VCs use contribution margin too

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff recaps the biggest investor event of the year—Founders & Funders—with two standout guests: Alex Malamatinas, founder of Melitas Ventures, and Alex Michealsen, founder and CEO of Leisure Hydration. Together, they pull back the curtain on what it's really like to be in the room: from the 10-minute speed dating meetings to the panel content, the VC dinner, and the hard-won fundraising lessons early-stage founders need to hear.

Alex Malamatinas shares what makes a founder truly stand out in a short meeting—charisma, clear vision, and product differentiation—and why meeting in person unlocks things a deck simply can't. Alex Michealsen breaks down his methodical approach to pitching: leading with questions for the investor, then firing off the numbers that matter most (velocity, contribution margin, channel performance) before the bell rings. He also introduces the "CPG triangle"—margin, velocity, and cash flow management—as the framework every operator should run every decision through.

The conversation covers the nuances of margin (why contribution margin is the only one that truly matters when running a business), how to build investor relationships over years rather than days, and why the prep work before an event like Founders & Funders is just as important as the meetings themselves. Both guests also offer candid feedback on how to make the event even better next year.

Whether you're an early-stage brand trying to break into the investor ecosystem, a founder preparing your first pitch, or just trying to understand what VCs are actually looking for, this episode delivers honest, tactical insight from two people who've been on both sides of the table.

Listen in as they discuss:

• The Founders & Funders format: curated one-on-one meetings, 70 VCs, 160 brands, and 600+ meetings in a day
• What makes a founder stand out in a 10-minute meeting: vision, charisma, and knowing your numbers cold
• Alex Michealsen's pitch framework: interview the investor first, then lead with velocity and contribution margin
• The CPG triangle: why margin, velocity, and cash flow management are the only three things that matter as an operator
• Margin explained clearly: product margin vs. gross margin vs. contribution margin—and why contribution is king
• Why beverage brands' Amazon contribution margin is often lower than retail despite higher gross margin
• Building investor relationships over years, not days—and why most of Leisure's investors took two years to close
• PR and content from the event: hot deals of 2025, trends vs. fads, real talk on margins, deal terms 101, and a keynote with Paul Vogue
• Ideas for leveling up Founders & Funders: wildcard meetings for early-stage brands and mixed founder-investor social events
• The Startup CPG Roadshow: a mobile version of Founders & Funders coming to major cities in 2025

Episode Links: 

Founders and Funders: fandf.startupcpg.com

Alex Malamatinas – Founder & Managing Partner, Melitas Ventures
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-malamatinas-17a25124/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/melitasventures/

Alex Michealsen – Co- Founder & CEO, Leisure Hydration 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-michaelsen-35b395162/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/leisure-hydration/

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Show Links:

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• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
• Episode music by Super Fantastics