Venture Pill

On this week’s dose, (1:59) we start things off with a discussion on OneRoof, a hyperlocal social network that connects neighbors and strengthens apartment communities, and their recent $3.2M seed round. (6:35) Next, we talk about Nectar’s $16.5M Series A, and how the startup is leveraging vertical integration and Sublingual Allergen Immunotherapy to disrupt the allergy care market. (11:13) After that, we break down Doorstead’s $21.5M Series B, and how the disruptive platform is offering guaranteed rental income to landlords. (16:36) Lastly, we close out this week’s dose with a discourse on Bilt, and how the unicorn is helping renters build credit through their credit card and rewards program by leveraging the power of their powerful network.Sources:https://www.oneroofapp.com/https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/05/oneroof-apartment-neighbors/https://www.mynectar.com/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nectar-raises-over-24m-in-funding-to-scale-personalized-allergy-care-platform-nationally-301706590.htmlhttps://www.doorstead.com/https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/06/proptech-doorstead-closes-on-21-5m-to/https://www.biltrewards.com/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bilt-rewards-valued-at-1-5-billion-in-new-financing-from-left-lane-capital-greystar-wells-fargo-invitation-homes-smash-capital-as-it-expands-its-loyalty-and-credit-card-program-301658462.htmlMusic Credit: Chapter One by Cole Bauer and Dean Keetonhttps://www.colebauer.com/https://www.instagram.com/deankeeton/?hl=en

Mixing things up a bit to start things off in 2023. Tune in to hear Sam break down 2022 and Venture Pill's growth from idea to top 10% podcast on Spotify listened to in over 50 countries. We have definitely learned and grown a lot in 47 episodes, and we are still just getting started. Thanks to all the Pill-grims for your continued support. Let's have a great year!Music Credit: Chapter One by Cole Bauer and Dean Keetonhttps://www.colebauer.com/https://www.instagram.com/deankeeton/?hl=en

On this week’s dose, we have Alexander Pacheco, CEO and Founder of 150, a social media app looking to reimagine the way we interact with our friends online, or as he deems it, a small town with just your friends. Alexander was fed up with existing social media and realized that there must be a more authentic way of connecting with friends while still being able to meet new people. By harnessing the concept of Dunbar’s number, 150, the number of friendships a human can maintain at one time, he launched an app where you can connect with your 150, and the friends of those 150, making a total of about 10-15k in your network. The app is free to use for your first year and then charges a $2/month subscription. No ads, no influencers, no strangers, no brands. Tune in to hear more about Alexander’s journey building the app, the challenges he’s faced thus far, and the roadmap looking ahead. He also gives some unique advice and perspective on networking and becoming a founder.Links:https://150.earth/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderpachecohttps://twitter.com/alexandercurve

On this week’s dose, we have Josh Cliffords, Founder and CEO of FreeWater, the world’s first negatively priced physical product. It’s free, it donates to charity, and they still make money. With over 800,000 followers on social media, the revolutionary concept is garnering noteworthy early traction and is poised to reimagine the way that companies advertise. Tune in to hear about the unconventional path that inspired Josh to found FreeWater and his roadmap to achieve the startup’s ambitious mission of saving 50 million lives. Keep listening to hear about Josh’s expansion plans for Freewater, including a free supermarket and free vending machine. Listen through to learn about the company’s experience raising funds through crowdfunding, as well as Josh's views on competition as he seeks to disrupt the way we consume products. Stick with us as Josh highlights a couple of startups he’s tracking and provides unique advice for anyone looking to get into venture. Links:https://www.freewater.io/https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-cliffords-3155247a/

On this week’s dose, we have Jonah Fialkow, CEO and Co-Founder of Bracketology, the first centralized fantasy gaming platform for reality television. With games for popular shows like the Bachelor, Survivor, and Big Brother, Bracketology boasts over 600,000 lifetime users and counting. Jonah has always been a fantasy sports junkie, and after meeting the founders of what was then called Bach Bracket, he saw a massive opportunity to engage reality TV fans like fantasy sports do for sports fans. Having been full-time CEO for over a year now, Jonah and the team are now looking to raise a seed round to hire more employees and take Bracketology to the next level. In the interview, you'll hear more about the story behind Bracketology, some early successes and challenges, as well as what’s on the horizon for the startup as they look to scale.Links:https://bracketology.tv/https://twitter.com/jewishjonahhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jonah-fialkow/?trk=public_post-texthttps://www.tiktok.com/@jewishjonah

On this week’s dose, (2:02) we start things off with a discussion on Pylon, an API-first embedded mortgage infrastructure platform looking to disrupt the mortgage lending industry, hot off their recent $8.5M seed round. (6:31) Next, we talk about Wander’s $100M debt raise, reminisce on covering the startup on the (7:06) our very dose, and (15:14) discuss their new REIT, as well as other exciting developments. (19:42) Then, we break down Smoodi’s $5M Series A, and how the startup’s healthy smoothie-making robot is capitalizing on the growing smoothie market. (23:03) Lastly, we close out this week’s dose with a discourse on ResortPass’s $26M Series B, and how the platform is enabling users and luxury hotels alike to capitalize on their amenities.Sourceshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/amydobson/2022/12/05/pylon-closes-85m-round-from-conversion-capital-fifth-wall-peter-thiel-and-more-marquee-investors/?sh=778138e83859 https://twitter.com/pylonlending/status/1599814724064976897 https://www.pylonlending.com/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/amydobson/2022/11/30/wander-raises-100-million-from-credit-suisse-jumpstarting-new-captive-reit-model-for-vacation-rentals/?sh=54168f610ff6 https://twitter.com/jaentwistle/status/1597980444083224578 https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/02/smoodi-robotic-smart-blender-series-a/https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/30/backed-by-jessica-alba-and-gwyneth-paltrow-resortpass-lands-26m-in-new-funding/

