The Pitch

Entrepreneur Laura Bilazarian has an innovative solution for helping companies find great talent. But to convince investors, she’ll need to walk a razor’s edge between confidence and cockiness.Our Sponsors: It's Worth Doing Right | Marriott Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Back in 2016, Sudden Coffee founders Joshua Zloof and Kalle Freese tried to sell the investors on their premium instant coffee. Two years later, we checked back in with Joshua and found that Sudden Coffee is still working out some kinks in the business: trying to find the right customers and nailing the flavor. Thanks to our sponsor, Cole Haan. You can hear more of Josh and other Gimlet hosts in conversation at ExtraordinariesOnTheMic.com, produced in partnership with Cole Haan.

The Pitch brings you Without Fail, a new podcast from Gimlet Media where host Alex Blumberg asks people who have pursued incredible things: What worked? What didn’t? And why?

Susan Sierota wants to help dog owners keep their furry friends healthy with her pet-tech startup, Waggit. Can she convince the four investors that her smart collar will win best in show? Today's investors are Alexandra Stanton, Jake Chapman, Charles Hudson, and Phil Nadel.

Founder Paul Kesserwani says we’re all losing way too much money to fees — credit card fees, bank fees, ATM fees. And he thinks his company, Cushion, has the answer: A friendly bot that will battle those fees for you. Can he convince investors that there’s major money to be made in the fee-fighting business? Today's investors are Howie Diamond, Jillian Manus, Phil Nadel, and Michael Hyatt.

Why should you care about blockchain if you’re not a huge cryptocurrency nerd? Bandwagon founder Harold Hughes says it can help you score better seats to see your favorite team — and avoid the risk of walking up to the gate with a fake ticket. Can he convince investors his startup isn’t just a part of the blockchain bubble? Today's investors are Howie Diamond, Jillian Manus, Phil Nadel, and Michael Hyatt.

Blake Sorensen has a deathly nut allergy — one that's led to some harrowing trips to the ER. But then he decided that enough was enough. So he started a company, Blake’s Seed Based, to make snacks safe for people like him. Will the investors get on board with his mission? Today's investors are Alexandra Stanton, Jake Chapman, Charles Hudson, and Phil Nadel.

Atomos co-founders Vanessa Clark and William Kowalski want to build a nuclear-powered spacecraft for moving satellites around in orbit. Can they capitalize on all the new money flowing into the final frontier — or will their sci-fi ambitions be too much for investors to stomach? Today's investors are Howie Diamond, Jillian Manus, Phil Nadel, and Michael Hyatt.

The college dropout rate is high, and schools are paying the price... to the tune of billions of dollars every year. Marquett Burton says his education startup can help solve the problem. Will the investors agree? Today's investors are Jillian Manus, Phil Nadel, Nicole Verkindt, Michael Hyatt, and Charles Hudson.

Somewear founder James Kubik thinks going off the grid shouldn’t have to mean going out of cell phone range. That’s why he created a device that turns smartphones into satellite communication hubs. Can he convince investors to join him on the trail? Today's investors are Alexandra Stanton, Jake Chapman, Charles Hudson, and Phil Nadel.

Sophia Dominguez is on the show pitching SVRF, an augmented reality/virtual reality startup. But it can be tough to get investors excited about VR, which has attracted tons of hype—without much payoff. Can Sophia convince investors that VR’s time has finally come? Today's investors are Howie Diamond, Jillian Manus, Phil Nadel, and Michael Hyatt.

Finnish entrepreneur Topias Soininen says his startup, Playven, will revolutionize the way people book tennis courts. But first, the investors have to figure out exactly what it is he’s pitching. Today's investors are Howie Diamond, Jillian Manus, Phil Nadel, and Michael Hyatt.

Entrepreneur Julie Roth Novack says her party planning platform is exactly what event professionals have been missing. And it all hinges on a secret ingredient—something Julie calls "marketing gold". Now she just needs investors to fork over some gold of their own. Today's investors are Jillian Manus, Phil Nadel, Nicole Verkindt, Michael Hyatt, and Charles Hudson.

