Born In Silicon Valley

Born In Silicon Valley is a podcast that features founders’ stories. Each episode highlights the journey of success, pivots, and what entrepreneurs have learned when building from the ground up. Host Jake Aaron Villarreal interviews founders, discussing their struggles, triumphs, and their progress along the way. Listeners will gain insight into leadership and the operations of a startup. This podcast is supported by Match Relevant, a company that helps startups find top talent to grow their businesses.

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Episodes

Monday Jun 24, 2024

Join us in this captivating episode as we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Zack Dugow, Founder and CEO of Insticator, a leading global publisher engagement platform. With a team spanning the globe and nearly 2000 publishers using their innovative solutions, Insticator is making significant strides in the media industry.
Zack shares his experiences in creating an environment that maximizes talent, leading to Insticator's remarkable growth and recognition on prestigious lists such as the Inc. 5000 and Deloitte Technology Fast 500. He discusses his early partnerships with media giants like The Washington Post and his mentorship roles, providing a unique perspective on leadership and innovation.
We also explore Zack's roles as CEO of Balihoo and OKO Digital, his investment strategies, and insights into the ever-evolving digital media landscape. This episode is a goldmine for aspiring entrepreneurs and media enthusiasts alike, offering invaluable lessons on building successful, innovative companies in today's fast-paced digital world.
Tune in to hear Zack Dugow's inspiring story of success, challenges, and the vision that drives one of North America's fastest-growing companies.
This show is supported by Match Relevant. A company that helps venture-backed Startups find the best people available in the market, who have the skills, experience, and desire to grow. With over a decade of experience in recruitment across multiple domains, they give people career options to choose from in their career journey. Learn more about Match Relevant at matchrelevant.com

Monday Jun 24, 2024

Join us in this insightful episode as we explore the entrepreneurial journey of Austin Ogilvie, the Founder of Thoropass and former CEO of Yhat (acquired by Alteryx NYSE:AYX). From his days at Y Combinator (YC W15) to leading a data science platform and now driving compliance through Thoropass, Austin's path is filled with innovation and strategic thinking.
Discover how Austin transitioned from the world of data science to the realm of compliance software, and the challenges and successes he encountered along the way. We delve into his experiences as an angel investor, exploring investments in deep tech, urban mobility, fintech, digital health, and more.
Austin also shares his insights on the startup ecosystem, the importance of adapting to change, and tips for aspiring entrepreneurs. With a diverse background that spans across multiple industries, his story is a testament to the power of resilience and vision in the entrepreneurial world.
Don't miss out on this episode full of valuable lessons, behind-the-scenes stories, and Austin's unique perspective on building successful ventures.
This show is supported by Match Relevant. A company that helps venture-backed Startups find the best people available in the market, who have the skills, experience, and desire to grow. With over a decade of experience in recruitment across multiple domains, they give people career options to choose from in their career journey. Learn more about Match Relevant at matchrelevant.com

Monday Jun 24, 2024

Join us in this invigorating episode as we sit down with Yanni Hufnagel, the Founder and CEO of The Lemon Perfect Company. Dive into the story of Lemon Perfect, a zero-sugar, hydrating, and delicious flavored lemon water that is transforming the beverage industry.
Learn about Yanni’s unique transition from a successful career as a men's college basketball coach to creating a health-focused drink that's gaining rapid popularity. Lemon Perfect, infused with organic lemons, electrolytes, and vitamin C, is not just a beverage but a mission to offer healthy hydration accessible to all.
In this episode, Yanni shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges and triumphs of building a brand, and how Lemon Perfect is reshaping the way we think about hydration. We also delve into Yanni's vision for the future of the beverage industry and his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
The Lemon Perfect Company, based in Atlanta, GA, is a testament to Yanni’s commitment to promoting a healthier lifestyle. Tune in to hear more about this innovative company's journey and Yanni Hufnagel's inspiring story.
This show is supported by Match Relevant. A company that helps venture-backed Startups find the best people available in the market, who have the skills, experience, and desire to grow. With over a decade of experience in recruitment across multiple domains, they give people career options to choose from in their career journey. Learn more about Match Relevant at matchrelevant.com

Monday Jun 24, 2024

Welcome to our latest episode where we dive into the world of AI-powered sales with Anis Bennaceur, the Co-Founder and CEO of Attention. In this insightful conversation, Anis shares his journey from a second-time founder and angel investor to leading Attention, a cutting-edge platform transforming the sales process through generative AI.
Discover how Attention's AI-powered assistant is redefining sales strategies by providing real-time coaching, automating CRM entries, and crafting intelligent follow-up emails derived from conversation data. Anis also delves into how Attention equips revenue leaders with unprecedented visibility into sales activities, streamlining enablement content and reporting.
Join us as Anis Bennaceur elaborates on how Attention has propelled over 100 sales teams towards faster deal closures and increased revenue. If you're intrigued by the intersection of AI and sales, or simply curious about the potential of AI in business, this episode is a must-watch!
This show is supported by Match Relevant. A company that helps venture-backed Startups find the best people available in the market, who have the skills, experience, and desire to grow. With over a decade of experience in recruitment across multiple domains, they give people career options to choose from in their career journey. Learn more about Match Relevant at matchrelevant.com

