Funding & Disrupting

Show Notes:  ●      Catherine Boule is a molecular biologist turned venture capitalist, with expertise in healthcare, market, and healthcare technologies. ●      Karista's relies on internal due diligence and external expert consultation to decrease risk and develop relationships as early-stage investors in complex ideas. ●      Karista hires managers with diverse backgrounds to ensure they better understand the people they are financing. ●      Karista's exits and experience in M&A, IPOs on Euronext and NASDAQ, and even a rare occurrence of management buyback. ●      Expectations for tech companies seeking VC funding include being prepared to share power and strategy with investors, establishing trust with VC partners, and finding investors who share their company's vision. Background: Catherine Boule is a Molecular biologist who previously worked as a Scientific Researcher at Institut Curie. However, she realized that she did not want to spend her entire career in the lab and was advised to gain some business experience. To this end, she pursued an MBA, which opened up a whole new world outside of her lab work. At that time, there were very few VC firms in France, and Catherine's first job was as a Project Manager for Life Sciences at IDFI Incubator, now known as Incuballiance. Later on, she joined Karista VC firm, where her expertise in healthcare, market, and healthcare technologies was highly valued.Karista’s Portfolio:Karista, a Paris-based firm, has been operating for 21 years with a team spread across France, the UK, Portugal, and Spain. Initially, they invested in a broad range of high-tech companies including healthcare and digital, through a generalist fund. However, now they specialize in deep tech and space tech.Karista’s Exits:Karista has had around 25 exits with experience in many different outcomes. They have dealt with M&As in Europe, the US, and Asia, as well as IPOs on Euronext and NASDAQ. While they prefer M&A, they were also seed investors in three of the six French biotech companies listed on NASDAQ. In a rare occurrence, they even had one company where the management bought back the company.What should tech companies expect when they get VC for the first time?When seeking VC funding, it's important to be prepared to share power and strategy with the investors. Karista won't invest if they can't have a say in the direction of the company. Founders need to establish trust with their VC partners because investors are investing in the dreams and visions of entrepreneurs. Connect With Catherine:You can get in contact with Catherine and Karista via email: Catherine.Boule@Karista.VC Connect With Funding and Disrupting:Follow us on LinkedIn or TwitterApply to be a guest on the showSubscribe to our email listConnect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

Tim Flannery co-founded Passthrough and currently serves as its CEO. He's known for his entrepreneurial spirit and competitive drive. In his 30s, he took up rugby and now enjoys playing the sport with his two children and his work. Show Notes: ●      Working as a VC exposed Tim to different business models and leadership styles, but he realized he enjoyed building things more than investing in them.●      Passthrough was created to solve the problem in the onboarding process of venture firms. They developed a solution that makes it easier for people to invest in venture funds quickly, and they are now helping around 250 fund managers. ●      Passthrough bootstrapped its business and raised $5 million in seed funding in 2021, followed by another round of $10 million in 2022. ●      Positive Sum, an investor in Passthrough, has a large network and takes a hands-on approach that has been invaluable to Passthrough. They also provide a highly effective distribution channel through Patrick O'Shaughnessy's podcast "Invest like the Best."Passthrough - Automates The Subscription Process For Private Funds. Focusing on Less Time Spent Going Back and Forth, Better Compliance, and Structured Investor DataCheck the podcast for:• Tim's Entrepreneurship Path to Passthrough• What Tim Learned in VC and Why He Transition to Founder• Passthrough Overview• Passthrough's Capital Raising Experience• Passthrough's Initial Interactions with Positive Sum• Other Ways Positive Sum Supports Passthrough• No two Investors are the Same• Advice for Vetting and Connecting to Partners• The Plan to Scale Passthrough Currently, Passthrough is providing fund closing services for fund managers, and their goal is to become their go-to option. However, they also see potential opportunities in serving enterprise and API customers. Over the next few years, they'll explore these avenues and figure out how to scale them. Connect With Tim: You can get in contact with Tim and Passthrough via email: sales@passthrough.comConnect With Funding and Disrupting: Follow us on LinkedIn or TwitterApply to be a guest on the showSubscribe to our email listConnect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

