"Every [banking] app is different, but they're all different in a similar way. So for us, it's actually to have that meta understanding of what an app is, and what needs to be modified and how, and that's what I think we've cracked in a pretty good way." In this episode of the Founders in LA podcast, Jorge Garcia, CEO and Co-Founder of Linker Finance, shares his remarkable journey from Honduras to the US and his mission to revolutionize community banking. Jorge discusses the importance...

"Our objective is to add value to each phone call that is being made by a patient to a provider and even from a provider just trying to actually follow up with the patient." In this episode of Founders In LA, Nyamitse-Calvin Mahinda, the CEO and co-founder of Vital Audio takes us into the world of healthcare technology, unveiling Vital Audio's innovative platform for capturing vital signs during routine patient-doctor phone calls. He explains how this cutting-edge technology extracts...

"The biggest thing for me, especially as a scientist, is trying to solve problems that have a high impact." In this episode of Founders in LA, Patricia McNeill, the CEO and Co-Founder of Westwood Aerogel, shares her journey into the world of advanced manufacturing and aerogel production. Westwood Aerogel specializes in creating the lightest and most insulating material on Earth, with applications ranging from aerospace to electric vehicle battery protection. Patricia discusses the...

"One thing that worked well is again, building in public. Showing people what you're doing, getting people excited about it and having some way to keep in touch with them." In this episode of Founders in LA, Joseph Jorgensen, the co-founder and CTO of Capsule, delves into Capsule's groundbreaking AI-powered video editing tool, designed to empower content marketing teams. Joseph passionately describes how Capsule offers a user-friendly, browser-based video editing solution, making...

"You're meeting them where they are, you're speaking their language" In this episode of Founders in LA, Noam Katz, Co-founder and CEO of ParentCubby describes ParentCubby as an innovative online service designed to foster connection between parents and children, especially in scenarios like post-divorce where parents live separately. The platform offers secure, private virtual rooms for one-on-one interactions, utilizing multimedia rather than just text-based communication. Katz...

"Every time you're pushed against the wall what do you do? How do you get yourself out of it?" Hamza Farooq's entrepreneurial spirit shines in this episode of Founders in LA. Starting from his passion for machine learning and AI, Hamza took a leap of faith, leaving Google to create Traversaal.ai. His venture, born out of a personal project to find the best travel accommodations, evolved into a company that assists businesses in building large-scale LLM-powered applications. With no...

"We started a little 10-foot by 10-foot tent at a farmer's market to test out our ideas for improving on salad." In this episode of Founders in LA, Dan Londono, co-founder and co-CEO of Alfalfa takes us behind the scenes of his unique eatery that blends salads and gluten-free donuts. Dan recounts Alfalfa's origins at a Hoboken farmers' market, where a 10x10 foot tent served as a test bed for their salad concepts. The idea stemmed from a gap in the local market for healthy options,...

In this episode of Founders in LA, Tuan Ma, the Founder and CEO of PlayersOnly, shares insights into his AI-powered sports social network, designed to be the LinkedIn for the sports industry. Ma discusses the platform's role in helping athletes, especially college students, navigate the new Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape, emphasizing the need for a professional online presence beyond casual social media platforms. Ma describes the challenges young athletes face in brand building...

In this episode of Founders in LA, we engage in an insightful conversation with ⁠Balaji Lakshmanan⁠, co-founder and CTO of ⁠Vast Communications⁠. Balaji shares the journey of Vast Communications, a company that evolved from offering simple telephony solutions to competing with giants like Zoom in web conferencing. He reflects on the challenges of bootstrapping, the importance of simplifying technology for small business owners, and the pivotal role the pandemic played in transforming...

"We should have the power and the knowledge to be able to make the right decisions about where we get care based on convenience, based on access, based on cost." In an insightful episode of Founders in LA, Ahmed Marmoush, CEO & Founder of Handl Health, shares his vision of revolutionizing employer-provided health insurance. He emphasizes the need for a system designed with the consumer in mind and with technology, addressing the current state where costs are as unclear as "a restaurant...

"Can I also invest? So when somebody who is critical to your equation resoundingly says yes, and believes enough to put their own capital behind it, that's a moment of unbelievable encouragement." In this episode of Founders in LA, the guest is Ilias Beshimov, the co-founder of Class Hour. Ilias reveals the pressing challenges facing higher education today, including the exponential increase in the number of high school graduates each year and the shortage of universities to accommodate...

In this episode of Founders in LA, we had the pleasure of speaking with Rachael McCrary, Founder and CEO of Gather Labs. Rachael describes Gather Labs as a modernized clinical diagnostic laboratory with a unique twist – it offers a spa-like experience for patients while providing a wide range of tests, from wellness panels to traditional blood tests. They're all about taking the stigma out of testing and making it a comfortable, human-centered experience. Rachael's journey from the fashion...

