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/

This episode supports "Giving Hope to People in Need," a charitable initiative led by The Silicon Valley Podcast. Your donation helps the following charities:

Donation link Donate to "Giving Hope to People in Need", led by The Silicon Valley Podcast

• Love Never Fails: Restores survivors of human trafficking with housing, education, and protection.
• Five Keys Home Free: Empowers formerly incarcerated women domestic violence survivors to start over with life skills and career support.
• Open Door Legal: Ensures everyone has access to justice, preventing homelessness and financial ruin.
• Convoy of Hope: Delivers relief and resources to families in crisis around the globe.
• Mission Hiring Hall: Connects people in San Francisco to stable jobs through training and placement.

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

Guest: Tim Koller, Partner at McKinsey & Company and Co-Author of Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies

For over three decades, Valuation has been the definitive guide to corporate value creation. Called “the best practitioners’ guide to valuation” by the Financial Times and one of “the most influential contemporary books about the world economy” by The Economist, the book has sold over one million copies worldwide.

Now in its 8th edition, Tim Koller and his co-authors bring fresh insights on AI, sustainability, digital transformation, and geopolitics—helping business leaders sharpen their decision-making and balance long-term value creation with the pressures of today’s markets.

In this episode, Tim shares:

• Why short-term earnings obsession remains the biggest misconception in corporate strategy
• How AI can help identify groupthink and bias in real time
• The real impact of tariffs and geopolitics on company valuations
• How leaders can balance shareholder value with stakeholder needs
• Why sustainability priorities should be tailored to the unique risks of each industry
• Lessons from Warren Buffett and contrarian thinkers who resisted market hype
• What has—and hasn’t—changed about being a great CEO since 1990

Tim also reflects on 35 years of writing Valuation, explaining why timeless principles of growth, innovation, and long-term orientation matter more than ever in both stable and volatile times.

About the Guest Tim Koller is a partner at McKinsey’s Denver office and founder of McKinsey’s Strategy and Corporate Finance Insights team. With more than 40 years of consulting experience, he has helped countless executives, boards, and investors navigate complex financial and strategic decisions.

Resources & Links 📖 Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies (8th Edition) – Available May 20, 2025 from Wiley 🔗 Connect with Tim Koller via his PR contact: Rebecca Proulx, rebecca@fortierpr.com

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.

Guest: Lori Rosenkopf – Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship, Wharton School

Lori Rosenkopf is the Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship and the Simon and Midge Palley Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. As Wharton’s Faculty Director for Venture Lab, she supports student entrepreneurs across the university.

She previously served as Vice Dean and Director of Wharton’s 2,500-student Undergraduate Division from 2013 to 2019, where she introduced a new curriculum, expanded career pathways, and created more opportunities for students. Her research and teaching draw from her background in systems engineering and social science, with a focus on networks and learning in knowledge industries. With deep connections to Wharton alumni and a sharp understanding of millennial and Gen Z aspirations, Lori brings a unique perspective on the future of entrepreneurship.

• The most transformative changes in entrepreneurship education at Wharton
• What makes Wharton’s approach effective in producing world-class leaders
• How students are expanding their definition of entrepreneurship beyond Silicon Valley stereotypes
• The role of mentors and role models in shaping entrepreneurial careers
• Traits Lori has seen consistently in students who go on to build impactful ventures
• Insights from her book Unstoppable Entrepreneurs and the stories that inspired it
• How Wharton alumni networks create opportunities for the next generation of founders
• Lessons from organizations like Harlem Capital on the future of venture funding
• How Gen Z founders are rethinking impact, purpose, and business models

The views expressed in this podcast are Lori’s own and 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.

Jeff Kafka

Bay Area entrepreneur, cybersecurity startup founder, and medical device/supply chain import partner. Internationally renowned professional kiteboarder and big wave safety expert.

Brian Rogers

Design and business thinker, expert in AI/ML, IoT, big data, fintech, and platform development. Author of patents, guest lecturer, and industry leader in blockchain.

In this episode, we dive deep into how technology, infrastructure, and strong personal networks converge to drive capital and growth in sectors from medical devices to public works. We speak with Jeff Kafka, the founder behind the famous Silicon Valley kite surfing pitch events, about the value of relationships in business growth, and with Brian Rogers, an expert in AI, IoT, and digital transformation, about the future of finance and government partnerships. We explore how their new venture, Storyboard Capital, focuses on opportunities in areas typically ignored by traditional tech investors.

• Kite Surfing Pitch Events: The origin story of the famous Silicon Valley kite surfing pitch events and the key lessons learned while observing early-stage companies raising capital.
• Missed Opportunities: Jeff shares his list of companies he met early on but passed on investing in, and the reasons why those opportunities were missed at the time.
• The Role of People: How Jeff's diverse career—from cybersecurity to big wave safety to medical supply chain—has consistently revolved around people and relationships.
• Business Growth: The crucial importance of relationships when scaling a business.

• Public/Private Partnerships (P3s): A detailed explanation of what Public/Private Partnerships are and how companies currently go about identifying these government opportunities.
• AI in Government Financing: How Artificial Intelligence can help streamline the process for companies to find and obtain government contracts.
• Technology for Development: How technology, public/private partnerships, and infrastructure development are creating opportunities in remote or "off the grid" areas globally.

