In this engaging conversation, Andrew Turner interviews Benjamin Felt, the Founder and CEO of Strain Vaults, following his recent victory at the Cornwall Slush'D 2025 pitch competition. They discuss Benjamin's journey as a startup founder, the challenges he faced while pitching, and the innovative solutions his company offers in the microbial marketplace. The conversation also touches on the importance of feedback, the role of mentorship, and Benjamin's future plans for Strain Vaults as he navigates the startup landscape.

Takeaways

- Benjamin Felt won the SLUSHD pitch competition.

- Strain Vaults aims to revolutionize the microbial marketplace.

- Pitching can be a daunting experience for new founders.

- Feedback from peers can significantly improve presentations.

- Imposter syndrome is common among startup founders.

- The importance of storytelling in pitching.

- Building a strong network is crucial for startup success.

- Mentorship plays a vital role in navigating challenges.

- Future plans include attending major startup conferences.

- Strain Vaults is focused on driving innovation in biotech.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:59 The SLUSHD Experience

05:57 Understanding Strain Vaults

08:55 Pitching Challenges and Success

11:49 Feedback and Improvement

14:48 Future Plans and Opportunities

Links

https://www.strainvaults.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-felt-63a32a243/