Inside the Round

In this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty interviews Haley Swartz, co-founder of Actual Veggies, a company dedicated to creating healthier, restaurant-quality veggie burgers. They discuss the journey of starting the company during the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges of fundraising, the importance of having a strong co-founder relationship, and the role of accelerators in their growth. Haley shares insights on navigating the food industry, building investor relationships, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a startup founder.TakeawaysThe idea for Actual Veggies was born out of a need for healthier veggie burgers.Starting during COVID presented unique challenges but also opportunities.Working with chefs is crucial for developing quality food products.Building a strong co-founder relationship is essential for success.Raising capital requires careful planning and understanding of the investor landscape.Legal counsel is vital in navigating fundraising and contracts.Feedback from potential customers can validate product ideas before launch.Maintaining a work-life balance is important for long-term success.Investors can provide valuable insights beyond just funding.The startup journey is a continuous learning experience.Chapters 00:00 The Birth of Actual Veggies 03:00 Navigating the Challenges of Startup Life 05:47 The Role of Accelerators in Growth 08:49 Innovating in the Food Industry 11:42 Building a Strong Co-Founder Relationship 14:51 Raising Capital: Strategies and Insights 17:45 Understanding the Investor Landscape 20:48 Lessons from Fundraising Experiences 23:33 The Importance of Legal Counsel 26:32 Preparing for Future Raises 29:37 The Evolution of Company Culture 32:21 Maintaining Balance as a Founder 35:11 The Future of Actual VeggiesHelena's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenafogartyHailey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haileyswartz/

Inside the Round is a podcast hosted by fundraising expert Helena Fogarty that pulls back the curtain on startup funding by featuring founders who have recently closed their funding rounds.Each episode delivers raw, unfiltered insights into what it actually takes to get investors to commit capital, moving beyond sanitized success stories to reveal the exact processes, pivotal moments, uncomfortable conversations, and strategic decisions that led to millions in funding. In this episode of Inside the Round, Steve Gilman shares his entrepreneurial journey from founding Block Party to launching OneRange, an AI-powered talent development platform. He discusses the challenges of fundraising, the importance of resilience, and the value of building a strong network.Steve emphasizes the need for clear roles among co-founders and the significance of mental and physical well-being in the entrepreneurial journey. He also reflects on the evolving landscape of fundraising and the lessons learned from his experiences in both sports and business.Chapters 00:00 The Journey Begins: From Block Party to OneRange03:03 Navigating the Fundraising Landscape05:50 Building a Resilient Team and Company Culture08:45 The Importance of Networking and Relationships12:00 Lessons from Sports: Resilience and Grit 14:51 The Role of Investors in a Startup's Success18:04 Finding the Right Co-Founder20:54 The Challenges of Fundraising in a Changing Environment23:51 Mental and Physical Well-being as a Founder26:52 The Future of OneRange and Upcoming Fundraising PlansFind Steve here:   / stevegilman26  Find Helena here:   / helenafogarty  Follow us: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NVE9Ah...To learn more about Bamboo X: https://bamboo-x.com/All productions are created by 28th&Park. Visit us: https://28thpark.com/

In this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty speaks with Natalie Schneider, founder of Fort Health, about her journey in the startup world, particularly in the mental health sector. They discuss the challenges of fundraising, the importance of understanding VC funding, and the unique hurdles faced by female founders. Natalie shares insights on building a strong team, preparing for fundraising, and maintaining personal well-being as a founder. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of startups and the critical need for resilience in the face of challenges.TakeawaysVC funding is not the only option for startups.Female founders face unique challenges in fundraising.Building a strong team is crucial for success.Networking and relationships are key in fundraising.Understanding the fundraising process is essential for founders.Maintaining personal well-being is vital for founders.The startup landscape is evolving with new challenges.Investors are looking for capital efficiency and profitability.Bias in funding decisions affects female founders significantly.Resilience is necessary for navigating the startup journey.Chapters:00:00 Understanding VC Funding and Its Alternatives03:02 The Birth of Ford Health and Its Mission05:59 Navigating the Startup Landscape: Trends and Challenges08:56 The VC Funding Dilemma: Is It Right for You?11:40 The Importance of Team and Support in Fundraising14:47 Preparing for Fundraising: Strategies and Resources18:03 The Role of Female Founders in the Startup Ecosystem20:48 The Impact of Bias in Funding Decisions24:08 Building Relationships and Networking for Success26:51 The Fundraising Process: From Preparation to Closing29:53 Managing Investor Relations and Expectations32:41 Maintaining Personal Well-being as a Founder36:06 Lessons Learned from the Fundraising Journey38:50 The Future of Startups and the Importance of ResilienceFind Natalie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalieschneider/ Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bamboo-crowd/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NVE9AhSS5LGb6iepeZW3o To learn more about BTG: https://bambootalent.group/ 

