Afleveringen
-
We’re thrilled to have Tanya Beja, General Partner at AlleyCorp, in studio for the latest episode of Startup Success. Join us for a fascinating conversation about their unique approach to investing and incubating that will strike a chord with startup founders looking to make a positive impact on society.
Tanya introduces us to AlleyCorp Impact, a fund dedicated to backing founders who are intentionally building for middle or low income Americans - the 80% of families who power our economy. Impact specifically looks for compelling ideas that use tech to solve big social challenges, accelerate upward mobility, and generate strong returns.
We also discuss:
How AlleyCorp combines incubation and early-stage investment to build category-defining companiesReal-world examples of how their portfolio companies are impacting a wide range of human needs, such as health equity and economic securityTheir new philanthropically funded ENG(INE) program that pairs nonprofits with a team of engineers to build tech that advances social & economic opportunityTanya’s advice for founders on the importance of having a North Star, hiring amazing people, and how to pick the right investors
Don't miss this episode packed with insights and inspiration for anyone interested in the world of venture capital and impact-driven investing.
For more information on AlleyCorp and to stay updated with their latest ventures, visit allycorp.com and follow them on LinkedIn. Nonprofits interested in applying for ENG(INE) can learn more at nonprofitengine.org/
----
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
In this episode of Startup Success, we sit down with Josh Gilbert, CFO of the VC firm Freestyle, who unravels the intricacies of venture capital investing. Josh offers an insider's perspective on the role of VC firms in the startup ecosystem and sheds light on the inner workings of how they operate.
His insights on the current state of the startup/VC landscape, along with why the renewed focused on due diligence is a good thing for startup founders (despite the potential headaches), make this a not-to-be-missed episode!
Highlights:
Why due diligence is more stringent now and how founders should approach itHis advice on what founders need to be transparent about, including past failuresJosh details the rigorous process VCs go through in evaluating startupsHow to build strong relationships with your investors and why it’s important
Josh's dedication to supporting founders shines through, making this episode a must-listen for anyone navigating the world of startups and venture capital. Tune in to learn more about Freestyle and the secrets to startup success.
----
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Bill Snyder, the CEO and Founder of Vivante Health. Propelled by a recent $31M Series B round, his company is on a mission to revolutionize digital health, starting with chronic GI conditions.
Bill shares the founding story of Vivante Health and how their innovative platform transforms the way patients suffering from digestive health issues receive care. He also gives us a peek into the challenges of entrepreneurship, including the highs and lows of fundraising and the importance of building a strong company culture.
We discuss:
The 3 things Vivante Health is doing right that sparked investors’ interest The power of transparency, accountability, and collaboration in building a mission-driven organizationHow his startup is using pattern recognition to improve patient outcomesBill’s hard-won advice for dealing with obstacles that arise along the startup journey
Tune in for valuable insights from an inspiring founder who built a successful startup from the ground up.
----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
Today we dive into the world of legal strategy for startups with Charu Satia, startup attorney and Partner at Silicon Legal Strategy. With more than a decade of experience under her belt, Charu provides invaluable insights into the array of key legal issues startup founders need to be aware of from inception to exit.
Charu explains why it makes sense to bet on your startup's success by investing in a solid legal foundation early on. From entity formation to IP protection, equity structuring to commercial agreements, Charu highlights the critical areas where legal counsel plays a pivotal role in minimizing risks and maximizing opportunities for startups.
We discuss:
The importance of working with legal counsel from an early stage to avoid costly cleanup and delays during fundraising or M&A due diligenceCommon pitfalls of opting for shortcuts like free online legal templates (hint: it may cost you more in the long run!)Actionable advice for startup founders around building a network of supportive partners
Tune in to gain valuable insights from Charu Satia and learn how to lay the groundwork for your startup's success with strategic legal counsel.
Silicon Legal Strategy specializes in corporate transactional work, serving as trusted advisors throughout the entire lifecycle of startups. To learn more about their laser focus on helping entrepreneurs succeed, visit: www.siliconlegal.com.
———
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
Our guest today, Aagya Mathur, has an inspiring story to tell. She transformed her personal health challenges into a startup that empowers people to improve their overall quality of life.
In this episode, Aagya, Co-Founder & CEO at Aavia, shares how she brought her idea to fruition with help from MIT and then recently was accepted into the Mayo Clinic and ASU MedTech Accelerator. After an incredible Q1, her startup plans to leverage the lessons they learned around pivoting, listening to customers, and the power of organic marketing to reach even great levels of success.
Our conversation covers:The importance of user-centric design and staying agile enough to adapt quicklyAavia’s innovative and hugely successful approach to growth marketing through organic, education-driven content on socialWhy perseverance and grit are key to navigating the ups & downs of the founder’s journeyHer lightbulb moment of realizing that data-driven, science-backed insights could shine a light on an under-researched, under-funded area of health and potentially help half the world’s population
Tune in to hear how Aavia is revolutionizing health and empowering people with ovaries to take control of their well-being, one cycle at a time.
