Inside Startup Investing with Chris Lustrino
108 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 days ago - ★★★★★ - 5 ratingsJoin Chris Lustrino as he talks to startup founders, angel investors, fund managers, investing platform executives, and more about the online private markets. Inside Startup Investing gives listeners the inside scoop on alternative investing, from startups and real estate to collectibles and NFTs.
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Episodes
Luca Zambello on Transforming Short-Term Rentals with AI
April 18, 2024 05:00This week, Chris talks with Luca Zambello, founder and CEO of Jurny, a pioneering tech company augmenting the short-term rental and hospitality industry with AI automations. Born from Luca’s early forays into luxury home rentals, Jurny evolved from a property management firm to a sophisticated software provider, addressing the industry’s scalability challenges through innovative technology. Luca dives into Jurny’s development, focusing on its automation capabilities and AI-driven solutions th...
Infinity Fuel Cell: Powering Space and Beyond with William Smith
April 04, 2024 05:00Chris dives into the innovative world of Infinity Fuel Cell with founder and CEO William Smith. His company, rooted in aerospace and underwater fuel cell technology, has advanced the use of hydrogen fuel cells for various applications, including space and subsea missions. Smith discusses the company's journey from high-stakes government contracts to potential commercial use, highlighting their success in generating clean, efficient electricity and their transition towards green hydrogen syste...
Making Every Car Autonomous: Epilog’s Bold Vision
March 29, 2024 05:00Inside Startup Investing presents a deep dive into Epilog, a company revolutionizing the autonomous vehicle industry. CEO Michael Mojaver, with his extensive background in vision and physics, has created a device, SideCar, that enables regular cars to become autonomous. This episode covers the intriguing possibilities of transforming any car into a self-driving vehicle for $1,000, vastly more accessible than current market options. Michael details Epilog's journey from an intensive R&D phase ...
Choose Your Horizon: At-Home Psychedelic Treatments with Mark Holland
March 14, 2024 05:00Chris speaks with Mark Holland, founder and CEO of Choose Your Horizon, a mental wellness company that offers at-home psychedelic therapy. Mark shares how the therapy works, using ketamine in controlled, low doses to aid in treating conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The episode illuminates how this therapy creates a dissociative experience, enabling patients to gain new perspectives on their mental health issues. Holland highlights the company’s growth trajectory, including its p...
Investing in a Greener Future with Arthur Pierse of WeClimate
March 07, 2024 05:00Chris talks with Arthur Pierse, the founder of WeClimate, a groundbreaking climate equity crowdfunding platform. Arthur shares his vision of making climate tech investments accessible to a broader audience beyond the traditional realm of venture capitalists and high-net-worth individuals. He delves into the expansive scope of climate technology, touching upon various sectors, from renewable energy to electric vehicles, and the challenges and opportunities within. The conversation also covers ...
Navigating Venture Capital: Insights from Hustle Fund's Haley Bryant
March 03, 2024 05:00In this episode, Chris engages in an enlightening conversation with Haley Bryant, a pre-seed investor at Hustle Fund. As a venture capital fund focused on “hilariously” early startups, Hustle Fund is carving a path in the industry by democratizing venture capital through their Angel Squad program and seeking out exceptional founders beyond the Silicon Valley bubble. This episode dives deep into the intricacies of angel investing, explores the evolving landscape of startup funding across diffe...
Citizen Portal: AI's Potential Impact on Transparent Governance
February 23, 2024 05:00In this episode Chris chats with Paul Allen, a serial entrepreneur best known for founding Ancestry.com. We learn about Allen's latest venture, Citizen Portal, an AI-driven platform designed to democratize government data access and enhance governance transparency. The discussion traverses Allen's entrepreneurial journey, the transformative potential of AI in politics, and the challenges and achievements in building a platform that empowers citizens with accurate government information. High...
