Smart Venture Podcast

Mark Rostick is a Vice President & Senior Managing Director located in Raleigh, NC. He is a voting member of Intel Capital's investment committee. He joined Intel Capital in 1999. Mark also co-manages our Cloud domain investment activities and portfolio. He has deep investment experience in cloud applications, infrastructure hardware and software, as well as AI/ML. As a member of Intel Capital's Investment Committee, he is responsible for approving investments proposed by Intel Capital investors, as well as managing the group's personnel and operations. Mark currently serves as a director or observer on the boards of Beep, RunPod, Hypersonic, Immuta, Lilt, MinIO, Opaque Systems, Tetrate, and Verta. Prior to Intel, Mark worked as a practicing attorney and in banking.   You can learn more about:   How to invest in the top AI/ML companies How to build a successful career in corporate venture The evolving landscape of enterprise software investments   #IntelCapital #VentureCapital #TechInvestment #CloudComputing #AI #ML   ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG ===================== Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.  

Puneet Agarwal brings a strong mix of operational and investment experience to his partner role at True. He began his career as a product manager at CrossWorlds Software, an early startup focused on software integration, which was sold to IBM. He then spent time in technology investment banking at J.P. Morgan and later in venture capital at the Mayfield Fund, where he invested in early stage technology companies. Puneet spent four years at BEA Systems in various product management and marketing roles in which he initiated and ran BEA's RFID initiative. Following BEA, he joined Geodesic Information Systems, a mobile messaging company, where he filled the role of vice president of product management. As part of his work, he moved to India for several months. He joined the True team in 2008. Puneet holds a bachelor's degree and master's degree in industrial engineering from Stanford University, where he was a Mayfield Fellow.    You can learn more about: Trends and Opportunities in Early-Stage Investing 2. Due diligence on early-stage companies 3. Evaluating Founding Teams    ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG ===================== Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Ian Sigalow is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Greycroft. He has over 20 years of experience in seed-to-growth venture capital, investing in and supporting innovative companies across multiple sectors, including fintech, consumer marketplaces, enterprise software, healthcare, insurance, and media.   You can learn more about:   How to build an iconic VC fund How to hire and train the best investing talent How to identify, attract, and pick the best companies to invest in ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG ===================== Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Alex Edelson is the Founder and General Partner of Slipstream Investors. Before starting Slipstream, he worked at QED Investors, a top fintech-focused venture capital firm with $4.3 billion in assets under management. Alex joined as Nigel Morris's Chief of Staff and became the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel. He previously worked at a fintech startup and spent seven years practicing law. Alex holds a J.D. and B.A. from the University of Michigan.   You can learn more about: How LPs evaluate emerging managers How to build a successful VC fund Portfolio construction, thesis building, and fund strategy ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG ===================== Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Sophia Amoruso is the founder and managing partner of Trust Fund, an early-stage venture fund focused exclusively (yet broadly) on investing in tech-enabled products that help people start and build businesses. Trust fund's investors include Marc Andreessen, Chris Dixon, David Sacks, Jason Calacanis, Ev Williams, Naomi Gleit, Andrew Chen, Jeff Jordan, Jesse Draper, Rob Hayes, and Phil Hellmuth. Some of their portfolios include Public, Liquid Death, and MoonPay, among others. She is also the founder of Nasty Gal, Girlboss and a New York Times Bestselling author.    You can learn more about:  How to Brand Your Business How to Invest in Top Startups Lessons from Being an Entrepreneur to Venture Capitalist ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG ===================== Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Dave Long is the CEO of Orangetheory Fitness. He leads the company's franchise model, regional development, and product development strategy. After founding the company in 2010 with two partners, Dave has led the brand through countless pivotal achievements, including launching two apps, creating a proprietary heart rate monitor with strategically chosen partners, and signing celebrity brand ambassadors. In addition, Dave facilitated Orangetheory Fitness's exponential growth and expanded the brand worldwide, with studios now open in several countries. The scientifically backed fitness franchise continues its rapid expansion with no end in sight under Dave's leadership. Before that, Dave helped grow Massage Envy from 25 to 800 locations. Dave also helped European Wax Center expand the concept from 4 to over 550 locations in less than nine years. You can learn more about: 1. How to build an iconic fitness brand 2. How to build an effective system to scale your business 3. How to stay on top of the tech trends and apply them to your businesses   ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG ===================== Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Jake Seid is the Co-Founder and General Partner at Ballistic Ventures, a VC firm focused on early-stage cybersecurity and security-related venture investments, with a debut fund of $300M. Before working at Ballistic, Jake was a Managing Director at Lightspeed Venture Partners and founder and Managing Director at Stone Bridge Ventures—his portfolio includes Blend, Brex, Bolt, Abnormal Security, Carta, Cresta.ai, Drata, and more.    