Most people think disruption is about technology.

In reality, it’s about winning inside chaos, regulation, and imperfect systems — before the rules catch up.

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, I sit down with Lane Kasselman, President of Blockchain.com and one of the earliest executives at Uber, to unpack what it truly takes to scale category-defining companies in the most regulated environments on earth.

We talk candidly about how Uber forced regulation to follow adoption, how that mindset carried into Blockchain.com, and why the next crypto cycle will look fundamentally different from the last.

This is not a conversation about hype.

It’s a masterclass on building real companies that survive cycles, scrutiny, and scale.

⸻

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Uber’s “win or lose” culture still defines category winners

• How Blockchain.com scaled from 100 to 600 employees in under a year

• What founders misunderstand about regulation in tech and crypto

• Why emerging markets are driving real crypto adoption — not speculation

• How stablecoins are already replacing fiat in parts of the global economy

• Why the next crypto downturn won’t look like 2022

• How AI agents will quietly make crypto the backbone of global payments

• The leadership shifts required to scale from startup to global platform

• Why hiring true operators — not just insiders — changes everything

• The single most important mistake founders make in regulated industries

⸻

❓ If regulation is inevitable, should founders fight it — or design their strategy around it from day one?

Most founders believe venture capital is a game of who can raise the largest round. But the real game is different: pick the right market, build something defensible, and create a business that doesn’t burn through capital just to stay alive.

Jeff Weinstein is a partner at FJ Labs, one of the world’s most active early-stage investors. The firm has backed more than 1,000 companies with over $500 million under management. Unlike traditional venture firms that deliberate for weeks, FJ Labs moves fast, invests globally, and says no to most deals.

In our conversation, Weinstein walks through the mechanics of evaluating 200 startups each week, explains what separates fundable companies from also-rans, and discusses how artificial intelligence is reshaping both marketplace businesses and the venture industry itself.

For founders, operators, and investors, the conversation offers a window into how venture capital works when stripped of its usual inefficiencies.

Key topics:

• Why FJ Labs backs more than 100 companies annually

• How the firm narrows hundreds of pitches to a handful of investments using two calls

• What founders must demonstrate before investors commit capital

• Why marketplace businesses remain defensible despite AI advances

• How emerging fund managers compete against multibillion-dollar institutions

• Why raising less capital can lead to better outcomes than raising more

• How FJ Labs identifies winners in saturated markets

• Why capital-efficient companies command higher valuations today

• How venture firms evaluate returns, runway, funding rounds, and company valuations

What’s the #1 signal you look for when choosing a startup to bet on?

🌐 Learn more: https://www.r136.vc/

What makes China’s innovators and entrepreneurs so relentlessly driven, and how is their ecosystem mindset redefining global innovation, investment, and AI development?

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, host Victor Orlovski talks with Mark Greeven, Professor of Management Innovation and Voice on China Innovation, and Dean at IMD Business School, to unpack the mindset that is powering China’s innovation revolution. Drawing from over two decades of on-the-ground experience, Mark explores how Chinese entrepreneurs blend fierce competition with deep collaboration to build resilient ecosystems. From the pivotal role of government policy and alumni funding networks to China’s pragmatic, mass-adoption approach to AI, this conversation reveals what truly sets China’s tech scene apart from Silicon Valley. Investors and business leaders will gain invaluable insights into how cultural values, policy alignment, and ecosystems are shaping the next generation of global innovation.

What you will learn:

• How Chinese entrepreneurs balance intense competition with collaborative ecosystem building
• Why government policy alignment is crucial for startup success in China
• The funding sources in Chinese tech, from global VCs to local alumni networks
• How Chinese universities are transforming into powerful startup incubators
• Why the Chinese AI strategy focuses on mass adoption and open-source development
• The unique characteristics of Chinese tech leadership: constant sense of urgency, ecosystem thinking, and balanced visibility
• How China's next generation of entrepreneurs combines a global mindset with traditional cultural values
• The strategic approach to scaling deep tech ventures in China's current environment
• Why China's startup ecosystem differs from Silicon Valley's model and how it drives innovation differently
• The role of university-industry partnerships in driving Chinese tech innovation

Mark Greeven is Professor of Management Innovation and Dean of Asia at IMD. A Chinese speaker with over 20 years of experience in China, he collaborates with companies like Alibaba, Ping An, Haier, Bayer, and Bosch to accelerate innovation and build business ecosystems. A Thinkers50-ranked management expert and contributor to Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review, Mark is the author of several acclaimed books, including The Future of Global Retail and Pioneers, Hidden Champions, Change Makers, and Underdogs.

