On average, only 2% of startups are accepted into business incubators. So, what about the other 98%?

Kiran Panjwani, Co-Founder and CEO of FounderWay and our guest on this week’s final episode of the first season of the Coeus Collective Podcast, is on a mission to use AI to provide these 98% of founders with the critical resources they need to succeed.

With a background in startup development from her experience working with 600 early-stage ventures at MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, Kiran has built her career guiding entrepreneurs through the most crucial stages of growth.

In this episode, Kiran shares key best practices for early-stage startups and discusses how AI tools like FounderWay can help entrepreneurs streamline their operations, track progress, and make informed decisions faster. She told us she wants “to directly or indirectly impact 1 billion people,” and FounderWay is how she is going to reach that goal.

From unique startup theory ideas like “problem-customer fit” to analytical discussions about AI’s impact on the role of a founder, this episode is packed with practical advice for founders looking to level up their startups. You’ll be left behind as a founder if you ignore the AI tools that your competitors are using, so don’t miss this opportunity to get ahead.

P.S. At the end of the episode, Kiran flips the script: asking us how we are feeling about this being the final episode of season one: The Founder’s Series!

https://www.founderway.ai/

Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:49 Background 08:55 FounderWay's Origins 14:30 Customer Discovery Deep Dive 18:07 AI CoPilot Initial Marketing Strategy 20:38 Building Founder Communities 30:31 AI, Education, and Mentorship 37:34 Most Common Founder Painpoints? 39:29 Building Investor Interest in AI Startups 43:40 Surprises, Challenges, and Advice 47:29 What Would You Change? 48:34 Flipping the Script on Antonio & Leon: End of Season Review 51:34 Plugs

Subscribe to the Coeus Collective on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective⁠

Stay up to date on the pulse of business news and startup culture with our newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/

Get more insights and interviews on all socials ⁠@CoeusCollective⁠

Music from this Episode by ⁠Houis⁠

Hosted by Antonio DiMeglio and Leon Li

Special thanks to:

ARWA SHARIF

KAI OTOMO

NICK ARENA

WTF MEDIA

COLLECTIVE DESIGN AGENCY

LEON JON

Since the Silicon Valley Bank collapse of 2023, the startup and small business lending landscape has been undergoing rapid changes. David Silverstein, Co-Founder of Ned and our guest this week on the Coeus Collective Podcast, knows that personalization is key to this transformation. Ned, which just announced a $4.2 million seed fundraise, is leading a customized approach to lending, offering a white-label platform that handles every stage of the lending process, from application to servicing, and empowers lenders to provide fixed and revenue-based loans seamlessly.

In this episode, David explores the current challenges in small business financing and how Ned is building solutions that enhance cash flow insights and lending efficiency. David also discusses how his role as a Founder is informed by his diverse career background, which includes time in the public sector as Press Secretary for former US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and in the media industry as Chief of Staff at MediaLink.

From broad discourse on the current state of the small business funding ecosystem to advice on leading a technical company as a non-technical founder, this episode has it all. Cash flow is essential to the vitality of any business, so don’t miss this opportunity to learn an expert outlook on the current state of play in lending and financing. https://www.nedhelps.com/

Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:51 Background as Senate Majority Leader Press Secretary 05:21 Why Get an MBA? 09:43 What is a Chief of Staff? 16:58 What is Ned? 25:43 Why the Name Ned? 29:35 Building a Bespoke Software Business 34:26 Being A Non-Technical Tech Founder 38:28 Fundraising as a First-time Founder 44:31 Why Do Businesses Not Apply for Loans? 49:27 General Advice & Goals 53:15 One Thing You Would Change? 55:05 Plugs

Subscribe to the Coeus Collective on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective⁠

Stay up to date on the pulse of business news and startup culture with our newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/

Get more insights and interviews on all socials ⁠@CoeusCollective⁠

Music from this Episode by ⁠Houis⁠

Hosted by Antonio DiMeglio and Leon Li

Special thanks to:

ARWA SHARIF

KAI OTOMO

NICK ARENA

WTF MEDIA

COLLECTIVE DESIGN AGENCY

The healthcare industry is ripe for disruption, and Truffle Health Co-Founder Rui Maki, our guest this week, knows that generative AI is the next game-changer in the industry. Truffle Health is pioneering a new approach to healthcare access, leveraging conversational AI to simplify and improve the patient experience. Their mission? To help individuals navigate the complexities of healthcare, from understanding medical bills to maximizing insurance benefits—all through one seamless platform.

In this episode, Rui examines the challenges facing healthcare today and how Truffle Health is building a solution that empowers patients with clarity and control. We explore how technology can bridge “the incentive gap” between healthcare providers and patients, creating a more transparent and efficient system. Rui also shares the story behind Truffle Health’s creation, the role innovation plays in healthcare, and where the future of healthcare tech is headed.

If you’ve ever felt lost in the maze of medical bills and insurance jargon, this conversation will open your eyes to how technology can revolutionize the way we interact with healthcare. Tune in to hear how Truffle Health is transforming an industry in desperate need of change. https://truffle.health

Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:44 Rui's Background 04:29 Choosing Her Co-Founder 07:55 Starting a Company in Grad School 13:19 What Is Truffle Health? 16:17 Customer Experience Walkthrough 23:51 The Lack of Healthcare Literacy 27:22 Future Plans and Business Model 30:06 What the US Can Learn from International Healthcare Systems 36:41 Truffle Health's AI Capabilities 41:13 Memorable Moments & Advice 44:35 One Thing You Would Change? 46:16 Plugs

Subscribe to the Coeus Collective on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective⁠

Stay up to date on the pulse of business news and startup culture with our newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/

Get more insights and interviews on all socials ⁠@CoeusCollective⁠

Music from this Episode by ⁠Houis⁠

Hosted by Antonio DiMeglio and Leon Li

Special thanks to:

ARWA SHARIF

KAI OTOMO

NICK ARENA

WTF MEDIA

COLLECTIVE DESIGN AGENCY

JASON WONG