Lifeselfmastery's podcast I Startups I Venture Capital

Rohit Malhotra
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Life Self Mastery Podcast is an interview based show where I interview online entrepreneurs who started their businesses and scaled up their businesses to improve their lifestyles. Previous guests include Guy Kawasaki, Brad Feld, James Clear, Shu Nyatta, Ida Tin, Elizabeth Yin, Polina Pompliano, Evgenia Plotnikova, Anna Khan, Minnie Ingersoll, Sridhar Ramaswamy, Mac Conwell, Danielle Strachman, Jake Gibson, Wes Kao, Brian Requarth, Vivek Sodera, Eric Siu, Amit Garg, Nischal Shetty, Pranav Pai, Nir Eyal, Paul Shapiro, Nick Huber, Rob Walling, Andrew Dsouza, Fabrice Grinda, and 300+ incredible guests. partnergrow.substack.com

  1. 6D AGO

    Rise of Defence Tech from Brad Harrison from Scout Ventures

    I am thrilled to have Brad Harrison, a former Army Ranger turned venture capitalist, and the founder and Managing Partner of Scout Ventures. Brad invests at the intersection of national security and critical technology innovation, backing companies like Unite Us, ID.me, Voyager Space, and Tomahawk Robotics — which was recently acquired by AeroVironment. In this conversation, Brad Harrison, a former Army Ranger turned venture capitalist, shares his journey into the world of venture capital and the founding of Scout Ventures. He discusses the importance of mission-driven investments, particularly in the intersection of national security and critical technology. Brad emphasises the value of both first-time and experienced founders, the significance of government contracts, and the evolving landscape of AI in defence tech. He also reflects on investment strategies, the importance of people in startups, and the metrics for evaluating fund performance. Timestamps 00:00 From Army Ranger to Venture Capitalist 03:17 The Birth of Scout Ventures 06:04 Mission-Driven Investment Focus 09:07 The Importance of Non-Dilutive Funding 12:10 Backing First-Time Founders 15:13 Case Studies: Unitas and ID.me 18:09 Navigating Government Contracts 21:17 Defensible AI in Defense Tech 24:05 B2B Startups and AI Integration 26:57 Evaluating Startups: People, Product, Market 30:09 Ownership Stakes in Early-Stage Investments 33:14 The Future of Liquidity in Venture Capital 35:57 Lessons Learned from Exits 39:16 Final Thoughts and Recommendations Brad's Links  LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradharrison/ Website – https://www.scout.vc/ My Links  Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

    46 min

  2. JAN 8

    Emerging Market Lessons That Make Better Investors with Elias Mufarech from Collide Capital

    I am thrilled to have Elias Mufarech who is a Senior Associate at Collide Capital, a pre-seed to Series A venture fund investing in fintech, future of work, and supply chain software. In this conversation, Elias Mufarech, a senior associate at Collide Capital, shares his insights on venture capital, the importance of operational support for founders, and the evolving landscape of startup expectations. Elias discusses his journey from building fintech software in Latin America to investing in startups, highlighting the critical lessons learned along the way. He emphasizes the need for founders to have strong networks and the importance of understanding market dynamics, especially when competing against big tech companies. Timestamps 02:56 Lessons from Operating in Emerging Markets 06:20 Changing Expectations in Venture Capital 09:21 The Role of Capital and Networks in Founding 12:16 American vs. Emerging Market Founders 15:03 Operational Support in Venture Capital 18:21 Assessing Big Tech Risks in Startups Elias's Links  LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/elias-mufarech/ Website – https://www.collidecap.com/ My Links  Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

    31 min

  3. JAN 1

    Ankur Patel from Multimodal on Building Agentic AI for the Enterprise

    I am excited to have  Ankur Patel who is the founder and CEO of Multimodal, where he's automating the most complex workflows in finance and insurance. He has 15+ years of work experience across companies like J.P. Morgan and Bridgewater In this conversation, Ankur Patel, founder and CEO of Multimodal, traces his path from JP Morgan and Bridgewater to building AI agents that automate complex workflows in finance and insurance. He explains how early exposure to data science and macro trading convinced him that AI would reshape enterprise work. He discusses why agentic AI is fundamentally different from chatbots, how enterprises evaluate risk, and why explainability is essential for adoption. Ankur breaks down pricing models for AI labor, the shift from seat-based SaaS to usage-based consumption, and the realities of selling to banks, insurers, and governments. Timestamps 00:01 – 01:46. Intro & journey from markets to ML 01:46 – 03:21. Why agentic AI is the next frontier 03:21 – 04:48. Multimodal's ambition vs prior startups 04:48 – 06:08. Judgment calls in lending workflows 06:08 – 07:47. Risk, unpredictability, and explainability 07:47 – 09:26. Compliance objections from financial institutions 09:26 – 11:46. Deploying AI in government 11:46 – 13:40. Pricing AI labor 13:40 – 15:34. Why seat-based SaaS breaks 15:34 – 17:44. ROI framing with banks and insurers 17:44 – 19:31. Common pricing mistakes 19:31 – 21:32. Usage pricing with budget predictability 21:32 – 23:51. Enterprise sales motion & channels 23:51 – 25:40. When to activate partnerships 25:40 – 27:32. Leadership lessons across domains 27:32 – 29:44. Content as a strategic advantage 29:44 – 32:39. Vertical AI will win 32:39 – 35:41. Future of agentic AI & student advice Ankur's Links  LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankurpatel9/ Website – https://www.multimodal.dev/ My Links  Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

