Shows
Venture DeclassifiedWhat Makes a Deal Stand Out: Insights from the Venture Screening ProcessIn this lively episode of "Venture Declassified," hosts Mike Kelly, Ben Pidgeon, and Jacob Spock dive deep into their screening processes, offering a backstage pass to how venture capital decisions are made. The episode is a fascinating exploration of how these experts engage with potential portfolio companies, balance efficiency with thoroughness, and deal with the challenges of high-volume deal flow.Jacob, Mike, and Ben begin by sharing their recent experiences at South by Southwest and quickly transition to discussing their week-long schedules. This sets the stage for a detailed conversation about screening potential investments, differentiating between immediate...2025-04-2837 minVenture DeclassifiedThe Role of Secondary Markets in Today's Venture Capital StrategyIn this episode of "Venture Declassified," hosts Ben Pidgeon, Mike Kelly, and Jacob Schpok delve into the intriguing world of secondary markets. They explore how these markets offer a mechanism for current shareholders in privately-held companies to sell their shares to private entities. With a candid approach, the hosts detail how these transactions do not inject new cash into companies but rather enable liquidity for shareholders looking to exit their positions. The conversation is kicked off by Ben explaining the nuances of secondary markets, likening them to purchasing stocks in the public market but with private entities. M...2025-04-1432 min
River Cities Reader PodcastApril 10, 2025, with Dave and Darren — “A Minecraft Movie,” “The Friend,” and “Hell of a Summer”Mike Schulz, Dave Levora, and Darren Pitra talk film and aver the normal run-times of latter-day releases, with the notable exceptions including the forthcoming The Chosen: Last Supper 3 clocking in at over three hours:
A Minecraft Movie (dir Jared Hess, starr Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, and Sebastian Hansen).
The 2023 comedy-horror Hell of a Summer (dirs Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk, starr Fred Hechinger, Abby Quinn, D’Pharaoh Woon-a-Tai, Bryk, Wolfhard, Pardis Saremi, Rosebud Baker, and Adam Pally).
The 2024 drama The Friend (dirs Scott McGehee and David Siegel, starr Naomi Watts, Bill Murray, Sa...2025-04-1014 min
The Carbon Removal Show | Negative Emissions, Net Zero, Climate PositiveS4 #1 | Where are we in the CDR story and where are we going?Welcome back to The Carbon Removal Show! We’re kicking off Season 4 with a view from the top - checking in on the state of the carbon removal industry here in the dizzying heights of 2025.
In this episode:
🌍 Where are we now? Durable CDR purchases hit 8 million tonnes in 2024 (a 78% bump from 2023), but 64% of that was Microsoft flexing. Deliveries? Still catching up – and most of it’s biochar.
📉 Caveats, ahoy: Sales are booming, but actual removals are still lagging. The buyer pool is basically a tech giant p...2025-04-1041 minVenture DeclassifiedIndiana’s Tech Transformation: Adapting to a Changing LandscapeIn this insightful episode of "Venture Declassified," hosts Ben Pidgeon, Mike Kelly, and Jacob Schpok join guest Toph Day to explore the rapid shifts within Indiana's burgeoning tech ecosystem. The discussion centers on the theme of "Innovate or Evaporate," emphasizing the need for businesses to adapt to swiftly evolving technological landscapes, particularly with AI advancements. Toph illustrates this urgency with the example of Chegg, a company that saw its valuation collapse due to AI tools like ChatGPT. The conversation underscores the necessity for startups to harness modern tools like low code and no code platforms for competitive a...2025-03-101h 00Venture DeclassifiedChoosing the Right Investment StructureEpisode SummaryIn this engaging episode of "Venture Declassified," hosts Mike Kelly, Ben Pidgeon, and Jacob Schpok unpack the various types of investment vehicles and the appropriate contexts for their use. The episode is loaded with expert insights into the nuances of safes, convertible notes, and equity financing, making it a must-listen for both budding entrepreneurs and seasoned investors. Jacob outlines the main reasons why pre-seed and seed stages often employ safes and convertible notes, citing the difficulty in pricing companies at these early stages. Mike dives deeper into the topic, discussing the s...2025-02-2052 minVenture DeclassifiedEnsuring Your Return: Waterfall Analysis and Exit Strategies for Startup InvestorsEpisode SummaryIn this enlightening episode of "Venture Declassified," hosts Ben Pidgeon, Mike Kelly, and Jacob Spock tackle the subject of waterfall analysis, offering listeners a clear understanding of its role in the investment process. The topic comes to life through a real-life scenario where their portfolio company faced an acquisition offer, leading to choices between cash, equity, or a mix of both.Ben starts by defining