Capital Calling

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a stroke. But what if stroke risk could be continuously monitored, not just diagnosed after the fact?

In this episode of Capital Calling, Lokesh Sharma, Founder and CEO of CaroRhythm, pitches a non-invasive wearable platform designed to transform how stroke risk and carotid artery health are monitored outside the hospital. CaroRhythm is building a continuous vascular monitoring system focused on the carotid artery — the critical blood vessel supplying the brain — using advanced sensor technology and machine learning-driven analytics to detect changes in blood flow and stroke risk in real time.

Unlike traditional episodic imaging methods such as ultrasound or CT scans, CaroRhythm’s approach aims to provide longitudinal data, enabling clinicians to track trends, identify early warning signs, and intervene before catastrophic events occur. The company is positioned at the intersection of medical devices, digital health, AI diagnostics, and preventative care, targeting secondary stroke prevention and high-risk cardiovascular patients who currently lack continuous outpatient monitoring solutions.

Across the table, investors René Bastón of Covenant Venture Capital, Sabriya Stukes of SOSV, and Doug Hayes of Junto Health and Hubble engage with the pitch as it unfolds. They probe the regulatory pathway, reimbursement strategy, clinical validation plan, competitive landscape in stroke monitoring and cardiovascular wearables, and whether CaroRhythm can build a defensible, FDA-cleared medical device company in a space dominated by legacy diagnostics.

0:00 Introduction
0:39 Investor Introductions
1:51 Founder Pitch
3:40 Live Demo
5:11 Investor Q&A
19:14 Investor Debrief
25:53 On-Call Room
33:11 Investor Verdict
39:22 Closing

Capital Calling provides a behind-the-scenes look at a real pitch from both sides of the table. Each episode begins with a live founder pitch and product demo, followed by direct investor questioning. After the pitch, investors enter into a private debrief conversation where they debate the opportunity openly: without the founder present. The founder, on the other hand, enters the On-Call Room to discuss the pitch one-on-one from their perspective. Then, the investors give their verdicts, where feedback is delivered candidly and decisions are made.

Produced by Coeus Collective in partnership with the NYU Stern Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship, Capital Calling offers founders, operators, students, and investors an unfiltered look at how early-stage investment decisions actually happen, and what separates compelling ideas from fundable companies.

Founders pitch live. Investors decide.

🔔 Subscribe to Coeus Collective on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective

📰 Early Access newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/

📲 Follow us everywhere: @CoeusCollective

Special thanks to the NYU Stern School of Business Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship. Follow @nyuinnovation for updates on their programs.

Hosted by Antonio Di Meglio and Leon Li

DISCLAIMER: The Capital Calling podcast, and any related media properties produced by Coeus Collective, are provided solely for informational and educational purposes. Nothing presented in this episode should be construed as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, investments, or financial products. Coeus Collective does not provide investment advice, and all opinions expressed are those of the hosts or guests at the time of recording.

Algorithms and location systems power virtually every smart device on the planet. But can a next-generation positioning platform built without cameras or GPS convince investors it’s the future of spatial computing?

In this episode of Capital Calling, Karolina Kaylani (Fedorowicz), Founder and CEO of RIFT Spatial Technologies Inc., pitches a privacy-first geolocation infrastructure that delivers high-precision 3D positioning without relying on GPS, cameras, or external hardware. RIFT leverages machine learning and multi-sensor fusion to enable precise indoor and outdoor positioning in complex, GPS-challenged environments; from industrial facilities and autonomous machines to logistics operations and mobility systems, with privacy and security at its core.

Across the table, investors Zac Geinzer of Commonweal Ventures, Ella Molony Cook of DFX, and Max Rivera of GHOST Angels engage with Karolina’s pitch as it unfolds. They examine the technology’s positioning in the location stack, product-market fit across robotics and mobility, go-to-market strategy, monetization potential, and whether a GPS-independent approach to spatial intelligence can scale into a defensible venture-backed platform.

Capital Calling provides a behind-the-scenes look at a real pitch from both sides of the table. Each episode begins with a live founder pitch and product demo, followed by direct investor questioning. After the pitch, investors enter into a private debrief conversation where they debate the opportunity openly: without the founder present. The founder, on the other hand, enters the On-Call Room to discuss the pitch one-on-one from their perspective. Then, the investors give their verdicts, where feedback is delivered candidly and decisions are made.

