Funds and Founders: Untold Journeys Behind Their Breakthroughs

Abhinav Sinha
Funds and Founders: Untold Journeys Behind Their Breakthroughs

Welcome to "Funds & Founders: Untold Journeys Behind Their Breakthroughs," where we dig deep into the stories of successful Austin founders. Instead of focusing on their successes though, we dive into their journeys, particularly the struggles and obstacles they had to overcome. This weekly podcast is tailored for Austin founders navigating the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey and hosted by fellow Austinite Abhinav Sinha. Here’s what to expect by tuning into Funds & Founders: 🚀 Embark on a Journey to Success Join Abhinav as he takes you behind the scenes, exploring the highs and lows of building a company. This isn't your typical success story – we dive into the failures, the struggles, and those pivotal breakthrough moments that define a founder's path. 🌟 Real Conversations, Real Insights Abhinav's approach is refreshingly different. Rather than dwelling on success, he crafts casual conversations that unravel the untold stories. Identify the setbacks that helped them grow, the lessons learned from failures, and the breakthrough moments that fueled these founders. 🤔 Why Didn't They Quit? Learn and Apply. At the heart of each episode, Abhinav delves into the 'why' behind the perseverance. Why didn't they throw in the towel during tough times? And, most importantly, how can you apply their insights to your own journey? Get ready to be inspired and equipped with practical takeaways for your entrepreneurial adventure. 🤝 Decoding Venture Capital Ever wondered what goes on in the minds of Austin's venture capitalists? Abhinav sits down with local VCs to decode their criteria for investing in early-stage companies. Gain valuable insights into the world of venture capital, understand what investors look for, and appreciate the vital factor of founder-investor compatibility. 🎙️ Meet Your Host, Abhinav Sinha: Abhinav's soft-spoken yet inquisitive style creates an intimate atmosphere, allowing guests to share their authentic stories. His genuine curiosity and insightful questions make each episode a captivating journey into the minds of Austin's most successful founders. If you're a budding Austin entrepreneur seeking the inspiration and insight needed for building a successful company, "Funds & Founders" is your go-to podcast.

  1. HÁ 3 DIAS

    Lessons from a Paperboy who built a $13M Company! | James Wahba - E54

    **From delivering newspapers in 4th grade to raising millions for real estate and co-founding a thriving co-working space—James Wahba’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.**🚀 In this episode of Funds & Founders, James shares: ✅ How his childhood paper route taught him business fundamentals 📈 ✅ Raising $13M at 25 for real estate development 🏗️ ✅ Building one of NYC’s most iconic co-working spaces 🚀 ✅ Lessons from working alongside startups like Uber, Instacart, Stripe, Airbnb ✅ Why co-founder conflicts are one of the biggest startup killers 😨 If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, real estate investor, or startup founder, you don’t want to miss this one! Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome to Funds & Founders! 00:20 - James Waba’s entrepreneurial journey begins 01:14 - Growing up in Connecticut and learning business from a paper route 02:18 - The business lessons from his first job 📜 03:14 - Learning about customer retention and revenue at a young age 05:10 - From paper route to film school & shooting concerts 🎥 06:35 - Starting one of the first online streaming sites (before YouTube!) 07:54 - Partnering with Microsoft & early struggles of internet startups 💻 09:12 - Raising funds & the early days of NYC tech 12:22 - Competing in the pre-YouTube era—how streaming was built back then 16:04 - Shutting down the startup and pivoting to real estate development 17:08 - Converting industrial property to high-value waterfront real estate 19:52 - Raising $13M for a real estate project at 25 22:11 - The 2008 market crash hits—what happened next? 25:46 - Lessons learned: How to survive market crashes 28:49 - Bootstrapping vs. raising VC: What should startups do? 31:07 - The reality of investor expectations & startup funding 32:55 - Pivoting from real estate to co-working spaces 🏢 35:49 - How James built one of NYC’s top co-working spaces 39:32 - Uber, Instacart, and Airbnb worked here—what was it like? 41:14 - Why taking equity over cash would have been the best move 44:08 - The rise and fall of the co-working space model 46:50 - How to build a real, engaged community (not just a Slack group) 49:21 - Challenges of managing a co-working space & scaling it 51:34 - What James is building in Austin & his new boutique hotel project 54:45 - Rapid fire Q&A: Advice for founders, resources, and more 58:07 - Best books for entrepreneurs 📚 1:00:39 - What’s missing in the Austin startup ecosystem? 1:01:34 - Final thoughts & where to connect with James

    58min
  2. 5 DE MAR.

