Niluka Kavanagh left Big 4 consulting with a simple question: Can I work for myself, and can I do it from anywhere?That question turned into an experiment, then a business, then ImagineThat, a global club for first-time founders who are trying to build something without losing themselves in the process.We talk about the unsexy realities people don’t plan for: uncertainty, isolation, confidence dips, and the weird moment where you realise “being your own boss” can still mean being owned by customers. Niluka shares the framework she uses with founders to go from “I’ve got skills” to “I’ve got a business,” why you should design your life before you design your model, and why your personal brand is the only asset that survives pivots.This is a conversation for anyone in corporate with a pull toward independence, and anyone early-stage who wants fewer vibes and more clarity.Subscribe nowChapters00:00 The Journey of Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship03:08 Finding Purpose and Vision in Business05:53 Understanding the Risks and Rewards of Entrepreneurship08:44 Building a Support Network for Founders11:35 The Importance of Market Validation14:25 Creating a Founder Brand and Authentic Storytelling22:27 Building Your Founder Brand25:41 The Importance of Values in Branding29:47 The Power of Storytelling in Personal Branding34:07 Recognizing Your Achievements as a Founder38:31 The Role of Community in Entrepreneurship43:20 Creating a Supportive Environment for FoundersNiluka Kavanagh A founder, executive coach, keynote speaker, and creator focused on the future of work.She is the Founder of ImagineThat, the global club for new founders, and the creator of The Modern CEO, a leadership program helping companies evolve into next-generation workplaces.Previously, she worked as a consultant at KPMG with clients like Mastercard, Tesco, and London Stock Exchange, co-founded KPMG FutureThinkers, and led communications for KPMG SheCan.Niluka has spoken at leading universities, including Oxford, Trinity College Dublin, and Edinburgh University, and her work has been featured in The World Financial Review and Cambridge University Press.Who Should ListenNew founders transitioning out of corporate rolesExecutives leading younger or hybrid teamsOperators building modern leadership culturesAnyone curious about how careers, ambition, and identity are reshaping entrepreneurshipMusic Credit“Neptuno” – Phondupe (Album: Onykia)Access All Areas.Listen: Apple || Spotify || YouTubeSubscribe: SubstackCommunity & Events: Founders CircleConnect: LinkedInSocials: TikTok || Instagram || XWeb: startupsdecoded.com
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Niluka Kavanagh left Big 4 consulting with a simple question: Can I work for myself, and can I do it from anywhere?That question turned into an experiment, then a business, then ImagineThat, a global club for first-time founders who are trying to build something without losing themselves in the process.We talk about the unsexy realities people don’t plan for: uncertainty, isolation, confidence dips, and the weird moment where you realise “being your own boss” can still mean being owned by customers. Niluka shares the framework she uses with founders to go from “I’ve got skills” to “I’ve got a business,” why you should design your life before you design your model, and why your personal brand is the only asset that survives pivots.This is a conversation for anyone in corporate with a pull toward independence, and anyone early-stage who wants fewer vibes and more clarity.Subscribe nowChapters00:00 The Journey of Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship03:08 Finding Purpose and Vision in Business05:53 Understanding the Risks and Rewards of Entrepreneurship08:44 Building a Support Network for Founders11:35 The Importance of Market Validation14:25 Creating a Founder Brand and Authentic Storytelling22:27 Building Your Founder Brand25:41 The Importance of Values in Branding29:47 The Power of Storytelling in Personal Branding34:07 Recognizing Your Achievements as a Founder38:31 The Role of Community in Entrepreneurship43:20 Creating a Supportive Environment for FoundersNiluka Kavanagh A founder, executive coach, keynote speaker, and creator focused on the future of work.She is the Founder of ImagineThat, the global club for new founders, and the creator of The Modern CEO, a leadership program helping companies evolve into next-generation workplaces.Previously, she worked as a consultant at KPMG with clients like Mastercard, Tesco, and London Stock Exchange, co-founded KPMG FutureThinkers, and led communications for KPMG SheCan.Niluka has spoken at leading universities, including Oxford, Trinity College Dublin, and Edinburgh University, and her work has been featured in The World Financial Review and Cambridge University Press.Who Should ListenNew founders transitioning out of corporate rolesExecutives leading younger or hybrid teamsOperators building modern leadership culturesAnyone curious about how careers, ambition, and identity are reshaping entrepreneurshipMusic Credit“Neptuno” – Phondupe (Album: Onykia)Access All Areas.Listen: Apple || Spotify || YouTubeSubscribe: SubstackCommunity & Events: Founders CircleConnect: LinkedInSocials: TikTok || Instagram || XWeb: startupsdecoded.com
