Inception

In the very first episode of Inception, Social Starts/Joyance Partner Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Venture Partner Charles Smith about the remarkable spark of aspiring entrepreneurs, the key factors that motivate investors, the complicated art of saying no forever (or just no for now), and much more.

Chieh Huang is CEO of Boxed, the bulk delivery service. In this episode, Chieh talks about making your dream come alive, the grit it takes to keep that dream alive, the correlation between joy and success, and much more.

Austen Allred is CEO of Lambda School, the online software engineering training school for no up-front cost. In this episode, Austen shares the powerful personal story behind founding his company, what it feels like to have a bullet in your back, the one big worry that keeps him up at night, and more.

Tina Hedges is CEO of LOLI, the world's first zero waste beauty brand. In this episode, Tina talks about the tumultuous transition from the corporate world to the startup world, her superpower of thriving in times of chaos, and the extreme care that goes into the creation of her product, including the personalized ritual performed with each order.

Daniel Chait is CEO of Greenhouse, the talent acquisition company. In this episode, Daniel talks about the pros and cons of rapid growth, how he leverages his leadership position as a "flamethrower," and that one time he started a business from the principal's office in high school.

Jun Deng is an Investment Partner at Joyance Partners, the first VC fund focused on health-driven happiness. In this episode, Jun talks about what it's like being a young woman working in an "old man" industry, how she leverages her scientific expertise when evaluating companies, the advantages of Joyance's diverse and flexible team, and more.

Hunter Rosenblume is CEO of Sweet, an app that can save you up to 50% on your monthly phone bill. In this episode, Hunter talks about his phone-themed bar mitzvah, the challenges of pivoting his company three times, how he convinced investors to invest in his idea before he was even 20 years old, and more.

Tyler Shultz is CEO of Flux Biosciences, a company that repurposes the tech used to read and write computer hard drives to perform sensitive and quantitative point-of-care in vitro medical diagnostics. In this episode, Tyler talks about transitioning from the academic world to the startup world, recovering from working at a company where the culture was built on fear, and the incredible experience of creating his own company based on revolutionary scientific breakthroughs.

Melanie Travis is CEO of Andie, a swimwear brand made for women, by women. In this episode, Melanie talks about the bright moment she realized the key to her success, the surprising pros of having zero swimwear expertise when she started her company, and the deep satisfaction she gets from creating a product that makes her customers comfortable and empowered for the first time in their lives.

Sam Parr is CEO of The Hustle, a media company that produces a wildly popular tech and business newsletter for young professionals. In this episode, Sam talks about his first startup ("Weiners as big as a baby's arm!"), his mother's interpretation of what he does now ("Wall Street Journal meets the Daily Show"), and the satisfaction he experiences from getting to do what he loves every single day.

Jared Feldman is CEO of Canvs, the industry standard in emotion measurement. In this episode, Jared talks about the powerful art of interpreting empathy, the tumultuous effects of the current media revolution, and his vision for Canvs to be the "giant oracle that you can ask anything to find out why it's happening."

Polly Rodriguez is CEO of Unbound, an erotic product brand changing how feminists explore and enjoy their sex lives. In this episode, Polly discusses how sexual wellbeing is core to personal health, the way technology is enabling democracy on a global scale, the emerging power of female leaders across industries, and more.

Tigran Sloyan is cofounder and CEO of CodeSIgnal, the most advanced technical assessment solution on the market. In this episode, Tigran talks about being the number one math nerd in Armenia, how his boxing hobby inspired the original concept for his business, and his ambitious mission of leveling the global playing field by helping companies go beyond resumes in every industry.

Dimitri Sogoloff is CEO of Horton Point, providing accredited investors worldwide with an easy, cost-efficient way to construct customized portfolios of alternative investment funds. In this episode, Dimitri discusses what he learned from landing smack in the middle of the stock exchange crash at the beginning of his career, the key requirements for being a great entrepreneur, how his company is planning on completely upending the entire process of making decisions within alternative investments, and more.

Renato Circi is the co-founder of Caura, the first ever molecular tracker providing instant, real-time performance feedback. In this episode, Renato reveals how his initial dreams of being a professional athlete in Europe influenced the concept of his company, how he and his cofounder were united by their common affinity for "crazy ideas," and the three key elements of finding fulfillment in work.

