The Pitch

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.

Julian Alvarez, CEO of Jungle, an AI study app aimed at transforming students into super learners, shares his ambitious vision. Alongside investors Jesse Middleton and Kate McAndrew, they discuss Jungle's innovative, interactive approach to studying, comparing its potential to that of Duolingo in education. The conversation also navigates the challenges of securing startup funding and highlights the crucial role of AI and gamification in engaging students. Together, they explore scaling ambitions and the balancing act between growth and user experience in the EdTech space.

Gabe Elias, former Mercedes F1 engineer and CEO of Material, discusses his pivot from racing to revolutionizing battery production through 3D printing. He reveals how his groundbreaking methods aim to reshape energy supply with lithium-ion batteries of any design and shape. Investors like Paige Doherty weigh in on the financial challenges and opportunities in hardware startups, while the conversation highlights the need for innovation in battery manufacturing to meet market demands efficiently. It's a thrilling ride into the future of energy!

Luisa Castellanos, Co-founder and COO of Science On Call, revolutionizes tech support in restaurants with an AI-driven texting solution. She discusses how her startup, already in 900 locations, aims to enhance efficiency and reduce employee turnover. The conversation dives into the challenges of restaurant tech integration and automation's role in customer service. Luisa also shares insights on securing startup funding and the unique hurdles entrepreneurs face in the restaurant sector, while paving a path towards scalability.