Produced by Coeus Collective in partnership with the NYU Stern Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship, Capital Calling offers founders, operators, students, and investors an unfiltered look at how early-stage investment decisions actually happen, and what separates compelling ideas from fundable companies. Founders pitch live. Investors decide.

🔔 Subscribe to Coeus Collective on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective
📰 Early Access newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/
📲 Follow us everywhere: @CoeusCollective

Special thanks to the NYU Stern School of Business Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship. Follow @nyuinnovation for updates on their programs.

Hosted by Antonio Di Meglio and Leon Li

DISCLAIMER: The Capital Calling podcast, and any related media properties produced by Coeus Collective, are provided solely for informational and educational purposes. Nothing presented in this episode should be construed as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, investments, or financial products. Coeus Collective does not provide investment advice, and all opinions expressed are those of the hosts or guests at the time of recording.

College athletics is becoming a data-driven business. But can a platform built to help teams make smarter decisions convince investors it belongs at the center of the sports ecosystem?

In this episode of Capital Calling, Sachin Dasari, Founder and CEO of Athlitix, pitches a company building modern analytics and performance infrastructure for collegiate athletic programs. Athlitix provides athletic departments with data-driven tools to better evaluate athletes, optimize training, and improve decision-making across recruitment, development, and program strategy in an increasingly competitive and commercialized landscape.

Across the table, investors Jennifer Wolf of Initialized Capital, Jeremy Kagan of Textbook Ventures, and Neel Murthy of Rippling engage with the pitch as it unfolds. They assess the size of the college sports market, customer buying behavior within athletic departments, data defensibility, and whether Athlitix can scale into foundational infrastructure for teams navigating NIL, performance optimization, and resource allocation.

Capital Calling provides a behind-the-scenes look at a real pitch from both sides of the table. Each episode begins with a live founder pitch and product demo, followed by direct investor questioning. After the pitch, investors enter into a private debrief conversation where they debate the opportunity openly: without the founder present. The founder, on the other hand, enters the On-Call Room to discuss the pitch one-on-one from their perspective. Then, the investors give their verdicts, where feedback is delivered candidly and decisions are made.

Produced by Coeus Collective in partnership with the NYU Stern Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship, Capital Calling offers founders, operators, students, and investors an unfiltered look at how early-stage investment decisions actually happen, and what separates compelling ideas from fundable companies.

Founders pitch live. Investors decide.

🔔 Subscribe to Coeus Collective on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective

📰 Early Access newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/

📲 Follow us everywhere: @CoeusCollective

Special thanks to the NYU Stern School of Business Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship. Follow @nyuinnovation for updates on their programs.

Hosted by Antonio Di Meglio and Leon Li

DISCLAIMER: The Capital Calling podcast, and any related media properties produced by Coeus Collective, are provided solely for informational and educational purposes. Nothing presented in this episode should be construed as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, investments, or financial products. Coeus Collective does not provide investment advice, and all opinions expressed are those of the hosts or guests at the time of recording.

International students face one of the most fragmented and confusing service ecosystems in education. But can a marketplace built to support them become big enough to attract venture scale conviction?

In this episode of Capital Calling, Krish Bajaj, Founder and CEO of Roam, pitches a company positioning itself as the number one marketplace for international student services. Roam helps international students navigate critical needs such as banking, insurance, SIM cards, and onboarding services, all through a single platform designed to reduce friction during one of the most complex transitions in a student’s life.

Across the table, investors Michelle Kwok of Draper Associates, Michael Nogen of Overton Venture Capital, and Vansh Langer of Pioneer Fund engage with the pitch as it unfolds. They examine marketplace dynamics, international student acquisition, trust and compliance, monetization pathways, and whether controlling the international student onboarding layer can grow into a defensible venture backed platform.

Capital Calling provides a behind-the-scenes look at a real pitch from both sides of the table. Each episode begins with a live founder pitch and product demo, followed by direct investor questioning. After the pitch, investors enter into a private debrief conversation where they debate the opportunity openly: without the founder present. The founder, on the other hand, enters the On-Call Room to discuss the pitch one-on-one from their perspective. Then, the investors give their verdicts, where feedback is delivered candidly and decisions are made.

