Seed to Harvest

Send us a textIn today's podcast, I'm thrilled to share insights from the Behind Genius Ventures winter break college essay contest, which I launched in December. We received 20 diverse essays from schools like Cornell, Georgia Tech, UNC, SDSU and more. The prompt asked students to explore impactful problems in 1800 words or fewer, engaging the audience with expert quotes and a clear explanation of the problem's significance. The range of topics varied from smartphone addiction to the future of politics and AI in the creative cycle. As a 2020 graduate of San Diego State, I understand the financial challenges of college, making this essay contest, with its $500 prize, a chance to explore interesting topics, and shadow a venture capitalist, something I would have loved during my college days. Join me as I discuss and share excerpts from some standout essays, shedding light on what today's college students are thinking about.Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.Connect with Paige 🌱💜Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Paige Doherty00:51 prompt of the BGV winter break college essay contest 02:03 topics of the essay contest05:07 "The Higher Education in Southeast Asia" 08:23 AI: making the rich get richer and the poor get poorer10:12 “Virtual Power Plants” 14:22 "Taking the Leap" (interplanetary travel) 18:10 the dangers of fast fashion21:19 "Overlooked and Understudied: the Ovarian Hormone Cycle" 25:26 "Software Ate the World, but Hardware is Biting Back”Show notes:Zenith | https://www.zenithlearninggroup.com/Prof Jim | https://www.profjim.com/Matrix | https://mtx.gg/Firefly Aerospace | https://fireflyspace.com/Relativity Space | https://www.relativityspace.com/Shein | https://us.shein.com/Rubi Laboratories | https://www.rubi.earth/Aavia | https://aavia.io/In the FLO | https://www.amazon.com/FLO-Unlock-Hormonal-Advantage-Revolutionize/dp/0062870483Hearth Display | https://hearthdisplay.com/The Last Gameboard | https://lastgameboard.com/Aviron | https://www.avironactive.com/Lotus Labs | https://www.getlotus.com/USB Club | https://usbclub.net/Humane's AI Pin Tab | https://hu.ma.ne/aipinRabbit r1 | https://www.rabbit.tech/Support the show

Send us a textToday, I am joined by Cam Doody, the Co-founder & General Partner at Brickyard, a first-round venture capital firm and residency. In this episode, we explore Cam's transition to the venture side, raising ~ 115 million dollars, his principles on investing, and insights into founder residencies. Cam emphasizes the grind of entrepreneurship and the absence of overnight success, drawing parallels with the metaphor of "laying brick" to signify the continuous effort and perseverance in building a business. Previously, Cam was the Co-Founder of Bellhop, the fastest growing moving & relocation brand in the U.S.— rebuilding the $18B space with tech.Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.Connect with Paige 🌱💜Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Cam Doody 00:39 cam doody’s story03:50 the pressures of being a founder 07:25 the main goal of Brickyard09:22 Brickyard’s content strategy10:10 Coast - the API sales engine13:37 selection process for founders16:15 Brickyard’s vision for success19:38 cam’s favorite investors  22:06 my vision of success for BGVShow notes:Cam Doody | https://twitter.com/camdoody?lang=enBrickyard | https://www.justlaybrick.com/Bellhop | https://www.getbellhops.com/Matt Patterson | https://twitter.com/__MattPatt__YC | https://www.ycombinator.com/Coast | https://www.coast.io/Austin Pager | https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-pager/Spencer Levitt | https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-levitt/Joon | https://www.joonapp.io/Michael Gilroy | https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbgilroy/Haroon Mokhtarzada | https://www.linkedin.com/in/haroonmokhtarzada/Support the show

Send us a textToday, I am joined by Jasper Stephens, a leadership coach specializing in working with CEOs and executive teams of Seed Series A and Series B companies. In this episode, the focus is on the role of executive and leadership coaches in the growth journey of founders and CEOs of early-stage startups. Jasper and I explore common questions founders may have about executive coaching, touching on team management, goal-setting, effective communication, and eventually expanding to strategic considerations like product development. Tune in to gain insights into the journey of founders seeking guidance and the profound impact of coaching on both individuals and their companies.Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.Connect with Paige 🌱💜Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Jasper Stephens 01:58 do you need an executive coach as a founder?03:04 how to find an executive coach 04:29 Jasper’s vital talents 08:12 common challenges Jasper helps founders with11:28 teaching founders to coach themselves15:09 working with early stage vs series A/B stage16:42 characteristics of successful founders20:24 the most difficult feedback I had to hear24:22 how can I improve as a founder26:55 what made Jasper choose to work with BGV?Show notes:Jasper Stephens | https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalejstephens/The Drama of the Gifted Child | https://www.amazon.com/Drama-Gifted-Child-Search-Revised/dp/0465016901Support the show

