Inside Startup Investing with Chris Lustrino

In this podcast episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino catches up with Jesse Randall, CEO of Sweater. Sweater is a platform that enables the launch of venture funds that are accessible to the general public without accreditation requirements. Jesse explains how the platform democratizes investment in private markets, traditionally reserved for the affluent, through professionally mana...

In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, host Chris Lustrino engages with Annette Azan, the founder and CEO of Nuudii System, a company pioneering the "boobwear" category that offers an alternative to traditional bras and bralettes. Annette discusses her journey from the fashion industry to entrepreneurship, driven by her need for a comfortable yet supportive option under a wedding d...

This episode into a fascinating discussion with Dutch Mendenhall, CEO of RAD Diversified, Co-Founder of RADD Companies, and author of "Money Shackles." Dutch shares his journey from a baseball coach to a real estate mogul, emphasizing the strategic acquisition of diverse real estate properties from homes to golf courses and farmlands. He elaborates on RAD Diversified's mission to democra...

This week, Chris talks with Luca Zambello, founder and CEO of Jurny, a pioneering tech company augmenting the short-term rental and hospitality industry with AI automations. Born from Luca’s early forays into luxury home rentals, Jurny evolved from a property management firm to a sophisticated software provider, addressing the industry’s scalability challenges through innovative technology. Luca d...

Chris dives into the innovative world of Infinity Fuel Cell with founder and CEO William Smith. His company, rooted in aerospace and underwater fuel cell technology, has advanced the use of hydrogen fuel cells for various applications, including space and subsea missions. Smith discusses the company's journey from high-stakes government contracts to potential commercial use, highlighting their suc...

Inside Startup Investing presents a deep dive into Epilog, a company revolutionizing the autonomous vehicle industry. CEO Michael Mojaver, with his extensive background in vision and physics, has created a device, SideCar, that enables regular cars to become autonomous. This episode covers the intriguing possibilities of transforming any car into a self-driving vehicle for $1,000, vastly more acce...

Chris speaks with Mark Holland, founder and CEO of Choose Your Horizon, a mental wellness company that offers at-home psychedelic therapy. Mark shares how the therapy works, using ketamine in controlled, low doses to aid in treating conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The episode illuminates how this therapy creates a dissociative experience, enabling patients to gain new perspectives o...

Chris talks with Arthur Pierse, the founder of WeClimate, a groundbreaking climate equity crowdfunding platform. Arthur shares his vision of making climate tech investments accessible to a broader audience beyond the traditional realm of venture capitalists and high-net-worth individuals. He delves into the expansive scope of climate technology, touching upon various sectors, from renewable energy...

In this episode, Chris engages in an enlightening conversation with Haley Bryant, a pre-seed investor at Hustle Fund. As a venture capital fund focused on “hilariously” early startups, Hustle Fund is carving a path in the industry by democratizing venture capital through their Angel Squad program and seeking out exceptional founders beyond the Silicon Valley bubble. This episode dives deep into th...

In this episode Chris chats with Paul Allen, a serial entrepreneur best known for founding Ancestry.com. We learn about Allen's latest venture, Citizen Portal, an AI-driven platform designed to democratize government data access and enhance governance transparency. The discussion traverses Allen's entrepreneurial journey, the transformative potential of AI in politics, and the challenges and achie...

Chris catches up with Sebastian Duque, the co-founder and CEO of Plei. Known as the "Uber of soccer," Plei is an app that's rapidly gaining traction, currently used in 16 US cities. With a mission to make soccer accessible and convenient, Plei has been a game-changer in connecting players and facilitating matches, with over 100,000 games played. In this episode, Sebastian shares his jour...

Chris sits down with Dan Rutstein, President of Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC). With his diverse background spanning journalism, diplomacy, and technology, Rutstein brings a unique perspective to leading a soccer club. He discusses the club's journey in the United Soccer League (USL), its strategies for player development, and its success in fostering a strong, community-oriented fan base. The c...

