners to Sweater's unique investment process. They discuss the difficulties accredited investors face, the importance of marketing in the investment world, and trust and transparency in private market investing. The conversation also covers valuation methods, the impact of equity crowdfunding, and Sweater's mission and approach to investment.

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Elad Schaffer, tracing his entrepreneurial journey from WikiStrat to Faye. They delve into the pros and cons of bootstrapping a startup, the philosophy of Faye, and its impact on the travel insurance sector. Further, they explore the underwriting process, the importance of travel insurance education, and the influence of historical events on the industry. They also discuss the integral role of customer service in insurance and learn more about Faye.

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews Drew Bellcock about Pipe Dream's vision, operational challenges, and impact on urban congestion. They discuss the company's consumer interface, payment system, failure-proofing methods, and growth strategy. They also talk about the engineering principles guiding Pipe Dream's development.

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Landon Sanford, discussing his entrepreneurial journey and how he overcame failures. They delve into the workings of Compose AI and its future prospects, the transition to web 3 startups, and related fundraising challenges. They also explore strategies for raising capital during downturns, the importance of a lean model and survival mentality in startups, the necessity of early validation, market trends, and the concept of Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

In this episode, Shamus Madan converses with Dan Fishman about his career shift to venture capital and his focus on environmental impact businesses. They discuss portfolio support and investment strategy at Regeneration VC, the role of omnichannel for climate brands, and traits of successful founders. They also delve into Leonardo DiCaprio's involvement at Regeneration VC, the circular economy concept, and portfolio companies' innovative use of Clean O 2. The episode concludes with advice for climate tech founders and a story about Zane Jaffer's successful business turnaround.

In this episode, Shamus Madan converses with Spencer Rascoff about his journey with startups, crisis management lessons, and the inception of Zillow. They delve into Picasso's strategies for rapid market growth, the importance of founder product fit, and building a diverse team. They also discuss the future of PropTech, including innovations and the role of blockchain.

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Simon Grunfeld about the advantages of stablecoins, the recent crypto crash, and the comparison between investing in stocks and cryptocurrency. They dive into Simba, a new platform for NFTs, discuss the regulation challenges of cryptocurrencies, and the role of Coinbase in user protection. They explore the future of crypto and the potential of Web 3 and NFTs in the upcoming decade.

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Zécca Lehn from Responsibly Ventures. They discuss the difference between climate and sustainability funds, Zécca's interest in macroeconomic policies, and the link between journalism and venture capital. They also talk about the transition from angel investing to starting a VC fund, the concept of failure rates, and the significance of discipline in fundraising. The conversation wraps up with a discussion on the importance of ethics and problem-solving in startup success.

In this episode, Shamus Madan discusses the current market situation, the role of the Federal Reserve and inflation, and the potential for stagflation and economic slowdown. He also talks about maintaining financial security during economic instability, long-term investment strategies, financial planning for founders and entrepreneurs, and the impact on venture capital and startups.

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Kevin Zhang about his background and experience in venture capital and entrepreneurship. They discuss the evolution of the venture capital industry, its role in supporting entrepreneurs, and its importance in business success. They also explore the distribution of returns in venture capital firms, the state of the venture capital bubble, and provide advice for new venture capitalists.

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Josh Mohrer, discussing his journey from Uber to Levels. They delve into the creation of Uber Eats, Uber's competition strategy against Lyft, and the legal challenges faced by Uber. The conversation later shifts to Mohrer's transition to Levels, the importance of glucose monitoring, and the problems Levels aims to solve in the current health system.

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews Zain Jaffer, discussing his background, advice for startup founders, insights on fundraising, and his transition into PropTech. They delve into the differences in real estate investment, the rise of PropTech, and the importance of financial management in startups.

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Katrin Kaurov and Aleksandra Medina about the creation and growth of Fridge, a finance app for Gen Z. They discuss user retention strategies, competition, building a community, raising capital, and the challenges in personal finance.

In this episode, Shamus Madan chats with Andrew Gazdecki about MicroAcquire's vision and current operations. They discuss the streamlined acquisition process, startup vetting, and the high demand for AI startups. They delve into valuing early-stage startups, the importance of bootstrapping, and the overemphasis on venture capital.

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Brian Feroldi about his journey into personal finance and investing, and his time at The Motley Fool. They discuss the impact of democratized investing, variances in global stock markets, and compare domestic vs. international investing. They also provide tips for millennials transitioning into personal finance and discuss ways to offset rising consumer prices. The episode concludes with future predictions about the stock market and resources for learning more about Brian Feroldi.

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Josh Pigford about his new venture, Maybe. They discuss Pigford's background, the goals and business model of Maybe, and how it compares to competitors like Mint and Intuit. They also delve into the benefits of transparency in building Maybe and lessons learned from Pigford's previous business, Baremetrics.

In this episode, Shamus Madan talks with Zayd Ali, founder of Fish, a social network for entrepreneurs and investors. They discuss Zayd's journey into entrepreneurship, the launch and monetization strategy of Fish, and the importance of building relationships with venture capitalists. Zayd also shares his experience with balancing academics and startup life, and his time at Founders University and Launch House.

In this episode, Shamus Madan interviews marketing expert, Ryan Alford, discussing his background, the creation of RadCast, and the importance of curiosity in entrepreneurship. They delve into best practices for podcast growth, Instagram branding, and the potential impact of the metaverse on marketing. Ryan also shares the seven ageless truths in marketing and the importance of motivation in brand building.