Guest: Alex Dantas, CEO of Circuit Launch and Mechlabs

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrfdantas/

Alex Dantas is the CEO of two organizations that define the hardware and robotics ecosystem in the San Francisco Bay Area:

• Circuit Launch (The "Cofacturing" Space): A coworking and physical center for electronic hardware development and robotics education. It provides private offices, shared electronic labs, and prototype labs for startups, growing companies, and inventors. (http://circuitlaunch.com)
• Mechlabs (Mechatronic Education): An educational platform emphasizing a "build-it-to-learn-it" approach to Mechatronic Engineering education. (http://www.mechlabs.io or http://www.mechlabs.ai)

• Alex shares his background and the journey that led him into the world of robotics and startups.
• What first sparked his interest in robotics? A look at how the robotics landscape has changed over his career.
• Automation All Around Us: What's a robot or automation technology that most people use daily but don’t even realize it?
• Addressing public fear: What is the biggest misconception about robotics Alex encounters from the general public?
• AI Convergence: How are advances in AI and machine learning changing the pace and capabilities of robots today?

• Startup in 2025: What does it fundamentally take to build a robotics startup today?
• Hardware vs. Software: If someone is starting a robotics company, what extra challenges (product development, capital needs) should they be aware of compared to a software startup?
• The Go-to-Market Journey: How are robots actually built, funded, and launched? What does that journey look like from prototype to market?
• Common Mistakes: What is the most common mistake first-time robotics founders make?
• RaaS (Robotics-as-a-Service): Explaining the RaaS trend, what this ecosystem looks like, and why this business model is gaining traction.

• VC Evaluation: How do top robotics venture capitalists evaluate new opportunities today, and what do they prioritize?
• Are investors becoming more open to hardware-heavy startups now that AI and automation are converging?
• Metrics & Milestones: What kinds of metrics or milestones do robotics founders need to show to get serious investor attention?
• The Next Decade: How does Alex think robotics will reshape the labor market over the next decade?
• Future Frontiers: What does Alex think the next frontier in robotics will be—humanoid robots, swarm robotics, or something completely new?

• Circuit Launch Website: http://circuitlaunch.com
• Mechlabs Website: http://www.mechlabs.io or http://www.mechlabs.ai
• Alex Dantas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrfdantas/

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The views expressed in this podcast are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial or legal advice, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

#robotics #siliconvalley #startups #ai #machines

Guest: Doug Merritt – CEO of Aviatrix, former CEO of Splunk Host: Shawn Flynn- Managing Director os SVH Capital

In this episode, we sit down with Doug Merritt, one of the most respected leaders in enterprise technology. Doug discusses the emotional journey of stepping down from a CEO role, what pulled him back into leadership at Aviatrix, and how AI is reshaping companies, cloud security, and competitive strategy.

We explore how organizations can stay secure and agile in a rapidly evolving tech landscape, and Doug shares leadership lessons drawn from his lifelong involvement in athletics.

Whether you're a founder, executive, or technologist, this episode offers valuable insight into the intersection of AI, leadership, and organizational resilience.

• Doug’s career path and return to CEO life
• Emotional challenges of stepping down from leadership
• How AI is reshaping business and cloud network security
• Key findings from Doug’s recent industry survey
• How companies can strengthen security and stay agile
• Lessons from athletics applied to leadership
• What Doug is focused on now at Aviatrix

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-m-33169/ Learn more about Aviatrix: https://aviatrix.ai

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial or legal advice, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

Guest: Dr. Bijna Kotak Dasani, Founder of ArthAum Group

Dr. Bijna Kotak Dasani is a global leader in venture capital, strategic partnerships, and capital formation. As the Founder of ArthAum Group, she has built a firm that helps funds and companies scale smarter—through tailored launch strategies, operational excellence, and global investor networks.

In this episode, Dr. Bijna shares her journey from financial services leadership into founding ArthAum Group, and offers practical insights for fund managers, entrepreneurs, and investors navigating today’s fast-moving venture capital markets.

We cover:

• Fund launch strategies – how first-time managers differ from established funds
• The biggest mistakes new funds make during launch and how to avoid them
• The role of fund operating administration in long-term success
• Why strong back-office operations can make or break a venture fund
• How to structure partnerships for growth and diversification
• The KPIs she uses to identify high-value partners for clients
• Leveraging global investor networks to form capital and expand reach
• The importance of a global perspective when seeking capital
• Key trends in venture capital and partnerships across geographies and sectors
• Where the VC and partnership landscape is headed in the next five years

Finally, Dr. Bijna explains what differentiates ArthAum Group from other firms, and how fund managers or companies can best connect with her team.

About the Guest Dr. Bijna Kotak Dasani is the Founder of ArthAum Group, a firm specializing in fund market strategy, operating administration, and capital formation. With decades of experience across global financial institutions, she is recognized for her expertise in helping funds and companies build scalable structures, forge partnerships, and unlock growth through innovation.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial or legal advice. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

#venturecapital #fundoffunds #siliconvalley #tech #investing