Funds and Founders: Untold Journeys Behind Their Breakthroughs

In this episode of Funds and Founders, we welcome back Justin, founder of Fantasy Elect, a cutting-edge political gaming startup. Justin dives into his journey over the past year, tackling fundraising challenges, optimizing user acquisition, and building a trust-driven remote team. Gain actionable insights on scaling a startup in the political arena and preparing for upcoming elections.Learn how Justin:Navigated fundraising in a volatile marketTailored user acquisition for B2B and B2CLeveraged strategic partnerships and VC relationshipsSelected the best cities and events for growthPivoted from fantasy sports to political engagementFostered a remote team culture based on trustTimestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & Year in Review2:50 - Fundraising Challenges5:32 - Choosing the Right City9:04 - Fundraising Lessons12:47 - Cold Emailing Strategies15:09 - Current Fundraising Focus16:53 - Event Optimization21:25 - Ecosystem Insights22:29 - Pivoting Customer Acquisition24:32 - Early Lessons25:44 - First Three Months vs Now29:45 - Importance of Marketing34:09 - Continuous Marketing & Feedback38:24 - Planning for Elections42:41 - Engagement in Off-Cycles46:04 - Exploring New Marketing Channels49:12 - Time Management55:09 - Team Culture & Trust57:06 - Remote Work vs In-Person59:04 - Future Plans & InsightsFollow Funds and Founders:Website: https://www.fundsandfounders.comTwitter: @fundsandfoundInstagram: @fundsandfoundersYouTube: Funds and Founders

In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Garrett and Brian from Lucid, a consulting firm specializing in pitch decks and brand clarity. Garrett and Brian share how they combined their complementary skill sets—spanning design, operations, and growth—to help founders overcome the challenge of communicating complex ideas simply.Learn how they:Refined their own co-founder “dating” process before teaming upDeveloped a framework for uncovering a company’s true mission, vision, and valuesHelp founders craft investor-ready pitch decks—even for highly technical productsDistinguish “brand” from “culture” and why both matter for scalingApproach growth strategy differently for B2B vs. B2C startupsWhether you’re an early-stage founder seeking investment or a seasoned entrepreneur refining your pitch, Garrett and Brian’s insights on clarity, branding, and storytelling are not to be missed!Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction and overview of Lucid 2:05 – How Garrett & Brian met and became co-founders 7:00 – Defining “clarity” and why founders struggle with it 12:40 – Business philosophy: getting to the “why” behind your startup 16:35 – Why technical founders need help explaining complex ideas 21:05 – When to invest in brand clarity vs. staying lean 26:10 – B2B vs. B2C: differences in messaging and traction 30:40 – Examples of effective (and ineffective) mission statements 35:50 – Branding vs. culture: how they intersect and why both matter 40:35 – The “spark moment” behind launching a startup 45:10 – Avoiding “cargo cult” thinking and learning real lessons 50:05 – Pivoting and the emotional toll of entrepreneurship 55:00 – What VCs really look for in a pitch deck 1:00:05 – Essential resources: Sequoia format, Venture Deals, and more 1:05:00 – Growth strategies: Revenue Architecture and the brand canvas 1:10:25 – The personal “why” and mental health in entrepreneurship 1:15:30 – Early-stage brand vs. Series A brand requirements 1:20:15 – Staying focused on real revenue-driving activities 1:25:05 – Wealth building, skill development, and time freedom 1:30:10 – Support systems: the Austin startup community 1:35:00 – “What would make you quit?” Parachute question from the previous guest1:38:00 – Wrap-up and where to find Lucid Consulting#entrepreneur #company #venturecapital #investors #business #pitchdeck #brand #investment

In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Moby, a seasoned paid ads specialist who helps startups and established businesses alike accelerate their growth through strategic advertising. Moby shares his journey and dives deep into:Determining the right time to start running paid ads—and why timing is crucialChoosing between Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, and other platforms based on your audienceUnderstanding key metrics like CTR and conversion rates to gauge campaign successCrafting compelling offers, landing pages, and funnels that convertAvoiding common pitfalls and maximizing ROI with a data-driven approachWhether you’re looking to launch your first campaign or refine your existing strategy, Moby’s insights on funnel design, audience targeting, and the art of testing are not to be missed!Timestamps0:00 – Introduction and Moby’s paid ads background1:16 – When is the right time to invest in paid ads?2:36 – Finding product-market fit vs. message-market fit6:09 – The 80/20 of setting up your first paid ads campaign8:36 – Paid search vs. paid social: Key differences and considerations14:03 – Defining search intent and picking the right keywords18:05 – Budgeting for ads and what metrics to watch22:05 – Understanding funnels and lead qualification26:45 – Tracking ROI: Cost per lead, cost per meeting, and RoAS31:30 – Crafting offers and packaging: Why it matters36:55 – Common mistakes to avoid when running ads39:56 – Brand awareness campaigns vs. direct response tactics43:09 – The importance of creative testing and ad copy47:15 – Why landing page experience can make or break conversions50:42 – E-commerce vs. B2B: Ad strategy differences54:03 – Overcoming qualification hurdles with leads56:31 – Final tips to refine your paid ads funnel59:27 – Conclusion and wrap-up

