GSD Venture Studios Podcasts by Gary Fowler

GSD Venture Studios
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Gary Fowler, President, CEO and Founder, GSD Venture Studios https://www.linkedin.com/in/fowlerinternational/ Gary is an award-winning serial entrepreneur and investor with 17 companies, two Unicorns and a successful IPO. Gary was on the original management team of ClickSoftware that was sold to SalesForce for 1.35 billion, and was the co-founder at the award-winning AI company, Yva.ai that was acquired by Visier. He has over 30 years of experience and is the CEO, President and Founder of GSD Venture Studios, a Silicon Valley-based Family Office, Venture Studio, and Hyper-Accelerator with 1

  1. 2D AGO

    Building Through Regional Conflict: Scaling Middle East Startups with Chris Purdie

    Join Chris Purdie, Founder and CEO of Receiptable, for a masterclass in anti-fragile leadership. With 16 years of experience spanning the 2008 financial crisis to scaling ventures across the GCC, Europe, and Africa, Chris has built a career on finding growth where others see risk. In this episode, we discuss the realities of launching and scaling in the Middle East during times of geopolitical tension, and how to build a business that doesn't just survive volatility, but leverages it to build deeper sovereign resilience. 🎯 Insights You’ll Learn: The Middle East Playbook: How to navigate the GCC market when regional conflicts disrupt traditional trade and sentiment. Scaling Under Fire: Lessons from growing a team from 15 to 65+ and hitting $25M ARR across multiple continents. Rebalancing the Footprint: Strategy for shifting from domestic reliance to a 60% international revenue stream. The PE Perspective: Navigating a minority sale and an $80M valuation in a high-stakes environment. Post-Crisis Graduation: How starting a career during the 2008 crash shapes a founder's approach to risk and DIY problem-solving. Omnichannel Evolution: Moving from bricks and mortar to digital-first payments and social media peak adoption. Telco Partnerships: The art of closing enterprise deals with giants like Orange, Vodafone, and E& across emerging markets. 🌍 Why This Matters: In 2026, stability is no longer a guaranteed prerequisite for business success. Chris Purdie, currently based in Bahrain, understands that the Middle East is a high-growth frontier that requires a specific kind of operational grit. From launching $1M AUD MRR businesses in 90 days to managing the daily operations of multi-national scale-ups, Chris provides the blueprint for founders who want to build high-impact tech in regions where the news cycle moves as fast as the market. 👤 Expert Background: Founder & CEO of Receiptable, pioneering the future of digital retail and payments. Former CCO of PM Connect, driving revenue from $10M to $25M ARR and leading an $80M PE exit. Global GTM Specialist with experience launching entities in Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. Retail Innovator who implemented some of the first corporate social media and e-commerce strategies in the UK. Veteran Leader of the Lagardère group, serving as the youngest member of the executive committee. 🎙️ Hosted by Gary Fowler, CEO of GSD Venture Studios — global AI entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader spotlighting founders navigating the realities of building in the AI era. 💡 Perfect For: Founders in the GCC, FinTech investors, international business development leads, and entrepreneurs building in high-risk emerging markets. 🚀 Timely Topic: The Middle East remains a cornerstone of the 2026 global economy. Understanding how to maintain continuity, protect teams, and drive growth during regional shifts is the ultimate skill set for the modern global CEO. Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com #MiddleEastTech #FinTech #Receiptable #GCCStartups #ResilientLeadership #ScaleUpStrategy #ChrisPurdie #GaryFowler #GSDVentureStudios

    30 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Gaming in the Middle East: Breaking Boundaries from Solo Dev to PS5 with Ahmad Al-Natsheh

