Startup Stage

Jun 15 2020

Startup Stage Podcast artwork

Startup founders who haven’t had access to capital, dream chasers who don’t have the network to get in front of venture capitalists, underrepresented entrepreneurs who will give their best pitch for their companies in front of 5 Triangle (Raleigh Durham NC) investors who can make their dreams a reality. But are the entrepreneurs ready? And will the investors share the vision for their companies?

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On-Demand Spa Services (Naya Powell, Spa Utopia)

Jun 15 2020 26 mins

Spa Utopia is an on-demand spa service which partners with contractor spa therapists to deliver massages, facials, and any other spa services to your home, office, hotel…anywhere…all over the United States. Founder Naya Powell is projecting almost a billion dollars in revenue for Spa Utopia by year 10 in business. But to get there, she’s looking to raise $750,000 in her initi

The Drawer Full of Homeowner's Manuals and Clutter in One App (DigiHome)

Jun 08 2020 25 mins

Connor Strickland is a 23 year old serial entrepreneur. Yes, serial at 23 – he runs three companies currently. A plant delivery service, a marketing agency, and the company he’s pitching to investors today – DigiHome. DigiHome gives you all the information you need to know about your home in one free convenient app. All the paint colors, all the flooring, all the roofing –

Can WeMovv Be the Uber of Rural Transportation?

May 25 2020 29 mins

Dante Evans has been in the transportation industry for 32 years, many of those driving a bus, and he sees a problem. People in rural communities don’t have access to transportation that many of us in more urban areas take for granted. There aren’t as many bus routes, ride shares aren’t as available, and it’s not always easy to get to work or get to the mall or even to buy

Personalized Books to Solve Underrepresentation in Children's Literature (Keepsake Tales)

May 18 2020 32 mins

"When you look at the, the children's literature market today, you see large groups of children that are excluded. When you're not able to see yourself in a children's book, it has major consequences on your view of your own value, your self esteem, your place in society." Michael Vaggalis from Keepsake Tales is on a mission. He wants all children to be able to see themselves - lit

Food Scientist Adds Nutrients to Family's Secret Recipe (Num Num Sauce)

May 11 2020 26 mins

Food scientist Michael Lloyd, CEO of Num Num Sauce, wants to change condiments to make them healthy. He started with his grandfather's recipes from 40 years ago, then developed a process to get more vegetables and less sodium into his line of Num Num Sauces, and STILL have them test great. The company has been pretty successful, now in around 50 Whole Foods stores. But Michael know

Do the Investors Want a Slice of This Blue Ribbon Pie Company? (Slice Pie Company)

May 04 2020 24 mins

Kristen Cleve is the owner of Slice Pie Company, and she's all over the Triangle. Winning the Blue Ribbon in the NC State Fair, in local magazines, and even in USA Today. She's like the Julia Child or Ree Drummond of the Triangle, and maybe one day she'll have her own cooking show. But for now, she has incredible brand recognition around Raleigh, and she's at a point in her busines

Can AI Make the Home Lending Process Less Painful? (Home Lending Pal)

Apr 27 2020 21 mins

Getting a home mortgage is an extremely painful process, and once you're approved, you feel locked in without ever knowing if you could have found better terms. Steven Better, COO of Home Lending Pal, thinks his company has come up with a solution to ease the pain - and it's all about artificial intelligence. He's asking for $375K to close out the current round - are the investors

Is Drop-In Childcare a Scalable Business? (Kate's Korner)

Apr 20 2020 27 mins

Kate Goodwin, founder of Kate's Korner Drop-In Childcare in Durham NC, has over 30 years in daycare experience and is ready to take the leap to entrepreneurship. She's building a drop-in center that will be open earlier and close later than traditional daycares, and she won't require monthly commitments. Is this a good idea and a scalable business? Tune in to find out what the inve

Startup Stage Trailer

Mar 31 2020 1 mins

Startup founders who haven’t had access to capital, dream chasers who don’t have the network to get in front of venture capitalists, underrepresented entrepreneurs who will give their best pitch for their companies in front of 5 Triangle (Raleigh Durham NC) investors who can make their dreams a reality. But are the entrepreneurs ready? And will the investors share the vision fo