Liftoff with Keith Newman

Former Journalist, Startup + GTM exec Keith Newman
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Former journalist turned Silicon Valley dealmaker and entrepreneur Keith Newman talks with Founders, Innovators and Influencers who share their stories of success, pain and impact with a bit of humor and nostalgia mixed in. Hear from Maverick Mark Cuban, SuperAngel Ron Conway, Ann Winblad, Mitch Kapor, Steve Blank and Founders of GameStop, Ancestry, JotForm, Fry's, Intuit, and many more. Find 80+ Episodes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-look-back-a-free-flowing-interview/id1560219589

  1. 6D AGO

    VC Secrets: 25-Year Partner Reveals Startup Truth | The Liftoff with Keith Newman

    What 25 years in venture capital teaches you about building billion-dollar startups that founders wish they knew earlier... David Hornik, founding partner at Lobby Capital and former August Capital partner, breaks down the real dynamics between VCs and founders that most entrepreneurs completely misunderstand. From his $50M+ exits including Splunk, GitLab, and Bill.com, David shares why venture capital success isn't about the money - it's about finding the right partnership. In this conversation, you'll discover why the best investors act as collaborators, not gatekeepers, and how startup culture matters as much as your product-market fit. David reveals the misconceptions founders have about what VCs actually look for, the importance of long-term vision alignment, and why building supportive communities around entrepreneurs drives real innovation. Key takeaways for founders: Trust and alignment matter more than just growth metrics Your company culture determines long-term success The best VCs become mentors, not just money providers Staying true to your mission while adapting is crucial for survivalDavid's unique background spans Stanford Computer Music to Harvard Law, plus he created the first VC blog and podcast. He's been honored on Forbes' Midas List and teaches at both Stanford Business School and Harvard Law School. Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! What's the biggest misconception you had about VCs? Drop it in the comments below. Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. SpotifyApple PodcastsYoutubeNewman Media Studios LinkedIn

    36 min

  2. AUG 13

    AI is Overheating Data Centers | The Liftoff with Keith

    AI is overheating data centers, and air cooling just can’t keep up. In this eye-opening conversation, Cosimo Pecchioli and Darren Burgess from BP’s Castrol Immersion Division pull back the curtain on the future of thermal management—and why liquid cooling is no longer optional. From AI workloads to hyperscalers, learn how industry giants are quietly deploying immersion cooling at scale, what it really takes to design a liquid-cooled system, and why ignoring this shift could lead to catastrophic failures. 🔧 Key insights include: - Why air cooling is dead for AI and how hyperscalers are adopting liquid cooling - The real cost savings and efficiency gains of immersion technology - Challenges of scaling liquid cooling: fluid chemistry, maintenance, and hidden risks - How BP Castrol is innovating with additives to handle the next generation of AI chips - Why the industry must collaborate—and what happens when it doesn’t 💡 If your data center isn’t liquid-cooled, you’re already behind. Watch now to stay ahead of the AI curve! Subscribe for more game-changing insights! Follow more of the Liftoff with Keith: - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 - Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ - LinkedIn: /liftoffwithkeith - Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: sponsorships@wherewithstudio.com #LiquidCooling #DataCenters #AIInfrastructure #ThermalManagement #ImmersionCooling #AIHardware #Sustainability #EnergyEfficiency #NextGenTech

    13 min

  3. AUG 11

    Don't Lose It! The Super Founders' Tax Advisor on Building Generational Wealth

    What’s the point of making millions, if you don’t get to keep it? In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, we’re joined by Neil Jesani, a trusted CPA and entrepreneur who has leveraged 25 years of experience in tax and finance to become one of the top advisors that Founders go to when they need to scale their businesses from $20M to $100M+ without losing millions to preventable tax mistakes. From IPOs to M&As to the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBB), Neil helps high-achieving business owners protect their wealth through advanced tax planning and exit strategies that preserve maximum value during liquidity events. 💡 In This Deep-Dive Interview, You'll Learn: - Advanced tax strategies for founders scaling from $20M to $100M+ - How to prepare for liquidity events and minimize your tax exposure - Real-world lessons from guiding founders through exits and IPOs - Why “building wealth” isn’t the same as “keeping wealth”, and what to do about it - The power of generational wealth planning, early and often If you’re building, scaling, or prepping to exit, this episode is your financial playbook. 📌 Don’t miss Neil’s expert advice on protecting what you’ve built, before it’s too late. 👋 Connect with Neil: - Neil Jesani Tax Advisors: https://neiljesani.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neiljesani Follow more of Liftoff with Keith: - Youtube: https://youtube.com/@liftoffwithkeith?si=mTYVqyi1OcfhDbd0 - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 - Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith - Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ For sponsorship inquiries, contact: sponsorships@wherewithstudio.com 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more founder stories and exit insights!

