I REALLY enjoyed the episode about Kavitta Ghai and Nectir’s accomplishments. What an amazing story! I would love if you did more founder profiles and success stories. Very inspiring!

I’ve been with The Pitch since the beginning, enjoying the sounds of the pitch room and the excellent follow-up interviews. The shift in recent years, however, has tempered my entertainment. The Pitch Fund has always felt ethically dicey, as even though “no offer to invest is being made,” Josh is even more “super-pumped” and “amped” and fanboys out, almost drooling over certain founders. There is much more positive coverage of these companies and less criticism, in part because the fund is investing in them. The pitches themselves have become almost exclusively AI-based, leading to some rather drab and repetitive episodes. Then you have the addition of Lisa as a co-host, which has been a misfire. She doesn’t have a voice for radio, and the husband/wife podcast intros and outros tend to be overly cutesy with canned laughter. Every show evolves and I applaud The Pitch for adapting to a new landscape, but the new direction has led to tiresome episodes that no longer draw me in.

This episode of The Pitch, “LIVE in NYC: 3 Startups, 3 Investors, 15 Minutes to Invest” (March 18, 2026), is exactly why the show stands apart in a crowded field of startup content. The live NYC format adds real stakes, real energy, and most importantly, real accountability. You can feel the tension in the room in a way that edited studio episodes can’t quite replicate. It’s not a performance; it’s actual decision-making under pressure. What makes this one special isn’t just the format, it’s the people. And Amaka, in particular, is a standout. She brings a level of clarity, composure, and conviction that immediately separates her from the pack. There’s no fluff, no over-rehearsed founder-speak, just a sharp, grounded understanding of the problem she’s solving and why it matters. You can hear the confidence, but it’s earned confidence, not posturing. That’s rare. More importantly, she handles the investor questions like someone who actually runs the business, not just pitches it. Direct answers. No dodging. No rambling. When she doesn’t know something, she doesn’t try to fake it, and that paradoxically builds more trust. That’s the kind of founder investors bet on. The episode as a whole also benefits from the tighter time constraint. Fifteen minutes forces everyone, founders and VCs, to cut through the noise. The result is sharper questions, more honest reactions, and a much clearer view into how real investment decisions get made. Josh and Lisa do a strong job of keeping the pacing tight without overproducing it. They let the moments breathe when they need to, especially when things get tense or uncertain. Bottom line, this is one of the best episodes of The Pitch I’ve heard. The live format works. The stakes feel real. And Amaka delivers a performance that’s not just impressive, it’s investable. If this is the direction live shows are heading, they should do more of them.

And listen regularly. Question why does anyone want to listen to a housewife’s opinion on venture and startups? Dudes wife adds no value and her voice…

I can’t say that I can fully understand what the issue was with the investors and not wanting to invest. But some of my take away from their comments was a little disturbing. I guess uncomfortable. Because as an entrepreneur myself a soprano, I can relate to just starting out taking your time, but not wanting to fall behind on your paperwork to run the business. Having an attitude and wanting a business is not all you need to have a business. The business is the paperwork. It is the taxes. It is the revenue. It is the data. It is not what you sell. It is not what you Service. With that being said if that is not your strong point, you can’t afford to pay somebody to do what you’re not good at doing and what your weaknesses are. As a entrepreneur there’s no way that you can deem someone has to be multiburst and everything. It takes to run a business. And only have product for people who can afford it. Because the people can afford it maybe they come from a different background maybe they have someone who invested in them. Everybody has somebody and everything can’t be for the person who has it all together. Some of the comments were really disorienting. And as a matter of fact, my coaching is for the early entrepreneur to recognize who they are as a person first before you get into business. And recognize your strengths and weaknesses and what you can’t afford to do then maybe you should slow down and take your time to save the money for it. But $200 off the bat. to pay for a QuickBooks is too much money for an entrepreneur to come up with when you have so many other expenses and especially if that’s not a strong point you’re gonna fall behind and some people in business are good at ideas. some people are good at Customer Service are better administrative than they are at being at the front end. It’s about knowing who you are and finding things to compensate for your week area. But that doesn’t mean that everything should go to the highest bidder and if you can’t afford anything, you shouldn’t be in business. If they can make food for people who are less fortunate at a lower price than this should be investing tools for entrepreneurs who can’t afford it at the top price. There should be something for everybody

I have listened to several seasons of the show and never miss a pitch but I have one pet peeve that makes this a 4 star review. The “aftermath” show that gives you a view of what happened is WAY too divorced in time from the season’s pitches. It used to be done at the end of every episode and was really important to understanding the process - but now it’s done all in one program at the end - divorced from the context and the pitch. Go back to the old format - please!

