Akash Nigam | Genies and the Future of Digital Identities

Scott McNealy stands as a prominent figure in the tech industry, celebrated for his role as the co-founder and former CEO of Sun Microsystems. Established in 1982, Sun Microsystems quickly rose to prominence in Silicon Valley, renowned for its groundbreaking computer hardware, software, and network computing solutions. Its transformative contributions, such as Unix workstations and the Java programming language, left an indelible mark on the tech landscape before its acquisition by Oracle in 2010.After 22 years as CEO of Sun Microsystems, Scott stepped down and co-founded WayIn, a social intelligence and visualization company, and played a crucial role in shaping its direction.Beyond his corporate ventures, Scott has been deeply involved in philanthropic and educational initiatives. He co-founded Curriki, an online platform providing free educational resources to students and educators worldwide.As Chairman Emeritus of LittleHorse, Scott continues to be engaged in the tech ecosystem, offering guidance and support to emerging companies. Additionally, his role as an Operating Partner at Flume Ventures underscores his dedication to fostering innovation and supporting startups in their journey to success.*The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.For a limited time, get 10% off at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply. Follow The Founder Hour on:Instagram | www.instagram.com/thefounderhourTwitter/X | www.twitter.com/thefounderhourLinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/company/thefounderhourYouTube | www.youtube.com/@thefounderhour

Brian Smith is the innovative entrepreneur behind UGG, the iconic footwear brand known for its luxurious sheepskin boots.Originally from Australia, Brian founded UGG in 1978, aiming to bring the relaxed Australian lifestyle to the United States. His vision and determination transformed UGG from a small business into a global sensation, beloved for its comfort, quality, and distinctive style.Brian’s keen understanding of consumer trends and his dedication to creating premium products have cemented UGG's status as a timeless fashion staple.*The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.For a limited time, get 10% off at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply. Follow The Founder Hour on:Instagram | www.instagram.com/thefounderhourTwitter/X | www.twitter.com/thefounderhourLinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/company/thefounderhourYouTube | www.youtube.com/@thefounderhour

Ashley Tisdale rose to fame as an actress, singer, and producer. She gained prominence with her role as Sharpay Evans in Disney Channel's "High School Musical" franchise and as Maddie Fitzpatrick in "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody." Ashley’s versatile talents extended into music, where she released three studio albums, showcasing her pop sensibilities.In addition to her entertainment career, Ashley co-founded Blondie Girl Productions, producing diverse content across various platforms. She also launched Frenshe, a lifestyle brand promoting holistic wellness. Expanding her brand, she introduced Being Frenshe, a line of beauty and personal care products emphasizing natural ingredients, available at Target.Ashley’s journey embodies resilience and creativity, making her an influential figure in entertainment and entrepreneurship, inspiring countless fans worldwide.*The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.For a limited time, get 10% off at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply. Follow The Founder Hour on:Instagram | www.instagram.com/thefounderhourTwitter/X | www.twitter.com/thefounderhourLinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/company/thefounderhourYouTube | www.youtube.com/@thefounderhour

Curt Jones is the innovative mind behind Dippin' Dots, a revolutionary frozen treat that has captured the imagination of dessert lovers worldwide.As the founder and inventor, Curt pioneered a unique flash-freezing process in 1987, transforming ordinary ice cream into tiny, flavorful beads. This innovative approach not only created a delightful new way to enjoy frozen desserts but also opened up a whole new market in the ice cream industry. Despite initial skepticism, Curt’s persistence and vision propelled Dippin' Dots to success, earning it a place as a beloved staple at theme parks, stadiums, and malls globally.With his entrepreneurial spirit and determination, he continues to inspire aspiring inventors and entrepreneurs alike, proving that with creativity and perseverance, even the most unconventional ideas can become a sweet success.In 2016, after his time at Dippin’ Dots, Curt started a new company called 40 Below. Using the same freezing process as Dippin’ Dots, 40 Below takes classic food and beverage items and elevates them into unique, novelty snacks using cryogenic technology. Brands include frozen coffees, teas, whey proteins, as well as, margarita, strawberry daiquiri, and piña colada mixers.*The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.For a limited time, get 10% off at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply. Follow The Founder Hour on:Instagram | www.instagram.com/thefounderhourTwitter/X | www.twitter.com/thefounderhourLinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/company/thefounderhourYouTube | www.youtube.com/@thefounderhour