Show Notes:How Marco's education and career path led him to venture capitalWhy Marcos created VamosVentures and their investment thesisThe role failure plays in the success The importance of curiosity VamosVentures ideal investment, typical involvement, and exit strategyInvesting in All Up and how it came togetherThe mindset Marcos looks for in foundersAn overview of where VamosVentures is with fundraising and investing todayConnect With Funding and DisruptingApply to be a guest on the showSubscribe to our email listConnect With Marcos and VamosVenturesYou can get in contact with VamosVentures by visiting their website, Medium, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.You can get in contact with Marcos through his Twitter, LinkedIn, or direct email.Connect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

In this episode, Keith interviews Kyle York, the Co-Founder, CEO & Managing Partner of York-IE. York-IE invests at the earliest stage through Series A startups. They are exclusively focused on business-to-business (B2B), subscription, and Software as a Service (SaaS) companies. In this discussion you’ll hear about:Kyle’s background and what lead him to create York-IEHis experience at Oracle and how it impacts how he invests todayYork-IE’s investment thesis and what differentiates them from other VC firmsWhat due diligence looks like with York-IEVetro: What they do, how Kyle met them, and why he decided to investKyle’s advice for investors and foundersConnect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

This episode marks an exciting milestone for Funding and Disrupting with our very first interview of both a female VC Firm Founder and a female Tech Company Founder. Our VC firm guest is Dr. Melody Lang, the Founder of the MPA Learning Fund, and our Tech Company Founder is Vivi Friedgut, the CEO & Founder of Blackbullion. Introductions to MPA and Blackbullion A look into Dr. Melody Lang’s background and what makes her a unique investor What differentiates MPA Learning FundHow Vivi and Melody met and their experience working together What excited Melody about Vivi’s visionHow Blackbullion is turning learning into action Due diligence from Blackbullion’s and MPA’s PerspectiveVivi’s advice to other entrepreneursHow MPA is working with Vivi to support her visionMelody’s advice to women entering the venture capital spaceVivi's advice to other female tech founders considering partnering with a VC firmConnect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

In today's episode of Funding & Disrupting, host Keith Herman interviews Jose Luis Silva, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Dux Capital, and Brian York, Co-Founder & CEO of Cubbo. Dux is an early-stage VC firm investing in US-based Latinx founders. They provide funding to groups that have been historically underinvested, overlooked, and underrepresented. Cubbo is a Latin American technology company that fulfills e-commerce orders for direct-to-consumer brands. Why Dux was created and where the name came from Dux’s portfolio, what sets them apart, and how they decide whom they invest inHow Dux and Jose Luis came to know Brian and CubboWhy Brian decided to start Cubbo in LatAm and how they are innovating the supply chain Why Brian likes working with newer VC’s like DuxThe importance of having a great team Cubbo’s pivot away from a self-storage concept The due diligence process with DuxBrian's advice to tech founders if they want Dux as an investorJose Luis’s advice for tech founders in the early stages of raising capitalHow to get in contact with Jose Luis and Brian Connect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

This week’s episode of Funding & Disrupting presented by Oura Collective welcomes Daniel Ibri, the Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Mindset Ventures. He discusses what lead him to create the firm, the unique benefits, and challenges of being an international investment group, and talks through Mindset's relationship with PayJoy.Story NotesWhat lead Daniel to create Mindset VenturesMindsets operation structureThe firm's current and past funding roundsWhat is PayJoyHow Daniel and Mindset got involved with PayJoyHow Mindset adds value to international parents entering Brazillian markets Challenges of early-stage investing Connect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

In this week's episode of Funding and Disrupting, host Keith Herman talks with Brad Yasar, CEO and CoFounder of EQIFI, and Kim Oishi, President of Grand Rock Capital about why they decided to work together, what DeFi is, and the keys to starting a successful business.Story NotesWhat is EQIFIHow Brad and Kim metWhat Grand Rock looks for in investmentsThe financial journey of EQIFIAdvice for entrepreneurs in their quest for capitalAdvice on growing a company from the ground upHow Grand Rock is supporting EQIFIWhere is EQIFI in regard to raising capitalInformation for other investors interested in joining this ventureConnect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

