Dorm Room Ventures

In this episode of Dorm Room Ventures, I’m joined by Israel Oyedare, founder of Teens and Youth in Leadership (TYIL), for a conversation that challenges how founders think about impact, leadership, and long-term sustainability.
Israel shares his journey of building an organization rooted in giving back - not profit - and what that experience teaches founders about integrity, scale, and staying true to why you started. We unpack the real tradeoffs mission-driven builders face, why short-term financial compromises often undermine long-term success, and how purpose-first thinking can actually become a founder’s greatest advantage.
The episode also dives deep into leadership: whether it can be taught, how it’s truly learned, and what separates real leaders from those who simply hold titles. Israel breaks down the traits of effective leaders and why great leadership is less about control and more about seeing potential in others and helping them reach it - especially for student founders stepping into leadership roles early.
This episode is a must-listen for founders who want to build with intention, lead with integrity, and develop the kind of leadership that lasts far beyond their first startup.
Connect with Israel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/israel-oyedare/
Learn more about Teens and Youth in Leadership (TYIL): https://www.tyil.org.ng/

In this episode of Dorm Room Ventures, we launch into 2026 with Aram Attar, a venture capital expert who bridges the gap between investment psychology and practical application. Aram introduces us to Mindset-Based Investing, a unique framework that not only dissects the cognitive patterns of top investors but also reverse engineers these insights for founders. We explore how entrepreneurs can adopt these strategies to enhance their decision-making, take calculated risks, and build scalable, investor-attractive startups. This episode is a must-listen for founders and investors alike, offering actionable wisdom to navigate the venture capital world with a winning mindset.
Connect with Aram on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aram-attar/
Check out The VC Factory: https://thevcfactory.com/

In this week's episode of Dorm Room Ventures, we wrap up 2025 with a deep dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Adam Rossi, a Virginia Tech alum, serial entrepreneur, and investor. Adam shares his experiences from founding and scaling companies to mentoring the next generation of founders. We explore the realities of entrepreneurship beyond the glamorized highlight reels, discuss common misconceptions, and delve into the sacrifices and challenges faced along the way. Adam offers invaluable insights on building real-world skills, the importance of networking beyond your immediate industry, and maintaining financial discipline. Whether you're a student curious about startups or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with wisdom to guide your journey. Stay tuned for more exciting conversations in 2026!
 
Connect with Adam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamrossi-indie/

Building a startup starts with more than just an idea - it starts with a mission. In this week’s episode of Dorm Room Ventures, I’m joined by Rick Gilchrist, a serial entrepreneur with 17 startups and multiple exits, and the Founder & CEO of Vannadium, where he’s pioneering blockchain and Web3 solutions for data sovereignty.
We dive into how Rick approaches entrepreneurship, the importance of having a strong North Star, how students can start building while still in school, the role of mentorship, and why understanding the bigger landscape of your industry is critical to long-term success.
Connect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardgilchrist/Check out Vanadium: https://www.vannadium.com/

Launching a business isn't just about having a groundbreaking idea- it's about taking swift action to bring it to life. In this week's episode of Dorm Room Ventures, I'm joined by Saad Bin Shafiq, Founder of Nodes.inc, who shares his journey from growing up in a remote region of Pakistan to raising $13.2 million in 7 months.
We explore the power of consistency, lessons from early entrepreneurial ventures, the importance of speed in execution, and more!
Connect with Saad on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/saad-bin-shafiq/
Check out Nodes.inc! https://nodes.inc/

Navigating the entrepreneurial journey isn't just about having a great idea—it's about finding the right co-founder. In this episode of Dorm Room Ventures, Nick Schutt joins us to reveal what it takes to build a strong entrepreneurial partnership. We explore the dynamics of co-founding, from identifying complementary skill sets to the importance of written agreements. Discover the lessons learned from co-founder conflicts and how to navigate them effectively. Whether you're starting your first venture or looking to strengthen an existing partnership, this episode offers valuable insights from someone who's been there!Tune into Robots and Red Tape: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Durw4XM2CfXlWEKWEkxdH?si=59422f6de0ab4a33Make sure to connect with Nick on LinkedIn!: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickschutt/

Fundraising can feel overwhelming, especially for student founders trying to break into the startup ecosystem. In this episode, Vijay Rajendran breaks down a clear, four-part funding framework that helps bring structure and confidence to the fundraising process. We dive into the art of storytelling, staying organized, effective outreach, and closing deals.
Vijay shares how building genuine trust with investors and mastering communication are critical to success. He also highlights the importance of timing your fundraising efforts right and learning from real-world experiences to sharpen your approach. Whether you’re just starting to fundraise or looking to improve your strategy, this episode offers actionable insights to help you raise capital with clarity and purpose.
Check out Vijay’s book, The Funding Framework, for a deeper dive!https://www.amazon.com/Funding-Framework-Secure-Startup-Confidence-ebook/dp/B0DYBF871Y

Risk is guaranteed for student entrepreneurs, but how do you navigate it effectively? In this episode, Soham Mehra, co-founder of Morph Labs, shares his journey of taking bold risks and building a startup while still in college. We explore the unique advantages of starting a business as a student, what separates calculated versus reckless risk-taking, and how to leverage resources both during and after university to reduce risk as you grow.Soham offers insights into balancing technical and business development, handling criticism, and the power of having the right co-founders by your side. Whether you're contemplating your first startup or looking to refine your entrepreneurial approach, this episode is filled with practical advice and inspiration to take the leap. Check out Morph Labs! https://www.morphlabs.tech/

Everyone wants to break into venture capital- but what actually works when you're starting as a student at ground-zero?
In this episode, Rajiv Mehta, Senior Associate at Blu Ventures, returns to share how students can go from founder to funder- and why VC might be more within reach than you think.
We unpack what it really takes to stand out in the venture world, why building something as a student founder is one of the strongest paths in, and how strategic networking (done right) can open doors no job board ever will.
Whether you’re exploring a career in VC or wondering if your startup journey could be the key, this episode gives you the inside edge from someone who’s both hired and been hired in the space.
Make sure to connect with Rajiv on LinkedIn!https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajiv-mehta-cfp/

Everyone wants to build the next big thing- but what actually makes a student startup stand out to investors?
In this episode, Rajiv Mehta, Senior Associate at Blu Ventures, shares what VCs are really looking for when it comes to early-stage college-led startups- and what separates the flashes of potential from the fundable.
We break down the truth about startup red flags, how to show real traction (not just talk), and why venture capital is fuel- not a fix. You’ll hear what matters most when pitching, when to raise money, and how to avoid the mistakes that stall growth before it even starts.
Whether you're pitching your first idea or scaling a campus venture, this episode is full of insight from someone who’s on the other side of the table!
 
Make sure to connect with Rajiv on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajiv-mehta-cfp/