Inception
by Joyance Partners
Hosted by Joyance Partners Managing Partner Mike Edelhart, Inception is a series of conversations about the beginning of things - of companies, careers, new science, breakthrough technology, and a peek into the future. Each episode features an intimate talk between Mike and the founder of one of the remarkable companies in our portfolio. Together, they explore the grit, determination, and skill required to start a company, the underlying philosophies and psychologies of entrepreneurship, and the secrets of how startups are created, funded, and ultimately, win. Watch Inception on YouTube
Episodes
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S5E13: Guest Ben Branson, Founder of Pollen Projects
Founder Ben Branson speaks with Managing Partner Mike Edelhart about Pollen Projects, the world's first venture studio dedicated entirely to the non-alcoholic category. Ben shares how his experience growing up on a farm in rural England inspired his creative experimentation with botanical…
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S5E12: Guest Nick Allen, CEO of Sunnyside
In this Inception episode, CEO Nick Allen about his company Sunnyside, providing a simple, structured approach to more mindful drinking. Nick explains why Sunnyside focuses on helping its users decrease alcohol intake as opposed to attempting complete sobriety; the huge market for this novel...
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S5E11: Guest Nick West, CEO of Bandit Running
CEO Nick West talks about Bandit Running, a thriving next-gen performance and lifestyle apparel brand for runners. Nick shares how he attributes much of his company's success to their "obsession with community" and their strong emphasis on user experience; the humbling, highly enthusiastic…
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S5E10: Guest Raina Kumra, CEO of Spicewell
Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with CEO Raina Kumra about Spicewell, the world's first superfood seasoning. Raina shares how the creative method she used to sneak nutrients into her family's meals during Covid transformed into the idea for her company, the incredible reception the product…
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S5E9: Guest Monique Meneses, CEO of Iota
In this episode, CEO and Co-Founder Monique Meneses talks about Iota, the first nutritional body care brand that addresses problems before they occur, instead of just masking or retroactively treating them. Monique shares how Iota’s formulas are developed in close collaboration with an impressive...
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S5E8: Guest Emily Doyle, CEO of Dune Suncare
CEO & Co-Founder Emily Doyle talks about DUNE, a suncare brand she launched with her Co-Founder, Mei Kwok, poised to revolutionize the antiquated sunscreen landscape with products clinically proven to “protect and perfect all skin tones.” Emily shares how a part of DUNE's formulation was inspired...
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S5E7: Guest Anu Sharma, CEO of Millie
In this episode, CEO Anu Sharma talks about her startup Millie, a company that provides comprehensive, wraparound maternal care from conception through the first year of parenthood. Anu discusses how the current care model is failing mothers in the US and how the experience of her own complicated...
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S5E6: Guest Omar Dekkiche, CEO of Amatera
CEO Omar Dekkiche shares how his company Amatera is accelerating the natural evolution of plants to combat climate change and crop disease. Omar recalls how growing up on a farm in France motivated him to found Amatera, the moment of inspiration he had when he met his brilliant cofounder at the...
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S5E5: Guest Nora Cavani, CEO of Alba Health
Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with CEO Nora Cavani about her company Alba Health, empowering every child to have the healthiest, best start in life. In this episode, Nora explains how Alba is developing a simple yet incredibly insightful test to assess the microbiome of infants to identify...
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S5E4: Guest Charlie Silver, CEO of Ruby Bio
Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Charlie Silver, CEO of Ruby Bio, a company making sustainable, scaleable replacements for the harmful chemicals in nearly all the materials in our everyday lives. In this episode, Charlie shares how he and his cofounder developed the brilliant idea of...
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S5E3: Guest Katy Cottam, CEO of Luna Daily
Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with CEO Katy Cottam about how Luna Daily makes microbiome-balancing, taboo-breaking body care for all skin, even the most intimate. In this episode, Katy shares how a life-altering health experience at a very young age inspired her to start her company, how…
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S5E2: Guest Amélie Quilichini, CEO of Kolibri
Managing Partner Mike Edelhart speaks with Amélie Quilichini, CEO of Kolibri, a company that plays music to cells to unlock the cell culture revolution. In this episode, Amélie shares the ingenious way Kolibri uses acoustic waves to create the optimal environment for cell growth and production…
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S5E1: Guests Jenna Jung and Mike Edelhart
From hand-cranked computers to touchpad screens, from “walking on the skulls of the dead” to building teams in virtual worlds, our oldest partner Mike Edelhart and youngest partner Jenna Jung discuss the difference 50 years have made in revolutionary tech, global power, and our ever-evolving VC...