I absolutely love this show and haven’t missed an episode! However, the amount of up speak on each episode is a bit distracting. I hope it’s not just me that feels this way lol.

Used to be an interesting show, the nativity of the host relative to the VC world created a nice juxtaposition. Now the team (and essentially the pitch fund) seem to be drinking their own koolaid and are basically come across as VC wannabes. The FranShares episode was the jump the shark moment whereby the host and VC’s seem to have no critical pushback to what was obviously a soft-ponzi. At this point it feels as though the Pitchfund haven’t met a business they don’t want to invest in- the emphasis clearly went from storytelling to prioritising investment opportunities. Yawn.

I tried to listen tot eh finale but couldn’t get invested in any story cause I forgot all of the characters. Love the OG show. Please go back to the format, I can’t do this new one. Please!!

I didnt like waiting months for a single episode to conclude. Please revert to finishing each episode when it airs the first time. Im not even sure Ill listen to finale because Ive forgotton everyone pitching!

I love that we get to hear an almost 30 minute conversation between the investors and the entrepreneur. Interesting companies and valuable learnings for those of us who love the startup world. However, I’ve stopped listening since the new format was introduced. Waiting months to hear the conclusion isn’t exciting- it’s unfulfilling.

I’ve only listened for two seasons and love the show but the format this season is super annoying. They end on a cliffhanger to find out what happens and then (I think) we’re supposed to tune in months later for an update? Other than that the show is great and fun to hear how VCs think.

Been a great show, followed since the beginning and then through gimlet. Now waiting for one final season conclusion is just a dumb idea lost this listener.

Used to like the show but not a fan of the cliffhangers in the latest season. The best part of the show was hearing the whole outcome in one episode. Hope the format will be fixed.

Love the show, but one of the beauties of it is getting full cycle from pitch to funding with the follow up story all in one episode … these Cliff Hangers are killing me lol

This started off as a great show, but is now losing its way. No longer do you get a follow up of what happens after the pitch.

I’ve been a listener since the early Gimlet days, so it saddens me to have to post this, but who’s idea was it to make every S12 episode incomplete? You will have to wait until December to hear the conclusion of each episode. Talk about a memory context switch. I hate this shameless teaser stunt and sure hope it doesn’t catch on in the podcast world. #unsubscribe

Great podcast, great content but really dislike the new format saving the outcomes until the finale. Part of the sparkle of the Pitch was hearing a pitch all the way through and the outcome in the same episode. As a non business person this format provided insight to what made a pitch good or made it fizzle. It was inspiring, even made me want to buy products pitched. Now, there is little chance I will remember months old pitches during the finale. Having listened since the first season very disappointed the show decided to change the magic.

I suppose they must have market research or something for their new (2024) format, so I’m probably an outlier, but I hate saving the investment/due diligence outcome for a wrap-up show months in the future, where I will probably not remember details of the episode, none of which are so gripping that I want to keep them in my brain for the intervening months. I’ve listened to every season, but every episode of the new season just leaves me annoyed so I’ll probably unsubscribe.

Great episode listening to the full pitch, unedited! Totally great hearing all the details and makes the founder more impressive being able to handle all those questions that are non sequential, in real time. Good practice for founders to hear the line of questions in true, full speed. Also, since you you have 100+ episodes, and significant breaks between each season, you can do full length re-releases to engage audience between seasons. Or even during seasons when you need to extend out. Guy does this very well with “How I Built this”. Love the show! Glad you are back. Been with you since Season 1!

I just binged every single episode of this show in about 1 month. I was listening to it constantly and could not stop. Really great investors. Very educational. Makes me feel like so much more prepared in my own business ideas and endeavors. Would greatly recommend to anyone thinking about how to think about business or if you are going to be pitching business ideas to people, especially if they might invest. Josh’s jokes are sometimes pretty cringe but in an endearing way. Im sad that I caught up to the current episode and don’t have more to binge.

My daughter has started a baking business and was on Food Network's Kids Baking Championship. Listening to these pitches is helping her understand why it is so important to know her numbers for when she wants to expand her current business or one she creates in the future. Thanks to all the founders out there!