Upland was founded in 2018 by serial entrepreneurs Dirk Lueth, Idan Zuckerman and Mani Honigstein they raised $18M on $300M Series A in October 2021. The team includes 130 members since their launched in early 2020. They reached profitable in 2021 as one of the largest blockchain-based metaverse mapped to the real world with over 280k "landowners" with various game engagement points; sold over 4M NFTs. It started as a "property trading game" (think Monopoly) and evolved today into a platform where creators, developers, and brands launch their own experiences and applications (think "iOS" for the metaverse).Upland is also the entrepreneurial metaverse where e.g. players can create and run their own ventures like selling "outside decor" and other creations. It is currently live in 20 US cities, Rio de Janeiro and Porto (Portugal) and available on Mobile and Web. They have partnerships with NFLPA, FC Porto, Hyperloop, and others.Co-founder, Dirk Lueth, is also the author of the Amazon bestseller book "Navigating the Metaverse"; initiator and co-founder of the Open Metaverse Alliance for Web3 oma3.org. Upland is turning from a game into a platform that is launching its 3rd party developer portal this week. Upland attracted investment from C3 Venture Capital (“C3”) a venture capital company focused on managing early-stage venture funds which invest in exceptional technology companies worldwide. C3‘s mission is, among other things, to accelerate growth, development and especially adoption of blockchain technology. Connect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

This week’s episode of Funding & Disrupting presented by Oura Collective welcomes guests Bryson Hearn, the Manager at Village Capital and Eric Chebil, the Founder and CEO of Cher.App. In this episode, Keith Herman interviews Bryson and Eric to know more about Cher.App, a free service helping renters co-own their dream home.Story Notes:Bryson and Eric BackgroundsReceptivity to Advice and FeedbackHow do Cher.App WorksVillage Capital’s Investment ProcessExperience Learned on Village CapitalThank you for joining us on this episode of Funding & Disrupting. Don't forget to visit our sponsor OuraCo.com to learn more about working directly with OURA Collective's exclusive technology PR team. They'll help you craft your message, get noticed in the press, and help you get your venture to the funding finish line.Again you can visit them at www.OuraCo.com  Keep Funding, and Keep DisruptingConnect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

This week’s episode of Funding & Disrupting presented by OURA Collective welcomes Mateo Folador, Columbian Founder and CEO of Talentu. In this episode, Keith Herman interviews Mateo Folador to know more about how Adelante is disrupting the Latam Tech ecosystem.Story Notes:How did Tech Industry in Columbia EvolveWho have Inspired you to Pursue your Journey in Tech WorldStarting AdelanteBiggest Challenge in AdelanteAdoption of New TechnologiesHow Much Time and Effort have gone into Fundraising for your CompanyLocal VS International InvestorsThank you for joining us on this episode of Funding & Disrupting. Don't forget to visit our sponsor OuraCo.com to learn more about working directly with OURA Collective's exclusive technology PR team. They'll help you craft your message, get noticed in the press, and help you get your venture to the funding finish line.Again you can visit them at www.OuraCo.com  Keep Funding, and Keep DisruptingConnect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

This week’s episode of Funding & Disrupting presented by Oura Collective welcomes Nathaniel Harding, Managing Partner at Cortado Ventures. Keith interviews Nathaniel to know more about Cortado Ventures. It is an early-stage funding company investing in growth-driven companies. The interview digs deep into the working of Cortado and their investment strategies. Story Notes: Working with U.S. Air ForceTransitioning career journeyAll about CortadoTeam-building and more What is Recuro Health Founders of RecuroInvestment rounds followedHow to make investment strategiesConnect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

This week’s episode of Funding & Disrupting presented by Oura Collective welcomes Josh Chapman, Managing Partner at Konvoy Ventures. Keith interviews Josh to know more about Investing in Gaming, Blockchain & NFTsStory Notes:Working Early on With BlackRock as an AnalystTransition to Venture CapitalVideo Gaming IndustryAll About Konvoy Investing in the Gaming IndustryWhat is Genopets Blockchain Gaming CompanySpecific Aspect that you Find Most Promising About the PlatformNFT Market Aspect  Two Types of NFTsFounders of GenopetsWhat is Co-Investing QA Process in Making an InvestmentWhat Makes you Invest in GenopetsAdvise in Developing Technology PlatformThank you for joining us on this episode of Funding & Disrupting. Don't forget to visit our sponsor OuraCo.com to learn more about working directly with OURA Collective's exclusive technology PR team. They'll help you craft your message, get noticed in the press, and help you get your venture to the funding finish line.Again you can visit them at www.OuraCo.com  Keep Funding, and Keep DisruptingConnect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

