Give First

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld talks with David Hornik, founding partner at Lobby Capital.David shares how a relationship driven approach has shaped his career in venture capital, from investing to community building. He reflects on why generosity compounds over time, how trust creates durable networks, and why long term thinking matters in both business and life.The conversation also touches on the origins of the Lobby conference, David’s connection to Adam Grant’s Give and Take, and how the Give First mindset shows up in his work with founders, students, and investors.David Hornik LinkedIn ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhornik/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld talks with Bala Kamallakharan, founder of Startup Iceland and a driving force behind the country’s modern startup ecosystem. Bala shares the remarkable story of moving to Mumbai to build an Icelandic bank in 2008, only to watch the entire financial system collapse overnight. Within three months, he went from launching a new bank to shutting it down, navigating canceled credit cards, emergency flights home, and the emotional aftermath of Iceland’s economic freefall.What followed was a personal reset. Returning to Iceland with no clear path forward, Bala began to rethink how the country could rebuild. His belief that new ideas and young founders could reshape the future led him to invest in early startups, create Startup Iceland, and champion the power of community-driven entrepreneurship. That work later earned him the Order of the Falcon, Iceland’s highest civilian honor.Bala reflects on uncertainty, resilience, and why believing in founders can transform not only companies but entire countries.Bala Kamallakharan LinkedIn ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/balakamallakharan  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld sits down with Sameer Dholakia, partner at Bessemer Venture Partners and former CEO of SendGrid, the first Techstars company to go public.When Sameer joined SendGrid, growth was slowing and the company was losing money. Under his leadership, it became a $250M business, went public, and was later acquired by Twilio.Sameer shares the story of how his mother’s advice shaped his approach to leadership and why empathy and clarity became his greatest tools as a CEO. From his first days stepping into a nervous team, to navigating “oh sh*t” moments on the path to IPO, Sameer reflects on the lessons that defined his career, and how they continue to guide his work with founders today.Sameer Dholakia ➡️ LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen sits down with longtime Techstars friend Andy Sack and former Starbucks Chief Digital Officer Adam Brotman, co-CEOs of Forum3 and co-authors of AI First: The Playbook for a Future-Proof Business and Brand.They explore why AI isn’t just another vertical, but the foundation of how companies will be built, operated, and scaled in the years ahead. Andy and Adam share insights from their work on what it means to be an “AI-native” founder, why iteration and prompting are becoming core entrepreneurial skills, and how disruption could lead to billion-dollar companies run by just a handful of people.The conversation covers practical takeaways for entrepreneurs, lessons from their entrepreneurial journeys, and why adopting an AI-first mindset may be the difference between thriving and being left behind in the next wave of innovation.Get Andy and Adam’s book ➡️ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8TZDR74?ref=KC_GS_GB_US Follow Andy Sack on LinkedIn ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/andysack/ Follow Adam Brotman on LinkedIn ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/adambrotman/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld talks with Elizabeth Gore, co-founder and president of Hello Alice, about what it takes to build and scale a platform serving over 1.5M small business owners.Elizabeth shares how Hello Alice became a critical lifeline during COVID, launching grant programs, pivoting product builds, and creating community hubs for entrepreneurs in crisis. She reflects on the tension of running a venture-backed social enterprise, the lessons from winning a landmark federal lawsuit, and how AI and open banking could transform access to capital for underrepresented founders.This conversation shines a light on the entrepreneurs who keep our communities running, and the technology helping them thrive.Follow Elizabeth Gore here 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethgoreusa/ Check out Hello Alice 👉 https://helloalice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld sits down with Bobby Franklin, President and CEO of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). They unpack the disconnect between Washington, D.C., and the startup world, and why that gap poses a growing threat to innovation in the U.S.Bobby shares stories from the front lines of venture policy, illustrating how small regulatory changes can have major consequences for emerging fund managers and founders. From the unintended impact of tax reform to upcoming anti-money laundering rules, this conversation reveals the hidden obstacles that could stall the next generation of startups.Brad and Bobby also discuss how mentorship, education, and smarter policymaking can strengthen the startup ecosystem and why the venture community needs to lead that effort.Bobby Franklin ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bfranklindc/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld sits down with organizational