Pitch Please

🎙️ Assembling Your Dream Team: Building the Foundation for Startup Success 🚀 In this episode of Rocket Fuel, we explore a critical challenge for founders: hiring and retaining top talent. Michael Thibodeau sits down with Farial K, founder and CEO of HRXconnect, to unpack strategies for assembling your dream team and ensuring your early hires set your startup up for success. Farial brings over 10 years of expertise to share practical insights on: • Defining roles and creating alignment in your founding team. 🧩 • Hiring strategies for early-stage startups: specialists vs. generalists. 💼 • Attracting and retaining talent without competing on compensation alone. 🔑 • Avoiding common pitfalls in hiring, onboarding, and scaling your team. 🚀 Whether you’re hiring your first employee or scaling to 15+ people, this episode will give you the tools to build a resilient team while navigating the unique challenges of startup life. 🎧 Check out the full episode for actionable tips on turning your vision into reality. Links below! 👇 YOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/gARiHR_E SPOTIFY: https://buff.ly/3WasDMW APPLE MUSIC: https://buff.ly/3WasDfU OTHER PLATFORMS: https://buff.ly/3WasCZo Let us know in the comments: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about hiring for your startup? 🤔 #RocketFuel #StartupLife #Hiring #Leadership #DreamTeam

Unlocking Cash Flow: How Canadian Startups Can Thrive with SR&ED 🚀 In this episode of Rocket Fuel, we tackle one of the most essential challenges for startups: managing cash flow without giving up equity. Michael Thibodeau sits down with Kevin Kliman, co-founder of Humi, and Alireza Afshar, SR&ED expert, to dive into strategies that can help founders access funds while keeping control of their business. 🔐 Kevin and Ali share valuable insights on: • The different types of funding available, from grants to customer-funded models. 💡 • Why non-dilutive funding, like Canada’s SR&ED (Shred) credits, is an untapped resource for many Canadian founders. 💸 • How the Humi platform helps founders manage employee data and streamline the shred process for maximum returns. 📊 Whether you’re in the early stages or scaling, this episode offers practical advice on securing funds without sacrificing ownership. Don’t miss these insights into sustaining and scaling your startup the smart way! 🎧 Check out the Full Episode Here👇: YOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/gXjVCz_g SPOTIFY: https://buff.ly/3WasDMW APPLE MUSIC: https://buff.ly/3WasDfU OTHER PLATFORMS: https://buff.ly/3WasCZo #PitchPlease #RocketFuel #Funding #SRED #Startups #CanadianFounders

Empowering Canadian Female Founders: Pathway to Silicon Valley 🌉👩💼 Join us as we help connect Canadian female entrepreneurs with the resources they need to thrive in Silicon Valley. In this episode, Landon Steele talks about the Pathway to Silicon Valley program, held twice a year, offers mentorship, networking, and pitching opportunities to elevate their business aspirations. Build bridges and expand your network today! Listen to the Full Episode Here👇 Rocket Fuel Ep #6: Investing in Women — Strategies for Female Founders to Thrive, with Landon Steele: ▶ YOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/gTpzUP-b 🎧 SPOTIFY: https://buff.ly/3WasDMW 🍎 APPLE MUSIC: https://buff.ly/3WasDfU 🎙 OTHER PLATFORMS: https://buff.ly/3WasCZo #FemaleFounders #RocketFuel #StartupJourney #Entrepreneurship #PitchPleasePodcast #WomenInBusiness #VentureCapital

