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The tech media loves a splashy funding announcement - millions of dollars injected into a hot startup primed to become a unicorn. But what about the work behind those headlines? Host Jason Yeh, a former VC and venture-backed startup founder, talks with entrepreneurs about how they raised the capital to launch world-changing startups. Their conversations uncover incredible stories including cautionary tales, inspirational memories, and even some insightful tips. Keep up with us on social @fun ...
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Brian Cho, Amber Atherton, Jason Yeh

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Amber Atherton, Brian Cho and Jason Yeh are joined by founders, friends and industry veterans to discuss the state of play in tech, gaming & culture.
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Chat With Traders is your key to the minds of trading's elite performers. Start listening to learn how a diverse mix of traders went from zero to hero, how they successfully trade markets today, and get their best tips 'n pointers for profitable performance, plus much more. Note: You are responsible for your own trading decisions—this is not financial advice.
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In this episode of The Back Channel, Jason Yeh dives into the role of AI in our daily workflows, offering encouragement, a cautionary take, and his first practical lesson on using AI in fundraising—especially when building pitch decks. Learn how to think critically about AI's strengths and weaknesses and how to start integrating it into your creati…
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Erik Smolinski returns to Chat With Traders after his first appearance on episode 272, joining Tessa for a trader-to-trader conversation about the intricacies of options trading, a topic Erik is deeply passionate about. In this episode Erik digs into one of Tessa’s own options strategies, offering thoughtful feedback and sharing his expertise and e…
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In this episode of The Backchannel, Jason breaks down what it really means to fundraise in an AI-dominated world. If you’re not building core AI infrastructure, how should you position your startup? He explains why every founder needs an AI story—one rooted in how the tech impacts your product, operations, and long-term defensibility.…
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In this episode we catch up with Patrick Petersson, who returns two years after his first interview on Chat With Traders on episode 260, where he shared his incredible story of overcoming hardship to attaining success in trading as a professional trader. Patrick has become best known for his intuitive, price-action, news-based, scalping trading sty…
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In this episode of The Backchannel, Jason reflects on a recent conversation with a robotics founder that reminded him how powerful it is to focus on what actually matters. From skipping the company name to delaying fundraising, the founder made unconventional decisions that signal discipline, clarity, and real momentum. Jason breaks down why avoidi…
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In this episode, we share a powerful lesson from a recent pitch practice session with a founder whose natural charisma backfired. While being articulate and engaging can be a superpower, it can also lead to rambling when clarity matters most. We talk about why “less is more” applies just as much to live pitches as it does to pitch decks—and how emb…
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Michael Martin, raised in a hardworking blue-collar community, embraced the same ethic. An entrepreneur at heart, he hustled from cutting grass when he was 12 to working all types of jobs including golf caddying and waiting at restaurants to starting businesses. Determined to transition into the white-collar working world and being at the right pla…
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Christian Mayer, with an institutional trading background, transitioned from equities to forex, focusing on fixed sized mean-reversion strategies with fundamental correlations where structural edge is statistically likely. His initial losses led him to a research and systematic-driven approach, and back testing. He trades with fixed position sizes,…
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In this episode, we explore how one small act of generosity can shape long-term relationships in venture capital. Jason shares a story from a recent trip back to Harvard Business School, where a simple coffee chat from a decade ago turned into a meaningful connection with a now-prominent VC. He reflects on what true network-building looks like—why …
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Alex Salazar didn’t need to prove he could build a company. He’d already done that and sold it, then spent time as a VC, and had the kind of background that usually makes raising money the easy part. But when he started Arcade, he decided to do things differently. In this episode, we talk about what it means to go back to zero even when you don’t h…
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In this episode of The Back Channel, we talk about the pressure founders feel to pitch a massive vision — and what actually makes that land with investors. VCs need to believe in billion-dollar outcomes, but that doesn’t mean you should throw out the biggest idea you can think of. Credibility, traction, and storytelling all shape how your vision is…
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A former engineer turned successful options trader, real estate investor and entrepreneur, Cody Yeh shares his incredible journey from the 9-to-5 grind to achieving financial freedom through smart investing and calculated risk-taking. We unpack his options trading strategies, mindset hacks for building wealth, and how he helps others escape the rat…
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In this episode, we'll talk about green flags—the little things founders say or do that quietly leave a strong impression on investors. I share a story about a first-time founder at one of our events who said two things that really stood out. They weren’t flashy, but they revealed a surprising level of maturity... and they’re the kind of signals th…
