Adventures on the Can Do Jothy Rosenberg

Summary
Dimitre shares his fascinating life journey, from growing up in Bulgaria and Nigeria to playing basketball in the United States and eventually founding Galena Hill. He discusses the pain points he experienced as a business owner and how it led him to develop an accounting intelligence system that integrates with Intuit QuickBooks. He also explains the shift towards using blockchain technology for document management and automation, with the city of Reno as a lighthouse customer. Dimitre highlights the potential market in other cities and the importance of strong recommendations and warm introductions. Dimitre discusses the application of document management workflow in various industries, not just government entities. He shares examples of startups and businesses that can benefit from this technology. Dimitre also talks about his investment strategy and the use of offshore software developers. The conversation concludes with a discussion on grit and its importance in startups and life.
Bio
Born in Bulgaria, he grew up across multiple countries including over a decade in rural Nigeria, Botswana, and South Africa. This diverse background instilled resilience and adaptability. In 1993, a basketball scholarship allowed him to relocate to the United States. His studies focused on quantitative business analysis, economic modeling, and finance.
His private-sector career from 1998-2014 spanned automotive, travel, construction, manufacturing, and consulting. As a trader, operations manager, finance director and more, he led teams, drove change, and oversaw profitable exits. This applied his expertise in process automation and business intelligence.  
Since 2014, his SaaS innovations include co-authoring blockchain patents for secure data handling and message certification. He created blockchain web apps for transparent public access. His models compared solar technologies for South African energy projects. He pioneered digital prototypes for accounting, document transmission, and medical consent.
In 2018, he founded Galena Hill Inc. to provide affordable, scalable, eco-friendly digital solutions for small businesses and government. This merged his research with pragmatic solutions to foster sustainability.
Takeaways
Dimitre's life journey took him from Bulgaria to Nigeria to the United States, where he eventually founded Galena Hill.
He developed an accounting intelligence system that integrates with Intuit QuickBooks to address the pain points he experienced as a business owner.
Galena Hill has shifted its focus towards using blockchain technology for document management and automation.
The city of Reno is a lighthouse customer for Galena Hill, and there is potential for market expansion to other cities.
Strong recommendations and warm introductions from influential figures, such as the mayor of Reno, can help facilitate business opportunities. Document management workflow can be applied to various industries, not just government entities.
Startups and businesses that deal with a lot of documents and need to guarantee their provenance can benefit from this technology.
Dimitre's investment strategy has been private investment, and he has not approached VC firms.
He uses offshore software developers, but emphasizes the importance of having a close relationship and ensuring the protection of intellectual property.
Grit is essential in startups and life, and overcoming challenges and obstacles is a continuous process.
Sound Bites
"The market niche for Galena Hill: small to midsize business owners using QuickBooks."
"The shift towards using blockchain technology for document management and automation."
"What we have is extremely convenient in terms...

Summary
In this conversation, Jothy Rosenberg and Jonathan Becher discuss various aspects of starting and running a company. They cover topics such as transitioning from theory to practice, the importance of customer-driven decision-making, the challenges of being a CEO, the significance of team building, and the role of strategic investors. They also emphasize the need for adaptability and retaining optionality in business. Jonathan Becher shares his experiences as an entrepreneur and executive, discussing topics such as board management, acquisitions, and the transition from tech to sports entertainment. He emphasizes the importance of smaller, trusted boards and the value of distribution in scaling a business. Jonathan also highlights the significance of time to value over time to market and the need to focus on the end users of a product. He concludes by promoting his blog and expressing his interest in discussing the concept of grit in a future episode.
Jonathan Becher
Jonathan Becher is president of Sharks Sports & Entertainment, the parent organization for the San Jose Sharks, the San Jose Barracuda, three Sharks Ice recreational facilities, and the Sharks Foundation. A long-time Sharks fan and season ticket holder, Becher is responsible for the organization’s overall strategy with a particular focus on the end-to-end experience.
Prior to joining Sharks Sports & Entertainment, Becher spent a decade at SAP in a variety of senior roles, including Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Digital Officer. A three-time technology company CEO, Becher is an advisor to early-stage companies and is on the Board of multiple organizations. He is the author of the popular blog, Manage By Walking Around.
Jonathan and Jothy met at Duke University when Jothy was a professor of computer science and Jonathan was a student. Jonathan got his Masters with Jothy and then they took off together for Silicon Valley and MasPar where they were the 12th and 13th team members. Four years later, the company changed its name to Neovista and Jonathan took over as its CEO.
Links
Please leave us a review: https://www.podchaser.com/AdventuresOnTheCanDo
Jonathan's blog: https://jonathanbecher.com/
The book Think Like a Startup Founder (early access): https://www.manning.com/books/think-like-a-tech-founder
Jothy’s site for speaking, podcasting, and ruminating: https://jothyrosenberg.com
Jothy’s non-profit foundation The Who Says I Can’t Foundation: https://whosaysicant.org
Takeaways
Transitioning from theory to practice is a formative experience in one's career
Customer-driven decision-making is crucial for building successful products
Being a CEO involves team building and adaptability
Choosing the right co-founder is essential for a successful partnership
Strategic investors can provide credibility and opportunities, but it's important to retain optionality Smaller, trusted boards are better than larger boards, regardless of whether they include observers.
Distribution becomes more important than the product itself at scale.
Focus on time to value rather than time to market, and prioritize the needs of end users.
Sports entertainment franchises can leverage data to drive revenue and make informed business decisions.
Jonathan...