In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Aaron, a performance coach who helps founders and entrepreneurs optimize their business execution through OKRs (Objectives and Key Results). Aaron shares deep insights on goal setting, prioritization, and creating effective business frameworks. Learn how Aaron:- Helps founders set realistic yet ambitious 12-month goals- Creates frameworks for breaking down long-term vision into actionable steps- Guides teams in implementing effective OKR systems- Balances personal and business priorities for sustainable growth- Transforms company execution through priority managementWhether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or leading an established company, Aaron's practical approach to goal setting and execution is invaluable for any business leader!Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction & The importance of strategic planning1:24 - Fundamentals of effective goal setting3:37 - Choosing the right time horizon for goals5:48 - Setting realistic 12-month targets10:41 - Balancing ambition with reality in goal setting15:44 - Priority management and maintaining focus21:25 - Taking action vs over-planning26:50 - Understanding and implementing OKRs34:37 - Getting leadership team alignment39:19 - Quarterly planning and execution strategies46:00 - Defining and tracking success metrics55:59 - When and how to adapt your vision58:30 - Recommended resources for goal setting1:00:24 - Creating freedom through effective business systemsConnect with Aaron:Website: performancemindsetcoaching.co

In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with John Davison, founder of StartupLandia, a hybrid venture studio and development shop. John shares his journey from being a Bay Area engineer to helping early-stage founders build sustainable products. Learn how John:Helps founders validate ideas before writing codeReduces engineering costs through strategic tool selectionNavigates the impact of AI on product developmentStructures development teams for optimal efficiencyBalances technical implementation with business needsWhether you're a technical founder or a business person looking to build a product, John's insights on sustainable development and founder success are invaluable!Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & StartupLandia's Mission 2:32 - When Founders Need Technical Help 6:20 - Why Pre-Development Work Matters 9:54 - Validating Ideas Before Building 12:42 - AI's Real Impact on Development 16:40 - The Truth About Software Costs 20:35 - Importance of User Experience 29:10 - Working with Technical Founders 33:20 - Structuring Development Teams 42:37 - Global Development Perspectives 47:09 - Building Support Systems 1:02:06 - Resources for Founders 1:07:09 - Austin Tech Ecosystem 1:10:42 - Contact & Final ThoughtsConnect with John: Website: startuplandia.io Twitter: @JCDavison LinkedIn: John Davison

In this episode, we sit down with Preeya, COO of Beehive, to discuss her journey from being a VP at a large tech company to joining Beehive as employee. Learn how she helped scale the company from seed stage to Series B, growing from 8 to 80+ employees. Priya shares insights on startup operations, remote work culture, board management, and making the leap from big tech to early-stage startups.Priya shares how she:Transitioned from a VP role to an early-stage startupHelped scale Beehive from 8 to 80+ employees through Series BBuilt and maintains a successful remote-first company cultureNavigates board management and metric trackingApproaches goal setting and prioritization in a high-growth environmentWhether you're considering joining a startup or already in a leadership role, Priya's insights on scaling operations and building successful teams are invaluable!Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction and Background 3:29 - Evaluating Early-Stage Companies 6:18 - First 90 Days at a Startup 8:41 - Transitioning Industries 11:22 - Understanding the Chief of Staff Role 14:16 - Red Flags When Joining Early-Stage Companies 16:38 - Compensation Structure in Startups 21:57 - Scaling from 8 to 80 Employees 29:06 - Remote vs In-Person Work Culture 31:42 - Prioritization and Goal Setting 34:27 - Board Management and Metrics 48:39 - Importance of Mentorship 55:04 - Future of Beehive 56:15 - Book and Resource Recommendations 57:21 - Support Systems for Startup Life 58:09 - Personal Growth and FreedomConnect with Preeya: Email: priya@beehive.com Website: https://beehive.com#startup #tech #leadership #entrepreneurship #careeradvice

