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  1. Ignite VC: Rewriting the Playbook for Startup Funding with Anthony Rosenbaum of SeedLegals | Ep195

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    Ignite VC: Rewriting the Playbook for Startup Funding with Anthony Rosenbaum of SeedLegals | Ep195

    When it comes to startup journeys, few are as dynamic and wide-ranging as Anthony Rose’s. From shaping the future of digital media with BBC iPlayer to transforming how founders raise capital through SeedLegals, Anthony’s career is marked by spotting inefficiencies and building scalable solutions. In our latest Ignite podcast episode, Anthony takes us behind the scenes of his entrepreneurial path, the lessons he’s learned, and how he’s helping founders and investors navigate the complex world of fundraising. From Electronics to Media Disruption Anthony’s entrepreneurial streak began early in South Africa, where he ran an electronics manufacturing business long before angel investing and venture capital were widely accessible. After a stint with the team behind Kazaa, he joined the BBC to lead the development of what became iPlayer, a platform that revolutionized on-demand TV and changed how millions consume media. The experience cemented his belief in customer-driven development. Famously, he introduced the “chocolate box test,” bribing colleagues with chocolates to test products quickly and cheaply, highlighting the importance of real-world feedback in shaping technology. The Birth of SeedLegals After exiting multiple startups, Anthony grew frustrated with the cost, inefficiency, and slowness of traditional lawyers when raising capital. Alongside co-founder Laurent Laffy, he launched SeedLegals seven years ago to fix this. Today, half of all UK startups use SeedLegals for fundraising, agreements, and cap table management. Unlike traditional firms, SeedLegals combines technology with human expertise, offering founders both automated legal documents and access to experts when they need advice. What’s Broken in Fundraising Anthony argues that founders don’t actually want legal documents—they want investment. Traditional systems, however, bury them in paperwork, costs, and delays. SeedLegals reframed the process by asking: * What do founders ultimately need? * How can technology streamline the process? * Where do human conversations still matter? The result is a platform that makes fundraising faster, cheaper, and far more transparent. SAFEs vs. Priced Rounds: The Hidden Founder Trap One of Anthony’s strongest views is around the use of SAFEs (Simple Agreements for Future Equity). While popular in the US, he warns that they can quietly erode founder equity. Why? Each SAFE agreement stacks up, often leaving founders far more diluted than they expect once conversions occur. Priced rounds, while seen as more complex, often protect founders’ ownership in the long run. SeedLegals’ mission is to make priced rounds as easy as SAFEs—what Anthony calls a “Safer” approach. Untapped Investor Benefits Beyond helping founders, SeedLegals also educates investors about overlooked advantages. For example: * QSBS (Qualified Small Business Stock) can eliminate federal capital gains tax after five years. * Section 1244 allows early investors to write off losses against ordinary income. Yet many investors don’t leverage these opportunities because traditional systems don’t make them easy. SeedLegals sees a role in productizing these benefits so investors can reduce risk and stay engaged. Expanding to the US Having achieved dominance in the UK, SeedLegals is now expanding into the US. Anthony notes the cultural differences: * UK founders often raise smaller, tax-incentivized rounds. * US founders tend to go bigger, earlier, with more ambition and larger capital commitments. Still, the frustrations are universal: high legal costs, slow processes, and confusion over deal terms. SeedLegals aims to bring the same efficiency and empowerment to US founders that it brought to the UK. The Role of AI in Legal Tech Anthony is cautious about AI hype in law. While many startups tout “AI-generated legal documents,” he believes founders need to understand the decisions they’re making, not just accept whatever an algorithm produces. Instead, SeedLegals uses AI to analyze, summarize, and support decision-making, while ensuring a “lawyer-in-the-loop” approach when stakes are high. The future, he says, is platforms that balance automation with human expertise. Lessons for Founders Throughout the conversation, Anthony shares practical advice for entrepreneurs: * Talk to users early and often. Don’t build in isolation. * Be wary of SAFEs. They may cost you more equity than you realize. * Plan for founder fallouts. Reverse vesting and clear agreements prevent disasters. * Efficiency matters. Fewer employees with higher output is increasingly the badge of honor. * Adopt the right tools. From fundraising platforms to productivity software like Whisper Flow, leverage technology to reclaim your time. Looking Ahead Anthony envisions a future where fundraising is as fast and seamless as sending a safe link—but without the dilution risks. He believes startups will continue to push legal tech forward, just as streaming disrupted music and media. As he puts it, “A funding round is like a bus trip—you want everyone on board. But technology can make that bus leave faster, smoother, and with far less friction.” 👂🎧 Watch, listen, and follow on your favorite platform: https://tr.ee/S2ayrbx_fL 🙏 Join the conversation on your favorite social network: https://linktr.ee/theignitepodcast Chapters: 00:00 From BBC iPlayer to SeedLegals: Anthony’s journey 02:30 The “chocolate box test” and lessons in user-driven development 05:40 What was broken in fundraising and how SeedLegals fixes it 07:30 Combining technology with human expertise 08:40 Expansion to the US and key market differences 11:16 Why priced rounds matter more than safes 13:58 The hidden dilution trap founders face with safes 16:50 Tax benefits (QSBS & Section 1244) that investors overlook 19:27 The concept of a “Safer” – making priced rounds as easy as safes 22:19 Helping investors recover losses with “Seedback” 24:41 Cultural and fundraising differences between UK and US founders 29:29 Post-money vs. pre-money safes explained 31:22 Why UK safes always convert in six months 33:20 Protecting founder control in priced rounds 35:36 Founder fallouts and why reverse vesting is critical 37:52 Trends in cap tables and funding behavior 39:27 The myth of the one-person unicorn company 42:22 Productivity tools that change founder workflows (Whisper Flow) 47:12 The future of AI in legal docs and contracts 53:57 How AI will disrupt (or fail to disrupt) law firms 56:19 Lessons from past disruptions: music, TV, and now law 58:20 Rapid-fire questions and bold predictions for 2030 Transcript Brian Bell (00:00:51): Hey everyone, welcome back to the Ignite Podcast. Today we're thrilled to have Anthony Rose. He's the serial entrepreneur who took BBC iPlayer from skunkworks to national pastime and now helps 60,000 founders raise capital faster as co-founder and CEO of SeedLegals. Thanks for coming on, Anthony. Anthony Rose (00:01:06): Thank you so much for having me on the show. Brian Bell (00:01:08): Yeah, so you know back in 2008 one out of every five UK internet clicks pointed to a new tool called iPlayer, the architect. Ten years later, you asked, why is fundraising still stuck in dial-up and you built SeedLegals to fix it? Let's unpack that leap and maybe get the origin story. Anthony Rose (00:01:23): My background's actually electronics. When I was a kid at school, I had a robot pick and place machine and a hot belt surface mount machine at home. And I built an electronics manufacturing business in the days before angel investments and VC. I was living in South Africa. And I learned that you actually had to like make money to build your business. You know, if you didn't get more money coming in at the end of the month than you were spending, you're out of business. But then things changed, of course, in the invention of VC and investment, which was great. But then left South Africa, moved to Australia, got hired by the folks who then became Kazan. They got involved in music file sharing, building a licensed music store. And then one day the BBC called and said, how would you like to join the BBC? And I went, sorry, where are the stock options? Because it's a public service broadcaster in the UK. But I was persuaded to leave Australia and move to the UK, which is where I am, as we talk today. And when I joined the BBC, iPlayer had been something they'd been working on for ages. For those who don't know iPlayer, it's like the Hulu or Netflix of the BBC. It's used by millions of UK viewers every day. A good fraction of TV viewing in the UK is now, of course, online and on your phone. And the BBC had been noodling over this for a while, not doing a great job on it. I think it was more like an ority, as you said, beautifully as skunkworks. And it needs really to be productized. And that's really where I guess I learned the set of things that are now commonplace. And you buy endless numbers of startup books on agile fundraising and customer-driven development and so on. And actually, I didn't know any of that stuff at the time and made it up as I went along. And one of the things I did was what I call Anthony's chocolate box test. So when I joined, the product didn't work very well. And pretty much everything you tried had some problems. And I went to the dev team, and they kept telling me, dude, it's just you. You're the only one who's using Microsoft Explorer with this combination of graphic card and this program. And I realized there were like 100 things didn't work. And if any one person experienced this only one time in 100, for most people, it's never going to work. So they didn't believe me, and so I needed to do user testing. So I went to the BBC's testing department. I hunted them down and said, I need to do some user testing. And they said, yes, we can do that. It costs £20,000, takes six weeks. Where do you want to start? And I wen