You can learn more about:  Investing trends in the cybersecurity space Starting and building a successful fund  How to attract the best founders  ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG ===================== Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Sergio Monsalve is the Founding Partner of Roble Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm investing in entrepreneurs building human enablement technologies. Before founding Roble Ventures, Sergio was a Partner at Norwest Venture Partners and the Board Member and Investor of Udemy. He also invested in other billion-dollar companies such as Kahoot! and Adaptive Insights.  You can learn more about:  From working at a top fund to starting a fund. Insights into founding Roble Ventures and key strategies for success in venture capital. A look into future trends in work, learning, and AI, and what makes a successful ed-tech company. ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG ===================== Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Ambar Bhattacharyya is the Managing Director at Maverick Ventures. During his venture capital career at Maverick Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Bain Capital Ventures, Ambar has led or been actively involved in investments resulting in 16 IPOs & acquisitions, with six companies achieving valuations of over $1B in the public markets. Ambar has received broad recognition for his leadership, including Fortune Magazine's "40 under 40", Business Insider's “30 leaders under 40 transforming healthcare”, San Francisco Business Time's "40 under 40" list, and as a Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum. He was also selected to be an Aspen Institute Health Innovators Fellow in 2022. Ambar has been cited by publications including Business Insider, CNBC, Fast Company, Forbes, The New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal for his thoughts on the startup ecosystem and innovation.  You can learn more about:  How to invest in the top healthcare companies?  How to accelerate your career growth in venture capital?  The healthcare AI landscape deep dive.  ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG ===================== Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Gaurav Jain is the Co-founder of Afore Capital, one of the top venture funds ($300M AUM) dedicated to pre-seed investments. Some of the investments Gaurav and/or Afore have been involved in include Modern Health (leading mental health platform), Hightouch (leader in data infra), Cruise Automation (acq by GM for $1B+) and Firebase (acq by Google). You can find Gaurav at https://twitter.com/gjain You can learn more about:  How to identify talents in the early stage  How to build a top pre-seed VC fund  How to add value to top founders  ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================   Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Rebecca is a Co-Founder and General Partner at Canvas Ventures where she leads early-stage investments in Fintech, Healthtech, and AI. Rebecca has been named to the Forbes Midas List five years running, a Woman to Watch: Senior Deal Maker by the Wall Street Journal, and a Top Woman VC by the New York Times. Some of her notable investments include Luminar (NASDAQ: LAZR), Lending Club (NYSE: LC), Practice Fusion (acq Allscripts), Gabi (acq Experian), Check (acq Intuit), RelateIQ (acq Salesforce), CrowdFlower (acq by Appen), Viewics (acq Roche), FutureAdvisor (acq Blackrock), and Figure8 (acq Appen).  Before founding Canvas, Rebecca served as a General Partner at Morgenthaler Ventures. During her time at Morgenthaler, one of her early investments, Doximity (NYSE: DOCS), went public in 2021 and was one of the year's largest IPOs. Before that, she was the VP of NextCard. At NextCard, the first online credit card company, Rebecca helped scale the company from 30 people to 1300 and an IPO.  You can learn more about:  How to invest in the world's changing entrepreneurs   Founding and managing a leading VC firm  How to be a value-adding board member  ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================   Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Sam Yagan is the co-founder and Managing Director of Corazon Capital, a leading Chicago-based Seed and Series A venture fund. Their portfolio includes companies like SpotHero, Songfinch and Stellar, among others. Prior to Corazon, he served as CEO of ShopRunner and led its 2020 acquisition by FedEx Corp. Previously, as CEO of Match Group, he spearheaded the launch of Tinder in 2012 and oversaw the company's IPO in 2015. His previous ventures also include founding SparkNotes in 1999 and co-founding OkCupid in 2004. You can learn more about:  How to start and run multiple successful startups  How to run the best dating company  How to build a great network and start a fund  ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================   Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

