Episode Notes

33:30

Episode Notes In this episode, we sit down with Chris Petkas, General Partner at Contrarian Capital, to dive deep into why "boring businesses" are the real backbone of the economy—and why they're ripe for innovation. We explore how Contrarian Capital is funding the digitization of small businesses, building audience-driven flywheels, and helping portfolio companies go far beyond just raising capital. You'll also hear the story of how Blindspot connected with Contrarian Capital, how a $12 billboard ad in downtown Miami sparked global demand, and why audience and distribution will define the next wave of startup success. We cover: Why small businesses are the largest untapped opportunity in the U.S. How audience ownership creates outsized growth for founders What startups should really look for in a VC partner beyond the check Go-to-market strategies that actually drive long-term results If you're building, investing, or scaling in 2025 and beyond, this is one you won't want to miss.…

Lumos House Talks

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S2E2 - Beyond the Billboard: How AI is Disrupting OOH Marketing with Lina Maggi and Matei Psatta 25:28

12 weeks ago25:28

25:28

Episode Notes Welcome to "Beyond the Billboard," a talk during Lumos House to how AI is reshaping the future of Out-of-Home (OOH) marketing. Join Lina Maggi, SVP of Partnership at BCN Visuals, and Matei Psatta, CMO and co-founder of Blindspot, as they talk about groundbreaking innovations in Out-Of-Home advertising technology. Curated specifically for bold marketing professionals and ambitious founders, this discussion dives deep into how artificial intelligence is driving a new golden age for OOH advertising. Learn practical strategies, hear industry insights, learn more about MAIDs, why QR codes aren't useful in OOH, and discover how you can leverage AI to supercharge your DOOH campaigns.…

Lumos House Talks

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S2E1 - The AI Playbook with Chris Petkas (Contrarian Capital) , Alex Seutin (Drillbit) & Alex Jekowsky (Cents) 58:34

13 weeks ago58:34

58:34

Episode Notes Learn how the top operators are leveraging AI to build and scale successfully. This session goes beyond theory, diving into real-world strategies for integrating AI into businesses, optimizing workflows, and unlocking new efficiencies. Don’t miss this deep dive into value creation in overlooked sectors and the next wave of AI adoption. C hristopher Petkas is a General Partner at Contrarian Thinking Capital, an early stage VC fund and Main Street Hold Co - along with Codie A. Sanchez. Previously, he's been an advisor to companies and private investment firms on behalf of the DoD. Christopher has also been a Navy Seal, having served 10 years on active duty. Our fireside chat will Alexander Seutin, founder & CEO of Drillbit (YC S24), where he focuses on the intersection of technology and construction. His career has been driven by a goal to create affordable and sustainable housing solutions, influenced by his personal experience with housing insecurity and a desire to make an impact on the future of autonomous infrastructure development. Alexander Jekowsky is the co-founder and CEO of Cents, a company focused on building software for the garment care services industry. He previously founded Ulyngo, a payments platform for higher-ed, which was acquired in 2019. Alexander's focus is on finding opportunities by building in "unsexy industries".…

Lumos House Talks

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S1E9 - What It Takes to Succeed in Deep Tech with Julia Prakapovich 36:58

29 weeks ago36:58

36:58

We’re Blindspot and, to put it humbly, we’re the best digital out-of-home advertising company in the world. We started out as just a couple of scrappy immigrants looking to shake up a bloated industry and now we’ve helped 20,000 advertisers get their message out there. We love meeting other scrappy people who are also trying to turn shine a flashlight in the dark. That’s why we started and sponsored Lumos House - a series of in-person events where we get to meet those fellow light-shiners. In this episode, we’re joined by Julia Prakapovich, General Partner at Interface Fund, who invests in deep tech, biotech, and hardware ventures across the globe. Julia reflects on her entrepreneurial journey from launching her first business in Belarus to building and scaling AI and women’s health companies, leading to her transition into venture capital. She shares her philosophy on founder-first investing, the role of resilience and adaptability in startup success, and how Interface Fund supports early-stage startups solving the world’s hardest problems. Dive into an engaging discussion on scientific breakthroughs, the future of consumer-facing tech, and the misconceptions about risk in deep tech.…

