

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.
[CLAIM:8VIR6FKG]
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.
[CLAIM:8VIR6FKG]
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 18, 2024 • 52min
How to find the right market fit? | Catalin Briciu - E34
Catalin Briciu, Co-founder and CEO of Linnify, shares his entrepreneurial journey and insights from previous startups. He discusses the importance of finding the right product-market fit and offers a structured approach to validating business ideas. Catalin highlights common pitfalls founders face and the delicate balance of personal versus company branding. He also emphasizes the crucial role of support systems and effective communication in managing expectations and scaling businesses. Tune in for a mix of wisdom and practical advice!

Sep 13, 2024 • 1h 1min
From Homeless to Millionaire: The Empire Built from Nothing | Hunter Burkey - E33
Subscribe here https://newsletter.fundsandfounder.com/subscribeJoin us as we sit down with Hunter Burkey, Partner at Next Level Valet and CEO of Next Level Security. Hunter shares his incredible journey from living in his car to building two successful businesses in Austin, TX.👉Hunter's early struggles and how he turned his life around👉The birth of Next Level Valet and its rapid growth👉Expanding into security services during COVID-19👉Challenges of scaling a business and managing 300+ employees👉Innovative employee engagement strategies👉The importance of adaptability in entrepreneurshipWatch the full episode on @FundsAndFounders #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #AustinStartups #ValetService #SecurityBusiness0:00 - Introduction of Hunter Burkey and his current roles0:35 - Brief mention of failed business attempts1:10 - Hunter's experience being homeless and living in his car9:10 - Discussion about failed businesses and lessons learned17:06 - Addressing fears and challenges in the early days of the business19:07 - Major setback: losing a significant client and nearly shutting down30:40 - Handling the challenge of parking 2300 cars per night35:48 - Current size of the valet company (approximately 150 employees)41:20 - Insight into company culture and employee communication42:37 - Transition from valet services to starting a security company47:30 - Introduction to Formula One events through valet connections49:23 - Hunter's involvement with the F1 travel team50:53 - Construction Security55:08 - Scaling the company1:00:00 - Closing remarks

Sep 4, 2024 • 1h 3min
Building a Multimillion-Dollar Agri-tech Empire | Nikhil Dixit - E32
In this captivating episode of Funds and Founders, Nikhil, CTO and co-founder of Hylio, shares the inspiring journey of building an innovative drone company. From their initial focus on drone delivery to pivoting into agricultural applications, Nikhil reveals the challenges and triumphs of creating cutting-edge drone technology. Tune in to discover:- The evolution of Hylio from a drone delivery concept to a leader in agricultural drone solutions- Overcoming technical and regulatory hurdles in the drone industry- The importance of perseverance and adaptability in entrepreneurship- Insights into scaling hardware production and navigating complex sales processes- The role of co-founders and support systems in startup successWatch the full episode on funds and founders.

Sep 3, 2024 • 1h 11min
Raising Millions for the Future of Sustainable Farming | Jessi Roesch - E31
In the latest episode of Funds and Founders, Jessi, founder of Downland, reveals how agrotourism and regenerative agriculture could revolutionize land management and food production. Discover how matching landowners with next-generation land stewards can restore landscapes and create sustainable business models. Tune in to explore:- The journey of building an AgTech startup from scratch- How to leverage your unique strengths and network in entrepreneurship- The crucial balance between mission-driven goals and venture capital expectations- Strategies for validating your business model and preparing for fundraising00:46 - Entrepreneurial journey06:05 - what a land steward does and their responsibilities?09:33 - Agrotourism12:48 - Decision of taking passion to a full time job16:48 - how did you get a hundred customer interviews?20:52 - Regenerative farming26:30 - Understanding the customer wants in a business29:36 - Journey of a Solo founder33:25 - Eliminating the uncertainty and challenges in the entrepreneur journey34:47 - Crossfit journey42:34 - Product Development Strategy for a Marketplace Startup47:26 - Finding the right partners and right advisors54:13 - Fundraising process1:02:33 - Rapid fire question1:09:15 - Question for the future GuestSubscribe now and hit the notification bell to Funds and FoundersMentions:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessi-roesch-rhymes-with-fresh/Check out the Funds & Founders Community:Reach out to Abhi at abhinavsinha.podcast@gmail.comWebsite: fundsandfounderspodcast.com