waterfall analysis, explaining the allocation of returns and the considerations for investors, like liabilities, deferred wages, and fees. Mike emphasizes the importance for angel investors to...2025-02-1049 minVenture DeclassifiedExploring MVP Creation with AI: Tools, Costs, and TimeIn this episode of "Venture Declassified," hosts Jacob Schpock and Mike Kelly dive into an engaging discussion centered on using AI tools to create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). They explore the necessary skills, costs, and time commitment involved in product development with a focus on leveraging low code/no code platforms and developer productivity tools. Mike emphasizes how tools like Figma can generate front-end experiences quickly, allowing for iterative design, which is particularly beneficial for early-stage companies. Jacob and Mike analyze a hypothetical business idea related to improper financial categorization, discussing its scalability with AI-enhanced tools. Th...2025-01-2939 minVenture DeclassifiedEarly-Stage CEO Salaries: Best Practices and Common PitfallsIn this insightful episode of "Venture Declassified," hosts Mike Kelly, Ben Pidgeon, and Jacob Spock tackle the often contentious topic of CEO compensation in startups. With an engaging and dynamic discussion, the trio delves into the intricate balance of aligning executive pay with company milestones and investor expectations.Key Topics• Budget implications of CEO compensation with regard to business longevity and milestones.• Risk of misalignment with post-money valuation.• Signs of bad salary practices.• The harmful impact of exorbitant CEO salaries on a company’s future and investor alignment.• ...2024-12-0923 minVenture DeclassifiedEvaluating Market Conditions: Impacts of Political Climate and Economic EventsIn this episode of "Venture Declassified," hosts Mike Kelly, Ben Pidgeon, and Jacob Schpok dive into various investment strategies and market dynamics affecting angel investors. Key Topics• Investment Strategies: Sticking to goals, but being flexible• Benefits of Knowing CEOs or Board Members: Looking beyond just using deal platforms like AngelList.• Emotional Engagement in Investments• Importance of a Broad Investment Scope: Relying on a strong process and discerning team• Balance Between Liquidity and Timing: Angel investors' mental preparation for potential losses.• Considering Political Climate: National political climate and...2024-11-2528 min
DJ Sets LiveMidweek Mashup 13112024JLF brings a relentless hard house and hard bounce mix recorded live for the hardest of hard dance fans! This set is packed with exclusive bootlegs, custom edits, and intense mashups that push the boundaries of hard trance and hard house. Expect heavy basslines, intense drops, and energetic breakdowns crafted to elevate your midweek energy. Crank up the volume and dive into this unique mix that brings together iconic tracks with a harder edge!
Andy Farley - The Killer - Lewis Adam Remix (JLF Edit)
BK & Ilogik - Real Life (Original Mix) (JLF Edit)
Valex - Fanta C (JLF Edit)
...2024-11-132h 05Venture DeclassifiedEffective Cash Flow Management and Financial Literacy Tips for StartupsEpisode SummaryIn this episode of "Venture Declassified," hosts Mike Kelly and Jacob Spock, along with special guest Nick Wangler, co-founer and COO of Orthodontic Details, delve into the intricate dynamics of venture capital and startup fundraising. The episode offers invaluable advice for founders navigating the challenging VC landscape, focusing on practical strategies to enhance their pitch and financial planning.Key TopicsChallenges founders face with discounted estimatesVarious financial reports: pro forma vs. financial forecast.Importance of accurate pipeline coverage and cost management.Red flags in founder behavior: overpromising and...2024-11-111h 01Venture DeclassifiedHow to Make Smart Venture Capital DecisionsIn this thought-provoking episode of "Venture Declassified," hosts Mike Kelly and Jacob Schpok, alongside guest Ben Pidgeon, delve into the complexities of investment decision-making in the venture capital world. This episode shines a light on the critical factors that influence whether to continue funding a company or finally "wave the white flag.The discussion starts with the importance of not relying solely on pipeline slides, which Mike Kelly criticizes as potentially fictional. He emphasizes past performance as a key indicator of future success and stresses the need for recent achievements rather than mere future promises. B...2024-10-2137 minVenture DeclassifiedThe Art of the Pitch: Live Startup Pitches and Fundraising Realities from Rally InnovationIn this special episode of "Venture Declassified," recorded live at the Rally Innovation Conference, hosts Mike Kelly, Ben Pidgeon, and Jacob Spock engage with a series of live pitches and conversations with entrepreneurs and founders. They unpack the complex dynamics of the