Date: 2026-10-07 Source: Email “Rye Valley <> Mantis: Next Steps” (michael@ryevalley.co to jenali@mantisvc.com, steve@mantisvc.com) Prior context: Mantis VC: Jenali Mehta Expansion Call Booked Sept 23 (Megaphone + JOLT), Mantis Contract: Jeff Evans Renewal + Potential 3x Expansion
Signal
Jenali Mehta replied to Michael’s Oct 2 nudge: “Thanks Michael, Let me sync with Jeffrey and get back to you! Appreciate the bump.”
Business Fact
- Jenali responded positively. She is looping in Jeffrey Evans (the existing account holder) before confirming the Oct 9 call.
- This is a healthy sign: internal alignment is happening at Mantis before the close conversation.
- Oct 9 call is not yet time-confirmed. Jenali has not sent a calendar hold.
- Oct 22 renewal deadline for Jeffrey’s existing contract is 15 days out.
- Michael’s scope summary was due Oct 2; Jenali’s response came without referencing it, suggesting either she received it or the call is the venue for discussion.
Watch
- Jenali confirms Oct 9 time slot (or proposes a shift due to travel)
- Jeffrey Evans’s posture on expansion: does looping him in signal buy-in or hesitation?
- If no call confirmation by Oct 8, Michael should nudge again given the Oct 22 deadline
Update: 2026-10-12 - Oct 9 call never confirmed, 7 days of silence
Source: Email “Rye Valley <> Mantis: Next Steps”, Michael to Jenali Mehta and Steve O’Brien, Oct 12.
The Oct 9 call did not happen. Jenali’s last reply was Oct 5 (“let me sync with Jeffrey”); no time was confirmed and nothing has come back since. Michael re-nudged Oct 12 (“How’s your week looking?”). Renewal deadline is Oct 22, 10 days out, and Michael called the renewal “existential” in the Oct 12 Megaphone sync (see [Weekly] Megaphone Sync - Oct 12, 2026). Jeffrey is the internal champion. Deal at risk on timing: if Jenali has not replied by ~Oct 14, route through Jeffrey directly to get the closing call booked.
Update: 2026-10-13 - Oct 13 call slipped, Michael pushing for sync before Oct 22
Source: Email “Rye Valley <> Mantis: Next Steps” (Steve O’Brien to Michael, Oct 13; Michael reply)
A call was on the books for Oct 13, but Steve O’Brien dropped it same-day (dentist appointment). Michael replied asking to sync later this week: “Want to make sure we can move things forward before the 22nd.” Second missed slot in a row (Oct 9 never confirmed, Oct 13 cancelled). Renewal deadline Oct 22 is now 9 days out with no closing call booked. Still recommend routing through Jeffrey Evans if no time is locked by ~Oct 15.