Aug 8, 2024 • 1h 9min
Building a Feature vs Creating a Product | Simran Singh - E30
Simran Singh narrates his entrepreneurial journey from his college days at Duke University to co-founding Zogo, a financial education platform which was eventually acquired by Peak Six. He elaborates on the challenges of early-stage startups, the pivoting of Zogo, and decision-making processes related to product development and market targeting. Simran also introduces his new venture, SwayStack, while providing valuable insights on growth, partnerships, and maintaining an entrepreneurial mindset. Additionally, the episode explores influential books like 'Poor Charlie's Almanac' by Charlie Munger, favorite tools and tech stacks like Notion, JIRA, GitHub, Figma, Google Drive, AWS, and Dynalist, and shares advice on resilience, support systems, and customer engagement. The conversation wraps up with anticipation of the next guest's insights into the role of mentors or advisors. If you’re looking for the motivation and insight needed to build a successful startup, this episode is for you.Key Takeaways:• How will you know when to invest in an initial MVP?• Calculating market size to predict scalability• How working with private equity can be beneficial to your long term visionKey Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(01:31) - Simran’s Indian Family Influence(04:40) - Challenges and Learnings from Zogo(14:39) - Navigating Early MVPs(29:25) - Balancing Risk and Stability(35:50) - Zogo's Business Development Strategy(36:23) - Sales and Marketing(38:36) - Total Addressable Market (TAM)(46:50) - Acquisition by Private Equity(55:27) - Post-Acquisition Reflections and New Ventures(59:12) - Rapid Fire Questions and Resources(01:07:40) - Final ThoughtsKey Topics Discussed:Funds and Founders, Austin Texas, Abhinav Sinha, entrepreneurs, startups, venture capitalMentions:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esimran/Check out the Funds & Founders Community:Reach out to Abhi at abhinavsinha.podcast@gmail.comWebsite: fundsandfounderspodcast.com

Jul 31, 2024 • 1h 10min
The Evolution of South by Southwest (SXSW) | Hugh Forrest - E29
Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer at SXSW, shares his 35 years of experience shaping this iconic festival. He reveals the origins of SXSW, inspired by the New Music Seminar, and recounts pivotal moments like Johnny Cash's appearance and Twitter's launch. Hugh discusses the festival's shift from music-centric to a wide-ranging tech and creative platform, its significant economic impact on Austin, and upcoming challenges with the convention center's reconstruction. He also touches on the intersection of quantum technology and AI, highlighting the ongoing adaptability of SXSW.

Jul 24, 2024 • 1h 2min
Scaling, Hiring, and Building Strong Teams | Vikas Punna - E28
Vikas is an experienced entrepreneur, advisor and the Managing Director of Frisco Analytics. In this conversation, he discusses the importance of selecting good advisors and how he identified gaps in the tech consulting space to grow his successful company later acquired by Huron. Vikas gives insights on how to build the right team, and sales strategies, navigate acquisitions and foster the right team culture. Finally, he shares his experiences with acquisition processes, incentive structures in consulting, managing multiple ventures and the value of direct feedback and the growth dynamics in the tech industry.Key Takeaways:• Choosing experienced advisors to save on finances and time• Identifying what’s missing on the team and choosing members with the right culture fit• Addressing incentive structures in consulting as a worker retention strategy• Insights into the acquisition process for consulting teams• Addressing the need for direct and honest feedback• Navigating the complexities of managing multiple venturesKey Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(04:55) - Building a successful consulting business(07:30) - Scaling and managing growth as an Investor(09:05) - Proven incentive structures in the consulting space(15:17) - What is product market fit?(21:24) - The company acquisition journey and post-sale experience(33:48) - The process of underwriting a deal(35:21) - When does one need an exit strategy?(39:17) - Deal flow, evaluation and selection criteria used to issue funding(48:29) - Strategic investment roadmapsKey Topics Discussed:Funds and Founders, Austin Texas, Abhinav Sinha, entrepreneurs, startups, venture capital, product-market fit, acquisition, team building strategyMentions:Website: https://www.friscoanalytics.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikas-punna-94b33216/Check out the Funds & Founders Community:Reach out to Abhi at abhinavsinha.podcast@gmail.comWebsite: fundsandfounderspodcast.com

Jul 17, 2024 • 1h 4min
3 Steps Every Startup Should Immediately Implement | Vinay Chandrasekaran - E27
Vinay Chandrasekaran, founder of Frontek Solutions, Crayon’d, and Layerpath, shares his fascinating journey from learning HTML as a teenager in India to becoming the CEO of a successful SaaS company. Vinay delves into his entrepreneurial motivations, experiences at Zoho, and the essential role of community, mentorship, and resilience. He also discusses raising venture capital and emphasizes the importance of energy, passion, and mindset. Additionally, Vinay reflects on how his endurance sports endeavors have shaped his discipline and mindset and explores the idea of merging his tech expertise with sports training. The episode concludes with his thoughts on manifestation and public speaking. If you’re looking for the motivation and insight needed to build a successful startup, this episode is for you.Key Takeaways:• What’re the first three steps a founder should take in building a startup?• What does failing fast look like in the startup ecosystem?• When will you know to raise venture capital?• What is the role of a Chief Focus Officer?Key Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(03:18) - Building Frontex Solutions(06:12) - The Role of Community in Entrepreneurship(08:23) - Building a Founding Team(10:32) - Joining Zoho(14:36) - Travel and Personal Growth(20:48) - Returning to Entrepreneurship(25:57) - The First Thing Startups Should Do(31:53) - Bringing an Idea to Market(34:49) - The Importance of Founder Fit(41:13) - Raising Venture Capital(51:19) - Burnout and Support Systems(53:41) - Closing ThoughtsKey Topics Discussed:Funds and Founders, Austin Texas, Abhinav Sinha, entrepreneurs, startups, venture capitalMentions:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivinayc/Check out the Funds & Founders Community:Reach out to Abhi at abhinavsinha.podcast@gmail.comWebsite: fundsandfounderspodcast.com

