Growth Capital Podcast

From Deck to Dollars: Mastering the Fundraise Flow with Jeffrey Fidelman

💸 Growth Capital Podcast - Episode 33 💸
What separates a founder who pitches from one who closes?
In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Jeffrey Fidelman, Founder & CEO of Fidelman & Co., to decode what it really takes to raise money from investors in today’s market.
From creating pitch decks that resonate, to navigating investor psychology and structuring effective calls, Jeffrey shares tactical insights from his years of experience in investment banking, family offices, and now as an advisor to founders raising early-stage capital.
🚀 Whether you're preparing for your seed round or looking to level up your Series A pitch, this episode will show you how to approach fundraising like a pro—from story, to structure, to strategy.
🎯 What you’ll learn: 🔹 Why most pitch meetings fail before they even begin 🔹 The investor psychology every founder needs to understand 🔹 How to structure your calls to turn interest into investment 🔹 The surprising danger of raising too much money 🔹 What $1.7 trillion in undeployed capital means for founders in 2025
 
🔗 Connect with Jeffrey: jeffrey@fidelmanco.com🌐 Learn more: https://fidelmanco.com
📌 Subscribe to the channel for more insights from investors, operators, and private equity leaders. 💬 Drop a comment: What's the one fundraising mistake you see most often?

How to Finish More by Starting Less with Steven Puri

What if the key to productivity wasn’t doing more, but choosing less?
In this episode of Growth Capital Podcast, Justin Dixon sits down with Steven Puri—former Hollywood executive turned tech founder of The Sukha Company, a productivity platform designed to help people and teams find focus and flow.
Steven shares what he learned from two failed startups, how that pain reshaped his product philosophy, and how the idea of “doing less to finish more” became the foundation of his work. From lessons in listening to users, to designing a product around neuroscience and flow states, this episode is a goldmine for founders, operators, and investors alike.
🔍 What you’ll learn:
Why most productivity tools encourage the wrong behavior
How startup failure can lead to sharper product instincts
The problem with overbuilding—and how to know when to stop
What flow state really is, and how to design your workday around it
Why users who pay are the ones worth listening to
🚀 Whether you're scaling a PE-backed company, building your MVP, or just trying to reclaim your workday, this episode will resonate.
📩 Connect directly with Steven: steven@thesukha.co 🌐 Try Sukha: TheSukha.co/?ref=justinfo (Free 7-day trial, no credit card)
🎁 BONUS: Use code JUSTIN25 for 25% off for life when you create your Sukha membership.
👉 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment—what would you do with more focus?

Scaling Secure: Building Smarter, Safer Tech Companies with Rekha Shenoy

🛡️ Growth Capital Podcast – Episode 31 🛡️
In this episode, we sit down with Rekha Shenoy to explore Scaling Secure: Building Smarter, Safer Tech Companies. Rekha shares her deep expertise in cybersecurity, data privacy, and scaling tech ventures with security built into the foundation—not as an afterthought.
We dive into how today’s fastest-growing companies can balance innovation with protection, why trust is a competitive advantage, and the leadership strategies that ensure long-term, secure growth.
🎧 Tune in now to learn how Rekha is helping companies scale with confidence—by putting security at the center of their success.

Charging the Future: Autonomous Power at Every Parking Spot with Madhav Ayygari

🔋 Growth Capital Podcast – Episode 30 🔋
In this electrifying episode, we’re joined by Madhav Ayygari, Co-Founder and CEO of Inductive Robotics, to explore Charging the Future: Autonomous Power at Every Parking Spot. Madhav shares how his team is redefining the EV charging experience with fully autonomous, wireless power delivery—turning every parking spot into a charging station.
We dive into the technology behind the innovation, the infrastructure challenges it solves, and the bold vision required to scale a solution at the intersection of robotics, energy, and mobility.
🎧 Tune in now to discover how Inductive Robotics is powering the next frontier of clean, connected transportation!

