Growth Capital Podcast

⚡ Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 52 ⚡ In crowded markets, being “better” isn’t enough — you have to be different. In this episode, Otherwise Brewing Co-Founder and CEO Aaron Gervais joins host Justin Dixon to unpack how he built one of the only gluten-free beer brands in the U.S. — and turned a small niche into a scalable business opportunity. Aaron shares how he identified a white space in a saturated industry, found the right co-founder to complement his strengths, and built a company rooted in process, not just passion. From product-market fit to operational discipline, this conversation reveals why differentiation is the real growth engine behind enduring brands. 🔍 What You’ll Learn: Why differentiation matters more than competition How to find (and validate) white space in mature markets The importance of complementary co-founders Applying MVP thinking to physical products Turning passion into process for scalable growth 📩 Connect with Aaron Gervais: Visit their website — https://www.otherwisebrewing.com/ to learn more or get in touch. 🎧 Listen now on: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts 👉 Subscribe for more conversations with founders, investors, and PE leaders who are building the next generation of growth. 💬 Drop a comment: What’s the biggest differentiator in your business today?    

🪖 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 51 🪖   What happens when leadership, discipline, and service meet entrepreneurship? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Patrick Flood, Founder & CEO of Owners in Honor, a nonprofit helping veterans transition from military service to business ownership through acquisition. A 26-year Army veteran and former Green Beret, Patrick shares how his post-service mission evolved from personal success to collective purpose — building a model where veterans don’t just find jobs, but own their next mission. 🔍 What you’ll learn: Why purpose, not profit, drives sustainable leadership How Owners in Honor helps veterans acquire, grow, and exit small businesses The six-phase system behind successful Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) How “service-first” leadership translates into business success Why fulfillment, not just financial return, defines modern leadership 🌐 Connect with Patrick Flood: Website: https://www.ownersinhonor.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmichaelflood/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more leadership conversations that move the market forward.

🏗️ Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 50 🏗️ Private equity isn’t just about capital—it’s about connection. In this episode, Justin Dixon sits down with Rob Regan, Principal of Business Development at Boyne Capital, to explore why the most successful investors put people first. Rob’s journey—from military intelligence and diplomacy to private equity dealmaking—reveals how trust, empathy, and disciplined leadership build companies that stand the test of time. They discuss: 🔹 The people-first approach behind Boyne Capital’s founder-friendly investments 🔹 How relationship intelligence beats financial modeling in driving lasting value 🔹 Why adding human capital matters more than replacing it 🔹 How AI is reshaping due diligence and portfolio strategy in private equity 🔹 What discipline and humility from military life teach us about leadership and growth Whether you’re a founder considering outside capital, a PE professional, or a startup operator, this episode dives deep into the mindset that sustains real, human-centered growth. 📩 Connect with Rob Regan: LinkedIn or via https://boynecapital.com/ 🎧 Watch on YouTube 💬 Like, comment, and share: What does “people-first investing” mean to you? 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights from leaders in private equity, venture capital, and high-growth entrepreneurship.

🌊 Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 49 🌊 Artificial Intelligence has evolved through three distinct eras—from logic-based systems to today’s data-hungry LLMs. But are we truly getting smarter, or just scaling bigger? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Peter Voss, Founder, CEO, and Chief Scientist at Aigo.ai, to explore the next frontier: Cognitive AI—machines that can think, learn, and reason like humans. Peter breaks down the three waves of AI as defined by DARPA, why current large language models (like ChatGPT) have reached their limits, and how the next phase of AI will be defined by adaptability, learning, and reasoning—not brute force. 🔍 What you’ll learn: The evolution from symbolic logic to statistical AI to cognitive AI Why bigger models no longer mean smarter systems How cognitive AI could reshape business, work, and society The moral and human implications of truly “thinking” machines Why fear of AI is overblown—and how intelligence can actually improve morality 🎯 About Peter Voss: Peter is a serial entrepreneur, engineer, and AI pioneer. His company, Aigo.ai, is leading the development of cognitive AI—a system that learns and reasons like humans, designed to create more personalized and ethical intelligence.   📩 Connect with Peter: Email: peter@aigo.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vosspeter/ Check his articles on Substack and Medium 🎧 Watch or listen now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. 💬 Drop a comment: Do you believe AI will make humanity better—or just faster? 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of business, technology, and growth.

