In this episode of the AI Interconnect podcast, host Laurent Cochet speaks with David Karabinos, a seasoned entrepreneur and chairman of PointClear Solutions. They discuss David's transition from corporate America to the startup world, the challenges of raising capital, and the dynamics of advising companies in a fluctuating market. David shares insights on the future of AI, operational challenges in regulated sectors, and valuable lessons learned from his extensive experience in entrepreneurship. The conversation emphasizes the importance of collaboration, strategic growth, and understanding market dynamics for success in the startup ecosystem. Takeaways David transitioned from corporate America to the startup world. Raising capital can be a unique and difficult process. COVID created significant headwinds in the capital markets. AI is still in its early stages of development. Regulatory changes can drastically impact operational costs. Collaboration is key; founders should not go it alone. Focus on sustainable growth rather than hyper growth. Understanding competition is crucial for success. Perfect decision-making is unrealistic in business. Investors should prioritize committed founders. Titles Navigating the Startup Landscape with David Karabinos From Corporate to Startup: David Karabinos' Journey sound bites "I ran to the startup world." "COVID hit, massive headwinds occurred." "Stubbornness is the killer here." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI Interconnect Podcast 00:57 David Karabinos: From Corporate to Startup 04:16 The Challenges of Raising Capital 08:26 Advising Companies: Strategies and Insights 12:53 Navigating Market Dynamics and Headwinds 17:13 The Future of AI: A Baseball Analogy 21:40 Operational Challenges in Regulated Sectors 26:00 Lessons Learned from Startup Experiences 29:56 Advice for Founders and Entrepreneurs Keywords AI, startups, capital raising, entrepreneurship, healthcare technology, venture capital, market dynamics, operational challenges, David Karabinos, business strategy, venture capital insights, raising capital for startups, private capital markets, founder fundraising strategy, capital efficiency startups, venture capital cycles, startup advisory, growth strategy for startups, board advisor insights, startup survival strategy, capital markets analysis, investor mindset venture capital, startup funding challenges, capital raising advice, founder mistakes fundraising AI investment trends, fintech advisory, healthcare tech startups, venture funding environment, startup valuation trends, disciplined growth strategy, M&A advisory, startup leadership lessons, entrepreneurship insights, capital allocation strategy, investor behavior analysis, startup scaling challenges, private equity mindset, board governance startups, early stage funding strategy David Karabinos, PointClear Solutions, venture capital, startup funding, capital markets, entrepreneurship podcast, AI InterConnect Podcast, founder advice, fundraising strategy, startup growth, capital efficiency, advisory, board leadership, fintech, healthcare tech David Karabinos shares 50+ years of experience in venture capital, entrepreneurship, and advisory, explaining why capital markets are tightening, how founders should adapt, and what it really takes to build durable companies in uncertain economic cycles.