Sebastian Duque's Playbook: Building the Uber of Soccer with Plei
February 16, 2024 05:00Chris catches up with Sebastian Duque, the co-founder and CEO of Plei. Known as the "Uber of soccer," Plei is an app that's rapidly gaining traction, currently used in 16 US cities. With a mission to make soccer accessible and convenient, Plei has been a game-changer in connecting players and facilitating matches, with over 100,000 games played. In this episode, Sebastian shares his journey, from the early challenges to significant milestones, and provides an insightful look into how technolo...
Soccer, Strategy, and Success with OCSC’s Dan Rutstein
February 11, 2024 05:00Chris sits down with Dan Rutstein, President of Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC). With his diverse background spanning journalism, diplomacy, and technology, Rutstein brings a unique perspective to leading a soccer club. He discusses the club's journey in the United Soccer League (USL), its strategies for player development, and its success in fostering a strong, community-oriented fan base. The conversation also covers the club's approach to navigating the complexities of soccer in the U.S.,...
Decoding Crowdcube's Success with Matt Cooper
February 04, 2024 05:00In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris catches up with Crowdcube Co-CEO Matt Cooper. Celebrating over a decade of innovation, Crowdcube is a pioneer in online capital raising, transforming the startup investment landscape in the UK and globally. With over $2 billion raised for startups and more than $100 million returned to investors, their impact is undeniable. This conversation digs into the challenges and triumphs of building the platform Crowdcube, the evolution of investor en...
Bode Miller and Andy Wirth: Blending Olympic Legacy with Industry Innovation at Peak Ski
January 28, 2024 05:00In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, we dive deep into the world of skiing innovation with the co-founders of Peak Ski Company, currently raising on Republic. Chris hosts Bode Miller, a legend in the skiing world with a storied Olympic medal-winning career, and Andy Wirth, a distinguished figure in the ski industry renowned for his significant contributions, including the creation of the popular Ikon Pass. Together, they discuss their new venture, Peak Ski, where they're not only chal...
Becoming the Trader Joe’s of electronics with Spencer Martin
January 21, 2024 05:00In this episode, we interview Spencer Martin, CEO of Sonic Power. Chris and Spencer walk through his journey in the consumer electronics industry. With extensive experience from working in Chinese manufacturing to involvement in Silicon Valley startups, Spencer shares the insights he used to create Sonic Power. Spencer dives into his brand's business model to stand out in the electronics market through a private label strategy akin to Costco's Kirkland and Trader Joe's, offering customers hig...
From SkyMall to Sustainable Homes with Bob Worsley
January 12, 2024 05:00In this episode, we get into housing with ZenniHome's founder and CEO, Bob Worsley. A retired Republican State Senator and serial entrepreneur, Bob's career journey is as intriguing as it is inspiring. From establishing SkyMall to venturing into real estate and energy, Bob's latest endeavor, ZenniHome, stands at the forefront of the crop of startups providing housing solutions. These modern, steel-framed micro homes are not just a leap in sustainable living but are also impacting the housing ...
Faith and Finance: EquityVest’s Mission with Tom Bassford
January 05, 2024 05:00In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris engages with Tom Bassford, the founder and CEO of EquityVest. EquityVest, a burgeoning Reg CF platform, sets itself apart by focusing on faith-driven investments. The platform aims to connect faith-driven founders and investors to support innovations that advance the world positively. The episode delves into the nuances of faith-aligned investing, emphasizing that it's not confined to regular churchgoers but rather to anyone inclined towards ...
A Step Ahead in Children's Footwear with Mike Gugat
December 31, 2023 05:00In the latest episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino welcomes Mike Gugat, the co-founder and CEO of jbrds. This engaging episode reveals jbrds’ strides in the children's footwear market. With Mike's extensive background in the sporting goods industry, he shares the compelling story behind Jaybirds' inception and its mission to create anatomically correct, functional footwear for kids. Mike gets into the nuances of designing shoes that support the natural development of a child's ...
Sustainable, Regenerative Farming with John Kempf
December 17, 2023 05:00In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris engages with John Kempf, the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture. The discussion centers on the company's innovative approach to agriculture, emphasizing sustainable farming techniques and the enhancement of plant health. Kempf, with his unique background, brings valuable insights into the agricultural sector's evolution towards more environmentally friendly and efficient practices. Highlights include… Sustainable farming techniques (0:04)...
