The Room Podcast

In this episode, we dive into the Future of Platforms panel from this summer’s Inside Summit. This panel was moderated by Alexandra York, Associate Editor at Forbes and a key figure behind the 30 Under 30 lists. Alexandra brings her expertise in covering young entrepreneurs and emerging brands to guide a discussion on the evolving digital platform space.

In this discussion, the panelists explore the future of digital platforms, the impact of social commerce, and how they’re navigating challenges like AI integration, community engagement, and finding the right revenue models. They also share personal insights on pivoting, fundraising, and defining success in today’s competitive tech landscape.

Our panelists included:

• Emma Bates, CEO and co-founder of Diem, a social search engine pioneering a new, inclusive internet for women. With a background in partnerships at Away and community-building at Whalar, Emma is a recognized advocate for gender equity in the digital world.

• Miri Buckland, COO and co-founder of Landing, a social commerce app revolutionizing how Gen Z interacts with shoppable content. Miri's experience spans corporate strategy and consumer tech, with a passion for fostering creativity and community.

• Judy Thelen, CEO and co-founder of Beli, a platform transforming how consumers discover and recommend restaurants globally, with over 30 million ratings across 30,000 cities since its launch.

• Dylan Diamond, co-founder and CEO of Saturn, a calendar platform tailored for high school students, with significant backing from top-tier investors. Dylan’s journey includes a stint as Tesla’s youngest software engineer and recognition as a Thiel Fellow.

Let’s Open the Door!

1. Introduction
2. KJ Sidberry's Background
3. Career Pivots and Decision-Making Frameworks
4. Advice for Founders
5. Insights for Funders
6. Industry Experience and Market Changes
7. Conclusion

• East Coast upbringing between Connecticut and NYC
• Exposure to entrepreneurship and education through parents
• Early rejection led to a pivot in career direction

• Pivot 1: Consulting to VC (Forerunner Ventures)
  • Three key priorities in decision-making
• Pivot 2: Forerunner Ventures to GV
  • Prioritizing family and career growth

• Importance of pre-existing relationships with investors
• Three key traits that catch attention during pitches:
  1. Magnetism
  2. Deep curiosity
  3. Founder-market fit
• Tip: Consider using memo format for pitches

• Red flag when evaluating founders: "Lack of paranoia"
• How to be a good board member:
  • Speak less
  • Offer contextualized perspective
  • Stay informed between meetings

• Evolution of VC landscape since 2017
• First deal experience: Alchemy43 (MedSpa company)
• Current investment thesis: "Small communities that aren't actually that small"
• Changes in the VC market since 2017
• Predictions for emerging technologies (focus on AI)

In this episode:

Dive into the highlights of our intimate gathering of 120 talented friends from the DTC space

Get a taste of the dynamic perspectives and human connections that made Inside Summit unique

Preview the upcoming episodes featuring panel conversations with leaders in:

• Generative AI

• Consumer social platforms

• DTC

• And more!

We're thrilled to share how our pandemic side hustle has blossomed into a vibrant in-person community of impressive leaders. Join us as we recap the most powerful takeaways and key learnings from this extraordinary event.

Don't miss the rest of this 5-part series, releasing weekly, to experience the full impact of Inside Summit!

Welcome to the finale of Season 10 of The Room Podcast! In this episode, we're thrilled to sit down with Ben Goodwin, Co-Founder of OLIPOP, a pioneering beverage company at the intersection of taste and gut health. Ben takes us on a journey through his upbringing and how it shaped his worldview, his pivotal realization about lifestyle changes, and the catalysts that drove him to become a founder.

Join us as we delve into the core product of OLIPOP and its unique approach to promoting gut health through delicious, low-sugar beverages. Plus, we explore the health components of OLIPOP's offerings, shedding light on the company's commitment to providing nutritious alternatives to traditional sodas rather than other more risky weight loss tactics.  

Some key topics in the episode are; cultivating a community through strong branding and DTC marketing, gut health and beverage innovation of today, and observing consumer trends and demands while maintaining sustainable practices.

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Check out our guide to podcasting here! 

5:03 - Where did Ben grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?
6:44 - What made Ben realize that he needed to change his lifestyle?
9:34 - Did Ben’s drive to make an impact lead him to become a founder?
12:37 - What lessons did Ben take from his early founding journeys?
18:56 - What is the core product of Olipop?
21:41 - What are the health components of Olipop?
26:41 - When did Olipop realize they had a skill for DTC marketing?
30:39 - Who was the first person to say yes to investing in Olipop?
32:53 - What advice does Ben have for founders looking to take on Venture Capital?
36:53 - What was a time in Ben’s career when things didn’t go as planned?
41:06 - How did Olipop think about creating a community through its marketing?
44:19 - How do Ben and Olipop feel about “get healthy quick” alternatives?
47:17 - What is Ben’s favorite Olipop flavor?
47:49 - What’s next for Olipop?
48:33 - Who is a woman in Ben’s life that had a profound impact on him and his career?

WX Productions

Welcome back to The Room Podcast! This week, we're excited to sit with and interview Matt Martin, Co-founder of Clockwise, a revolutionary productivity platform. Matt shares his career journey, detailing his evolution from tech enthusiast to the founding team of Clockwise, why he founded Clockwise, and his passion for properly utilized software.

