Startup Success: A Podcast for Founders & Investors

In this episode of Startup Success, host Kate Adams sits down with Vlad Voroninski, CEO and co-founder of Helm.ai, an AI software startup that is developing the world's safest and most advanced autonomous driving systems at scale. Vlad gives us a fascinating look into Helm.ai's innovative approach to addressing previously unsolved problems in the self-driving car space, detailing how his company leverages unsupervised learning and generative AI to create scalable, robust solutions for real-time autonomous vehicle operations. We explore:Helm.ai’s bold approach to fundraising that paid off bigHow Vlad's academic background in applied mathematics helped him create technology that is transforming the automotive industryHow he knew it was the right time to finally launch his own companyThe technology that got them a foot in the door at major automakers and a sneak peek at Helm.ai’s partnership with Honda Join us for a deep dive into the challenges and breakthroughs in the autonomous driving field and discover what sets Helm.ai apart from its competitors in this fast-moving space. ----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

What if the powerful nutritional compounds in breast milk could be harnessed to improve the health of people of all ages? Today, we’re sitting down with Laura Katz, CEO and founder of Helaina, a groundbreaking biotech startup that’s pushing the boundaries of what food can do for health. Helaina’s technology platform replicates functional proteins found in the human body, making them available as new nutrients that enhance immunity, gut health, and cognitive function.Laura shares her fascinating journey from a food scientist, who initially didn't even know what a venture capitalist was, to pioneering a new era of nutrition and raising $83 million in funding.Our conversation touches on:Lessons Laura learned from her hard-fought fundraising successesThe hardest part of being a founder and why it surprised herLaura’s methodology for turning her vision into a realityThe challenges of being a solo founder and starting a company in the biotech spaceThe tremendous value of having a mentor and a supportive networkGet ready to be inspired by Laura's incredible story of innovation and persistence as she brings the future of health to life—one protein at a time.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

What if your inspiration for starting a company came from solving a problem you experienced first-hand as an engineer at a tech giant like Uber?  In this episode, we welcome Anish Dhar, Co-Founder and CEO of Cortex, to share his incredible journey from an engineer at Uber to founding Cortex, the internal developer portal that addresses a massive gap in engineering processes and recently raised a $60M Series C round.Anish reflects on how he and his co-founders identified a critical pain point that they knew countless engineers experienced but no one had tried to solve yet. Being “close to the pain” motivated them and was a huge factor in their startup’s fundraising success.Our expansive discussion touches on:What VCs are looking for at Seed, Series A and beyondAnish’s experience applying (and getting rejected the first time) at Y Combinator and how persistence paid offWhy being close to the pain point your product is trying to solve gives founders an advantageThe engineering challenges that inspired CortexIn Anish’s words, starting a company is “truly one of the most gratifying and impactful experiences that you can have. It's painful, but it's worth it!”Don’t miss Anish's story of innovation, resilience, and building a product that’s transforming the way engineers manage complex systems.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

For startups, even software startups, figuring out what is worth patenting is one of the most important moves a founder needs to make.That’s where our guest today comes in. Jeff Schox, Founding Partner and Patent Attorney at Schox Patent Group, is a patent expert who’s helped hundreds of very successful startups navigate this rocky terrain.Jeff joins us to give startup founders a basic primer on everything they need to know about patents – an often misunderstood and overlooked area. Right off the bat, Jeff dispels the three biggest myths about startup patents (1. Software isn't patentable / 2. If we can't enforce the patent, it doesn't have value / 3. The biggest costs of a patent portfolio are the legal fees). And he explains how startups can take a strategic approach to patent filing that safeguards future innovation and fuels future growth.We also discuss:All the key components around patents a founder must knowThe value of filing a provisional patent, especially for startupsWhy determining the valuation of patents is so trickyHow a good patent attorney’s key role is strategic partnerThe strict deadline after which you can never pursue a patentThis episode is truly a must-listen as it gives founders valuable knowledge on patents and patent strategies for ensuring long-term success.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

We explore some weighty questions on this episode of Startup Success, including:What would the world look like if half the venture capital dollars were in women-led funds? Is VC funding the golden ticket or just another hurdle for startups? How do we overcome the biggest limiting factor to success – ourselves?Why is the bulk of venture capital still not in the hands of women?Sutian Dong, Partner at Multitudes and a pivotal figure in venture capital, joins us to tackle these topics and to share profound insights on the dynamics that guide VC’s decision making process, how that impacts startups, and why she started her own fund.Known for her work supporting female founders and investors, Sutian is the founder of Global Women in VC, the world’s largest global community for women in venture capital. Her firm, Multitudes, is built on the thesis that the next generation of innovation will be different than the last, and they invest in and incubate projects that explore the edge of human consciousness.Join us for this enlightening discussion on the future of investing, the value of diverse perspectives, and the strategic decisions every founder should consider.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! 

