Inception

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").

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."

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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

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 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 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.

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 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.

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 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 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 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.

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 Christoph Jenny, co-founder of Planted, a company producing delicious plant-based meat with only natural ingredients and perfect bite.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 $115M in total funding and landed them in almost a thousand restaurants and retail shops across Europe in a mere three years.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

Pim de Witte is CEO of Medal.tv, where gamers go to create memories when they can't be in the same place physically. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!).

Nicolas Heymann is CEO of Heritage Type and provides a next-generation web-based graphic tool that is launching soon. 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.

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.

Charles Rodenkirch is CEO of Sharper Sense, a company that enhances brain function by delivering wearable, targeted neural stimulation. In this episode, Dr. Rodenkirch talks about the fascinating science underlying their first product, a non-invasive patch that optimizes brain state for clear perception of vision, hearing, and touch. Mike and Charles also discuss the huge potential they see in using neurotechnology to improve people’s lives and highlight Sharper Sense’s grand plans to impact anyone who could benefit by having better vision, hearing, or touch - from clinical applications such as helping seniors with impaired senses or children with sensory processing disorders, to consumer applications such as improving the performance and safety of athletes, musicians, students, and workers in critical situations like the military and manufacturing.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.  

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.

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.