Suren Markosian is CEO of Epic!, the leading digital media brand for kids. In this episode, Suren talks about how his strong creative spirit fuels his work, the three key elements essential to entrepreneurial success, and the surprising ways that building a tech company specifically for children has changed his perspective on how to run a business.

Lindsay Jurist-Rosner is CEO of Wellthy, a healthcare concierge. Wellthy connects family caregivers with their own private care coordinator — that means on demand expertise support, simplified family communication, and everything in one place on their own care dashboard. In this episode, Lindsay shares the powerful personal experience that compelled her to start her company, the one customer email that changed the entire basis of her business model, and the unexpected benefits of running a deeply mission-driven organization.

Dalton Combs is CEO of Boundless Mind, a company that uses neuroscience and artificial intelligence to personalize your app for every user. In this episode, Dalton explains how a remote-controlled cockroach changed the trajectory of his career, the great responsibility that comes with working with tech with the potential to achieve "universal control," and Boundless Mind's ambitious mission to create a world where hyper-personalized technology ultimately helps humans achieve their best selves.

Shiv Gaglani is the co-founder and CEO of Osmosis, which empowers the world's clinicians and caregivers with the best learning experience possible. In this episode, Shiv talks about what it's like to be the only tech entrepreneur in a family full of clinicians, why his company's first raise was successful, how he literally wrote the book on getting a perfect SAT score, and how Osmosis is revolutionizing the way that both clinicians and patients learn about health and medicine.

Richard Lin is CEO of Thryve, the first gut health company to provide personalized probiotics and microbiome testing. In this episode, Richard talks about the deeply personal experience that inspired him to start his company, how his faith influences how he runs his business, and the enormous potential of probiotics to impact every aspect of human health.

David Tze is CEO of NovoNutrients, transforming waste industrial CO2 into feed using industrial biotech. In this episode, David shares what inspired him to make the switch from oil fields to aquaculture, the fascinating science behind his company's revolutionary product, and the enormous potential this product has to affect the worldwide environment and economy.

Christian Brucculeri is CEO of Snaps, the leading conversational AI platform for global consumer brands. In this episode, Christian talks about how running a startup is like surfing, the unique skills it takes to be a “conversational designer,” the myriad of changes Snaps went through to become the remarkably responsive and successful company it is today, and more.

Mike Dudas is CEO of The Block, the first and final word in digital assets. In this episode, Mike talks about how the realization that crypto can't (and shouldn't) be simplified helped him shape the core structure of his company, how having a family is actually an innate motivator towards startup success, and his extreme optimism regarding The Block's future as the crypto market matures and grows.

Camille Richman is CEO of Hamama, a fail-proof kit for growing microgreens in the kitchen. In this episode, Camille talks about how her free-spirited upbringing influenced her drive toward entrepreneurism, the beautifully balanced leadership she's developed with her co-founder, and the seemingly simple but very powerful science behind Hamama’s delicious, nutritious product.

AJ Keller is CEO of Neurosity, a company building computers controlled by thought. In this episode, AJ talks about the remarkable synergy between himself and his co-founder, the fascinating technology behind their revolutionary product, and the unique relationship with their initial customer base that is creating endless possibilities for productivity and thought control.

Igor Telyatnikov is CEO of AlphaPoint, a white label software company enabling customers to launch crypto exchanges and tokenize assets. In this episode, Igor talks about the motivation behind the founding of the company, how they weathered the “crypto-winter” of 2015, his predictions for the integration and evolution of the financial and digital asset space, and more.

Mike Seldon is CEO of Finless Foods, bringing sustainable, delicious seafood to the world without having to farm or harvest live fish. In this episode, Mike talks about how growing up watching Miyazaki films affected his vision for his company, the fascinating science behind creating cell-based tuna, the enthusiastic response the product is already receiving from high end chefs, and more.

Owen Phillips is co-founder and CEO of Brainkey, transforming MRI scans into personal brain dashboards. In this episode, Owen talks about giving people control over the information in their own heads; the potential such rich data collection has to develop solutions to diseases like MS, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimers; the profound experience of holding a 3D model of your brain in your hands; opportunities for preventive brain health; and more.

