Jaysri is an Engineer, a Liberal Arts Major, and has an MBA from Oxford University. She is currently an early-stage venture investor in the UK, Career Coach at the University of Oxford, and a passionate podcaster. In the newest venture, The Close Call show helps you learn from others' crucial mistakes and pivotal decisions so you don't repeat the mistakes. The show brings to light ideas and tips from industry leaders, operators, founders and investors. #female founders #startups #fuckups #decision #collective wisdom Have stories to share, Fill 👉🏼https://forms.gle/zRme9qyZeqdL2Xf98
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25 recent
January 18, 2026Episode 532 min
#5 Secret to VC Interviews: with Vanesa Pazos, Partner NoBaCapital
Close Call x Career Talk with Vanes Pazos, partner at NoBa CapitalIn this conversation, we explore the following:1. Vanesa's journey into the world of VC from her long operator background 2. Career Pivots and how to really use #Networking to get in3. What separates good from great candidates in an interview process4. How to stay successful in the VC career5. How to deal with a portfolio problem or market disaster as a seasoned professional #customerconcentration6. VC Interview tips and candidate successOn the other hand, I help MBA students pivot into a career in VC.DM me here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysrithangam/---🎯 **Are you fundraising?**Late Seed - Series A | Traction - $1Mn in Rev , and substantial growth | B2B SAAS | Global from Day 1🎯 email at [**scout.flashpoint@gmail.com**]---✅ Want to be on the podcast? Fill this form:https://forms.gle/e2wBmxZGqdmEYaVY9
November 12, 2025Episode 1840 min
CC #18 | Split payments, GEN Z Behaviour, and Customer Research with Cino's CEO
Join us in this insightful episode as we sit down with Elena, the innovative mind behind Cino Payments, to explore the future of shared payments. Discover how Chino is transforming the way we handle money in relationships, making awkward financial conversations a thing of the past. From startup challenges to achieving viral success, Elena shares her journey and the lessons learned along the way. Tune in for a deep dive into the world of fintech innovation and the power of storytelling in building a brand. #FinTech #Innovation #StartupJourneyWebsite: https://www.getcino.com/*********************************************************** I help MBA students pivot into career in VC.DM me on Linkedin.***********************************************************🎯 Are you fundraising?Late Seed - Series A | Traction - > $1Mn in Rev , and substantial growth | B2B SAAS | Global from Day 1🎯 email at scout.flashpoint@gmail.com*********************************************************** ✅ Want to be on the podcast? Fill this form:https://forms.gle/e2wBmxZGqdmEYaVY9
October 6, 2025Episode 435 min
VC Talk #4: Operating partner, Ethics and training in VC, Ego
VC Talk #4: Conversation with Anieke Lamers, Operating Partner at Borski Fund, and Founder, The VC CoachIn this conversation, we explore the following:1. Anieke's journey in VC2. Standardisation of VC and career paths3. Politics and how to truly navigate them by finding what sparks Joy4. Value add as a VC5. Speaking your truth and how ot speak up to win deals.6. Anieke's coaching practice - https://thevccoach.com/**********************************************************I help MBA students pivot into career in VC.DM me on Linkedin.**********************************************************🎯 Are you fundraising?Late Seed - Series A | Traction - > $1Mn in Rev , and substantial growth | B2B SAAS | Global from Day 1🎯 email at scout.flashpoint@gmail.com**********************************************************✅ Want to be on the podcast? Fill this form:https://forms.gle/e2wBmxZGqdmEYaVY9
August 22, 2025Episode 337 min
CC X VC Talk #3: Space tech, Mastering Legal Docs & International compliance
VC Talk #3: Conversation with Avantika Gupta from Type One VenturesIn this conversation, we explore the following:Avantika’s journey from New Zealand to London, UKCareer Pivots and how they add up, Networking to get your foot inLearning on the job + taking on personal projects to grow into the next roleInvesting in frontier space and biotech, and dealing with international policy and conflictProfessionalising Management as the startup grows - Founder changes and exitStrategy to deal with tough conversations*********************************************************** I help MBA students pivot into a career in VC.DM me on LinkedIn.**********************************************************🎯 Are you fundraising?Late Seed - Series A | Traction - > $1Mn in Rev , and substantial growth | B2B SAAS | Global from Day 1🎯 email at scout.flashpoint@gmail.com********************************************************** ✅ Want to be on the podcast? Fill this form:https://forms.gle/e2wBmxZGqdmEYaVY9
June 26, 2025Episode 1731 min
Close Call #17: Cool & Poor, Ick & Rich, Data debt and gap in Femtech, Bio Hacking, Cycle Syncincg
