Inside VCs’ Minds: Evaluating AI Startups

Inside VCs’ Minds: Evaluating AI Startups

New VC Unfiltered Episode  — Live from Lightning Round VII This episode of VC Unfiltered was recorded live at Lightning Round VII, where four high-potential startups pitched technologies pushing the edge of AI and applied innovation. Featured companies include: TeroAI — The first AI geospatial data terminal that makes any location query instantly actionable for anyone. Allocraft AI — An automated fund-diligence copilot for allocators evaluating alternative investment managers. Wise AI — Remote camera-based vitals that turn any telehealth visit or homecare check-in into a full medical exam. UBiosis Health — An autonomous AI nurse that turns the time between doctor visits into proactive, revenue-generating chronic care. The episode also includes perspectives from experienced investors and operators: Erik Jefferson, Chief Investment Officer at Flagship Harbor Advisors Amy Harmon, Investor at Innovent Capital Group Ra'ad Siraj, technology and data executive Pearl Collings, tech CEO and advisor Stay through the final pitch showdown to see which startup takes the top prize. If you're building, investing, or tracking where early-stage innovation is heading, this episode offers a front-row view of what founders are working on right now. Listen to VC Unfiltered on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your pods! 00:34 - Welcome to 1752 VC Lightning Round Pitch Competition 01:35 - Judges Introduction 04:10 - Panel Discussion: AI and SaaS Landscape 07:34 - Business Models and Market Trends in AI 11:28 - Risks of Unauthorized AI Usage in Enterprise (Shadow AI) 13:21 - AI Impact on Labor and Automation Potential 17:50 - Debate on AI-native vs Integrated SaaS Models 19:23 - Shift from Seat-based to Value-based SaaS Approach 21:00 - Investor Expectations and Startup Validation Trends 26:44 - Sponsor Presentation: Ramp Finance Automation Platform 32:03 - Pitch Competition Introduction and Format 32:38 - Startup Pitch: Wise AI 39:12 - Q&A for Wise AI 41:30 - Startup Pitch: Allocraft AI 47:07 - Q&A for Allocraft AI 51:37 - Startup Pitch: Tero AI 58:58 - Q&A for Tero AI 01:02:20 - Startup Pitch: UBiosis Health 01:10:22 - Q&A for UBiosis Health 01:13:56 - Competition Results and Closing Remarks #startup #venturecapital

The Future of DTC: Inside the Next Generation of Consumer Brands

New VC Unfiltered Episode  — Live from Lightning Round VI In this exciting episode of VC Unfiltered, recorded live at Lightning Round VI, we bring five standout consumer founders redefining their categories. Shiki Wrap is bringing sustainability to gifting with reusable wraps and bags designed for a circular economy. Dirty Virgin is shaking up beverage culture with unapologetically bold nonalcoholic cocktails crafted for those who want purity with personality. Painless Picasso delivers comforting creams and soothing solutions built around simple self-care. Sugar Wood, a dessert brand from New York City, blends playful identity with premium treats. And PerDiem is reimagining jewelry for the twenty-first century with a modern approach to craft, design, and everyday wear. Whether you're a founder, investor, or just curious about the future of innovation, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. Listen to VC Unfiltered on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your pods! 0:30 - Panel 46:50 - Shiki Wrap 58:20 - Dirty Virgin 1:07:13 - PerDiem 1:15:28 - Painless Picasso 1:22:00 - Sugar Wood #DTC #CPG #vc

