Greer Tessler and Cara Kaufman (Simple Food Ventures) - Why they only invest in CPG products that work on-shelf, the difference between better for the planet and better for you, and analyzing product differentiation

Our guests today are Greer Terrler and Cara Kaufman, founders of Simple Food Ventures. Simple Food Ventures is an early stage venture firm that invests in the future of healthy foods and products. We discuss how they both began investing in better for you products, do they only invest in better for the planet or better for you, and what makes a product work on shelf. Here are some of the questions I ask them: What was your attraction to the food and beverage industry?Why did you and how did you both transition into venture capital? What stage is a company usually have to be at in order for you to be initially interested? Founder and the roadmap How did Simple Food Ventures come together? What do you see as the opportunity within food and beverage? Does a product need to be able to get on shelf / in retail for you to peak your interest? Does a product need to be differentiated in order for you both to get excited? Walk me through how you conduct due diligence. How do you source and meet founders? What’s one part of the better-for-you movement that you think is a contrarian take / not as obvious? What’s one thing you would change about venture capital? What’s one book that inspired each of you personally and a book that inspired each of you professionally? What’s one piece of advice that you have for founders?

Om Podcasten

The 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.