The Pitch

Girum shares a powerful story of how medical tourism saved his brother's life, igniting his mission to create Doctours, a marketplace for healthcare. The focus on hair transplants as a starting point sparks intriguing discussions among investors about market viability. Girum details the platform's unique features, including verified reviews and clinic quality checks. Investors voice excitement and concerns, weighing the potential of TikTok marketing against traditional models. The outcome? Girum secures significant funding, setting the stage for growth.

Jesse Middleton, a venture investor at Flybridge, joins co-founders Brad and David as they sneak in as caterers with their gluten-free bagels. The duo shares their journey from health issues to creating a bagel texture that rivals the real deal. They discuss impressive early traction with famous bagel shops and their health-focused production process. The founders outline their ambitious vision for expansion and profitability while addressing investor concerns about branding and packaging. Jesse's enthusiasm leads to an angel investment commitment!

Sarah Lucena, Founder and CEO of Mappa, a startup that decodes voice signals to enhance matching for jobs and relationships, shares her inspiring journey from corporate dissatisfaction to entrepreneurship. She discusses how Mappa's technology analyzes vocal traits to predict behavioral patterns and improve connections. Investors, including Charles Hudson of Precursor Ventures, explore Mappa's potential beyond recruiting, considering applications in dating and coaching. Ethical concerns are raised about misuse, while Sarah emphasizes responsible development.

Dive into the world of venture capital as experts reveal what they truly seek in founders. Scrappy, traction-driven entrepreneurs capture attention, while authenticity in founders signals unicorn potential. This season, oddball startups like voice AI and smart inhalers steal the spotlight. Enthusiastic investors share their immediate commitments, illuminating the dynamics of deal-making. Discover the surprising criteria for investment and how to identify standout founders in a competitive landscape.

Ariel Puga, Founder and CEO of Finnecto, shares his journey from a SaaS background to tackling procurement challenges in Latin America. He discusses his innovative platform that streamlines processes with a unified entry point and tailored features for different departments. Ariel highlights the successful adoption of Finnecto across key LATAM markets and his strategic focus on CFO outreach. With strong investor interest, he reveals plans for growth, including a goal of reaching $1M ARR while navigating diverse multi-country operations.

Al Lagunas, Co-founder and CEO of Levee, is on a mission to revolutionize the hospitality industry with AI. He discusses his journey inspired by his mother’s experience as a hotel cleaner and highlights how his app enhances cleanliness inspections. With the aim of improving conditions for frontline workers, he explains the financial benefits for hotels, like boosting guest satisfaction and efficiency. The conversation also touches on challenges in transitioning to AI-enabled operations and navigating the unpredictable landscape of hospitality investments.

In this engaging discussion, Antonio Forenza, the innovative founder of Awear, unveils his mission to blend technology and mental wellness. He introduces a groundbreaking ear cuff designed to monitor brain activity and provide real-time stress coaching. Antonio shares his personal journey, emphasizing the urgent need for effective mental health tools. The conversation highlights challenges in convincing investors, the potential of EEG technology, and the vision for a future where emotional support is as accessible as physical health tracking.

Mike Burton, founder of Lock Stop, shares his journey in creating a secure bike lock that revitalizes bike racks. He discusses the evolving power dynamics between founders and venture capitalists, highlighting the challenges of negotiating investments and the importance of clear communication. Listeners get rapid updates on innovative businesses and their journeys, showcasing successful fundraising strategies and the shift towards empowering founders in the venture capital landscape. Expect insights into the emotional aspects of fundraising and the creative pivots that drive growth.

Anastasia Trofimova, the dynamic founder of Sundae, aims to revolutionize grocery shopping by merging influencers with the grocery experience. She shares her journey from Sweden to Silicon Valley, driven to tackle food and health challenges. The conversation dives into innovative ways to monetize the platform, partnerships with retailers, and the integration of social media into grocery shopping. Anastasia also faces tough investor scrutiny over her ambitious $10M valuation, making for a compelling pitch full of insights into navigating the grocery market.

Therese Canares, a pediatric emergency physician and founder of CurieDx, introduces her innovative AI-powered app that detects strep throat from a smartphone photo. She discusses the potential impact on pediatric healthcare and the importance of regulatory approval. Investors Elizabeth Yin and Jesse Middleton provide pointed feedback, questioning scalability and the dual business model. Therese shares a personal connection to the app, revealing how it helped her daughter. The conversation delves into funding challenges and shifting strategies in healthcare startups.