The Consumer VC: Venture Capital I B2C Startups I Commerce | Early-Stage Investing I Brands

Mike Gelb
The Consumer VC: Venture Capital I B2C Startups I Commerce | Early-Stage Investing I Brands

The Consumer VC takes a look into early-stage consumer investing and venture capital. If you are interested in learning about consumer trends, have a b2c business and interested in learning about the fundraising process at the early stage, you have come to the right place. Mike interviews some of the top venture capitalists in the world that focus on B2C and consumer type companies or have a deep track record investing in these categories such as marketplaces, SaaS, social, CPG and non-tech subscription. Mike also interviews founders that are building some of the most disruptive consumer facing companies in the world. The conversation usually includes the insight the founder discovered, fundraising strategy, and the pitch. This podcast also includes bonus episodes. Each bonus episode dives into a particular subject that might not have to due with the fundraise or venture capital, but still would be helpful to founders. For example, a bonus episode on brand strategy or how to construct a board of directors. All bonus episodes will be clearly labeled. For all episodes, please visit www.theconsumervc.com. For updates, you can follow @mikegelb on Twitter.

  1. The Evolution of Premium Products in Mainstream Retail with Marcel Bens, CEO of Emil Capital Partners

    SEP 6

    The Evolution of Premium Products in Mainstream Retail with Marcel Bens, CEO of Emil Capital Partners

    Today, we're diving into the secrets of successful early-stage investments in North American consumer brands with Marcel Bens, CEO of Emil Capital. In this episode, Marcel shares the unique strategy of Emil Capital’s hybrid venture firm, with its sharp focus on 'better-for-you' products and how it bridges the critical investment gap between angel investors and larger private equity firms. We’ll explore how they strategically deploy $1-5 million checks, backed by the rich history of the Tangleman Group, to drive growth and diversification across regions. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. 0:00:28 - Why Do Consumers Pay a Premium for High-Quality Products? 0:07:04 - How Is the Investment Deployment Strategy Structured? 0:13:14 - What Are the Opportunities in Better-for-You Products? 0:19:01 - What Are the Market Strategies for Premium Products? 0:25:47 - How to Decode Nutrition Labels for Better Choices? 0:30:37 - How to Select the Right Brands at Conventions? 0:34:48 - How to Identify Niche Emerging Categories? 0:38:37 - How to Invest in Consumer Brands and Tech? 0:48:49 - What Is the Approach to Building a Company Brick by Brick? Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74Z... Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... Follow on Twitter:  / mikegelb   Follow on Instagram:  / mikegelb   Follow on TikTok:  / consumervc

    51 min
  2. When to Invest in Consumer Technology with Vanessa Larco at NEA

    AUG 30

    When to Invest in Consumer Technology with Vanessa Larco at NEA

    Our guest today is Vanessa Larco, Partner at NEA. She shares her journey from pioneering XBox at Microsoft to navigating the social gaming boom with Playdom and making her mark in venture capital. Discover her investment ethos centered on consumer passion projects, successful investments in companies like Robinhood and Mejuri, and her insights on AI's transformative potential across industries. This episode is filled with valuable lessons and expert knowledge from Vanessa's diverse career. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:03:23 - Microsoft's Early Touch Screen Technologies 0:05:36 - Designing Surface Device Controls Without Mouse 0:09:11 - Xbox Connect Speech Recognition Evolution 0:14:33 - Innovative Technologies and Timing 0:17:12 - A-B Testing and Data-Driven Decisions 0:23:10 - Profitability and Growth in Different Industries 0:26:55 - Investing Across Different Categories 0:29:53 - Robinhood Revolutionizes Commission-Free Investing  0:36:33 - Identifying Winning Consumer Companies 0:54:15 - Venture Capital in Tech Innovation Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74ZMqodx5UmAeWAOJF?si=e0bd72bc48b341ab Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-consumer-vc-venture-capital-i-b2c-startups-i/id1484646914 Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeGelb Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikegelb/ Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@consumervc

    60 min
  3. Turning Science into Consumer Brands with Osman Khan, CEO of Squared Circles

    AUG 16

    Turning Science into Consumer Brands with Osman Khan, CEO of Squared Circles

    Join us as we explore the cutting-edge intersection of AI, science, and consumer innovation with Osman Khan, CEO and co-founder of Squared Circles. Discover how his venture studio is revolutionizing product development and redefining the future of consumer brands. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. 00:00:00: Intro 00:07:30: How does Squared Circles differentiate itself from other companies in the industry? 00:10:35: How does Squared Circles integrate sustainability into its products? 00:12:32: What are your plans for global expansion, and how do you approach new markets? 00:19:30: Can you share a success story that you believe exemplifies the impact of Squared Circles? 00:26:00: How do you manage and scale the company’s operations as it continues to grow? 00:28:15: What strategies do you use to attract and retain top talent? 00:33:00: What are some of the most significant trends you’re seeing in your industry right now? 00:41:00: How do you ensure that your leadership team remains aligned with the company’s vision? 00:46:00: What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned throughout your entrepreneurial journey? 00:57:00: How do you measure success, both personally and for Squared Circles? Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74ZMqodx5UmAeWAOJF?si=e0bd72bc48b341ab Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-consumer-vc-venture-capital-i-b2c-startups-i/id1484646914 Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeGelb Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikegelb/ Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@consumervc

    1h 1m
  4. How They Built a Direct-to-Consumer Baby Food Brand and Scaled to Selling Millions of Products Each Month with Angela Vranich and Ben Lewis From Little Spoon

    JUL 24

    How They Built a Direct-to-Consumer Baby Food Brand and Scaled to Selling Millions of Products Each Month with Angela Vranich and Ben Lewis From Little Spoon

    Our guests today are Angela Vranich and Ben Lewis, the dynamic duo behind Little Spoon, as we explore their journey from high school sweethearts to co-founders of a revolutionary baby food brand. Listen in as they share how their early fascination with consumer brands led them to the natural products industry, and how their personal relationship evolved into a successful business partnership. Angela and Ben provide a candid look at the challenges and rewards of building a business as a couple, the motivations that fueled their entrepreneurial spirit, and the key partnership principles that have guided their journey. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. (0:00:01) - Building Little Spoon With a Partner (0:10:31) - Revolutionizing the Baby Food Industry (0:19:15) - Expanding Product Line for Growing Kids (0:32:56) - Direct-to-Consumer Success in Marketing (0:46:21) - Balancing Growth and Profitability Strategy Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74ZMqodx5UmAeWAOJF?si=e0bd72bc48b341ab Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-consumer-vc-venture-capital-i-b2c-startups-i/id1484646914 Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeGelb Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikegelb/ Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@consumervc

    58 min
  5. Future of Food Tech, Can A Retail Model Like Foxtrot Work at Scale, and Channel Strategy for Food Brands with Ashley Hartman and Andrew Bluestein @ Bluestein Ventures

    JUN 27

    Future of Food Tech, Can A Retail Model Like Foxtrot Work at Scale, and Channel Strategy for Food Brands with Ashley Hartman and Andrew Bluestein @ Bluestein Ventures

    Our guests today are Andrew Bluestein and Ashley Hartman, Managing Partners of Bluestein Ventures. Bluestein Ventures invests in the future of food. What does that mean? They focus on investing in High-growth consumer brands, Proprietary foodtech, Next-gen commerce, Value-add digital technology. They just raised a $45 million third fund – which huge congrats to them for doing so. We discuss the transition from family office to VC firm, investing in inventory businesses and technology businesses, the difference between fund 3 and funds 1 and 2, what happened with Foxtrot, future of plant based meat, and much much more. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:03:32 - Trends in Food Industry Digitization (35 Seconds) 0:07:14 - Food-Centered Investing Strategy Discussion (65 Seconds) 0:13:38 - Supply Chain Investing and Business Models (78 Seconds) 0:27:45 - Channel Strategy for Expanding Food Brands (75 Seconds) 0:38:10 - Plant-Based Meat (59 Seconds) 0:41:52 - Debate on Plant-Based Meat Benefits (91 Seconds) 0:50:59 - Investing in Great Businesses (77 Seconds) 0:57:47 - Optimizing a Complex Store Concept (67 Seconds) 1:02:09 - Strategic Framework in Business Startups (54 Seconds) Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74ZMqodx5UmAeWAOJF?si=e0bd72bc48b341ab Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-consumer-vc-venture-capital-i-b2c-startups-i/id1484646914 Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeGelb Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikegelb/ Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@consumervc

    1h 7m
  6. Unlocking the Potential of Beauty and Personal Care Brands With Manica Blain

    JUN 6

    Unlocking the Potential of Beauty and Personal Care Brands With Manica Blain

    Our guest today is Manica Blain. In this episode, we journey through the fascinating evolution of two beauty brands that have overcome initial hurdles to achieve remarkable success. Discover how an Ayurvedic beauty brand captured investor interest through high repeat purchase rates and how Everest, a hair care concentrate brand, pivoted from sustainability to performance, leading to explosive growth. Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/ Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. We Discuss: •Investing in Long-Lasting Consumer Brands •Founding and Growing Beauty Brands •Investment Strategies in Beauty Industry •Dealing With Red Flags in Business •Fund Development and Co-Partner Dynamics •Inspiration in Books 0:01:35 - Investing in Beauty and Personal Care 0:04:44 - Evolution of Consumer Brand Expectations 0:08:08 - Brands Iterating to Find Success 0:18:41 - Investing in Beauty and Personal Care 0:23:09 - Beauty Industry Exit Dynamics 0:25:22 - From Bootstrapping to Funding 0:37:57 - Importance of Customer Retention 0:41:50 - Future Plans for Topknot Ventures 0:46:15 - Investment Strategy and Relationship Building 0:49:29 - Book Inspiration - Personal and Professional Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://www.theconsumervc.com/ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74ZMqodx5UmAeWAOJF?si=e0bd72bc48b341ab Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-consumer-vc-venture-capital-i-b2c-startups-i/id1484646914 Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeGelb Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikegelb/ Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@consumervc

    54 min
4.9
out of 5
134 Ratings

About

The Consumer VC takes a look into early-stage consumer investing and venture capital. If you are interested in learning about consumer trends, have a b2c business and interested in learning about the fundraising process at the early stage, you have come to the right place. Mike interviews some of the top venture capitalists in the world that focus on B2C and consumer type companies or have a deep track record investing in these categories such as marketplaces, SaaS, social, CPG and non-tech subscription. Mike also interviews founders that are building some of the most disruptive consumer facing companies in the world. The conversation usually includes the insight the founder discovered, fundraising strategy, and the pitch. This podcast also includes bonus episodes. Each bonus episode dives into a particular subject that might not have to due with the fundraise or venture capital, but still would be helpful to founders. For example, a bonus episode on brand strategy or how to construct a board of directors. All bonus episodes will be clearly labeled. For all episodes, please visit www.theconsumervc.com. For updates, you can follow @mikegelb on Twitter.

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