• AI and Financing: How Jeff and Brian see AI changing the landscape for companies obtaining financing, particularly in how deals are sourced and structured.
• Investment Banker's Role: The evolving role of the investment banker in the future and how they will integrate AI into transaction processes.
• The Future of Outreach: How customized, AI-driven outreach will change the success or failure rates for projects and deal sourcing.
• Beyond the Interview: Key concepts related to AI that the audience should be thinking about moving forward.

• Storyboard Capital Website: https://storyboardcapital.com/
• Jeff Kafka's Contact: Jeffkafka8@gmail.com
• Jeff Kafka's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkafka/
• Brian Rogers' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brogers/
• Affiliate Companies:
  • https://grapheene.com
  • http://www.strongwatertech.com

Disclaimer

The views expressed on this podcast are for informational purposes only and not financial or legal advice. Consult with a professional for your specific situation and do not necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

Guest: Waseem Daher – Founder & Executive Chairman of Pilot LinkedIn: Waseem Daher Pilot: pilot.com | Founder Salary Report 2025

Waseem Daher is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Pilot, a modern finance team offering bookkeeping, tax, and CFO services for startups, e-commerce businesses, and professional services firms. Backed by Sequoia Capital and Bezos Expeditions, Pilot has become the go-to back office solution for growing companies.

An engineer by training and a serial entrepreneur, Waseem previously co-founded Ksplice (acquired by Oracle) and Zulip (acquired by Dropbox). He now combines his experience as a three-time founder with insights into startup finance, scaling, and leadership. Beyond Pilot, Waseem writes regularly about building startups on LinkedIn and in his newsletter, Startup Real Talk.

• Why founder salaries dropped 43% in 2025 and what this means for early-stage companies
• How founders should think about compensation when talking to investors
• Risks startups face when founders underpay themselves
• How company stage, funding, and geography influence salary decisions
• The role of boards and investors in shaping compensation
• What lessons Waseem carried from Ksplice and Zulip into Pilot
• Insights into bootstrapping vs. venture-backed founder pay
• How founders can use Pilot’s salary data to benchmark and negotiate effectively
• Why the number of AI startups surged by 287%, yet founder salaries declined
• What the rise in bootstrapped startups (up 77%) says about today’s funding environment

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are my own and 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: Shawn Villaron, Vice President of Customer and Strategic Initiatives, Office Product Group at Microsoft | Former VP & GM of PowerPoint | Bay Area Site Leader | Executive Sponsor of HOLA

In this episode, we sit down with Shawn Villaron, a 29-year veteran at Microsoft who has helped shape some of the company’s most widely used products and strategies. Now serving as Vice President of Customer and Strategic Initiatives in the Office Product Group, Shawn partners with Microsoft’s most important customers to better understand their needs around AI, workplace modernization, and productivity—insights that directly shape the future of Microsoft Office.

Previously, Shawn was Vice President & General Manager for PowerPoint, where he led teams across multiple platforms—Windows, Mac, Web, iPad, Android, and iOS—reimagining how billions of people create and deliver stories. He also serves as Engineering Site Leader for Microsoft Bay Area, working across commercial, consumer, hardware, and AI platforms, while championing diversity and inclusion as executive sponsor of HOLA (Hispanic & Latinx Organization of Leaders in Action).

Shawn brings a rare perspective: spending nearly three decades at a single company, driving innovation from the inside, and now exploring how AI and agents are reshaping the way we work, create, and build businesses.

• The positives and challenges of building an entire career at one company in the fast-moving tech world.
• How PowerPoint and Office are being reimagined for the AI storytelling era.
• Practical ways companies can encourage employees to use AI responsibly and effectively.
• How leaders can use AI to boost both creativity and productivity within teams.
• When employees might be using too much AI—or not enough.
• What it means to become an “AI Agent Boss” and how agents can give startups enterprise-level capabilities.
• Whether the concept of the one-person unicorn is realistic, and what’s still missing.
• How recent graduates can stand out in an AI-driven job market.
• The emerging technologies Microsoft’s Bay Area teams are most excited about right now.
• One piece of advice Shawn would give to founders and technologists building the next generation of workplace tools.

• What are the upsides and downsides of staying at one company for nearly three decades?
• How is Microsoft rethinking storytelling with AI in PowerPoint and Office?
• How can leaders balance productivity and creativity when adopting AI tools?
• What role will AI Agents play in empowering both startups and enterprises?
• Are we truly heading toward the era of the one-person unicorn?
• What advice would you give to graduates entering an AI-powered job market?
• Which emerging technologies are your Bay Area teams most focused on right now?

Shawn Villaron is Vice President of Customer and Strategic Initiatives in the Microsoft Office Product Group, where he drives strategy by working closely with top customers to shape the future of AI and productivity. Previously, he served as Vice President & GM of PowerPoint, guiding the product across every platform and ensuring seamless experiences for millions of users. He also serves as Engineering Site Leader for Microsoft Bay Area and as executive sponsor of HOLA, advancing diversity and inclusion at Microsoft.

• LinkedIn: Shawn Villaron | LinkedIn
• Microsoft Bay Area Blog: Microsoft Bay Area Blog
• Microsoft Work Trend Index: The 2025 Annual Work Trend Index: The Frontier Firm is Born

The views expressed on this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial or legal advice. Please consult with a professional for guidance on your specific situation. The opinions shared are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.