The Feedback Loop

In Episode 067 of The Feedback Loop, we meet two determined startup founders pitching live – one tackling the loneliness epidemic among seniors, the other streamlining the chaos of youth sports scheduling for busy families.First, we hear from Fernando Dellepiane, co-founder of Vermut, who’s building a community-based app designed to keep seniors socially active (community as medicine). Loneliness can be as devastating to health as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, and Fernando believes his solution can curb dementia risk while unlocking valuable data for insurers, banks, and public agencies. With over 100,000 users in Spain and several million dollars raised, he now sets his sights on the U.S. – but can Vermut’s European success translate across the Atlantic?Next, we meet Zoya Lehrer, co-founder and CEO of Orgo, whose scheduling platform aims to tame the “accordion of time” for active families, starting with youth sports. The pain is obvious for parents juggling endless carpools and game schedules, but even Zoya acknowledges the challenges of changing user behavior, integrating with current calendaring tools, and building a startup in a space known for messy logistics. Will her approach to “logistics as a service” and partnerships open the door to bigger enterprise opportunities?We explore:• Social Isolation’s Real Health Impact: How Vermut hopes to prevent dementia by driving authentic, in-person social engagement – and the hurdles to winning over older Americans. • The Ultimate Family Juggle: Orgo’s plan to coordinate countless tasks, from who's driving to when to leave and what to bring – all synced to the digital world parents already use. • Monetization and Scaling: Both founders share how they plan to generate revenue while meeting real-world adoption hurdles – from shy seniors to time-strapped moms and dads. • Hard Questions, Real Feedback: Tackling investor skepticism and cultural differences – can seniors in the Bronx embrace an app built in Barcelona, and will suburban families pay for scheduling peace of mind? • The Reality of Behavior Change: Both founders face the hard truth that great ideas aren't enough. Winning adoption among older adults and overwhelmed parents demands frictionless design, emotional resonance, and relentless user trust.Whether you're raising venture capital, are an investor yourself, or are an operator within a company in the tech industry, the cutting edge is the best place to learn. We highlight the stories of founders building startups on the edge.Want to Pitch Your Startup Live?Apply now at afterfeedback.com and join our growing community of founders and investors.Follow Sherveen:LinkedIn | X (Twitter)A big thank you to Fernando Dellepiane and Zoya Lehrer for stepping into the spotlight. The Feedback Loop is here to sharpen your pitch, refine your go-to-market strategy, and deliver real-world investor insights. Subscribe for more candid, actionable feedback for startups.Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research before investing.Connect with the Founders: • Fernando Dellepiane (Vermut) • Zoya Lehrer (Orgo)

In Episode 066 of The Feedback Loop, we meet two ambitious startup founders pitching live – one shaking up real estate affordability, the other tackling the crowded AI marketing landscape.First, Stuart Allan from Cedar introduces an innovative solution: splitting home ownership into house and land, aiming to cut prices in half. But can this leasehold concept, popular abroad, really work in the U.S., and is it robust enough to survive economic turbulence?Then we dive into the crowded world of AI-driven marketing startups with Brooke Yoakam, founder of AvidAI. Her vision? Replace traditional agencies with AI agents to boost lean teams’ growth. But with so many similar pitches, how does Brooke prove her company is unique – and can she realistically deliver on fully automated marketing?We explore:Real Estate’s Big Unbundle: How Cedar's separation of land and home could make housing radically cheaper – and why investors may still be skeptical.AI Marketing Saturation: AvidAI wants to eliminate the need for costly agencies and extensive marketing hires. But is a hybrid model (AI plus humans) the secret to success, or just a temporary workaround?Navigating Pitch Challenges: Both founders face tough investor feedback – learn how they tackle legal, operational, and competitive skepticism head-on.Want to Pitch Your Startup Live?Apply now at afterfeedback.com and join our growing community of founders and investors.Follow Sherveen:LinkedIn | X (Twitter)Thank you to Stuart Allan and Brooke Yoakam for stepping into the spotlight. The Feedback Loop is here to sharpen your pitch, refine your go-to-market strategy, and deliver real-world investor insights. Subscribe for more candid, actionable feedback for startups.Disclaimer: This content is educational only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research before investing.Connect with the Founders:Stuart Allan (Cedar)Brooke Yoakam (AvidAI)Drop a comment – feedback is the building block for builders everywhere!