Send us a textIn today's podcast, I am thrilled to announce the Behind Genius Ventures winter break college essay contest for college students. Drawing from my own experience of funding education through essay scholarships, I recognize the need for a platform that allows students to explore their passions. As the founder of a venture capital fund, I'm eager to hear from the next generation of investors and founders about the issues driving their passion. The winning essayist will receive a $500 cash prize, a chance to record a podcast episode, and a week shadowing me as a Founding Partner. Also, the top five contestants will get the opportunity to be featured on our blog. The essay contest runs from December 13th, 2023, to January 18th, 2024. Please email andy@behindgeniusventures for questions. Winter break essay submission form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAosGxC4kP-D7YwbSjt-Wm6MUqAZ2RjOz-cUJjXDKVo1UGyA/viewform Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.Connect with Paige 🌱💜Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Paige Doherty00:10 launching the BGV winter break college essay contest 00:47 what does the future of play look like?01:34 the next generation of investors and founders02:24 what do you win from the college winter essay contest?02:47 what do the top 5 contestants of the college winter essay contest win?03:07 using chat gpt to help structure your writingShow notes:Winter break essay submission form | https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAosGxC4kP-D7YwbSjt-Wm6MUqAZ2RjOz-cUJjXDKVo1UGyA/viewformProf Jim | https://www.profjim.com/Statusphere | https://joinstatus.com/Lotus Labs | https://www.getlotus.com/Support the show

Send us a textToday, I am joined by Lloyed Lobo, Co-Founder of Boast.AI & Traction, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of "From Grassroots to Greatness." In this episode, Lloyed shares the 4 things he did to make his book a Wall Street Journal Bestseller. The podcast also explores the technical aspects of community-led growth, touching on Lloyed's journey, frugality in business, and the impact of hosting successful events to build a community that contributed to his revenue and marketing success. Furthermore,  Lloyed talks about managing excess capital in business growth, providing perspectives on decision-making and the influence of financial constraints on innovation and strategy.Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.Connect with Paige 🌱💜Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Lloyed Lobo 01:30 how to handle managing excess capital03:24 how Lloyed built a community06:16 measuring the success of community 10:59 how businesses should spend their money11:48 4 building phases of startups15:02 the goal of product market fit16:30 payback period on day one20:18 key tips for hiring22:50 tactics used to make it onto the Wall Street Journal Bestsellers listShow notes:Lloyed Lobo | https://twitter.com/lloyedlobo?lang=enBoast.AI | https://boast.ai/Traction | https://tractionconf.io"From Grassroots to Greatness" | https://www.amazon.com/Grassroots-Greatness-Iconic-Brands-Community-ebook/dp/B0CFR8F7PHZoho Creator | https://www.zoho.com/creator/Zapier | https://zapier.com/Mailchimp | https://mailchimp.com/Mixmax | https://www.mixmax.com/blog/automated-mail-mergeSupport the show

Send us a textToday, I am joined by Rishi Taparia, Managing Partner of Garuda Ventures, who enthusiastically discusses the accomplishment of securing a $31 million fund. Rishi sheds light on the challenges of fundraising, providing insights into Garuda's journey from a nights-and-weekends passion project in 2018 to a full-time firm that successfully fundraised in 2021. He emphasizes the firm's dedication to early-stage B2B startup investments and its commitment to providing both capital and valuable guidance to founders. Prior to his role at Garuda Ventures, Rishi gained experience at Evergrow, Legion Technologies, and Poynt.Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.Connect with Paige 🌱💜Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Rishi Taparia01:16 how did Rishi and I meet?02:06 why did Rishi raise a fund?05:04 what areas of support do founders ask about?07:26 how to onboard your first hires09:25 tactics for raising a $31 million dollar fund12:48 how has content been a part of my story?16:51 the importance of family when raising18:53 how has Rishi’s relationship with founders evolved21:11 how does Rishi come to his conviction?23:26 how does Rishi overcome the challenges that come with being an investor25:17 trends/movements that Rishi is excited about27:22 how do I manage my time?Show notes:Rishi Taparia | https://twitter.com/taps?lang=enGaruda Ventures | https://www.garuda.vc/Arpan Punyani | https://twitter.com/arpanpunyaniOkta | https://www.okta.com/Poynt | https://www.poynt.com/aboutSupport the show

