Episodes

  • Vitalis: Can This Biomaterial Help Tendons Heal Faster?

    Vitalis: Can This Biomaterial Help Tendons Heal Faster?
    Mar 26 2026
    Tendon injuries are notoriously hard to heal. Even after surgery, recovery can be slow, complications are common, and today’s tools often stop at mechanical repair instead of actively promoting regeneration. But can a biomaterials company built to improve healing in the operating room convince investors it belongs in the future of surgical care? In this episode of Capital Calling, Asser El Ashwah, Founder of Vitalis Regenerative Materials, pitches a company developing regenerative biomaterials designed to improve surgical outcomes. Vitalis’s lead product, BioBlend, is a bio-integrated tool that combines advanced biomaterial formulations with PRP at the point of care, with the goal of enhancing tissue regeneration, reducing complications, and improving recovery in sports medicine procedures and beyond. The company is initially focused on tendon repair, where existing interventions often fail to deliver sustained biological support during healing. (NYU Tandon School of Engineering - https://engineering.nyu.edu/news/asser-el-ashwah-molecular-architect-building-new-biomaterials-new-way-heal-and-new-company) What sets Vitalis apart is its delivery mechanism. Unlike conventional PRP therapies, which can dissipate quickly and lose effectiveness, Vitalis is building a system designed for localized, sustained release of growth factors through a biocompatible polymer formulation. The product is intended to fit directly into existing surgical workflows, turning regenerative medicine from a post-operative add-on into an integrated biosurgical tool. Over time, the company sees broader applications across orthopedic, vascular, reconstructive, and wound healing procedures. (https://nyusternberkleycenter.com/2025/03/revolutionizing-recovery-with-vitalis-regenerative-materials/) Across the table, investors René Bastón of Covenant Venture Capital, Sabriya Stukes, PhD of SOSV, and Doug Hayes of Junto Health & Hubble engage with the pitch as it unfolds. They assess the clinical and commercial need in tendon repair and sports medicine, the defensibility of Vitalis’s biomaterial approach, the practicality of integrating the product into surgeon workflows, and whether a regenerative platform built around sustained growth-factor delivery can scale into a venture-backed medical device company. Capital Calling provides a behind-the-scenes look at a real pitch from both sides of the table. Each episode begins with a live founder pitch and product demo, followed by direct investor questioning. After the pitch, investors enter into a private debrief conversation where they debate the opportunity openly: without the founder present. The founder, on the other hand, enters the On-Call Room to discuss the pitch one-on-one from their perspective. Then, the investors give their verdicts, where feedback is delivered candidly and decisions are made. Produced by Coeus Collective in partnership with the NYU Stern Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship, Capital Calling offers founders, operators, students, and investors an unfiltered look at how early-stage investment decisions actually happen, and what separates compelling ideas from fundable companies. Founders pitch live. Investors decide.
    Show more Show less
    41 mins
  • ConNext: Is There a Better Way to Network Than LinkedIn?

