• How Silverbacks Holdings Backs Africa’s Global Tech, Sports, and Media Winners
    Jan 21 2026
    In this episode, Adam Torres and Ibrahim Sagna, Executive Chairman at Silverbacks Holdings, about investing in high-growth African companies across tech, sports, entertainment, and media. Ibrahim shares Silverbacks’ founder-focused strategy, why global revenue and cross-border scale matter, and how diaspora demand is reshaping opportunity for African-led businesses worldwide. About Ibrahim Sagna Ibrahim Sagna is the Executive Chairman of Silverbacks Holdings, a private investment firm focused on tech, entertainment, and sports, with nine profitable exits since 2019. Silverbacks' landmark investments include Uber backed Moove, Stripe backed Wave Mobile Money, Netflix movies producer Forever7 Entertainment, DAZN and Warner Bros Music Africa sponsored African Warriors Fighting Championship (AWFC), as well as the NBA Africa tournament participating basketball team, Cape Town Tigers. He serves on several boards and hosts the "IN THE VALLEY" business podcast. His 30 year career includes high finance roles at IMF, Africa Finance Corporation, Afreximbank, Rwanda Capital Markets Authority, Millennium and ECP. He holds degrees from Boston College, INSEAD, LBS, and HBS. About Silverbacks Holdings Silverbacks Holdings backs dominant platform builders in underserved markets, primarily across Africa and its vicinity. The firm supports founders after product-market fit to sustain industry leadership, strengthen governance, and expand internationally. As a data-driven capital allocator, Silverbacks Holdings seeks alpha by investing in tech-enabled, export-oriented businesses across high-growth sectors including technology, entertainment, sports, and the creative economy—industries seen as key drivers of job creation and regional advancement. Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/ Visit our website: https://missionmatters.com/ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    18 min
  • How RIVET Is Empowering Youth as Global Changemakers
    Jan 20 2026
    In this episode, Adam Torres interviews Hayfa Sdiri, Chief Impact Officer at RIVET, about funding youth-led innovation through microgrants. Hayfa shares how RIVET partners with global brands to empower young people as co-architects of solutions across education, sustainability, health, inclusion, and poverty reduction. About Hayfa Sdiri Hayfa is an activist, entrepreneur, and community builder. She has served as a Youth & Innovation Programme Analyst to the United Nations for over four years, and founded Entr@crush, a platform for new entrepreneurs. A strong advocate for youth-led innovation in her home country of Tunisia, Hayfa was named as one of BBC’s 100 women of the year in 2019. About RIVET RIVET channels the collective economic power of young people to fund their work as social innovators. RIVET collaborates with brands on products and experiences that reach young people where they are. When consumers choose to shop, share, or join a RIVET-branded program, they trigger corporate donations from our brand partners that help fund their own generation's social impact ideas. Shop good, Do good. It’s that simple. Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/ Visit our website: https://missionmatters.com/ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    11 min
  • Building Company Culture That Scales in 2026
    Jan 19 2026
    In this episode, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ and ⁠George Essex⁠, Senior Vice President at BRANDED, talk about building strong company culture while scaling U.S. operations. George shares lessons on leadership under pressure, hiring with values, and why consistent, human-led branding is essential for long-term success. About ⁠BRANDED⁠ BRANDED is a brand creation and implementation agency. The company invents and grows brands through bright ideas that are brilliantly executed, driving tangible efficiencies and meaningful change for its clients. Offering services across Brand Creation (Innovation / Strategy / Visual Identity), Brand Implementation (Packaging Design / Imagery / Artwork Production), and Brand Management (Technology / Brand Compliance / Sustainability), BRANDED provides an end-to-end offering that is truly connected. Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠ Visit our website: ⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    16 min
  • William Koppelmann on Making Insurance Affordable Through Premium Finance
    Jan 19 2026
    As part of our official DealFlow Discovery Conference Interview Series, produced by Mission Matters, along with our partner DealFlow Events, we’re showcasing the innovative companies presenting at the upcoming DealFlow Discovery Conference (January 28-29, at the Borgata in Atlantic City) and the executives behind them. In this episode, Adam Torres interviews William Koppelmann, CEO of SPFX (Standard Premium Finance) about the mission behind insurance premium finance—helping policyholders access coverage they otherwise couldn’t afford—plus SPFX’s growth plans, the role premium finance plays during rising disaster-driven premiums, and what the company is looking to accomplish at the Deal Flow Discovery Conference. This interview is part of our effort to help investors discover compelling companies ahead of the event — and to help CEOs introduce their story to the 1500+ conference attendees. Learn more about the event and presenting companies:https://dealflowdiscoveryconference.com/ About William Koppelmann William Koppelmann is the Chairman and President of Standard Premium Finance Holdings, Inc., and is a co-founder and has been the president of Standard Premium Finance Management Corporation, the wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, since its inception in 1997. An entrepreneur with more than 30 years’ experience in the insurance premium finance industry, he is proficient in receivables management, capital-raising and debt restructuring. He currently oversees all aspects of the Company's operations in nine states throughout the Southeast, as well as in Texas, Ohio, Illinois and Arizona. About SPFX (Standard Premium Finance) Standard Premium Finance Management Corporation provides premium financing solutions for businesses and individuals. With over 200 years of combined industry experience, the team is uniquely positioned to support and advise partners, agents, and clients on all aspects of premium financing. As an industry leader, the company facilitates over $140 million in annual loan originations, offering loan options ranging from $500 to more than $500,000. Standard Premium Finance Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: SPFX) is an industry-specific holding company pursuing merger and acquisition opportunities of synergistic businesses to take advantage of economies of scale within the specialty finance sector. To date, SPFX companies have provided financing solutions totaling approximately $1.5 billion to businesses and individuals to secure coverage for their property and casualty insurance policies. SPFX companies currently operate in more than thirty states across the United States. The organization continuously seeks roll-up opportunities in a historically consolidating industry while providing maximum value for its shareholders. Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/ Visit our website: https://missionmatters.com/ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    22 min
