S3 E2 - AI, Fundability, and the Human Edge
Tue Jan 27 2026
🎙️ This week on Silicon Valley Impact — we’re bringing together builders, investors, and connectors shaping the startup ecosystem from multiple angles.
Joining me on the show:
🔹 Sam Wong — CEO of FundableStartups.com, serial startup operator, and author of 21 Secrets of Successful Startups. Sam has led multiple venture-backed companies through scale and acquisition and now helps founders become truly fundable before they raise—focusing on execution, pitch readiness, capital strategy, and long-term value creation.
🔹 Lisa Yu — General Partner at 99VC, former Microsoft and Silicon Valley executive, founder, angel investor, and advisor. Lisa brings 20+ years of experience launching and scaling products across AI, SaaS, data platforms, and emerging tech, with deep insight into go-to-market strategy, product–market fit, and revenue growth.
🔹 Vishal Chamaria — Founder & CEO of Xuman.AI, building infrastructure for human-to-human services. Vishal is rethinking how solopreneurs earn, grow, and compound trust over time by combining content-led discovery with instant booking—turning reputation into a compounding asset.
🔹 Jake Tital — Chief Strategy Officer and natural super-connector with a people-first mindset. Jake specializes in pattern recognition and forming strategic partnerships across startups, SaaS, and emerging tech—connecting people and opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise collide.
💡 We dive into fundraising readiness, AI-driven growth, marketplace innovation, and why authentic relationships still outperform hype.
This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact!
Follow us on and listen to all our episodes on:
🎙️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/68L4RPfMizjxnKBsmcFb1J
🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/silicon-valley-impact/id1776876823
📺 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@siliconvalleyimpact
Silicon Valley Venture, LLC, the parent company of Silicon Valley Impact, is a proud global venture partner to great companies, MoralesHR and STAK Ventures, and 1900 Broadway Tower - Oakland. Check out https://moraleshr.com/ and https://stakspace.com/ to gain access to the worlds largest full stack venture ecosystem. It's over 1.2 million square feet of Live, Work, Play, Go; everything innovators, investors, ecosystem influencers, institutional partners, and global talent needs to gain a global advantage, access, alignment, and accelerate your venture.
Event Partnerships:
Join us in Long Beach, April 22-25th for the IIT 2026 Conference. Get your tickets register here: https://www.iit2026.org/register
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.
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🎙️ This week on Silicon Valley Impact — we’re bringing together builders, investors, and connectors shaping the startup ecosystem from multiple angles. Joining me on the show: 🔹 Sam Wong — CEO of FundableStartups.com, serial startup operator, and author of 21 Secrets of Successful Startups. Sam has led multiple venture-backed companies through scale and acquisition and now helps founders become truly fundable before they raise—focusing on execution, pitch readiness, capital strategy, and long-term value creation. 🔹 Lisa Yu — General Partner at 99VC, former Microsoft and Silicon Valley executive, founder, angel investor, and advisor. Lisa brings 20+ years of experience launching and scaling products across AI, SaaS, data platforms, and emerging tech, with deep insight into go-to-market strategy, product–market fit, and revenue growth. 🔹 Vishal Chamaria — Founder & CEO of Xuman.AI, building infrastructure for human-to-human services. Vishal is rethinking how solopreneurs earn, grow, and compound trust over time by combining content-led discovery with instant booking—turning reputation into a compounding asset. 🔹 Jake Tital — Chief Strategy Officer and natural super-connector with a people-first mindset. Jake specializes in pattern recognition and forming strategic partnerships across startups, SaaS, and emerging tech—connecting people and opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise collide. 💡 We dive into fundraising readiness, AI-driven growth, marketplace innovation, and why authentic relationships still outperform hype. This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact! Follow us on and listen to all our episodes on: 🎙️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/68L4RPfMizjxnKBsmcFb1J 🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/silicon-valley-impact/id1776876823 📺 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@siliconvalleyimpact Silicon Valley Venture, LLC, the parent company of Silicon Valley Impact, is a proud global venture partner to great companies, MoralesHR and STAK Ventures, and 1900 Broadway Tower - Oakland. Check out https://moraleshr.com/ and https://stakspace.com/ to gain access to the worlds largest full stack venture ecosystem. It's over 1.2 million square feet of Live, Work, Play, Go; everything innovators, investors, ecosystem influencers, institutional partners, and global talent needs to gain a global advantage, access, alignment, and accelerate your venture. Event Partnerships: Join us in Long Beach, April 22-25th for the IIT 2026 Conference. Get your tickets register here: https://www.iit2026.org/register Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.