Perfect Pitch by Kickstart

Unicorn. If you're an entrepreneur you've probably heard that term before. It's a coveted title for companies valued at over $1B and it's safe to say every founder dreams of hitting that status. But can that level of success actually work against you? Join us in today's conversation with Dave Hersh, CEO of Mobilize and investor Gavin Christensen of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in Utah, Colora...

We're digging into the value and potential pitfalls of strategic partnerships...and we're not talking about choosing your pickleball partner carefully. In the scrappy, DIY world of startups, sometimes the need for leveraged power from an already established brand might seem like a cop-out, but sometimes it's exactly what the doctor ordered and brings things to the next level. To show us what it lo...

So many founders sacrifice to be able to get their startups off the ground, but not many of them move to Thailand to be able to make it happen. Today we're talking with Josh Nielsen, Founder & CEO of Zencastr, a successful podcasting platform, and investor Gavin Christensen of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in Utah, Colorado, and the Mountain West) to bring you both sides of a Perfect Pitch...

You did it. You got your first round of funding and you're on your way...and then the landscape changes. Now, the outcome you promised to investors might not be possible. So what do you do to maintain their confidence in you? Join us in today's conversation with Grant Gordon, Co-Founder and CEO of Artemis Health, and investor Dalton Wright of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in Utah, Colorado, an...

The first year of a startup's life is crucial–and life or death decisions seem to be made on a daily basis. Whether it be fundraising, hiring, or simply getting people to care , you have a lot to juggle and today, we're talking with a founder who can speak to it all. Join us in today's conversation with Chris Hicken, founder and CEO of 'nuffsaid and investor Gavin Christensen of Kickstart (a VC fi...

To be a successful entrepreneur, you have to be adaptable. Sometimes so adaptable, that you're completely rewriting the story of your company. To give insight on how you can remain motivated through it all, we're talking with Rachel Hofstetter, CMO at Chatbooks, and investor Gavin Christensen of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in Utah, Colorado, and the Mountain West) as we bring you both sides...

While all startups hope to be unique enough to stand out from the crowd, there are often multiple startups within the same category. What if your company doesn't fit into a standard category? What if your mission is so unique you have to trailblaze your own path in the startup world? To get a better idea of how one niche company successfully did this and grew from seed money into a Series A–all wi...

So here's an unexpected scenario. You've got your startup started up and you're busy and focused on building the best team and raising capital when you're blindsided by a legal battle with one of the world's most powerful companies. This doesn't happen all the time, but it does happen more than you might think. And today, we'll learn from someone who's faced it all: a major lawsuit, loss, and even...

It's common knowledge that entrepreneurs put in long nights and sacrifice basically everything for the benefit of their companies. But here's a curveball for you: if the success of your business meant stepping down as CEO...could you do it? Today we're talking to Matt Hoffman, the founder and former CEO of Monarx who stepped away to make room for growth and Jeremy Warren, the current CEO. They'll...

Negotiation. It's a five-syllable word that can instill fear in the heart of even the most adept entrepreneur and yet, it's a fact of everyday life in the startup world. You eat, sleep, and breathe your vision day in and day out, but when it comes time to bring that vision to the negotiation table, there are no guarantees. So, what does it look like to strike that golden balance between standing f...

They say that one of the keys to success in start-up land–where predicting the future can seem nearly impossible–is to have the right people with you on the bus. Key people who can adapt and perform well despite the chaos and uncertainty. But there's no saying to guide us when the bus has two drivers who disagree about which directions to follow or who should take the wheel. Today we'll examine wh...

While nothing fully prepares you to run a startup, there are a few things that can help. Like having a strong understanding of your customer base and passion for the problem you're solving. Even better if you have a deep understanding and experience with the industry. But what if you come to the table without that experience? Is it possible to still be successful at solving the problem? And maybe...

It's not uncommon these days to see startups born out of a desire to do a little bit of good in the world. And the good news is that businesses motivated by a social mission have a real appeal to both customers who like the idea of putting their money to good use, and investors who love the kind of focus and passion that comes from a founder on a mission. But balance is the key. So how do founders...

What does it take to be a success in the startup world? One quick google search and you're immediately aware that there are a lot of cooks in that kitchen. But there are some ingredients everyone can agree on. A healthy dose of purpose–the loftier the better–close connection to your customers and an awesome employee experience are necessary elements for growth and greatness. In this episode, we're...

There's no shortage of advice out there for founders. Just do a quick google search and you'll find list after list of things "every entrepreneur should do," or "10 rules of being a founder." But what if you know doing things the way everyone else does isn't right for you? And, how do you decide what is right for you and your company? To answer that, we're talking with Denver-based Founder and CEO...

There has never been a more true axiom in the startup world than this: The only constant is change; and when things need to change, it's up to the founder to get it done. This episode includes CEO and founder Rachel Nilsson of RAGS and venture capital investor Curt Roberts from Kickstart Fund to give you both sides of a Perfect Pitch. This episode explores:Rachel's Shark Tank experienceHow to over...

If you've ever wondered whether that passion project really is entrepreneurial gold worth fighting for or a hobby that should just stay in your garage, this episode is for you. This episode hosts Mark Frank, Founder & CEO of SonderMind and Investor Curt Roberts, Partner at Kickstart and will explore: How to decide if your idea is worth pursuing as a companyWhy passion is necessary for a startu...

If you haven't hit a roadblock on your startup journey then you haven't actually started. Roadblocks are a predictably unpredictable part of starting a new venture and this episode dives into the minds of Jeremy Hanks, founder of DSCO and investor Dalton Wright, to explore how our approach to those early challenges to our businesses can bring us even closer to a perfect pitch. This episode explore...

Being an entrepreneur is all about playing the long game and the best founders and their investors understand that the ups and downs of solving big problems require more than just big vision. It's a combination of traits and practices that will carry you through the lean times. If you want to know what cockroaches and good entrepreneurs have in common, tune in to hear Founder Mike Peregrina of Hom...

If there's ever a setting where resilience is imperative, it's a startup. But the combination of uncertainty, lack of control, and the intense pace of a startup can also often have a direct correlation to increased stress, which can in turn negatively impact resilience. It's tempting to think the solution is to just to work harder. But is that really the best way to develop resilience? Today, we'l...

If you could peek behind the curtain of the funding world, do you think that would make it easier or harder to follow your passion and take that leap of entrepreneurial faith? We'll find out when we talk to MarketDial CEO and founder Morgan Davis, and investor Curt Roberts about what happens when a venture capitalist becomes a founder as we bring you both sides of a perfect pitch.