👥 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 48 👥 What happens when founders actually listen to their customers? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Gaurav Gupta, Founder & CEO of Squanto—a gig marketplace app for live entertainment. What started as a simple tipping and discovery app for street performers quickly evolved into something bigger. Through countless customer conversations, Gaurav realized the real challenges performers and venues faced: landing gigs, sorting through hundreds of applicants, and building trust in a two-sided marketplace. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🔹 Why assumptions can lead startups in the wrong direction 🔹 How customer feedback drives pivots that matter 🔹 The challenge of choosing the right ICP (Ideal Customer Profile) 🔹 How AI can bring clarity to chaotic processes (and when it doesn’t belong) 🔹 Why failure in startups still makes you a stronger professional Gaurav’s story is a masterclass in adapting strategy to customer reality—something every founder, investor, and operator can learn from. 📩 Connect with Gaurav and learn more about Squanto: https://squanto.app/ 📧 Email: gaurav@squanto.app 👉 If you found this episode valuable, please like, comment, and subscribe to the channel. Your feedback helps us bring more insights from leaders shaping the future of startups and growth.

📊 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 47 📊 When does a founder really need a CFO—and how can fractional or interim finance leadership change the trajectory of a business? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Salvatore Tirabassi, Founder & Managing Director of CFO Pro+Analytics, to explore how founders, family-owned businesses, and PE-backed companies can leverage cash flow planning, forecasting, and analytics to scale with confidence. 💡 What you’ll learn in this episode: Why cash flow clarity is the first step to peace of mind How driver-based forecasts create PE-grade financial discipline The difference between fractional vs. interim CFOs—and when to use each Why financial readiness directly impacts exit value in PE transactions How AI tools like Claude and Copilot are reshaping the finance function 📌 Guest Info: 🌐 Learn more about Salvatore’s firm at https://cfoproanalytics.com/ 💼 Or connect with him directly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stirabassi/   🎧 Available now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, comment, and share your biggest takeaway. 📅 Upcoming Webinar of Salvatore: Salvatore will also be speaking on a September 10th webinar hosted by HubiFi on subscription-led growth—ideal for anyone building or investing in recurring revenue SaaS models. To join, reach out to HubiFi via their website - https://www.hubifi.com/

🤖 Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 46 🤖 What’s hype, what’s real, and where does AI actually deliver ROI? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, Justin Dixon sits down with Jeff Torello, Founder & CTO of Sinjun AI, to unpack the reality of AI adoption for small and mid-sized businesses. From the pitfalls of early adoption to the promise of Agentic AI, Jeff shares how leaders can distinguish between noise and value — and how AI is already transforming workflows, content creation, and workforce structures. 🔍 What you’ll learn: Why most early AI projects failed — and what’s different this time How Agentic AI moves us beyond automation into decision-making and workflow execution The “Crawl, Walk, Run” approach to adopting AI without million-dollar mistakes How AI will shift human roles from “doers” to “reviewers” in the workplace Why adaptability, not prediction, is the skill that will define careers in the AI era 🚀 Whether you’re leading a PE-backed portfolio company, scaling a startup, or advising growth-stage businesses, this episode cuts through the hype and provides practical insights you can apply today. 📩 Connect with Jeff Torello: https://sinjun.ai/ or on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtorello/ 👉 Watch more episodes and subscribe for insights on scaling, investing, and building companies with the right talent. 👍 Like, comment, and share your thoughts — how do you see Agentic AI changing your business?

🏆 Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 45 🏆 What does it take to risk everything — and still push forward? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Amy Bett, Co-Founder & CEO of Melo, a sparkling kava beverage disrupting the non-alcoholic drinks market. Amy shares how a personal struggle with alcohol inspired her to create an alternative, how a family crisis shaped her entrepreneurial grit, and why she left Australia to launch her business in the U.S. — moving alone, renting a room, and betting on herself. From overcoming supply chain setbacks to breaking into national retail chains, Amy’s story is a candid look at resilience, sacrifice, and the founder’s mindset required to scale in consumer packaged goods. 🔍 What you’ll learn in this episode: Why true growth demands stepping beyond comfort How to build a beverage brand without industry experience The role of storytelling and pitch competitions in breaking into retail Why founders need thick skin to survive CPG scaling challenges 📩 Connect with Amy: amy@drinkmelo.co 🌐 Learn more: www.drinkmelo.co 👉 Watch, subscribe, and comment below — where do you think the line is between smart risk and reckless risk?