To celebrate the 100th episode of Startup Success, we have two exceptional guests: Peter Reinhardt, CEO and co-founder of Charm Industrial (and the former co-founder/CEO of Segment), and Jeff Burkland, CEO and founder of Burkland.Peter and Jeff take us behind the scenes of Segment, the hugely successful startup that was acquired by Twilio for $3.2 billion in 2020. They recount their time working together at Segment, where Jeff came on board early as the fractional CFO.Jeff and Peter candidly discuss:How Peter overcame the early stage challenges that almost ended SegmentThe struggle to find product-market fitJeff’s take on what makes a great fundraising pitch (and why Peter is a natural)The pricing model that was a game-changer for SegmentFinally, Peter touches on his latest venture Charm Industrial, a carbon removal technology startup that raised  $100 million last year and has a long list of renowned US companies as customers. Tune in for practical advice, insightful stories, and real-world lessons learned from their startup experiences. Whether you're in the early stages of your startup or looking to scale, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways!----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

In the rapidly evolving world of AI, standing out requires more than just innovation; it demands leadership and a clear vision. Enter Lin Qiao, the driving force behind Fireworks AI, who is redefining the limitations of speed, value and scale in generative AI.With a $52M Series B secured earlier this summer, Fireworks AI has quickly become a major player after launching their public platform just one year ago. Lin, their CEO and Co-Founder, joins us to share the invaluable lessons she’s learned along her journey from leading Meta’s AI platform development team to founding an industry-disrupting startup.We explore:Fireworks AI’s customer obsessed culture and deep belief that “if our customers are successful, we will be successful”  How their product iterations flowed organically from their customers’ evolving needsWhy moving fast and prioritizing for speed is key to their successWhere AI is headed as it becomes more sophisticated and the industry maturesLin offers advice for founders on everything from how to avoid the “paralysis of analysis” in decision-making to strategies for driving down the cost of AI. Don't miss this insightful conversation with one of the leading voices in AI innovation.For more information about Fireworks AI, visit fireworks.ai.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

Amid high interest rates and election uncertainty, navigating the startup landscape has never been more challenging. Fortunately, our special guest, Steve Lord, is here to offer a broader perspective that may help ease your mind.As a member of Burkland’s Leadership Team, Steve serves as Managing Director of Service Delivery and Chief Knowledge Officer. Steve has been in the trenches for a while and his knowledge of the startup and venture capital ecosystem runs deep.He joins us today to discuss the current state of the startup and venture capital ecosystems and what to expect as we progress through 2024.Steve expands on:The macro factors that are making the startup landscape and fundraising more difficult right nowThe pros and cons of using Venture Debt to extend your cash runwayWhy a rigorous due diligence process that addresses all the “Gotchas” is a good thing for your startupFinding investors who are allies and who can make your company betterThe value of delegating to subject matter experts so you can stay focused on your productThe cyclical nature of VC funding and the strategic responses startups can take Tune in for practical tips on how to survive and even thrive in today’s startup environment. ----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

In this episode of Startup Success, we welcome Jaclyn Chen, Co-Founder and CEO at Benepass, a platform that solves real-world pain points for both employees and employers in the benefits space.Jacyln dives into her experience working with Y Combinator early on and how she approached fundraising during very different economic climates. And she shares some truly great advice for fellow startup founders!Highlights from our discussion include: Strategies that increase your odds of securing fundingThe parallels between enterprise sales and raising venture capitalThe evolution of the founder role from selling the vision to building a team and scaling the companyIdeas on how founders can make the due diligence process more seamless for VCsThis episode is packed with valuable insights for early-stage startup founders looking for a competitive edge. ----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

Dr. Misti Ushio, Managing Partner at Digitalis Ventures, joins us in the studio today. Misti’s entrepreneurial journey took flight with the formation of TARA Biosystems, a groundbreaking startup that developed “heart-on-a-chip” technology. From raising $20 million in venture financing to navigating the complexities of scaling a biotech startup, Misti shares the highs and lows of her journey and discusses how her talent for commercializing cutting-edge research is a perfect fit for her most recent role as a VC.Misti offers valuable advice for startup founders on a variety of topics, including:How to put together a board of directors that will best serve your startup now and in the futureThe often-overlooked impact of branding and business development on a startup's successMethods for reining in the conflicting demands of running a fast-growing startupTune in for a conversation filled with wisdom, insights, and inspiration!----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

