Inception

Founder Ben Branson speaks with Managing Partner Mike Edelhart about Pollen Projects , the world's first venture studio dedicated entirely to the non-alcoholic category. Ben shares how his experience growing up on a farm in rural England inspired his creative experimentation with botanical extracts, how that passion and creativity has transformed into a series of highly innovative non-alcoholic br...

In this Inception episode, CEO Nick Allen about his company Sunnyside , providing a simple, structured approach to more mindful drinking. Nick explains why Sunnyside focuses on helping its users decrease alcohol intake as opposed to attempting complete sobriety; the huge market for this novel approach (nearly 1 in 3 adults in the US alone!), the myriad of incentives the program provides, and the h...

CEO Nick West talks about Bandit Running, a thriving next-gen performance and lifestyle apparel brand for runners. Nick shares how he attributes much of his company's success to their "obsession with community" and their strong emphasis on user experience; the humbling, highly enthusiastic response they've received since the launch of their very first product; and the many exciting developments on...

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with CEO Raina Kumra about Spicewell , the world's first superfood seasoning. Raina shares how the creative method she used to sneak nutrients into her family's meals during Covid transformed into the idea for her company, the incredible reception the product has received so far (consistent 200% Amazon growth month over month!), and the exciting numerous opport...

In this episode, CEO and Co-Founder Monique Meneses talks about  Iota , the first nutritional body care brand that addresses problems before they occur, instead of just masking or retroactively treating them. Monique shares how Iota’s formulas are developed in close collaboration with an impressive scientific board and lab team to optimize the microbiome’s comple...

CEO & Co-Founder Emily Doyle talks about DUNE , a suncare brand she launched with her Co-Founder, Mei Kwok, poised to revolutionize the antiquated sunscreen landscape with products clinically proven to “protect and perfect all skin tones.”  Emily shares how a part of DUNE's formulation was inspired by Nickelodeon slime; the intense psychological research behind its composition, retail dis...

In this episode, CEO Anu Sharma talks about her startup Millie, a company that provides comprehensive, wraparound maternal care from conception through the first year of parenthood. Anu discusses how the current care model is failing mothers in the US and how the experience of her own complicated childbirth inspired her to join forces with a talented, proactive team of health professionals to foun...

CEO Omar Dekkiche shares how his company Amatera is accelerating the natural evolution of plants to combat climate change and crop disease. Omar recalls how growing up on a farm in France motivated him to found Amatera, the moment of inspiration he had when he met his brilliant cofounder at the Entrepreneur First accelerator program, and his plans to use their breakthrough cellular evolution techn...

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with CEO Nora Cavani about her company Alba Health , empowering every child to have the healthiest, best start in life. In this episode, Nora explains how Alba is developing a simple yet incredibly insightful test to assess the microbiome of infants to identify and mitigate current and future health complications. Nora shares the overwhelmin...

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Charlie Silver, CEO of Ruby Bio, a company making sustainable, scaleable replacements for the harmful chemicals in nearly all the materials in our everyday lives. In this episode, Charlie shares how he and his cofounder developed the brilliant idea of creating low-cost, high-value biodegradable ingredients using naturally occurring yeast; how his decades o...

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with CEO Katy Cottam about how Luna Daily makes microbiome-balancing, taboo-breaking body care for all skin, even the most intimate. In this episode, Katy shares how a life-altering health experience at a very young age inspired her to start her company, how her equally intense roles at two large corporations and one scrappy startup gave her the deep and multi-...

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart speaks with Amélie Quilichini, CEO of  Kolibri , a company that plays music to cells to unlock the cell culture revolution.  In this episode, Amélie shares the ingenious way Kolibri uses acoustic waves to create the optimal environment for cell growth and production; how overcoming the intense biases she's experienced as a young, blonde, fema...

From hand-cranked computers to touchpad screens, from “walking on the skulls of the dead” to building teams in virtual worlds, our oldest partner Mike Edelhart and youngest partner Jenna Jung discuss the difference 50 years have made in revolutionary tech, global power, and our ever-evolving VC culture. Plus, they try to answer the looming question: Are we innovating toward a dead end?

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Lauren Picasso, CEO of Cure , a premium hydration brand with a science-backed formula, plant-based ingredients, and four times the electrolytes of leading sports drinks. Lauren shares how a highly effective, globally implemented hydration formula inspired her to found the company; the unanticipated health benefits the product provides to people with health...

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Sabina Bruehlmann, CEO of Nimble , a company transforming personalized health through actionable intelligence from the gut microbiome. In this episode, Sabina shares how Nimble’s novel science unlocks vast amounts of information that we’ve never been able to access before, the seemingly unlimited myriad of applications these invaluable insights will delive...

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Jamie McCroskery, CEO of Bluebird , helping brands produce climate-friendly products and authentic sustainability stories about them. In this episode, Jamie shares how living on a glacier in New Zealand for 15 days inspired him to abandon his career at a big tech corporation, explains how improving sustainability practices directly corresponds to increasin...

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Chris Bryson, CEO of New School Foods, about creating whole-cut fish made entirely from plants that looks, cooks, flakes, and tastes just like wild salmon. As the past founder of a successful e-commerce company with absolutely no culinary experience, Chris didn't foresee leading an alternative protein startup being the next step in his career. But upon rea...

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Martin Stübler, CEO of BioFluff , developing the world’s first entirely plant-based fur. In this episode, Martin explains how a 12-week lockdown in a tiny town in Catalunya sparked the idea for his business, describes the fascinating technology behind Biofluff’s remarkable quality and versatility, and shares his long-term vision of becoming the go-to perfo...

In this episode of our Inception podcast, Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Sarah Adler, CEO of Wave , a mental health digital ecosystem designed for the digital native. Sarah shares how her past hedge fund analyst career and current psychiatry background empowered and inspired her to found Wave; the many challenges involved in serving a generation whose current system is entirely inc...

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Christoph Jenny, co-founder of  Planted,  a company producing delicious plant-based meat with only natural ingredients and perfect bite. In this episode, Christoph talks about how their clear-cut core strategy, dedication to the perfect product, value-based philosophy, and unique geographical market advantages have gained...

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Nieves Martinez Marshall, CEO of Novel Farms , a company growing muscle and fat cells to produce delicious, environmentally-friendly whole cuts of meat. In this episode, Nieves explains how their groundbreaking scaffolding technology sets them apart from other meat cultivation companies; their goal to restore conventional pork to the more flavorful, health...

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Stella Smith, CEO of pirkx , providing affordable health and wellbeing benefits to anyone – whether self-employed, part of a small business, or an individual and their family. In this episode, Stella shares the story of her fascinating transformation from a bright-but-naughty young kid, to London's version of a "Titan of Wallstreet," to her new role as the...

To kick off the podcast’s fourth season, Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Claire Cherry , our talented new London-based Investment Partner. With starkly different backgrounds, but a deeply shared passion for the ever-evolving VC landscape, Mike and Claire discuss everything from the many surprising benefits of our diverse team’s unconventional culture to how always considering the global...

Brian Tran and David Stevens are co-founders of  Serif , a global members club for LGBTQ+ leaders and creators. In this episode, they talk about the widely diverse and distinguished user base Serif is attracting, how they’re completely revolutionizing the application of NFTs, and their vision of making the power of the thriving and influential queer community accessible to anyone, anywhere.

To celebrate our fourth anniversary, Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Jun Deng, an Investment Partner at our funds. In this episode, Jun talks about our unique and controversial thesis, the remarkable way in which our strategy, team, and company culture have evolved over the years, and the fascinating (and highly profitable) future we predict for investing in the emerging science of Healt...