    39 min

  4. 12/25/2025

    How Vivek Krishnamurthy from Commerce Ventures Thinks About Venture, AI, and Markets

    I am thrilled to have Vivek Krishnamurthy, who is a Partner at Commerce Ventures, where he's spent over 8 years investing in commerce infrastructure and fintech. Before Venture, he was an Investment Banking Analyst at Financial Technology Partners. He's particularly bullish on AI's transformation of insurance, backing companies like Kin Insurance, Liberate, and Authentic. In this conversation, Vivek Krishnamurthy, a partner at Commerce Ventures, discusses his journey into venture capital, the evolution of investment strategies, and the intersection of commerce and fintech. Vivek shares insights on the impact of AI on business, the importance of understanding market dynamics, and the traits of successful founders. He also addresses the challenges of staying private and the role of VCs in the startup ecosystem. Timestamps 00:00 Journey into Venture Capital 03:08 Evolution of Investment Thesis 06:20 Commerce and Fintech Intersection 09:10 AI's Role in Modern Startups 12:01 Understanding Market Dynamics 15:23 Growth Metrics in Today's Market 18:09 The Impact of Staying Private 20:59 Traits of Successful Founders 24:20 The Role of VCs in Success 27:12 Sales Strategies in AI 30:03 Hiring Trends in AI Startups 33:13 Evaluating Investment Opportunities Vivek's Links  LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivekkri/ Website - https://commerce.vc/ My Links  Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

    40 min

  5. 12/18/2025

    Dallas Price from Forum Ventures on Venture Studios, Founder-Market Fit, and What Actually Wins in AI

    I am excited to have Dallas Price, a Venture Builder at Forum Ventures, where he helps launch and scale six B2B SaaS startups every year through their AI Studio. His work centres on turning early-stage concepts into real companies, guiding founders across product, go-to-market, and fundraising In this conversation, Dallas Price, a venture builder at Forum Ventures, discusses his journey into the startup world, the workings of a venture studio, and the current landscape of AI startups. Dallas shares insights on navigating chaos in startups, the importance of defensibility, new distribution channels, and evolving pricing models. He emphasizes the significance of customer traction and the need for founders to focus on their strengths when pitching to investors. The discussion also touches on the future of AI spending and the potential for full stack AI companies. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Dallas Price and His Journey 03:08 Transitioning to Venture Capital and Forum Ventures 06:10 Understanding the Venture Studio Model 09:18 Navigating the AI Landscape and Talent Wars 12:13 Defensibility in AI Startups 15:14 Emerging Distribution Channels in AI 18:07 Innovative Pricing Models for AI Startups 21:15 The Future of AI Native Companies 24:18 Spotlight on Startups: Credit Pulse and Scout Climate 26:52 Investor Signals and Customer Demand 30:07 The Importance of Founders in Startup Success 33:30 Current Trends in AI Spending and Future Outlook 36:21 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks Dallas's Links  LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dallascprice Website – https://www.forumvc.com/ My Links  Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

    44 min

  6. 12/11/2025

    Capital Evolution: A New Era of Capitalism with Seth Levine and Elizabeth McBride

    I am excited to have Seth Levine, venture capitalist and co-founder of Foundry, and Elizabeth MacBride, international business journalist and founder of Times of Entrepreneurship. Together, they co-authored The New Builders and now their latest book, Capital Evolution, explores how American capitalism is shifting—and why businesses, not government, may hold the keys to building a more inclusive and prosperous future. In this conversation, Seth Levine and Elizabeth McBride discuss their new book, 'Capital Evolution,' which explores the shifting landscape of American capitalism. They delve into the challenges posed by neoliberal capitalism, the consequences of prioritizing shareholder value, and the need for a more inclusive economic model. The authors advocate for 'dynamic capitalism,' which emphasizes the importance of meritocracy, economic mobility, and the role of businesses in society. They also touch on the impact of AI on the workforce and the necessity for government reform to restore balance in power dynamics. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Capital Evolution 03:14 The State of American Capitalism 04:54 Neoliberalism and Its Consequences 05:19 The Rise of Business Over Government 08:28 Meritocracy and Economic Mobility 11:40 Global Perspectives on Capitalism 14:22 The Future of American Democracy and Business 17:16 Comparative Economic Models 20:35 Conclusion and Reflections on Capitalism 25:41 The Dynamics of the American Economy 27:07 Understanding Dynamic Capitalism 30:09 Elements of Dynamic Capitalism 31:45 Success Stories in Employee Ownership 33:44 The Impact of AI on Employment 37:34 Universal Basic Income: A Controversial Solution 41:30 Reforming Government for a Sustainable Future 44:58 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs Seth and Elizabeth's Links  LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethjlevine LDN - linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-macbride-85a3806 Website – https://thecapitalevolution.com/ My Links  Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

