Founder Forward
NEA (New Enterprise Associates)
Founder Forward is a new podcast from NEA that explores the company building journey with candid commentary and useful insights from entrepreneurs and investors at every stage of growth. Join host Kate Barrett as she talks with rising founders about solving big problems, from making healthcare equitable to powering our planet sustainably. Each episode weaves in a featured conversation between an NEA investor and a founder they support at some of the firm’s most exciting portfolio companies. Founder Forward is produced in partnership with FRQNCY Media.
Optimatik & Forethought: Building Generative AI Companies In a Rapidly Evolving Market
On this episode, Mandela Patrick, Co-Founder and CEO of Optimatik, an AI company that harnesses data-driven insights to optimize high-quality creatives for brands, speaks with host Kate Barrett about building something new in an already noisy field, the value of tapping into your own trusted network, and the powerful ways new tools can democratize access to technology. Throughout the conversation Deon Nicholas, Co-Founder and CEO of Forethought, the leading generative AI for customer support, an
Violet & Everside: Putting Patients First to Transform Care Delivery and Improve Outcomes
On this episode, Gaurang Choksi, Founder and CEO of Violet, the first cultural competence credentialing and upskilling platform for clinicians, speaks with host Kate Barrett about the importance of inclusive care in generating better health outcomes, how data can be used to build health equity, and the powerful role mission can play in all aspects of company building. Throughout the conversation, Everside Health CEO Chris Miller and NEA Co-President Mohamad Makhzoumi share insights and advice gl
Thirteen Lune & Mejuri: Leaning Into Consumer Trends and Cultural Shifts to Build a Powerful D2C Brand
In this episode, Nyakio Grieco, Co-Founder of Thirteen Lune, a direct-to-consumer e-commerce beauty platform featuring Black and Brown-owned brands, speaks with host Kate Barrett about how a cultural turning point led her to create a mission-driven startup, how to harness an ever-evolving marketing stack to drive growth, and the importance of vetting potential investors. Throughout the conversation, Mejuri CEO and Co-Founder Noura Sakkijha and NEA Partner Vanessa Larco share insightful commentar
Flowbo & Patreon: Fueling the Creator Economy
In this episode, Flowbo CEO & co-founder Daniel Kang talks to host Kate Barrett about his path to entrepreneurship, what inspired him to build financial infrastructure for creators and influencers, and navigating new challenges as his company grows. Throughout the conversation, Patreon CEO and co-founder Jack Conte and NEA partner Jonathan Golden discuss the unique challenges creators face in monetizing their work, how a marketplace platform can shift the power dynamics between brands, instituti
Beek & MasterClass: Finding Purpose, Product-Market Fit, and Partners for Growth
In this episode, Pamela Valdes, CEO and Co-Founder of Beek, the largest audio platform for Spanish speakers, speaks to host Kate Barrett about starting a company to solve a pressing problem, how she grabbed the attention of Silicon Valley, and why a founder has to keep growing alongside their business. Throughout this conversation we hear from David Rogier, Founder and CEO of MasterClass, and NEA General Partner Rick Yang. As they look back on the company's rapid rise from big idea to beloved br
Webiny & Databricks: Accelerating Adoption, Customer-Guided Growth, and Forging Powerful Partnerships
In this episode, Webiny Co-Founder Sven Al Hamad speaks with host Kate Barrett about his path to founding the serverless CMS startup, gaining traction in a massive market, and solving real problems for users. Throughout the conversation, Databricks Co-Founder Ali Ghodsi and NEA's Pete Sonsini discuss the early challenges, big wins and defining moments that have shaped Databricks' ascent, sharing some great stories and sound advice from their decade-plus journey together.
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BlueOcean & Cloudflare: Defying Expectations, Radical Prioritization and “Scaling” Culture
In this episode, BlueOcean Co-Founder Liza Nebel speaks with host Kate Barrett about her journey from the advertising world to starting a brand intelligence company, building a strong foundation to drive rapid growth, and the importance of aligning a team around shared goals. Throughout the conversation, Cloudflare Co-Founder Michelle Zatlyn and NEA’s Scott Sandell reflect on their decade-long journey working together, sharing insights and advice about what it takes to build one of the world's m
WeaveGrid & GoodLeap: Passion, Purpose and a Path to Profitability
In this episode, WeaveGrid Co-Founder Apoorv Bhargava speaks with host Kate Barrett about what it takes to innovate in the climate tech space, what makes a company venture-backable, and how to design a solution where every stakeholder wins. Throughout the conversation, GoodLeap Founder Hayes Barnard and NEA’s Jeff Immelt chime in with their own insights and advice about getting investors to buy into sustainability and ESG, what matters in mentorship, and tried-and-true methods for building a gre
Welcome to Founder Forward!
What does it take to build a great company? How can a founder transform a personal passion or pressing problem into a powerful mission and a thriving business? What do successful entrepreneurs and investors know that every founder can apply to their own company-building journey? Each episode of Founder Forward explores all of these questions, with candid commentary and useful insights from venture capitalists and entrepreneurs at every stage of growth. Join host Kate Barrett along with leading i