Podcast
Inside Startup Investing with Chris Lustrino
Hosted by Kingscrowd, Sam Fiske · EN
Join 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 such as startups from an investor and founder perspectives.
41episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Chad Rosen, Victory Hemp — Clean Protein, Oils & Xylitol from Hemp Seeds
Dec 400:35:30Tap to summarizeVictory Hemp turns hemp seeds into clean protein, healthy oils, and even xylitol with a solvent-free, patented process built for every aisle. At 00:00 we define what “hemp food” really is; by 01:20 we outline Victory Hemp’s B2B product stack; at 03:00 we unpack the solvent-free patent and why taste/clean label matter. Around 05:00 we hit functionality (emulsifying, gelling, egg replacement). At 06:30 we cover North American supply and USMCA sourcing, then 08:00 the next facility plan (~$21M, equity + USDA B&I/NMTC). By 10:00 we map capacity (> $30M revenue) and path to self-fund growth. At 11:30 we dive into zero-waste (hulls → xylitol), and by 13:00 we close on macro tailwinds: the protein boom, GLP-1 nutrition needs, and renewable fuels potential.
Transcribe →Transforming Land Surveying by Air: SmartDrone
Jan 23, 202500:29:45Tap to summarizeJoin us on this episode of Inside Startup Investing as we dive into the innovative world of drone technology with Rob Cammack, CEO of SmartDrone. Discover how SmartDrone is revolutionizing the land surveying industry by drastically reducing the time and manpower required to survey large areas. Key highlights include:Drone Revolution: A decade after the drone hype cycle, SmartDrone emerges as a leader in practical drone applications, transforming theoretical technologies into real-world solutions. Efficiency in Land Surveying: Learn how SmartDrone leverages advanced drone technology to survey vast tracts of land in mere hours—a task that traditionally took months. Experienced Leadership: With Rob's extensive experience and previous successful exits, SmartDrone is positioned for significant growth in the land surveyor market
Transcribe →Qnetic's Flywheel: A Giant Leap in Mechanical Energy Storage
Jan 12, 202500:26:50Tap to summarizeTune in to this enlightening episode of Inside Startup Investing where we explore the future of energy storage with Michael Pratt, CEO of Qnetic. Discover how Qnetic is tackling the challenges of renewable energy integration with their innovative mechanical flywheel technology. Highlights include…Transition to Energy Storage (3:05)Mechanical Flywheel Energy Storage (7:05)Comparing Flywheel to Lithium-Ion Batteries (9:48)Market Strategy and Clientele (14:30)Business Model and Scaling Challenges (16:56)Market Potential and Future Projections (23:13)
Transcribe →The Impact of AI on Healthcare Efficiency: A Deep Dive with Roy Malkin
Dec 30, 202400:28:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we dive into the transformative world of hospital supply management with Roy Malkin, CEO of Assured Med Supply (AMS). Discover how AMS is leveraging AI to streamline hospital procurement processes, ensuring that hospitals can efficiently manage supplies and avoid costly shortages. Highlights include…The AMS AI Solution: How AMSAI is optimizing hospital supply chains, acting as an AI co-pilot to navigate complex purchasing decisions. [00:13.23]Addressing Hospital Pain Points: Tackling the challenges of managing vast SKU counts and navigating supply shortages, which can cost hospitals billions in procedural delays and inflated supply costs. [01:36.176]Vendor Relationships and Integration: How AMS facilitates better supply chain decisions, providing hospitals with alternatives during critical shortages. [07:23.126]Future Expansion and Impact: Plans for extending AMS's AI capabilities beyond hospital procurement to other sectors, potentially influencing government efficiency and saving lives during critical shortages. [28:05.932]
Transcribe →Frontline Tech: How Elemeno Health is Transforming Medical Training
Dec 17, 202400:26:07Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Chris Lustrino talks to Dr. Arup Roy-Burman, founder of Elemeno Health. Discover how Elemeno Health tackles the urgent need for up-to-date training in healthcare settings with their innovative microlearning platform. Designed to provide immediate, actionable information, Elemeno Health aids healthcare professionals in making critical decisions swiftly and accurately. Dr. Roy-Burman shares his journey from an ICU physician to tech entrepreneur, emphasizing the impact of Elemeno on operational efficiency and patient care.Highlights include…The challenges of implementing new technologies in hospitals and how Elemeno overcomes these. (1:27)Real-world impact: A case study from North Bay Health demonstrating Elemeno's effectiveness during emergency medical situations. [00:05:20.29]The scalability of Elemeno's solution across different hospital departments. (6:44)The strategic approach to expanding Elemeno's adoption within hospitals and its growing traction. (10:29)The addition of a new CEO, Tim Coulter, to drive forward Elemeno’s mission and expand its market reach (18:41)Future plans for Elemeno Health, including exploring new markets in pharma and clinical trials. (20:34)
Transcribe →Meat N' Bone: The Art of Meat Retailing
