Human Unicorn Podcast

🦄 Gary Vaynerchuk (Gary Vee) on the Human Unicorn Podcast with Nihal Mehta From taking his family wine business online to building media juggernaut VaynerMedia, Gary Vee has redefined what’s possible in entrepreneurship—using unfiltered honesty, relentless ambition, and heart. Millions turn to him for real talk on brand building, innovation, and living with purpose. In this exclusive, in-person Human Unicorn Podcast sit-down with host Nihal Mehta (Founding GP, Eniac Ventures), Gary goes beyond the soundbites to reveal: How to combine massive ambition with true patience for long-term success Why “attention” is the currency every entrepreneur must understand to win in today’s world Unfiltered predictions on the future of content, artificial intelligence, and the brands that will survive the coming AI revolution The profound human truths behind hustle: happiness, failure, legacy, and why kindness outperforms IQ Mindset shifts to navigate change—whether you’re just starting out or trying to stay ahead of the next big wave If you’ve ever wanted to hear Gary Vee’s raw wisdom—far deeper than viral clips—this is the must-listen episode. 🎧 Tap in and subscribe for more daring, real conversations with unicorn founders and the visionaries who shape the future.

From Serial Founder to AI Super Connector — Andrew D’Souza on Building Boardy Andrew D’Souza has launched and scaled companies through market booms and busts — but his newest venture, Boardy, could change the way opportunity flows forever. This AI-driven “Super Connector” helps you get the right introduction at the right time — and investors are betting big, with $11M raised in under a year.In this episode of Human Unicorn, you’ll discover:How to turn warm introductions into an unstoppable advantageWhy AI could rewrite the rules of networking and deal-makingThe playbook for lightning-fast fundraising (without burning relationships)Lessons from past ventures that shaped Boardy’s vision and strategyWhether you’re a founder chasing your big break, an investor scouting the next unicorn, or simply curious about the future of connections, this is your inside look at the making of an AI-first network.Learn more about Boardy: https://www.boardy.ai/

🎙️ Scott Belsky — From Adobe to A24: Designing the Future of Creativity and StorytellingIn this episode of The Human Unicorn, Nihal Mehta sit down with Scott Belsky, one of the defining minds at the intersection of technology, design, and culture.Scott is the founder of Behance, which was acquired by Adobe in 2012. After a stint at Benchmark Capital, he returned to Adobe as Chief Product Officer (2017–2022) and later served as Chief Strategy Officer and EVP of Design & Emerging Products, playing a pivotal role in launching Creative Cloud and Adobe Firefly.As of January 2025, Scott has taken on a new role as Partner and Head of Technology & Innovation at A24, where he leads A24 Labs, a stealth initiative focused on reimagining tools for storytellers and creators in film and entertainment.In this conversation, we explore:How Scott helped scale Adobe’s creative suite into an AI-forward platformWhat A24 Labs is doing to reshape the intersection of cinema and technologyLessons from backing generational companies like Airbnb, Pinterest, and Warby ParkerHis philosophy on building products that serve creators firstScott doesn’t just build products — he builds ecosystems that empower creatives to lead industries. This episode is a rare look inside the mind of someone shaping the tools and the taste of our generation.🦄 For founders, filmmakers, and anyone obsessed with building creative futures — this one’s unmissable.

🎙️ Human Unicorn Podcast — Episode Title:"Conviction Over Consensus: Rebecca Kaden on Backing What Others Miss"📄 Episode Description:In this episode of Human Unicorn, Nihal Mehta talks with Rebecca Kaden, General Partner at Union Square Ventures, about how to spot — and stick with — breakthrough ideas before they’re obvious.Rebecca shares how her path from journalism to VC shaped her investment lens, what it takes for a company to be truly venture scale in 2025, and why some of the most transformative businesses don’t look like obvious winners at the start.They explore:How she defines "venture scale" today: speed, markets, and return potentialThe difference between consensus picks and conviction betsWhat founders should know before pitching USVLessons from early investments in companies like Etsy, Carta, and HeliumWhy storytelling and point-of-view matter more than ever in crowded marketsIf you're a founder looking to raise — or an investor sharpening your filter — this episode delivers real insight into how top-tier VC decisions get made.

🎙️ The Human Unicorn Podcast | Episode: Mike Mignano — Building the Future of Creativity with AIThis week, Nihal Mehta welcomes Mike Mignano — co-founder of Anchor, former Head of Talk Audio at Spotify, partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, and now co-founder of Oboe, a groundbreaking new company reimagining how we create using AI.Mike shares his unique perspective as both a repeat founder and investor on the frontlines of the creator economy and artificial intelligence. In this episode, we dive into:Why Mike launched Oboe to reinvent creative tools for the AI-native generationThe evolution from audio platforms to multimodal AIWhat AI will actually mean for artists, storytellers, and everyday creatorsThe “missing layer” in consumer creative softwareWhat kind of founders and ideas he's backing at LightspeedIf you're thinking about building in AI, creator tech, or the next wave of human expression — this episode is your playbook.—Hosted by Nihal Mehta

On this episode of The Human Unicorn, we sit down with Farhan Thawar, Head of Engineering at Shopify, where he leads thousands of engineers powering one of the world’s biggest commerce platforms. Farhan shares how he scales teams without losing speed, the real-world impact of AI coding tools, and why Claude, OpenAI, and other LLMs are changing how software gets built. Tune in for practical hacks, surprising insights, and a rare look at how top engineering minds are adapting to the AI era.

