RALEIGH – A new series by the Raleigh-based podcast and digital marketing firm Earfluence giving underrepresented entrepreneurs the chance to pitch their startups to a panel of venture capital firms is here.

Described as “a little like Shark Tank for the Triangle,” the podcast was recorded in early February – before social social distancing – with a total of 11 entrepreneurs pitching to a panel of local investors, including Keith Daniel, Resilient Ventures; Robbie Hardy, xElle Ventures; Tim McLoughlin, Cofounders Capital; Grant Williard, Angel Investor and CEO of JouleBug; and Donald Thompson, an angel investor.

Investors Donald Thompson, Robbie Hardy, Keith Daniel, and Tim McLoughlin. Credit: Fancy This Photography.

“The entrepreneurs were diverse, hungry, intelligent, and looking for an investor and network to help them chase their dreams,” said Earfluence CEO Jason Gillikin.

Eight entrepreneurs made the final cut and will share their pitches over eight episodes. They include Kate Goodwin from Kate’s Korner; Kristen Cleve-Mullins from Slice Pie; Steven Better from Home Lending Pal; Michael Lloyd from Num Num Sauce; Connor Strickland from Digi Home; Mike Vaggalis from Keepsake Tales; Naya Powell from Spa Utopia; and Dante Evans from WeMovv.

Kristen Cleve from Slice Pie; Credit: Fancy This Photography

Added Gillikin: “These founders were nervous but performed very well, and the investors came away impressed. It was so exciting to be in the room watching these startup entrepreneurs share their visions for the future of their companies. Listeners will have to tune in starting April 21 to find out more, but I’ll just say that some are now in due diligence.  Even in a worldwide pandemic, the Triangle startup community and these entrepreneurs cannot be held back.”

To listen to the trailer and to subscribe to the show, you can visit this website or go to Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts.

Casting call: New Shark Tank-like podcast is looking for underrepresented entrepreneurs