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  2. Ignite VC: Scaling Industrial Startups from Zero to Global Impact with Renan Devillieres | Ep194

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    Ignite VC: Scaling Industrial Startups from Zero to Global Impact with Renan Devillieres | Ep194

    Manufacturing is undergoing a massive transformation, and at the forefront of this shift is Renan Devillieres, founder and CEO of OSS Ventures. With a career that spans economics, consulting, aerospace, and startup building, Renan brings a rare perspective to one of the world’s most complex industries. His mission? To reinvent how factories operate through software, automation, and a new generation of entrepreneurs. From Economist to Entrepreneur Renan’s path wasn’t straightforward. After studying mathematics in France, he became an economist at the OECD before moving into consulting and eventually running factories in industries like luxury, defense, and aerospace. While successful in corporate life, he realized he had an entrepreneurial streak. That realization led to his first startup—an AI-powered solution to better match workers with the right jobs. The company grew rapidly, raising funding through Series B, before Renan sold his shares. This exit gave him both capital and clarity: he wanted to focus on transforming manufacturing itself. The Tesla Spark The pivotal moment came during a visit to Tesla’s Fremont factory. Unlike traditional plants, Tesla’s operations were software-driven—from deploying code across machines to rethinking production like a computer system. For Renan, it was as if he had glimpsed the future of factories, and he couldn’t unsee it. This experience became the inspiration for OSS Ventures, a venture studio dedicated to creating industrial startups. Why OSS Ventures Builds Instead of Invests Renan initially considered investing in manufacturing startups. But after analyzing more than 400 companies, he found consistent problems: * Founders lacked experience compared to peers in fintech or SaaS. * Adoption cycles were painfully slow due to regulatory and technical barriers. * Growth rates lagged far behind other industries. Instead of waiting for world-class industrial startups to appear, Renan decided to create them himself. With his own capital, he and his team began visiting factories, identifying real pain points, and pairing those insights with capable founders. OSS Ventures by the Numbers In just 4.5 years, OSS has achieved impressive results: * 22 startups launched, with 19 still active * 11 Series A rounds closed * Collectively generating $42M ARR * Operating in 2,200 factories worldwide This hands-on approach—combining user research, founder matching, and deep industry expertise—has proven that industrial innovation can be accelerated when done systematically. The Future of Manufacturing Renan sees several major trends reshaping factories today: * Automation is moving from blue-collar to white-collar roles.While machines have long replaced physical labor, many factories still rely on office workers running Excel sheets and legacy systems. AI is now automating those workflows. * Factories will become software-defined.Like data centers, future factories will run with small teams but massive output, powered by software-driven automation. * Mass production meets microfactories.Large-scale infrastructure (like gigafactories for batteries) will coexist with small, agile factories customizing and innovating on top—similar to how smartphones support countless apps. * Europe has untapped strengths.Despite slower capital markets, Europe’s highly skilled and cost-effective engineers provide a competitive edge for finding product-market fit before scaling globally. Lessons for Entrepreneurs What makes a great founder in this space? Renan highlights three traits: * Trust and precision – Manufacturing leaves no room for error. * Visionary thinking – Founders must help factories imagine possibilities they can’t see themselves. * Resilience – Success requires grit, taking constant hits and persisting anyway. OSS’s rigorous 12-week founder program reflects this philosophy, with nearly 40% of participants cut along the way. For Renan, it’s simple: if it’s not a “hell yes,” it’s a no. Final Thoughts Factories may not sound as glamorous as consumer apps or fintech, but the stakes are higher. Manufacturing is the fabric of society, and transforming it could unlock enormous economic and social value. Through OSS Ventures, Renan Devillieres is proving that the combination of software, automation, and bold entrepreneurs can redefine what’s possible on the factory floor. The future of factories is not only brighter—it’s smarter, leaner, and more innovative than ever before. 👂🎧 Watch, listen, and follow on your favorite platform: https://tr.ee/S2ayrbx_fL 🙏 Join the conversation on your favorite social network: https://linktr.ee/theignitepodcastChapters: 00:01 – Introduction and Name Pronunciation 01:08 – Math Background and OECD Economist 02:51 – Corporate Career and Entrepreneurial Realization 05:06 – First Startup and AI Job Matching 07:50 – GDPR Challenges and Exit 09:35 – Tesla Factory Visit and Inspiration 14:12 – Mapping Startups and Launching OSS Ventures 17:57 – Bootstrapping OSS and Early Experiments 20:02 – Founder Matching and Validation Process 22:33 – OSS Ventures Results and Portfolio Growth 23:15 – Traits of Successful Industrial Founders 25:24 – Founder Selection Process and “Hell Yes or No” 32:13 – AI, Automation, and Factory Transformation 36:18 – Dark Factories and Software-Defined Manufacturing 40:08 – Europe’s Role in Industrial Innovation 42:13 – Software Bottlenecks in Industry 4.0 44:52 – The Future of Supply Chains and Microfactories Transcript Renan Devillieres (00:00:00): Creating a humanoid robot, every single mechanical thing has been solved. Every single one. So now it's software. Brian Bell (00:00:06): That's really interesting. So basically, you can automate the manufacturing with robotics already. It's just software that's the bottleneck. Renan Devillieres (00:00:13): Yeah, and actually, it is software. And even more than that, it is the cost of software. Because give me any task, give me 10 million bucks, and I automate the task for you. Any task. The thing is...Very, very few processes in manufacturing can justify such a high level of automation. And the secret is that you now have like 50K robots, 25K robots. But the cost of programming, being a human doing the thing, having a human understand the concept, doing so that the concept is rigid, having always the same thing at the same place, being automated in the same way and everything. The cost of that is so high that a lot of things have not been automated. Brian Bell (00:01:19): Hey, everyone. Welcome back to the Ignite podcast.Today, we're thrilled to have Renan on the program. He's the CEO and founder of OSS Ventures. Thanks for coming on. Renan Devillieres (00:01:28): Thanks for having me. Brian Bell (00:01:29): Well, the first thing that we'd love to learn is how to say your name. And we were kind of giggling about this before we started recording. Maybe you could, for us Americans out here,maybe you could tell us how to say your name like a French person.So if you're in France, Renan Devillieres (00:01:42): You say Renan, and anywhere else in the world, basically, you say Renan. Brian Bell (00:01:45): You know, my son's actually taking French in high school right now. And I asked him, I was like, oh, okay, that's interesting. Why are you taking French? He goes, oh, because no one else is.It's not a normie language, is what he called it. Like, everybody in his high school is taking Spanish because it's California, and he wanted to differentiate himself. And he's really into math, too. And the French obviously have a long history there, but.Maybe you could walk us through your background, your origin story and how you got to be doing what you're doing.Renan Devillieres (00:02:12): Sure. I was good at math. So in France, when you're good at math, the state pays for your school. And so the state paid for my studies. I was like one of the best math school in France. And then like one week before finishing my studies, I learned through France because I wasn't going to the courses. that I had either to repay what the state had given me or I had to become a public servant. So I googled highest paid public servant France and I ended up with being an economist at the OECD, a specialized in industry. And I did that for two years and one day to repay my debts. After that, I worked in consulting. Brian Bell (00:02:53): Basically, forced labor. You had to go be an economist for the government. Yes, exactly. Renan Devillieres (00:02:59): I didn't know about it. Yeah. And so I did that for two years and one day. Then I became a consultant specializing in manufacturing and operations. Became a factory director. I worked in a luxury defense aerospace. And after 10 years of corporate life, I realized that there was a pattern. And the pattern was I was given a new job and then people will threaten to fire me. And then I would overperform and I would get promoted to another job. nd the cycle would like again and again and again. It was like, that's an interesting pattern. And I realized I was an entrepreneur. Brian Bell (00:03:35): I've had the same experience in corporate life. Exactly. Renan Devillieres (00:03:38): Oh, yeah. Brian Bell (00:03:39): You get in and you're outperforming everybody around you and you threaten the status quo. Brian Bell (00:03:43): Yes. Right. Because you're working hard. You know, my story was I worked for Boeing out of college in finance and I was also good at math. Probably not as good as you. But, you know, so I got a finance degree and, you know, I worked full time in college. you know, poor kid, whatever. But, you know, I got to Boeing and I'd get my whole week's worth of work done in two hours. And I've said, I've told this story on the podcast. So any longtime listeners are like, all right, rolling their eyes right now. But, you know, the guy next to me would be like, hey, why don't yo

