Next Round Ready

Follow this bootstrapping playbook to reach profitability faster. Learn how to prioritize customer problems over venture capital. Get on the newsletter. Its free! https://nextroundready.substack.comMost startups struggle because they focus on raising funds rather than building a sustainable business. This session outlines a process for achieving growth by listening to your users and using their sp...

Learn how I staff my business with AI agents to replace traditional hires. See how solo founders are scaling without staff. Get on the list! https://nextroundready.substack.com Running a business without employees is becoming the new standard for modern startups. One in three startups launching in 2025 is founded by a single person, and the shift toward using AI agents allows solo founders to mana...

Join the founder community: https://nextroundready.substack.com Stop assuming you need venture capital to grow. Learn why bootstrapping is often a safer path to maintaining equity. Many founders operate under the belief that trading a large piece of a small company for a small piece of a big one is the only way to scale. After interviewing over 100 investors, the reality is clear: fewer founders s...

Get on the newsletter for bootstrapping founders: https://nextroundready.substack.com Identify your startup founder archetypes to master sales and fundraising strategy. Learn how to align your strengths for growth. This session breaks down the essential traits required for successful startup execution, focusing on the core balance between revenue generation and capital acquisition. We explore the...

The newsletter for bootstrapping and venture capital raising founders: https://nextroundready.substack.com Is startup fundraising actually necessary for your business? Learn why bootstrapping can lead to more sustainable success. Many founders assume they need outside investment to scale, but focusing on a profitable business model often creates a stronger foundation. We examine the reality of cap...

Join the Next Round Ready newsletter for startup founders who want to raise venture capital or bootstrap: https://nextroundready.substack.comMost founders do not actually need to raise capital. Learn why building a profitable company is often a better path. After speaking with nearly 300 founders and over 100 investors, it is clear that the obsession with fundraising often distracts from the core...

In this episode of Next Round Ready, host Chris Hines sits down with Peter from PlannedCorp, who oversees between $10–11 billion in assets. They dive into the philosophy of wealth management, the difference between traditional investing and venture capital, how to think about risk, and practical advice for emerging fund managers. Here are the show notes and chapters for this episode:---**Show Note...

Elena from Supercurve AI joins us to solve the marketing and distribution challenges facing lean teams today. As product development becomes more accessible, the real hurdle for founders is getting their work in front of the right audience. We sit down with Elena to discuss how lean teams can build effective distribution strategies that scale alongside their software. We explore the specific opera...

Jeff Saling from Startup Nevada joins us to discuss the essential components of building a strong regional business ecosystem. In this conversation, we sit down with Jeff Saling to explore the current landscape for entrepreneurs operating outside of traditional tech hubs. We break down the specific challenges founders face when scaling a startup in emerging markets and the resources required to ga...

Daniel Koren of StartWise joins us to discuss how we can build a more equitable startup landscape for founders everywhere. In this conversation, we explore why current funding often favors those from prestigious universities and locations, creating barriers for talented builders outside those circles. Daniel explains his mission to bridge this gap, offering a clear perspective on how we can democr...

The Creator Economy is no longer about individual creators. The entire industry and sector is evolving. More and more companies are putting money into the Creator Economy and creator systems within their businesses. You can no longer afford to ignore the Creator Economy. You have to find your way in. Lets connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thecoachchris/ https://instagram.com/nextroundvc https:/...

Melissa Hernandez shares her transition from asset allocator to educator, providing a roadmap for mastering venture capital investing. In this conversation, we explore the nuances of the venture capital ecosystem and the specific hurdles that new investors face when entering the market. Melissa breaks down her unique approach to teaching, offering clarity on how to navigate complex allocation stra...

Dan Curran of Chapters Vault joins us to discuss why building startup trust is more critical than ever in the age of AI. In this conversation, we sit down with Dan Curran to explore the philosophy behind Chapters Vault. We move past the tired debate of AI versus humans and instead focus on what it means to be pro-trust. For founders and operators, maintaining authenticity while leveraging new tech...

Get actionable investment wisdom from Francis Santora as we discuss the nuances of building and scaling successful ventures. In this conversation, we explore the tactical realities of the startup ecosystem and how experienced operators approach long-term growth. We break down the core principles of effective venture capital strategy, focusing on how builders evaluate opportunities and manage risk...

In this episode, Chris Hines sits down with Marco Benitez, founder of Rook, to discuss the challenge of fragmented health data. Marco explains how Rook's API infrastructure consolidates wearable device data, lab results, and medical records into a single standardized stream for health companies. They explore the rise of health consciousness, the value of continuous health records, and how wear...

In this episode of Next Round Radio, host Chris breaks down the evolution of the creator economy into what he calls The Media Stack — a five-layer framework that explains how content production, distribution, partnerships, IP protection, and measurement are converging in the AI era. With creator ad spend projected at $37 billion in 2025 (up 26% year over year, 4x faster than media overall), Chris...

Scott Hartley joins the show to discuss the future of startup investing and what it takes to build a successful company today. In this conversation, we break down the nuances of venture capital and how investors are navigating the current landscape. Scott Hartley shares his perspective on the intersection of human-centric skills and technical capability, offering a roadmap for founders trying to b...

Learn how to build home sector affordability and reduce costs for individuals with Addison Houston from Arvid. In this conversation, we discuss the practical challenges of building within the housing industry and what it takes to create sustainable models that prioritize accessibility. Addison shares insights from his work at Arvid, breaking down the specific obstacles founders face when trying to...

Shaquem Griffin shares his journey from the NFL to making a global impact. Learn how he navigated his career and life challenges. Shaquem Griffin joins us to discuss his unique path, moving from a standout NFL career to his current work changing the world. We explore the mindset required for a professional athlete transition and the reality of navigating high-pressure environments while overcoming...

Learn how to apply Creator Genius to your brand and generate customers without sacrificing quality. See how AI automates output. Many entrepreneurs struggle to create content that actually generates revenue. This discussion explores the intersection of AI technology and high-quality storytelling to solve the common problem of generic posts. We look at how to leverage new tools to keep your message...

We're excited to launch episode 7 of the Next Round Ready podcast! this season we're taking things up a notch. Founders get access to quality investors and investors can get quality deal flow before its live.

In this episode, Chris breaks down the five patterns of fundable founders. This comes after reviewing well over 500 founders within the last two years. See if your startup is fundable: https://Raise. NextRoundReady.vc Get the Free course: https://nextroundready.vc/products/finding-fundable   Let's connect: https://LinkedIn.com/in/thecoachchris https://x.com/thecoachchris_ https://instagram.com/nex...

In this episode, Chris breaks down the five patterns of fundable founders. This comes after reviewing well over 500 founders within the last two years. See if your startup is fundable: https://Raise. NextRoundReady.vc ( https://Raise. NextRoundReady.vc )...

I'm Chris Hines, and on this episode of Next Round Ready, I sit down with Pam Kavalam — a self-described "prolific commenter," super connector, and community builder who's been quietly becoming one of the most plugged-in people in the New York venture ecosystem. Pam's path into VC is anything but traditional: she started in international education at NYU, spent time in Japan on the JET program, tr...

I'm Chris Hines, and on this episode of Next Round Ready, I sit down with Pam Kavalam — a self-described "prolific commenter," super connector, and community builder who's been quietly becoming one of the most plugged-in people in the New York venture ...