<p>Alex Schinasi, founder of Hulken, joins Carrie Kerpen to unpack the real entrepreneurial journey behind raising venture capital, pivoting under pressure, selling companies, and building again. </p><p><br></p><p>From Ivy to Hulken, Alex shares why billion-dollar valuations do not always mean founder freedom, how pivots create momentum, and what it means to be truly “acquired, not retired.”</p><p><br></p><p><strong>This episode is sponsored by Dubsado.</strong> Dubsado helps service-based business owners streamline proposals, contracts, invoices, payments, and client workflows all in one place. Visit <a href="http://www.dubsado.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠<strong>www.dubsado.com</strong>⁠</a> and use code <strong>WHISPER</strong> for <strong>30% off</strong>.</p><p><br></p><p>2:22 - Introducing Hulken</p><p>4:45 - Company #1: Ivy — The Origin Story</p><p>9:58 - Racing to Exit: Finding Product Market Fit</p><p>12:21 - The Ivy Exit — From Unlock to Deal</p><p>12:45 - How the Acquirer Found Them (LinkedIn!)</p><p>16:36 - Why Build Again? The Zero-to-One Mindset</p><p>16:45 - Company #2: Clay — Healthcare to EdTech</p><p>19:55 - The Clay Exit — Three Term Sheets</p><p>24:41 - Hulken Origin Story </p><p>28:18 - VC vs. Bootstrap — How to Choose</p><p>29:58 - What&#39;s Next for Hulken?</p>