    Proven Playbook to Get Investors on Board in 30 Days! | Rajesh Sawhney - E53

    In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Rajesh Sawhney—a seasoned investor, advisor, and the founder & CEO of GSF—who’s backed over 135 companies. Rajesh shares deep insights on what first-time founders need to know, the art of achieving product–market fit, and the unique dynamics of the Indian startup ecosystem. Whether you’re just starting out or already deep in your entrepreneurial journey, Rajesh’s practical advice on early validation, team building, and strategic execution is invaluable. Learn how Rajesh: Evaluates startup potential by spotting early traction and customer validationDetermines the right stage to raise funds and scale a businessSupports founders through hands-on mentorship and strategic guidanceNavigates the differences between local and global startup ecosystemsAdapts his investment approach in a rapidly evolving tech landscape Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction: Meet Rajesh Vijay and his journey as an investor and founder 9:10 – From Idea to Product: How early validation sets the stage for success 19:50 – Tips for First-Time Founders: Balancing passion with pragmatic execution 27:45 – Understanding Product–Market Fit: Recognizing early indicators and challenges 41:24 – Funding Stages: The importance of small validations before big bets 51:20 – Evaluating Founders: Key traits like decision-making, team building, and adaptability 63:10 – The Role of Angel Investors: Mentorship and strategic support for startups 76:50 – The Indian Startup Ecosystem: Regional insights and the nuances of market dynamics 87:30 – Regulatory Impact: Adapting to policy changes for sustainable growth 95:45 – Final Thoughts: Embracing a long-term vision in an ever-changing landscape

    55min
  3. 3 DE MAR.

    Navigating Fundraising and Growth in a Competitive Market 💰 | Justin Schoenfelder - E52

    In this episode of Funds and Founders, we welcome back Justin, founder of Fantasy Elect, a cutting-edge political gaming startup. Justin dives into his journey over the past year, tackling fundraising challenges, optimizing user acquisition, and building a trust-driven remote team. Gain actionable insights on scaling a startup in the political arena and preparing for upcoming elections. Learn how Justin: Navigated fundraising in a volatile marketTailored user acquisition for B2B and B2CLeveraged strategic partnerships and VC relationshipsSelected the best cities and events for growthPivoted from fantasy sports to political engagementFostered a remote team culture based on trust Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & Year in Review 2:50 - Fundraising Challenges 5:32 - Choosing the Right City 9:04 - Fundraising Lessons 12:47 - Cold Emailing Strategies 15:09 - Current Fundraising Focus 16:53 - Event Optimization 21:25 - Ecosystem Insights 22:29 - Pivoting Customer Acquisition 24:32 - Early Lessons 25:44 - First Three Months vs Now 29:45 - Importance of Marketing 34:09 - Continuous Marketing & Feedback 38:24 - Planning for Elections 42:41 - Engagement in Off-Cycles 46:04 - Exploring New Marketing Channels 49:12 - Time Management 55:09 - Team Culture & Trust 57:06 - Remote Work vs In-Person 59:04 - Future Plans & Insights Follow Funds and Founders: Website: https://www.fundsandfounders.comTwitter: @fundsandfoundInstagram: @fundsandfoundersYouTube: Funds and Founders

    1h2min
  4. 1 DE MAR.