Monday Jun 24, 2024

Join us in this fascinating episode as we talk with Dawson Chen, the innovative mind and Co-Founder of Martin (YC S23), about the development of their personal voice AI, Martin. Discover the inspiration and technology behind Martin, an app designed to transform our daily interactions through AI-driven conversations. Learn about Dawson's journey from his early days at CampusGuide to his groundbreaking work at Martin, where he's pushing the boundaries of conversational AI. We delve into the challenges and successes of developing a voice AI that understands and responds to individual needs, offering a glimpse into the future of human-AI interaction. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just curious about the role of AI in our lives, this episode provides unique insights into the world of voice-assisted technology and its potential to change how we communicate.
This show is supported by Match Relevant. A company that helps venture-backed Startups find the best people available in the market, who have the skills, experience, and desire to grow. With over a decade of experience in recruitment across multiple domains, they give people career options to choose from in their career journey. Learn more about Match Relevant at matchrelevant.com

Monday Jun 24, 2024

Join us as we sit down with Matthew Busel, Co-Founder of Whalesync, a groundbreaking platform transforming how businesses manage and sync data across no-code tools. In this episode, Matthew shares the story behind Whalesync, a company reshaping the way customer data, marketing campaigns, and blog content are managed across various SaaS applications. Discover the inspiration, challenges, and triumphs of building a startup that empowers businesses to effortlessly synchronize their data across platforms like Airtable, Webflow, Notion, Bubble, and Postgres, without the need for complex coding or software engineering. Learn how Whalesync is making data integration seamless and accessible for businesses of all sizes, and get a peek into the future of no-code technology and its impact on the tech industry.
This show is supported by Match Relevant. A company that helps venture-backed Startups find the best people available in the market, who have the skills, experience, and desire to grow. With over a decade of experience in recruitment across multiple domains, they give people career options to choose from in their career journey. Learn more about Match Relevant at matchrelevant.com

Monday Jun 24, 2024

Join us for an insightful conversation with Intesar Shannan Mohammed, Co-founder of PerfAI, an innovative AI-driven platform enhancing API performance. In this episode, Intesar delves into the complexities of API performance and how PerfAI's cutting-edge technology is making a significant impact in the tech world. He discusses the challenges and breakthroughs in developing high-performing APIs that not only improve user experience but also drive business success. With a rich background in cloud computing, network security, and machine learning, Intesar shares his expertise and vision in advancing AI within the API sector. Learn about PerfAI's journey, its unique approach to performance optimization, and how it's shaping the future of web and mobile applications.
This show is supported by Match Relevant. A company that helps venture-backed Startups find the best people available in the market, who have the skills, experience, and desire to grow. With over a decade of experience in recruitment across multiple domains, they give people career options to choose from in their career journey. Learn more about Match Relevant at matchrelevant.com

Monday Jun 24, 2024

Join us in this exciting episode as we delve into the world of Artificial Intelligence with Zachary Rattner, Co-founder and CTO of Yembo, a company revolutionizing the home services industry. Yembo is at the forefront of AI-driven solutions, transforming the moving and insurance sectors with their state-of-the-art visual survey technology. Zachary discusses Yembo's journey from its inception in the moving industry to its expansion into insurance, providing a glimpse into the power of AI, deep learning, and computer vision. He shares the challenges and triumphs of bringing digital transformation to home services and how Yembo's core values drive their mission to make cutting-edge technology accessible to all. Discover how Yembo is redefining industry standards and what the future holds for AI in home services.
This show is supported by Match Relevant. A company that helps venture-backed Startups find the best people available in the market, who have the skills, experience, and desire to grow. With over a decade of experience in recruitment across multiple domains, they give people career options to choose from in their career journey. Learn more about Match Relevant at matchrelevant.com

Monday Jun 24, 2024

Join us in this inspiring episode featuring Ryan Austin, Founder & CEO of Cognota, a trailblazing company in the LearnOps® space. In our conversation, Ryan delves into his journey from launching a business in his university dorm room to leading Cognota, the first and only platform dedicated to optimizing corporate Learning and Development operations. Discover how Cognota streamlines L&D processes, from training intake to project planning and content design, enabling teams to work more efficiently and effectively. Ryan shares insights on the importance of data-driven decision-making in L&D and the impact of community building in the LearnOps® space. This episode is a deep dive into the evolution of corporate training and Ryan’s vision for revolutionizing the L&D industry through innovative software solutions and community engagement.
This show is supported by Match Relevant. A company that helps venture-backed Startups find the best people available in the market, who have the skills, experience, and desire to grow. With over a decade of experience in recruitment across multiple domains, they give people career options to choose from in their career journey. Learn more about Match Relevant at matchrelevant.com

Monday Jun 24, 2024

Join us in an intriguing conversation with Adam Pittenger, Founder & CEO of Moved, as we explore the innovative world of PropTech. Moved is pioneering a new era in multifamily real estate, offering automated onboarding and offboarding platforms that significantly enhance the moving experience. Adam shares his journey from Oracle and Gartner to launching his own venture, aiming to ease the top stressor for renters – moving. Discover how Moved is transforming property management, simplifying moving scheduling, and improving customer experiences. Learn about the challenges and breakthroughs of starting and scaling a tech-driven company in New York's competitive landscape, and get a glimpse into Adam's role as an angel investor in PropTech and consumer-facing software companies.
This show is supported by Match Relevant. A company that helps venture-backed Startups find the best people available in the market, who have the skills, experience, and desire to grow. With over a decade of experience in recruitment across multiple domains, they give people career options to choose from in their career journey. Learn more about Match Relevant at matchrelevant.com

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