In this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty speaks with Sumeet Shah, founder of VHS Ventures, about his journey in consumer investing, the impact of market shifts, and the importance of building a supportive ecosystem for founders. They discuss the challenges of fundraising, the role of LPs, and the philosophy behind VHS Ventures, which aims to create a collaborative community for stakeholders in the consumer space. In this conversation, Sumeet discusses the challenges faced by emerging managers in venture capital, the tools available for fundraising, and the importance of maintaining mental and physical health in high-pressure environments. He shares insights into their day-to-day operations, the emotional rewards of helping others, and the significance of vulnerability and open communication in the workplace.Takeaways:Sumit Shah founded VHS Ventures to support consumer founders.The 2022 market shift created opportunities for new investments.Building relationships with founders is crucial for success.LPs play a significant role in the fundraising process.Consumer investing allows for tangible product engagement.Creating a supportive ecosystem benefits all stakeholders.The philosophy of VHS Ventures is to build a village.Community events like Consumer Brews foster connections.Investing in consumer products can be exciting and rewarding.A mindset of abundance leads to better collaboration. Emerging managers face significant challenges in fundraising.Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) are valuable tools for new investors.Day-to-day operations involve juggling multiple responsibilities.Fellows play a crucial role in the investment process.Emotional rewards come from seeing others succeed.Maintaining mental health is essential in high-pressure roles.Vulnerability should not be seen as a weakness.Open communication fosters a healthier work environment.Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to VHS Ventures and Sumit Shah02:57 Sumit Shah's Journey in Consumer Investing06:01 The Impact of the 2022 Market Shift09:12 Navigating Fundraising and Building Relationships12:06 The Role of LPs and Consumer Investment Excitement15:10 Building a Supportive Ecosystem for Founders17:50 Creating a Village: The VHS Ventures Philosophy21:12 Consumer Brews: Fostering Community Connections26:59 Navigating the Challenges of Emerging Managers29:05 Day-to-Day Operations in Venture Capital34:36 The Emotional Rewards of Venture Capital40:24 The Thrill of Seeing Backed Products in the Wild45:19 Maintaining Mental and Physical Health in High-Pressure Environments49:46 The Importance of Vulnerability and Open CommunicationFind Sumeethere: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumeethshah/Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bamboo-crowd/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NVE9AhSS5LGb6iepeZW3o To learn more about BTG: https://bambootalent.group/  

In this conversation, Amy Kiska, co-founder of Recess, shares her journey of building a startup while navigating the challenges of pregnancy and motherhood. She discusses the importance of identifying market needs, the dynamics of co-founding, and the intricacies of fundraising. Amy emphasizes the significance of building a targeted investor database and leveraging warm introductions to secure funding. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of venture capital and the lessons learned from their fundraising experience. The speaker shares insights on the importance of a well-prepared data room for investors, the significance of extensive market research, and the unique challenges faced by female founders, particularly during pregnancy. The discussion also covers the dynamics of investor relationships, the acceleration of business post-funding, and practical advice for early-stage founders. The speaker emphasizes the need for resilience and the importance of maintaining emotional and physical health throughout the entrepreneurial journey.Takeaways:- Building a startup can happen during challenging times.- Identifying a market need is crucial for success.- Co-founder dynamics can significantly impact a startup's journey.- Fundraising requires extensive research and preparation.- Creating a targeted investor database is essential.- Warm introductions can greatly enhance fundraising efforts.- Pre-seed funding expectations have evolved over time.- Launching a beta product can create momentum in fundraising.- Persistence is key in the fundraising process. The data room is crucial for telling your company story.- Raising funds is an ongoing process, not a one-time event.- Building a beta site can demonstrate traction to investors.- Every interaction with investors is an opportunity to build relationships.- Maintaining a strong support system is vital for founders.- User feedback is essential for product development.- Balancing personal life and business is a continuous journey.Chapters:00:00 The Birth of Recess: A Founder’s Journey02:58 Identifying Market Needs and Building Solutions05:49 Navigating Co-Founder Dynamics08:52 The Fundraising Landscape: Insights and Strategies12:13 Building an Investor Database: The Key to Success15:04 The Importance of Warm Intros and Networking17:50 Lessons Learned from Fundraising Experiences21:48 Crafting the Perfect Data Room24:52 Understanding Market Research and Validation26:45 The Journey of a Pregnant Founder30:05 Navigating Investor Relationships33:05 Post-Funding Acceleration36:25 Building Relationships with Investors37:22 Advice for Early-Stage Founders39:37 Maintaining Balance in the Startup JourneyFind Amy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amykiska/Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bamboo-crowd/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NVE9AhSS5LGb6iepeZW3o To learn more about BTG: https://bambootalent.group/ 