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In this episode of The Backchannel, we break down a simple but powerful equation to help founders understand why some investor meetings turn into momentum—and others fall flat. We share a personal story that sparked the idea, then introduce the concept of Time Given (TG) minus Time to Interest (TTI) as a way to diagnose and improve your fundraising…
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In this episode of The Backchannel, we start with a tweet from Peter Walker at Carta and dig into what it means when a big chunk of LPs in smaller funds are just regular individuals. If you’re raising a sub-$100M fund—or thinking about it—there’s some stuff here that might make you pause, maybe even rethink how you’re approaching your next raise. F…
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Is pre-seed fundraising harder than ever? In this episode of The Backchannel, we break down how expectations for early-stage startups have shifted. Investors now demand more proof—traction, paying customers, and even product builds—before writing checks. Why? A mix of AI-driven productivity, global talent access, and the lingering effects of the po…
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Few people understand the minds of traders like Dr. Brett Steenbarger. As a psychologist who trades actively himself, he brings a rare combination of clinical expertise and practical experience to the world of financial markets. You might know him from his dynamic presentations at SMB Capital, where he breaks down the psychology of trading with rem…
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Raising money isn’t just about convincing investors—it’s about surviving long enough to do it. Brian Sheng, founder of Aquaria, bootstrapped millions of his own dollars, ran relentless product-market fit experiments, and faced rejection after rejection before securing a $112M round to scale his breakthrough water technology. We dive into the toughe…
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Setting deadlines in fundraising can be a powerful tool—or a costly mistake. In this episode of The BackChannel, we break down how founders should think about creating urgency without scaring off investors. Learn why setting deadlines too early can backfire, how to structure a process that keeps investors engaged, and why a well-placed deadline can…
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Investors love to test founders with tough questions—but what if you don’t know the answer? In this episode, we break down a real pitch meeting where a simple misunderstanding derailed the conversation. Learn how to handle tricky investor questions, when to ask for clarification, and why truly knowing your business makes all the difference.…
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In this episode of the Back Channel, we explore the art of storytelling and the balance between hard facts and narrative. A founder’s question sparks a conversation about when to lean on data and when to let the story take center stage. Tune in for thought-provoking insights on crafting compelling narratives without getting bogged down in numbers.…
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Most founders assume venture capital is the only way to fund their startup, but is it really the right path for you? In this episode of The Backchannel, we challenge the default fundraising mindset, breaking down why so many founders skip critical early steps. We'll shares insights on evaluating your real needs, exploring alternative funding option…
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Steve Ruffley transitioned from a highly competitive trading floor environment to trading professionally as a retail trader. His entrance into trading was unplanned - a mix of ambition, timing, and the right connections. After leaving university early, he took a finance job and then moved to Gibraltar, where he met traders running a new trading flo…
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In this episode of The Backchannel, I’m sharing some thoughts on goals for the year—what I’m focusing on, what’s working so far, and what still needs improvement. From business to personal challenges, I’m experimenting with new approaches and seeing where they lead. If you’ve set goals for yourself, I’d love to hear them. Let’s keep each other acco…
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How do you convince investors to back you when your company’s growth has been stagnant? In this episode, we explore a question from a founder about breaking through that barrier. We’ll dive into what investors are really looking for, the importance of showing a shift or inflection point in your business, and how to craft a compelling story about th…
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In this episode of The Backchannel, Jason reflects on his own fundraising experience and breaks down the layers of what it really takes to secure investor commitments. Using his 2017 fundraise as a backdrop, he shares insights on the role of connections, the limits of those advantages, and why getting your foot in the door is just the beginning. Wh…
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Ross Haber’s trading philosophy is built on growth-focused strategies, heavily influenced by William O'Neil. Combining both technical and fundamental analysis, Ross emphasizes the importance of identifying leaders in strong market sectors and adapting to market cycles. Optimizing the use of relative strength, moving averages, and volume analysis, a…
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In this episode, we sit down with Andrés Ornelas Vargas, founder of Verve, to discuss his journey from 150 investor conversations to closing a $2.2M round. Andrés dives into the challenges of breaking through preconceptions, the lessons learned from crafting the perfect pitch, and the personal story behind Verve's mission to revolutionize dietary m…
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This episode of The Backchannel breaks down how the expectations for early-stage founders have shifted in the AI era. Inspired by a conversation with Jeff Bussgang—Harvard Business School professor and author of The Experimentation Machine—we explore what venture capitalists are looking for before investing. From validating your idea to leveraging …
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In this New Year’s episode of The Back Channel, we talk about the power of simple outreach and why reconnecting with your network can be the best business development move for the year ahead. Drawing from personal stories and founder advice, we explore the impact of small, thoughtful gestures—like a quick “Happy New Year” note—and how they open doo…
