Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Denielle Finkelstein and Thyme Sullivan, Co-CEOs and Co-Founders of UNICORN in EVERY stall, the company redefining bathroom equity.
Cousins and co-CEOs Danielle and Thyme left decades in fashion and consumer goods to create UNICORN. Their sleek dispensers put organic tampons and pads in every stall, just like toilet paper, at companies like JPMorgan Chase, American Express, PepsiCo, and Toyota. What started as a vision for dignity has become a movement transforming culture, productivity, and the future of work.
And on today’s episode we’re chatting about their story and how they are advancing the next generation of women, one bathroom stall at a time.
Episode Breakdown:Welcome - 00:00:33Intro - 00:01:41Deep Dive - 00:05:28Lightning Round - 00:31:59Shout Out - 00:39:23
Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Elle Lanning, President of Investments at Camino Partners.
At Camino, Elle leads investment strategy and execution across asset classes, with a focus on the firm’s direct investment platform. A former KIND executive who helped scale the brand from $20 million to over $1 billion in sales, Elle brings an operator’s lens to investing. Under her leadership, Camino has partnered with standout brands like Belgian Boys, SOMOS, LiveWell, and Barry’s — helping founders grow with purpose and impact.
In today’s episode, we explore her journey from scaling KIND into a global powerhouse to leading investments at Camino Partners — diving into what makes purpose and margins truly defensible, how consumer investing has evolved, and the lessons from building brands that last.
Episode breakdown:
Welcome: 00:00:00
Intro: 00:01:48
Deep Dive: 00:10:42
Lightning Round: 00:38:57
Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Keith Teare and Rob Hodgkinson. Keith is CEO of SignalRank and publisher of That Was The Week on Substack. Previously he was the Co-Founder of TechCrunch and a founder of European ISP EasyNet. Rob is the Co-founder and Head of Investing at SignalRank, previously an investor at Beringea.In this episode, we talk about what signals really matter in the early-stage venture market, how their approach at SignalRank helps identify breakout companies after Seed stage, and how the venture landscape is shifting heading into 2026.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00:00 - Welcome
00:01:24 - Intro
00:09:09 - Deep Dive
00:34:38 - Lightning Round
Today are happy to welcome Singari Seshadri. Singari is an investor, operator and entrepreneur with deep experience launching and scaling consumer businesses. She incubated Cumulus Media, now the second largest radio operator in the US. Led innovation at Nike, taught entrepreneurship at Stanford and invested across media, health and wellness.
She's now focused on women's sports where she brings a unique lens shaped by years in VC, startup and corporate leadership. On today's episode, we're discussing how media and capital are reshaping women's sports and the economic realities facing female athletes.
Episode breakdown:
00:00:00 - Welcome
00:01:12 - Intro
00:12:32 - Deep Dive
00:30:07 - Shout Out
00:35:20 - Learnings
00:42:19 - Lightning Round
Today, we’re thrilled to welcome James Cummings, Vice President, Business Development at London & Partners.
The organisation has a mission to create economic growth that is resilient, sustainable, and inclusive, and to tell London's story brilliantly to an international audience in partnership with organisations and people who have a stake in London's promotion. James is based in Los Angeles and works with US companies that are expanding into and growing operations in London, and London companies exploring the opportunity in the US.
In this episode, we talk about how UK and US companies expand across borders, especially in the media and innovation space. He shares insights on market entry challenges, London & Partners’ global strategy, and upcoming initiatives like LA Tech Week to support international growth.
Episode breakdown:
Welcome: 00:00:00
Intro - 00:01:20
Deep Dive - 00:08:04
Shout Out - 00:23:36
Lightning Round - 00:25:50
Today’s guest is Cathy White, the founder and CEO of CEW Communications—a leading European PR agency. Since launching in 2016, Cathy and her team have helped early-stage and growth-stage startups, as well as venture capital firms tell their stories and gain media attention across Europe.
Some of their past clients include: Mondu, Sleepwave as well as funds such as Aldea Ventures and Unlock VC.
Before founding CEW, Cathy led communications at Seedcamp and Tech Nation (now part of Founders Forum), becoming known as a go-to expert at the crossroads of startups, capital, and media.In this episode, we’ll discuss:
- How founders can use storytelling and PR as growth tools
- Why press coverage can influence both customers and investors
Episode breakdown:
00:00:00 - Welcome
00:01:30 - Intro
00:05:11 - Deep Dive
00:29:51 - Shout Out
00:31:59 - Learnings
00:38:02 - Lightning Round
Today, we’re joined by Simone Kendle, CEO of Wove, the custom jewelry brand that’s redefining what luxury means. Wove blends deep personalization, craftsmanship, and trust in a way the traditional jewelry industry has never done. Under Simone’s leadership, Wove is quickly becoming a cultural force — most recently capturing headlines when Taylor Swift was seen wearing their bracelets.
On this episode, we’ll talk about her journey, how she’s scaling a company rooted in authenticity and innovation, and what it takes to create consumer brands that connect deeply and grow fast in today’s world.
