Explore every episode of the podcast Consumer VC: Venture Capital I B2C Startups I Commerce | Early-Stage Investing I Brands | Technology
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Future of Restaurant-Tech: Inside EMERGING’s $100M Fund with Mathew Focht | 27 Mar 2025 | 00:49:33 | |
Mathew Focht is the Founding Managing Partner of EMERGING, a $100M growth capital fund investing in the future of restaurant-tech and entertainment. In this episode of The Consumer VC, Mathew breaks down how EMERGING helps scale innovative hospitality concepts like F1® Arcade, BatBox, Puttshack, and more. We explore why the intersection of restaurants, entertainment, and technology is such a powerful space for venture capital, how they evaluate scalable concepts, and what makes EMERGING different from traditional investors. You’ll learn:
If you're curious about how tech is transforming food and entertainment, and what it takes to build the next big concept, this episode is a must-listen. Join our weekly newsletter : theconsumervc.com #venturecapital #restauranttech #consumerinnovation #mathewfocht #emergingfund #hospitalitytech #consumervc | |||
| Will AI Screw IP Holders, Content Getting Better or Worse, and The Future of Journalism with Ishan Sinha, Partner at Point72 Ventures | 20 Mar 2025 | 00:57:48 | |
#consumervc #venturecapital #aicontentcreation Join host Mike Gelb on The Consumer VC as he talks with Ishan Sinha, Partner at Point72 Ventures.In this episode, Ishan shares insights into the evolving role of AI in consumer startups, the challenges of AI-driven media, and the future of monetization for creators. He discusses the impact of AI on intellectual property, whether VCs are still underestimating consumer AI, and how AI-powered businesses can scale effectively. Ishan also breaks down venture capital trends, investment strategies, and lessons from past market cycles. For an insightful conversation at the intersection of AI, venture capital, and consumer innovation, check out the full episode!📩 Get Exclusive Insights & Deals 👉 [Insert Newsletter Link] 00:00 Introduction & Podcast Overview 00:45 Why Did Point72 Start a VC Fund? 03:10 From Public Market Investing to Venture Capital 06:05 Are VCs Underestimating Consumer AI? 09:50 AI in Media & Content Creation 12:30 AI vs. The Music Industry 16:20 Lessons from Napster to Spotify 19:15 How AI Can Benefit Artists & Creators 22:40 The Future of AI in Publishing & Journalism 25:30 How AI is Reshaping Consumer Tech 28:45 Investing in AI Startups: What VCs Look For 32:05 The Role of AI in Business Models & Monetization 35:00 Will the Next Big AI Innovation Look Like a Toy? 38:15 Lightning Round: Biggest Consumer Trends, Myths About VC & More 41:30 Final Takeaways & Where to Follow Ishan Sinha................Subscribe to Our Newsletter:https://www.theconsumervc.com/Subscribe on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74Z...Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...Follow on Twitter: / mikegelb Follow on Instagram: / mikegelb Follow on TikTok: / consumervc | |||
| Selling Shorter Shorts to a Successful Exit, The Story of Chubbies with Preston Rutherford | 21 Feb 2025 | 00:54:39 | |
Join host Mike Gelb on The Consumer VC as he talks with Preston Rutherford, co-founder of Chubbies. In this episode, Preston delves into their founding journey, tackling topics like why they raised VC money, overcoming early manufacturing challenges, and evolving their brand strategy. He shares insights into achieving product-market fit, the importance of balancing short-term and long-term goals, and navigating the challenges of scaling and profitability. Post-Chubbies, Preston also discusses his new venture, Marathon, and its mission to help brands measure the impact of brand building. For informative and entertaining content on the intersections of venture capital and consumer innovation, check out the full episode.00:00 Introduction01:24 Introducing Preston Rutherford of Chubbies01:34 The Founding Journey of Chubbies06:12 Challenges in Early Manufacturing09:21 Building a Brand Identity23:34 Raising Capital and Financial Challenges26:28 The Early Days and Initial Challenges26:55 Navigating Co-Founder Dynamics29:04 Pressure and Growth Metrics31:20 Shifting Focus to EBITDA34:42 The Decision to Sell Chubbies40:11 Channel Expansion and Inventory Management43:19 Lessons in Brand Marketing46:53 Reflections and Future Insights54:56 Final Thoughts and Farewell | |||
| The Fusion of Innovation and Leadership with YuChiang Cheng | 05 Feb 2025 | 00:53:15 | |
Having transitioned from founding companies to supporting early-stage ventures, YC shares his passion for creating consumer-centric solutions across diverse industries. From media and sports technology to consumer goods, he reflects on shifting his focus from generating ideas himself to aiding under-managed ventures with effective execution and strategic capital alignment. YC's enthusiasm for collaborating with founders to scale their businesses offers listeners valuable insights into the entrepreneurial world.(0:00:00) - Intro(0:14:47) - Innovation in Gaming and Acquisition(0:24:06) - Innovation in Large Corporations(0:28:19) - Pivoting Hero Bread to Success(0:40:52) - Consumer Brand Transition and GrowthSubscribe to Our Newsletter:https://www.theconsumervc.com/Subscribe on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74Z...Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...Follow on Twitter: / mikegelb Follow on Instagram: / mikegelb Follow on TikTok: / consumervc | |||
| Why The Supplement Industry Is Broken and How Momentous Plans to Fix It with Jeff Byers | 16 Jan 2025 | 01:07:21 | |
Thank you to our presenting partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. Our guest today is Jeff Byers, CEO of Momentous. Momentous produces and sells best in class human performance products. Previously, Jeff Byers founded Amp Human and later acquired Momentous, merging the two companies. He’s also a former professional football player and played at USC in college (Fight On✌️) 00:00 Welcome to The Consumer VC 00:40 Introducing Jeff Byers and Momentous 02:02 Jeff Byers' Transition from NFL to Entrepreneurship 04:31 The Birth of Amp Human and Momentous 07:46 Challenges and Innovations in Supplement Industry 14:17 Acquisition of Momentous and Future Plans 25:37 Navigating the Supplement Market 33:25 Sourcing and Trust in Supplements 34:12 Challenges in the Supplement Industry 34:29 Transparency Issues in Ingredient Sourcing 37:30 The Problem with Chinese Creatine 40:49 Commoditization of Supplements 46:23 Importance of Protein, Omegas, and Creatine 53:08 Momentous' Approach to Supplements 58:04 Building Trust and Transparency 01:02:26 Books that Inspire 01:06:21 Final Thoughts and Conclusion Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74Z... Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... Follow on Twitter: / mikegelb Follow on Instagram: / mikegelb Follow on TikTok: / consumervc | |||