Custom Van Manufacturing: P.J. Tezza's Journey with ModVans
December 10, 2023 05:00In this Inside Startup Investing episode, host Chris Lustrino welcomes P.J. Tezza, founder of ModVans. Tezza shares insights into his transition from a software entrepreneur to revolutionizing the van manufacturing industry with ModVans. The conversation explores the unique challenges and triumphs of developing versatile, family-friendly campervans, offering a fresh perspective on innovation in the automotive sector. Highlights include… Unique design features of ModVans that cater to advent...
Innovating Children's Tech: Dane Witbeck of Pinwheel
November 16, 2023 05:00In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, host Chris Lustrino is joined by Dane Witbeck, co-founder & CEO of Pinwheel. Witbeck delves into the unique mission of Pinwheel, focusing on their innovative approach to children's technology. The discussion touches on the challenges and triumphs of navigating the tech industry, offering a unique perspective on entrepreneurship and startup growth. Highlights include… Creating a smartphone for kids with parental controls. (2:39) Phone usage and ap...
Revolutionizing Franchise Investments: Kenny Rose on FranShares
November 12, 2023 05:00In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris chats with Kenny Rose, the founder and CEO of FranShares. Kenny illuminates the concept behind FranShares, a platform revolutionizing the franchise investment landscape. Through FranShares, individuals can invest in franchises with a starting amount as low as $500, making franchise ownership more accessible and diversified. Kenny explains the unique investment structure, the focus on community and inclusivity, and the strategic approach to ov...
Powering the Future with Renewable Inergy
November 02, 2023 05:00In this episode, Chris sits down with Sean Luangrath, the CEO of Inergy, to discuss the company's mission, products, and growth trajectory. Sean dives deep into the renewable energy market, explaining how Inergy is positioning itself to lead the pack with its innovative solar generator systems. Highlights include… Sean’s background as a refugee background and developing his mission as a founder. (2:30) Affordable solar energy systems for homes. (3:38) Portable solar generators for emergency...
Battery Safety Revolution: A Deep Dive with Soteria's CEO, Brian Morin
October 26, 2023 05:00In this episode, Chris Lustrino sits down with Brian Morin, the founder and CEO of Soteria Battery Innovation Group. Their discussion delves deep into the realm of battery safety, intellectual property, and the broader industry landscape. Highlights include… Battery safety and fires in various devices. (0:00) Improving battery safety through innovative technology. (3:46) Safe battery technology and licensing model. (7:43) Battery technology and business model. (14:32) Product market fit, in...
Redefining Motor Tech: A Deep Dive with LiquidPiston's Alec Shkolnik
October 24, 2023 05:00In this episode, Chris Lustrino engages in a candid conversation with Alec Shkolnik, President and CEO of LiquidPiston. Shkolnik provides an overview of LiquidPiston's rotary engine design, explaining its differentiators and potential areas of application. The two also touch upon the broader challenges in the engine industry and how LiquidPiston is positioning itself in this landscape. Highlights include… Efficient engine technology for various applications. (5:17) Engine technology for dro...
David Shapiro on Pioneering Private Market Access
October 19, 2023 05:00Chris meets David Shapiro, the CEO of OPEN. Together, they dive into the venture capital world, exploring OPEN's unique positioning and value proposition in the investment landscape. David shares insights into OPEN's mission, its differentiated approach to investing, and the transformative impact it aims to create in the startup ecosystem. Highlights include… David Shapiro provides an overview of OPEN's unique approach and philosophy in the venture capital space (approx. 2:00). Private mar...
Edreece Arghandiwal on Building Oakland Roots
October 12, 2023 05:00In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino talks with Oakland Roots co-founder and CMO, Edreece Arghandiwal. They dig into the world of soccer, discussing the emergence of Oakland Roots, its strategies in player development, revenue generation, and the influence of community and celebrities on the club's trajectory. Highlights include… Importance of player development in the US (14:27) The potential of the USL championship as a platform for young talent to shine and transiti...