🔗 Growth Capital podcast - Episode 44 🔗 What does it take to walk away from a high-paying, stable career—and step into the uncertainty of entrepreneurship? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Mark Stern, Founder & CEO of Custom Box Agency, an experiential marketing firm based in Austin, Texas. Mark shares how a dream (or premonition) pushed him to leave Deloitte while on the cusp of becoming a partner, the mindset shift required to move from corporate life to entrepreneurship, and why blending physical and digital experiences is the future of customer engagement. 🔑 Topics Covered: The “golden handcuffs” dilemma and what it takes to break free Why corporate and entrepreneurship are like checkers vs. chess The power of physical + digital touchpoints in building trust and retention “57 Hats”: A framework for founders to shed the roles holding them back Why recognition isn’t just a celebration—it’s a retention strategy 📩 Connect with Mark Stern: 👉 Website: https://customboxagency.com/ (Free consultation available) 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marustern/ 👉 Facebook: ​​https://www.facebook.com/share/19thwK3Ymy/?mibextid=wwXIfr 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts 💬 Like, subscribe, and comment—would you walk away from corporate security to pursue your vision?

🔁 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 43 🔁 In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Alexander Harmsen, Founder & CEO of PortfolioPilot, to explore how AI is disrupting the financial advisory industry and reshaping how people invest, plan, and build confidence in their financial future. Originally built as a personal side project after exiting his first company, PortfolioPilot has since grown to manage $30B in assets across 30,000+ users—all with a lean team of just 9 people and a bold vision to make high-quality, personalized advice accessible to everyone. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why AI-native financial tools are moving beyond robo-advisors How PortfolioPilot is reframing advice from money management to financial coaching Why trust, transparency, and velocity are core to building in fintech The generational shift redefining expectations in wealth planning How velocity (weekly shipping) creates product-market momentum Whether you’re a founder in fintech, a growth-stage investor, or someone rethinking how to scale consumer products, this episode is packed with insights on building with speed, trust, and user obsession. 📍 Connect with Alexander Harmsen 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alexanderharmsen 🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/alexharm?s=21 🌐 Website: http://portfoliopilot.com/ 💥 Use promo code PODCAST for one month free on PortfolioPilot Gold 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders in private equity, high-growth startups, and venture-backed companies. 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.

👤 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 42 👤   What if the strongest growth advantage isn’t found in automation — but in staying human? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, Justin Dixon sits down with Brian Von Ancken, founder and CEO of the Wellness Growth Mastermind, a community for leaders in the wellness industry. What started as an “accidental” mastermind has grown into a trusted hub for founders, executives, and growth leaders. Brian shares: 🔹 Why human-curated connections still outperform AI-driven matches 🔹 The overlooked challenge of scaling wellness companies in crowded markets 🔹 How trust compounds in communities, and why it takes time to build 🔹 The role of distribution strategy in separating winners from noise 🔹 Why mixing scrappy startups with established brands sparks breakthrough ideas This conversation is a blueprint for founders, investors, and operators who believe people—not just platforms—are the real growth engine. 📩 Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianvonancken/ 🎧 Watch now on YouTube or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you get your shows. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the Growth Capital Podcast for more insights from founders, investors, and private equity leaders.

🏢 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 41 🏢   Static dashboards. Siloed tools. Endless logins. What if you could connect every app you use, ask it a question, and get the answer instantly — in plain English? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Mikael Lemberg, Founder & CEO of mybizz, an AI-native platform that unifies thousands of business applications into one command center. Together, they explore: How AI is transforming business intelligence from charts to conversations The challenge (and cost) of “tool sprawl” in SMBs and scaling companies Why privacy-first AI adoption matters for leaders in data-sensitive industries Lessons from raising a friends-and-family funding round as a first-time founder The next 24 months in AI — and what it means for startups and enterprise alike 🚀 Whether you’re running a PE-backed portfolio company, a growing SaaS startup, or an agency managing multiple clients, this conversation will change how you think about data, decisions, and scale.   📍 Connect with Mikael Lemberg: Website: https://mybizz.ai (note: two Z’s) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikaellemberg/ 🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms or watch full episodes on YouTube. 👍 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment — How would you use AI to simplify your business?