  • FYM Films’ “Fuck You Money” Brings the Billionaire Fixer Story to Life
    Jan 18 2026
    In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Jared Brewer⁠, Writer at ⁠FYM Films⁠, about their AFM experience and the upcoming film Fuck You Money. Jared explains how the story—based on real-world fixer experiences—evolved into a dark comedy satire with a unique perspective on wealth, power, and the people who keep that world running. This interview is part of our AFM 2025 Series. Big thank you to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠American Film Market⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ! Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    12 min
  • John Gronen on Lean Finance Ops, AP Automation & Fraud Prevention
    Jan 17 2026
    In this episode, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ and ⁠John Gronen⁠, CFO at Yooz, about the evolving CFO role and how AP automation supports lean finance operations. John explains how Yooz streamlines invoice intake, approvals, and payments while improving visibility and helping teams reduce manual errors and fraud risk. About ⁠Yooz⁠ Yooz provides the smartest AI-powered AP automation solution for the most ambitious companies on the planet. It powers a unique, lean model of financial operations that delivers end-to-end transparency over all your processes. This helps eliminate waste, realize total control, and achieve unmatched savings, speed, and security for more than 7,000 customers and 600,000 users worldwide – and all with affordable zero-risk subscriptions. Yooz’s unique solution leverages industry-leading proprietary AI and RPA technologies to deliver unmatched AP automation, fraud protection, traceability, and end-to-end customizable features. It integrates seamlessly with more than 250 financial systems, exceeding any other solution on the market. Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠ Visit our website: ⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    16 min
  • SPFX CFO Brian Krogol on Building Stability and Scaling Premium Finance
    Jan 16 2026
    As part of our official DealFlow Discovery Conference Interview Series, produced by Mission Matters, along with our partner DealFlow Events, we’re showcasing the innovative companies presenting at the upcoming DealFlow Discovery Conference (January 28-29, at the Borgata in Atlantic City) and the executives behind them. In this episode, Adam Torres interviews Brian Krogol, CFO of SPFX (Standard Premium Finance), about the insurance premium finance industry and SPFX’s mission to build stability that lasts. Brian explains how SPFX helps businesses manage large upfront insurance premiums, and how the company is pursuing long-term growth through a rollup strategy in a fragmented market. About Brian Krogol Brian Krogol joined the organization in 2019 as Vice President of Accounting and has since been named as CFO. Mr. Krogol graduated from the Fisher School of Accounting at the University of Florida with a Master of Accounting (MAcc) in 2011. After graduation, he worked as an auditor with Grant Thornton, an international organization of independent assurance, tax, and advisory firms, gaining audit experience with companies in the health care, manufacturing, distribution, hospitality, restaurant, and financial industries, as well as, experience on 10-Q, 10-K, SOX 404, benefit plan, and IPO engagements for SEC clients, including quarter- and year-end engagements for private clients reporting under US GAAP from 2011 to 2013. Mr. Krogol gained recognition for earning the prestigious Elijah Watt Sells award in 2012 for his performance on the Certified Public Accountant examination. About SPFX (Standard Premium Finance) Standard Premium Finance Management Corporation provides premium financing solutions for businesses and individuals. With over 200 years of combined industry experience, the team is uniquely positioned to support and advise partners, agents, and clients on all aspects of premium financing. As an industry leader, the company facilitates over $140 million in annual loan originations, offering loan options ranging from $500 to more than $500,000. Standard Premium Finance Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: SPFX) is an industry-specific holding company pursuing merger and acquisition opportunities of synergistic businesses to take advantage of economies of scale within the specialty finance sector. To date, SPFX companies have provided financing solutions totaling approximately $1.5 billion to businesses and individuals to secure coverage for their property and casualty insurance policies. SPFX companies currently operate in more than thirty states across the United States. The organization continuously seeks roll-up opportunities in a historically consolidating industry while providing maximum value for its shareholders. This interview is part of our effort to help investors discover compelling companies ahead of the event — and to help CEOs introduce their story to the 1500+ conference attendees. Learn more about the event and presenting companies:⁠⁠https://dealflowdiscoveryconference.com/⁠⁠ Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠⁠ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠⁠ Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠⁠ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    15 min
  • Shieldwise CEO Ali Hosseinzadeh on Privacy-First AI for Public Safety
    Jan 16 2026
    As part of our official DealFlow Discovery Conference Interview Series, produced by Mission Matters, along with our partner DealFlow Events, we’re showcasing the innovative companies presenting at the upcoming DealFlow Discovery Conference (January 28-29, at the Borgata in Atlantic City) and the executives behind them. In this episode, Adam Torres interviews Ali Hosseinzadeh, Founder & CEO of Shieldwise, Inc., about building an AI-powered public safety solution that detects potential weapons in real time without invasive screening or facial recognition. Ali shares the inspiration behind Shieldwise, how the technology works, and the company’s plans to move from prototype to pilot testing. This interview is part of our effort to help investors discover compelling companies ahead of the event — and to help CEOs introduce their story to the 1500+ conference attendees. Learn more about the event and presenting companies:⁠⁠https://dealflowdiscoveryconference.com/⁠⁠ Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠⁠ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠⁠ Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠⁠ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    12 min