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

Sita Chantramonklasri (Siam Capital) - How to raise a VC fund as a first-time manager, what investing in sustainability really means and her due diligence process

Thank you Oscar Adelman for the introduction to our guest today, Sita Chantramonklasri, Founding Partner at Siam Capital. Siam Capital is in search of innovation that betters people and the planet. We discuss how Sita got into investing, what it was like raising a fund for the first time, what investing in sustainability really means, and her underwriting guidelines. Some of the questions I ask Sita: Tell me about your journey into venture and your interest in investing Innovation and capital Wh...

Aug 23, 202233 min

Clément Pointillart (Verlinvest) - How do you examine brand equity, Why rummaging through the trash made him interested in consumer and Does product innovation matter in CPG

Our guest today is Clément Pointillart, Executive Director at Verlinvest. Verlinvest is an international, evergreen investment company with over €2bn assets under management backed by families who have together built some of the world’s largest consumer brands.Their portfolio includes Oatly, Who Gives a Crap, Vita Coco and Hint. Clement leads the Verlinvest US office and am part of the Consumer Products and Retail practice. We discuss how he examines brand equity, if product differentiation real...

Aug 18, 202239 min

Jonathan Wolfson (Brainiac Foods) - What nutrients have been missing for kids and how he’s changing it

Our guest today is Jonathan Wolfson, who is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Brainiac Foods. Brainiac Foods produces brain-boosting snacks with the nutrients young minds need. We discuss his framework for founding a company and the origin story of Brainiac and what he thought was missing from the market and his approach to building product and new SKUs. Without further ado, here’s Jonathan. And there you have it. I hope you all enjoyed that. Before founding Brainiac, you’ve been a very succe...

Aug 16, 202234 min

Susan Lin (Felix) - What consumer-driven means, what are real competitive advantages for companies, and why Felix raised $600 million

Thank you Oksana Stowe for the introduction to our guest today, Susan Lin. Susan is a Partner at Felix Capital. Felix Capital is one of the premier consumer investors based in the UK. Some of their investments include Goop, Oatly, Peloton, Seller X. We discuss what consumer-driven means and how that’s even spilled over to B2B, difference when scaling a european company vs. U.S., what are real competitive advantages for companies, and why Felix recently raised $600 million What was your attractio...

Aug 09, 202234 min

Ollie Forsyth (Antler) - The New Creator Economy, Web3 and what social platforms are most vulnerable right now

Our guest today is Ollie Forsyth, Global Community Manager and Investor at Antler. The global venture capital firm enabling and investing in the world's most exceptional people from the earliest stages. Ollie recently published a piece called “The New Creator Economy: A guide on Web3 creator platforms”. We focus our conversation on his learnings while researching this paper and as you can imagine the future of the creator economy and Web3.

Aug 04, 202231 min

Mike Asem (M25) - Why the midwest the perfect place to launch and invest in consumer startups, diversity report insights and creating a VC board game

Our guest today is Mike Asem, General Partner of M25. M25 is an early-stage venture firm based in Chicago, investing solely in companies headquartered in the Midwest. We discuss what movie got intrigued by venture capital, what’s misunderstood about investing in the midwest and the consumer landscape in that region, and his learnings since publishing M25 diversity report. Without further ado, here’s Mike What was your attraction to entrepreneurship and venture capital? How did you found M25? Wha...

Aug 02, 202231 min

Jeff Nobbs (Zero Acre Farms) - How he's changing cooking oil for the better

On today’s episode we’re talking about cooking oils. Thank you Craig Shapiro for the introduction to our guest today is Jeff Nobbs, who is the founder and CEO of Zero Acre Farms. Zero Acre Farms is on a mission to remove destructive vegetable oils from the food system. Zero Acre Farms is an oil that’s instead made from fermentation. Some of the questions I ask him: When did you start to care about health and the science of nutrition? You’ve started quite a few businesses before and you’ve been v...

Jul 26, 202236 min

Mark Achler (MATH Venture Partners) - How to Exit Right

My guest today is Mark Achler, who is a serial entrepreneur and Managing Partner at MATH Venture Partners. Recently he published his book that he co-wrote with Mert Iseri called Exit Right. which is about how to position and think about a successful exit way before it happens. So on this episode, we discuss how to Exit Right. What were your biggest learnings from those interviews in “Exit Right” Trust - we wish CEOs would come to us before Is there misalignment between VCs and founder/CEO How sh...

