Shows
Inside Startup FundingRaised $10M After VCs Ghosted: Circadian Risk’s StoryIn this episode, Michael Martin shares the real story behind how Circadian Risk raised $10M after being ghosted by VCs.
We break down:
Why investors initially passed on the idea
How the team built conviction before consensus
What changed between rejection and a successful raise
Lessons for founders building in misunderstood or emerging categories
A candid conversation about fundraising, persistence, and building when...
2025-12-301h 11
Round TwoThe Phone Call That Ended My StartupTwo shutdowns. Two completely different emotional realities. One founder who lived both.In this episode of Round Two, host Jaclyn Siu sits down with Helena Fogarty — co-founder of Backable and host of Inside the Round — to talk about the moments that force founders to confront the truth: sometimes the math or the market doesn’t give you a choice.Helena shares the inside story of:The last-minute reversal from her lead angel investorCalling her co-founder to say “We’re done”Taking over as CEO of a CPG brand already in freefallHow a rebrand destroyed a $2M grocer...
2025-12-0355 minInside Startup FundingNavigating the Emotional Toll of Startup Shutdowns - Jaclyn Siu of StarcycleIn this conversation, Jacyln Siu of Starcycle shares her journey from growing up in Hong Kong to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the U.S. She discusses the emotional challenges of shutting down startups, the importance of community and networking, and how these experiences shaped her new venture, Starcycle. The conversation emphasizes resilience, learning from failure, and the significance of building supportive relationships in the entrepreneurial journey.
00:00 From Hong Kong to Entrepreneurship
02:54 The Journey of Learning and Adapting
06:02 The Pain of Shutdowns and Lessons Learned
08:50 The Birth of Star Cycle
12:01 Navigating t...
2025-11-251h 27
The ButteCast with Bill FoleyPodcast No. 304: Mark Samson and Mick DelaneyMontana Tech’s football team completed its first perfect regular season Saturday with a 41-0 win over Valley City State on the Bob Green Field.Coach Kyle Samson’s 11-0 Orediggers are the No. 3 seed in the NAIA Football Championship Series, which is a fancy way of saying “playoffs.” Tech earned a first-round bye for the playoffs, which start this weekend.Samson was hired as the head coach of the Orediggers in January of 2020, and he quickly won over the school and the community with his motos of “Family” and “County on Me.” The success of these Oredigg...
2025-11-211h 15Inside Startup FundingThe Role of Legal Counsel in Startup Success: Inside the Process with Samir BakhruIn this insightful episode of Inside the Process, Helena Fogarty, interviews Samir Bakhru from Orrick, Harrington, and Sutcliffe. They discuss the intricacies of raising capital, the importance of choosing the right legal counsel, and the evolving landscape of early-stage investing. Samir shares his journey into the startup ecosystem, emphasizing the significance of having tough conversations early and the role of legal advisors in a startup's success.
Helena's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenafogarty
Samir's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samirbakhru/
🎬 Shot at 28th&Park in New York City
Learn more at: http...
2025-11-181h 14Inside Startup FundingElla Moloney-Cook: From Founder to Investor AdvocateIn this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty speaks with Ella Moloney-Cook, co-founder and COO of Upper Echelon, about her unique entrepreneurial journey from Australia to the US, the importance of strategic capital, and the role of mental health in entrepreneurship. Ella shares insights on building community, effective investor outreach strategies, and creating unique experiences for investors. She also discusses the challenges of navigating investor relationships and the surprising realizations she has had as a founder in the investor-backed space. In this conversation, the speaker discusses the significance of strategic capital in entrepreneurship, emphasizing the need for founders...
2025-11-111h 02Inside Startup FundingElla Maloney-Cook: From Founder to Investor AdvocateIn this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty speaks with Ella Maloney-Cook, co-founder and COO of Upper Echelon, about her unique entrepreneurial journey from Australia to the US, the importance of strategic capital, and the role of mental health in entrepreneurship. Ella shares insights on building community, effective investor outreach strategies, and creating unique experiences for investors. She also discusses the challenges of navigating investor relationships and the surprising realizations she has had as a founder in the investor-backed space. In this conversation, the speaker discusses the significance of strategic capital in entrepreneurship, emphasizing the need for founders...
2025-11-111h 022025-11-041h 13Inside Startup FundingUnlocking Capital: Insights from an Angel Investor with Katie DunnIn this episode of Inside the Fund, host Helena Fogarty speaks with angel investor Katie Dunn about her journey into angel investing, her investment philosophy, and the importance of supporting underrepresented founders. They discuss the challenges of capital raising, the significance of building relationships, and the evolving landscape of startup funding. Katie shares insights on evaluating founders, navigating deal flow, and the role of AI in investor-founder interactions. The conversation also touches on the importance of diversity in investing and the value of building in public.
