In this episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, Kristian Marquez sits down with Antoni Kaniowski, COO of GoodFutures, a Carnegie Mellon-affiliated venture builder focused on the future of work and AI-driven transformations.

They explore how GoodFutures develops startups by quickly validating and launching AI-native solutions that address evolving workforce challenges, particularly in the hire-train-deploy model. Antoni shares his unique perspective stemming from technical and operational experience across Europe and the U.S., emphasizing the importance of focusing on business transactions rather than just product development in B2B SaaS environments.

The conversation highlights the nuances of market entry strategies, especially the comparative advantages of the U.S. market for startups, and the strategic approach to founder selection—targeting early-career individuals with product-building talent who benefit from mentorship.

Additionally, the discussion delves into the complexities of raising capital via different investment structures and the evolving role of AI in augmenting business services.

Anthony also reflects on the shifting valuation landscape for SaaS companies amid AI disruption and underscores the ongoing necessity of building trust through human connection in technology-driven solutions. This episode offers a comprehensive look at venture building as a scalable discipline that integrates operational rigor with financial strategy to foster innovation in workforce technologies.

Learn more about GoodFutures' work at: https://www.goodfutures.co/

Connect with Antoni on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoni-kaniowski/

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Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work?

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In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Melissa Kozak, founder of Citus Health. Melissa shares her journey from being a nurse to launching a successful healthcare startup. She discusses the challenges of raising capital, the importance of aligning with investors, and the value of her nursing background in identifying and solving industry problems. Melissa emphasizes the significance of humility, teamwork, and continuous learning in entrepreneurship.

Learn more about Melissa's work: https://www.resmed.com/en-us/

Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-kozak-rn-bsn-91272aaa.

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Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work?

Check out his website at Finstrat Management: https://finstratmgmt.com/

In this episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Ari Newman, co-founder and managing director of Massive VC, a Boulder-based venture firm specializing in deep tech investments.

They explore Massive’s unique investment thesis focused on early commercial inflection points across four critical domains: the new space economy, energy transformation, 10x data connectivity, and cybersecurity. Ari shares the rationale behind starting Massive using special purpose vehicles (SPVs) instead of a traditional fund structure, highlighting the flexibility and strategic advantages SPVs offer for capturing early-stage opportunities in capital-intensive industries.

The conversation delves into the challenges and nuances of deep tech investing, including how Massive evaluates commercialization milestones, mitigates multiple vectors of risk, and constructs a concentrated portfolio with significant reserves for follow-on investments. Ari also discusses the dynamics of working alongside corporate venture partners, the importance of building trusted relationships with founders, and how their combined operator and investing experience shapes their approach to selecting resilient entrepreneurial teams.

The episode concludes with reflections on legacy, leadership lessons, and the value of authentic partnerships in building both startups and venture firms. Listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of how Massive VC is carving out a differentiated path in the crowded venture landscape while backing transformative technologies with long-term societal impact.

Learn more about Massive VC's work at: https://massive.vc/

Connect with Ari Newman on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arinewman/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/

Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? Check out his website at https://finstratmgmt.com

In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Nick Mastronardi, co-founder and CEO of Polco. They discuss Nick’s background in data science and economics, the inspiration behind Polco, and the company’s mission to enhance civic participation through data-driven decision-making for public sector officials. Nick emphasizes the importance of passion in entrepreneurship, the challenges faced in building a startup, and the critical role of transparency and team dynamics in managing investor expectations.

Learn more about Nick's work: https://info.polco.us/

Connect with Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickmastronardi/

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In this episode of the Innovators and Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Sarah Dusek, Managing Partner of Enygma Ventures.

Sarah shares her journey from entrepreneur to investor, emphasizing the importance of supporting female founders, particularly in Africa. She discusses the unique strengths of female entrepreneurs, the need for emotional intelligence in leadership, and the significance of relationships in business. The conversation highlights the exciting potential of the African market and the challenges and rewards of venture capital investment.

Learn more about Sarah's work https://sarahhdusek.com/

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhdusek/

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Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? Check out his website at https://finstratmgmt.com/

In this episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Martin van Kroenenburg, founder of BW Ventures, to explore the nuanced journey of building a venture fund focused on early-stage innovation.

Martin shares his experiences navigating startup programs, corporate innovation, and investor relations, emphasizing the critical importance of validating value propositions before product development. He candidly discusses past challenges, including a costly acquisition that led to liquidation and the necessity of pivoting towards a sustainable business model driven by paying customers rather than early investor funding.

The conversation delves into the emotional dynamics behind decision-making in B2B sales and how understanding these human factors can dramatically improve traction and conversions. Martin also highlights differences in market approaches across cultures and geographies, advocating for focused niche strategies before expansion. The episode touches on how AI is reshaping innovation processes, speeding up data analysis and prototyping while underscoring that authentic customer conversations remain irreplaceable.

Listeners gain practical insights on managing cash flow, iterating with small bets, and the evolving roles of investors and founders. The discussion concludes with reflections on mentorship, mental models inspired by Charlie Munger, and the personal resilience required to succeed in the innovation ecosystem. This episode offers a rich perspective for founders, investors, and corporate innovators aiming to bring meaningful products to market effectively.

Learn more about BW Ventures' work at: https://www.bw.ventures/

Connect with Maarten on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maartenvankroonenburg/

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Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work?

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In this episode of the Innovators and Investors podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews Nick Jane, CEO of IdeaScale and Content Hurricane.

Nick discusses his background in investing and leadership, the founding of IdeaScale, and the importance of innovation management. He shares insights into building a resilient company culture, effective marketing strategies, and the advantages of being a bootstrapped business. Nick emphasizes continuous learning and hard work as keys to success for aspiring CEOs.

Learn more about Nick's work at https://contenthurricane.com/

Connect with Nick on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickmjain/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/podcast-guest-application/

Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? Check out his website at https://finstratmgmt.com

In this episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Christian Marquez sits down with David Rolf, head of Visa Ventures, to explore how Visa’s corporate venture arm strategically invests in fintech and commerce startups worldwide.

David shares how Visa Ventures aligns investments with the company’s long-term strategy, their global approach including significant activity outside North America, and their focus on supporting business-to-business companies that solve meaningful problems.

Listeners will gain a deep understanding of Visa’s investment process, stages and valuation considerations, and the value Visa brings beyond capital—including access to a vast network and operational support. David also reflects on his diverse career path, the importance of empathy for founders, and key traits that contribute to startup success. The conversation offers practical advice for entrepreneurs on navigating enterprise sales, building strong teams, and making high-impact decisions.

Finally, David touches on balancing rapid technological change with opportunity and emphasizes the critical role of relationships and energy investment in both business and life. This episode is a comprehensive guide for founders and investors aiming to understand corporate venture capital’s role in global fintech innovation.

Learn more about VISAs work at: https://usa.visa.com/sites/ventures.html

Connect with David Rolf on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrolf/

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Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work?

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