Erika Mozes is co-founder of Hyr, a mobile app-based platform that allows merchants across the U.S. and Canada to instantly connect with skilled and experienced workers. In this episode, Erika talks about how Hyr is transforming the gig economy, how being married to her co-founder actually makes their business stronger, the surprising ways they're helping direct-to-consumer brands do entire end-to-end labor support, and more.

Ed Likovich is CEO and co-founder of Nymbl, preventing falls by combining medical science with mobile technology to deliver a proven, fun balance intervention. In this episode, Ed breaks down the science behind how the brain and body work together to regain balance, shares his views on how the current pandemic is exponentially expanding the successful application of telemedicine, explains Nymbl's upcoming plans to empower even more people to live fuller, healthier lives, and gives sage advice for how entrepreneurs seeking their next endeavor can achieve lasting success.

In this special anniversary episode, Managing Partner Mike Edelhart celebrates the veracity and resilience of the remarkable companies in the Social Starts/Joyance Partners family of funds and shares words of hope and encouragement as we emerge into the post-COVID startup landscape.

Jordan Miller is CEO and co-founder of Volumetric, building 3D printers that can create human tissue. In this episode, Jordan delves into the incredibly complex architecture of our circulatory systems, recounts how a trip to the grocery store resulted in the “aha” moment for Volumetric’s groundbreaking technology, and explains the immense potential the company has for creating replacement organs by using the patient’s very own cells.

Erika Milczek is CEO of Curie Co, an enzyme engineering company replacing banned chemicals with safe and sustainable ingredients. In this episode, Erika talks about tackling a market that hasn’t undergone any innovation in over seventy years, the little-known secret behind successful stakeholder research, and the beautifully simplistic science she's using to solve a complex, world-wide problem.

Nell Luo is CEO of Folia Health, harnessing the power of patient and caregiver experiences to enable individuals to live their healthiest lives. In this episode, Nell talks about how her mother’s dedicated note-taking inspired the idea for her company, how her unique business model necessitates radical transparency with her customers, how seemingly inconsequential observations can result in groundbreaking medical discoveries, and how, by capturing that as of now untapped information, Folia has the potential to transform the entire universe of health data.

Oded Kraft is CEO of Gray Matters, developing an adjunct to standard of care digital therapeutics solution for treating mental and neurological disorders. In this episode, Oded talks about how GrayMatters is using this revolutionary technology to provide people suffering from those disorders a way to self regulate their own brain processes - from people living with PTSD, MDD, and GAD to frontline medical workers.

Charles Smith is a Venture Partner at Social Starts and Joyance Partners. In this episode, Charles and Mike discuss the innovative ways people, cities, startups, and VCs are adapting during the pandemic and the importance of discovering and investing in the very best entrepreneurs no matter their origin, education, race, gender, or location.

Matt Angle is CEO of Paradromics, the first high-bandwidth data interface between brains and computers. In this episode, Matt talks about how his company is building a specialized data interface that will translate between bioelectric and digital signals; how this can empower people suffering from classically challenging diseases and injuries like paralysis, blindness, deafness, and mental illness; and how eventually, potentially, Paradromics could help define humanity’s very perception of consciousness.

Jim Havelka is CEO of InformAI, a company transforming the way healthcare is being delivered. In this episode, Jim delves into the highly efficient and innovative artificial intelligence and deep learning solutions the company has developed to improve radiologist productivity and speed up medical diagnosis at the point-of-care. He explains the benefits of being located in Houston, allowing them to directly access data from the world’s largest medical center complex, the Texas Medical Center, and shares how they also partner with other renowned healthcare organizations, national physician groups, and leading medical imaging companies, all with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes.

Sam Shames is COO and co-founder of Embr Labs, a company unlocking the therapeutic power of temperature. In this episode, Sam talks about the fascinating technology behind their first product, the unanticipated ways in which it's helping address medical conditions, the huge insights they're gaining about humanity's relationship with thermal wellness, and how their recently launched new feature makes people feel genuinely more connected with the loved ones from afar.

Jean Anne Booth is CEO of Unaliwear, producer of the first all-in-one, voice-controlled smartwatch designed to keep you connected, independent, active, and safe. In this episode, Jean Anne talks about the company’s unique and innovative perspective on providing personalized support for aging adults, the many challenges of VC fundraising in the SilverTech sector, and her grand plans for expanding this much-needed product to worldwide distribution.

