Claim OwnershipHonestquo Venture Podcast
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No-frills podcast delivering exclusive frameworks and actionable playbooks for CFOs, finance leaders, and founders on fundraising, capital strategy, and investor communications — insights you won’t find elsewhere. Hosted by ex-Goldman Sachs banker/investor & strategic finance lead Justin V.
| powered by honestquo.com | fka NeuralZen Venture Podcast | circa 2024.
| powered by honestquo.com | fka NeuralZen Venture Podcast | circa 2024.
80 Episodes
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Andrew Gazdecki, founder and CEO of Acquire.com, joins the show for a candid conversation on his journey from bootstrapping Bizness Apps in college to selling startups and creating the “world’s most founder-friendly startup acquisition marketplace.” In this episode, Andrew shares how growing up outside the Ivy League shaped his founder grit, the lessons learned building multiple companies, and why he believes sales— not pedigree— is the ultimate founder skill. He breaks down the realities of selling a SaaS business, what he wishes more founders knew about exits, and the moments when it’s time to pivot (or walk away). You’ll hear Andrew’s take on doing customer support solo during COVID, paying $240K for Acquire.com’s domain, and creating a platform that gives sellers control instead of feeling like “just another investment bank deal.” Packed with practical advice for non-technical founders, real talk on regret versus timing in sales, and unique insights on the M&A process, this episode is for anyone serious about building and selling founder-led businesses.
Ever wondered what it takes to invest in the cutting-edge of biotech? In this episode, we sit down with Yaniv Sneor, a serial entrepreneur turned life science angel investor, to explore the world of early-stage biotech investing.From founding and scaling companies to building a niche angel investment group, Yaniv shares insights on:The differences between public market investing vs. angel investing in biotechHow his group conducts rigorous due diligence on transformative companiesKey qualities and metrics he looks for in founders and startupsStrategies for accredited investors to navigate the life sciences landscapeThe potential for high returns and why early-stage investments matterWhether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or just curious about the intersection of science and finance, this episode gives a rare, insider look at how angels identify and support the next generation of breakthrough therapies and devices.
Jordan Fliegel: (Co-CEO of Shareholder Ventures, 5x Founder, Ex-Techstars MD) unpacks his journey from professional basketball benchwarmer to serial entrepreneur—and why he’s now helping others **buy profitable businesses** instead of starting them. **🗝️ HIGHLIGHTS YOU CAN’T MISS:** - **The $5M SBA Loan Hack:** How to acquire cash-flowing businesses with 80-90% debt (even without personal capital). - **"Pizza Dinner Growth Hacks":** How being his own first CoachUp coach + bribing coaches with pizza scaled a marketplace. - **Pro Sports → Startups:** NBA-level teamwork drills for hiring talent who outshine you. - **Why He Quit Venture Capital:** "Buying boomer-retiring businesses beats startups for 99% of entrepreneurs." - **Brutal Founder Truths:** "If you need nights/weekends totally free? **Don’t be an entrepreneur.**" **🔍 For:** First-time founders, burnt-out VCs, bankers, operators & anyone eyeing the $10T small-business transfer wave. 👉 Follow Honestquo for unscripted talks with builders.
Dr. Stephen Squinto — co-founder of Alexion, early Regeneron scientist, and now biotech investor at J.P. Morgan — reflects on a 40-year journey in biotech. He shares what it was like to build Alexion from scratch, lessons from clinical failures, how to spot undervalued technologies, and what most founders get wrong.We talk about the evolution of biotech from the 1980s to the AI era, the realities of drug development, and what makes a great founding team. Honest, practical, and rare insight from someone who’s done it all — from the lab bench to global scale.
Dr. Lydia Villa-Komaroff — the Mexican American molecular biologist whose breakthrough insulin gene cloning changed medicine forever — shares her trailblazing journey. At 78, she reflects on:🔬 Pioneering the Biotech Revolution:• The cutthroat race to clone insulin in the 1970s (and the blizzard that almost derailed it ❄️).• How her team’s work birthed Genentech & Biogen — and transformed diabetes treatment worldwide.💼 From Lab to Boardroom:• Why she left Harvard to lead a startup (and mortgaged her house to save it).• Lessons on resilience: "In business, rule #1 is: Don’t run out of money."🌍 Truths on Diversity & Aging:• Why diversity isn’t "nice to have" — it’s essential for scientific breakthroughs.• Her take on immortality: "Humans shouldn’t live forever. Children bring the new ideas."• The future of biotech: AI’s role, inflammation research, and tackling Parkinson’s.A masterclass in reinvention from a woman who refused to be boxed in — by academia, age, or expectations.#Biotech #WomenInSTEM #Insulin #Aging #DiversityInScience #StartupLife #ScienceHistory
📍 Ex-HBS professor Thales Teixeira (consulted for Netflix, Airbnb, Facebook) reveals why startups don't need revolutionary tech to dominate markets. Learn:• The "Decoupling" secret behind Uber/Airbnb's rise 🚘• How customers—NOT tech—actually disrupt industries• Why your startup should solve "ugly" problems first• MBA myths & when NOT to hire consultants• Attention-economics in the TikTok eraFrom eye-tracking at Harvard to AI startups - get frameworks that rewrite business rules.
