What happens when a “lone nut” with a hacker’s curiosity, Wall Street roots, and a talent for building movements applies all of that to raising capital in today’s AI-driven world? In this episode, you’ll hear how reconnecting with an old contact led to IPOs, global retail distribution, and a redefined playbook for building teams, investors, and a life that truly lives “in the dash.”
In this episode, Philip and Dean DeLisle discuss:
- Early reconnection story and crypto tour origins
- Career path from Merrill Lynch tech pioneer to capital-raising strategist
- What “real AI” is versus marketing hype
- Geopolitics, oil & gas, and AI-driven energy investing
- Management teams, movements, and new books on raising capital
Lightbulb Moments:
- The most powerful opportunities often come from reconnections; relationships you built years ago can resurface and completely redirect your career trajectory.
- When evaluating any investment, start with the management team, their track record, and who they surround themselves with—long before you focus on the product.
- Much of what’s marketed as “AI” is really just automated logic; true AI continually learns and evolves new instructions from the data it processes.
- In volatile markets and geopolitical uncertainty, focusing on businesses that can control more of their own environment—like those using data and AI to de-risk oil and gas-can be a smarter long-term play than reacting to headlines.
- It’s never too late to pivot; major reinvention and licensing up in your 60s can open entirely new chapters if you stay curious, keep learning, and build trusted friendships.
“People trust. They don’t invest in the company. They invest in a great story and an idea.” – Dean DeLisle
Dean DeLisle is Chief Revenue Officer at Regiment Securities, where he leads revenue strategy, investor acquisition, and capital formation for emerging growth companies and institutional investment platforms across AI, medtech, sports performance, and digital infrastructure. With over four decades of experience in capital markets and technology, Dean began his career at Merrill Lynch before building digital infrastructure solutions for major enterprises like GE Capital, Baxter Healthcare, and Allstate, ultimately helping raise over $3 billion in growth capital. The author of FIRST: The Street Guide to Digital Business Influence, Dean works directly with founders and institutional partners to align capital strategy with market expansion, structure private placements, and activate high-trust investor networks for scalable growth.
Connect with Dean DeLisle:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deandelisle/
Connect with Philip:
Website: https://www.fornarolaw.com/
Podcast Website: https://lbmpodcast.com/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/philipfornaro/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fornarolaw3002
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fornarolaw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fornarolaw/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FornaroLaw
https://www.facebook.com/philip.fornaro.3
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