The Founder’s Second Act: From Software Exits to a Bold Media Bet with Jason Kiesel

The AI-Driven Future of First Responder Wellness with Sean Bair

👮 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 80 👮 What happens when artificial intelligence, biometric data, and human performance come together to support the people who run toward danger? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, Justin Dixon sits down with Sean Bair, Co-founder & CEO of SWORN.ai, to discuss how technology is helping police officers, firefighters, and other first responders better manage stress, improve wellness, and build longer, healthier careers. Sean shares his journey from a police analyst to a serial entrepreneur, including building a crime analytics platform that was later acquired by LexisNexis. He also explains why he believes AI, wearable technology, and proprietary data are reshaping not only public safety but the future of entrepreneurship itself. 🔍 In this episode, you'll learn: * How Sworn.ai uses biometric data and AI to support first responder wellness * The hidden costs of stress, burnout, and turnover in public safety * Why retention and recruitment are becoming wellness challenges * How AI is lowering barriers to entrepreneurship * Why proprietary data is the real competitive moat in the AI era * Lessons from building and exiting multiple companies * What founders should know about the future of AI-powered software Whether you're a founder, operator, investor, or simply interested in the future of AI and workforce wellness, this conversation offers valuable insights on technology, leadership, and building businesses that solve meaningful problems. Connect with Sean 🌐 Website: https://seanbair.ai/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanbair/ 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and COMMENT with your biggest takeaway.

The Strategic Framework That Drives Long-Term Growth with John Smalley

♟️ Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 79 ♟️ What separates businesses that survive from businesses that scale? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with John Smalley, Founder & Managing Partner of J Smalley Group, a multi-company holding group built around a disciplined investment and operating framework focused on long-term growth. From scaling businesses across wellness, recruiting, environmental science, pest control, and AI infrastructure, John shares the strategic framework he uses to evaluate opportunities, build recession-resistant companies, and create lasting enterprise value. 🔍 In this episode, they cover: • The 4-pillar investment thesis behind scalable businesses • Why recurring revenue changes company value • How to innovate in “sleepy industries” that competitors ignore • The transition from corporate executive to serial entrepreneur • Why self-managing companies create founder freedom • How AI is leveling the playing field for small businesses • Lessons on leadership, hiring, and operational discipline John also shares how his experience inside large organizations shaped the way he builds companies today and why founders should stop chasing trends and focus on fundamentals that compound over time. 📩 Connect with John on LinkedIn - https://lnk.ua/X0yCE2hyu [https://lnk.ua/X0yCE2hyu] 🎧 Watch now and subscribe for more conversations with private equity leaders, founders, and operators building high-growth companies. 👉 If this episode resonates, leave a comment and share your biggest takeaway.

Reinventing Main Street Capital Through Venture Philanthropy with Jeffrey Kaplan

🌱 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 78 🌱 What if the future of startup funding isn’t about chasing unicorns, but building stronger local economies? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, Justin Dixon sits down with Jeffrey Kaplan, Director of Venture Asheville and CEO of Optimist Ventures, to discuss how venture philanthropy is creating a new capital model for underserved founders and regional businesses. After Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville’s business community, Jeffrey and his team launched an innovative funding structure combining grants and shared-profit agreements to help entrepreneurs recover, grow, and scale without giving up equity. This episode dives into: 🔹 Why “anti-unicorn” investing may create stronger communities 🔹 How venture philanthropy blends impact with investor returns 🔹 The shared-profit agreement model replacing traditional venture debt 🔹 Why AI and vibe coding are unlocking opportunities for smaller markets 🔹 How founders can scale sustainably without chasing billion-dollar exits 🔹 What regional ecosystems can teach Silicon Valley about resilience Whether you’re a founder, investor, operator, or economic development leader, this conversation challenges traditional assumptions about capital, growth, and what success really looks like. 🔗 Connect with Jeffrey Kaplan: https://www.optimistventures.co/ [https://www.optimistventures.co/]https://ventureasheville.com/ [https://ventureasheville.com/]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffdude/ 🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. 👉 Like, subscribe, and comment: Should more communities adopt this “anti-unicorn” funding model?

Building the Future of Pet Adoption with AI and Data with Chloe Fabiani

🐾 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 77 🐾 What happens when a founder combines marketplace thinking, AI, and a mission-driven problem worth solving? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Chloe Fabiani, Founder & CEO of Paaw, the platform building the operating system for modern pet ownership. After launching Paaw in France and expanding into the U.S., Chloe is tackling one of the most fragmented industries in the world: pet adoption and pet care. With over 60,000 adoptions facilitated in the U.S. alone, PAW is leveraging AI, data, and trust to improve pet-owner matching, reduce shelter overcrowding, and reshape how people adopt and care for pets. 🔍 In this episode, they discuss: • Why pet ownership is becoming a massive global market opportunity • How AI can improve adoption matching and reduce pet abandonment • Building trust in marketplace businesses • Why fragmented industries create the best startup opportunities • How non-technical founders can build products using AI tools • The future of pet ownership platforms and AI-powered services 📲 Connect with Chloe: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-fabiani-94135490/ Platform: https://paaw.co/en 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. 👉 If you enjoyed this episode: • Subscribe for more conversations with founders, investors, and operators • Like the video • Comment with your biggest takeaway from the episode

From Due Diligence to Do Diligence with Mike Ma

🛠️ Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 76 🛠️ What if the best way to evaluate a founder isn’t a pitch deck, but working side by side with them? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, Justin Dixon sits down with Mike Ma, Founder & Managing Partner of Sidecut Ventures, to unpack a radically different approach to early-stage investing—one built on execution, coachability, and real-world performance. Instead of traditional diligence, Mike runs a 30-day “do diligence” process: rolling up his sleeves and working directly with founders before writing a check. The result? Deeper conviction, stronger partnerships, and better outcomes. This episode is a must-watch for founders, operators, and investors looking to rethink how great companies and great partnerships are built. 🔍 What you’ll learn: * Why coachability is the #1 trait Mike looks for in founders * How “do diligence” replaces traditional venture evaluation * What most VCs get wrong about value-add * Why founder–investor fit matters more than you think * How to identify real moats in an AI-saturated market 🚀 Whether you're raising capital, deploying it, or scaling a business, this conversation will challenge how you think about early-stage investing. 📩 Connect with Mike Ma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwma/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwma/]🌐 Learn more about Sidecut Ventures: https://www.sidecut.vc/ 👉 Like, subscribe, and comment: Would you go through a 30-day diligence process before taking capital?