Paul Chen is CEO and cofounder of Flourish Tech, a company teaching skills to build flourishing, healthy relationships. In this episode, Paul tells the deeply personal story of what inspired him to start his company, shares how they’re repackaging time-tested psychology tools to make empathy resources understandable and accessible, and explores the huge impact Flourish could have on the mental wellbeing of families, friends, and colleagues everywhere - Flourish seeks to create peer to peer 1-on-1 coaching sessions to scale the impact of psychology experts.

Dr. Franziska Leonhardt is co-founder of Ave + Edam, creating personalized, clean, and vegan skincare backed by advanced technologies and dermatological expertise. In this episode, Franziska talks about the genesis of her first-of-its-kind approach to providing a completely unique skincare experience, the illuminating personal perspective she gained as a single mother and new entrepreneur starting a business during a pandemic, and the flexibility, integrity, and courage it takes to adapt and adjust the vision for your company in order to succeed.

Ashish Rawat is CEO of Oga Fit, a fully interactive fitness platform where users get a boutique studio workout experience led by world-famous trainers from the comfort of their own homes. In this episode, Ashish talks about his frustrating personal search for an authentic, engaging virtual workout, explains how Oga uses groundbreaking technology to solve that very problem, and shares the company’s exciting plans for expansion in 2021.

Sumit Sinha is CEO of Phable, an innovative at-home healthcare app simplifying life for both patients and doctors through monitoring, reminders, and doctor intervention. In his conversation with Mike, Sumit shares the compelling personal story of how his father's struggle with chronic disease inspired him to start his company; the problematic and complicated state of the Indian healthcare system; and his hopes that Phable will ultimately improve the lives of millions of chronic disease patients, not only in India, but worldwide.

David Montiel is co-founder and CEO of BeelinguApp, empowering people to learn a new language by consuming content they love. In his conversation with Mike, David shares how his worldwide travels helped him identify a huge opportunity in language learning methodology, divulges the clever Kickstarter campaign strategy that resulted in 20,000 downloads in 15 days, and explains his ambitious and innovative plan to become the go-to platform for all language learners to engage with their favorite content.

Caleb Polley is CEO of Cubby, making smart beds that improve anxiety, sleep, and safety for people with cognitive disabilities such as Autism, Epilepsy, and Dementia. In this episode, Caleb shares how his close relationship with a childhood friend with Down syndrome contributed to his desire to start the company, the controversial public event that hijacked its original name, and the remarkable potential Cubby has to transform the lives of millions of families across the U.S.

Roozbeh Ghaffari is CEO of Epicore Biosystems, developing wearable microfluidic solutions that measure hydration biomarkers, skin health, and physiology. The company’s first product is the Gx Sweat Patch, a skin-like patch that pairs with an easy-to-use app to provide real-time and personalized recommendations for athletes to optimally hydrate and refuel after exercise. In this episode, Roozbeh talks about the deep scientific diligence that went into developing and validating the product in partnership with PepsiCo and the Gatorade brand, as well as the exciting potential he sees in using the core wearable technology to help the millions of people working in hot environments that could benefit from these personalized hydration insights.

To celebrate the third anniversary of Inception, Managing Partner Mike Edelhart (the oldest partner at our funds) talks with Emi Gonzalez, the youngest partner at our funds, who focuses on biotech and healthcare investments. In this episode, Emi and Mike discuss the latest developments in the FemTech arena, the challenges of overcoming ingrained prejudice in the venture community, and the ways we’re always trying to seek out the very best entrepreneurs across the globe, regardless of education or background.

Daniel Chait is CEO of Greenhouse and co-author of the book Talent Makers: How the best companies win through structured and inclusive hiring. In this episode, Daniel shares fascinating insights into Greenhouse's dynamic growth over the last nine years, the two surprising moments he realized they were on the road to true success, their latest $500 million investment from TPG Growth, and his hopes for how this huge milestone will empower Greenhouse to have an even greater impact on helping companies improve their diversity, equity, and inclusion through hiring.

Sana Alajmovic is CEO of Sigrid, a company transforming the way we prevent and treat chronic lifestyle diseases. In this episode, Sana explains the science behind their groundbreaking first product, an all-natural, tasteless white powder that reduces blood sugar and cholesterol levels while simultaneously promoting weight loss. She also delves into the powerful meaning behind the company’s name, how her experience as a Bosnian war refugee has encouraged her entrepreneurial spirit, and turns the interviewing tables on Mike by asking him some poignant and revealing questions about his decades of experience in the world of VC.