    45 min
  3. Ignite Startups: How OmniSync’s Rupak Doshi is Accelerating Deep Tech Innovation | Ep193

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    Ignite Startups: How OmniSync’s Rupak Doshi is Accelerating Deep Tech Innovation | Ep193

    When we think of world-changing innovations—biotech breakthroughs, AI models, clean energy technologies—they often begin in a lab. Yet, many never make it to the marketplace. The reason isn’t lack of brilliance; it’s the lack of clear pathways for funding, partnerships, and commercialization. This is the challenge Rupak Doshi, co-founder and CEO of OmniSync, set out to solve. A scientist-turned-entrepreneur with a PhD from Cambridge and research stints at Scripps Research and UCSD, Rupak knows firsthand how many promising ideas get stuck in academic or startup limbo. Through OmniSync’s flagship platform TurboInnovate, his team is creating an AI-driven solution to help innovators take ideas from bench to market faster. The Journey from Academia to Entrepreneurship Rupak’s career began in India with a love for biology and a brief attempt at medicine before pivoting to biotechnology. His academic path took him to the UK for a master’s degree and PhD, and then to the U.S. for postdoctoral work in San Diego. But while working in biotech drug development, he noticed a persistent gap: early partnerships often determined whether a therapy advanced to clinical trials. Many groundbreaking ideas stalled simply because their creators didn’t know how to find funding or the right collaborators. That realization sparked the birth of OmniSync. Building OmniSync and TurboInnovate OmniSync began with a bold mission: help deep tech ideas cross the chasm from labs to real-world markets. Unlike startups built around a single feature or narrow use case, OmniSync was designed as a platform to tackle multiple barriers along the innovation pipeline. The company’s flagship product, TurboInnovate, combines AI with industry-specific insights to: * Map commercialization pathways for new ideas * Identify white space opportunities in the market * Connect innovators with potential partners and investors * Automate grant discovery and proposal writing * Streamline the R&D pipeline for corporations, universities, and startups Think of it as a “CRM for innovation”—a system of record for managing ideas, funding, partnerships, and commercialization, all in one place. A New Approach to Hiring and Culture One of the more unconventional aspects of OmniSync is its approach to team building. Rupak and his co-founder don’t hire based on résumés. Instead, they look for signals of drive and hustle—cold outreach, speed in completing tasks, and willingness to adapt. This flexible hiring model allowed OmniSync to build a dynamic, mission-driven team early on, with employees moving fluidly between roles as the company evolved. It’s a reflection of the startup’s own philosophy: progress comes from initiative and experimentation, not rigid structures. Lessons Learned: Academia vs. Entrepreneurship Rupak shared candid reflections on the stark differences between academia and entrepreneurship. In academia, researchers are encouraged to publish for the sake of novelty, even if the results aren’t reproducible or useful. In business, however, results must work—reliably, objectively, and better than alternatives. This demand for tangible outcomes reshaped his mindset. Entrepreneurship, he notes, is about solving real problems, not just intellectually stimulating ones. OmniSync’s Cap Table and Go-to-Market Strategy OmniSync’s customer base—and investor base—reflects the interconnected world of innovation. Their clients include startups, Fortune 1000 companies, universities, and government agencies. Their investors represent the same sectors. Interestingly, while many startups see events and conferences as low ROI, Rupak finds them essential. For deep tech, where progress depends on cross-sector collaboration, these gatherings are where the right connections are made. What’s Next for TurboInnovate Looking ahead, OmniSync is moving beyond commercialization pathways to provide feedback loops that refine innovations themselves. By analyzing market and scientific signals, the platform will soon suggest product modifications to improve success rates—essentially serving as an autonomous engine that evolves ideas toward market readiness. Rupak predicts that within a year, AI will be able to shepherd ideas from research to commercialization with minimal human intervention. In his words, the future will be one where “anyone can build anything.” Key Takeaways for Innovators * Funding is plural. Rarely does a single source sustain early-stage deep tech startups. Explore non-dilutive grants, strategic partnerships, and venture capital in parallel. * Hire for hustle, not just skills. A resume doesn’t always reflect someone’s drive to push through the unknowns of startup life. * Academia and business operate on different incentives. If you’re moving from lab to market, embrace the shift from “interesting” to “useful.” * Conferences can still matter. Especially in deep tech, the best connections often happen in person. * The future is fast. With AI accelerating research and commercialization, timelines that once took decades may now take years—or less. Final Thoughts Rupak Doshi’s story is a reminder that innovation isn’t just about science; it’s about building systems that give ideas a chance to thrive. Through OmniSync and TurboInnovate, he’s working to democratize access to funding, partnerships, and markets—ensuring more breakthroughs see the light of day. For anyone with a bold idea sitting on the shelf, this is a glimpse into a future where commercialization may be as streamlined as filing your taxes—only with a much bigger impact.👂🎧 Watch, listen, and follow on your favorite platform: https://tr.ee/S2ayrbx_fL 🙏 Join the conversation on your favorite social network: https://linktr.ee/theignitepodcast Chapters: 00:01 – Introduction to Rupak and OmniSync’s mission 00:52 – Growing up in India, early love for biology, and pivot to biotech 02:00 – Research journey: UK master’s and PhD at Cambridge, postdoc in San Diego 03:07 – Moving into biotech industry and the importance of partnerships 04:30 – Founding OmniSync and the aha moment that shaped their mission 06:19 – Building company culture: hiring for drive, not resumes 08:01 – Signals of hustle and how OmniSync identifies talent 12:51 – Biggest lessons transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship 16:16 – The origin and evolution of TurboInnovate 20:28 – End-to-end user journey for startups on the platform 22:26 – Customers: universities, startups, Fortune 1000, and government 24:09 – Defining a new category of innovation intelligence 25:10 – Personal story: tattoo, family, and passions outside of work 26:24 – Competing in a crowded “AI for research” market 29:27 – OmniSync’s diverse cap table: blending venture, government, and academia 31:21 – Go-to-market: why conferences are OmniSync’s highest-ROI strategy 34:01 – A hard pivot: moving from human experts to fully automated AI workflows 37:04 – What’s next: building autonomous commercialization feedback loops 42:01 – Looking ahead with AI 44:52 – Transition to rapid fire This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insights.teamignite.ventures

    58 min
  4. Ignite Marketing: Building Full-Funnel Growth Engines for Startups with Anthony Chiaravallo | Ep192

    28 AOÛT

    Ignite Marketing: Building Full-Funnel Growth Engines for Startups with Anthony Chiaravallo | Ep192