| Why Invest in CPG and Tech? Expected Returns and Red Antler's VC Journey with Daniel Faierman, Partner at Habitat Partners | 08 Jan 2025 | 00:54:59 | |
Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. Our guest on today’s episode is Daniel Faierman, Partner at Habitat Partners. Habitat Partners is an early-stage venture fund that is part of Red Antler. Red Antler is one of the premier branding and marketing agencies. We focus this conversation on Habitat Partners investment strategy. The relationship with Red Antler, why they both invest in consumer brands and software businesses, the differences in the underwriting process in each of these business types, why for them it makes to have two strategies, how he thinks about returns. 00:00 Introduction 02:04 Daniel's Journey into Food and Beverage 04:13 Challenges of Innovation in Big CPG Companies 08:05 The Role of Strategic Partners in Scaling Brands 09:34 Red Antler's Venture into Investment 19:54 Habitat Partners' Investment Strategy 28:29 Sourcing and Red Antler's Impact 29:55 Introducing Propeller Industries 30:49 Key Metrics for Consumer Brands 34:19 Navigating Competitive Investment Landscapes 34:46 The Role of Creative in CPG and B2B SaaS 37:21 Transitioning from Health and Wellness to B2B SaaS 40:06 The Importance of AI in SaaS 43:35 Evaluating Founders and Teams 46:46 Lightning Round: Trends, Myths, and Personal Insights 54:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts | |||
| Is AI the Sole Future of Consumer Tech, What's Missing in Social & Will Glasses Be The Consumer Platform with Bryan Kim, Partner at Andreessen Horowitz | 10 Dec 2024 | 01:01:53 | |
In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to host Bryan Kim, Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, for an insightful conversation on the intersection of venture capital and consumer innovation. Brian shares his remarkable journey from a thriving career in investment banking to becoming a driving force in the tech industry. He opens up about the transformative experience of working with Alibaba during its groundbreaking IPO and how it inspired his pivot toward partnering with visionary founders. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. (0:00:00) - Intro (0:08:51) - Snap's Early Growth and User Engagement (0:20:32) - AI Innovation in Consumer Companies (0:35:26) - Founders and AI Innovation Trends (0:44:22) - The Future of Social Products (0:52:49) - Revolutionizing Revenue Models With AI (0:57:49) - Book for Growth and Inspiration Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74Z... Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... Follow on Twitter: / mikegelb Follow on Instagram: / mikegelb Follow on TikTok: / consumervc | |||
| How Choosing the Best Food for Your Dog Can Add Years to Their Life & The Problem with The Legacy Pet Food Market with Terri Rockovich, Co-Founder & CEO of Jinx | 13 Nov 2024 | 00:58:55 | |
Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. Thank you Jerry Staub for the intro to our guest today is Terri Rockovich, Founder & CEO of Jinx. Jinx is a dog food brand that offers premium kibble, homemade toppers, and beef crumbles and are made by a team of pet nutritionists and veterinarians. We discuss:
| |||
| How He Went From the Music Industry to VC, Investing in Tech vs. Brands, and When Down Rounds Make Sense with Jon Keidan | 18 Oct 2024 | 00:57:21 | |
n this episode with Jonathan Keidan, founder of Torch Capital, we dive into his journey from talent management in the music industry to early-stage venture capital. Jonathan shares how nurturing emerging artists parallels supporting founders, offering unique insights into spotting potential and overcoming challenges in both fields. He reveals key lessons learned from triumphs and setbacks in building impactful companies. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. (0:00:00) - Building Companies and Working With Founders (0:10:23) - Investing in Technology vs Inventory Businesses (0:14:48) - Investing in Consumer Brands and Tech (0:29:06) - Founder's Focus on Building Trust (0:38:57) - Funding Strategy and Market Insights (0:51:14) - Navigating Early-Stage Investing Strategies Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74Z... Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... Follow on Twitter: / mikegelb Follow on Instagram: / mikegelb Follow on TikTok: / consumervc | |||
| The Future of Gaming: Game Economies, New Business Models, Gamification, Blockchain Technology & AI Innovation with Brian Cho, Co-Founder of Patron | 27 Sep 2024 | 00:57:00 | |
In this episode with Brian Cho, co-founder and general partner at Patron, we explore the intricacies of the gaming world's future. From the complexities of cross-currency games to the delicate balance of control and user flexibility within game economies, Brian offers his invaluable perspective. We delve into the sustainability of centralized models and the transformative potential of generative AI and blockchain technologies on the gaming landscape. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. (0:00:01) - Future of Gaming and Innovation (0:03:47) - Gamification in Social Media and Investment (0:09:08) - Building IP and Gamification in Gaming (0:17:46) - Evolution of Gaming Business Models (0:25:29) - Future of VR Platforms (0:34:53) - Emerging Trends in Gaming Innovation (0:46:10) - Gaming Industry Growth and Investment | |||
| The Evolution of Premium Products in Mainstream Retail with Marcel Bens, CEO of Emil Capital Partners | 06 Sep 2024 | 00:50:41 | |
Today, we're diving into the secrets of successful early-stage investments in North American consumer brands with Marcel Bens, CEO of Emil Capital. In this episode, Marcel shares the unique strategy of Emil Capital’s hybrid venture firm, with its sharp focus on 'better-for-you' products and how it bridges the critical investment gap between angel investors and larger private equity firms. We’ll explore how they strategically deploy $1-5 million checks, backed by the rich history of the Tangleman Group, to drive growth and diversification across regions. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. 0:00:28 - Why Do Consumers Pay a Premium for High-Quality Products? 0:07:04 - How Is the Investment Deployment Strategy Structured? 0:13:14 - What Are the Opportunities in Better-for-You Products? 0:19:01 - What Are the Market Strategies for Premium Products? 0:25:47 - How to Decode Nutrition Labels for Better Choices? 0:30:37 - How to Select the Right Brands at Conventions? 0:34:48 - How to Identify Niche Emerging Categories? 0:38:37 - How to Invest in Consumer Brands and Tech? 0:48:49 - What Is the Approach to Building a Company Brick by Brick? Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74Z... Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... Follow on Twitter: / mikegelb Follow on Instagram: / mikegelb Follow on TikTok: / consumervc | |||
