Venture Declassified

In this episode of Venture Declassified, hosts Mike Kelly and Ben Pidgeon explore the complexities of managing angel syndicate groups and the art of curating investment opportunities. Both Mike and Ben run angel syndicates, creating SPVs (Special Purpose Vehicles) for investments, and they highlight the challenge of recommending numerous deals each year without overwhelming their investors. Ben el...

Episode Summary Welcome back to Venture Declassified. In this episode, we continue our conversation into the nuances of creating an influential pitch. Jacob and Ben share their insights on the significance of active listening to evaluate a team effectively. We then pivot to tackle the challenging topic of setting valuations and discuss vital metrics including revenue, customer acquisition costs, a...

Episode Summary In this episode of Venture Declassified, hosts Mike Kelly, Jacob Schpok, and Ben Pidgeon come together to talk about the fundamentals of an influential pitch. This episode promises to strip away the misconceptions and focus on what truly matters during investor presentations. As the hosts delve into the narrative aspect of pitch decks, they emphasize clarity and accuracy in communi...

In this engaging episode of "Venture Declassified," hosts Mike Kelly, Ben Pidgeon, and Jacob Schpok dive into the pivotal role of technology, specifically AI and chat GPT, in revolutionizing the world of investing and due diligence. The episode is packed with insights on how these cutting-edge tools can streamline and enhance the investment decision-making process. The hosts kick things...

In this episode of Venture Declassified, hosts Ben Pidgeon, Jacob Schpok, and Mike Kelly dive deep into the intricate world of board hygiene and governance, shedding light on the critical aspects that can make or break early-stage companies.  Jacob Schpok and Mike Kelly explore into the nuances of good board hygiene. They underscore the significance of managing personal biases and relationships in...

In this episode of Venture Declassified, hosts Jacob Schpok, Mike Kelly, and Ben Pidgeon look into the world of early-stage startup funding, particularly focusing on pre-seed investments. They discuss a $3 million pre-seed fund that evaluates startups at the ideation through pre-seed stage, offering checks as small as $20K. The hosts highlight the importance of founders clearly articulating the us...

In this insightful episode of Venture Declassified, hosts Mike Kelly, Jacob Schpok, and Ben Pidgeon deive into a range of compelling topics surrounding investment scenarios and the intricate dynamics of startups.  The hosts first navigate a complex situation involving dissolving a preferred stock arrangement within a company and the potential repercussions of allowing private sales of shares post-...

Welcome to another intriguing episode of Venture Declassified. Today, we delved into the captivating world of starting a distillery, as entrepreneur Mike Kelly shared his in-depth plans and strategies for establishing a distillery business in Indianapolis. The conversation unfolded as Mike discussed the intricacies of the go-to-market strategy, the role of a key partner, and the initial focus on c...

In today's episode, we're diving into the complex world of startup fundraising as companies transition from pre-seed to seed stages. Our co-host experts, Jacob Schpok and Ben Pidgeon, join me in deciphering the intricacies of setting valuations, focusing on the nuances of revenue pro forma and the leap into Series A capital raising. Jacob Schpok kicks off the discussion with insights int...

Welcome back to "Venture Declassified," the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of venture capital and private equity. Today we're diving deep into the ever-evolving world of venture capital and the fascinating yet perilous terrain of life science investing.  We'll dissect whether venture capital always aims for a "home run" or if it can be content with "sin...

Episode Summary Welcome to another episode of Venture Declassified. We are excited to welcome a very special guest, Rory Billing, a savvy entrepreneur disrupting the sports app industry.  The idea for The Fan's Place was born out of a desire to find a way for everyone to win from their love of sports. The brothers, Rory and Connor, had been playing fantasy sports for years and realized that t...

Show Zero Venture Declassified is here to provide you with practical insights, expert advice, and a deeper understanding of the investment landscape for first-time investors. Hosted by a team of seasoned investors and financial experts, this podcast is tailor-made for newcomers who are eager to learn about the fundamentals of investing and want to make informed decisions. We understand that starti...