psychologist and bestselling author, Adam Grant, for a conversation about the power of generosity in business, leadership, and life.Brad and Adam trace the roots of give first and give and take, uncovering how their philosophies arrived at the same conclusion: that success isn’t about what you extract, but what you contribute.They explore why some givers thrive while others burn out, how smart generosity is often a sign of intelligence, and what it really takes to build cultures where people show up for each other. Adam also shares a how to confront takers, and maybe even convert them.Follow Brad Feld on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bfeld/) and Twitter (https://x.com/bfeld?lang=en)Follow Adam Grant on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/AdamMGrant/) and X (https://x.com/adammgrant) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld sits down with Ian Hathaway, co-author of The Startup Community Way, host of Outsider Inc., and Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Far Out VC, to unpack what makes entrepreneurial ecosystems actually work.They revisit the early days of their collaboration, from Ian’s initial cold email and time in Boulder, to writing the book that reframed how founders, cities, and networks build momentum. They dive into the theory of complex adaptive systems, the power of feedback loops, and why startup success is anything but linear. Along the way, they reflect on Boulder’s influence, COVID’s inflection point, and how Techstars shaped Ian’s investing philosophy.Plus, Ian shares why he launched Outsider Inc., a podcast dedicated to founders breaking the mold, and how he’s helping push founder-friendly policies through the Center for American Entrepreneurship in Washington, D.C.If you’ve ever wondered how movements grow, how policy intersects with startups, or how to support founders outside the usual hotspots, this conversation delivers.Follow Ian Hathaway on LinkedInFollow Brad Feld on LinkedIn and X Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen and Brad Feld go deep with Lesa Mitchell on the 35-year evolution of the startup community movement. Recorded live at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, they reflect on the early days of entrepreneurship support—from the founding of EO and early angel networks to the ripple effects of the Kauffman Foundation.Together, they explore the rise of startup ecosystems, the shift from gatekeepers to networks, and how placing founders at the center reshaped everything. Brad shares pivotal moments from Boston to Boulder, Lisa brings insider context from Kauffman’s legacy, and David reflects on how it all led to Techstars. It's a look back,—and a look forward,—at the movement that transformed how startups start.Follow David Cohen on LinkedIn and TwitterFollow Brad Feld on LinkedIn and TwitterListen & subscribe to the Give First podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen is joined once again by co-host Brad Feld, back after nearly two years away from the spotlight. Brad shares why he stepped back, what brought him back, and the deeper thinking behind his new book, Give First: The Power of Mentorship.They dive into the origins of the Give First philosophy, how it grew from a simple idea into a powerful movement influencing startup communities worldwide, and why giving without expecting immediate returns continues to shape entrepreneurship today.Order your copy of Give First: The Power of Mentorship here. Follow David Cohen on LinkedIn and TwitterFollow Brad Feld on LinkedIn and TwitterListen & subscribe to the Give First podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, hosts David Cohen is joined by Kevin Noertker, CEO and co-founder of Ampaire. Kevin shares his journey from aspiring astronaut and NASA engineer to leading a revolutionary Techstars-backed company.Ampaire is advancing hybrid electric aviation, aiming to cut aircraft fuel usage by 50-70%, addressing both environmental and economic issues in the aviation sector. Kevin discusses the concept of 'invariant milestones' for setting and achieving ambitious goals, the challenges of blending the automotive and aviation industries, and the importance of resilient, mission-driven leadership. The episode also covers Ampaire's fundraising journey, strategic decisions, and Kevin's commitment to the entrepreneurial community.Follow David Cohen on Twitter @davidcohenListen & subscribe to the Give First podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Bates, co-founder of Diem, is reshaping the way women search the internet. Diem is a social search engine designed to provide women with trustworthy, community-driven results. In this episode of Give First, Emma talks about her journey building Diem, starting with her experience in the Techstars accelerator and the inspiration behind her women-centric approach to search.Emma dives into the challenges of fundraising as a female founder, sharing hard-earned insights on overcoming bias in venture capital. “Fundraising is a game,” Bates explains in her strategies for navigating investor interactions and the importance of staying focused amidst a sometimes discouraging landscape.Listeners will also hear the inside story of Diem's $3.7 million funding round, and the details behind a challenging experience that highlights the gender disparities that still exist in the VC world. Emma's candid discussion with David Cohen offers valuable guidance for any entrepreneur seeking investment.Follow David Cohen on Twitter @davidcohenFollow Emma Bates on Instagram @emmashbates Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.