Inside Startup Investing with Chris Lustrino KingsCrowd

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 managed funds. The conversation goes into these funds' structure and regulatory landscape, providing insights into the future of accessible venture capital.
Highlights include…

Opening private markets to the general public through professionally managed funds. (0:04)
Interval funds, their structure, and how they differ from traditional venture funds. (4:40)
How interval funds value private assets and handle exit events. (9:40)
Scaling a venture capital platform for the general public. (14:41)
Enabling venture funds to raise capital from retail investors through a platform. (19:06)
Investing in alternatives, including sweater's role in enabling access. (24:11)

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 dress. She gets into how Nuudii System is designed to embrace the natural shape without reshaping, promoting body positivity and versatility in wear.
Highlights include…

Nuudii’s innovative bra-less design, adoption, and growth. (3:38)
Azan talks about the brand’s focus on selling shapewear for women, with insights on their business model, marketing strategies, (8:17)
Brick and mortar vs vending machine, on-the-go D2C strategy (10:24)
Manufacturing for a lingerie brand. (12:29)
Growth strategies for a lingerie brand with a focus on sustainability and profitability. (17:31)

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 democratize real estate investment, allowing everyday investors to participate in diversified real estate portfolios through innovative financial platforms.

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 dives into Jurny’s development, focusing on its automation capabilities and AI-driven solutions that streamline operations and enhance guest experiences across dispersed rental properties.
Highlights include…

Automating hospitality industry operations, including property management and communication with guests. (4:33)
AI's potential to automate back-office tasks for short-term rental companies, with a focus on specialized AI agents for (8:44)
AI-powered software for property management, growth opportunities, and monetization strategies. (12:45)

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 success in generating clean, efficient electricity and their transition towards green hydrogen systems.
Highlights include…

Hydrogen fuel cell technology for space and transportation applications. (6:14)
Green hydrogen generation and decarbonization. (9:52)
Funding, growth, and technology for Infinity. (14:43)
Space technology development and commercialization. (18:59)

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 accessible than current market options. Michael details Epilog's journey from an intensive R&D phase to now focusing on commercialization, highlighting the company's potential rapid growth in the AI-powered automotive space.
Highlights include…

AI-powered vision technology for autonomous driving. (1:33)
Advanced driver assistance systems in cars. (10:26)
Autonomous driving technology and market potential. (14:59)