PODCAST · business
Perfect Pitch by Kickstart
by Kickstart Fund
What is Perfect Pitch? It’s a podcast from Kickstart that reveals the minds of both investors and entrepreneurs throughout a startup’s journey. So, whether that’s uncovering what everyone’s really thinking during a startup pitch or learning how entrepreneurs, like you, have managed their first major roadblock, Perfect Pitch offers an honest, quick, and tactical guide to help you on your startup journey.
Episodes
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The Sondermind Story | From West Point to Building a Mental Health Unicorn with Mark Frank
Mark Frank is the cofounder and CEO of Sondermind, one of Colorado’s standout digital health companies. What began with Mark’s own frustrating search for a therapist became a national mental healthcare platform serving clients, clinicians, and payors across the country. In this episode, Mark…
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The Lucid Story | Building a Category-Defining SaaS Company with Ben Dilts, Karl Sun, & Dave Grow
Ben Dilts, Karl Sun, and Dave Grow are the founding team behind Lucid Software, one of the most successful SaaS companies to emerge from Utah. From a scrappy student-built prototype to a global platform with tens of millions of users, Lucid redefined how teams collaborate visually in the cloud.…
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The Spiff Story | Why the Best Founders are Knife Fighters with Jeron Paul
Jeron Paul is a 4x founder and a defining entrepreneur in the Utah ecosystem. Most recently, Jeron was the Co-founder & CEO of Spiff, the leading incentive compensation platform which he successfully sold to Salesforce in one of the most strategic acquisitions in the space. Before Spiff, Jeron...
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Perfect Pitch with Alex Shamir: Owning Your Expertise
Every entrepreneur is trying to solve a problem with their startup. To prove you're the person for the job, how do you become an expert yourself? We're talking with an entrepreneur who has accomplished just that. Join us in today's conversation with Alex Shamir, Co-Founder at Yofi, and investor...
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The Tactical Entrepreneur's Playbook: A Conversation with Wade Anderson, President and COO of Elements
Running a startup is like building a car while you're driving. We're talking with an entrepreneur who does it all while staying buckled in. Join us in today's conversation with Wade Anderson, President and COO of Elements, and investor Tanner Potter of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in Utah,...
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Elevating Startup Sales: A Conversation with Aaron McReynolds and Ryan Harris, Co-Founders of Alysio
Startup sales—the phrase alone is enough to stress a founder out. We're bringing in two experts who will help unlock the secret to sales success. Join us in today's conversation with Aaron McReynolds and Ryan Harris, co-founders of Alysio, and investor Kat Kennedy of Kickstart (a VC firm for...
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Kickstart's Founding Story: A Conversation with Gavin Christensen, Alex Soffe, and Dalton Wright, Kickstart's Founding Partners
Can VCs be founders too? We're talking with Kickstart's founding partners to understand how Kickstart…was kickstarted. Join us in today's conversation with investors Gavin Christensen, Alex Soffe, and Dalton Wright of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in Utah, Colorado, and the Mountain West), as...
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Hot Takes: Entrepreneur Vs. Venture Capitalist
We're breaking our regular format with a new kind of episode, with a founder who is serving some spicy opinions on how an entrepreneur can succeed. Join us in today's conversation with Taylor Margot, Founder and CEO of Keys, and investor Tanner Potter of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in Utah,...
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How Product is the Untold Storyteller: A Conversation with Tanner Potter, a Kickstart Investor
We're welcoming a new voice to the show! This Kickstart investor started his career at powerhouses like Vivint and Nike. Today, he's a product-market fit expert investing in tech-obsessed founders across the Mountain West. Join us in our conversation with investors Tanner Potter and Kat Kennedy…
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Don't Be Outgrown by Your Startup: A Conversation with Dave Grow, CEO of Lucid Software
We talk a lot about how to grow your startup on this show. But once you've mastered the startup part, how do you ensure you don't get left behind as a leader? Join us in today's conversation with Dave Grow, CEO of Lucid Software, and investor Gavin Christensen of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups...
