In this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty interviews Haley Swartz, co-founder of Actual Veggies, a company dedicated to creating healthier, restaurant-quality veggie burgers. They discuss the journey of starting the company during the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges of fundraising, the importance of having a strong co-founder relationship, and the role of accelerators in their growth. Haley shares insights on navigating the food industry, building investor relationships, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a startup founder.

Takeaways
The idea for Actual Veggies was born out of a need for healthier veggie burgers.
Starting during COVID presented unique challenges but also opportunities.
Working with chefs is crucial for developing quality food products.
Building a strong co-founder relationship is essential for success.
Raising capital requires careful planning and understanding of the investor landscape.
Legal counsel is vital in navigating fundraising and contracts.
Feedback from potential customers can validate product ideas before launch.
Maintaining a work-life balance is important for long-term success.
Investors can provide valuable insights beyond just funding.
The startup journey is a continuous learning experience.

Chapters 00:00 The Birth of Actual Veggies 03:00 Navigating the Challenges of Startup Life 05:47 The Role of Accelerators in Growth 08:49 Innovating in the Food Industry 11:42 Building a Strong Co-Founder Relationship 14:51 Raising Capital: Strategies and Insights 17:45 Understanding the Investor Landscape 20:48 Lessons from Fundraising Experiences 23:33 The Importance of Legal Counsel 26:32 Preparing for Future Raises 29:37 The Evolution of Company Culture 32:21 Maintaining Balance as a Founder 35:11 The Future of Actual Veggies

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

Inside the Round is a podcast hosted by fundraising expert Helena Fogarty that pulls back the curtain on startup funding by featuring founders who have recently closed their funding rounds.

Each episode delivers raw, unfiltered insights into what it actually takes to get investors to commit capital, moving beyond sanitized success stories to reveal the exact processes, pivotal moments, uncomfortable conversations, and strategic decisions that led to millions in funding. 

In this episode of Inside the Round, Steve Gilman shares his entrepreneurial journey from founding Block Party to launching OneRange, an AI-powered talent development platform. He discusses the challenges of fundraising, the importance of resilience, and the value of building a strong network.

Steve emphasizes the need for clear roles among co-founders and the significance of mental and physical well-being in the entrepreneurial journey. He also reflects on the evolving landscape of fundraising and the lessons learned from his experiences in both sports and business.

Chapters 
00:00 The Journey Begins: From Block Party to OneRange
03:03 Navigating the Fundraising Landscape
05:50 Building a Resilient Team and Company Culture
08:45 The Importance of Networking and Relationships
12:00 Lessons from Sports: Resilience and Grit
14:51 The Role of Investors in a Startup's Success
18:04 Finding the Right Co-Founder
20:54 The Challenges of Fundraising in a Changing Environment
23:51 Mental and Physical Well-being as a Founder
26:52 The Future of OneRange and Upcoming Fundraising Plans

Find Steve here:   / stevegilman26  
Find Helena here:   / helenafogarty  

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All productions are created by 28th&Park. Visit us: https://28thpark.com/

In this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty speaks with Natalie Schneider, founder of Fort Health, about her journey in the startup world, particularly in the mental health sector. They discuss the challenges of fundraising, the importance of understanding VC funding, and the unique hurdles faced by female founders. Natalie shares insights on building a strong team, preparing for fundraising, and maintaining personal well-being as a founder. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of startups and the critical need for resilience in the face of challenges.

Takeaways

• VC funding is not the only option for startups.
• Female founders face unique challenges in fundraising.
• Building a strong team is crucial for success.
• Networking and relationships are key in fundraising.
• Understanding the fundraising process is essential for founders.
• Maintaining personal well-being is vital for founders.
• The startup landscape is evolving with new challenges.
• Investors are looking for capital efficiency and profitability.
• Bias in funding decisions affects female founders significantly.
• Resilience is necessary for navigating the startup journey.

Chapters:
00:00 Understanding VC Funding and Its Alternatives
03:02 The Birth of Ford Health and Its Mission
05:59 Navigating the Startup Landscape: Trends and Challenges
08:56 The VC Funding Dilemma: Is It Right for You?
11:40 The Importance of Team and Support in Fundraising
14:47 Preparing for Fundraising: Strategies and Resources
18:03 The Role of Female Founders in the Startup Ecosystem
20:48 The Impact of Bias in Funding Decisions
24:08 Building Relationships and Networking for Success
26:51 The Fundraising Process: From Preparation to Closing
29:53 Managing Investor Relations and Expectations
32:41 Maintaining Personal Well-being as a Founder
36:06 Lessons Learned from the Fundraising Journey
38:50 The Future of Startups and the Importance of Resilience


Find Natalie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalieschneider/ 

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In this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty speaks with Sumeet Shah, founder of VHS Ventures, about his journey in consumer investing, the impact of market shifts, and the importance of building a supportive ecosystem for founders. They discuss the challenges of fundraising, the role of LPs, and the philosophy behind VHS Ventures, which aims to create a collaborative community for stakeholders in the consumer space. 