David Rogier is the founder and CEO of MasterClass, the streaming platform where anyone can learn from the world's best across a wide range of subjects. Instructors include Anna Wintour, Serena Williams, Gordon Ramsay, Chris Voss (our former guest), and more. With MasterClass at Work, companies can develop durable skills that transform employees into future-ready leaders through cinematic lessons and life-changing stories taught by the world's best. You can learn more about:  How to build a world-class learning platform  How to effectively fundraising  The secret to storytelling and running a fast-growing company ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================   Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Dave Zilberman is a General Partner at Norwest Venture Partners. Norwest Venture Partners manages more than $12.5 billion in capital. They have invested in over 600 early-to-late-stage companies, with more than 200 currently active. Dave primarily focuses on early to late-stage investments in enterprise and infrastructure—some of his portfolios include Slack, DocuSign, Amagi Corporation, and more. Before joining Norwest, Dave was the Managing Director of Comcast Ventures.   You can learn more about:  1. How to identify and invest in the next generation of Slack and DocuSign  2. Investing career advice from corporate venture arm to traditional VC fund 3. How do you construct an excellent portfolio to produce good results and stay competitive? ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================   Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Karl Alomar is the Managing Partner at M13, a consumer technology venture capital firm with a $400 million fund to invest Seed and Series A startups offering Software and Services into the future of work, commerce, health, and money. M13's portfolios include Daily Harvest, Matterport, Ring, Rothy's, and more. Before joining M13, Karl was the COO of DigitalOcean (NYSE: DOCN), where he grew the company from a small team to pre-IPO.  You can learn more about:  1. How to leverage your operating experiences to break into venture  2. How to create high-growth potential career opportunities  3. Day-to-day managing a top VC firm  ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================   Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Mitchell Green is the founder and Managing Partner of Lead Edge Capital, a growth-stage investment fund with over $5B AUM investing $25 million to $300 million across public and private tech companies globally. Their portfolio companies are across the internet, software, consumer, and tech-enabled services sectors - including Alibaba, Asana, Benchling, Spotify, Toast, Wise, and more. You can learn more about: How to start a successful growth stage investment fund How to build a unique LP network that can differentiate your firm   How to invest in some of the most competitive companies ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================   Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Steve Jang is the Founder and Managing Partner at Kindred Ventures. An early-stage VC firm raised $312 million across two new funds in 2022. Over the past 14 years, Steve has backed over 100 companies across different theme areas, including Uber, Coinbase, Postmates, Tonal, Color Health, Humane, DYDX, Zora, and Blue Bottle Coffee. Since 2009 and up until IPO, Steve has also served as an Advisor to Uber since the founding of the company, up through initial product launch, global expansion, and then IPO. Steve currently serves as a Board Member of Humane, Tonal, Color, and Zora, to name a few. In 2023, Forbes' Midas List named Steve as #45 among the world's 100 top venture capital investors.  You can learn more about:  How to invest in the next generation of Uber and Coinbase?   How to build an amazing track record as an angel investor?  How do you transition from a successful angel investor to a Managing Partner at a VC fund?  ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================   Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Sponsor Spotlight guest: Alumni Ventures' CEO Mike Collins  Welcome to the Smart Venture Podcast's sponsor spotlight, where we take a moment to highlight the companies making our show possible. We're thrilled to feature Alumni Ventures.  Alumni Ventures, offers individual investors access to venture investing through its diversified, professional-grade venture portfolios. We're excited to share more about what they do and how they're making a difference. So sit back, relax, and let's dive into Alumni Venture's sponsor spotlight.  _________________________________________________________________  How to invest in startups as individual investors? I get this question, A LOT. So I brought one of the experts to join me to talk about this. Mike Collins is the CEO of Alumni Ventures, America's Largest Venture Capital Firm for Individual Investors. Smart Venture Podcast's sponsor, Alumni Ventures, offers individual investors access to venture investing through its diversified, professional-grade venture portfolios. The company's funds have consistently outperformed public market equivalents, with over $1.1 billion raised and invested in over eleven hundred portfolio companies. They have a dedicated team of fifty full-time venture investors and were the #1 most active venture firm in the US in 2022 and #3 globally according to Pitchbook. Investing in venture capital can help reduce overall portfolio risk and increase the likelihood of stronger returns. To learn more, visit av.vc/grace and schedule a call. Investors must be accredited. Please note that all financial investments involve risk, past performance does not guarantee future results, and it is important to conduct your own research and seek professional advice before making any investment decisions. Check out their service: av.vc/grace ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================   Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Michael Jones is the founder of studio and venture fund Science Inc., where he helps founders scale highly profitable and successful businesses. Mike's portfolio includes Liquid Death, Dollar Shave Club, Myspace, DogVacay, Goodreads, and Maker Studios, to name a few. Prior to Science, Mike served as the CEO of Myspace, and his company, Userplane, was acquired by AOL. His experience and expertise in both large and small companies focuses on strategy, growth, and operational efficiency, and has resulted in over $2B in exits.    You can learn more about:  How do we build the next big consumer brand?  How to create and manage a successful venture capital portfolio?  How to invest in the next Liquid Death and Dollar Shave Club?  ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================   Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Matt Madrigal is the Vice President and General Manager of Merchant Shopping at Google. In this role, Matt leads the product and engineering teams that build Google Shopping's tools, partner integrations, and infrastructure to help businesses and merchants grow and thrive. Bringing an extensive background in retail, platforms, and technology, Matt is passionate about helping businesses through digital transformation. Prior to joining Google, Matt was the Chief Technology and Product Officer at Fanatics, where he played a key role in shaping the mobile strategy and expanding their product development and data capabilities for both the consumer and partner sides of the business. Prior to that, he was the SVP of eCommerce & Marketing for Williams-Sonoma, Inc. and he spent 8 years leading engineering and product for all of eBay's digital marketing and onsite advertising technology functions, including the analytical & data platforms that powered the company's global Internet marketing efforts. While at eBay, he was also instrumental in the creation of Triton, one of the most respected SEM platforms in the industry.    You can learn more about: 1. How to strategize your career for optimal growth and learning? 2. How to establish a clear mission, principles, and OKRs for your team? 3. What is the future landscape of shopping?   ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================   Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

