Steven James "SJ" Maranville, Ph.D., M.B.A.

We're transforming Aithor into the go-to #multitool and have rolled out 3 new features in A/B testing mode. Here’s what’s new: (1) #Topic Generator – Crafting clear titles for coursework. (2) #Structure & Logic Builder – Creating a table of contents and essay plan. (3) #CoPilot – An AI-driven text creation assistant, suggesting whole paragraphs based on your writing and chosen topic. Big deal. Great plans. We're in the middle of a #repositioning, which is priority-1 right now. We’re moving away from our current positioning to better resonate with our #academic commitment. Sticking with our old vibe was tough; including restrictions from a few platforms. As AI skeptics are watching, any negative publicity makes us a target, since #AI is still viewed with suspicion. We're expanding our toolset to reach a broader audience and be more helpful to the academic community. We’re not focusing just on students & scientists anymore; we're also stepping into marketing and text creation. The core of what we do is to #reduce the time spent on routine tasks and #focus more on generating better ideas. With the new positioning, we're also on the hunt for funds to accelerate our growth, aim higher, and plan our grand exit in 2025. Keep your eyes peeled — I’ll share more about our repositioning soon!

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Mastering Investor Management In this episode of Brett's Brain, we share strategies for effectively managing your investor relationships without getting overwhelmed. From creating regular updates to keeping communication clear and transparent, we break down how to categorize your investors into tiers for better management. From the importance of engaging board members proactively, fostering relationships with major investors through one-on-one meetings, and finding efficient ways to communicate with your broader investor base. #startups #entrepreneurship #venturecapital 👉 Watch it here:

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Is COST a big objection for you when starting to make acquisitions? Do you want to start making acquisitions, but the COST stops you? We have a FREE 7-day Video Learning for you to get a feel of what we do as a team with 100+ acquisitions and 15 years of experience. https://lnkd.in/eS43AWsg Make sure you also join our M&A Community where we talk about acquisitions and opportunities, we network with other like-minded people 👉 https://lnkd.in/dxAuscEm #mergersandacquisitions #companyacquisitions #businessmodel

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The Power of the ASK: Setting the Right Fundraising Goal When it comes to fundraising, one of the most critical elements is determining the right "ASK" amount. Far too often, businesses make the mistake of not setting a clear, achievable fundraising goal. This can be a costly oversight. The ASK amount is important for several key reasons: 1. It provides focus and direction. Having a concrete fundraising target gives your team a clear objective to work towards. 2. It sets investors' expectations appropriately. If you ask for too little, you may leave money on the table. But if you ask for too much, you risk turning investors off. The ASK should be challenging yet realistic. 3. It enables better planning and budgeting. Knowing exactly how much you need to raise allows you to map out the right strategies, timelines, and resource allocation to achieve your goal. 4. It boosts accountability. With a specific target in place, you can more easily track your progress and measure the success of your fundraising efforts. Don't leave your fundraising to chance. Take the time to thoughtfully calculate the ASK amount that will help you reach your most important goals. Your investors - and your organization's future - will thank you. #pitchdeck #startup #business #ask #goals #chance #organisation #progress #pitchourway

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In our recent interview, Montana Bilger shared how an unplanned journey led to major breakthroughs in AI and space biology. His insights on the importance of networking and adaptability are lessons every entrepreneur can learn from. 💬 "You never know what kind of thing can break open that first big deal or opportunity.”  Dive into Montana’s inspiring story and discover how unexpected opportunities can transform your business. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dHaCGqVn  📌 What’s the most surprising connection that’s impacted your entrepreneurial journey? #EntrepreneurStories #Amplomedia #Networking #Innovation #AI #SpaceResearch

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In our recent interview, Montana Bilger shared how an unplanned journey led to major breakthroughs in AI and space biology. His insights on the importance of networking and adaptability are lessons every entrepreneur can learn from. 💬 "You never know what kind of thing can break open that first big deal or opportunity.” Dive into Montana’s inspiring story and discover how unexpected opportunities can transform your business. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dHaCGqVn 📌 What’s the most surprising connection that’s impacted your entrepreneurial journey? #EntrepreneurStories #Amplomedia #Networking #Innovation #AI #SpaceResearch 