    In today’s crowded digital landscape, paid advertising can either be a powerful growth engine—or an expensive black hole that drains a startup’s resources. Few people understand this better than Anthony Chiaravallo, Founder and CEO of Vallo Media, a performance marketing agency that has helped everyone from startups to Fortune 500 brands like Nike, Amazon, and FedEx turn ad spend into measurable growth. With over 16 years of experience and more than $100 million in media spend under his belt, Anthony is also a PR Week 40 Under 40 honoree and a frequent speaker at major events like SXSW and DigiDay. In his conversation on the Ignite Podcast, he shared how founders can stop wasting money, build sustainable growth systems, and prepare for the AI-powered future of marketing. From Sales Calls to Building a Performance Marketing Agency Anthony’s career didn’t start in marketing. He cut his teeth in high-volume sales during the pre-social media days, making 100+ outbound calls a day. Over time, he transitioned into digital sales and eventually into marketing leadership roles. His big break came at WPP, one of the world’s largest agency networks, where he built a performance media practice working with some of the biggest global brands. But when COVID hit in 2020 and his role was eliminated during a restructuring, Anthony took the leap into entrepreneurship. With one client already on the side, he launched Vallo Media—and hasn’t looked back since. What Startups Get Wrong About Paid Ads One of Anthony’s key messages is that startups often waste money by spending without strategy. Instead of just “throwing dollars at Google or Facebook ads,” he advises startups to: * Research their audience deeply: demographics, media habits, and pain points. * Build hypotheses: craft messages and campaigns based on data, not guesses. * Commit to testing: run experiments for at least 6–12 months rather than quick fixes. * Take a full-funnel approach: don’t just chase leads—build awareness, nurture relationships, and then drive conversions. Too many founders skip this foundational work, focusing only on lead-gen campaigns, which results in inefficient spend and shallow customer engagement. When to Invest in Performance Marketing Anthony suggests startups should consider investing in paid media when they’ve plateaued with founder-led sales or exhausted their referral network. At that point, allocating $3,000–$5,000 per month to structured testing can help unlock scalable growth. But he cautions against dipping toes in lightly. A few hundred dollars here and there won’t generate meaningful results. Instead, founders should commit to building a marketing flywheel—a system that warms up audiences, nurtures leads, and converts them over time. Case Study: Playa Bowls $100M+ Growth Story One of the most inspiring examples Anthony shared was his work with Playa Bowls, a quick-service restaurant that introduced acai bowls to the Jersey Shore. Originally grown through Instagram buzz, Playa Bowls struggled to attract investors due to a lack of customer data. Anthony helped implement systems to capture emails, phone numbers, and customer insights, introduced local SEO strategies, and built automated engagement campaigns. The results? Playa Bowls gathered hundreds of thousands of customer records, doubled their locations, secured major investment, and eventually scaled to over 150 locations nationwide—ultimately selling for more than $100 million. Metrics That Actually Matter A recurring theme in Anthony’s philosophy is quality over quantity. He warns against chasing vanity metrics like impressions and clicks, which often include bot traffic or unqualified users. Instead, startups should focus on: * Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) * Lifetime Value (LTV) * Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) * Behavioral Conversions (e.g., time spent on site, multiple pages viewed) These KPIs allow brands to optimize campaigns toward real business outcomes rather than inflated numbers. The Role of AI in Performance Marketing AI is rapidly transforming the media landscape, and Anthony’s agency has been using AI since day one. From generating ad copy and conducting SEO research to optimizing campaigns with tools like Google’s Performance Max, AI enables marketers to scale faster and smarter. Looking ahead, Anthony believes AI-driven search will become the future of discovery. Instead of consumers going directly to Google, AI assistants may research, compare, and even purchase on their behalf—meaning brands must optimize their content and presence to be surfaced by these new digital intermediaries. Balancing the Art and Science of Marketing While data and algorithms are critical, Anthony emphasizes that marketing is also an art form. The most successful brands are those that: * Tell compelling founder or product stories. * Build emotional connections with their audience. * Deliver unique creative content that algorithms alone can’t replicate. As he puts it, “If every brand just follows the data, they’ll all end up with the same ad.” Key Takeaways for Founders * Don’t rush into paid ads—do your homework and commit to a long-term strategy. * Focus on quality, not vanity—optimize for CAC, LTV, and behavioral signals. * Think full-funnel—educate, nurture, and then convert. * Leverage AI smartly—use it to scale, but don’t outsource all creativity. * Start small, scale slowly—increase spend only when ROI is proven. Final Thoughts Performance marketing is more than running ads—it’s about building systems that turn marketing dollars into measurable growth. As Anthony Chiaravallo’s story shows, combining strategic rigor with creative storytelling can unlock massive opportunities for both startups and established brands. If you’re a founder or marketer wondering when to turn on paid media—or how to stop wasting money on ineffective campaigns—Anthony’s insights are a must-listen. 👂🎧 Watch, listen, and follow on your favorite platform: https://tr.ee/S2ayrbx_fL 🙏 Join the conversation on your favorite social network: https://linktr.ee/theignitepodcast Chapters: 00:00 – Anthony’s background: from sales to launching Vallo Media 01:24 – Breaking into digital marketing and moving from sales to strategy 03:20 – From big agencies to starting his own firm during COVID 05:30 – The freedom and growth potential of entrepreneurship 06:43 – Defining performance marketing and why it still matters today 07:52 – The biggest mistakes startups make with paid ads 10:31 – When startups should turn on performance marketing 12:39 – Why outsourcing to experts often saves time and money 14:20 – Case study: scaling Playa Bowls from a sidewalk stand to a $100M+ acquisition 20:58 – Why clicks and impressions don’t equal results 22:29 – KPIs that actually matter for growth 25:59 – How to know when to scale or move on from a channel 28:03 – Best starter channels and the rise of AI-driven discovery 30:48 – How AI is reshaping paid media campaigns 34:07 – The future of search with ChatGPT, Gemini, and AI assistants 37:15 – The importance of creative in performance marketing 41:46 – Why you should start at the top of the funnel 43:40 – Balancing the art and science of marketing 45:45 – The most frustrating performance marketing myth 47:11 – The most misunderstood part of campaign attribution 49:48 – The future of paid media in the next 3–5 years 52:36 – Rapid fire wrap-up: metrics to kill, favorite brands, overrated platforms, and more This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insights.teamignite.ventures