| When to Invest in Consumer Technology with Vanessa Larco at NEA | 30 Aug 2024 | 00:59:40 | |
Our guest today is Vanessa Larco, Partner at NEA. She shares her journey from pioneering XBox at Microsoft to navigating the social gaming boom with Playdom and making her mark in venture capital. Discover her investment ethos centered on consumer passion projects, successful investments in companies like Robinhood and Mejuri, and her insights on AI's transformative potential across industries. This episode is filled with valuable lessons and expert knowledge from Vanessa's diverse career. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:03:23 - Microsoft's Early Touch Screen Technologies 0:05:36 - Designing Surface Device Controls Without Mouse 0:09:11 - Xbox Connect Speech Recognition Evolution 0:14:33 - Innovative Technologies and Timing 0:17:12 - A-B Testing and Data-Driven Decisions 0:23:10 - Profitability and Growth in Different Industries 0:26:55 - Investing Across Different Categories 0:29:53 - Robinhood Revolutionizes Commission-Free Investing 0:36:33 - Identifying Winning Consumer Companies 0:54:15 - Venture Capital in Tech Innovation Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74ZMqodx5UmAeWAOJF?si=e0bd72bc48b341ab Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-consumer-vc-venture-capital-i-b2c-startups-i/id1484646914 Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeGelb Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikegelb/ Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@consumervc | |||
| Turning Science into Consumer Brands with Osman Khan, CEO of Squared Circles | 16 Aug 2024 | 01:01:12 | |
Join us as we explore the cutting-edge intersection of AI, science, and consumer innovation with Osman Khan, CEO and co-founder of Squared Circles. Discover how his venture studio is revolutionizing product development and redefining the future of consumer brands. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. 00:00:00: Intro 00:07:30: How does Squared Circles differentiate itself from other companies in the industry? 00:10:35: How does Squared Circles integrate sustainability into its products? 00:12:32: What are your plans for global expansion, and how do you approach new markets? 00:19:30: Can you share a success story that you believe exemplifies the impact of Squared Circles? 00:26:00: How do you manage and scale the company’s operations as it continues to grow? 00:28:15: What strategies do you use to attract and retain top talent? 00:33:00: What are some of the most significant trends you’re seeing in your industry right now? 00:41:00: How do you ensure that your leadership team remains aligned with the company’s vision? 00:46:00: What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned throughout your entrepreneurial journey? 00:57:00: How do you measure success, both personally and for Squared Circles? Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74ZMqodx5UmAeWAOJF?si=e0bd72bc48b341ab Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-consumer-vc-venture-capital-i-b2c-startups-i/id1484646914 Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeGelb Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikegelb/ Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@consumervc | |||
| Investing in the Future of Healthy Living with Abby Miller Levy, Managing Partner and Founder at Primetime Partners | 02 Aug 2024 | 00:57:39 | |
Our Guests Today is Abby Miller Levy, the visionary founder of Primetime Partners. In this enlightening episode, Abby shares her journey from personal frustration with her aging parents to spearheading a venture capital firm that is revolutionizing opportunities for older adults. Discover How Abby and renowned venture investor Alan Patricof are fostering entrepreneurial innovation to transform the aging experience, highlighting key startups that tackle this pressing challenge. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74ZMqodx5UmAeWAOJF?si=e0bd72bc48b341ab Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-consumer-vc-venture-capital-i-b2c-startups-i/id1484646914 Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeGelb Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikegelb/ Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@consumervc | |||
| How They Built a Direct-to-Consumer Baby Food Brand and Scaled to Selling Millions of Products Each Month with Angela Vranich and Ben Lewis From Little Spoon | 24 Jul 2024 | 00:58:08 | |
Our guests today are Angela Vranich and Ben Lewis, the dynamic duo behind Little Spoon, as we explore their journey from high school sweethearts to co-founders of a revolutionary baby food brand. Listen in as they share how their early fascination with consumer brands led them to the natural products industry, and how their personal relationship evolved into a successful business partnership. Angela and Ben provide a candid look at the challenges and rewards of building a business as a couple, the motivations that fueled their entrepreneurial spirit, and the key partnership principles that have guided their journey. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. (0:00:01) - Building Little Spoon With a Partner (0:10:31) - Revolutionizing the Baby Food Industry (0:19:15) - Expanding Product Line for Growing Kids (0:32:56) - Direct-to-Consumer Success in Marketing (0:46:21) - Balancing Growth and Profitability Strategy Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74ZMqodx5UmAeWAOJF?si=e0bd72bc48b341ab Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-consumer-vc-venture-capital-i-b2c-startups-i/id1484646914 Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeGelb Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikegelb/ Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@consumervc | |||
| Future of Food Tech, Can A Retail Model Like Foxtrot Work at Scale, and Channel Strategy for Food Brands with Ashley Hartman and Andrew Bluestein @ Bluestein Ventures | 27 Jun 2024 | 01:07:05 | |
