Startups Decoded
Startups Decoded
Podcast Description
Startups Decoded is a podcast that provides real-world insights into startup strategy and growth, featuring expert-led content, insider stories, and actionable takeaways for founders and investors. We bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering practical lessons to help entrepreneurs thrive in today’s fast-paced ecosystem. More than just a podcast, it's a resource for innovators who dive deep into the strategies behind building and scaling successful startups.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on essential startup themes such as scaling operations, hiring strategies, and the impact of climate tech. Episodes include practical discussions like how founders can build high-performance teams and strategies for hiring the right marketers at critical times, as well as examining the perception and branding of climate tech in the investment community.
Startups Decoded is a podcast that provides real-world insights into startup strategy and growth, featuring expert-led content, insider stories, and actionable takeaways for founders and investors. We bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering practical lessons to help entrepreneurs thrive in today’s fast-paced ecosystem. More than just a podcast, it’s a resource for innovators who dive deep into the strategies behind building and scaling successful startups.
Jaclyn Johnson is a powerhouse entrepreneur, investor, and advocate for women in business.
By 35, she had already launched and sold two multimillion-dollar companies, including Create & Cultivate, a first-of-its-kind platform for female entrepreneurs that scaled to eight-figure revenue and partnered with Fortune 500 brands like Amazon, Mastercard, and Microsoft.
Now, she’s back with Cherub, a double-sided marketplace designed to bridge the gap between underrepresented founders and democratizing access to category-defining companies. As both an angel investor and advisor, Jaclyn has backed businesses like Away, Live Tinted, and Chillhouse, bringing hard-won experience from her own journey into the founder–funding relationship.
In this conversation, we break down:
- Jaclyn’s origin story: why she built Cherub
- How she approaches angel investing and the lessons she’s learned
- What makes a great angel pitch (and what doesn’t)
- The realities of being an accredited investor
- Why representation in funding isn’t just moral, it’s market-changing
Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Angel Investments
02:49 Jaclyn’s Journey as a Founder and Investor
05:41 Understanding Angel Investors vs. Venture Capitalists
08:28 The Role of Angel Advisors
11:23 Building Relationships with Angels
14:15 The Power of Brand Fame
17:25 Cherub’s Mission and Deal Flow
20:07 Educating Angels and Standardizing Investments
23:13 Creating Effective Fundraising Pages
26:12 The Role of Analytics in Fundraising
29:04 Onboarding Founders to Cherub
32:01 Connecting with Angels: Best Practices
35:03 Diversifying the Investment Landscape
37:58 The Future of Angel Investing
40:35 Special Offers for Founders on Cherub
Guest Bio
Jaclyn Johnson is the founder of Cherub and creator of Create & Cultivate, which she scaled to an eight-figure exit while reshaping how brands and communities support female entrepreneurs. Named a Forbes 30 Under 30 and an Adweek Disruptor, Jaclyn is an angel investor and advisor to companies including Away, Live Tinted, and Chillhouse. She’s dedicated to making capital and community more accessible for underrepresented founders while equipping the next generation of women entrepreneurs to scale.
Who Should Listen
- Founders raising their first angel round
- Entrepreneurs seeking representation and resources
- People curious about Angel Investing and how to get started
- Operators looking to understand the angel landscape
Music Credit
“Neptuno” – Phondupe (Album: Onykia)
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Web: startupsdecoded.com
Disclaimer
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