    54 min
  5. Ignite Team: The Psychology Behind Startup Partnerships with Dr. Matthew Jones | Ep191

    27 AOÛT

    Ignite Team: The Psychology Behind Startup Partnerships with Dr. Matthew Jones | Ep191

    Building a startup is never a solo journey. Behind every successful company lies a partnership—between co-founders, early team members, or strategic allies. Yet, while partnerships can propel a startup forward, they can just as easily derail it when mismanaged. In Episode 191 of the Ignite Podcast, Dr. Matthew Jones, psychologist, advisor, and startup coach, unpacks the psychological dynamics of startup partnerships. With years of research and hands-on work with founders, he explains why partnerships succeed, why they fail, and how psychology can be the deciding factor. Here are the key takeaways. Why Startup Partnerships Fail Dr. Jones highlights that most partnership breakdowns aren’t about the business itself—they’re about the people. Common pitfalls include: * Misaligned values – Founders may agree on the product vision but differ on core principles like growth pace, company culture, or risk tolerance. * Unequal commitment – When one partner treats the startup as a side hustle while the other goes all in, tension builds quickly. * Poor communication – Unspoken assumptions or unresolved conflict eventually spill into decision-making. “Most startups don’t fail because the idea is bad,” Dr. Jones explains. “They fail because the partnership cracks under pressure.” The Psychology of Strong Partnerships Great partnerships are built, not found. According to Dr. Jones, the best co-founder relationships share three key traits: * Trust and vulnerability – The ability to admit mistakes, ask for help, and be transparent. * Complementary skill sets – Founders shouldn’t clone each other; they should cover one another’s blind spots. * Shared resilience – The startup journey is full of setbacks; how partners bounce back together is critical. He draws parallels with personal relationships: just like a marriage, co-founder dynamics require work, communication, and respect. How to Choose the Right Partner Dr. Jones stresses that picking a co-founder isn’t about convenience (a friend, a classmate, or someone you met at an accelerator). Instead, it’s about alignment and fit. Key questions founders should ask: * Do we share the same long-term vision for this company? * How do we handle stress and conflict individually? * What motivates each of us—money, impact, recognition, or control? Psychology as a Startup Edge Beyond avoiding disaster, understanding psychology can be a competitive advantage. Stronger partnerships mean: * Better decision-making – Fewer ego clashes, more rational collaboration. * Higher resilience – Teams that handle setbacks with emotional intelligence adapt faster. * Investor confidence – VCs often back teams more than ideas; a psychologically healthy partnership signals long-term viability. “Investors aren’t just evaluating your deck,” Dr. Jones says. “They’re evaluating your relationship.” Practical Tips for Founders Dr. Jones offers a set of actionable steps for founders looking to strengthen or assess their partnerships: * Run a values alignment exercise early—write down your non-negotiables. * Create a partnership prenup (formal agreements around roles, equity, exits). * Schedule regular “founder check-ins” that go beyond metrics to focus on personal alignment and emotional well-being. * Leverage advisors or coaches to mediate conflicts before they become deal-breakers. Final Thoughts Partnerships are the foundation of every startup. Done right, they’re a force multiplier. Done wrong, they’re the reason companies crumble. As Dr. Matthew Jones makes clear, understanding the psychology of startup partnerships is not optional—it’s essential. Founders who invest in their relationships as much as their product are the ones who build companies that last. 👂🎧 Watch, listen, and follow on your favorite platform: https://tr.ee/S2ayrbx_fL 🙏 Join the conversation on your favorite social network: https://linktr.ee/theignitepodcast Chapters: * 00:01 – From asset management to early-stage venture: Damir’s journey * 02:20 – ICOs, blockchain, and lessons from the early crypto wave * 03:06 – The #1 mistake founders make when pitching investors * 05:14 – Why AI dominates investor attention in 2025 * 07:17 – How AI is making startups leaner and more capital efficient * 08:04 – The overlooked value in non-AI deals * 09:56 – The risk of AI startups becoming obsolete overnight * 11:19 – Vertical vs. sub-vertical AI opportunities (e.g., legal tech) * 11:59 – Startups scaling to $100M ARR with tiny teams * 13:19 – Family offices vs. institutional LPs: how they differ * 15:54 – Why warm intros matter and cold outreach fails * 7:33 – Niche vs. generalist funds: which strategy works for emerging managers * 22:22 – How LPs evaluate fund decks, deal flow, and GP presentation * 24:41 – Why raising a $30–50M fund can be harder than $100M+ * 31:27 – The “sweet spot” for funds: $50–150M at fund three * 34:40 – Shifts in management fees, carry, and LP negotiations * 39:51 – The rise of algorithmic VC funds and AI-powered due diligence * 43:42 – Are large VC teams obsolete in the age of AI? * 46:18 – Automating deal screening and data rooms with AI agents * 50:19 – Back-testing with AI: learning from startup successes and failures * 53:47 – How AI accelerates both VCs and founders * 54:47 – Fees vs. carry: what LPs really want * 57:48 – Strategies for liquidity, secondaries, and returning capital to LPs * 01:01:05 – Europe vs. U.S. venture ecosystems post-2023 reset This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insights.teamignite.ventures

