What makes China’s innovators and entrepreneurs so relentlessly driven, and how is their ecosystem mindset redefining global innovation, investment, and AI development? In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, host Victor Orlovski talks with Mark Greeven, Professor of Management Innovation and Voice on China Innovation, and Dean at IMD Business School, to unpack the mindset that is powering China’s innovation revolution. Drawing from over two decades of on-the-ground experience, Mark explores how Chinese entrepreneurs blend fierce competition with deep collaboration to build resilient ecosystems. From the pivotal role of government policy and alumni funding networks to China’s pragmatic, mass-adoption approach to AI, this conversation reveals what truly sets China’s tech scene apart from Silicon Valley. Investors and business leaders will gain invaluable insights into how cultural values, policy alignment, and ecosystems are shaping the next generation of global innovation.

In this special episode of Ventures from the Valley, guest host Austen Legler interviews Victor Orlovski, the show’s usual host, for an insider’s look at eToro’s $5.2B IPO journey. Victor shares key lessons on market timing, organizational readiness, and strategic storytelling. From essential fintech metrics to brand-building and talent retention, this episode offers a masterclass in preparing a company to go public, perfect for VCs, founders, and fintech enthusiasts eyeing the IPO path.

What does it take to spot the next big breakthrough in blockchain? In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, host Victor Orlovski sits down with Aly Madhavji, Managing Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund, to uncover how his team evaluates more than 500 companies every month to identify and support the startups shaping the future of Web3. From navigating unpredictable market cycles to supporting founder success, Aly shares hard-earned insights that challenge traditional investing principles in today’s fast-changing digital economy.

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, host Victor Orlovski sits down with embedded finance expert Lars Markull to explore how non-financial companies can unlock new revenue streams by integrating banking services. They unpack successful case studies, common pitfalls, and the future of embedded finance across regions like Europe, the US, and Asia. From choosing the right infrastructure partners to aligning strategy with customer value, this conversation is a must-listen for business leaders, investors, and financial institutions navigating today’s digital economy.

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, host Victor Orlovski sits down with fintech visionary Brett King to explore how AI, smart contracts, and digital currencies are disrupting global finance. From the decline of traditional banking to the rise of platform-based lending and autonomous finance, King shares bold insights on the future of economic systems. A must-listen for investors and finance professionals navigating the digital revolution reshaping capitalism, regulation, and the very role of money in society.

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, host Victor talks with Jim Pulcrano, IMD Professor and veteran entrepreneur, about the evolving relationship between European and Silicon Valley venture ecosystems. They explore how cultural differences influence startup growth, investment styles, and innovation strategies. From academic institutions to AI's role in venture capital, the conversation offers sharp insights for investors, founders, and educators seeking to bridge global innovation cultures and prepare for the next wave of tech disruption.

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, hosts Victor and Tom talk with Inaki Berenguer, a three-time founder and managing partner at LifeX Ventures. Inaki shares his journey from small-town Spain to building and exiting three startups, including CoverWallet. He unpacks strategies for startup growth, selecting the right investors, and navigating co-founder dynamics. The conversation also provides a forward-looking take on how AI transforms science and healthcare, offering powerful insights for founders and investors navigating today’s tech-driven world.

Welcome to this episode of Ventures From The Valley. Join hosts Victor and Tom as they sit down with NetGuardians co-founders, Joël Winteregg and Raffael Maio, to explore their 15+ year journey from university spin-off to fintech success. They discuss navigating pivots, raising over $40M, scaling internationally, and ultimately selling their company. Whether you're a founder, investor, or fintech enthusiast, this episode offers key lessons on strategic decision-making, co-founder dynamics, and sustainable growth.

Welcome to Ventures From The Valley. In this episode, host Victor Orlovski sits down with Mor Assia, Co-founder and Managing Partner of iAngels, to uncover the secrets behind one of Israel’s top venture capital success stories. From managing $500M in assets to reshaping Israeli VC, Mor shares her journey of balancing innovation, family, and the future of AI in investing. Tune in for insider insights on building a thriving investment platform and navigating the Israeli startup ecosystem like a pro.

