Coffee with a Founder Podcast: Eli Wachs of Footprint

26- Jun-2025

Eli Wachs, Co-Founder and CEO of Footprint, is set to eliminate identity theft by making our identities portable and impossible to fake. In this episode of Coffee with a Journalist, Eli joins Beck Bamberger and shares what it takes to build something this monumental.

From balancing confidence and delusion to confronting the “success slump,” Eli explains why founders need more than just hustle; they need hobbies. He gets honest about founder mental health, finding the right co-founder, and why detaching your self-worth from your company’s fate is crucial.

show notes:

00:34 How Footprint is tackling identity theft

02:00 AI and the arms race in fraud prevention

03:30 Eli’s “pressure is a privilege” mindset and motivation

09:08 Stand-up comedy, hobbies, and founder well-being

16:26 The Co-Founder courtship: How Eli Met Alex

20:11 Advice, reflections, and the power of being the buyer

Read More About The Episode:

00:34 How Footprint is tackling identity theft
Eli introduces Footprint and their approach to identity verification and the concept of making identities “portable” so that good actors are easily recognized, rather than constantly chasing fraudsters.

02:00 AI and the arms race in fraud prevention
The conversation explores how AI is empowering both sides of the battle. While AI helps companies protect identities, it’s also used by fraudsters to create more convincing synthetic identities and launch sophisticated attacks.

03:30 Eli’s “pressure is a privilege” mindset and motivation
Eli dives into his guiding philosophy and explains how founders often get their drive either from a “chip on their shoulder” or from a genuine passion for the work. Shifting from tying self-worth to success to enjoying the process itself, Eli shares, leads to better decision-making and resilience.

09:08 Stand-up comedy, hobbies, and founder well-being
Eli talks about his passion for stand-up comedy and why founders need to have hobbies outside of work. He draws parallels between pitching investors and performing comedy, highlighting the importance of low-stakes creative outlets in maintaining mental health.

16:26 The Co-Founder courtship: How Eli Met Alex
Eli recounts the almost romantic story of meeting his co-founder, Alex Grinman. He stresses the importance of mutual respect, complementary skills, and the “founder dating” process, emphasizing the need for deep compatibility and trust in a business partner.

20:11 Advice, reflections, and the power of being the buyer
The discussion shifts to fundraising advice, including the importance of confidence and “being the buyer” in investor conversations. Beck and Eli reflect on their favorite takeaways, company-building philosophies, and the value of embracing the journey, not just the outcome.