Matt elaborates on Clockwise's success in providing efficient scheduling solutions, leveraging advanced technology with intuitive design. In our conversation, we explore Clockwise’s approach, using AI to transform time management for professionals and reshaping the way individuals approach their schedules. 

Throughout the episode, we explore key topics such as the evolution of Clockwise's go-to-market strategy versus adoption strategy, the seamless integration of AI technology with human workflows, and the recent importance and societal demand for inclusive solutions in the realm of professional productivity. 

For The Room Podcast in your inbox every week, subscribe to our newsletter.

Check out our guide to podcasting here! 

5:03 - Where did Matt grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?
6:13 - Did Matt always think he was going to become a founder?
7:22 - How was Matt’s experience at Dartmouth and how did it shape his early career?
10:55 - What was Maatt’s first entrepreneurial endeavor and how did it go?
14:08 - What was the “aha moment” that encouraged Matt to start a business?
16:54 - What was the initial product of Clockwise?
20:40 - How did Clockwise reach Hallmark Brands such as Netflix, Uber, and Twitter?
23:38 - What was the go-to-market strategy of Clockwise and how did they proceed to drive adoption?
28:11 - Who was the first person to say yes to investing in Clockwise?
29:11 - When was a time in founding Clockwise when things didn’t go as planned?
34:37 - Why is now the time for AI calendar innovation?
39:09 - How have people begun using calendars differently and how has that shaped Clockwise’s product?
42:20 - What’s next for Matt personally?
42:52 - Who is a woman in Matt’s life that has a profound impact on him and his career? 

WX Productions

We are back with another installment of The Room Podcast! This week, we are joined by Meghan Joyce, the visionary CEO behind Duckbill, a revolutionary, AI-powered life management service. Listen in as Meghan shares her journey from pivotal roles at Uber and Oscar Health to founding Duckbill, where she's pioneering accessible solutions for the modern adult.

We delve into Meghan's mission of democratizing access to assistance, exploring how Duckbill combines cutting-edge technology and human expertise to tackle life's endless time-consuming, and energy-draining tasks. Hear how Meghan's passion for addressing societal needs led her to redefine the concept of life management, making it more affordable and accessible for all. 

In this episode, we explore insights and themes such as the balance of B2C versus B2B go-to-market, building cutting-edge AI platforms alongside human-driven services, and the societal shift towards inclusive support systems for working families.

For The Room Podcast in your inbox every week, subscribe to our newsletter.

Check out our guide to podcasting here! 

5:23 - Where did Meghan grow up and how did that shape her view of the world?
7:21 - Did Meghan always think that she was going to be a founder?
9:27 - How did Meghan's experience at Harvard play into her career trajectory? 
12:39 - Why did Meghan join Uber and how was her experience with the company?
17:58 - How did Meghan go from Uber to Oscar Health?
20:26 - What did Meghan learn about growing a company at scale during her time with Oscar Health?
22:46 - What was the initial “aha moment” that inspired Meghan to star Duckbill?
26:03 - Is there a lesson learned from Harvard that Meghan thinks of often?
28:00 - What role does AI play in Duckbill’s product?
31:08 - Why did Meghan run an extensive beta and what advice would she give about going to market? 
36:08 - Who was the first person to say yes to investing in Duckbill?
38:31 - Would Duckbill ever create its own AI product instead of utilizing other popular AI products?
41:11 - Where does Meghan think AI application technologies are going and where does Duckbill fit in?
42:45 - How did Duckbill come up with their B2C go-to-market strategy and will they ever go B2B?
44:42 - What was a moment when things didn’t go as planned during Meghan’s founding journey?
47:08 - How does Meghan balance running a company while starting a family?
49:45 - Who is a woman in Meghan’s life that has had a profound impact on her and her career?

WX Productions

Welcome to the latest episode of The Room Podcast! Today, we have the privilege of hosting Eva Ho, the co-founder of Fika Ventures, a driving force in the tech startup ecosystem. Eva Ho is no stranger to breaking barriers, and in this episode, she offers candid advice for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to carve their own paths. Join us as Eva takes us through her journey from her early days in the tech industry to her current role as a trailblazing venture capitalist. 

In this episode, we explore the role of personal history in professional pathways, knowing when to leave and take the leap of faith as a founder, and the evolution of the emerging manager landscape. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, an aspiring fund manager, or simply intrigued by the inner workings of venture capital, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration from one of the industry's most respected voices. Tune in as Eva Ho shares her vision for the future of technology and entrepreneurship.

For The Room Podcast in your inbox every week, subscribe to our newsletter.

Check out our guide to podcasting here! 

5:33 - Where did Eva grow up and how did that shape her view of the world?
7:31 - Did Eva always think she was meant to be a founder?
9:17 - How has the culture around entrepreneurship changed over time at Harvard?
14:48 - What brought Eva to the tech industry?
17:50 - Why has Eva become an angel investor?
20:51 - How did Eva get involved with Susa?
22:18 - When did Eva realize it was time to leave Susa?
25:41 - What is the mission behind Fika?
27:26 - Who was the first team to say yes to investing in Fika?
29:35 - How does Fika decide what industries it invests in?
32:57 - When does Eva know it’s time to say yes to investing in something?
36:58 - What does Eva look for in a founder who encourages her to support them?
41:48 - Why is Eva passionate about All Raise and how has it shaped her career?
44:37 - What are some recent projects that Eva is excited about?
46:17 - Who is a woman who has had a profound impact on Eva and her career?

WX Productions