Cody Candee believes his company, Bounce, is the key to freeing us from the stuff we lug around all day. But can he convince investors that his temporary storage solution isn’t a liability disaster waiting to happen? Today's investors are Jillian Manus, Phil Nadel, Nicole Verkindt, Michael Hyatt, and Charles Hudson.

Amazon is on track to grab nearly HALF of all online retail sales this year. But not if Chelsie Lee’s startup Shipsi has a say in the matter. She wants to give online retailers the ability to compete, by helping them offer super speedy shipping. But it might not be easy with the retail Goliath breathing down her neck. Today's investors are Jillian Manus, Phil Nadel, Nicole Verkindt, Michael Hyatt, and Charles Hudson.

At The Pitch’s first-ever live show, three startups face off: Honeyfi, a budgeting app for couples; CBlocks, a cryptocurrency starter kit; and OpenBottle, an app to help people try high-end wines. But can the investors agree on which company should take home the prize?

Josh sits down with Backstage Capital CEO Arlan Hamilton at the 2018 SXSW festival to discuss her unique path from tour manager to VC.

Today we bring you an episode of a new Gimlet show, We Came to Win.It’s a podcast that tells the stories behind the World Cup’s biggest moments and the tournament’s most legendary heroes. In this episode, host Nando Vila takes us back to 1989. At that time, the United States was a soccer desert, but it had just won a bid to host the 1994 men’s World Cup. But if the U.S. was going to prove it deserved that honor, it would need to get its team to qualify for the 1990 World Cup — and they hadn’t made it in nearly four decades. A coach named Bob Gansler and his gang of mulleted misfits were America's only hope. This is the story of their last-ditch attempt to put U.S. soccer on the map.

Stefan Loble wows the room with his near perfect pitch for Bluffworks, a company that makes travel-business attire. But is his compelling story enough to get investors to sign on? Today's investors are Nicole Verkindt, Michael Hyatt, Jillian Manus, and Charles Hudson. For a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Tina Hedges believes the future of beauty is all-natural, organic products. But the investors aren’t sure what to make of her food-grade products for your face. Today's investors are Nicole Verkindt, Michael Hyatt, Jillian Manus, and Charles Hudson. For a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Founder David Sarabia’s experience with drug addiction inspired him to build an app, called inRecovery. It’s meant to help people who are in rehab. But can he get the rehab centers on board? Today's investors are Nicole Verkindt, Michael Hyatt, Jillian Manus, and Charles Hudson. For a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Margot Schmorak says half of all vacation rentals aren’t listed online—and she sees that as a big opportunity for her startup. But things get messy in the pitch room when Margot reveals that her company comes with a little extra baggage. Today's investors are Jillian Manus, Daniel Gulati, Phil Nadel, and Nicole Verkindt. For a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers Margot will be doing an AMA on Reddit where you’ll be able to ask any questions you have after listening to her pitch. Find it on the /r/Entrepreneur subreddit May 24 at 2 p.m. Eastern, 11 a.m. Pacific.

Max Pouvreau has built gourmet pudding company Petit Pot with his Michelin star background and scrappy customer acquisition. Now he wants VC backing to take it to the next level—and potentially a big acquisition. Today's investors are Jillian Manus, Phil Nadel, Daniel Gulati, and Michael Hyatt. For a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Max Tuchman is on a roll with Caribu, an app that lets parents and kids read together virtually. But can she convince investors that early success will lead to future returns?Today's investors are Nicole Verkindt, Michael Hyatt, Jillian Manus, and Charles Hudson. Let us know what you think about the show by visiting thepitch.show/survey For a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Jared Kugel needs a million dollars to get Tire Agent up and running. But things get tense in the pitch room when investors start questioning the value of his company. Today's investors are Jillian Manus, Daniel Gulati, Phil Nadel, and Michael Hyatt. Let us know what you think about the show by visiting thepitch.show/survey

