Momentum Mode w/ Corey Ferengul & Mike Shannon

Should you raise millions and blitz-scale, or build slow, stay lean, and keep control? Mike and Corey dig into one of the most consequential decisions a founder makes: how much money to raise, and when.Mike is two and a half years into his second startup (Impruve), and this time he's doing it differently. No $4M raised before product-market fit. No chasing the next round before discovering what the business actually is. In this episode, he breaks down what he learned the hard way the first time and why AI makes the case for restraint even stronger today.They cover:→ Why raising too much too early limits your operational creativity→ The "discovery vs. scaling" mindset shift that changes everything→ How AI is compressing build costs and what that means for your funding strategy→ The vendor risk paradox: why more capital raised ≠ more stability→ What product-market fit actually has to look like before you pull the scale lever→ The real cost of marrying yourself to a financial goalpost too earlyWhether you're pre-seed, mid-raise, or reconsidering your next round, this one is worth your time.🎙️ Momentum Mode is hosted by Mike and Corey, two operators who've built, invested in, and advised technology companies across the Midwest and beyond.🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss an episode#Entrepreneurship #StartupFunding #VentureCapital #Bootstrapping #ProductMarketFit #FounderMindset #MomentumMode #StartupPodcast #AIStartups #Fundraising

What should you actually DO about AI as a leader right now? Not the hype, the real strategic decisions.In this episode, Mike and Corey break down the most pressing question executives are facing: how do you build a genuine AI strategy when the technology is changing faster than your planning cycle, investors are breathing down your neck, and employees are already using AI tools you don't even know about?We get into why cutting headcount is the wrong first move, what "shadow AI" in your organization is really telling you, and the unglamorous data work that separates companies who will win with AI from those who won't.What we cover:— Why the "cut first, figure it out later" approach is organizationally dangerous— The MIT vs. Wharton AI adoption research and what the gap tells us— "Management by Magazine" — and why investor pressure is driving bad AI decisions— Why your data house has to come before your AI strategy— Shadow AI: what to do when employees are already using tools you haven't approved— The career opportunity hiding inside the AI disruption (for employees at every level)— Why you should never get married to a single AI tool or vendor— The regulatory fragmentation coming for multinationals and the fiduciary risk already here in financial servicesIf you're an executive, operator, or anyone trying to lead through the AI moment without just reacting to headlines, this one is for you.🎙️ Momentum Mode drops new episodes weekly. Subscribe so you don't miss the next one!

In this episode of Momentum Mode, Corey Ferengul and Mike Shannon draw on their own experience on both sides of the table, as founders, executives, and investors, to break down what M&A readiness really means and why most companies aren't as prepared as they think.From the midnight due diligence call to the data gaps that quietly kill deals, they get into the details founders rarely hear until it's too late.They cover:Why not all revenue is equal and how buyers value it differentlyThe churn data you should have been tracking years agoHow succession planning becomes an M&A issue for services businessesWhat separates a PE buyer from a strategic — and why it changes everythingThe curveballs that catch sellers off guard: legal history, executive turnover, and decelerating growthWhy clean, organized data can add half a turn to your multipleIf you're a founder thinking about an eventual exit, a services business owner navigating succession, or an operator who wants to understand how buyers really think, this episode is a must-watch.

In this episode of Momentum Mode, Corey Ferengul and Mike Shannon sit down with Ann Perry, M&A consultant and former corporate development leader at companies including VMware, Intel, and McAfee, to unpack what really determines whether an acquisition succeeds or fails.From how startups actually get on the radar of strategic buyers to why integration should start before a deal is even signed, Ann shares hard-earned lessons from decades inside Silicon Valley deal rooms.They dig into the realities founders don’t always see:• Why culture mismatch kills value post-close• How messy IP and entity structure can derail a transaction• The real purpose of earn-outs (and why they often end in lawsuits)• Why Intel rewarded “devil’s advocates” for stopping bad dealsIf you’re a founder thinking about being acquired, an operator navigating integration, or an investor trying to understand what really drives M&A outcomes, this episode is a must-watch.