In this episode, Nihal Mehta welcomes Brian Stempeck, former Chief Strategy Officer at The Trade Desk and now Co-Founder & CEO of Evertune, for a candid conversation on scaling category-defining companies, building enduring cultures, and navigating the next wave of AI innovation.Brian shares his journey from being employee #8 at The Trade Desk—where he helped take the company from pre-revenue to a multi-billion dollar IPO—to launching Evertune, a startup reimagining how brands optimize for AI-native search.Topics covered include:The strategic decision to empower, not displace, agencies—and why it workedScaling from $0 to $800M+ in revenue: lessons from the front linesPreserving culture during hypergrowth (and why wall slogans don’t cut it)How introversion can be a superpower in sales and leadershipThe rise of AI-generated search traffic—and what it means for brandsBuilding with integrity, trust, and long-term ambitionA must-listen for founders, operators, and investors focused on B2B SaaS, ad tech, or AI.

Oisin Hanrahan (Co-Founder, Handy & Keychain CEO)From founding Handy to leading one of the biggest players in home services—this journey’s been all about vision, grit, and execution.I joined @Nihal Mehta on The Human Unicorn Podcast to talk about scaling startups, navigating tough markets, and what I’ve learned from building and leading at the intersection of tech and operations.If you’re a founder, operator, or just love a good business story—you’ll want to check this one out:

Payal Kadakia (Founder & CEO, ClassPass) – Reinventing Wellness & Building Billion-Dollar Grit How do you turn a passion for dance into a global fitness platform? Payal Kadakia, founder and CEO of ClassPass, shares her journey from corporate life to creating one of the most influential wellness brands in the world. In this episode, she opens up about the pivots that changed everything, staying true to your mission, and building resilience as a first-time founder.🔹 Turning a side hustle into a billion-dollar business 🔹 Lessons from the early pivots of ClassPass 🔹 Redefining success on your own terms🎧 Tune in for an inspiring look at purpose-driven entrepreneurship.

Josh Wolfe (Co-Founder, Lux Capital) – Investing in the ImpossibleWhat if the best investments sound crazy at first? Josh Wolfe, co-founder of Lux Capital, breaks down why he bets on frontier tech—AI, deep science, and the next wave of world-changing innovation. From navigating venture downturns to spotting the future before it happens, this episode is a goldmine for founders and investors alike.🔹 How Lux Capital invests in the future🔹 The mindset of a contrarian investor🔹 Where AI, biotech & deep tech are headed next🎧 Hit play for a crash course in bold investing.

Andrew Yang – The Future of Work, AI & Universal Basic Income:Entrepreneur, political disruptor, and big-ideas guy Andrew Yang sits down to talk about what’s next—AI, Universal Basic Income, and why the system needs a reboot. Whether you're a founder, investor, or just trying to navigate the future of work, this episode is packed with insights you won’t hear anywhere else.🔹 The case for Universal Basic Income (UBI)🔹 How AI is reshaping jobs & the economy🔹 Lessons from running for president & launching the Forward Party🎧 Don’t miss this deep dive into the future.

Reshma Saujani (Founder, Girls Who Code & Moms First) – Changing the Game for WomenHow do you challenge the system and actually win? Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First, talks about breaking barriers in tech, why the "girlboss" era failed, and how we can redesign work for women. From politics to policy, she’s shaping the future—one bold move at a time.🔹 Why closing the gender gap in tech isn’t enough🔹 How Moms First is reshaping the workplace🔹 Leadership lessons from activism & entrepreneurship🎧 Hit play for a masterclass in making change happen.

Dee Murthy (Co-Founder, Five Four Group & Menlo Club) – Scaling Hype & Building BrandsWhat does it take to build a fashion empire? Dee Murthy, co-founder of Five Four Group (behind brands like Young & Reckless and Menlo Club), talks about the intersection of culture, commerce, and community. From navigating retail shifts to scaling hype-driven brands, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to break into fashion, media, or e-commerce.🔹 How to build a brand people love🔹 Lessons from growing a multi-brand empire🔹 The future of fashion, influencers & direct-to-consumer (DTC)🎧 Press play to learn from one of the best in the game.

Laura Spiekerman (Co-Founder, Alloy) – The Future of Fintech & Female Founders:From bootstrapping to billion-dollar fintech—Laura Spiekerman, co-founder of Alloy, shares how she built one of the most important companies in financial security. In this episode, she breaks down the challenges of fundraising as a female founder, the evolution of fraud prevention, and why fintech is still just getting started.🔹 Scaling a fintech startup🔹 The future of identity verification & fraud prevention🔹 Lessons from building Alloy into a unicorn🎧 Subscribe for more founder stories & insights!