    ConNext: Is There a Better Way to Network Than LinkedIn?
    Mar 19 2026
    Professional networking is more fragmented than ever. Young professionals are told that relationships matter, yet most platforms still leave them cold messaging strangers, collecting weak ties, and hoping something turns into opportunity. But can a platform built to make networking more intentional convince investors it belongs at the center of career growth? In this episode of Capital Calling, Celia Davis, Founder of ConnNext, pitches a professional relationship platform built for young professionals looking to form more meaningful connections. ConnNext is designed to help users build real professional communities through a matching system focused on career growth, support, and relationship quality rather than passive social feeds or transactional outreach. The company’s core thesis is that networking should feel more human, more relevant, and more useful than sending hundreds of cold messages or endlessly applying to jobs online. (make-connexions.com (https://www.make-connexions.com/faq?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) ConnNext positions itself as a new layer in the professional networking ecosystem, aimed at Gen Z and millennials across industries who want to meet the right people digitally and in person. The platform is built around the idea that strong professional relationships can be matched, nurtured, and maintained more effectively through a purpose-built product focused on community, career development, and trust. Celia has described the company as a response to the uncertainty of the current job market and the need for a better way to network. (make-connexions.com (https://www.make-connexions.com/faq?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Across the table, investors Jennifer Wolf, Former Managing Partner at Initialized Capital, Jeremy Kagan of Textbook Ventures, and Antonio Calderon of Distributed Ventures engage with the pitch as it unfolds. They assess professional networking behavior among younger users, the challenge of building trust and engagement in a relationship platform, the product’s differentiation from LinkedIn and other social networks, and whether ConnNext can scale into foundational infrastructure for meaningful professional connection. (LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/make-connexions?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Capital Calling provides a behind-the-scenes look at a real pitch from both sides of the table. Each episode begins with a live founder pitch and product demo, followed by direct investor questioning. After the pitch, investors enter into a private debrief conversation where they debate the opportunity openly: without the founder present. The founder, on the other hand, enters the On-Call Room to discuss the pitch one-on-one from their perspective. Then, the investors give their verdicts, where feedback is delivered candidly and decisions are made. Produced by Coeus Collective in partnership with the NYU Stern Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship, Capital Calling offers founders, operators, students, and investors an unfiltered look at how early-stage investment decisions actually happen, and what separates compelling ideas from fundable companies. Founders pitch live. Investors decide. 🔔 Subscribe to Coeus Collective on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective 📰 Early Access newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/ 📲 Follow us everywhere: @CoeusCollective Special thanks to the NYU Stern School of Business Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship. Follow @nyuinnovation for updates on their programs. Hosted by Antonio Di Meglio and Leon Li DISCLAIMER: The Capital Calling podcast, and any related media properties produced by Coeus Collective, are provided solely for informational and educational purposes. Nothing presented in this episode should be construed as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, investments, or financial products. Coeus Collective does not provide investment advice, and all opinions expressed are those of the hosts or guests at the time of recording.
    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • OOSO: A $500K Bet on Sparkling Tea

    OOSO: A $500K Bet on Sparkling Tea
    Mar 12 2026
    A beverage category built on energy drinks, soda, and canned alcohol is starting to fracture. But can a sparkling tea brand inspired by natural wine convince investors it has the taste, positioning, and brand power to break through? In this episode of Capital Calling, Sophia Spring (Racciatti) and Oliver Spring, Co-Founders of OOSO, pitch a better-for-you beverage brand building a bold and elevated take on tea. OOSO is a sparkling tea inspired by natural wine, formulated with organic teas, adaptogens, L-theanine, vitamin B12, and vitamin C, and sweetened with organic honey instead of artificial ingredients or fake sugars. Positioned as a sophisticated, functional alternative to traditional canned beverages, the company is trying to carve out space at the intersection of wellness, flavor, and modern social drinking culture. Across the table, investors Johnnie Yu of Listen Ventures, Christian McKenzie of Lofty Ventures, and Horace Madison of The Haven engage with the pitch as it unfolds. They examine OOSO’s brand positioning within the crowded functional beverage market, customer acquisition and retail strategy, flavor and product differentiation, and whether a premium sparkling tea company raising $500K with 60% already committed can scale into a venture-backed consumer brand. Capital Calling provides a behind-the-scenes look at a real pitch from both sides of the table. Each episode begins with a live founder pitch and product demo, followed by direct investor questioning. After the pitch, investors enter into a private debrief conversation where they debate the opportunity openly: without the founder present. The founder, on the other hand, enters the On-Call Room to discuss the pitch one-on-one from their perspective. Then, the investors give their verdicts, where feedback is delivered candidly and decisions are made. Produced by Coeus Collective in partnership with the NYU Stern Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship, Capital Calling offers founders, operators, students, and investors an unfiltered look at how early-stage investment decisions actually happen, and what separates compelling ideas from fundable companies. Founders pitch live. Investors decide.
    Show more Show less
    41 mins
  • Masira: Pitching a $300K Raise for a Sustainable Fashion Marketplace

