The Consumer VC

D2C isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution anymore. The belief that D2C alone can drive massive growth is outdated. Reaching that next million in revenue is just as tough as the first. In 2024 and beyond, scaling requires more than just a great product. It’s about finding and nurturing customers who keep coming back. Brands need to ask: How do we stand out to retailers? What trends can we tap into to excite the market? Omnichannel strategies have been crucial for growth long before they became trendy. In this episode, Kiva Dickinson of Selva Ventures discusses the real challenges of scaling in today’s market for D2C brands. Tune in to the full episode below: https://lnkd.in/dpGesxYw

How do you spot a brand’s true potential? It starts with understanding why 50% of subscribers stay. The secret lies in a solid due diligence process. Evaluate if a brand aligns with your framework and checks all boxes. Is there momentum? Is the market significant? Is it on a mega trend? Ask yourself what you can truly hang your hat on. What’s the one thing that makes this investment compelling? Successful due diligence means finding that critical differentiator. Self-awareness and spotting where a brand excels are key. In this episode, Kiva Dickinson (Selva Ventures), deep dives into how he recognizes brand potential early on. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/dpGesxYw

The first mover advantage is overrated. Buffett’s best advice is, “Only when the tide goes out do you discover who's been swimming naked.” You need to realize that hoarding cash to get a first mover advantage is a lose-lose. Facebook wasn’t first—MySpace was. Who won anyway? Enterprises were already using HipChat before Slack. Slack still managed to reach over 65M MAUs. Kiva Dickinson and Madeline Kaplan of Selva Ventures advise founders to find a gap, gain momentum, and use that to attract customers, talent, and capital. In this episode of The Consumer VC, they talk about how they help portfolio companies allocate sensible resources to yield extraordinary outcomes. Watch now: https://lnkd.in/dpGesxYw?

Building a brand in beauty & personal care? Prepare to get rich. Seriously. Kiva Dickinson and Madeline Kaplan’s (Selva Ventures) playbook here is simple. Identify companies that are: - solving real consumer needs, - fostering loyalty, and - attracting strategic investors in preparation for a massive liquidity event. With 2/3rds of their recent investments in this space, it's clear they are driven by high conviction. Watch the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/dHMF_Rhc

Remember how Activison Blizzard got acquired for $69B? Every founder dreams of a day like that. Unfortunately, it won’t happen for most entrepreneurs, simply because they aren’t prepared. That’s where a VC’s network and track record become important. Unless your investors can help you pull the right levers, you can kiss the M&A dream goodbye. Madeline Kaplan of Selva Ventures speaks to how the best VCs roll up their sleeves, and help worthy startups get acquired. We also discuss why Selva has brought on Unilever Ventures as an LP, & more. Tune into the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/dHMF_Rhc

The best talent works for more than just a paycheck. Chris Ashenden has seen it all with AG1. Looking back, he’s glad that he stuck to his guns for the long haul, whether it was handling customers directly or hiring the right talent early on. As Chris himself puts it, "Great talent is about finding people who are not just technically proficient but also share our passion." Today, Athletic Greens has over 300 employees and maintains some of the highest standards for recruiting in the industry. If you’re a founder struggling to find your own, don’t miss this episode: https://lnkd.in/dkNRNqzf

The supply chain is YOUR bread and butter. If leveraged right, it can build a competitive moat that’s hard to replace. AG1, understood this from the get-go. In over a decade, they've figured out how to keep quality standards sky-high, as CEO Chris Ashenden explains. Their R&D team? They're sharp, dedicated, and just plain brilliant. Even though they're not fully vertically integrated, they've got a handle on all parts of their supply chain. Tune into this episode of The Consumer VC, as Chris explains how the $1.2B nutrition company maintains quality standards at scale. Watch now: https://lnkd.in/dkNRNqzf

"Stay hungry. And bootstrap." - Rob Kalin, co-founder of Etsy. Think about it. Some of the best run companies were bootstrapped for the longest time— GoPro, Mailchimp, Freshworks, and more. Bootstrapping lets you chase problems without needing permission. Chris Ashenden, the CEO of AG1, shares a similar philosophy. He wasn’t looking for big investors on his cap table when he first started. All he cared about was making the best product he could. Eventually, the company raised funding from investors after it got to a $168M run rate. Watch the full episode of The Consumer VC with Chris as he takes us behind the scenes of building a billion-dollar nutrition brand: https://lnkd.in/dkNRNqzf

Emotional resonance is the only differentiator in the beauty industry. For the longest time, traditional beauty standards have alienated consumers. Several emerging brands are trying to challenge this status quo. They aim to include those previously marginalized by mainstream beauty norms. By fostering inclusivity and authenticity, these startups could carve out a new market niche. Madeline Kaplan, Principal at Selva Ventures, is looking for startups ready to run with this approach and create delta in the process. Here’s Why: https://lnkd.in/dHMF_Rhc

Is the hangover tomorrow worth that extra cocktail tonight? No, right? Kiva Dickinson, of Selva Ventures, explains why he believes consumers are increasingly turning to non-alcoholic beverages. In his view, this shift is driven by two key factors: 1. Sleep Quality: Alcohol disrupts sleep cycles, and let’s face it, no one wakes up feeling too good after a night out of drinking. 2. Wellness Trends: As people prioritize healthier lifestyles, alcohol is offsetting a lot of their gains. In this episode of The Consumer VC, Kiva Dickinson breaks down why non-alcoholic beverages are an opportunity for founders to strike while the iron is hot. Don't miss out on the full episode: https://lnkd.in/dHMF_Rhc