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

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
• The inspiration behind Jinx
• Her nutrition philosophy for pets
• Sourcing the right manufacturing partners & convincing them to work on Jinx
• Approach to testing if the product tastes good
• The reasons why she raised venture money (most recently a Series B)
• How she launched online
• Why Walmart has been a great partner for a premium brand
• Jinx’s market positioning compared to other premium dog food brands
• Approach to launching SKUs & new products
• How she thinks about celebrity partnerships & more

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.propellerindustries.com/

Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.

(0:00:00) - Building Companies and Working With Founders

(0:10:23) - Investing in Technology vs Inventory Businesses

(0:14:48) - Investing in Consumer Brands and Tech

(0:29:06) - Founder's Focus on Building Trust

(0:38:57) - Funding Strategy and Market Insights

(0:51:14) - Navigating Early-Stage Investing Strategies

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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 Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/

Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.

(0:00:01) - Future of Gaming and Innovation

(0:03:47) - Gamification in Social Media and Investment

(0:09:08) - Building IP and Gamification in Gaming

(0:17:46) - Evolution of Gaming Business Models

(0:25:29) - Future of VR Platforms

(0:34:53) - Emerging Trends in Gaming Innovation

(0:46:10) - Gaming Industry Growth and Investment

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 Group, to drive growth and diversification across regions.

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.

0:00:28 - Why Do Consumers Pay a Premium for High-Quality Products?

0:07:04 - How Is the Investment Deployment Strategy Structured?

0:13:14 - What Are the Opportunities in Better-for-You Products?

0:19:01 - What Are the Market Strategies for Premium Products?

0:25:47 - How to Decode Nutrition Labels for Better Choices?

0:30:37 - How to Select the Right Brands at Conventions?

0:34:48 - How to Identify Niche Emerging Categories?

0:38:37 - How to Invest in Consumer Brands and Tech?

0:48:49 - What Is the Approach to Building a Company Brick by Brick?

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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 you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/

Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.

0:00:00 - Intro

0:03:23 - Microsoft's Early Touch Screen Technologies

0:05:36 - Designing Surface Device Controls Without Mouse

0:09:11 - Xbox Connect Speech Recognition Evolution

0:14:33 - Innovative Technologies and Timing

0:17:12 - A-B Testing and Data-Driven Decisions

0:23:10 - Profitability and Growth in Different Industries

0:26:55 - Investing Across Different Categories

0:29:53 - Robinhood Revolutionizes Commission-Free Investing 

0:36:33 - Identifying Winning Consumer Companies

0:54:15 - Venture Capital in Tech Innovation

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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 Circles differentiate itself from other companies in the industry?

00:10:35: How does Squared Circles integrate sustainability into its products?

00:12:32: What are your plans for global expansion, and how do you approach new markets?

00:19:30: Can you share a success story that you believe exemplifies the impact of Squared Circles?

00:26:00: How do you manage and scale the company’s operations as it continues to grow?

00:28:15: What strategies do you use to attract and retain top talent?

00:33:00: What are some of the most significant trends you’re seeing in your industry right now?

00:41:00: How do you ensure that your leadership team remains aligned with the company’s vision?

00:46:00: What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned throughout your entrepreneurial journey?

00:57:00: How do you measure success, both personally and for Squared Circles?

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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 Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/

Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter:

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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, the motivations that fueled their entrepreneurial spirit, and the key partnership principles that have guided their journey.

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.

(0:00:01) - Building Little Spoon With a Partner

(0:10:31) - Revolutionizing the Baby Food Industry

(0:19:15) - Expanding Product Line for Growing Kids

(0:32:56) - Direct-to-Consumer Success in Marketing

(0:46:21) - Balancing Growth and Profitability Strategy

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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, the difference between fund 3 and funds 1 and 2, what happened with Foxtrot, future of plant based meat, and much much more.

Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/

Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.

0:00:00 - Intro

0:03:32 - Trends in Food Industry Digitization (35 Seconds)

0:07:14 - Food-Centered Investing Strategy Discussion (65 Seconds)

0:13:38 - Supply Chain Investing and Business Models (78 Seconds)

0:27:45 - Channel Strategy for Expanding Food Brands (75 Seconds)

0:38:10 - Plant-Based Meat (59 Seconds)

0:41:52 - Debate on Plant-Based Meat Benefits (91 Seconds)

0:50:59 - Investing in Great Businesses (77 Seconds)

0:57:47 - Optimizing a Complex Store Concept (67 Seconds)

1:02:09 - Strategic Framework in Business Startups (54 Seconds)

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