● Mentors & Masters taps into Founders Space's global network of startup advisors, domain experts, and visionaries. Every episode brings you incredible insights into how to rethink and reinvent your business, your management style, and your future!
● Founders Space is one of the leading startup accelerators in the world, with over 50 partners in 22 countries. Forbes and Entrepreneur Magazines ranked Founders Space the #1 incubator for overseas startups.
● Captain Hoff (Steve Hoffman) is the podcast host and CEO of Founders Space. He's also a venture investor, serial entrepreneur, and author of several award-winning books. These include “Make Elephants Fly” (published by Hachette), “Surviving a Startup” (published by HarperCollins), and “The Five Forces” (published by BenBella).
AI is eating everything: every job, every business, every industry, every application. We aren't just watching a digital transformation; we’re witnessing a total takeover. From the code in your pocket to the logistics of global trade, AI is no longer a "feature." It's the foundation. It’s devouring legacy workflows, automating the "un-automatable," and turning entire industries into relics of the past overnight.⚓︎ Captain Hoff (Steve Hoffman) is the Chairman & CEO of Founders Spacehttps://CaptainHoff.com
AI isn’t just a tool anymore. It’s becoming the engine behind everything. In this video, Captain Hoff reveals what's actually happening. AI is already starting to run the economy, quietly reshaping markets, rewriting business models, and making decisions faster than any human system ever could. The shift isn’t coming in the future. It’s unfolding right now, and the people who don’t see it will be left wondering what happened. Visit us at:https://CaptainHoff.com
The majority of investors chase hype and wind up losing out. Find out the exact criteria I use to identify winning AI investments.
What if the biggest obstacle to your financial success isn’t money itself? This video reveals the hidden forces holding you back—and the simple shifts that can change everything.
Can AI teach you to lead like the best? Find out what managers are using in a game-changing way to upgrade their leadership style, boost team performance, and ditch old-school habits—for good.
What if your face was the key to everything you’ve never said out loud? In fact, there is a powerful AI that claims it can guess your politics, religion, and even your sexual orientation—just by looking at you. Are we entering a future with no secrets?
What if the farmers of tomorrow don’t carry pitchforks—but code? AI farms are growing more than just crops—they're reshaping the future of food itself. This changes everything...
Most people invest with hope. The great ones invest with clarity. These 5 keys aren’t optional—they’re what separate winners from wishful thinkers. Ready to level up your game?
The AI wave isn’t coming—it’s here. If you’re an entrepreneur without these 3 things, you’re not just behind... you’re in danger of disappearing. Find out what separates the disruptors from the disrupted.
Trump’s tariffs were bold. The courts just called foul. Is this a legal checkmate—or just the start of a bigger economic brawl?
Are we guarding our secrets—or gatekeeping progress? The battle over Chinese student visas is more than headlines—it's a clash of fear, facts, and the future of global innovation. You might rethink everything.
Think pitching to investors is all suits, slides, and 45-minute monologues? Nope. You’ve got 30 seconds to sound smart, solve a billion-dollar problem, and not sweat through your shirt. Listen to this before you blow your next big chance.
AI is exploding—and not just in your newsfeed. The money's moving fast, the hype is louder than ever, and the real winners? They're playing a whole different game. Want in before the bubble (maybe) bursts?
The AI boom is starting to look a lot like a reality show: big promises, dramatic pivots, and more plot twists than a season finale. 📈🤖 But here’s the million (or billion) dollar question—who’s actually got what it takes to lead the revolution. Can we even know the answer at all?
If building AI agents sounds hard, that’s because you’re doing it wrong. These 3 tools are so smooth, even your grandma could launch a digital genius before her tea cools. Get in, nerd—we’re automating stuff.
Ever taught a robot to walk, only to have it trip over its own feet and blame you for the fall? Welcome to the brave new world where machines are learning to move like us—awkward first but improving at lightening speed. So, how do AI agents master human-like actions? It's a glimpse into our not-so-distant future.