Peter Wagner is a Founding Partner of Wing Venture Capital, where he focuses on the Modern Enterprise, an agile workplace built on data and powered by AI. Peter has led investments in dozens of early-stage companies, including Snowflake, Gong, and many others, which have gone on to complete IPOs or successful acquisitions. Recently Wing has announced Wing Four, a new $600 million pool of capital dedicated to early-stage investing and long-term company building in B2B technology. Peter was also featured on the Forbes Midas List as one of the top tech investors.    You can learn more about:  1. How to build a successful fund?  2. How to invest in the AI companies that truly matter?  3. How does AI transform businesses?    ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================

Charles Hudson is the Managing Partner at Precursor Ventures, a classic seed-stage investment firm focusing on B2B software applications, B2C software and services, and connected hardware. Charles also serves as the Board Chair at the National Venture Capital Association and is a lecturer at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Before launching Precursor, Charles was a Partner at SoftTech VC, one of the most active seed stage investors in Internet and mobile startups. He was also the Co-Founder and CEO of Bionic Panda Games, an Android-focused mobile games startup. He spent several years working at In-Q-Tel, the strategic venture capital group for the Central Intelligence Agency. You can learn more about: 1. How to start a VC fund 2. How to craft a compelling pitch to LPs and cultivate an influential investor network 3. How to create a unique fund strategy    ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================

Ben Lerer is the Managing Partner at Lerer Hippeau, a prominent early-stage venture capital fund in New York City. Lerer Hippeau has a portfolio that includes Allbirds, Glossier, Thrive, BuzzFeed, Warby Parker, Casper, Mirror, and more. Besides his role at Lerer Hippeau, Ben is renowned for founding Thrillist Media Group and serving as the former CEO of Group Nine Media.   You can learn more about:  Insights gained from launching and managing a successful media company Venture investing in New York City Perspectives on investment strategies, portfolio building, and the advantages of being an operator when making investment decisions ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================

Daniel Kan is the Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Cruise, a leading self-driving car company sold to General Motors for over $1 Billion 2 years after its founding. Before building Cruise, Daniel co-founded EXEC with his brother Justin Kan, the founder of Justin.tv (which later became Twitch). After founding the company in 2011, EXEC was sold to Handy in 2014.    You can learn more about:  How to have the confidence and knowledge it takes to start a technology company without being technical  How to navigate the startup phases you need to go through, from having few people on the founding team to selling it over $1 Billion Lessons from early on in life shaped how you think as an entrepreneur  ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================

Mar Hershenson is Pear VC's Founding Managing Partner. Pear VC's portfolio includes DoorDash, Gusto, Affinity, among others. After earning a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, Mar co-founded three startups in mobile/e-commerce, enterprise software, and semiconductor industries and has registered 14 separate patents. She is currently a Lecturer at Stanford Univeristy, teaching Lean Launchpad, one of the premier entrepreneurship classes at Stanford. Mar serves on the board of trustees of Harvey Mudd College and the Advisory Board of the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at Carnegie Mellon University. She is a founder of Equity Summit, the premier conference for connecting URM Venture Capital GPs to LPs, and was an initial founding member of All Raise. She has been recognized by MIT Technology Review as a Top Innovator Under 35, named a Champion of Innovation by Fast Company, awarded the Digital Automation Conference's Marie R. Pistil Achievement Award, and recognized on the Forbes Midas List in 2021, 2022, and 2023.    You can learn more about:  How to start and run a successful VC fund  How to pitch top investors/ invest in the next generation of unicorn startups  How to keep pursuing your startup idea even when people tell you "no"    ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================

Sam Blond is a Partner at Founders Fund, a top Venture Capital firm founded by Peter Thiel and other Co-Founders of PayPal. Founders Fund's total assets under management are around $11 Billion (according to TechCrunch 2022), and their portfolio includes SpaceX, Palantir, Stripe, Facebook, Airbnb, and Spotify, among others. Before joining Founders Fund, Sam was the former Chief Revenue Officer at Brex, overseeing revenue growth from less than $1M to several hundred million dollars of annualized revenue. Sam joined the company before its official launch, and when he left four years later, the company was valued at $12.5B. Before Brex, Sam was the VP of Sales at Zenefits, overseeing revenue growth from less than $1M to $70M of ARR in two years. He joined the company pre-Series A as employee number 18. When he left, the business was over 1500 employees and was valued at $4.5B.    You can learn more about:  Strategies for accelerating revenue growth in your startup Building a robust network and honing your skills as a sales leader Identifying and investing in the next wave of top-tier SaaS companies ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================

