Geeks Of The Valley

GeeksoftheValley
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Geeks of the Valley connects with some of the brightest minds globally, who are leading their respective industries today. We discuss the hottest upcoming industry trends and how their work is affecting the global economy.

  1. #122: The Future of Sales: How AI and Human Relationships Will Redefine Customer Acquisition with SalesAI’s Devin Johnson

    1 天前

    #122: The Future of Sales: How AI and Human Relationships Will Redefine Customer Acquisition with SalesAI’s Devin Johnson

    Devin Johnson is a tech entrepreneur and AI innovator who has built multiple high‑growth SaaS companies by combining an obsessive focus on relationships with cutting‑edge automation.  His entrepreneurial journey began at 16, when a series of family hardships — a father involved in drugs, a sister battling brain cancer and the death of a close friend — pushed him to start flipping sneakers to support his household .  The success of that side hustle gave him early exposure to marketing and sales .  By age 19 he had become a devout Christian and found a mentor in Cody Harvey; together they would later found and build the digital marketing agency Kennected . In 2018 Johnson and Harvey sketched an idea on a napkin: software to automate LinkedIn outreach.  Frustrated by the hours he spent prospecting, Johnson “founded Kennected out of pure frustration” .  As CEO he grew the Indianapolis‑based SaaS company to more than 15,000 users and over 100 employees , generating more than $15 million in annual sales .  Under his leadership Kennected landed on the Inc. 5000 list at No. 583 with 832 % three‑year revenue growth , a testament to his ability to turn vision into execution.  Employees describe him as an inspirational, empathetic leader who values relationships over profit and fosters a culture of hard work and positivity .  He has been willing to “take massive action” since high school, travelling across the U.S. to conferences simply to network with potential clients . After stepping away from Kennected, Johnson co‑founded SalesAI, a next‑generation sales enablement platform.  SalesAI uses autonomous AI agents to qualify leads and provide real‑time voice‑ and text‑based sales conversations, reducing average response times from an hour to seconds .  The platform integrates directly into a customer’s CRM to manage outreach via voice, SMS and email, and is scaling revenue more than 20 % month‑over‑month .  Johnson is a four‑time Inc. 500 founder with two successful exits and has been named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year .  He is a frequent speaker at AI and SaaS conferences, sharing frameworks on speed‑to‑lead and how to build AI‑first companies .  Through appearances on podcasts such as Dropping Bombs, Sharkpreneur, and The Mind of George Show, he encourages entrepreneurs to harness AI while doubling down on human connection. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-johnson-salesai/

    28 分鐘
  2. #121: How a SaaS Marketplace Is Redefining Plastic Waste Recovery with PCX’s Sebastian DiGrande

    1 天前

    #121: How a SaaS Marketplace Is Redefining Plastic Waste Recovery with PCX’s Sebastian DiGrande

    Sebastian DiGrande is the Chief Executive Officer of Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX), where he leads the company’s mission to eliminate plastic waste through a technology-driven, market-based platform. Under his leadership, PCX is building a verified marketplace that connects corporations with plastic recovery and recycling partners worldwide, creating measurable, scalable environmental impact. Before joining PCX, Sebastian held senior executive roles at Gap Inc., overseeing more than $5 billion in global P&Ls across e-commerce, credit, international franchises, and the Intermix brand. Earlier, he spent nearly two decades at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as a Senior Partner and Managing Director, where he led major practices in technology, marketing, and pricing, helped launch BCG Digital Ventures, and advised global consumer and retail clients on digital transformation. He currently serves on the Board of Directors at Big Lots and lectures at leading business schools including Stanford, UCLA Anderson, and Wharton. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-digrande-b34961/

    37 分鐘
  3. #120: Bridging Global Innovation with Enterprise Tech and Trust with Sentinel Global’s Sylvester Wee

    2 天前

    #120: Bridging Global Innovation with Enterprise Tech and Trust with Sentinel Global’s Sylvester Wee