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Decoding Digital Identity, a Conversation with Riley Hughes, Founder & CEO of Trinsic
It's easy to get caught up in defining your startup with industry buzz words. We're speaking with a founder who is fighting against being placed in a box. Join us in today's conversation with Riley Hughes, Founder & CEO of Trinsic, and investor Dalton Wright of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups…
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Surviving Layoffs: A Conversation with PJ O'Neil, Nomad's Co-Founder & CEO
Among the difficult things founders have to face, layoffs may be the worst. We sat down with a CEO who draws back the curtain on a difficult but often necessary part of startup life. Join us in today's conversation with PJ O'Neil, Co-Founder and CEO of Elements, and investor Gavin Christensen of...
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Building Success, One "No" at a Time: A Conversation with Reese Harper, Elements' CEO
Founder journeys are never the same. Today we're talking with someone who started their career as a musician, had a layover as a financial advisor, and is now a founder of a startup that is currently raising in one of the toughest fundraising environments we've seen. Join us in today's…
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Your Culture Shouldn't Be Right for Everyone
Advice for creative talent practices on the internet abounds. How can you know if these practices are a fad or if they'll generate success? To answer that, we're talking with someone who has adopted several unique initiatives for his team, including the famous four-day workweek. Join us in…
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Insights on the Future of Work with Dan Bladen
Confused about the future of work? So are we. Until we talked with a founder who has advice on how entrepreneurs can bring their startups up to speed. Join us in today's conversation with Dan Bladen, Co-Founder & CEO of Kadence, and investor Kat Kennedy of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in…
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Insights on Problem Solving with Wil Eyi
One of our favorite parts of this podcast is learning more about our guest's founder origin stories and how that inspires their business. Today we're talking with an entrepreneur who's building a solution inspired by a problem he faced as a student. Join us in today's conversation with Wil Eyi,...
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Insights on Remote Work with Arian Lewis
Traditional offices are facing a renaissance of new technologies and co-working spaces. With the future of work changing so rapidly, we sat down with an industry expert. Someone who broke through a crowded market and found success by tweaking the recipe to an otherwise stale solution. Join us in...
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Insights on Founder-Market Fit with Jeron Paul
When a venture capitalist invests in a startup, they're investing in more than just the company. A strong founder-market fit is vital. And few understand that better than today's guest. As a serial entrepreneur, he's focused his attention on leadership and has broken the mold for what makes a...
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Insights on Growth with Kat Kennedy
We have exciting news! Kickstart is welcoming a new general partner. Someone who grew a small and scrappy startup to a successful company valued at over $1.4B. And now, she's taking the plunge into VC to magnify her impact from one amazing company to hundreds of amazing companies. You'll hear a…
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Insights on Inciting Change with John Munro
As a founder, you're facing constant pressure to perform. Whether it's to your employees or your investors, you have a lot to prove. Now, imagine you're hired as a CEO for a startup that's had not one, not two, but five separate CEOs. This week, we're talking with someone who has filled those…
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Insights on Rejection with Ryan Smith
Being a founder is synonymous with facing rejection. What separates successful startups from the rest are founders who know how to work through that rejection. But how do you keep saying yes when the world is telling you to stop? Join us in today's conversation with Ryan Smith, Founder and CEO of...
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SPECIAL EPISODE: Insights on Overcoming Personal Trials with Gavin Christensen
Entrepreneurs are expected to do it all. Run a company, develop great relationships with their investors, keep up with their personal life… all while needing to keep yourself together. But—like everyone else—founders struggle with their own personal battles. Today we're talking with someone...
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Insights on Mentorship with Curtis Anderson
Entrepreneurship can be a lonely road. And while you may feel you're making decisions alone as a founder, it doesn't have to be that way. This week, we're talking with someone whose early and current mentors have guided him through his entrepreneurial journey. Join us in today's conversation with...
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SPECIAL EPISODE: Insights on Embracing Imbalance with Curt Roberts
Trying to manage your personal and professional life is a delicate balancing act. And part of being an entrepreneur means sacrificing your personal time for success. Is there a way to achieve that ideal balance? We're talking with someone who strives for intentional living and believes that the...