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S4E11: Guest Lauren Picasso, CEO of Cure Hydration
Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Lauren Picasso, CEO of Cure, a premium hydration brand with a science-backed formula, plant-based ingredients, and four times the electrolytes of leading sports drinks. Lauren shares how a highly effective, globally implemented hydration formula inspired...
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S4E10: Guest Sabina Bruehlmann, CEO of Nimble
Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Sabina Bruehlmann, CEO of Nimble, a company transforming personalized health through actionable intelligence from the gut microbiome. In this episode, Sabina shares how Nimble’s novel science unlocks vast amounts of information that we’ve never been able…
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S4E9: Guest Jamie McCroskery, CEO of Bluebird
Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Jamie McCroskery, CEO of Bluebird, helping brands produce climate-friendly products and authentic sustainability stories about them. In this episode, Jamie shares how living on a glacier in New Zealand for 15 days inspired him to abandon his career at a…
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S4E8: Guest Chris Bryson, CEO of New School Foods
Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Chris Bryson, CEO of New School Foods, about creating whole-cut fish made entirely from plants that looks, cooks, flakes, and tastes just like wild salmon. As the past founder of a successful e-commerce company with absolutely no culinary experience…
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S4E7: Guest Martin Stübler, CEO of BioFluff
Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Martin Stübler, CEO of BioFluff, developing the world’s first entirely plant-based fur. In this episode, Martin explains how a 12-week lockdown in a tiny town in Catalunya sparked the idea for his business, describes the fascinating technology behind...
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S4E6: Guest Sarah Adler, CEO and Founder of Wave
In this episode of our Inception podcast, Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Sarah Adler, CEO of Wave, a mental health digital ecosystem designed for the digital native. Sarah shares how her past hedge fund analyst career and current psychiatry background empowered and inspired her to…
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S4E5: Guest Christoph Jenny, Co-founder of Planted
Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Christoph Jenny, co-founder of Planted, a company producing delicious plant-based meat with only natural ingredients and perfect bite. In this episode, Christoph talks about how their clear-cut core strategy, dedication to the perfect product, value-based...
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S4E4: Guest Nieves Martinez Marshall, CEO of Novel Farms
Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Nieves Martinez Marshall, CEO of Novel Farms, a company growing muscle and fat cells to produce delicious, environmentally-friendly whole cuts of meat. In this episode, Nieves explains how their groundbreaking scaffolding technology sets them apart from...
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S4E3: Guest Stella Smith, CEO of pirkx
Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Stella Smith, CEO of pirkx, providing affordable health and wellbeing benefits to anyone – whether self-employed, part of a small business, or an individual and their family. In this episode, Stella shares the story of her fascinating transformation from…
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S4E2: Guest Claire Cherry, Investment Partner
To kick off the podcast’s fourth season, Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Claire Cherry, our talented new London-based Investment Partner. With starkly different backgrounds, but a deeply shared passion for the ever-evolving VC landscape, Mike and Claire discuss everything from the many...
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S4E1: Guests Brian Tran and David Stevens, co-founders of Serif
Brian Tran and David Stevens are co-founders of Serif, a global members club for LGBTQ+ leaders and creators. In this episode, they talk about the widely diverse and distinguished user base Serif is attracting, how they’re completely revolutionizing the application of NFTs, and their vision of...
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S3E18: 4th Anniversary: Guest Jun Deng, Investment Partner
To celebrate our fourth anniversary, Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Jun Deng, an Investment Partner at our funds. In this episode, Jun talks about our unique and controversial thesis, the remarkable way in which our strategy, team, and company culture have evolved over the years, and…
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S3E17: Guest Pim de Witte, CEO of Medal.tv
Pim de Witte is CEO of Medal.tv, where gamers go to create memories when they can't be in the same place physically. In this episode, Pim talks about the company's core mission of creation and connection, the intense velocity at which the company is growing due to the extraordinary response of…
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S3E12: Guest Michael Selden, CEO and co-founder of Finless Foods
Michael Selden is co-founder and CEO of Finless Foods, using ground-breaking plant and cell culture technology to create a future for seafood where the ocean thrives. In this episode, Michael talks with Managing Partner Mike Edelhart about the importance of starting out with a core team you can...
