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/

In this episode of Dorm Room Ventures, we launch into 2026 with Aram Attar, a venture capital expert who bridges the gap between investment psychology and practical application. Aram introduces us to Mindset-Based Investing, a unique framework that not only dissects the cognitive patterns of top investors but also reverse engineers these insights for founders. We explore how entrepreneurs can adopt these strategies to enhance their decision-making, take calculated risks, and build scalable, investor-attractive startups. This episode is a must-listen for founders and investors alike, offering actionable wisdom to navigate the venture capital world with a winning mindset.

Connect with Aram on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aram-attar/

Check out The VC Factory: https://thevcfactory.com/

In this week's episode of Dorm Room Ventures, we wrap up 2025 with a deep dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Adam Rossi, a Virginia Tech alum, serial entrepreneur, and investor. Adam shares his experiences from founding and scaling companies to mentoring the next generation of founders. We explore the realities of entrepreneurship beyond the glamorized highlight reels, discuss common misconceptions, and delve into the sacrifices and challenges faced along the way. Adam offers invaluable insights on building real-world skills, the importance of networking beyond your immediate industry, and maintaining financial discipline. Whether you're a student curious about startups or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with wisdom to guide your journey. Stay tuned for more exciting conversations in 2026!

Connect with Adam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamrossi-indie/