Next Round Ready

Hosted by Christopher Hines

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Playlist · 7 episodes

The 7 best episodes on fundraising without venture capital

These episodes cover ways to raise startup money beyond venture capital, including angel investing, crowdfunding, family office investing, and grant funding. You'll hear what early-stage investors look for in founders and startups, and how pre-seed rounds, SAFEs, and friends and family money fit into the picture. Together they show how to approach non-VC investors and what to prepare before you pitch.

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  1. Episode 1· 31 min· Not started

    Understanding Angel Investing and Crowdfunding w/ Karen Rands

    Karen Rands and Chris discuss the role of investors in entrepreneurial success and the ups and downs founders face while raising money. The conversation focuses on angel investing and crowdfunding, including strategies for new investors and how these routes can create wealth. It is a direct look at two funding paths that do not depend on venture capital.

  2. Episode 2· 28 min· Not started

    He's Raised $1.5B for Startup Founders

    Steve Walsh describes how he moved from corporate life into startup investing and why a strong network and community improve investment decisions. He explains the early signals he uses to spot promising startups, such as resourcefulness, customer validation, and resilient founders, along with red flags like arrogance and avoiding numbers. The episode also contrasts an open, collaborative approach to angel investing with traditional VC models.

  3. Episode 3· 28 min· Not started

    What Investors Want ft. Steve Walsh

    Steve Walsh revisits his path from corporate work to startup investing and explains the importance of helping founders through networking and resource sharing. He outlines the green flags he looks for, such as resourcefulness and customer engagement, and the red flags that signal a lack of humility or awareness. The episode also covers which sectors he expects to grow and what founders should know before pitching investors.

  4. Episode 4· 30 min· Not started

    Family Office Investing ft. Trey Natherson

    Trey Natherson, an investor from a family office, shares how his entrepreneurial background shaped his approach to investing. The conversation covers founder personality, qualities that scare investors, and why market fit and early validation matter. Trey also explains why founders should seek early feedback and connect with the right investors when raising capital.

  5. Episode 5· 6 min· Not started

    What is Pre-Seed Funding?

    Chris explains what pre-seed funding is, what the capital is meant to do, and how it differs from friends and family rounds. He covers typical round sizes, why SAFEs are often used instead of priced rounds, and the risk of SAFE stacking. He also discusses the realistic 12 to 18 month timeline and why warm introductions tend to work better than cold outreach.

  6. Episode 6· 32 min· Not started

    The Journey from DocuSign to Founder Nexus w/ Court Lorenzini

    Chris interviews Court Lorenzini, co-founder of DocuSign and Founder Nexus, about building startups and learning from failure. They discuss how community and collaboration among founders can improve the odds for new ventures. Court also explains how Founder Nexus supports relationships and decision-making among entrepreneurs.

  7. Episode 7· 13 min· Not started

    Accelerating Impact Funding with AI: A conversation with Ray Crick of Allegory

    Ray Crick explains how Allegory uses AI and digital systems to streamline grant processes so impact capital can reach organizations in days rather than months. He describes early pilot traction, competitive positioning, and a market strategy that focuses on seekers first. The episode offers a look at grant-based funding as an alternative route for mission-driven founders.

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