🔋 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 40 🔋 What happens when an oil & gas user sets out to electrify one of the most overlooked parts of aviation? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, Justin Dixon sits down with Nick Holland, Co-Founder & CEO of VIRV, to explore how an outsider’s perspective uncovered a massive opportunity: bringing swappable batteries and electrons-as-a-service to airports and other high-uptime, off-highway vehicle fleets. They discuss: ✅ Why hardware startups require patience, grit, and a different funding strategy ✅ How an outsider mindset can expose hidden problems ✅ Why regional airports are an untapped innovation market ✅ How Verve is making clean tech adoption a cost advantage, not just a green initiative ✅ The role of AI in smarter battery swaps and fleet uptime Guest Info: 📌 Nick Holland — Co-Founder & CEO, VIRV 🌐 Website: http://virv.io 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickhollandvirv2020/   🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Watch here on YouTube, or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. 💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments — what’s the most overlooked electrification opportunity you’ve seen? 📌 Like, share, and subscribe for more founder insights, PE/VC perspectives, and real stories of scaling companies.

💡 Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 39 💡 What happens when your product is good—but not good enough? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Trevor Lee, Co-founder & CEO of Myko AI, to unpack the hard-earned lessons behind one of the smartest pivots in early-stage tech. Originally a financial modeling tool, Myko is now an AI-powered platform helping field sales teams eliminate admin work and streamline post-meeting execution—entirely by voice. Trevor shares how he navigated early failure, what it takes to earn product-market fit, and why most founders wait too long to pivot. From fundraising rejection to enterprise traction, this is a candid look at what it takes to go from nice-to-have to must-have. 🔍 In this episode: The moment Trevor knew it was time to pivot Why product-market fit isn’t about features—it’s about pain How AI can automate sales workflows without losing trust The tools founders should use to scale smarter, faster What enterprise adoption of AI looks like today 📩 Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevorlee20/ 🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and right here on YouTube. 👉 Subscribe for weekly insights from founders, operators, and PE-backed CEOs.

🧩 Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 38 🧩   What does it really take to launch a medical device company without outside funding? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, Justin Dixon sits down with Téa Phillips, Founder & CEO of ATS Innovations, to share her remarkable journey from engineering student to first-time founder—and what it meant to risk everything to build a product that could change lives. Téa developed the Metaflex Glove—now an FDA-registered medical device — that combines compression, grip strengthening, and finger stretching for individuals with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions. 💥 But getting to market wasn’t easy. Téa shares: Why she quit a secure engineering job to bet on herself How she bootstrapped a capital-intensive business with no outside funding Lessons learned from bad hires, ex-partners, and hard pivots How she navigated tariffs that nearly shut down her business overnight Why building something meaningful starts with deep personal conviction Whether you're a founder, investor, or operator—this is a masterclass in grit, creativity, and purpose-driven building. 🛠 Learn more about Metaflex: https://www.metaflexglove.com 📩 Connect with Téa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsphillips/ You can also check her company's LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ats-innovations/ 💬 Drop a comment: What’s the boldest bet you’ve made on yourself? 👉 Like, Subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss future episodes. 🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

📉 Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 37 📉   Is venture capital always the right move? Or is it just a shortcut to pressure, burn, and misalignment? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with four-time founder and prolific angel investor Adam Spector, now Founder & CEO of Chore, a bootstrapped startup helping founders offload the back-office work that slows them down. Whether you're an early-stage founder, PE-backed CEO, or VC investor, this episode challenges conventional wisdom around fundraising, automation, and the real cost of growth. 🔍 What you’ll learn: ✅ Why most operational tasks can’t be automated ✅ The hidden danger of taking venture capital too early ✅ The critical difference between founder energy and founder leverage ✅ What it takes to scale a startup around your strengths 📩 Learn more about Adam’s company: https://www.hirechore.com 💼 Connect with Adam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamspector2/   🎁 Want to try Chore? Click this link and get 15% off the first month. 🔗 https://www.hirechore.com/partner/growth-capital-podcast   👍 Like this video? Subscribe for weekly interviews with growth-minded founders and PE leaders. 🧠 Drop a comment: How do you think about capital vs. control?