The U.S. immigration system is a bureaucratic nightmare. And it’s only getting worse. Founder Xiao Wang has a plan to solve that with his startup, Boundless. Today's investors are Jillian Manus, Daniel Gulati, Phil Nadel, and Michael Hyatt. For more information about our show visit thepitch.show

When you think of cutting edge technology, it’s unlikely vending machines pop to mind. But Dawn Dickson has a plan to change that with her startup, PopCom. Today's investors are Jillian Manus, Daniel Gulati, Phil Nadel, and Michael Hyatt. For more information about our show visit thepitch.show For a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Craft cocktails are all the rage—but they tend come with high price tags and long wait times. Swig + Swallow founder April Wachtel wants to bring the craft experience out of the bar and into your home. Today's investors are Jillian Manus, Daniel Gulati, Phil Nadel, and Nicole Verkindt. For more information about our show visit thepitch.show For a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

When Tye and Courtney Caldwell were having trouble renting space in their salon, they thought: why isn't there an app for this? So they created one. But can they convince investors that their skills will transfer from the barbershop to the boardroom? Today's investors are Jillian Manus, Daniel Gulati, Phil Nadel, and Nicole Verkindt. For more information about our show visit gimletmedia.com/thepitchFor a list of our sponsors and show related offer codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers 

Facebook is the undisputed king of social networks. But Cesar Kuriyama thinks his app, 1 Second Everyday, could topple the giant. If he’s going to do that, he’ll need some serious cash.For more information about our show and the investors, visit gimletmedia.com/thepitch

The surprising story of what happened to one startup after its founders pitched to investors—and thousands of listeners. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.fm/sponsors

Maria Schneider wants to take physical therapy out of the clinic and into the home with the help of a small device. But is her technology the answer patients and doctors have been waiting for? Join the conversation over at thepitch.show/discuss To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.fm/sponsors

When scientist Amado Guloy saw an opportunity to combine farm animals and big data, he traded the laboratory for the boardroom and created Rex Animal Health. But can he convince investors he’s got what it takes to make it in the business world?Join the conversation over at thepitch.show/discuss To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.fm/sponsors

The apps on our smartphones seem to be engineered for addiction. Alon Shwartz wants to fight this with an app of his own: unGlue. Join the conversation over at thepitch.show/discuss To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.fm/sponsors

After John Renaldi lost track of his kid on a trip to downtown Chicago, he vowed never to be in that situation again. So he created Jiobit, a tiny geotracker for kids. Can he convince investors that his device stands out among a sea of competitors? Join the conversation over at thepitch.show/discuss

Hunter Rosenblume is pitching Lunar Wireless, a company he co-founded as an answer to pricey cell phone plans. But getting investors to gamble on a 22-year-old who claims he can take on a decades-old industry is a hard sell. Is a healthy dose of FOMO enough to change their minds?Join the conversation over at thepitch.show/discuss

Romy Raad and her cofounder have created Metabrew, a healthy beverage they believe could replace your morning coffee. But can they get investors buzzing about this plant-based substitute? Join the conversation over at thepitch.show/discuss

We opened up our phone lines and you delivered—with questions about entrepreneurship, pitching, and the show. Thanks to everyone who reached out! For more information about the show and our investors, visit thepitch.show.

The founders of Harper Wilde want to take the B.S. out of bra shopping. That means convincing our investors that they’ve found a way to turn it from a major inconvenience into an easy at-home experience. Join the discussion over at thepitch.show/discuss

When Sterling Smith left his job as a software developer to start Sandbox Commerce, he knew he had the skills to build great mobile apps. But in a world where it seems everybody has an app, can he convince investors there’s really an opportunity here?For more information about the show and our investors, visit thepitch.show.

Co-founders Kevin Allen and Moses McCall think rowing is the next big trend in fitness. To cash in on their hunch, they need to convince investors they can make waves in a space already crowded with competitors. For more information about our show and the investors, visit thepitch.show.

You’re probably familiar with Jillian Manus the investor—but in this episode, we dig in a little deeper to understand how she became the VC force she is today.

