Venture Pill

On this week’s dose, (2:10) we discuss Aerotime’s recent $2M seed round and how the startup aims to optimize employees’ schedules while minimizing the cost of lost productivity. (7:15) Next, we talk about Prenda, a tuition-free microschooling company hot off a $20M Series B. (11:55) Then, we breakdown RealWear’s $23.5M Series C, and how the company is leveraging assisted reality technology to enhance safety and efficiency for frontline industrial workers. (17:11) Last, we wrap up this week’s dose with an analysis of Bark’s $30M Series C, and how the company is helping families protect their children from concerning behavior online. Sources/Links:www.aerotime.comhttps://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/funding/workplace-productivity-app-aerotime-raises-2-million-seed-funding/articleshow/92113324.cms https://techcrunch.com/2022/06/08/aerotime-aims-to-continuously-optimize-workers-calendars/https://www.prenda.com/about https://techcrunch.com/2022/06/13/prenda-raises-20m-led-by-776-to-build-tech-to-run-k-8-microschools/https://www.realwear.com/https://www.finsmes.com/2022/06/realwear-raises-23-5m-in-series-c-funding.htmlhttps://www.bark.us/ https://pulse2.com/bark-technologies-raises-30-million-in-series-c-funding/

On this week’s dose, we interview Landon Campbell, creator and host of the In Their 20s podcast. Tune in to hear (1:52) Landon discuss the origins of the podcast and the journey to 100 episodes. (4:26) Next, we hear about some of Landon’s favorite guests from the show. (6:53) Then, we dive into Landon’s passion for storytelling, and how it blends into startups and podcasting. (10:20) Next, Landon opens up about the importance of building a strong foundation and (12:29) his unconventional path to breaking into venture capital. (15:58) After that, Landon breaks down the Hustle Fund, his role as an investor, and the need to do the work before the job. (23:12) Next, we talk about the gritty startup and venture capital ecosystem in Chicago, (26:19) as well as a startup that Landon’s been keeping his eye on. (32:34) To wrap up this week’s dose, Landon provides crucial advice for people trying to get into venture. Links:https://twitter.com/landon20sintheir20s.com

On this week’s dose, (2:00) we discuss Two Front, coming off their recent $3.5M Seed round, a platform that enables orthodontists to save on overhead costs and provide a streamlined, cost-effective solution for patients,. (8:09) Then, we breakdown Felt, an app that allows users to create, customize, and share interactive maps, fueled by their $15M Series A. (13:12) Next, we talk about Joywell’s $25M Series B and the startup’s mission to mitigate sugar-related health issues and environmental impact with their proprietary sweet proteins. (16:49) We wrap up this week’s dose with an update on Torch’s recently announced $40M Series C and how the platform is helping companies fuel employee learning and growth amidst the Great Resignation. Sourceshttps://www.mytwofront.com/https://www.mytwofront.com/post/introducing-two-front-making-teeth-straightening-safe-again-by-putting-orthodontists-back-into-orthodonticshttps://feltmaps.notion.site/Felt-Media-Kit-803778cfb14a4a9e9cd65b94a38436afhttps://felt.com/blog/public-beta-15m-series-ahttps://www.joywellfoods.com/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/joywell-foods-readies-for-commercialization-with-25-million-in-funding-led-by-piva-capital-301556366.htmlhttps://torch.io/https://torch.io/blog/series-c/

On this week’s dose, we interviewed Peer Richelsen, CEO and co-founder of Cal.com. Tune in to hear (2:51) Peer discuss the origin story of Cal.com (9:04) as well as the importance and advantages of open-source software. (12:35) Next, Peer opens up about Cal.com’s fundraising journey and experience with Alexis Ohanian, Naval, and other prominent angels. (25:18) We then dive into Peer’s serial entrepreneurship and how he leverages his previous experience to take Cal.com to the next level. (28:58) Then, we hear about how Peer balances ambitious growth plans with the need to scale responsibly. (32:31) We then break down how Cal.com creatively attracts global talent. (40:09) Following this, we talk through Cal.com’s ambitious goal of creating the app store for all things time. To wrap up this week’s dose, (46:00) Peer expands upon his vision of connecting 1 billion people by 2031 and (48:56) talks about some of his favorite familiar startups.LinksPeer’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/peer_rich?s=20&t=SB0fpNBtrcZghZDLSbVEgwcal.com

