Conviction, Courage, and Capital with Stefan Kalb

In this episode of Raiser’s Edge, host Ben Elowitz sits down with Stefan Kalb—entrepreneur, investor, and three-time founder, currently building Super Labs, an AI startup focused on transforming how Main Street businesses operate.Stefan shares his journey from a shy early founder to a more seasoned, “presidential” CEO, including lessons from building Shelf Engine and raising $8M in preempted funding for his latest company.They discuss what it really takes to raise venture capital today, including how to identify and win over “kingpin” investors, what separates good founders from exceptional ones, and how to build trust with VCs in competitive markets. The conversation also explores how fundraising is evolving in the age of AI, where speed, adaptability, and conviction matter more than ever.This episode is packed with practical insights for founders, operators, and investors looking to better understand how great companies get funded—and how to navigate the process more effectively.Follow Raiser’s Edge on Substack for Ben’s takeaways on every episode: https://substack.com/@elowitz