S2E12: There Is No Perfect Pitch Deck - What You Actually Need, with Robert Harary, CEO and VC - Decko
Startups Decoded
48 minutes
1 month ago
S2E12: There Is No Perfect Pitch Deck - What You Actually Need, with Robert Harary, CEO and VC - Decko
Robert Harary found his first venture deal while in high school detention, and hasn’t looked back since. Today, he sits at the center of the venture ecosystem as both an investor and founder, with a decade-plus obsession for making access to capital more transparent, efficient, and equitable.Robert is the #2 at Evolution VC Partners, where he’s been part of 300+ Culture Tech investments. He runs Timeless Ventures as GP, and has investments in companies like Colossal, Figure AI, and Sindarin. On the founder side, he co-founded DECKO (helping 300+ startups and funds raise $1.2B+) and Raisi (bringing founders in front of 2,000+ investors monthly).Startups Decoded is brought to you by Decko. Contact Decko and use the code word "Decoded" for 20% off. HQ@GetDECKO.comIn this conversation, we break down:Why access to capital, not ideas, is the biggest bottleneck for foundersHow Robert evaluates moonshots (and why he backed OpenAI early)Lessons learned from co-founding DECKO and WeraiseWhere the venture ecosystem is failing—and what needs to changeHis belief that democratizing capital will unlock the next wave of transformative companiesChapters00:00 The Utopian World of Fundraising06:40 The Evolution of Pitch Decks13:16 Crafting the Perfect Pitch Deck20:12 Understanding Investor Psychology21:59 Cold Outreach and Investor Engagement23:50 The Three Pillars of Startup Success26:08 Effective Cold Email Strategies28:29 The Art of Storytelling in Fundraising32:40 Investor Marketing as a Relationship Game39:14 Building Long-Term Investor RelationshipsGuest BioRobert Harary is an investor, founder, and venture capitalist obsessed with making capital access more equitable. He is a GP at Timeless Ventures, #2 at Evolution VC Partners (300+ Culture Tech investments), and an angel investor in moonshots, including OpenAI and Colossal. He has co-founded DECKO and Weraise, platforms that have helped 300+ startups and funds raise $1.2B+ from Sequoia, a16z, Accel, YC, and others.Who Should ListenFounders frustrated by investor access or gatekeepingInvestors curious about democratized deal flowOperators interested in the “deck science” behind successful fundraisingAnyone tracking moonshot bets reshaping the futureMusic Credit“Neptuno” – Phondupe (Album: Onykia)Access All Areas.Listen: Apple || Spotify || YouTubeSubscribe: SubstackCommunity & Events: Founders CircleConnect: LinkedInSocials: TikTok || Instagram || XWeb: startupsdecoded.com
Startups Decoded
Niluka Kavanagh left Big 4 consulting with a simple question: Can I work for myself, and can I do it from anywhere?That question turned into an experiment, then a business, then ImagineThat, a global club for first-time founders who are trying to build something without losing themselves in the process.We talk about the unsexy realities people don’t plan for: uncertainty, isolation, confidence dips, and the weird moment where you realise “being your own boss” can still mean being owned by customers. Niluka shares the framework she uses with founders to go from “I’ve got skills” to “I’ve got a business,” why you should design your life before you design your model, and why your personal brand is the only asset that survives pivots.This is a conversation for anyone in corporate with a pull toward independence, and anyone early-stage who wants fewer vibes and more clarity.Subscribe nowChapters00:00 The Journey of Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship03:08 Finding Purpose and Vision in Business05:53 Understanding the Risks and Rewards of Entrepreneurship08:44 Building a Support Network for Founders11:35 The Importance of Market Validation14:25 Creating a Founder Brand and Authentic Storytelling22:27 Building Your Founder Brand25:41 The Importance of Values in Branding29:47 The Power of Storytelling in Personal Branding34:07 Recognizing Your Achievements as a Founder38:31 The Role of Community in Entrepreneurship43:20 Creating a Supportive Environment for FoundersNiluka Kavanagh A founder, executive coach, keynote speaker, and creator focused on the future of work.She is the Founder of ImagineThat, the global club for new founders, and the creator of The Modern CEO, a leadership program helping companies evolve into next-generation workplaces.Previously, she worked as a consultant at KPMG with clients like Mastercard, Tesco, and London Stock Exchange, co-founded KPMG FutureThinkers, and led communications for KPMG SheCan.Niluka has spoken at leading universities, including Oxford, Trinity College Dublin, and Edinburgh University, and her work has been featured in The World Financial Review and Cambridge University Press.Who Should ListenNew founders transitioning out of corporate rolesExecutives leading younger or hybrid teamsOperators building modern leadership culturesAnyone curious about how careers, ambition, and identity are reshaping entrepreneurshipMusic Credit“Neptuno” – Phondupe (Album: Onykia)Access All Areas.Listen: Apple || Spotify || YouTubeSubscribe: SubstackCommunity & Events: Founders CircleConnect: LinkedInSocials: TikTok || Instagram || XWeb: startupsdecoded.com