David Sobie is a Vice President at PayPal, and he is also a co-founder of Happy Returns. Happy Returns is a Los Angeles-based software and reverse logistics company that works with online merchants to handle product returns. Their clients include Gymshark, Everlane, Levi's, and Revolve, among other popular e-commerce brands. Prior to that, David served as Chief Marketing Officer at REVOLVE Clothing.  You can learn more about:  How to build an e-commerce SaaS company Raising funding, building industry partnerships, hiring and managing a team  How to set milestones for your company  ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG =====================

Sri Viswanath is a General Partner at Coatue, where he leads AI and enterprise investments in private companies. Prior to joining Coatue, Sri served as Atlassian's Chief Technology Officer (CTO), where he oversaw Atlassian's cloud-native journey – assuming responsibility over the building and scaling Atlassian's cloud platform. Before joining Atlassian, Sri was also CTO and SVP of Engineering at Groupon, the VP of R&D for mobile computing at VMware, and SVP of Engineering at Ning – where he was instrumental in the company's acquisition by Glam. He also led development of several very successful open-source and B-to-B products at Sun Microsystems, served on the Board of Directors for SendGrid, and has a number of patents. Sri currently serves on the Board of Directors for Splunk and holds a M.S. in Management from Stanford University and a M.S. in Computer Science from Clemson University.   You can learn more about:  How to scale your engineering team  How to invest in the next generation AI companies  AI innovation trends  ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. =====================

Keith Peiris is the Co-Founder and CEO of Tome, the AI-native storytelling platform that unlocks your best work. It lets users generate full visual presentations in seconds using simple prompts. In January, Tome became the fastest productivity tool to reach 1M users. Since, it raised a $43 million Series B led by Lightspeed. Other investors include Coatue, Greylock (Reid Hoffman sits on Tome's board), Stability AI CEO Emad Mostaque, and Eric Schmidt. Previously, Keith was a product leader at Instagram, Facebook, and Citizen.   You can learn about: How to build a viral AI product How to build an AI company that's reinventing the future of work Raising funding, team building, and go-to-market strategies ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. =====================

Casey Rosenberg is a popular TikTok creator with over 3M+ followers and over 500 million views. As a creator, Casey has worked with multiple brands, including Honey, Notion Labs, and ABC, among others. Beyond working as a creator, Casey is also an attorney focusing on business law.    You can learn more about:  1. The business side of being a creator  2. Structuring deals with brands as a creator  3. How can brands identify and work with the best creators in their industry  4. Fast-track your audience growth    ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. =====================

Casey Rosenberg is a popular TikTok creator with over 3M+ followers and over 500 million views. As a creator, Casey has worked with multiple brands, including Honey, Notion Labs, and ABC, among others. Beyond working as a creator, Casey is also an attorney focusing on business law.    You can learn more about:  1. The business side of being a creator  2. Structuring deals with brands as a creator  3. How can brands identify and work with the best creators in their industry  4. Fast-track your audience growth    ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. =====================

Noah Jennings is a popular content creator with over one million followers on TikTok. He is a designer with previous clients, including popular e-commerce brands and top Youtube Creator like Glamnetic (505k+ on IG), Fanjoy (493k+ on IG), Sniperwolf (33M+ on YouTube), and has recently launched his own subscription-based design agency called Compound Creative.   You can learn more about:  1. How to create viral content on TikTok  2. How to establish a sustainable business while making content  3. How business can create content to attract potential clients  ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, superstar founders, as well as well-known tech executives in silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. =====================    

Jeff Morris Jr. is the founder and Managing Partner of Chapter One, an early-stage fund backed by Sequoia, Marc Andreessen, and Chris Dixon, among others. Portfolio including Dapper Labs, The Graph, Compound Finance, Moonpay, and many others. Before starting his own fund, Jeff was Tinder's VP, leading revenue products. Under his leadership, Tinder became the world's #1 top grossing revenue app.  You can learn more about:  How to start an early-stage fund  How to leverage your unfair advantage to build an investing track record  How to build a world-class network  ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. =====================

David Beisel is a Co-founder and Partner at NextView Ventures, where he invests in technology-driven companies that are redesigning the Everday Economy. Some of his past portfolios include Attentive, TripleLift, Code Climate, Parsec (acquired by Unity for $320M), BookBub, thredUP (IPO'ed), MealPal, The Nudge, Hatch, and TapCommerce (acquired by Twitter for $100M) among others. Prior to NextView, he served as a Vice President at Venrock (an early-stage VC firm initially established as the venture capital arm of the Rockefeller family). You can learn more about: 1. What to look for when investing in early-stage startups 2. Raising funding as a startup and as a venture fund 3. How to attract top startups and build a high-quality network  ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. =====================

