{"href":"http://player.captivate.fm/services/oembed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.captivate.fm%2Fepisode%2F8fd91d83-2d87-4e8d-ad71-00e167cd7c5b","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Captivate.FM","provider_url":"https://www.captivate.fm","width":600,"height":200,"type":"rich","html":"<iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 200px;\" title=\"AI Disruption, Female Founders, & Raising Capital with Melinda Wittstock, Founder of Podopolo\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allow=\"clipboard-write\" seamless src=\"http://player.captivate.fm/episode/8fd91d83-2d87-4e8d-ad71-00e167cd7c5b\"></iframe>","title":"AI Disruption, Female Founders, & Raising Capital with Melinda Wittstock, Founder of Podopolo","description":"AI is shaking up industries, but what does it mean for female founders in today\u2019s challenging funding environment? In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, Susan Sly sits down with five-time entrepreneur Melinda Wittstock\u2014AI innovator, venture partner, and CEO of Podopolo. They break down the impact of AI disruptors like DeepSeek, the funding freeze on U.S. grants, and why women-led startups deliver higher returns yet still struggle for capital. Melinda shares raw insights on hiring, scaling, and staying scrappy in tough times. If you\u2019re a founder navigating today\u2019s startup landscape, this episode is a must-listen.\n\n\nAbout Melinda Wittstock:\nMelinda Wittstock is a 5-time entrepreneur, AI innovator, and Founder and CEO of Podopolo, the AI and blockchain-powered podcast platform revolutionizing discovery, engagement, and monetization. Honored as 2024\u2019s \u201cAI Pioneer of the Year,\u201d she also invests in women-led startups as a venture partner at Zero Limits Capital. A former award-winning journalist for the BBC, Times of London, and CNBC, she created a BBC TV show reaching 20 million viewers and was praised by Steve Jobs for her interviewing skills. Melinda hosts Wings of Inspired Business, empowering female founders to succeed without tradeoffs.\n\n\nConnect with Melinda:\nWebsite: https://melindawittstock.com/\nLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindawittstock\n\n\nAbout Susan Sly:\nSusan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a\u00a0venerated\u00a0voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and\u00a0been quoted\u00a0in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.\n\n\nConnect With Susan:\nWebsite\u00a0https://susansly.com\nWebsite\u00a0https://thepause.ai/\nLinkedIn @susansly\n\n\ufeff\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/d591822d-f1c6-4927-abff-09a711e2f750/e77f1b77f6cff2a0f41c86b5510796b8.png"}