Produced by Coeus Collective in partnership with the NYU Stern Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship, Capital Calling offers founders, operators, students, and investors an unfiltered look at how early-stage investment decisions actually happen, and what separates compelling ideas from fundable companies.

Founders pitch live. Investors decide.

🔔 Subscribe to Coeus Collective on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective 📰 Early Access newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/ 📲 Follow us everywhere: @CoeusCollective

Special thanks to the NYU Stern School of Business Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship. Follow @nyuinnovation for updates on their programs.

Hosted by Antonio Di Meglio and Leon Li

DISCLAIMER: The Capital Calling podcast, and any related media properties produced by Coeus Collective, are provided solely for informational and educational purposes. Nothing presented in this episode should be construed as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, investments, or financial products. Coeus Collective does not provide investment advice, and all opinions expressed are those of the hosts or guests at the time of recording.

This pizza has 50 grams of protein. But is that enough to build a venture-backed brand, or just a better frozen meal?

In the debut episode of Capital Calling, Damiano Messineo, Founder and CEO of Loopini, steps into the arena to pitch a frozen pizza that challenges long-held assumptions about nutrition, taste, and convenience.

Loopini is a lupini bean–based frozen pizza delivering 50g of protein, 20g of fiber, and just 560 calories per pie, without sacrificing restaurant-quality flavor. Damiano argues that pizza doesn’t need to be a guilty pleasure, and that protein density can meaningfully reshape consumer behavior in one of the most competitive categories in food.

Built on a naturally high-protein, high-fiber dough, Loopini sits at the intersection of health, convenience, and sustainability. The product also supports regenerative farming practices in Italy, using crops that require fewer inputs and significantly less water than conventional alternatives. The central question: can this level of nutritional differentiation justify a premium price point and scale into a defensible consumer brand?

Across the table, investors Johnnie Yu of Listen Ventures, Christian McKenzie of Lofty Ventures, and Horace Madison of The Haven evaluate the business in real time: digging into unit economics, pricing power, consumer psychology, distribution strategy, and whether protein alone can change how people buy pizza.

Capital Calling takes you behind the curtain of early-stage investing. Each episode features:

• A live founder pitch and product demo
• Direct, unfiltered investor questioning
• A private post-pitch investor debrief (without the founder present)
• The founder’s candid reaction to their pitch from the On-Call Room
• Final verdicts: where real feedback is delivered, and real decisions are made

Produced by Coeus Collective in partnership with the NYU Stern Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship, Capital Calling offers founders, operators, students, and investors an unfiltered look at how early-stage investment decisions actually happen, and what separates compelling ideas from fundable companies.

Founders pitch live. Investors decide.

🔔 Subscribe to Coeus Collective on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective
📰 Early Access newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/
📲 Follow us everywhere: @CoeusCollective

Special thanks to the NYU Stern School of Business Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship. Follow @nyuinnovation for updates on their programs.

Hosted by Antonio Di Meglio and Leon Li

DISCLAIMER: The Capital Calling podcast, and any related media properties produced by Coeus Collective, are provided solely for informational and educational purposes. Nothing presented in this episode should be construed as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, investments, or financial products. Coeus Collective does not provide investment advice, and all opinions expressed are those of the hosts or guests at the time of recording.

Nobody knows the business of football like David Canter. As one of the NFL’s top agents and the CEO of Aura Sports, he has negotiated over TWO BILLION dollars in player contracts and helped shape the modern era of athlete representation. His career is built on hustle, loyalty, and an unmatched understanding of what it takes to protect players both on and off the field.

In this conversation, David pulls back the curtain on what life as an agent is really like: the nonstop calls, the changing economics of the NFL, and how the next generation of players is rewriting the rules of the game. He shares the wild story of how approaching a player at a gas station started his career, introduces his latest venture in the tequila industry with Casa Loco, and explains why family management and trust are the real currencies in sports. From locker rooms to boardrooms, this episode reveals the mindset of a dealmaker at the top of his game and the lessons every entrepreneur can take from the world of professional sports.

