Threshold

about the podcast

The Startup Solution with Heidi Roizen

The Startup Solution tackles the make-or-break situations that entrepreneurs face, offering clear advice on how to survive and thrive in an early-stage company. Who’s it for? Founders, startup execs, and investors who want to learn from real-world situations, unpacked by Heidi Roizen, a “recovering" entrepreneur and current VC who has seen it all through 40 years and 40 boards.

OUR HOST

Heidi Roizen

Heidi Roizen has spent 40 years in the tech startup world, the first dozen years as an entrepreneur herself, and since then, 25 years as a venture capitalist. She’s served on over 40 boards, from seed stage to public companies. She also co-leads the Threshold Venture Fellows program at Stanford University and is a partner at Threshold Ventures.

Episodes

Mar 6, 2024

SEASON 2

EPISODE 10

The Case of the Fraudulent Founder

Some ambitious entrepreneurs embellish the truth to achieve their goals. Is this seemingly innocent practice appropriate, or is it a gateway to engaging in illegal activities down the road? Heidi shares why well-meaning people become frauds and the steps every founder can take to catch and prevent this behavior.

Feb 21, 2024

SEASON 2

EPISODE 9

The Case of the Ace Advisor

Miles wants to hire an advisor, a well-respected University of California professor, but needs help defining the role, setting expectations, and formalizing the rules of engagement. Heidi, an experienced advisor herself, walks Miles through a step-by-step process to help him establish an advisor’s obligations and compensation to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship.

Feb 7, 2024

SEASON 2

EPISODE 8

The Case of the Nepo Nightmare

The CTO needs to fire someone who is awful at their job but is the big brother of the CEO. Heidi recounts firsthand her experience of navigating a complex commingling of family and startup dynamics to strengthen a healthy and productive company.

Jan 24, 2024

SEASON 2

EPISODE 7

The Case of the Secondary Showdown

Secondary stock sales can be tricky. Heidi shares a financial drama where the founder is upset that her VC is selling, and the VC is upset that the founder is selling. Learn about the ins and outs of a process that can lead to happier, wealthier, and wiser stakeholders.

Jan 10, 2024

SEASON 2

EPISODE 6

The Case of the C-Suite Shuffle

Leon no longer wants to be the CEO of the company he founded. He makes his decision after completing an exercise Heidi suggested to him in Episode 5 – “The Case of the Frustrated Founder." In this segment, Heidi helps Leon take the steps needed to communicate his decision to the board, identify and onboard a new CEO, and transition into a new role and happier life.

Dec 13, 2023

SEASON 2

EPISODE 5

The Case of the Frustrated Founder

Leon is a founder who wants his company to succeed but hates his job as CEO and is unsure if he’s the right person to lead the team. In this first of a two-part episode, Heidi shares how the founder role changes over time, what a founder can do to navigate that change to still love their job, and an exercise to find out the best path forward. In part two, we’ll find out what happens to Leon.

Nov 29, 2023

SEASON 2

EPISODE 4

The Case of the Email Evidence

Luka is sued! As part of the lawsuit, he must hand over all his email messages and texts as evidence. Heidi reviews what “digital communication hygiene” every founder should follow to avoid any bumps in the road if served papers. She also shares how the term “legal privilege” can protect you – but only when correctly used.

Nov 15, 2023

SEASON 2

EPISODE 3

The Case of the Carveout Conundrum

Anya needs to sell her company, but to do so, she needs to keep her team. She decides to financially motivate them with a carve-out agreement that will pay them when the company sells since their common shares will likely be worthless. Learn all the important steps to make when putting a carveout together.

Nov 1, 2023

SEASON 2

EPISODE 2

The Case of the Mythical M&A

Julian is running low on cash and starts to prep for an M&A way too late. Heidi shares what’s involved in an M&A process and the importance of building relationships with potential acquirers early so you have options in place.

Oct 18, 2023

SEASON 2

EPISODE 1

The Case of the Social Media Meltdown

Eddie reposts an inappropriate meme on social media and ends up with angry employees, disillusioned investors, and a tarnished reputation. In this episode, Heidi addresses how to develop a personal social media strategy to minimize the chance of creating a situation like Eddie’s.