<![CDATA[(Un)Founded]]>6358fdb0-c0cf-5986-bbfd-f84bcb8555f1Fri, 24 Jan 2025 23:00:04 +0000Captivate.fmMelissa Withershttps://artwork.captivate.fm/8867e267-2fd3-4a7f-9cd6-2f9da2ea3713/b_ImkgLFI1aO16iKGdQ1Eoe0.jpg(Un)FoundedMelissa WithersMelissa Withers3 questions about biz building and startup culture: One peers into the past. One speaks to the present. One looks toward the future. That’s how we do it on (Un)Founded, where RevUp Capital's Melissa Withers talks biz building and start-up culture, exploring each topic through short-form Q&A with some (very) special guests. In each segment, Melissa and a guest tackle a topic by asking each other only THREE questions. These personal vignettes offer a dash of insight and inspiration, delivered on the fly. Made by, for, and with people who believe in the power of entrepreneurship, check it out! More about Melissa Withers Melissa Withers is an experienced business builder and fund manager with 130+ investments under management. After working as a seed stage equity investor, Melissa co-founded RevUp Capital in 2016, an early pioneer in applying revenue-based investing to early stage companies. Her mentorship and advisory work focuses on capital strategy, C-Suite development, customer experience, company storytelling and go-to-market strategy. In addition to her role at RevUp Capital, Melissa is entrepreneur-in-residence at Tech Stars Boston and a strong advocate for expanding investment in women, people of color, and those living outside top-tier markets. www.revupfund.comhttps://unfounded.captivate.fmtrueepisodicnopodcastMagic 8 Ball with Melissa and Micaela: Does Authenticity Matter in the Age of AI?Magic 8 Ball with Melissa and Micaela: Does Authenticity Matter in the Age of AI?The emergence of AI everywhere is driving a surge in demand for authenticity.  In this episode, we take a closer look at how the burden of authenticity has increased, and in some very challenging and expensive ways for early stage companies.

]]>The emergence of AI everywhere is driving a surge in demand for authenticity.  In this episode, we take a closer look at how the burden of authenticity has increased, and in some very challenging and expensive ways for early stage companies.

]]>8f277348-e40f-4daa-925d-9d4e3a41073bThu, 23 Jan 2025 17:09:00 -050016:26truefull36363Melissa WithersMagic 8 Ball with Melissa and Micaela: Why is No One Talking about Inflation?Magic 8 Ball with Melissa and Micaela: Why is No One Talking about Inflation?Bitching about inflation was something that only boomers used to do. But that’s changed over the last few years. While we hear a lot about inflation and its impact on consumers, we rarely talk about its impact on early stage companies. In this episode, we dive into the impact of inflation and how it’s changed almost everything about business building.

]]>Bitching about inflation was something that only boomers used to do. But that’s changed over the last few years. While we hear a lot about inflation and its impact on consumers, we rarely talk about its impact on early stage companies. In this episode, we dive into the impact of inflation and how it’s changed almost everything about business building.

]]>4031236e-92ef-43ab-a0ae-9a6eec5ac710Thu, 23 Jan 2025 17:08:00 -050010:23truefull35353Melissa WithersMagic 8 Ball with Melissa and Micaela: Should We Die on This Hill?Magic 8 Ball with Melissa and Micaela: Should We Die on This Hill?There are many hills in entrepreneurship…but very few of them are worth dying on. From the glorification of burnout to the “never quit” mentality, toxic narratives have deeply embedded themselves in startup culture at the expense of founders' mental health. Today, we are talking about how entrepreneurial machismo is literally killing us.

Content Warning: Discussion of self-harm, suicide, or suicidal thoughts. Please take care while listening.

]]>There are many hills in entrepreneurship…but very few of them are worth dying on. From the glorification of burnout to the “never quit” mentality, toxic narratives have deeply embedded themselves in startup culture at the expense of founders' mental health. Today, we are talking about how entrepreneurial machismo is literally killing us.

Content Warning: Discussion of self-harm, suicide, or suicidal thoughts. Please take care while listening.

]]>75dff573-e9b2-404b-940b-b007e2fe8daaThu, 23 Jan 2025 17:08:00 -050017:08truefull34343Melissa WithersMagic 8 Ball with Melissa and Micaela: What’s Radical Transparency and Why Should You Care?Magic 8 Ball with Melissa and Micaela: What’s Radical Transparency and Why Should You Care?Being transparent about challenges isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s actually one of the boldest moves you can make as a leader. And when you invite your team, advisors, and even your peers into the messy middle of things, you’ll unlock trust, collaboration, and growth that not only feels real, but is sustainable. In this episode, we talk about radical transparency: What does it look like in practice? How can it strengthen teams and culture? And where does it get tricky?