Lumos House Talks

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S1E8 - Building and Scaling: Rajat Suri on Founding Lyft, Presto, and Lima 57:02

30 weeks ago57:02

57:02

Episode Notes We’re Blindspot and, to put it humbly, we’re the best digital out-of-home advertising company in the world. We started out as just a couple of scrappy immigrants looking to shake up a bloated industry and now we’ve helped 20,000 advertisers get their message out there. We love meeting other scrappy people who are also trying to turn shine a flashlight in the dark. That’s why we started and sponsored Lumos House - a series of in-person events where we get to meet those fellow light-shiners. In this episode, Andrew Young hosts Rajat Suri, the serial entrepreneur who co-founded Zimride (which became Lyft) and Presto, and is now working on Lima. Rajat shares his journey of turning everyday frustrations into multi-billion-dollar ideas, his philosophy on focusing on real problems rather than profit-first approaches, and how he navigated near-death moments in his companies. From the challenges of pitching ideas that seemed impossible to scaling ventures into publicly traded successes, Rajat’s insights offer invaluable lessons for anyone building something from scratch.…

Lumos House Talks

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S1E7 - Talent, Tools, and Space Tech with Suffiyan Malik 58:58

30 weeks ago58:58

58:58

Episode Notes We’re Blindspot, and we created a platform that so far has helped 20,000 advertisers step out into the spotlight and advertise on any digital billboard in the world. To take this even one step further, we created Lumos House, a series of events where people meet and discuss openly to learn from each other and share authentic experiences. In this episode, we sit down with Suffiyan Malik to discuss his recent trip to El Segundo, the thriving aerospace hub in California, and the exciting developments in space exploration and hardware manufacturing. Suffiyan shares insights on his journey from military roots to Silicon Valley, his observations on the hardware renaissance, and his plans to launch the Parsec Institute—a research and training hub for advancing space colonization. Dive into a rich conversation about the future of talent in frontier tech, the intersection of software and hardware, and what it takes to build a truly transformative legacy in space and beyond.…

Lumos House Talks

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S1E6 - Why Academia Fails Entrepreneurs with Suffiyan Malik 24:39

31 weeks ago24:39

24:39

Episode Notes We’re Blindspot and, to put it humbly, we’re the best digital out-of-home advertising company in the world. We started out as just a couple of scrappy immigrants looking to shake up a bloated industry and now we’ve helped 20,000 advertisers get their message out there. We love meeting other scrappy people who are also trying to turn shine a flashlight in the dark. That’s why we started and sponsored Lumos House - a series of in-person events where we get to meet those fellow light-shiners. One of those luminaries is Suffiyan Malik, Cofounder Parsec Institute, VP Programs & Growth & Investing Team DraperU Ventures and host of We The Builders. He sits with Blindspot’s own Bogdan Savonea and Matei Psatta and shares his unconventional path—from being banned by 10 universities in Pakistan for promoting entrepreneurship, to helping founders unlearn traditional mindsets and build bold companies. Suffiyan dives into why risk appetite is culturally suppressed in many regions, how unlearning fear is critical for success, and why traditional academia fails to prepare entrepreneurs for the realities of startup life. With fascinating insights on building A-teams, leveraging space technology, and creating a mindset for long-term impact, this conversation is packed with lessons for founders and investors alike.…

Lumos House Talks

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S1E5 - How Umesh Khanna & Kayla Kavanaugh cracked investing in startups 38:20