This week’s episode of Funding & Disrupting presented by Oura Collective welcomes Sanjay Prasad. He is a brilliant surgeon with over 30 years of experience and the Founder & CEO of SurgiQuality. Sanjay is also an Assistant Professor at George Washington University and an Author. With so much experience and expertise, Sanjay always looks for ways to achieve more than himself. Keith interviews Sanjay to know more about his unique healthcare platform named SurgiQuality. What led to the idea of SurgiQuality?In the interview, Keith asks Sanjay about his observations in regards to surgeries these days. Sanjay candidly shares how most people are not much aware of the right surgeries. He talks about how people undergo some surgeries that they never needed. Also, some people connect to surgeons who rarely offer the best outcomes. All such problems of patients develop complications, and they may need even more surgeries. Sanjay feels that the healthcare sector needs more accountability today. Did you know 15-25% of surgical procedures performed today are unnecessary?Sanjay felt the quality of work was missing. He thought, “How do patients get to the right surgeon who has the best outcomes?” and it is where the idea of SurgiQuality came.How SurgiQuality works?To get a deeper insight into the platform, Keith asks Sanjay about the primary problems that SurgiQuality solves. Sanjay shares that the prime problem SurgiQuality disrupts and improves drastically is getting referrals from primary-care physicians to surgeons. Most of the time, primary doctors do not have the best information about the surgeons. It is where SurgiQuality helps primary doctors with referrals.Sanjay elaborates how SurgiQuality works. And according to Sanjay, everyone wins with the use of SurgiQuality. Patients get the best surgeons, and the quality of surgery improves. The surgeons get the patients in their area of interest and expertise. Moreover, primary doctors can give better referrals. So, it is a win-win for all.How did the funding process go?In the next segment, Keith asks Sanjay about the partnerships and the funding method followed by SurgiQuality. Sanjay shares that SurgiQuality has partnered with over 30,000 surgeons in 50 states. They have contacts with 300 surgery centers and hospitals. Talking about funding, Sanjay shares how he started the idea in 2014 with a small team of people. He also mentions how he invested heavily into it. Today, SurgiQuality is in series A-round raising 5 million for sales, marketing and customized technology for SurgiQuality.Sanjay also talks about what they look for in an ideal investor. He also talks about partnering with VC firms that bring contracts and connections.Sanjay Also Provides Life-changing Advises for Patients & ProfessionalsStory Notes:What motivates Sanjay?Experience & observations in surgeriesProblems solved by SurgiQualityWho can benefit?Partnerships & FundingAdvice for transforming healthcareThank you for joining us on this episode of Funding & Disrupting. Don't forget to visit our sponsor OuraCo.com to learn more about working directly with OURA Collective's exclusive technology PR team. They'll help you craft your message, get noticed in the press, and help you get your venture to the funding finish line.Again you can visit them at Connect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

This week’s episode of Funding & Disrupting presented by Oura Collective welcomes Nicholas Cocks, Founder & Managing Partner of Velocity Ventures & Hans Paul, Co-Founder & CEO of Aigens. Keith interviews the two guests to discuss and know more about their journey of funding and disrupting.In the fascinating double interview, both Nicholas and Hans open up and talk about all things funding. They also share their entrepreneurial journey stories. Thank you for joining us on this episode of Funding & Disrupting. Don't forget to visit our sponsor OuraCo.com to learn more about working directly with OURA Collective's exclusive technology PR team. They'll help you craft your message, get noticed in the press, and help you get your venture to the funding finish line.Again you can visit them at www.OuraCo.com  Keep Funding, and Keep DisruptingConnect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