Tal Brown is Co-Founder and CEO of Zone7, a data-driven AI system that helps coaches and athletes optimize for peak performance and forecast injury risk. In this episode, Tal talks about the powerful algorithms his team has developed to perfectly tune a body's physical workload to stay in peak condition, the challenges (and benefits) of being the first company of its kind to market, and the enormous potential he sees in using Zone7 to improve the lives and productivity of people working under intense conditions across industries.

Oriana Papin-Zoghbi is CEO of AOA Dx, revolutionizing early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. In this episode, Oriana talks about the science behind their groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind liquid biopsy test; how the phenomenal relationship she has with her scientific collaborator has accelerated the quality and pace of their work; and the enormous potential she sees in using their method to increase early diagnosis of this devastating and costly disease, resulting in a reduction of related deaths by as much as fifty percent.

Christopher Jane is CEO of Proper Good, a company making 90-second meals with clean ingredients delivered directly to your door. In this episode, Christopher talks about the innovative science behind their health-conscious, shelf-stable (and delicious) products; how their unique business model overcomes the many challenges of the retail food industry, and the huge opportunity he sees in expanding to provide meal solutions for all different times of day and all lifestyle needs.

Guest Dhruv Agrawal is CEO of Aether Biomedical, a medical robotics company with the goal of making bionics accessible to all. In this episode, Dhruv talks about the unique musculoskeletal biomechanics technology they use to enhance the relationship between humans and machines; their first product, Zeus, which is a revolutionary bionic hand for upper limb amputees; and their grand vision to disrupt the entire medical devices industry by exceeding global standards and providing the best value without compromising on quality, improving the lives of amputees across the world.

Charles Rodenkirch is CEO of Sharper Sense, a company making wearable neurotechnology that enhances vision, hearing, and touch. In this episode, Charles talks about the fascinating science behind their first product, a non-invasive neuro-stimulation patch that applies to your neck and sends a current through the skin, activating a nerve that projects into the brain. He also explains the huge potential he sees in using the technology to improve the lives of anyone seeking improved sensory capabilities - from seniors with impaired cognitive functions, to creatives like musicians and artists, to workers in high-risk industries like the military and manufacturing.

Maya Hardigan is CEO of Mae, a company providing pregnancy and postpartum support tailored to the needs of Black women. In this episode, Maya talks about the deeply disparate maternal services Black women receive in the US, how Mae is tackling the important role of curating culturally specific tools and resources to remedy this disparity, and her vision of becoming the go-to value-based supplemental care approach to drive positive pregnancy outcomes for Black mothers across the nation.

Nicolas Heymann is CEO of Heritage Type, a next-generation marketplace for graphic design. In this episode, Nicolas talks about the complex problem the company is striving to solve, how people that are intensely passionate about their work inspire and motivate him, and how the vibrant engagement from their ever-growing user community propels them forward and encourages them to continuously improve.

Tigran Sloyan is co-founder and CEO of CodeSignal, the most advanced technical assessment solution on the market. In this episode, Tigran and Managing Partner Mike Edelhart have a lively conversation about everything from the first investor pitch jitters, to the recent radical democratization of education, to the exhilarating yet challenging experience of staying true to your core culture principles as a CEO whose company has tripled in size in twelve months (and will triple again in the next twelve!).

Aaron Albert is CEO and co-founder of Mine'd, a platform that connects consumers with mental health experts and a supportive community. In this episode, Aaron describes how a heart-wrenching breakup inspired him to start the company, the surprising ways that entrepreneurship has challenged him to learn and grow, and his hopes of Mine'd becoming the unifier of the entire emotional wellness space, providing an immersive top-quality mental health solution to anyone, at any stage, at any capacity they need it.

Sunny Han is CEO of Fulcrum, building groundbreaking technology to support a new resurgence of manufacturing growth. In this episode, Sunny recounts how being the son of a civil engineer and a computer scientist equipped him for a career in tech at a very young age, how his experience of online socializing allowed for an elevated level of thoughtfulness and networking, and how his unorthodox leadership methods have enabled his company to triple the size of their team and their revenue in the last two years, with comparable growth on the horizon.

