Thrive Through Connection
Fundraising isn’t just about pitch decks, valuations, or growth curves. It’s about relationships. Thrive Through Connection is a podcast from Visible that explores the human stories behind the capital. Founders don’t raise alone. They lean on their teams, advisors, peers, and investors to navigate the highs and lows of building something from nothing. In each episode, we sit down with founders and investors to unpack the setbacks, breakthroughs, and moments of clarity that shaped their journey. This is your inside look at what it really takes to thrive through connection.
Building a Fundraising Process with Jenny Fielding
On the twelfth episode of the Thrive Through Connection Podcast, we welcome Jenny Fielding. Jenny is the Co-founder and Managing Partner at Everywhere Ventures, a global pre-seed fund backed by 500 founders and operators. She joins us to discuss how founders can build a fundraising process, from high-level strategy to tips for creating a strong data room.
What You Can Expect to Learn from Jenny
Why most founders don’t have a true fundraising process (and how to build one)The dangers of taking casual investor meetings when you’re not fundraisingHow to balance “always being ready” with cle...Unlocking the Power of Networks with Evan Walden
On the eleventh episode of Thrive Through Connection, we welcome Evan Walden, the CEO and Founder of Getro, powering branded job boards and talent networks for venture capital funds, startup accelerators, professional communities, and governments across the world. Evan joins us to discuss how founders and VCs can tap into their networks to fuel relationships and growth.
What You Can Expect to Learn from Evan
What led to Evan starting GetroThe power of connections and communityLessons from Techstars and their “Give First” mentality Hard-earned lessons about fundraising, focus, and being a founderGoing From a Founder to CEO with Enjoy The Work
On the tenth episode of the Thrive Through Connection podcast, we welcome Lesley Ross and Jonathan Lowenhar of Enjoy the Work, a San Francisco-based startup advisory firm serving startup founders and CEOs worldwide. Jonathan and Lesley join us to discuss how great founders can turn into great CEOs.
What You Can Expect to Learn from Lesley & Jonathan
The difference between being a founder and being a CEOHow founders can purposefully train to become great CEOsHow best-in-class leaders make the transitionHow to maintain control of your boardUnderstanding Secondaries in Venture with Hunter Walk
On the ninth episode of the Thrive Through Connection podcast, we welcome Hunter Walk. Hunter is a Partner and Co-founder at Homebrew, a seed-stage venture capital firm backing mission-driven founders. He joins us to discuss emerging trends in the venture space since Homebrew’s founding in 2013.
What You Can Expect to Learn from Hunter
How seed-stage investing has changed in the last 12 yearsWhat’s driving the rise of secondaries in ventureWhy Hunter believes secondaries are here to stayHow founders can think about secondaries for their businessWhy Hunter helped launch Screendoor to invest in VC fundsThe Power Laws of Venture with Andrew Dumont
On the eighth episode of the Thrive Through Connection Podcast, we welcome Andrew Dumont. Andrew is the Founder and CEO of Curious, a long-term holding company that buys and grows software companies with empathy. Andrew joins us to discuss the economics of venture capital and what it means for founders starting companies today.
What You Can Expect to Learn from Andrew
How the power law shapes venture capitalWhy many great businesses can’t raise their next roundAlternative paths for founders post-ventureHow Curious supports sustainable software companiesLead With Your Strengths with Jonah Midanik
On the seventh episode of the Thrive Through Connection Podcast, we welcome Jonah Midanik of Forum Ventures. Jonah is the Managing Partner at Forum Ventures, the leading early-stage fund, program, and community for B2B SaaS startups. Jonah joins Mike, the CEO and Founder of Visible, to discuss how early-stage founders can best run a fundraising process.
What You Can Expect to Learn from Jonah
How pre-seed founders can build a fundraising processWhy the person at a firm matters more than the organization How to leverage storytelling to raise capital Why leading with your strengths is a k...Storyselling with Kristian Andersen of High Alpha
On the sixth episode of the Thrive Through Connection Podcast, we welcome Kristian Andersen of High Alpha. Kristian is a co-founder and partner at High Alpha, an Indianapolis-based venture capital firm that helps founders and the companies they lead reach their full potential. Kristian joins us to discuss how best-in-class leaders use storytelling to sharpen all facets of their business.
What You Can Expect to Learn from Kristian
The responsibilities and roles of a CEOThe similarities between selling and storytellingWhy the ability to tell stories across an institution is a competitive advantageWhat he looks for when i...Using Benchmarks as a Diagnostic with Kyle Poyar
On the fifth episode of the Thrive Through Connection Podcast, we welcome Kyle Poyar, the founder of Tremont and Growth Unhinged. Tremont is an early growth equity firm based in Boston. Kyle joins us to break down his career supporting companies at OpenView, how SaaS companies should think about benchmarks, and the future of SaaS investing.
Building Trust and Vulnerability in Business with Max Yoder
On the fourth episode of the Thrive Through Connection Podcast, we welcome Max Yoder, the Founder of Lessonly and author of Do Better Work. Lessonly was an Indianapolis-based company that grew to over 300 employees and $30 million in annual recurring revenue before being acquired by Seismic in 2021. Max joins us to share the lessons he learned from scaling Lessonly and writing Do Better Work.
What You Can Expect to Learn from Max
Going From Operator to Funder with Leo Polovets, General Partner at Humba Ventures
On the third episode of the Thrive Through Connection Podcast, we welcome Leo Polovets, the General Partner at Humba Ventures and Co-founder of Susa Ventures. Humba Ventures invests in early-stage deep tech startups and is part of the broader Susa Ventures network. Leo joins us to talk about his journey from operator to supporting over 100 companies as an investor at both Humba and Susa.
What You Can Expect to Learn from Leo
Why Leo and Susa Started Small How Seed Stage Companies Can Prepare for a Series AThe Importance of Building Relationships Before a FundraiseHow Investor Up...Finding the Right Investors with Laurel Hess, Founder of hampr
On the first episode of the Thrive Through Connection Podcast, we welcome Laurel Hess, the CEO and Founder of hampr. Hampr is an on-demand laundry service that will pick up your laundry and return it fresh and folded, right to your front door, within 24 hours. Laurel has raised over $10M for hampr across multiple rounds. She joins us to share her journey and the importance of building genuine relationships with investors.
What You Can Expect to Learn from Laurel
Why having the right people on your cap table mattersTactics for backchanneling and finding warm investor introsThe k...Navigating Investor Relationships with Brett Brohl, Managing Partner at Bread & Butter Ventures
On the second episode of the Thrive Through Connection Podcast, we welcome Brett Brohl, Managing Partner at Bread & Butter Ventures, an early-stage venture firm based in Minnesota. Brett joins us to dive deep into all things founder fundraising, sharing tactical advice on everything from cold outreach to evaluating if an investor is a true culture fit.
What You Can Expect to Learn from Brett
Why Finding a Cultural Fit With Investors is Essential Why the Best Communicators are Often the Best Performing CompaniesWhat it Means to Treat Fundraising Like a Sales FunnelHow to Maintain Momentum in a...