# #237 - Inside Founders & Funders with Alex Michaelsen from Leisure Hydration and Alex Malamatinas from Melitas Ventures

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-02-24
- Length: 40m
- Episode: 263
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-02-24-237-inside-founders-funders-with-alex-michaelsen-from-leisure-hydration-and-alex
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/e87c25ab

## Summary

Alex Michaelsen, founder and CEO of Leisure Hydration, and Alex Malamatinas, founder of Melitas Ventures, discuss the Founders & Funders event, a curated gathering of 70 VCs and 160 brands. They detail the event's format of 10-minute speed-dating meetings and panel discussions, emphasizing the importance of in-person connections over digital decks. Michaelsen outlines his 'CPG triangle' framework—focusing on margin, velocity, and cash flow—while Malamatinas highlights how founder charisma and clear vision can overcome limited early-stage traction. Both guests offer tactical advice on pitching, including leading with contribution margin and interviewing investors to tailor the conversation.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Alex Michaelsen (Leisure Hydration) and Alex Malamatinas (Melitas Ventures)
2. Event Format: 70 VCs, 160 Brands, and 600+ One-on-One Meetings
3. The One-Pager Booklet: Pre-Event Curation and Efficiency
4. Founder Pitch Strategy: Interviewing Investors and Leading with Numbers
5. The CPG Triangle: Margin, Velocity, and Cash Flow Management
6. Margin Deep Dive: Product vs. Gross vs. Contribution Margin
7. Panel Insights: Hot Deals, Trends, and Deal Terms 101
8. Building Investor Relationships: The Long Game and Trust
9. Feedback and Future: Wildcards, Socials, and The Startup CPG Roadshow

## Topics

- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Leisure Hydration (company)
- Melitas Ventures (company)
- Magic Spoon (company)
- Ollipop (company)
- a la Pop (company)
- nom (company)
- Dose (company)
- Amara (company)
- Whole Foods (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Startup CPG (company)
- Founders & Funders (other)
- The Startup CPG Roadshow (other)

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- [Advice Line with Eric Ryan of Method returns](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-04-23-advice-line-with-eric-ryan-of-method-returns) (How I Built This)
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- [S1 E7: Level Up Your Hardware Product Pitch with Haje Kamps](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2023-06-27-s1-e7-level-up-your-hardware-product-pitch-with-haje-kamps) (The Builder Circle)
- [Advice Line with Christina Tosi of Milk Bar](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-06-11-advice-line-with-christina-tosi-of-milk-bar) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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