Our guests today are Andrew Bluestein and Ashley Hartman, Managing Partners of Bluestein Ventures. Bluestein Ventures invests in the future of food. What does that mean? They focus on investing in High-growth consumer brands, Proprietary foodtech, Next-gen commerce, Value-add digital technology. They just raised a $45 million third fund – which huge congrats to them for doing so. We discuss the transition from family office to VC firm, investing in inventory businesses and technology businesses, the difference between fund 3 and funds 1 and 2, what happened with Foxtrot, future of plant based meat, and much much more. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:03:32 - Trends in Food Industry Digitization (35 Seconds) 0:07:14 - Food-Centered Investing Strategy Discussion (65 Seconds) 0:13:38 - Supply Chain Investing and Business Models (78 Seconds) 0:27:45 - Channel Strategy for Expanding Food Brands (75 Seconds) 0:38:10 - Plant-Based Meat (59 Seconds) 0:41:52 - Debate on Plant-Based Meat Benefits (91 Seconds) 0:50:59 - Investing in Great Businesses (77 Seconds) 0:57:47 - Optimizing a Complex Store Concept (67 Seconds) 1:02:09 - Strategic Framework in Business Startups (54 Seconds) Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74ZMqodx5UmAeWAOJF?si=e0bd72bc48b341ab Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-consumer-vc-venture-capital-i-b2c-startups-i/id1484646914 Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeGelb Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikegelb/ Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@consumervc | |||
| Unlocking the Potential of Beauty and Personal Care Brands With Manica Blain | 06 Jun 2024 | 00:53:32 | |
Our guest today is Manica Blain. In this episode, we journey through the fascinating evolution of two beauty brands that have overcome initial hurdles to achieve remarkable success. Discover how an Ayurvedic beauty brand captured investor interest through high repeat purchase rates and how Everest, a hair care concentrate brand, pivoted from sustainability to performance, leading to explosive growth. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. We Discuss: •Investing in Long-Lasting Consumer Brands •Founding and Growing Beauty Brands •Investment Strategies in Beauty Industry •Dealing With Red Flags in Business •Fund Development and Co-Partner Dynamics •Inspiration in Books 0:01:35 - Investing in Beauty and Personal Care 0:04:44 - Evolution of Consumer Brand Expectations 0:08:08 - Brands Iterating to Find Success 0:18:41 - Investing in Beauty and Personal Care 0:23:09 - Beauty Industry Exit Dynamics 0:25:22 - From Bootstrapping to Funding 0:37:57 - Importance of Customer Retention 0:41:50 - Future Plans for Topknot Ventures 0:46:15 - Investment Strategy and Relationship Building 0:49:29 - Book Inspiration - Personal and Professional Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74ZMqodx5UmAeWAOJF?si=e0bd72bc48b341ab Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-consumer-vc-venture-capital-i-b2c-startups-i/id1484646914 Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeGelb Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikegelb/ Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@consumervc | |||
| The New Types of Acquirers in Health & Wellness, Different Parts Of The Term Sheet That Could Make a Difference In The Exit, and How Deals Get Done with Teddie Townsend from CG Sawaya Partners | 24 May 2024 | 01:01:22 | |
Our guest today is Teddy Townsend of CG Sawaya Partners, as we explore the dynamic world of health and wellness brand acquisitions.Teddy brings her expertise to the table, shedding light on why companies in this vibrant sector pursue mergers and acquisitions, and how different types of buyers, from private equity funds to strategic acquirers, approach these deals Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. We discuss: • Company Acquisition Health & Wellness • Understanding Equity Investment Terms • Challenges With Low Profit Margins • Shift in Supplement Business Trends • Strategic Timing in Brand Acquisition • Strategic Acquirers and Private Equity Groups • Brand Evaluation and Marketing Strategies • Strategic vs Minority Round Buyouts • Women's Health and Market Needs • Importance of Differentiation in Consumer Industry (0:00:00) - Health and Wellness Brand Acquisitions Nature's mergers and acquisitions in health and wellness, private equity vs. strategic buyers, term sheet nuances. (0:09:35) - Understanding Liquidation Preferences in Investments High liquidation preferences in VC deals can misalign interests, impede exits, and signal investor confidence in hot markets. (0:13:37) - Sustainable Growth in Business Trends Unsustainable growth models, excessive capital raising, reliance on high cash burn, shift in investor perspective, D2C market, understanding key metrics, importance of acquiring new customers, fundamental health and long-term sustainability in health and wellness sector. (0:17:45) - Health and Wellness Industry Strategy Current trends in health and wellness industry: focus on OTC products, strategic acquisitions, and consumer behavior in beauty and personal care. (0:27:37) - Strategic Considerations for Business Acquisition Nature's strategic considerations for founders targeting specific buyers, including M&A criteria, legal issues, scaling capabilities, and private equity. (0:34:30) - Navigating Business Exits and Valuations Substantiating product claims, engaging third-party reviews, and understanding exit strategies for successful business transactions. (0:42:12) - Maximizing Deal Opportunities and Process Preparation Maximize M&A success with nostalgia marketing, thorough preparation, and strategic buyer engagement for full buyouts and minority rounds. (0:49:56) - Women's Health Challenges and Brand Differentiation Women's health sector faces challenges in narrow market windows, scaling, and differentiation in a saturated market. (0:56:55) - Transition From Writer to Banker Teddy's journey from writing to investment banking, using storytelling skills, learning finance from "Investment Banking," and the impact of reading Stephen King's "The Stand. | |||
| The Fusion of Past & Future Shopping Experiences, Insights from Brand Capital Fund's Consumer VC Benchmarks Report with Diana Melencio at XRC Ventures | 09 May 2024 | 01:06:05 | |
Our guest today is Diana Melencio. Diana manages the entire XRC Ventures investment process across three investment vehicles – Accelerator Fund, Brand Capital Fund, and Opportunity Fund. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. Subscribe to Our Newsletter: | |||
| What Consumers Care About in Health & Wellness Products, How Competition Builds New Categories, and Will Ozempic Have an Impact on CPG Demand? with Dayton Miller, BFG Partners | 24 Apr 2024 | 01:00:16 | |
Our guest today is Dayton Miller, Managing Partner at BFG Partners. BFG Partners help entrepreneurs build exceptional businesses that deliver sustainable growth and outperform competitors in the better-for-you food, beverage, and consumer products space. Their investments include Olipop, Athletic Greens, Caulipower, and Bobo’s. We discuss the inflection points at seed, series A, and Series B in today’s market, categories he’s excited about in consumer today, ozempic, operations metrics, and his time as an entrepreneur building Function Drinks from scratch to $20 million in sales. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. | |||
| Live from SXSW: George Milton and Erin Link – How They Founded Yellowbird Sauce | 18 Apr 2024 | 00:56:25 | |
Our guest today is George Milton & Erin Link, Founders of YellowBird Foods a Modern Hot Sauce business. We discuss: • How did they get into Whole Foods? • How did they also get into Walmart? • How did their approach to retail expansion? • How did they approach branding and positioning for Yellowbird Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries – https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. | |||
| What Gives a Brand Acquisition Energy with Amrit Richmond | 08 Mar 2024 | 00:52:17 | |
Our guest today is Amrit Richmond, Founder of Indie CPG since 2019, and has also joined SecureCPG recently We discuss: • What gives a food and drink brand accusation energy? • What are the different profiles of the acquire today? • Why acquire emerging brands? Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. | |||
| He Worked with JAY-Z, Was an Olympian, and Now Runs a VC with Samyr Lainé, Founder of Freedom Trail Capital | 29 Feb 2024 | 01:13:20 | |
Our guest today is Samyr Lainé, an Olympian, an amazing operator who worked with Jay-Z's, Will Smith and Jada Pickett Smith who is now the founder of Freedom Trail Capital. We discuss: • How he trained for the Olympics while being a full time law student • Working at Monumental Sports (owners of the Washington Capitals and Wizards) • Shifting towards the MLS • Getting the email that Jay-Z was looking for someone to help run his businesses • All of Jay-Z's businesses • His view on how brands can collaborate with talent • Why he left to work for Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's Westbrook • His thesis behind launching Freedom Trail Capital Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. | |||
| How He Built A Business Off a Fruit Peel, The Shocking Moment of Getting into Retail, and How One Chat Changed His Trajectory with Matt Weiss Founder & CEO at Rind Snacks | 14 Feb 2024 | 01:01:06 | |
Our guest today is Matt Weiss, Founder & CEO at RIND Snacks Matt is the CEO of RIND Snacks, a sustainable fruit snack brand. He has over a decade of experience in the natural food industry and previously worked in investment research. Matt is also known for his advocacy in community and environmental causes, founding a nonprofit that helped establish a park in lower Manhattan. We discuss: • We discuss the inspiration behind creating a brand and a product that focuses on the peels of a fruit • How did he first get into retail? • Why he was part-time with it for two years? • What was kind of the moment that he switched to doing it full-time? Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. | |||
| Selling Group Nine Media, The Evolution of New York's Startup Scene and The Future of Digital Media with Ben Lerer, Managing Partner at Lerer Hippeau | 07 Feb 2024 | 00:53:26 | |
Our guest today is Ben Lerer. Ben Lerer is a Managing Partner at Lerer Hippeau. Lerer Hippeau is a venture capital fund based in New York who were early investors in Warby Parker, Glossier, and Topicals. He also founded Thrillist, an online media website website back in 2004 and was former CEO of Group Nine Media until it was acquired by Vox Media. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries – https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. | |||
| How He Buys Multi-Million Dollar Brands with Fan Bi, Founder/CEO of The Hedgehog Company | 29 Jan 2024 | 00:46:14 | |
Our guest today is Fan Bi, Founder & CEO of Hedgehog Fan Bi is the Founder & CEO of Hedgehog. He founded, grew, and exited many eCom + store menswear brands. He has been in DTC eCommerce for over 13 years. We discuss: • How was Fan was introduced to entrepreneurship and what things he found compelling about man's fashion? • What multiples were used for early-stage digital brands? • Why he started Hedgehog? • What to make of the current market and how do you see it in the future? Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries – https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. | |||
| What is a Cult Brand? With Sarah Woelfel, Co-Founder & Partner at Cult Capital | 18 Jan 2024 | 01:03:38 | |
Our guest today is Sarah Woelfel, Co-Founder & Partner at Cult Capital. She combines her zeal for investing with her affection for cult consumer brands. Their investments include Supergoop!, Babo Botanicals, and Lawless Beauty. Prior to CULT Capital, Sarah served on the investment team at Audax and as an I-banking analyst at Deutsche Bank. ----------- Thank you to our partner Propeller Industries Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. | |||
| How She's Adding The Belgian Waffle To The American Diet...and 8,400+ stores with Anouck Gotlib, CEO of Belgian Boys | 08 Jan 2024 | 00:47:47 | |
She leads the day-to-day operations and long-term strategy for Belgian Boys and is bringing European treats like Belgian waffles, brioche french toast, crepes, and other delicious delights to the American home. They are now in over 8,400 stores including Walmart, Target, Whole Foods. Thank you to our partner Propeller Industries Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. We discuss: • Anouck’s journey from fashion to joining her husband in starting a food CPG company • How they first got into retail • What it was like years of bootstrapping • How they landed KIND snacks founder Daniel Lubetzky’s venture firm Camino Partners as investors • Why they pivoted from frozen food to refrigerator food and much more. | |||
| Selling 10 Million Soup Dumplings and Counting: The Story of MìLà with Caleb Wang | 21 Dec 2023 | 00:37:29 | |
Our guest today is Caleb Wang, CEO and Co-Founder MiLa. Authentic soup dumplings, chinese noodles and chef crafted sauces. Made fresh and shipped! We talked about how he and his wife, Jen first stated a restaurant, how that expanded to an ecommerce business, how they raised capital and why they raised capital, and much much more. | |||
| Why This Venture Studio Backed By VF Corp is Investing in Consumer Tech with David Wagner and Jesse Marble, Co-Founders of Wildwood Ventures | 29 Nov 2023 | 00:50:57 | |
Our guests today are David Wagner and Jesse Marble, Co-Founders of Wildwood Ventures. Wildwood Ventures is backed by VF corporation, a holding company whose portfolio includes iconic outdoor and activity-based lifestyle and workwear brands like Vans, North Face, Timberland, Dickies. Wildwood Ventures invests in consumer technology companies that make lives better. Want all the updates? | |||
| When Can A Celebrity-Led Brand Work with Denise Lambertson from Constellation Capital and LMS | 02 Nov 2023 | 00:52:08 | |