Jul 10, 2024 • 1h 5min
The Iron Triangle: Integrating Product, Engineering, and Design | Alberto Silveira - E26
Alberto Silveira is a seasoned engineering leader with a diverse career spanning companies like IBM, Kaplan, Amplify, OnDeck, and currently, HireVue. He is also the author of the book, Building and Managing High Performance Distributed Teams. Alberto discusses the differences between leading small and large engineering teams, the importance of creating a positive engineering culture, and the nuances of hands-on leadership. He also shares his passion for distributed teams, the challenges of scaling team culture in a remote environment, and his philosophy on balancing immediate deliverables with long-term team health. Alberto reflects on his career journey, the lessons learned from writing his book on high-performance distributed teams during the pandemic, and offers advice on overcoming organizational challenges by taking an inclusive leadership approach. Key Takeaways:• How can you humanize work culture in a remote environment?• How can you create focused teams to improve delivery and outcome?• How the Iron Triangle allows founders to align product, engineering and design teams• Identifying problems and suggesting solutions empowers team members and builds a strong team cultureKey Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(04:40) - Hands-On Leadership as a CTO(08:45) - Defining and Building Engineering Culture(010:44) - Challenges of Scaling and Remote Work(25:49) - Balancing Change and Delivery(31:39) - Engineering vs Product Leadership(37:27) - The Iron Triangle Concept(39:18) - Importance of Design in Product Development(43:06) - Building High-Performance Distributed Teams(48:57) - Leadership and Team Motivation(60:26) - Entrepreneurship is a JourneyKey Topics Discussed:Funds and Founders, Abhinav Sinha, Abhi, Austin Texas,, Venture Capital, Ecosystem, Culture, Company Values. Collaboration, Distributed Teams, Scalability, Engineering, Technical, Product, Leaders, Product-Driven, Early-Stage, SaaSMentions:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asilveira/Mentions: Who: Building and Managing High Performance Distributed Teams, The A Method for Hiring by Geoff Smart and Randy Street, Lean Inception, Scale UpCheck out the Funds & Founders Community:Reach out to Abhi at abhinavsinha.podcast@gmail.comWebsite: fundsandfounderspodcast.com

Jul 3, 2024 • 1h 4min
Why You SHOULD NOT Follow Your Mentor | Aaron Trahan - E25
Aaron Trahan, founder of Performance Mindset Coaching, discusses the fundamental differences between a coach and a mentor. Aaron shares his journey to becoming a coach, emphasizing the importance of having a coach for achieving personal and professional breakthroughs. The conversation delves into identifying signals for needing a coach, finding the right coach, and getting the most out of the coaching relationship. Aaron also highlights the value of structured systems like OKRs for setting and achieving goals, and the necessity of prioritizing tasks effectively. The episode concludes with actionable insights on how to incorporate coaching strategies to accelerate growth and navigate entrepreneurial challenges. If you’re looking for the motivation and insight needed to build a successful startup, this episode is for you.Key Takeaways:• Why mimicking your mentor's journey can be a pitfall• The advantages of professional coaching over traditional mentorship• How to unlock your distinct potential• Strategies to forge your own path to success in the competitive worldKey Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(01:29) Aaron's Journey to Coaching(03:39) Coaching vs. Mentoring(05:55) Finding and Utilizing a Good Coach(09:59) Knowing When You Need a Coach(15:36) Breaking Through Personal Barriers(33:06) The Importance of Accountability in Achieving Goals(36:52) Leveraging Coaching(40:29) The Power of Prioritization(43:28) The Warren Buffett Priority Story(48:26) Frameworks and Operating Systems(56:03) The Importance of Morning Routines(59:26) ConclusionKey Topics Discussed:Funds and Founders, Austin Texas, Abhinav Sinha, entrepreneurs, startups, venture capital, coaching, mentoring, coach, mentor, goal setting, achievement. operating systems, routinesMentions:Website: https://performancemindsetcoaching.co/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-trahan-6135909Check out the Funds & Founders Community:Reach out to Abhi at abhinavsinha.podcast@gmail.comWebsite: fundsandfounderpodcast.com


