Shane Ray Show

Six PeaceTech founders pitch their ideas in 60 seconds each.What you will hear:• How AI can turn conflict into connection• AI tools that build emotional resilience• Better ways to talk across political divides• Software that supports mediators and ombuds teams• Products that help couples, teams, and communities work things outHosted by Shane Ray Martin. Investor @ B Ventures.Come learn. Get inspired. Steal a few lines for your own pitch.Join the PeaceTech WhatsApp group to meet founders and investors who believe peace is profitable.

This week’s episode is a little different.I’m sharing four events I’m helping host that you may want to join. Each one is about spending time with others in fellowship and helping your company grow. ☕ Faith-Driven Founders and InvestorsOctober 7 at 9 AM PT, 340 Fremont Street, 9th floor, San Francisco278 people have RSVP’d. No panels and no keynotes. Just founders and investors meeting over coffee and whatever snacks Ife and I find for you.  Register: https://partiful.com/e/T0QndAl1f11G0tuNLnEY 🌉 PeaceTech in Silicon ValleyOctober 8 at 9 AM, San Francisco near the old Twitter building175 people registered so far. A simple meetup for those building at the intersection of peace and profit. Register: https://partiful.com/e/bIUPoChXzNyvp0uc8cH7 🏛️ Family Office + LP Gathering in DCOctober 9 in Washington DCThis one is sold out. A private event with family offices and LPs who are leaning into venture. Reach out if you’d like more details.💻 PeaceTech Founder Open Office Hours (Virtual)October 23 at 12 PM ET on ZoomOnly 20 spots available. Bring a deal that is stuck in the pipeline. We will work through it together in a 60 minute, fully actionable session. Register: https://partiful.com/e/kBaUhrISsGJz41DqQDB4 If you are building, investing, or just curious about the PeaceTech movement, choose the one that fits you best and come join us.👉 Questions? Send me a quick text at 480-619-9239 or DM me, and I will get you plugged in.

Josue Romero never planned on tech - until grad school threw him into it. From working construction in the Arizona heat…To breaking into VC without connections…To spotting huge startups before Draper and other big funds…To launching Silicon Oasis so Arizona founders don’t get overlooked…Josue’s story is about grit, kindness, and refusing to wait for permission. In this episode, he shares:How he built one of Arizona’s biggest tech communities from scratchWhy “ruthless but kind” is the mindset every founder needsWhat really separates standout founders from the restHow to break into venture capital Why serving others compounds into opportunityIf you’re building outside Silicon Valley - or looking for the edge in a tough market- this conversation is for you.👉 Connect with me on LinkedIn and tell me your biggest takeaway: linkedin.com/in/shaneraymartinThis one was special for me. I grew up in Mesa, Arizona, where Josue and I went to high school together. Those were some of the most fun times of my life - and they shaped who I am today!!!

Christine Keung has built through chaos - again and again.From scaling Dropbox during its rocket-ship growth…To serving as Chief Data Officer for San Jose at the height of the pandemic…To now backing founders as a GP at J2 Ventures…Chaos isn’t something she avoids.It’s where she thrives! In this episode, Christine shares:The blind spots that trip up early foundersGreen flags she looks for when investing in teamsWhy chaos creates the best opportunities for growthHow her first-gen upbringing shaped her career in ventureWhy government and startups are more alike than you thinkIf you’re building a company - or leading through uncertainty - this episode is your blueprint.👉 Connect with me on LinkedIn and tell me your biggest takeaway: linkedin.com/in/shaneraymartin

Scott Sherman has worked with 500+ fund managers in his career.From his days at Blackstone to today at Mesa Lane Capital, he’s seen what makes a GP rise - and what makes them crash.Here’s the kicker: most VC fund managers don’t fail because they can’t invest.They fail because they forget they’re also running a business.In this episode, Scott breaks down:The #1 mistake new GPs make in Fund IWhy trust and integrity matter more than big-name logosHow the best GPs structure their firms from day oneThe operational “unsexy stuff” that sets the top 1% apartWhy emerging managers can still deliver the best returns in ventureIf you’re raising a fund - or thinking about it - this episode is your roadmap.👉 Connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know how you’re applying Scott’s tips: linkedin.com/in/shaneraymartin

Most startup CEOs are spreading themselves too thin - too many channels, too many customer types, too many offers.On top of that: THEY DON'T ASK FOR THE BUSINESS.That’s the $10M mistake.In this episode, I share the Rule of One:One Channel – go where your buyers actually live.One Customer – focus on the person with pain and budget.One Offer – make it so good they feel silly saying no.When you simplify, you multiply. This is your fastest path to revenue.👉 If this hit home, let’s connect on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear what you’re working on and how you’re applying the Rule of One.God bless, go get 'em!