]]>Being transparent about challenges isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s actually one of the boldest moves you can make as a leader. And when you invite your team, advisors, and even your peers into the messy middle of things, you’ll unlock trust, collaboration, and growth that not only feels real, but is sustainable. In this episode, we talk about radical transparency: What does it look like in practice? How can it strengthen teams and culture? And where does it get tricky?

]]>e40e4d49-fe84-4613-be20-550d0b65b377Thu, 23 Jan 2025 17:07:00 -050018:05truefull33333Melissa WithersMagic 8 Ball with Melissa and Micaela: Pretzel Problems: What Happens When Founders Get Tied Up in Knots?Magic 8 Ball with Melissa and Micaela: Pretzel Problems: What Happens When Founders Get Tied Up in Knots?Whether it's marshaling the resources to start or securing cash to fuel growth, funding a business is hard, messy, and less fun than it looks on TV.  The complexity isn’t just in finding money. It’s navigating all that comes with it.  The costs, consequences, and contortions of taking on outside capital can leave even the best founders tied up in knots. In this episode, we unpack how these “pretzel problems” get made and the consequences that come with them.

]]>Whether it's marshaling the resources to start or securing cash to fuel growth, funding a business is hard, messy, and less fun than it looks on TV.  The complexity isn’t just in finding money. It’s navigating all that comes with it.  The costs, consequences, and contortions of taking on outside capital can leave even the best founders tied up in knots. In this episode, we unpack how these “pretzel problems” get made and the consequences that come with them.

]]>b11f6f2b-1963-4941-a6e5-97794ff8ee46Thu, 23 Jan 2025 17:04:00 -050011:57truefull32323Melissa WithersMagic 8 Ball with Melissa and Micaela: WTF, 2024?Magic 8 Ball with Melissa and Micaela: WTF, 2024?2024 was a wild ride. Packed with surprises, challenges, and more than a few moments where we had to ask, ‘Did that really just happen?’ In this episode, we look back on the big themes of 2024—the moments that shaped us, the lessons that surprised us, and how it might set the stage for a stronger, more intentional 2025.

]]>2024 was a wild ride. Packed with surprises, challenges, and more than a few moments where we had to ask, ‘Did that really just happen?’ In this episode, we look back on the big themes of 2024—the moments that shaped us, the lessons that surprised us, and how it might set the stage for a stronger, more intentional 2025.

]]>dd36a7ec-813a-44ad-af80-b144e25df07bThu, 23 Jan 2025 16:59:00 -050019:39truefull31313Melissa Withers(Un)Founded: Ageism and it’s Impact on Women in StartUp Culture(Un)Founded: Ageism and it’s Impact on Women in StartUp CultureUsually I try to come up with a light hearted, clever title for each episode. But this topic is so viscerally important that every time I tried to be clever or cute I just got more enraged that this even has to be a topic. In this episode, Jennifer Jordan—who has earned her stripes as an innovator, an investor and one of the most respected mentors on the planet—shares her experience, a little of her rage, but mostly her hopes for a future where women aren't punished for all the amazing things that come with age.

]]>Usually I try to come up with a light hearted, clever title for each episode. But this topic is so viscerally important that every time I tried to be clever or cute I just got more enraged that this even has to be a topic. In this episode, Jennifer Jordan—who has earned her stripes as an innovator, an investor and one of the most respected mentors on the planet—shares her experience, a little of her rage, but mostly her hopes for a future where women aren't punished for all the amazing things that come with age.

]]>9074b9df-86e0-4e3a-9a76-45e5a49356b1Fri, 07 May 2021 00:15:00 -050023:21truefull29292Melissa Withers(Un)Founded: If All You Have is a Hammer(Un)Founded: If All You Have is a HammerKim Folsom has been blazing her own trail for a long time, First as a founder, as a black female engineer, as an investor and now as one of the fiercest advocates for innovation in startup funding on the map today. In this episode we look back (why did it take so long??) and forward (how do we not repeat the mistakes of the past) to take a look at the changing landscape in early stage investing.

]]>Kim Folsom has been blazing her own trail for a long time, First as a founder, as a black female engineer, as an investor and now as one of the fiercest advocates for innovation in startup funding on the map today. In this episode we look back (why did it take so long??) and forward (how do we not repeat the mistakes of the past) to take a look at the changing landscape in early stage investing.

]]>9209e5d1-5a10-4143-b4cf-5fcd456f527cMon, 03 May 2021 12:41:00 -050027:03truefull28282Melissa Withers(Un)Founded: It Takes a Village(Un)Founded: It Takes a VillageCompanies don't pop from thin air. Ask Allyson Eman, who has been working to create programs to support startups in the Atlanta area for a long time. What didn't go as planned? What can't predict about building supportive ecosystems that support entrepreneurs? Guess you'll have to listen to see what we decided!

]]>Companies don't pop from thin air. Ask Allyson Eman, who has been working to create programs to support startups in the Atlanta area for a long time. What didn't go as planned? What can't predict about building supportive ecosystems that support entrepreneurs? Guess you'll have to listen to see what we decided!

]]>de47502e-8df2-4422-b11c-39a859646ee0Mon, 03 May 2021 00:15:00 -050019:43truefull27272Melissa Withers(Un)Founded: The Kids are Alright(Un)Founded: The Kids are AlrightStudent entrepreneurship has changed. And for good reason. From her perch at Northeastern University, Betsy is a bridge between where we started and where are going...wherever that may be! 

]]>Student entrepreneurship has changed. And for good reason. From her perch at Northeastern University, Betsy is a bridge between where we started and where are going...wherever that may be! 

]]>27aa8da9-6726-48f1-a62c-60ecb3553ce2Wed, 28 Apr 2021 00:15:00 -050025:12truefull26262Melissa WithersChaos Proofing Your PartnershipChaos Proofing Your PartnershipWhen it comes to talking about partnership and business building, it’s hard to think of having this conversation with anyone other than Allan Tear. Not just because this serial entrepreneur turned investor has been a great business partner to me, but because of what he experienced in the years before we started working together. In this episode we talk a little about the everyday challenges of staying united in the face of unrelenting chaos...and what we've learned along the way.

]]>When it comes to talking about partnership and business building, it’s hard to think of having this conversation with anyone other than Allan Tear. Not just because this serial entrepreneur turned investor has been a great business partner to me, but because of what he experienced in the years before we started working together. In this episode we talk a little about the everyday challenges of staying united in the face of unrelenting chaos...and what we've learned along the way.

]]>006fda2a-3b0e-4f26-a429-881f2b8b0378Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:00:00 -050021:48truefull25252Melissa Withers(Un)Founded: Help Me Obi-Wan(Un)Founded: Help Me Obi-WanToday, the concept of "mentorship" is canonical to startup culture. But when Raiz Labs founder, now turned super-mentor / investor Greg Raiz, was a first time founder himself, mentorship wasn't taught. It wasn't even a word founders used! So...How far have we really come? What's next for mentorship?

]]>Today, the concept of "mentorship" is canonical to startup culture. But when Raiz Labs founder, now turned super-mentor / investor Greg Raiz, was a first time founder himself, mentorship wasn't taught. It wasn't even a word founders used! So...How far have we really come? What's next for mentorship?

]]>da82763b-29c6-4e48-9090-9de79fe968faWed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -050034:03truefull24242Melissa Withers(Un)Founded: Square Peg, Round Hole with Salina Brown(Un)Founded: Square Peg, Round Hole with Salina BrownIdentity. Archetypes. Rules. As a designer, innovator, and activist, Salina Brown has walked many miles in startup land, often knowing she was "out" even when she was "in." In this episode, we talk about the personal journey...the toll...of not "fitting in" and what changing ideas about entrepreneurs should look, act and be like means for the next generation of founders.

]]>Identity. Archetypes. Rules. As a designer, innovator, and activist, Salina Brown has walked many miles in startup land, often knowing she was "out" even when she was "in." In this episode, we talk about the personal journey...the toll...of not "fitting in" and what changing ideas about entrepreneurs should look, act and be like means for the next generation of founders.

]]>5c4e2b9e-872e-4061-a384-dcda3c3dafdaMon, 19 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -050025:29truefull23232Melissa WithersAnd the Brand Played OnAnd the Brand Played OnBranded experiences aren't just for the giants anymore. Today, even early stage companies need to deliver "branded experiences" for their customers...often before they themselves even understand what that *really* means. Whether through her work at Gillette, or with other brands both big and small, Stephanie has...well, seen some things. Things that tell us as much about the future, as they do about the past.

]]>Branded experiences aren't just for the giants anymore. Today, even early stage companies need to deliver "branded experiences" for their customers...often before they themselves even understand what that *really* means. Whether through her work at Gillette, or with other brands both big and small, Stephanie has...well, seen some things. Things that tell us as much about the future, as they do about the past.