In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Dean Elazab, a former big law attorney who now helps startups navigate the legal landscape. Dean shares insights from both sides of the table, having built and sold his own startup before becoming a lawyer.Learn how Dean:Guides founders through critical legal decisionsHelps protect founder & employee equityNavigates complex term sheets and financing roundsDemystifies preferred stock and liquidation preferencesCreates founder-friendly legal structuresBalances growth with legal protectionWhether you're just starting out or raising your next round, Dean's practical insights on startup law and founder protection are not to be missed!Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & Dean's Background 4:57 - When to Bring in Legal Help 10:32 - Common Legal Mistakes & Horror Stories 15:06 - Understanding IP Protection 20:48 - Initial Legal Setup for Startups 29:17 - Term Sheets & Negotiation 37:05 - Safe Notes & Bridge Rounds 45:48 - Understanding Stock Classes 54:05 - Exit Scenarios & Liquidation 1:02:42 - Resources for Founders 1:08:33 - Support Systems & Final ThoughtsConnect with Dean: Website: elazablegal.com Twitter: @DeanElazab

In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Damian Longoria, founder of Hubble - a marketplace connecting artists with live event opportunities. From sleeping in his car to building a music tech startup, Damian shares his journey with raw honesty.Learn how Damian:Discovered problems in the music industry through event organizingNavigated early development setbacks with offshore teamsApproaches building without technical co-foundersBalances vision with practical executionViews Austin's evolving music sceneThinks about product development and go-to-marketKey takeaways for founders on validating ideas, working with development agencies, and building in the music industry space.Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & Background 2:51 - Start of Entrepreneurial Journey 15:16 - Early Development Challenges 30:26 - Co-founder Search & Dynamics 41:09 - Vision for Next 12 Months 46:17 - Building in Austin's Music Scene 48:05 - Founder Resources & Support 54:01 - Tech Stack & Infrastructure 55:28 - Perception vs Reality 59:08 - Closing ThoughtsConnect with Damian: Email: damian@hubblecys.com Instagram: @hubblecys Website: hubblecys.com

In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Sarthak Kaul, founder at GigPay and host of the True Calling podcast. Sarthak shares his unique perspective on finding purpose in the startup world and why the 0-to-1 journey keeps calling him back.Learn how Sarthak:Transitioned from VC in Singapore to startup operationsBuilt and managed remote teams across continentsLaunched a successful podcast exploring purpose and callingApproaches product development and team managementBalances entrepreneurship with personal growthNavigates fear and builds courage in the startup journeyWhether you're questioning your career path or building your own venture, Sarthak's insights on finding purpose while building valuable businesses are essential listening!Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & Background 3:45 - Why Choose Startups Over Big Tech 7:16 - The Truth About 0-to-1 Stage 10:01 - Finding Insights & Building Solutions 21:25 - Balancing Passion with Practicality 27:25 - Courage vs Fear in Entrepreneurship 35:26 - Flow State & Peak Performance 42:31 - Walking as Meditation 45:46 - Three Essential Resources for Finding Your Path 50:57 - Building Your Support System 51:54 - Managing Remote Teams 56:35 - Closing ThoughtsConnect with Sarthak: Podcast: True Calling (Available on Spotify & YouTube) LinkedIn: Sarthak Kaul Company: GigPay (Now hiring!)

Subscribe here https://newsletter.fundsandfounder.com/subscribeIn this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Ash, co-founder of Wolf.xyz, who recently closed their Series A round. Ash shares his journey from building a successful staffing platform in Chile to his current venture in B2B SaaS.Learn how Ash:Built and scaled a staffing platform to cover one-third of SantiagoNavigated international markets between Chile and the USTurned a product failure into a successful exitMade the transition from bootstrapped to VC-backedApproached hiring and team building post-fundingLearned valuable lessons through multiple startup attemptsWhether you're a first-time founder or serial entrepreneur, Ash's insights on building in different markets and knowing when to pivot are not to be missed!Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & Early Entrepreneurial Journey 3:09 - First Failed Venture & Lessons 5:29 - Product Market Fit Definition 10:31 - Moving to Chile & Building Elephants 15:33 - Scaling in Santiago 20:48 - US Market Entry & Challenges 24:19 - Decision to Exit 29:17 - Building Wolf.xyz 37:05 - TechStars Experience 46:54 - Views on VC vs Bootstrapping 54:05 - Post-Series A Focus & Hiring 59:29 - Startup Ecosystem Differences 1:02:02 - Tech Stack & Tools 1:04:20 - Closing Thoughts