On this week’s dose, (1:47) we discuss Column Tax, an API that plugs into banking and fintech apps to help everyday Americans navigate their taxes, and their recent $21.7M Series A. (6:59) Next, we breakdown Altro’s $18M Series A, and the startup’s mission to help people strengthen their credit through your Netflix subscription. (11:18) Then, we talk about Arrived, a company that empowers people to invest in real estate via fractional ownership, fueled by their $25M Series A. (19:12) Last, we close out this week’s dose with an update on Gusto’s estimated $55M Series E Extension, and riff on how the modern HR platform’s raise might be a part of a turn of the tides in venture capital.  Sources:https://www.columntax.com/https://www.forbes.com/sites/igorbosilkovski/2022/05/17/tax-software-company-column-tax-raises-a-217-million-series-a/?sh=1ce86c303ca5https://techcrunch.com/2022/05/12/jayz-backed-altro-just-raised-18m-to-help-you-build-credit-just-by-paying-for-your-netflix-subscription/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/forerunner-bezos-back-arrived-startup-140258060.htmlhttps://arrivedhomes.com/https://techcrunch.com/2022/05/12/gusto-raises-an-extension-round-following-faire-as-unicorns-react-to-a-changing-market/

On this week’s dose, (1:34) we discuss Anja Health, an early-stage startup that preserves placentas and umbilical cords for treatment purposes, and their recent $4.5M seed round. (6:02) Next, we breakdown Walnut’s healthcare now, pay later model and their aspirations to make healthcare more affordable, fueled by their recent $110M Series A. (12:35) Then, we dive into a discourse on Pachama’s $55M Series B and how the company hopes to save the environment by standardizing Carbon Credits. (18:35) Last, we close out this week’s episode with an energetic conversation on Abnormal Security’s massive $210 Series C, and the company’s innovative approach to email-based cybersecurity. Sources: https://www.anjahealth.com/ https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/anja-health-raises-4-5m-seed-funding-round-to-make-cord-blood-stem-cell-banking-accessible-and-affordable-for-all-301542209.html https://twitter.com/sevensevensix/status/1523696313615159296 https://www.hellowalnut.com/ https://news.crunchbase.com/news/walnut-affrim-bnpl-funding-gradient/ https://pachama.com/ https://twitter.com/PippaLamb/status/1523702314900799488 https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/carbon-credit-platform-pachama-raises-55-mln-latest-funding-round-2022-05-05/ https://www.wsj.com/articles/abnormal-security-raises-210-million-in-series-c-funding-round-11652180400?tpl=vc https://abnormalsecurity.com/ https://abnormalsecurity.com/blog/series-c-investment-protect-customers

On this week’s dose (2:18) we discuss Taelor, a men's clothing subscription service hoping to reduce carbon emissions, and their recent $2.3M seed round. (7:56) Next, we dive into CommandBar’s innovative B2B software and their ambitious expansion plans fueled by their $19M Series A. (14:01) Then, we break down Point’s $115M Series C and riff on the similarities between venture capital and home equity. (19:35) Lastly, we close out this week’s episode with a review of Truist Bank’s recent acquisition of LongGame and the future of gamified banking. Sources: https://taelor.style/blogs/news/booth-alum-launches-environmentally-friendly-men-s-clothing-rental-company https://taelor.style/ Commandbarhttps://techcrunch.com/2022/04/28/commandbar-lands-19m-to-inject-in-app-searches-with-smarts/ Point Truist acquires fintech startup Long game

On this week’s dose (1:25) we discuss Sawa Credit’s community-backed lending platform that helps underserved borrowers avoid defaulting on loans, fueled by their recent $3M seed round. (6:58) Next, we break down OpenSponsorship’s recent investment from Serena Ventures and dive into the sports influencer marketing agency’s expansion plans. (11:08) Then, we talk about AngelList and its $44M raise from its customers. (12:31) Lastly, we wrap up this week’s dose with an entertaining conversation about The Boring Company, and how they plan on using their gigantic $675M Series C to revolutionize transportation. Sources: hn0-h0CYSipGsvnZxxt97Bt_OEcQqx8NVsVeQVlRlM3rImR-H6ps0NCZWzfQaVGO7Fj7Vi-R4H8KnLFO9K216Ird2R1GXOBDspB095D3oDUfSt7gh2r21oBXF8FkthzLHtGG4oAdwEtGJY6h9-ifUxsl1FXhQmKm https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/20/elon-musks-boring-company-raises-675m-to-scale-loop-projects/ https://www.angellist.com/blog/angellist-venture-customer-round https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/serena-williams-ventures-investment-open-sponsorship-startup/

On this week’s dose, (1:36) we discuss Cal.com’s expansion of their open source scheduling platform, fueled by their recent $25M Series A. (8:44) Next, we break down Diligent Robotics’ $30M Series B and riff on the future of robots integrating into healthcare systems. (13:31) Then, we talk about Wagestream’s massive $175 Series C and how the startup is empowering hourly workers to build wealth. (20:13) Lastly, we conclude the episode with a stimulating conversation about Sony and Lego’s $2B investment in Epic Games, and the arms race propelling the future of the metaverse.