In this conversation, Sumeet discusses the challenges faced by emerging managers in venture capital, the tools available for fundraising, and the importance of maintaining mental and physical health in high-pressure environments. He shares insights into their day-to-day operations, the emotional rewards of helping others, and the significance of vulnerability and open communication in the workplace.

Takeaways:

• Sumit Shah founded VHS Ventures to support consumer founders.
• The 2022 market shift created opportunities for new investments.
• Building relationships with founders is crucial for success.
• LPs play a significant role in the fundraising process.
• Consumer investing allows for tangible product engagement.
• Creating a supportive ecosystem benefits all stakeholders.
• The philosophy of VHS Ventures is to build a village.
• Community events like Consumer Brews foster connections.
• Investing in consumer products can be exciting and rewarding.
• A mindset of abundance leads to better collaboration. Emerging managers face significant challenges in fundraising.
• Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) are valuable tools for new investors.
• Day-to-day operations involve juggling multiple responsibilities.
• Fellows play a crucial role in the investment process.
• Emotional rewards come from seeing others succeed.
• Maintaining mental health is essential in high-pressure roles.
• Vulnerability should not be seen as a weakness.
• Open communication fosters a healthier work environment.

Chapters: 


00:00 Introduction to VHS Ventures and Sumit Shah
02:57 Sumit Shah's Journey in Consumer Investing
06:01 The Impact of the 2022 Market Shift
09:12 Navigating Fundraising and Building Relationships
12:06 The Role of LPs and Consumer Investment Excitement
15:10 Building a Supportive Ecosystem for Founders
17:50 Creating a Village: The VHS Ventures Philosophy
21:12 Consumer Brews: Fostering Community Connections
26:59 Navigating the Challenges of Emerging Managers
29:05 Day-to-Day Operations in Venture Capital
34:36 The Emotional Rewards of Venture Capital
40:24 The Thrill of Seeing Backed Products in the Wild
45:19 Maintaining Mental and Physical Health in High-Pressure Environments
49:46 The Importance of Vulnerability and Open Communication


Find Sumeethere: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumeethshah/

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In this conversation, Amy Kiska, co-founder of Recess, shares her journey of building a startup while navigating the challenges of pregnancy and motherhood. She discusses the importance of identifying market needs, the dynamics of co-founding, and the intricacies of fundraising. Amy emphasizes the significance of building a targeted investor database and leveraging warm introductions to secure funding. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of venture capital and the lessons learned from their fundraising experience. 

The speaker shares insights on the importance of a well-prepared data room for investors, the significance of extensive market research, and the unique challenges faced by female founders, particularly during pregnancy. The discussion also covers the dynamics of investor relationships, the acceleration of business post-funding, and practical advice for early-stage founders. The speaker emphasizes the need for resilience and the importance of maintaining emotional and physical health throughout the entrepreneurial journey.

Takeaways:
- Building a startup can happen during challenging times.
- Identifying a market need is crucial for success.
- Co-founder dynamics can significantly impact a startup's journey.
- Fundraising requires extensive research and preparation.
- Creating a targeted investor database is essential.
- Warm introductions can greatly enhance fundraising efforts.
- Pre-seed funding expectations have evolved over time.
- Launching a beta product can create momentum in fundraising.
- Persistence is key in the fundraising process. The data room is crucial for telling your company story.
- Raising funds is an ongoing process, not a one-time event.
- Building a beta site can demonstrate traction to investors.
- Every interaction with investors is an opportunity to build relationships.
- Maintaining a strong support system is vital for founders.
- User feedback is essential for product development.
- Balancing personal life and business is a continuous journey.

Chapters:
00:00 The Birth of Recess: A Founder’s Journey
02:58 Identifying Market Needs and Building Solutions
05:49 Navigating Co-Founder Dynamics
08:52 The Fundraising Landscape: Insights and Strategies
12:13 Building an Investor Database: The Key to Success
15:04 The Importance of Warm Intros and Networking
17:50 Lessons Learned from Fundraising Experiences
21:48 Crafting the Perfect Data Room
24:52 Understanding Market Research and Validation
26:45 The Journey of a Pregnant Founder
30:05 Navigating Investor Relationships
33:05 Post-Funding Acceleration
36:25 Building Relationships with Investors
37:22 Advice for Early-Stage Founders
39:37 Maintaining Balance in the Startup Journey

Find Amy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amykiska/

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In this conversation, Zachary DeAngelo shares his journey as a founder of Rodeo CPG, discussing the complexities of startup financing, the evolution of funding strategies, and the importance of building strong relationships with investors. He emphasizes the need for emotional intelligence in navigating investor relations and offers valuable advice for first-time founders. The discussion also touches on the challenges of maintaining profitability in the retail landscape and the significance of community support in the entrepreneurial journey.

