

Funds and Founders: Untold Journeys Behind Their Breakthroughs
Abhinav Sinha
Welcome to "Funds & Founders: Untold Journeys Behind Their Breakthroughs," where we dig deep into the stories of successful Austin founders. Instead of focusing on their successes though, we dive into their journeys, particularly the struggles and obstacles they had to overcome.
This weekly podcast is tailored for Austin founders navigating the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey and hosted by fellow Austinite Abhinav Sinha. Here’s what to expect by tuning into Funds & Founders:
🚀 Embark on a Journey to Success
Join Abhinav as he takes you behind the scenes, exploring the highs and lows of building a company. This isn't your typical success story – we dive into the failures, the struggles, and those pivotal breakthrough moments that define a founder's path.
🌟 Real Conversations, Real Insights
Abhinav's approach is refreshingly different. Rather than dwelling on success, he crafts casual conversations that unravel the untold stories. Identify the setbacks that helped them grow, the lessons learned from failures, and the breakthrough moments that fueled these founders.
🤔 Why Didn't They Quit? Learn and Apply.
At the heart of each episode, Abhinav delves into the 'why' behind the perseverance. Why didn't they throw in the towel during tough times? And, most importantly, how can you apply their insights to your own journey? Get ready to be inspired and equipped with practical takeaways for your entrepreneurial adventure.
🤝 Decoding Venture Capital
Ever wondered what goes on in the minds of Austin's venture capitalists? Abhinav sits down with local VCs to decode their criteria for investing in early-stage companies. Gain valuable insights into the world of venture capital, understand what investors look for, and appreciate the vital factor of founder-investor compatibility.
🎙️ Meet Your Host, Abhinav Sinha:
Abhinav's soft-spoken yet inquisitive style creates an intimate atmosphere, allowing guests to share their authentic stories. His genuine curiosity and insightful questions make each episode a captivating journey into the minds of Austin's most successful founders.
If you're a budding Austin entrepreneur seeking the inspiration and insight needed for building a successful company, "Funds & Founders" is your go-to podcast.
This weekly podcast is tailored for Austin founders navigating the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey and hosted by fellow Austinite Abhinav Sinha. Here’s what to expect by tuning into Funds & Founders:
🚀 Embark on a Journey to Success
Join Abhinav as he takes you behind the scenes, exploring the highs and lows of building a company. This isn't your typical success story – we dive into the failures, the struggles, and those pivotal breakthrough moments that define a founder's path.
🌟 Real Conversations, Real Insights
Abhinav's approach is refreshingly different. Rather than dwelling on success, he crafts casual conversations that unravel the untold stories. Identify the setbacks that helped them grow, the lessons learned from failures, and the breakthrough moments that fueled these founders.
🤔 Why Didn't They Quit? Learn and Apply.
At the heart of each episode, Abhinav delves into the 'why' behind the perseverance. Why didn't they throw in the towel during tough times? And, most importantly, how can you apply their insights to your own journey? Get ready to be inspired and equipped with practical takeaways for your entrepreneurial adventure.
🤝 Decoding Venture Capital
Ever wondered what goes on in the minds of Austin's venture capitalists? Abhinav sits down with local VCs to decode their criteria for investing in early-stage companies. Gain valuable insights into the world of venture capital, understand what investors look for, and appreciate the vital factor of founder-investor compatibility.
🎙️ Meet Your Host, Abhinav Sinha:
Abhinav's soft-spoken yet inquisitive style creates an intimate atmosphere, allowing guests to share their authentic stories. His genuine curiosity and insightful questions make each episode a captivating journey into the minds of Austin's most successful founders.
If you're a budding Austin entrepreneur seeking the inspiration and insight needed for building a successful company, "Funds & Founders" is your go-to podcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 16, 2025 • 1h 7min
Startup legal essentials that founders NEED to know before raising money | Dean Elazab
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

Jan 14, 2025 • 57min
The Untold Way to Build Airbnb for Musicians | Damian Longoria - E45
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

Jan 11, 2025 • 56min
Finding Your True Calling: Confessions of a Startup Founder & Podcaster | Sarthak Kaul - E44
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!)

