Skip to content Are you ready to join the industry titans? Click HERE to apply to come on the show

From Kidnapped Teen to VC Powerhouse: Justis Mendez on Defying Odds, Building Funds, and the Future of Tech on 9×90™ (#48)

About this episode At just 14, Justis Mendez survived a harrowing kidnapping. By 27, he became one of the youngest Hispanic Founding GPs in U.S. venture capital. In this riveting episode of 9x90™, Adi Soozin sits down with Justis to unpack how trauma fueled his relentless drive—leading to the creation of OneSixOne Ventures and the successful raise of a $5M fund focused on overlooked founders and frontier tech. From building a thriving startup community in Miami to structuring a fund that gives him freedom, Justis shares how he and his team are leveraging deep tech, AI, and their youth to gain an edge. They discuss what VCs really look for in founders, why underestimated investors can punch above their weight, and how emerging GPs can build visibility and traction early. This is more than a startup story—it’s a masterclass in resilience, vision, and strategic execution. 👉 Learn how to pitch…

Watch Now

From $100 Million CRE Funds to Greek Philosophy: Dan Abbate on Building Self-Sustaining Empires on 9×90™ (#47)

About this episode In this high-powered episode of 9x90™, Adi Soozin sits down with Dan Abbate—a serial entrepreneur who sold his first tech company at 19, scaled a $20 Million hard money lending business, and now leads Cloine Capital, a $100 Million land development firm backed by other entrepreneurs. Together, they explore: 🔁 The entrepreneurial equation: how to build businesses that run, grow, and scale without you. 💡 What makes a founder “investable”—and the biggest red flags he sees. 🏗️ Why land development is just “manufacturing for builders”—and how Cloine Capital makes it work. 💰 The reality of exits, fundraising, and capital preservation in real estate. 📿 The ancient Greek philosophies shaping his life and leadership. 🧠 Why being a visionary founder doesn’t mean being good at operations—and what to do about it. Bonus: You’ll hear why Dan offers guest condos to future collaborators and how AI (like ChatGPT) fits…

Watch Now

From Private Jets to Private Agendas: How Dynasties Balance Life & Billion-Dollar Investments 9×90™ (#44)

About this guest For those of you who do not know Nay Lwin, he … Henley-certified, multilingual family office expert with a background in private equity and alternative investments, advising on complex cross-border structuring and multigenerational wealth strategies. Worked on a £19.6B investment pipeline across real estate, tech, media, and logistics, spanning both private and public markets. Founded a 60-member global strategy network including leaders from JP Morgan, Deloitte, and BlackRock, focused on strategic growth and next-gen capital deployment. About this episode What happens when you inherit not just assets—but scrutiny, influence, and a target on your back? In this high-stakes episode of 9x90™, Adi Soozin is joined by global strategist and second-generation family office leader Ne Lwin for a raw, unfiltered conversation about the new threats facing legacy wealth. Together, they expose the modern minefields of elite life—from predatory advisors and $500K pitch decks to smear campaigns, betrayal, and…

Watch Now

Billion-Dollar Powerhouse Turned Vigilante: Paul Hutchinson’s Crusade to Liberate Thousands on 9×90™ (#36)

About this guest For those of you who do not know Paul, he: Is the Co-Founder of Bridge Investment Group (now with more than $50B AUM) - Paul Hutchinson co-founded Bridge Investment Group and was instrumental in growing the firm from $0 to $20 billion in assets under management before his retirement in 2017. Today, Bridge has more than $50 billion AUM, a testament to the foundation he helped build and the investor trust he cultivated through transparency and performance. Led over 70 undercover missions rescuing children from trafficking across 15 countries - Following his departure from the private equity world, Paul shifted his focus to global humanitarian work. He has played an active role in more than 70 undercover operations dismantling child trafficking networks, directly contributing to the rescue of more than 5,000 children through coordinated efforts with international law enforcement and nonprofits. Executive Producer of Sound of Freedom…