]]>871b020c-1ecd-4a2b-ba53-cce2ebc9b2ffThu, 15 Apr 2021 00:15:00 -050029:52truefull22222Melissa WithersControlling the NarrativeControlling the NarrativeAs the former editor-in-chief for Inc. Magazine, book author, and now publisher of FIN, where he goes deep on all things Fintech, James Ledbetter has told his fair share of stories about entrepreneurs and their big dreams. In this episode, we riff about the power and perils of archetypes in startup storytelling, and what lies ahead as the master narratives of yesteryear begin to fade away.

]]>As the former editor-in-chief for Inc. Magazine, book author, and now publisher of FIN, where he goes deep on all things Fintech, James Ledbetter has told his fair share of stories about entrepreneurs and their big dreams. In this episode, we riff about the power and perils of archetypes in startup storytelling, and what lies ahead as the master narratives of yesteryear begin to fade away.

]]>5f143024-73a6-4470-ac4e-a45dd7e2622aMon, 12 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -050025:53truefull21212Melissa Withers(Un)Founded: Women Writing Checks(Un)Founded: Women Writing ChecksIn her career as a founder, investor and mentor, Ilana Diamond has (literally) launched hundreds of companies. She’s also a pioneer among an important community of women: female fund managers that are changing the world of investing forever.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence. You Rock!

]]>In her career as a founder, investor and mentor, Ilana Diamond has (literally) launched hundreds of companies. She’s also a pioneer among an important community of women: female fund managers that are changing the world of investing forever.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence. You Rock!

]]>58eb5d78-24e7-44ff-9317-f09bbf312ffdTue, 02 Mar 2021 09:00:00 -050027:42truefull18181Melissa Withers(Un)Founded: “The Pitch”(Un)Founded: “The Pitch”Clement Cazalot is a startup triple threat: Founder, Mentor, Investor, and equally amazing at all. His ability to hear a pitch, unpack it, and then make it better is unparalleled. His cybersecurity startup, docTrackr was acquired by Intralinks in 2014. That he has a great sense of humor and a warm heart is just icing on this very French Cake.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

]]>Clement Cazalot is a startup triple threat: Founder, Mentor, Investor, and equally amazing at all. His ability to hear a pitch, unpack it, and then make it better is unparalleled. His cybersecurity startup, docTrackr was acquired by Intralinks in 2014. That he has a great sense of humor and a warm heart is just icing on this very French Cake.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

]]>257b3e01-b498-42cc-976c-77ddcbf6c97fFri, 26 Feb 2021 09:35:00 -050018:22falsefull17171Melissa Withers(Un)Founded: When Deals Go Wrong: Investor & Founder Conflict(Un)Founded: When Deals Go Wrong: Investor & Founder ConflictZoë Barry is a serial entrepreneur, mentor and angel investor. Zoë and I are neighboring links on an evolutionary chain, one that shows how the experience of women entrepreneurs is changing (or not changing) over time. I've learned a lot from her...and have waited a long time for this new generation of amazing women to take startup culture by storm!

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

]]>Zoë Barry is a serial entrepreneur, mentor and angel investor. Zoë and I are neighboring links on an evolutionary chain, one that shows how the experience of women entrepreneurs is changing (or not changing) over time. I've learned a lot from her...and have waited a long time for this new generation of amazing women to take startup culture by storm!

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

]]>2a97a968-8d38-4dc3-b504-9cb56391e25bFri, 26 Feb 2021 09:30:00 -050024:04falsefull16161Melissa Withers(Un)Founded: Building Capacity as You Grow(Un)Founded: Building Capacity as You GrowBefore becoming VP of Growth at Knox Financial, Matt was employee #33 at Uber. There, he was the first Operations and Logistics Manager for Boston, where he launched and scaled Uber Black, TAXI, SUV, and uberX before leading the Operations & Logistics Analytics and Process sub-teams from 2011 through 2013. When it comes to building capacity as you grow, Matt...knows some things.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

]]>Before becoming VP of Growth at Knox Financial, Matt was employee #33 at Uber. There, he was the first Operations and Logistics Manager for Boston, where he launched and scaled Uber Black, TAXI, SUV, and uberX before leading the Operations & Logistics Analytics and Process sub-teams from 2011 through 2013. When it comes to building capacity as you grow, Matt...knows some things.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