To learn more about Aavia and download the app, visit their website at aavia.io or find them on the App Store. Connect with Aavia on social media for educational content and updates on Instagram and TikTok (@aavia.io).
———
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
The tech ecosystem in Los Angeles may not grab headlines like Silicon Valley, but over the past decade, it has gained some serious momentum and a several major VC players have emerged. Our guest today is Jennifer Richard, Principal at Bonfire Ventures – one LA’s top B2B venture firms.
Jennifer discusses what she’s excited about in the tech sector right now, why she’s optimistic about 2024, and Bonfire Ventures’ investment approach, which prioritizes building long term relationships with founders.
Our conversation also covers:
Advice for founders, including how to make a positive first impression on investors Increased deal flow, more competitive rounds, and other positive trends Jennifer is currently seeing in the marketWhat Jennifer and her firm look for in startupsJennifer’s extraordinary experience as a Kauffman FellowThe latest on LA’s tech scene
Tune in for the latest on the evolving startup ecosystem and real-world advice for founders in the midst of their startup journey.
For more information about Bonfire Ventures and to connect with Jennifer, visit their website or reach out on LinkedIn and Twitter.
———
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
Even though the success rates for startups today are sobering, there is reason to be optimistic. As our guest today, Venture Capitalist John Frankel sees it: "Cycles happen. We've gone through a downturn and I think we're now at an inflection point. We’re already starting to see some companies raise money at high valuations."
John founded ff Venture Capital in 2008 and has since funded over 150 seed and early-stage companies that in turn have created thousands of jobs and impacted the lives of millions.
He joins us to share his motivation for founding a VC firm, his investment philosophy, and his perspective on today’s startup landscape.
Our conversation delves into:
John's advice for foundersWhat his firm looks for in early stage startupsThe significance of resilience and adaptability for early-stage foundersHis current fascination with applied AI, including drones, robotics, and financial services tech
This episode provides valuable insights and practical advice for early-stage founders navigating the challenging yet promising startup world.
———
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
In today's episode, we have two VCs in the studio, Dr. Tara Bishop and Eileen Tanghal, co-founders of Black Opal Ventures, who discuss their strategic focus of supporting startups that are driving innovation at the intersection of technology and healthcare.
We explore the genesis of Black Opal Ventures and how the duo, who met as freshman 30 years ago at MIT, took a leap of faith, ultimately raising $63 million for their fund.
Discussion highlights:
How their unique backgrounds converged in a shared vision for funding impactful innovation in healthcareTheir passion for building a future where automation/AI drives down costs, making healthcare more accessibleWhy we are now on the cusp of a massive wave of evolution in the healthcare industryBlack Opal Ventures’ portfolio, ranging from next-gen wearables to novel solutions for diagnosing lung cancerWhere Founders in this space should be focused and their thoughts on how to achieve success
The episode gives listeners a captivating glimpse into the journey of two visionary leaders shaping the future of healthcare.
———
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
No matter what industry you’re in, your audience is savvier than ever about digital branding and marketing. The tactics that worked 5 years ago no longer apply. And this makes growing your business and driving sales more challenging than ever.
That's why today, we're excited to sit down with a true digital marketing and branding expert to delve into strategies that will help your startup break through the noise.
Our guest, Juntae DeLane, is a sought-after strategist, thought leader, and the Founder + Chief Strategist at Digital Delane, a full-service digital marketing agency. He also founded the Digital Branding Institute and has spoken around the world on the practice of digital branding.
Juntae walks us step-by-step through what it takes to build a successful brand and convert customers in today’s ever-shifting market.
We discuss:
The new rules of SEO and how to align content with Google's latest algorithmWhy credibility & trustworthiness are key to your content creation strategyHow a CRM system can multiple the efforts of small teamsWhy personal branding is especially important for foundersHis assertion that today all brands are built on social
Juntae wraps up with insights he learned along his founder’s journey … "Being a successful founder really starts from within. It takes something on the inside that keeps you going. You have to ask yourself if you have that grit."
Don’t miss this incredible episode packed with the best digital branding and marketing advice out there!
———
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
Today, we have a remarkable guest in our studio, Suzanne Fletcher, the founder and general partner of Zelda Ventures. Suzanne’s career as an investor spans 20 years including a stint at StartX, Stanford’s startup accelerator & founder community, where she helped over 900 founders raise early-stage capital.
In 2023, she launched Zelda Ventures and raised $33M for her new fund in spite of “apocalyptic” fundraising conditions— an incredible accomplishment!
Suzanne dives into her VC journey and shares Zelda’s focus on backing serial entrepreneurs, a unique strategy that leverages her well-established founder network and deep industry knowledge.
