Coffee with a Founder Podcast: Brett Levenson of Clavata

24- Jun-2025

In this episode of Coffee with a Founder, Brett Levenson, Co-Founder and CEO of Clavata, takes Beck Bamberger behind the scenes of their security-first AI company and shares the story behind his partnership with Co-Founder and CTO, Ash Bhardwaj.

He explains why choosing the right partner is key to both business and life, and how the support from spouses and loved ones made all the difference. The conversation dives into the challenges of leaving comfortable roles, the importance of finding the right team, and how entrepreneurship can feel like a marriage, one built on shared vision and mutual trust.

show notes:

1:31: Convincing a Co-founder to Leave Apple

3:35: The Mission Behind Clavata AI

5:34: Why Picking the Right Co-founder Feels Like Marriage

11:11: Spousal Buy-in and Startup Life Balance

13:54: From Ideation to Commitment: Clavata’s Origin Story

18:57: Recent Clarity & Gaining Traction

Read More About The Episode:

1:31: Brett's relationship with his co-founder
Brett shares the story of how he persuaded his Co-Founder, Ash Bhardwaj, to leave his job at Apple and join him in launching Clavata. The conversation covers the challenges of giving up security for the uncertain startup journey and what ultimately motivated Ashburn to take the leap.

3:35: The WHY behind Clavata
Brett digs into how Clavata is building a much-needed security layer for artificial intelligence. He explains how they considered both founders’ motivations—especially as parents—who wanted to create a safer future and address the downside risks of the internet’s evolution.

5:34: Why picking the right co-founder feels like marriage
Beck and Brett dive into the deep connection and trust required between co-founders, likening it to a marriage. Brett reflects on the unique chemistry he shares with Ash and why he wouldn’t have started Clavata without him, and emphasizes the importance of working with people you genuinely “jive” with.

11:11: Spousal buy-in and startup life balance
The conversation highlights the importance of spousal and family support in launching a startup. Brett shares candidly how both he and Ash consulted with their partners before taking the plunge, and discusses how his wife’s encouragement has helped him navigate tough moments.

13:54: From ideation to commitment: Clavata’s origin story
Brett discusses the emotional and practical considerations that go into starting a business, as well as the evolution of the Clavata idea, from early 2022 conversations with investors through months of “courting” his co-founder.

18:57: Recent clarity and gaining traction
Brett reflects on the breakthrough moment when he realized Clavata is “on to something,” as the company’s differentiators and market fit became clear. He discusses the shift from exploration to the execution phase, outlining plans for scaling up sales and marketing now that product-market fit is in view.