Jan 10, 2025 • 1h 6min
Startup Lessons: Why He Left a $40M Business to Start Again | Ash Barot - E43
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

Nov 5, 2024 • 1h 14min
How a $47 Template Generated $120K+ in Revenue | Sara Loretta - E41
Subscribe here https://newsletter.fundsandfounder.com/subscribeIn this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Sarah Loretta, a former nonprofit worker turned digital architect. Sarah shares her journey from making $40K at a nonprofit to building a successful digital systems business through Notion templates and consulting.Learn how Sarah:- Started freelancing with no website or business plan- Landed 40 clients in her first 6 months through strategic networking- Turned a $47 Notion template into $120K+ in revenue- Built her entire client base through referrals with zero marketing- Leverages tool certifications and partnerships for business growth- Transitioned from design work to high-ticket systems consultingWhether you're a freelancer looking to scale or an entrepreneur building systems, Sarah's insights on creating multiple revenue streams and building valuable partnerships are not to be missed!Watch the full episode @FundsAndFounders Timestamps:0:00 - Intro & Where to Find Sarah1:00 - Early Entrepreneurial Journey4:13 - Landing First 40 Clients in 6 Months7:46 - Video Production & Freelance Work11:34 - First Big Website Project ($1,800)15:07 - Taking the Leap from 9-520:48 - Journey from Design to Business Operations29:32 - Finding & Monetizing Notion41:03 - Building Multiple Revenue Streams46:54 - Template Business Success ($120K+)59:06 - Current Pricing Model & Strategy1:02:41 - Tech Stack & Tools Breakdown1:06:54 - Three Essential Resources for Beginners1:09:42 - Interesting Recent Learning1:13:13 - Final Thoughts & Wrap-up#entrepreneur #business #startup #podcast #marketing #notion #sale #tools #aspirations #founder #freelancing

Nov 2, 2024 • 55min
From Shoe Obsession to Luxury Brand to build a Custom Shoe Business | Joshua Rozario - E40
Subscribe here https://newsletter.fundsandfounder.com/subscribeIn this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Joshua Rosario, founder of J.Rozario, also has a luxury custom shoe brand. Joshua shares his journey from a shoe enthusiast with over 500 pairs to launching his own high-end shoe company.Learn how Joshua:- Turned his passion for quality footwear into a business- Navigates the challenges of educating customers about craftsmanship- Uses innovative hand-painting techniques to create unique designs- Leverages e-commerce and custom 3D configurators to sell bespoke shoes- Balances craftsmanship with scalability in a luxury brandWhether you're a fashion enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, Joshua's insights on building a luxury brand and educating consumers are not to be missed!Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction and Joshua's background2:00 - Early entrepreneurial experiences and learning about human behavior7:22 - The journey from shoe enthusiast to brand founder12:45 - Explaining the J.Rosario brand and custom shoe process17:30 - Challenges of educating customers about shoe quality22:05 - The technology and craftsmanship behind J.Rosario shoes27:40 - Marketing strategies and early sales experiences32:15 - Balancing quality, craftsmanship, and scalability37:50 - Tech stack and tools for running an e-commerce business42:30 - Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs47:15 - Lessons learned from mentorship52:00 - The importance of hunger alignment in business56:45 - Closing thoughts and where to find J.Rosario online#entrepreneur #business #startup #podcast #marketing #ecommerce #sale #scalability #aspirations #founder

Oct 30, 2024 • 60min
Hustle Exit Conquer Becca's $4M Workweek Success | Becca Sherman - E39
Subscribe here https://newsletter.fundsandfounder.com/subscribeIn this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Becca, co-founder and COO of Workweek, a rapidly growing B2B media company. Becca shares her journey from customer success roles to building a multi-million dollar media business. Learn how Becca:- Transitioned from The Hustle to co-founding Workweek- Built a portfolio of niche B2B media brands- Leverages the "knowledge expert paradox" to create valuable content- Manages remote teams and builds company culture- Balances work and personal life as a founderWhether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to scale your media business, Becca's insights on content creation, audience building, and business growth are not to be missed!Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction and Becca's background1:06 - The start of Becca's entrepreneurial journey2:19 - Transitioning from employee to founder mindset4:09 - Building a strong co-founder relationship5:51 - Managing conflicts and decision-making as co-founders8:28 - From idea to launch: The birth of Workweek12:02 - The "knowledge expert paradox" in B2B media14:51 - Building and scaling niche B2B media brands18:42 - Strategies for content creation and distribution22:34 - The importance of authenticity in content26:44 - Team building and remote work culture31:35 - Insights on newsletter growth and audience building37:35 - The role of personal branding for founders41:26 - Balancing work and personal life as an entrepreneur45:54 - Tech stack and tools for running a media business50:51 - Resources for aspiring entrepreneurs56:38 - Exciting developments and future plans for Workweek59:30 - Closing thoughts and how to connect with Becca#MediaStartup #ContentCreation #B2BMarketing #Entrepreneurship #WorkweekMedia #podcast #startup #founder