    Learn how to Raise Millions with the Perfect Pitch Deck | Garret Dailey & Brian Schuster - E51

    In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Garrett and Brian from Lucid, a consulting firm specializing in pitch decks and brand clarity. Garrett and Brian share how they combined their complementary skill sets—spanning design, operations, and growth—to help founders overcome the challenge of communicating complex ideas simply. Learn how they: Refined their own co-founder “dating” process before teaming upDeveloped a framework for uncovering a company’s true mission, vision, and valuesHelp founders craft investor-ready pitch decks—even for highly technical productsDistinguish “brand” from “culture” and why both matter for scalingApproach growth strategy differently for B2B vs. B2C startups Whether you’re an early-stage founder seeking investment or a seasoned entrepreneur refining your pitch, Garrett and Brian’s insights on clarity, branding, and storytelling are not to be missed! Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction and overview of Lucid 2:05 – How Garrett & Brian met and became co-founders 7:00 – Defining “clarity” and why founders struggle with it 12:40 – Business philosophy: getting to the “why” behind your startup 16:35 – Why technical founders need help explaining complex ideas 21:05 – When to invest in brand clarity vs. staying lean 26:10 – B2B vs. B2C: differences in messaging and traction 30:40 – Examples of effective (and ineffective) mission statements 35:50 – Branding vs. culture: how they intersect and why both matter 40:35 – The “spark moment” behind launching a startup 45:10 – Avoiding “cargo cult” thinking and learning real lessons 50:05 – Pivoting and the emotional toll of entrepreneurship 55:00 – What VCs really look for in a pitch deck 1:00:05 – Essential resources: Sequoia format, Venture Deals, and more 1:05:00 – Growth strategies: Revenue Architecture and the brand canvas 1:10:25 – The personal “why” and mental health in entrepreneurship 1:15:30 – Early-stage brand vs. Series A brand requirements 1:20:15 – Staying focused on real revenue-driving activities 1:25:05 – Wealth building, skill development, and time freedom 1:30:10 – Support systems: the Austin startup community 1:35:00 – “What would make you quit?” Parachute question from the previous guest 1:38:00 – Wrap-up and where to find Lucid Consulting #entrepreneur #company #venturecapital #investors #business #pitchdeck #brand #investment

    1h37min
  5. 26 DE FEV.

    The Ultimate Paid Ads Playbook: Accelerate Your Business Growth | Moby Hayat - E50

    In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Moby, a seasoned paid ads specialist who helps startups and established businesses alike accelerate their growth through strategic advertising. Moby shares his journey and dives deep into: Determining the right time to start running paid ads—and why timing is crucialChoosing between Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, and other platforms based on your audienceUnderstanding key metrics like CTR and conversion rates to gauge campaign successCrafting compelling offers, landing pages, and funnels that convertAvoiding common pitfalls and maximizing ROI with a data-driven approach Whether you’re looking to launch your first campaign or refine your existing strategy, Moby’s insights on funnel design, audience targeting, and the art of testing are not to be missed! Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction and Moby’s paid ads background 1:16 – When is the right time to invest in paid ads? 2:36 – Finding product-market fit vs. message-market fit 6:09 – The 80/20 of setting up your first paid ads campaign 8:36 – Paid search vs. paid social: Key differences and considerations 14:03 – Defining search intent and picking the right keywords 18:05 – Budgeting for ads and what metrics to watch 22:05 – Understanding funnels and lead qualification 26:45 – Tracking ROI: Cost per lead, cost per meeting, and RoAS 31:30 – Crafting offers and packaging: Why it matters 36:55 – Common mistakes to avoid when running ads 39:56 – Brand awareness campaigns vs. direct response tactics 43:09 – The importance of creative testing and ad copy 47:15 – Why landing page experience can make or break conversions 50:42 – E-commerce vs. B2B: Ad strategy differences 54:03 – Overcoming qualification hurdles with leads 56:31 – Final tips to refine your paid ads funnel 59:27 – Conclusion and wrap-up

    1h3min
  6. 24 DE FEV.

    This Goal Setting Framework Made Me 3x My Business | Aaron Trahan - E49

    In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Aaron, a performance coach who helps founders and entrepreneurs optimize their business execution through OKRs (Objectives and Key Results). Aaron shares deep insights on goal setting, prioritization, and creating effective business frameworks. Learn how Aaron: - Helps founders set realistic yet ambitious 12-month goals - Creates frameworks for breaking down long-term vision into actionable steps - Guides teams in implementing effective OKR systems - Balances personal and business priorities for sustainable growth - Transforms company execution through priority management Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or leading an established company, Aaron's practical approach to goal setting and execution is invaluable for any business leader! Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & The importance of strategic planning 1:24 - Fundamentals of effective goal setting 3:37 - Choosing the right time horizon for goals 5:48 - Setting realistic 12-month targets 10:41 - Balancing ambition with reality in goal setting 15:44 - Priority management and maintaining focus 21:25 - Taking action vs over-planning 26:50 - Understanding and implementing OKRs 34:37 - Getting leadership team alignment 39:19 - Quarterly planning and execution strategies 46:00 - Defining and tracking success metrics 55:59 - When and how to adapt your vision 58:30 - Recommended resources for goal setting 1:00:24 - Creating freedom through effective business systems Connect with Aaron: Website: performancemindsetcoaching.co

    1h5min
  7. 18 DE JAN.