After Ismail Salhi discovered his father’s old record collection gathering dust in the attic, he teamed up with Johanna Hartzheim to create Qleek. Together they hope to marry the nostalgia of vinyl with the convenience of digital music. But first they need investors to catch on to their tune.

When Mike Slagh left the military, he wanted to find a job in tech, but he couldn’t get his foot in the door. And then he found out that he was one of approximately 300,000 service members who every year struggle to make the transition back into the workforce. So Mike decided to do something about it and started Shift.Our show is produced by Josh Muccio, Kareem Maddox, and Molly Donahue. We are edited by Devon Taylor. Our Theme Music is by Breakmaster Cylinder, with original music composed by The Muse Maker, Bobby Lord and Haley Shaw. We were mixed by Enoch Kim with help from Matt Boll. Lisa Muccio plans our recording events and thanks to Asthaa Chaturvedi for her reporting on this episode.

Miki Agrawal made headlines with the success of her first company Thinx—until she became the headline. Now she's ready for a comeback with Tushy, her new business built on making bidets mainstream in America. But first she has to convince investors she's learned from her past.Our show is produced by Josh Muccio, Molly Donahue, and Kareem Maddox. We are edited by Devon Taylor.Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder, with original music composed by The Muse Maker, Bobby Lord, and Person B Productions. We were mixed by Enoch Kim with help from Matt Boll.

The entrepreneurs usually own the spotlight on our show. But venture capital is a two-way street. On today’s episode, we hear from the people who make deals happen: our investors. Who are they and how did they become the ones calling the shots?

The Pitch is back on October 25th! The stakes are high as a brand new crop of scrappy entrepreneurs pitch their startups to investors. 

The Pitch will be back on October 25th! While you anxiously await its return, check out Uncivil, a brand new podcast from Gimlet Media. America’s divided. And it always has been. Uncivil, Gimlet’s new history podcast, takes you back to a time when America was so divided that it split in two. In each episode, hosts Jack Hitt and Chenjerai Kumanyika ransack the official history of the Civil War… that boring, safety-first version you were taught in school. They’ll bring you untold stories of covert ops, mutiny, counterfeiting, and the 1860s version of drone warfare. And give you a better sense for how these forgotten struggles connect to the political battlefield we’re living on right now.In this first episode of Uncivil, The Raid, a group of ex-farmers, a terrorist from Kansas, and a schoolteacher attempt the greatest covert operation of the Civil War.Listen on:Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Pocketcasts | Overcast

Haydn Sonnad pitches his plan to revolutionize regional transit on the back of Tesla’s electric charging network. But there’s a catch: this entrepreneur has to run his company between English class and Algebra.Our Sponsors: It's Worth Doing Right | Marriott Rewards Premier Business Credit CardExtras: Tesloop website | Haydn asks Elon Musk a question

Two entrepreneurs believe they have the secret to making premium instant coffee. Will their startup hold up to a taste test with investors?Our Sponsors: It's Worth Doing Right | Twenty20 | Google Cloud's GSuite

Co-founders Meghan Carreau and Alex Payne are pitching their food delivery service built on noble ideals of making kids healthier and reducing headaches for parents. Can the founders convince investors that their startup will actually deliver on those promises? Our Sponsors: It's Worth Doing Right | Twenty20 | Google Cloud's GSuite

Could a little sensor designed to measure punches be the next big hit in a long line of fitness fads? The founders of Hykso think so. Now they just need to last a few rounds in the ring with our investors.Our Sponsors: Twenty20 | It's Worth Doing Right | Breather

The social media landscape is a veritable graveyard of failed startups, but Matthew Peltier believes his company, Shimmur, is different. With a growing user base and a solid plan for revenue, he’s almost ready to go... all he needs now is a few hundred thousand dollars from investors.Our Sponsors: Twenty20 | The Secret to Victory | It's Worth Doing Right | Bonobos

