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Investor Connect Podcast


Investor Connect is for investors interested in learning more about investing in startup and growth stage companies. Experienced investors share their experiences and advice with those who are considering an investment into startups and growth companies. It includes a podcast series of interviews with investors to inform others about the process of funding startups as well as a resource list and a discussion board.  

Topics include sourcing, analyzing, and researching companies. Other topics include valuations, terms Sheets, board of directors, board of advisors, due diligence, syndicates, venture capital, angels, angel networks, family offices, crowdfunding, exits, and more.

Investor Connect is a community program. We welcome your suggestions for speakers and topics which you can send to us through the Contact page. No registration is required to use the resources.  Discussion boards are available to post and answer questions about startups and growth company investing through which registration is required.

Investor Connect is a program under the Texas Open Angel Network which is a 501(c3) non-profit dedicated to the education around startup funding.

Disclaimer: Hall T. Martin is the Director of Investor Connect which is dedicated to the education of investors for early stage funding. All opinions expressed by Hall and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of Investor Connect. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.

Jun 28, 2022

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes William Glass, CEO and Co-founder at Ostrich, and Host of The Silicon Alley Podcast.

Headquartered in New York, New York, Ostrich has built a financial fitness app for low and middle-income families who need a simple way to start improving their finances in order to live happy and fulfilling lives. What makes the Ostrich app unique is the experience addresses the psychological hurdles that prevent people from taking action to improve finances; using social accountability and gamification to encourage actions. It's a similar approach to Strava and Noom in the fitness and weight-loss space.

Ostrich sells annual subscriptions on a per-user basis to companies who provide the app as a benefit to their employees or communities. Ostrich graduated from AARP's accelerator program at the end of 2021 where AARP is now a strategic investor and partner. To date, 80% of their early adopters are on track to achieve their financial goals, 1,000 pre-launch sign-ups, and they have 3 pilot partners going live in Q2 of 2022.

Currently, Ostrich has raised or committed $186k on a SAFE led by AARP with the founders bootstrapping the company up until January of 2022. In March of 2022, Ostrich won first prize at the Rollins Venture Plan competition which included a $50k grant.

In the Silicon Alley podcast, you’ll hear from a variety of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and top performers about their journeys and personal finances. From seasoned entrepreneurs who have sold companies for $330 Million to Silicon Valley Venture Capitalists returning billions of dollars to 21-year-old YouTubers earning 6 figures, the Silicon Alley Podcast is a must-listen. You’ll come away both inspired and with actionable advice you can apply to your own business and life.

William witnessed his parents get divorced because of money. They couldn’t agree on basic financial goals or communicate, and the stress was too much. 15 years later, both are still picking up the pieces. William’s background is in software sales leading sales teams at Gartner and opening up a new vertical for an AI startup, Remesh.

Prior to founding Ostrich, Will was recruited by Remesh, a former client, to build out their consulting vertical and worked with firms such as McKinsey, Booz Allen, BCG, and PwC. While at Gartner, Will led sales teams that sold to c-suite executives of tech startups from pre-revenue to $250M in revenue. He was a top performer achieving Winner’s Circle every year at Gartner.

In 2014, Will was awarded a Fulbright scholarship through the U.S State Department where he taught English in rural Thailand for 14 months. He has his B.A. in International Relations from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL. Will is originally from Alabama and now resides in Queens, New York.

Visit Ostrich at https://getostrich.com/, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/theostrichapp, and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/theostrichapp

Listen to The Silicon Alley Podcast at www.siliconalleypodcast.com

Reach out to Will at william@theostrichapp.com, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/williampglass3/, and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/williampglass3/.  

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