238: Customer First, Capital Second: What International Startups Get Wrong About Fundraising with Alfredo Coppola
Release Date: 08/01/2025
251: Mapping the Invisible: Building a Business Around Clean Air with Max Interbrick
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
Entrepreneurial visionary Max Interbrick joins us to unravel his journey from the streets of Israel to the picturesque landscapes of Switzerland, where the seeds of Sparrow Analytics were sown. Inspired by a personal quest to protect his son from urban pollution, Max innovatively transformed taxis into mobile air quality sensors, embarking on a mission to redefine urban health. This episode unpacks how these pioneering devices have traversed over a million miles, gathering invaluable data that shines a light on the air we breathe and its direct impact on our well-being. Max’s story is a...
info_outline
250: Work Is the Hobby: Owning the All-In Founder Journey with Simon Lancaster
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
Join Sophie for a captivating conversation with Simon Lancaster, the pioneering mind behind Omni Ventures and a former innovator at Apple and Google. Simon’s journey from shaping hardware giants like the MacBook and iPad to nurturing the next wave of manufacturing technology through his niche VC fund is nothing short of inspiring. Simon Lancaster is the Founding General Partner of Omni Ventures, a first-check Manufacturing Tech VC backing AI-powered software and IoT that modernize engineering, automation, and industrial supply chains. An Apple and Google alum with 45+ patents, he...
info_outline
249: Super Connecting in a Fast-Paced World with Carl Grant III
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
Carl Grant III, a celebrated figure in the world of professional services business development, joins us to unravel the complexities of the US venture capital landscape. With a journey that kicked off during the early internet era, Carl's insights into capital raising are both profound and practical. We explore his transformation into a super connector at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Cooley, where he facilitated over $2.35 billion in capital for growth-stage companies. His latest venture, Capital Raise, is setting new standards by using technology to match companies with the right investors,...
info_outline
248: Beyond Silicon: How Living Processors Could Transform AI with Dr. Ewelina Kurtys
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
Dr. Ewelina Kurtys, a trailblazer in neuroscience and entrepreneurship, joins Sophie to illuminate the groundbreaking fusion of living neurons and artificial intelligence through the lens of biocomputing. As we navigate her remarkable journey from academia to her influential role in tech consulting, Dr. Kurtys unveils the pioneering initiatives by Final Spark, co-founded by Fred Jordan and Martin Kutter. Together, they are spearheading efforts to seamlessly integrate biological neurons with digital technology, offering a future where AI is not only more powerful but also drastically more...
info_outline
247: The American Blueprint: Grit, Hope, and Resilience with Michael Graham
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
Join Sophie for a captivating conversation with Michael Graham, a leader whose experiences span military service, entrepreneurship, and law, as he shares the insights from his latest book, "United Traits of America." As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, we reflect on the resilience required both in nation-building and business. Michael offers thought-provoking perspectives on the endurance of American achievements, providing practical tools for resilience and impactful leadership, all wrapped in his engaging storytelling style. Michael Graham is known as a voice of clarity...
info_outline
246: Nonlinear Futures: What Happens When Cause Doesn’t Match Effect with Jamais Cascio
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
World-renowned global thinker Jamais Cascio returns to our podcast with groundbreaking insights on the chaotic state of global affairs. Bucking the traditional VUCA framework, Jamais introduces the BANI framework—brittle, anxious, nonlinear, and incomprehensible—to better reflect the unpredictable challenges of our current world. This discussion gains urgency as we explore how events like climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic fit into this new paradigm, emphasizing the need for innovative ways to understand and navigate our tumultuous times. Together with Angela F. Williams, Jamais...
info_outline
245: The Potential Future of H-1B Selection: Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 DHS Weighted Selection Proposal
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
Discover how the proposed changes to the H-1B visa program could unlock a new era for the U.S. workforce. Join Sophie as she unveils the 2025 Department of Homeland Security proposal that might shift the current random lottery system to a more strategic, wage-based selection approach. This episode promises a deep dive into how prioritizing higher wages and advanced education could reshape the employment landscape for specialized foreign workers, offering a potential solution to the current system's inefficiencies. We'll explore the broader implications of these changes on international...
info_outline
244: The Rise of Immigrant and Unconventional Founders in the Creator Economy with Arjita Sethi
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
Unlock the secrets to empowering immigrant entrepreneurs and transforming setbacks into success with Arjita Sethi's inspiring journey. Arjita, a serial entrepreneur and educator, shares how closing her AI startup paved the way for founding the New Founders School. This thriving educational hub supports immigrant entrepreneurs by turning lessons from failure into stepping stones for success. In our conversation, Arjita emphasizes the power of mentorship and community in nurturing early-stage founders, highlighting the resilience and resourcefulness that define her approach. Arjita is a serial...
info_outline
243: Underwriting the Unknown: Why Emerging Managers Are Venture’s Wild Card with Winter Mead
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
Venture capital visionary Winter Mead joins Sophie to unravel the complex yet rewarding landscape of venture capital and private equity. Discover the powerful insights from industry-specific literature like "Beyond the J Curve" and how these works reshape our comprehension of financial systems. Sophie’s conversation with Winter reveals his unique path from a multifamily office to founding Coolwater Capital, and his mission to empower emerging managers in the VC space with a robust three-pronged approach. Winter Mead is the Founder and Managing Member of the investment firm Coolwater Capital,...
info_outline
242: Run Your Own Race: The Leap That Created Reebok with Co-Founder Joe Foster
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
Join Sophie as she sits down with Joe Foster, the co-founder of Reebok, who takes us through the riveting transformation of a family legacy into a global powerhouse in the sports industry. Joe shares candid stories of how he and his brother Jeff bravely stepped away from tradition, defying their family's resistance to change. Their early days, influenced by national service and an unwavering belief in their vision, set the stage for Reebok's meteoric rise. This episode is a treasure trove of insights into the strategic division of responsibilities, with Jeff focusing on production and Joe...
info_outlineAlfredo Coppola, Co-CEO of the US Market Access Center, shares his invaluable insights about the intricate landscape of Silicon Valley for international startup founders. Alfredo unravels the common misconceptions about the allure of easy venture capital and underscores the necessity for global entrepreneurs to immerse themselves in the Valley's dynamic environment. We dissect the rapidly evolving investment climate, spotlighted by innovations such as OpenAI, and explore the significant role immigrant founders play in the technology sector's success. Our conversation also touches on the urgent call for European countries, particularly Italy, to amp up their digital innovation through more robust government investments.
Alfredo Coppola is Co-CEO at US Market Access Center (USMAC), the longest-standing startup accelerator in Silicon Valley, which helps international startups with global market expansion.
Alfredo is also the co-founder of Prospera Women, a global platform that equips women entrepreneurs with the skills and resources needed to grow beyond local markets and succeed on a global scale.
Alfredo is also an executive member of Marin-Sonoma Impact Ventures, an angel investor organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area that invests in both American and global startups.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- Alfredo Coppola's insights on the Silicon Valley landscape for international founders
- Misconceptions about easy access to venture capital in Silicon Valley
- Importance of securing customers early over seeking capital, especially for B2B vs. B2C
- Think Big, Start Smart, Scale Fast program fostering global entrepreneurial mindset
- Significant role of mentorship and accelerators in startup success
- Impact of immigrant founders and the multicultural dynamics of Silicon Valley
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/acoppola/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/prospera-women
https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-market-access-center
Website - https://www.prosperawomen.com/
Alcorn Immigration Law:
- Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter
- Sophie Alcorn Podcast:
- Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees
- Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3
- Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens
- Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders
- Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook