Inside Startup Funding

Helena Fogarty
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Inside Startup Funding is a multi-format podcast, content platform, & community— sponsored by Bamboo X and hosted by Fundraising Expert Helena Fogarty —designed to demystify how startup capital really moves, from the first check to the pressures of scale. Follow us on YouTube, LinkedIn and Substack to get notified of new episode drops, monthly events, and special livestreams. Inside Startup Funding is sponsored by Bamboo X, a New York and Bay Area recruiting partner to startups building technical and design teams. Their team of recruiters have supported over 200 startups in building elite teams from mid-level hires through to executive leaders. For more info visit bamboo-x.com

  1. 3D AGO

    The Truth About Venture Valuations | Justin Kang of Visible Hands

    What does a valuation actually mean once you take venture math seriously? In this episode of Inside the Fund, Justin Kang of Visible Hands breaks down the mechanics most founders never fully internalize. A valuation is not a payout. It is a projection inside a fund model governed by liquidity cycles, LP expectations, and fiduciary duty. Justin unpacks:• Why LP capital is locked up for years• How IPO and M and A slowdowns reshape venture behavior• Why VCs are almost always fundraising• What fiduciary duty actually means in practice• How portfolio math drives decisions more than narrative He explains how capital constraints ripple through the ecosystem and why founders need to understand the fund structure behind the term sheet. When liquidity slows, timelines stretch. When exits stall, capital tightens. And when capital tightens, investor behavior changes. If you are raising right now, this context matters. Subscribe for full episodes and future conversations. About Inside Startup Funding:Inside Startup Funding is a multi format podcast and community hosted by fundraising expert Helena Fogarty, designed to demystify how startup capital really moves from first check to scale.Our sub series include Inside the Fund, Inside the Round, and Inside the Process, each exploring a different side of the funding journey. Sponsored by Bamboo X, a recruiting partner to startups building technical and design teams. Filmed at 28th&Park in New York City.Follow us on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Substack to stay close to how capital actually moves.

    53 min
  2. She Raised $4M to Fix What LinkedIn Broke | Caroline Dell, CEO of Goodword

    FEB 3

    She Raised $4M to Fix What LinkedIn Broke | Caroline Dell, CEO of Goodword

    In this episode of Inside the Round, host Helena Fogarty sits down with Caroline Dell, CEO and Co-founder of Goodword, to break down the real realities of raising their $4 Million Seed Round led by Human Ventures. Caroline shares her journey from working in consulting at Bain and as a strategic operator at Chief to the pivotal moment she realized she was ready to be a CEO. This conversation goes beyond pitch decks and valuations to explore: - Why relationships truly are everything. - How a conversation with Chief's CEO changed her career trajectory. - The critical difference between being an early employee and the ultimate decision-making CEO. - The challenge of "pattern matching" and convincing investors their product was not just another personal CRM "graveyard". - The strategic use of warm introductions and why "Pipeline Cures All" in fundraising. - The intentional strategy for finding and vetting her co-founder. - Why Goodword is a VC-backable business due to the massive market opportunity, drawing comparisons to LinkedIn. - The core advice for early-stage founders: don't skip the fundraising prep. A must-watch for founders navigating the complexities of seed-stage fundraising and transitioning into the CEO role. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:58 - Goodword's Introduction 01:39 - Caroline Dell's Career Background 04:20 - The Decision to Become a CEO and Leadership Mindset. 08:32 - The Genesis of Goodword 14:05 - Finding a Co-Founder 18:15 - The Difference Between Being an Employee and a Founder/CEO 23:38 - Knowing the Right Time to Found the Company 25:56 - Determining Goodword's VC-Backability and Market Opportunity 30:31 - The Role of AI in Strengthening Human Relationships and the Loneliness Epidemic. 34:50 - The Fundraising Strategy 47:00 - The Biggest Fundraising Challenges 54:35 - What Convinced Investors to Commit Early 58:15 - Post-Funding Activities: Product Launch, Hiring, and Early Validation. 1:02:14 - Key Advice for Early-Stage Founders Raising Capital. - **04:09** | The Moment She Knew She Wanted to be a CEO - **08:12** | Why Goodword Was Started (Relationships are Everything) - **13:41** | Finding a Co-founder and "Co-founder Dating" - **17:51** | The Difference Between Being an Early Employee and a CEO - **25:31** | Why Goodword Is VC-Backable - **38:52** | Fundraising Strategy: Prioritizing Warm Introductions - **46:36** | The Biggest Challenges During the Fundraise (Pattern Matching) - **1:01:56** | Key Fundraising Advice for Early-Stage Founders

