Breaking into startups, finance, and emerging tech as a student isn’t easy- but you don’t have to do it alone. Dorm Room Ventures is your go-to podcast for navigating the world of business while still in school. Hosted by Zaki Wali, this show dives into the latest market trends, startup strategies, corporate finance insights, and game-changing innovations shaping the future.
Join me as I chat with industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, and students making waves in the business world. Whether you’re looking to launch your own venture, land a top finance role, or simply stay ahead of the curve, this podcast gives you the tools, insights, and inspiration to make it happen.
New episodes weekly- because your future starts now. 🚀
From Dorm Room to Forbes 30 Under 30: The Founder Roadmap w/ Salman Habib
From validating your first idea to leading a team of 100 - this episode is a full founder kit, straight from someone who's lived every stage of it.
I'm joined by Salman Habib, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and co-founder & CEO of Burq, an AI-based delivery infrastructure platform he's scaled to nearly 100 employees since starting his first company as a college sophomore.
We walk through the full arc: finding real product-market fit, staying heads down when startup glamour pulls you off track, and evolving your leadership style as your company grows from a small team into something much larger. Salman has been through every one of these stages himself - and he doesn't hold back.
Connect with Salman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msalmanhabib/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/msalmanhabib/)
Check out Burq: https://www.burqup.com/ (https://www.burqup.com/)
12 Apr 2026
Your Startup Idea Might Not Be Solving a Real Problem w/ Nelson Chu
The best startup ideas don't start with a solution - they start with a problem that can't be ignored. In this week's episode of Dorm Room Ventures, I'm joined by Nelson Chu, a venture capitalist at Kinetic Ventures with nearly three decades of experience and a mentor at Virginia Tech's APEX Center for Entrepreneurs.
We break down the "Hair-on-Fire" problem framework - what it really means to solve something urgent versus something merely interesting, why the status quo is your biggest competitor, and how to pressure-test your idea before you've written a single line of code. Nelson also shares how to recognize when you're building a solution in search of a problem, what real customer validation actually looks like, and the very first step to take if you realize your startup may be off track.
Connect with Nelson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonchu/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonchu/)
Check out Kinetic Ventures: https://www.kineticventures.com/ (https://www.kineticventures.com/)
9 Feb 2026
The Leadership Advantage Most Founders Overlook w/ Israel Oyedare
In this episode of Dorm Room Ventures, I’m joined by Israel Oyedare, founder of Teens and Youth in Leadership (TYIL), for a conversation that challenges how founders think about impact, leadership, and long-term sustainability.
Israel shares his journey of building an organization rooted in giving back - not profit - and what that experience teaches founders about integrity, scale, and staying true to why you started. We unpack the real tradeoffs mission-driven builders face, why short-term financial compromises often undermine long-term success, and how purpose-first thinking can actually become a founder’s greatest advantage.
The episode also dives deep into leadership: whether it can be taught, how it’s truly learned, and what separates real leaders from those who simply hold titles. Israel breaks down the traits of effective leaders and why great leadership is less about control and more about seeing potential in others and helping them reach it - especially for student founders stepping into leadership roles early.
This episode is a must-listen for founders who want to build with intention, lead with integrity, and develop the kind of leadership that lasts far beyond their first startup.
Connect with Israel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/israel-oyedare/
Learn more about Teens and Youth in Leadership (TYIL): https://www.tyil.org.ng/
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 13 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
13
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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