Takeaways:
Understanding financing mechanisms is crucial for founders.
Maximizing early valuation can jeopardize a startup's future.
Building relationships with investors is key to success.
Emotional intelligence helps in managing investor expectations.
The venture capital landscape has shifted significantly.
Maintaining a balance between work and personal life is essential.
Community support can amplify a startup's credibility.
Transparency with investors fosters trust and alignment.
Navigating the retail landscape requires strategic thinking.
Founders should be open to learning and adapting their strategies.

Chapters:
00:00 Navigating the Complexities of Startup Financing
03:00 The Journey of Rodeo CPG: From Concept to Reality
06:05 Understanding the Retail Landscape and Profitability Challenges
09:05 The Evolution of Funding Strategies
12:05 Building Relationships with Investors
15:14 The Shift in Venture Capital Dynamics
18:03 Emotional Intelligence in Investor Relations
21:05 Maintaining Balance in a High-Growth Environment
24:08 Advice for First-Time Founders
27:00 The Importance of Community and Support
29:55 Closing Thoughts and Future Engagements

Find Zachary here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-deangelo/

Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bamboo-crowd/ 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NVE9AhSS5LGb6iepeZW3o 

To learn more about BTG: https://bambootalent.group/

In this episode of Inside the Round, Michelle Volberg, founder of Twill, shares her journey of building a startup focused on revolutionizing the hiring process through referrals. She discusses the challenges of fundraising, the importance of community, and the lessons learned along the way. Michelle emphasizes the significance of maintaining a work-life balance and the role of investors in a startup's success. Her insights provide valuable guidance for aspiring founders navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.

Takeaways: 

• Most Slack channels are public and you can find them just by Googling.
• I take one day a week off, and that has been huge.
• Community is pivotal to founders, especially for female founders.
• Fundraise like a cat; don't be overly eager.
• Every no that you get is leading you to the right yes.
• Investors come when your business is doing well.
• You can message an investor on LinkedIn; it's a numbers game.
• There are many no-code or low-code tools available for founders.
• Having a supportive personal life is crucial for managing stress.
• It's important to maintain a balance between fundraising and building your company.

Chapters:

00:00 The Birth of Twill: From Idea to Execution
02:52 Navigating the Fundraising Landscape
05:48 Building Community and Organic Growth
09:08 The Importance of Feedback and Investor Relationships
12:10 Balancing Work and Personal Life
14:47 Lessons Learned from Fundraising
18:04 The Role of Investors in a Startup's Journey
21:07 Maintaining Mental and Emotional Health
24:12 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

Find Michelle here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellevolberg/

Follow us:
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In this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty speaks with Cherie Chung and Brendan Hellweg, co-founders of Holly, a startup focused on modernizing government hiring through AI. They discuss their journey from identifying a significant problem in local government hiring to successfully raising $2.2 million in funding. The conversation covers their values in selecting investors, the challenges of fundraising, and the importance of securing pilot programs to validate their business model.

The speakers discuss their experiences with fundraising, the importance of conviction in their startup journey, and the challenges they faced in navigating the investor landscape. They emphasize the need for transparency, building strong partnerships, and maintaining a balance between work and personal life as they transition from students to founders in the GovTech space.

Takeaways: 

• Investors should respect local governments and their workers.
• Local government hiring takes significantly longer than in the private sector.
• AI can transform government operations and hiring processes.
• Building a startup requires a strong co-founder relationship.
• Fundraising is similar to a sales process, requiring qualification and pipeline management.
• Securing a pilot program is crucial for validating business ideas.
• Networking and warm introductions are key in fundraising.
• Understanding the market and customer needs is essential for success.
• Having a clear vision and mission attracts the right investors. The power dynamics in fundraising shift as interest grows.
• It's crucial to approach fundraising as a partnership, not a pitch.
• Building internal conviction is essential before seeking external funding.