Chris Rizik has done what most VCs only dream of.He’s invested in 60 VC funds supporting 800+ startups while reshaping the entire Midwest startup ecosystem.In this episode, Shane sits down with Chris — NVCA Venture Vanguard Award winner, Michigan VC Hall of Fame inductee, and Managing Partner of Renaissance VC — to share the mindset and strategies that made him one of the most respected voices in venture capital.✅ What you’ll learn:• The #1 trait Chris looks for in a GP before investing• Why democratizing venture capital leads to stronger returns• The toughest lessons every VC must learn (and how to know when to walk away)• How specialized funds can outperform mega-funds in the AI era• What today’s GPs must do to stand outIf you’re a tech founder, fund manager, or investor, this conversation is packed with wisdom you won’t find in any pitch deck.🎧 Hosted by Shane Ray Martin — Investor at B Ventures Group, the world’s first PeaceTech VC fund, LinkedIn Top Voice in Negotiation, and Certified Peace Mediator — helping founders grow both peace and profit.👉 Message and connect with Shane: linkedin.com/in/shaneraymartinPS - On October 1st, Chris is hosting UnDemo Day in Detroit, MI! Check out the full details: renvcf.com/undemo-day/

In this awesome episode, you met Devon Coombs — a former homeless 21-year-old who rose to negotiating multi-billion-dollar AI deals at Google.Devon’s testimony is about resilience. Hard work. Wisdom. Taking action. It’s about breaking generational cycles, finding purpose in adversity, and choosing to make a difference.You’ll learn:✅ How Devon went from living in his car to leading at Google✅ Why billion-dollar deals can’t replace meaning and service✅ The 3 pillars he uses to measure life beyond outcomes✅ Practical advice for anyone starting a business in 2025✅ How to turn setbacks into your stepping stonesWhether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or someone facing your own battles - Devon’s story will remind you what’s possible. You can book a strategy call with him here. 🎧 Hosted by Shane Ray Martin — Investor, Author, LinkedIn Top Voice in Negotiation, and Certified Peace Mediator — helping PeaceTech companies scale and raise funding.👉 Follow Shane: linkedin.com/in/shaneraymartin

For the first time in history, peace might be more profitable than war.Here are 3 reasons why PeaceTech could become a $100B+ industry and how you can join the movement.1️⃣ Founders are building tech for peaceThink AI for negotiations, satellite tools for conflict monitoring, and agentic platforms that prevent violence before it starts. These startups are not just ideas — they’re scaling fast in hotspots around the world.Example: Imagine AI mediates peace talks between nations…it's not impossible! 2️⃣ Investors are joining Family offices, LPs, and advisors worldwide are investing in peace-focused technology — not just defense. This is a brand-new asset class with huge potential for returns and global peace.3️⃣ The opportunity is open to youWhether you’re a founder, investor, or leader in your field, you can be part of an ecosystem that’s growing faster than anyone imagined.If this excites you, let’s connect.Email me at s@bventuresgroup.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Together, we can build a world where peace is not just possible — it’s profitable.Let's do this!

Rosie Bailey has turned haggling into a cutting-edge AI negotiation company - taking lessons from a sneaker market in Istanbul to powering over 1.5M human–machine negotiations with Nibble.In this episode, she shares how trust, humor, and tech are transforming negotiations across industries - from property rentals to telecom renewals to fashion inventory management.What You’ll Learn:• Why trust is the foundation of every great negotiation in 2025• How humor makes AI feel more human and close more deals• The biggest fears brands have about automated negotiation• How Nibble increases conversion, reduces churn, and saves time👉 Hosted by Shane Ray Martin - investor at B Ventures Group, startup advisor, author, peace mediator, and LinkedIn Top Voice in Negotiation.I really enjoyed this conversation. Rosie’s smart, funny, and years ahead of the curve - and I know you’ll find it fascinating. This space has massive potential. 👋 Are you a founder called to build for profit and peace?💼 Are you an investor targeting great returns and care about global peace?📩 Email Shane: s@bventuresgroup.com

