In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Bryan Leach, the founder and CEO of Ibotta—a Denver-based marketing platform that helps brands engage millions of consumers.
Bryan shares how watching his father build a public company sparked his own entrepreneurial journey. After relocating to the U.S., Bryan eventually founded Ibotta and led the company through the challenges of scaling a high-growth business—all the way to ringing the bell on the New York Stock Exchange in April 2024, a rare achievement in today’s tough IPO climate.
From his unique vantage point, Bryan discusses what it takes to build a resilient company culture, recruit and retain top talent, and stay true to a long-term vision amid the short-term pressures of public markets. He also reflects on the evolving promise of the American dream, the power of education and networks in shaping opportunity, and why fostering community is essential for lasting impact.
This episode offers candid insights on scaling with purpose, leading through volatility, and the grit it takes to take a company public when the odds are stacked against you.
Learn more about Ibotta: https://home.ibotta.com/
Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/book
To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com