    Join Ahmad Al-Natsheh, Founder and CEO of Khosouf Studio, for a high-energy, improvised deep dive into the world of interactive entertainment. A true polymath—civil engineer, award-winning developer, and musician—Ahmad is the visionary behind the first-ever PlayStation 5 VR2 title to emerge from the Middle East. In this episode, we explore the grit required to transition from a solo developer to a VC-backed studio head, the untapped potential of the Arab gaming landscape, and the raw truth about how AI is (and isn't) changing the way we build virtual worlds. 🎯 Insights You’ll Learn: The Middle East Frontier: Why the MENA region is the fastest-growing hub for global gaming and VR. The PS5 Milestone: What it takes to become the first studio in the region to publish for Sony’s next-gen VR. Solo to VC Scale: The psychological and tactical shift from "doing it all" to leading a funded studio. The AI Hype vs. Reality: A developer's perspective on where AI actually helps and where it fails in game design. VR Theme Parks: Lessons from designing immersive physical simulations and large-scale entertainment projects. Multidisciplinary Creativity: How civil engineering and music influence the structure and rhythm of game loops. Building a Tech Ecosystem: Creating a world-class studio in a region traditionally known as a consumer market. 🌍 Why This Matters: The gaming industry is no longer dominated solely by Western and East Asian studios. Ahmad Al-Natsheh is proving that with the right combination of technical rigor and creative improvisation, the Middle East can compete on the global stage. From localizing narratives to pushing the boundaries of VR2 hardware, Khosouf Studio is a case study in "sovereign creativity." For Ahmad, the goal isn't just to make games—it's to build the infrastructure for an entire generation of developers to follow his lead. 👤 Expert Background: Founder & CEO of Khosouf Studio, a pioneering MENA game development house. Award-Winning Developer and publisher of the region’s first PS5 VR2 title. Multidisciplinary Leader with a background in Civil Engineering and Music. Experienced Designer of over 20 projects, including VR simulation theme parks. Tech Entrepreneur focused on scaling high-performance creative teams. 🎙️ Hosted by Gary Fowler, CEO of GSD Venture Studios — global AI entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader spotlighting founders navigating the realities of building in the AI era. 💡 Perfect For: Game developers, VC investors, creative entrepreneurs, VR enthusiasts, and anyone looking to understand the rising tech influence of the Middle East. 🚀 Timely Topic: In 2026, the barrier between player and creator is dissolving. The studios that win will be those that can blend advanced AI tools with the "human soul" of storytelling—exactly what Ahmad Al-Natsheh and Khosouf Studio are delivering. Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com #GameDev #KhosoufStudio #PS5VR2 #MiddleEastTech #VRGaming #AhmadAlNatsheh #GaryFowler #GSDVentureStudios

    23 min

  3. 5D AGO

    Modernizing the Healthcare Backbone: AI vs. The Administrative Tax with Agastya Samat

    Join Agastya Samat, Founder and CEO of Zeya Health, for a deep dive into the "hidden tax" slowing down global healthcare: administrative burden. A lawyer by training turned digital health entrepreneur, Agastya has spent a decade navigating complex systems from the NHS to major Asian healthcare networks. In this episode, we explore how Zeya Health is using conversational and voice AI to dismantle legacy workflows, allowing clinicians to trade paperwork for patient care and transforming the operational efficiency of modern clinics. 🎯 Insights You’ll Learn: The Administrative Tax: Why manual workflows are the biggest barrier to quality patient care in 2026. Voice & Conversational AI: How automated patient communication is solving the "front desk bottleneck." Modernizing Legacy Systems: Strategies for integrating cutting-edge AI into rigid, old-school healthcare infrastructures. Building in HealthTech: What founders must understand about the reality of working with doctors and hospital systems. The Singapore Hub: Why Southeast Asia is a prime testing ground for operational AI in healthcare. Digital Health Initiatives: Lessons learned from large-scale partnerships with the NHS and global health orgs. Improving Accessibility: How automation lowers costs and expands the reach of private and public clinics. 🌍 Why This Matters: For every hour a doctor spends with a patient, they often spend two hours on documentation and coordination. This inefficiency isn't just a business problem—it's a public health crisis that leads to burnout and reduced access. Agastya Samat is attacking this problem at the "backbone." By deploying AI that handles the heavy lifting of scheduling, follow-ups, and data entry, Zeya Health is returning the focus of medicine to the human connection. For Agastya, the goal is clear: remove the friction so that healthcare can finally scale. 👤 Expert Background: Founder & CEO of Zeya Health, an AI platform for healthcare operational automation. Digital Health Entrepreneur with a decade of experience in emerging technologies. Former Legal Professional with a unique perspective on healthcare compliance and regulation. Global Experience leading initiatives with the NHS and major healthcare organizations across Asia. Visionary Leader focused on clinician empowerment and patient-centric technology. 🎙️ Hosted by Gary Fowler, CEO of GSD Venture Studios — global AI entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader spotlighting founders navigating the realities of building in the AI era. 💡 Perfect For: Clinic owners, HealthTech founders, hospital administrators, digital transformation officers, and investors interested in the operational "un-breaking" of healthcare. 🚀 Timely Topic: In 2026, the most successful healthcare providers aren't necessarily the ones with the newest medical equipment, but the ones with the most efficient AI back-offices. Agastya Samat is providing the blueprint for that transformation. Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com #HealthTech #ZeyaHealth #HealthcareAI #OperationalEfficiency #DigitalHealth #StartupFounder #AgastyaSamat #GaryFowler #GSDVentureStudios