What if I told you that in Jewish education, not asking questions is the real scandal? Welcome to a tradition where challenging your teacher is encouraged, your curiosity is holy, and "Why?" is basically a spiritual practice. This isn’t your grandma’s Hebrew school (unless your grandma was a rabbinic rockstar). Buckle up — things are about to get delightfully argumentative.
You’ve got 10 seconds. That’s it. Less time than it takes to microwave a sad burrito—and way more important. Job. Date. Vibe check. And if you're still winging your first impressions like it’s amateur hour, this is your wake-up call. Stop impressing the wrong people and start playing the room like a pro. Yes, your awkward “Hi” might be ruining everything.
Think you're just a few connections away from Beyoncé? Turns out, you're not wrong. The connection science tells us how close we all really are and how freakishly small our world really is.
Want famous people to do you a favor? Bold move. But guess what—totally doable. This video shows you how to go from “Who dis?” to “Sure, happy to help” without begging, scamming, or offering up a kidney. Watch before everyone else figures this out.
Think being a billionaire means an easy street? Think again. This video spills the sparkling, overpriced tea on how even the ultra-rich are out there living chaotic, and sometimes tragic, drama of their lives. Spoiler: you can have a private island and a public meltdown. Listen now and feel slightly better about your own disaster.
What do accidental fame, perfect timing, and a foreigner have in common? Apparently… me. One minute I’m minding my business, the next I have a fan base. No strategy, just pure luck and a dash of spark... and voilà.
These businesses are boring, but they’re making millions. No trend-chasing, no viral dances, just cold, hard, soul-crushing profit. If you’ve ever dreamed of getting rich without needing a personality… this one’s for you.
Ever wonder why some entrepreneurs crash harder than a Windows 95 startup? 😬 Spoiler alert: it's not because they didn’t grind hard enough or forgot to manifest. This #1 reason is the silent killer of startups—and chances are, you're flirting with it right now. Listen before your hustle turns into a cautionary tale. 💀📉
Fake it & break it—because pretending your way through life is a great idea... until it isn’t.
Calling all dads who think ‘quality time’ means waving from across the room—this one's for you. If your kids know more about your car than your character, we’ve got a problem. Press play before your ‘World’s Okayest Dad’ mug becomes ironic.
Your grandpa started a business with a handshake and a dream. You’ve got WiFi, a Canva subscription, and crippling student debt. So... who's really got the edge? Are young entrepreneurs set to dominate — or are we just glorified freelancers with better branding? Find out before you launch that "next big thing" from your mom’s basement.
Ever wonder what ruthless billionaires curl up with when they're not ruining rivals or emotionally ghosting their way to the top? Spoiler: it’s not The Art of War—but it is dangerously addictive. These two books are their guilty pleasure, and yours will be pretending you’re not obsessed too.
Is AI the next Picasso or just a glorified copy-paste machine with Wi-Fi? We’re cutting through the hype, the hallucinations, and the Silicon Valley sparkle to get a straight answer to the question: can AI actually create? Spoiler alert: you’ll have to listen to find out.
How to Achieve Success: First, ignore everyone. Then, doubt yourself constantly. Keep going anyway. Eventually, they'll call you a visionary—after calling you delusional. Only kidding... Find out how to actually achieve your dreams in this podcast.
How to Keep Your Company Afloat in Stormy Seas: Just keep calm, cut costs, fake confidence, and pray the Wi-Fi holds while you pitch investors from a lifeboat made of buzzwords. #Survival #Leadership #Startups #ChaosMode #Hustle #Resilience #Pivot #FounderLife
What do flying cars, eerily clever AI, and your grandma’s toaster have in common? They’re all riding the chaotic, mind-blowing tech tsunami coming straight at us. We’re diving into five breakthrough trends that are equal parts brilliant, bizarre, and just unsettling enough to make you wonder if we’ve stumbled into a Black Mirror script. You’ll laugh, you’ll freak out—maybe both.