Dec 15, 202400:31:33Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we speak with Luis Mata and Gabriel Llaurado, the co-founders of Meat N' Bone, an innovative retailer and direct-to-consumer provider of high-end proteins, including a variety of meats and fish. Discover how Meat N' Bone is filling a critical market gap by offering an extensive selection of quality meats, ranging from ribeyes to Wagyu, appealing to serious home chefs and food lovers. Learn about their unique omnichannel approach that combines online convenience with physical store experiences, significantly lowering customer acquisition costs and fostering high customer retention. Highlights include…Concept and Unique Selling Proposition of Meat and Bone (3:53)Growth and Business Model (6:08)Expansion Plans and Market Strategy (9:25)Competitive Advantage and Brand Building (13:26)Consumer Engagement and Future Plans (20:01)Sourcing Strategy and Quality Assurance (22:25)
Transcribe →House Calls Reimagined: Pivotal Health's Quest to Transform Urgent Care
Dec 9, 202400:28:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we dive deep into the innovative world of Pivotal Health with its CEO, Sal Braico. Pivotal Health is revolutionizing the urgent care industry by bringing high-quality medical services directly to patients' homes. With 13,000+ visits and rave reviews, Pivotal Health addresses the inefficiencies of traditional healthcare by eliminating the need for waiting rooms and reducing administrative burdens. Sal discusses the strategic shift towards providing services through employer partnerships, enhancing accessibility while maintaining affordability through a subscription-based model. Highlights include...Sal Breakco's Background and Pivotal Health's Mission (2:35)Logistics and Demand Management (5:46)Recruiting and Retaining Providers (7:13)Market Expansion and Strategy (9:58)Business Model and Pricing (12:16)Sales Cycle and Employer Partnerships (20:10)Exit Strategies and Investment Opportunity (25:20)
Transcribe →A Taste of Australia: Justin Giuffrida's Quest to Elevate U.S. Coffee Culture
Nov 21, 202400:29:45Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Chris speaks with Justin Giuffrida, the co-founder and CEO of Citizens Coffee. With over $27 million in lifetime sales, Citizens Coffee is not just a café but a burgeoning lifestyle brand. Justin discusses the uniqueness of Australian coffee culture, which he is transplanting into the U.S. market with an emphasis on quality and community. Their rapid expansion in New York and Texas, coupled with a strategic approach to new markets, showcases their potential within the booming U.S. coffee scene. Justin also explores the future of Citizens Coffee, including plans for international licensing and a new venture into consumer packaged goods (CPG).Highlights include…Justin’s background Citizens Coffee's Unique Selling Proposition (1:41)The Growing Market for Specialty Coffee and Breakfast (3:08)Citizens Coffee's Market Strategy and Expansion Plans (10:36)Challenges and Competition in the Coffee and Breakfast Market (14:46)Efficiency and Cost Advantages of Citizens Coffee (19:06)Future Projections and Investment Opportunities (26:20)
Transcribe →How NetSpeek Is Solving Office A/V Challenges Using AI
Nov 4, 202400:28:14Tap to summarizeIn this episode, host Chris interviews Erik DeGiorgi, the CEO of NetSpeek, a company evolving audiovisual (A/V) management in the workplace. NetSpeek is addressing the common and frustrating interoperability issues in modern offices by making all AV devices communicate seamlessly. Erik, who has nearly two decades of experience in the Pro A/V industry, shares insights on the inception of NetSpeek and how their innovative platform uses AI to simplify A/V operations, essentially allowing devices to be controlled through natural language commands.Highlights include…Eric Digiorgi's Background and NetSpeek's Genesis (1:55)Challenges and Solutions in the Pro A/V Space (3:23)Market Opportunity and Scalability (6:25)Sales Process and Implementation (12:33)Feedback from Beta Clients and Initial Traction (14:53)Pricing and Market Differentiation (19:40)
Transcribe →How to Invest in Sustainable Forestry and Offset Your Carbon Footprint
Oct 28, 202400:28:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Chris sits down with Dr. Cathy Key, the president and chief business officer of World Tree. Discover the unique and sustainable investment opportunities World Tree offers through the growth and harvest of the Empress tree. Learn about the environmental impact, the innovative profit-sharing model with farmers, and how these fast-growing trees can provide significant returns while offsetting carbon footprints. Dr. Key dives into the agricultural processes, the risks involved, and the promising future of this green investment. Whether you're an investor looking for eco-friendly opportunities or someone passionate about sustainability, this discussion sheds light on how you can contribute to a greener planet while aiming for a profitable return.Highlights include…World Tree's Origin and Mission (2:34)Tree Planting and Farming Partnerships (5:38)Harvest and Profit Sharing (8:30)Care and Maintenance of Empress Trees (9:57)Market Demand and Environmental Impact (15:19)Investment Details and Returns (22:09)
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