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Inside the Round

Inside the Round

Written by: Bamboo X
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About this listen

 What happens in the room where the deal gets done?

Join fundraising expert Helena Fogarty as she pulls back the curtain on startup funding. Each episode features a founder who just closed their round, sharing the raw, unfiltered truth about what it really takes to get investors to wire the money.

No sanitized success stories. No vague platitudes. Just real founders revealing their exact process, pivotal moments, uncomfortable conversations, and strategic decisions that led to millions in funding.

Whether you're preparing to raise capital or simply fascinated by the inner workings of startup finance, "Inside the Round" delivers the fundraising insights you won't hear anywhere else.Copyright Bamboo X Economics
Episodes
  • How to Build a $20M CPG Brand (Even During COVID) with Hailey Swartz | Inside the Round

    How to Build a $20M CPG Brand (Even During COVID) with Hailey Swartz | Inside the Round
    Jul 31 2025
    In 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.

    Takeaways
    The idea for Actual Veggies was born out of a need for healthier veggie burgers.
    Starting during COVID presented unique challenges but also opportunities.
    Working with chefs is crucial for developing quality food products.
    Building a strong co-founder relationship is essential for success.
    Raising capital requires careful planning and understanding of the investor landscape.
    Legal counsel is vital in navigating fundraising and contracts.
    Feedback from potential customers can validate product ideas before launch.
    Maintaining a work-life balance is important for long-term success.
    Investors can provide valuable insights beyond just funding.
    The startup journey is a continuous learning experience.

    Chapters 00:00 The Birth of Actual Veggies 03:00 Navigating the Challenges of Startup Life 05:47 The Role of Accelerators in Growth 08:49 Innovating in the Food Industry 11:42 Building a Strong Co-Founder Relationship 14:51 Raising Capital: Strategies and Insights 17:45 Understanding the Investor Landscape 20:48 Lessons from Fundraising Experiences 23:33 The Importance of Legal Counsel 26:32 Preparing for Future Raises 29:37 The Evolution of Company Culture 32:21 Maintaining Balance as a Founder 35:11 The Future of Actual Veggies

    Helena's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenafogarty
    Hailey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haileyswartz/
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    44 mins
  • How Steve Gilman Raised $3M After His First Startup Exit - Here's His Exact Playbook

    How Steve Gilman Raised $3M After His First Startup Exit - Here's His Exact Playbook
    Jul 17 2025
    Inside 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 discusses the challenges of fundraising, the importance of resilience, and the value of building a strong network.Steve emphasizes the need for clear roles among co-founders and the significance of mental and physical well-being in the entrepreneurial journey. He also reflects on the evolving landscape of fundraising and the lessons learned from his experiences in both sports and business.Chapters 00:00 The Journey Begins: From Block Party to OneRange03:03 Navigating the Fundraising Landscape05:50 Building a Resilient Team and Company Culture08:45 The Importance of Networking and Relationships12:00 Lessons from Sports: Resilience and Grit 14:51 The Role of Investors in a Startup's Success18:04 Finding the Right Co-Founder20:54 The Challenges of Fundraising in a Changing Environment23:51 Mental and Physical Well-being as a Founder26:52 The Future of OneRange and Upcoming Fundraising PlansFind Steve here: / stevegilman26 Find Helena here: / helenafogarty Follow us: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NVE9Ah...To learn more about Bamboo X: https://bamboo-x.com/All productions are created by 28th&Park. Visit us: https://28thpark.com/
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • How I Raised $16M to FIX the Youth Mental Health Crisis with Natalie Schneider

    How I Raised $16M to FIX the Youth Mental Health Crisis with Natalie Schneider
    Jul 1 2025
    In 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.

    Takeaways
    • VC funding is not the only option for startups.
    • Female founders face unique challenges in fundraising.
    • Building a strong team is crucial for success.
    • Networking and relationships are key in fundraising.
    • Understanding the fundraising process is essential for founders.
    • Maintaining personal well-being is vital for founders.
    • The startup landscape is evolving with new challenges.
    • Investors are looking for capital efficiency and profitability.
    • Bias in funding decisions affects female founders significantly.
    • Resilience is necessary for navigating the startup journey.

    Chapters:
    00:00 Understanding VC Funding and Its Alternatives
    03:02 The Birth of Ford Health and Its Mission
    05:59 Navigating the Startup Landscape: Trends and Challenges
    08:56 The VC Funding Dilemma: Is It Right for You?
    11:40 The Importance of Team and Support in Fundraising
    14:47 Preparing for Fundraising: Strategies and Resources
    18:03 The Role of Female Founders in the Startup Ecosystem
    20:48 The Impact of Bias in Funding Decisions
    24:08 Building Relationships and Networking for Success
    26:51 The Fundraising Process: From Preparation to Closing
    29:53 Managing Investor Relations and Expectations
    32:41 Maintaining Personal Well-being as a Founder
    36:06 Lessons Learned from the Fundraising Journey
    38:50 The Future of Startups and the Importance of Resilience


    Find Natalie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalieschneider/

    Follow us:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bamboo-crowd/
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NVE9AhSS5LGb6iepeZW3o

    To learn more about BTG: https://bambootalent.group/
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    1 hr and 4 mins
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