In this conversation, Zachary DeAngelo shares his journey as a founder of Rodeo CPG, discussing the complexities of startup financing, the evolution of funding strategies, and the importance of building strong relationships with investors. He emphasizes the need for emotional intelligence in navigating investor relations and offers valuable advice for first-time founders. The discussion also touches on the challenges of maintaining profitability in the retail landscape and the significance of community support in the entrepreneurial journey.Takeaways:Understanding financing mechanisms is crucial for founders.Maximizing early valuation can jeopardize a startup's future.Building relationships with investors is key to success.Emotional intelligence helps in managing investor expectations.The venture capital landscape has shifted significantly.Maintaining a balance between work and personal life is essential.Community support can amplify a startup's credibility.Transparency with investors fosters trust and alignment.Navigating the retail landscape requires strategic thinking.Founders should be open to learning and adapting their strategies.Chapters:00:00 Navigating the Complexities of Startup Financing03:00 The Journey of Rodeo CPG: From Concept to Reality06:05 Understanding the Retail Landscape and Profitability Challenges09:05 The Evolution of Funding Strategies12:05 Building Relationships with Investors15:14 The Shift in Venture Capital Dynamics18:03 Emotional Intelligence in Investor Relations21:05 Maintaining Balance in a High-Growth Environment24:08 Advice for First-Time Founders27:00 The Importance of Community and Support29:55 Closing Thoughts and Future EngagementsFind Zachary here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-deangelo/Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bamboo-crowd/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NVE9AhSS5LGb6iepeZW3o To learn more about BTG: https://bambootalent.group/ 

In this episode of Inside the Round, Michelle Volberg, founder of Twill, shares her journey of building a startup focused on revolutionizing the hiring process through referrals. She discusses the challenges of fundraising, the importance of community, and the lessons learned along the way. Michelle emphasizes the significance of maintaining a work-life balance and the role of investors in a startup's success. Her insights provide valuable guidance for aspiring founders navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.Takeaways: Most Slack channels are public and you can find them just by Googling.I take one day a week off, and that has been huge.Community is pivotal to founders, especially for female founders.Fundraise like a cat; don't be overly eager.Every no that you get is leading you to the right yes.Investors come when your business is doing well.You can message an investor on LinkedIn; it's a numbers game.There are many no-code or low-code tools available for founders.Having a supportive personal life is crucial for managing stress.It's important to maintain a balance between fundraising and building your company.Chapters:00:00 The Birth of Twill: From Idea to Execution02:52 Navigating the Fundraising Landscape05:48 Building Community and Organic Growth09:08 The Importance of Feedback and Investor Relationships12:10 Balancing Work and Personal Life14:47 Lessons Learned from Fundraising18:04 The Role of Investors in a Startup's Journey21:07 Maintaining Mental and Emotional Health24:12 Final Thoughts and Key TakeawaysFind Michelle here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellevolberg/Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bamboo-crowd/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NVE9AhSS5LGb6iepeZW3o To learn more about BTG: https://bambootalent.group/ 

In this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty speaks with Cherie Chung and Brendan Hellweg, co-founders of Holly, a startup focused on modernizing government hiring through AI. They discuss their journey from identifying a significant problem in local government hiring to successfully raising $2.2 million in funding. The conversation covers their values in selecting investors, the challenges of fundraising, and the importance of securing pilot programs to validate their business model.The speakers discuss their experiences with fundraising, the importance of conviction in their startup journey, and the challenges they faced in navigating the investor landscape. They emphasize the need for transparency, building strong partnerships, and maintaining a balance between work and personal life as they transition from students to founders in the GovTech space.Takeaways: Investors should respect local governments and their workers.Local government hiring takes significantly longer than in the private sector.AI can transform government operations and hiring processes.Building a startup requires a strong co-founder relationship.Fundraising is similar to a sales process, requiring qualification and pipeline management.Securing a pilot program is crucial for validating business ideas.Networking and warm introductions are key in fundraising.Understanding the market and customer needs is essential for success.Having a clear vision and mission attracts the right investors. The power dynamics in fundraising shift as interest grows.It's crucial to approach fundraising as a partnership, not a pitch.Building internal conviction is essential before seeking external funding.Chapters:00:00 Investor Considerations and Values01:27 The Birth of Holly: Founders' Journey03:00 Identifying the Problem: Government Hiring Challenges06:40 Building a Startup: From Idea to Execution10:08 Navigating the Fundraising Landscape12:54 Securing the Pilot: Long Beach Case Study18:17 The Fundraising Process: Angels to VCs23:08 Pivotal Moments in Fundraising24:53 Shifting the Power Dynamics in Fundraising30:50 Building Conviction and Overcoming Uncertainty35:06 Navigating the Fundraising Process40:10 Post-Funding Realities and Responsibilities43:07 Maintaining Balance in the Founder JourneyFind Brendan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanhellweg/ Find Cherie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheriechung/Follow us:LinkedInSpotifyTo learn more about BTG: https://bambootalent.group/  

