Episode #7: Future You is Begging for a Financial Plan
Tech Optimist Podcast — Tech, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation
In this episode, Steve Chen, Founder & CEO of NewRetirement, shares how his company uses AI to create comprehensive financial planning models, making retirement planning more accessible.
Episode #7: Future You is Begging for a Financial Plan
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In this episode of the Tech Optimist podcast, host Mike Collins and AV Senior Associate Drew Wandzilak discuss three significant tech breakthroughs, including advancements in drug discovery and AI. The second segment features an insightful interview with Itamar Benedy, Co-Founder & CEO of Anzu.io, where he talks about the future of in-game advertising. Finally, Steve Chen, Founder & CEO of NewRetirement, shares how his company uses AI to create comprehensive financial planning models, making retirement planning more accessible. Join us to explore these transformative technologies and hear from the innovators behind them.
Watch Time ~80 minutes
The show is produced by Alumni Ventures, which has been recognized as a “Top 20 Venture Firm” by CB Insights (’24) and as the “#1 Most Active Venture Firm in the US” by Pitchbook (’22 & ’23).
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Creators and Guests
HOST
Mike Collins
CEO, and Co-Founder at Alumni Ventures
Mike has been involved in almost every facet of venturing, from angel investing to venture capital, new business and product launches, and innovation consulting. He is currently CEO of Alumni Ventures Group, the managing company for our fund, and launched AV’s first alumni fund, Green D Ventures, where he oversaw the portfolio as Managing Partner and is now Managing Partner Emeritus. Mike is a serial entrepreneur who has started multiple companies, including Kid Galaxy, Big Idea Group (partially owned by WPP), and RDM. He began his career at VC firm TA Associates. He holds an undergraduate degree in Engineering Science from Dartmouth and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
GUEST
Drew Wandzilak
Associate, Green D & Yard & Strategic Tech Fund
Drew has worked in high-growth industries as both an investor and operator, focusing on how people and technology interact within organizations. His venture experience began at AV’s Seed Fund, identifying and supporting early stage founders across a variety of industries. This experience led him to join Holistic Industries, a leading private multi-state operator of cannabis cultivation facilities and dispensaries, where he focused on business intelligence, corporate development, and M&A. Prior to rejoining AV, he worked with the founding team of Mirage, an NFT marketplace and view layer for augmented reality assets. Drew has a BS from Northwestern University in Education and Social Policy with concentrations in Learning & Organizational Change and Entrepreneurship. He is also an ambassador of Northwestern’s Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and a member of Chicago Inno’s 25 under 25.
GUEST
Itamar Benedy
Co-Founder & CEO of Anzu.io
Itamar Benedy is the co-founder & CEO of Anzu, an advertising platform and analytics tool for the gaming industry.
GUEST
Steve Chen
Founder & CEO, NewRetirement
Steve Chen is the co-founder & CEO of NewRetirement. NewRetirement delivers a financial planning solution to consumers, enterprises, and financial advisors with innovative software, embedded digital coaching, and educational content.
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