Most CEO's use AI to sell stuff.These 7 are building tools to stop war before it starts:🧠 Arvid Bell – Anadyr Horizon🕊️ Ola Mohajer – Transcend AI🌍 Adam Boaz – HeadOn🌱 Tara Gupta – Map Collective🤝 Shawn Guttman – Didi AI🌐 Justin E. Lane – CulturePulse🛠️ Avi Yashchin – Subconscious AIWe brought them together to pitch live to 7 top VCs.💥 Real-time feedback👀 315+ registered🚀 80+ attended🕊️ All building PeaceTech-tech that prevents conflict. Building tech for peace? Share your pitch deck s@bventuresgroup.comWant to join our newsletter?https://www.bventuresgroup.com/im-inWant to connect on LinkedIn?https://www.linkedin.com/company/b-venturesgroup

Neil Keegan has done it all — from Goldman Sachs to leading a family office, and now co-founding Marlinspike, a VC fund focusing on national security.In this episode, he shares how dual-use technologies, bold founders, and a “Message to Garcia” mindset are shaping the future. What You’ll Learn:• Why Neil believes we’re in the most dangerous geopolitical era since WWII• How Marlinspike helps founders get traction across defense and commercial markets• What “peace through strength” really looks like in venture capital• Why they back founders with grit, clarity, and the will to win• How Neil balances being an investor, operator, and proud #girldad of twin daughters👉 Hosted by Shane Ray Martin — investor at B Ventures Group, startup advisor, author, peace mediator, and LinkedIn Top Voice in Negotiation.  I really enjoyed this conversation. Neil’s sharp, humble, and I know you will find this conversation to be interesting! 👋 Are you a founder called to build for profit and peace?💼 Are you an investor targeting great returns and care about global peace?📩 Email Shane: s@bventuresgroup.com

Adam Boaz Becker (Habibi) has lived a wild story - from founding startups to joining a war room in Tel Aviv after October 7.In this episode, he shares how those experiences led him to build HeadOn AI, a platform using AI to help people have real, respectful conversations across divides.What You’ll Learn:• Why Adam believes AI could either break democracy or rebuild it• How he helped reduce 2,000 missing-person cases down to 200 using machine learning• How Headonai is using real-time AI to map, guide, and elevate conversations between people who disagree• Why Adam feels a responsibility to build tech that promotes peace👉 Hosted by Shane Ray Martin — investor, peace mediator, and LinkedIn Top Voice in Negotiation. A guy trying to have fun, find great investments for B Ventures, and be a good friend to founders. 👋 Are you a founder called to build for profit and peace?💼 Are you an investor targeting great returns and care about peace?📩 Email Shane: s@bventuresgroup.com

What if AI could predict war and help prevent it?In this episode, Shane Ray Martin sits down with Justin E. Lane, co-founder of CulturePulse.They’re building AI that models entire societies and tests peace deals before they’re signed.You’ll hear wild stories about working with the UN, building digital twins of conflict zones, and how China is using apps like TikTok to influence the West. Justin breaks it down simply, shares what's coming next in AI, and explains how CulturePulse is shaping the future of conflict prevention.👉 Hosted by Shane Ray Martin — investor, peace mediator, and LinkedIn Top Voice in Negotiation. A guy trying to have fun, find great investments for B Ventures, and be a good friend to founders. 👋 Are you a founder called to build for profit and peace?💼 Are you an investor targeting great returns and care about peace?📩 Email Shane: s@bventuresgroup.com

Brian Abrams is the kind of human who sees what others don’t.Years before most people were talking about PeaceTech, he had a vision: what if venture capital could be used to reduce violent conflict and fund peace?In this episode, Brian returns to share how that idea became B Ventures - a new kind of fund backing startups working to make the world safer. He reflects on what’s happened in the past year, the founders building for peace, and the early sparks that led to building something bigger than any one person.This conversation is about trusting your instincts, staying humble, and taking the next right step. Brian saw the opportunity early and is carrying the work forward, building on the efforts of so many who came before.We talk about:Why PeaceTech is investable, not just idealisticHow one article led to us getting to work togetherWhat LPs are looking for in this momentLessons from building a venture firm How ecosystems like climate tech evolved—and what peace tech can learn from themRead more in Business Insiderhttps://www.businessinsider.com/peace-tech-anadyr-horizon-venture-capital-billion-dollar-industry-2025-6Read more in Market Watchhttps://www.marketwatch.com/story/defense-stocks-gain-from-global-conflict-these-companies-profit-after-wars-end-32cbf367Read more in VC Journalhttps://www.venturecapitaljournal.com/peace-tech-is-a-multibillion-dollar-opportunity-hiding-in-plain-sight/Connect with Brian Abramshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/btabrams/Connect with Shane Ray Martinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shaneraymartin/Are you a founder or investor called to this work?Reach out at s@bventuresgroup.com