AI for Growth: Lessons from Leaders Jason Kraus

AI for Growth: Lessons from Leaders Jason Kraus

Jason Kraus is the Founder and CEO of Prepare 4 VC, where he works with early-stage founders—from pre-seed through Series A—to become investor-ready, sharpen their narrative, and scale with clarity and confidence. Under his leadership, founders in the program have raised over $480 million in capital while developing stronger decision-making, leadership discipline, and a deeper understanding of how to operate on both sides of the fundraising table. Jason is also an active venture investor through EQx Fund and Equity Venture Partners, with more than 20 investments spanning technology, life sciences, and proptech. His experience as both an investor and advisor informs his core belief that the most important asset in any venture is its people—and that high-EQ leadership is what ultimately turns ordinary ideas into meaningful, scalable solutions. Beyond his work with founders, Jason serves as Director of Startup Grind Boston, where he brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and operators for candid conversations about building and scaling companies. He is also the author of Venture Forward: Lessons from Leaders, a collection of real founder stories focused on resilience, perspective, and conviction in the face of uncertainty.

AI for Growth: Lessons from Leaders John Hayes

John is a Board-Certified Family & Lifestyle Medicine Physician who spent years prior as a chiropractor & nutritionist working primarily with physicians and surgeons. He helped thousands during illness, surgeries, and debilitating spine and joint pain regain their health through comprehensive care often including manual therapy, nutrition, and laser. Years of research led to the development of his company NeuropathyDR® and the NDGen® treatment systems now used worldwide to better help those suffering from neuropathy, chronic pain & related illness. His work with the sickest led to the completion of Medical School (USAT, Montserrat), where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. John completed Family & Lifestyle Medicine Residency at St. Lukes's Anderson, in Easton PA. He is the first ever MD to complete their Osteopathic Training program as well. John's major purpose now is to help those who desire his unique skill set and years of experience with full spectrum Direct Primary Care & Integrative Medicine unavailable anywhere else. John also trains Physicians & PT's how To Incorporate his Research Based Care for Neuropathy, Chronic Illness & Pain Patients from around the world have visited his practice.

AI for Growth: Lessons from Leaders Sarah Mason

Sarah Mason is the founder and owner of Cape Cod Nail Co., an award-winning nail salon and 21-free nail polish brand inspired by life on Cape Cod. What began as the Cape’s first mobile nail salon in 2016 has grown into a thriving multi-location business known for healthy nail care, exceptional sanitation standards, and a strong sense of community. Sarah is passionate about redefining the nail industry through education, ethical business practices, and products designed to perform without compromising nail health. In addition to leading her growing brand, she is the founder of Colors for Causes, a purpose-driven initiative using nail polish collections to support nonprofits, scholarships, and community impact projects. Known for her honest storytelling, creative marketing, and approachable leadership style, Sarah shares the realities of entrepreneurship, balancing business growth with motherhood, and building a values-driven brand from the ground up on Cape Cod.

AI for Growth: Lessons from Leaders Howard Zonder

Howard's entrepreneurial journey spans a career in tech, media, and real estate. After serving as Chief Marketing Officer of a publicly-traded media company, he turned to real estate investing and closed hundreds of transactions. To scale his investing activities, he founded LandSpeed — developing CRMs and pricing tools that became widely popular with land investors across the country. That experience as both a practitioner and a builder gave him a unique lens on what real estate professionals actually need — and earsnax is the answer.

AI for Growth: Lessons from Leaders Julie Foster

Julie Foster, is the founder of A New Path Life & Grief Coaching. She helps adults navigate grief, loss, and life’s toughest transitions with a mix of compassion, real-life experience, and practical tools that actually help. Julie has a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Bridgewater State University and has spent over 10 years working as a mental health counselor in the substance use disorder treatment field. She’s also a certified Grief Recovery Specialist, an ICF-trained Life Coach, and a certified Grief Educator through David Kessler’s program. Julie’s work is deeply personal. After losing her mother to glioblastoma in 2018, she went on her own healing journey and discovered the grief recovery methods she now teaches to others. Along with her professional background, she also brings more than 23 years of sobriety to the work she does today. She’s passionate about helping people move through grief in a way that feels supportive and empowering. Julie serves on the Women’s Wellness Committee at The JPH Organization in Marshfield and volunteers at Hope Floats Healing & Wellness Center in Kingston, where she co-facilitates a parent loss support group.