Close Call #17: Conversation with Helene, Founder Wild.AI. She is an ex-quant trader, elite athlete, and founder of WILD.AI.She’s decoding women’s biology using AI and reimagining what strength really looks like.In this conversation, we explore the following:Helene’s mission: Making - Being a woman feel great!!! How women do a lot of unpaid work, and how Corporates / VC / the world expects women to do free work = conferences, panels, mentorship for free because they need to give back, be good, are just supposed to.The gendered terms and the bias that is inherent within us from - “Tom boys”, “being girly”, to a room full of “testosterone”.Building a fem tech company as a Mother of 2, and the data problem that exists in women’s health.Building a social media brand and strategies to build that into the main marketing channel or Direct distribution channelHow to pick the right platform for you?How to support more female founders and really stand up against the 2% funding gap stat!!How to handle investor meetings, board and stakeholders into amplifying your voice.Few Marketing concepts we discussed: #furtherreading pre validated contentPersonal brand strategy as a direct distribution channelFundraisingFem-tech founders and supportMotherhood and challenges**********************************************************Connect with me here: 🔗https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysrithangam/**********************************************************🎯 Are you fundraising?Late Seed - Series A | Traction - > $1Mn in Rev , and substantial growth | B2B SAAS | Global from Day 1🎯 email at scout.flashpoint@gmail.com**********************************************************✅ Want to be on the podcast? Fill this form: https://forms.gle/e2wBmxZGqdmEYaVY9**********************************************************💯 kick start your VC career - book your session Now!!https://topmate.io/jaysri_thangam
June 6, 2025Episode 222 min
VC Talk #2: Conversation with Lavanya Bhamidipati, Partner at Inhealth Ventures, Building a thesis, Taking risks, how to get a promotion as a VC, Mckinsey, LBS, Investor journey
VC Talk #2: Conversation with Lavanya Bhamidipati, Partner at Inhealth VenturesIn this conversation, we explore the following:Lavanya's journey from Mckinsey to LBS (India to London) and to investing in global health-tech. Being persistent in building a thesis, building conviction, and making the first investment Managing time to do side projects amidst a busy VC day Career progression - Lack of playbook and how to make authenticity a real toolBuilding your own style and voice to succeed as an investorLavanya's fascination with the "health and patient care" problem and global ambitionFramework to measure growth - a weekly and monthly tracker and much more. **********************************************************Connect with me here: 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysrithangam/**********************************************************🎯 Are you fundraising?Late Seed - Series A | Traction - > $1Mn in Rev , and substantial growth | B2B SAAS | Global from Day 1🎯 email at scout.flashpoint@gmail.com**********************************************************✅ Want to be on the podcast? Fill this form:https://forms.gle/e2wBmxZGqdmEYaVY9**********************************************************💯 kick start your VC career - book your session Now!!https://forms.gle/QBnMzj6K8E41KpBB6
May 18, 2025Episode 124 min
VC talk #1 : Conversation with Esha Vatsa, Partner at Mercuri VC, on getting the VC job, growing from Associate to partner, how to handle NOs in a job search
VC Talk #1: Conversation with Esha Vatsa, Partner at Mercuri vcIn this conversation, we explore the following:Esha’s journey into becoming an investorMoving geographies and shifting careers - India to UK | Consulting to InvestingRole of an Associate at an early stage fund - what to do, how to measure your progress, and what to prioritise for growth as you become a Principal How to deal with a port.co failure as a VCHow to handle NOs in a job search**********************************************************Connect with me here: 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysrithangam/**********************************************************🎯 Are you fundraising?Late Seed - Series A | Traction - > $1Mn in Rev , and substantial growth | B2B SAAS | Global from Day 1🎯 email at scout.flashpoint@gmail.com**********************************************************✅ Want to be on the podcast? Fill this form:https://forms.gle/e2wBmxZGqdmEYaVY9**********************************************************💯 kick start your VC career - book your session Now! ! https://forms.gle/QBnMzj6K8E41KpBB6
April 19, 202553 min
CC #16: Customer Delight, how to influence VCs, Creating Fomo, 3Mn Seed round
