GSD Venture Studios Podcasts by Gary Fowler

Atomic-Scale Advantage: How Forge Nano Is Transforming U.S. Manufacturing with Paul Lichty

Join Paul Lichty, Co-Founder & CEO of Forge Nano, in conversation with Gary Fowler as they explore how atomic-scale engineering is transforming the future of batteries, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing. Discover how Forge Nano leverages ALD to add protective and performance-enhancing coatings at the atomic level, enabling next-generation products and unlocking new industrial potential. 🎯 Insights You’ll Learn: ✓ What Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) is and why it matters for advanced manufacturing ✓ How Forge Nano enhances battery and semiconductor performance at the atomic scale ✓ The story of spinning Forge Nano out of the University of Colorado Boulder ✓ Scaling deep-tech startups and raising over $100M from GM, Volkswagen, LG, Mitsui Kinzoku, and Sumitomo ✓ The challenges and opportunities of commercializing high-tech materials science ✓ How atomic-level engineering is shaping the future of U.S. manufacturing ✓ Lessons for founders in deep tech, materials science, and industrial innovation 🌍 Why This Matters: Atomic-scale innovation is unlocking new levels of product performance, efficiency, and reliability. Forge Nano demonstrates how high-precision materials engineering can power a new wave of American manufacturing and industrial competitiveness. Dr. Lichty’s experience bridging cutting-edge science and industrial scale provides a rare perspective on building a globally impactful deep-tech company. 👤 Expert Background: • Co-Founder & CEO of Forge Nano – pioneering atomic layer deposition for materials performance • Inventor of high-throughput ALD surface engineering • Raised $100M+ from leading global investors and industrial partners • Founded Forge Nano as a University of Colorado Boulder spin-out • Leader in battery and semiconductor innovation at the atomic scale Perfect For: Founders, industrial tech innovators, materials scientists, investors, and anyone interested in advanced manufacturing and the next era of high-tech production. Timely Topic: As industries pursue higher performance and efficiency, atomic-scale engineering and ALD are redefining what’s possible in U.S. manufacturing, energy storage, and semiconductor production. Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com hashtag#AtomicLayerDeposition hashtag#ALD hashtag#MaterialsScience hashtag#AdvancedManufacturing hashtag#BatteryInnovation hashtag#Semiconductors hashtag#DeepTech hashtag#StartupGrowth hashtag#IndustrialInnovation hashtag#ForgeNano hashtag#PaulLichty hashtag#GaryFowler hashtag#TopGlobalStartups hashtag#GSDVentureStudios

AI-First Reinvention: How WorkBuzz Leads the Future of Employee Listening with Steven Frost

Join Steven Frost, CEO and Founder of WorkBuzz, in an insightful conversation with Gary Fowler as they explore why AI-first transformation is no longer optional — it’s urgent. Discover how WorkBuzz is redefining employee listening far beyond traditional surveys by building an AI-powered platform designed for real-time insights, continuous feedback, and more human-centric workplaces. 🎯 Insights You’ll Learn: ✓ Why becoming an AI-first business is now a competitive necessity ✓ The evolution of employee feedback — from outdated surveys to intelligent listening ✓ How AI can surface blind spots leaders never knew existed ✓ Lessons from raising £12.5M and scaling WorkBuzz globally ✓ Practical steps leaders can take to reinvent their organizations with AI ✓ What most companies get wrong about culture, engagement, and transformation ✓ The future of people analytics in an AI-driven world 🌍 Why This Matters: AI is accelerating faster than ever — and companies that wait will be left behind. WorkBuzz is pioneering the shift from static surveys to dynamic, AI-powered insight engines that help organizations build stronger cultures, retain talent, and make faster, better decisions. Steven’s experience scaling WorkBuzz into a category-defining HR tech company offers actionable lessons for founders and executives navigating the AI revolution. 👤 Expert Background: • CEO & Founder of WorkBuzz – AI-first employee listening platform • Raised £12.5M in funding to scale intelligent engagement solutions • Mission-driven leader helping organizations build more connected, people-centric workplaces • Recognized expert in employee experience, culture, and organizational transformation 🎙️ Hosted by Gary Fowler, CEO of GSD Venture Studios — global AI entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader spotlighting founders transforming industries through technology. 💡 Perfect For: Founders, HR tech leaders, CHROs, people analysts, AI innovators, and executive teams looking to future-proof their organizations. 🚀 Timely Topic: The companies that win the next decade will master AI-first reinvention — and WorkBuzz is showing what that future looks like. Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com hashtag#AITransformation hashtag#FutureOfWork hashtag#EmployeeListening hashtag#PeopleAnalytics hashtag#HRTech hashtag#ArtificialIntelligence hashtag#StartupGrowth hashtag#Leadership hashtag#WorkBuzz hashtag#StevenFrost hashtag#OrganizationalCulture hashtag#DigitalTransformation hashtag#TopGlobalStartups hashtag#GaryFowler hashtag#GSDVentureStudios