Jul 21, 202244 min

Justine Palefsky (Kindred) - How she created a travel community that led to a house swapping platform, how to construct a marketplace where your supply equals your demand, and approach to monetization

Our guest today is Justine Palefsky, Co-founder and CEO of Kindred. Kindred is the trusted home swapping network and harnesses the power of community to allow you to travel more for less. We discuss the opportunity within travel and house swapping and how to construct a marketplace where one unit of supply equals one unit of demand What is Kindred? How did you both meet? Did you both always have the intention of founding a business? When was the aha moment that led to Kindred? How is Kindred dif...

Jul 19, 202234 min

Juan Pablo Cappello (Nue Life) - Ketamine and psychedelic therapy, what’s wrong with current healthcare incentives, and picking the right investment partners

Our guest today is Juan Pablo Cappello, founder of Nue Life. Nue Life is a mental wellness company that offers in-home ketamine therapy. This was a fascinating conversation about where our current healthcare system has failed us with the wrong incentive structure, new alternative therapies, his own mission and inspiration, and what the goal is for Nue Life. Some of the questions I ask Juan Pablo: When were you first exposed psychedelics and ketamine? What inspired you to found Nue Life? How did ...

Jul 14, 202253 min

Luke Vernon (Ridgeline Ventures) - Why family offices are great investment partners for brands, investment timelines and do brands need product innovation to succeed?

My guest today is Luke Vernon, Managing Partner of Ridgeline Ventures. Ridgeline Ventures is an independent investment group that provides founders and brands a unique alternative to traditional investment firms. Some of their investments include Cotopaxi, Bobo’s, OROS, and Pro’s Closet. Previously he was the CEO of Eco products, which he grew from $1mm to $80mm. We discuss his learnings as an operator, why he invests in consumer brands where other investor interest has softened, the benefits of...

Jul 12, 202237 min

Joe Spector (Dutch) - How he’s changing the pet industry and how his approach to fundraising has evolved

Our guest today is Joe Spector, Founder & CEO of Dutch. Dutch is the online vet care when you need it. Previously Joe was one of the founders of hims & hers. We discuss the opportunity he saw within pet insurance and care, how his approach to fundraising is different than hims & hers, why he wants to change the incentive structure within the vet industry. Why did you decide to leave hims & hers? What was the aha moment that led to Dutch? What was the opportunity that you saw? Why...

Jul 08, 202228 min

Brian O’Malley (Forerunner Ventures) - How he’s investing in the empowerment economy, the evolution of consumer venture capital and raising $1 billion fund

Our guest today is Brian O’Malley, Partner at Forerunner. Forerunner is one of the top consumer venture capital firms that tirelessly champions founders who deliver the innovation they demand. Some of Brian’s investments include Sunday, Canal and Dumpling. Recently they raised $1 billion for Fund 6. We discuss how Forerunner’s thesis has evolved over the past few years, what is the empowerment economy, and current valuation and venture climate today. We discuss: How do you define investing in co...

Jul 05, 202239 min

John Timar (Kill Cliff) - Why they doubled down on their core audience in times of doubt, How the Navy SEALs inspired the creation of the brand, and His approach to partnerships for growth

Our guest today is John Timar, CEO of Kill Cliff. Kill Cliff is America’s best-selling clean energy drink and the official drink of the Atlanta Braves. We discuss how the Navy Seals impacted John and led the founding of Kill Cliff, some of the creative marketing initiatives Kill Cliff has done the past few years including a partnership with Joe Rogan, why at one point they considered a rebrand, and how they doubled down on their core audience and release new SKUs. Without further ado, here’s Joh...

Jun 29, 202257 min

Patrick Chun (Juxtapose) - What is an inception stage investment firm, why it’s less risky than modern venture capital, how he recruits CEOs to lead each business he incubates

Our guest today is Patrick Chun, Founding Partner of Juxtapose. Juxtapose is an inception stage investment firm. Some of the companies that they founded include Tend, Care/of, and Dayforward. Their process for how they build companies is pretty unique for this show. We discuss their model, why their model is less risky than traditional venture capital, and his process for finding the right CEO to lead each business. Without further ado, here’s Patrick. What is Juxtapose? What was the initial ins...