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Culture Insights with Liz Ellis
So often leaders worry about eliminating weakness. But is that practice outdated? There might be research to suggest otherwise. Join us in today's conversation with Liz Ellis, COO and Chief Heart Officer of Angel Studios, and investor Dalton Wright of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in Utah,...
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Insights on Restarting Startups with Dave Hersh
Unicorn. If you're an entrepreneur you've probably heard that term before. It's a coveted title for companies valued at over $1B and it's safe to say every founder dreams of hitting that status. But can that level of success actually work against you? Join us in today's conversation with Dave...
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Insights on Strategic Partnerships with Jeremy Hanks
We're digging into the value and potential pitfalls of strategic partnerships...and we're not talking about choosing your pickleball partner carefully. In the scrappy, DIY world of startups, sometimes the need for leveraged power from an already established brand might seem like a cop-out, but...
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Insights on When to Bootstrap and When to Raise with Josh Nielsen
So many founders sacrifice to be able to get their startups off the ground, but not many of them move to Thailand to be able to make it happen. Today we're talking with Josh Nielsen, Founder & CEO of Zencastr, a successful podcasting platform, and investor Gavin Christensen of Kickstart (a VC…
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Insights on Market Changes & Strategy Shifts with Grant Gordon
You did it. You got your first round of funding and you're on your way...and then the landscape changes. Now, the outcome you promised to investors might not be possible. So what do you do to maintain their confidence in you? Join us in today's conversation with Grant Gordon, Co-Founder and CEO…
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Insights on a Startup's First Year with Chris Hicken
The first year of a startup's life is crucial–and life or death decisions seem to be made on a daily basis. Whether it be fundraising, hiring, or simply getting people to care, you have a lot to juggle and today, we're talking with a founder who can speak to it all. Join us in today's…
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Lessons on Entrepreneurial Adaptability with Rachel Hofstetter, Chatbooks CMO
To be a successful entrepreneur, you have to be adaptable. Sometimes so adaptable, that you're completely rewriting the story of your company. To give insight on how you can remain motivated through it all, we're talking with Rachel Hofstetter, CMO at Chatbooks, and investor Gavin Christensen of...
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Insights on Unique Category Fit with Verl Allen, Claravine CEO
While all startups hope to be unique enough to stand out from the crowd, there are often multiple startups within the same category. What if your company doesn't fit into a standard category? What if your mission is so unique you have to trailblaze your own path in the startup world? To get a...
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Insights on Legal Battles & Bouncing Back with Neal Harmon
So here's an unexpected scenario. You've got your startup started up and you're busy and focused on building the best team and raising capital when you're blindsided by a legal battle with one of the world's most powerful companies. This doesn't happen all the time, but it does happen more than…
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Insights On CEO Transitions with Matthew Hoffman & Jeremy Warren
It's common knowledge that entrepreneurs put in long nights and sacrifice basically everything for the benefit of their companies. But here's a curveball for you: if the success of your business meant stepping down as CEO...could you do it? Today we're talking to Matt Hoffman, the founder and...
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Insights on Fundraising Negotiation with Bruno Lima, Pura Co-Founder and CEO
Negotiation. It's a five-syllable word that can instill fear in the heart of even the most adept entrepreneur and yet, it's a fact of everyday life in the startup world. You eat, sleep, and breathe your vision day in and day out, but when it comes time to bring that vision to the negotiation…
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Insights on Aligning Co-Founder Goals with Bret Larsen, eVisit Co-Founder and CEO
They say that one of the keys to success in start-up land–where predicting the future can seem nearly impossible–is to have the right people with you on the bus. Key people who can adapt and perform well despite the chaos and uncertainty. But there's no saying to guide us when the bus has two...
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Insights on Founder Curiosity and Authenticity with Frank Wooten, Vence Founder and CEO
While nothing fully prepares you to run a startup, there are a few things that can help. Like having a strong understanding of your customer base and passion for the problem you're solving. Even better if you have a deep understanding and experience with the industry. But what if you come to the...