In this episode of Founders in LA we dive into the world of digital media security with Eric Wengrowski, the Founder, and CEO of Steg AI. Eric introduces us to the innovative realm of Steg AI, where invisible forensic watermarks are crafted to protect and authenticate digital media assets. Discover how these hidden signatures are employed to combat the rising threat of deepfakes, ensuring the integrity of content in the age of generative AI. Explore the journey that led Eric from academia...

In this episode of Founders in LA, we sit down with Nick Loui, the co-founder and CEO of PeakMetrics, a company at the forefront of battling online disinformation. Nick explains how PeakMetrics utilizes machine learning to measure and predict the spread of online narratives, particularly those with harmful intent. With insights into their work with the Department of Defense and election security, Nick discusses the escalating threat of deepfakes and the global reach of information...

In this episode of the Founders in LA podcast, we dive deep into the world of startups and startup building with Jason Sharp, the CEO, and co-founder of Umi. Umi is not your typical language learning app—it uses TV and movie clips to teach you languages in a fun and immersive way. Jason shares his journey of falling in love with language learning during his time in China and how he decided to create a unique language learning platform. Umi's approach is to connect learners to the culture, not...

In this episode of Founders in LA, we welcome Ego Alpay, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of multiple companies, including AllTi Alloys, Unita Club (podcast sponsor and host location), and ApeRyder. Ego's focus is on businesses that directly or indirectly make a positive impact. AllTi Alloys specializes in aerospace recycling, with a focus on titanium and nickel alloys, contributing to environmental sustainability. ApeRyder, an e-bike company, encourages people to reduce their carbon...

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Rapaport and Allen Song, co-founders of Kenko, an innovative mobile platform designed to empower physical therapists. Kenko's app is reshaping how home exercise programs are delivered, replacing traditional paper instructions with a comprehensive digital solution that fosters patient engagement and tracks progress. The founders discuss the origins of Kenko, from stretching breaks at USC to a funded startup on the verge of launching its beta. The platform...

We dive into the world of food inequality with Sam Polk, founder and CEO of Everytable. With a past rooted in Wall Street and a drive to make fresh, healthy food accessible for everyone, Polk's story is a testament to the power of mission-driven entrepreneurship. Listen in as he discusses the challenges and triumphs of creating a business that challenges the norm and aims to eradicate food deserts in underserved communities. From discussing the inception of Everytable to highlighting the...

In this episode of Founders in LA, we dive into the world of entrepreneurship with Annemarie Penny, the dynamic Founder of Dreamore. Dreamore is not your typical executive search firm; it's a company that blends expertise with human connection to elevate startups in Southern California. Annemarie's journey from being a shy individual to a successful connector of people is nothing short of inspirational. She shares how her unique approach to executive search goes beyond just filling positions...

Dive into the insightful world of Vadi Efe, Founder and CEO of Businesswise, in this episode of Founders In LA. Discover how Businesswise connects brands and clients with audio and video creators for B2B marketing, reshaping content delivery. From bridging the gap between creatives and businesses to his journey from Turkey to sunny Los Angeles, Vadi shares the inception of his visionary platform. Uncover the challenges of contextual targeting and the rise of AI in the audio-video landscape.

We sit down with Selin Tamer, the co-founder and CEO of Cubtale, a groundbreaking platform designed to alleviate the anxiety that often accompanies parenting. Selin introduces us to the world of Cubtale, explaining how their personalized product, expert, and content recommendations offer parents tailored support throughout their parenting journey. We delve into the power of personalization, how it goes beyond general parenting advice, and how Cubtale's innovative physical device – reminiscent...

In this episode of Founders in LA, we delve into the journey of Alex Hejazi, CEO of Placement (formerly Ballbox). Alex's visionary insights take center stage as he unveils the evolution of Placement's concept—a platform enabling brands to sell and sample products in automated retail spaces. Exploring beyond digital marketing saturation, Alex reveals the mission of reviving physical product discovery. Host Ethan Cole engages Alex in a candid conversation about his entrepreneurial drive and...

In this episode of Founders in LA, host Ethan Cole sits down with Derek Osgood, the founder and CEO of Ignition, a groundbreaking go-to-market operating system. Osgood provides a comprehensive overview of Ignition's mission, which is to streamline the process of bringing new products, features, and campaigns to market, from concept to launch. Osgood explains how Ignition's suite of tools bridges the gap between product development and marketing, enhancing communication, collaboration, and...

In this episode of "Founders in LA," host Ethan Cole interviews Cullen Gallagher, the Co-founder and CEO of Lunch. Lunch is a company aiming to build payment networks in legacy industries, starting with government payments. Cullen discusses how Lunch is addressing the issue of slow payment times in government transactions, particularly affecting small businesses and startups. By creating a free payments network, Lunch allows governments to pay vendors quickly and efficiently, while also...

In this episode, we dive into the world of tech-enabled divorce solutions with Laila Aitken, the co-founder of Split.Fyi. Laila introduces us to the revolutionary platform that serves as a divorce management tool, community, and emotional support hub. She sheds light on the inspiration behind Split.Fyi and its role in guiding individuals through the complexities of divorce and separation. Laila shares her journey from being a serial entrepreneur in Italy to creating a successful jewelry line...