Startup Steroid - Founders Podcast

Startup Steroid
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Startup Steroid brings you the Founders podcast. In this podcast, we invite founders to share their experiences of starting and running a startup. You get to know their pain points and how they tackled them.

  1. 08/28/2025

    How to Raise $5M+ & Prepare for IPOs | David McConnell’s Capital Campaign Playbook

    In this episode of Pitch. Fund. Scale., I sit down with David McConnell, Managing Partner at Capital Partners Worldwide, who has helped founders raise over $5M+ per campaign, navigate executive investor networks, and even prep for IPOs. David doesn’t just help startups raise — he helps them raise right. From equity strategy to public market readiness, he’s worked with high-growth companies across the tech sector, turning big visions into fundable, scalable realities. 🎙️ Topics Covered: ✅ What it really takes to raise $5M+ in today’s funding climate ✅ The difference between a good deck and a real deal ✅ How founders can tap into exclusive executive investor networks ✅ The pre-pitch checklist every Seed or Series A founder needs ✅ Biggest myths that kill fundraising momentum ✅ IPO strategy, investor readiness & founder mindset shifts David’s capital campaigns are backed by clarity, structure, and deep investor insight — helping founders not only raise funds but become the kind of company investors want to fund. Whether you’re preparing your first raise or looking ahead to public markets, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom. 💡 If you’re thinking about your next raise — or your biggest one yet — this conversation is your fundraising blueprint. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell** for more episodes with founders, investors, and capital strategists:    / @imanshumansinha   📅 Want direct advice or 1:1 pitch feedback? Book a session with me here: https://topmate.io/anshumansinha 🔗 Connect with the Guest: David McConnell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlmcconnell/ 🔗 Connect with Me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshumansinha1/ Twitter: https://x.com/Mentor_Anshuman Website: https://theanshumansinha.com/

    30 min

  2. 08/28/2025

    How to Win Over Angel Groups | Startup Fundraising Truths with JJ Richa, Pismo Ventures

    In this powerhouse episode of Pitch. Fund. Scale., I sit down with JJ Richa – serial entrepreneur, board member, and CEO of Pismo Ventures – to uncover what really makes investors say yes. From building and scaling companies in hospitality tech, luxury e-commerce, and fintech to becoming a key figure in Tech Coast Angels, JJ has seen both sides of the table. In this no-fluff conversation, he shares exactly what founders get wrong when pitching and how to truly become investor-ready. 🎙️ Topics Covered:  ✅ JJ’s journey from founder to angel investor  ✅ What makes a pitch stand out at Tech Coast Angels  ✅ Red flags that turn angel groups off  ✅ The vision behind Pismo Ventures & founder blindspots  ✅ Fundraising myths, dilution traps, and traction truths  ✅ Real startup advice from a serial operator JJ Richa is the CEO of Pismo Ventures and a long-time member of Tech Coast Angels, one of the most respected angel networks in the U.S. He brings years of experience turning ideas into scalable ventures and helping founders close the gap between vision and execution. 💡 If you're fundraising in 2025 or guiding early-stage startups, this is a tactical masterclass you can’t miss. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for weekly episodes with founders, angels, and ecosystem builders:    / @imanshumansinha   🔗 Connect with the Guest:  JJ Richa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjricha/ 🔗 Connect with Me:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshumansinha1/  Twitter: https://x.com/Mentor_Anshuman  Website: https://theanshumansinha.com/

    34 min

  3. 08/28/2025

    How VCs REALLY Judge Startups—GTM, Traction & Investor Math | Parthib Srivathsan, Companyon Ventures