Col Needham is the visionary founder and CEO of IMDb, the world's most comprehensive and trusted source for movie, TV, and celebrity content. With a passion for film and an unwavering commitment to providing invaluable information to movie enthusiasts worldwide, Col has played a pivotal role in shaping IMDb into the go-to platform for entertainment data. His innovative leadership has not only revolutionized the way people discover and explore their favorite movies and shows but has also solidified IMDb's status as an indispensable resource in the entertainment industry. In this episode, we delve into Col Needham's journey, insights, and the fascinating story behind IMDb's evolution into the iconic platform it is today.*CHA-CHING! Customers are rushing to your store. Do you have a point-of-sale system you can trust or is it (ahem) a real P.O.S.? You need Shopify for retail.Shopify POS is your command center for your retail store. From accepting payments to managing inventory, Shopify has EVERYTHING you need to sell in person. Get hardware that fits your business. Take payments by smartphone, transform your tablet into a point-of-sale system, or use Shopify’s POS Go mobile device for a battle-tested solution.Plus, Shopify’s award-winning help is there to support your success every step of the way.Do retail right with Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at www.shopify.com/founderhour. Once again, go to www.shopify.com/founderhour to take your retail business to the next level today.*The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.For a limited time, get 10% off at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply. Follow The Founder Hour on:Instagram | www.instagram.com/thefounderhourTwitter/X | www.twitter.com/thefounderhourLinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/company/thefounderhourYouTube | www.youtube.com/@thefounderhour

Stephen Kaufer is the co-founder and former CEO of Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform which helps hundreds of millions of people each month become better travelers, from planning to booking to taking a trip.Before that, Steve was President of CDS, Inc., a successful independent software vendor specializing in programming and testing tools that was spun out of his first company, CenterLine Software.After stepping down as CEO of Tripadvisor in 2022, Steve started a new venture, Give Freely, which is a platform for enabling everyday actions to help heal our world. Their first product is a browser extension that helps you find coupons while shopping online and then funnels the commissions they receive from the stores to your favorite charity.*CHA-CHING! Customers are rushing to your store. Do you have a point-of-sale system you can trust or is it (ahem) a real P.O.S.? You need Shopify for retail.Shopify POS is your command center for your retail store. From accepting payments to managing inventory, Shopify has EVERYTHING you need to sell in person. Get hardware that fits your business. Take payments by smartphone, transform your tablet into a point-of-sale system, or use Shopify’s POS Go mobile device for a battle-tested solution.Plus, Shopify’s award-winning help is there to support your success every step of the way.Do retail right with Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at www.shopify.com/founderhour. Once again, go to www.shopify.com/founderhour to take your retail business to the next level today.*The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.For a limited time, get 10% off at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply. Follow The Founder Hour on:Instagram | www.instagram.com/thefounderhourTwitter/X | www.twitter.com/thefounderhourLinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/company/thefounderhourYouTube | www.youtube.com/@thefounderhour

Jonathan Neman is the Co-Founder & CEO of Sweetgreen, the mission-driven restaurant brand that serves healthy food at scale. Jonathan and his co-founders and fellow Georgetown classmates Nathaniel Ru and Nicolas Jammet started Sweetgreen in 2007, opening their first location in Georgetown, DC, just three months out of college. The trio were disappointed with campus food options. Their vision is to be as ubiquitous as traditional fast food, but far more transparent and honest.Sweetgreen raised its initial $375,000 of startup funding from investors including the three founders' parents, Joe Bastianich, Seth Goldman, and Washington's Latino Economic Development Center. In 2013, it accepted a $22 million investment from Revolution Growth, a venture capital fund founded by Steve Case.Sweetgreen's corporate headquarters moved to the Los Angeles area from Washington, D.C. in 2016. As of September 2023, it had 221 stores in operation in 18 states and the District of Columbia.Tune in to the episode to learn about Jonathan Neman's story and how it led to Sweetgreen.*CHA-CHING! Customers are rushing to your store. Do you have a point-of-sale system you can trust or is it (ahem) a real P.O.S.? You need Shopify for retail.Shopify POS is your command center for your retail store. From accepting payments to managing inventory, Shopify has EVERYTHING you need to sell in person. Get hardware that fits your business. Take payments by smartphone, transform your tablet into a point-of-sale system, or use Shopify’s POS Go mobile device for a battle-tested solution.Plus, Shopify’s award-winning help is there to support your success every step of the way.Do retail right with Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at www.shopify.com/founderhour. Once again, go to www.shopify.com/founderhour to take your retail business to the next level today.*The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply. Follow The Founder Hour on:Instagram | www.instagram.com/thefounderhourTwitter/X | www.twitter.com/thefounderhourLinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/company/thefounderhourYouTube | www.youtube.com/@thefounderhour

