Skin in the Game VC Podcast

In the latest episode of the Skin in the Game VC podcast, hosts Tom Wallace and Saxon Baum sit down with Jeff Gigante, co-founder of Next Level Brands and a major player in Tampa’s restaurant scene. This conversation dives deep into Jeff’s entrepreneurial journey, starting with his first pizzeria at Florida State to now running some of the hottest restaurants in Florida.Jeff shares how his passion for creating unique dining experiences has shaped his career, and he’s candid about the challenges along the way—whether it was opening his first restaurant with a phone tutorial from Italy or navigating the complexities of growing a business during the pandemic.What’s really exciting is how Jeff, Tom and Saxon explore the impact of technology on the restaurant industry. From AI answering systems to cloud-based POS systems and even robotics, it's clear that tech is revolutionizing how restaurants operate. Yet, Jeff reminds us that hospitality is still about human connection, something he believes will always be central to full-service dining.If you’re into startups, tech innovation, or just curious about what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights. Plus, it’s always inspiring to hear from someone like Jeff, who not only talks about success but also how important it is to care for your investors and build lasting relationships.This is a great listen for anyone looking to learn from someone who’s been through it all and come out stronger on the other side.

Ever wondered how a military leader transitions to the world of venture capital? In our latest episode of Skin in the Game, we sat down with retired Four-Star General Tony Thomas to discuss his incredible journey. From leading special operations forces to investing in cutting-edge technologies, General Thomas shares his unique insights on leadership, innovation, and the intersection of the military and the private sector. Listen now to hear about his experiences, his thoughts on dual-purpose technology, and his perspective on the world stage

In this podcast episode, we delve into the world of AI and its transformative potential for the construction industry. Our guest, Patrick Murphy, a former U.S. Congressman and construction industry veteran, shares insights on his company Togalai, which utilizes AI to automate the estimating process in construction.Murphy discusses the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, emphasizing the importance of data and domain-specific expertise. He also addresses the ethical and legal implications of AI in construction, highlighting the potential for both job creation and displacement.The conversation extends to explore the applications of 3D printing and sustainable building materials like RENCO. Murphy outlines Togalai's future goals, including global expansion and the development of new AI features.Overall, this episode provides a valuable perspective on the future of AI in construction, its potential benefits, and the challenges that lie ahead. Tune in to hear the whole episode.

The episode features Zaid Rahman, CEO of Flex, a Florida Funders portfolio company. Zaid discusses his entrepreneurial journey, Flex's rapid growth in providing financial services to small and medium businesses, and their expansion plans. He shares insights on talent acquisition, customer marketing, and creating a comprehensive financial platform for mid-market businesses.In a rapid-fire Q&A, Zaid offers his optimistic outlook on the future, predicting AI as a job creator, Bitcoin's rise, Tesla's dominance in transportation, Miami becoming a major tech hub, and even Jake Paul's victory in his upcoming fight against Mike Tyson.

Discover the fascinating journey of Frank Smith, from YouTube sensation to Multimedia Mogul, in the latest episode of the Skin in the Game pod. Join Saxon Baum as he dives into a captivating conversation with Frank, tracing his evolution and success in the multimedia landscape. From crafting short-form sports videos on TikTok to navigating the complexities of influencer marketing trends, Frank shares invaluable insights and strategies. Explore the rise of personal brands in sports media and the future of content consumption with Frank's astute observations. Witness the emergence of Frank Smith as a trailblazer, pushing the boundaries of creativity and engagement in the digital age. Don't miss out on Frank's revolutionary projects and follow him across platforms to stay updated on his groundbreaking work.

Tune in to the latest episode of the Skin in the Game VC Podcast featuring Charmel Maynard, Chief Investment Officer of the University of Miami. Gain invaluable insights into university asset management and the journey that led Charmel to his prestigious position. Discover the strategies and decisions driving investments, and learn about the dynamic nature of his role overseeing three distinct pools of capital. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just curious about finance, this episode offers valuable perspectives on responsible asset stewardship. Don't miss out on Charmel's wisdom and expertise!

Delian Asparouhov, a Bulgarian-born, self-made software engineer, dives into the rollercoaster of a journey from being an MIT dropout to earning the Thiel Fellowship. Delian discusses his initial reservations about a career in venture capital and how early exposure to the field via an internship at Square, a student-run VC, helped change his mind and led him closer to his purpose. Delian touches on how he accidentally fell into a full-time venture capital role and how, over time, his skepticism ignited into a passion. Delian also covers his experience as a partner at Founders Fund.This episode explores recent pullbacks in the crypto market – and what these changes spell out for investors – but also gets into the space-born industry and Varda, a first-of-its-kind orbital manufacturing platform, where Delian serves as co-founder. Tune in to hear Tom Wallace and Saxon Baum on Skin in the Game.

In this podcast episode, Lucy Guo, a prominent entrepreneur and Thiel Fellow, shares her remarkable journey from receiving a Thiel Fellowship at the age of 20 to becoming the second wealthiest self-made female in the United States. Lucy discusses her experiences with ventures such as Scale AI, her transition from venture capitalist to entrepreneur, and the evolution of her venture fund, HF0.The conversation explores Lucy's latest venture, Passes, a platform for content creators, where she emphasizes the importance of investing in engineers and discusses the role of AI in the creator economy. Lucy reflects on her move to Miami, highlighting the differences in the tech landscape and the need for increased capital in the ecosystem. Listen to find out more.