Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan

Is the future of artificial intelligence really being built in massive data centers, or is there a smarter, more secure, and more cost-effective path forward? In this fascinating conversation, Rob Ryan sits down with longtime friend and technology entrepreneur Luis Perez Galvan, founder and CEO of Neogenesys, to explore the evolving world of enterprise technology, AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and digital transformation across Latin America. Together they unpack the growing tension between cloud-based AI services and emerging "edge AI" solutions that allow organizations to maintain greater control over their data, costs, and infrastructure. Along the way, Luis shares lessons from building a technology company over the last 26 years, expanding across Latin America, and helping organizations navigate the opportunities and challenges of an increasingly digital world. Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, investor, or simply curious about where technology is taking us next, this episode offers a thoughtful look at the decisions shaping the future of business and society.Feel free to follow and engage with Luis Galvan here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-perez-galvan-7909302/Company Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/services/page/540424331721142034/Website: https://www.neogenesys.comWe're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.¡Cheers y gracias!,Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Who decides which ideas get funded — and whose voices get left out? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, our host Rob sits down with Paige Hendrix Buckner, CEO of All Raise, to pull back the curtain on the world of venture capital and the inequities shaping it. From her unconventional path from teaching fourth graders to Non-profit, and startup tech leadership, Paige shares why changing who controls capital is essential to building better companies — and a healthier economy. The conversation explores the systemic barriers facing women and non-binary investors, why representation alone isn’t enough, and how culture, data, and storytelling can drive real change. Paige also offers practical insights for those aspiring to break into venture capital and explains how All Raise is working to reshape the industry from the inside out. This episode is both a wake-up call and an invitation to be part of a more inclusive future in tech and investing.Feel free to follow and engage with PAIGE here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigehendrixbuckner/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paigehbuckner/X: https://x.com/PaigeHBucknerBusiness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/allraise/Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allraiseorg/Website: https://www.allraise.org/We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.¡Cheers y gracias!,Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background06:07 The Importance of Access to Capital07:58 All Raise's Strategic Shift10:09 Paige's Leadership Philosophy13:59 The Disconnect in the Entrepreneurial Economy19:04 Women Leading Change in Venture Capital22:20 Progress and Future Goals for All Raise27:23 The Importance of Storytelling in VC31:59 All Raise: Supporting Women and Non-Binary VCs37:17 The Role of Male Allies in Venture Capital41:36 Engaging Limited Partners for Diversity50:44 Challenges in Raising Capital for Underrepresented Founders52:53 Data-Driven Insights on Diversity and Business Outcomes53:53 The Impact of Diversity on Business Outcomes55:54 Lessons from Education to Venture Capital01:04:43 Preparing for a Career in Venture Capital

What if great ideas aren’t failing, but the system is? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob visits with co-founders, Jenny Flores and Grace Lee, of AMH Catalyst Center, to learn why access to capital remains one of the biggest obstacles for women founders—and how they’re working to change it. From redefining how venture and private capital operates to using AI and blockchain to increase transparency and accessibility of information and dealflow, this conversation cuts through the b.s. and explores the powerful intersection of purpose and profit. You will walk away with fresh insights, real-world strategies, and actionable steps to improve everyone’s chances of success in entrepreneurship and investing.Feel free to follow and engage with JENNY & GRACE here:Jenny LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-flores-amh/Grace LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-lee-amh/Website: https://www.amhcatalyst.org/We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.¡Cheers y gracias!,Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers05:33 The Vision Behind AMH Catalyst Center11:29 The Importance of Access to Capital17:04 Navigating Diversity in Venture Capital23:08 Purpose Meets Profit in Business28:32 The Story of AMH Catalyst Center35:29 Innovative Approaches: AI and Blockchain in Venture Capital45:01 Exploring On-Chain Transparency in Venture Capital46:16 The Bottleneck of Traditional Investment49:36 Building a New Infrastructure for Women Founders52:06 Creating Inclusive Investment Opportunities54:46 Building Our Own Table: A New Approach01:00:18 The Movement Towards Collaboration and Joy01:10:41 Actionable Steps for Entrepreneurs and Investors

Can an entrepreneur grow faster with someone else’s idea? And, what if franchising wasn’t just for big corporations—but was a powerful tool for everyday entrepreneurs to scale their brands?? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob sits down with Gregory Ugwi, co-founder of WeFranch, to discuss how franchising is evolving in today’s data-driven economy. From Gregory’s unexpected journey from Nigeria, to Princeton, then Wall Street to tech entrepreneurship, to how technology and community are reshaping access to business ownership, this conversation uncovers how modern franchising can unlock opportunity, empower small business owners, and drive economic mobility in a rapidly changing world.Feel free to follow and engage with GREGORY here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-ugwi/Business LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefranchBusiness X: https://x.com/wefranchWebsite: https://wefranch.com/Email: gregory.ugwi@wefranch.comWe're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.¡Cheers y gracias!,Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers03:12 Understanding Franchising and Its Importance05:48 The Role of Data in Franchising08:54 The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions12:00 WeFranch: Revolutionizing the Franchise Model14:59 The Two-Sided Marketplace of Franchising18:09 Gregory's Journey: From Goldman Sachs to WeFranch21:02 The Vision for WeFranch and Its Impact on Franchising24:07 Franchising Beyond the U.S.: A Global Perspective29:58 The Franchise Landscape in the U.S.32:00 Disruption in the Franchise Industry34:27 Building Relevance in a Competitive Market36:54 The Role of Franchisees in Business Growth39:46 Overcoming Barriers to Franchising44:02 Financing and Investment in Franchising50:00 Future Aspirations and Economic Mobility53:42 Key Questions for Aspiring Franchisors

What if a personal tragedy sparked you to change your life plan, and the world? Can someone build the next Tesla like company, but better. In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob crosses the Atlantic, from Los Angeles to Lagos, Nigeria, to talk with Frederick Akpoghene, Founder and CEO of JéGO Technologies, to explore how his journey through tragic loss led him to tackle one of Africa’s biggest challenges: reliable energy. Together, they unpack the rise of renewable power in Nigeria, the emerging electric-vehicle movement, Autonomous driving, and the innovative energy solutions JéGO is building to electrify enterprises and communities across the continent. Frederick also shares his hard-won lessons on resilience, resourcefulness, and what it really takes to build something world-changing.Feel free to follow and engage with FREDERICK here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederick-a-kevbe/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abovav_mind/Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jegotechnologiesBusiness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jego-technologies-inc/Website: https://www.jegopods.com/We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.¡Cheers y gracias!,Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers04:31 The Vision Behind Jego Technologies10:14 Personal Journey and Purpose12:44 The Impact of Loss on Innovation16:34 Energy and Economic Empowerment22:35 Leapfrogging Technology in Africa31:58 Navigating Energy Challenges in Nigeria35:09 Modular Energy Solutions and Jego X Stations38:57 Building Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles43:58 Commercializing Energy Solutions49:01 The Future of Energy and EVs in Nigeria53:55 Investor Perspectives and Market Opportunities01:00:37 Entrepreneurship and Product Market Fit01:04:53 Building a Sustainable Energy Future01:08:47 The Role of China in Nigeria's EV Market01:19:08 Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators