Keith Petri

📈 Curious about the startup scene in Massachusetts? Explore our detailed funding list featuring startup names, HQ locations, and investor info. Perfect for investors and entrepreneurs alike! Check it out: https://lnkd.in/dAp3xj-Q #startup #startups #venturecapital #funding #vc #managementconsulting

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Today, Two Chairs announces $72M of new funding to continue building a world where everyone has access to exceptional mental health care. Since late 2017, when Maveron led the Two Chairs Series A, the need for mental health services has grown considerably as our society has become lonelier and more isolated than ever. At the same time, our culture’s willingness to openly acknowledge these challenges is greater than ever. Sadly, the rapid growth of Two Chairs affirms the fact that our society is in desperate need of better mental health support. Two Chairs has built a business that believes clinical quality is the defining characteristic of success. Alex Katz has always emphasized the paramountcy of measurement-based clinical outcomes, which the team works tirelessly to achieve. In the process, Two Chairs has illustrated that embracing the ‘move fast and break things’ mentality doesn’t always work. Instead, Two Chairs opted for a different approach: they went slow to go fast. They built a proprietary algorithm that matches patients with the perfect therapist at the onset and hired a team of W2 clinicians oriented toward providing the highest quality care available. Even as the Two Chairs team has grown, their culture has remained small. This has enabled more intimate relationships within the team and between clients and clinicians. Reflecting on this milestone brings me back to the founding of Maveron and the values we hold dear. In 1998, my friend Howard Schultz and I founded Maveron to help entrepreneurs build companies that improve the lives of everyday people—their employees and their customers. There is perhaps no better example of this than Two Chairs. *** Thank you to TechCrunch's Marina Temkin, CFA for the great write-up. https://tcrn.ch/4aMt7yG

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And my second investment at defy is in 🐶 zeroETL puppies 🐶... I mean PuppyGraph, which is all the beauty of a graph database, none of the data migration or continuous upkeep of a graph database. Sounds like magic? So are puppies 🐶 . Puppygraph is NOT a graph or a database. It is graph analytics engine that answers graph questions on your existing data warehouses, whether that is a Databricks datalake, Google BigQuery or postgres. Compared to SQL, it's faster, handles way more complexity, scales and has almost no upkeep. How did I get to conviction? 1. Tailwinds - 🌊 Lakehouses 🌊 have helped enterprises put all their data in one place, enabling Puppygraph to unlock insights previously unavailable. - 📚 LLMs! 📚AI and RAG cannot easily traverse fragmented data. Puppygraph's Graph RAG unlocks insights with their Knowledge Graph and spoonfeeds to the LLMs. 2. 👯 Team 👯 We have graph experts from Google, LinkedIn, Databricks, Tigergraph, and Instacart who are uniquely able to build this solution. 3. 💸 Customers 💸 . My alma mater Coinbase is a proud user. The feedback from my former colleagues was off the charts! A blockchain is very much a graph database and Puppygraph tracks down fraudulent transactions that go through mixers and helps identify patterns. Huge congrats to Weimo Liu Danfeng Xu Lei Huang Zhenni Wu Gary Hagmueller, defy.vc is proud to be an investor!!

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🚀 Venture debt covenants might sound like a small part of the deal, but they carry huge implications for your startup’s future. 📈 You need to be strategic in your negotiations to avoid any pitfalls down the road. It’s all about setting yourself up for success, not stress. Dive into more details in the original Kruze Consulting post. The link is in the 1st comment. 👇

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Who will be the next supply chain consolidator? From 2011 to 2021, XPO scaled up from $70M to $20B, fueled by a combination of organic growth and 18 acquisitions. The model was extremely successful. But the supply chain ecosystem remains extremely fragmented. There is plenty of room for new consolidators to emerge as winners. In the food supply chain software arena, one emerging acquiror is GrubMarket Inc. They have built a network model to help food suppliers automate their relationships with their customers. GrubMarket has acquired over 100 companies to date. They are expecting to exceed $2B in annualized revenue. And they just announced their latest purchase: Butter 🧈, a SaaS platform to automate food distribution. Kudos to Mike Xu, Winston C., and all involved! #logistics #supplychain #consolidation https://lnkd.in/emY4wpsy

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Just watched this video from Gazzo’s Steaks, a small restaurant in suburban Philly that really understands the power of storytelling. 🎥 They make an amazing cheesesteak, but let’s be real—sometimes good food alone isn’t enough. You need to form a real emotional connection with your customers. What I love about what Gazzo's is doing is how they’re using storytelling as a marketing tool, giving people a behind-the-scenes look at their operation. It’s not just about the food, it’s about building a relationship with the community. This kind of connection keeps customers coming back, and it's a powerful strategy for any small business to embrace. Check out how they’ve nailed it with this video series—it’s authentic, relatable, and a great example of using more than just product to create loyalty. https://lnkd.in/ecU_c5_n

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Congrats to the Revive team for the latest fundraise led by Equal Ventures, as well as the new brand! I’ve had the honor of working with Allison Lee (Founder/CEO) and team for almost six years as their first institutional investor. My gosh, it’s been an incredible–and at times harrowing–journey… ‘Revive’ is such an appropriate name for this company, on multiple fronts. First, it describes the core business well, where this platform helps large retail apparel brands to upcycle garments and deadstock into new products, thereby substantially reducing apparel waste. But it also accurately describes Allison Lee herself. Allison is one of the most resilient humans I’ve ever met, and she’s gone through hell and back to create this outstanding company. When we were first introduced to Allison in 2018 (thanks Bebe Kim for that intro!), Allison was a solo founder experimenting with mall kiosks that provided on-demand hemming services for retail apparel consumers. Over the years, Hemster (the name of the co back then) scaled up to become a substantial business, with her own warehouses and staff to handle hemming for top apparel brands throughout the US. But then the pandemic happened. Brand clients budgets collapsed, along with her business model, and Allison had to reduce her team down to just one person. Herself. This was a dark time. I remember reaching out and attempting to check in with her during a six-month period where she was at her loneliest as a founder. She pretty much locked herself in her apartment, mulling new directions for her company by herself. But she figured it out. In 2021, she saw that the consumer retail market was shifting as Gen Z was strengthening their purchasing power. This new generation of shoppers were more climate and sustainability conscious, and wanted to hold big brands’ feet to the fire for products that conformed to their values. Allison saw an opportunity to retool Hemster into a top platform to help facilitate upcycled products for apparel companies. And it worked! Allison breathed new life into her company and business has been growing quickly ever since. Her business’ thesis is even stronger and bigger than the one she initially launched with. Beyond her being a skilled founder and operator, Allison is also a fantastic human being. She is relentless and un-killable as a founder. And also so warm, kind, and present as a friend. I’m grateful to call her a friend today, as well as a role model. Allison’s journey is still in the early days with Revive, and no doubt she is going to build something that has a huge impact on this world. Hustle Fund is nothing but grateful that she said YES to us, and allowed us to be part of this amazing and inspiring journey. Congrats again, Allison and team!

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Some VC investors believe that brick and mortar - referring to a physical presence of some kind - should be avoided at all costs. Yet, the track record of clinic and hybrid care businesses in health care indicates otherwise. ==> One Medical (sold for $3.9 billion to Amazon), Oak Street (bought by CVS for $10.6 billion), Lifestance (IPO at $7.5 billion market cap), and PE-backed Premise Health (acquired by OMERS Private Equity for $1.1 billion) If a clinic is indicated as the optimal way to deliver care for that patient population, there are creative ways to build and operate them. Full article below with advice and strategies on how to build and operate hybrid clinics from my teammate Anarghya Vardhana from Maveron, Amir Dan Rubin from OneMedical Group, Steven Eidelman from Modern Animal and more!

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Finding the Perfect Balance at popped.nyc: Where Exclusive Meets Inclusive At popped.nyc, we're all about crafting a unique environment that bridges the gap between exclusivity and inclusivity. We embrace the "IYKYK" mentality, creating a space where insiders and newcomers alike feel valued and engaged. How do we achieve this balance? Open-Access Programming: We host events that are welcoming to all, ensuring that new faces can seamlessly integrate into our community while still offering exclusive experiences that make our regulars feel special. Inclusive Design: Our workshops and events are crafted with everyone in mind. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a curious newcomer, you'll find opportunities to connect and contribute meaningfully. Mentorship and Guidance: Experienced members are encouraged to share their knowledge and guide newcomers. This fosters a collaborative atmosphere where everyone can grow together. Segmented Access: We offer a range of events, from exclusive gatherings to open-access programs, ensuring that there’s something for everyone while maintaining the special touch of our niche community. Transparent Communication: We believe in clear, open communication about the nature of our events and the reasons behind any exclusivity, helping manage expectations and ensure inclusivity. Interactive Elements: Our events are designed to spark curiosity and engagement, providing newcomers with a glimpse into what makes our community unique. Respectful Boundaries: We balance privacy with openness, ensuring sensitive topics are handled respectfully while still fostering an inclusive dialogue. By focusing on these principles, we create a vibrant, dynamic space where the "IYKYK" mentality enhances our community while ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and involved. Join us at popped.nyc and be part of a community that celebrates both exclusivity and inclusivity. Let’s make connections and build something special together! #CommunityBuilding #InclusiveCulture #Networking #PoppedNYC #Events #ProfessionalGrowth

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On my flight back to the East Coast this week I inadvertently got to preview the board packet for a leading global publicly traded CPG. With an easily recognizable logo, the 'private and confidential' labels appearing occasionally throughout the deck didn't do much to assure privacy & confidentiality. I wasn't trying to snoop: the dimmed cabin lights for most of the flight, our respective seat positions, and the board director's very large unprotected screen set to maximum brightness made it near impossible not to pick up the agenda, areas of focus (predictably there were various ESG initiative roundups, a laughably simplistic view (incl. KPIs) of various AI initiatives (since this is an area I can speak to with authority, it didn't give me much confidence in the rest of the company's plans), the usual 'highlights from local markets', personnel updates that haven't been announced yet, and a smattering of various financials. If you're a senior executive or a board director, please, please, please invest in a screen privacy shield. They're ~$20 (~$50 if you want the 'fanciest' one) and can shield your screens from eyes that shouldn't be on them. Buy them for your teams. Talk about ways to mitigate accidental information oversharing. Make your people aware of particularly sensitive routes (for example, if you're a pharma/biotech executive flying b/w two industry hub cities like Boston and Zurich, keep that laptop under a blanket & don't discuss work in the airport lounge). Perhaps the company's next board packet could include a few slides and recommendations on operational security best practices. #datasecurity #boardofdirectors #bod #boardpackets #corporategovernance #confidentiality #sensitiveinformation #opsec #informationleakeage

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In the next episode of the Duran Inci Podcast, we delve into the true nature of innovation with guest Alex Berg, exploring how it extends far beyond the pursuit of profit. Our conversation will uncover how a deep-seated desire to challenge the status quo can yield extraordinary and widespread impacts. We will examine the crucial decisions that ambitious individuals face, revealing how embracing daunting challenges can profoundly influence one's trajectory. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned executive, or simply intrigued by the dynamics of transformative change, this episode will equip you with valuable insights into the art of pushing boundaries and redefining possibilities. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of what drives innovation and how it shapes the future. #DrivingInnovation #MoreThanProfit #EntrepreneurialDrive #EmbraceChallenges #ShapeTheFuture #TechInnovation #LeadershipInsights #StartupJourney #AgentsOfChange #ExpandBoundaries

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There’s something so motivating about spending time directly meeting customers who live by a product you made.  It’s more than enough compensation for the challenges that go into building a product: the hard decisions, late-night fire drills, and questions to which there are no easy answers. Leading a company is rarely easy.  Elon Musk referred to it as “chewing glass.”  Ouch.  But whether times are easy or hard, it’s important to appreciate the wins, both big and small. I always smile during a rewatch of this particular Sopranos episode.  It seems like one of the most unlikely places for a worthwhile leadership lesson. Mob boss Corrado Soprano tells our favorite anti-hero, Tony Soprano, how to approach a problem with no obvious answer: "Who says there is [an answer]? That's what being a boss is. You steer the ship the best way you know. Sometimes it's smooth. Sometimes you hit the rocks. In the meantime, you find your pleasures where you can." This blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment between Corrado and Tony has always struck me as  particularly profound. Sometimes there’s no easy answer.  Sometimes there’s no answer at all.  You make the best call you can.  But it’s important to find joy in the journey.  Where do you find your joy in leadership? https://lnkd.in/eZX4rVWz