Timestamps:0:00 Intro0:33 Why the Life of an NFL Agent is Nonstop10:10 How the NFL Agent Business Model Has Changed15:04 Why Is This Younger Generation of Players Different?28:28 Introducing Casa Loco: High Quality, Low Cost Tequila40:15 Why Family Management Is Important for Players46:05 How Approaching a Player at a Gas Station Started His Career56:13 This or That1:05:54 Would David Ever Be A General Manager?1:11:26 Final Words & Where to Find Him

Subscribe to the Coeus Collective on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@CoeusCollective

Stay up to date on the pulse of business news and startup culture with our Early Access newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/

Get more insights and interviews on all socials ⁠@CoeusCollective⁠

Hosted by Antonio DiMeglio and Leon Li

Special thanks to THE MOVE MIAMI

Diabetes affects one in ten people in the United States, yet most of us still do not understand how it works, why it is so widespread, or how technology is reshaping the way we manage it. Matthew Tremellen, Founder of DiabeticU, is building a new kind of health platform that makes diabetes management simpler, smarter, and more human. After being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes himself, Matthew realized that the tools available were either too clinical or too overwhelming. So he built something that brings education, real-time guidance, and personal empowerment together in one place.

In this conversation, Matthew breaks down the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, why many people can eat pasta in Europe but not in the US, and how AI and wearables are transforming the future of chronic care.

We discuss the rise of Ozempic and GLP-1 drugs, what it takes to design a medical-grade wearable, and why gamifying health might be the key to long-term habit formation.

If you have diabetes, know someone who does, or simply care about where health tech is going, this episode will change how you think about the body and the systems that support it.

Timestamps:0:00 Intro0:55 Why One in Ten People Suffer from Diabetes4:49 Why He Can Have Pasta in Europe But Not the US8:59 The Difference Between T1 and T2 Diabetes12:37 The Role of AI in Diabetes Tech26:27 What It Takes to Develop a Wearable Health Technology38:10 Using a Chatbot Versus Speaking to a Registered Dietitian48:41 Ozempic and the Next Wave of Weight-Loss Drugs1:06:22 Is a Carb-Free Diet Possible?1:27:04 How He Is Gamifying DiabeticU1:32:52 This or That1:36:52 The New Trends of Healthcare That People Are Not Noticing1:47:54 Final Shout-Outs and Where to Find Him

Subscribe to the Coeus Collective on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@CoeusCollective

Stay up to date on the pulse of business news and startup culture with our newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/

Get more insights and interviews on all socials ⁠@CoeusCollective⁠

Hosted by Antonio DiMeglio and Leon Li

Special thanks to THE MOVE MIAMI

#Podcast #MatthewTremellen #DiabetesTech #DiabeticU #DiabetesSolutions

He isn’t just thinking about climate change — he is redesigning the materials our world is built with.

Tim Sperry, Founder of Carbon Limit, is on a mission to remove carbon from the atmosphere by changing something so foundational we rarely think about it: concrete. His technology literally turns buildings, roads, and cities into carbon-capturing infrastructure. If successful, the future skyline will not just represent progress. It will clean the air.

In this conversation, Tim breaks down how carbon credits actually work, how startups can use and sell them, why construction is both one of the world’s biggest polluters and one of its biggest opportunities, and how his product CoolCrete is changing the equation. We talk about the Roman Empire, government grants, the future of climate tech in the Middle East, and what he would do to protect Miami’s coastline. Tim shows that climate innovation is not about slogans. It is about engineering, policy, and relentless belief in a solution no one else sees yet.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro0:50 What Are Carbon Credits9:43 How Startups Can Use & Sell Credits19:04 The Use of Carbon Credits in Construction: A Conundrum25:52 How Tim Got Involved in This Space35:49 Advice for Founders Seeking Government & Military Grants44:39 The Need for CoolCrete52:56 The Roman Empire’s Concrete & Its Lasting Impact1:03:54 The Future of Cities & Tim’s Work in the Middle East1:11:00 This or That1:19:29 How Tim Would Protect Miami’s Coast If He Was In Charge1:33:59 Effects of the Inflation Reduction Act & the Potential US Public Investment Fund1:41:12 Final Lessons & Advice1:44:58 Shout-Outs & Plugs

Subscribe to the Coeus Collective on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@CoeusCollective

Stay up to date on the pulse of business news and startup culture with our newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/

Get more insights and interviews on all socials ⁠@CoeusCollective⁠

Hosted by Antonio DiMeglio and Leon Li

Special thanks to THE MOVE MIAMI

#Podcast #TimSperry #CarbonCapture #CoolCrete #ClimateSolutions

She didn’t just build a restaurant, she changed how we think about fast food.

