Join us for an engaging episode of The Innovators and Investors Podcast, hosted by Kristian Marquez, where we explore the vibrant intersection of technology, investment, and entrepreneurship. This week, Kristian welcomes two dynamic guests: Kevin Weber, Managing Director at Amex Ventures, and Ayal Karmi, Co-founder and CEO of Nakuda. In this episode, Kevin shares his fascinating career journey, including his transition from corporate finance and M&A to venture capital at Amex Ventures, where he focuses on early-stage investments in sectors like fintech, AI, and cybersecurity. As Kevin describes his investment thesis, he emphasizes the importance of strategic partnerships and the alignment of their investments with American Express’s core business objectives. Our conversation then shifts to Ayal Karmi, who delves into the innovative solutions Nakuda is bringing to the market. As the company pioneers a system for AI agents to make seamless payments online, Ayal discusses the challenges and opportunities in automating the checkout process and enhancing transaction authenticity. Listeners can expect to gain valuable insights into the investment landscape, the evolving field of AI agents, and best practices for founders seeking to navigate the venture capital space. Furthermore, Kevin and Ayal offer advice on how to approach corporate venture capital, the significance of understanding investor expectations, and the future of agentic payments. Don’t miss this enlightening discussion that highlights the transformative power of technology and the shared mission of fostering innovation in today’s rapidly evolving market. Subscribe now to stay updated on the latest insights and trends in the world of innovation and finance! For more details, visit our website and read Ayal’s insightful blogs on Substack, https://substack.com/@nekuda? about autonomous payments to stay informed about the latest in AI technologies. Enjoy the episode! Learn more about Kevin's work https://www.americanexpress.com/us/business/american-express-ventures/ Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-weber-b77b8028/ Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/ Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? Check out his website at https://finstratmgmt.com/…
This week we are at New Haven Pizza Place in Milford for Episode 5! Topics include.. - Recap of Frank’s Vegas trip to Pizza Expo - Why Dominos continues to dominate the chain pizza market as "Situational Pizza" - The infamous “DC Pizza Meter” - Is the expansion of Pepe’s & Sally’s is a good or bad thing for their brands? - KFC and Chik-Fil-A have a new fascination with wacky pizza items on their menus - The latest pizza headlines You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Amazon Music and wherever else you get your podcasts. Subscribe and Follow HERE Have a pizza topic suggestions, thoughts, or questions? Email us: charrednewhaven@gmail.com
This week we are at New Haven Pizza Place in Milford for Episode 5! Topics include.. - Recap of Frank’s Vegas trip to Pizza Expo - Why Dominos continues to dominate the chain pizza market as "Situational Pizza" - The infamous “DC Pizza Meter” - Is the expansion of Pepe’s & Sally’s is a good or bad thing for their brands? - KFC and Chik-Fil-A have a new fascination with wacky pizza items on their menus - The latest pizza headlines You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Amazon Music and wherever else you get your podcasts. Subscribe and Follow HERE Have a pizza topic suggestions, thoughts, or questions? Email us: charrednewhaven@gmail.com
We're back in-studio for episode 35 with a recap of our pizza filled Memorial Day Weekends, a heated debated about New York vs Brooklyn pies, our Connecticut Pizza and Brew Fest is less than 2 months away, and Kevin explains Yacht Rock to Frank. - Intro - Memorial Day Weekend recaps - Kevin's spreading the Charred brand in Brooklyn - Is Brooklyn pizza actually better than the rest of NY Pizza? - Sally's at Boston Calling. - The challenge of serving pizza to the masses at a music festival - Connecticut Pizza and Brewfest update. - Band announcement & Kevin explains Yacht Rock to Frank - Voting on pizza - Pizza Lyfe opens in Milford - Kevin's pizza concept idea for Bridgeport You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Amazon Music and wherever else you get your podcasts Subscribe and Follow HERE Have a pizza topic suggestions, thoughts, or questions? Email us: charrednewhaven@gmail.com…