Jun 23, 202229 min

Patrick Schwarzenegger (MOSH) - Why he's creating the tools for a "mindstyle" lifestyle, why he co-founded a brain bar brand and how he got into angel investing in health and wellness brands

My guest today is Patrick Schwarzenegger, CEO and cofounder of Mosh. Mosh is a brain wellness brand co-founded by both Patrick and his mom, Maria Shriver. They’re on a mission to change the conversation about brain health through food, education, research and providing the tools for a "mindstyle" lifestyle. Patrick is also an actor, angel investor in a number of health and wellness brands. We discuss what attracted him to innovation within health and wellness, how he became interested in investi...

Jun 21, 202233 min

Ariana Thacker (Conscience VC) - What it means to invest in deep tech x consumer, How she raised her first VC fund, and Her definition of a moat

Our guest today is Ariana Thacker, founder of Conscience VC. Conscience invests into early-stage & science-led consumer startups. We’re going to discuss why science-led consumer startups is contrarian in itself, what are real tangible defensible moats, and her approach to fundraising her first fund. Why did you want to break into VC? Why did you decide to start your own fund? What was the fundraising process like? How do you partner with founders? What’s your approach to portfolio constructi...

Jun 16, 202225 min

Paul Voge (Aura Bora) - Why he decided to found a sparkling water company with weird flavors, How he entered retail during COVID, and What perception he would change when founding a CPG business

Our guest today is Paul Voge, one of the founders and CEO of Aura Bora. Aura Bora is sparkling water made from real herbs, fruits, and flowers for earthly tastes and heavenly feelings. The flavors are definitely one of kind and different like Lavender Cucumber, Cactus Rose, Peppermint Watermelon. I was skeptical at first but when I tried it, I must say I LOVED it. My personal favorite is lemongrass coconut. Paul has a pretty fascinating story about how he started and his approach to building a s...

Jun 14, 202236 min

Joe Marchese (Human Ventures) - What marketing channels brands overlook, how to partner with founders and build investment firms

Our guest today is Joe Marchese, who is a serial entrepreneur and has started a few VC funds including Human Ventures, Casa Komos, Groundswell, True X, Reserve and Attention Capital. His resume is pretty wild. Joe has alot of experience within marketing and advertising so on today’s episode we’re going to focus on how to approach marketing channels, what channels are still undervalued and maybe you can get more bang for your buck, and his approach to building brands and partnering with exception...

Jun 08, 202228 min

Matt Nichols (Commerce Ventures) - How Brands Can Leverage Web.3 to Build Community, The Future of Retail From a Crypto Lens, and Use Cases Where Web.3 Might Not Be Impactful

My guest today is Matt Nichols, founder of Commerce Ventures. They back entrepreneurs from every background building the infrastructure for tomorrow's industries. We focus our time deconstructing web.3 and how it could be impactful to brands and change retail. Here are some of the questions I ask Matt: How did you get started in venture capital? When did you found Commerce VC? Why the focus on retail? How can blockchain technology help retail? What’s wrong with current loyalty programs? Paint us...

Jun 01, 202233 min

Seth Goldman & Chef Spike Mendelsohn (Eat The Change & PLNT Burger) - Why they decided to found two companies together, and their approach to making the world a better place

Our guests today are Seth Goldman and Spike Mendelsohn, co-founders of Eat The Change and PLNT Burger. Eat the Change is a snack company that’s on a mission to create chef-crafted and nutrient-dense snacks that are kind to the planet. PLNT Burger are plant-based burger restaurants. Currently they have 11 of them. Prior to going into business together, Seth is well known for being the founder of Honest Tea and Chef Spike Mendelsohn was one of the Top Chefs on the show Top Chef and started quite a...

May 26, 202238 min

Amy Lacey (Cali’flour Foods) - How she created a cauliflower pizza dough that exploded online and the changes she had to make for retail

Our guest today is Amy Lacey, founder of Cali’flour Foods. Cali’flour makes craveable comfort food that’s always low carb. With simple fresh ingredients and no fillers. That includes pizzas, crusts, flatbreads, crackers and full on entrees. We discuss why Amy became an entrepreneur, how she created a cauliflower pizza recipe that wasn’t brittle and didn’t fall apart, even with incredible ecommerce sales, why she decided to partner with a retail-minded investor as opposed to an ecommerce minded o...

May 24, 202246 min

Melissa Urban (Whole30) - How she founded Whole30 and created her own health & wellness content empire

Our guest today is Melissa Urban, Founder of Whole30. The Whole30 program eliminates cravings, improves physical energy and quality of sleep and has changed millions of people’s lives. It’s a pretty amazing story. We’re going to hear how Melissa changed her lifestyle completely, getting into nutrition and getting in shape. Why she started a blog and ran this 30 day diet experiment and that turned into what became Whole30. How she approaches partnerships with CPG brands that fit the Whole30 ident...

