Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Invites Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs

IN THIS EPISODE:
This exciting episode features Jon Down,  HBS MBA, professor at the University of Portland and AI entrepreneur who founded two AI companies.  He is interviewed by host Denise Silber about the top AI business use cases supported by  emerging research, best practices for implementing AI and the key ethical considerations raised by business’s use of  AI. The conversation also covers how AI can improve productivity, how companies can navigate the challenges of AI adoption, why you might need to spend more time with AI, the need for responsible AI use, and the significance of ongoing education in AI.
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Jon Down, HBS MBA, is a recognized thought leader in the practical and ethical use of artificial intelligence. As a Professor at the University of Portland and founder of two AI-focused companies, he merges academic rigor with real-world application in his teaching, research, and in helping organizations implement the use of AI effectively and responsibly. He is acutely aware of AI’s potential risks and the imperative for widespread understanding of AI to mitigate these risks. With a PhD in Strategy from the University of Washington, an MBA from the Harvard Business School, and a BSME from Oregon State he takes a multidisciplinary approach to problems.

IN THIS EPISODE:
In this podcast episode, host Philip Guarino speaks with Andrew Lo, a distinguished professor at MIT and an entrepreneur with a focus on healthcare and deep tech ventures. Andrew shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, detailing his transition from economics to founding a quantitative investment firm and later exploring the financial challenges of drug development. He discusses the fundraising challenges for deep tech entrepreneurs, how investors’ risk calculation differs for more complex ventures and how this requires continuous investor communication and learning. Lo also highlights the vibrant innovation ecosystem in the Boston-Cambridge area and his passion for mentoring students in entrepreneurial projects.
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Andrew W. Lo is the Charles E. and Susan T. Harris Professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management, director of MIT’s Laboratory for Financial Engineering, and principal investigator at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. He is a co-founder and director of BridgeBio Pharma, a director of AbCellera, Atomwise, and Vesalius, a co-founder and chairman of QLS Advisors, and a member of the advisory board to the American Cancer Society’s BrightEdge Impact Fund. Dr. Lo received his B.A. in economics from Yale University and his A.M. and Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University.

IN THIS EPISODE:
In this episode, our host Denise Silber welcomes recent HBS MBA, Kai-Tai Chang, General Partner at a quantitative crypto fund.  Kai-Tai Chang explains, step by step, how cryptocurrency works and  presents the key components and stakeholders in a session sure to interest crypto beginners and enthusiasts alike. Specialized in Alpha research, or detecting opportunities that offer returns above the market average, Kai-Tai Chang shares his journey from engineering to the world of cryptocurrencies, highlighting  technology’s potential to redefine financial systems. He addresses misconceptions about crypto currency, its uses, and the importance of regulation. He dives right into the environmental impact of crypto mining, describes his experience at Binance Labs, and explains how he managed to do his MBA at HBS while  simultaneously working  in crypto.

The conversation also touches on the future of cryptocurrency and the importance of education and community engagement for those interested in entering the field.
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A newly-minted  Harvard MBA graduate, Kai-Tai Chang is a tech-driven serial entrepreneur and investor actively exploring opportunities in the blockchain and digital verticals. A French-born Chinese, he embraces diverse paths, prioritizing a life without regret. Transitioning from a data scientist role in Paris to entrepreneurship, and later serving as a PE manager in Beijing, he pivoted to a web3 VC investor position at Binance Labs. There, he invested in impactful ventures and steered strategic projects, leading growth initiatives and fostering collaborations for synergies. Currently, he serves as the General Partner at Emergence Capital, a quantitative crypto fund.

IN THIS EPISODE:
In this podcast episode, Anthony Soohoo, an entrepreneur with experience in both startups and Fortune 100 companies, shares his insights on the value of corporate skills for entrepreneurs and vice versa. He discusses the differences between startup and corporate work environments, emphasizing the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset in large organizations for innovation and nimbleness. Anthony also reflects on his board experiences and the role of entrepreneurs in governance. Anthony Soohoo discusses how corporate skills can benefit entrepreneurs, touching on empathy and understanding organizational dynamics. Anthony talks about his advisory roles, including his involvement with Spryker and AI Fund, and his upcoming participation in a case study discussion at his alma mater.
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Anthony Soohoo is an entrepreneurial leader who has led businesses from zero to billions. Over his career, Anthony has led some of the largest business and digital transformations across media, retail, and tech. As EVP at Walmart, he helped lead the company's omnichannel transformation as they merged their physical and digital businesses together. At CBS, Anthony launched the company's first over-the-top streaming service, catapulting CBS.com into the largest television network site in the industry in the late 2000s. He has served as a co-founder & CEO at Dotspotter, acquired by CBS and at Dot & Bo, now part of Alibaba. He is currently a board member at Spryker Systems, Venture Advisor with AI Fund, and an Entrepreneur-In-Residence at Harvard Business School.

IN THIS EPISODE:
In this inspiring episode, host Denise Silber sits down with HBS MBA  Pankaj Agarwal,  an EdTech entrepreneur who was born in an Indian village  and developed  a deep desire to pay it forward.  Today he and his team are  optimizing the education process in  thousands of Indian and Korean classrooms thanks to the  low-tech invention from Taghive,  his Samsung-backed startup headquartered in Seoul, Korea. 
Because Panjak is a keen observer and deep thinker, you will learn as he shares his story, how simple technology can impact students and teachers  in a big way  and  create remarkable outcomes. Discover how his company, TagHive,  is bringing solutions to one of the  biggest problems for teachers: knowing which students have understood the lesson and are ready to move on. This episode is for any entrepreneur looking for inspiration and a new way of thinking about his or her life, goals, and hopes.
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Mr. Pankaj Agarwal, an alumnus of HBS is the Founder & CEO at TagHive, a Samsung funded education technology venture with operations in South Korea and in India. He is an inventor on over 75 international patents and was on the list of Fortune India 40 Under 40 in 2021. He was also one of the 10 winners of MIT TR35 India (Innovators Under 35) Award in 2017. 
Prior to TagHive Mr. Agarwal was with Samsung Electronics for over a decade. Mr. Agarwal is the Founder and Chairman of the IIT Alumni Association of South Korea since 2015. He is also a board member of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea and an adjunct professor at the Ewha Woman’s University. 
Mr. Agarwal is a trained magician and is fluent in Korean. He has a Bachelor of Technology degree in EE from IIT Kanpur, an MS from Seoul National University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
 

IN THIS EPISODE:
In this episode, our host Philip Guarino is joined by Dr. Eric Dawson, CEO of RIVET, a company which channels the economic power of young people to fund their work as social innovators.
Representing over three trillion dollars in consumer spending, today’s youth are a powerful economic force that is ever more committed to social causes. They don’t lack ideas- they lack resources. Eric discusses the vast potential and creativity of today’s young generation and how RIVET’s innovative microfinancing program empowers them to effect change. 
This inspiring conversation highlights the potential of today's young minds in shaping a better future.
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Dr. Eric Dawson has led organizations and research at the intersection of youth culture, social innovation, and brands. Currently, he serves as the CEO of RIVET, the world’s first consumer-facing, social impact brand that leverages the collective consumer power of GenZ to fund young social innovators through a micro-financing platform. Dr. Dawson holds three degrees from Harvard University: a B.A in social studies; M.Ed in human development psychology; and an M.Div. in pastoral care and counseling. His doctorate is in Leadership and Innovation from New York University; his research focused on founder transitions and the relationship between founders and their successors