Exclusive Interviews with Innovators and Investing Leaders at TechCrunch Disrupt

Timecoded Guide:

[00:00] Start of episode

[00:49] Jeff Taylor on TechCrunch and supporting startups and large businesses 

[10:45] Hussein Yahfoufi on Chat GPT for business

[20:36] Ray Fuentes on democratizing private equity

Navigating TechCrunch Disrupt: Insights from Jeff Taylor, Global Commercial Partnership Manager

In this episode of  Forging the Future, Chris sits down with Jeff Taylor, the Global Commercial Partnership Manager for TechCrunch, to discuss the dynamics and opportunities at TechCrunch Disrupt, one of the largest tech events in the world. Jeff provides insights into his role, working with commercial partners, and how TechCrunch serves both startups and established companies, helping them achieve their goals, from brand storytelling to thought leadership. He emphasizes the importance of having a concise pitch in a noisy environment and the value of pre-show preparation and networking. Jeff also shares information about TechCrunch's upcoming events, including the early-stage event designed for early-stage founders. The conversation concludes with a hint at potential future locations for TechCrunch events, including the thriving Texas tech scene.

“TechCrunch is good at surfacing good innovations and calling the funding community to tell. Read our website. Subscribe to TechCrunch plus. It is the best how-to that you'll find around how to do that." - Jeff

Exploring AI and Chat GPT for Business Growth with Hussein Yahfoufi from Arta Finance

Chris interviews Hussein Yahfoufi, the Product Manager at Arta Finance, an AI-powered investing firm. Hussein shares his journey from Lebanon to San Diego and his work with GPT Hacks, a weekly AI newsletter focusing on business growth. They delve into the transformative power of AI and Chat GPT for businesses, discussing its immediate accessibility and potential applications. Hussein highlights the importance of effective storytelling for startup founders, emphasizing the need to bridge the gap between technical expertise and marketing skills. They also provide valuable insights for networking at events like TechCrunch Disrupt, emphasizing the value of authentic connections and building relationships beyond just pitching.

"If you're not looking at how to apply AI and Chat GPT and other GPT large language models in your business now, you're behind, and you don't need to be a developer to do it." - Chris

Democratizing Private Equity Investment with Ray Fuentes from Linqto

Chris interviews Ray Fuentes, the Community Director at Linqto, a company on a mission to democratize access to the world of private equity. Ray provides insights into Linqto's transformative approach, allowing investors to participate in high-quality, tech-enabled private companies. They discuss the accredited investor rule that has historically restricted access to startup investments and the importance of breaking down these barriers. Ray shares the journey of Linqto's growth, from the number of portfolio companies on their platform to the impressive increase in users and total member investments. The conversation highlights the significance of providing opportunities to a broader demographic of investors and reducing the risks associated with startup investments.

"Linqto is on a mission to provide access to that demographic of individuals, that community of investors, and we're really proud to be doing so.” - Ray