Sports Betting Made Intelligent with Moneyline Sports Michael Friedman
September 28, 2023 05:00In the episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino hosts Michael Friedman, CEO of Moneyline Sports, exploring the innovations and intricacies of sports betting. Michael shares how Moneyline Sports is reshaping the sports betting landscape, serving as a beacon for both novices and experienced bettors. Chris and Michael dive into the unique offerings, challenges, milestones, and future aspirations of Moneyline Sports in enhancing the sports betting experience, illuminating the company’s...
Ep. 80 - Andrei Klochko
September 21, 2023 05:00In this episode of the Inside Startup Investing podcast, Chris Lustrino is joined by Andrei Klochko, CEO of Airthium. They dive deep into clean heat pump technology, discussing Airthium's groundbreaking contributions to the clean tech sector. With a strong emphasis on climate technology, Andrei, a trained physicist, provides insights into the complex yet fascinating world of Airthium's tech innovations and their vast market opportunities. Highlights include… Andrei Klochko’s background as a ...
Ep. 79 - Chris Lindsay
September 14, 2023 05:00In the latest Inside Startup Investing podcast episode, Chris Lustrino interviews Chris Lindsay, CEO of Manta Biofuel. Chris Lindsay discusses Manta Biofuel's journey from its early days as a biofuels company to its current focus on water remediation. With a blend of innovative technology and practical applications, Manta Biofuel is working towards addressing critical water pollution issues and exploring sustainable energy solutions. Highlights include… Origins of Manta Biofuel as a biofuels...
Ep. 78 - Fran Maier
September 07, 2023 05:00In this Inside Startup Investing podcast episode, Chris Lustrino chats with Fran Maier, the co-founder and CEO of BabyQuip. Fran sheds light on how BabyQuip, as a leading baby gear rental service, has become a game-changer for traveling families both nationally and internationally. As a new father, Chris resonates with the need for such a service, making the conversation both personal and insightful. Fran discusses the inspiration behind BabyQuip, their challenges, especially during the COVID...
Ep. 77 - Katrina Spade
August 25, 2023 05:00On the Inside Startup Investing podcast, Chris Lustrino speaks with Katrina Spade, Founder and CEO of Recompose. Katrina offers a fresh perspective on the funeral industry by introducing a sustainable and environment-friendly alternative to traditional death care: human composting. With a unique blend of personal curiosity and environmental responsibility, Katrina discusses the journey of founding Recompose and its mission to transform the way we perceive and handle death, turning it into a r...
Ep. 76 - Alli Schaper
August 17, 2023 05:00Chris Lustrino is joined by Alli Schaper, the co-founder, and CEO of Supermush. They discuss Alli's personal journey and her deep connection with functional and psychedelic mushrooms. Alli shares how these experiences inspired her to start Supermush; a company focused on making mushroom-based products more accessible to the public. Despite being in an emerging and competitive market, Supermush has rapidly gained significant traction. Alli provides insights into the company’s strategy, operati...
Ep. 75 - Courtney Boyd Myers
August 03, 2023 05:00Inside Startup Investing hosts Courtney Boyd Myers, the founder and CEO of AKUA, a company committed to transforming ocean farming into a mainstream source of food and offering consumers sustainable, plant-based options. Courtney shares the story of AKUA's origins, the challenges they've faced, their business model, and future goals. Highlights include… The discussion about the benefits of kelp as a superfood, the process of turning it into a delicious product, and AKUA's best-selling Kelp B...
Ep. 74 - Anthony Tassone
July 20, 2023 05:00In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Anthony Tassone, the founder of Truleo, discusses how his company uses AI to transcribe and analyze police body camera footage to improve policing standards. Anthony dives into the potential of their AI platform to provide valuable insights from unreviewed body camera data, reduce administrative burdens, and increase the professionalism and accountability of police officers. He also shares his thoughts on the sales cycle in the public safety space,...