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Great time on the Embracing Erosion podcast w/Devon O'Rourke! We talked about: 🚀 How to scale a company from concept to 9-figure exit 🔄 How to break away from the traditional consulting model and apply product approaches ⏩ Why it’s important to iterate quickly and often with messaging 💸📈What signals are important to pay attention to when investing in startups and much more!

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We have exceeded our goals in terms of Product Managers from the Boston tech scene joining our new VentureFizz Product Management Community!!! The caliber of people joining at all levels of experience is insane! Are you interested in joining?  There are only a handful of invites left for our Original (OG) Members - where you'll get a free one year subscription! To request an invite, click on the link in the description. #productmanager #productmanagement

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DDOA with Marshall Davis Jones, Founder - MindBodySpeak - S4E6 - Aug24 I recently had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Marshall Davis Jones, the founder of MindBodySpeak, and author of Tonal Influence™ to discuss a really interesting topic: "How to Elevate Leadership and Master Communication using Tonal Influence!" If you want to learn how to communicate effectively and with impact, this video is a must-watch! Marshall works with corporate executives, sales teams, and industry leaders at companies such as Google, SAP, Square, Wired Magazine, and Microsoft. His work guides others to unlock the behaviours that enhance how they present and how they are perceived. He's shared stages alongside Simon Sinek, Will.I.Am, Jack Dorsey (Twitter / Square), Brian Collins (COLLINS Agency) and Slava Rubin (IndieGoGo). When you hear Marshall speak, you realise how his techniques win negotiations, de-escalate conflicts, and acquire business relationships across multiple industries. He sits on multiple advisory boards for tech companies as an expert on human vocal performance and affective presence. While writing and speaking globally, he has played a narrative consultant role for two documentaries and contributes to innovation design and research centers, including Proctor & Gamble. He's been tapped to support law enforcement (San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), ATF), military personnel (Special Forces), and even former hostage negotiator and New York Times best-selling author Chris Voss. Marshall was awarded recognition (Most Important People of African Descent, Class of 2022) via the United Nations. Besides having his poems flown into space by NASA, you can find him playing himself in Ray Ramano’s directorial debut Somewhere In Queens. But most of all, you will find yourself mesmerised by his presence, and by the way he shares his thoughts and insights. It is hypnotic. As someone who speaks often (and sometimes too often 😉) I learned so much from this session. Thank you Marshall! #effectivecommunication #tonalinfluence #voice #voicecoach #voicecoaching #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipcoaching #DDOA https://lnkd.in/eEnRJM3p

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Ep. 007 of The Feedback Loop is here! It's the first half of startup pitches from New York Tech Week, and from an almost-all-AI batch of companies. Joining me on this episode: returning fan-favorite, Jenny Fielding of Everywhere Ventures! For those not familiar, every week, a guest venture investor joins me to give granular and unfiltered feedback to founders on their storytelling and their concept. It's all about helping founders construct a better narrative for their move-forward -- because across fundraising, sales, recruiting, and company-building, it's the core narrative and pitch that can often hold startups back. And Jenny currently holds the tenure jacket as my guest co-host, with this being her 4th time on stage delivering quick insights and context you just can't find anywhere else. Massive shout-out to the founders featured: Matt Shenker building MatterMore, Karl White building Wroom, Trista V. building Nunchi, and Jeremy Da building Acrylic! Relevant links below.

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Apply now to get a coveted spot for the Venture Lane B2B Pitch Night Event! 🚀 🥇 On November 19th, Venture Lane | Startup Hub is hosting our exclusive Pitch Night 👉 - a rare opportunity for Boston's B2B tech founders to tune their pitch and get in front of awesome mentors, investors, and industry leaders. ⏰ Apply by November 1st to secure your spot! 📲 Find the application link in the comments below. #B2BTech #Startups #Fundraising #BostonStartups #PitchNight #VentureLaneStudio

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