31 weeks ago38:20

38:20

Episode Notes In this episode of the Lumos House Podcast , co-founder Bogdan Savonea sits down with Kayla Kavanaugh, a pre-seed investor at A4 Capital, and Umesh Khanna, a product lead at Dropbox AI and venture scout at Andreessen Horowitz, to explore the exhilarating and unpredictable early stages of building startups. The conversation dives into what it takes to navigate the pre-seed phase, the importance of adaptability and speed, and how emerging tech like AI is reshaping entrepreneurship. Kayla and Umesh share actionable advice for founders, including how to tackle early uncertainties, find the right investors, and create impactful go-to-market strategies. Hear firsthand accounts of investing in unsexy but transformative industries like utilities and logistics, and why creativity and resilience remain the ultimate tools for founders. Plus, discover Umesh’s wildest investment in drone-charging lasers and Kayla’s pivot into optimizing electricity grids. Whether you’re an early-stage founder, aspiring investor, or simply curious about the next wave of innovation, this episode has something for you. We're Blindspot and we created a platform that so far has helped 20,000 advertisers step out into the spotlight and advertise on any digital billboard in the world. To take this even one step further, we created Lumos House, a series of events where people meet and discuss openly about to learn from each other & share authentic experiences.…

Lumos House Talks

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S1E4 - Seb Webber’s Untold Stories 46:42

36 weeks ago46:42

46:42

Episode Notes Welcome to another illuminating episode of Lumos Talks at the Lumos House! In this raw and candid discussion, hosts Bogdan & Razvan sit down with industry powerhouse and creative maverick, Seb Webber. From his early days spinning records in underground London clubs to managing iconic artists at XL Recordings, Seb’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Tune in to hear about his unexpected rise in the music world, working with legends like Radiohead and Adele, and the high-stakes, high-pressure world that almost swallowed him whole. Seb doesn’t hold back as he delves into the darkest parts of his life, including battles with addiction, facing the rock-bottom moments that pushed him to change, and ultimately, finding a new purpose in helping others. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like behind the glamorous facade of the entertainment industry, or if you’re searching for a story of resilience and transformation, this episode is a must-listen. We're Blindspot and we created a platform that so far has helped 20,000 advertisers step out into the spotlight and advertise on any digital billboard in the world. To take this even one step further, we created Lumos House, a series of curated events where the most amazing people to network and to learn from each other & share experiences openly.…

Lumos House Talks

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S1E3 - With Bailey Pumfleet (Cal.com) & Iqram Magdon-Ismail (Venmo & Jelly) 50:06

36 weeks ago50:06

50:06

Episode Notes Welcome to our special event at Lumos House during New York Tech Week 2024! Join us as we bring together extraordinary founders, entrepreneurs, and creatives to share their inspiring stories and invaluable insights. In this video, you'll hear from Andrew Yeung, one of the visionaries behind Lumos House, and learn about his journey from working at Facebook and Google to building a successful events business. You'll also get to meet Bailey Pumfleet, co-founder and CEO of Cal.com , and Ikram, founder of Jelly and co-founder of Venmo, as they discuss their experiences, challenges, and the power of community in entrepreneurship. We're Blindspot and we created a platform that so far has helped 20,000 advertisers step out into the spotlight and advertise on any digital billboard in the world. To take this even one step further, we created Lumos House, a series of curated events where the most amazing people to network and to learn from each other & share experiences openly.…

Lumos House Talks

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S1E2 - Jesse Middleton of Flybridge & Ihar Mahaniok of Geek Ventures 39:07

36 weeks ago39:07

39:07

Episode Notes Join us for an exciting look inside Lumos House, where founders, investors, and innovators come together to create meaningful connections and conversations. In this video, we explore the evolution of Lumos House from its beginnings in Austin to its latest event in New York City. Hear from Jesse Middleton of Flybridge and Ihar Mahaniok of Geek Ventures as they discuss the importance of community, the challenges and triumphs of startup life, and what they look for in successful founders. Discover why Lumos House is quickly becoming a must-attend event for anyone in the tech and startup ecosystem. Learn about the unique atmosphere that fosters open dialogue, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you're a founder looking to connect with investors, an investor seeking the next big thing, or simply interested in the future of tech and community, this video offers valuable insights and inspiration. We're Blindspot and we created a platform that so far has helped 20,000 advertisers step out into the spotlight and advertise on any digital billboard in the world. To take this even one step further, we created Lumos House, a series of curated events where the most amazing people to network and to learn from each other & share experiences openly.…

Lumos House Talks

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S1E1 - Jesse Middleton from Flybridge

36 weeks ago