What happens when you build a startup targeted at... yourself? On today's episode of The Feedback Loop, two founders built their business to fix issues in their own industry.First, a longtime NYC nanny reimagines the family-caregiver dynamic – building a platform that prioritizes both sides for better, more personal childcare matches. Then, a sports-tech entrepreneur unveils a mobile-first booking and socials & replay system for sports clubs, drawing on his team's experience building a ping pong platform (yes, really) and building apps like Equinox and Nike+ Running.Each founder has just a minute to pitch, followed by candid feedback from our resident investors. If you’re wrestling with marketplace strategy or bridging digital and physical experiences, you’ll see how to translate insider insights into a pitch that hooks investors, solves real pain, and drives adoption.Time for Episode 065 of The Feedback Loop!The investor feedback comes from our host, Sherveen Mashayekhi, founder and CEO of venture-backed Free Agency. He's also an angel investor and an LP in multiple venture funds. Each week, he's joined by a rotating seat featuring a guest venture investor, and this week, that's...Guest Investor: Lauren Reeves​Lauren Reeves is an Investor at MGV, an early stage SaaS fund based in SF and NYC. She also leads the team's east coast startup ecosystem initiatives. She brings a unique technical background to the judges' table — having previously been a software engineer building in AI, ML, and at notable companies like BlackRock, Postmates, and Alto Pharmacy.Follow Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-a-reevesFollow Sherveen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherveenmFollow Sherveen on X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/sherveenWhat we learn on this episode...Childcare Hiring: Traditional job boards and agencies haven’t caught up to modern families—or the caregivers who do the real work. Hear how a founder spent 12 years as a nanny in NYC, building a new, more personal approach to matching.Sports Venue Modernization: Bookings, replays, in-venue experiences: replacing labor costs with software can transform margins and user delight. But how do you convince legacy clubs and fitness centers to “modernize”?Real Pitch Advice for Marketplaces: Whether targeting busy parents, club owners, or any unsexy vertical, see how clarity about who pays, why they pay, and how you’re different can make or break a venture.Want to Pitch Your Startup Live?Apply now at afterfeedback.com and join our growing community of founders and investors.In a Job Search?Explore our newest channel for 2025’s ultra-competitive talent landscape:https://youtu.be/dlbfZJmY8t8Thank you to these intrepid founders for stepping into the spotlight. The Feedback Loop is here to help refine your pitch, sharpen your go-to-market, and share battle-tested investor perspectives. Make sure to subscribe for more real-time, no-nonsense feedback on how to pitch your startup.Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decision.Amina Sako, founder of Karama: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amina-sako-a12782141Ben Borton, co-founder of PodPlay Technologies: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bortonDrop a comment – feedback is the lifeblood of builders everywhere!