    51 min
  6. Ignite LP: The Rise of AI-Driven VC and the Future of Due Diligence with Damir Kopinić | Ep190

    25 AOÛT

    Ignite LP: The Rise of AI-Driven VC and the Future of Due Diligence with Damir Kopinić | Ep190

    The venture capital landscape is shifting fast — and few people have had a better vantage point than Damir Ibrahimagić Kopinić, co-founder and CEO of G Plus Quant. With decades of experience spanning asset management, trading, blockchain, and now early-stage venture, Damir has seen how markets evolve and how capital allocators think. In a recent Ignite Podcast episode, Damir sat down with Brian Bell to discuss how startups can better connect with investors, why AI is transforming the venture industry, and what founders and fund managers alike should know about LP dynamics. Here are the highlights. From Asset Management to Startups Damir began his career in traditional finance — trading, asset management, and brokerage. But after meeting founders seeking institutional capital, he was hooked by their energy and vision. That experience inspired him to help startups secure funding and eventually co-found G Plus Quant, a consultancy that connects promising startups with venture funds, LPs, and family offices. Why Founders Struggle to Connect with Investors One of Damir’s central messages is that founders often underestimate how much preparation is required to raise capital. Investors expect: * A clear, well-structured pitch deck * Professional data rooms * Demonstrated traction or a proven team with prior exits Too often, technical founders can talk endlessly about their product but fail to “sell” themselves and their vision in a way investors find compelling. The AI Obsession — and the Overlooked Opportunities In 2025, AI dominates venture capital conversations. According to Damir, without an AI angle, many investors won’t even look at a pitch deck. But this creates a distortion: solid, non-AI businesses are being overlooked — and may now be available at attractive valuations. Still, he believes AI is a true game-changer, especially in fintech, legal tech, and agent-based automation where teams of ten can be reduced to one. This creates new dynamics: startups need less capital to scale, which in turn pressures venture funds to rethink fee structures and fund sizes. LPs vs. Family Offices: Different Worlds Damir draws a sharp distinction between capital sources: * Family offices often bring emotion and personality into decision-making. Each is unique, making the process highly relationship-driven. * Institutional LPs are more rigid, requiring formal presentations, proven track records, and a long trust-building process. Both, however, are increasingly cautious given macroeconomic uncertainty, interest rate volatility, and geopolitical risks. Niche vs. Generalist Funds: Why Focus Wins For emerging fund managers, Damir stresses the importance of having an edge. Generalist strategies are nearly impossible to execute at small scale when competing with giants like Sequoia or Andreessen Horowitz. Instead, being niche — whether by sector, stage, or geography — offers credibility and differentiation. He also highlights that funds in the $50–150 million AUM range, typically around fund three, are currently the most attractive to LPs. They’re large enough to participate meaningfully in deals but nimble enough to adapt. The Rise of AI-Driven Venture Capital One of the most fascinating parts of the conversation is Damir’s vision for algorithmic venture capital. He believes most due diligence, deal screening, and even investment processes will be automated within a few years. * AI can now outperform MBAs in screening pitch decks and data rooms. * Founders can use AI to create stronger decks, reach customers faster, and accelerate product-market fit. * The bottleneck is shifting from analysis to relationships and trust — areas where human investors still matter most. Damir envisions funds run with just a handful of people, supported by AI agents that work 24/7. The competitive advantage will no longer be in analysis, but in network access and the personal touch. Europe vs. U.S. Venture Damir also contrasts the two ecosystems: * U.S. startups benefit from abundant capital, especially at later stages. * Europe is more fragmented, risk-averse, and conservative, though often able to invest at lower valuations. * Israeli startups continue to look to the U.S. for growth capital, bypassing European hubs altogether. Looking Ahead: Liquidity, Secondaries, and AI-Driven Efficiency Damir believes secondaries will become an increasingly important tool to create liquidity in a world where IPO markets remain frozen. For fund managers, returning even partial capital early can strengthen LP relationships and improve chances of raising subsequent funds. He also predicts AI will continue to reshape both startups and venture firms — creating a leaner, faster, more efficient ecosystem where speed and execution are the ultimate moats. Key Takeaways * Founders must do their homework before pitching: clear decks, data, and traction are non-negotiable. * AI is transforming both startups and venture capital, enabling leaner operations and more efficient scaling. * LPs and family offices approach investing differently — relationships and trust are critical for both. * Niche funds with $50–150M AUM are in a sweet spot for LP attention. * The future of venture may be AI-powered, but human relationships still matter. 👂🎧 Watch, listen, and follow on your favorite platform: https://tr.ee/S2ayrbx_fL 🙏 Join the conversation on your favorite social network: https://linktr.ee/theignitepodcast Chapters: * 00:01 – From asset management to early-stage venture: Damir’s journey * 02:20 – ICOs, blockchain, and lessons from the early crypto wave * 03:06 – The #1 mistake founders make when pitching investors * 05:14 – Why AI dominates investor attention in 2025 * 07:17 – How AI is making startups leaner and more capital efficient * 08:04 – The overlooked value in non-AI deals * 09:56 – The risk of AI startups becoming obsolete overnight * 11:19 – Vertical vs. sub-vertical AI opportunities (e.g., legal tech) * 11:59 – Startups scaling to $100M ARR with tiny teams * 13:19 – Family offices vs. institutional LPs: how they differ * 15:54 – Why warm intros matter and cold outreach fails * 17:33 – Niche vs. generalist funds: which strategy works for emerging managers * 22:22 – How LPs evaluate fund decks, deal flow, and GP presentation * 24:41 – Why raising a $30–50M fund can be harder than $100M+ * 31:27 – The “sweet spot” for funds: $50–150M at fund three * 34:40 – Shifts in management fees, carry, and LP negotiations * 39:51 – The rise of algorithmic VC funds and AI-powered due diligence * 43:42 – Are large VC teams obsolete in the age of AI? * 46:18 – Automating deal screening and data rooms with AI agents * 50:19 – Back-testing with AI: learning from startup successes and failures * 53:47 – How AI accelerates both VCs and founders * 54:47 – Fees vs. carry: what LPs really want * 57:48 – Strategies for liquidity, secondaries, and returning capital to LPs * 01:01:05 – Europe vs. U.S. venture ecosystems post-2023 reset This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insights.teamignite.ventures