Between classes, part-time jobs, and social lives, college students Evan Thomas and Troy Pettie have been moonlighting to build a business they hope will bring millennials back into casinos. Will our investors be willing to take a gamble on Guru Games?Our Sponsors: The Secret to Victory Podcast | Realtor.com | It's Worth Doing Right | Bonobos

Concussions have cast a major shadow over contact sports, from youth leagues to the pros. But entrepreneur Anthony Gonzales thinks he can fix it by putting a gadget in the mouths of athletes. Now he just has to convince investors to put their dollars behind his idea.Our Sponsors: It's Worth Doing Right | Bonobos | Ziprecruiter | Breather

David Dicko is bringing virtual reality to the skies. It’s an ambitious plan, and he’s going to need $1.8 million to take off in a punishing market. Will the investors trust his team to succeed where so many others have failed?Our Sponsors: It's Worth Doing Right | Squarespace | The .future podcast

Most of us stop thinking about our food scraps once we take the trash to the curb. Not so for Amanda Weeks, who started a food waste company designed to reduce harmful greenhouse gases. Now she just needs investors to get behind her plan to save the planet.Our Sponsors: Squarespace | Microsoft's .future podcast | Accomplice | Pipedrive

The hotel room hasn’t been significantly disrupted since the addition of the television in the 1950s. Pieter Boekhoff wants to change that—by transforming what happens when we look in the mirror. But first, he has to convince investors that there's money to be made in hospitality.Our Sponsors:Justworks | Squarespace | Accomplice | Ziprecruiter

Juan-Pablo Segura has built an app that he’s sure will revolutionize the way expectant mothers receive medical care. But first he needs to convince a panel of investors to bankroll his plan—to the tune of a million dollars. Our SponsorsIt's Worth Doing Right - To learn more go to itsworthdoingright.comJustworks - Go to justworks.com and mention The Pitch for a free month of serviceRealtor.com - Start looking for your dream home at realtor.com/pitchZiprecruiter.com - Try Ziprecruiter for free by going to ziprecruiter.com/pitch

The Pitch returns with a new season now from Gimlet Media. A show where real entrepreneurs pitch to real investors—for real money. Hosted by Josh Muccio. Premieres June 14th.

Josh pitches Sheel in this episode as we go back to our roots and take you behind-the-scenes of our show.

George Li pitches his all terrain electric skateboard to investors. Then Sheel Mohnot and Nathaniel Krasnoff with Wildcat Venture Partners decide whether or not they will invest in today's startup, BajaBoard. 

Alex Marlantes pitches his expense tracker and automatic mileage log app to investors. Then Sheel Mohnot and Michelle Tandler with Trinity Ventures decide whether or not they will invest in today's startup, Everlance. 

Catherine Berman pitches her savings product that crushes the market rate using CDFIs. Then Mar Hershenson with Pear Ventures and Alex Davidov with Core Innovation Capital decide whether or not they will invest in today's startup, CNote.

Andrew Jiang pitches his new laptop operating system for Android phones. Then Nikhil Kalghatgi with Vast Ventures determines whether or not he will invest in today's startup, Andromium. 

Wendi Burkhardt pitches her roommate-matching service for empty nesters with space to share. And Anarghya Vardhana with Maveron determines whether or not she's interested in investing. 

Anna Tolmach pitches her inventory forecasting startup Fuse to angel investor Pete Kazanjy and Neil Devani from Rothenberg Ventures. 

Komal Ahmad pitches her social enterprise startup Copia to Zanoon Nissar from Google. 

Abe Cambridge pitches his South Africa based startup Sun Exchange to Adam Draper of Boost VC and Sheel Mohnot. Then something happens on our show that's never happened before. 

Mark Belinsky pitches his internet-of-things startup Birdi to investors Carl Fritjofsson of Creandum and Greg Castle of Anorak Ventures. 

Gauri Nanda pitches her internet-of-things-for-kids startup Toymail to investors Jake Chapman of Gelt VC and Howie Diamond of Ranch Ventures. Then Sheel deals with a biased investor and Josh brings his mom on the show.

Josh and Sheel talk about what's going on behind the scenes right now and why they believe this podcast should exist.