In this episode of Momentum Mode, Corey Ferengul and Mike Shannon sit down with Marty Pletkin, Managing Director of Corporate Development at Deloitte, to unpack what really determines whether M&A deals succeed or fail.With decades of experience across global transactions, Marty shares a behind-the-scenes look at how acquisitions actually happen — and why leadership alignment, timing, and operational discipline matter far more than financial models alone.The conversation explores common misconceptions founders have about exits, the hidden risks that emerge during diligence, and how companies can maintain leverage while navigating complex deal processes.In this episode, you’ll learn:• The one factor that ultimately determines if a deal closes• Why time — not price — kills most transactions• How founders unintentionally weaken their position during diligence• The difference between strategic buyers and financial buyers• How to maintain operational momentum during an exit processIf you’re a founder, executive, or investor navigating growth, fundraising, or potential acquisition, this episode offers a practical perspective on how deals really get done.Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, scaling, and strategic decision-making.

Most companies don’t fail because of a lack of ambition.They stall because they outgrow their structure.In this episode of Momentum Mode, Corey Ferengul and Mike Shannon sit down with Anthony Knierim to unpack what actually drives durable growth inside scaling organizations.From operational discipline and accountability to leadership evolution and system design, Anthony shares what separates companies that scale intentionally from those that grow into chaos. The conversation explores:Why early success often hides structural weaknessesThe difference between motion and real progressHow process protects innovation (instead of slowing it down)Why accountability must be cultural, not situationalThe leadership shift required to move from founder-led to system-led growthIf you're a founder, operator, or executive navigating growth, this episode offers a practical lens on building organizations that last — not just ones that move fast.Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, scaling, and building with intention.

Most companies say “people are our most important asset,” but few can prove it. Tom Alexander is trying to change that.As co-founder and CEO of Holistic, Tom is building tools to help companies actually understand and improve the employee experience. Not with vague platitudes, but with measurable, actionable data. In this episode, we dig into what’s really changed since the early days of Holistic, how the modern employee mindset has evolved, and why transparency isn't just a buzzword. It's a survival strategy.From his time shaping ecosystems at 1871 to building a company rooted in operational rigor, Tom shares what founders still get wrong about culture, how to build alignment before tension erupts, and why playing your hand face up is now the only winning move.Here’s what stood out:Entrepreneurship Isn’t Personal. Until It Is.Seven years in, Tom admits the emotional intensity hasn’t dulled. Every client loss, every critique, still stings. Why? Because when you believe your product genuinely helps people, rejection feels like something deeper. The real challenge is learning how to care deeply without taking everything personally.Employee Experience Is No Longer Just PerksToday’s employees want impact, clarity, and to feel part of a mission that matters. But here’s the catch. That mission has to be real. Holistic’s approach is about building cultures that don't rely on surface-level benefits, but instead align expectations, actions, and outcomes.AI Might Undermine Loyalty. But It Can Also Rebuild It.In a world where employee tenures are shrinking and layoffs are data driven, Holistic is using predictive tools to help leaders intervene before people walk out the door. Loyalty, Tom argues, isn’t dead. But the companies that want it back will need to earn it differently.This episode is a must listen for leaders navigating culture in a hybrid world, and for founders wondering what culture really means when the rubber hits the road.

John Moakley has spent decades building, running, and investing in data-driven companies—long before “data science” had a name. In this conversation, John joins Mike and Corey to pull back the curtain on what private equity really looks for, how companies often miss the value sitting right in front of them, and why the current hype around AI mirrors the early days of data monetization.From turning a magazine subscription list into a revenue stream, to helping scale a $70M data business, to earning the nickname Dr. No inside a private equity firm, John shares lessons from both the operating and investing sides of the table.This episode is about more than data. It’s about pattern recognition, strategic pivots, and the often-overlooked cultural cost of change. And yes, we finally go remote for the first time because when the guest is this good, we don’t let geography get in the way.