Our guest today is Denise Lambertson, Managing Partner at Constellation Capital and Chairwoman & Founder of LMS, the influencer marketing agency. We actually didn’t get into the Constellation Capital / VC / Investing side for this episode, we ran out of time. We focused on the relationship between talent and brand and how that partnership could work and how it could not work. Enjoying TheConsumer VC? Subscribe To The Newsletter Here | |||
| FinTech: What's Real and What's a Scam with Drew Glover, General Partner of Fiat Ventures | 26 Oct 2023 | 00:53:37 | |
Today’s episode we focus on the wonderful world of consumer fintech and our guest today is Drew Glover, General Partner of Fiat Ventures and Founding Partner of Fiat Growth. Fiat Growth is a growth consultancy helping to scale some of the largest fintech companies out there - Chime, Lemonade, Copper. They decided to launch a VC fund that focuses on emerging fintech companies. Want to receive updates on all the VC fundraises in consumer? Subscribe Here To The Newsletter | |||
| Breaking Boundaries in Broadway: The TodayTix Story with Brian Fenty | 12 Oct 2023 | 00:45:22 | |
Our guest today is Brian Fenty, Co-Founder & CEO of TodayTix. TodayTix is the digital gateway to live shows, arts, and cultural experiences. We discuss:
| |||
| Will There Be Cities With No Cars? What is The Future of Urban Transportation? The Difference Between U.S. and European Markets with Martin Mignot from Index Ventures | 28 Sep 2023 | 00:50:23 | |
Our guest today is Martin Mignot, Partner at Index Ventures. Index Ventures is a global firm that operates as one team across three offices (London, SF, NYC) and invests at all stages. Martin opened Index’s office in New York a couple of years ago. We discuss the massive consumer opportunity in New York that Index has tapped into through, the future of transportation and delivery, and the differences Martin has seen between European and American consumer markets. | |||
| Transforming the Mexican Food Aisle: Miguel Leal's Journey with SOMOS Foods | 14 Sep 2023 | 00:54:10 | |
Listen in as we explore the exciting journey of Miguel Leal, co-founder and CEO of Somos Foods. Miguel shares his experience transitioning from successful stints at Kind Snacks and Chalula to establishing his own brand. Inspired by a disparity in the market, he decided to revolutionize the Mexican food aisle by creating authentic, plant-based, non-GMO products. He also discusses the pivotal decision to quickly shift to retail and the profound impact of AI technology on the brand's success. Our conversation navigates the unique challenges and opportunities that arose during the launch of Somos Foods. Miguel sheds light on the creation process, the impact of the pandemic, and how his conversations with his wife and friend Daniel Lubecki, founder of KindSnacks, sparked the genesis of the company. Discover how their passion for authentic Mexican cuisine and the need for innovation in the market led to the creation of this game-changing brand. Lastly, we discuss the importance of retail expansion and product innovation for Somos Foods. Miguel offers insights into the company's unique approach to market expansion, pricing and margin structure, and how they successfully created a complete customer experience. He also shares his thoughts on the value of social listening and how it led to the creation of popular recipes. So, tune in and learn about the transformational journey of Somos Foods, their innovative strategies, and their quest to bring authentic Mexican cuisine to your kitchen. | |||
| Why He Invested In Liquid Death, Dollar Shave Club, and a Breakdown of the Venture Studio Model with Mike Jones, Co-Founder of Science Inc. | 31 Aug 2023 | 00:47:47 | |
Our guest today is Mike Jones, one of the co-founders of Science Inc. Science Inc. is a venture studio and fund that develops, invests in consumer-focused businesses. Some of their portfolio includes Liquid Death, Dollar Shave Club, Grove Collaborative. Mike previously founded UsePlane, Tsavo Media and served as the CEO of MySpace. We discuss how he accesses what founders he wants to work with, what truly makes a good idea, how Liquid Death came together, their growth opportunities and he met Mike C, what he learned from Dollar Shave Club about making viral content, and much more. | |||
| How She Built a $100 million CPG Brand in Three Years Selling Cauliflower Pizzas with Gail Becker, Founder of CAULIPOWER | 03 Aug 2023 | 00:47:04 | |
Our guest today is Gail Becker, founder of CAULIPOWER, the most disruptive company in the better-for-you frozen food space named as one of the top 10 World’s Most Innovative Food Companies in 2022 by Fast Company. The hyper-growth company reached more than $100m in revenue in three years under her leadership as CEO. We discuss how and why she left corporate America to start Caulipower, her approach to growth through retail, how she thought about fundraising and managing her cap table, what capital efficiently means to her and product expansion. Without further ado, here’s Gail. | |||
| Decoding the Future of Media and Commerce with Kevin Parakkattu at Plug and Play | 27 Jul 2023 | 00:43:48 | |
On this episode of the Consumer VC podcast, we are joined by Kevin Parakkattu, partner at Plug Play Ventures, for an intriguing exploration of the rapidly evolving landscape of the media industry, particularly the rise of GenAI. Kevin and I talk about the potential of AI to replace writers' jobs in the future and the potential legal implications surrounding the use of AI-generated content. We then turn our attention to the commerce industry, discussing the challenges that direct-to-consumer brands face, such as inventory overstock and cost-cutting. Kevin provides insights into the need for working capital, growth opportunities in the venture capital space, and how Plug Play Ventures has been able to create value for their investments. We also delve into the changing multiples of direct-to-consumer brands and the criteria for investing in pre-revenue consumer brands. Subscribe Here for all new episodes and a weekly consumer fundraising update. | |||
| How To Invest in Misunderstood & Highly Regulated Markets with Helene Servillon from JourneyOne Ventures | 28 Jun 2023 | 00:56:16 | |
Our guest today is Helene Servillon, Founder of JourneyOne Ventures. JourneyOne Ventures is a 100% woman and minority-owned early-stage fund that invests in the billion-dollar opportunities of misunderstood markets that are highly regulated and fragmented. We discuss:
**Sponsor*** This issue is brought to you by Vauban from Carta. Vauban from Carta is the easiest way to launch & run your venture investing. They offer SPVs, and fund vehicles for GPs at all stages of the journey - from your first syndicate to operating a multi-million dollar venture fund. Their end-to-end platform automates your back-office and manual workflows so you can focus on what matters: finding the next unicorn & building investor relationships. Click Here to Get Started - https://structurer.vauban.io/ | |||
| Matt Alexander (Neighorhood Goods) - How They Are Reimaging The Department Store | 15 Jun 2023 | 00:38:35 | |