Boiling Point: Innovating an Industry Left Behind with Brad Medford

🔥 Growth Capital Podcast – Episode 29 🔥
In this episode, we sit down with Brad Medford, CEO and Co-Founder of Imperium Technologies, Inc., to explore Boiling Point: Innovating an Industry Left Behind. Brad shares how he's tackling one of the most overlooked sectors—industrial water heating—with breakthrough technology and bold vision.
We discuss the challenges of modernizing legacy systems, driving innovation in a slow-to-change industry, and the power of grit and persistence in bringing meaningful solutions to market.
🎧 Tune in now to hear how Brad is turning up the heat on industrial innovation and transforming a space that’s long overdue for disruption!

Disrupting the Grid, Redefining the Game with Scott Wharton

⚡ Growth Capital Podcast – Episode 28 ⚡
In this episode, we’re joined by Scott Wharton, CEO of Tandem PV, to explore Disrupting the Grid, Redefining the Game. Scott dives into how Tandem PV is reimagining the future of solar energy with cutting-edge technology that challenges the status quo of traditional power systems.
We talk innovation, sustainability, and the strategic vision required to take breakthrough tech from lab to large-scale impact. Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or energy enthusiast, this conversation is packed with insight into what it takes to build and scale in the clean tech space.
🎧 Tune in now to learn how Scott and the Tandem PV team are powering a new era of energy transformation!

Where Product Meets People: Building Better Teams Through AI with Larissa Licha

🤖 Growth Capital Podcast – Episode 27 🤖
In this episode, we sit down with Larissa Licha, CEO and Co-Founder of Joyn, to explore Where Product Meets People: Building Better Teams Through AI. Larissa shares how Joyn is revolutionizing the way companies scale their teams—using AI to align talent, culture, and business outcomes like never before.
We dive into the intersection of product innovation, people strategy, and the role of data in shaping the future of hiring. From startup scaling to enterprise growth, Larissa offers powerful insights on how to build smarter, faster, and more connected teams.
🎧 Tune in now to discover how AI is helping companies hire not just faster—but better.

Scaling Visionaries, Funding the Future with Laurel Mintz

🌟 Growth Capital Podcast – Episode 26 🌟
In this episode, we’re joined by Laurel Mintz — founder of Fabric VC and Elevate My Brand, Inc. — to explore Scaling Visionaries, Funding the Future. Laurel shares how she’s helping bold founders bridge the gap between brand and capital, blending strategic marketing with smart investing to fuel high-growth ventures.
We dive into what it really takes to scale with purpose, how to align with the right investors, and why storytelling is just as critical as strategy in today’s market. Whether you’re a founder, marketer, or investor, this episode delivers powerful insights on building businesses that matter.
🎧 Tune in now to hear how Laurel is shaping the future of innovation—one visionary at a time!

Fintech Launchpad: Fueling Early‑Stage Disruption with Trey Ikard

🚀 Growth Capital Podcast – Episode 25 🚀
In this exciting episode, we’re joined by Trey Ikard Managing Partner of WIV Ventures, to dive into Fintech Launchpad: Fueling Early‑Stage Disruption. Trey unpacks how emerging fintech startups are challenging the status quo, leveraging cutting-edge technology, and securing early-stage capital to transform the financial landscape.
From go-to-market strategy to investor alignment and product innovation, Trey shares firsthand insights on what it takes to launch and scale in one of the most competitive and fast-moving industries.
🎧 Tune in now to learn how fintech founders are rewriting the rules—and what it takes to lead the next wave of financial disruption!

Mapping the Market: Data-Driven Deals and Global Perspective with Andy Jones

🌍 Growth Capital Podcast – Episode 24 🌍
In this episode, we sit down with Andy Jones to explore Mapping the Market: Data-Driven Deals and Global Perspective. Andy shares how leveraging analytics, macro trends, and a global outlook can uncover smarter investment opportunities and drive more strategic decisions.
We dive into how data is reshaping deal sourcing, risk assessment, and value creation—and why a global mindset is more important than ever in today’s dynamic market. Whether you're an investor, operator, or strategist, this episode offers powerful insights to sharpen your edge.
🎧 Tune in now to learn how to map the market with precision and perspective!