Inside the Round
Inside the Round
Podcast Description
What happens in the room where the deal gets done?Join fundraising expert Helena Fogarty as she pulls back the curtain on startup funding. Each episode features a founder who just closed their round, sharing the raw, unfiltered truth about what it really takes to get investors to wire the money.No sanitized success stories. No vague platitudes. Just real founders revealing their exact process, pivotal moments, uncomfortable conversations, and strategic decisions that led to millions in funding.Whether you're preparing to raise capital or simply fascinated by the inner workings of startup finance, "Inside the Round" delivers the fundraising insights you won't hear anywhere else.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on startup funding, resilience, and founder experiences, with episodes like From Rejection to Resilience featuring David Dellapelle discussing cybersecurity and the importance of customer feedback, along with strategies for building investor relationships and navigating challenges like funding and maintaining personal balance.
What happens in the room where the deal gets done?
Join fundraising expert Helena Fogarty as she pulls back the curtain on startup funding. Each episode features a founder who just closed their round, sharing the raw, unfiltered truth about what it really takes to get investors to wire the money.
No sanitized success stories. No vague platitudes. Just real founders revealing their exact process, pivotal moments, uncomfortable conversations, and strategic decisions that led to millions in funding.
Whether you’re preparing to raise capital or simply fascinated by the inner workings of startup finance, “Inside the Round” delivers the fundraising insights you won’t hear anywhere else.
In this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty interviews Haley Swartz, co-founder of Actual Veggies, a company dedicated to creating healthier, restaurant-quality veggie burgers. They discuss the journey of starting the company during the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges of fundraising, the importance of having a strong co-founder relationship, and the role of accelerators in their growth. Haley shares insights on navigating the food industry, building investor relationships, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a startup founder.
Takeaways
The idea for Actual Veggies was born out of a need for healthier veggie burgers.
Starting during COVID presented unique challenges but also opportunities.
Working with chefs is crucial for developing quality food products.
Building a strong co-founder relationship is essential for success.
Raising capital requires careful planning and understanding of the investor landscape.
Legal counsel is vital in navigating fundraising and contracts.
Feedback from potential customers can validate product ideas before launch.
Maintaining a work-life balance is important for long-term success.
Investors can provide valuable insights beyond just funding.
The startup journey is a continuous learning experience.
Chapters 00:00 The Birth of Actual Veggies 03:00 Navigating the Challenges of Startup Life 05:47 The Role of Accelerators in Growth 08:49 Innovating in the Food Industry 11:42 Building a Strong Co-Founder Relationship 14:51 Raising Capital: Strategies and Insights 17:45 Understanding the Investor Landscape 20:48 Lessons from Fundraising Experiences 23:33 The Importance of Legal Counsel 26:32 Preparing for Future Raises 29:37 The Evolution of Company Culture 32:21 Maintaining Balance as a Founder 35:11 The Future of Actual Veggies
Helena’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenafogarty
Hailey’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haileyswartz/
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