Our guest today is Matt Alexander, founder & CEO of Neighborhood Goods. A new type of department store, featuring an ever-changing landscape of the world's most thoughtful, progressive, and exciting brands. This was a live podcast episode in Dallas that we did a few weeks back. Really want to thank RevTech Ventures for hosting us. Without further ado, here’s Matt. The Consumer VC represents the opinions and beliefs of Michael Gelb and does not reflect the opinions and beliefs of Manufactured Networks, Inc. **Sponsor*** This issue is brought to you by Vauban from Carta. Vauban from Carta is the easiest way to launch & run your venture investing. They offer SPVs, and fund vehicles for GPs at all stages of the journey - from your first syndicate to operating a multi-million dollar venture fund. Their end-to-end platform automates your back-office and manual workflows so you can focus on what matters: finding the next unicorn & building investor relationships. Click Here to Get Started - https://structurer.vauban.io/ | |||
| Nigel Eccles (Vault) - How He’s Helping Artists Monetize Their Music, Fandom in the Digital Age and Lessons from Creating FanDuel | 08 Jun 2023 | 00:55:54 | |
Thank you to my brother, Rob Gelb for the introduction to our guest today, Nigel Eccles, Co-Founder of Vault. Vault is introducing Digital Music Collectibles as a new format for collecting exclusive, authenticated, limited-run collectibles from your favorite artists. This episode brought me back, I worked in music for the first few years in my career and am an avid music listener. Previously, Nigel co-founded and was the CEO of FanDuel and is the #1 sportsbook in the US, a leading daily fantasy sports platform. We discuss why he left FanDuel and got into crypto, how artists are currently monetizing their music and the void that Vault fills, the type of artist they are looking to attract and how he thinks about fandom in the digital age. The Consumer VC represents the opinions and beliefs of Michael Gelb and does not reflect the opinions and beliefs of Manufactured Networks, Inc. **Sponsor*** This issue is brought to you by Vauban from Carta. Vauban from Carta is the easiest way to launch & run your venture investing. They offer SPVs, and fund vehicles for GPs at all stages of the journey - from your first syndicate to operating a multi-million dollar venture fund. Their end-to-end platform automates your back-office and manual workflows so you can focus on what matters: finding the next unicorn & building investor relationships. Click Here to Get Started - https://structurer.vauban.io/ | |||
| Kiva Dickinson & Madeline Kaplan (Selva Ventures) - Raising $34 Million Fund 2, Opportunities in Beauty & Personal Care, And The Value of $1 in Revenue Online vs. In Retail | 01 Jun 2023 | 00:53:27 | |
We have two amazing investors on the show today who just came off raising their second fund at $34 million fund. We have Kiva Dickinson, our first non-named Mike second time guest, and Madeline Kaplan from Selva Ventures. Selva Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm dedicated to partnering with consumer brands that promote healthier living. We discuss how fund 2 is different to fund 1, the difference between and clean and clinically backed beauty and personal care brands, do they value one dollar of online revenue more than a dollar earned in retail and much more. The Consumer VC represents the opinions and beliefs of Michael Gelb and does not reflect the opinions and beliefs of Manufactured Networks, Inc. **Sponsor*** This issue is brought to you by Vauban from Carta. Vauban from Carta is the easiest way to launch & run your venture investing. They offer SPVs, and fund vehicles for GPs at all stages of the journey - from your first syndicate to operating a multi-million dollar venture fund. Their end-to-end platform automates your back-office and manual workflows so you can focus on what matters: finding the next unicorn & building investor relationships. Click Here to Get Started - https://structurer.vauban.io/ | |||
| Rakesh Narayana (Access VC) - How They Are Changing The Image of Corporate Venture Capital, and How They Evaluate Opportunities From an Exit Potential | 25 May 2023 | 00:55:35 | |
Our guest today is Rakesh Narayana, who is the General Manager of Access VC. Access is the venture capital arm of Reckitt. Reckitt is a publicly traded consumer goods conglomerate focused on the hygiene, health and nutrition spaces. You probably recongize their brands Lysol, Dettol, and Calgon. So Access VC is their venture arm that Rakesh leads, some of their investments include Beekeeper’s Naturals, Maude, and Future Method. In this episode, we’re going to talk about how Access VC approaches their investments since corporate venture capital in general typically doesn’t have the best reputation and we’re going to be speaking about how Access VC is taking a different approach, how they make investments and think about exit potential. **Sponsor*** This issue is brought to you by Vauban from Carta. Vauban from Carta is the easiest way to launch & run your venture investing. They offer SPVs, and fund vehicles for GPs at all stages of the journey - from your first syndicate to operating a multi-million dollar venture fund. Their end-to-end platform automates your back-office and manual workflows so you can focus on what matters: finding the next unicorn & building investor relationships. Click Here to Get Started - https://structurer.vauban.io/ | |||
| Andrew Blackmon (The Black Tux) - How He Approaches Standardization, Customization and Scale Running a Tuxedo Rental Business | 17 May 2023 | 00:44:14 | |
Our guest today is Andrew Blackmon, Co-Founder and CEO of The Black Tux. The Black Tux is reinventing formalwear. We design and manufacture modern suits and tuxedos for rent or keeps. We discuss why Andrew decided to start a DTC rental tuxedo business in the first place, how he thinks about size, fit, standardization vs. customization, the growth avenues, how they are influenced by fashion trends and much more. ***Sponsor*** This issue is brought to you by Vauban from Carta. Vauban from Carta is the easiest way to launch & run your venture investing. They offer SPVs, and fund vehicles for GPs at all stages of the journey - from your first syndicate to operating a multi-million dollar venture fund. Their end-to-end platform automates your back-office and manual workflows so you can focus on what matters: finding the next unicorn & building investor relationships. Click Here to Get Started - https://structurer.vauban.io/ | |||