We discuss:
Her framework for selecting startups to fundWhat she looks for in a founding teamWhy a "no” from an investor may actually mean "not yet”Her advice for early-stage foundersLessons she’s learned from founders on tenacity, team dynamics and transparency
Join us in this enlightening conversation with Suzanne Fletcher as we explore her investment philosophy and valuable advice for entrepreneurs.
———
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
Startup wind downs are not something founders usually think about until there is no other option. But for founders who find themselves in that position, juggling all the elements of a wind down (aka going out of business) can be tricky both logistically and psychologically. However, if you approach it the right way, there can be positive legal and financial implications.
In his role of VP at Sherwood Partners, Andrew Kitirattragarn, helps founders navigate the best possible route through the wind down journey. He was inspired to do this work after going through a difficult wind down himself at the CPG startup he co-founded, Dang Foods. Andrew has learned that if the wind down is done well, a founding team can gain a sense of closure (and not failure) at the end of the process.
Andrew emphasizes that doing even just a small amount of advance planning when your startup is not in immediate financial distress, can alleviate the risk of having to act hastily or haphazardly if the worst happens.
He shares valuable insights on:
Why planning for a wind down at 12 months left of cash runway is keyThe empowering and positive aspects to the process that can leave in you a stronger financial positionHow preparing for the worst case scenario can reduce your concernsSupport & resources to help you come out the other side ready for the next big thing!
This is a much-needed conversation that we hope gets the ball rolling for important talks with your team!
—----
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
Startup founders are some of the most committed, hardworking, innovative people in the world. But even in the best of times, they exist in a pressure cooker. And the relentless stress can sometimes lead to burnout.
Nevertheless, mental health has historically been a taboo topic in the venture capital and startup community. So when we heard about the work Flourish Ventures is doing to support startup founders, we were intrigued and wanted to dedicate an episode to their work.
Today, we are thrilled to sit down with Lisa Mikkelsen, Head of Global Human Capital at Flourish Ventures, who shares her firm’s mission to create a systemic change in the global fintech sector and their unique holistic approach to working with startups. Lisa details the work Flourish is doing to redefine the culture of venture capital to focus more on empowering founders and prioritizing their well-being and mental health.
Our far-reaching discussion covers:
– Why it’s important for VCs to offer more than just financial support to founders
– How to get past the perceived power imbalance between founder and investor
– Why the skill of empathy is key to startup success
– The warning signs of founder burnout (from a VC's perspective)
– The benefits of cultivating a strong founder/VC relationship
– What founders should look out for when vetting investors
Don't miss this frank conversation about the complexities of founder mental health and the role venture capital firms can play in supporting them.
—----
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
Happy New Year! Now, onto the million dollar question: “What to expect in 2024?” For Founders, topics like will the fundraising market improvel, the impact of an election year, and the macroeconomic landscape are front and center.
Today’s guests are Steven Lord, the Managing Director of Service Delivery & Chief Learning Officer and Ardy Esmaeili, the Managing Director of Tax Practice, tackle all those burning questions.
Steve and Ardy join us to share their unique perspective and key predictions for the new year. They break down what really happened in 2023 from a data perspective and then share their outlook for the macroeconomic landscape and fundraising market in 2024. Plus Ardy gives a simple overview of tax considerations for founders to keep in mind in 2024 like R&D tax credits and sales tax.
The episode wraps up on a positive note, urging Founders to prepare for an upswing in venture activity. This short but important episode is a must-listen for any founder who wants to be prepared for 2024.
—----
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
If you're looking for an uplifting conversation on the intersection of SaaS and AI, look no further.
Jim Gochee’s passion for B2B SaaS is real and inspiring! Jim is the CEO of Blameless, a SRE platform that empowers engineering and DevOps teams to improve reliability through better incident management, retrospectives and analytics.
Jim joins us to talk about how recent innovations in AI are having a big impact on B2B SaaS and where he sees the industry headed. He highlights the shift towards high quality consumer-like user experiences in enterprise software and the changing dynamics of the buyer's journey in the SaaS space. Jim also delves into how to build a strong B2B SaaS brand and how founders can win B2B sales in this challenging market.
We also discuss:
– How AI can really shine as a communications tool
– Jim’s experience taking over as an “outsider CEO” from a founding startup team
– Leadership decisions he had to make in the 2023 climate and the advice he has for other founders facing similar challenges
—----
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
Today’s guest, Griffin O'Brien, CEO of Estate Media, shares his journey from a traditional media background to founding a unique startup and video-first platform for real estate. We explore how Griff and his co-founders are changing the real estate industry with a tech forward media company that leverages the latest in digital. Additionally, Griff provides insights into the challenges of fundraising and the importance of data-driven decision-making.