Shannon Allen, wife of NBA Hall of Famer Ray Allen and Founder & CEO of Grown, is changing fast food forever. Grown is the first 100% USDA organic certified fast-food restaurant in the country. With her restaurant, she took a system built for speed and rebuilt it around health, transparency, and love. What started as a desperate search to feed her son living with Type 1 diabetes has become a national movement to make real food accessible to real families, every day, everywhere.

In this conversation, Shannon breaks down what it actually takes to reinvent an industry. We talk sourcing organic ingredients at scale, partnering with Wal-Mart, building a franchise model with the Founder of Boston Market, and pushing through inequality in venture capital. We also go deep on faith, motherhood, resilience, and being built for a path that most people could not handle. Shannon’s story is not just inspiring. It is proof that purpose can be powerful enough to change culture.

Timestamps:0:00 Intro1:10 Why to Start with Why7:29 The Need to Create Grown18:05 What It Takes to Revolutionize Fast Food29:20 How She Sources Organic Ingredients37:24 What It Takes to Work With Wal-Mart47:22 Forget About "Healthy" & Antonio & Leon's Backstory1:04:48 Creating Grown's Franchise Model with Boston Market Founder1:18:14 Inequality in Venture Capital1:27:20 Being Built for a Challenging Career Path1:30:28 A Visit from Shaq1:30:53 Driven by Faith & Family1:46:00 This or That1:49:11 Final Words of Advice1:50:57 Shout-Outs & Plugs

Subscribe to the Coeus Collective on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@CoeusCollective

Stay up to date on the pulse of business news and startup culture with our newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/

Get more insights and interviews on all socials ⁠@CoeusCollective⁠

Hosted by Antonio DiMeglio and Leon Li

Special thanks to THE MOVE MIAMI

#Podcast #ShannonAllen #FastFood #Entrepreneurship #Health

With a career that helped define Miami’s dining scene, James Beard Award–winning, Chef Michael Schwartz, has become one of the most influential figures in modern American hospitality. As the founder of Genuine Hospitality Group and the creative force behind beloved restaurants like Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink and Amara at Paraiso, he’s built a culinary empire rooted in honesty, flavor, and community.

Michael’s journey is one of evolution and resilience, from pioneering the farm-to-table movement in South Florida to navigating the “clubstauraunt” culture shaped by social media.

In our conversation, Michael shares how he became the king of South Florida hospitality, why opening restaurants today is more complex than ever, and how the pandemic reshaped Miami’s food landscape. Leon even joins him in the kitchen to make (and eat) pizza while discussing the future of the restaurant industry. From cooking tips and business insights to his next chapter with Genuine Hospitality Group, this episode is a candid look at what it takes to

Timestamps:0:00 Intro0:34 Disclaimer1:05 How He Became the King of South Florida Hospitality9:36 From James Beard Winner to Michelin Bib Gourmand15:07 Miami's "Clubstauraunt" Culture & Social Media22:48 Why Opening Restaurants Has Become More Complicated26:40 Did COVID Gentrify Miami?30:30 We Make Pizza! (And We Discuss It)53:55 Pizza Ready! (And We Eat It)59:08 The Future of the Restaurant Industry1:06:45 This or That1:11:44 Home Cooking Tips1:15:03 Rapid Fire Reactions1:19:46 The Next Chapter of Genuine Hospitality Group1:23:02 Plugs & Where to Find Him

Subscribe to the Coeus Collective on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@CoeusCollective

Stay up to date on the pulse of business news and startup culture with our newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/

Get more insights and interviews on all socials ⁠@CoeusCollective⁠

Hosted by Antonio DiMeglio and Leon Li

Special thanks to THE MOVE MIAMI