Episode Breakdown:
Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Evan Shapiro, Emmy-winning producer, professor, media strategist, and founder of ESHAP.
ESHAP is a “change agency” known for making sense of chaos in media. If you’ve ever seen the famous Media Universe Map, you’ve seen Evan’s work—he’s the self-proclaimed Media Cartographer, charting how platforms, creators, and culture collide.
With a media career spanning iconic comedy shows like Portlandia and Comedy Bang Bang, Evan has become a rare bridge between traditional media and the creator economy. Through his company, his podcast “The Media Odyssey,” and his Substack “Media War & Peace,” Evan is shaping the global conversation on what comes next.
Episode breakdown:
Welcome - 00:00:00
Evan's Path - 00:01:21
Deep Dive - 00:09:59
Shout Out - 00:23:23
Lightning Round - 00:27:32
Future - 00:38:44
We’re thrilled to welcome Amit Khosla, Executive Director at AYA Capital Inc. – 3rd generation alternative investment vehicle of one of the founding families of Grupo Modelo, Latin Americas largest vertically integrated brewing businesses.
The Private Office, while keeping a low public profile, is known in the right circles for its Blockchain, E-Gaming, B2B SaaS and Direct Consumer investments. They take a global approach with a focus on North/ South America and Europe. Relevant to this Podcast is an investment AYA made into Monou, an e-gaming business from Mexico which has recently secured $5m in Media Capital from one of MFG’s media partners, Televisa to help sustain its exponential growth across Mexico.
On the podcast, we talk about capital efficiencies, the rise of alternative investment models, and what makes a VC truly valuable.
Episode Breakdown:
Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Pedro Schmidt, CEO and Founder of KA-EX, the world’s first fast-acting cortisol stress reducer.
KA-EX is built on a science-backed foundation, with three clinical trials and thousands of professional athletes across Europe using it daily - from top European football clubs, such as Paris-Saint Germain and the Swiss National Football Team, to TUDOR Pro Cycling, and numerous Olympic gold medalists.
After becoming one of Switzerland’s best-selling dietary supplements, with over 2 million units sold annually, the equivalent of 100 million units per year in the U.S. when adjusted for population size, KA-EX is now expanding into the U.S. market, focusing on high-performing athletes.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00:00 - Welcome
00:01:29 - Intro
00:03:50 - Deep Dive
00:17:33 - Shout Out
00:20:14 - Important Learnings
00:27:39 - Lightning Round
Today, we are excited to welcome Eline van der Velden—Founder and CEO of Particle6, an award-winning AI production company known for creating viral, social and AI content.
Eline's background in physics drives Particle6’s unique methodology, which combines scientific creativity with advanced technology and AI, making content that resonates and reduces production costs by 60%.
With a decade of experience across platforms like BBC, Sky, Hearst Networks and Amazon Prime, Particle6 specializes in high-quality TV shows, digital campaigns, and immersive experiences. The company has produced over 50 programs and has received over 1B views, and has received many awards, which Eline will tell us more about on today’s show.
Particle6 is also a creative production partner of MFG, where we collaborate to push the boundaries of storytelling—often blending traditional techniques with emerging tech like AI to do more with less for emerging brands.
In this conversation, we unpack how Eline is reshaping what impactful storytelling looks like, how her team makes complex ideas both accessible and unforgettable, and why when she is not running Particle 6 dreams of saving the world with nuclear fusion.
Eline and Particle6 are also the creative minds behind Tilly Norwood — bringing their signature blend of science, storytelling, and innovation to this notable project.
Episode Breakdown:
Reed Dickens, founder of LA Golf and former Marucci Sports CEO, shares how he built two challenger brands, lessons from the White House, and why message discipline, athlete investors, and premium innovation are his unfair advantages in disrupting legacy industries.
Episode Breakdown:
Today, we are thrilled to welcome Federico Cucchi, VP of Commercial Strategy and Analytics for EMEA at Monster Energy.
Federico has spent years navigating the intersection of brand strategy, media, and corporate strategy for some of the largest consumer brands, including L’Oréal and Pentland Brands. Beyond the corporate world, he’s also a founder, having launched three startups, and an investor, advising venture capital funds and making seed-stage investments.
On this podcast, we’ll explore how to use data and insights strategically as you scale a consumer brand, the right balance between brand advertising and digital channels - especially when, as a founder, you’re under pressure to drive immediate ROI, and why a smart, omnichannel strategy is more critical than ever.
Episode Breakdown:
Today we're thrilled to welcome Tim Fung, founder of and CEO of Airtasker, a marketplace for local services that connects people who need work done with trusted and skilled locals who want to work and earn extra cash. In this episode we'll talk about Airtasker's journey from launching in Australia in 2012 to expanding into the UK in 2018, and most recently the US. Some of the learnings from building a marketplace and scaling internationally and Tim's unique approach to growth using media capital to accelerate the brand in new markets.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00:00 - Welcome
00:01:10 - Intro
00:04:44 - Deep Dive
00:23:53 - Shout Out
00:27:07 - Learnings
00:30:40 - Lightning Round
The media and advertising landscape is changing at an unprecedented pace. As traditional revenue streams decline and consumer brands face tougher fundraising conditions, media capital is emerging as a powerful tool for both media owners and high-growth startups.The MFG 2025 Report presents the most comprehensive analysis of media capital to date. Drawing on insights from the first-ever Media Capital Fund Manager survey, the report examines 530 investments to assess the returns for media companies, the impact on consumer brands, and the future trajectory of this asset class.