Rob Oshana's Bio
Rob has a BS in Electrical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a PhD in Computer Science from Southern Methodist University.
Rob is currently SVP Software and Security Group at Analog Devices in Austin, TX.
Previously he was Vice President Software Engineering, Research and Development, Edge Processing, NXP Semiconductors where he managed a global team of SW engineers developing run time enablement/application software and tools for multiple business lines including Auto, Consumer, Media, IoT, Industrial, Networking, and mass market.
Rob was chairman of the NXP Software Technology board; leading cross company efforts focused on software reuse, efficiency, collaboration, and cross business alignment for multiple SW business units
Rob has been on multiple university advisory boards and research boards.
For over 25 years he has been Adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas, and Concordia University
He has been an international speaker on topics related to SW engineering, IoT, embedded systems, multicore software, software testing and software quality. Rob has over 200 publications and presentations, and four books to his name.
Summary
This conversation discusses the collaboration between a startup and a big company in the semiconductor industry, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in the Internet of Things (IoT) market. The conversation explores the benefits of hardware-software co-design, the importance of area and power reduction in semiconductor chips, and the challenges of the hardware IP licensing business model. It also discusses alternative business models and the importance of understanding timeframes and revenue in the semiconductor industry. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the timing and success of startups in the industry. In this conversation, Jothy Rosenberg and Rob Oshana discuss various topics related to technology and innovation. They explore the future of RISC-V, the interest in startups, the challenges and opportunities for innovation in large companies, the importance of a culture of innovation, the role of QA in software quality, and the promotion of quality and innovation. They also touch on the impact of functional safety and AI in controlling sophisticated systems.
Takeaways
Collaboration and commitment between startups and big companies can lead to successful partnerships and innovation.Hardware-software co-design is essential for optimizing performance, power consumption, and security in semiconductor chips.Understanding the economics of the semiconductor industry, including area and power reduction, is crucial for startups.Exploring alternative business models, such as Dolby's IP licensing model, can provide new opportunities for startups in the semiconductor industry. RISC-V is expected to continue to be successful and has become part of the natural discussion around ISA selections for different markets.Large companies can innovate at scale if they have the right culture, infrastructure, and support in place.QA is a critical discipline in software development, and companies should prioritize it to ensure high-quality software.Promoting a culture of innovation and creating opportunities for collaboration can drive innovation in both large companies and startups.Functional safety is crucial in industries where AI controls sophisticated systems.
Links
Rob's company: https://www.analog.com/en/index.html
Link to Jothy's site: a href="https://www.jothyrosenberg.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Summary
Jessi Roesch, founder of Downland, discusses her journey from banking to starting a climate-smart farming marketplace. She highlights the similarities between farming and startups, such as the need for resilience, the importance of understanding customer needs, and the pursuit of a legacy. Jessi also explains the concept of regenerative agriculture and its benefits for soil health and nutrient-dense food. She shares her experience with crowdfunding and invites listeners to participate in Downland's fundraising campaign on WeFunder.
Links
Please leave us a review: https://www.podchaser.com/AdventuresOnTheCanDo
The book Think Like a Startup Founder (early access): https://www.manning.com/books/think-like-a-tech-founder
Jothy’s site for speaking, podcasting, and ruminating: https://jothyrosenberg.com
Jothy’s non-profit foundation The Who Says I Can’t Foundation: https://whosaysicant.org
Jessi’s current startup for helping regenerative farmers and ranchers: https://www.godownland.com/
Jessi’s slot on the WeFunder platform where she is raising her first round: https://wefunder.com/downland
Jessi’s bio
Jessi Roesch (rhymes with "fresh") has over a decade of experience driving transformation at startups, unicorns and enterprise companies. She is a Terra.do Climate Fellow, member of the Soil Health Committee at BCarbon, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Antler, a global venture firm, and 3x startup executive, having led her prior company to #10 in Financial Services on the 2023 Inc. 5000 list, which recognizes companies for high growth.
Jessi is the founder and CEO of Downland, a startup that aims to remove barriers for a new generation of regenerative farmers and ranchers
Takeaways
Farming and startups share similarities in terms of resilience, understanding customer needs, and pursuing a legacy.
Regenerative agriculture focuses on improving soil health and producing nutrient-dense food.
Crowdfunding platforms like WeFunder provide opportunities for everyday people to invest in startups and support innovative solutions.
The founder journey requires resilience, grit, and a willingness to embrace challenges and personal growth.
Support Downland
Friends & insiders (that's you!) can invest in Downland via Wefunder before it opens to the public on May 1st. Early investors have access to preferred terms. Follow Downland on LinkedIn and InstagramSubscribe to Downland's newsletterLandowner Letter of...

