Consumer VC: Venture Capital I B2C Startups I Commerce | Early-Stage Investing I Brands

Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. Our guest on today’s episode is Daniel Faierman, Partner at Habitat Partners. Habitat Partners is an early-stage venture fund that is part of Red Antler. Red Antler is one of the premier branding and marketing agencies. We focus this conversation on Habitat Partners investment strategy. The relationship with Red Antler, why they both invest in consumer brands and software businesses, the differences in the underwriting process in each of these business types, why for them it makes to have two strategies, how he thinks about returns. 00:00 Introduction 02:04 Daniel's Journey into Food and Beverage 04:13 Challenges of Innovation in Big CPG Companies 08:05 The Role of Strategic Partners in Scaling Brands 09:34 Red Antler's Venture into Investment 19:54 Habitat Partners' Investment Strategy 28:29 Sourcing and Red Antler's Impact 29:55 Introducing Propeller Industries 30:49 Key Metrics for Consumer Brands 34:19 Navigating Competitive Investment Landscapes 34:46 The Role of Creative in CPG and B2B SaaS 37:21 Transitioning from Health and Wellness to B2B SaaS 40:06 The Importance of AI in SaaS 43:35 Evaluating Founders and Teams 46:46 Lightning Round: Trends, Myths, and Personal Insights 54:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to host Bryan Kim, Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, for an insightful conversation on the intersection of venture capital and consumer innovation. Brian shares his remarkable journey from a thriving career in investment banking to becoming a driving force in the tech industry. He opens up about the transformative experience of working with Alibaba during its groundbreaking IPO and how it inspired his pivot toward partnering with visionary founders. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. (0:00:00) - Intro (0:08:51) - Snap's Early Growth and User Engagement (0:20:32) - AI Innovation in Consumer Companies (0:35:26) - Founders and AI Innovation Trends (0:44:22) - The Future of Social Products (0:52:49) - Revolutionizing Revenue Models With AI (0:57:49) - Book for Growth and Inspiration Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74Z... Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... Follow on Twitter: / mikegelb Follow on Instagram: / mikegelb Follow on TikTok: / consumervc

Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.Thank you Jerry Staub for the intro to our guest today is Terri Rockovich, Founder & CEO of Jinx. Jinx is a dog food brand that offers premium kibble, homemade toppers, and beef crumbles and are made by a team of pet nutritionists and veterinarians.We discuss:How legacy brands create their dog foodThe inspiration behind JinxHer nutrition philosophy for petsSourcing the right manufacturing partners & convincing them to work on JinxApproach to testing if the product tastes goodThe reasons why she raised venture money (most recently a Series B)How she launched onlineWhy Walmart has been a great partner for a premium brandJinx’s market positioning compared to other premium dog food brandsApproach to launching SKUs & new productsHow she thinks about celebrity partnerships & more

Jonathan Keidan, founder of Torch Capital and former talent manager in the music industry, discusses his transition to venture capital. He explores how nurturing emerging artists parallels supporting startup founders. He shares insights on investing in tech versus inventory-based businesses and emphasizes the importance of brand trust in attracting early-stage investments. The conversation highlights key strategies for navigating shifting market landscapes and the value of strong communication with consumers. Keidan also reflects on lessons learned from influential figures in his career.

In this episode with Brian Cho, co-founder and general partner at Patron, we explore the intricacies of the gaming world's future. From the complexities of cross-currency games to the delicate balance of control and user flexibility within game economies, Brian offers his invaluable perspective. We delve into the sustainability of centralized models and the transformative potential of generative AI and blockchain technologies on the gaming landscape.Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.(0:00:01) - Future of Gaming and Innovation(0:03:47) - Gamification in Social Media and Investment(0:09:08) - Building IP and Gamification in Gaming(0:17:46) - Evolution of Gaming Business Models(0:25:29) - Future of VR Platforms(0:34:53) - Emerging Trends in Gaming Innovation(0:46:10) - Gaming Industry Growth and Investment

Marcel Bens, CEO of Emil Capital Partners, shares insights on early-stage investments in consumer brands. He discusses the rise of 'better-for-you' products and why consumers are willing to pay a premium for quality. Listen in as he breaks down investment strategies, focusing on deploying $1-5 million checks to bridge gaps between angel investors and private equity. Marcel also emphasizes the importance of decoding nutrition labels and navigating brand discovery at expos, all while advocating for transparency in consumer choices.