    Sylvester Wee is a Partner at Sentinel Global, a New York–based, Singapore-anchored venture fund that leads a $200M+ vehicle backing frontier enterprise technologies. At Sentinel, he focuses on enterprise AI, fintech, cybersecurity, programmable finance, and next-gen infrastructure partnering with Series-A and growth teams that demonstrate strong product-market fit and a clear path to commercializing with regulated customers. Before joining Sentinel, Sylvester founded ChrysCard, a U.S.-focused fintech that built alternative credit underwriting and mobile-first financial products to expand access for underserved consumers; ChrysCard was recognized as a winner of the CB Insights FinTech Global Innovation Challenge. Prior to his entrepreneurship, he invested across growth equity and venture at GIC, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, where he participated in deploying over $1B across global technology and financial services companies. Sylvester’s leadership and resilience trace back to competitive sport and military service. He served as an Artillery Officer in the Singapore Armed Forces. Lleading battalion operations and more than 200 personnel, and earning the Sword of Merit—and competed internationally as Singapore’s top-ranked tennis player, representing the country in the Davis Cup and Australian Open Juniors. Those experiences inform his founder-first, execution-oriented approach to scaling high-impact enterprise companies. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.S. in Economics from The Wharton School. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylvesterweeWebsite: https://www.sentinelglobal.xyz

    44 分鐘
  4. #119: The Next Frontier of Fintech & Localized AI with Kadan Capital's Felix Frenzel

    9月8日

    #119: The Next Frontier of Fintech & Localized AI with Kadan Capital's Felix Frenzel

    Felix Frenzel is the Founding Partner of Kadan Capital, a Singapore-headquartered early-stage venture capital firm backing category-defining startups across Southeast Asia and beyond. At Kadan, he focuses on high-impact companies in fintech and artificial intelligence, targeting ventures with strong early traction and potential for rapid scale. Before co-founding Kadan Capital, Felix built his expertise across investment management and strategy consulting. He was an Investment Manager at Antler, a leading global early-stage VC platform, and a strategy consultant at Bain & Company, where he advised top-tier clients on transformative growth strategies. Earlier in his career, he gained experience in public equity investing, adding depth to his financial acumen. Felix’s passion for investing runs deep. At just sixteen, he launched a small fund focused on European equities—a first step that reflects both his entrepreneurial drive and early fascination with capital markets. He holds an MBA from INSEAD, an MSc in International Finance from HEC Paris, and a BSc in Economics from the University of Bonn. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felixfrenzel/

    29 分鐘
  5. #118: Navigating Embedded Finance, and Web3's Future in Emerging Markets with Saison Capital's Qin En Looi

    8月25日

    #118: Navigating Embedded Finance, and Web3's Future in Emerging Markets with Saison Capital's Qin En Looi

    In Episode #118 of Geeks of the Valley, we sat down with Qin En Looi, Partner at Saison Capital. Backed by Credit Saison (Tokyo-listed, ~US$30B AUM), Saison has 100+ direct investments and 15+ fund investments across Asia and LATAM. We unpack why operator experience produces better investor how Qin En’s time scaling Glints shaped his emphasis on distribution, sales, and practical due diligence. The conversation dives deep into embedded finance. Saison’s playbook for pairing venture equity with tailored debt to de-risk lending-backed businesses, and the market signals that matter for India, Southeast Asia, Brazil and LATAM from eKYC and payment rails to regulatory openness. We close with a pragmatic look at web3 and digital assets: institutional tailwinds, realistic timelines, and how blockchain could become the new rails for moving money at internet speed. About Saison Capital: Saison Capital is an early-stage venture fund (pre-seed to Series B) focused on emerging markets, backing founders across fintech, commerce and web3. Backed by Credit Saison (Tokyo-listed, ~US$30B AUM), the team combines operating experience with flexible capital solutions—100+ direct investments and active fund-of-funds activity across Asia and LATAM—to help startups scale faster and more sustainably. About Qin En Looi: Qin En leads Saison’s early-stage direct investments across fintech, commerce and web3, and he jumpstarted Credit Saison’s digital-asset strategy. He co-founded ONCHAIN (Asia’s first real-world-asset conference) and sits on the boards of Southeast Asian fintechs including Helicap and SkorLife. Prior to VC, Qin En was Co-Founder and COO of Glints, Southeast Asia’s largest talent ecosystem (Series D), and has been recognised on Forbes 30 Under 30 and Entrepreneurs 27 Under 27. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/looiqinenWebsite: saisoncapital.com

    38 分鐘
  6. #117: Navigating APAC & U.S. Crypto Frontiers with CMT Digital's Doug Hsu