    Masira: Pitching a $300K Raise for a Sustainable Fashion Marketplace
    Mar 5 2026
    Fashion discovery today is fragmented. Shoppers jump between apps for inspiration, resale, rentals, and sustainability checks just to find one great piece. But can a platform built to unify fashion discovery and sustainable shopping convince investors it can become the next generation marketplace for conscious consumers? In this episode of Capital Calling, Samira Salifu and Rukaiah Edhah, Co-Founders of Masira, pitch a startup building a fashion-tech platform designed to simplify how people discover and style sustainable clothing. Masira functions as a fashion search engine and off-price marketplace, helping consumers discover pieces from vetted brands while also showing how each item can be styled into complete outfits. By combining AI-powered search, creator-led styling content, and access to excess inventory from fashion brands, the platform aims to reduce waste while helping shoppers build cohesive wardrobes instead of isolated purchases. Masira sits at the intersection of sustainable fashion, creator-led commerce, and AI-driven discovery, allowing shoppers to describe what they want in natural language and instantly see curated items along with multiple outfit combinations that show how each piece fits into a real wardrobe. At the same time, the company provides brands with a new distribution channel to sell excess inventory that might otherwise go unsold. Across the table, investors Michelle Kwok of Draper Associates, Michael Nogen of Overton Venture Capital, and Vansh Langer of Pioneer Fund engage with the pitch as it unfolds. They evaluate Masira’s marketplace dynamics, creator-driven growth strategy, supply acquisition from fashion brands, and whether the founders can build a scalable platform in the rapidly evolving fashion-tech ecosystem while raising $300K to bring the product to market. Episode Chapters 0:00 Introduction 1:28 Founder Pitch 2:29 Live Demo 5:22 Investor Q&A 17:35 Investor Debrief 26:19 On-Call Room 35:35 Investor Verdict 39:50 Outro & Disclaimer Capital Calling provides a behind-the-scenes look at a real pitch from both sides of the table. Each episode begins with a live founder pitch and product demo, followed by direct investor questioning. After the pitch, investors enter into a private debrief conversation where they debate the opportunity openly: without the founder present. The founder, on the other hand, enters the On-Call Room to discuss the pitch one-on-one from their perspective. Then, the investors give their verdicts, where feedback is delivered candidly and decisions are made. Produced by Coeus Collective in partnership with the NYU Stern Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship, Capital Calling offers founders, operators, students, and investors an unfiltered look at how early-stage investment decisions actually happen, and what separates compelling ideas from fundable companies. Founders pitch live. Investors decide. 🔔 Subscribe to Coeus Collective on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective 📰 Early Access newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/ 📲 Follow us everywhere: @CoeusCollective Special thanks to the NYU Stern School of Business Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship. Follow @nyuinnovation for updates on their programs. Hosted by Antonio Di Meglio and Leon Li DISCLAIMER: The Capital Calling podcast, and any related media properties produced by Coeus Collective, are provided solely for informational and educational purposes. Nothing presented in this episode should be construed as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, investments, or financial products. Coeus Collective does not provide investment advice, and all opinions expressed are those of the hosts or guests at the time of recording.
    Show more Show less
    39 mins
  • CaroRhythm: Can This Wearable Detect a Stroke Before It Happens?

    CaroRhythm: Can This Wearable Detect a Stroke Before It Happens?
    Feb 26 2026
    Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a stroke. But what if stroke risk could be continuously monitored, not just diagnosed after the fact? In this episode of Capital Calling, Lokesh Sharma, Founder and CEO of CaroRhythm, pitches a non-invasive wearable platform designed to transform how stroke risk and carotid artery health are monitored outside the hospital. CaroRhythm is building a continuous vascular monitoring system focused on the carotid artery — the critical blood vessel supplying the brain — using advanced sensor technology and machine learning-driven analytics to detect changes in blood flow and stroke risk in real time. Unlike traditional episodic imaging methods such as ultrasound or CT scans, CaroRhythm’s approach aims to provide longitudinal data, enabling clinicians to track trends, identify early warning signs, and intervene before catastrophic events occur. The company is positioned at the intersection of medical devices, digital health, AI diagnostics, and preventative care, targeting secondary stroke prevention and high-risk cardiovascular patients who currently lack continuous outpatient monitoring solutions. Across the table, investors René Bastón of Covenant Venture Capital, Sabriya Stukes of SOSV, and Doug Hayes of Junto Health and Hubble engage with the pitch as it unfolds. They probe the regulatory pathway, reimbursement strategy, clinical validation plan, competitive landscape in stroke monitoring and cardiovascular wearables, and whether CaroRhythm can build a defensible, FDA-cleared medical device company in a space dominated by legacy diagnostics. 0:00 Introduction 0:39 Investor Introductions 1:51 Founder Pitch 3:40 Live Demo 5:11 Investor Q&A 19:14 Investor Debrief 25:53 On-Call Room 33:11 Investor Verdict 39:22 Closing Capital Calling provides a behind-the-scenes look at a real pitch from both sides of the table. Each episode begins with a live founder pitch and product demo, followed by direct investor questioning. After the pitch, investors enter into a private debrief conversation where they debate the opportunity openly: without the founder present. The founder, on the other hand, enters the On-Call Room to discuss the pitch one-on-one from their perspective. Then, the investors give their verdicts, where feedback is delivered candidly and decisions are made. Produced by Coeus Collective in partnership with the NYU Stern Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship, Capital Calling offers founders, operators, students, and investors an unfiltered look at how early-stage investment decisions actually happen, and what separates compelling ideas from fundable companies. Founders pitch live. Investors decide. 🔔 Subscribe to Coeus Collective on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective 📰 Early Access newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/ 📲 Follow us everywhere: @CoeusCollective Special thanks to the NYU Stern School of Business Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship. Follow @nyuinnovation for updates on their programs. Hosted by Antonio Di Meglio and Leon Li DISCLAIMER: The Capital Calling podcast, and any related media properties produced by Coeus Collective, are provided solely for informational and educational purposes. Nothing presented in this episode should be construed as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, investments, or financial products. Coeus Collective does not provide investment advice, and all opinions expressed are those of the hosts or guests at the time of recording.
    Show more Show less
    34 mins
  • Rift: The GPS-Free Positioning Platform Pitching the Future of Spatial Intelligence