    56 min

  7. 12/04/2025

    Art and Science of Pricing Strategies with Marcos Rivera of Pricing I/O

    I am thrilled to have Marcos Rivera, the founder and CEO of Pricing I/O, where he helps B2B SaaS companies capture the value they've built. Former Head of Pricing at Vista Equity Partners, he's priced over 400 SaaS products and has authored Street Pricing. In this conversation, Marcos Rivera, founder and CEO of Pricing.io, discusses the intricacies of pricing strategies in B2B SaaS. Marcos shares his journey from product management to pricing, highlighting common mistakes companies make, especially in underpricing their products. He emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs, the blend of art and science in pricing, and the impact of AI on pricing strategies. The discussion also covers diagnosing churn, building a pricing team, essential metrics for pricing decisions, and aligning sales and marketing efforts. Timestamps 03:04 Common Pricing Mistakes in B2B SaaS 06:22 The Art and Science of Pricing 09:02 AI and the Future of Pricing Models 12:18 Diagnosing Pricing Problems and Churn 15:10 Counterintuitive Pricing Strategies for Success 20:10 Innovative Pricing Strategies 22:20 Building a Team and Company Culture 25:07 The Role of Data in Pricing Decisions 26:28 Key Metrics for SaaS Pricing 29:11 Aligning Teams for Effective Pricing 32:28 Integrating AI into Pricing Strategies 36:08 Advice for Founders on Pricing Marcos's Links  LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcoslrivera/ Website – https://www.pricingio.com/ My Links  Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

    41 min

  8. 11/27/2025

    Navigating the AI Investment Landscape with Aabhas Khanna of MyAsia VC

    Aabhas Khanna, is General Partner at MyAsiaVC, a venture syndicate and fund with $125M AUM backing 250+ companies, including 5 unicorns. Previously at HSBC and Deloitte, he now invests in pre-seed and seed AI-native startups across enterprise growth, healthcare, fintech, and advanced manufacturing, focusing on obsessive founders tackling overlooked challenges. In this conversation, Aabhas Khanna, a general partner at MyAsia VC, discusses his journey from working in large corporations to venture capital. Aabhas shares insights on evaluating AI startups, the importance of founder quality, and the unique challenges and opportunities in different Asian markets. He emphasizes the need for adaptability in business models, the significance of understanding market dynamics, and the flow of capital in the Asian tech ecosystem. Timestamps 00:00 From Banking to Venture Capital: A Journey Begins 04:49 Navigating the AI Landscape: Signal vs. Noise 11:42 Regional Insights: Building in Hong Kong vs. Silicon Valley 17:31 Market Expansion: Local vs. Global Strategies 22:07 Investment Strategies: Reserves and Follow-On Investments 23:55 Identifying Future Unicorns: The Role of Founders 26:40 Navigating AI Disruption in Startups 28:29 The Role of Investors in Founder Decision-Making 30:56 Defining Good Growth in the AI Era 34:32 Capital Flows in the Asian Tech Ecosystem 38:20 Common Mistakes Founders Make 41:45 Reflections on Venture Capital and Personal Growth Aabhas's Links  LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/aabhaskhanna/ Website – https://www.myasiavc.com/ Sajid interview - https://lifeselfmastery.com/2020/05/30/ep-143-sajid-rahman-on-investing-in-emerging-markets/ My Links  Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

    48 min
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About

Life Self Mastery Podcast is an interview based show where I interview online entrepreneurs who started their businesses and scaled up their businesses to improve their lifestyles. Previous guests include Guy Kawasaki, Brad Feld, James Clear, Shu Nyatta, Ida Tin, Elizabeth Yin, Polina Pompliano, Evgenia Plotnikova, Anna Khan, Minnie Ingersoll, Sridhar Ramaswamy, Mac Conwell, Danielle Strachman, Jake Gibson, Wes Kao, Brian Requarth, Vivek Sodera, Eric Siu, Amit Garg, Nischal Shetty, Pranav Pai, Nir Eyal, Paul Shapiro, Nick Huber, Rob Walling, Andrew Dsouza, Fabrice Grinda, and 300+ incredible guests. partnergrow.substack.com

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