The Hard Part with Evan McCann

Kiva Dickinson from Selva Ventures

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Kiva Dickinson is the Founder & Managing Partner of Selva Ventures.


Selva Ventures invests in healthier living. They support Seed & Series A stage consumer health & wellness brands that make healthier living more engaging, accessible, habit-forming and fun.


Takeaways

  • His background in investment banking at Barclays, private equity at TPG and investing at CircleUp.
  • Why he wanted to start his own firm in the CPG space.
  • Debunking the myth that CPG doesn't work for VCs.
  • Why investing in CPG requires a better batting average compared to technology investments.
  • Why Kiva looks for products with strong gross margins and repeat purchase metrics.
  • What is the sweet spot and inflection point for Selva to invest.
  • Spaces in CPG that Selva and Kiva are excited about.
  • Kiva's thoughts on celebrity brands.
  • Hiring investors in the CPG space.
  • "DTC is a channel, not a business" and how to run a strong retail strategy.
  • Why LA is one of the best geographies for CPG businesses and investors.


    • Chapters

    00:00 Kiva Dickinson's Background and Journey

    06:23 Starting Selva Ventures

    08:24 Investment Strategy: Focus on Consumer Products

    10:58 Investing at the Inflection Point

    16:52 The Role of Retail Strategy in CPG

    20:46 The Misconception that CPG Doesn't Work for Venture Capital

    25:36 Exciting Spaces in Consumer Products

    29:47 The Outlier Effect of Los Angeles in CPG

    32:30 Hiring Investors in the Consumer Industry

    35:06 The Impact of Celebrity Brands in the Consumer Space

    41:19 Dealing with Hard Times and Finding Balance


    Keywords

    Kiva Dickinson, investment banking, consumer venture capital, Selva Ventures, private equity, consumer products, investment strategy, gross margin, repeat purchase, celebrity brands, geography

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    The Hard Part with Evan McCannBy Evan McCann