Captain Hoff shares a powerful perspective on what it takes to build a successful startup. Drawing from his vast experience as an entrepreneur, investor, and CEO of Founders Space, he outlines principles that are both inspiring and deeply pragmatic. What sets Hoff apart is his ability to blend visionary thinking with grounded, real-world insights that go beyond the usual entrepreneurial playbook. His talk offers invaluable advice for aspiring founders looking to navigate the turbulent waters of building a business.
Captain Hoff dives into the concept of biohacking, where individuals experiment with biology, technology, and lifestyle changes to enhance their physical and mental abilities. It showcases various techniques, from DIY biology and wearable tech to nootropics and dietary interventions, as biohackers seek to optimize health, longevity, and performance.
Captain Hoff helps you master the essential skills of public speaking. He delves into techniques for engaging and captivating audiences, from understanding the psychology of listeners to mastering body language, tone, and pacing. By focusing on both content and delivery, he aims to empower speakers to communicate their ideas effectively, leaving a lasting impact on their audience.
The future of technology is poised to revolutionize every aspect of life with innovations that were once the realm of science fiction. Join Captain Hoff as he explores asteroid mining, 3D bioprinting, micro windmills, artificial wombs, mind readers, 5D nano storage, & more!
Innovation Explosion delves into the dynamic strategies and relentless creativity that fuel the meteoric rise of the Valley's most groundbreaking companies. It explores the process of radical innovation and the steps companies need to take to make the next big breakthroughs.
In this episode, Captain Hoff explains how top Silicon Valley venture capitalists decide which startups to invest in at an early stage.
Brain Chips: Connecting Our Minds to the Internet delves into the astonishing possibilities of connecting our brains directly to the Internet, revolutionizing how we access and share information. Imagine downloading knowledge from the cloud, uploading memories, or even recording and sharing your dreams with others.
Captain Hoff explores the intricate art of selling, revealing that sales is far more than just convincing someone to make a purchase—it's about building connections, understanding human behavior, and delivering value.
In this episode, Captain Hoff talks to about how startup CEOs sell and close transformational deals. These include venture funding, strategic partnerships, enterprise customers, and access to new markets.
What are the moral and ethical dilemmas we face as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly more powerful?
How will AI transform games, movies, videos, and social media? What will movies look like in five years? Is text-to-game the future of game creation? What AI tools will redefine content creation? Captain Hoff will dive deep on Sora, Pika, Genie, Roblox, NVIDIA, brain-computer interfaces, and more!
How will AI transform games, movies, videos, and social media? What will movies look like in five years? Is text-to-game the future of game creation? What AI tools will redefine content creation? Captain Hoff will dive deep on Sora, Pika, Genie, Roblox, NVIDIA, brain-computer interfaces, and more!
Captain Hoff explores the future of AI and the issues startup founders must think about when launching new products and services. What is emergent intelligence? Why is AI so powerful and so dangerous? How should society use AI for the good of all?
How can you be successful in the era of AI? What do large language models mean for our future? How can you leverage the LLM platforms, like ChatGPT, Sora, Claude, and Gemini?
Carol Schultz, the author of "Powered by People" and CEO of Vertical Elevation, talks about how to build a talent-centric organization.
Captain Hoff explores what will happen when we connect our brains directly to the internet?
Connecting our brains directly to the internet, through brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), is a futuristic concept with the potential to reshape our world in countless ways. It's still in its early stages, but the possibilities are both exciting and complex, raising questions about what it means to be human and the societal implications of such a radical shift.
How AI will change everything: robotic farms, generative worlds, autonomous AI agents, humanoid AGI robots, superintelligence, and more!
Captain Hoff interviews Adam Springer on how to get those first 30 sales that every startup needs. How do you sell into large organizations? What's the key to closing? How can you avoid common mistakes that founders make when selling their products?