    31 min

  4. 6D AGO

    Democracy in the AI Economy: Why SMBs are Being Left Behind with Cien Solon

    Join Cien Solon, CEO and Founder of LaunchLemonade, for a powerful conversation on the democratization of artificial intelligence. Often described as the "Canva for AI agents," LaunchLemonade has empowered over 7,000 users to build and deploy 20,000+ AI agents without writing a single line of code. In this episode, we tackle the growing disparity between enterprise-level AI and the small business ecosystem, and how Cien is ensuring that no entrepreneur gets left behind in the most significant economic shift of our generation. 🎯 Insights You’ll Learn: The AI Divide: Why current AI tools are built for big budgets and technical teams, leaving SMBs in the dust. LaunchLemonade’s Mission: How "Canva-fying" AI agent creation is lowering the barrier to entry for everyone. Monetizing Intelligence: Turning personal expertise into scalable AI agents that generate revenue. The Pre-Seed Playbook: Lessons from closing an oversubscribed round and scaling to 20,000+ agents. Deployment vs. Development: Why the ability to deploy AI matters more for SMBs than the ability to code it. Future of SMB Operations: Using AI agents to handle the "heavy lifting" of sales, marketing, and support. Entrepreneurial Resilience: Insights from a 2025 Investec Early-Stage Entrepreneur of the Year nominee. 🌍 Why This Matters: The AI revolution shouldn't be a "winner-takes-all" game for Silicon Valley giants. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are the backbone of the global economy, yet they are often the last to receive accessible, affordable technology. Cien Solon is flipping the script. By providing a no-code infrastructure, LaunchLemonade allows a local shop owner or a solo consultant to build a custom AI workforce. This isn't just a technical upgrade; it's a social mission to ensure that economic opportunity in the age of AI remains truly universal. 👤 Expert Background: CEO & Founder of LaunchLemonade, a leading no-code AI agent platform. Tech Visionary with over 20,000 AI agents built on her platform to date. 2025 Investec Early-Stage Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist in Technology. Expert in No-Code Systems, AI accessibility, and SMB digital transformation. Successful Founder who recently closed an oversubscribed pre-seed funding round. 🎙️ Hosted by Gary Fowler, CEO of GSD Venture Studios — global AI entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader spotlighting founders navigating the realities of building in the AI era. 💡 Perfect For: SMB owners, no-code enthusiasts, AI developers, early-stage investors, and anyone interested in how to make artificial intelligence accessible to the 99%. 🚀 Timely Topic: In 2026, the competitive gap between those who use AI and those who don't is widening. Cien Solon is providing the "great equalizer" that allows small businesses to compete with enterprise giants on a level playing field. Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com #NoCodeAI #LaunchLemonade #SMBGrowth #AIforAll #DigitalEquity #StartupFounder #CienSolon #GaryFowler #GSDVentureStudios