Ventures from The Valley is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this special episode of Ventures from the Valley, guest host Austen Legler interviews Victor Orlovski, the show’s usual host, for an insider’s look at eToro’s $4B IPO journey. Victor shares key lessons on market timing, organizational readiness, and strategic storytelling. From essential fintech metrics to brand-building and talent retention, this episode offers a masterclass in preparing a company to go public, perfect for VCs, founders, and fintech enthusiasts eyeing the IPO path.

What you will learn:

• How to evaluate market timing vs. company readiness when considering an IPO
• The critical transformation process required to become "public company ready"
• Why customer lifetime value and acquisition costs are the most crucial metrics
• How to build trust and brand value in fintech beyond technical capabilities
• The importance of comprehensive restructuring versus surface-level preparations
• Why storytelling and market positioning are essential elements for successful IPOs
• The "Three Pillars of IPO Success"
• How to maintain resilience through extended growth periods
• Why building a strong organizational culture and retaining key talent is crucial
• The outlook for IPO markets in 2026-2027 and why stability matters more than hype

Victor Orlovski is Managing Partner at R136 Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based VC firm with $400M AUM. With a focus on scaling mid-to-late-stage startups in B2B software, AI, fintech, cybersecurity, and ecommerce, he has led investments in over 40 companies, including 10+ exits and 4 unicorns. A former CTO and Chief Digital Officer who built one of the world’s largest digital banks, Victor brings a unique operator’s perspective, offering founders strategic insight, global access, and hands-on support for scaling success.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker and are provided for information purposes only. They do not constitute investment advice, an offer, or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. References to specific portfolio companies, including larger investments, are presented solely as examples and should not be assumed to represent all investments made by R136 or to indicate overall fund performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

This podcast may contain forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections. Such statements involve risk and uncertainties, and actual outcomes may differ materially. R136 undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Certain information discussed may have been obtained from third-party sources and is believed to be reliable. However, R136 makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of such information.

Ventures from The Valley is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

What does it take to spot the next big breakthrough in blockchain?

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, host Victor Orlovski sits down with Aly Madhavji, Managing Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund, to uncover how his team evaluates more than 500 companies every month to identify and support the startups shaping the future of Web3. From navigating unpredictable market cycles to supporting founder success, Aly shares hard-earned insights that challenge traditional investing principles in today’s fast-changing digital economy.

What you will learn:

• How to identify "superhuman" capabilities in early-stage founders
• Why blockchain adoption faces different challenges than AI
• The evolution of cryptocurrency from an ideological movement to mainstream adoption
• How to build successful Web3 companies by focusing on foundational tools
• Why transparency and investor communication can save founders hundreds of hours
• The framework for evaluating over 500 blockchain companies monthly
• How to approach blockchain investments in emerging markets r
• Why decentralized social media and gaming are emerging as key sectors
• The three-step formula for first-time founders: building awareness, establishing trust, and then seeking investment

Aly Madhavji is Managing Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund, a Singapore-based venture capital firm supporting over 110 startups across blockchain, Web3, AI, and FinTech. He evaluates more than 500 companies monthly, combining strategic investments with hands-on venture building to help founders scale globally. A senior blockchain consultant, UN advisor, and author of three books, Aly has also held roles at PwC, PayPal, Microsoft, and Bloomberg. With an MBA from INSEAD and a Schwarzman Scholarship, he is recognized as a thought leader in emerging technologies.

Ventures from The Valley is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, host Victor Orlovski sits down with embedded finance expert Lars Markull to explore how non-financial companies can unlock new revenue streams by integrating banking services. They unpack successful case studies, common pitfalls, and the future of embedded finance across regions like Europe, the US, and Asia. From choosing the right infrastructure partners to aligning strategy with customer value, this conversation is a must-listen for business leaders, investors, and financial institutions navigating today’s digital economy.

