The Spark That Started It All
How one podcast segment unlocked an idea we can’t stop thinking about
From Podcast Segment to Product Vision
When we first started working on The FundWave, we were focused on the podcast. And when we filmed our first episode, we were working through different segment ideas. One of them was a demo day review — just watching pitch competitions and reacting in real time.
Black Ambition had their demo day this month, and since it was streamed on YouTube, we pulled it up and started watching. As we went through the pitches, we gave our thoughts on each one — what did we think of the problem they were solving? The solution? Would we invest if we had the chance?
Somewhere in that process, I (Felisha) started to see it — this idea for an app that would aggregate audience insights at pitch competitions.
What Happens in the Room Shouldn’t Stay There
I’ve been part of a lot of pitch competitions myself, and I’ve always felt like there’s so much value in the room — not just from the judges, but the audience. People might want to support you, connect you, or even invest. But nothing captures that energy. It disappears.
I still think about the first pitch competition I ever won, over five years ago in North Carolina. If I could reconnect with even one or two people from that audience, who knows what kind of support or collaboration could have come from it — even now.
The Engagement Layer That’s Missing
That’s what made this idea feel real: the realization that audience feedback and energy is a missing layer of engagement and insight.
Pitch competitions generate so much data — reactions, opinions, even potential support — and none of it gets captured. Not for the founders. Not for the organizers. And definitely not for the ecosystem partners who sponsor or fund these events.
There’s this entire layer of valuable insight that’s just… slipping through the cracks. And I think we can change that.
Next Step: See If We Can Build It
After we finished recording, I talked to Kevin about the idea, and he immediately got it. He was excited.
I’m now thinking about spinning something up. It might just be a lightweight prototype at first — but the idea is here, and we want to follow it.