    27 min

  5. 6D AGO

    The Medtech Marathon: Hitting Milestones in a Delayed Revenue World with Dr. Ben Holmes

    Join Dr. Ben Holmes, CEO and Co-Founder of Nanochon, for a strategic look at the high-stakes world of medical device innovation. With a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering and a background in aerospace engineering, Ben has spent nearly a decade navigating the "long runway" of medtech. In this episode, we discuss how Nanochon is moving toward its first-in-human clinical trials with the Chondrograft™—a 3D-printed synthetic implant—and how founders can create tangible enterprise value years before their first dollar of commercial revenue. 🎯 Insights You’ll Learn: The Medtech Milestone Map: How to define and hit value-inflection points during a long R&D cycle. Fundraising for the Long Haul: Strategies for securing $12M+ through a blend of NSF grants and venture capital. 3D Printing the Future: How additive manufacturing is solving the "cartilage gap" for patients too young for knee replacement. De-Risking for Investors: Converting scientific breakthroughs into "investable" regulatory and clinical progress. The Founder-Scientist Balance: Transitioning from a Ph.D. researcher to a CEO managing complex cap tables and clinical sites. Collaborative Innovation: Building a community in the healthcare 3D printing space to accelerate global adoption. First-in-Human Readiness: What it actually takes to move a 3D-printed synthetic biomaterial into the operating room. 🌍 Why This Matters: Biotech and medtech founders face a unique challenge: they must sustain operations and investor interest for years without traditional sales. Dr. Ben Holmes has mastered the art of "value engineering," showing that progress in the lab and the regulatory office is just as measurable as quarterly revenue. By focusing on Chondrograft™—a solution for the millions of patients stuck between minor physical therapy and total joint replacement—Nanochon is proving that 3D-printed biomaterials are the key to the next generation of orthopedic care. 👤 Expert Background: CEO & Co-Founder of Nanochon, a clinical-stage medtech company. Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from The George Washington University. Expert in 3D Printing and Biomaterials with a B.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Successful Fundraiser with nearly $12M secured via non-dilutive grants and VC. Published Researcher and Patent Holder in the field of orthopedic tissue repair. 🎙️ Hosted by Gary Fowler, CEO of GSD Venture Studios — global AI entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader spotlighting founders navigating the realities of building in the AI era. 💡 Perfect For: Medtech founders, biotech investors, biomedical engineers, orthopedic surgeons, and hardware entrepreneurs navigating long-cycle regulatory pathways. 🚀 Timely Topic: In 2026, the intersection of AI-driven design and 3D printing is shortening the distance between a lab concept and a clinical reality. Dr. Ben Holmes provides the blueprint for founders who want to survive the marathon and cross the clinical finish line. Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com #Medtech #Nanochon #BiomedicalEngineering #3DPrinting #HealthcareInnovation #Orthopedics #BenHolmes #GaryFowler #GSDVentureStudios

    29 min

  6. MAR 27

    India’s Deeptech Decade: Sovereign Resilience and the Future of Propulsion with Saurav Jha

