Ventured Growth with Hercules Capital

Share your thoughts with us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1801549/open_sms] The food delivery landscape is changing. As consumer demands grow more sophisticated, companies must innovate—balancing speed, quality, and personalization to stand out in a saturated market. But can convenience and quality coexist in this fast-paced industry? Is there a way to truly personalize the dining experience while catering to the individual needs of each customer? Kelley Morell is the CFO of Wonder, a rising "super app" for mealtime. In this episode, Hercules Capital's Ruslan Sergeyev speaks with Kelley about her career journey, transitioning from an accomplished investor at Blackstone to leading the financial strategy of this startup. She reveals the unique approach Wonder is taking to conquer the food tech space, combining a multi-faceted platform with strategic acquisitions to offer an unparalleled consumer experience. Topics Include: * Wonder's evolution from mobile kitchens to a hybrid brick-and-mortar and delivery model * The challenges of competing in a crowded market and differentiating Wonder's offering * The role of AI in personalizing food recommendations and creating a seamless user experience * Building a strong team and culture to support rapid growth * Wonder's future plans for national expansion and a potential IPO * And other topics… Kelley Morell is the CFO of Wonder, a rapidly growing food tech company aiming to become the "super app" for mealtime. With extensive experience in both investing and operating, Kelley provides a valuable perspective on building a successful business in a dynamic industry. Her insights into the future of food, the power of technology, and the importance of a strong team offer inspiration for anyone looking to disrupt the status quo.

Share your thoughts with us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1801549/open_sms] The financial services industry faces increasing pressure to combat financial crime and comply with evolving regulations. The old way of handling compliance—mostly through manual work—isn't cutting it anymore given how complex and fast-moving today's financial world is. This is where AI comes in, offering a powerful new way to strengthen compliance and protect market integrity. In this episode, Hercules Capital's Catherine Jhung speaks with Erkin Adylov, founder of Behavox and former hedge fund manager. He walks us through his career shift from managing investments to launching his own company. He explains why he started Behavox, which uses AI to help financial institutions stay compliant – a solution born from his firsthand experience seeing the limitations of traditional compliance methods. Topics Include: * The rise of AI in financial services compliance * How Behavox uses AI to spot financial crime * Why AI makes financial monitoring better * Strategies for retraining compliance teams in the age of AI * Behavox’s future plans for expanding into transaction screening and policy management * And other topics… Erkin Adylov is the founder and CEO of Behavox, a leading provider of AI-enabled compliance solutions for the financial services industry. With a deep understanding of the complexities of financial markets and the evolving regulatory landscape, Erkin has led Behavox to become a trusted partner for institutions seeking to enhance their compliance programs and protect the integrity of capital markets.

Share your thoughts with us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1801549/open_sms] The biotech and pharma industries are rapidly evolving, with mergers and acquisitions driving innovation and growth. As market demands shift, these deals reshape strategies, bolster R&D, and bring groundbreaking therapies to healthcare. With over 35 years of experience, Stephen Sands has guided high-impact transactions that have shaped the biotech and pharma landscape. In this episode, Janice Bourque speaks with Stephen about his journey from bioengineer to healthcare M&A leader. They examine the forces that drive today’s major deals, from global expansion to complex valuation challenges, and the strategies that ensure success in a competitive market. Topics Include: * Key trends and strategies in biotech/pharma M&A * Challenges in valuing early-stage biotech companies * Pharma’s evolving role in funding and scaling biotech innovations * Future outlook for healthcare partnerships and acquisitions * Stephen’s insights on the future of healthcare M&A * And other topics… Stephen Sands is a Senior Advisor in Lazard’s Global Healthcare Group with a distinguished career in healthcare M&A. Known for his expertise in biotech and pharma, Stephen has led some of the industry's most transformative transactions, helping to drive strategic growth and innovation in the healthcare sector.

Share your thoughts with us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1801549/open_sms] Vijay Patel is an institutional investor turned corporate venture capitalist. He has spent the last decade at the intersection of finance and healthcare, changing the way CVS Health approaches innovation and strategic investments. His journey from traditional venture capital to leading CVS Health® Ventures has positioned him as a thought leader in corporate venture capital and healthcare innovation. In this episode, Janice Bourque is joined by Vijay Patel to discuss his path from institutional investor to Managing Partner of CVS Health Ventures. They discuss the creation and growth of CVS Ventures, highlighting Vijay's approach to fostering innovation and driving strategic value in the healthcare ecosystem. Topics Include: * Vijay's transition from institutional investing to corporate venture capital * The founding story of CVS Ventures and its impact on healthcare innovation * CVS Ventures’ investment strategies and focus areas * The role of corporate venture capital in shaping the future of healthcare * Vijay's vision for the future of healthcare technology and innovation * And other topics... Vijay Patel is the managing partner and co-founder of CVS Health Ventures and vice president of enterprise business development for CVS Health. Patel founded the CVS® Digital Leadership Program and has played a key role in developing strategic partnerships with digital health companies. Patel holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania's Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Share your thoughts with us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1801549/open_sms] In an era where breakthrough innovations coexist with concerns over drug affordability, Peter Kolchinsky, founder and Managing Partner at healthcare and life sciences investment manager RA Capital, joins us to shed light on the factors and paths forward. Hercules Capital's Janice Bourque engages with Peter on his No Patient Left Behind initiative, a non-profit dedicated to making medicines affordable for everyone in America. Topics Include: * Overview of the "No Patient Left Behind" movement and its objectives * Examining communication challenges within the drug industry * The pivotal role of insurance in enabling patient access and affordability * Strategies to maintain support for innovation amid pricing concerns * Potential solutions to bridge the gap between innovation and affordability Peter Kolchinsky, PhD is a founder and Managing Partner at RA Capital Management and author of The Great American Drug Deal. Peter is an active investor in and board member of publicly- and privately-held companies developing drugs, medical devices, diagnostics, and research tools. He served on the Board of Global Science and Technology for the National Academy of Sciences, is the author of The Entrepreneur’s Guide to a Biotech Startup, and frequently writes and speaks on the future of biotechnology innovation. Peter founded and serves as a Director of No Patient Left Behind, a non-profit advocate for healthcare reforms that would make today's medicines affordable to patients and promote the innovation that gives all of us hope for tomorrow. He holds a BA from Cornell University and a PhD in Virology from Harvard University.