Anam Lakhani and Eve Halimi are co-founders of Alinea Invest, an AI-powered investing app revolutionizing how the next generation builds wealth by transforming investing into an accessible, community-driven experience.

These two women met at Barnard College after interning at major financial institutions like Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, where they both realized how confusing and intimidating the world of personal investing was. This led to a class project to build a new type of fintech that ultimately became their successful startup Alinea Invest. This business was designed to particularly connect with women and Gen Z in order to help them build long-term wealth. They’re dynamic and fearless, and have already been named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in Consumer Technology and Fintech innovation.

This conversation included:

- Building their startup idea from class project to successful fintech platform

- Understanding the target audience as key to building a successful product for Gen Z

- Risk-taking has been a crucial part of their entrepreneurial journey

- Marketing strategies focus on community and relatable content

- How AI is could revolutionize personal finance and investing

- Advice for fundraising and finding the right investors who believe in your vision

- Maintaining mental health as entrepreneurs

Anam and Eve were professionally jealous of Brian Chesky, co-founder of Airbnb for being so well designed to serve its consumers, and Vlad Tenev, co-founder of Robinhood for the incredible product velocity the platform has achieved.

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Jake Bullock is the Co-Founder & CEO of Cann, the THC-infused social beverage company revolutionizing the way people socialize by providing a range of microdosed beverages that serve as alcohol alternatives made with simple, all-natural ingredients.

Before taking his entrepreneurial leap, Jake was an associate at Bain Capital’s North American Private Equity fund evaluating potential investment opportunities with a specific focus in the consumer space.

Our conversation included:

• Disrupting the social beverage monoculture a new alternative to alcohol

• The changing ways people are socializing

• The challenges of innovating in a regulated market

• Using learnings from his private equity background building the Cann brand from the ground up

• Prioritizing product quality and a strong d

• The importance of building a brand for retail vs. ecommerce

• Focus on innovation over replication as it’s better to fail with something innovative rather than "boring"

• Insights into modern fundraising as a startup founder

Dee Poku is the Founder and CEO of The WIE Suite - a private membership community for women leaders, innovators, creators. Its mission is to redefine the way women leaders achieve success for themselves and for their companies by providing the community and tools for them to thrive at the highest levels.

I love that her career has evolved from brand marketing to senior roles at Paramount Pictures and Focus Features, but then Dee pivoted to entrepreneurship when she realized there weren’t enough safe spaces and resources for women to accelerate their careers and learn from each other in a way that was constructive rather than competitive. Dee was named one of Marie Claire Magazine’s 50 Women Changing the World, a Crain’s Notable Black Leader, a CUP Catalyst Changemaker and she won a Gold Anthem Award from the Webbys. She is a force!

This conversation included:

• Navigating the ‘invisible rules’ of corporate culture as a woman

• Shifting from traditional mentorship to active sponsorship

• Cultivating confidence, self-worth, and visibility

• Owning your own narrative and building confidence

• Differing UK v. US cultural attitudes for ambition and success

• The power of ruthless positivity

• Definitions of success

Dee was professionally jealous of Emma Grede, a British businesswoman, entrepreneur and fashion designer who co-founded Skims and Good American. Dee admires many things about Grede, including her ability to partner with people and brands, and her ability to think strategically about who she can bring to the table to get the results she needs faster.

Check out https://www.thewiesuite.com/