How do startup investors really evaluate founders and their pitches? What's truly required to raise a seed round or a Series A?

On this episode of The Feedback Loop, we hear from 2 startup founders building the future and from 2 venture investors offering them feedback on their concept and storytelling – live, candid, and unfiltered!

One founder is building a secure data platform for businesses to store, share, and collect repetitive information, and another is building an AI-powered meditation companion.

It’s time for Episode 064 of The Feedback Loop!

Each founder has 1 minute to pitch. Then, they get feedback from two check-writing venture capitalists – feedback to push them forward in their early stage storytelling journey. Because even the best of founders can be held back from their ability to pitch their business, to tell a story that is compelling but not complete.

That feedback comes from our host, Sherveen Mashayekhi, founder and CEO of venture-backed Free Agency. He's also an angel investor and an LP in multiple venture funds. Each week, he's joined by a rotating seat featuring a guest venture investor, and this week, that's...

Guest Investor: Lauren Reeves

​Lauren Reeves is an Investor at MGV, an early stage SaaS fund based in SF and NYC. She also leads the team's east coast startup ecosystem initiatives. She brings a unique technical background to the judges' table — having previously been a software engineer building in AI, ML, and at notable companies like BlackRock, Postmates, and Alto Pharmacy.

Follow Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-a-reeves

Follow Sherveen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherveenm

Follow Sherveen on X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/sherveen

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Making “Unsexy” B2B Tech Compelling

A data-sharing solution for financial institutions can feel dry. You must reveal how it saves time, reduces errors, or eliminates friction for thousands of businesses.

Differentiating in a Crowded Meditation Market

Apps like Calm & Headspace have huge brand power. Show precisely why your approach (calendar sync, AI buddy, social groups) solves the “drop-off” problem in a new, sticky way.

Highlighting Real User Journeys

In regulated or consumer-wellness spaces, point to specific workflows to bring the product to life – from compliance crises at banks to how and why users commit to a meditation routine.

Why This Team?

If you’re an ex-banker connecting Zelle & Venmo, or an ex-engineer building mindful apps, clarify how your domain expertise cements credibility, and how your daily vantage point revealed the solution.

Addressing Investor Skepticism

Founders must disarm the “Is it too trivial?” or “Aren’t there 100 others?” questions. Show market tailwinds, user data, or urgent pain that turns your product from a nice-to-have into a must-have.

Want to Pitch Your Startup Live?

Apply now at afterfeedback.com and join our growing community of founders and investors.

Thank you to these intrepid founders for stepping into the spotlight. The Feedback Loop is here to help refine your pitch, sharpen your go-to-market, and share battle-tested investor perspectives. Make sure to subscribe for more real-time, no-nonsense feedback on how to pitch your startup.

Kathryn Outlaw is the co-founder of Spheros: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynoutlaw

Jeremy Yencer is the co-founder of Mindful Buddy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyyencer

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decision.

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