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Insights on Using Strategy to Respond to Fear with Davis Smith, Cotopaxi Founder and CEO
It's not uncommon these days to see startups born out of a desire to do a little bit of good in the world. And the good news is that businesses motivated by a social mission have a real appeal to both customers who like the idea of putting their money to good use, and investors who love the kind…
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Insights on Strong Customer Connections and Awesome Employee Experiences with Vanessa and Nate Quigley, Co-Founders of Chatbooks
What does it take to be a success in the startup world? One quick google search and you're immediately aware that there are a lot of cooks in that kitchen. But there are some ingredients everyone can agree on. A healthy dose of purpose–the loftier the better–close connection to your customers and...
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Insights on Going Against the Grain with Lee Mayer, Havenly Founder and CEO
There's no shortage of advice out there for founders. Just do a quick google search and you'll find list after list of things "every entrepreneur should do," or "10 rules of being a founder." But what if you know doing things the way everyone else does isn't right for you? And, how do you decide...
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Hiring Insights with Rachel Nilsson, RAGS Founder and CEO
There has never been a more true axiom in the startup world than this: The only constant is change; and when things need to change, it's up to the founder to get it done. This episode includes CEO and founder Rachel Nilsson of RAGS and venture capital investor Curt Roberts from Kickstart Fund to...
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Insights on Pursuing Your Passion with Mark Frank, SonderMind Founder and CEO
If you've ever wondered whether that passion project really is entrepreneurial gold worth fighting for or a hobby that should just stay in your garage, this episode is for you. This episode hosts Mark Frank, Founder & CEO of SonderMind and Investor Curt Roberts, Partner at Kickstart and will...
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Roadblock Recovery Insights with Jeremy Hanks, DSCO Founder
If you haven't hit a roadblock on your startup journey then you haven't actually started. Roadblocks are a predictably unpredictable part of starting a new venture and this episode dives into the minds of Jeremy Hanks, founder of DSCO and investor Dalton Wright, to explore how our approach to…
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Leadership Insights with Mike Peregrina, Homie Co-Founder
Being an entrepreneur is all about playing the long game and the best founders and their investors understand that the ups and downs of solving big problems require more than just big vision. It's a combination of traits and practices that will carry you through the lean times. If you want to…
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Resilience Insights with Rob Nelson, Grow Founder and CEO
If there's ever a setting where resilience is imperative, it's a startup. But the combination of uncertainty, lack of control, and the intense pace of a startup can also often have a direct correlation to increased stress, which can in turn negatively impact resilience. It's tempting to think the...
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Ep. 01: Fundraising Insights with Morgan Davis, MarketDial Founder and Former VC
If you could peek behind the curtain of the funding world, do you think that would make it easier or harder to follow your passion and take that leap of entrepreneurial faith? We'll find out when we talk to MarketDial CEO and founder Morgan Davis, and investor Curt Roberts about what happens when…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
What is Perfect Pitch? It’s a podcast from Kickstart that reveals the minds of both investors and entrepreneurs throughout a startup’s journey. So, whether that’s uncovering what everyone’s really thinking during a startup pitch or learning how entrepreneurs, like you, have managed their first major roadblock, Perfect Pitch offers an honest, quick, and tactical guide to help you on your startup journey.
HOSTED BY
Kickstart Fund
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Perfect Pitch by Kickstart have?
Perfect Pitch by Kickstart currently has 46 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Perfect Pitch by Kickstart about?
What is Perfect Pitch? It’s a podcast from Kickstart that reveals the minds of both investors and entrepreneurs throughout a startup’s journey. So, whether that’s uncovering what everyone’s really thinking during a startup pitch or learning how entrepreneurs, like you, have managed their first...
How often does Perfect Pitch by Kickstart release new episodes?
Perfect Pitch by Kickstart has 46 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Perfect Pitch by Kickstart?
You can listen to Perfect Pitch by Kickstart on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Perfect Pitch by Kickstart?
Perfect Pitch by Kickstart is created and hosted by Kickstart Fund.
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