From rethinking startup acceleration to fueling diverse global innovation, Brian Mac Mahon’s mission-driven approach is a masterclass in growth, grit, and founder-first investing.
In this episode of the [A] Growth Ventures Podcast, Hamlet Azarian sits down with Brian Mac Mahon — Founder and CEO of Expert DOJO, one of the world’s most active early-stage accelerators. With over 280 investments across five continents, Brian shares how his journey from entrepreneur to global investor is reshaping what it means to build — and scale — successful startups around the world.
What We Explored with Brian Mac Mahon
The Mission Behind Expert Dojo
Born from frustration with founder failure and systemic VC bias, Expert Dojo was built to flip the startup ecosystem on its head — investing first, and supporting relentlessly for years, not weeks.
Building a Global, Founder-First Accelerator
Brian shares how Expert Dojo went from local LA events to becoming a global accelerator powerhouse — with hubs across Africa, LATAM, MENA, and Southeast Asia, and plans to expand into India and Dubai in 2024.
The Power of Aligned Greed
Rather than fighting bias with grants or quotas, Brian believes in the power of “aligned greed” — when startup traction becomes undeniable, investors follow, regardless of founder background.
Execution Over Grit
Passion isn’t enough. Brian outlines how founders must live in a state of execution, prioritizing growth, daily outreach, and product obsession over theory and talk.
Why Most Accelerators Are Outdated
Brian critiques the traditional 12-week accelerator model as outdated — filled with pitch days, mentorship myths, and “advisor theater.” Instead, Expert Dojo offers a 4-year growth program with monthly sprints, global experts, and hands-on scaling support.
Growth Is the Only KPI That Matters
By focusing on customer acquisition, revenue, and retention, Expert Dojo helps founders unlock real traction — the only signal that attracts meaningful funding and builds real companies.
Real Stories of Startup Breakouts
Brian highlights incredible founder journeys — from Matchbook AI hitting $440K/month in revenue, to African fintech Klasha processing tens of millions in transactions, to Sensate scaling a wellness hardware brand to over $1M/month.
Key Takeaways
01:30 — The origin of Expert Dojo and why most startups fail unnecessarily
06:30 — Why entrepreneurship should be taught to every 12-year-old
08:30 — How Ikigai philosophy shapes founder success
13:00 — The trap of “grit” vs. the power of focused execution
20:00 — What investors really care about: growth rate and retention
25:00 — Why 12-week accelerators are broken and how Expert Dojo reimagined the model
29:00 — How their 4-year, sprint-based program drives long-term success
34:00 — Stories of breakout companies and how they scaled fast
38:00 — Identifying execution-focused founders early through customer traction
43:00 — Emerging markets, AI hype, and why Brian bets on people over trends
47:00 — Launching new hubs in India, Dubai, and offering free pre-accelerator support globally
Final Thoughts
Brian Mac Mahon’s journey is a rallying cry for founders to stop chasing permission and start chasing performance.
From creating an inclusive global VC model to redefining what real support looks like in early-stage investing, Brian is helping founders around the world build scalable, fundable, and profitable companies — one sprint at a time.
If you’re a founder tired of waiting for luck to strike — and ready to grow through action, not theory — this episode is a must-listen.
Connect with Brian Mac Mahon
Email: [email protected]
Website: expertdojo.com
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