Captain Hoff discusses the secrets to selling. How can you supercharge your sales pipeline, close deals, and win over customers?
AI is an incredibly powerful too, which can bring many benefits, but it may destroy our civilization in the process. What is the potential? And what are the perils?
Roland Seablink, the CEO of Midstage Institute, explains how to take a floundering mid-stage startup and turn it into a market leader.
Moti Elkaim, the master of startup pitching, reveals his proven formula for selling your vision to investors.
If you don't innovate, your company will cease to exist. In this podcast episode, Captain Hoff talks about what a startup must do in order to survive in tough times!
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the world, and the field of education is no exception. AI is being used to personalize learning experiences, automate administrative tasks, and improve accessibility. In the future, AI is likely to play an even greater role in childcare and education.
Join us at https://FoundersSpace.com
#education are #edutech #indianeducation #learn #educational #learningapp #teach #globaleducation #elearning #qualityeducation #educationmatters #ai #chatbots #chatbotmarketing #machinelearning #chatbotdevelopment #digitalmarketing #chatbotmessenger #technology #marketing #digitaltransformation #chatbotdeveloper #chatbotexpert #business #bot #chatbotbuilder #chatbotagency #chatbotcompany #customerservice #chatbotfacebook #customerexperience #digital #software #bots #voicebot #datascience #marketingdigital #ecommerce #automation
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the world, and the field of education is no exception. AI is being used to personalize learning experiences, automate administrative tasks, and improve accessibility. In the future, AI is likely to play an even greater role in childcare and education.
Join us at https://FoundersSpace.com
#education are #edutech #indianeducation #learn #educational #learningapp #teach #globaleducation #elearning #qualityeducation #educationmatters #ai #chatbots #chatbotmarketing #machinelearning #chatbotdevelopment #digitalmarketing #chatbotmessenger #technology #marketing #digitaltransformation #chatbotdeveloper #chatbotexpert #business #bot #chatbotbuilder #chatbotagency #chatbotcompany #customerservice #chatbotfacebook #customerexperience #digital #software #bots #voicebot #datascience #marketingdigital #ecommerce #automation
The world is aging. The number of people over the age of 65 is expected to double by 2050, and the number of people over the age of 80 is expected to triple. This aging population will put a strain on our healthcare system, our economy, and our social fabric.
Captain Hoff talks with Ruby Chen about how to get employees back into the office without using mandates.
Join Saket Jain, host of Migrate to Wealth, as he interviews Captain Hoff about giving up your day job and taking the leap into entrepreneurship. How do founders make this decision, and what should you consider?
Migrate to Wealthhttps://www.migrate2wealth.com/
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) is up in arms. They are upset with the big studios because of artificial intelligence (AI). AI is enabling studios to scan extras and replicate their entire persona on the screen. Will this be the end of acting? Why are A-list actors so upset when it only affects extras?
Captain Hoff talks about The Five Forces That Change Everything. This includes Generative AI, augmented reality, nanotech, spacetech and gene editing and more!
Captain Hoff talks about the future of ChatGPT and Generative AI, including the creation of multimodal spaces, dynamic worlds, and brain-to-AI networks.
Captain Hoff discusses whether or not AI is smarter than we are and how ChatGPT and Generative AI will change our jobs, education, and lives.
With the new round of layoffs at big tech companies, is remote work dead? What about hybrid work? How are the smartest CEOs getting employees back into the office without destroying morale?
Chris Carr, CEO of Farotech, shares his insights on the benefits and dangers of using AI for marketing.
Miriam Schulman, author of Artpreneur and host of The Inspiration Place podcast, talks with us about pricing, promoting, and presenting your products so that they sell.
Matthew Confer, VP of Strategy for Abilitie, teaches executive leadership using scenario-based learning.
Anthony Taylor is the CEO of SME Strategy, author, and podcast host. In today's episode he talks about what you need to know in order to execute on your strategic plans.