    1 h 2 min
  7. Ignite Startups: Why Diversification Wins in Venture Capital with Arian Ghashghai | Ep189

    22 AOÛT

    Ignite Startups: Why Diversification Wins in Venture Capital with Arian Ghashghai | Ep189

    What happens when a machine learning engineer at Meta, a failed startup founder, and an angel investor all roll into one person? You get Arian Ghashghai, Founder and Managing Partner of Earthling VC—a $5M pre-seed fund focused on frontier tech like VR, robotics, and applied AI. In a recent episode of the Ignite Podcast, Arian opened up about his journey, the lessons he learned from both successes and failures, and why he believes the future of venture capital lies in probabilistically diversified pre-seed investing. Here’s a recap of the key themes and insights from the conversation: Early Life: Instability Fuels Ambition Arian was born in Germany and moved to the U.S. at age six. His childhood was defined by financial volatility—his parents’ small business ventures often meant feast-or-famine living. That instability left a lasting impression. By the time he reached college, he knew two things: * He wanted to build wealth to avoid financial insecurity. * He wanted to pursue entrepreneurship, but on a bigger scale than what he had seen growing up. College Years: From Business School to Coding Initially enrolling in Georgetown’s business school, Arian quickly realized consulting and banking weren’t for him. He began coding in his spare time, eventually switching to computer science. Along the way, he launched a startup in the music industry with a friend, dropped out to pursue it full time, and ultimately saw it fail. While painful, that failure sparked an important realization: his mind worked more like an investor—horizontal across industries—rather than vertically focused like a founder. Facebook and Oculus: Engineering Meets Frontier Tech After finishing college, Arian joined Facebook (Meta), initially working on integrity issues during the misinformation crisis. Soon after, he was pulled into Oculus, where he worked on AR/VR challenges in spatial recognition and modality detection. This experience gave him a front-row seat to frontier technologies before they hit mainstream awareness. It also positioned him as a trusted figure for founders building in VR and robotics. Angel Investing: Discovering a Passion While at Meta, Arian began angel investing with his own money. At first, he made plenty of mistakes—scattering checks widely without much focus. But over time, he refined his approach and discovered he loved the work. Founders valued his technical knowledge, and his reputation as “the VR guy” in venture began to spread. Launching Earthling VC: From Angel to Fund Manager Angel investing was fun, but unsustainable. Arian eventually realized that to truly make an impact—and to scale his strategy—he needed to institutionalize. Thus, Earthling VC was born. The fund raised $5M, designed to make at least 50 investments with check sizes around $50K–$100K. Instead of chasing concentrated bets, Arian doubled down on diversification, leveraging probability to increase the chances of outsized returns. Why Diversification Beats “Great Picker” Myths One of the most compelling parts of Arian’s perspective is his pushback against the idea that successful VCs are “great pickers.” At the pre-seed stage, companies are fragile. Co-founder disputes, personal tragedies, or market shifts can derail even the most promising startup. You can’t predict these black swan events. The only rational way to succeed is to: * Place enough bets to capture the rare outliers. * Stay close to frontier areas where expertise gives you an edge. * Accept that losses are inevitable, but design your portfolio around probability, not ego. In his words: “At pre-seed, you’re not investing in companies. You’re investing in people and problem spaces—and you hope they figure it out.” Fundraising Lessons: Finding the “Why Now” Raising a first-time fund was far from easy. Arian admits he underestimated how difficult it would be to connect with LPs, given his network was mostly founders and fellow investors. The turning point came when an anchor LP challenged him to clarify the “why now” for his fund. That conversation forced him to articulate that frontier startups are cheaper and faster to build than ever before, making small, diversified funds like Earthling VC perfectly suited to the moment. Takeaways for Founders & Investors Whether you’re a founder raising capital or an LP evaluating funds, Arian’s story offers valuable lessons: * Diversify ruthlessly at pre-seed—it’s a numbers game. * Don’t mythologize “great picking.” Even top funds succeed through volume and process. * Fund mechanics matter. Check size, ownership, and strategy must align with stage and sector. * Timing is everything. Being early to frontier tech gives both founders and investors an edge. Final Thoughts Arian’s path—from immigrant upbringing to Meta engineer, failed founder, angel investor, and now VC—highlights the nonlinear nature of success in startups and venture. What stands out is his intellectual honesty and willingness to call out industry myths while charting his own course. For those who believe in the power of frontier tech and want to understand how the next generation of venture funds will be built, his approach is worth watching closely. 👂🎧 Watch, listen, and follow on your favorite platform: https://tr.ee/S2ayrbx_fL 🙏 Join the conversation on your favorite social network: https://linktr.ee/theignitepodcast Chapters: * 00:01 – Arian’s early life: moving from Germany to the U.S., first ambitions, and being raised by entrepreneurial parents * 03:20 – Childhood lessons from financial volatility and how it shaped his drive for stability * 10:40 – College at Georgetown: starting in business school, discovering coding, and launching a music-tech startup * 16:30 – Dropping out to pursue a startup full-time, lessons from failure, and returning to complete his degree * 22:00 – Joining Facebook/Meta: tackling misinformation, then moving into Oculus and AR/VR development * 28:30 – First steps into angel investing while at Meta and discovering a passion for startups * 35:00 – Becoming “the VR investor” and earning credibility with founders and fellow VCs * 39:25 – Why Arian chose to launch Earthling VC instead of joining an established fund * 46:00 – The fundraising journey: early struggles, securing an anchor LP, and defining the “why now” * 53:00 – Why small, truffle-hunting funds succeed while mid-sized funds face existential risk * 01:01:00 – Fund mechanics: Earthling VC’s $5M pre-seed strategy, check sizes, and portfolio design * 01:03:30 – Why probabilistic diversification beats concentrated bets in pre-seed venture * 01:13:00 – Debunking the “great picker” myth: why venture success is statistical, not magical * 01:16:09 – The fragility of startups, black swan founder events, and why more shots on goal matter This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insights.teamignite.ventures

