20VC: How Startups & VCs Can Build Relationships with Potential Corporate Acquirers? The Challenge Of Operating Both A B2B & B2C Business Model & Why Fundraising Is The One Element Founders Cannot Control with Gautam Gupta, Founder & CEO @ NatureBox

Gautam Gupta is the Founder & CEO at NatureBox, the startup that allows consumers to discover new & healthy foods through a monthly subscription service. They have raised over $50m in VC funding from the likes of General Catalyst, Redpoint, SoftBank and many more. Prior to launching NatureBox, Gautam was a Principal at General Catalyst Partners. While at General Catalyst, he sourced and was actively involved with the firm's investments in GoodData, Bigcommerce, Honest Company and many more. Gautam joined General Catalyst from Procter and Gamble, where he analyzed brand strategy and consumer preferences in the Consumer Market Knowledge group.

In Today's Episode You Will Learn:

1.) How Gautam made his way into VC straight from college and then came to found NatureBox?

2.) What did Gautam take with him from his time in VC to founding NatureBox? How did the experience change the way he handled fundraising? How does Gautam view the 'career VC'?

3.) Why does Gautam look to operate both a B2B and B2C model with NatureBox? Does that not go against the startup advice of 'focus'? What are the inherent benefits and challenges of both models?

4.) Why does Gautam believe we have seen such an increase in VC interest in the food space? Does it concern Gautam that VCs are beginning to invest where they have little domain knowledge?

5.) Why is Gautam so bullish on the exit opportunities for food startups in the coming years? What is the liquidity event and how is that changing with time?

Items Mentioned In Today's Show:

Gautam's Fave Book: Shoe Dog

Gautam's Fave Blog: The Twenty Minute VC

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