Breaking Barriers in FemTech and Menstrual Health: Enhancing Care for Women 🌸 In this episode of Founder Stories, we sit down with Nadia Ladak , Forbes 30 under 30, co-founder, and CEO of Marlow, the company revolutionizing menstrual care with the first-ever lubricated tampon designed for smoother, more comfortable use. Born from a capstone project and fueled by a personal connection to the problem, Nadia’s journey from university to founding Marlow reveals the power of purpose-driven innovation. 🚀 Nadia shares insights on: • How Marlow is breaking taboos and bringing real change to a 90-year-old industry. ⛓️ • The regulatory and R&D challenges in launching a health-focused product in Canada. 🇨🇦 • Strategies Marlow used to grow from a school project to securing FDA and Health Canada approvals 🏅 • The importance of normalizing conversations around menstrual health and empowering consumers through education 🎓 Whether you’re in FemTech, health-focused innovation, or just passionate about impactful startups, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration for any founder. Tune in to learn how Marlow is reshaping menstrual care and empowering women! 🎧 Watch & Listen to the Full Episode Here👇: 🎧 YOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/gukGDAcd 🎧 SPOTIFY: https://buff.ly/3WasDMW  🎧 APPLE MUSIC: https://buff.ly/3WasDfU  🎧 OTHER PLATFORMS: https://buff.ly/3WasCZo #FemTech #FounderStories #HealthInnovation #MenstrualHealth #PurposeDriven #PitchPlease #Podcast #Innovation #WomenInBusiness

Creating Welcoming Spaces for Female and Underrepresented Founders 🌟👩💼 Let’s build inclusive environments where female and underrepresented founders can thrive. Educational programs are key to helping women understand tech startup expectations so they show up prepared for funding pitches, knowing they belong. Landon Steele 🤝 By diversifying the investor pool and bringing more women into VC roles, we can ensure that founders pitching the right fit get the funding they deserve. It’s time to invest in both education and diversity! Listen to the Full Episode Here: Investing in Women — Strategies for Female Founders to Thrive: ▶ YOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/gTpzUP-b 🎧 SPOTIFY: https://buff.ly/3WasDMW  🍎 APPLE MUSIC: https://buff.ly/3WasDfU  🎙 OTHER PLATFORMS: https://buff.ly/3WasCZo #FemaleFounders #DiversityInTech #WomenInBusiness #VCFunding #WomenInVC #PitchPlease #RocketFuel

In this week's episode of Rocket Fuel, we dive into one of startup founders' most common challenges—pitching. (I mean, we aren't called the Pitch Please Podcast for nothing. 😉) We dive into the art of pitching and getting funded with storytelling expert Will Greenblatt. 🎙️ Will’s journey from actor to co-founder of OutLoud Speakers School School gives him a unique perspective on how founders can craft pitches that captivate investors. Together, we explore: • How to use your personal story to connect with investors and audiences 🤝 • The power of authentic storytelling in building trust 🗣️ • Techniques for effective delivery, from body language to voice tone 🎤 • Common pitch mistakes and how to avoid them ⚠️ If you’re a founder, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you own the stage and tell your story with confidence. 🌟 Whether you’re preparing for a pitch competition or a major investor meeting, don’t miss this! Check out the Full Episode Here👇: YOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/gp-Jcpdz SPOTIFY: https://buff.ly/3WasDMW  APPLE MUSIC: https://buff.ly/3WasDfU  OTHER PLATFORMS: https://buff.ly/3WasCZo #StartupSuccess #PitchingTips #RocketFuel #FounderJourney #InvestorPitches #StartupLife #PublicSpeaking

Ever felt like golf fashion isn’t quite hitting the mark? ⛳️ Meet Michelle Choi, founder of Bov Active, the brand that’s reshaping women’s athleisure for golf and beyond. 🏌️♀️ In this episode, Michelle shares her journey from juggling a corporate IT career to going full-time on her business, driven by her passion for golf and fashion. She reveals how the pandemic highlighted a gap in the North American market for trendy, functional golf wear, leading her to create Bov Active—pieces that can be worn not just for golf, but also for tennis, pickleball, and everyday activities like "hot girl walks." Listen as we dive into the challenges of building a fashion brand from scratch, navigating the male-dominated golf scene, and how Michelle is building a community of women golfers through her Sip and Swing events. 🎧 Discover how Bov Active is not only redefining golf fashion but also making the sport more fun, less intimidating, and accessible for women of all backgrounds. 🎧 Tune in now to hear Michelle’s inspiring founder story! Watch & Listen to the Full Episode Here👇: YOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/gQBS5D6w SPOTIFY: https://buff.ly/3WasDMW APPLE MUSIC: https://buff.ly/3WasDfU OTHER PLATFORMS: https://buff.ly/3WasCZo