    32 min

  4. AUG 6

    The AI Security Crisis No One Is Talking About | The Liftoff with Keith

    Is your company’s AI strategy opening you up to massive security risks? In this powerful conversation, Claudionor Coelho, Chief AI Officer at Zscaler, reveals the hidden dangers of agentic AI—and how Fortune 500 companies are unintentionally exposing sensitive data through generative AI tools. Claudionor shares real-world examples of AI vulnerabilities, how attackers can exploit agent systems to extract private data, and why AI security must be treated with the same urgency as data security. From salary leaks to corporate data breaches, this discussion is a wake-up call for executives, CISOs, and AI teams alike. 🔒 Key topics covered: - The explosive rise of agentic AI systems in 2024 - How AI models can expose confidential data—without you knowing - The AI firewall Zscaler uses to stop data leaks - Why security and AI teams must work together - The global AI security landscape, from the U.S. to Brazil 👉 Don’t miss Claudionor’s urgent call to action: Protect your AI systems like your data—before it’s too late. Subscribe for more game-changing insights! Follow more of the Liftoff with Keith: - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 - Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ - LinkedIn: /liftoffwithkeith - Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: sponsorships@wherewithstudio.com #AI #AIAgents #Cybersecurity #GenerativeAI #DataSecurity #EnterpriseAI

    7 min

  5. JUL 31

    No Fashion Experience? No Problem | How Justin Baer Built Collars & Co to $75M

    What does it take to build a $75M fashion brand in just 3 years - with zero industry experience? In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, Justin Baer, Founder and CEO of Collars & Co., shares how he went from a complete fashion outsider to leading one of the hottest menswear brands on the market. From viral shirts to a Shark Tank pitch that turned his business into a top 5% performer among all companies on the show, Justin reveals the secrets behind Collars & Co.’s meteoric rise. 💡 In This Deep-Dive Interview, You'll Learn: - How Justin scaled Collars & Co. from $0 to $75M in record time - Why being an outsider can be your biggest advantage in fashion and e-commerce - Justin’s step-by-step journey to landing a spot on Shark Tank - Tips for fashion and tech founders you can implement today - The future of direct-to-consumer fashion brands and what’s next for Collars & Co. Whether you’re a fashion entrepreneur, e-commerce leader, or love stories of unexpected startup success, this episode is packed with real-world insights you won’t hear anywhere else.📌 Don’t miss Justin’s practical advice for launching and scaling a modern fashion brand, even if you’re starting from scratch. 👕 Check out Collars & Co: https://collarsandco.com/ 👋 Connect with Justin:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinbaer Follow more of Liftoff with Keith: - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=56076fd0e8634f1e - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 - Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith - Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: sponsorships@wherewithstudio.com 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more founder journeys, startup tips, and inspiring business stories! #FashionStartup #Ecommerce #SharkTank #Entrepreneurship #JustinBaer #CollarsAndCo #StartupSuccess #DTC #D2C #LiftoffPodcast

    27 min

  6. JUL 30

    The AI Boom: Why 2024 is the Year of Enterprise AI Adoption | The Liftoff with Keith