    1h 19m
  3. The Dark Truth About Fundraising No VC Tells You

    JAN 24

    The Dark Truth About Fundraising No VC Tells You

    In this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty sits down with James Zahn, Founder of Ranger AI, to break down the real realities of fundraising that most founders don’t talk about. James shares his journey from solving industrial tendering problems as an engineer to raising a $2.5M pre-seed round for Ranger AI, including lessons from angel investors, design partners, non-dilutive government funding, and working with institutional VCs. This conversation goes beyond pitch decks and valuations to explore: - Why fundraising often creates more responsibility, not relief - How strong relationships outperform aggressive VC outreach - The role of design partners in early-stage success - When raising capital actually makes sense — and when it doesn’t - How founders can stay mentally and operationally strong while scaling A must-watch for founders navigating seed and pre-seed fundraising in today’s market. Timestamps: 00:00 Fundraising creates more problems, not solutions 01:15 Why Ranger AI exists (founder backstory) 06:54 Angels & investors = relationships, not money 12:26 Rejection mindset that actually works 20:10 EIR at 25 Madison (how Ranger really started) 24:20 Raising $5M non-dilutive from the government 31:13 Why raising $2.5M actually made sense 37:01 How the round was raised (inbound, not cold VC spam) 43:13 Valuation mistakes founders keep making 52:43 Hot take: don’t maximize valuation 57:40 Staying sane while building a company 01:00:02 Final truth about fundraising

    1h 3m
  4. Raised $10M After VCs Ghosted: Circadian Risk’s Story

    12/30/2025

    Raised $10M After VCs Ghosted: Circadian Risk’s Story

    In this episode, Michael Martin shares the real story behind how Circadian Risk raised $10M after being ghosted by VCs. We break down: Why investors initially passed on the idea How the team built conviction before consensus What changed between rejection and a successful raise Lessons for founders building in misunderstood or emerging categories A candid conversation about fundraising, persistence, and building when belief comes late. Perfect for founders, operators, and investors who want the unfiltered reality behind a $10M raise.

    1h 12m
  5. Navigating the Emotional Toll of Startup Shutdowns - Jaclyn Siu of Starcycle

    11/25/2025

    Navigating the Emotional Toll of Startup Shutdowns - Jaclyn Siu of Starcycle

    In this conversation, Jacyln Siu of Starcycle shares her journey from growing up in Hong Kong to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the U.S. She discusses the emotional challenges of shutting down startups, the importance of community and networking, and how these experiences shaped her new venture, Starcycle. The conversation emphasizes resilience, learning from failure, and the significance of building supportive relationships in the entrepreneurial journey.   00:00 From Hong Kong to Entrepreneurship 02:54 The Journey of Learning and Adapting 06:02 The Pain of Shutdowns and Lessons Learned 08:50 The Birth of Star Cycle 12:01 Navigating the Challenges of Starting Over 14:48 Building a Supportive Network 17:50 The Importance of Customer Development 20:56 Pricing Strategies and Iteration 24:04 Facing the Reality of Shutdowns 27:01 The Role of Investors in a Founder’s Journey 29:57 Building in Public and Community Support   Helena's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenafogarty  Jaclyn's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclynsiu/   🎬 Shot at 28th&Park in New York City Learn more at: https://28thpark.com/ 📸 Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/28thpark/   Inside the Round is sponsored by Bamboo X, the leading technical and design recruiting partner to startups from Seed to IPO.     To learn more about Bamboo X: https://bamboo-x.com/

    1h 28m
  6. The Role of Legal Counsel in Startup Success: Inside the Process with Samir Bakhru

    11/18/2025

    The Role of Legal Counsel in Startup Success: Inside the Process with Samir Bakhru

    In this insightful episode of Inside the Process, Helena Fogarty, interviews Samir Bakhru from Orrick, Harrington, and Sutcliffe. They discuss the intricacies of raising capital, the importance of choosing the right legal counsel, and the evolving landscape of early-stage investing. Samir shares his journey into the startup ecosystem, emphasizing the significance of having tough conversations early and the role of legal advisors in a startup's success. Helena's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenafogarty  Samir's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samirbakhru/ 🎬 Shot at 28th&Park in New York City Learn more at: https://28thpark.com/ 📸 Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/28thpark/ Inside the Process is sponsored by Bamboo X, the leading technical and design recruiting partner to startups from Seed to IPO.     To learn more about Bamboo X: https://bamboo-x.com/