From Barcelona to Wall Street — Dr. Josep Bassaganya-Riera’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. A veterinarian-turned-immunologist, he went on to found multiple biotech companies, take Landos Biopharma public, and lead one of the only private biotech firms with a Phase 3 asset in IBD.In this episode, we dive deep into:How Josep transitioned from academia to biotech entrepreneurship (Landos and NImmune)Raising capital in a tough biotech marketThe art of picking the right bankers for an IPOBuilding alignment with investors & the buy sideHow AI and computational immunology are reshaping drug discoveryThe lessons he learned taking a company from paper to IPO to acquisition
In this episode of The Honestquo Venture Podcast, we sit down with Lacey Wismer, founder of Hunter Search Capital and one of the most experienced voices in the search fund ecosystem. She shares her journey from growing up in a small business family in Minneapolis to raising her third search fund. We dive into what makes a great searcher, red flags investors look out for, how deals fall apart, and why long-term thinking and self-awareness are essential in ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition). Lacey also shares insights on AI’s early impact in operations, underrated metrics, and lessons learned from both family office and institutional investing. If you’re even thinking about raising a search fund, this episode is essential listening.📍 Topics Covered:Lacey’s path from Stanford to launching Hunter Search CapitalWhat investors look for in a searcher (and red flags to avoid)The real reasons deals fall throughHow search has evolved beyond elite MBAsMetrics that matter (including why SAM > TAM)Advice for anyone exploring ETA
In this episode, Justin sits down with Jared Holz, Managing Director and Healthcare Equity Strategist at Mizuho, to unpack the brutal truths and bright spots in today’s biotech and healthcare markets. Jared shares candid takes on why biotech has underperformed for over a decade, the dominance of Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk in the GLP-1 space, and what it’ll take for M&A, AI, and Alzheimer's advances to move the needle.This is a fast-paced, insight-rich conversation from one of Wall Street’s most respected healthcare strategists-essential listening for biotech operators, investors, and IR professionals.Highlights include:Why biotech indices are brokenGLP-1s: Obesity, Alzheimer’s, and cardiovascular upsideM&A trends: Who’s getting bought, and whyHow Big Pharma views China dealsThe reality behind AI in drug discoveryTips for biotech IR and C-suite commsWhat retail investors keep getting wrongThe looming $400B patent cliff opportunity
Big Pharma’s about to lose $200 billion in drug revenue — and the race to replace it is reshaping biotech worldwide.On this episode, Robert Darwin, Senior Partner at global law firm Sidley Austin, joins us to explore:Why pharma’s writing massive M&A checks againHow China is emerging as a leading hub for drug innovationEurope’s strengths—and where it still needs to catch upWhat’s stalled IPO markets — and what could kickstart them againWhere the new biotech funding is really coming from (it might surprise you)Plus: Robert offers his straightforward insights on FDA developments, pricing politics, and why today’s science feels straight out of “Star Trek.”If you’re in biotech, finance, or just curious about the industry’s future, this conversation is for you.🎧 Hit play now and stay ahead of the curve.
How do you build a high-value life science tools company that investors want to back—and acquirers need to buy? Dr. Mike Stadnisky, former CEO of Phitonex (acquired by Thermo Fisher) and FlowJo (acquired by BD), shares battle-tested strategies for...✅ Pitch decks that work – Why TAM/SAM/SOM slides are irrelevant (and what to replace them with)✅ Investor psychology – How to structure your cap table for alignment (and avoid dilution traps)✅ Commercialization hacks – Why "get on a plane" beats another Zoom call for critical deals✅ The Thielsen Capital filter – What makes his syndicate write checks (and what gets 600+ startups rejected)If you're raising for a tools, diagnostics, or research tech startup, this is your playbook for moving from science project to scalable business—without wasting years (or equity) on the wrong path.
We discuss her journey into Cendana, discussing fund manager due diligence, portfolio construction, LP investing strategies, and more.
Tim Draper, Billionaire Venture Capitalist and Entrepreneur
🚜 Did you know that the future of China’s economy might depend on the children in its rural villages?
Scott Rozelle, a Stanford economist, has spent over 40 years studying the hidden side of China’s rapid growth. While cities like Beijing and Shanghai get all the attention, it’s the rural areas—where 40% of China’s population still lives—that could largely shape the country’s future. 🌾
In our latest podcast episode, Scott shares eye-opening insights about the challenges rural China faces today—like the education gap, the migration of young people to cities, and the potential of a massive economic slowdown if these issues aren’t addressed. 🚶♂️🚶♀️
🎧 Want to understand the real story behind China’s economic rise and what it means for the world? Don’t miss this episode.
Astronaut Loral O'Hara shares her incredible experiences living and working in space, conducting groundbreaking experiments on the International Space Station, and her insights into NASA's ambitious goal of reaching Mars. Discover what it's like to be at the forefront of space exploration and the future of human space travel.
Dr. Aubrey de Grey, Chief Science Officer at LEVF.
Ever thought about walking the length of the Amazon? Join me in this episode as we dive into the wild adventures of Ed Stafford, the first person to achieve this epic feat! 🚶♂️💨 From surviving treacherous jungles to discovering the mental challenges that come with such a monumental journey, Ed shares his incredible story of perseverance and transformation.🗣️ What drove him to leave a stable life in the UK for a jungle in Costa Rica? 🤔Listen in as Ed reveals the profound lessons he learned, the unexpected friendships formed, and the moments that tested his limits. You won’t want to miss the wisdom he gained while navigating life and death in the heart of the Amazon!👉 Tune in now for a dose of adventure, inspiration, and a unique perspective on embracing risks in life! 🎧✨
Join us as Steve Preda (former founder of an investment bank), an expert in business growth and leadership team coaching, shares actionable strategies to scale effectively and sustainably.
Wendy Kopp, the visionary behind Teach For America and Teach For All, discusses her journey of founding these organizations at just 21, her commitment to global education equity and equality, and her perspectives on how AI and EdTech will shape the future of learning worldwide
Is the digital nomad lifestyle all it’s cracked up to be? Johnny FD, a trailblazer in the movement, opens up about the highs, lows, and long-term realities of working abroad. With a 249Ksub+ YouTube channel and years of experience, he shares hard-earned lessons on freedom, investing, challenges, and shifting life perspectives
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