Hear more about:
How professional first creators are transforming traditional marketingThe “uphill battle” of fundraising for a digital media startup in a tough environmentHow adapting to market changes can modernize an entire industry
—----
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
Accounting as a superhero? It may sound far-fetched, but after this conversation, you’ll completely understand!
Today’s guest is Sasha Orloff, Co-Founder & CEO of Puzzle. He shares his experiences in the startup ecosystem, highlighting his passion for solving problems and enabling people to do their best work. He discusses his journey into entrepreneurship, and his impressive work with startups around credit scores and financial inclusion.
We also deep dive into all things Puzzle, an autonomous accounting software designed to provide real-time financial insights. Sasha explains how the platform is built to facilitate data-driven decisions, which are critical for capital and resource allocation in any company.
We also discuss:How major shifts in the market can lead to startup success What Founders need to know about accounting and financial decision makingA good framework for making decisions as a startup founder
—----
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
A critical component to the fundraising process is the pitch deck. Effective pitching is crucial for startup founders who often need to convey their ideas and products to investors, partners, and stakeholders.
Today’s guest is Neil Thompson, Founder of Teach the Geek, who gives incredible suggestions on how to improve the pitch deck and presentation style of the traditional technical founder. Neil emphasizes the need to highlight the benefits of their products rather than diving into technical features. He also provides practical tips, such as striking a balance between visuals and text, adapting to different audiences, and crafting a compelling narrative.
The conversation also dives into:Focusing on Benefits over Features & how challenging this can be for the technical gurusOvercoming blind spots of defensivenessUtilizing empathy to adapt the pitch for different audiencesThe importance of networking and the power of finding comradery in Founder groups
—----
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
Leadership Coaches seem to be a dime a dozen in this workforce landscape. There are plenty of “coaches” out there who market themselves as experts but do not have the clout to back them up. That’s not the case with our guest today, Jason Weeman, the Founder of Refine Talent Development.
Jason is a Certified Professional Coach whose senior-level experience at LinkedIn, Upwork & Apple has influenced his unique take on coaching. He helps founders break free from self-imposed barriers and empower their teams to drive the business forward.
As a founder himself, Jason knows the challenges that come with taking intelligent risks in the entrepreneurial world. He emphasizes the importance of aligning your startup's value proposition with your personal goals and highlights how founders often hinder their own success by not allowing their teams to shine.
Our conversation dives into:
How Founders can “get out of their own way” and empower their teamsNavigating the relationship with your Co-FounderThe benefits of investing in employee growth & developmentCreating alignment around your startup’s mission & company values
________
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! -
In this episode, we start by diving into the complexities founders face when navigating private equity (PE) interest. Next, we discuss M&A activity and areas that are critical for founders to address. Founders will learn what they should be looking for around both PE and M&A deals. Our guest, Gaurav Bhasin of Allied Advisers, shares helpful tactical advice. He also sheds light on the current fundraising market and advises founders on how to approach fundraising in this environment.
Gaurav Bhasin has vast expertise in valuations, mergers and acquisitions, investment banking, strategic partnerships, and business strategy, he’s also a Forbes Council Member and frequent contributor to Crunchbase News. You can find two recent articles on Gross Profit Margin and what to do when A Strategic or PE Firm Wants to Buy Your Company.
Join us as we discuss:
How a founder should approach PE interest and a potential investmentTactical M&A advice on all the aspects of a dealToday's fundraising market and how to navigate itAdvice for early-stage founders
Gaurav is the Managing Director at Allied Advisers; a global technology advisory firm. Gaurav’s clients range from startups with dreams to capture the world, to a vertical SaaS client whose last valuation was 1.5 billion dollars.
—----
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, the CRO of Burkland, here on LinkedIn! -
Welcome to Startup Success, the podcast for startup founders and investors. Today’s special episode is guest-hosted by Steve Lord, Managing Director of Burkland's CFO Practice and FinTech Group. Join us as Steve welcomes Natalie Testa and Jake Sally of Jadu, an independent AR studio. The engaging conversation touches on the challenges and opportunities of working in a startup, the company's AR game evolution, the metaverse concept, the impact of AI on their processes, and the importance of building joy into company culture.
We discuss:
The pivot from crypto to AR at Jadu Monetization strategies in the AR space Are we at a plateau with Moore’s law regarding game development costs? What should “impact" mean at a startup? Natalie Testa is the Vice President of Finance at Jadu, a fast-growing startup that develops next-gen augmented reality games for mobile. With over ten years of experience in finance and operations, Natalie has a proven track record of driving organizational improvement and leading successful and high-achieving teams.
Jake Sally is the COO at Jadu and is an Industry-leading, Emmy-nominated producer, public speaker, and champion of independent artists dedicated to building the pipeline, vernacular, and stories of the next-generation content ecosystems for audiences worldwide.
** Keep an eye out for Jadu’s first mobile AR Fighting Game – launching this fall! ** - Laat meer zien