Most founders never think about transfer agents... until they become a problem. In this episode of Liftoff with Keith Newman, Keith sits down with Rob Schoder, Co-Founder & CEO of Vinyl Equity, to discuss why one of the most important pieces of capital markets infrastructure has remained stuck in the past—and how modern technology is changing it. Drawing from his experience leading portfolio operations at AngelList, Rob explains why outdated shareholder systems create unnecessary friction for founders, investors, and public companies, and how Vinyl is building the next generation of ownership infrastructure. In this episode you'll learn: * Why transfer agents are critical to every public company * The biggest challenges companies face during IPOs * How legacy infrastructure slows innovation * Why API-first platforms are changing capital markets * The growing role of AI in shareholder management * Lessons from building a regulated fintech startup * Why founders should market their wins earlier * What the future of capital markets could look like Whether you're a founder, CFO, investor, legal professional, or fintech enthusiast, this conversation offers valuable insights into the technology powering modern equity ownership. Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/ Connect with Rob: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rwsjr/ * Website: https://www.vinylequity.com/ * Vinyl Equity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vinyl-equity/home/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 * Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ * Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285 * Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/ Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.