Ep. 73 - Collin Castellaw
July 06, 2023 05:00In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino interviews Collin Castellaw, Co-Founder of PlayersTV. They discuss the shift in athletes’ perspective on content creation, the rise of PlayersTV, the potential for athlete-driven content, and the future of the sports media landscape. Highlights include… The genesis of PlayersTV and how it's become a one-stop-shop for athlete-driven content. (02:07) The power of athletes controlling their narratives and building their brand independe...
Ep. 72 - Linh Dao Smooke
June 22, 2023 05:00In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino interviews Linh Dao Smooke, the chief operating officer of HackerNoon. HackerNoon is a platform where technologists publish their stories. Chris and Linh delve into the origins of HackerNoon, the platform's community-focused approach, and its ability to empower writers to monetize their content. Linh provides insight into their partnerships, funding, future vision, and her advice for potential writers who wish to contribute to Hacker...
Ep. 71 - Manish Kapoor
June 08, 2023 05:00In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino talks with Manish Kapoor, the founder and CEO of TruKno, a cybersecurity startup. They discuss the unique AI-driven cybersecurity approach TruKno uses, the team's diverse background, their journey to find product-market fit, the company’s current fundraising efforts, and more. Topics include... How TruKno uses advanced AI algorithms to filter out irrelevant information and only present the most critical threats to its clients (02:2...
Ep. 70 - Maria Springer
May 25, 2023 05:00In this episode of "Inside Startup Investing," Chris Lustrino engages in a lively conversation with Maria Springer, chief executive officer of Capital Department. They delve into how her company is providing a unique blend of fundraising expertise to help ambitious startups secure the financial backing they need to succeed. Maria gives insight into the challenging world of fundraising, the role her company plays in navigating this complex process, and the characteristics of the founders they ...
Ep. 69 - John Panaccione
May 11, 2023 05:00In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino speaks with John Panaccione, CEO of Folla Capital, a company specializing in regulatory crowdfunding. Panaccione discusses the evolution of crowdfunding, the impact of recent regulatory changes, and how Folla Capital helps startups navigate this landscape. He emphasizes the importance of extensive due diligence for securing investment, whether through traditional methods or crowdfunding. He also highlights the different strategies re...
Ep. 68 - Etan Butler
May 04, 2023 05:00In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino interviews Etan Butler, chairman of Dalmore Group, to discuss the growing landscape of online private markets and fractional ownership. Etan shares insights on Dalmore's all-in-one solution for issuers and platforms, the increasing sophistication of issuers, and the growing demand for private alternative investments. They also cover the complexities of managing payments in the industry and how developments in secondary markets, block...
Ep. 67 - Nigel Sharp
April 20, 2023 05:00In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino speaks with Aquagga CEO Nigel Sharp. Aquagga takes an innovative approach to mitigating PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination in water. Nigel discusses the origins of the company, its public benefit mission, and the traction it’s gained through grants, contracts, and industrial clients. Nigel also shares the environmental and societal implications of PFAS contamination, Aquagga's technological advancements, and the...
Ep. 66 - Jesse Randall
April 06, 2023 05:00Jesse Randall is the CEO of Sweater Ventures, which he founded in 2018 after 20 years of experience in venture capital (VC) and startups. He dropped the idea of a traditional VC fund due to his ineligibility as an accredited investor and worked with the SEC to create a structure for everyday investors to access the asset class. Randall previously founded six companies and ran a software accelerator where he worked with more than 200 startups. He is dedicated to leveling the playing field in t...
Episode 65 - Sober Entrepreneurship and the Future of Crowdfunding with Darren Marble
March 23, 2023 05:00In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, host Chris Lustrino interviews Darren Marble, CEO of Issuance and co-founder of Going Public. They discuss Darren's unique approach to entrepreneurship, the sober founder mindset [05:34], and the future of equity crowdfunding. Darren shares insights on how the industry can improve, the role of investment banks, and the importance of having institutional leads. They also explore the challenges faced by media and financial services startups [14:12], ...