Niko Bonatsos is a Managing Director at General Catalyst where he invests in early-stage companies. Niko focuses his investment strategy on finding first-time technology founders with strong product instincts, a robust appetite for learning, and a desire to create innovations with the potential to benefit millions. Some of his portfolio companies include Discord, Snap (NYSE: SNAP), Wag! (NASDAQ: PET), Audius, ClassDojo, Dubsmash (Acquired by Reddit), Remote, and more.   You can learn more about:  1. What to look for when investing in Gen Z founders  2. VC career journey from joining a fund to becoming the Managing Director  3. How to invest in unicorns like Discord and Snap  ===================== YouTube: @GraceGongCEO Newsletter: @SmartVenture LinkedIn: @GraceGong TikTok: @GraceGongCEO IG: @GraceGongCEO Twitter: @GraceGongGG Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. ===================== Brought to you by: https://momentonft.com  

Alex Gurevich is a Managing Director at Javelin Venture Partners, an early-stage VC fund with portfolio companies like MasterClass, Thumbtack, Carbon Health, Niantic Labs, and many more. Alex serves on multiple boards of startups such as MasterClass, Thumbtack, Pair Eyewear, Mythical Games, and HitRecord (founded by actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt) amongst others. Prior to joining Javelin, Alex worked at DFJ and was the first employee at ooma (NYSE: OOMA). You can learn more about: 1. How to identify and invest in successful startups like MasterClass and Thumbtack2. How to build and curate great deal flow as a VC 3. How to raise funding as a startup    Check out our brand new YouTube Video Podcast!  https://www.SmartVenturePod.com IG/Twitter/FB @GraceGongGG LinkedIn:@GraceGong YouTube: https://bit.ly/gracegongyoutube Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. ===================== Brought to you by: https://momentonft.com  

Hamish McKenzie is a Co-founder of Substack, a platform that makes it simple to start a paid newsletter. Substack is currently valued at $650 million, and has raised over $80 million dollars from a16z, YC among other top funds. Prior to founding Substack, Hamish is a journalist and former lead writer for Tesla, and a one-time reporter for tech blog PandoDaily. He is also the author of Insane Mode: How Elon Musk's Tesla Sparked an Electric Revolution to End the Age of Oil.  You can learn more about:  How to build a successful media tech company  How to start a highly earned newsletter on Substack  How to succeed as a non technical co-founder  Check out our brand new YouTube Video Podcast!  https://www.SmartVenturePod.com IG/Twitter/FB @GraceGongGG LinkedIn:@GraceGong YouTube: https://bit.ly/gracegongyoutube Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. ===================== Brought to you by: https://momentonft.com

Latif Peracha is a General Partner at M13, a venture capital firm with over $900 AUM focused on early-stage consumer technology companies. Latif leads the Web3 strategy for the firm which has invested in Lightning Labs, Stepn, and Nori among many other companies and networks. The broader M13 portfolio includes Lyft, Daily Harvest and Ring. Latif previously worked as the Managing Director of Virgin Group in the Americas and his portfolio included Slack, Ring, Virgin Galactic and Virgin Orbit. Mark Grace is an investor at M13. An early member of the firm, Mark has invested across the early stage consumer technology landscape, and he now focuses primarily on helping co-manage the firm's Web3 investment strategy. You can learn more about: 1. The overall landscape of Web3 investing 2. Trends and sectors to look at in Web3 3. Exciting companies and business models to watch    

Austin Evans is a successful American YouTuber and social media influencer who creates videos of technology, from console reviews to comparisons between old and new tech and everything in between. Since starting his channel in 2009, Austin's main channel has gained 1,265,270,681 video views and has involved the collaboration of big names in the industry, such as Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) and Bitwit. Until today, he has reviewed hundreds of gadgets, including several iPhone editions, Playstation consoles, and VR devices. You can learn more about: How to build and grow a successful YouTube channel How to create high quality content frequently How build team and system around your channel Check out our brand new YouTube Video Podcast!  https://www.SmartVenturePod.com IG/Twitter/FB @GraceGongGG LinkedIn:@GraceGong YouTube: https://bit.ly/gracegongyoutube Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. ===================== Brought to you by: https://link.blockfolio.com/9dzp/stwlap68 Use code: smartventure https://momentonft.com