What do you get when you mix a firehouse, a pizza oven, and nearly a decade of delays? One blazing hot story. In this episode we head to Milford, CT to meet up with Marty, the owner of Fire Engine Pizza Co., a pizzeria finally firing on all cylinders after 8 long years of setbacks. Hear how this historic firehouse went from sirens to slices, and why it was worth every scorched nerve and burnt crust along the way. You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Amazon Music and wherever else you get your podcasts Subscribe and Follow HERE Have a pizza topic suggestions, thoughts, or questions? Email us: charrednewhaven@gmail.com…
This week we are back on the road in Milford, CT for the first of two episodes at the much anticipated, finally opened, Fire Engine Pizza on Melba Ave! Topics discussed include: - Fire Engine Pizza Milford - Frank's Parking Lot Pizza soft launch - Cinco De Mayo Pizza - Naming A Pizza After Ourselves - How Frank Make sPizza On The Grill - Ooni's new dough mixer - CT Pizza Trail voting ended, our picks! You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Amazon Music and wherever else you get your podcasts Subscribe and Follow HERE Have a pizza topic suggestions, thoughts, or questions? Email us: charrednewhaven@gmail.com…
What happens when a guy in Windham, Maine becomes obsessed with New Haven-style apizza and decides to bring it north? In Episode 32 of Charred we sit down with Chris the owner of Fire & Ice, a pizzeria making waves (and smoke) with its charred crust, thin pies, and unapologetically New Haven attitude. He shares wild stories from his journey: 🍕 Learning to make apizza from Frank's videos 🔥 Getting Mainers to embrace our beloved "char" 🚫 Kicking out unruly customers 🥫 Running out of ingredients but getting creative 📈 Building a loyal following, one scorched pie at a time If you love New Haven pizza culture, underdog stories, or just great food talkthis one’s for you. And thanks to Chris for making the drive down to be on with us! You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Amazon Music and wherever else you get your podcasts Subscribe and Follow HERE Have a pizza topic suggestions, thoughts, or questions? Email us: charrednewhaven@gmail.com…
Back in our studio this week with a fancy new tablecloth and lots of pizza takes to sling at you. Topics include: - Pizza art from Kevn's kids - Oranges and fruit on pizza - Fire Engine Pizza Opens in Milford - Pizza Lyfe Milford coming soon? - Is Milford becoming the new Pizza Capital of CT? - Riko's expansion to a full-service pizzeria - Next Door New Haven closing their "doors" for good - Connecticut Pizza & Brew Fest 2025 update - Frank's Pizza Music Video - Parking Lot Pizza Starting Soon You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Amazon Music and wherever else you get your podcasts Subscribe and Follow HERE Have a pizza topic suggestions, thoughts, or questions? Email us: charrednewhaven@gmail.com…
Connecticut is known for its legendary pizza, but Kevin Rizzo of Rizzo’s Original Pizza Tubs in Hamden, CT, is taking things to a whole new level—literally! In this episode of Charred New Haven , we dive into Kevin’s unique spin on the pizza game: the pizza tub . Is it deep dish? Is it New Haven-style? Is it something entirely new? We get the full story behind this delicious creation, Kevin’s journey in the pizza business, and what makes Rizzo’s a must-try for any pizza lover. 🍕 What exactly is a pizza tub? 🔥 The secret to that perfect sauce, crunch, and how to get that perfect tub shape 📍 How Rizzo’s fits into the New Haven pizza scene 👀 What’s next for the future of pizza innovation? If you love pizza (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), this episode is for you! Hit play and get ready to crave a pizza tub. You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Amazon Music and wherever else you get your podcasts Subscribe and Follow HERE Have a pizza topic suggestions, thoughts, or questions? Email us: charrednewhaven@gmail.com…
We are on the road again for episode 29. This time we ventured up The Merritt Parkway to Hamden, CT to Rizzo's Original Pizza Tubs! Topics include: - On the road at Rizzo's - 70 years of Grand Apizza - Parking Lot Pizza Update - CT Pizza & Brew Fest 3! - Smell of Pizza Reduces Stress Boosts Mood - Pizza in Movies - Thoughts on Stuffed Crust Pizza - St. Patrick's Day Pizza Ideas You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Amazon Music and wherever else you get your podcasts Subscribe and Follow HERE Have a pizza topic suggestions, thoughts, or questions? Email us: charrednewhaven@gmail.com…