David Newman talks about how to sell your services to anyone, without coming across like an icky salesperson. If you hate selling, this episode is for you!
Connie Steele, author and exec consultant, talks about how individuals and organizations adapt to the future of work and life.
Captain Hoff talks about the ups, downs, and all arounds of running a venture-funded startup.
Jason Marc Campbell shares with us how to sell with love, connect with customers, and transform how we do business.
Joel Stone feeds hungry entrepreneurs delectable bites of marketing wisdom in his new book: Stay Hungry.
Captain Hoff talks about what happens when brain chips connect our minds directly to the internet. Will we be able to boost our IQs, exchange memories, and communicate with our thoughts? Or will this turn into a nightmare, with corporations reading our minds, hackers overwriting our identities, and governments controlling our actions?
Captain Hoff shares how smart entrepreneurs raise capital for their startups and accelerate supercharge growth.
Mark Drager, the CEO of Phanta Media and expert on brand building, tells us how he helps entrepreneurs and creatives build their brands and businesses.
Captain Hoff discusses whether the Metaverse and Web 3.0 is a good investment or a fools game.
The Five Forces reveals how technology is unleashing forces that will forever alter our lives, politics, and society.
Captain Hoff talks about the process of radical innovation and how you can break through the innovation wall.
– How can you over innovation inertia?
– Why do some companies fail to innovate?
– What are your competitors doing to innovate?
– How do successful managers build innovation teams?
Dan Kirby is CEO of Tech Department and host of "Honey, I Blew Up My Business." Today, he shares with us how he nearly bankrupted his company.
Michelle Prince is CEO of Performance Publishing Group and author of "The Power of Authority." In today's episode, she talks about the importance of publishing your own book and how to get started.
Adi Klevit is an expert on systematizing businesses and founder of Business Success Consulting Group.
Brent Keltner is the CEO of Wynalytics and author of "The Revenue Acceleration Playbook: Creating an Authentic Buyer Journey Across Sales, Marketing."
Mark Goulston, M.D., business psychiatrist and author of nine books, reveals how listening can transform your business.
Justin Brady, PR master, explains exactly how to supercharge your PR efforts and get the attention of journalists and influencers.
Kara Goldin, cofounder of Hint, shares her story and struggles in launching the iconic beverage company.
Tony DUrso, author and podcast host, explains "The Vision Map" and how entrepreneurs can achieve their life goals.
Daran Herrman explains how to take a $15K per month e-commerce site and grow it into a $1M+ business.
Uwe Dockhorn, the "Lifestyle Liberator," spent 13 years and 15,000 sessions developing The AIM System™, a 3-step transformational experience for in-demand professionals and their life partners.
Tyler Watson is author of The Enrollment Effect, a new book on changing mental states and achieving life goals.
Greg Ballard is a pastor turned business coach, who has spent his life understanding how to motivate, guide, and lead people.
Josh Tapp, marketing maven and podcaster, shares his secrets on how to grow your audience exponentially.
Cary Jack gave up seven figures in funding and his unicorn dreams to pursue lifestyle entrepreneurship, transforming his job from one of acquiring to giving.
Billy Saleebey headed global sales and training at Tesla, and he reveals insights into how Tesla trains its teams.
Art Bell tells the story of how he started the cable network Comedy Central and lost his sense of humor in the process.
Dr. Matthew Dunn is a digital media pioneer, writer, speaker, and inventor. He talks with us about current digital media trends and what's coming next.
Neal Sperling has spent 20 years researching how geniuses think and understand the world.
Marty Nemko, radio personality and author of a dozen books, discusses what it means to be radically honest in the workplace and at home.
Warren Coughlin helps entrepreneurs change the world by building ethical businesses from the ground up.
Dr. Chris Lee is the CEO of Elemental Shift, which trains entrepreneurs and executives how to reprogram their brains using neuroscience.