    Rift: The GPS-Free Positioning Platform Pitching the Future of Spatial Intelligence
    Feb 19 2026
    Algorithms and location systems power virtually every smart device on the planet. But can a next-generation positioning platform built without cameras or GPS convince investors it’s the future of spatial computing? In this episode of Capital Calling, Karolina Kaylani (Fedorowicz), Founder and CEO of RIFT Spatial Technologies Inc., pitches a privacy-first geolocation infrastructure that delivers high-precision 3D positioning without relying on GPS, cameras, or external hardware. RIFT leverages machine learning and multi-sensor fusion to enable precise indoor and outdoor positioning in complex, GPS-challenged environments; from industrial facilities and autonomous machines to logistics operations and mobility systems, with privacy and security at its core. Across the table, investors Zac Geinzer of Commonweal Ventures, Ella Molony Cook of DFX, and Max Rivera of GHOST Angels engage with Karolina’s pitch as it unfolds. They examine the technology’s positioning in the location stack, product-market fit across robotics and mobility, go-to-market strategy, monetization potential, and whether a GPS-independent approach to spatial intelligence can scale into a defensible venture-backed platform. Capital Calling provides a behind-the-scenes look at a real pitch from both sides of the table. Each episode begins with a live founder pitch and product demo, followed by direct investor questioning. After the pitch, investors enter into a private debrief conversation where they debate the opportunity openly: without the founder present. The founder, on the other hand, enters the On-Call Room to discuss the pitch one-on-one from their perspective. Then, the investors give their verdicts, where feedback is delivered candidly and decisions are made. Produced by Coeus Collective in partnership with the NYU Stern Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship, Capital Calling offers founders, operators, students, and investors an unfiltered look at how early-stage investment decisions actually happen, and what separates compelling ideas from fundable companies. Founders pitch live. Investors decide. 🔔 Subscribe to Coeus Collective on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective 📰 Early Access newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/ 📲 Follow us everywhere: @CoeusCollective Special thanks to the NYU Stern School of Business Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship. Follow @nyuinnovation for updates on their programs. Hosted by Antonio Di Meglio and Leon Li DISCLAIMER: The Capital Calling podcast, and any related media properties produced by Coeus Collective, are provided solely for informational and educational purposes. Nothing presented in this episode should be construed as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, investments, or financial products. Coeus Collective does not provide investment advice, and all opinions expressed are those of the hosts or guests at the time of recording.
    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • Athlitix: Can Data Become the Backbone of College Sports?