    In this episode of Pitch. Fund. Scale., I sit down with Parthib Srivathsan – Operating Partner at Companyon Ventures – to decode how VCs actually evaluate startups during diligence, what “Investor Math” really means, and how early-stage founders can prep for venture funding. From GTM engines to data room readiness, Parthib pulls no punches. As the creator of popular content series like Diligence Diaries and Investor Math, he blends strategic insight with real-world advisory — making this episode a goldmine for any founder navigating the early-stage chaos. 🎙️ Topics Covered:  ✅ What real product-market fit looks like  ✅ Startup red flags during investor diligence  ✅ Go-to-market mistakes most tech founders make  ✅ Investor Math: metrics that make or break a raise  ✅ Dashboard must-haves for post-raise planning  ✅ The most common reasons a fundraise stalls Parthib isn’t your typical VC — he’s a hands-on operator who stays close to founders post-investment, helping them build, scale, and raise smarter. His work at Companyon Ventures bridges the often-missed gap between diligence and execution. 💡 If you’re fundraising in 2025, struggling with traction, or want to build a repeatable GTM engine — this episode is your tactical blueprint. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for weekly deep-dives with founders, angels, and startup operators:     / @imanshumansinha   🔗 Connect with the Guest:  Parthib Srivathsan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parthibsrivath... 🔗 Connect with Me:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshumansinha1/  Twitter: https://x.com/Mentor_Anshuman  Website: https://theanshumansinha.com/

    36 min

  4. 08/14/2025

    Mastering Startup Fundraising & Valuation | Maneesh Srivastava, Alphavalue Ventures

    In this powerhouse episode of Pitch. Fund. Scale, I sit down with Maneesh Srivastava – founder of Alphavalue Ventures, angel investor, and startup transaction advisor – to unpack the real mechanics behind startup valuation, fundraising, and legal readiness. With over 2,000+ startup assignments under his belt, Maneesh dives deep into founder blindspots, legal red flags, and the strategies investors actually care about when deciding to write a check.  Maneesh is a founding member of TiE, a trusted mentor at top incubation cells, and sits on investment committees at multiple IITs. With 16+ years of experience, he’s helped shape India's early-stage ecosystem from the inside out. 🎙️ Topics Covered: ✅ Startup Valuation Myths (and how to avoid them) ✅ Legal & Due Diligence Best Practices ✅ ESOP Structuring Tips that Work ✅ Angel Investment Strategies & Founder Fit ✅ Real Case Studies from Startup Advisory ✅ What Investors Look for in a Winning Pitch 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for weekly conversations with founders, angels, and ecosystem builders:     / @imanshumansinha   🔗 Connect with the Guest:  Maneesh Srivastava LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maneeshsrivastav/ 🔗 Connect with me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshumansinha1/ Instagram:  Twitter: https://x.com/Mentor_Anshuman Website: https://theanshumansinha.com/ 💡 Whether you're raising your first round or advising founders, this episode is a tactical deep-dive into startup funding done right.

    39 min

  5. 08/14/2025

    Build Smarter, Scale Faster: Tech-Driven Startups with Chinmay Shah

    Tech Meets Execution – Chinmay Shah on Scaling Startups, SuperApps & Sustainable Innovation In this episode of Pitch. Fund. Scale, We dive deep with Chinmay Shah — a 3rd generation entrepreneur, mentor to 17+ startups, and CEO of Startup Steroid India. We talk about: ➡️ His Build-Operate-Lease-Transfer strategy  ➡️ Secrets to evaluating early-stage startups  ➡️ Why most founders fail at execution — and how not to  ➡️ Creating SuperApps, managing MNCs, and balancing tech with purpose  ➡️ How ReadyScore helps founders prep for investors  🎙️ Guest: Chinmay Shah — Tech Evangelist | FinTech Startup Curator | Mentor  🔗 Connect with Chinmay Shah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chinmayushah/ Connect with me here- YouTube:    / @imanshumansinha   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshumansinha1/  Website: https://theanshumansinha.com/ Whether you're building in FinTech, EdTech, or launching your first product — this conversation delivers clarity, playbooks, and unfiltered truth from the frontlines. 🎧 Listen now if you're serious about scaling smarter, faster, and more sustainably. 🔔 Subscribe, like, and share this episode with a fellow founder.

