Adrian Alfieri

Founder @ Verbatim - Helping 100+ startups build content engines

Adrian Grant-Alfieri is a co-host of the Turning Pro Podcast, alongside Ben Sharf. The podcast focuses on personal and business growth, featuring insights from various founders and creators. It aims to uncover real-time lessons that can benefit listeners in their professional journeys.1 2

In addition to his podcasting role, Adrian Grant-Alfieri is associated with Verbatim, where he has taken on various responsibilities, including launching new content functions and participating in strategic planning.3 4 His background includes experience with Melitas Ventures and Private Co, indicating a strong foundation in entrepreneurship and business development.4

Overall, Adrian Grant-Alfieri appears to be an active figure in the entrepreneurial space, leveraging his podcast to share valuable insights while also contributing to his work at Verbatim.

Highlights

Nov 18 · twitter

Hyped to share a new pod with my good friend Ellis Fried - VP @ @VanterraC . 🎉

He's one of the sharpest emerging investors in New York - and has partnered with an incredible roster of startups like Superfiliate, Journey, and Mixlab, among others.

Critically - he brings a unique operator-turned-VC lens to every deal.

His story didn’t start in venture capital. He began his entrepreneurial journey in college, founding Smpl, a health-focused snack brand that landed in major retailers like Urban Outfitters and Bloomingdale’s.

When the pandemic forced him to close the business, he used that experience to forge a new path, applying what he learned to help other founders navigate similar challenges.

In the latest episode of Turning Pro Podcast, Ellis dives into his journey and the lessons he’s picked up along the way.

He talks about:

How he transitioned from founder to investor by tapping into his startup network.
Why operational experience makes investors better partners for founders.
The biggest mistakes founders make when fundraising—and how to avoid them.
How startups can thrive in today’s cautious funding environment by focusing on efficiency.

Key takeaways:

Empathy is an Edge: Ellis’s time as a founder gave him an inside look at how tough building a business can be. That perspective now drives how he supports other entrepreneurs.

Stay Flexible When Fundraising: In today’s market, rigid expectations around valuations and timelines can sink a round before it starts.

Running a Business is Complex: It’s more than partnerships and BD—it’s about mastering timelines, solving problems, and adapting to constant change.

Listen to the episode here:

YouTube: https://t.co/VeM1D5fc07

Spotify: https://t.co/x6DLViPtIV

Apple: https://t.co/nX5GqZAa5L

Don’t forget to subscribe to the pod to get notified when a new episode drops!

Nov 4 · twitter

We’re wrapping up season 2 of @turningpropod with a powerhouse episode and couldn’t ask for a better guest to help close out the season than @jordanweitz_23, co-founder of @Keychainhq.

Jordan joined @BenSharf and me to talk about how he turned a personal obsession with consumer products into an innovative marketplace connecting brands and manufacturers.

When Jordan saw firsthand how brands struggled to find manufacturers, he couldn’t let the idea go. He reached out to Oisin Hanrahan, and Umang Dua, former CEO and Chief Revenue Officer at Angie's List, and the response was a game-changer.

Together, they launched Keychain, which now saves brands months of time by matching them with manufacturing partners in minutes.

In this interview, we also reflect on:

Jordan’s “Turning Pro” moment of commitment to Keychain
Learning from co-founders who bring expertise to the table
Staying disciplined and healthy to handle the demands of startup life
Conquering fears about LinkedIn and owning his story

Some key takeaways:

Start with What You Know: Jordan’s experience with celiac disease turned out to be a blessing in disguise. After being diagnosed just before college, he had to meticulously examine food labels and understand what he was consuming—a practice that ignited a deep interest in consumer products. This experience not only fueled his passion for healthy, transparent food options but also laid the foundation for his future career in CPG.

Solve Real Problems: While working in private equity, Jordan saw firsthand how fragmented and outdated the process was for brands seeking manufacturers. His role allowed him to observe the inefficiencies within the industry: brands were relying on Google searches, attending trade shows, and hiring brokers to locate the right partners. This experience sparked the idea for Keychain.

Believe in Your Vision: Jordan’s “Turning Pro” moment happened with a single, bold Twitter DM. He reached out to Oisin Hanrahan, a seasoned entrepreneur and former CEO of Angie’s List, with his initial concept for Keychain, hoping for validation. To his surprise, Oisin responded positively, and that single message changed Jordan’s entire trajectory.

Listen to the full episode:

YouTube: https://t.co/w9BBWe2qzL Apple: https://t.co/lpMGK0ysDj Spotify: https://t.co/JexMskY9Ba

Thank you to everyone who supported us this season, and a big shoutout to @_ShipPlug for being with us on this journey!