How Investors Actually Evaluate AI Startups

In this exciting episode of VC Unfiltered, recorded live at Lightning Round V, we bring you the forefront of innovation with five elite startups showcasing their groundbreaking technologies. From the transformative potential of aluminum batteries by Zenthos Energy to the promise of level five autonomous driving by Niebla AI, these visionary founders are redefining the future. Dive into the world of legal tech with Aparti's operational system for family law, explore the compact quantum and photonic AI systems by Phaseshift, and discover Avocado Health's mission to revolutionize parenting support. Featuring expert insights from industry leaders like Howard Wright of NVIDIA, Howard Ko of Morpheus Ventures, and Lucas J. Pols of Pegasus, this episode delivers both inspiration and cutting-edge ideas. Stick around for the high-stakes pitch showdown to see which startup claims the top prize! 0:00 - VC Panel 57:09 - Zenthos Energy Pitch 1:07:36 - Aparti Pitch 1:17:14 - Phaseshift 1:28:18 - Avocado Health 1:41:00 - Niebla AI 1:53:56 - Winner Announcement  Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/342uGXBr031LgcubfOxYsu?si=bd5705c527c448dc&nd=1&dlsi=52cd6ce2bec14970 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-unfiltered/id1756379899 Follow us on X:  https://x.com/paa_vc Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pegasusaccelerator Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pegasusaccelerator Visit our Website: https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/ Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://vcunfiltered.beehiiv.com/subscribe #ai #startup #venturecapital

The Untold Story of VC Success | Howie Diamond — Pure Ventures

In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Lucas Pols, GP at Pegasus Angel Accelerator, sits down with Howie Diamond from Pure Ventures. Discover unique investment strategies, the balance between consumer and frontier tech, and the importance of founder wellness. Howie shares his journey from solo GP to building Pure Ventures, offering insights and stories that are both enlightening and inspiring. Tune in for a candid conversation that uncovers the realities of venture capital and the human side of entrepreneurship. Chapters 00:51 The Reality of Venture Capital 04:57 Investment Strategies in Venture Capital 09:43 Consumer vs. Frontier Tech Investments 14:54 The Importance of Founder Wellness 19:35 Building a Supportive Ecosystem for Founders 24:35 The Journey from Solo GP to Partnership Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/342uGXBr031LgcubfOxYsu?si=bd5705c527c448dc&nd=1&dlsi=52cd6ce2bec14970 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-unfiltered/id1756379899 Follow us on X:  https://x.com/paa_vc Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pegasusaccelerator Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pegasusaccelerator Visit our Website: https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/ Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://vcunfiltered.beehiiv.com/subscribe #venturecapital #startup #vc

Building Startups Before They Exist - Inside M13 | John Tabis

In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Lucas Pols, GP at Pegasus Angel Accelerator, sits down with John Tabis — founder of The Bouqs Company and Partner & Head of Launchpad at M13. Together, they unpack what really makes a venture studio succeed, why founders must sometimes ignore customers, and how a flower company accidentally created a high-margin hit with... vases. John pulls back the curtain on how M13’s venture studio operates like a startup Petri dish — rapidly testing, iterating, and validating ideas. He reflects on nearly sinking Bouqs by underestimating infrastructure needs, and shares one of the hardest lessons in leadership: “If they’re neutral, they’ve gotta go.” 0:25 Guest Introduction: John Tabis from M13 Venture Studio   1:09 Overview of M13's Venture Studio Model and Evolution   3:17 Ownership Structures and the Founder-Led Approach   5:21 Differentiation from Traditional Venture Studios   8:16 Lessons from Running Bouq: The Journey and Core Insights   11:01 The Importance of Tech as a Core Competency   12:00 Company Building vs. Product Building   13:42 Culture, Team Dynamics, and Leadership Lessons   15:03 Sorting Through Advice and Staying True to Vision   18:06 What M13 Looks for in Founders and Startups   20:26 The Value of Go-To-Market Strategy in Early-Stage Ventures   23:37 Building Traction and Accelerating the J-Curve   25:55 Evolving Customer Discovery: Theory vs. Real-World Practice   28:56 Case Study: Subscription Models and Real Customer Feedback   30:45 Vases Revisited: Listening to Customers vs. Trusting Instincts   31:28 Closing Remarks and Appreciation for the Guest