Chapters:

00:00 Investor Considerations and Values
01:27 The Birth of Holly: Founders' Journey
03:00 Identifying the Problem: Government Hiring Challenges0
6:40 Building a Startup: From Idea to Execution
10:08 Navigating the Fundraising Landscape
12:54 Securing the Pilot: Long Beach Case Study
18:17 The Fundraising Process: Angels to VCs
23:08 Pivotal Moments in Fundraising
24:53 Shifting the Power Dynamics in Fundraising
30:50 Building Conviction and Overcoming Uncertainty
35:06 Navigating the Fundraising Process
40:10 Post-Funding Realities and Responsibilities
43:07 Maintaining Balance in the Founder Journey

Find Brendan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanhellweg/ 
Find Cherie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheriechung/

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To learn more about BTG: https://bambootalent.group/

In this conversation, Toby Egbuna, co-founder of Chezie, shares insights into the fundraising process, the importance of having a structured approach, and the unique challenges faced by founders. He discusses the origin of Chezie, the dynamics of working with a sibling as a co-founder, and the significance of community support in the entrepreneurial journey. Toby also reflects on the necessity of venture capital for his business and the role of grants in their funding strategy, emphasizing the importance of building relationships and networks in the startup ecosystem. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of fundraising for startups, sharing personal experiences and insights on navigating the venture capital landscape. They discuss the importance of adapting pitches, learning from failures, and the mental fortitude required to persist in fundraising efforts. The dialogue also touches on the challenges faced by underrepresented founders and offers advice on how to approach fundraising strategically. The speakers emphasize the need for a shift in how resources are allocated to ensure equitable opportunities for all entrepreneurs.

Takeaways

• The biggest mistake in fundraising is not having a process.
• Winning the NPR grant was a pivotal moment for Chezie.
• Toby believes Chezie did not need venture capital to succeed.
• Community support is vital for founders to combat loneliness.
• Building relationships with other founders is essential.
• The journey of being a founder is unique and challenging.
• Finding your stride takes time and experience.
• Pivotal moments can redefine your fundraising strategy.
• Pitching on vision can be more effective than traction.
• Fundraising is a marathon without a clear finish line.
• Feedback from investors can be misleading; focus on the no.
• Preparation is key before approaching investors.
• Consider if you genuinely need venture capital before raising.
• Warm introductions can create barriers for underrepresented founders.
• AI is reducing barriers for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Chapters

00:00 The Fundraising Process: Key Mistakes to Avoid
02:51 Co-Founder Dynamics: Sibling Relationships in Business
06:03 Taking the Leap: Going Full-Time as a Founder
08:47 Understanding VC Funding: Is It Necessary?
12:01 Navigating Grants: A Path to Funding
15:03 Building a Supportive Community as a Founder
18:10 The Unique Journey of Being a Founder
19:08 Learning the Ropes of Fundraising
22:41 Navigating the Fundraising Landscape
23:01 The Journey of Raising Capital
24:11 Learning Through Experience
25:30 Pivotal Moments in Fundraising
29:12 Challenges in Closing the Round
30:14 The Marathon of Fundraising
32:23 Investor Conversations and Feedback
34:06 Advice for Aspiring Founders
35:54 Changing the Game for Underrepresented Founders
37:48 Post-Fundraising Reflections
39:23 Maintaining Mental and Physical Health
41:50 Empowering Future Entrepreneurs

Find Toby here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-egbuna/ 
Find Helena here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenafogarty/  

Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bamboo-crowd/ 
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In this conversation, David Dellapelle, co-founder of Dune Security, shares his journey of building a cybersecurity startup focused on addressing human error, which accounts for a significant percentage of security breaches. He discusses the challenges faced in fundraising, the importance of customer feedback, and the resilience required to navigate the startup landscape. David emphasizes the need for transparency and authenticity in investor relations and offers valuable insights for aspiring founders on how to create value and build meaningful connections.

Takeaways

• Talking to customers is more valuable than talking to VCs.
• Rejection is part of the journey; embrace it.
• Building relationships with investors is crucial for success.
• Focus on solving real problems for customers.
• Resilience is developed through adversity.
• The fundraising process requires learning from failures.
• It's important to maintain a balance between personal and professional life.
• Providing value should be the primary goal for founders.
• The startup journey is akin to a video game; you level up with each challenge.
• Transparency and authenticity can strengthen investor relationships.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey Begins: Overcoming Initial Challenges
02:52 Identifying the Core Problem in Cybersecurity
05:59 The Founding Story: From Idea to Execution
08:56 Navigating the VC Landscape: Lessons Learned
11:57 The Importance of Customer Feedback
14:57 Resilience in the Face of Rejection
17:47 Building Relationships with Investors
20:48 The Fundraising Process: Strategies and Insights
23:49 Post-Funding: Responsibilities and Growth
27:09 Maintaining Balance: Personal vs. Professional Life
30:10 Advice for Aspiring Founders: Focus on Value Creation

Find David here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddellapelle/ 
Find Helena here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenafogarty/  

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Learn more about BTG: https://bambootalent.group/