Send us a textIn today’s podcast, I talk about the “Spotify Playlist” method, discussing how the approach of naming playlists and creating the right mix extends beyond music curation to impact various aspects of business and content creation. I also explore using my playlisting methods to build an investment portfolio in the context of investment, highlighting how strong language and naming contribute to building a repeatable and explicit investment approach. Lastly, I share reflections on the evolving process of naming in an investment thesis and considerations when collaborating with co-investors in venture capital.Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.Connect with Paige 🌱💜Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Paige Doherty00:24 180 playlists later01:50 technique #1: naming02:33 technique #2: finding the right mix03:27 content application04:55 investment application07:47 building a diverse portfolio08:20 technique #3: Venn diagramsShow notes:The Name of the Wind | https://www.amazon.com/Name-Wind-Patrick-Rothfuss/dp/0756404746The Art of Gathering | https://www.amazon.com/Art-Gathering-How-Meet-Matters/dp/1594634920Kevin Macpherson | https://www.artambassador.org/kevin-macphersonThe Magic Grid video | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7HkgEgDtxHBo5JiHlAJG4gSeed to Harvest | https://www.amazon.com/Seed-Harvest-Explanation-Venture-Capital/dp/0578906457Support the show

Send us a textIn today’s podcast, I talk about returning from an amazing two-week trip to Guatemala with my mom, thanks to Local Hope and Art Ambassadors for a Colorful World. During the trip, I had the incredible opportunity to contribute to art classes, witness a breathtaking sunrise hike in Tikal, and visit a fascinating ceramic studio by Lake Atitlan. These experiences not only reignited my passion for writing but also introduced me to The Magic Grid, a unique painting approach by Kevin Macpherson. I'm currently contemplating how its principles can be applied to my investing frameworks, a challenge that has opened up a whole new perspective on decision-making. In future episodes, I'll delve into the challenges and rewards of using The Magic Grid in painting and explore its potential in shaping my investment philosophy. As I reflect on this journey, I can't help but look forward to what's next. Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.Connect with Paige 🌱💜Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Paige Doherty00:20 reflections from Guatemala01:10 highlights of Guatemala01:35 refinding my love for writing02:11 what is The Magic Grid?05:02 redefining language in investing frameworks05:55 how will I use the grid in my own investing practice?Show notes:Local Hope | https://www.facebook.com/LocalHopeXelaAID/Art Ambassadors for a Colorful World | https://www.artambassadorforacolorfulworld.org/Kevin Macpherson | https://www.artambassador.org/kevin-macphersonThe Magic Grid video | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7HkgEgDtxHBo5JiHlAJG4gSupport the show

Send us a textIn today’s podcast, we're diving deep into the world of venture capital and pitch deck mastery. Over the last three years, I've assessed thousands of pitch decks and made 39 investments at the pre-seed and seed stage. Today’s episode features a candid discussion with a close friend about the nuances of raising venture capital as an early-stage founder. We'll take a close look at what happens when you tear down a pitch deck, dispelling misconceptions about raising venture financing. Additionally, we will focus on the power of narrative and the art of crafting a captivating pitch deck.Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.Connect with Paige 🌱💜Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Paige Doherty02:19 how was it to do a pitch deck teardown?03:23 how do you shape the narrative of your company?04:24 how to frame the problem solution set when pitching06:15 what helps make the case for why a founder is important?08:17 which parts of the deck you should index on?10:28 what is the correct sequence of the order of information in a deck?13:13 how do you show that you're solving a problem?16:58 what types of questions should be asked in user interviews?19:10 what do you accentuate on in a pitch deck?21:07 what deck types resonate with VCs the most?23:38 leveraging a user journey to describe the problem you’re solving24:59 how to share your company story?27:45 how to fundraise with no existing network28:42 when to set up pitches as a VC29:28 when do you bring up your deck?Show notes:Lotus Labs | https://www.lotuslabs.org/Andy Wessman | https://twitter.com/aweissmanUSV | https://www.usv.com/DocSend | https://www.docsend.com/Support the show

Send us a textToday, I'm joined by Deepak Sekar, Co-Founder and CEO of Prof Jim, bringing content to life with Generative AI. Prof Jim transforms books, websites, and other text into interactive videos — at scale. Deepak has been granted 200+ patents, making him one of the more prolific inventors in the world today. Previously, Deepak was the Founder and CEO of Chowbotics, which built the world's first fresh food-making robot named “Sally.” Under Sekar’s leadership, Chowbotics was named among the food trends of 2019 by The New York Times and listed as one of the world’s most innovative companies by Fast Company. Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.Connect with Paige 🌱💜Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Deepak Sekar02:48 what sparked the idea for Prof Jim05:39 Deepak’s thoughts on the generative AI space07:18 working with BGV09:14 Deepak’s investor monthly updates11:12 overcoming technical obstacles at Prof Jim13:48 Deepak fixing mistakes in his previous company 18:48 advice for early stage founders27:59 more advice for foundersShow notes:Deepak Sekar | https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepaksekar/Prof Jim | https://www.profjim.com/Meagan Loyst 80/20 model article | https://www.linkedin.com/posts/meaganloyst_superfans-community-apple-activity-7109531573607129091-zXv5/?trk=public_profile_like_viewiJustine | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCey_c7U86mJGz1VJWH5CYPAPacky McCormick newsletter | https://www.packym.com/newsletterTurner Novak newsletter | https://www.thespl.it/Support the show