    Join Saurav Jha, Founder and CEO of D-Propulse, for a deep dive into the high-stakes world of Indian deeptech. A renowned defense analyst and author of three books, Saurav is now at the helm of a venture that is redefining aerospace and defense through proprietary Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) technology. In this episode, we discuss the strategic necessity of building "sovereign resilience" in India and how D-Propulse is leveraging AI to bypass traditional development bottlenecks, turning a maturing domestic supply chain into a global competitive advantage. 🎯 Insights You’ll Learn: The RDE Revolution: Why rotating detonation engine technology is a game-changer for military and civilian propulsion. Compressing Innovation: How AI-driven simulations and modeling are shortening deeptech development timelines from years to months. Building in India: Strategies for navigating a maturing domestic supply chain while meeting world-class standards. Sovereign Resilience: Aligning a startup’s mission with the national agenda for defense and geostrategic independence. The Analyst to Founder Journey: How a decade of studying military-industrial issues informs the leadership of a deeptech venture. Geostrategy and Growth: Insights from Saurav’s latest book on how India must navigate a volatile global landscape. Bespoke Solutions: The challenges of delivering customized high-tech hardware for complex defense requirements. 🌍 Why This Matters: In 2026, the definition of a superpower is linked directly to its ability to innovate in deeptech. For India, achieving strategic autonomy requires more than just policy; it requires founders like Saurav Jha who can bridge the gap between geostrategic theory and high-performance engineering. By commercializing RDE technology—a field that promises vastly superior fuel efficiency and power—D-Propulse is not just building a company; it is building a critical pillar of national infrastructure that ensures India remains at the cutting edge of global aerospace. 👤 Expert Background: Founder & CEO of D-Propulse, a deeptech venture specializing in RDE technology. Noted Defense Analyst with extensive experience consulting for public and private sectors. Author of Three Books, including "Negotiating The New Normal" and "The Upside Down Book Of Nuclear Power." Specialist in Indian military-industrial issues and geostrategic affairs. Thought Leader featured in major global publications on defense and international security. 🎙️ Hosted by Gary Fowler, CEO of GSD Venture Studios — global AI entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader spotlighting founders navigating the realities of building in the AI era. 💡 Perfect For: Defense-tech founders, aerospace engineers, VC investors in emerging markets, policy makers, and anyone interested in India's rise as a global deeptech hub. 🚀 Timely Topic: The 2020s are the "Deeptech Decade" for India. As global supply chains decouple, the ability to build high-TRL hardware domestically is the ultimate strategic moat. Saurav Jha is at the forefront of this movement. Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com #DeeptechIndia #DefenseInnovation #DPropulse #RotatingDetonationEngine #SovereignResilience #AerospaceEngineering #SauravJha #GaryFowler #GSDVentureStudios

    27 min

  7. MAR 27

    AI in Professional Services: From Fragmented Data to Strategic Intelligence with Marta Vizcaíno Martín

    Join Marta Vizcaíno Martín, CEO and Founder of Tetrax, for a deep dive into the digital transformation of professional services. With over 17 years of experience as an M&A lawyer at top-tier international firms, Marta has navigated the most complex renewable energy transactions and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in the industry. In this episode, we explore how she is leveraging that expertise to build Tetrax—an AI-powered intelligence layer that detects, structures, and monitors risks across massive volumes of legal and technical data to accelerate energy transitions. 🎯 Insights You’ll Learn: The Intelligence Layer: How AI is moving professional services beyond document storage to risk detection. Closing the Data Gap: Transforming fragmented technical and legal paperwork into actionable investment insights. The M&A Evolution: How 17 years of corporate law experience informs the design of specialized AI for infrastructure. Scaling Renewables: Using technology to support the entire lifecycle of energy transactions and PPAs. Real-Time Due Diligence: Moving from static, one-time audits to continuous asset monitoring. The Future of the Lawyer: How AI empowers professional advisors to focus on high-level strategy rather than manual review. Managing Infrastructure Risk: Identifying hidden liabilities in large-scale energy projects through automated structuring. 🌍 Why This Matters: The renewable energy sector is drowning in documentation. For investors and developers, the bottleneck isn't a lack of information—it's the inability to find the signal in the noise. Marta Vizcaíno Martín is solving this by applying a "legal mind" to a "tech heart." By automating the structuring of complex regulatory and contractual data, Tetrax allows professionals to move faster and with more confidence. In a world where the energy transition requires rapid deployment of capital, the ability to assess risk in real-time isn't just an advantage; it's a necessity. 👤 Expert Background: CEO & Founder of Tetrax, an AI intelligence layer for infrastructure assets. Specialist M&A Lawyer with 17+ years of experience in energy and technology. Expert in Renewable Energy projects, divestments, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Former Senior Advisor at top-tier international law firms for global investment funds. Visionary leader at the intersection of legal due diligence and AI innovation. 🎙️ Hosted by Gary Fowler, CEO of GSD Venture Studios — global AI entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader spotlighting founders navigating the realities of building in the AI era. 💡 Perfect For: Renewable energy investors, M&A lawyers, infrastructure developers, ESG funds, and professional service leaders looking to integrate AI into high-stakes decision-making. 🚀 Timely Topic: In 2026, the speed of the energy transition is dictated by the speed of the paperwork. Marta Vizcaíno Martín is proving that the future of professional services lies in the intelligence layer—where data becomes decision-ready in seconds, not weeks. Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com #ProfessionalServices #AIinLaw #RenewableEnergy #Tetrax #MandA #InfrastructureTech #MartaVizcainoMartin #GaryFowler #GSDVentureStudios