Close Call #16: Conversation with Anastasia Kuskova, CEO of BeSirius, an AI tool that is here to end the mess and headaches that come with sustainability reporting.In this conversation, we explore the following:Anastasia’s journey into Entrepreneurship from being a Top boss in a hurge corportation as an immigrantBuilding for the Metals & mining industry - as an insider that wants to disrupt and improve the status quo.The challenges and the advantages of building as an industry incumbentMastering Founder led sales - the life sauce of SartUps, especially ENTERPRISE SALES - Long and big contractsHow to define success in early days - movement vs progress for Customer DelightHow superhuman (the email tool) did it.Navigating a dull /bear fundraiasing market. Learning from Nos.The big hairy problem - MARKET SIZING - How to make it palatable for investors👉🏼 More information on their latest Seed Eur 3Mnhttps://www.besirius.com/manifesto?hsCtaAttrib=228178399470**********************************************************Connect with me here: 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysrithangam/Lets talk if you are raising: email at scout.flashpoint@gmail.comLate Seed - Series A | Traction - > $1Mn in Rev , and substantial growth | B2B SAAS | Global from Day 1**********************************************************✅ Want to be on the podcast? Fill this form:https://forms.gle/e2wBmxZGqdmEYaVY9💯 Work with me to get into VC #CareerCoachinghttps://forms.gle/QBnMzj6K8E41KpBB6 📽️ Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@Close-call-with-jaysri
April 2, 202531 min
CC #15 | Grant Funding Demystified for a SAAS business
Close Call #15: Conversation with, Phanos Hadjikyriakou, Co-Founder & CEO of 2050 Materials. The data layer for a sustainable built-world.In this conversation, we explore the following:Phanos’s journey into Entrepreneurship and finding a data problem to solve in the construction industryGrant Funding - how to approach it, apply for it, and stack with other funding methodsThe serendipity of building a custom use case becoming one of the fastest growing featuresHow to find the right investors for different stages of a company’s growth**********************************************************👉🏼 Know more about 2050 Materials https://2050-materials.com/**********************************************************Connect with me here: 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysrithangam/**********************************************************✅ Want to be on the podcast? Fill this form:https://forms.gle/e2wBmxZGqdmEYaVY9**********************************************************💯 Work with me to get into VC #CareerCoachinghttps://forms.gle/QBnMzj6K8E41KpBB6 **********************************************************📽️ Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@Close-call-with-jaysri
January 29, 2025Episode 1442 min
CC #14 | Lessons from FireUp: Pricing, Supply Chain, and Winning Customer Trust with Raghav Agarwal
Close Call #14: Conversation with Raghav Agarwal, Founder and CEO of FireUp, the company bringing the first major innovation to cast iron cookware in over a century.
Here’s what we dive into:
1️⃣ Raghav’s journey from completing an MBA at Oxford University to co-founding a company with a professor.
2️⃣ Dragons’ Den insights: Shooting the episode, crafting the high-energy pitch, and meeting the Dragons.
3️⃣ Building a *D2C brand* with a highly differentiated product and a personal story that resonates.
4️⃣ Lessons in supply chain management: Finding the right supplier or contract manufacturer to avoid disruptions.
5️⃣ The importance of *listening to your customers* to build loyalty, affection, and trust for a new brand.
6️⃣ Strategies for **pricing, product mix**, and scaling to a global consumer base.
7️⃣ How *trade shows and retailers* can help get your product in front of buyers.
This episode is packed with actionable insights and lessons for **founders**, **D2C entrepreneurs**, and anyone interested in the art of building an innovative brand.
👉🏼 Buy Fireup here: https://www.fireupcookware.com/
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Connect with me here: 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysrithangam/
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If you are a B2B Software business, raising Series A, 1 Million in Revenue - send your deck to scout.flashpoint@gmail.com.
I will getback to you for a chat, if there is a fit. I scout for Flashpoint
VC - More on my notion page:
https://closecallshow.notion.site/Abo...
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✅ Want to be on the podcast? Fill this form:
https://forms.gle/e2wBmxZGqdmEYaVY9
💯 Work with me to get into VC #CareerCoaching
https://forms.gle/QBnMzj6K8E41KpBB6
📽️ Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Close-call-with-jaysri
#Entrepreneurship #D2CBrands #StartupJourney #DragonsDen #Innovation #BusinessGrowth #CustomerLoyalty #SupplyChainManagement #GlobalScaling #TradeShows #FireUp #CastIronCookware #FounderLessons #CloseCallShow #BusinessStrategy #BrandBuilding #Global #india #madeineurope #castironcooking #cooking #biohacked #pans #pots #skillet #supplychain #value #fundraising #kickstarter #kickstarter #kickstarterproject #viralvideo #learning #education #entrepreneur #telegraph #rocketscience #oxford #mba #london #saidbusinessschool #alumni #businessschool #bschools
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