Join us for Season 2 of Found in the Rockies. Our new host, Les Craig, will explore the Rocky Mountain startup community through conversations with founders, funders, and contributors. 

Summary:

In today’s episode, I talk with Jermey from From Street Capital. He explains the three things that the company does. We discuss the factors that they look into when they decide to invest in companies. Jeremy talks about the philosophy behind long term investing. We dive into the 6 guiding principles of Front Street capital. We talk about how those principles came about and the company’s history. Jeremy shares his background and his 6 years working for Front street. 

Jeremy explains the strategy behind long term investment and how the ROI works. We then talk about what companies are currently in the company’s portfolio.

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

• What is Front Street Capital 
• The 3 things that Front Street do 
• What are the things that Front Street Capital look into in the companies they invest in 
• Investing for the long term 
• The 6 Front Street investment principles  
• The employee empowerment 
• The origin of those principles and the history of the company 
• Jeremy’s background and his 6 years in Front Street Capital 
• ROI on long term investment and how it works 
• What Front Street is investing in 

Resources:

Website:https://frontstreetcapitalnc.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/front-street-capital-llc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontstreetcapital/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FrontStreetCap

Summary:

In today’s episode, I talk with Yasmin Khan, the founder of Khalm, a skincare company. She talks about what is Khalm and the primary ingredient Oud. Yasmin shares her background and journey. She talks about what inspired her to start her company. She shares how she went back to school and earned two master degrees. We talk about her funding choices and why she chose those. Yasmin shares her perspective on launching. She dives into her company products and her three released products so far. We talk about Yasmin’s vision and what’s next for Khalm. 

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

• What is Khalm 
• Yasmine’s background and journey
• What inspired Yasmine to start her company 
• Going back to school and launching the brand 
• Yasmin’s funding choices 
• Yamin’s perspective on launch 
• The three released products 
• Yasmin’s vision and what’s next for Khalm

Resources:

Website: https://khalmskincare.com/

Yasmin’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasmin-khan-a5aa1316a/

Khalm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khalmskincare/?hl=en

Summary:

In today’s episode, I talk with Jeff Batton, the founder of HomeStake Venture Partners. We talk about what is HomeStake. We talk about how many companies are in their portfolio. Jeff discusses how and why he got into it. Jeff talks about the company and team members including Bill his business partner. We discuss what would investors expect and the return possibilities. We talk about what it looks like from the entrepreneur perspective and why Jeff believes in their unique model. We discuss what’s next from HomeStake and Jeff’s vision. 

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

• What is HomeStake 
• How many companies are in the portfolio 
• How and why Jeff get into it. 
• Bill, Jeff’s business partner 
• What would investors expect out of it
• The founder’s fund 
• What does Jeff’s day to day looks like
• From the entrepreneurs perspective 
• Why Jeff believes in their unique model
• What’s next for HomeStake 

Resources:

Website: https://homestakeventurepartners.com/

Jeff’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-batton-04188/

Company’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/homestakeventurepartners/

Summary:

In today’s episode, I talk with Alli DePuy and Kathleen Dent, and how they partnered to co-own Inspired Classroom. We talk about what is Inspired Classroom and how it brings learning to life. We discuss their mentor inspired software and service to connect students, educators and experts.

We talk about how they met and their background. Kathleen and Alli talk about what keep them going and the unintended positive impacts. They explain the driving force behind Mentoric. They dive into the types of content and the dynamic vs static. They talk about different uses of the software and how it can track student engagement and development. We discuss the future of Inspired Classroom, and how they are trying to raise funds for the first time. 

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

• How Alli and Kathleen met
• Alli and Kathleen’s Background 
• The unintended impacts and consequences 
• What is Mentoric
• The driving force behind Mentoric
• The dynamic content vs static 
• Tracking student engagement and development 
• The future of inspired classroom
• Raising funds for the first time 

Resources:

Website: https://www.inspiredclassroom.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiredclassroom/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/InspiredClasses

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InspiredClassroom/

MentroIC: https://icchallenge.org/

Summary:

In today’s episode, I talk with Les Craig, a partner at Next Frontier Capital. We discuss the five things that Venture Capitalists do. We talk about raising funds and how they closed their most recent fund. We dive into the challenges for VCs. We talk about some fund analysis and measuring how well the fund is performing. Les discusses the evolution of the fund and its thesis. We talk about the fund strategy and approach. Les gives us a glimpse into who they are funding and who they typically look for. We talk about some tips for the pitch decks. And finally, Les shares his story and background. 

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

• The 5 things that Venture Capitalists do 
• Raising funds and Closing Fund 3 
• Challenges for VCs 
• Measuring how well the fund is performing 
• The evolution of the fund and its thesis 
• The fund strategy 
• Who are they funding and who they are looking for 
• Tips for pitch decks
• Les background 

Resources:

Website: https://www.nextfrontiercapital.com/

Les’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/MontanaVC

Company’s contact: [email protected]

Company’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/nextfrontiercap