Helena's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenafogarty
Stefanie's...
2025-10-281h 08Inside Startup FundingWhy Relationships Are the New Currency of Startup Growth with Stefanie Francis of HootologyIn this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty speaks with Stefanie Francis, co-founder of Hootology, about the challenges of market research, the journey of entrepreneurship, and the importance of honesty and relationships in fundraising. Stefanie shares her personal story, the evolution of Hootology, and the emotional landscape of being a founder. They discuss the need for a supportive community and the potential for changing the investment ecosystem to be more inclusive and collaborative. The conversation emphasizes the significance of self-discovery, mental health, and the power of asking for help in the entrepreneurial journey.
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2025-10-211h 16Inside Startup FundingUnlocking Market Insights with HootologyIn this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty speaks with Stephanie Francis, co-founder of Hootology, about the challenges of market research, the journey of entrepreneurship, and the importance of honesty and relationships in fundraising. Stephanie shares her personal story, the evolution of Hootology, and the emotional landscape of being a founder. They discuss the need for a supportive community and the potential for changing the investment ecosystem to be more inclusive and collaborative. The conversation emphasizes the significance of self-discovery, mental health, and the power of asking for help in the entrepreneurial journey.
Helena's L...
2025-10-211h 16Inside Startup FundingChips on Shoulders Put Chips in Pockets: Christine Keung on Finding Founders with ConvictionIn this episode of Inside the Fund, Helena Fogarty speaks with Christine Keung of J2 Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on transformative dual-use technologies. Christine shares her unique journey from her family's restaurant to becoming a venture capitalist, highlighting her experiences at Dropbox and her role in public service during the pandemic. The conversation delves into the importance of supporting diverse founders, the challenges of fundraising, and the current trends in the venture capital landscape, particularly in defense technology. Christine emphasizes the need for founders to have conviction and the significance of maintaining personal well-being in a high-stress...
2025-10-141h 00Inside Startup FundingBuilding Community in Startups: The Antler ApproachIn this episode of Inside the Fund, Jeff Becker from Antler shares his journey from selling copiers to becoming a venture capitalist. He discusses the importance of community for founders, the residency model at Antler, and the dynamics of fundraising. Jeff emphasizes the significance of resilience in founders, the balance between valuation and value, and the evolving landscape of deep tech companies. He also reflects on personal insights regarding mental health and the importance of support structures for founders. 00:00 The Loneliness of Founding 02:45 Jeff Becker's Journey to Antler 05:55 The Importance of Community in Startups 08:51 The Residency Model at Antler 11:44...
2025-10-071h 07Inside Startup FundingFrom Minecraft to AI: Miguel Guerrero's JourneyIn this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty interviews Miguel Guerrero, founder of Otis AI, an innovative digital advertising platform for small businesses. Miguel shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his early venture with Meepcraft, a successful Minecraft server, to the founding of Otis AI. He discusses the challenges and strategies of fundraising, the importance of building relationships with investors, and how market changes have impacted his fundraising efforts. Miguel emphasizes the significance of metrics and execution in attracting investors and shares valuable advice for new founders. He also touches on the importance of maintaining personal well-being while...
2025-09-3043 minInside Startup FundingFrom Wall Street to Impact Investing: Jason Torres of Sana Capital | Inside the FundIn this conversation, Jason Torres of SANA Capital discusses his journey from Wall Street to venture capital, emphasizing the importance of impact investing in healthcare. He shares insights on the challenges of fundraising, the evaluation of founders, and the significance of purpose in investing. The discussion also touches on the need for diversity and equity in healthcare, as well as the ongoing challenges faced by the industry.
Helena's LinkedIn: / helenafogarty Jason's LinkedIn: / jasonptorres
2025-09-2847 minInside Startup FundingNavigating AI Valuations in Venture Capital: John Frankel of ff Venture Capital | Inside the FundIn this conversation, John Frankel of ff Venture Capital discusses the current state of AI valuations, his journey into venture capital, and the importance of engagement and support in the VC space. He emphasizes the long-term commitment required in venture investing, the significance of financial management for startups, and the common mistakes founders make.
John also shares insights on diversity in venture capital, the challenges of fundraising, and the future of AI in the industry. He concludes with thoughts on maintaining balance in life and the importance of long-term thinking.
Helena's LinkedIn: / helenafogarty John's LinkedIn: / johnfran...
2025-09-281h 14
Inside Startup FundingBreaking the Glass Ceiling: A Female Founder’s Journey with Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen | Inside the RoundIn this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty interviews Anna Sophie Hartvigsen, co-founder of Female Invest, shares her journey as a female founder navigating the challenges of fundraising in a male-dominated industry. She discusses the unique biases female founders face, the inception of Female Invest, and the growth of their community. Anna reflects on their experiences with Y Combinator, the challenges of raising their Series A, and the importance of building strong relationships with investors. She also emphasizes the need for mental health awareness among founders and offers valuable advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs.