Kong Pham is a YouTuber and video creator with more than 2.4 million subscribers and more than 125 million video views. In his channel, he creates innovative, clever, and fun videos such as social experiments, entrepreneurship advice, and pranks. He is the founder of Jumpcut, a startup that creates online courses for entrepreneurs, encouraging them to develop their business skills while learning the latest trends and technology. On top of this, he is the founder of Blu Yam, a creative agency dedicated to creating entertaining and informative viral ads for startups, which generated well over $50 million in sales. You can learn more about: How to create viral content for your brand How to build a strong personal brand through content creation How to improve your soft skills Check out our brand new YouTube Video Podcast!  https://www.SmartVenturePod.com IG/Twitter/FB @GraceGongGG LinkedIn:@GraceGong YouTube: https://bit.ly/gracegongyoutube Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. ===================== Brought to you by: https://link.blockfolio.com/9dzp/stwlap68 Use code: smartventure https://momentonft.com

Melissa Cohen is a former Vice President at Polo Ralph Lauren, where she was in charge of production for their iconic Childresnwear line. She later moved to managing production for Chaps Mens and RTW. Prior to that she led production teams at Nautica, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ann Taylor, among other iconic fashion retail brands. She is also the founder and owner of MBC Consulting Solutions where she works with emerging and growth stage fashion brands. You can learn more about:  1. How to build an iconic brand in fashion  2. Career development in fashion  3. How to manage to create physical products and lead a great team    Check out our brand new YouTube Video Podcast!  https://www.SmartVenturePod.com IG/Twitter/FB @GraceGongGG LinkedIn:@GraceGong YouTube: https://bit.ly/gracegongyoutube Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. ===================== Brought to you by: https://link.blockfolio.com/9dzp/stwlap68 Use code: smartventure https://momentonft.com

Wayne Hu is a Partner at SignalFire, a multi-billion dollar fund that operates as a technology company comprised of data scientists, engineers, and investors trained at Google, Meta, Slack, General Catalyst, KPCB, and A16z (Andreessen Horowitz). Their portfolio includes Uber, Alchemy, Frame.io, and more. Before working at SignalFire, Wayne worked at Google, McKinsey, and KPCB. Wayne is also a YouTube content creator who creates VC master classes and discusses trending topics among technology, venture capital, and more. You can learn more about: 1. How to build a personal brand as a VC   2. How to identify exceptional founders  3. How to help companies scale after investing in them Check out our brand new YouTube Video Podcast!  https://www.SmartVenturePod.com IG/Twitter/FB @GraceGongGG LinkedIn:@GraceGong YouTube: https://bit.ly/gracegongyoutube Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. ===================== Brought to you by: https://link.blockfolio.com/9dzp/stwlap68 Use code: smartventure https://momentonft.com

Matthew Graham is the founder and CEO of Sino Global Capital, a $200 Million fund with backing from FTX. His prior investments include FTX, FTX.US, Solana, and Polygon, to name a few. Before founding Sino Global Capital, Matthew served as a Managing Director for international business at technology-focused investment bank China Bridge Capital. You can learn more about: 1. How to start a crypto fund 2. How to pick and get access to the top crypto companies 3. Investment trends in crypto companies  Check out our brand new YouTube Video Podcast!  https://www.SmartVenturePod.com IG/Twitter/FB @GraceGongGG LinkedIn:@GraceGong YouTube: https://bit.ly/gracegongyoutube Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. ===================== Brought to you by: https://link.blockfolio.com/9dzp/stwlap68 Use code: smartventure https://momentonft.com

Rex Woodbury is a Partner at Index Ventures, where he focuses on early-stage and growth investments in consumer technology businesses. He mainly focuses on online communication, Gen Z, commerce, marketplaces, and the future of work. Before Index, Rex was an investor at TPG Growth and The Rise Fund, TPG's global growth equity and social impact funds, where he oversaw the launch of TPG's impact measurement tool at the World Economic Forum. Rex is also the author of Digital Native, a popular newsletter that covers topics among consumer internet, Gen Z, creators, commerce, gaming, the metaverse, and marketplaces.  You can learn more about  How to create engaging content as a VC  Startup and investing trends in Web3 and creators  Career development in venture  Check out our brand new YouTube Video Podcast!  https://www.SmartVenturePod.com IG/Twitter/FB @GraceGongGG LinkedIn:@GraceGong YouTube: https://bit.ly/gracegongyoutube Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. ===================== Brought to you by: https://link.blockfolio.com/9dzp/stwlap68 Use code: smartventure https://momentonft.com