Melanie Travis is CEO of Andie, a swimwear brand made by women, for women. In this episode, Melanie talks about what it took to land the B round of an entrepreneur's dreams, the surprising pros of having zero swimwear expertise when she started, and her not-so-distant plans for making Andie the go-to brand for women across the nation.

Quincy Lee is CEO of Electric Era, the world's most advanced storage systems for electric vehicle fast-charging stations. In this episode, Quincy talks about why he left long-time employer SpaceX to “come back to earth” and start this new company; the many cultural and technological challenges the world faces in transitioning to EV fueling; and how Electric Era will revolutionize the industry using their groundbreaking technology, allowing EV fast-charging stations to be built with less power, in less time, and at less cost.

Michael Selden is co-founder and CEO of Finless Foods, using ground-breaking plant and cell culture technology to create a future for seafood where the ocean thrives. In this episode, Michael talks with Managing Partner Mike Edelhart about the importance of starting out with a core team you can completely trust, how those experienced team players can be immensely helpful when working with the FDA and USDA on regulation, and the huge potential both Finless and cell-cultured proteins as an entire industry have for revolutionizing the way the world sources delicious and sustainable food.

Pim de Witte is CEO of Medal.tv, the only content platform that lets you clip, edit, share, and grow an audience all in one place. In this episode, Pim talks about the company's core mission of creation and connection, the intense velocity at which the company is growing due to the extraordinary response of its users, and his plans to exponentially empower as many people as possible to create memories in the digital world together.

To celebrate our fourth anniversary, Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Jun Deng, an Investment Partner at our funds. In this episode, Jun talks about our unique and controversial thesis, the remarkable way in which our strategy, team, and company culture have evolved over the years, and the fascinating (and highly profitable) future we predict for investing in the emerging science of Health and Happiness.

Brian Tran and David Stevens are co-founders of Serif, a global members club for LGBTQ+ leaders and creators. In this episode, they talk about the widely diverse and distinguished user base Serif is attracting, how they're completely revolutionizing the application of NFTs, and their vision of making the power of the thriving and influential queer community accessible to anyone, anywhere.

To kick off the podcast's fourth season, Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Claire Cherry, our talented new London-based Investment Partner. With starkly different backgrounds, but a deeply shared passion for the ever-evolving VC landscape, Mike and Claire discuss everything from the many surprising benefits of our diverse team's unconventional culture to how always considering the global picture of overarching humanity advances our goal to reveal universal truths and embrace the future.

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Stella Smith, CEO of pirkx, providing affordable health and wellbeing benefits to anyone – whether self-employed, part of a small business, or an individual and their family.In this episode, Stella shares the story of her fascinating transformation from a bright-but-naughty young kid, to London's version of a "Titan of Wallstreet," to her new role as the founder and CEO of a company that has the potential to radically improve the lives of millions of people around the globe.

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Nieves Martinez Marshall, CEO of Novel Farms, a company growing muscle and fat cells to produce delicious, environmentally-friendly whole cuts of meat.In this episode, Nieves explains how their groundbreaking scaffolding technology sets them apart from other meat cultivation companies; their goal to restore conventional pork to the more flavorful, healthier version that's been lost through the commercial breeding process; how it feels to be at the forefront of a totally new and unexplored industry; and her dream to help bring sustainable, slaughter-free culinary delicacies into the future by recreating one of the most sought-after and exquisite meats in the world, Jamon Iberico.

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Cristoph Jenny, CEO of Planted, a company creating delicious, plant-based, additive-free proteins.In this episode, Christoph talks about how their clear-cut core strategy, dedication to the perfect product, value-based philosophy, and unique geographical market advantages have gained $100M in funding and landed them in almost a thousand restaurants and retail shops in a mere three years.

In this episode of our Inception podcast, Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Sarah Adler, CEO of Wave, a mental health digital ecosystem designed for the digital native.Sarah shares how her past hedge fund analyst career and current psychiatry background empowered and inspired her to found Wave; the many challenges involved in serving a generation whose current system is entirely incapable of meeting their needs; and how her company is providing science-backed solutions through genuine, empathic listening focused on meeting people where they are in life, helping to build the skills they need to not only survive, but thrive.

