From Red Hat to $10.8M in Funding

From $1Billion to $100 Billion: Secrets to Scaling Globally

🔊 How can you grow your startup from $1 billion to $100 billion and conquer the global market? In this episode of the Default Global Podcast, I sit down with Klaus Wehage, a global expansion pro and co-author of Global Class. Klaus has helped over 2,000 leaders from 50+ countries figure out how to scale internationally and nail fundraising in tough markets. Klaus also spills lessons from 400+ top leaders at some of the fastest-growing companies. He shares tips on fundraising, picking the right markets, and scaling up without the stress. Key Takeaways: 1. Easy tips to raise money in 2025 and crush your first funding round. 2. Inspiring stories of how startups like BlaBlaCar, Slack, and LinkedIn went global. 3. Find out the mindset shifts founders need to take their business from local to global. 4. How global teams spark great ideas and push your business forward. 5. How to simplify company culture so it works across borders. If you’re ready to take your startup to the next level and raise funds in 2025, don’t miss this one, it’s packed with ideas to help you grow big and think bigger! Klaus Wehage on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/globalscalingcoach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/globalscalingcoach/] Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/uBKffFCbmCM [https://youtu.be/uBKffFCbmCM] Default Global Website: https://gogloby.io/podcast/ [https://gogloby.io/podcast/] Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM9SzxOhqqjOckcVG7XYKFA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM9SzxOhqqjOckcVG7XYKFA] Default Global LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/default-global/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/default-global/] Vit Koval, Host Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitalykoval/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitalykoval/]

How He Raised $77M in a $60B Market

💹 Raising $77M in funding and taking on a $60B market, this episode has so much for founders. On this episode of Default Global, I sat down with Alexander Jekowsky, the CEO and co-founder of Cents. Alex has raised $77M, including a $40M Series B, to build a tech platform for the laundromat industry, a market most people don’t even think about. We talk about why raising $77M doesn’t mean success and what really drives a startup to grow. Alex shares how he found huge opportunities in a “boring” $60B industry and turned them into a thriving business. He also explains how he pitched his way to a $40M Series B and gives advice to founders on scaling their businesses, pitching to investors, and avoiding mistakes during fundraising. Key Takeaways: 1. Raising $77M isn’t success, it’s just the beginning of bigger challenges and growth. 2. Securing a $40M Series B requires a clear vision and the right strategies to pitch investors. 3. Scaling isn’t just about adding customers; it’s about sustainable growth and avoiding burnout. 4. A laundromat owner saw a 60% revenue increase using tech, proving the power of simple solutions. 5. The laundromat industry is worth $60B, and overlooked industries can have massive potential. If you’re raising funds, working on your pitch, or trying to grow your startup, this episode is packed with advice you can use. Don’t miss it! Alexander Jekowsky on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ajekowsky [http://www.linkedin.com/in/ajekowsky] Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0z_xw2Jzy1s [https://youtu.be/0z_xw2Jzy1s] Default Global Website: https://gogloby.io/podcast/ [https://gogloby.io/podcast/] Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM9SzxOhqqjOckcVG7XYKFA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM9SzxOhqqjOckcVG7XYKFA] Default Global LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/default-global/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/default-global/] Vit Koval, Host Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitalykoval/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitalykoval/]

Raising $1.1M to Disrupt Immigration Law Using AI

🔊 In this episode of Default Global Podcast, I chatted with Khalil Zlaoui, CEO of CaseBlink, to unpack his remarkable journey of raising $1.1 million in pre-seed funding for an AI-powered immigration legal tech startup. Khalil gives some real talk about tackling the fundraising scene, making the most of accelerator programs, and crafting a standout pitch in the busy AI world. Key Takeaway: 1. Fundraising Strategies: Be protective of your time during investor meetings. 2. Pitch Deck Essentials: Clearly articulate market size and opportunity 3. Team and Operational Insights: Create overlapping work windows for global teams 4. AI and Industry Disruption Insights: How AI and automation are reshaping industries and creating new opportunities. If you’re looking for tips on raising your first round, building a startup, or scaling in 2024, this episode is for you. Don’t miss it! Khalil Zlaoui on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/khalilzlaoui [http://www.linkedin.com/in/khalilzlaoui] Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9bBft0JRHsY [https://youtu.be/9bBft0JRHsY] Default Global Website: https://gogloby.io/podcast/ [https://gogloby.io/podcast/] Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM9SzxOhqqjOckcVG7XYKFA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM9SzxOhqqjOckcVG7XYKFA] Default Global LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/default-global/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/default-global/] Vit Koval, Host Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitalykoval/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitalykoval/]

From Red Hat to $10.8M in Funding

In this episode of Default Global, I sit down with Frederic Branczyk, the founder and CEO of Polar Signals. Frederic has an incredible story, he went from leading cutting-edge observability projects at Red Hat to raising $10.8 million for a startup that’s redefining continuous profiling for cloud-native environments. Key Takeaway: * The fundraising strategies that helped him close two successful rounds—and what’s changed in the investment landscape since 2021. * How to find the right investors, build strong relationships, and leverage their networks. * What it takes to grow a remote-first, global team while keeping your investors in the loop. * Adapting to today’s fundraising challenges and navigating the shift from “hype money” to a more cautious market. If you’re looking to raise your first seed round or prepare for your next big funding push, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world advice for today’s founders. Tune in to learn how to raise funds and build a product that investors and customers can’t resist! Frederic Branczyk on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/frederic-branczyk-3b88299b [http://www.linkedin.com/in/frederic-branczyk-3b88299b] Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BJPG1kVYQKQ [https://youtu.be/BJPG1kVYQKQ] Default Global Website: https://gogloby.io/podcast/ [https://gogloby.io/podcast/] Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM9SzxOhqqjOckcVG7XYKFA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM9SzxOhqqjOckcVG7XYKFA] Default Global LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/default-global/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/default-global/] Vit Koval, Host Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitalykoval/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitalykoval/]

149 Rejections, 1 Yes: The Truth About Fundraising

🔊 Startup founders raising capital in 2024, this one’s for you. In this episode of Default Global, I sit down with John Corrigan, Co-Founder and COO of Kurve, to unpack the challenges and lessons of raising venture capital. With 18+ years of experience, including a successful exit and raising $35M in climate tech, John delivers hard-earned insights for founders navigating today’s funding landscape. Key Takeaway: 1. Why early climate tech ventures failed. 2. How to avoid wasting time pitching to investors. 3. The top three cap table mistakes that can derail your startup’s success. 4. The reason revenue is the ultimate safety net for every founder. If you’re stuck or feeling lost in the fundraising process, this episode is packed with practical advice and actionable strategies to help you secure funding in 2024. John Corrigan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmcorrigan/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmcorrigan/] Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wdTfIg72LFo [https://youtu.be/wdTfIg72LFo] Default Global Website: https://gogloby.io/podcast/ [https://gogloby.io/podcast/] Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM9SzxOhqqjOckcVG7XYKFA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM9SzxOhqqjOckcVG7XYKFA] Default Global LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/default-global/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/default-global/] Vit Koval, Host Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitalykoval/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitalykoval/]