What does a board member really look for in a CEO? What signals competence, and what quietly erodes confidence?In this episode, Mike and Corey sit down with returning guest Ira Weiss—educator, investor, and longtime board member—to decode the often-misunderstood relationship between boards and founding teams. Drawing from over 60 investments and hundreds of founder interactions, Ira shares how he evaluates early-stage CEOs, the underrated power of persistence and curiosity, and the true markers of success (spoiler: it’s not always the outcome).They dive into:How founders can turn board meetings into strategic assetsWhen and why boards start thinking about leadership changesThe real reason investors push for independent board membersWhy transparency—especially from the C-suite—is a signal, not a vulnerabilityWhether you're raising your first round or leading a growth-stage company, this episode is a practical guide to working with your board, not just reporting to them.

Anar Isman didn’t start Ageless RX to build a business—he started it to challenge one of humanity’s most accepted limitations: aging. What began as personal curiosity turned into a mission-driven company now generating over $70 million in annual revenue.In this conversation, Anar joins Mike and Corey to unpack how he built Ageless RX from a late-night side project into a fast-growing, telemedicine-powered platform at the center of the longevity movement. He shares how COVID unlocked the company’s early traction, how off-label science meets mainstream demand, and why he still interviews every hire to protect the culture.We also get into customer listening, red tape, and what it takes to scale a direct-to-consumer health company in one of the most regulated and misunderstood categories in the market.

From a farm town in Ohio to penthouse events with billionaires in Chicago—Andrew Gunderman’s journey is anything but ordinary. By his early twenties, he had already founded and sold a startup, built founder communities from scratch, and begun curating some of the city’s most exclusive circles of entrepreneurs, investors, and influencers.In this conversation, Andrew joins Mike Shannon and Corey Ferengul to unpack the strategy behind building Renowned Chicago, why exclusivity works when it’s paired with openness, and how relationships—not just capital—can accelerate a founder’s trajectory. He shares how aggressive outreach, mentorship, and an obsession with learning shaped his path, and why he believes networks can be one of the most valuable assets an entrepreneur can build.We also dive into the evolving world of creators and influencers, the hidden leverage in connecting siloed communities, and how AI is already beginning to reshape how networks form.If you’ve ever wondered how to break into circles that feel closed off—or how to turn relationships into real opportunities—Andrew’s story offers a playbook worth studying.

Uncertainty isn’t just a buzzword -- it’s basically the operating environment for every leader in 2025. From economic volatility to the unknowns of AI’s impact, executives are navigating conditions where the variables outside their control keep multiplying. In this episode, Mike and Corey break down how to lead through the fog—identifying what’s controllable, building flexible plans for the uncontrollable, and creating the right communication cadence with boards, teams, and customers. They share real-world stories of pandemic playbooks, financial “break points,” and unpopular calls that paid off. The takeaway: leading in uncertainty isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about knowing when to decide, what levers you can pull, and how to keep trust intact when the stakes are high.

Arnav Dalmia didn’t set out to build a fitness brand for older adults—but listening to customers led him there. In this conversation, Arnav joins us to unpack the unlikely evolution of Cubii, the company he co-founded that sold for north of $100 million after a decade-long grind that began with Kickstarter and a desk pedal idea.They dig into why early investors passed, what everyone got wrong about the market, and how a hard-earned product-market fit with seniors turned Cubii into a category-defining brand. Arnav shares the inflection points that changed the company’s course: from bootstrapping out of necessity, to embedding customer feedback into the culture, to resisting the temptation to scale too soon.If you’ve ever wondered when to pivot, how to listen better, or what lean actually looks like in practice—this one’s a blueprint.

In this episode, Corey and Mike dive deep into one of the defining trends shaping AI’s next chapter: verticalization. They explore why general-purpose AI isn’t enough—and how the most compelling solutions are now being purpose-built for specific industries, starting with Mike’s own experience building an AI operating system for independent financial advisors.The conversation traces the journey from general tools to tailored workflows, covering:How to choose the right vertical by listening for signal, not just scaleWhy true differentiation lies in domain depth, not just technical featuresAnd how trust, service, and context are shaping the future of human-in-the-loop AIFrom relationship managers to compliance nuance, they unpack why vertical-focused AI is creating a new class of companies—ones that feel more like high-leverage service partners than classic SaaS. Whether you’re building, buying, or just trying to keep up, this is the blueprint for what’s next.