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

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

Mike Gelbredcircle.com

Consumer VC takes a look into early-stage consumer investing and venture capital. If you are interested in learning about consumer trends, have a b2c business and interested in learning about the fundraising process at the early stage, you have come to the right place.


Mike interviews some of the top venture capitalists in the world that focus on B2C and consumer type companies or have a deep track record investing in these categories such as marketplaces, SaaS, social, CPG and non-tech subscription.


Mike also interviews founders that are building some of the most disruptive consumer facing companies in the world. The conversation usually includes the insight the founder discovered, fundraising strategy, and the pitch.


This podcast also includes bonus episodes. Each bonus episode dives into a particular subject that might not have to due with the fundraise or venture capital, but still would be helpful to founders. For example, a bonus episode on brand strategy or how to construct a board of directors. All bonus episodes will be clearly labeled.


For all episodes, please visit www.theconsumervc.com. For updates, you can follow @mikegelb on Twitter.

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Episodes

Former Matchmaker Turned CEO: How Katie Wilson bought Facebook Groups to Build a Gut Health Empire

This episode is brought to you by Highbeam. Highbeam is the all-in-one banking and cash management platform built for consumer brands – https://www.highbeam.co/capital?partn... Katie Wilson is the CEO and co-founder of BelliWelli , a gut health brand that went from home kitchen experiments to the shelves of Walmart and Target —with zero paid ads and no CPG background. Before BelliWelli, Katie was a celebrity matchmaker who helped founders, actors, and CEOs find love. But a personal gut health cr...

Jun 27, 202557 min

From Surviving a Plane Crash to Building Baby Formula and Energy Drink Brands: Richard Lavar

This episode is brought to you by Highbeam. Highbeam is the all-in-one banking and cash management platform built for consumer brands – https://www.highbeam.co/capital?partn... Richard Laver isn't your typical founder. At age 12, he survived a plane crash that killed 137 people—including his father. Years later, he built Kate Farms to save his daughter's life, scaling it to hospitals nationwide and raising $75M. Then he walked away from it all. Now, he’s back with Lucky Energy —a clean, purpose-...

May 30, 20251 hr 3 min

Don’t Raise VC Money Until You Hear This | Mike Gelb with Shamin Walsh | Consumer VC

This episode is brought to you by Highbeam. Highbeam is the all-in-one banking and cash management platform built for consumer brands – https://www.highbeam.co/capital?partn… Join host Mike Gelb as he chats with Shamin Walsh, Managing Director at BAM Ventures — the early-stage VC firm behind Thrive Market, Honey, and Cotopaxi. Shamin breaks down how BAM spots winning startups early, why fund size shapes strategy, and what it really takes to build sticky consumer brands — without chasing unicorn ...

May 15, 202558 min

How Ithaca Hummus Scaled to $50M Without Venture Capital? Mike Gelb with Chris Kirby | Consumer VC

This episode is brought to you by Highbeam. Highbeam is the all-in-one banking and cash management platform built for consumer brands – https://www.highbeam.co/capital?partnerId=consumervc In this episode of The Consumer VC, Mike Gelb sits down with Chris Kirby, founder of Ithaca Hummus, to uncover how he turned a local farmer’s market stand into a $50M+ premium food brand — without traditional VC funding. Chris shares: Why he left fine dining to build a CPG brand How Ithaca Hummus was born at a...

May 02, 202556 min

Are You Building for the Right Reasons — or Just Because the Category Is Hot? Should there be a Better Business Bureau for VCs? w/ Sid Banthiya

#venturecapital #consumervc Join host Mike Gelb on The Consumer VC as he talks with Sid Banthiya — investor, advisor, and former CSO at Milk Bar. In this episode, Sid dives deep into consumer startup dynamics, term sheet red flags, and how founders can scale smarter (not louder). Learn why many startups fall into the trap of "venture validation," when bootstrapping is better, and how to navigate hot markets without losing your edge. Sid also reveals why understanding liquidation preferences is c...

Apr 22, 202559 min

The Future of Restaurant-Tech: Inside EMERGING’s $100M Fund with Mathew Focht

Mathew Focht is the Founding Managing Partner of EMERGING, a $100M growth capital fund investing in the future of restaurant-tech and entertainment. In this episode of The Consumer VC , Mathew breaks down how EMERGING helps scale innovative hospitality concepts like F1® Arcade, BatBox, Puttshack , and more. We explore why the intersection of restaurants, entertainment, and technology is such a powerful space for venture capital, how they evaluate scalable concepts, and what makes EMERGING differ...

Mar 27, 202550 min

Will AI Screw IP Holders, Content Getting Better or Worse, and The Future of Journalism with Ishan Sinha, Partner at Point72 Ventures

#consumervc #venturecapital #aicontentcreation Join host Mike Gelb on The Consumer VC as he talks with Ishan Sinha, Partner at Point72 Ventures.In this episode, Ishan shares insights into the evolving role of AI in consumer startups, the challenges of AI-driven media, and the future of monetization for creators. He discusses the impact of AI on intellectual property, whether VCs are still underestimating consumer AI, and how AI-powered businesses can scale effectively. Ishan also breaks down ven...

