Venture Building: From Validation to Scale with John Freyder
If you’ve ever wondered what really happens between an idea, traction, and a successful exit — beyond pitch decks, theory, and surface-level advice — this conversation is for you.
Join us for a live fireside chat with John Freyder, a seasoned entrepreneur and venture strategist with over 15 years of experience building, scaling, and exiting companies across technology, commercial real estate, healthcare, and energy.
John founded REI Wise, a SaaS platform that transformed financial analysis and marketing in commercial real estate. The platform supported over 10,000 professionals and analyzed more than $250B in assets annually before being acquired. Beyond founding, John has operated deep inside venture studios as a Venture Executive at Mach49, where he helped build and scale startups across energy, sustainability, FinTech, and mental health — working hands-on with founders at the most fragile stages of company creation.
Why this conversation matters
Most founders are taught what a startup should look like. Very few get exposed to how ventures are actually built when markets are unclear, incentives are messy, and execution matters more than storytelling. This session pulls back the curtain on venture building as it really happens — from early validation to go-to-market, scaling decisions, and exit paths.
We’ll unpack:
• What it really takes to move from strategy to execution
• How to validate business models before committing years of effort
• Common mistakes founders make in the early and growth stages
• How to align product, market, and go-to-market without overbuilding
• Lessons from scaling SaaS businesses across complex, regulated markets
• What investors and acquirers actually care about versus what founders assume
About John Freyder
John Freyder is an entrepreneur, operator, and venture strategist who has founded, scaled, and advised multiple high-impact ventures. His work spans SaaS, real estate technology, healthcare, energy, and emerging markets. As a mentor, John is known for his hands-on approach, sharp strategic thinking, and ability to help founders turn ambitious ideas into scalable, investable businesses.