Our guest today is Stasia Obremskey, Co-Founder and Managing Director at RH Capital, an impact-first venture capital fund that invests in the future of women's health.Stasia provides an in-depth look at the types of innovations RH Capital is passionate about and shares examples of how their portfolio companies are dramatically improving health outcomes, affordability and health equity. Listeners will learn about the potential for outsized returns in this is a large, underserved, rapidly growing market.We also discuss:The critical importance of managing every penny of your available cash, especially in this marketStasia’s advice for founders on securing fundingThe pivotal role of a CFO at a startupJoin us for this fascinating conversation and discover how RH Capital is a driving a paradigm shift in women’s healthcare.Visit RH Capital at rhcapital.vc to learn more about their mission and investment criteria. Startups pioneering change in women’s health are encouraged to submit a pitch via the Pitch Us form on their website. ----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

We’re thrilled to have Tanya Beja, General Partner at AlleyCorp, in studio for the latest episode of Startup Success. Join us for a fascinating conversation about their unique approach to investing and incubating that will strike a chord with startup founders looking to make a positive impact on society.Tanya introduces us to AlleyCorp Impact, a fund dedicated to backing founders who are intentionally building for middle or low income Americans - the 80% of families who power our economy. Impact specifically looks for compelling ideas that use tech to solve big social challenges, accelerate upward mobility, and generate strong returns.We also discuss: How AlleyCorp combines incubation and early-stage investment to build category-defining companiesReal-world examples of how their portfolio companies are impacting a wide range of human needs, such as health equity and economic securityTheir new philanthropically funded ENG(INE) program that pairs nonprofits with a team of engineers to build tech that advances social & economic opportunityTanya’s advice for founders on the importance of having a North Star, hiring amazing people, and how to pick the right investorsDon't miss this episode packed with insights and inspiration for anyone interested in the world of venture capital and impact-driven investing.For more information on AlleyCorp and to stay updated with their latest ventures, visit allycorp.com and follow them on LinkedIn. Nonprofits interested in applying for ENG(INE) can learn more at nonprofitengine.org/----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

In this episode of Startup Success, we sit down with Josh Gilbert, CFO of the VC firm Freestyle, who unravels the intricacies of venture capital investing. Josh offers an insider's perspective on the role of VC firms in the startup ecosystem and sheds light on the inner workings of how they operate.His insights on the current state of the startup/VC landscape, along with why the renewed focused on due diligence is a good thing for startup founders (despite the potential headaches), make this a not-to-be-missed episode!Highlights:Why due diligence is more stringent now and how founders should approach itHis advice on what founders need to be transparent about, including past failuresJosh details the rigorous process VCs go through in evaluating startupsHow to build strong relationships with your investors and why it’s importantJosh's dedication to supporting founders shines through, making this episode a must-listen for anyone navigating the world of startups and venture capital. Tune in to learn more about Freestyle and the secrets to startup success.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Bill Snyder, the CEO and Founder of Vivante Health. Propelled by a recent $31M Series B round, his company is on a mission to revolutionize digital health, starting with chronic GI conditions. Bill shares the founding story of Vivante Health and how their innovative platform transforms the way patients suffering from digestive health issues receive care. He also gives us a peek into the challenges of entrepreneurship, including the highs and lows of fundraising and the importance of building a strong company culture. We discuss: The 3 things Vivante Health is doing right that sparked investors’ interest The power of transparency, accountability, and collaboration in building a mission-driven organizationHow his startup is using pattern recognition to improve patient outcomesBill’s hard-won advice for dealing with obstacles that arise along the startup journeyTune in for valuable insights from an inspiring founder who built a successful startup from the ground up.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! 

Today we dive  into the world of legal strategy for startups with Charu Satia, startup attorney and Partner at Silicon Legal Strategy. With more than a decade of experience under her belt, Charu provides invaluable insights into the array of key legal issues startup founders need to be aware of from inception to exit.Charu explains why it makes sense to bet on your startup's success by investing in a solid legal foundation early on. From entity formation to IP protection, equity structuring to commercial agreements, Charu highlights the critical areas where legal counsel plays a pivotal role in minimizing risks and maximizing opportunities for startups.We discuss:The importance of working with legal counsel from an early stage to avoid costly cleanup and delays during fundraising or M&A due diligenceCommon pitfalls of opting for shortcuts like free online legal templates (hint: it may cost you more in the long run!)Actionable advice for startup founders around building a network of supportive partners Tune in to gain valuable insights from Charu Satia and learn how to lay the groundwork for your startup's success with strategic legal counsel.Silicon Legal Strategy specializes in corporate transactional work, serving as trusted advisors throughout the entire lifecycle of startups. To learn more about their laser focus on helping entrepreneurs succeed, visit: www.siliconlegal.com.———Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

