The Venture Best Spotlight

Cybersecurity is often treated as a technical checklist—but in high-stakes transactions, the real risk goes far beyond compliance. From hidden vulnerabilities to overlooked financial exposure, gaps in traditional diligence can have lasting consequences for investors and founders alike.

When Matt Howard co-founded EatStreet, online food ordering was still in its infancy—and restaurants were receiving orders via fax. Over the next decade, Matt led the company through explosive growth, a strategic acquisition, and a bold move to classify delivery drivers as employees—long before the rest of the gig economy caught on.   In this episode, Venture Best Partner Melissa Turczyn reconnect...

What do you do after helping grow a startup to 2,000 employees? For Jeff Erickson, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Forecastr, the answer was simple: help other founders do it better. 

When Dr. Tatiana Fofanova made the leap from clinical research to entrepreneurship, she brought with her a personal understanding of the challenges faced by medical professionals and patients alike. Driven by her desire to solve those pain points, she and her co-founders started Koda Health. Koda empowers individuals to clearly express their healthcare wishes in a digital format that is integrated...

Deciding to retire from professional sports often comes with the question, “What’s next?” When Russell Shepard hung up his NFL jersey in 2020, his coach asked him about his plans. Shepard responded, “I’m about to go drive around a porta-potty truck.”   Fast forward to today, Shep Boys Waste Management has grown into a highly successful startup with a mission to provide clean restroom solutions for...

When the businesses of the future are ready to take the next step in their growth, they often turn to venture capitalists or angel investors. On the coasts, eager investors may be just around the corner. For startups located in the Midwest, it can often be a little trickier to find support. 

In this episode, we dive deep into the journeys of Mbiyimoh Ghogomu, co-founder and CEO of Tradeblock, and Chip Davis, Managing Partner of Ten X Labs. Discover how Mbiyimoh’s passion for sneakers led to the creation of Tradeblock, a revolutionary platform that allows collectors to trade their prized footwear and bond over collections, and to meeting Chip. Learn about the vision-turned-reality that...

Join us for an exciting deep dive into the world of AgTech in the seventh episode of our season, co-hosted by venture attorneys Galen Mason and Evan Lonergan. This week, we are thrilled to feature dynamic conversation with two pioneering voices in the AgTech space: Rob Schultz from Serra Ventures and Corbett Kull, founder of CamoAg. Rob and Corbett share their unique perspectives as investor and s...

In this inspiring episode, venture attorneys David Morris and Evan Lonergan have an insightful dialogue with Keith Daniel and Tom Droege, founders of Resilient Ventures, a pioneering venture capital fund based in North Carolina, whom is dedicated to disrupting systemic economic injustice. We delve into their backgrounds and motivations, explore their unique investment thesis focused on African Ame...

Dive into the heart of Wisconsin's burgeoning startup scene with Richelle Martin, the managing director of the Winnow Fund. In this episode, Richelle unveils the secrets behind the Winnow Fund's innovative strategy of empowering early-stage Wisconsin-based companies through a multitude of small investments .Join us as Richelle sheds light on the strengths and challenges of being a venture...

In this episode, join venture attorneys Jordan Koss and Evan Lonergan as they chat with Will Nitze, the founder of IQ Bar, a company specializing in brain and body food products. Will shares his invaluable perspective as a founder, delving into the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way. Gain insights into the world of entrepreneurship and the journey of building a successful bran...

Get ready to dive into the dynamic world of venture capital and entrepreneurship with our special guest, Seth Levine! Join us in this thrilling episode as we explore the fascinating journey of Seth Levine, a seasoned venture capitalist and author based in the heart of Colorado. From the inception of Foundry Group to his role in shaping the venture ecosystem in Colorado and at large, Seth shares go...

Join us for an engaging conversation with Venture Best Co-Chairs, Shawn Stigler and Galen Mason, as they share their journey into venture capital, experiences as founders, and insights into building a legal venture practice arm. Discover how they navigated the legal landscape at the forefront of innovation and built a successful venture practice within a large law firm. Gain valuable insights into...

In Episode 1, our Venture Best attorneys, Jordan & Emily, engage in a dynamic conversation with the formidable co-founders of Hyfe, Andrea and Michelle. These two exceptional founders are at the forefront of building an extraordinary company that sees waste as the untapped fuel of the biomanufacturing revolution. Michelle aptly puts it, "Wastewater is an ugly word, but I swear there is go...