Serial entrepreneur Dmitri Love takes us behind the curtain of building three different tech companies, sharing both the triumphs and failures that have shaped his entrepreneurial journey.
From creating a marketplace that connected 60,000 off-duty firefighters with paying gigs (Hydrant) to developing a crypto investment platform that ultimately collapsed after the FTX scandal (Bundle), Dmitri doesn't hold back on the realities of startup life. His current venture, Peas, tackles the growing trend of couples managing finances separately while still needing tools to collaborate effectively – already attracting 14,000 users with its conversational AI approach.
The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Dmitri reveals what really happens on Shark Tank. His two-and-a-half-hour pitch was condensed to just minutes for television, with producers crafting storylines that might differ from reality while maintaining the genuine interactions between entrepreneurs and sharks. As he puts it, "what happened while I was there is not what was portrayed on the show."
Most compelling is Dmitri's perspective on the venture capital landscape in America's Heartland versus coastal tech hubs. Despite building cutting-edge technology companies, he notes that "100% of my investors have come from higher density areas" – not his home region of Northwest Arkansas. He articulates a crucial distinction: Silicon Valley investors back founders more than specific business models, understanding that even if a venture fails, talented entrepreneurs will build again. This mindset shift could transform regions looking to foster innovation ecosystems.
Whether you're a founder seeking investment, curious about AI applications for small business, or interested in the real story behind reality TV pitching, this episode delivers honest insights from someone who's lived the full spectrum of entrepreneurial experiences. Ready to learn how wolves and horses think differently about business? Listen now and share your questions for future episodes at bigtalkaboutsmallbusiness.com.