In this special episode of "Venture Declassified," recorded live at the Rally Innovation Conference, hosts Mike Kelly, Ben Pidgeon, and Jacob Spock engage with a series of live pitches and conversations with entrepreneurs and founders. They unpack the complex dynamics of the fundraising landscape for startups, exploring how the backgrounds of entrepreneurs—whether they are repeat founders or first-timers—significantly influence their approach and success in securing investments.

Mike and Ben discuss their roles as sherpas for first-time founders, guiding them through the serpentine process of fundraising. Repeat founders, having been through the process before, often present with confidence and humility. Mike shares his heuristics for pitch evaluations, emphasizing the importance of trusted personal introductions and subject matter expertise.

The episode begins with Rockland Page, CFO of ROCKaBLOCK AR, who offers a candid glimpse into their "executives in residence" program and aggressive recruitment strategies.

Next, Jim Bartek, CEO and Business Architect of Growth Heroes, shares insights on the transformative power of digital transformation for SaaS companies and the importance of strong elevator pitches to attract both talent and investment.

Emily Edwards, founder and CEO of Paradise Spreads, then pitches her innovative plant-based spread, highlighting her company's growth as it enters grocery stores and negotiates with major players like Whole Foods.

Tony Petrucciani, CFO of Boomerang Ventures, discusses his journey, focusing on building relationships and gaining traction in the market.

The episode wraps up with AJ Richichi, founder and CEO of Sprockets, who provides insights into the importance of clear direction and modest valuation expectations for startups.

Catch this episode for a blend of practical advice, real-world pitches, and strategic insights that can help guide both founders and investors toward more fruitful engagements in the startup ecosystem.

Guest Bios

Rockland Page found success in the corporate world as a graphic designer but he always wanted something he could call his own. In 2017 he launched ROCKaBLOCK, a boutique apparel shop. Built upon Rockland’s talent for original artwork and design, his work focuses on the richness and depth of Black culture.

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Jim Bartek is an experienced business consultant who works with executives at growth companies to increase profits and streamline operations through automation and process improvement. As a Salesforce.com Consulting and ISV Partner, Jim and his team specialize in redefining business processes and managing the implementation of CRM, ERP, and online accounting systems. They also developed Sales2Cash, an application that automates SaaS contracts, revenue operations, and invoicing within Salesforce. With a background in advising tech startups and co-founding a consulting company, Jim is actively involved in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, serving as an organizer for major events such as The Innovation Showcase and Indy Startup Weekend. He is also cer

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The information provided on the show is not intended to be investment advice and should not be relied upon as such. The investors on today’s episode are providing their opinions based on their own assessment of the businesses or topics presented. Those opinions should not be considered professional investment advice. If they start up pitched as a part of this episode, it is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy any securities.