Oct 23, 2024 • 1h 5min
Building a Niche Travel Marketing Agency | Brennan Bliss - Ep 38
Subscribe here https://newsletter.fundsandfounder.com/subscribeIn this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Brennan Bliss, CEO of Propellic, a digital marketing agency specializing in SEO for the travel industry. Brennan shares his journey from building websites as a teenager to running a multi-million dollar agency. Learn how Brennan:- Started his entrepreneurial journey at 13 years old- Scaled his agency to 25 team members- Niched down to focus on the travel industry- Manages a remote team and builds company culture- Balances work and personal life as a CEOWhether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to scale your existing business, Brennan's insights on agency growth, hiring, and financial management are not to be missed!Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction and Brennan's background2:20 - Early entrepreneurial experiences and website building5:34 - Lessons learned from early financial mistakes10:22 - The journey from web design to SEO agency15:19 - Niching down to focus on the travel industry22:02 - Team building and managing a remote workforce26:44 - The process of scaling and hiring for an agency32:57 - Insights on the travel industry and marketing strategies41:26 - Long-term goals and future of Propellic46:36 - Marketing tests and LinkedIn conversation ads49:36 - Tech stack and tools for running an agency54:13 - AI applications in agency workflows56:32 - Book recommendations and resources for entrepreneurs59:45 - The cost of mis-hires and importance of a good hiring process1:02:42 - Balancing work and personal life as an entrepreneur1:06:07 - Closing thoughts and how to connect with Brennan#AgencyGrowth #DigitalMarketing #SEO #TravelIndustry #Entrepreneurship

Oct 19, 2024 • 1h 4min
From Engineer to Serial Entrepreneur: Building Million-Dollar Businesses | Tomer Soran - E37
Subscribe here https://newsletter.fundsandfounder.com/subscribeIn this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Tomer, a former structural engineer turned serial entrepreneur. Tomer shares his journey from designing skyscrapers to building multiple successful businesses, including an e-commerce brand, a virtual staffing agency, and an innovative product company. Learn how Tomer:- Transitioned from a 9-to-5 job to entrepreneurship- Built a 7-figure e-commerce business- Successfully launched a product on Kickstarter- Developed and scaled a virtual staffing agency- Balances multiple businesses and projectsWhether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to scale your existing business, Tomer's insights on product development, e-commerce, and business growth are not to be missed!Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction and Tomer's background3:06 - The importance of business models in entrepreneurship7:52 - Transition from engineering to e-commerce12:02 - Insights on private labeling and wholesale18:42 - The birth of Sableflow and product development process26:28 - Balancing business relationships with family and friends31:16 - From concept to finished product: The Sableflow journey37:05 - Kickstarter campaign strategies and lessons learned42:39 - The transition to Effortless Hire and virtual staffing46:10 - Common mistakes business owners make with virtual assistants49:29 - Misconceptions about offshore hiring52:27 - The importance of hiring before creating SOPs55:24 - Three valuable resources for entrepreneurs59:20 - Startup tech stack and tools1:01:24 - Favorite entrepreneurial stories and lessons1:06:13 - Closing thoughts and where to find tomer's businesses

Oct 8, 2024 • 1h 4min
SEO Genius Reveals Secret to Building & Selling a 7-Figure Agency | Jon Cooper - E36
Subscribe here https://newsletter.fundsandfounder.com/subscribeIn this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Jon, former CEO of Hyperlinks Media and current organizer of Tiny Talks in Austin. Jon shares his journey from starting an SEO blog in high school to building and selling a successful digital marketing agency, and eventually launching a community-driven event series. Learn how Jon:- Built a 7-figure SEO agency from his dorm room- Pivoted to content marketing and affiliate sites- Knew when it was time to exit his business- Started Tiny Talks and grew it to 200+ attendees- Balances passion projects with financial successWhether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to scale your existing business, Jon's insights on SEO, content marketing, and community building are not to be missed!Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction and Jon's background2:31 - Starting an SEO business in high school7:17 - Scaling the agency and hiring employees12:03 - Pivoting to content marketing and affiliate sites18:42 - Deciding when to exit the business22:34 - The origin of Tiny Talks27:41 - Memorable Tiny Talks stories32:25 - The importance of in-person connection37:29 - Running Tiny Talks as a passion project41:33 - Advice on finding your niche45:22 - Book recommendations for entrepreneurs49:51 - Event planning tips from "The 2-Hour Cocktail Party"54:26 - Closing thoughts and where to find Tiny Talks#podcast #digitalmarketing #seo #contentmarketing #communityservice #community #entrepreneur #business