On this week’s dose, (1:56) we kick things off with a discussion on Impulse, a startup that’s helping homes cut out fossil fuels through their battery-integrated electric appliances, hot off a $20M Series A. (6:22) Next, we talk about Saltbox’s recent $35M Series B, and how the company is pioneering the ‘co-warehousing’ space to help small businesses. (10:13) Then, we dive into a discussion on Descript, an AI platform that’s making editing audio and video easier than ever, and their $50M Series C. (13:43) Last, we close out this week’s dose with a breakdown on Laundrygo, a startup looking to digitize and disrupt the laundry industry, fresh off their $37M Series C.Sources:https://twitter.com/sdamico/status/1592553422284521472https://www.impulselabs.com/blog/impulse-labs-series-a-annoucement https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/29/co-warehouse-company-saltbox-closes-35m-series-b/https://www.saltbox.com/press/saltbox-raises-35m-in-series-b-funding-roundhttps://twitter.com/andrewmason/status/1592543764232523778https://t.co/IFU9rcDJgbhttps://techcrunch.com/2022/11/21/softbank-backed-on-demand-laundry-startup-laundrygo-picks-up-37m-series-c/

On this week’s dose, we interview Destin Bell, CEO and Co-Founder of Card.io. Tune in to hear about Destin’s entrepreneurial upbringing, from selling candy, toys, and shoes at a young age to starting several businesses during and after college, to founding Card.io. Keep listening to hear more about the backstory of Card.io, and the numerous challenges Destin conquered while building the business. From there, Destin discussed how he got connected with a remarkable list of advisors, including high-profile folks from MapMyRun, Pokemon Go, and more, as well as the valuable lessons learned from these advisors. Then, Destin informs us of the exciting next steps on Card.io’s horizon, in terms of both fundraising and product development. Listen through as Destin shares what it’s been like building a startup in Austin, as well as commentary on the venture capital and startup landscape at large. Stick with us as Destin highlights a few startups that he’s got his eyes on and provides a valuable dose of advice for anyone looking to get into venture.https://www.linkedin.com/in/destinbell/https://www.linkedin.com/company/cardii-io/

On this week’s dose, (1:36) we start things off with a discussion on Way, an Austin-based brand activation platform that helps hotels provide memorable experiences for guests, fresh off their $20M Series A. (6:00) Next, we talk about Equals’ recent $16M Series A, and how the ambitious startup is looking to challenge Microsoft Excel’s spreadsheet dominance. (10:15) Then, we dive into a discourse Kyte, a company that is reinventing the mobility market by pioneering the concept of rental car delivery on-demand, and their $60M Series B. (14:29) Last, we wrap up this week’s dose with a breakdown on Maven, a platform that’s developing the next generation of care for women and families, hot off a $90M Series E raise. Sourceshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/amydobson/2022/11/01/way-unveils-100m-valuation-upon-close-of-20m-series-a-led-by-tiger-global/?sh=2ae8efd04be3https://www.way.co/https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/09/equals-secures-15m-investment-to-supercharge-spreadsheets/https://equals.app/https://wraptext.equals.app/equals-series-a/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kyte-closes-60m-series-b-in-pursuit-of-becoming-the-worlds-largest-operator-of-electrified-fleets-301669139.htmlhttps://drivekyte.com/https://twitter.com/_KateRyder/status/1592158409322700800https://www.mavenclinic.com/post/maven-series-e-announcement

On this week’s dose, (2:07) we kick things off with a discussion on Emerge Career, a startup looking to help incarcerated people build skills to land high-paying, high-demand jobs, fresh off their $3.2M seed round. (5:44) Next, we dive into a discourse on Meez’s $11.5M Series A, and how the company helps chefs and mixologists turn their recipes into interactive tools that enable greater efficiency. (11:09) Then, we talk about Manscaped’s recent Series B, and how the company has established itself as the leading men’s lifestyle consumer brand and male grooming category creator. (13:59) Last, we close out this week’s dose with a breakdown on Neurotrack, a company that’s taking an innovative approach to help people assess, monitor, and strengthen their brain health in hopes of reducing the risk of Alzheimer's, hot off their recent $10M Series D.Sources:https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/04/emerge-careers-pre-release-job-training-lands-3-2m-seed-and-new-state-contracts/ https://www.emergecareer.com/https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/technology/meez-raises-115m-interactive-recipe-system https://www.getmeez.com/https://sacks.substack.com/p/the-saas-metrics-that-matter?s=r https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221108005502/en/MANSCAPED%C2%AE-Announces-Series-B-Funding-Roundhttps://www.manscaped.com/pages/we-save-ballshttps://vator.tv/news/2022-11-02-digital-cognitive-health-testing-platform-neurotrack-raises-10m https://www.neurotrack.com/