What if you could raise millions for your startup without giving up a single point of equity? For many scrappy entrepreneurs, non-dilutive funding feels like a complex, unattainable goal. But it doesn't have to be.

In this episode, host Véronique Peiffer sits down with Kate Montgomery, a grant writing expert who helped her company, Enspectra Health, secure millions of dollars in non-dilutive funding through federal grants. This conversation deconstructs the myths and strategies behind successful grant applications.

Kate shares her powerful framework of "Size, Probability, and Effort," reveals why most medtech founders look for money in the wrong place, and explains why getting rejected is often just the halfway point to success.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why thinking of funding as a linear "three-course meal" is a mistake, and how to mix funding sources effectively.
• The three-part framework to identify which grants are worth your time and which to ignore.
• Which government agency funds over 80% of medtech and biotech SBIRs.
• How to demystify the review process by understanding the three "reviewer personas."
• Actionable advice on what to do when your grant application is rejected.
• Kate’s #1 piece of advice for entrepreneurs on where they should focus their energy.

Resources Mentioned:

• Goldenrod Funding: https://www.linkedin.com/company/goldenrod-funding/
• The Scrappy Entrepreneur: https://veroniquepeiffer.com/

While this podcast usually features other people's perspectives, this week Véronique flips the script to share her recent guest appearance on the VentureWell Voices podcast.

Join Véronique as she recaps her conversation with host Christina Tamer, a mentor from her time in VentureWell's E-Team and ASPIRE programs. Unlike her previous guest appearance on 'First in Human' which focused on her personal and author stories, this discussion dives into the practical, "how-to" strategies that are central to her book, The Scrappy Entrepreneur.

Tune in to hear them discuss:

• Building a talented, motivated team on a shoestring budget.
• Managing the "administrative chaos" with a simple but powerful "compliance calendar".
• The crucial concept of "experiential ROI".

This episode will appeal to any founder looking for actionable advice that goes beyond the big vision and gets into the real, day-to-day work of building a company from the ground up.

Listen to the full conversation on the Venturewell Voices podcast here: https://venturewell.org/venturewell-voices-podcast/

Entrepreneurs with an exciting technology get endless advice on where to apply it. But when should you actually listen? In this episode, Blake Dubé, CEO of Aeronics (maker of Pawprint Oxygen), shares how his focus on human healthcare was transformed by a chance encounter with a veterinarian—leading him to pivot to the pet market and find clear product-market fit.

Blake also reveals why his company chose to stay scrappy after commercialization, including his counterintuitive approach to fundraising. Tune in for an insightful lesson on how to build a sustainable, mission-driven business by truly listening to your customers.

Have a pet or a veterinarian, or both? Check out Blake's company website: www.pawprintoxygen.com

Building a world-class team and culture is one of the hardest parts of a founder's journey, especially with limited resources. Corinne Landphere, who has coached countless entrepreneurs, distills 25 years of experience into actionable advice for building your company on a solid foundation of people and purpose.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why your company culture is ideally defined before you ever make your first hire.
• The concept of "work-life cadence" versus the myth of work-life balance in a startup.
• A practical framework for handling team members who aren't working out (and why a termination should never be a surprise).
• The single most common mindset struggle that holds early-stage founders back from becoming great leaders.

This conversation is an insightful lesson in the "soft skills" that will set you apart as a leader while building a successful company.

About The Scrappy Entrepreneur:

• Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Scrappy-Entrepreneur-Effectively-Innovation-Driven-Startup/dp/1637428502
• Learn More & Subscribe: veroniquepeiffer.com

What happens when a founder sits down with her co-founder, years later, to discuss what really happened?

In this special episode, host Véronique Peiffer is joined by her co-founder, Justin Huelman. Together, they have a candid conversation about the exhilarating highs of starting a company, the honest truth about navigating a co-founder transition, and the tough conversations that are rarely shared publicly. They also discuss how the "scrappy" experience of being a founder propels a career in a larger company.

If you've ever wondered what a co-founder partnership is truly like or want to hear the story behind the book "The Scrappy Entrepreneur" through a different lens, this episode is a must-listen.

In this special bonus episode, Véronique Peiffer shares a recommendation for another podcast where she was recently a guest.

She joined surgeon and storyteller David Hindin on his podcast, "First in Human," for a powerful conversation titled "The Hidden Condition That Inspired a Startup."

The discussion is a deep-dive into two scrappy journeys: Véronique's path co-founding her med-tech startup, and her journey to becoming an author.

If you've ever wanted to hear the full story behind the book "The Scrappy Entrepreneur", this is a must-listen.

Listen to "The Hidden Condition That Inspired a Startup" on:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hidden-condition-that-inspired-a-startup/id1842644737?i=1000735192512
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7JwY9F1CM2i6rSTbxZQj8b?si=3fmk2J12TQySYZZzCBqAhw

We'll be back soon with a new full-length episode of The Scrappy Entrepreneur!

About The Scrappy Entrepreneur:

• Buy the Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8CYvNWL
• Learn More & Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.veroniquepeiffer.com

In the series premiere, Véronique Peiffer, podcast host and author of The Scrappy Entrepreneur, sits down with Kate Garrett, a founder-turned-investor who has seen it all. As the founder of Ciel Medical (acquired by Vyaire Medical) and now a Managing Partner at Sonder Capital, Kate offers a rare 360-degree view of the startup world. Tune in to hear her candid insights on building a team on a budget, creating a financial model that actually works, navigating the unexpected aspects of entrepreneurship, and the hard-won wisdom that led to her company's acquisition. A must-listen for any aspiring or early-stage entrepreneur.