Found In The Rockies

In today's episode, I wrap up the year by highlighting the topic of hearing “no” as a founder. I highlight some interesting stories of “no” by talking about the anti-portfolio for some funds. Finally, I wrap up with some perspective on why hearing no may not be the worst thing, and how founders can handle the nos and move forward. 

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

• The word Les hates saying the most.
• The human aspect of having a dream. 
• Bessemer Venture Partners and the idea of an anti-portfolio. 
• Some other fascinating stories of companies that ended in the anti-portfolio.
• Why it is ok to sometimes hear no and why it might be for the best.
• Smiling with every No.

Resources:

Les’s video for founders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L41HqRnhplI 

Anti-portfolios:

https://www.bvp.com/anti-portfolio 

https://versionone.vc/the-version-one-anti-portfolio-the-opportunities-we-missed/ 

https://www.cbinsights.com/research/vc-missed-opportunities/ 

http://markbivens.com/m/antiportfolio 

In today's episode, I talk with Mo Parikh, the CEO and founder of Bandwango. He shares his background, going to biomedical engineering school, joining a PhD program to start his company. We talk about his journey and bootstrapping his first few years. We discuss some of the challenges that he faced, running and scaling the business. 

We talk about how as a travel company they manage to triple their revenue during the pandemic. 

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

• Mo talks about his background and his start in biomedical engineering 
• "Cutting his teeth" in the startup world right out of college
• Building entrepreneurship training programs as part of his PhD program.
• How his PhD program taught him about what makes a successful entrepreneur, and ignited his passion.
• The origin story - lift ticket discounts to the evolution of Bandwango
• Early fundraising
• Bootstrapping in the first few years 
• Developing a product around user needs and problems
• Mo's Superpowers
• Importance of understanding all parts of the business, humility, and rolling up your sleeves
• How Bandwango has grown
• What is unique about Bandwango in the tourism industry.
• The pivot point in 2019 
• Tripling customers during COVID
• Focusing on and working to support local communities 
• Success stories during COVID
• How are you managing the growth now? 
• What advice can you give to entrepreneurs?
• The importance of trust in your team  
• What's next for Bandwango.

Resources:

Website: https://bandwango.com/

Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/monirparikh/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bandwango/

Contact:
 [email protected] 

In today’s episode, I talk with Shea Gerhardt, the founder and CEO of Buderflys Tech. She shares her story and why she started Buderflys. We talk about the current industry solution and technology. We discuss brand positioning and the reason behind the name. What is the future and will people will wear them 24/7? We talk about its potential to replace the cellphone. We talk about Denver startup week, and events like it. She shares some of the challenges, and how she gets inspired. We talk about Buderfly’s vision and future products. 

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

• Her background and origin story 
• The current industry solution and tech 
• Did you always want to be an entrepreneur? 
• Brand positioning 
• The reason behind the name 
• Do you think we’ll wear them 24/7 in the future? 
• Replacing the cellphone 
• The earbud’s design 
• Denver startup week - Meeting people and networking 
• What are some of the challenges? 
• How does she get the inspiration? 
• How Shea stays committed
• Future products and vision 

Resources:

Website: https://buderflys.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buderflys.earbuds/

Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/buderflys-technologies-inc/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shea-gerhardt-21a4b45/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buderflys.earbuds/

 In today’s episode, I talk with Doug Mandic and Dave Harris from the Rockies Venture Club. We talk about RVC’s history and both of their backgrounds. They give us the inside scoop on Angel Investing, and how it is different from traditional Venture Capital investing. We talk about the evolution of the entity. We dive into what it's like for new angel investors. They share with us the three pillars of RVC Academy. Doug talks about his experience as a mentor. We discuss finding investors and companies and the current trends. They share some things to consider for founders. We discuss the future of early stage venture in Colorado as well as RVC’s future. 
 
Here’s a closer look at the episode:

• Rockies Venture Club history 
• Dave’s background 
• Doug’s background and path 
• RVC’s mission 
• How does it work for an entrepreneur 
• What is it like for new angel investors 
• The three pillars of RVC Academy 
• Doug’s experience as a mentor 
• RVC’s Events 
• Finding investors and sourcing angel investors 
• Finding companies 
• Trends in the types of entrepreneurs / companies 
• What’s winning in Colorado 
• Things to consider for founders 
• The future of early state venture in Colorado 
• What is the future of RVC 

Resources:

Website: https://rockiesventureclub.wildapricot.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rockiesvc

Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rockies-venture-club/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougmandic/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveharris5280/

In today’s episode, I talk to Brian and Elyse from Access Venture Partners. We talk about the origin story of the fund and how it all started. We discuss the role of a Head of Platform in a venture fund. We talk about the history and evolution of the firm from the late 90’s to today. Elyse shares her experience as a woman in a venture in Colorado. We talk about what’s unique about the founders in their portfolio. Brain talks about the Code of the West. We discuss where and how Access finds deals. We talk about Colorado's role in their firm’s success. We discuss the post-COVID era and what has changed. We wrap up by discussing the future of the fund. 

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

• The origin story of Access Venture Partners
• What is a Head of Platform in a Venture fund 
• What is the evolution of Access from the late 90’s to today 
• Elyse’s experience as a woman in venture in Colorado 
• What’s unique about the founders on their portfolio 
• The Code of the West 
• Where and how does Access find deals? 
• Looking back, what did they miss?
• What role has Colorado had in the firm’s success?
• Are any out of region companies trying to raise the competition? 
• What has changed post-COVID in Colorado? 
• Where do you see Access Venture Partners going in the future? 

Resources:

Website: https://accessvp.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/accessvp

Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-venture-partners/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwallace2/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elysekent/