Scaling Startups to Zebras, Unicorns & Decacorns with Barry Stamos
We sit down with Barry Stamos, a post-exit founder and investor focused on bold, world-changing companies. Barry shares his journey from corporate consultant to tech founder, detailing his early struggles, successful exits, and how he now supports other entrepreneurs through Supernova, a collective of exited founders backing groundbreaking startups. We explore his investments in companies like Colossal Biosciences, Apollo Neuro, and Brain Ritual, discuss the role of purpose-driven businesses, and dive into the unexpected impact of Ayahuasca on his personal and professional life. Plus, a surprise moment during the interview makes this episode one for the books.
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Chapters:
[00:00:00] Welcome Barry Stamos
[00:00:30] Leaving Corporate to Build Startups
[00:02:00] The Matrix and a Life Pivot
[00:04:00] Early Startup Struggles
[00:05:30] Building a Billion-Dollar Exit
[00:06:45] Burnout and the Founder Mindset
[00:08:30] Investing Instead of Operating
[00:10:15] Supernova’s Founder-Led Investments
[00:12:45] What Makes Startups Thrive?
[00:14:15] Founders Helping Founders
[00:15:45] Tuff & Needle vs. Casper
[00:17:30] Colossal’s Mission to End Extinction
[00:19:15] The Power of Moonshot Ideas
[00:22:00] The Future of Biotechnology
[00:24:00] Apollo Neuro and the Science of Vibration
[00:27:00] Using Tech to Solve Human Problems
[00:28:45] Brain Ritual: Tackling Migraines
[00:30:00] Balancing Freedom and Purpose
[00:32:30] The Infinite Search for Fulfillment
[00:35:00] First Ayahuasca Experience
[00:37:00] A Life-Changing Surprise Announcement
[00:39:45] The Power of Collaboration
[00:41:00] Where to Find Barry Stamos
[00:00:30] Leaving Corporate to Build Startups
[00:02:00] The Matrix and a Life Pivot
[00:04:00] Early Startup Struggles
[00:05:30] Building a Billion-Dollar Exit
[00:06:45] Burnout and the Founder Mindset
[00:08:30] Investing Instead of Operating
[00:10:15] Supernova’s Founder-Led Investments
[00:12:45] What Makes Startups Thrive?
[00:14:15] Founders Helping Founders
[00:15:45] Tuff & Needle vs. Casper
[00:17:30] Colossal’s Mission to End Extinction
[00:19:15] The Power of Moonshot Ideas
[00:22:00] The Future of Biotechnology
[00:24:00] Apollo Neuro and the Science of Vibration
[00:27:00] Using Tech to Solve Human Problems
[00:28:45] Brain Ritual: Tackling Migraines
[00:30:00] Balancing Freedom and Purpose
[00:32:30] The Infinite Search for Fulfillment
[00:35:00] First Ayahuasca Experience
[00:37:00] A Life-Changing Surprise Announcement
[00:39:45] The Power of Collaboration
[00:41:00] Where to Find Barry Stamos
Barry's Stuff:
Barry's Speaker Website: https://barrystamos.com/
Supernova: https://1supernova.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bstamos/
My Stuff:
Podcast: https://www.madeitpod.com/
Website: https://www.connortomkies.com/
X: https://twitter.com/ConnorTomkies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortomkies/
Barry's Speaker Website: https://barrystamos.com/
Supernova: https://1supernova.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bstamos/
My Stuff:
Podcast: https://www.madeitpod.com/
Website: https://www.connortomkies.com/
X: https://twitter.com/ConnorTomkies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortomkies/
Creators and Guests

Host
Connor Tomkies
Tweet stories and lessons learned. SupportNinja | Acquired by Boston Ventures. Hear Made It Podcast Here: https://t.co/QjryGKbaKS