🔧 Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 36 🔧   Most founders in the trades don’t hit a ceiling because of demand—they stall because the business depends entirely on them. In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, Justin Dixon is joined by David Forster, Founder and CEO of Systems Over Sweat, a strategic advisory firm helping home service businesses escape founder dependency and build scalable operations. David shares how he transitioned from building and selling multiple companies (including landscaping, logistics, and a bike shop) to helping others systematize everything from job site decisions to customer communication. This conversation is a must-listen if you're scaling past $2M in revenue or trying to make your business less reliant on you. 📌 What You'll Learn: Why most service businesses stall between $1M–$5M The “Think Like Me” training framework that empowers frontline decision-making How to turn customer chaos into a repeatable, scalable process Why systems—not hustle—create real profit and freedom How AI and automation are quietly transforming trade-based businesses 🧰 Learn more about Systems Over Sweat: 🌐 Website: https://systemsoversweat.com 📬 Connect with David on Facebook 👇 Watch, comment, and subscribe to Growth Capital, a Hire Tomorrow Podcast with Justin Dixon, for more interviews with leaders scaling real businesses. 📣 Share your thoughts: Where does your business still rely too heavily on you?

🧠 Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 35 🧠 In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Steven Atkins, Co-Founder & CEO of Ease AI, a sales enablement platform using AI to upskill reps and optimize the sales journey, without relying on massive teams or external funding. Steven shares his journey from high-performing sales leader to startup founder, how he met his co-founder through YC’s Co-Founder Matching tool, and why they’re betting on lean, scrappy growth powered by AI, not venture capital. 🔍 What you’ll learn: How AI roleplay tools train sales teams faster and better Why Ease AI is focused on platform-building, not just features How startups can scale through channel partners, not headcount What makes co-founder alignment so crucial Why self-funding can be a smart path in today's market 📨 Connect with Steven: steven@easeai.ai 🔗 Follow Ease AI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/easeai 🎧 Watch the episode now and subscribe to The Growth Capital Podcast for more stories from founders and private market leaders. 👇 Like, comment, and let us know: How are you using AI to drive smarter sales?

🧠 Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 34 🧠 What if your biggest growth opportunity is hiding in plain sight—inside the customer experience? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Evan Steele, Founder & CEO of Rater8, to explore how real-time feedback and reputation management are reshaping the way healthcare practices grow. Evan shares his founder journey—bootstrapping two companies, scaling to thousands of clients, and building a fully remote team before it was mainstream. From the spark of a bad hotel check-in to managing 30+ million data points across healthcare practices, his story is a masterclass in turning insights into innovation. 🔍 What you’ll learn in this episode: How feedback became the foundation for a scalable SaaS business Why reputation is the most undervalued growth lever in healthcare The playbook for building culture in a remote-first company How Rater8 is using AI to turn raw feedback into actionable insights The shift from search engines to “answer engines”—and what that means for visibility Whether you're scaling a SaaS company, investing in vertical software, or just trying to align product with real customer need, this episode delivers. 🎧 Available now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. 👉 Like, subscribe, and tell us: How are you measuring the experience in your business? 🌐 Learn more: rater8.com 🔗 Contact their team at info@rater8.com 📌 Subscribe to the channel for more insights from investors, operators, and private equity leaders. 💬 Drop a comment: What's the one fundraising mistake you see most often?

💸 Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 33 💸 What separates a founder who pitches from one who closes? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Jeffrey Fidelman, Founder & CEO of Fidelman & Co., to decode what it really takes to raise money from investors in today’s market. From creating pitch decks that resonate, to navigating investor psychology and structuring effective calls, Jeffrey shares tactical insights from his years of experience in investment banking, family offices, and now as an advisor to founders raising early-stage capital. 🚀 Whether you're preparing for your seed round or looking to level up your Series A pitch, this episode will show you how to approach fundraising like a pro—from story, to structure, to strategy. 🎯 What you’ll learn: 🔹 Why most pitch meetings fail before they even begin 🔹 The investor psychology every founder needs to understand 🔹 How to structure your calls to turn interest into investment 🔹 The surprising danger of raising too much money 🔹 What $1.7 trillion in undeployed capital means for founders in 2025   🔗 Connect with Jeffrey: jeffrey@fidelmanco.com 🌐 Learn more: https://fidelmanco.com 📌 Subscribe to the channel for more insights from investors, operators, and private equity leaders. 💬 Drop a comment: What's the one fundraising mistake you see most often?