    8月18日

    #117: Navigating APAC & U.S. Crypto Frontiers with CMT Digital's Doug Hsu

    Doug Su is an investor at CMT Digital in Asia — a global electronic trading and investment firm specializing in blockchain and digital assets. Founded in 2017, CMT Digital was among the earliest firms to launch a dedicated crypto fund and has since backed more than 150 crypto-native protocols and blockchain ventures worldwide. Doug brings a diverse track record in venture capital and digital asset strategy, having previously worked at Insignia Ventures Partners, played a strategic role at Fireblocks, and led extensive crypto dealmaking efforts across the Asia-Pacific region. In today’s conversation, Doug will share the story behind CMT Digital’s entry into the crypto space in 2017 and how its mission has evolved over time. He’ll discuss how he evaluates opportunities across token-based protocols versus traditional equity investments in both Asia and the U.S., the macro themes he’s watching — from AI and stablecoins to blockchain infrastructure — and where he sees the ecosystem heading over the next two to five years through the lens of Venture Fund IV, launched in May 2024. We’ll also explore how Doug leverages CMT Digital’s expansive network — spanning 150+ portfolio companies, founders, LPs, and cross-border partners — to drive portfolio growth, support successful exits, and foster long-term ecosystem development. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglashsujf/ Note: This episode was recorded Pre-Genius Act passing

    33 分鐘
  7. #116: Scaling Human-Centric Brands Through Private Equity with Monogram Capital’s Jared Stein

    8月11日

    #116: Scaling Human-Centric Brands Through Private Equity with Monogram Capital’s Jared Stein

    In Episode #116 of Geeks of the Valley, we sat down with Jared Stein, Co-Founder at Monogram Capital, a leading private equity firm specializing in scaling high-growth, human-centric consumer brands. Jared walks through Monogram’s investment philosophy and why the firm focuses on companies with deep consumer resonance. He shares insights from leading investments in Chewy.com, Olipop, Genexa, and Planet Fitness, detailing how emotional connection, strong brand equity, and operational excellence drive sustainable growth. The conversation explores the evolving role of private equity in consumer markets, including the increasing importance of wellness, trust, and personalization in shaping investment decisions. Drawing on his background at Bain Capital, Golden Gate Capital, HGGC, and Goldman Sachs, Jared also discusses lessons learned from scaling category leaders, the role of strategic partnerships, and how to balance value creation with authentic brand building. Whether you’re an investor seeking differentiated strategies, a founder building a consumer brand, or a strategist tracking market shifts, this episode offers a deep dive into the future of human-centric private equity.

    44 分鐘
  8. #115: How the Middle East’s Startup Scene & Gulf SWFs Are Reshaping Venture Capital with Bunat Ventures' Khalid Saad

    6月23日

    #115: How the Middle East’s Startup Scene & Gulf SWFs Are Reshaping Venture Capital with Bunat Ventures' Khalid Saad

    Khalid Saad is a seasoned venture capitalist and FinTech entrepreneur with a proven track record of launching new ventures and accelerating existing ones. Over the years, he has partnered with startups and established companies on digital strategy, business development, partnerships, and market-entry plans—spanning payment systems, remittance services, crypto platforms, open banking, and more  . He is the Founder & Managing Partner of Bunat Ventures, a Bahrain-based regulated venture-builder VC focused on nurturing and investing in high-growth startups across the GCC. Khalid serves on the board of CoinMENA, a Central Bank–regulated crypto-asset exchange, and is a board member of Oqal – Bahrain Chapter, the region’s largest and most active angel investment network  . Additionally, he advises 01 Systems, a leading regional financial technology and digital transformation firm, and contributes to the Finance, Insurance & Tax Committee of the Bahrain Chamber. Until recently, Khalid was the Founding CEO of Bahrain FinTech Bay (BFB)—the largest FinTech hub in MENA, recognized by S&P Global Ratings as one of the region’s two most advanced FinTech ecosystems  . Under his leadership, BFB united ~100 public and private stakeholders (regulators, banks, telcos, asset managers, family firms, educational institutions, etc.) and hosted around 50 companies working across payments, blockchain, crypto assets, data analytics, robo-advisory, crowdfunding, and AI  . Before BFB, Khalid was a Business Development Manager at the Bahrain Economic Development Board, where he promoted the financial services sector and attracted major institutions—from banks and wealth managers to FinTechs and insurers—to Bahrain  . Prior to that, he worked with Ernst & Young, conducting feasibility studies, market research, and implementing a governance, risk & compliance platform in Bahrain, and with SEI Investments in London managing UK and European equity portfolios  . Khalid holds an MSc from Imperial College London and a First Class BSc from the University of Exeter  . LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khalidesaad/

    34 分鐘
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簡介

Geeks of the Valley connects with some of the brightest minds globally, who are leading their respective industries today. We discuss the hottest upcoming industry trends and how their work is affecting the global economy.

資訊

  • 創作者
    GeeksoftheValley
  • 活躍年代
    2019年 - 2025年
  • 集數
    128
  • 年齡分級
    兒少適宜
  • 版權
    © GeeksoftheValley
  • 節目網站
    Geeks Of The Valley