Here’s what to expect:
🚀 How startups are leveraging media capital to scale faster
📊 Exclusive findings from the first-ever Media Capital Fund Manager Survey
💡 Why media companies and investors are doubling down on media capital in 2025
🎙 Live insights from industry leaders shaping the future of media investment
Speakers include:
Alex Wallace – Executive in Residence, Progress Partners
Niko Waesche – Co-Founder, German Media Pool
Tim Fung – CEO, Airtasker
Chris Hill – Managing Director, Edenbase
In this episode, we sit down with Samantha Skey, CEO of SheMedia, to explore the evolving landscape of media and the lessons she’s learned from a career spent at the intersection of content, community, and commerce.
Samantha shares how she’s navigated the shifting tides of digital publishing, the importance of resilience in leadership, and why embracing failure as a learning tool is critical for long-term success. She reflects on the challenges of balancing quality journalism with sustainable business models and the counterintuitive realities of running a purpose-driven media company.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00:00 - 00:01:06 - Welcome
00:01:06 - 00:03:22 - Intro
00:03:22 - 00:12:47 - Her TEDx
00:12:47 - 00:23:46 - Deep Dive
00:23:46 - 00:25:50 - Shout Out
00:25:50 - 00:27:50 - Learnings
00:27:50 - 00:30:51 - Lightning Round
00:30:51 - 00:32:23 - Goodbye
In this episode, we sit down with Erez Bousso, founder of HolidayHeroes, to explore the challenges of building trust in the travel industry. Erez shares how he turned his passion for France into a thriving business, the importance of focus in brand positioning, and why traditional performance marketing isn’t enough to scale a consumer travel brand. He explains how television became a game-changer for HolidayHeroes, elevating the brand’s credibility in a market flooded with competitors.
Erez also takes us behind the scenes of his bold move to secure a media-for-equity deal with Israel’s largest media group, Keshet—at a time when this model was virtually unheard of. He breaks down the persistence and strategy required to convince major media players to bet on a young company and how that deal helped propel HolidayHeroes into the mainstream. For founders looking to build trust, scale strategically, and leverage media beyond last-click attribution, this conversation is filled with valuable insights.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00:00 - 00:01:55 - Welcome
00:01:55 - 00:09:03 - Intro
00:09:03 - 00:23:05 - Deep Dive
00:23:05 - 00:26:00 - Amazing Partners
00:26:00 - 00:33:11 - Lessons on Brand Advertising
00:33:11 - 00:35:20 - Lightning Round
In this episode, Jenny shares how her adventures—including a 700-mile solo expedition to the South Pole—shaped her resilience. She reflects on how motherhood changed her perspective and why she founded Ovum to bring a more compassionate, empowering approach to fertility care.
We discuss the parallels between extreme expeditions and the emotional endurance needed for reproductive challenges, the gaps in the current system, and how she’s working to reshape the journey for mothers-to-be.
Consumer investing is evolving, and brand advertising is back at the heart of growth. In this new season, we dive deeper into the intersection of media, funding, and consumer brands, bringing you insider stories from founders, media leaders, and venture investors shaping the landscape.
🎙 Hosted by Diana Florescu, each episode uncovers the strategies behind scaling consumer businesses, raising capital, and leveraging media to accelerate growth.
This season, you’ll hear from:
✅ Tim, Co-Founder of Airtasker, on why turning on the brand advertising tap early is a game-changer.
✅ Erez Bousso, Founder of holidayheroes, on brand development in the travel industry.
✅ Senior leadership from TelevisaUnivision, revealing how consumer brands can amplify their digital spend with above-the-line media.
✅ Jenny, Founder at OVUM, sharing the inside scoop on scaling a femtech business.
No fluff—just honest conversations and practical insights for founders, investors, and anyone shaping the future of consumer brands.
Join us for Season 2 of the Media Capital Podcast! 🎧
#podcast #consumerinvesting #brandadvertising #venturecapital #mediaforgrowth #fundraising #consumerbrands #mediacapital #mediaforequity
There’s a reason strongly-spirited frozen cocktails didn’t exist. Xīn and Voltaire was born to challenge the capabilities of alcohol and ice and push the boundaries of how cocktails can be savoured. We spoke to Grace, CEO & Founder about the story behind the brand and how they worked to allow the icy cold temperatures of sorbet to be maintained when adding the heat of an alcoholic cocktail mix. We had the pleasure of working with Grace as part of the MFG Fundraising Programme in 2023 and advising them on their first media capital fundraise. From Selfridges and Soho House to Mandarin Oriental in London, you can find Xin and Voltaire sorbet cocktails featured on London’s finest menus. And very soon you will be able to spot them on TV following their partnership with Channel 4 in the UK.