Our guest today is Vanessa Larco, Partner at NEA. She shares her journey from pioneering XBox at Microsoft to navigating the social gaming boom with Playdom and making her mark in venture capital. Discover her investment ethos centered on consumer passion projects, successful investments in companies like Robinhood and Mejuri, and her insights on AI's transformative potential across industries. This episode is filled with valuable lessons and expert knowledge from Vanessa's diverse career.Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.0:00:00 - Intro0:03:23 - Microsoft's Early Touch Screen Technologies0:05:36 - Designing Surface Device Controls Without Mouse0:09:11 - Xbox Connect Speech Recognition Evolution0:14:33 - Innovative Technologies and Timing0:17:12 - A-B Testing and Data-Driven Decisions0:23:10 - Profitability and Growth in Different Industries0:26:55 - Investing Across Different Categories0:29:53 - Robinhood Revolutionizes Commission-Free Investing 0:36:33 - Identifying Winning Consumer Companies0:54:15 - Venture Capital in Tech InnovationSubscribe to Our Newsletter:https://www.theconsumervc.com/Subscribe on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74ZMqodx5UmAeWAOJF?si=e0bd72bc48b341abSubscribe on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-consumer-vc-venture-capital-i-b2c-startups-i/id1484646914Follow on Twitter:https://twitter.com/MikeGelbFollow on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mikegelb/Follow on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@consumervc

In this engaging discussion, Osman Khan, the CEO and co-founder of Squared Circles, shares insights on how AI is transforming product development in consumer brands. He highlights the unique approach of integrating sustainability into their offerings while navigating the complexities of brand innovation. Osman also discusses the ‘conscious maximalist’ concept, emphasizing the balance between quality and affordability in eco-friendly products. With a focus on strategic partnerships and leadership lessons, this conversation is a goldmine for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Our Guests Today is Abby Miller Levy, the visionary founder of Primetime Partners. In this enlightening episode, Abby shares her journey from personal frustration with her aging parents to spearheading a venture capital firm that is revolutionizing opportunities for older adults. Discover How Abby and renowned venture investor Alan Patricof are fostering entrepreneurial innovation to transform the aging experience, highlighting key startups that tackle this pressing challenge.Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.Subscribe to Our Newsletter:https://www.theconsumervc.com/Subscribe on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74ZMqodx5UmAeWAOJF?si=e0bd72bc48b341abSubscribe on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-consumer-vc-venture-capital-i-b2c-startups-i/id1484646914Follow on Twitter:https://twitter.com/MikeGelbFollow on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mikegelb/Follow on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@consumervc

Our guests today are Angela Vranich and Ben Lewis, the dynamic duo behind Little Spoon, as we explore their journey from high school sweethearts to co-founders of a revolutionary baby food brand. Listen in as they share how their early fascination with consumer brands led them to the natural products industry, and how their personal relationship evolved into a successful business partnership. Angela and Ben provide a candid look at the challenges and rewards of building a business as a couple, the motivations that fueled their entrepreneurial spirit, and the key partnership principles that have guided their journey.Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.(0:00:01) - Building Little Spoon With a Partner(0:10:31) - Revolutionizing the Baby Food Industry(0:19:15) - Expanding Product Line for Growing Kids(0:32:56) - Direct-to-Consumer Success in Marketing(0:46:21) - Balancing Growth and Profitability StrategySubscribe to Our Newsletter:https://www.theconsumervc.com/Subscribe on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74ZMqodx5UmAeWAOJF?si=e0bd72bc48b341abSubscribe on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-consumer-vc-venture-capital-i-b2c-startups-i/id1484646914Follow on Twitter:https://twitter.com/MikeGelbFollow on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mikegelb/Follow on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@consumervc