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S3E16: Guest Quincy Lee, CEO of Electric Era
Quincy Lee is CEO of Electric Era, the world’s most advanced storage systems for electric vehicle fast-charging stations. In this episode, Quincy talks about why he left long-time employer SpaceX to “come back to earth” and start this new company; the many cultural and technological challenges…
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S3E15: Guest Melanie Travis, CEO of Andie
Melanie Travis is CEO of Andie, a swimwear brand made by women, for women. In this episode, Melanie talks about what it took to land the B round of an entrepreneur’s dreams, the surprising pros of having zero swimwear expertise when she started, and her not-so-distant plans for making Andie the...
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S3E14: Guest Sunny Han, CEO of Fulcrum
Sunny Han is CEO of Fulcrum, building groundbreaking technology to support a new resurgence of manufacturing growth. In this episode, Sunny recounts how being the son of a civil engineer and a computer scientist equipped him for a career in tech at a very young age, how his experience of online...
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S3E13: Guest Aaron Albert, CEO of Mine'd
Aaron Albert is CEO and co-founder of Mine’d, a platform that connects consumers with mental health experts and a supportive community. In this episode, Aaron describes how a heart-wrenching breakup inspired him to start the company, the surprising ways that entrepreneurship has challenged him to...
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S3E11: Guest Tigran Sloyan, CEO of CodeSignal
Tigran Sloyan is co-founder and CEO of CodeSignal, the most advanced technical assessment solution on the market. In this episode, Tigran and Managing Partner Mike Edelhart have a lively conversation about everything from the first investor pitch jitters, to the recent radical democratization of...
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S3E10: Guest Nicolas Heymann, CEO of Heritage Type
Nicolas Heymann is CEO of Heritage Type and provides a next-generation web-based graphic tool that is launching soon. In this episode, Nicolas talks about the complex problem the company is striving to solve, how people that are intensely passionate about their work inspire and motivate him, and...
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S3E9: Guest Maya Hardigan, CEO of Mae
Maya Hardigan is CEO of Mae, a company providing pregnancy and postpartum support tailored to the needs of Black women. In this episode, Maya talks about the deeply disparate maternal services Black women receive in the US, how Mae is tackling the important role of curating culturally specific...
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S3E8: Guest Charles Rodenkirch, CEO of Sharper Sense
Charles Rodenkirch is CEO of Sharper Sense, a company that enhances brain function by delivering wearable, targeted neural stimulation. In this episode, Dr. Rodenkirch talks about the fascinating science underlying their first product, a non-invasive patch that optimizes brain state for clear...
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S3E7: Guest Dhruv Agrawal, CEO of Aether Biomedical
Guest Dhruv Agrawal is CEO of Aether Biomedical, a medical robotics company with the goal of making bionics accessible to all. In this episode, Dhruv talks about the unique musculoskeletal biomechanics technology they use to enhance the relationship between humans and machines; their first…
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S3E6: Guest Christopher Jane, CEO of Proper Good
Christopher Jane is CEO of Proper Good, a company making 90-second meals with clean ingredients delivered directly to your door. In this episode, Christopher talks about the innovative science behind their health-conscious, shelf-stable (and delicious) products; how their unique business model...
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S3E5: Guest Oriana Papin-Zoghbi, CEO of AOA Dx
Oriana Papin-Zoghbi is CEO of AOA Dx, revolutionizing early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. In this episode, Oriana talks about the science behind their groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind liquid biopsy test; how the phenomenal relationship she has with her scientific collaborator has accelerated the...
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S3E4: Guest Tal Brown, CEO of Zone7
Tal Brown is Co-Founder and CEO of Zone7, a data-driven AI system that helps coaches and athletes optimize for peak performance and forecast injury risk. In this episode, Tal talks about the powerful algorithms his team has developed to perfectly tune a body’s physical workload to stay in peak...