Giada De Laurentiis is the Emmy award-winning television personality of Food Network’s Everyday Italian, Giada at Home, Giada’s Weekend Getaways, Giada In Paradise, Giada In Italy, Giada’s Holiday Handbook, Giada Entertains, Giada On The Beach, a judge on Food Network Star and Winner Cake All, a NBC Today Show contributor, and a successful restaurateur with restaurants GIADA and Pronto by Giada in Las Vegas, as well as GDL Italian in Baltimore.She is the author of nine New York Times bestselling cookbooks, including her most recent, Giada’s Italy, in addition to her children's book series, Recipe for Adventure. Giada launched the lifestyle and e-commerce platform, Giadzy, in 2017, which showcases new recipes, entertaining and travel tips, and videos, along with a range of kitchen products.With an impressive background of culinary training from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and a unique, personable charm, she is a globally revered celebrity chef who continues to prove her skill and accessibility.*CHA-CHING! Customers are rushing to your store. Do you have a point-of-sale system you can trust or is it (ahem) a real P.O.S.? You need Shopify for retail.Shopify POS is your command center for your retail store. From accepting payments to managing inventory, Shopify has EVERYTHING you need to sell in person. Get hardware that fits your business. Take payments by smartphone, transform your tablet into a point-of-sale system, or use Shopify’s POS Go mobile device for a battle-tested solution.Plus, Shopify’s award-winning help is there to support your success every step of the way.Do retail right with Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at www.shopify.com/founderhour. Once again, go to www.shopify.com/founderhour to take your retail business to the next level today.*The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply. Follow The Founder Hour on:Instagram | www.instagram.com/thefounderhourTwitter/X | www.twitter.com/thefounderhourLinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/company/thefounderhourYouTube | www.youtube.com/@thefounderhour

Nick Green is Co-Founder & CEO of Thrive Market, a membership-based online platform that makes healthy living easy and accessible to all.Since launching in 2014, Thrive Market has grown to 1.3 million paying members and become a touchstone example of a mission-driven company at scale. In addition to offering the world’s best natural and organic products at affordable prices to its members, for every paid membership, the company donates a free year of membership to a family in need.The business has also been recognized as a leader in regenerative agriculture, carbon-neutral shipping, and Zero Waste operations, and in 2020 became the nation’s largest grocer to receive B Corp Certification, as well as a Certified Great Place to Work. Outside of Thrive Market, Nick lives in Venice, CA with his wife, Carolina, and their three children.*CHA-CHING! Customers are rushing to your store. Do you have a point-of-sale system you can trust or is it (ahem) a real P.O.S.? You need Shopify for retail.Shopify POS is your command center for your retail store. From accepting payments to managing inventory, Shopify has EVERYTHING you need to sell in person. Get hardware that fits your business. Take payments by smartphone, transform your tablet into a point-of-sale system, or use Shopify’s POS Go mobile device for a battle-tested solution.Plus, Shopify’s award-winning help is there to support your success every step of the way.Do retail right with Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at www.shopify.com/founderhour. Once again, go to www.shopify.com/founderhour to take your retail business to the next level today.*The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply. Follow The Founder Hour on:Instagram | www.instagram.com/thefounderhourTwitter/X | www.twitter.com/thefounderhourLinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/company/thefounderhourYouTube | www.youtube.com/@thefounderhour

Welcome to a riveting episode of The Founder Hour, where we explore the captivating journey of Seamus Blackley, the ingenious mind behind the creation of Xbox.Seamus takes us on a compelling odyssey through his personal story and entrepreneurial ventures. From his fascination with physics to an impactful career in video games, including a stint working with Steven Spielberg at Dreamworks, Seamus shares the highs and lows that have defined his path.Join us as we delve into the setbacks and triumphs, learning about the failures that shaped him and the pivotal moments that led to convincing Bill Gates and Microsoft to venture into the fiercely competitive world of video game consoles, challenging Sony's dominance with the PlayStation.We explore the internal struggles Seamus faced during this groundbreaking endeavor and gain insight into the reasons behind his eventual departure from Microsoft. This is a conversation not only about the birth of Xbox but also about the resilience, vision, and evolution of a true entrepreneurial spirit.*The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply. Follow The Founder Hour on:Instagram | www.instagram.com/thefounderhourTwitter/X | www.twitter.com/thefounderhourLinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/company/thefounderhourYouTube | www.youtube.com/@thefounderhour