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The U Lab Podcast

The U Lab Podcast

Written by: Hurratul Maleka Taj
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About this listen

Hi, my name is Hurratul!

Welcome to The U Lab, a research-led platform at the intersection of venture capital, global capital allocation, and entrepreneurial venture outcomes.

I am a 3x founder, having built and scaled ventures across 5 countries, and I’m now transitioning into structured research, analyzing how capital actually flows, how ventures succeed or fail, and where the system is fundamentally broken.

At The U Lab, you'd learn about:

- Venture capital dynamics and funding patterns

- Global capital allocation and financial power structures

- Research-backed insights on venture outcomes

I host The U Lab Podcast, where I speak with founders, investors, operators and researchers to capture the operating principles and decision-making frameowrks behind building companies under uncertainty.

This is where research meets real-world execution, with lessons packed in every single episode.

If you’re interested in venture capital, global finance, or building at a high level, you’re in the right place.

Copyright 2023 Hurratul Maleka Taj
Episodes
  • How 100,000+ Lives Transformed Across 37 Countries
    Mar 29 2026

    This episode is a deep dive into what it really takes to scale a nonprofit globally - not from theory, but from execution.

    In this conversation, I sit down with Chesca Colloredo-Mansfeld, co-founder of MiracleFeet, which has treated over 100,000 children across 37 countries.

    What stood out to me is how intentional her journey has been. This wasn’t chaos turning into impact - it was clarity, conviction, and long-term thinking clubbed with strategic execution.

    We talk about:

    • how you take an idea and build it into a global nonprofit
    • what scaling actually looks like across countries with very different cultures and systems
    • how to manage partnerships, especially when things don’t go as expected
    • and what it means to stay anchored to your mission while making tough operational decisions

    This episode is about how leaders think, decide, and execute over the long term.

    If you’re building anything - a startup, a nonprofit, or even your own path, this will give you a very clear lens on what it actually takes to scale.

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    57 mins
  • C.E.O. Mindset with James Keyes
    Jan 22 2026

    In this episode, I sit down with James Keyes - former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, bestselling author, and a leader whose journey is defined by resilience, reinvention, and an indomitable spirit.

    We talk about the hardest chapters of his life, the mindset that allowed him to keep rising, and the discipline required to lead through uncertainty. His story is a masterclass in grit, clarity, and long-horizon thinking.

    If you’re building something, rebuilding something, or fighting through a difficult season - this conversation will remind you of what’s possible when you refuse to break.

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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • From Battlefield to Boardroom: Dana Sydorenko’s Mission to Revolutionize Gaming
    May 5 2025

    What does it take to build a tech company in the middle of a war?

    In this episode of The Unstoppables, host Hurratul Maleka Taj talks to Dana Sydorenko—Ukrainian veteran, AI-driven tech founder, and investor—about her incredible journey from the frontlines of combat to the frontlines of innovation.

    Dana opens up about:

    • Her life as a combat paramedic during the war in Ukraine

    • How she launched a defense apparel business under fire

    • Building GameTree, a revolutionary AI platform transforming how gamers connect and fight online toxicity

    • Her role as an investor with Flyer One Ventures

    • What true resilience, leadership, and purpose look like in practice

    This isn’t just a story about business. It’s about bravery, vision, and creating impact in the face of chaos.

    If you’re an entrepreneur, gamer, tech leader, or someone seeking purpose-driven stories, this episode is for you.

    🔗 Follow, share, and hit that bell icon—because this is one conversation you don’t want to miss.

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    42 mins
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