Watch Now

The Legend of Leadership: Jay Almeida’s Impact as an International Bank President and Rotarian – 9×90™ (#23)

9x90 Episode 23 https://youtu.be/e7TxKM0UUjY About this episode Jay Almeida is a distinguished business leader and bank executive whose background in both global finance and prestigious philanthropy set him apart as a trailblazer in every endeavor he undertakes. With a wealth of international experience, Jay has become a respected figure in the worlds of banking, commercial real estate, and philanthropy. His visionary leadership has spanned notable organizations, including his tenure as the past president of Citibank Latin America (Latam) and his current role as President and CEO of BankVision US Corp. Throughout his career, Jay has consistently demonstrated his ability to drive growth, innovation, and strategic insight, solidifying his position as a key figure in the global financial sector. As a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Miami, Jay has played a pivotal role in spearheading initiatives that continue to have a lasting impact on the community. Under his leadership,…

Watch Now

From Frozen Yogurt to Wall Street, Meet the Kingmaker: Steve Beninati on 9×90™ (#22)

9x90 Episode 22 https://youtu.be/tws0WhuiNcY About this episode In this compelling and candid conversation, two renowned leaders—Steve Beninati, a celebrated Wall Street executive with decades of entrepreneurial excellence, and Adi Soozin, a fifth-generation investor and visionary marketing strategist—exchange transformative insights on resilience, leadership, and the art of creating meaningful connections. From reflections on balancing high-stakes careers with personal passions to navigating the challenges of public scrutiny and sustaining authenticity, this interview offers a rare glimpse into the minds of two industry titans. Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, seasoned professionals, and anyone seeking inspiration, this coffee-chat-style interview encapsulates the power of perseverance and the beauty of human connection in a fast-paced world. The Transcript This transcript was generated by AI & edited by ChatGPT: Adi Soozin: Hello, everyone, and welcome to a very special episode of 9x90. Today, we are privileged to have with us one of New York City's most esteemed banking…

Watch Now

3 VCs Answer: What Five Things Do You Look For When Choosing Which Startups to Invest In? (#12)

9x90 Episode 12 This event is brought to you by 9x90™, Shorooq Partners, Molo9™ & The IE Alumni Club of Saudi Arabia. This event was hosted by Adi Soozin https://www.linkedin.com/in/adisoozin/, who was joined by three panelists: Mahmoud Adi : Technology Enthusiast & Investor Almudena Ruiz-Giménez Úbeda: Private Equity ManagerDr. Faisal Al-Kadi : Investor & Business Leader This event was broken down into three parts: Part 1 - Introduction of Panelists Part 2 - What Five Things Do You Look For When Choosing Which Startups to Invest In? Part 3 - Questions from the audience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeDM1Y22R3Q Listen to this as a podcast on your favorite platform:

Watch Now

Jan Farrell ⛷️  International Professional Speed Skier and Investor: The Real Life Tony Stark (#10)

9x90 Episode 10 Jan Farrell is the quad-lingual professional athlete who founded Liberalia Spain, a TPA for mobile phone insurance, specializing in claims management. He is not only a professional athlete, angel investor and startup founder but also a graduate of one of the world's top business schools, IE Business School, where he now serves as an adjunct professor. If you were wondering why people refer to him as the "real-life-Tony-Stark" here it is. When he is not busy with his responsibilities as CEO of Liberalia Spain, Jan is: A Board Member of the International Ski Federation in Bern, SwitzerlandThe Director of Production at Farrell Import in Madrid, SpainA Brand Ambassador for: LEKI Lenhart GmbH, Amber Sports Corporation & MÁSMÓVILAn Advisor & Investor of The Little Car Company in London, UKAn Investment Manager at BRETHIL INVESTMENT SL in Madrid, SpainA Professional Speed Skier for GB Snowsport You can learn more…

Watch Now
Back To Top