    Athlitix: Can Data Become the Backbone of College Sports?
    Feb 12 2026
    College athletics is becoming a data-driven business. But can a platform built to help teams make smarter decisions convince investors it belongs at the center of the sports ecosystem? In this episode of Capital Calling, Sachin Dasari, Founder and CEO of Athlitix, pitches a company building modern analytics and performance infrastructure for collegiate athletic programs. Athlitix provides athletic departments with data-driven tools to better evaluate athletes, optimize training, and improve decision-making across recruitment, development, and program strategy in an increasingly competitive and commercialized landscape. Across the table, investors Jennifer Wolf of Initialized Capital, Jeremy Kagan of Textbook Ventures, and Neel Murthy of Rippling engage with the pitch as it unfolds. They assess the size of the college sports market, customer buying behavior within athletic departments, data defensibility, and whether Athlitix can scale into foundational infrastructure for teams navigating NIL, performance optimization, and resource allocation. Capital Calling provides a behind-the-scenes look at a real pitch from both sides of the table. Each episode begins with a live founder pitch and product demo, followed by direct investor questioning. After the pitch, investors enter into a private debrief conversation where they debate the opportunity openly: without the founder present. The founder, on the other hand, enters the On-Call Room to discuss the pitch one-on-one from their perspective. Then, the investors give their verdicts, where feedback is delivered candidly and decisions are made. Produced by Coeus Collective in partnership with the NYU Stern Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship, Capital Calling offers founders, operators, students, and investors an unfiltered look at how early-stage investment decisions actually happen, and what separates compelling ideas from fundable companies. Founders pitch live. Investors decide. 🔔 Subscribe to Coeus Collective on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective 📰 Early Access newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/ 📲 Follow us everywhere: @CoeusCollective Special thanks to the NYU Stern School of Business Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship. Follow @nyuinnovation for updates on their programs. Hosted by Antonio Di Meglio and Leon Li DISCLAIMER: The Capital Calling podcast, and any related media properties produced by Coeus Collective, are provided solely for informational and educational purposes. Nothing presented in this episode should be construed as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, investments, or financial products. Coeus Collective does not provide investment advice, and all opinions expressed are those of the hosts or guests at the time of recording.
    Show more Show less
    34 mins
  • Roam: Can the #1 Marketplace for International Students Scale?

    Roam: Can the #1 Marketplace for International Students Scale?
    Feb 5 2026
    International students face one of the most fragmented and confusing service ecosystems in education. But can a marketplace built to support them become big enough to attract venture scale conviction? In this episode of Capital Calling, Krish Bajaj, Founder and CEO of Roam, pitches a company positioning itself as the number one marketplace for international student services. Roam helps international students navigate critical needs such as banking, insurance, SIM cards, and onboarding services, all through a single platform designed to reduce friction during one of the most complex transitions in a student’s life. Across the table, investors Michelle Kwok of Draper Associates, Michael Nogen of Overton Venture Capital, and Vansh Langer of Pioneer Fund engage with the pitch as it unfolds. They examine marketplace dynamics, international student acquisition, trust and compliance, monetization pathways, and whether controlling the international student onboarding layer can grow into a defensible venture backed platform. Capital Calling provides a behind-the-scenes look at a real pitch from both sides of the table. Each episode begins with a live founder pitch and product demo, followed by direct investor questioning. After the pitch, investors enter into a private debrief conversation where they debate the opportunity openly: without the founder present. The founder, on the other hand, enters the On-Call Room to discuss the pitch one-on-one from their perspective. Then, the investors give their verdicts, where feedback is delivered candidly and decisions are made. Produced by Coeus Collective in partnership with the NYU Stern Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship, Capital Calling offers founders, operators, students, and investors an unfiltered look at how early-stage investment decisions actually happen, and what separates compelling ideas from fundable companies. Founders pitch live. Investors decide. 🔔 Subscribe to Coeus Collective on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoeusCollective 📰 Early Access newsletter: https://coeuscollective.beehiiv.com/ 📲 Follow us everywhere: @CoeusCollective Special thanks to the NYU Stern School of Business Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship. Follow @nyuinnovation for updates on their programs. Hosted by Antonio Di Meglio and Leon Li DISCLAIMER: The Capital Calling podcast, and any related media properties produced by Coeus Collective, are provided solely for informational and educational purposes. Nothing presented in this episode should be construed as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, investments, or financial products. Coeus Collective does not provide investment advice, and all opinions expressed are those of the hosts or guests at the time of recording.
    Show more Show less
    43 mins