Episode 64 - Netcapital
March 09, 2023 05:00Netcapital is one of the main platforms that hosts online startup investment opportunities. And it's been there since the early days of equity crowdfunding. Rob Burnett has grown alongside the company, beginning in a business development associate position. Now he's taken over as CEO. And as an industry insider, Rob has a unique view on how online startup investing is evolving. On today's episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino discusses the latest happenings in equity crowdfundi...
Episode 63 - Vinovest
February 23, 2023 05:00Fun may not be the first word you associate with investing. But Anthony Zhang, co-founder and CEO of Vinovest, is making it easy and fun for anyone to become a wine investor. Through Vinovest, investors don't have to worry about issues like storage or bottle sourcing that have historically kept everyone but the very wealthy from investing in wine. Instead, you can just tell Vinovest how much you want to invest and what your investing timeline is, and it will automatically help you build a win...
Episode 62 - Skybound
February 09, 2023 05:00If you're familiar with The Walking Dead or Invincible, then you've encountered Skybound. Skybound is a new breed of media company. Rather than focusing solely on movie or television show production, it does full stack entertainment. From merchandise and comic books to video games and shows, Skybound sees endless opportunities in creative media. On today's episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino welcomes Skybound CEO David Alpert to discuss the company's unique business model. Da...
Episode 61 - Pureboost
January 26, 2023 05:00Pureboost is a startup that is primed for success. From its stacked founding and executive team to its key product launch timing, things have just fell into place for Pureboost. Pureboost makes clean and health energy drink mixes. And it stands out in the crowded energy drink market through its branding and its target audience of women. In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino talks to Pureboost co-founder Sean Ross about how his startup has avoided the common obstacles ...
Episode 60 - Sensate
January 12, 2023 05:00The new year is an excellent time to try and find ways to improve your life. And a common thing we all face is stress. Stress is a natural part of life -- but how we manage it can make a huge difference in our wellbeing. And Sensate is here to help. Sensate has created a device that uses sounds and infrasonic resonance to reduce stress in users. It does this by tapping into the vagus nerve -- a central part of the nervous system -- and sending soothing vibrations that help calm feelings of s...
Episode 59 - Cloudastructure
December 29, 2022 05:00Security cameras can't provide safety on their own. It takes someone actually watching the footage to identify hazards or crimes. But what if surveillance could be proactive instead of reactive? That's the goal of Cloudastructure. Cloudastructure provides surveillance software that automatically stores footage on the cloud. Then the company uses machine vision to crawl through that footage and enable easy searches within it. And it's combining that machine vision functionality with artificia...
Episode 58 - Cubo
December 15, 2022 05:00There's a lot to like about smoothies. They're healthy, delicious, portable, endlessly customizable. But making them can often feel like more trouble than it's worth. Prepping fruit and veggies and having to clean a blender take a lot of the fun out of smoothies. What if there were a way to make smoothies that was as simple as pushing a button? That's what CUBO is providing. CUBO is like a Keurig machine for smoothies. Just pop a pod in, push the button, and within a minute there's a fresh s...
Episode 57 - Gameflip
December 01, 2022 05:00There's a major problem in gaming -- but it might not seem obvious at first glance. As video games have moved from a physical asset (game consoles with specific game cartridges or discs) to a predominantly digital experience, gamers have gained the ability to purchase in game assets. These are digital goods that can take many forms. Some are purely aesthetic -- like changing the appearance of a character's clothes or weapons -- while others can actually affect gameplay. But once these assets ...
Episode 56 - GROUNDFLOOR Co-founder Brian Dally
November 17, 2022 05:00GROUNDFLOOR is a platform that enables investors of all backgrounds to access debt-based real estate investments. It focuses on fractional shares -- meaning an investor can put a little as $10 into a loan that's worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. And that investor can start to receive returns on it within a year. GROUNDFLOOR co-founder Brian Dally is a deep believer in the need for accessibility. Before crowdfunding, it was very difficult for retail investors to have exposure to debt-ba...