Klondike | August 29th, 2025
A newsletter about niche industries for soon-to-be-founders.
Today’s edition includes a teaser of interviews with founders, some recent vTech raises, and what’s helped me get better at cold calling.
Soapbox
I interviewed a range of vTech founders this past week. The conversations ranged: I learned why building a Porsche 911 and software are similar; got a surprise voice cameo from an NHLer in another; and even met with a Canadian reindustrializing America.
Over the coming weeks I have more conversations with founders in Dental, Managed Service Providers, Fisheries, Fashion, Community Banking, and more.
I’m recording and editing each conversation using Riverside and plan to share clips soon.
Stay tuned.
Raises That Caught My Eye
Augmodo (Retail, $37.5M, Series A Round): A software + hardware to track inventory and tasks in stores. Basically, a badge with eyes. Would be a great plot point if Employee of the Month ever got a sequel. Read about their raise here.
August Health (Healthcare, $29M, Series B): Electronic Health Records for senior care homes. People used to grow old and tell stories; now they grow old and generate data. Progress? Maybe. Read about their raise here.
D-Tools (Electronic Systems Contractors, $12M, Series C): Software to help run companies that install other companies’ software. Soon, there’ll be software for the companies making software for companies installing other companies’ software. Read about their raise here.
Metaimpact (Non-profit, $5M): Helps social impact organizations measure and manage their outcomes. Now, charities can prove they’re helping instead of just saying they’re helping. Read about their raise here.
Waterly (Utilities, $4M, Series A): Tools to manage water and wastewater systems. It’s literal shit software. Read about their raise here.
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Join the Waitlist for a database of all vTech companies. When live, you’ll be able to segment it by founding year, capital raised, investors, and vertical.
What I’ve Been Learning: Cold Calling
I’ve been honing my cold calling the last 5 months. It feels like it’s hard to become great at, but it’s straightforward to become competent.
I imagine most people avoid making calls because it feels uncomfortable. But really, it’s just a conversation. Worst case, you get yelled at by a stranger. So what.
Watching others make calls helped me stop overthinking how I should sound:
Cavin Sherman and Micah Vu are in the middle of a 30 Days of Cold Calling series. If either misses a daily post, they owe the other $10,000. See Day 8 posts here and here. Their videos show how to use a relaxed tone and basic language within a call.
Trent Dressel does live cold calling sessions on YouTube. His 50 call block is a great example of what consistency looks like and how to stay positive when people don’t pick up.
Coming Up
Next Klondike comes out Friday, September 12th. You’ll get more raises, plus clips from my founder chats.
Let me know what stood out to you by leaving a comment on Substack.
See you next time,
David