How do startup investors really evaluate founders and their pitches? What's truly required to raise a seed round or a Series A?On this episode of The Feedback Loop, we hear from 2 startup founders building the future and from 2 venture investors offering them feedback on their concept and storytelling – live, candid, and unfiltered!One founder is building a secure data platform for businesses to store, share, and collect repetitive information, and another is building an AI-powered meditation companion.It’s time for Episode 064 of The Feedback Loop!Each founder has 1 minute to pitch. Then, they get feedback from two check-writing venture capitalists – feedback to push them forward in their early stage storytelling journey. Because even the best of founders can be held back from their ability to pitch their business, to tell a story that is compelling but not complete.That feedback comes from our host, Sherveen Mashayekhi, founder and CEO of venture-backed Free Agency. He's also an angel investor and an LP in multiple venture funds. Each week, he's joined by a rotating seat featuring a guest venture investor, and this week, that's...Guest Investor: Lauren Reeves​Lauren Reeves is an Investor at MGV, an early stage SaaS fund based in SF and NYC. She also leads the team's east coast startup ecosystem initiatives. She brings a unique technical background to the judges' table — having previously been a software engineer building in AI, ML, and at notable companies like BlackRock, Postmates, and Alto Pharmacy.Follow Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-a-reevesFollow Sherveen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherveenmFollow Sherveen on X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/sherveenWhat You’ll Learn in This EpisodeMaking “Unsexy” B2B Tech CompellingA data-sharing solution for financial institutions can feel dry. You must reveal how it saves time, reduces errors, or eliminates friction for thousands of businesses.Differentiating in a Crowded Meditation MarketApps like Calm & Headspace have huge brand power. Show precisely why your approach (calendar sync, AI buddy, social groups) solves the “drop-off” problem in a new, sticky way.Highlighting Real User JourneysIn regulated or consumer-wellness spaces, point to specific workflows to bring the product to life – from compliance crises at banks to how and why users commit to a meditation routine.Why This Team?If you’re an ex-banker connecting Zelle & Venmo, or an ex-engineer building mindful apps, clarify how your domain expertise cements credibility, and how your daily vantage point revealed the solution.Addressing Investor SkepticismFounders must disarm the “Is it too trivial?” or “Aren’t there 100 others?” questions. Show market tailwinds, user data, or urgent pain that turns your product from a nice-to-have into a must-have.Want to Pitch Your Startup Live?Apply now at afterfeedback.com and join our growing community of founders and investors.Thank you to these intrepid founders for stepping into the spotlight. The Feedback Loop is here to help refine your pitch, sharpen your go-to-market, and share battle-tested investor perspectives. Make sure to subscribe for more real-time, no-nonsense feedback on how to pitch your startup.Kathryn Outlaw is the co-founder of Spheros: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynoutlawJeremy Yencer is the co-founder of Mindful Buddy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyyencerDisclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decision.

2 startup founders pitch, 2 venture investors give them unfiltered feedback on their concept and storytelling – live, candid, and unfiltered!Today, we hear from one founder aiming to revolutionize chronic care management with an AI-powered health companion, and another founder tackling the FDA compliance maze for pharmaceutical companies.It’s time for Episode 063 of The Feedback Loop!Each founder has 1 minute to pitch. Then, they get feedback from two check-writing venture capitalists – feedback to push them forward in their early stage storytelling journey. Because even the best of founders can be held back from their ability to pitch their business, to tell a story that is compelling but not complete.That feedback comes from our host, Sherveen Mashayekhi, founder and CEO of venture-backed Free Agency. He's also an angel investor and an LP in multiple venture funds. Each week, he's joined by a rotating seat featuring a guest venture investor, and this week, that's...Guest Investor: Lauren Reeves​Lauren Reeves is an Investor at MGV, an early stage SaaS fund based in SF and NYC. She also leads the team's east coast startup ecosystem initiatives. She brings a unique technical background to the judges' table — having previously been a software engineer building in AI, ML, and at notable companies like BlackRock, Postmates, and Alto Pharmacy.Follow Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-a-reevesFollow Sherveen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherveenmFollow Sherveen on X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/sherveenWhat You’ll Learn in This EpisodeTailoring AI to a Real Need – The difference between “having AI” and actually delivering continuous care or compliance alerts that save time, money, and lives.From Subject Matter Expertise to Tech – Whether it’s a physician developing a post-stroke companion or a compliance pro diving into FDA citations, domain knowledge can trump generic solutions every time.Focus vs. Generalist Solutions – Chronic care is broad, but focusing on diabetes or stroke patients first can yield concrete traction before expanding. Similarly, an FDA aggregator might start with post-market compliance, then branch out.How to Pitch Complex Problems – For healthcare or regulatory workflows, you must clarify who uses it, why they benefit, and how you’ll keep evolving in a heavily regulated, historically manual sector.Pitching Early-Stage “Must-Haves” – Show the pain your user experiences if your product doesn’t exist, plus your long-term plan: does it remain niche or scale to a universal solution?Want to Pitch Your Startup Live?Apply now at afterfeedback.com and join our growing community of founders and investors.Thank you to these intrepid founders for stepping into the spotlight. The Feedback Loop is here to help refine your pitch, sharpen your go-to-market, and share battle-tested investor perspectives. Make sure to subscribe for more real-time, no-nonsense feedback on how to pitch your startup.Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decision.If you’re into digital health, AI for chronic care, enterprise compliance, or want to sharpen your own startup's pitch, you’ll find tons of actionable insight here. Like, comment, and share — because feedback is a gift!