Not a business person but I still find this show super interesting, and the stories that come after the pitch make it feel more personal

There are aspects that I both like and dislike about the new format. I like the input from the investors and I think many people would find it valuable. I also like that it differs from Shark Tank in that there is more help given not tied to money, just investors that want founders to succeed. The parts I don’t like are that the pitches don’t really explain the companies that well and also I don’t like the host. Im not sure if it’s the editing or what but most of the time I don’t fully understand what the company even does. It would be much more helpful for people who are interested ir there was an intro that explains exactly what the company does, who it’s customers are and if it’s profitable or not. Second the host talks like he’s a kid just listening to adult conversations. The pitch has been going for many years. At this point Josh should be able to provide some valuable feedback to the pitches himself instead of fan girling on every founder. Please be more professional!

I am so impressed with the way you bought your podcast back from Spotify and are reinvigorating it in a new way going forward. Like many listeners, I really missed The Pitch and I’m excited it is back and even better!

I have absolutely no interest in this crap, especially from a news organization.

Please stop with the too loud overdramatic background music during the pitches, it’s so distracting and just makes it hard to listen to.

This Is a great show however, it shows a lack of opportunity for black start up businesses. This is just a continuation of capitalism and not really given opportunities to black owed business. It’s hard to believe that no black on businesses apply for the show.

No need to literally just recap what was said intermittently throughout the episodes, it’s repetitive and loses my interest

I can’t express how excited I am that The Pitch is coming back! This more than almost anything makes me feel like things are finally returning to normal since 2020.

Re-listening to old pitches is nice but getting new ones is even better. Good luck!

Like others, this show was part of what has inspired me to become an entrepreneur. It provides examples, business insights, strategic advice… a lot of wisdom packed into every episode. Excited for the new season.

So happy to hear the pitch is coming back — I really missed it!!!

One of the best business/entrepreneur-oriented shows out there. So entertaining and educational :)

I would love to hear more food startups to.

Honestly, I would give five stars but the Morgan and Morgan parts between episodes are absolutely annoying.... I skip through every time. On a side note! I would love the opportunity to pitch my start-up for n the show!

Love the podcast, but there’s been so much emphasis lately on entrepreneurial “diversity”. Please get back to business and away from victim hood and identity politics. Everyone that isn’t a “white male” gets coddled, as a person of color I must say it’s a little patronizing at this point.

Always both entertaining and informative, highly recommend!

Really enjoy the structure of this. It’s exceeded expectations. Very helpful being a fly on the wall and hearing the pitches and entrepreneurs that get cash, and comparing them to the ones who don’t.

If the founder Kevin can afford his two kids go to private high school this year, then why he can’t afford a developer to turn on the pay wall following apples requirements.

Great show, concise episodes with varied companies and founders. But it seems like the investors never actually go for it! It’s frustrating

Absolutely love The Pitch. If you enjoy Shark Tank, you will definitely like this show. I love the check ins, both at the end of the episode and in later episodes. I never miss an episode.

If your remotely interested in learning more about or starting a business, this is the podcast for you! This team casts a wide net around the start-up experience, from before the pitch room (concept stage) to after revenue generation, they truly uncover all of the various nuances companies face along their journey.

The Pitch is one of my favorite podcasts. I love the authentic view of the entrepreneur, VCs, and the pitch. It’s everything you hope for watching tv shows like Shark Tank, but without the taint of network tv.

This show was made for you. I work in education, but have always been interested in the the path of entrepreneurship. I really enjoy listening to this podcast. I do wish it offered more episodes with female guests.

This is one of the few podcasts I enjoy listening to. It’s fun to hear new ideas and how investors react. The host is great and it’s an all around great podcast. After hearing an ad on Spotify, I had to listen and it was a great decision!

This podcast is perfect to help entrepreneurs avoid some of the pitfalls when dealing with VC. I love that in the discussions the VC gives alternative ways to raise funds and suggestion(on product improvement or marketing, pricing etc.) if the company is too earlier.

Aside from every once and a while an investor putting in $25k, they always “pass” on the entrepreneurs. Otherwise a solid show, but what’s the point if they don’t put their money where their mouth is?!

So entertaining and informative

The interaction between the entrepreneurs delivering their pitch and the investors is extremely interesting to listen to but the snarky comments made by the host really detract from any otherwise solid show.