The IO Podcast: Investor + Operator

In this engaging conversation, Adam Edmunds, CEO of Entrata, shares insights from his journey in building a property management software company poised to be Utah's next big success. He discusses the art of fundraising, highlighting the significance of cultivating investor relationships, especially with Blackstone. Adam dives into the challenges of navigating rapid company growth, emphasizing the importance of recruiting top talent while preserving company culture. He also reflects on his personal motivations, seeking fulfillment through meaningful connections and leadership experiences.

Arjun Sethi, managing partner at Tribe Capital and co-CEO of Kraken, dives into the world of venture capital and cryptocurrency. He shares his unique approach to achieving product-market fit and the frameworks that guide his investment strategies. Arjun emphasizes the importance of data analysis and user behavior in driving product success. He also discusses the dynamic nature of remote work and its implications for innovation. With insights into navigating market cycles and fostering relationships in VC, he presents a compelling vision for the future of investment.

Brett Berson, a Partner at First Round Capital, shares his journey from intern to key player in seed-stage investments. He discusses what founders should ask when raising a Series A, emphasizing the importance of building strong narratives and investor relationships. The impact of AI on startups is also explored, highlighting both opportunities and challenges. Berson delves into common missteps for seed-stage startups and the significance of balancing technical expertise with commercial know-how to attract the right venture capital.

Garrett Langley, founder and CEO of Flock Safety, leads a company revolutionizing crime prevention through innovative technology. He shares how a team-focused approach helped land lucrative contracts with police stations, transforming a whiteboard idea into a $7 billion success. Key topics include the importance of personal engagement in sales, navigating the challenges of hardware development, and the vital role of understanding customer needs. Garrett's insights on building community safety solutions will inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts alike.

In a captivating discussion, Eric Vishria, General Partner at Benchmark Capital, shares his unique insights into funding AI startups. He reveals how diverse revenue strategies and a strong team dynamic are key to identifying investment opportunities. Eric emphasizes the balance between human expertise and AI automation, highlighting the importance of adaptable founders with unique market insights. The conversation also explores the evolving landscape of venture capital and the growing significance of personal chemistry in startup partnerships.

John Andrew Entwistle, Founder and CEO of Wander, shares insights on pioneering the vacation rental industry. He reveals inventive waitlist strategies that attract customers before a product launch. The conversation covers solving supply challenges, transitioning to third-party inventory, and choosing revenue models. Entwistle emphasizes building a visionary workplace culture at Wander, where exceptional service fosters customer loyalty. He also delves into blending technology with personal touch to enhance guest experiences, positioning Wander as an industry disruptor.

In this episode of the IO Podcast, Nakul Mandan (founder of Audacious Ventures) shares his tips and tricks for recruiting top talent, the most critical assets for successful companies.He also shares his story of how he became a top investor and what every startup founder needs to know to successfully raise capital.Chapters:(00:05:12) Hustle and Networking in Venture Capital Growth(00:12:50) Mastering B2B Go-to-Market Expertise through Experience(00:15:22) Exceptional Individuals Driving Business Growth(00:18:06) Attracting Exceptional Talent for Startups(00:26:32) Tailored Hiring Approach for Role Success(00:30:24) Proactive Talent Sourcing for Startup Teams(00:41:40) Proactive Communication for Closing Top Candidates(00:45:29) Optimizing Recruitment Strategies for Successful Hiring(00:48:48) Founder-Centric Investment PlatformsAudacious Ventures: https://www.audacious.co/Check out PELION: https://pelionvp.com/

In this episode of Exceptional Startups, Brandon Rodman (founder of Weave and now Previ) breaks down how he’s quietly building a Costco for the modern workforce — one that’s already grown from 300K to 1.5M users in 3 months, all without charging employers a dime.He shares hard-earned lessons from going 0 to IPO with Weave, why he got rejected by 150 investors, and how he's self-funded Previ with a bigger vision in mind — this time, he’s not giving up control.It’s honest, tactical, and full of gold for anyone scaling something real.Chapters: 0:00 Intro 2:42 Insane Growth and Brandon's B2B2C tactics5:20 Launch of “The Drop”13:00 Clear, consistent user retention & growth beats fast acquisition 15:00 Betting on Yourself 21:51 How to Build A Winning Culture24:01 “If you only give 80%, you get 80%. That last 10–20% is where everything happens.”Check out Previ: https://previ.com/landingCheck out PELION: https://pelionvp.com/Like, Share, and Subscribe!

In this episode, Pete Kazanjy—author of Founding Sales and a veteran sales leader—joins hosts Tyler Hogge and Sterling Snow to share a crash course in founder-led sales, explaining why early-stage founders must take charge of selling before hiring sales reps. He breaks down the key mindset shifts for technical founders, how sales is like “weaponized product management,” and when it’s time to delegate lead generation.If you're a startup founder looking to master sales we highly recommend this episode. Pete's book which can be found online at foundingsales.comChapters: 06:11 Objection Handling and Sales Narrative Crafting12:48 Validation through Founder-Led Sales Approach16:55 Founder's hands-on role in scalable sales.22:09 Tailoring Outreach Strategies for Target Audiences29:49 LinkedIn Prospect Engagement for Founder Outreach Success35:15 Empathetic Approach to Sales Conversations42:10 Effective Sales Strategies for Closing Deals47:31 Hiring Early Stage Salespeople for Startups54:12 Product-Obsessed Pioneers in Organizations58:26 Packaging Tactical Solutions for Customer Pain Points

How do early-stage founders break through and build exceptional companies? In this upcoming season of the I/O Podcast, hosts Sterling Snow and Tyler Hogge unveil a new approach—combining insights from the Exceptional Startups List with tactical advice from founders actively scaling their businesses. This season, we’re setting out to be the best podcast in the world for seed and Series A founders.Episode Highlights:00:45 - The Big Change: Merging the Exceptional Startups List with the I/O PodcastWe’re bringing on founders who are actively crossing key growth milestones—sharing real-time insights before they hit the mainstream.02:35 - Solving a Major Founder Challenge: Hiring Exceptional TalentThe Exceptional Startups List started as a resource for job seekers, but it’s also helping founders attract top-tier talent.04:43 - Introducing I/O Podcast Snacks: High-Impact, Shorter EpisodesIn addition to our full-length episodes, we’re launching I/O Snacks—quick, tactical interviews with startup leaders making waves.This season is all about delivering actionable, high-quality content tailored for founders navigating their early-stage journey. If you’re looking for insights on scaling, hiring, and building a world-class startup, you won’t want to miss this.Exceptional Startups List Here: https://exceptionalstartups.com/Follow the I/O Podcast Here: x: https://x.com/IO__podcastWeb: https://www.investoroperator.io/