In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris catches up with Crowdcube Co-CEO Matt Cooper. Celebrating over a decade of innovation, Crowdcube is a pioneer in online capital raising, transforming the startup investment landscape in the UK and globally. With over $2 billion raised for startups and more than $100 million returned to investors, their impact is undeniable. This conversation digs...

In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, we dive deep into the world of skiing innovation with the co-founders of Peak Ski Company, currently raising on Republic. Chris hosts Bode Miller, a legend in the skiing world with a storied Olympic medal-winning career, and Andy Wirth, a distinguished figure in the ski industry renowned for his significant contributions, including the creation of the p...

In this episode, we interview Spencer Martin, CEO of Sonic Power. Chris and Spencer walk through his journey in the consumer electronics industry. With extensive experience from working in Chinese manufacturing to involvement in Silicon Valley startups, Spencer shares the insights he used to create Sonic Power. Spencer dives into his brand's business model to stand out in the electronics market th...

In this episode, we get into housing with ZenniHome's founder and CEO, Bob Worsley. A retired Republican State Senator and serial entrepreneur, Bob's career journey is as intriguing as it is inspiring. From establishing SkyMall to venturing into real estate and energy, Bob's latest endeavor, ZenniHome, stands at the forefront of the crop of startups providing housing solutions. These modern, steel...

In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris engages with Tom Bassford, the founder and CEO of EquityVest. EquityVest, a burgeoning Reg CF platform, sets itself apart by focusing on faith-driven investments. The platform aims to connect faith-driven founders and investors to support innovations that advance the world positively. The episode delves into the nuances of faith-aligned investing,...

In the latest episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino welcomes Mike Gugat, the co-founder and CEO of jbrds. This engaging episode reveals jbrds’ strides in the children's footwear market. With Mike's extensive background in the sporting goods industry, he shares the compelling story behind Jaybirds' inception and its mission to create anatomically correct, functional footwear for kids....

In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris engages with John Kempf, the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture. The discussion centers on the company's innovative approach to agriculture, emphasizing sustainable farming techniques and the enhancement of plant health. Kempf, with his unique background, brings valuable insights into the agricultural sector's evolution towards more environmenta...

In this Inside Startup Investing episode, host Chris Lustrino welcomes P.J. Tezza, founder of ModVans. Tezza shares insights into his transition from a software entrepreneur to revolutionizing the van manufacturing industry with ModVans. The conversation explores the unique challenges and triumphs of developing versatile, family-friendly campervans, offering a fresh perspective on innovation in th...

In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, host Chris Lustrino is joined by Dane Witbeck, co-founder & CEO of Pinwheel. Witbeck delves into the unique mission of Pinwheel, focusing on their innovative approach to children's technology. The discussion touches on the challenges and triumphs of navigating the tech industry, offering a unique perspective on entrepreneurship and startup growth. H...

In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris chats with Kenny Rose, the founder and CEO of FranShares. Kenny illuminates the concept behind FranShares, a platform revolutionizing the franchise investment landscape. Through FranShares, individuals can invest in franchises with a starting amount as low as $500, making franchise ownership more accessible and diversified. Kenny explains the uniq...

In this episode, Chris sits down with Sean Luangrath, the CEO of Inergy, to discuss the company's mission, products, and growth trajectory. Sean dives deep into the renewable energy market, explaining how Inergy is positioning itself to lead the pack with its innovative solar generator systems. Highlights include… Sean’s background as a refugee background and developing his mission as a founder. (...

In this episode, Chris Lustrino sits down with Brian Morin, the founder and CEO of Soteria Battery Innovation Group. Their discussion delves deep into the realm of battery safety, intellectual property, and the broader industry landscape. Highlights include… Battery safety and fires in various devices. (0:00) Improving battery safety through innovative technology. (3:46) Safe battery technology an...

In this episode, Chris Lustrino engages in a candid conversation with Alec Shkolnik, President and CEO of LiquidPiston. Shkolnik provides an overview of LiquidPiston's rotary engine design, explaining its differentiators and potential areas of application. The two also touch upon the broader challenges in the engine industry and how LiquidPiston is positioning itself in this landscape. Highlights...