Our guest today, Aagya Mathur, has an inspiring story to tell. She transformed her personal health challenges into a startup that empowers people to improve their overall quality of life.In this episode, Aagya, Co-Founder & CEO at Aavia, shares how she brought her idea to fruition with help from MIT and then recently was accepted into the Mayo Clinic and ASU MedTech Accelerator. After an incredible Q1, her startup plans to leverage the lessons they learned around pivoting, listening to customers, and the power of organic marketing to reach even great levels of success.Our conversation covers:The importance of user-centric design and staying agile enough to adapt quicklyAavia’s innovative and hugely successful approach to growth marketing through organic, education-driven content on socialWhy perseverance and grit are key to navigating the ups & downs of the founder’s journeyHer lightbulb moment of realizing that data-driven, science-backed insights could shine a light on an under-researched, under-funded area of health and potentially help half the world’s populationTune in to hear how Aavia is revolutionizing health and empowering people with ovaries to take control of their well-being, one cycle at a time.To learn more about Aavia and download the app, visit their website at aavia.io or find them on the App Store. Connect with Aavia on social media for educational content and updates on Instagram and TikTok (@aavia.io).———Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

The tech ecosystem in Los Angeles may not grab headlines like Silicon Valley, but over the past decade, it has gained some serious momentum and a several major VC players have emerged. Our guest today is Jennifer Richard, Principal at Bonfire Ventures – one LA’s top B2B venture firms.Jennifer discusses what she’s excited about in the tech sector right now, why she’s optimistic about 2024, and Bonfire Ventures’ investment approach, which prioritizes building long term relationships with founders. ​​Our conversation also covers:  Advice for founders, including how to make a positive first impression on investors Increased deal flow, more competitive rounds, and other positive trends Jennifer is currently seeing in the marketWhat Jennifer and her firm look for in startupsJennifer’s extraordinary experience as a Kauffman FellowThe latest on LA’s tech sceneTune in for the latest on the evolving startup ecosystem and real-world advice for founders in the midst of their startup journey.For more information about Bonfire Ventures and to connect with Jennifer, visit their website or reach out on LinkedIn and Twitter.———Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

Even though the success rates for startups today are sobering, there is reason to be optimistic. As our guest today, Venture Capitalist John Frankel sees it: "Cycles happen. We've gone through a downturn and I think we're now at an inflection point. We’re already starting to see some companies raise money at high valuations."John founded ff Venture Capital in 2008 and has since funded over 150 seed and early-stage companies that in turn have created thousands of jobs and impacted the lives of millions. He joins us to share his motivation for founding a VC firm, his investment philosophy, and his perspective on today’s startup landscape.Our conversation delves into:John's advice for foundersWhat his firm looks for in early stage startupsThe significance of resilience and adaptability for early-stage foundersHis current fascination with applied AI, including drones, robotics, and financial services techThis episode provides valuable insights and practical advice for early-stage founders navigating the challenging yet promising startup world.———Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! 

In today's episode, we have two VCs in the studio, Dr. Tara Bishop and Eileen Tanghal, co-founders of Black Opal Ventures, who discuss their strategic focus of supporting startups that are driving innovation at the intersection of technology and healthcare.We explore the genesis of Black Opal Ventures and how the duo, who met as freshman 30 years ago at MIT, took a leap of faith, ultimately raising $63 million for their fund.Discussion highlights:How their unique backgrounds converged in a shared vision for funding impactful innovation in healthcareTheir passion for building a future where automation/AI drives down costs, making healthcare more accessibleWhy we are now on the cusp of a massive wave of evolution in the healthcare industryBlack Opal Ventures’ portfolio, ranging from next-gen wearables to novel solutions for diagnosing lung cancerWhere Founders in this space should be focused and their thoughts on how to achieve successThe episode gives listeners a captivating glimpse into the journey of two visionary leaders shaping the future of healthcare.———Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

No matter what industry you’re in, your audience is savvier than ever about digital branding and marketing. The tactics that worked 5 years ago no longer apply. And this makes growing your business and driving sales more challenging than ever.That's why today, we're excited to sit down with a true digital marketing and branding expert to delve into strategies that will help your startup break through the noise.Our guest, Juntae DeLane, is a sought-after strategist, thought leader, and the Founder + Chief Strategist at Digital Delane, a full-service digital marketing agency. He also founded the Digital Branding Institute and has spoken around the world on the practice of digital branding.Juntae walks us step-by-step through what it takes to build a successful brand and convert customers in today’s ever-shifting market. We discuss: The new rules of SEO and how to align content with Google's latest algorithmWhy credibility & trustworthiness are key to your content creation strategyHow a CRM system can multiple the efforts of small teamsWhy personal branding is especially important for foundersHis assertion that today all brands are built on socialJuntae wraps up with insights he learned along his founder’s journey … "Being a successful founder really starts from within. It takes something on the inside that keeps you going. You have to ask yourself if you have that grit."Don’t miss this incredible episode packed with the best digital branding and marketing advice out there!———Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!