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Martin Stübler, CEO of BioFluff, developing the world's first entirely plant-based fur. In this episode, Martin explains how a 12-week lockdown in a tiny town in Catalunya sparked the idea for his business, describes the fascinating technology behind Biofluff's remarkable quality and versatility, and shares his long-term vision of becoming the go-to performance material company by replacing harmful petrol-based products with sustainable alternatives for industries ranging from fashion to interior design to automotive manufacturing.

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Chris Bryson, CEO of New School Foods, about creating whole-cut fish made entirely from plants that looks, cooks, flakes, and tastes just like wild salmon.As the past founder of a successful e-commerce company with absolutely no culinary experience, Chris didn't foresee leading an alternative protein startup being the next step in his career. But upon realizing the magnitude of the current food crisis, he was compelled to take action. His fresh perspective and willingness to question the problematic existing manufacturing process resulted in an incredibly authentic and highly scalable product destined for momentous, industry-wide impact.

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Jamie McCroskery, CEO of Bluebird, helping brands produce climate-friendly products and authentic sustainability stories about them.In this episode, Jamie shares how living on a glacier in New Zealand for 15 days inspired him to abandon his career at a big tech corporation, explains how improving sustainability practices directly corresponds to increasing a brand's profitability, and describes Bluebird's long-term vision of working across all consumer verticals, enabling thriving markets for low carbon product innovation.

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Sabina Bruehlmann, CEO of Nimble, a company transforming personalized health through actionable intelligence from the gut microbiome.In this episode, Sabina shares how Nimble's novel science unlocks vast amounts of information that we've never been able to access before, the seemingly unlimited myriad of applications these invaluable insights will deliver, and her plans for their simple yet highly effective testing process to become as widely adopted as standard blood testing, greatly accelerating our understanding of our health and revolutionizing the entire industry.Nimble just raised a $2M seed round - read all about it.

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Lauren Picasso, CEO of Cure, a premium hydration brand with a science-backed formula, plant-based ingredients, and four times the electrolytes of leading sports drinks.Lauren shares how a highly effective, globally implemented hydration formula inspired her to found the company; the unanticipated health benefits the product provides to people with health conditions or dietary restrictions; and her goals for Cure to improve the lives of as many people as possible, both by expanding geographic distribution and by expanding the range of its innovative formula to address the full spectrum of our everyday needs, from increasing energy to assisting with sleep.

From hand-cranked computers to touchpad screens, from “walking on the skulls of the dead” to building teams in virtual worlds, our oldest partner Mike Edelhart and youngest partner Jenna Jung discuss the difference 50 years have made in revolutionary tech, global power, and our ever-evolving VC culture. Plus, they try to answer the looming question: Are we innovating toward a dead end?

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart speaks with Amélie Quilichini, CEO of Kolibri, a company that plays music to cells to unlock the cell culture revolution. In this episode, Amélie shares the ingenious way Kolibri uses acoustic waves to create the optimal environment for cell growth and production; how overcoming the intense biases she's experienced as a young, blonde, female entrepreneur has actually empowered her to be a stronger and more successful leader; and her plans to scale this revolutionary science to increase yield 10x and reduce production costs 50x, completely transforming the cell and gene therapy industry.

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with CEO Katy Cottam about how Luna Daily makes microbiome-balancing, taboo-breaking body care for all skin, even the most intimate.In this episode, Katy shares how a life-altering health experience at a very young age inspired her to start her company, how her equally intense roles at two large corporations and one scrappy startup gave her the deep and multi-faceted skillset needed to flourish as a CEO, and how she plans to make Luna Daily the world's defining brand for women of all ages and stages, empowering them to meaningfully connect with their bodies and with each other.

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with Charlie Silver, CEO of Ruby Bio, a company making sustainable, scaleable replacements for the harmful chemicals in nearly all the materials in our everyday lives.In this episode, Charlie shares how he and his cofounder developed the brilliant idea of creating low-cost, high-value biodegradable ingredients using naturally occurring yeast; how his decades of experience launching cutting-edge, complex products enabled him to devise a stellar business strategy for long-term success; and how RubyBio will powerfully transform the current chemical production industry, greatly reducing its immensely detrimental impacts on both the planet and our bodies.Bonus! Charlie grills Managing Partner Mike Edelhart on the challenges and inner workings of managing such a cutting-edge and unconventional fund.