    34 min

  6. 08/12/2025

    Why Student Founders Win | Dr. Thomas Duening on Startup Investing

    🎙️ Pitch. Fund. Scale. – Startup Masterclass in Bite-Sized Episodes Guest: Dr. Thomas Duening, President – International Collegiate Angels Network (ICAN) 👇 Timestamps & Key Takeaways Below 👇 What if student founders have exactly what it takes to build breakout startups? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Thomas Duening, a trailblazing academic-turned-entrepreneur and angel investor, now leading the International Collegiate Angels Network (ICAN). He shares bold insights on how students can pitch, fund, and scale—without waiting to "grow up." We talk about: ✅ The truth about student startups ✅ What academia gets wrong about entrepreneurship ✅ Green flags and red flags investors spot in first-time founders ✅ Why student naivety might be an asset ✅ How to validate an idea when you have zero network ✅ The future of collegiate venture capital Whether you're a university founder, early-stage investor, or just building from scratch—this episode is your crash course in rethinking who gets to win in the startup game. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 01:22 – Dr. Duening’s startup journey & ICAN origin 05:15 – Why student founders are underestimated 09:50 – What investors miss about young founders 15:30 – Academic myths about entrepreneurship 21:40 – Raising capital without a network 26:15 – Quick fire: books, pitches & unfiltered advice 28:30 – Final message to every young founder 👍 Like this episode if you believe student founders are the future 🔔 Subscribe for more unfiltered startup masterclasses 📬 Know a student founder who needs this? Share it with them now! Join my community of 60,000+ people! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshumansinha1/  Website: https://theanshumansinha.com/  🔔 Subscribe for More Interviews from Startup Trailblazers

    47 min

  7. 08/01/2025

    Startup Funding Secrets from a Veteran Angel Investor | Scott Jacobs, Queen City Angels

    Want to know what actually gets angel investors to say YES? In this episode of Pitch.Fund.Scale, we sit down with Scott Jacobs, Executive Director of Queen City Angels, to uncover what goes on behind the pitch deck. Scott shares candid insights into: -What founders get wrong about funding -How Queen City Angels backs startups that create real impact -The mindset shift every entrepreneur needs -Why mentorship sometimes outweighs capital -Building strong startup ecosystems beyond Silicon Valley Whether you're a founder raising your first round, an aspiring investor, or just hungry to understand the real-world startup game — this conversation will reshape the way you think about funding, leadership, and growth. 🎙️ Guest: Scott Jacobs — Executive Director, Queen City Angels  🔗 Connect with Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sc0ttjac0bs/   💡 Whether you’re a founder, investor, or just startup-curious, this bite-sized masterclass is packed with golden insights. Connect with me here- Youtube:    / @imanshumansinha   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshumansinha1/  Website: https://theanshumansinha.com/ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated with more interviews from founders, angels, and ecosystem builders.

    39 min

  8. 07/31/2025

    Build Smarter, Scale Faster: Tech-Driven Startups with Chinmay Shah

    Tech Meets Execution – Chinmay Shah on Scaling Startups, SuperApps & Sustainable Innovation In this episode of Pitch. Fund. Scale, We dive deep with Chinmay Shah — a 3rd generation entrepreneur, mentor to 17+ startups, and CEO of Startup Steroid India. We talk about: ➡️ His Build-Operate-Lease-Transfer strategy  ➡️ Secrets to evaluating early-stage startups  ➡️ Why most founders fail at execution — and how not to  ➡️ Creating SuperApps, managing MNCs, and balancing tech with purpose  ➡️ How ReadyScore helps founders prep for investors  🎙️ Guest: Chinmay Shah — Tech Evangelist | FinTech Startup Curator | Mentor  🔗 Connect with Chinmay Shah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chinmayushah/ Connect with me here- YouTube:    / @imanshumansinha   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshumansinha1/  Website: https://theanshumansinha.com/ Whether you're building in FinTech, EdTech, or launching your first product — this conversation delivers clarity, playbooks, and unfiltered truth from the frontlines. 🎧 Listen now if you're serious about scaling smarter, faster, and more sustainably. 🔔 Subscribe, like, and share this episode with a fellow founder.

    34 min
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Startup Steroid brings you the Founders podcast. In this podcast, we invite founders to share their experiences of starting and running a startup. You get to know their pain points and how they tackled them.

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