Embark on a transformative journey with Keith Chaney, the visionary behind Peadbo, winner of the Judge’s Prize at the 24th Startup Runway Showcase. In this episode, Keith reveals the game-changing power of cultivating a personal board of directors for college students and young professionals. Discover how strategic mentorship and regular engagement can drive remarkable career outcomes. Join us for an enlightening discussion that promises to revolutionize your approach to professional growth and success ..read more

Atlanta startup Aetos is on the journey of building software to digitize the multi-billion dollar industry of facilities management in the built environment. In this episode, we talk with Aetos CEO Connor Offut to unpack how their software transforms facilities mgmt for clients like Chick-fil-A, Pepsi, Hines, SL Green, and others. We also talk more tactically with Connor about finding your footing as CEO in the enterprise sales lifecycle, how to thoughtfully approach early-stage fundraising & the essence of articulating company narrative, and how data is often the underlying value-driven f ..read more

Two founders of London-based startups are setting their sights on Atlanta. In an exclusive interview, we spoke with Elizabeth Lukas, CEO Americas at AutogenAI, and Anna Brailsford, CEO at CodeFirstGirls, to better understand their motivations. Having successfully launched their startups in London, they are now targeting Atlanta, the Southeast's gem, for expansion. The conversation delved into the origins of their companies, why Atlanta is a no-brainer expansion target, their experiences navigating the dynamic fundraising markets, the evolving regulatory landscape of AI, and much more ..read more

On today's episode, we sit down with Kevin Moore to explore his journey from Limited Partner to General Partner and ultimately the inception of Serac Ventures. Kevin shares the strategic timing behind launching Serac in 2023, offering a glimpse into his unique perspective shaped by his LP experience and how it influences his role and decision-making as a GP. The episode then transitions to the topic of AI, where Kevin provides his take on the valuation frenzy and the impact of AI on VC fund ops. We also unpack Serac's investment thesis, highlighting some exciting early deals that underscore th ..read more

Founder of Simp Now, Gera Baano-Stewart II shares his entrepreneurial journey on the Atlanta Startup Podcast hosted by Nwanyinma Dike. From learning to code at a young age to launching Simp Now, Gera discusses the inspiration behind the dating app and its viral success on TikTok. He emphasizes the importance of a can-do attitude and effective time management, especially while juggling entrepreneurship with being a student. Gera also highlights the benefits of showcasing startups at events like Startup Runway Foundation, Inc. and offers advice to aspiring founders: aim high, focus on honing key ..read more

The Outlook for Tech Growth in the Southeast is more optimistic than ever. Tune into our latest episode of the Atlanta Startup Podcast which outlines insights from boots-on-the-ground insiders: Bryan Bean from Pinnacle Bank, Atlanta's own Donnie Beamer, Jr., Jamal Lewis of PIN Georgia, Tech Executive David Evans, and William Leonard of Valor. We're not just talking high-level tech trends; we're getting into the nitty-gritty of how collaboration across regional, state, and city partnerships sparks real growth in the nation's fastest-growing region, the South. From cutting-edge strategies to the ..read more

In this episode of the Atlanta Startup Podcast, host Lisa Calhoun interviews Jennifer Silverberg, CEO of SmartCommerce. They discuss Jennifer's journey of scaling SmartCommerce from a startup to a global player, focusing on the lessons learned during rapid growth. Highlights include SmartCommerce's innovative approach in the CPG sector, its evolution in response to market changes, and Jennifer's personal growth as a leader. Jennifer shares insights on hiring effectively, adapting strategies, and the importance of vision, courage, and tenacity for founders. A candid reflection on the startup jo ..read more

Join us for an engaging podcast where leading corporate innovators take the spotlight. Discover the strategies behind technology investments, particularly in AI, from top decision-makers Angie Brown of Home Depot, Leigh Gaffney at Assurant Ventures, Mike Mahan from Stanley Black & Decker, and Michelle Mason of Exxon Mobil ..read more

Join William Leonard on the Atlanta Startup podcast for an intriguing conversation with Blaine Davis, a Partner at Outlander VC. Blaine reveals Outlander's unique early-stage investment approach, centered on their exclusive founder framework evaluating 38 character attributes. Discover Outlander's emphasis on backing teams over ideas, and their interest in transforming traditional industries through vertical SaaS, AI, workspace tech, and low-cost robotics with strong software components. Blaine also highlights the importance of early-stage boards in setting a growth trajectory for startups. Tu ..read more

Today we're joined by Valor’s newest portfolio CEO Jake Soffer who is the Founder of Miami-based FirmPilot. FirmPilot is reshaping the $30B legal marketing vertical with powerful AI that challenges the traditional agency model. Jake shares his insights on scaling from $0-$500K in ARR in less than 12 months, winning customer conviction as a seed-stage company, perspectives from building his second AI company, thoughts on exceptional hiring talent, and why AI will forever change marketing ..read more