In this episode, Keith Herman interviews Risto Rossar, Insurance Innovator and Investor discuss The Journey of INSLY Raising Capital and Getting into the Insurance Sector.Story Notes:Getting into the Insurance SectorForming a Company in FinlandSurfing for Marketing Insurance PlatformINSLY Unique OffersGo Digital in Insurance  Raising Capital and Meeting the Financial Obligations Meeting Concentric Raising Capatil an Advantage in IntroductionBuilding Inbound PipelineProcess in Raising MoneyINSLY JourneyThank you for joining us on this episode of Funding & Disrupting. Don't forget to visit our sponsor OuraCo.com to learn more about working directly with OURA Collective's exclusive technology PR team. They'll help you craft your message, get noticed in the press, and help you get your venture to the funding finish line.Again you can visit them at www.OuraCo.com  Keep Funding, and Keep DisruptingConnect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

In this episode, Keith Herman interviews Tobias Schwind of FTTF Ventures and Max Gulde of ConstellR discuss funding and their recent partnership.Story Notes:Evolution of Emerging TechnologiesAbout FTTFFraunhofer TechnologySolving the Problem of ConstellRImpression in Meeting MTTF TeamChallenging in a Role of a CEOSkill Set for Entrepreneurs to Execute their Business PlanAdvice on Working with Tech FoundersProcess in Speaking and PresentationOpen to New Relationship and ArrangementsCo-investing and PartnershipIdeal PartnersThank you for joining us on this episode of Funding & Disrupting. Don't forget to visit our sponsor OuraCo.com to learn more about working directly with OURA Collective's exclusive technology PR team. They'll help you craft your message, get noticed in the press, and help you get your venture to the funding finish line.Again you can visit them at www.OuraCo.com  Keep Funding, and Keep Disrupting!Connect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

In this episode, Keith Herman interviews Naushad Contractor, Founder of Fable Fintech, shares his journey in Fundraising and Offers Global Cross Border Payments with World Class Plug-N-Play PlatformsStory Notes:The 30,000 foot view of Naushad Contractor Career.The Greatest Influence in Growing UpInterest and Hobbies that keeping Life HumorousChoosing the Right Team in Solving a ProblemDealing with Person to Person RemittanceBiggest Challenge for FableScaling Fable and Marketing StrategyAcquiring Capital for Fable.Interactions with PentathlonDue Diligence ProcessGreatest Lesson Learned in Raising CapitalHow Pentathlon Accelerating Fables GrowthThank you for joining us on this episode of Funding & Disrupting. Don't forget to visit our sponsor OuraCo.com to learn more about working directly with OURA Collective's exclusive technology PR team. They'll help you craft your message, get noticed in the press, and help you get your venture to the funding finish line.Again you can visit them at www.OuraCo.com  Keep Funding, and Keep Disrupting!Connect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

In this episode, Keith Herman interviews Tess Cosad, Co-Founder & CEO of Bea Fertility shares her journey in Fundraising and Democratizing Access to Fertility Care.Story Notes:Astrophysics and CosmologyAbout Bea FertilityIntracervical Insemination ProcessBiggest Challenges an entrepreneurDeciding to Approach a Potential InvestorProcess in Building a List of InvestorsMeeting with Lead InvestorFundraising JourneyFundraising Advice for Female EntrepreneursThank you for joining us on this episode of Funding & Disrupting. Don't forget to visit our sponsor OuraCo.com to learn more about working directly with OURA Collective's exclusive technology PR team. They'll help you craft your message, get noticed in the press, and help you get your venture to the funding finish line.Again you can visit them at www.OuraCo.com  Keep Funding, and Keep Disrupting!Connect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

In this episode, Keith Herman interviews Kjartan Rist, Founder of Concentric discusses a balanced investment strategy to accelerate sustainable growth.Story Notes:Path to ConcentricWhat Makes Concentric UniqueThe Investments of ConcentricInvestment with InsleeDue Diligence Process to Move ForwardAdvice on Presenting Tech ProjectInvesting in ConcentricThank you for joining us on this episode of Funding & Disrupting. Don't forget to visit our sponsor OuraCo.com to learn more about working directly with OURA Collective's exclusive technology PR team. They'll help you craft your message, get noticed in the press, and help you get your venture to the funding finish line.Again you can visit them at www.OuraCo.com  Keep Funding, and Keep Disrupting!Connect with the show on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube