A VC, a Headhunter, and a Trainer Walk into a Bar

A VC, a Headhunter, and a Trainer Walk into a Bar
  • 5,0 (8)
  • ИНВЕСТИЦИИ
  • ЕЖЕНЕДЕЛЬНО

VHTB is your guide to the talent, culture, and finance side of the space start-up ecosystem. Each episode, hosts Matt Gjertsen from Better Every Day Studios, Seyka & Brian Mejeur of AdAstra Talent Advisors, and Justus Kilian of Space Capital will share stories and insights from their experiences working with some of the most innovative companies on the planet.

  1. How do you make sure someone is asking the “dumb” questions

    -2 ДН.

    How do you make sure someone is asking the “dumb” questions

    What Founders and Candidates Should Be Asking - But Often Don’t In this episode of VHTB, Seyka Mejeur, Founder and CEO of AdAstra, is joined by Matt Gjertsen of Better Every Day Studios and Justus Kilian of Space Capital for a candid conversation about the kinds of questions that often go unasked. Specifically, the ones that don’t get asked enough in investor meetings, hiring conversations, and early-stage startup negotiations. The conversation covers both sides of the table. Justus shares a set of questions founders should be asking investors, not just about capital, but how decisions are made, what the firm’s structure looks like, and who’s actually backing the fund. He also walks through questions to ask the individual partner leading your round, especially when you’re trying to understand how involved they’ll be after the deal closes. Matt brings in examples from his own work, including how learning to say “I don’t know” or “can we slow this down” often leads to better results. Seyka shares moments from her work with technical leaders where simple, clarifying questions helped people get back on the same page, and how that applies in interviews, recruiting, and equity conversations. Also covered: how to ask about liquidity, what candidates should know when a recruiter calls, and why experienced founders ask different questions. Episode Highlights00:00 Introductions and why “dumb” questions matter  01:36 Founders and investors: the questions that don’t get asked 05:46 How to ask about decision-making and follow-on 06:47 The role of foreign capital and dual-use concerns 09:33 How to ask for clarification without overexplaining 13:14 Why experienced founders ask differently 17:02 What good equity communication looks like 21:00 How founders can make equity offers more transparent 22:00 Questions to ask the individual partner 24:00 Recap: questions worth asking early Episode TakeawaysFounders should be asking detailed, operational questions about how a fund runs and how involved their partner will be, not just about capital.“I don’t know” is a strength, not a weakness. Clarity builds trust faster than confidence does.Asking for equity details is reasonable and necessary. Teams should be prepared to talk in concrete terms.Recruiters should be transparent about their relationship with the company. Candidates have every right to ask.Simplifying technical conversations doesn’t water them down; it keeps everyone aligned.

    25 мин.
  2. How do successful startups attract and close top talent?

    8 ОКТ.

    How do successful startups attract and close top talent?

    Recruiting Best Practices for Space Startups In this episode of VHTB, Brian Mejeur of AdAstra Talent Advisors takes the lead in a focused conversation on building a high-impact, scalable recruiting process for early-stage space startups. He's joined by co-hosts Matt Gjertsen of Better Every Day Studios and Justus Kilian of Space Capital. Drawing on years of hands-on experience in the space startup world, including hiring lessons from companies like SpaceX, Brian breaks down six core principles for building a hiring process that not only attracts the right technical talent but also aligns with your company’s culture and long-term goals. From why your ATS will break sooner than you think, to how verbal offers can dramatically improve close rates, this episode is loaded with hands-on advice for founders, hiring managers, and operators navigating the high-stakes talent market in aerospace and deep tech. Episode highlights: 00:00  Kicking Off the Conversation on Recruiting 01:08 The Case for Getting Organized Early. Why a spreadsheet will eventually fail you 04:37 Designing a Repeatable Interview Process.. 05:55 Structuring Interviews That Actually Work 07:42 Don’t Wait to Move Great Candidates 08:47 The First Call: Motivation Over Résumé 11:42 Common Misses in Candidate Motivation 12:48 Why Culture Fit Often Matters More Than Technical Skills 14:52 Delivering Offers the Right Way 17:20 Why Candidates Might Tell Your Recruiter the Truth 19:28 Why Speed and Clear Communication Win Top Talent 20:57 Wrapping Up: Build Recruiting as a Core Capability Episode TakeawaysGet organized early. An ATS isn’t optional once your pipeline grows. Start simple, but start smart.Define your process. Standardize the interview flow to create consistency, reduce delays, and compare apples to apples.Dig deep on motivations. Don’t assume candidates know what they want. Help them find out, and reflect it back.Hire for culture, not just credentials. Skill gaps can be closed faster than misaligned values.Move fast, or lose people. Communicate constantly and don’t let top talent languish.

    21 мин.
  3. How do you fundraise strategically as a new start-up?

    25 СЕНТ.

    How do you fundraise strategically as a new start-up?

    Mastering the Fundraising Process for Space Startups In this episode of VHTB, Justus Kilian from Space Capital is joined by Matt Gjertsen from Better Everyday Studios and Brian Mejeur from AdAstra Talent Advisors to discuss the disciplined approach to the fundraising process for early-stage space startups. The conversation covers key tactics and timelines, from beginning preparation nine months in advance to officially launching the fundraising process. The importance of setting milestones, building key relationships, and creating urgency and scarcity in the round is emphasized. Additionally, they delve into best practices for legal and financial preparations, effective outreach strategies, and safeguarding against potential pitfalls in the VC landscape. 00:00 Introduction to the Space Startup Ecosystem 00:28 The Fundraising Process: An Overview 01:28 Nine Months Before Fundraising: Preparation Phase 08:13 Six Months Before Fundraising: Building Relationships 11:58 Three Months Before Fundraising: Pitching and Feedback 13:03 Formal Fundraising: The Final Push 14:01 Closing the Round: Legal and Negotiation Tips 16:54 Best Practices and Red Flags in Fundraising 20:19 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

    21 мин.
  4. What are the best practices for developing leaders in a start-up?

    4 СЕНТ.

    What are the best practices for developing leaders in a start-up?

    Leadership Development in Space Startups: Key Steps and Best Practices In this episode of VHTB, host Matt Gjertsen of Better Everyday Studios is joined by Brian Mejeur of AdAstra Talent Advisors and Justus Killian from Space Capital to discuss leadership development strategies for space startups. Based on listener feedback, the team revises their format to delve into specific best practices for talent management. Matt outlines three essential steps for developing leadership within organizations, emphasizing the importance of defining what leadership means in your company, forming a manager community, and using practical exercises like Mastermind Sessions to enhance problem-solving skills among managers. The discussion highlights the necessity of a clear leadership definition, manager community-building, and adaptive management practices to ensure effective leadership development regardless of company size.

    16 мин.
  5. Can parenting and start-up life mix?

    14 МАЯ

    Can parenting and start-up life mix?

    Welcome to VHTB, your guide to the talent, culture, and finance side of the space startup ecosystem. In this heartfelt episode, Seyka Mejeur, CEO of Ad Astra Talent Advisors, is joined by Matt Gjertsen of Better Everyday Studios and Justus Killian of Space Capital for an honest conversation about work-life balance, the realities of startup culture, and the unique challenges faced by parents and founders in this industry. Drawing from their own journeys—balancing high-growth careers with the demands and joys of family life—the hosts share personal stories, lessons learned, and practical strategies for setting boundaries, prioritizing what truly matters, and thriving in an environment where expectations can vary dramatically from team to team. Whether you’re contemplating joining a startup, thinking about founding your own, or navigating your path as a parent or caregiver in the fast-paced world of space tech, this episode offers valuable insights, encouragement, and the reassurance that clarity, communication, and intentional choices are key to making it all work. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of culture fit, expectations from both organizational and personal perspectives, and the advice Seyka, Matt, and Justus have for building a truly sustainable career in space startups—no matter where you are in your life or professional journey.

    21 мин.
  6. Is it better to hire for conformity or friction?

    30 АПР.

    Is it better to hire for conformity or friction?

    Welcome back to VHTB, your go-to podcast for insights into the talent, culture, and finance shaping the space startup world. In this episode, hosts Brian Mejeur and Matt Gjertsen are joined by Justus Killian of Space Capital for a lively exploration of workplace culture—from the value of hiring for “culture fit” versus “culture add,” to the role of friction in fueling growth and innovation. Together, they dive into the nuances of building teams at different stages of a company, debating whether conformity or diverse perspectives drive better outcomes, and share practical strategies for fostering intentional, inclusive, and high-performing cultures. Whether you’re an early-stage founder, scaling a team, or just fascinated by how space industry leaders tackle the challenge of groupthink, you’ll find plenty of actionable takeaways in this conversation.

    20 мин.

  7. 23 АПР.

    What employee traits do you look for at different stages in business?

    Welcome to Episode 14 of VHTB, your go-to podcast for insights into the talent, culture, and finance sides of the space startup ecosystem. This week, hosts Matt Gjertsen, Seyka Majeur, and Justus Killian dive into the fascinating dynamics of leadership transitions and the different skill sets required as startups evolve from invention to scale and beyond. They break down the distinct stages of company growth—from chaotic early days to mature, stable operations—and how each demands a unique approach and mindset from founders and executives. With personal stories, hands-on experience, and behind-the-scenes wisdom, our hosts explore why it's so rare for leaders to thrive across every phase, and why self-awareness, adaptability, and the right team can make or break success in this fast-moving industry. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or just curious about the inner workings of cutting-edge startups, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world examples you won’t want to miss.

    17 мин.
  8. How do you navigate changes in senior leadership?

    16 АПР.

    How do you navigate changes in senior leadership?

    In this episode, Justus Killian, Seyka Mejeur, and Matt Gjertsen join the discussion on leadership transitions within venture-backed space startups. The conversation focuses on the implications of founder and CEO transitions, including the impact on company vision, culture, team morale, and operations. Drawing from personal experiences and industry examples, the guests explore common challenges such as employee uncertainty, the pace of cultural change, and the importance of clear, consistent communication. They also highlight opportunities for existing team members to step into leadership roles during periods of transformation. Practical advice is shared on managing change, honoring the legacy of founding leadership, and supporting the next generation of leaders to bridge organizational shifts.

    23 мин.
См. все (21)

5
из 5
Оценок: 8

Об этом подкасте

VHTB is your guide to the talent, culture, and finance side of the space start-up ecosystem. Each episode, hosts Matt Gjertsen from Better Every Day Studios, Seyka & Brian Mejeur of AdAstra Talent Advisors, and Justus Kilian of Space Capital will share stories and insights from their experiences working with some of the most innovative companies on the planet.

Информация

  • Автор
    A VC, a Headhunter, and a Trainer Walk into a Bar
  • Годы выхода
    2 тыс.
  • Выпуски
    21
  • Ограничения
    Без ненормативной лексики
  • Авторские права
    © Copyright 2025 A VC, a Headhunter, and a Trainer Walk into a Bar
  • Сайт подкаста
    A VC, a Headhunter, and a Trainer Walk into a Bar

Вам может также понравиться