What happens when a startup founder is pitching a business he joined 6 months ago, but was really started 11 years ago? Well, let's find out!2 startup founders pitch, 2 venture investors give them unfiltered feedback on their concept and storytelling – live, candid, and unfiltered! In Episode 061, we spotlight two radically different startups: AR and 3D visualization for real estate & retail and another pursuing ternary microprocessors (going from binary base-2 bits to base-3 trits).It’s time for Episode 062 of The Feedback Loop!One founder wants you to be able to stage an empty office or apartment using augmented reality, helping everyone make smarter and more visual decisions about real estate and design.Another founder wants you to move from microprocessors that think in 0s and 1s to microprocessors that think in 0s, 1s, and 2s for improved performance in computing.BTW – in a job search?It’s more competitive than ever. Explore our newest channel for 2025’s ultra-competitive talent landscape: https://youtu.be/dlbfZJmY8t8More on our guest venture investor for the episode, John Frankel:​Prior to founding ff Venture Capital in 2008, John worked at Goldman Sachs for 21 years working on financial management, technology development, and reengineering, among other things. Specializing in seed and pre-seed investments, John has heard thousands of pitches and ideas from founders just like the ones you'll see present in this group. He brings that context, along with the wisdom of investing in early-stage tech businesses since 1998, to the stage.Follow John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrankelFollow Sherveen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherveenmFollow Sherveen on X: https://www.x.com/sherveenWhat we get into in this episode:Are You Actually the Co-Founder? – If you got a free internship at a 10-year-old company and now you're called a co-founder... will that make sense to investors listening to your startup's story?Navigating Multi-Solution Pitches – If your tech spans multiple industries (ex. real estate + retail AR), be sure to clarify a single coherent user journey and show how each piece fits together.Pitching Foundational Hardware – Going “beyond binary” with new microprocessor designs is bold — but you must articulate why rewriting the hardware/software stack is both feasible and commercially worth it.Why Now? – From AI to new hardware form factors, explaining your timing rationale (ex. “Moore’s Law isn’t enough anymore” or “user demand for immersive listings has exploded”) is crucial in big, risky bets.Highlight Go-to-Market & Distribution – Whether it’s realtors, brokerages, retail catalogs, or HPC labs, your pitch must show who adopts your solution, how you’ll onboard them, and the payoff for switching.Want to Pitch Your Startup Live?Apply now at afterfeedback.com and join our growing community of founders and investors.Thank you to these intrepid founders for stepping into the spotlight. The Feedback Loop is here to help refine your pitch, sharpen your go-to-market, and share battle-tested investor perspectives. Make sure to subscribe for more real-time, no-nonsense feedback on how to pitch your startup.Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decision.If you’re into 3D/AR solutions, hardware disruptions, or want to polish your VC pitch, you’ll find tons of insight here. Like, comment, and share – because feedback is a gift!