fundraising landscape for startups, exploring how the backgrounds of entrepreneurs—whether they are repeat founders or first-timers—significantly influence their approach and success in securing investments.Mike and Ben discuss their roles as sherpas for first-time founders, guiding them through the serpentine process of fundraising. Repeat founders, having been through the process before, often present with...2024-10-1444 minVenture DeclassifiedThe Midwest Advantage: Navigating Fundraising and Dilution at Series A for StartupsIn this enlightening episode of "Venture Declassified," hosts Jacob Schpok, Ben Pidgeon, and Mike Kelly take a deep dive into the intricacies of Series A valuations, fundraising strategies, and the unique challenges faced by Midwest startups. The episode sheds light on the complex dynamics that come into play when a company with $3 million in annual recurring revenue aims for a Series A round, touching on standard valuation multiples, dilution impacts, and capital efficiency.The discussion begins with a look at the typical Series A valuation process, where companies with substantial annual revenue might see a valuation around 6...2024-09-1635 minVenture DeclassifiedInside Angel Groups: Balancing Deal Excitement and Investor InterestIn this episode of Venture Declassified, hosts Mike Kelly and Ben Pidgeon explore the complexities of managing angel syndicate groups and the art of curating investment opportunities.Both Mike and Ben run angel syndicates, creating SPVs (Special Purpose Vehicles) for investments, and they highlight the challenge of recommending numerous deals each year without overwhelming their investors.Ben elaborates on his group's approach of working on multiple deals simultaneously, often over a two to three-month window. He stresses the importance of maintaining investor interest through a strategic marketing campaign—using compelling headlines and consistent updates. Mike, on...2024-09-0412 minVenture DeclassifiedNailing Your First Impression: The Anatomy of a Winning Pitch Deck, Part 2Episode SummaryWelcome back to Venture Declassified. In this episode, we continue our conversation into the nuances of creating an influential pitch. Jacob and Ben share their insights on the significance of active listening to evaluate a team effectively. We then pivot to tackle the challenging topic of setting valuations and discuss vital metrics including revenue, customer acquisition costs, and churn rates. Expect to hear candid conversations about founders' narratives, why presentation skills can trump slide content, and our biggest pet peeves in investment pitches. Plus, we suggest how founders enhance their narrative, r...2024-08-1951 minVenture DeclassifiedNailing Your First Impression: The Anatomy of a Winning Pitch Deck, Part 1Episode SummaryIn this episode of Venture Declassified, hosts Mike Kelly, Jacob Schpok, and Ben Pidgeon come together to talk about the fundamentals of an influential pitch. This episode promises to strip away the misconceptions and focus on what truly matters during investor presentations.As the hosts delve into the narrative aspect of pitch decks, they emphasize clarity and accuracy in communicating the startup's vision and potential. The episode also explores the strategic presentation of competition, underscoring that a well-researched landscape can significantly bolster a pitch. Venture Declassified's episode is not j...2024-08-0544 minVenture DeclassifiedLeveraging AI for Smarter Investment Decisions in StartupsIn this engaging episode of "Venture Declassified," hosts Mike Kelly, Ben Pidgeon, and Jacob Schpok dive into the pivotal role of technology, specifically AI and chat GPT, in revolutionizing the world of investing and due diligence. The episode is packed with insights on how these cutting-edge tools can streamline and enhance the investment decision-making process.The hosts kick things off by discussing the importance of validating business ideas, assessing the competitiveness and innovativeness of solutions, and determining market size to attract investment. Ben shares his experience using chat GPT for due diligence and market research, suggesting it...2024-07-2238 minVenture DeclassifiedCrafting Your Board Strategy: Hygiene, Governance, and Transparent CommunicationIn this episode of Venture Declassified, hosts Ben Pidgeon, Jacob Schpok, and Mike Kelly dive deep into the intricate world of board hygiene and governance, shedding light on the critical aspects that can make or break early-stage companies. Jacob Schpok and Mike Kelly explore into the nuances of good board hygiene. They underscore the significance of managing personal biases and relationships in boardroom decision-making. The conversation also touches on the value of board observer rights and the strategic use of 1099 contractors as operating partners to enhance board insights without compromising control.Ben Pidgeon brings a g...2024-07-0943 min