Forward Thinking Founders
Mat Sherman
Forward Thinking Founders is a founder podcast where we interview high potential founders from networks like Y Combinator, The Thiel Fellowship, Product Hunt, Twitter, etc. and brings to light what they're building for the world. Think of it like the opposite of How I Built This, where we interview founders before they are successful, then if they are, we have a moment in time we can look back on in the early days. Does the model work? Look at our early interviews and you'll have your answer.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 23, 2020 • 17min
FI - Carl Memnon (Grain) On a new type of credit
About this episode: Carl is the cofounder of Grain. Grain provides you with a line of credit based on your income, using your existing debit card. This is a founder interview (FI).Listen to this episode if you:Want to learn about the coolest credit (not) card I've ever seenAre interested how credit moves aroundWant to learn about the Brex model, but for consumers Are interested in #FinTechWant to know about the origin of this companyAre curious about hear about the big vision for Grain More Info:Want to come on the podcast? Follow me and hit me up on Twitter, I'd love to learn about what you're working on.
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Apr 22, 2020 • 29min
FI - Henry Johnson (Rocketship Jobs) On Finding Rocketships Before They Take Off
About this episode: Henry is the founder of Rocketship Jobs. Rocketship jobs helps ambitious people find jobs at fast-growing, high potential companies! This is a founder interview (FI)Listen to this episode if you:Want to work at a high growth startup Want to know how to find rocketship before they take offWant to hear the pros and cons of SubstackAre curious about some of Henry's previous companies he's listed.Want to know how Henry got into this in the first place Want to know the big vision for Rocketship Jobs More Info:Want to come on the podcast? Follow me and hit me up on Twitter, I'd love to learn about what you're working on.
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Apr 21, 2020 • 24min
FI - Cix Liv and Dilan Shah (YUR) On VR Fitness
About this episode: Dilan and Cix are co-founders of YUR. YUR is the VR Fitness Tracking tool that records your progress in some of the biggest VR games on Steam. This is a founder interview (FI).Listen to this episode if you:Are into VRWant to learn about a practical use for VRAre wondering how the founders developed a brilliant UX with a virtual watchAre curious about how they are getting the word out to developers about YURWant to hear how they think about them being the anti gym companyWant to hear about the big vision for YURAnd tons more!More Info:Want to come on the podcast? Follow me and hit me up on Twitter, I'd love to learn about what you're working on.
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Apr 20, 2020 • 35min
FI - Jack Altman (Lattice) On Managing People & Fundraising
About this episode: Jack Altman is the founder of Lattice. Lattice makes performance management software for forward-thinking organizations. Listen to this episode if you:Manage peopleWant to manage peopleAre curious how to make something so qualitative, quantitative. Want to learn how to avoid mistakes fundraising in the early stages Want to fundraise but aren't located in SFAre curious how to evaluate potential investors Want to hear the big vision for Lattice And tons more!More Info:Want to come on the podcast? Follow me and hit me up on Twitter, I'd love to learn about what you're working on.
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Apr 19, 2020 • 7min
Mat's Thoughts (MT) - Don't Use Paid Ads To Get Your First Customers (Even if They're Cheap)
I am starting a new segment on the show called Mat's Thoughts. This is where I talk about a topic that I want to get out to my listeners. I will do these periodically, not every day. Todays' thought is on why you shouldn't use ads, even if they are on a discount.
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Apr 19, 2020 • 22min
FI - Didrik Strøhm (YSI Global) On Building a Global Brand
About this episode: Didrik is the CEO of Young Sustainable Impact. YSI gathers young talent from all around the world to develop impact startups, with the 17 Sustainable development goals as a framework. Listen to this episode if you:Wondering what YSI isAre curious about how he's been able to build a global brand Are wondering about his thoughts on remote working, consdering every startup he puts together is remote Want to know the bar YSI sets for talent, and the thing they look for in applicants Wonder about the big differences from where he lives in Norway and the USAWant to know about the big vision for YSIMore Info:Want to come on the podcast? Follow me and hit me up on Twitter, I'd love to learn about what you're working on.
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Apr 18, 2020 • 21min
(FI) Founder Interview - Ian White (ChartHop) On Managing Organizations With Org Charts
About this episode: Ian is the founder of Charthop. Charthop allows you to visualize, plan and understand the past, present and future of your organization — with confidence.Listen to this episode if you:Are a CEO of a scaling companyAre a founder of a recently funded company and are hiringWant to learn more about the power of org charts Are curious about how to plan the people side of your business in different scenarios Are curious to hear the big vision for CharthopAnd tons more!!!More Info:Want to come on the podcast? Follow me and hit me up on Twitter, I'd love to learn about what you're working on.
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Apr 17, 2020 • 24min
(FI) Founder Interview - Richard McBeath (MoneyMade) On Investing in Different Asset Classes
About this episode: Richard is the founder of MoneyMade. Money made helps you discover online investments from Real Estate, Collectibles, Loans, Farmland, Stocks and more.Listen to this episode if you:Are into investing Want to learn about investing Don't know any other asset class other than stocks Want to get some tips on how to think about investing based on your risk toleranceWant to know how he adds more asset classesAre curious about the big visionAnd tons more!More Info:Want to come on the podcast? Follow me and hit me up on Twitter, I'd love to learn about what you're working on.
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Apr 16, 2020 • 25min
Founder Interview - Justin Potts (Avenify) On Investing in Human Potential
About this episode: Justin is the co-founder and CEO of Avenify. Avenify offers Income Share Agreements (ISAs) as an alternative to student loans. Rather than pay back a fixed principal with interest, borrowers pay a fixed percentage of their income each month.Listen to this episode if you:Are interested in a new type of finance companyAre interested in an alternative to student loansThinking deeply about equity in peopleWant to learn about a new and exciting asset class to invest inWant to hear how you can invest $$$ for equity into AvenifyWant to hear the big visionAnd tons more!More Info:Want to come on the podcast? Follow me and hit me up on Twitter, I'd love to learn about what you're working on.
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Apr 15, 2020 • 46min
Early Bets - Jack McClelland (CS Student) On The Startup Scene at Boston College
Welcome to Early Bets: This is a segment on the show called "Early Bets". I find young ambitious people who haven't found their startup yet, but might be starting a company soon. If you are an investor or journalist, these are the episodes to watch to meet young founders to support before they are on the radar.About Jack: Jack is a computer science student at Boston College. He is also very involved in the entrepreneurship club, is working on a startup, and investing as a part of the contrary capital network.
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