    1 h 16 min
  8. Ignite Startups: How AI Is Fixing a $70 Billion Healthcare Problem with Dmitry Karpov | Ep188

    18 AOÛT

    Ignite Startups: How AI Is Fixing a $70 Billion Healthcare Problem with Dmitry Karpov | Ep188

    Every year in the U.S., hospitals lose tens of billions of dollars to a surprisingly preventable problem: documentation errors in medical records. These errors don’t just slow down billing — they lead to denied insurance claims, impact patient safety, and even open the door to lawsuits. Our latest WorkDone podcast episode dives deep into this issue with Dmitry Karpov, CEO & Co-Founder of WorkDone, a real-time AI compliance co-pilot for hospitals. Dmitry is a two-time Y Combinator founder, former innovation leader at Ernst & Young, and a Forbes Cloud 100 rising star. His journey spans continents, industries, and multiple successful startups. From Magic Cards to Medical AI Dmitry’s entrepreneurial streak started early in a small scientific town outside Moscow, where he built a thriving import business selling Magic: The Gathering cards. After studying physics at Moscow State University, he moved to the U.S. for grad school, eventually launching a social media analytics startup that was quickly acquired. At EY, Dmitry led innovation efforts, focusing on robotic process automation (RPA) — a field that taught him how to automate complex, human-driven workflows. This expertise paved the way for his first Y Combinator-backed company, Electronique, and eventually his second: WorkDone. Why Healthcare Documentation Is a $70B Problem Denied insurance claims are more common than most realize — 900 million are denied each year, and roughly a quarter are due to documentation issues. Missing notes, conflicting patient details, or incomplete assessments can reduce or eliminate reimbursement, costing hospitals millions annually. And the stakes are higher than money. Inaccurate or incomplete records can harm patients and increase legal risk. For example, if a patient’s records conflict on whether an injury is on the left or right side, it can be grounds for a lawsuit — even if the medical care itself was sound. The AI Compliance Co-Pilot WorkDone’s platform integrates with hospital electronic health records (EHRs) to flag potential documentation issues before they cause problems. It uses AI to interpret 6,000+ regulatory rules, catch errors in real-time, and prioritize the most critical fixes. This ensures compliance teams focus on what matters most while dramatically increasing their coverage of medical records. Instead of replacing human reviewers, WorkDone amplifies them — enabling teams to review 3–5x more cases without additional headcount. Breaking Into Healthcare’s Toughest Market Selling into hospitals is notoriously slow, with long sales cycles and multiple stakeholders. Dmitry’s team targets organizations with known compliance issues (often identified through Joint Commission review findings) and runs pilots on historical patient data. By showing hospitals they can automatically find the same errors their staff uncovers manually, WorkDone earns trust — and contracts. Why Now Is the Right Time While hospitals have tried to automate compliance before, past solutions required endless custom scripts and manual upkeep. The leap forward came with large language models (LLMs), which can interpret unstructured data, follow complex regulatory rules, and adapt without rewriting code for each new requirement. The challenge now? Reducing false positives and ensuring the AI’s suggestions are trusted — a key focus for Dmitry’s team. Lessons for Founders Dmitry’s path offers several takeaways for entrepreneurs: * Know your customer’s pain — Hospitals already spend heavily to fix documentation problems. WorkDone offers a faster, more accurate solution to an existing budgeted need. * Choose your investors wisely — Dmitry’s cap table is made up mostly of YC alumni and healthcare-focused angels who bring strategic value, not just capital (and Team Ignite!). * Don’t fear long sales cycles — They’re survivable if you target the right urgent problems. * Never stop trying — His favorite piece of advice, and one he’s lived by through two YC stints and multiple pivots. The Future of AI in Healthcare Dmitry believes the industry’s future will be shaped by leveraging AI to multiply the impact of scarce medical professionals. With doctor shortages and rising patient loads, AI will help clinicians and nurses serve more patients effectively while also enabling patients to take more control over their own health data. Bottom line: WorkDone isn’t just automating compliance — it’s redefining how hospitals protect revenue, ensure patient safety, and navigate complex regulations. Dmitry’s journey is proof that with the right mix of domain expertise, timing, and grit, even the most entrenched problems can be solved. 👂🎧 Watch, listen, and follow on your favorite platform: https://tr.ee/S2ayrbx_fL 🙏 Join the conversation on your favorite social network: https://linktr.ee/theignitepodcast Chapters: * 00:01 – Meet Dmitry Karpov * 00:48 – Early Entrepreneurship in Russia * 03:40 – Lessons from a Teenage Side Hustle * 05:10 – From Physics to Startups 07:30 – Breaking into Corporate Innovation * 09:40 – Founding Electronique 12:35 – A Strategic Exit and a New Focus * 13:43 – Early Customer Development for WorkDone * 15:50 – Why Denied Claims Are a $70B Problem * 23:31 – Patient Lawsuits and Compliance Risks * 27:18 – Manual Audits vs. AI Oversight * 30:25 – Fighting False Positives in AI Compliance * 35:27 – Selling into Hospitals * 39:53 – Why Now Is the Right Time for Real-Time Compliance * 43:15 – Running WorkDone on Dmitry’s Own Records * 44:31 – Fundraising Lessons from Two YC Batches * 46:55 – The First Clinic Visit * 50:18 – Regulatory Acronyms and Compliance Jargon * 51:05 – HIPAA vs. SOC 2 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insights.teamignite.ventures

    52 min
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