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S3E3: Guest Sana Alajmovic, CEO of Sigrid Therapeutics
Sana Alajmovic is CEO of Sigrid, a company transforming the way we prevent and treat chronic lifestyle diseases. In this episode, Sana explains the science behind their groundbreaking first product, an all-natural, tasteless white powder that reduces blood sugar and cholesterol levels while...
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S3E2: Guest Daniel Chait, CEO of Greenhouse
Daniel Chait is CEO of Greenhouse and co-author of the book Talent Makers: How the best companies win through structured and inclusive hiring. In this episode, Daniel shares fascinating insights into Greenhouse's dynamic growth over the last nine years, the two surprising moments he realized they...
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S3E1: The Anniversary of Inception with Guest Emi Gonzalez, Senior Principal
To celebrate the third anniversary of Inception, Managing Partner Mike Edelhart (the oldest partner at our funds) talks with Emi Gonzalez, the youngest partner at our funds, who focuses on biotech and healthcare investments. In this episode, Emi and Mike discuss the latest developments in the...
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S2E31: Guest Roozbeh Ghaffari, CEO of Epicore Biosystems
Roozbeh Ghaffari is CEO of Epicore Biosystems, developing wearable microfluidic solutions that measure hydration biomarkers, skin health, and physiology. The company’s first product is the Gx Sweat Patch, a skin-like patch that pairs with an easy-to-use app to provide real-time and personalized...
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S2E16: Guest Caleb Polley, CEO of Cubby
Caleb Polley is CEO of Cubby, making smart beds that improve anxiety, sleep, and safety for people with cognitive disabilities such as Autism, Epilepsy, and Dementia. In this episode, Caleb shares how his close relationship with a childhood friend with Down syndrome contributed to his desire to...
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S2E15: Guest David Montiel, CEO of BeelinguApp
David Montiel is co-founder and CEO of BeelinguApp, empowering people to learn a new language by consuming content they love. In his conversation with Mike, David shares how his worldwide travels helped him identify a huge opportunity in language learning methodology, divulges the clever...
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S2E14: Guest Sumit Sinha, CEO of Phable
Sumit Sinha is CEO of Phable, an innovative at-home healthcare app simplifying life for both patients and doctors through monitoring, reminders, and doctor intervention. In his conversation with Mike, Sumit shares the compelling personal story of how his father's struggle with chronic disease...
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S2E13: Guest Ashish Rawat, CEO of Oga Fit
Ashish Rawat is CEO of Oga Fit, a fully interactive fitness platform where users get a boutique studio workout experience led by world-famous trainers from the comfort of their own homes. In this episode, Ashish talks about his frustrating personal search for an authentic, engaging virtual…
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S2E12: Guest Franziska Leonhardt, Co-Founder of Ave + Edam
Dr. Franziska Leonhardt is co-founder of Ave + Edam, creating personalized, clean, and vegan skincare backed by advanced technologies and dermatological expertise. In this episode, Franziska talks about the genesis of her first-of-its-kind approach to providing a completely unique skincare...
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S2E11: Guest Paul Chen, CEO of Flourish Tech
Paul Chen is CEO and cofounder of Flourish Tech, a company teaching skills to build flourishing, healthy relationships. In this episode, Paul tells the deeply personal story of what inspired him to start his company, shares how they’re repackaging time-tested psychology tools to make empathy...
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S2E10: Guest Jean Anne Booth, CEO of Unaliwear
Jean Anne Booth is CEO of Unaliwear, producer of the first all-in-one, voice-controlled smartwatch designed to keep you connected, independent, active, and safe. In this episode, Jean Anne talks about the company’s unique and innovative perspective on providing personalized support for aging...
About this show
Hosted by Joyance Partners Managing Partner Mike Edelhart, Inception is a series of conversations about the beginning of things - of companies, careers, new science, breakthrough technology, and a peek into the future. Each episode features an intimate talk between Mike and the founder of one of the remarkable companies in our portfolio. Together, they explore the grit, determination, and skill required to start a company, the underlying philosophies and psychologies of entrepreneurship, and the secrets of how startups are created, funded, and ultimately, win.
Watch Inception on YouTube
Hosted by
Joyance Partners
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