From Shark Tank to Tenkara: Ben Stern on Reinventing Manufacturing with AI

“From School Club to Global Classroom: Jacob Shaul’s Mode to Code Journey”

Welcome to "Fueling Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: A LaunchX Podcast" where we explore what it means to balance ambition with purpose - because true success isn’t just about the money or the views - it’s about the impact we make and the lives we touch along the way.  I’m your host Rishika, a fellow gen-z startup enthusiast and today I am chatting with Jacob Shaul, the high-school founder behind Mode to Code. We talk about turning a small after-school club into a global program, teaching coding as a creative art form, and pushing through rejection when nobody’s responding to your emails. If you’re curious what it looks like to start small and grow into something that spans continents, this is the episode for you. Connect with Jacob: https://modetocode.com/ [https://modetocode.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mode_to_code/ [https://www.instagram.com/mode_to_code/] Find me! (Rishika): https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishika-goteti/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishika-goteti/]

From Shark Tank to Tenkara: Ben Stern on Reinventing Manufacturing with AI

Welcome to "Fueling Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: A LaunchX Podcast" where we explore what it means to balance ambition with purpose - because true success isn’t just about the money or the views - it’s about the impact we make and the lives we touch along the way.  I’m your host Rishika, a fellow gen-z startup enthusiast and today I am chatting with Ben Stern, founder who went from pitching Mark Cuban on Shark Tank at 16 to building two companies from the ground up. We talk about the decade-long grind behind his first startup Nobo, what it’s really like to bootstrap sustainability, and how he’s now reinventing manufacturing through his new venture Tenkara, an AI-powered procurement platform. If you’ve ever wondered what happens after the big TV moment - when the cameras stop rolling and the real work begins - this episode’s for you. Connect with Ben: X [https://x.com/itsbenjyyy] | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-stern-746812a4/] | Personal Site [http://www.heyben.co/] | Tenkara [http://www.tenkara.ai/] Find me! (Rishika): https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishika-goteti/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishika-goteti/]

“Turn a pain point into an AI business”: NewMail AI founder Yohann Abittan on building AI products, finding your niche, creating real value, and data-driven decisions [PART 2]

Welcome to "Fueling Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: A LaunchX Podcast" where we explore what it means to balance ambition with purpose - because true success isn’t just about the money or the views - it’s about the impact we make and the lives we touch along the way.  Hi, I’m your cohost Rachel, and welcome back! In part two, Rishika and I dive deeper with Yohann Abittan, founder of NewMail AI, to unpack how he actually builds an AI startup from the ground up. We’ll hear about how he found a niche in the massive email market, why high-quality data is the real secret to AI success, and how he turns everyday pain points into products that create real value. If you’re dreaming of launching your own AI or tech startup, this part is packed with actionable advice, lessons from his journey, and insights on finding your focus, validating your ideas, and building something people can’t live without. Let’s get into it! Connect with Yohann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yohann-abittan/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yohann-abittan/] www.newmail.ai [http://www.newmail.ai] Find me! (Rachel): www.linkedin.com/in/rachelkzhang/ [http://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelkzhang/] www.instagram.com/rachelkzhang [http://www.instagram.com/rachelkzhang] Connect with Rishika:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishika-goteti/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishika-goteti/]

“If we value authenticity, tech will amplify it”: NewMail AI founder Yohann Abittan on ChatGPT, human connection, and what comes after the internet [PART 1]

Welcome to "Fueling Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: A LaunchX Podcast" where we explore what it means to balance ambition with purpose - because true success isn’t just about the money or the views - it’s about the impact we make and the lives we touch along the way.  I’m your host Rachel, a fellow gen-z serial entrepreneur and today my cohost Rishika and I are chatting with Yohann Abittan, founder of NewMail AI, a personal AI changing the game of digital communication in your emails. He’s also the founder of a VC firm and founder community and one of the most thoughtful thinkers of AI and technology that I know. As a self proclaimed AI idiot myself I had a lot of fun picking Yohann’s brain about being lazy with AI in the best way, the best way to automate the menial, embracing risk, and freeing creativity with AI. In part two, we’ll get into the nitty gritty on his advice for anyone looking to build in the tech and AI space. Enjoy! Connect with Yohann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yohann-abittan/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yohann-abittan/] www.newmail.ai [http://www.newmail.ai] Find me! (Rachel): www.linkedin.com/in/rachelkzhang/ [http://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelkzhang/] www.instagram.com/rachelkzhang [http://www.instagram.com/rachelkzhang] Connect with Rishika:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishika-goteti/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishika-goteti/]

“If I can change people’s lives, I’m going to do it”: Healthy boba Amino Ave founder Jenna Wu on pivots, milk tea, and being delulu.

Welcome to "Fueling Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: A LaunchX Podcast" where we explore what it means to balance ambition with purpose - because true success isn’t just about the money or the views - it’s about the impact we make and the lives we touch along the way.  I’m your host Rachel, a fellow gen-z serial entrepreneur and today I am chatting with Jenna Wu, the dynamic founder and LaunchX alumni behind healthy boba brand Amino Avenue. We chat about being delusional, facing people who don’t believe in your mission, and pivoting your way into success. If you’re in LA, make sure to check out Amino Avenue in person!  Connect with Jenna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-jiaying-wu-24880b14a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-jiaying-wu-24880b14a/] https://www.instagram.com/nutswithjenna/ [https://www.instagram.com/nutswithjenna/] https://www.instagram.com/aminoave/ [https://www.instagram.com/aminoave/] Find me! (Rachel): www.linkedin.com/in/rachelkzhang/ [http://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelkzhang/] www.instagram.com/rachelkzhang [http://www.instagram.com/rachelkzhang]