2025-09-1642 min
Inside Startup FundingFrom Idea to Oversubscribed: The 123BabyBox Journey | Inside the RoundIn this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty interviews Zarina Bahadur, founder of 123BabyBox, a subscription service focused on early childhood development. Zarina shares her journey from the initial idea sparked by observing a struggling mother in a grocery store to winning a college competition that provided her with the capital to start her business. She discusses the importance of customer research, the challenges of fundraising, and the role of accelerators in her growth. Zarina emphasizes the significance of networking, maintaining investor relationships, and the balance between work and personal well-being as a founder.
2025-09-0341 min
Inside the RoundHow to Build a $20M CPG Brand (Even During COVID) with Hailey Swartz | Inside the RoundIn this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty interviews Haley Swartz, co-founder of Actual Veggies, a company dedicated to creating healthier, restaurant-quality veggie burgers. They discuss the journey of starting the company during the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges of fundraising, the importance of having a strong co-founder relationship, and the role of accelerators in their growth. Haley shares insights on navigating the food industry, building investor relationships, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a startup founder.TakeawaysThe idea for Actual Veggies was born out of a need for healthier veggie burgers.Starting during...
2025-07-3143 minInside the RoundHow Steve Gilman Raised $3M After His First Startup Exit - Here's His Exact PlaybookInside the Round is a podcast hosted by fundraising expert Helena Fogarty that pulls back the curtain on startup funding by featuring founders who have recently closed their funding rounds.Each episode delivers raw, unfiltered insights into what it actually takes to get investors to commit capital, moving beyond sanitized success stories to reveal the exact processes, pivotal moments, uncomfortable conversations, and strategic decisions that led to millions in funding. In this episode of Inside the Round, Steve Gilman shares his entrepreneurial journey from founding Block Party to launching OneRange, an AI-powered talent development platform. He d...
2025-07-171h 15Inside the RoundHow I Raised $16M to FIX the Youth Mental Health Crisis with Natalie SchneiderIn this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty speaks with Natalie Schneider, founder of Fort Health, about her journey in the startup world, particularly in the mental health sector. They discuss the challenges of fundraising, the importance of understanding VC funding, and the unique hurdles faced by female founders. Natalie shares insights on building a strong team, preparing for fundraising, and maintaining personal well-being as a founder. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of startups and the critical need for resilience in the face of challenges.TakeawaysVC funding is not the only option...
2025-07-011h 04Inside the RoundRaising a fund to back the next generation of consumers founders with VHS Ventures | Inside the RoundIn this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty speaks with Sumeet Shah, founder of VHS Ventures, about his journey in consumer investing, the impact of market shifts, and the importance of building a supportive ecosystem for founders. They discuss the challenges of fundraising, the role of LPs, and the philosophy behind VHS Ventures, which aims to create a collaborative community for stakeholders in the consumer space. In this conversation, Sumeet discusses the challenges faced by emerging managers in venture capital, the tools available for fundraising, and the importance of maintaining mental and physical health in high-pressure environments. H...
2025-06-2454 minInside the RoundHow we raised $2.2M in funding to transform government hiring with AI | Inside the RoundIn this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty speaks with Cherie Chung and Brendan Hellweg, co-founders of Holly, a startup focused on modernizing government hiring through AI. They discuss their journey from identifying a significant problem in local government hiring to successfully raising $2.2 million in funding. The conversation covers their values in selecting investors, the challenges of fundraising, and the importance of securing pilot programs to validate their business model.The speakers discuss their experiences with fundraising, the importance of conviction in their startup journey, and the challenges they faced in navigating the investor landscape. They emphasize...
2025-05-1447 min
Oh Sh*t, What Now?!S2E9: Meet Helena Fogarty 3-time Founder!Helena Fogarty is a rule breaking, magnetic CEO Founder Coach who's seen it all. She's a 4 time CEO and a 3 time founder. She is passionate about helping CEOs take action on the things that matter most. She's known for guiding companies through times of crisis. Helena’s mission is to help start-up founders and CEOS go bigger and increase the IMPACT of their company - and do it easier, faster, and more in alignment with their values. Prior to founding her first company, she worked for Chanel, Ferragamo, Zac Posen, Hearst, Bank of America and othe...
2022-03-2349 min
The Common Scents Podcast.Lessons from a 4x CEO and startup founderHelena Fogarty is a force to be reckoned with. Her experience as a 3x startup founder and 4x CEO provides valuable insights into the trials and tribulations of making it work. In this episode of The Common Scents Podcast, we learn about her journey, which was a bit of a rollercoaster, with upswings and super fast downswings that came out of left field.
2020-11-2441 min