Consumer VC: Venture Capital I B2C Startups I Commerce | Early-Stage Investing I Brands | Technology VC Playbook Has Changed. Here’s What Founders Must Do ft. Ezra Galston
Aug 27, 2025
Ezra Galston, Founding Partner of Starting Line, discusses how to build resilient consumer brands in today's volatile environment. He highlights the difference between sustainable and unsustainable growth and explains why efficiency trumps hype for modern founders. Ezra explores the unique dynamics of Chicago's VC scene and stresses that geographical context significantly affects investment outcomes. He also outlines key insights on what limited partners seek now and the vital importance of margin discipline for upcoming consumer-focused companies.
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Why Starting Line Was Founded
- Ezra founded Starting Line because he saw few under-45 check-writers in Chicago and wanted relatable investors for young founders.
- He focused on consumer because his background was in marketing and Chicago's realized exits skewed toward consumer businesses.
Midwest Exits Favored Consumer
- Ezra observed Midwest exits were disproportionately consumer-driven despite local narratives about Fortune 500 buyers.
- That data suggested a market gap for consumer-first seed investing in the region.
Leadership Shapes Ecosystem Outcomes
- Chicago has strong potential but insufficient A+ mentorship to scale founders to global extremes.
- Great people are built, not born, and require exceptional leaders and role models to reach the highest levels.