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with CEO Nora Cavani about her company Alba Health, empowering every child to have the healthiest, best start in life.In this episode, Nora explains how Alba is developing a simple yet incredibly insightful test to assess the microbiome of infants to identify and mitigate current and future health complications. Nora shares the overwhelming interest and enthusiasm parents are already expressing in this outstanding opportunity, as well as her hopes to facilitate a corresponding sea change in citizen science that could completely revolutionize our fundamental understanding of personal health, substantially improving the lives of future generations.Watch Nora's interview on YouTube

CEO Omar Dekkiche shares how his company Amatera is accelerating the natural evolution of plants to combat climate change and crop disease.Omar recalls how growing up on a farm in France motivated him to found Amatera, the moment of inspiration he had when he met his brilliant cofounder at the Entrepreneur First accelerator program, and his plans to use their breakthrough cellular evolution technology to revolutionize the agriculture industry by drastically improving the world's most important perennial crops, starting with coffee.

In this episode, CEO Anu Sharma talks about her startup Millie, a company that provides comprehensive, wraparound maternal care from conception through the first year of parenthood.Anu discusses how the current care model is failing mothers in the US and how the experience of her own complicated childbirth inspired her to join forces with a talented, proactive team of health professionals to found Mille. Millie is a completely new kind of maternity clinic, shifting the idea of pregnancy and beginning motherhood from a strictly clinical experience to the holistic, human experience it should be.

CEO & Co-Founder Emily Doyle talks about DUNE, a suncare brand she launched with her Co-Founder, Mei Kwok, poised to revolutionize the antiquated sunscreen landscape with products clinically proven to “protect and perfect all skin tones.” Emily shares how a part of DUNE's formulation was inspired by Nickelodeon slime; the intense psychological research behind its composition, retail distribution, and marketing application strategies; and the myriad of ways the brand strives to be the go-to suncare brand for everyone, every day - and accessible to literally anyone, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, or geography. Plus, a sneak peek into how DUNE is literally going to improve the health of the next generation (spoiler - they're launching a suncare line for babies in 2025!).

In this episode, CEO and Co-Founder Monique Meneses talks about Iota, the first nutritional body care brand that addresses problems before they occur, instead of just masking or retroactively treating them.Monique shares how Iota's formulas are developed in close collaboration with an impressive scientific board and lab team to optimize the microbiome's complex and dynamic internal processes, how the stark difference between the professional worlds of herself and her cofounder actually makes them better business partners (did we mention her cofounder is her husband?), and how is Iota pioneering body care for the next generation, using groundbreaking science to get to the heart of every single skin issue.

Managing Partner Mike Edelhart talks with CEO Raina Kumra about Spicewell, the world's first superfood seasoning.Raina shares how the creative method she used to sneak nutrients into her family's meals during Covid transformed into the idea for her company, the incredible reception the product has received so far (consistent 200% Amazon growth month over month!), and the exciting numerous opportunities she's exploring to expand the already flourishing brand.

CEO Nick West talks about Bandit Running, a thriving next-gen performance and lifestyle apparel brand for runners.Nick shares how he attributes much of his company's success to their "obsession with community" and their strong emphasis on user experience; the humbling, highly enthusiastic response they've received since the launch of their very first product; and the many exciting developments on the horizon, including some innovative new product collaborations with ASIC they'll be launching at the New York City Marathon.

In this Inception episode, CEO Nick Allen about his company Sunnyside, providing a simple, structured approach to more mindful drinking.Nick explains why Sunnyside focuses on helping its users decrease alcohol intake as opposed to attempting complete sobriety; the huge market for this novel approach (nearly 1 in 3 adults in the US alone!), the myriad of incentives the program provides, and the highly enthusiastic response they've received so far, which speaks to society's increased awareness and dedication to becoming our happiest, healthiest selves."

Founder Ben Branson speaks with Managing Partner Mike Edelhart about Pollen Projects, the world's first venture studio dedicated entirely to the non-alcoholic category.Ben shares how his experience growing up on a farm in rural England inspired his creative experimentation with botanical extracts, how that passion and creativity has transformed into a series of highly innovative non-alcoholic brands, and five key pieces of advice for successfully running a startup (spoiler alert: one of them is "Never launch your first product on your wife's birthday").