ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In Episode 067 of The Feedback Loop, we meet two determined startup founders pitching live – one tackling the loneliness epidemic among seniors, the other streamlining the chaos of youth sports scheduling for busy families.
First, we hear from Fernando Dellepiane, co-founder of Vermut, who’s building a community-based app designed to keep seniors socially active (community as medicine). Loneliness can be as devastating to health as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, and Fernando believes his solution can curb dementia risk while unlocking valuable data for insurers, banks, and public agencies. With over 100,000 users in Spain and several million dollars raised, he now sets his sights on the U.S. – but can Vermut’s European success translate across the Atlantic?
Next, we meet Zoya Lehrer, co-founder and CEO of Orgo, whose scheduling platform aims to tame the “accordion of time” for active families, starting with youth sports. The pain is obvious for parents juggling endless carpools and game schedules, but even Zoya acknowledges the challenges of changing user behavior, integrating with current calendaring tools, and building a startup in a space known for messy logistics. Will her approach to “logistics as a service” and partnerships open the door to bigger enterprise opportunities?
We explore:
• Social Isolation’s Real Health Impact: How Vermut hopes to prevent dementia by driving authentic, in-person social engagement – and the hurdles to winning over older Americans.
• The Ultimate Family Juggle: Orgo’s plan to coordinate countless tasks, from who's driving to when to leave and what to bring – all synced to the digital world parents already use.
• Monetization and Scaling: Both founders share how they plan to generate revenue while meeting real-world adoption hurdles – from shy seniors to time-strapped moms and dads.
• Hard Questions, Real Feedback: Tackling investor skepticism and cultural differences – can seniors in the Bronx embrace an app built in Barcelona, and will suburban families pay for scheduling peace of mind?
• The Reality of Behavior Change: Both founders face the hard truth that great ideas aren't enough. Winning adoption among older adults and overwhelmed parents demands frictionless design, emotional resonance, and relentless user trust.
Whether you're raising venture capital, are an investor yourself, or are an operator within a company in the tech industry, the cutting edge is the best place to learn. We highlight the stories of founders building startups on the edge.
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A big thank you to Fernando Dellepiane and Zoya Lehrer for stepping into the spotlight. The Feedback Loop is here to sharpen your pitch, refine your go-to-market strategy, and deliver real-world investor insights. Subscribe for more candid, actionable feedback for startups.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research before investing.
Connect with the Founders:
• Fernando Dellepiane (Vermut)
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