What you will learn:

• How to identify the three critical elements of embedded finance
• Why certain embedded finance implementations succeed while others fail
• The strategic framework for aligning your business for embedded finance integration
• How traditional banks can position themselves as infrastructure providers
• Why B2B embedded finance currently offers more promising opportunities
• How to navigate the complex partnership landscape between banks, infrastructure providers, and businesses
• The key factors driving successful embedded finance implementation
• How to assess and select the right banking partners and infrastructure providers e
• Why the customer value proposition must drive embedded finance strategy
• The future outlook for embedded finance across different sectors

Lars Markull is an embedded finance consultant and founder of Embedded Finance Review. With over a decade in fintech, spanning roles at Figo (open banking) and Weavr (embedded banking), Lars helps startups and scale-ups navigate the complex landscape of financial infrastructure. He offers hands-on support in selecting the right providers for payments, banking, and lending. Known for deep market research, strategic introductions, and practical insights, Lars empowers companies to build financial products that truly move the needle. Context is everything, and Lars delivers it.

Ventures from The Valley is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, host Victor Orlovski sits down with fintech visionary Brett King to explore how AI, smart contracts, and digital currencies are disrupting global finance. From the decline of traditional banking to the rise of platform-based lending and autonomous finance, King shares bold insights on the future of economic systems. A must-listen for investors and finance professionals navigating the digital revolution reshaping capitalism, regulation, and the very role of money in society.
What you will learn:

- How AI is transforming banking from branch models to personalized agent-driven financial services
- Why smart contracts and stablecoins represent the biggest opportunity in banking
- How fintech companies are outpacing traditional banks in customer acquisition
- Why China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE will lead the next wave of autonomous finance
- The fundamental shift needed in the US regulatory framework
- How automation and AI will force a transition from GDP-driven economics to quality-of-life metrics
- Why Visa & Mastercard must adapt faster to the digital financial ecosystem
- The critical role of data aggregation and behavioral analysis in financial services
- Why banks must evolve beyond traditional credit scoring

Brett King is a world-renowned futurist, bestselling author, and fintech pioneer. Named a Top-10 Global Futurist by Global Gurus, he’s advised the Obama administration, the UAE Prime Minister’s Office, and regulators in 18 countries. King founded Moven, launched two top-ranked podcasts, Breaking Banks and The Futurists, and was inducted into the Fintech Hall of Fame in 2020. Cited by President Xi Jinping, his books Augmented and Bank 4.0 are global bestsellers. His latest book, Branch Tomorrow, releases in September 2025.

Ventures from The Valley is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, host Victor talks with Jim Pulcrano, IMD Professor and veteran entrepreneur, about the evolving relationship between European and Silicon Valley venture ecosystems. They explore how cultural differences influence startup growth, investment styles, and innovation strategies. From academic institutions to AI's role in venture capital, the conversation offers sharp insights for investors, founders, and educators seeking to bridge global innovation cultures and prepare for the next wave of tech disruption.

What you will learn:

• How European venture capital has evolved to a mature ecosystem today
• Why Silicon Valley's "think big" mentality creates fundamental differences in startup scaling compared to European approaches
• The critical distinction between European consensus-driven and Silicon Valley's disagreement-tolerant business cultures
• How European academic institutions are adapting to foster entrepreneurship
• Why industrial and cleantech startups find better footing in Europe
• The evolving role of AI in venture capital investment decisions

Jim Pulcrano is a distinguished Professor at IMD Business School, bringing over 26 years of expertise in entrepreneurship education and venture development. As both an academic and practitioner, he combines his engineering background with extensive startup experience, having co-founded three companies and served as a key advisor in three others. His work bridges the gap between European and Silicon Valley entrepreneurial ecosystems, particularly through IMD's executive MBA program, where he pioneered the integration of entrepreneurship education focused on developing entrepreneurial mindsets for business leaders, investors, and innovators.

Ventures from The Valley is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so