May 19, 202243 min

Jordan Gaspar (AF Ventures) - How she transitioned from law to investor, when brands are going omnichannel, and her approach to portfolio construction

Our guest today is Jordan Gaspar, the Managing Partner at AF Ventures. AF Ventures is dedicated to growing the next generation of brands, having invested in Circul, By Heart and Harmless Harvest. We discuss how she founded AF Ventures and leveraged her network as a lawyer, and how she thinks about growth for digitally native brands in this current age. Some of the questions I ask her: Can you please share a little about AF Ventures background? What was your initial attraction to consumer brands?...

May 17, 202231 min

Marc Hostovsky (Minoan) - How he's creating 'native retail', connecting ecommerce and in real life experiences to try out products

My guest today is Marc Hostovsky, founder of Minoan. Minoan connects people with products in spaces that feel like home. This is a concept that Marc calls native retail. We discuss what’s missing today when it comes to trying out products, the intersection of ecommerce and retail and what is actually native retail. Here are the questions I ask Marc: What was your attraction in ecommerce? Why did you want to work in ecommerce? What were some of your learnings at Walmart that have impacted you? Wh...

May 12, 202239 min

Natalie Gordon (Babylist) - How she combined content and commerce to better serve expecting parents, her approach to raising capital and creative product partnerships

Our guest today is Natalie Gordon, founder and CEO of Babylist. Babylist is a baby registry and ecommerce platform, combining content, commerce and data to serve millions of expecting and new parents. We focus on why Natalie decided to start Babylist when she just became a new mother, how reading The Lean Startup impacted her decision making to solving the chicken and the egg problem of marketplaces, finding product-market fit and a unique approach to partnerships. Here are some of the questions...

May 05, 202232 min

Nick Saltarelli (Mid-Day Squares) - How he built a passionate audience, why his family decided to found a chocolate company, and their approach to content

Our guest today is Nick Saltarelli one of the Co-founders of Mid-Day Squares. Mid-Day Squares is the first functional chocolate bar. Nick founded the company with his wife, Leslie and brother-in-law Jake. We discuss how and why his family wanted to start a chocolate company, why they decided to vertically integrate instead of outsourcing manufacturing, their combination of marrying content with a CPG and much more. Without further ado, here’s Nick. And there you have it. I hope you all enjoyed N...

May 03, 202238 min

Michael Duda (Bullish) - How to invest in brands that can appeal to the early majority, the two ways to win as a brand, and why all consumers are liars

Our guest today is our second second time guest, Mike Duda. Mike is the General Partner at Bullish. Bullish is a consumer only venture capital fund and creative agency. Some of their investments include Sunday, Spark Grills, Hu, Care/of. I mention these brands specifically because all the founders of those companies have been on the podcast but they’ve also invested in Peloton, Harry’s Warby Parker. If you want to learn the founding story of how Mike founded Bullish, highly recommend his first e...

Apr 28, 202238 min

Sumi Das (CapitalG) - How to invest in consumer tech in both U.S. and emerging markets, when does the growth stage start, and the advantages of having a single LP structure

My guest today is Sumi Das, who is a Partner at CapitalG. CapitalG is Alphabet’s independent growth fund. Some of their investments include Airbnb, Lyft, and Duolingo. We discuss CapitalG’s relationship to Google, Google Ventures, and the advantages of a single LP, Sumi spends alot of time not only thinking about consumer opportunities in North America,, but also in emerging markets so we focus on some of the differences building consumer technology and evaluating opportunities in different regi...

Apr 26, 202230 min

Nuno Gonçalves Pedro (Chamaeleon) - What consumer technology will make its way to the west, do companies create new markets, what’s after the iPhone?

Thank you Ashish for introducing me to our guest today, Nuno Gonçalves Pedro, General Partner at Chameleon. Chameleon typically invests at the seed and series a level principally product led technology companies. Some of their portfolio includes Draftkings, Robinhood and Keepsafe. We discuss the evolution of eCommerce, if companies actually create new markets, and how he uses quant to make investment decisions. Without further ado, here’s Nuno. Questions I ask Nuno: What was your attraction to t...

Apr 20, 202243 min
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