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In this episode of The Backchannel, we ask a critical question for founders: Should you actually be raising venture capital? We break down why most founders chasing VC money are doing it for the wrong reasons—whether it's validation, peer pressure, or simply not knowing other options. We also explore two common categories of founders who mistakenly…
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In this episode of The Backchannel, we break down the concept of closing dates in fundraising and why they’re a powerful psychological tool rather than a legal requirement. Learn how closing dates create urgency, push investors to commit, and help fundraisers organize their rounds effectively. Whether you're a startup founder or a fund manager, thi…
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In this episode of The Backchannel, we dive into the trade-offs between maximizing valuation and keeping deal terms simple. Whether you're a founder chasing a higher valuation or an investor protecting optics, adding deal structure can have long-term implications. Learn why simplicity often wins in the end and how complex terms like liquidation pre…
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In this episode of Funded, we sit down with John Patrick Mullin, founder of MANTRA, to explore the realities of raising capital in the volatile world of crypto. JP shares his journey through early career pivots, the highs and lows of building a blockchain startup, and the challenges of launching tokens while navigating market skepticism. He opens u…
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Rick Bandazian Jr., a seasoned trader with over 15 years of experience in event-driven and merger-arbitrage strategies, reflects on transitioning from an analyst at JP Morgan and First New York Securities to establishing himself as an independent trader. Rick emphasizes his deep expertise in anticipating market moves based on nuanced corporate acti…
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In this episode of The Backchannel, we explore strategies to help a founder turn investor interest into momentum during a challenging fundraise. From avoiding reliance on a single viral moment to showcasing consistent progress, we discuss practical ways to create the perception of unstoppable growth. Whether you’re pitching now or planning your nex…
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Laurens Bensdorp's trading journey began with years of losses as a discretionary trader. Frustrated by inconsistent results and mounting stress, he embarked on a mission to develop systematic trading approaches. His goal was simple but ambitious: create reliable systems that would deliver steady returns while minimizing losses. This transformation …
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In this episode of The Backchannel, we talk about the realities of raising capital and why many founders may not be ready for venture funding. Instead, we explore the often-overlooked world of angel investing—who angel investors are, how to find them, and how to tailor your pitch to different types of angels. Whether you’re building a billion-dolla…
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In this episode of The Backchannel, Jason unpacks why many founders struggle to raise capital in today’s cautious VC environment and offers alternative strategies to keep momentum. Learn how to tap into angel investors, leverage AI, and access global talent to build traction on a lean budget. Tune in to hear how you can turn obstacles into opportun…
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In this episode, Ron Belldegrun, co-founder of ByHeart, shares how he raised over $300 million to transform the infant formula industry with cutting-edge science and a vertically integrated supply chain. Ron dives into his experience navigating the fundraising landscape, balancing the expectations of consumer and life science investors, and winning…
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In this episode of The Backchannel, we dive into a personal story that brings three critical fundraising lessons to life. Learn why early-stage fundraising is truly a numbers game, how your conviction in your vision can withstand rejection, and why giving value before seeking it can build powerful, reciprocal relationships. We’ll also explore how i…
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In this episode of The Backchannel, we explore why making in-person connections can be a game-changer for founders. Recorded on location in Austin, Texas, Jason shares insights sparked by his own travel experiences, focusing on why meeting face-to-face can have a major impact on relationship-building, especially when it comes to securing investment…
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Inspired by the impact of predictive analytics on sales at Sam Miesse's tech company, he became interested in applying quantitative analysis to the small cap market. Spending nearly 2 years collecting data and observing how money moved into and out of many small cap stocks convinced him that there were repeating patterns which could be statisticall…
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In this episode of The Backchannel, we're dropping a quick but essential take on balancing brilliance and likability and how both play into the fundraising game. We revisit a core concept from a past episode: time given – time to interest. If your brilliance gets investors hooked fast, you don’t need as much relationship-building. But if it takes l…
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In this episode, Curtis Northcutt, MIT PhD and founder of CleanLab, shares his compelling journey from rural Kentucky to raising $25 million from Menlo Ventures and Bain Capital. Curtis reflects on the challenges of growing up with limited opportunities, the loneliness of dreaming big in a small town, and how those experiences ignited his drive to …
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Mark Ritchie II shares insights from his trading journey, shaped by disciplined risk management and a strong focus on price action and fundamentals. Growing up with a renowned trader father, Mark’s passion for trading developed later in life through hands-on experience. He prioritizes finding stocks in long-term uptrends, identifying low-risk entri…
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