Perfect Pitch,
Kickstart’s Podcast for Entrepreneurs
A podcast that reveals the minds of both investors and entrepreneurs throughout a startup’s journey. Perfect Pitch offers an honest, quick, and tactical guide to help you with your startup.
EPISODE 01
March 3, 2021.
Fundraising Insights with Morgan Davis
A conversation with MarketDial’s Founder and Former VC
If you could peek behind the curtain of the funding world, do you think that would make it easier or harder to follow your passion and take that leap of entrepreneurial faith? We’ll find out when we talk to MarketDial CEO and founder Morgan Davis, and investor Curt Roberts about what happens when a venture capitalist becomes a founder as we bring you both sides of a perfect pitch.
EPISODE 02
March 3, 2021.
Resilience Insights with Rob Nelson
A conversation with Grow’s Founder and CEO
If there’s ever a setting where resilience is imperative, it’s a startup. But the combination of uncertainty, lack of control, and the intense pace of a startup can also often have a direct correlation to increased stress, which can in turn negatively impact resilience. It’s tempting to think the solution is to just to work harder. But is that really the best way to develop resilience? Today, we’ll talk with Founder Rob Nelson and investor Gavin Christensen to bring you both sides of a perfect pitch.
EPISODE 03
March 3, 2021.
Leadership Insights with Mike Peregrina
A conversation with Homie’s Co-Founder
Being an entrepreneur is all about playing the long game and the best founders and their investors understand that the ups and downs of solving big problems require more than just big vision. It’s a combination of traits and practices that will carry you through the lean times. If you want to know what cockroaches and good entrepreneurs have in common, tune in to hear Founder Mike Peregrina of Homie and investor Curt Roberts to bring you both sides of a perfect pitch.
If you haven’t hit a roadblock on your startup journey then you haven’t actually started. Roadblocks are a predictably unpredictable part of starting a new venture and this episode dives into the minds of Jeremy Hanks, founder of DSCO and investor Dalton Wright, to explore how our approach to those early challenges to our businesses can bring us even closer to a perfect pitch.
EPISODE 05
March 16, 2021.
Insights on Pursuing Your Passion with Mark Frank
A conversation with Sondermind’s Founder and CEO
If you’ve ever wondered whether that passion project really is entrepreneurial gold worth fighting for or a hobby that should just stay in your garage, this episode is for you. This episode hosts Mark Frank, Founder & CEO of SonderMind, a Colorado-based mental healthcare company, and venture capital Investor Curt Roberts, Partner at Kickstart.
EPISODE 06
March 23, 2021.
Hiring Insights with Rachel Nilsson
A conversation with Rag’s Founder and CEO
There has never been a more true axiom in the start up world than this: The only constant is change; and when things need to change, it’s up to the founder to get it done. This episode includes CEO and founder Rachel Nilsson of Rags and venture capital Investor Curt Roberts to give you both sides of a Perfect Pitch.
EPISODE 07
March 30, 2021.
Insights on Going Against the Grain with Lee Mayer
A conversation with Havenly’s Founder and CEO
There’s no shortage of advice out there for founders. Just do a quick google search and you’ll find list after list of things “every entrepreneur should do,” or “10 rules of being a founder.” But what if you know doing things the way everyone else does isn’t right for you? And, how do you decide what is right for you and your company? To answer that, we’re talking with Denver-based Founder and CEO, Lee Mayer of Havenly and venture capital investor Curt Roberts to bring you both sides of a Perfect Pitch.
EPISODE 08
April 6, 2021.
Insights on Strong Customer Connections & Awesome Employee Experiences with Vanessa & Nate Quigley
A conversation with Chatbooks’ Co-founders
What does it take to be a success in the startup world? One quick google search and you're immediately aware that there are a lot of cooks in that kitchen. But there are some ingredients everyone can agree on. A healthy dose of purpose–the loftier the better–close connection to your customers and an awesome employee experience are necessary elements for growth and greatness. In this episode, we're talking with two founders who've found that magic sauce. Vanessa and Nate Quigley, co-founders of Chatbooks, a Utah-based social startup, will join us along with venture capital investor Gavin Christensen to bring you both sides of a perfect pitch.
EPISODE 09
April 13, 2021.
Insights on Using Strategy to Respond to Fear with Davis Smith
A conversation with Cotopaxi’s Founder and CEO
It’s not uncommon these days to see startups born out of a desire to do a little bit of good in the world. And the good news is that businesses motivated by a social mission have a real appeal to both customers who like the idea of putting their money to good use, and investors who love the kind of focus and passion that comes from a founder on a mission. But balance is the key. So how do founders keep their startups profitable while being true to the heart of their social mission? Today we'll find out as we talk to Davis Smith, Founder of Cotopaxi, a Utah-based outdoor gear company, and venture capital investor Dalton Wright as we bring you both sides of a perfect pitch.
EPISODE 10
April 20, 2021.
Insights on Founder Curiosity and Authenticity with Frank Wooten
A conversation with Vence’s Founder and CEO
While nothing fully prepares you to run a startup, there are a few things that can help. Like having a strong understanding of your customer base and passion for the problem you’re solving. Even better if you have a deep understanding and experience with the industry. But what if you come to the table without that experience? Is it possible to still be successful at solving the problem? And maybe the bigger question is, can you still get funding? If you’re wondering what it looks like to forge ahead despite a huge learning curve, this conversation is for you. Today we’re talking with founder Frank Wooten of Vence, a California-based startup and venture capital investor Curt Roberts of Kickstart to bring you both sides of a Perfect Pitch.
EPISODE 11
April 27, 2021.