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I was honored to partake recently in Investopedia’s vodcast, The Deep Dive, with Jay Hummel. We discussed the benefits of private market investing and how financial advisors can help their clients can get convenient access to these compelling investments. You can check out the vodcast here: https://lnkd.in/g6suMSmk #wealthmanagement #privateequity #privatemarkets #RIAs Disclosures: https://lnkd.in/gpSKg4b7

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💥 Can you believe a $𝟳𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 helped ignite the venture capital evolution? Venture capital has transformed from its niche origins in 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 into a global powerhouse shaping industries and solving world challenges. Let’s take a look at its incredible journey—and its exciting future: 🕰️ 𝟭𝟵𝟱𝟬𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗖 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴 A $70,000 investment by ARDC in Digital Equipment Corporation led to an 𝗜𝗣𝗢 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁 $𝟯𝟱𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 🤯, showcasing the game-changing potential of venture capital. 🚀 𝟭𝟵𝟳𝟬𝘀 & 𝟴𝟬𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗿𝗮 Regulatory shifts opened the door for pension funds to invest in VC, unleashing 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀 and fueling the growth of legendary companies like 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹, 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁, 𝗖𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵. This era marked the exponential rise of the VC ecosystem! 🌍 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆: 𝗩𝗖𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱-𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 From fighting climate change 🌱 to revolutionizing industries with Generative AI, 𝗩𝗖𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀—they are catalysts for global transformation, focusing on both financial returns and societal impact. 👀 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹? Will it lead in Gen AI, ESG, decentralization investments, or something else entirely? 💬 Let me know your thoughts below—I’d love to hear your perspective and follow me for more! ⬇️

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A great reminder from Alex Sarlin for all founders: Building genuine relationships begins with listening. Rather than jumping into a product demo, ask others about their needs and goals. Understanding their perspective will pave the way for stronger, more impactful collaborations. #BusinessofEducation #TBOE #EdsomaPodcast #Networking #FounderTips #GrowthMindset #Leadership #RelationshipBuilding

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Can you imagine a world where kids aren't taught to read and write? Now think about the basic skills, practices essential to starting a business, succeeding at small business. #Valuecreation is the #financialliteracy of the 21st century. Entrepreneurial practice not writing business plans is #upskilling for success in todays economy and the path to #smallbusinessownership which is the most effective tool to combat the gender and racial wealth inequality gap. Can you imagine a world where every adult has experience, is practiced at rapidly testing, experimenting, mitigating risk to evaluate financial opportunities for themselves and their communities? #racialwealthgap #inclusiveeconomy #entrepreneurshipisworkforcedevelpment Pam

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In my latest article, I explore how love completes Bernard Lonergan's cognitive journey, guiding us beyond attention, understanding, and intelligence toward decisions that prioritize the common good. Love isn't just an emotional response—it’s a crucial force that transforms how we think and act in both life and technology. https://lnkd.in/gH3CnMcH

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My latest blog talks about the importance of community in Startups and in existing business. Please subscribe and let me know what you think! #innovation #startups #Vistage #TheCrossroads

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🌱 For founders taking on venture debt, covenants are the fine print you cannot afford to ignore. 📃 They set the boundaries for how you can operate and manage your company’s finances. If you don’t play by these rules, the consequences can be pretty dire. It’s all about negotiating terms that align with your startup’s financial health. Be sure to read the original post by Kruze Consulting to get the full breakdown. Link in the 1st comment. 👇 #StartupFinance

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Finally, the missing tool in the growth-oriented entrepreneur's toolbox: "Founder-Friendly" Capital to fuel your company. Birthing of Giants, in collaboration with Florida State University, has developed a 2-day conference on Founder Friendly funds. Listen up, business owners: this is money on your terms. Apply to this educational conference, hosted by Florida State University. See Link Below.

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Instead of spreadsheets and plans, think customers, value, creativity, and business growth. Is it time to make a change? Check out The Value Creators Online Course at TheValueCreators.com #businessgrowth #innovation #customerdriven Per Bylund Mark Packard Davidrapp Rapp Bart Vanderhaegen Gordon Miller

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AI in the classroom—genius or too much too soon? I was reading about how educators in Montana are integrating AI, and I can't help but ask, are we preparing students for a world where AI isn’t just an add-on but a tool they need to master? Technology can help students understand complex ideas more deeply, but is it making them think less? From generating stories to helping students self-edit research papers, AI is changing how students engage with learning. But is this the right move? Should we let AI do too much of the thinking for our students? Where do you think the line should be drawn in using AI for education?

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