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, host Victor Orlovski sits down with Ilya Strebulaev, The David S. Lobel Professor of Private Equity and Professor of Finance at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, to explore the fascinating world of venture capital. They discuss the concept of alpha in venture capital, the critical factors that have made Silicon Valley the epicenter of venture capital, the impact of AI on investment trends, and the future of venture capital.

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, host Victor Orlovski sits down with Damián Scavo, CEO and CIO of Streetbeat. They delve into the future of fintech, the rise of AI in trading, and the importance of having a "Warren Buffett in your pocket." Damián also shares insights into his mission to democratize artificial financial intelligence, why tokenization is the next big thing in FinTech, and how AGI will transform our world in the near future.

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, host Victor Orlovski sits down with Jim Kolchin, a serial entrepreneur and founder of iWallet. From a Soviet childhood to his successes in Silicon Valley, Jim shares his entrepreneurial journey, including the bootstrapping story behind iWallet. They explore the hard-learned lessons of launching hardware products, the advantage of a solid market entry strategy, and Jim’s insights into building scalable ventures without outside capital.

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, our host Victor Orlovski is joined by Dr. Mohammad Rasouli, Founder and CEO at AIx2, and Philipp Reineke, Co-founder and COO at AIx2. Together they discuss the competitive landscape of AI research, the evolving role of AI in venture capital, and future trends in AI.

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, our host, Victor Orlovski, is joined by Spencer Gerrol, Founder and CEO of SPARK Neuro, a company on a mission to transform the future of brain health. Spencer has dedicated his career to translating theoretical science into real-world applications using biometric technologies. Join us as we dive into Spencer's career journey as a businessman, his passion for understanding the human brain, and the exciting advancements in brain-related technologies. Discover the fascinating world of neuromarketing, brain-computer interfaces, and the potential to enhance human capabilities. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation that explores the mysteries of the human brain and its impact on our lives.

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, our host, Victor Orlovski, is joined by Michael Pechatnikov, Co-Founder and CTO of a Stealth Startup. Michael has been a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits behind him. Join us as we dive into Michael's journey as a serial entrepreneur. From starting and selling companies at a young age to managing his wealth and exploring investment opportunities, Michael shares his experiences and passion for building and investing in impactful ventures. Discover his latest disruptive venture in geothermal energy that has the potential to revolutionize the energy sector and provide cheap, renewable power worldwide.

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, our host Victor Orlovski is joined by Alex Mashrabov, founder and CEO of Higgsfield AI and Angel Investor of more than fifteen businesses. Together they discuss the challenges of building an AI startup from scratch, transitioning to large tech businesses, and what the future may hold for the sector.

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, our host Victor Orlovski is joined by Alex Freedland, co-founder and CEO of Mirantis. Together, they discuss Alex’s business enterprise journey, what he learned along the way, and today’s major leaps in open source software, crypto, and cloud technology.

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, our host Victor Orlovski is joined by serial entrepreneur-turned-investor Liad Agmon. Together, they discuss Liad’s journey through founding various businesses, how he sold them to some of the biggest corporations in the world, and how he now sees his role as an Investor.

In this episode of Ventures from the Valley, our host Victor Orlovski is joined by Shahar Fogel, the former CEO of Rookout - a live data collection and debugging platform that helped engineers speed up their processes. They discuss Shahar’s responsibilities as a CEO for building a sales machine, as well as building trusting relationships with shareholders and employees.

In this first episode of Ventures from the Valley, our host Victor Orlovski is joined by Mark Gazit: the co-founder, former CEO, and current senior advisor at ThetaRay. Together, they discuss Mark’s business ThetaRay, how he personally motivates a team to success, and the eventual impact of AI in business.