Mar 20, 202558 min

Selling Shorter Shorts to a Successful Exit, The Story of Chubbies with Preston Rutherford

Join host Mike Gelb on The Consumer VC as he talks with Preston Rutherford, co-founder of Chubbies. In this episode, Preston delves into their founding journey, tackling topics like why they raised VC money, overcoming early manufacturing challenges, and evolving their brand strategy. He shares insights into achieving product-market fit, the importance of balancing short-term and long-term goals, and navigating the challenges of scaling and profitability. Post-Chubbies, Preston also discusses hi...

Feb 21, 202555 min

The Fusion of Innovation and Leadership with YuChiang Cheng

Having transitioned from founding companies to supporting early-stage ventures, YC shares his passion for creating consumer-centric solutions across diverse industries. From media and sports technology to consumer goods, he reflects on shifting his focus from generating ideas himself to aiding under-managed ventures with effective execution and strategic capital alignment. YC's enthusiasm for collaborating with founders to scale their businesses offers listeners valuable insights into the entrep...

Feb 05, 202553 min

Why The Supplement Industry Is Broken and How Momentous Plans to Fix It with Jeff Byers

Thank you to our presenting partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. Our guest today is Jeff Byers, CEO of Momentous. Momentous produces and sells best in class human performance products. Previously, Jeff Byers founded Amp Human and later acquired Momentous, merging the two companies. He’s also a former professional football player and played at USC in college (F...

Jan 16, 20251 hr 7 min

Why Invest in CPG and Tech? Expected Returns and Red Antler's VC Journey with Daniel Faierman, Partner at Habitat Partners

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 w...

Jan 08, 202555 min

Is AI the Sole Future of Consumer Tech, What's Missing in Social & Will Glasses Be The Consumer Platform with Bryan Kim, Partner at Andreessen Horowitz

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 ...

Dec 10, 20241 hr 2 min

How Choosing the Best Food for Your Dog Can Add Years to Their Life & The Problem with The Legacy Pet Food Market with Terri Rockovich, Co-Founder & CEO of Jinx

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 food T...

Nov 13, 202459 min

How He Went From the Music Industry to VC, Investing in Tech vs. Brands, and When Down Rounds Make Sense with Jon Keidan

n this episode with Jonathan Keidan, founder of Torch Capital, we dive into his journey from talent management in the music industry to early-stage venture capital. Jonathan shares how nurturing emerging artists parallels supporting founders, offering unique insights into spotting potential and overcoming challenges in both fields. He reveals key lessons learned from triumphs and setbacks in building impactful companies. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindus...

Oct 18, 202457 min

The Future of Gaming: Game Economies, New Business Models, Gamification, Blockchain Technology & AI Innovation with Brian Cho, Co-Founder of Patron

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 Industr...

Sep 27, 202457 min

The Evolution of Premium Products in Mainstream Retail with Marcel Bens, CEO of Emil Capital Partners

Today, we're diving into the secrets of successful early-stage investments in North American consumer brands with Marcel Bens, CEO of Emil Capital. In this episode, Marcel shares the unique strategy of Emil Capital’s hybrid venture firm, with its sharp focus on 'better-for-you' products and how it bridges the critical investment gap between angel investors and larger private equity firms. We’ll explore how they strategically deploy $1-5 million checks, backed by the rich history of the Tangleman...

Sep 06, 202451 min

When to Invest in Consumer Technology with Vanessa Larco at NEA

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...

Aug 30, 20241 hr

Turning Science into Consumer Brands with Osman Khan, CEO of Squared Circles

Join us as we explore the cutting-edge intersection of AI, science, and consumer innovation with Osman Khan, CEO and co-founder of Squared Circles. Discover how his venture studio is revolutionizing product development and redefining the future of consumer 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. 00:00:00: Intro 00:07:30: How does Squared ...

Aug 16, 20241 hr 1 min

Investing in the Future of Healthy Living with Abby Miller Levy, Managing Partner and Founder at Primetime Partners

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 P...

Aug 02, 202458 min

How They Built a Direct-to-Consumer Baby Food Brand and Scaled to Selling Millions of Products Each Month with Angela Vranich and Ben Lewis From Little Spoon

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, t...

Jul 24, 202458 min

Future of Food Tech, Can A Retail Model Like Foxtrot Work at Scale, and Channel Strategy for Food Brands with Ashley Hartman and Andrew Bluestein @ Bluestein Ventures

Our guests today are Andrew Bluestein and Ashley Hartman, Managing Partners of Bluestein Ventures. Bluestein Ventures invests in the future of food. What does that mean? They focus on investing in High-growth consumer brands, Proprietary foodtech, Next-gen commerce, Value-add digital technology. They just raised a $45 million third fund – which huge congrats to them for doing so. We discuss the transition from family office to VC firm, investing in inventory businesses and technology businesses,...