    1h 15m
  7. Ella Moloney-Cook: From Founder to Investor Advocate

    11/11/2025

    Ella Moloney-Cook: From Founder to Investor Advocate

    In this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty speaks with Ella Moloney-Cook, co-founder and COO of Upper Echelon, about her unique entrepreneurial journey from Australia to the US, the importance of strategic capital, and the role of mental health in entrepreneurship. Ella shares insights on building community, effective investor outreach strategies, and creating unique experiences for investors. She also discusses the challenges of navigating investor relationships and the surprising realizations she has had as a founder in the investor-backed space. In this conversation, the speaker discusses the significance of strategic capital in entrepreneurship, emphasizing the need for founders to align with investors who can provide more than just financial support. They share insights from their experience in the VCPE program at Columbia, offering advice for new founders on raising capital and building meaningful relationships within the startup ecosystem. The discussion also touches on the evolution of business models in response to changing market dynamics, the importance of mental well-being for founders, and the role of community in fostering success. 00:00 The Importance of Strategic Capital 02:15 Ella's Entrepreneurial Journey 05:21 Mental Health and Community in Entrepreneurship 08:02 Transitioning from Australia to the US 12:01 Building Upper Echelon: The Business Model 16:13 Effective Investor Outreach Strategies 18:26 Creating Unique Investor Experiences 23:38 Navigating Tough Conversations with Investors 30:49 Surprises in the Investor-Backed Journey 31:40 The Importance of Strategic Capital 34:10 Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Technology 35:43 Learning from the VCPE Program 37:14 Advice for Founders Raising Capital 43:39 Building Meaningful Relationships in Fundraising 44:39 Evolving Business Models Post-Funding 51:53 Controversial Insights on Fundraising 54:44 Leveraging Founder AI Labs for Success 57:39 Maintaining Well-Being as a Founder Helena's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenafogarty Ella's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellamolonycook/ 🎬 Shot at 28th&Park in New York City Learn more at: https://28thpark.com/ 📸 Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/28thpark/ Inside the Round is sponsored by Bamboo X, the leading technical and design recruiting partner to startups from Seed to IPO. To learn more about Bamboo X: https://bamboo-x.com/

    1h 3m
  8. Ella Maloney-Cook: From Founder to Investor Advocate

    11/11/2025

    Ella Maloney-Cook: From Founder to Investor Advocate

    In this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty speaks with Ella Maloney-Cook, co-founder and COO of Upper Echelon, about her unique entrepreneurial journey from Australia to the US, the importance of strategic capital, and the role of mental health in entrepreneurship. Ella shares insights on building community, effective investor outreach strategies, and creating unique experiences for investors. She also discusses the challenges of navigating investor relationships and the surprising realizations she has had as a founder in the investor-backed space. In this conversation, the speaker discusses the significance of strategic capital in entrepreneurship, emphasizing the need for founders to align with investors who can provide more than just financial support. They share insights from their experience in the VCPE program at Columbia, offering advice for new founders on raising capital and building meaningful relationships within the startup ecosystem. The discussion also touches on the evolution of business models in response to changing market dynamics, the importance of mental well-being for founders, and the role of community in fostering success. 00:00 The Importance of Strategic Capital 02:15 Ella's Entrepreneurial Journey 05:21 Mental Health and Community in Entrepreneurship 08:02 Transitioning from Australia to the US 12:01 Building Upper Echelon: The Business Model 16:13 Effective Investor Outreach Strategies 18:26 Creating Unique Investor Experiences 23:38 Navigating Tough Conversations with Investors 30:49 Surprises in the Investor-Backed Journey 31:40 The Importance of Strategic Capital 34:10 Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Technology 35:43 Learning from the VCPE Program 37:14 Advice for Founders Raising Capital 43:39 Building Meaningful Relationships in Fundraising 44:39 Evolving Business Models Post-Funding 51:53 Controversial Insights on Fundraising 54:44 Leveraging Founder AI Labs for Success 57:39 Maintaining Well-Being as a Founder Helena's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenafogarty  Ella's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellamolonycook/ 🎬 Shot at 28th&Park in New York City Learn more at: https://28thpark.com/ 📸 Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/28thpark/ Inside the Round is sponsored by Bamboo X, the leading technical and design recruiting partner to startups from Seed to IPO.     To learn more about Bamboo X: https://bamboo-x.com/

    1h 3m
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About

Inside Startup Funding is a multi-format podcast, content platform, & community— sponsored by Bamboo X and hosted by Fundraising Expert Helena Fogarty —designed to demystify how startup capital really moves, from the first check to the pressures of scale. Follow us on YouTube, LinkedIn and Substack to get notified of new episode drops, monthly events, and special livestreams. Inside Startup Funding is sponsored by Bamboo X, a New York and Bay Area recruiting partner to startups building technical and design teams. Their team of recruiters have supported over 200 startups in building elite teams from mid-level hires through to executive leaders. For more info visit bamboo-x.com

Information

  • Creator
    Helena Fogarty
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Helena Fogarty
  • Show Website
    Inside Startup Funding