Startup Steroid brings you the Founders podcast. In this podcast, we invite founders to share their experiences of starting and running a startup. You get to know their pain points and how they tackled them.
How to Raise $5M+ & Prepare for IPOs | David McConnell’s Capital Campaign Playbook
In this episode of Pitch. Fund. Scale., I sit down with David McConnell, Managing Partner at Capital Partners Worldwide, who has helped founders raise over $5M+ per campaign, navigate executive investor networks, and even prep for IPOs.
David doesn’t just help startups raise — he helps them raise right. From equity strategy to public market readiness, he’s worked with high-growth companies across the tech sector, turning big visions into fundable, scalable realities.
🎙️ Topics Covered:✅ What it really takes to raise $5M+ in today’s funding climate✅ The difference between a good deck and a real deal✅ How founders can tap into exclusive executive investor networks✅ The pre-pitch checklist every Seed or Series A founder needs✅ Biggest myths that kill fundraising momentum✅ IPO strategy, investor readiness & founder mindset shifts
David’s capital campaigns are backed by clarity, structure, and deep investor insight — helping founders not only raise funds but become the kind of company investors want to fund. Whether you’re preparing your first raise or looking ahead to public markets, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom.
💡 If you’re thinking about your next raise — or your biggest one yet — this conversation is your fundraising blueprint.
👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell** for more episodes with founders, investors, and capital strategists: / @imanshumansinha
📅 Want direct advice or 1:1 pitch feedback?Book a session with me here: https://topmate.io/anshumansinha
🔗 Connect with the Guest:David McConnell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlmcconnell/
🔗 Connect with Me:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshumansinha1/
Twitter: https://x.com/Mentor_Anshuman
Website: https://theanshumansinha.com/
28 Aug 2025
How to Win Over Angel Groups | Startup Fundraising Truths with JJ Richa, Pismo Ventures
In this powerhouse episode of Pitch. Fund. Scale., I sit down with JJ Richa – serial entrepreneur, board member, and CEO of Pismo Ventures – to uncover what really makes investors say yes.
From building and scaling companies in hospitality tech, luxury e-commerce, and fintech to becoming a key figure in Tech Coast Angels, JJ has seen both sides of the table. In this no-fluff conversation, he shares exactly what founders get wrong when pitching and how to truly become investor-ready.
🎙️ Topics Covered: ✅ JJ’s journey from founder to angel investor ✅ What makes a pitch stand out at Tech Coast Angels ✅ Red flags that turn angel groups off ✅ The vision behind Pismo Ventures & founder blindspots ✅ Fundraising myths, dilution traps, and traction truths ✅ Real startup advice from a serial operator
JJ Richa is the CEO of Pismo Ventures and a long-time member of Tech Coast Angels, one of the most respected angel networks in the U.S. He brings years of experience turning ideas into scalable ventures and helping founders close the gap between vision and execution.
💡 If you're fundraising in 2025 or guiding early-stage startups, this is a tactical masterclass you can’t miss.
👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for weekly episodes with founders, angels, and ecosystem builders:
/ @imanshumansinha 🔗 Connect with the Guest: JJ Richa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjricha/
🔗 Connect with Me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshumansinha1/ Twitter: https://x.com/Mentor_Anshuman Website: https://theanshumansinha.com/
28 Aug 2025
How VCs REALLY Judge Startups—GTM, Traction & Investor Math | Parthib Srivathsan, Companyon Ventures
In this episode of Pitch. Fund. Scale., I sit down with Parthib Srivathsan – Operating Partner at Companyon Ventures – to decode how VCs actually evaluate startups during diligence, what “Investor Math” really means, and how early-stage founders can prep for venture funding.
From GTM engines to data room readiness, Parthib pulls no punches. As the creator of popular content series like Diligence Diaries and Investor Math, he blends strategic insight with real-world advisory — making this episode a goldmine for any founder navigating the early-stage chaos.
🎙️ Topics Covered: ✅ What real product-market fit looks like ✅ Startup red flags during investor diligence ✅ Go-to-market mistakes most tech founders make ✅ Investor Math: metrics that make or break a raise ✅ Dashboard must-haves for post-raise planning ✅ The most common reasons a fundraise stalls
Parthib isn’t your typical VC — he’s a hands-on operator who stays close to founders post-investment, helping them build, scale, and raise smarter. His work at Companyon Ventures bridges the often-missed gap between diligence and execution.
💡 If you’re fundraising in 2025, struggling with traction, or want to build a repeatable GTM engine — this episode is your tactical blueprint.
👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for weekly deep-dives with founders, angels, and startup operators: / @imanshumansinha
🔗 Connect with the Guest: Parthib Srivathsan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parthibsrivath...
🔗 Connect with Me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshumansinha1/ Twitter: https://x.com/Mentor_Anshuman Website: https://theanshumansinha.com/
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