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Podcast · 83 episodes

Consumer VC

by Mike Gelb · English

Consumer VC takes a look into early-stage consumer investing and venture capital. If you are interested in learning about consumer trends, have a b2c business and interested in learning about the fundraising process at the early stage, you have come to the right place. Mike interviews some of the top venture capitalists in the world that focus on B2C and consumer type companies or have a deep track record investing in these categories such as marketplaces, SaaS, social, CPG and non-tech subscription. Mike also interviews founders that are building some of the most disruptive consumer facing companies in the world. The conversation usually includes the insight the founder discovered, fundraising strategy, and the pitch. This podcast also includes bonus episodes. Each bonus episode dives into a particular subject that might not have to due with the fundraise or venture capital, but still would be helpful to founders. For example, a bonus episode on brand strategy or how to construct a board of directors. All bonus episodes will be clearly labeled. For all episodes, please visit www.theconsumervc.com. For updates, you can follow @mikegelb on Twitter.

Latest episodes

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Why This VC Built the Marquee Event in CPG | Josh Wand, Family FundJosh Wand (Family Fund) explains why he and Sean built Founderland, a marquee CPG founder/retailer event, and how they program it at Casamigos Ranch (250 acres) as a “festival” to spark partnerships…26 Sep 2026 · 17 min · 9 chapters
Why He Invests in the Factories, Not Just the Brands with Jared Stein, Co-Founder of Monogram CapitalJared Stein, co-founder of Monogram Capital, explains why he invests in “factories/engines” (manufacturing and supply-chain capabilities) rather than only consumer brands.24 Sep 2026 · 1 h · 27 chapters
How Proper Good is Making the Soup Aisle Cool Again with Chris JaneProper Good’s strategy to make shelf-stable soup “cool” for mass retail, including launching during COVID, scaling D2C economics via flexible pouches, and winning Walmart by repositioning the…8 Sep 2026 · 1 h 1 min · 25 chapters
Why Israel Keeps Producing Billion-Dollar Consumer Companies with Danny Cohen and Oren CharnoffDanny Cohen and Oren Chernoff explain why Israel is producing billion-dollar consumer companies and why they believe the next breakout wave will be consumer (not just B2B/enterprise or AI platforms).24 Jun 2026 · 52 min · 25 chapters
The Future of Consumer Health with Nicolas McCoyHow consumer health is shifting from doctor-led care to consumer-led prevention and self-optimization, and what that means for food/beverage/supplement brands, M&A, and form factors like gummies and…3 Jun 2026 · 1 h 11 min · 27 chapters
The Psychology of Great Founders with Tony ConradTony Conrad’s view of the psychology and mechanics behind “great founders,” including valuation discipline, founder selection, and why early-stage timing matters in consumer, AI, and culture.25 May 2026 · 1 h 15 min · 29 chapters
Why Killing Her First Product Saved This CPG Brand with Michelle RazaviHow Alawbi (clean, gut-friendly protein snacks) scaled by killing its first product line, pivoting during COVID, and using Costco as a profitable “springboard” to broader retail.6 May 2026 · 1 h 12 min · 27 chapters
How a Diabetic Built One of the Fastest-Growing Cereal Brands in America with Krishna KaliannanKrishna Kaliannan explains how he built Catalina Crunch, a low-sugar, high-protein cereal brand, from his own Type 1 diabetes needs into a multi-million-dollar company sold in major national…15 Apr 2026 · 1 h 12 min · 28 chapters
Is Early-Stage Consumer VC Broken? with Manica BlainIn this episode of the Consumer VC podcast, host Mike Gelb interviews Manica Blain, founder of Top Knot Ventures and former co-founder of Campfire Capital.11 Mar 2026 · 57 min · 19 chapters
Why Fast-Growing Startups Can Be Dangerous ft. Manica BlainIn this episode of the Consumer VC podcast, host Mike Gelb interviews Manica Blain, founder of Top Notch Ventures and former co-founder of Campfire Capital.4 Mar 2026 · 57 min · 22 chapters
The Emotional Secret Behind Billion-Dollar Brands ft. Craig DubitskyVenture Capital I B2C Startups I Commerce25 Feb 2026 · 1 h 38 min · 35 chapters
From World-Class Poker Player to DTC Powerhouse ft. Brian TateIn this episode of Consumer VC, Mike Gelb interviews Brian Tate, the Founder and CEO of Oats Overnight.21 Jan 2026 · 56 min · 28 chapters
The “Better-For-You” Food Lie No One Talks About ft. Tyler MayorasTyler Mayoras, Managing Partner at MANNATREE12 Jan 2026 · 1 h 2 min · 34 chapters
Consumer Isn’t Dead, VC Just Got It Wrong ft. Michael DudaIn this episode of the Consumer VC podcast, host Mike Gelb interviews Michael Duda, Founder and Managing Partner of Bullish, a consumer-focused investment firm.16 Dec 2025 · 57 min
He Launched a Tiny Ice Cream Factory, Now It’s a National Brand ft. Alec JaffeHe Launched a Tiny Ice Cream Factory, Now It’s a National Brand ft. Alec Jaffe2 Dec 2025 · 1 h 5 min
How to Protect Your Margin When You're in Retail ft. Akash RajuHow to Protect Your Margin When You're in Retail ft. Akash Raju19 Nov 2025 · 40 min
Harsh Truth Behind Beauty Exits ft. Rich GerstenIn this episode, Mike Gelb interviews Rich Gersten, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of True Beauty Ventures, a fund focused on early-stage investments in beauty and wellness.11 Nov 2025 · 1 h 9 min
Harsh Truth About European Startups ft. Joe SeagerIn this episode of the Consumer VC podcast, host Mike Gelb interviews Joe Seager, a partner at True, a multi-stage investment and advisory platform focused on consumer ventures.5 Nov 2025 · 1 h 5 min
Untold Truth Behind JUUL’s Explosive Growth ft. Alex CantwellAlex Cantwell, founder of Cartograph Ventures7 Oct 2025 · 1 h 10 min
From Garage Startup to Celebrity-Backed Brand ft. Jake BullockIn this episode of *Consumer VC*, host Mike Gelb interviews Jake Bullock, co-founder of Cann, the leading THC-infused beverage brand in the U.S.16 Sep 2025 · 1 h 5 min
Why Women’s Health, Parenting, and Sports Are the Next Big Bets in Venture ft. Rachel SpringateVenture Capital I B2C Startups I Commerce | Early-Stage Investing I Brands | Technology9 Sep 2025 · 51 min
VC Playbook Has Changed. Here’s What Founders Must Do ft. Ezra GalstonVC Playbook Has Changed. Here’s What Founders Must Do ft. Ezra Galston27 Aug 2025 · 1 h 18 min
Recaps, Downrounds and Cap Table Engineering: What Really Happens When Your Growth Plan Fails with Steven FinnRecaps, Downrounds, and Cap Table Engineering: What Really Happens When Your Growth Plan Fails21 Aug 2025 · 1 h
The $400B Question: How AI Is Redefining Venture Capital and the Future of StartupsIn this episode, host Mike Gelb interviews Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta, focusing on the current state of venture capital, particularly in the consumer sector.11 Aug 2025 · 1 h 2 min