In this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty interviews Miguel Guerrero, founder of Otis AI, an innovative digital advertising platform for small businesses. Miguel shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his early venture with Meepcraft, a successful Minecraft server, to the founding of Otis AI. He discusses the challenges and strategies of fundraising, the importance of building relationships with investors, and how market changes have impacted his fundraising efforts. Miguel emphasizes the significance of metrics and execution in attracting investors and shares valuable advice for new founders. He also touches on the importance of maintaining personal well-being while navigating the demanding world of entrepreneurship.

Helena's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenafogarty

Miguel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguelmeep/

🎬 Shot at 28th&Park in New York City Learn more at: https://28thpark.com/

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Inside the Fund is sponsored by Bamboo X, the leading technical and design recruiting partner to startups from Seed to IPO.

To learn more about Bamboo X: https://bamboo-x.com/

In this conversation, Jason Torres of SANA Capital discusses his journey from Wall Street to venture capital, emphasizing the importance of impact investing in healthcare. He shares insights on the challenges of fundraising, the evaluation of founders, and the significance of purpose in investing. The discussion also touches on the need for diversity and equity in healthcare, as well as the ongoing challenges faced by the industry.

Helena's LinkedIn:   / helenafogarty   Jason's LinkedIn:   / jasonptorres  

In this conversation, John Frankel of ff Venture Capital discusses the current state of AI valuations, his journey into venture capital, and the importance of engagement and support in the VC space. He emphasizes the long-term commitment required in venture investing, the significance of financial management for startups, and the common mistakes founders make.

John also shares insights on diversity in venture capital, the challenges of fundraising, and the future of AI in the industry. He concludes with thoughts on maintaining balance in life and the importance of long-term thinking.

Helena's LinkedIn:   / helenafogarty   John's LinkedIn:   / johnfrankel  

In this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty interviews Anna Sophie Hartvigsen, co-founder of Female Invest, shares her journey as a female founder navigating the challenges of fundraising in a male-dominated industry. She discusses the unique biases female founders face, the inception of Female Invest, and the growth of their community. Anna reflects on their experiences with Y Combinator, the challenges of raising their Series A, and the importance of building strong relationships with investors. She also emphasizes the need for mental health awareness among founders and offers valuable advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Gender Bias in Fundraising

02:57 The Birth of Female Invest

05:56 From Passion Project to Business

08:58 The Journey to Fundraising

12:13 Experiencing the Glass Ceiling

14:56 The Impact of Y Combinator

18:04 Challenges in the Series A Round

21:02 Building Relationships with Investors

23:44 Legal Representation and Negotiation

26:52 Maintaining Control as Co-CEOs

29:55 Advice for Female Founders

32:59 The Importance of Mental Health

35:53 Looking Ahead: Future Plans for Female Invest

Helena's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenafogarty

🎬 Shot at 28th&Park in New York City

Learn more at: https://28thpark.com/

📸 Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/28thpark/

Inside the Fund is sponsored by Bamboo X, the leading technical and design recruiting partner to startups from Seed to IPO.

To learn more about Bamboo X: https://bamboo-x.com/

In this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty interviews Zarina Bahadur, founder of 123BabyBox, a subscription service focused on early childhood development. Zarina shares her journey from the initial idea sparked by observing a struggling mother in a grocery store to winning a college competition that provided her with the capital to start her business. She discusses the importance of customer research, the challenges of fundraising, and the role of accelerators in her growth. Zarina emphasizes the significance of networking, maintaining investor relationships, and the balance between work and personal well-being as a founder.

Chapters:

00:00 The Birth of 123BabyBox

03:01 From Idea to MVP: The Journey Begins

05:48 Navigating the Fundraising Landscape

08:54 Accelerators: A Launchpad for Growth

12:03 Building Investor Relationships

14:51 The Importance of Networking

17:53 Investor Updates: Keeping Stakeholders Informed

20:50 Overcoming Challenges in Fundraising

23:41 The Role of Profitability in Startups

26:38 Post-Fundraising: What Changes?

29:54 The Value Beyond Capital: Investor Contributions

32:50 Maintaining Balance: Health and Well-being as a Founder

35:41 Finding Community: The Importance of Support Networks

Helena's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenafogarty

Zarina's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zarina-bahadur28/

🎬 Shot at 28th&Park in New York City

Learn more at: https://28thpark.com/

📸 Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/28thpark/