| Melissa Facchina (Siddhi Capital) - Can You Be A Great Entrepreneur But Not A Great Operator, Why She’s Not Investing In Beverage Companies, Her Way of Scaling and more | 09 May 2023 | 01:00:30 | |
Thank you CJ Fowler at Goat Rodeo Capital for the introduction to our guest today, Melissa Facchina, Co-Founder & Co-Managing Partner of Siddhi Capital. Siddhi Capital is an operationally-focused food and beverage growth equity firm. Their portfolio includes Mid-Day Squares, Aura Bora (who both have been on the show) Copper Cow Coffee, Mud/Wtr, Magic Spoon, Momofuku Goods. I had a blast chatting with Melissa about her story, what makes great entrepreneurs in the food & bev space and do great entrepreneurs have to be great operators and much more. ***Sponsor*** This issue is brought to you by Vauban from Carta. Vauban from Carta is the easiest way to launch & run your venture investing. They offer SPVs, and fund vehicles for GPs at all stages of the journey - from your first syndicate to operating a multi-million dollar venture fund. Their end-to-end platform automates your back-office and manual workflows so you can focus on what matters: finding the next unicorn & building investor relationships. Click Here to Get Started - https://structurer.vauban.io/ | |||
| Chaz Flexman (Starday Foods) - How He's Building The Next Food Conglomerate With Data Science | 06 May 2023 | 00:39:46 | |
Our guest today is Chaz Flexman, who is the founder & CEO of Starday. Starday is a next-generation food conglomerate that uses data science to predict product-market fit and create food brands. We discuss why he left Pattern Brands to go into food, how they create and launch new products very cheaply, how they think about data and trends and different categories to enter, and building relationships with retailers. ***Sponsor*** This issue is brought to you by Vauban from Carta. Vauban from Carta is the easiest way to launch & run your venture investing. They offer SPVs, and fund vehicles for GPs at all stages of the journey - from your first syndicate to operating a multi-million dollar venture fund. Their end-to-end platform automates your back-office and manual workflows so you can focus on what matters: finding the next unicorn & building investor relationships. Click Here to Get Started - https://structurer.vauban.io/ | |||
| Mike Salguero (ButcherBox)- How He Bootstrapped ButcherBox to $600 million, Why He Didn't Take Any VC Money, And Lessons From Raising Money at CustomMade | 02 May 2023 | 00:42:02 | |
Thank you Daniel Gulati for introducing me to our guest today, Mike Salguero. Mike is the founder and CEO of ButcherBox, which delivers 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, humanely raised pork, and wild-caught seafood directly to your door. ButcherBox is a unique brand that we’re covering on the show since it’s not venture-backed but bootstrapped to $600 million in sales. Previously, Mike was the CEO at CustomMade which was venture-backed. We discuss some of the differences between venture-backed and bootstrapped companies, when he knew that ButcherBox was going to be bigger than he intended, how to find businesses based on the lifestyle you lead, and their growth journey. ***Sponsor*** This issue is brought to you by Vauban from Carta. Vauban from Carta is the easiest way to launch & run your venture investing. They offer SPVs, and fund vehicles for GPs at all stages of the journey - from your first syndicate to operating a multi-million dollar venture fund. Their end-to-end platform automates your back-office and manual workflows so you can focus on what matters: finding the next unicorn & building investor relationships. Click Here to Get Started - https://structurer.vauban.io/ | |||
| Jessica Karr (Coyote Ventures) - How She Went From Scientist to Investor, The Opportunity in Women’s Health, and Why She Doesn’t Invest in Beauty & Personal Care | 27 Apr 2023 | 00:38:17 | |
Our guest today is Jessica Karr, General Partner at Coyote Ventures, which is a VC fund that’s investing in women's health and wellness. Some of the portfolio companies include Maude, The Flex Company, and Wile. We discuss how she transitioned from scientist to investor, particular categories she’s currently investing in and has stayed away from and how she thinks about risk. ****Sponsor**** This issue is brought to you by Vauban from Carta. Vauban from Carta is the easiest way to launch & run your venture investing. They offer SPVs, and fund vehicles for GPs at all stages of the journey - from your first syndicate to operating a multi-million dollar venture fund. Their end-to-end platform automates your back-office and manual workflows so you can focus on what matters: finding the next unicorn & building investor relationships. | |||
| Mike Ghaffary (Canvas Ventures) - Could AI Be The Next Consumer Platform After The iPhone? | 25 Apr 2023 | 00:44:59 | |
Our guest today is Mike Ghaffary, General Partner at Canvas Ventures. Mike is the first third time guest of the show. The last time I had Mike on we spoke about what’s the next consumer platform after the iPhone? Funnily enough, we didn’t mention AI. We thought we needed to revisit this question and discuss the opportunity in AI from a consumer technology lens. ****Sponsor**** This issue is brought to you by Vauban from Carta. Vauban from Carta is the easiest way to launch & run your venture investing. They offer SPVs, and fund vehicles for GPs at all stages of the journey - from your first syndicate to operating a multi-million dollar venture fund. Their end-to-end platform automates your back-office and manual workflows so you can focus on what matters: finding the next unicorn & building investor relationships. | |||
| When You Start, Scale, Sell and Then Buy Back Your Business From Hershey And Coca Cola with Jon Sebastiani (Krave Jerky) and Mark Rampolla (Zico) | 18 Apr 2023 | 01:03:14 | |
Our guests today are Jon Sebastiani and Mark Rampolla. Jon founded Krave Jerky, one of the first premium jerky brands, and Mark founded Zico, one of the first coconut water brands in the U.S. It’s very rare for an entrepreneur to sell their business, get a good outcome, and then be able to buy back the business from the acquirer. This episode is about how both Jon and Mark founded, scaled, sold, and bought back their businesses. ****Sponsor**** This issue is brought to you by Vauban from Carta. Vauban from Carta is the easiest way to launch & run your venture investing. They offer SPVs, and fund vehicles for GPs at all stages of the journey - from your first syndicate to operating a multi-million dollar venture fund. Their end-to-end platform automates your back-office and manual workflows so you can focus on what matters: finding the next unicorn & building investor relationships. | |||