In this conversation, Toby Egbuna, co-founder of Chezie, shares insights into the fundraising process, the importance of having a structured approach, and the unique challenges faced by founders. He discusses the origin of Chezie, the dynamics of working with a sibling as a co-founder, and the significance of community support in the entrepreneurial journey. Toby also reflects on the necessity of venture capital for his business and the role of grants in their funding strategy, emphasizing the importance of building relationships and networks in the startup ecosystem. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of fundraising for startups, sharing personal experiences and insights on navigating the venture capital landscape. They discuss the importance of adapting pitches, learning from failures, and the mental fortitude required to persist in fundraising efforts. The dialogue also touches on the challenges faced by underrepresented founders and offers advice on how to approach fundraising strategically. The speakers emphasize the need for a shift in how resources are allocated to ensure equitable opportunities for all entrepreneurs.TakeawaysThe biggest mistake in fundraising is not having a process.Winning the NPR grant was a pivotal moment for Chezie.Toby believes Chezie did not need venture capital to succeed.Community support is vital for founders to combat loneliness.Building relationships with other founders is essential.The journey of being a founder is unique and challenging.Finding your stride takes time and experience.Pivotal moments can redefine your fundraising strategy.Pitching on vision can be more effective than traction.Fundraising is a marathon without a clear finish line.Feedback from investors can be misleading; focus on the no.Preparation is key before approaching investors.Consider if you genuinely need venture capital before raising.Warm introductions can create barriers for underrepresented founders.AI is reducing barriers for aspiring entrepreneurs.Chapters00:00 The Fundraising Process: Key Mistakes to Avoid02:51 Co-Founder Dynamics: Sibling Relationships in Business06:03 Taking the Leap: Going Full-Time as a Founder08:47 Understanding VC Funding: Is It Necessary?12:01 Navigating Grants: A Path to Funding15:03 Building a Supportive Community as a Founder18:10 The Unique Journey of Being a Founder19:08 Learning the Ropes of Fundraising22:41 Navigating the Fundraising Landscape23:01 The Journey of Raising Capital24:11 Learning Through Experience25:30 Pivotal Moments in Fundraising29:12 Challenges in Closing the Round30:14 The Marathon of Fundraising32:23 Investor Conversations and Feedback34:06 Advice for Aspiring Founders35:54 Changing the Game for Underrepresented Founders37:48 Post-Fundraising Reflections39:23 Maintaining Mental and Physical Health41:50 Empowering Future EntrepreneursFind Toby here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-egbuna/ Find Helena here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenafogarty/  Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bamboo-crowd/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NVE9AhSS5LGb6iepeZW3o To learn more about BTG: https://bambootalent.group/ 

In this conversation, David Dellapelle, co-founder of Dune Security, shares his journey of building a cybersecurity startup focused on addressing human error, which accounts for a significant percentage of security breaches. He discusses the challenges faced in fundraising, the importance of customer feedback, and the resilience required to navigate the startup landscape. David emphasizes the need for transparency and authenticity in investor relations and offers valuable insights for aspiring founders on how to create value and build meaningful connections.TakeawaysTalking to customers is more valuable than talking to VCs.Rejection is part of the journey; embrace it.Building relationships with investors is crucial for success.Focus on solving real problems for customers.Resilience is developed through adversity.The fundraising process requires learning from failures.It's important to maintain a balance between personal and professional life.Providing value should be the primary goal for founders.The startup journey is akin to a video game; you level up with each challenge.Transparency and authenticity can strengthen investor relationships.Chapters00:00 The Journey Begins: Overcoming Initial Challenges02:52 Identifying the Core Problem in Cybersecurity05:59 The Founding Story: From Idea to Execution08:56 Navigating the VC Landscape: Lessons Learned11:57 The Importance of Customer Feedback14:57 Resilience in the Face of Rejection17:47 Building Relationships with Investors20:48 The Fundraising Process: Strategies and Insights23:49 Post-Funding: Responsibilities and Growth27:09 Maintaining Balance: Personal vs. Professional Life30:10 Advice for Aspiring Founders: Focus on Value CreationFind David here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddellapelle/ Find Helena here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenafogarty/  Follow us:LinkedInSpotifyLearn more about BTG: https://bambootalent.group/