    30 min

  8. MAR 26

    The Agentic AI Colleague: Why Humans Still Own the Strategy with Khashayar Mansourizadeh

    Join Khashayar Mansourizadeh, Co-founder and CEO of Starnus, for a masterclass on the next evolution of productivity: Agentic AI. With a background spanning autonomous mobile robotics and a Doctorate in data engineering systems, Khashayar is now the lead architect behind the multi-agent infrastructure at Starnus. In this episode, we explore how AI is shifting from a tool you "use" to a "smart colleague" that autonomously executes sales and marketing—and why human intuition remains the most critical component of the loop. 🎯 Insights You’ll Learn: What is Agentic AI? Moving beyond chatbots to autonomous systems that reason and execute. The Multi-Agent Advantage: How Starnus coordinates specialized AI agents to handle complex business workflows. Sales & Marketing at Scale: Automating lead generation and outreach without losing the "human touch." The Human-in-the-Loop: Why founders still need to provide the "soul" and high-level strategy for AI agents. Architecture Matters: Lessons from modular robotics applied to building scalable AI software systems. Founder Productivity: How small teams can punch above their weight by deploying an "AI colleague." The 2026 AI Roadmap: Navigating the transition from generative assistants to agentic business partners. 🌍 Why This Matters: In 2026, the gap between "Generative AI" and "Agentic AI" is the difference between writing an email and closing a deal. Khashayar Mansourizadeh is building the infrastructure that allows founders to stop being the "bottleneck" in their own business. By applying the rigorous systems design of his robotics and data engineering background, Khashayar is creating a world where AI doesn't just suggest tasks—it completes them. However, he remains a staunch advocate for human involvement, arguing that while AI can handle the execution, only humans can define the purpose. 👤 Expert Background: Co-founder & CEO of Starnus, an AI platform for autonomous business functions. Doctorate from Eindhoven University of Technology specializing in data engineering systems. Master’s in Engineering from Politecnico di Milano. Robotics Pioneer with a background in patented modular architectures for autonomous mobile robots. System Architect leading the design of next-generation multi-agent infrastructures. 🎙️ Hosted by Gary Fowler, CEO of GSD Venture Studios — global AI entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader spotlighting founders navigating the realities of building in the AI era. Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com] #AgenticAI #Starnus #AIforBusiness #MultiAgentSystems #StartupGrowth #SalesAutomation #KhashayarMansourizadeh #GaryFowler #GSDVentureStudios

    25 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Gary Fowler, President, CEO and Founder, GSD Venture Studios https://www.linkedin.com/in/fowlerinternational/ Gary is an award-winning serial entrepreneur and investor with 17 companies, two Unicorns and a successful IPO. Gary was on the original management team of ClickSoftware that was sold to SalesForce for 1.35 billion, and was the co-founder at the award-winning AI company, Yva.ai that was acquired by Visier. He has over 30 years of experience and is the CEO, President and Founder of GSD Venture Studios, a Silicon Valley-based Family Office, Venture Studio, and Hyper-Accelerator with 1

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