    Is AI finally ready for the enterprise? In this AI Infra Summit 2025 interview, Luke Norris, CEO of Kamawaza, reveals how Fortune 500 and Global 2000 companies are moving beyond AI experiments to real-world, production-level deployments—saving millions and reshaping industries. Luke shares insights from Kamawaza’s groundbreaking work with over 20 Fortune 500 clients, including a live demo with the Department of Homeland Security and massive cost savings for major enterprises. Learn why consulting firms are feeling the heat, how the AI partner ecosystem is evolving, and what’s next for enterprise AI—including game-changing breakthroughs in open-source models like Quen 3.0 and the rise of Model Context Protocol (MCP). 🔥 Topics covered: - Why 2024 is the breakthrough year for enterprise AI - The end of consulting firms as we know them? - How Fortune 500s are cutting $20M+ in costs with AI - The future of AI models and agent ecosystems - Building scalable AI solutions for global enterprises 💡 Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation on the future of AI in business! Follow more of the Liftoff with Keith: - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 - Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ - LinkedIn: /liftoffwithkeith - Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: sponsorships@wherewithstudio.com #AI #EnterpriseAI #GenerativeAI #Kamawaza #LukeNorris #AIRevolution #FutureOfWork

    7 min

  7. JUL 24

    The Billion-Dollar Blueprint: Product-Led Growth & AI Lessons from Fireflies.ai’s Founder

    How do you build a billion-dollar AI business with Product-Led Growth? Discover the secrets behind Fireflies.ai’s unicorn success. In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, Krish Ramineni, Co-founder & CEO of Fireflies.ai, reveals how he scaled the market’s leading AI notetaker into a unicorn over a decade-long journey packed with lessons in innovation, product-led growth, and resilience. Once a Microsoft Product Manager, Krish now leads product, design, and GTM at Fireflies, championing a vision where humans and AI collaborate to achieve extraordinary things. 💡 In This Deep-Dive Interview, You’ll Learn: - The PLG growth playbook that helped Fireflies win the market - How Krish blends product innovation with GTM strategy - Lessons from surviving (and thriving through) the AI hype cycles - Krish’s unique approach to leading product, design, and sales as a founder - Special offers for Fireflies and Perplexity Pro customers - don’t miss out! Whether you’re a SaaS founder, PLG operator, or AI enthusiast, this conversation is loaded with practical insights for anyone aiming to build a game-changing business. SPECIAL OFFER: If you love Fireflies and Perplexity, you're in for a treat! Fireflies customers on Pro and Business plans can sign up to receive one year of Perplexity Pro at no cost, while Enterprise customers can get three months of Perplexity Enterprise Pro free. Likewise, Perplexity Pro customers can receive three months of Fireflies Business, and Perplexity Enterprise Pro customers can get three months of Fireflies Enterprise. Check it out by visiting https://fireflies.ai/... 📌 Don’t miss Krish’s biggest advice for founders navigating the AI revolution! 👋 Connect with Krish: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krishramineni Follow more of Liftoff with Keith: - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=56076fd0e8634f1e - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 - Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith - Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: sponsorship@liftoffwithkeith.com 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more founder stories and startup insights! #SaaS #PLG #AI #StartupGrowth #KrishRamineni #FirefliesAI #FounderJourney #ProductLedGrowth #LiftoffPodcast

    29 min

  8. JUL 17

    How Agentic AI Will Save Millions: Rapt AI CTO Anil Ravindranath Reveals the Secret

    Can AI manage AI? Rapt AI CTO Anil shares how agentic AI management will transform data centers, reduce costs, and unlock exponential compute at scale. Anil reveals: ▫️ The hidden cost of 5% GPU under-utilization ▫️ Why current AI models are outpacing infrastructure ▫️ The future of agentic AI for data centers ▫️ The battle between chip-level vs. evolutionary innovation ▫️ How Rapt AI is helping customers maximize tokens per watt A must-watch for AI engineers, data center architects, and tech leaders building the future. Follow more of the Liftoff with Keith: - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 - Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith/ - Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: sponsorships@wherewithstudio.com

    5 min
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About

Former journalist turned Silicon Valley dealmaker and entrepreneur Keith Newman talks with Founders, Innovators and Influencers who share their stories of success, pain and impact with a bit of humor and nostalgia mixed in. Hear from Maverick Mark Cuban, SuperAngel Ron Conway, Ann Winblad, Mitch Kapor, Steve Blank and Founders of GameStop, Ancestry, JotForm, Fry's, Intuit, and many more. Find 80+ Episodes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-look-back-a-free-flowing-interview/id1560219589

Information

  • Creator
    Former Journalist, Startup + GTM exec Keith Newman
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    111
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Former Journalist, Startup + GTM exec Keith Newman
  • Show Website
    Liftoff with Keith Newman

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