LATEST EPISODE

How Curtis Northcutt Closed a $25M Series A for Cleanlab (Curtis Northcutt / Cleanlab)

In this episode, Curtis Northcutt, MIT PhD and founder of Cleanlab, shares his compelling journey from rural Kentucky to raising $25 million from Menlo Ventures and Bain Capital. Curtis reflects on the challenges of growing up with limited opportunities, the loneliness of dreaming big in a small town, and how those experiences ignited his drive to build something meaningful. He also dives into the complexities of raising capital during a downturn, balancing investor relationships, and making tough decisions about dilution. With a mix of personal stories, sharp insights, and practical advice, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a startup from scratch and scale it with purpose.

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TBC: Rest

<p id="">This is a fantastic episode covering one of the most important insights around fundraising</p><p>‍</p>

TBC: How VCs are Trained

<p id="">This is a fantastic episode covering one of the most important insights around fundraising</p><p>‍</p>

TBC: Decks as Appetizers

<p id="">This is a fantastic episode covering one of the most important insights around fundraising</p><p>‍</p>

TBC: The Ability to Be Great is Everywhere but Resources are Not

<p id="">This is a fantastic episode covering one of the most important insights around fundraising</p><p>‍</p>

A Bubble Valuation That's Not So Inflated? (Bubble)

Setting the right company valuation is a complex and pivotal process that significantly impacts its future. Striking a balance is crucial - too high may deter investors, while too low could result in giving away too much. However, Emmanuel Straschnov, co-founder of Bubble, defied the norm by deliberately seeking a lower valuation in the seed round. Contrary to expectations, this strategic move proved successful, as Emmanuel later secured a massive $100 million funding round from prominent investors. By prioritizing a broader perspective and leveraging his unwavering passion, Emmanuel shares his remarkable fundraising journey for Bubble in this episode, shedding light on his unique and risky valuation strategy.

TBC: The Importance And Fragility Of Credibility

<p id="">This is a fantastic episode covering one of the most important insights around fundraising</p><p>‍</p>

TBC: Explaining "this isn't venture-backable"

<p id="">This is a fantastic episode covering one of the most important insights around fundraising</p><p>‍</p>

Being The Pattern (Stax)

As a first-time founder and fundraiser, finding a guide is crucial. Typically, you seek successful founders or companies in your industry with similar backgrounds and visions to emulate. But what if you're entering uncharted territory with no models to follow? This was the predicament faced by Suneera Madhani, CEO and founder of Stax. Despite lacking a guide, patterns, or representation, Suneera, driven by her solution-oriented upbringing, forged her own path. In this episode, Suneera recounts the challenges she encountered, including the need to raise funds and navigate the venture world without prior experience, ultimately leading her billion-dollar company, Stax.

TBC: Why In-person Meetings Are So Valuable

<p id="">This is a fantastic episode covering one of the most important insights around fundraising</p><p>‍</p>

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