This week we headed up 95 to visit to a local favorite pizza spot we had heard a lot about. Sarah Lopez co-owns Pasta Avest & Pizzeria in Connecticut with her husband, Neco Lopez. She gave us the full history of how they took a local Guilford staple and made it their own. From their years working in fine dining in Washington, DC to meeting each other in a pizzeria, then moving to CT to pursue their dream of running a family owned pizzeria. Sarah was nice enough to have Neco and her dad cook us up some delicious pies and other goodies too. You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Amazon Music and wherever else you get your podcasts Subscribe and Follow HERE Have a pizza topic suggestions, thoughts, or questions? Email us: charrednewhaven@gmail.com…
We are on the road again at Pasta Avest in Guilford, CT for episode 27. Celebrating National Pizza Day (this Sunday February 9th) and 1 year of Charred! Topics Include: - Happy National Pizza Day and 1 Year of Charred - New stickers and merch - National Pizza Day in Connecticut - Thoughts on the latest U.S. Pizza Industry Stats Chart - Latest CT Pizza News - Kevin's Pizza Kit experience - Ringo Starr has never had pizza before You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Amazon Music and wherever else you get your podcasts Subscribe and Follow HERE Have a pizza topic suggestions, thoughts, or questions? Email us: charrednewhaven@gmail.com…
Back in the studio for episode 26 we play catchup on the latest pizza news and stories that have come across our desk. Frank also announces his new Parking Lot Pizza idea. Topics Inclue: - Starting off the year and our plans for the Charred set - Frank’s Parking Lot Pizza idea - New Haven Pizza Airbnb - Article from The Atlantic on homemade pizza - Hype building for the new “Ah-beetz” Franchise - 100 years of Frank Pepe You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Amazon Music and wherever else you get your podcasts Subscribe and Follow HERE Have a pizza topic suggestions, thoughts, or questions? Email us: charrednewhaven@gmail.com…
We're starting 2025 with a bang. Welcoming in a massive guest for the first episode of the year. Max Lewis owner of Lenny’s Apizza, London’s first New Haven Apizza joint. Max tells us the fascinating backstory of how he fell in love with New Haven style Apizza. From visiting Wooster Street for the first time a few years ago, to finding Frank's pizza making videos on YouTube, it's been a tale written in the cheesy, crispy, charred stars. Now he's bringing his Apizza making skills across the pond to the people of the UK. We dive into the reaction he's been getting, what the pizza game competition is like in London, and much more. You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Amazon Music and wherever else you get your podcasts Subscribe and Follow HERE Have a pizza topic suggestions, thoughts, or questions? Email us: charrednewhaven@gmail.com…
To wrap up our first year of the show Frank and Kevin count down their favorite New Haven pizza moments of 2024. They also get into their favorite episodes in year one of Charred. You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Amazon Music and wherever else you get your podcasts Subscribe and Follow HERE Have a pizza topic suggestions, thoughts, or questions? Email us: charrednewhaven@gmail.com…
This week Frank continues his demo series with how to make New Haven style sauce. We also give you a holiday gift guide for the pizza maker or pizza lover on your list. And a sneak peek at our new custom Charred hats! You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Amazon Music and wherever else you get your podcasts Subscribe and Follow HERE Have a pizza topic suggestions, thoughts, or questions? Email us: charrednewhaven@gmail.com…
This week Kevin and Frank are full from Thanksgiving dinner and ready to talk pizza Topics include: - Making a Thanksgiving Pizza - Ordering cheese-less pizza - Upside down cast iron pizza - Frank's new pizza style concept, Barbeetz! - Pizza Delivery Guy Vs Dog - RIP Butch founder of Mike's Apizza West Haven - Bimonte's Mr. B's Pizza in Cheshire closing its doors after 32 years - Ah-Beetz Franchise - Abate's Apizza Location Update You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Amazon Music and wherever else you get your podcasts Subscribe and Follow HERE Have a pizza topic suggestions, thoughts, or questions? Email us: charrednewhaven@gmail.com…
This week, we are joined by the incredibly talented artist, creator, and visionary Michael Pollock from New Haven Pizza Club. You've proably seen his 9,000 pound pizza statue either at The District in New Haven or outside of Modern Apizza. We talk with Michael about his creative journey, passion for pizza and his city, and how art and food collide. He brought plenty of cool pizza art for us to geek out over too. You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Amazon Music and wherever else you get your podcasts Subscribe and Follow HERE Have a pizza topic suggestions, thoughts, or questions? Email us: charrednewhaven@gmail.com…
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