In this episode, we sit down with Arto Bendiken, a self-taught polymath, technologist, and entrepreneur whose journey spans building custom software in Finland at 13, contributing to defense communications for the U.S. Navy, scaling blockchain infrastructure at Aurora Labs, and now launching Haltia.AI in Dubai.

We dive deep into the evolution of Web3, the intersection of AI and crypto, real-world blockchain applications, tokenomics, smart contract risks, and how the global landscape—from Silicon Valley to Dubai—is shifting.

This episode is a masterclass for anyone curious about the future of decentralization, personal AI, and global entrepreneurship.

• Arto’s early start in programming and hacking culture in Finland
• Founding and scaling tech ventures across Europe, the U.S., and the UAE
• The transition from developer to crypto pioneer: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and NEAR Protocol
• Lessons from leading Aurora Labs and building hyperscale Web3 infrastructure
• The biggest misunderstandings around Web3 and crypto adoption
• What tokenomics really means—and how to evaluate them properly
• Smart contract vulnerabilities that are still underappreciated
• Balancing scalability, security, and decentralization in modern blockchain architecture
• What AI and crypto convergence could actually look like
• Why Arto chose to build in Dubai—and what Silicon Valley can learn from it
• What he's building now with Haltia.AI and the ASIMOV Protocol

• What initially drew you to Web3, and how has your perspective changed since?
• How do you answer critics who say crypto is a solution in search of a problem?
• What’s a real-world use case in crypto that doesn’t get enough attention?
• How should founders or investors assess tokenomics today?
• What’s the most underestimated risk in crypto right now?
• You wrote an open letter to Marc Andreessen—what inspired that and what did you say?

Arto Bendiken is a serial entrepreneur and CTO with 30+ years of experience across software, AI, and crypto. He has built tech solutions for major banks, defense agencies, and public companies, and has helped scale Web3 infrastructure to millions of users globally. He is currently the Founder of Haltia.AI, where he is building trustworthy personal AI systems and launching the ASIMOV Protocol, a global knowledge market.

Connect with Arto on LinkedIn

• Book: The Sovereign Individual
• NEAR Protocol & Aurora Labs
• Room 77 (the original BTC café)
• Haltia.AI & ASIMOV Protocol
• Open letter to Marc Andreessen

Disclaimer:"The views expressed on this podcast are for informational purposes only and not financial or legal advice. Consult with a professional for your specific situation. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.”

Guest: Anita Koimur, Co-founder & COO of LiveFlow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitakoimur/

Episode Summary: Join us as we sit down with Anita Koimur, a seasoned entrepreneur and the brilliant mind behind LiveFlow. Anita shares her compelling journey from a successful career in Business Development to co-founding a groundbreaking company. We delve into her experiences, including her time at the prestigious Y Combinator, and explore the critical decisions founders face, such as relocating to be closer to their market. This episode offers invaluable insights into identifying and acquiring early customers, the dynamic evolution of a product, and the transformative power of AI in both blue-collar/service industries and the future of financial automation. Anita also sheds light on the challenges CFOs face with disparate financial documents, the complexities of M&A in the finance world, and where she sees LiveFlow positioned within the broader landscape of AI tools. Tune in for a deep dive into business growth, strategic product development, and the exciting future of financial automation.

Key Discussion Points:

• Anita's Career Journey: Her background and the pivotal moments leading up to entrepreneurship.
• Transition to Founder: The inspiration behind starting a company and the skills carried over from her Business Development days.
• Y Combinator Experience: Key takeaways and the impact of going through the accelerator program.
• Geographic Imperative for Founders: The importance of location (e.g., UK to NYC) in relation to market proximity.
• Early Customer Acquisition: Strategies for getting first customers and building initial trust and credibility.
• Customer Profile Evolution: How LiveFlow identified and refined its ideal customer over time.
• Product Evolution: Pivotal moments and feedback that shaped LiveFlow's development since launch.
• AI in Blue-Collar & Service Industries: Anita's vision for AI's implementation in these sectors.
• CFO Challenges: Addressing the problems CFOs face with multiple financial documents from various companies.
• AI's Impact on Business Growth: How AI has shifted Anita's perspective on strategy and its role in future financial automation.
• M&A and Finance: The biggest issues in the finance world during M&A and how tools like LiveFlow can help.
• Future of Financial Automation: What excites Anita most and where she sees the industry heading in the next 5-10 years.
• LiveFlow's Future Trajectory: Whether LiveFlow is a standalone entity, part of a larger suite, or a potential consolidator.
• Connecting with Anita & LiveFlow: Best ways for listeners to learn more and explore the platform.

Website https://www.liveflow.com/

Enjoy 20% off your first 3 months! Be among the first 10 to sign up using the promo code: SVP at LiveFlow.com.

The views expressed on this podcast are for informational purposes only and not financial or legal advice. Consult with a professional for your specific situation. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.”

In this episode, we sit down with Ron Petrinovich, a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Freedom Equity Group (FEG). With deep roots in Silicon Valley and a legacy shaped by family, faith, and business acumen, Ron shares pivotal moments from his entrepreneurial journey—including multiple business restarts, scaling a company to national success, and eventually exiting in 2024.

Ron offers candid insights into what it takes to build a company with values at the core, the importance of team-building from day one, and how he designed a unique internal point system that fueled performance and growth. From leadership evolution to fostering a scalable culture, this episode is packed with practical wisdom for entrepreneurs at any stage.

Ron Petrinovich was born and raised in Los Gatos, California. He holds a BS and MBA from Santa Clara University and spent decades building a career rooted in business leadership, mentorship, and tax-efficient retirement planning. Ron was deeply influenced by his father—a successful CPA and entrepreneur—which instilled in him the drive to build and scale ventures that empower others. After co-founding and leading Freedom Equity Group to a successful exit in 2024, Ron now dedicates his time to mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

• The entrepreneurial lessons Ron learned from growing up with a CPA father

• How to navigate business restarts and turn them into moments of growth

• What differentiated Ron’s approach when launching his final company

• The scalable point system he developed to drive motivation and results

• Key strategies that helped FEG scale nationally

• How leadership evolves with company growth

• The traits Ron looks for in early hires—and how to build a value-aligned culture

• Why great training matters and how to structure it

• The mindset behind mentoring future leaders

• What pivotal restarts shaped your career, and what did they teach you?

• How did your upbringing with a CPA father influence your business mindset?

• What made your most recent venture different from earlier efforts?

• Can you explain the point system you implemented and how it impacted your team?

• How did you know when your company had real traction, and how did you respond?

• How did your role evolve as the business grew?

• What are you most proud of, and what would you do differently?

• How do you foster a scalable, values-driven culture?

• What advice do you have for startups trying to attract strong early talent?

• What does great training and leadership development look like to you?

🔹 Ron on LinkedIn