Lynn Whitbeck is known as the Queen of Sales because she helps businesses go from a chaotic sales mess to a tidy, profitable machine.
Randall Kaplan figured out how to land meetings with the billionaire CEOs of Marriot, Disney, and Viacom, when he was starting out. Today, he's a venture capitalist and serial entrepreneur, with an $18 billion exit on his resume.
Miha Matlievski (The Fail Coach) tells the story of his failed startup, millions in debt, near suicide, and difficult climb back up the financial ladder to become a multimillionaire.
Hall T Martin is the CEO of TEN Capital, which has over 12,000 investors and has helped startups raise more than $900M. He shares with us the seven keys to raising venture capital.
Dr. Richard Shuster, a clinical psychologist and CEO of Your Success Insights, nearly died due to overwork. Now, he's dedicated his life to saving entrepreneurs from themselves.
Gary Wilbers, serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and coach, talks about creating a winning company culture.
Cheryl Contee, venture capitalist, social activist, and author of Mechanical Bull, shares alternative ways to access capital and the need for diversity in venture funding.
Tom Antion, the multimillionaire guy next door, knows a thing or two about making money. From owning a hotel right out of college to nearly losing everything, he's full of stories on how to make and lose fortunes.
Jose Palomino has helped hundreds of businesses systematize their strategy, marketing, and sales processes--unlocking over $250M in new growth.
Bob Kulhan, professor and performer, teaches how improvisation can improve communication, collaboration, agility, and adaptability at work and in your personal life.
Chala Dincoy worked for Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Frito Lay, Diageo, and Playtex, and now she can help you understand how to take complex concepts and distill them down to a powerful pitch you can deliver in under 60 seconds.
Alex Chompff, a crypto pioneer and founder of Evolution Accelerator, recently launched The Minters Collective, with the mission of making it a no-brainer for any artist to create, market, and monetize NFTs.
Ever dreamed of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro or navigating the Amazon with a bunch of other entrepreneurs? Todd Smith, CEO of Blue Horizon Venture Consulting, helps entrepreneurs unplug from the daily grind, challenge themselves, and participate in adventures all over the globe.
Many people underestimate the value of their time and charge far less than they are actually worth. Patty Block shows you how to create value in the mind of your customers and double or even triple your earning power.
Eric Rogell, founder of BOLDMEN Adventures and bestselling author, reveals his personal journey and leadership philosophy of Warriors, Lovers, Kings, and Heroes.
Joan Sotkin, executive coach and author of three books, has developed a new way to approach finances and money. She focuses on how emotional habits and family-of-origin issues can determine your financial behaviors. Once you realize this, it's possible to redefine your relationship with money, reduce your financial anxieties, and navigate a path to success.
If you don't feel like you're hitting your revenue or life goals, just take a few minutes to hear what Cat Stancik has to say. She's reinvented herself several times and become an expert on how to close sales calls, hit revenue goals, and overcome action deficit disorder.
In this interview Janice Litvin, the author of Banish Burnout Toolkit, shares her secrets on how to reduce stress at work, keep your team from burning out, and build more productive relationships.
What if everything you were taught about how to ascend the success ladder is wrong. Chuck Garcia, Wall Streeter, executive coach, best-selling author, and mountaineer dispels the myth that technical competence is the best way up. He brings clarity on why emotional intelligence integrated with communication skill development are the keys to long-term success.
You upgrade the operating system on your phone every year, but when is the last time you intentionally upgraded your OS for Life?
Your success as a leader is limited by your operating system. If you want to achieve a new level of success in any aspect of life, from relationships to work, you have to connect with and upgrade your InnerTech. Join Rusty Gaillard, author of "Breaking the Code" to learn how to achieve a new level of results in your life.
Mike Lander is a master negotiator, author, and CEO of Piscari, which trains execs how to negotiate the right way. He shares the structure and process that professional negotiators use to get what they want.