Why Startup Founders Must Connect: It's a New Era 🌐🚀 Explore how the power of networking through accelerators and incubators is redefining startup success. Founders today thrive by building connections, sharing insights, and accessing key resources. Don’t go it alone—tap into the new era of collaborative growth! Listen to the Full Episode Here👇 Rocket Fuel Ep #6: Investing in Women — Strategies for Female Founders to Thrive, with Landon Steele: ▶ YOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/gTpzUP-b 🎧 SPOTIFY: https://buff.ly/3WasDMW 🍎 APPLE MUSIC: https://buff.ly/3WasDfU 🎙 OTHER PLATFORMS: https://buff.ly/3WasCZo #FemaleFounders #RocketFuel #StartupJourney #Entrepreneurship #PitchPleasePodcast #WomenInBusiness #VentureCapital

Ever wondered how AI could offer companionship and emotional support? 🩷 In this inspiring Founder Stories Episode, we sit down with Ellyn Winters-Robinson APR, co-founder of The Lyndall Project & AskEllyn—the world’s first AI companion designed for those on their breast cancer journey. 💗 Ellyn shares her personal story of being diagnosed with breast cancer and how that unexpected path led her from writing a book to creating a digital companion. AskEllyn.ai is an empathetic, non-medical resource built from Ellyn’s lived experiences and designed to offer emotional support and guidance to those affected by breast cancer, including their friends and family. 🌸 Together, we explore: • The emotional and mental challenges of a cancer diagnosis, and how AskEllyn.ai provides comfort during those moments. 🫂 • The innovative blend of AI and personal storytelling that gives AskEllyn.ai a unique “soul,” making it more than just a chatbot. 💟 • Ellyn’s journey as an accidental founder and the hurdles of building a tech platform without a technical background. • The vision of “conversational care” and how AI can transform support for various health journeys beyond breast cancer. 🤖💬 Ellyn’s mission goes beyond tech—she aims to fill gaps in emotional support for breast cancer patients, using technology to foster human connection. Tune in to hear how AskEllyn is changing lives, one conversation at a time. 🎧 Watch & Listen to the Full Episode Here👇: 🎧 YOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/gxgxnc4b 🎧 SPOTIFY: https://buff.ly/3WasDMW 🎧 APPLE MUSIC: https://buff.ly/3WasDfU 🎧 OTHER PLATFORMS: https://buff.ly/3WasCZo #PitchPlease #FounderStories #BreastCancerAwareness #AIForGood #WomenInTech #StartupJourney #TechForGood

From Burnout to Balance: Mental Health Tips for Entrepreneurs and Startup Teams 💚🧠 In this special #RocketFuel episode, we sit down with Mike Stroh from Starts With Me, a mental health expert with a unique background that spans personal struggle, professional recovery, and transformative life experiences. Mike brings a wealth of insight into the complexities of mental health, especially for founders and startup teams working in fast-paced environments. 🫂 As World Mental Health Day approaches on October 10th, this episode is all about the practical strategies and resources you can use to manage stress, avoid burnout, and find balance. 🧘 We explore: 🛠️ How to identify personal warning signs of burnout 🧩 The crucial role of honesty in mental health and why self-awareness is key 💼 The company’s role in supporting employee well-being vs. individual responsibility 🧭 Practical tips for building resilience and understanding your own baseline for mental health 🤝 Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness, especially in the startup world If you’re an entrepreneur, founder, or someone simply trying to manage the pressures of a fast-paced work environment, this episode offers actionable insights and real-world advice on navigating the ups and downs of mental health. 🧠 Watch & Listen to the Full Episode Here👇: 🎧 YOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/gbxC7ABM 🎧 SPOTIFY: https://buff.ly/3WasDMW 🎧 APPLE MUSIC: https://buff.ly/3WasDfU 🎧 OTHER PLATFORMS: https://buff.ly/3WasCZo #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealthAwareness #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #RocketFuel #PitchPlease #AvoidBurnout #SelfCare