    Why I Left My VP Role for a Seed-Stage Startup | Inside Beehive's Growth Story | Preeya Goenka - E47

    In this episode, we sit down with Preeya, COO of Beehive, to discuss her journey from being a VP at a large tech company to joining Beehive as employee. Learn how she helped scale the company from seed stage to Series B, growing from 8 to 80+ employees. Priya shares insights on startup operations, remote work culture, board management, and making the leap from big tech to early-stage startups. Priya shares how she: Transitioned from a VP role to an early-stage startupHelped scale Beehive from 8 to 80+ employees through Series BBuilt and maintains a successful remote-first company cultureNavigates board management and metric trackingApproaches goal setting and prioritization in a high-growth environment Whether you're considering joining a startup or already in a leadership role, Priya's insights on scaling operations and building successful teams are invaluable! Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction and Background 3:29 - Evaluating Early-Stage Companies 6:18 - First 90 Days at a Startup 8:41 - Transitioning Industries 11:22 - Understanding the Chief of Staff Role 14:16 - Red Flags When Joining Early-Stage Companies 16:38 - Compensation Structure in Startups 21:57 - Scaling from 8 to 80 Employees 29:06 - Remote vs In-Person Work Culture 31:42 - Prioritization and Goal Setting 34:27 - Board Management and Metrics 48:39 - Importance of Mentorship 55:04 - Future of Beehive 56:15 - Book and Resource Recommendations 57:21 - Support Systems for Startup Life 58:09 - Personal Growth and Freedom Connect with Preeya: Email: priya@beehive.com Website: https://beehive.com #startup #tech #leadership #entrepreneurship #careeradvice

    59min
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    Sobre

    Welcome to "Funds & Founders: Untold Journeys Behind Their Breakthroughs," where we dig deep into the stories of successful Austin founders. Instead of focusing on their successes though, we dive into their journeys, particularly the struggles and obstacles they had to overcome. This weekly podcast is tailored for Austin founders navigating the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey and hosted by fellow Austinite Abhinav Sinha. Here’s what to expect by tuning into Funds & Founders: 🚀 Embark on a Journey to Success Join Abhinav as he takes you behind the scenes, exploring the highs and lows of building a company. This isn't your typical success story – we dive into the failures, the struggles, and those pivotal breakthrough moments that define a founder's path. 🌟 Real Conversations, Real Insights Abhinav's approach is refreshingly different. Rather than dwelling on success, he crafts casual conversations that unravel the untold stories. Identify the setbacks that helped them grow, the lessons learned from failures, and the breakthrough moments that fueled these founders. 🤔 Why Didn't They Quit? Learn and Apply. At the heart of each episode, Abhinav delves into the 'why' behind the perseverance. Why didn't they throw in the towel during tough times? And, most importantly, how can you apply their insights to your own journey? Get ready to be inspired and equipped with practical takeaways for your entrepreneurial adventure. 🤝 Decoding Venture Capital Ever wondered what goes on in the minds of Austin's venture capitalists? Abhinav sits down with local VCs to decode their criteria for investing in early-stage companies. Gain valuable insights into the world of venture capital, understand what investors look for, and appreciate the vital factor of founder-investor compatibility. 🎙️ Meet Your Host, Abhinav Sinha: Abhinav's soft-spoken yet inquisitive style creates an intimate atmosphere, allowing guests to share their authentic stories. His genuine curiosity and insightful questions make each episode a captivating journey into the minds of Austin's most successful founders. If you're a budding Austin entrepreneur seeking the inspiration and insight needed for building a successful company, "Funds & Founders" is your go-to podcast.

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