Guest Bio for Michael Petersen
Michael Petersen is a distinguished Founder, Engineer, and CXO who is recognized as a visionary Global High-Tech Product and Marketing Executive. His expertise lies in turning innovative ideas into profitable ventures.
Currently leading Raise a Hood, Petersen is spearheading the transformation of the automotive repair industry. His startup synergizes crowd-sourced insights, expert guidance, and machine learning to vastly improve vehicle maintenance for consumers and independent shops. A notable achievement is the creation of GUS, a patent-pending AI engine that blends traditional machine learning with the wisdom of veteran mechanics.
Petersen’s impressive career trajectory includes influential roles at Ford Motor Company, Dell Computer, Motorola Solutions, and Zebra Technologies, contributing significantly to specifically in the field of engineering, product design, and product management. He holds an MBA from the University of Michigan, an MS in Automotive Engineering from Purdue, and a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.
An individual of diverse interests, Petersen is passionate about teaching racing schools and adventure motorcycle riding. His active involvement in communities and non-profit organizations highlights his dynamic, all-encompassing approach to leadership and innovation
Summary
In this conversation, Michael Petersen discusses the motivation behind creating Raise A Hood, a platform that aims to improve the vehicle ownership experience. He highlights the challenges faced by average Americans who drive used vehicles and struggle with high maintenance and repair costs. Michael explains the need to connect customers with trustworthy repair shops and provide them with relevant information to make better decisions. He also shares insights into the funding process and the importance of grit and perseverance in building a successful startup. Overall, Michael's goal is to make vehicle ownership more affordable and convenient for everyone.
Takeaways
The majority of Americans drive used vehicles and face high maintenance and repair costs.There is a need to connect customers with trustworthy repair shops and provide them with relevant information.Building a startup in the automotive industry is a complex problem that requires a deep understanding of technology, engineering, and commercial leadership.Grit and perseverance are essential qualities for startup founders to overcome challenges and achieve success.
Links
Link to Jothy's site: http://jothyrosenberg.com
Link to Raise a Hood site: https://www.raiseahood.com/
Link to Podchaser to leave a review: https://www.podchaser.com/AdventuresOnTheCanDo
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
00:45 The Problem with Vehicle Ownership
07:09 Funding and Investment Rounds
09:31 The Minimum Viable Product and B2B Strategy
13:02 The Average Age of Cars and Market Size
15:09 Company Size and Location
16:20 Investor Landscape and Geo-Location
40:20 Future Plans and Leadership
42:28 Closing Remarks

Link to Jothy's site: http://jothyrosenberg.com
Link to Podchaser to leave a review: https://www.podchaser.com
This episode of Adventures on the Can Do has as our guest Andrew Sutherland
Andrew is a veteran of 6 startups, starting with his first after school job as a kid growing up in silicon valley.  He is a software engineer that has always worked close to hardware. Working on embedded systems, medical devices and then joining a succession of semiconductor startups where he  worked on both hardware verification and the software toolchains for novel silicon architectures. More recently he worked for a cryptocurrency startup managing the development of the smart contract compiler & runtime infrastructure.
Summary
In this conversation, Jothy Rosenberg and Andrew Sutherland discuss their experiences as startup founders and the lessons they have learned along the way. They cover topics such as the challenges of multiple founders, the importance of market fit, and the role of a founder in problem-solving. They also discuss the need for a diverse founding team and the importance of communication and collaboration. Overall, they emphasize the joy and fulfillment of being a founder, despite the risks and challenges involved.
Takeaways
A successful founding team often consists of a technical founder and a business founder, each bringing their unique skills and perspectives.Founders should be willing to take on the biggest problems facing the company and work together to find solutions.Communication and collaboration are key to a successful founding team, and founders should be open to sharing responsibilities and seeking outside help when needed.Choosing the right co-founder is crucial, and founders should look for someone who complements their skills and shares their passion and vision.Founders should be mindful of their egos and be willing to let go and delegate as the company grows.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Location
00:18 Startup Experience
01:21 Early Startups
03:43 Outcome at Ambric
04:25 Transition to Bigger Companies
05:50 Remote Work Experience
06:17 Current Focus on Government Contracts
14:17 Reflection on Startups
15:20 Lessons Learned and Mistakes
17:31 Founder Commitment and Long-Term Perspective
19:23 Challenges of Multiple Founders
21:13 Founder Intervention in Other Areas
26:43 Founder Disruption and Toxic Attitudes
29:47 Choosing a Good Co-Founder
35:16 Founder's Role in Problem-Solving
38:11 Founder Egos and Team Dynamics
40:37 Taking a Break from Startups
46:26 Advice for Founders