Funded | How They Raised Millions

In this episode, we sit down with Andrés Ornelas Vargas, founder of Verve, to discuss his journey from 150 investor conversations to closing a $2.2M round. Andrés dives into the challenges of breaking through preconceptions, the lessons learned from crafting the perfect pitch, and the personal story behind Verve's mission to revolutionize dietary management. He also shares how his analytical minds...

This episode of The Backchannel breaks down how the expectations for early-stage founders have shifted in the AI era. Inspired by a conversation with Jeff Bussgang—Harvard Business School professor and author of The Experimentation Machine—we explore what venture capitalists are looking for before investing. From validating your idea to leveraging AI and affordable global talent, the bar for getti...

In this New Year’s episode of The Back Channel , we talk about the power of simple outreach and why reconnecting with your network can be the best business development move for the year ahead. Drawing from personal stories and founder advice, we explore the impact of small, thoughtful gestures—like a quick “Happy New Year” note—and how they open doors for future opportunities, from fundraising to...

In this episode of The Backchannel , we ask a critical question for founders: Should you actually be raising venture capital? We break down why most founders chasing VC money are doing it for the wrong reasons—whether it's validation, peer pressure, or simply not knowing other options. We also explore two common categories of founders who mistakenly pursue VC dollars and share practical ways to re...

In this episode of The Backchannel , we break down the concept of closing dates in fundraising and why they’re a powerful psychological tool rather than a legal requirement. Learn how closing dates create urgency, push investors to commit, and help fundraisers organize their rounds effectively. Whether you're a startup founder or a fund manager, this episode will help you understand how to set and...

In this episode of The Backchannel , we dive into the trade-offs between maximizing valuation and keeping deal terms simple. Whether you're a founder chasing a higher valuation or an investor protecting optics, adding deal structure can have long-term implications. Learn why simplicity often wins in the end and how complex terms like liquidation preferences, warrants, and dilution protections can...

In this episode of Funded, we sit down with John Patrick Mullin, founder of MANTRA, to explore the realities of raising capital in the volatile world of crypto. JP shares his journey through early career pivots, the highs and lows of building a blockchain startup, and the challenges of launching tokens while navigating market skepticism. He opens up about raising $11M during one of crypto's toughe...

In this episode of The Backchannel, we explore how to prepare for final VC meetings, what investors are really looking for, and how to handle the pressure of tough questions. Whether you're a first-time founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you close the deal with confidence.

In this episode of The Backchannel , we explore strategies to help a founder turn investor interest into momentum during a challenging fundraise. From avoiding reliance on a single viral moment to showcasing consistent progress, we discuss practical ways to create the perception of unstoppable growth. Whether you’re pitching now or planning your next round, this episode offers sharp, actionable in...

In this episode of The Backchannel , we talk about the realities of raising capital and why many founders may not be ready for venture funding. Instead, we explore the often-overlooked world of angel investing—who angel investors are, how to find them, and how to tailor your pitch to different types of angels. Whether you’re building a billion-dollar startup or a sustainable small business, this e...

In this episode of The Backchannel, Jason unpacks why many founders struggle to raise capital in today’s cautious VC environment and offers alternative strategies to keep momentum. Learn how to tap into angel investors, leverage AI, and access global talent to build traction on a lean budget. Tune in to hear how you can turn obstacles into opportunities—and don’t miss the next episode, where Jason...

In this episode, Ron Belldegrun, co-founder of ByHeart, shares how he raised over $300 million to transform the infant formula industry with cutting-edge science and a vertically integrated supply chain. Ron dives into his experience navigating the fundraising landscape, balancing the expectations of consumer and life science investors, and winning support for a mission-driven product in a highly...

In this episode of The Backchannel , we dive into a personal story that brings three critical fundraising lessons to life. Learn why early-stage fundraising is truly a numbers game, how your conviction in your vision can withstand rejection, and why giving value before seeking it can build powerful, reciprocal relationships. We’ll also explore how investor psychology plays a role in deal-making an...

In this episode of The Backchannel , we explore why making in-person connections can be a game-changer for founders. Recorded on location in Austin, Texas, Jason shares insights sparked by his own travel experiences, focusing on why meeting face-to-face can have a major impact on relationship-building, especially when it comes to securing investments.

In this episode of The Backchannel , we're dropping a quick but essential take on balancing brilliance and likability and how both play into the fundraising game. We revisit a core concept from a past episode: time given – time to interest . If your brilliance gets investors hooked fast, you don’t need as much relationship-building. But if it takes longer to spark that interest, likability becomes...

In this episode, Curtis Northcutt, MIT PhD and founder of CleanLab, shares his compelling journey from rural Kentucky to raising $25 million from Menlo Ventures and Bain Capital. Curtis reflects on the challenges of growing up with limited opportunities, the loneliness of dreaming big in a small town, and how those experiences ignited his drive to build something meaningful. He also dives into the...

In this episode of The Backchannel, we're diving into the role anxiety plays in fundraising, especially when it comes to warm introductions with investors. If you’ve ever hesitated to reach out to old contacts or second-guessed your follow-ups, this one's for you.

In this episode of The Backchannel, we’re talking about how VCs need to raise money too, not just startups.

In this episode, we dive into the concept of awareness for founders, focusing on how to effectively create it.

In this episode of The Backchannel, we talk about handling the pressure of investor pitches. Many founders feel anxious about facing tough questions from investors, but it’s important to understand that these questions often come from genuine interest, not an attempt to catch you off guard.

After bootstrapping her company for months, Teasha Cable, founder and CEO of CModel decided it was time to raise. But early on, the rejections came in hard. Instead of giving up or getting offended, she learned from each rejection, tweaked her approach, and started executing on what investors wanted to see.

In this episode of The Backchannel, we explore the different types of angel investors you’re likely to encounter early on in your startup journey.

In this episode of The Backchannel, we explore the ins and outs of valuation caps and uncapped SAFEs. Many founders toss around terms like valuation caps without fully understanding their impact, and we’re here to break it down.

In this episode of The Back Channel, Jason tackles the often misunderstood concept of valuation caps in fundraising. He walks through what a valuation cap is, how it works, and its role in SAFE agreements and convertible notes.

In today's episode, we hear from Michael Diesu, co-founder & CEO of Revenue Roll on how he raised his $2.5M seed in one of the toughest markets Venture Capital has seen in years.