Entrepreneurship, Blockchain, and the Future of Digital Assets with W. Sean Ford

Join W. Sean Ford, CEO and Co-Founder of XSY (pronounced “eksy”), in an in-depth conversation with Gary Fowler as they explore the rapidly evolving world of blockchain, crypto yield, and institutional digital asset adoption. Discover how XSY is simplifying access to crypto yield for institutions, treasuries, and family offices — and why stable assets are becoming the catalyst for liquidity, TVL growth, and real economic activity across blockchain ecosystems. 🎯 Insights You’ll Learn: ✓ The journey from serial entrepreneur to leading XSY ✓ How institutions are approaching blockchain and digital assets today ✓ Why stable assets are essential to unlocking blockchain liquidity ✓ Lessons from building Algorand and working on global CBDC initiatives ✓ The true challenges holding back institutional crypto adoption ✓ What the next generation of blockchain infrastructure will require ✓ Entrepreneurship lessons from 25+ years across startups and public companies 🌍 Why This Matters: The institutional crypto market is entering a new phase — one focused on transparency, yield, stability, and real utility. XSY is pioneering this transition by helping institutions easily access on-chain yield and participate in digital asset ecosystems without unnecessary friction. Sean’s rare combination of experience — from Algorand to CBDCs to early Web2 startups like Upromise — offers a deep and practical look at how digital assets will reshape global finance. 👤 Expert Background: • CEO & Co-Founder of XSY – simplifying institutional access to crypto yield • Former COO & CEO of Algorand • Worked on CBDC and stable asset projects across multiple countries • Serial entrepreneur with 25+ years of tech leadership • Co-Founder of Upromise (acquired by Sallie Mae) • Former senior strategy consultant at Monitor Group • BA from Williams College and MBA from Harvard Business School • Proud Wyoming resident and advocate for digital asset innovation 💡 Perfect For: Blockchain founders, Web3 innovators, institutional investors, digital asset leaders, fintech executives, and anyone exploring the future of decentralized finance. Timely Topic: As the world moves toward institutional-grade blockchain infrastructure, builders like Sean Ford are defining how yield, liquidity, and stable assets will fuel the next era of economic activity. Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com #Blockchain #DigitalAssets #CryptoYield #InstitutionalCrypto #StableAssets #Web3Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Fintech #Algorand #XSY #DeFi #CBDC #StartupLeadership #GaryFowler #GSDVentureStudios

Competing with the Giants: How Central Asian Startups Can Challenge with Akmaljon Musaev

Join Akmaljon Musaev, Founder & CEO of Hyper App - Enterprise Cloud, in conversation with Gary Fowler, as they explore how a new generation of cloud innovators from Central Asia are boldly competing with global giants like AWS. Discover how Hyper App is building regionally optimized, enterprise-ready cloud infrastructure — faster, more accessible, and built for the modern global market. 🎯 Insights You’ll Learn: ✅ The founder’s journey — building a cloud startup from Central Asia ✅ How Hyper App is creating competitive enterprise cloud solutions ✅ What it takes to challenge infrastructure-heavy incumbents like AWS ✅ Lessons from being named Central Asian Founder of the Year 2025 ✅ The evolution of the Central Asian startup ecosystem ✅ How consulting for UNICEF and the World Bank shaped his vision ✅ The future of enterprise cloud: performance, affordability & sovereignty 🌍 Why This Matters: Cloud infrastructure is no longer dominated solely by U.S. tech giants. Emerging regions like Central Asia are producing high-performance, cost-efficient alternatives built for real global needs. Hyper App represents this new wave of innovation — cloud systems that prioritize: • Regional localization • Pricing efficiency • Enterprise readiness • Faster deployment • Data sovereignty 👤 Expert Background: • Akmaljon Musaev*– Founder & CEO of Hyper App • Central Asian Founder of the Year 2025 (Global Startup Awards) • Project manager with 5+ years of experience • Second-time startup founder • Consultant for UNICEF and the World Bank • Focused on building world-class cloud infrastructure from an emerging tech hub 🎙️ Hosted by Gary Fowler, CEO of GSD Venture Studios — global AI entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader spotlighting founders transforming industries through technology. 💡 Perfect For: Cloud leaders, deep-tech founders, enterprise decision-makers, investors, emerging-market innovators, and anyone exploring the next era of cloud competition. 🚀 Timely Topic: As global businesses seek cloud platforms that offer flexibility, sovereignty, and affordability, regional innovators like Hyper App are leading the next wave of enterprise cloud disruption. Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com #CloudComputing #EnterpriseCloud #CentralAsiaTech #AWSAlternative #StartupInnovation #InfrastructureTech #GlobalStartups #GaryFowler #GSDVentureStudios #HyperApp #AkmaljonMusaev

Data Trust with Sanjay Bhatia: The New Currency of AI-Driven Experiences

🎙️ LIVE: Data Trust — The New Currency of Experience with Sanjay Bhatia In a world powered by AI, trust is the new currency of experience. 💡 Join us as Sanjay Bhatia dives into how data trust and transparency are shaping the next generation of AI-driven services. Learn how SIMPLENIGHT leads the way with ethical data use and privacy by design, ensuring that every user interaction is grounded in integrity and confidence. Whether you’re a tech leader, innovator, or simply passionate about the future of AI and ethics, this session will change how you think about trust in technology. 🔖 Don’t miss it! #DataTrust #EthicalAI #PrivacyByDesign #AITransparency #UserExperience #DataEthics #SIMPLENIGHT #SanjayBhatia #AIInnovation #TrustInTech