The LA Grind: Week of August 18th

Upcoming events, founder spotlight, venture deals, investment opportunities, and more.

Author

Justin Gordon
August 18, 2025

👋 I’m Justin. I run The LA Grind, host the Just Go Grind podcast, and scout for Headline. I’ve lived in LA since 2018, earned my MBA from USC (✌️), and I’m probably out running when I’m not writing this.

Thank you to everyone who has joined the LA Grind Club so far! We had our first two members-only events this past week and I’ll be adding more soon.

Today, we have our first Founder Q&A and I’d love to know what you think of the format.

Finally, as I plan more events, I’d love your feedback on the next ones below.

“Which LA Grind event would you most likely attend in the next month?”

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Let’s get to it.

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Upcoming Events

🌴 Upcoming Events I’m Hosting 🌴 

🗓️ August 19: Dawn Patrol. A morning founder event series focused on bringing together people and ideas that support startups on their journeys to raising capital. Thank you Prospera Law, BX Studio, and Keen for sponsoring!

🗓️ August 24: Startup Community Padel. ​This is a chance to learn the game, play a bit, and meet some startup folks. Co-hosting with Mike DeVerna and MACROFIT.

🗓️ August 26: Startup Community Mixer. We sold out all 60 tickets last month and we’re running it back! Thanks to our sponsors HPL Intellectual Property Law, Weinberger & Logan PC, and Keen!

🗓️ September 11: Rooftop Sunset Soirée. ​Join us for sunset drinks on a Venice rooftop with a curated group of founders, CEOs, investors, and media. Co-hosting with CapV, sponsored by Howdy, and looking for 1 or 2 more sponsors.

🗓️ September 24: Startup Community Mixer. Early-bird pricing is available. Thanks to our sponsors HPL Intellectual Property Law and A.J. Dorn.

🗓️ October 14: Curated Beachfront Dinner. Join us during LA Tech Week for an intimate evening connecting top founders and investors at a stunning private beachfront residence in Santa Monica. Thanks to Polsinelli and Relay Human Cloud for sponsoring! Room for 1 or 2 more sponsors.

This Week

🗓️ August 18: Bootstrapped Founders Meetup. Santa Monica. 6-8 pm.

🗓️ August 19: LA Health Tech Hang. Sawtelle. 6-8 pm.

🗓️ August 21: a16z speedrun AI Faire. Santa Monica. 9 am - 12 pm.

🗓️ August 21: Climate Techies Networking Event. East Compton. 4:30 - 7 pm.

🗓️ August 21: Design & Development Meetup No.14. Arts District. 6-10 pm.

🗓️ August 21: Pasadena Tech Happy Hour. Pasadena. 6-9 pm.

🗓️ August 23: Saturday Morning AI Launchpad. Palm Desert. 10am - 2:30 pm.

🗓️ August 24: Tech Picnic in the Park. Santa Monica. 11am - 2pm.

Want to submit an event for consideration in the next edition? Fill out this form.

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SetPoint Medical, a startup creating neuroimmune modulation implants to treat autoimmune conditions, raised $140M co-led by Elevage Medical Technologies and Ally Bridge Group.

Equatic, a startup developing a seawater electrolysis process to remove carbon dioxide while producing green hydrogen, raised an $11.6M Series A round co-led by Catalytic Capital for Climate and Health (C3H) and Kibo Invest.

Uncle Arnie’s, a THC and hemp-infused beverage brand, raised a $7.5M Series A co-led by Mindset Capital and Delta Emerald Ventures.

LawPro.ai, a legaltech startup using AI to streamline injury claims processing, raised a seed round led by Scopus Ventures.

Send any fundraising news for LA-based companies or funds, including your own, to [email protected].

For our first Q&A style Founder Spotlight we have Corey Weiss, who, with his co-founder Nicole Collins (Pictured above) is building 213Deli. Let’s get to it.

What's the backstory?

My co-founder Nicole Collins and I were part of the founding team at IPSY, and now we’re reimagining beauty shopping through 213Deli: a first-of-its-kind text-to-buy beauty experience built for people who love exclusivity, efficiency, and discovering what’s next. 213 is the original area code of Los Angeles and a deli is a place you can order something exactly the way you want and leave happy.

Tell me the story of how you got your first customer.

Our customer came via a "three legged stool" - our launch synchronized a press release, industry fitness event and creator partnerships. Our drops are highly curated and partnered with top beauty creators, beauty editors and celebrity MUA's in order to create instant trust and credibility.

How has the growth strategy evolved since then? What was one thing that worked surprisingly well to help you grow?

Believable, trustworthy creators convert the highest. IRL is back with a vengeance.

What's something most people either don't know or misunderstand about how businesses in your industry actually make money?

People are just learning about SMS Commerce and how it differs from SMS Marketing. Most people are pleasantly surprised how seamless it is to purchase via text.

Have there been any memorable "Oh shit" moments where you thought the whole thing might fall apart?

The elections last year was an "oh shit" moment. Politicians on both sides of the aisle were blowing up people's phones with text messages not only creating clutter but making it more difficult for us build trust.

What's one important part of the business model or strategy that you've changed your mind on since starting?

Not only can we build our own SMS service and community but we can offer it as a B2B service as well.

What was the last purchase of less than $1,000 that made a serious impact on your life?

I purchased several cans of spray paint to create art. When I paint my hands are occupied which means no devices and I can allow my mind to go in to deep thought.

What's your "retirement number" and why is it that? What are you planning to do with the money?

$10M. I will never officially retire. I have too many hobbies that turn into businesses. I am a giver so I will make sure to take care of my family and others. Also I am fiscally responsible so I have no debt.

What's one book that fundamentally formed your views on money, wealth, or investing, and why?

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. It offers a timeless message of achieving success through positive thinking and actionable principles.

What's a favorite under-the-radar spot in LA that you keep going back to (and why)?

Hidden Beach in Malibu. It is my mecca for all things personally, professionally, and spiritually.

What's one part of your life outside work that you're most proud of, and why?

I moonlight as a spin instructor. I am a life coach on a bike helping people achieve their personal, professional and fitness goals.

How'd you meet your spouse? And in what ways have they contributed to your success over the years?

I met my wife at an anti-Valentine's Day Party. She is my rock and it IS true that behind every great man is an even greater woman. I could not do life without her.

Featured Location

Élephante (Santa Monica). Beautiful ocean views. Italian vibes. As someone who grew up in Wisconsin, this is the type of place I imagined would be in California.

Fun Events

See you next week,

Justin

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