PNR Monthly - August

featuring Ethan B, upcoming marathons, pitch & SKI ⛷️

Kat O’Brien & Dorothy Chau
September 03, 2024

PnR Monthly - August 2024

Q&A with Ethan Blauner

Q: How did you learn about/get involved with Pitch and Run?

A: I heard about PNR through Vinay Chadha, who thought I could really benefit and would enjoy being part of a community of fellow entrepreneurs.

Q: Tell us about your NYC ties/life/connections.

A: I was born and raised in NYC. I lived in Manhattan for about 2 or 3 years before moving to the Bronx and growing up in the town of Riverdale. I had an incredible childhood within a safe and vibrant neighborhood and community and NYC has always been home to me.

Q: What are some favorite memories from Pitch and Run or favorite things you’ve gained from PnR?

A: One of my favorite memories was recently during Tech Week where hundreds of founders and entrepreneurs came out and joined PNR for the Friday run. It was a great turnout and such a positive atmosphere.

Q: What’s something people might not expect to get from PNR?

A: One thing people might not expect to get from PNR is a network of people who genuinely want the best for one another. We are all rooting for each other, even those of us in what could be considered competing industries or businesses.

Q: For those who don’t know, what do you do for work? Tell us about your company/role.

A: I am the Co-founder and Chief Community Officer of Sid’s Gym. We are a small technology driven boutique gym in Chelsea that utilizes a first of its kind treadmill and delivers an extremely powerful workout experience both mentally and physically.

Q: What’s it been like opening a gym in NYC? What advice would you have for others, whether in same sector or just launching something new?

A: It has been a wild journey. I was actually working on the project with my dad (his name is Sid) and he died about one week before we planned on opening. While I thought deeply about giving up, I knew this was an important project for me to work on and keep my mind busy during an otherwise traumatic point in my life. I am so grateful for my support system and all of the people who helped and continue to help me through this experience. My advice for anyone looking to go after their dreams is to be specific in what it is you want, and go for it. It will be harder than you think but anything worthwhile is not easy. I always relate it back to fitness and how hard it is to stay disciplined in that area.

Q: What’s something that might surprise people about you?

A: I am naturally not a great athlete at all. I was arguably the most unathletic member of most of the teams I was on growing up. However, I have always had a strong mindset and desire to overcome any of my weaknesses and do whatever it takes to be better.

Q: Are you training for any races?

A: Yes. I am currently training for the NYC marathon which will be my first marathon ever. I am raising money for an amazing organization called Steve’s Camp which sends inner city children to an all expenses paid sleepaway camp for 12 days in the Catskills. For anyone who would like to donate, I would greatly appreciate it. Donate HERE!

Q: What are some favorites of yours in NYC? Could be anything, from vibes of people to neighborhood to coffee shop to something cultural?

A: My favorite part about NYC is by far the people. Any block you walk on is filled with so many different people from all walks of life and yet it all flows seamlessly together. Everyone is filled with endless stories and yet we all somehow ended up on this island together. This city is electric and its directly related to the amazing people who inhabit this place we call home.

Q: What’s on deck for you in the rest of 2024?

A: Marathon training, business building and learning how to be an artist.

🚀 Product Updates

💫 60k sign ups in 5-weeks for Headstarter’s 7-week accelerator! They’re looking for founders who are hiring to come to a tour and/or 10min fireside chat. Reach out to Yasin to hire an awesome full-stack or ai engineer hire or intern after!

💫 As preparing for my series A, I am looking to diversify the perspectives of my board and looking for a seasoned CEO. High-level ideal details is a CEO that has taken a tech/life science company from early stage to institutional size with a successful exit. Additionally, this ideal person is a woman in NYC. This is an executive chair role for our board. Reach out to Jonathan.

🏃‍♀️ RUNNING NEWS - Marathon Edition

[Sept 29] 🇩🇪 Berlin Marathon - Vinay
[Oct 27] 🇺🇸 Marine Corps Marathon - Norman
[Nov 3] 🍎 NYC Marathon - Kevin, Anne Marie, Dorothy, Spencer, Vinay, Yasin, Alberto, Zeke, Yasmin, Dan, Elizabeth, Kendel, Lori, Virginia, Yasmeen, Dustin, Oleg, Karen, Logan, Nihal, Matt Restivo, Sean, Avantika, Ethan, Gael
[Dec 1] 🇪🇸 Valencia Marathon - Elena

🗞️ MORE NOTEWORTHY

⛷️ Stoked to announce Pitch and Ski this upcoming February! PeakRankings, is partnering with PNR to bring you this epic Utah ski trip.
We will be hosting a group of 12 founders and VC representatives in a fully-stocked Utah mansion for an unforgettable weekend. Sign up for world-class skiing/snowboarding, off-slopes activities, and great times.
- Dates: 2/7/25-2/10/25 (Friday to Monday)
- Resorts: Snowbasin for Day 1, Snowbird for Day 2, Brighton OR Alta for Day 3
- Recommended Pass Product: Ikon Pass or Mountain Collective (message Sam for more details on the exact product to get)
- Lessons and Rentals: We can help coordinate these if you need.
- Prices (all inclusive of accommodation, rental cars, and groceries)
  •⁠ ⁠Shared room single: $795
  •⁠ ⁠⁠Shared room double: $895
  •⁠ ⁠⁠Private room: $1,995
  •⁠ ⁠⁠$100 discount for rental car drivers
- Sign up HERE 🎿
I shut down my previous company Unload AI focused on building an AI Integration Engineer after validating the tech is not there yet to solve the problem of system integrations. I am currently figuring out what's next for me. While I'm in this transitional phase of validating new ideas, I'm staying sharp by taking on select AI-related projects. If someone from the group needs help with AI/ML product strategy or building, I am open to help out! LI:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/filip-michalsky/
AUSTIN EVENT [Sept 6] VC RODEO 🤠
Sid’s gym PnR exclusive code PITCHIT for your first class! Join us every Wednesday morning 9am 🌝
Order your Pitch and Run gear

🍎 NYC EVENTS

[Tues @ 7:30am] Prospect Park
[Wed @ 7:30am] Williamsburg
[Thurs @ 7:30am] Early Bird Series
[Sept 10 @12pm] Bootcamp: From First Round & how to win from there
- 2nd event also for early founders
- 45min works fine: 30min for outline, + 5-10min Fidelity Demo + Q&A
- Topics
  - Early Stage Fundraising (pre seed to seed)
  - Safe Note Vs Convertible Vs. Priced equity
  - Cap Table - Managing your Equity (OK)
  - Evaluating Growth after fundraising (Hiring x scaling )
  - Long Term vs Short term mentality in equity / employee stock incentives
- Reach out to Wilson for more details
[Sept 18] BBVC Presents: "Let's Talk Scale" powered by SPANVentures Learn more HERE
[Oct 16] Founder’s Basketball 🏀