Insights on Aligning Co-Founder Goals with Bret Larsen
A conversation with eVisit’s Co-Founder and CEO
They say that one of the keys to success in start-up land–where predicting the future can seem nearly impossible–is to have the right people with you on the bus. Key people who can adapt and perform well despite the chaos and uncertainty. But there's no saying to guide us when the bus has two drivers who disagree about which directions to follow or who should take the wheel. Today we'll examine what it takes to stay the course when internal leadership strife threatens to off-road you and your company as we talk with Bret Larsen, Co-founder of eVisit, an Arizona-based SaaS company and venture capital investor Curt Roberts of Kickstart to bring you both sides of a Perfect Pitch.
EPISODE 12
May 4, 2021.
Insights on Fundraising Negotiation with Bruno Lima
A conversation with Pura’s Co-Founder and CEO
Negotiation. It's a five-syllable word that can instill fear in the heart of even the most adept entrepreneur and yet, it's a fact of everyday life in the startup world. You eat, sleep, and breathe your vision day in and day out, but when it comes time to bring that vision to the negotiation table, there are no guarantees. So, what does it look like to strike that golden balance between standing firm in what you and your company need while also knowing when it’s time to meet your partners in the middle? This week we're exploring what it takes to walk this fine line with Pura CEO and co-founder, Bruno Lima, and investor Curt Roberts of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in Utah, Colorado, and the Mountain West) to bring you both sides of a Perfect Pitch
EPISODE 13
May 13, 2021.
Insights On CEO Transitions with Matthew Hoffman & Jeremy Warren
A Conversation with Monarx’s Founder & Former CEO and Current CEO
It’s common knowledge that entrepreneurs put in long nights and sacrifice basically everything for the benefit of their companies. But here’s a curveball for you: if the success of your business meant stepping down as CEO...could you do it? Today we're talking to Matt Hoffman, the founder and former CEO of Monarx who stepped away to make room for growth and Jeremy Warren, the current CEO. They'll be joined by investor Gavin Christensen of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in Utah, Colorado, and the Mountain West) to bring you both sides of a Perfect Pitch.
EPISODE 14
May 20, 2021.
Insights on Legal Battles & Bouncing Back with Neal Harmon
A conversation with Angel Studio’s Co-Founder & CEO
So here's an unexpected scenario. You've got your startup started up and you're busy and focused on building the best team and raising capital when you're blindsided by a legal battle with one of the world's most powerful companies. This doesn't happen all the time, but it does happen more than you might think. And today, we'll learn from someone who's faced it all: a major lawsuit, loss, and even bankruptcy–and what it took to bounce back even stronger. Join us as we talk to Neal Harmon, CEO and co-founder of Angel Studios and investor Dalton Wright of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in Utah, Colorado, and the Mountain West) as they bring us both sides of a Perfect Pitch.
EPISODE 15
June 2, 2021.
Insights on Unique Category Fit with Verl Allen
A Conversation with Claravine’s Founder & CEO
While all startups hope to be unique enough to stand out from the crowd, there are often multiple startups within the same category. What if your company doesn’t fit into a standard category? What if your mission is so unique you have to trailblaze your own path in the startup world? To get a better idea of how one niche company successfully did this and grew from seed money into a Series A–all within 20 months–join us in our conversation with Claravine’s CEO and founder, Verl Allen, and investor Gavin Christensen of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in Utah, Colorado, and the Mountain West) as we bring you both sides of a Perfect Pitch.
EPISODE 16
September 21, 2021.
Lessons on Entrepreneurial Adaptability with Rachel Hofstetter
A Conversation with Chatbooks’ CMO
To be a successful entrepreneur, you have to be adaptable. Sometimes so adaptable, that you’re completely rewriting the story of your company. To give insight on how you can remain motivated through it all, we’re talking with Rachel Hofstetter, CMO at Chatbooks, and investor Gavin Christensen of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in Utah, Colorado, and the Mountain West) as we bring you both sides of a Perfect Pitch.
EPISODE 17
October 5, 2021.
Insights on a Startup’s First Year with Chris Hicken
A Conversation with ‘nuffsaid’s Founder & CEO
The first year of a startup’s life is crucial–and life or death decisions seem to be made on a daily basis. Whether it be fundraising, hiring, or simply getting people to care, you have a lot to juggle and today, we’re talking with a founder who can speak to it all. Join us in today’s conversation with Chris Hicken, founder and CEO of ‘nuffsaid and investor Gavin Christensen of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in Utah, Colorado, and the Mountain West) as we bring you both sides of a Perfect Pitch.
EPISODE 18
November 8, 2021.
Insights on Market Changes & Strategy Shifts with Grant Gordon
A Conversation with Artemis Health’s Co-Founder & CEO
You did it. You got your first round of funding and you’re on your way...and then the landscape changes. Now, the outcome you promised to investors might not be possible. So what do you do to maintain their confidence in you? Join us in today’s conversation with Grant Gordon, Co-Founder and CEO of Artemis Health, and investor Dalton Wright of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in Utah, Colorado, and the Mountain West) as we bring you both sides of a Perfect Pitch.
EPISODE 19
November 23, 2021.
Insights on When to Bootstrap and When to Raise with Josh Nielsen
A Conversation with Zencastr’s Founder & CEO
So many founders sacrifice to be able to get their startups off the ground, but not many of them move to Thailand to be able to make it happen. Today we’re talking with Josh Nielsen, Founder & CEO of Zencastr, a successful podcasting platform, and investor Gavin Christensen of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in Utah, Colorado, and the Mountain West) to bring you both sides of a Perfect Pitch.