]]>edc3f53a-201d-4ec8-a495-7fa0c72de885Fri, 26 Feb 2021 09:25:00 -050028:05falsefull15151Melissa Withers(Un)Founded: Race and Gender Bias in Startup Culture(Un)Founded: Race and Gender Bias in Startup CultureHarry is Co-Founder of venture development firm, humble ventures, where he accelerates the growth of startups in partnership with large enterprises and investors. A 4x founder he has SEEN THINGS. Whether in venture capital, education, or sports, Harry's career has always centered around inclusion...and if you don't follow him, you are missing out.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

]]>Harry is Co-Founder of venture development firm, humble ventures, where he accelerates the growth of startups in partnership with large enterprises and investors. A 4x founder he has SEEN THINGS. Whether in venture capital, education, or sports, Harry's career has always centered around inclusion...and if you don't follow him, you are missing out.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

]]>77e5097e-07d8-4e8e-b5f7-f3c4d3e9062bFri, 26 Feb 2021 09:20:00 -050018:59falsefull14141Melissa Withers(Un)Founded: Business Model Innovation(Un)Founded: Business Model InnovationSaul Kaplan is the founder and Chief Catalyst of the Business Innovation Factory and author of The Business Model Innovation Factory: How to Stay Relevant when the World Is Changing. Saul was into Biz Model Innovation before it was cool and he remains one of the people in the world I most admire as a business builder.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

]]>Saul Kaplan is the founder and Chief Catalyst of the Business Innovation Factory and author of The Business Model Innovation Factory: How to Stay Relevant when the World Is Changing. Saul was into Biz Model Innovation before it was cool and he remains one of the people in the world I most admire as a business builder.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

]]>36556e1e-eabf-468b-a85f-a7bc0265e8bcFri, 26 Feb 2021 09:15:00 -050019:57falsefull13131Melissa Withers(Un)Founded: Being Human While Building a Company(Un)Founded: Being Human While Building a CompanyIn all the talk about what it means to be a "great founder" we often lose sight of what all founders have in common: Being a Human.Felix is co-founder and Chief Dad of Zoobean, which provides software to help communities, libraries and schools better engage families and facilitate reading programs for their community. He’s the kind of founder you feel lucky to work with and his take on this topic is spot on.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

]]>In all the talk about what it means to be a "great founder" we often lose sight of what all founders have in common: Being a Human.Felix is co-founder and Chief Dad of Zoobean, which provides software to help communities, libraries and schools better engage families and facilitate reading programs for their community. He’s the kind of founder you feel lucky to work with and his take on this topic is spot on.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

]]>ab6c1bb7-1a3f-48b1-9af1-f63a16705a63Thu, 25 Feb 2021 09:05:00 -050025:08falsefull12121Melissa Withers(Un)Founded: Women Investing in Women(Un)Founded: Women Investing in WomenSylvia is Chief Investment Officer at Ellevest, a technology-enabled financial company built by women, for women. As an innovator in wealth management for women, Sylvia has a powerful take on what's kept women out of investing, how things are changing and what the future holds for us all. Yes, I am a super fan of her work.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

]]>Sylvia is Chief Investment Officer at Ellevest, a technology-enabled financial company built by women, for women. As an innovator in wealth management for women, Sylvia has a powerful take on what's kept women out of investing, how things are changing and what the future holds for us all. Yes, I am a super fan of her work.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

]]>6750133d-99a6-4055-9c69-95d2957aa768Thu, 25 Feb 2021 09:00:00 -050020:02falsefull11111Melissa WithersIntroducing (Un)Founded with Melissa WithersIntroducing (Un)Founded with Melissa WithersThree questions: One peers into the past. One speaks to the present. One looks toward the future. That’s how we do it on (Un)Founded, where RevUp Capital's Melissa Withers talks biz building and start-up culture, exploring each topic through short-form Q&A with some (very) special guests. In each segment, Melissa and a guest tackle a topic by asking each other only THREE questions. These personal vignettes offer a dash of insight and inspiration, delivered on the fly. Made by, for, and with people who believe in the power of entrepreneurship.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

]]>Three questions: One peers into the past. One speaks to the present. One looks toward the future. That’s how we do it on (Un)Founded, where RevUp Capital's Melissa Withers talks biz building and start-up culture, exploring each topic through short-form Q&A with some (very) special guests. In each segment, Melissa and a guest tackle a topic by asking each other only THREE questions. These personal vignettes offer a dash of insight and inspiration, delivered on the fly. Made by, for, and with people who believe in the power of entrepreneurship.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

]]>23758e5f-20b3-4aae-92fd-a7c5e7aedbcbThu, 25 Feb 2021 08:55:00 -050000:48truefull111Melissa Withers