Jun 27, 20241 hr 7 min

Unlocking the Potential of Beauty and Personal Care Brands With Manica Blain

Our guest today is Manica Blain. In this episode, we journey through the fascinating evolution of two beauty brands that have overcome initial hurdles to achieve remarkable success. Discover how an Ayurvedic beauty brand captured investor interest through high repeat purchase rates and how Everest, a hair care concentrate brand, pivoted from sustainability to performance, leading to explosive growth. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller ...

Jun 06, 202454 min

The New Types of Acquirers in Health & Wellness, Different Parts Of The Term Sheet That Could Make a Difference In The Exit, and How Deals Get Done with Teddie Townsend from CG Sawaya Partners

Our guest today is Teddy Townsend of CG Sawaya Partners, as we explore the dynamic world of health and wellness brand acquisitions.Teddy brings her expertise to the table, shedding light on why companies in this vibrant sector pursue mergers and acquisitions, and how different types of buyers, from private equity funds to strategic acquirers, approach these deals Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic fi...

May 24, 20241 hr 1 min

The Fusion of Past & Future Shopping Experiences, Insights from Brand Capital Fund's Consumer VC Benchmarks Report with Diana Melencio at XRC Ventures

Our guest today is Diana Melencio . Diana manages the entire XRC Ventures investment process across three investment vehicles – Accelerator Fund, Brand Capital Fund, and Opportunity Fund. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/...

May 09, 20241 hr 6 min

What Consumers Care About in Health & Wellness Products, How Competition Builds New Categories, and Will Ozempic Have an Impact on CPG Demand? with Dayton Miller, BFG Partners

Our guest today is Dayton Miller , Managing Partner at BFG Partners . BFG Partners help entrepreneurs build exceptional businesses that deliver sustainable growth and outperform competitors in the better-for-you food, beverage, and consumer products space. Their investments include Olipop, Athletic Greens, Caulipower, and Bobo’s. We discuss the inflection points at seed, series A, and Series B in today’s market, categories he’s excited about in consumer today, ozempic, operations metrics, and hi...

Apr 24, 20241 hr

Live from SXSW: George Milton and Erin Link – How They Founded Yellowbird Sauce

Our guest today is George Milton & Erin Link, Founders of YellowBird Foods a Modern Hot Sauce business. We discuss: • How did they get into Whole Foods? • How did they also get into Walmart? • How did their approach to retail expansion? • How did they approach branding and positioning for Yellowbird 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....

Apr 18, 202456 min

What Gives a Brand Acquisition Energy with Amrit Richmond

Our guest today is Amrit Richmond, Founder of Indie CPG since 2019, and has also joined SecureCPG recently We discuss: • What gives a food and drink brand accusation energy? • What are the different profiles of the acquire today? • Why acquire emerging brands? Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies....

Mar 08, 202452 min

He Worked with JAY-Z, Was an Olympian, and Now Runs a VC with Samyr Lainé, Founder of Freedom Trail Capital

Our guest today is Samyr Lainé, an Olympian, an amazing operator who worked with Jay-Z's, Will Smith and Jada Pickett Smith who is now the founder of Freedom Trail Capital. We discuss: • How he trained for the Olympics while being a full time law student • Working at Monumental Sports (owners of the Washington Capitals and Wizards) • Shifting towards the MLS • Getting the email that Jay-Z was looking for someone to help run his businesses • All of Jay-Z's businesses • His view on how brands can ...

Feb 29, 20241 hr 13 min

How He Built A Business Off a Fruit Peel, The Shocking Moment of Getting into Retail, and How One Chat Changed His Trajectory with Matt Weiss Founder & CEO at Rind Snacks

Our guest today is Matt Weiss , Founder & CEO at RIND Snacks Matt is the CEO of RIND Snacks, a sustainable fruit snack brand. He has over a decade of experience in the natural food industry and previously worked in investment research. Matt is also known for his advocacy in community and environmental causes, founding a nonprofit that helped establish a park in lower Manhattan. We discuss: • We discuss the inspiration behind creating a brand and a product that focuses on the peels of a fruit...

Feb 14, 20241 hr 1 min

Selling Group Nine Media, The Evolution of New York's Startup Scene and The Future of Digital Media with Ben Lerer, Managing Partner at Lerer Hippeau

Our guest today is Ben Lerer. Ben Lerer is a Managing Partner at Lerer Hippeau. Lerer Hippeau is a venture capital fund based in New York who were early investors in Warby Parker, Glossier, and Topicals. He also founded Thrillist, an online media website website back in 2004 and was former CEO of Group Nine Media until it was acquired by Vox Media. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries – https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and acc...

Feb 07, 202453 min
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