Avery Akkineni is the President of Vayner3, a leading consultancy with a mission to guide the world's largest enterprises and intellectual property owners in navigating the next iteration of consumer behavior, Web3. In July 2021, Avery launched the VaynerX consultancy, Vayner3 (previously known as VaynerNFT), alongside serial entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk. In less than twelve months, she successfully led the expansion of the consultancy to 50+ global Web3 experts in a remote-first environment. Partnering with dozens of Fortune 500 corporations across industries, Vayner3 has successfully advised organizations on strategic Web3 initiatives across cryptocurrency applications, NFT program development, and immersive digital experiences. A leader, mentor, and investor in pioneering Web3 projects and communities, Avery is also an active advisor for several tech platforms; serving on the Board of Advisors of OneOf and Tracer, on the Web3 Advisory Board for Salesforce, Meta Creative X, and Facebook's Metaverse Council, in addition to being a founding BFF member. You can learn more about: 1. Career development in marketing 2. Brand building in Web3 3. Build a team in Web3   Check out our brand new YouTube Video Podcast!  https://www.SmartVenturePod.com IG/Twitter/FB @GraceGongGG LinkedIn:@GraceGong YouTube: https://bit.ly/gracegongyoutube Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. ===================== Brought to you by: https://link.blockfolio.com/9dzp/stwlap68 Use code: smartventure

Brandon Yahn is the Partner and Co-founder of Convivialite Ventures, a VC firm backed by Pernod Ricard. Pernod Ricard is the #1 premium spirits organization and the second largest wine and spirits company in the world. The Group represents 240 premium brands available in more than 160 countries. Brands under their portfolio include Absolut Vodka, Jameson, Malibu, Ricard, and Chivas Regal, among others. Convivialite Ventures invests in technology companies that are changing the way people socialize, entertain, and share experiences together. Some of their portfolios include Zola, Wave, AvantStay, Fever, Liquid Death, ChowNow, and Sanzo, among others. You can learn more about: 1. How to start a consumer tech fund 2. How to invest in the best consumer tech companies 3. Career development in venture capital Check out our brand new YouTube Video Podcast!  https://www.SmartVenturePod.com IG/Twitter/FB @GraceGongGG LinkedIn:@GraceGong YouTube: https://bit.ly/gracegongyoutube Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. ===================== Brought to you by: https://link.blockfolio.com/9dzp/stwlap68 Use code: smartventure    

Angelic Vendette is the VP, and Global Head of Marketing at Alo Yoga, a luxury performance clothing and lifestyle brand among supermodels, influencers, TikTok icons, etc. Under her leadership, the company launched collaborations with Saint Laurent, partnerships with fashion icons like Irina Shayk, celebrities like Diplo, TV stars from The Bachelor, accepting crypto payment and employee salary in crypto, and Alo's metaverse experiences. Before that, Angelic was the Global Head of Social & Influencer Marketing at Stitch Fix and head of Consumer Marketing at Dolby Laboratories, where she collaborated with supermodel influencers like Bella Hadid and brands like Michael Kors. She was named as one of the 2022 most entrepreneurial CMO by Forbes and Business insider's CMO to watch. You can learn more about: 1. How can brands create an authentic experience in Web3?  2. How to build partnerships with influencers? 3. Career development in marketing Check out our brand new YouTube Video Podcast!  https://www.SmartVenturePod.com IG/Twitter/FB @GraceGongGG LinkedIn:@GraceGong YouTube: https://bit.ly/gracegongyoutube Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. ===================== Brought to you by: https://link.blockfolio.com/9dzp/stwlap68 Use code: smartventure

Todd Kaplan is the CMO of Pepsi, the leader of PepsiCo's US Cola business and flagship brand. Under Todd's leadership, Pepsi created and Launched LIFEWTR (premium water) and BUBLY (sparkling water) - two of the most significant new product innovations in PepsiCo history. Todd and the Pepsi team also produced the The Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show, which was nominated for 5 Emmys and was recognized with its first ever Cannes Lion in the Music category at the Cannes Lion International Festival of Creativity. Under his management, the #BetterWithPepsi Campaign was awarded with 4 Lions, including 2 Golds. Pepsi collaborated with top performers like Dr.Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar. Pepsi also Launched its NFT collection, The Mic Drop. Todd was ranked as one of the "Top 25 Most Innovative CMOs in the world." by Business Insider. You can learn more about: 1. Strategies and thinking framework to build one of the world's most iconic brands 2. How to have a successful career in marketing 3. How to create culturally relevant products to generate organic brand awareness     Check out our brand new YouTube Video Podcast!  https://www.SmartVenturePod.com IG/Twitter/FB @GraceGongGG LinkedIn:@GraceGong YouTube: https://bit.ly/gracegongyoutube Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. ===================== Brought to you by: https://link.blockfolio.com/9dzp/stwlap68 Use code: smartventure https://momentonft.com

Moritz Baier-Lentz is a Partner at BITKRAFT, the world's most active VC firm and lead investor in the gaming industry with over $800 million in assets under management and more than 100 portfolio companies. Some of their portfolios include Epic Games (the creators of Fortnite and Rocket League), Horizon Blockchain Games (co-investors including co-founder of Reddit, Coinbase, Polychain Capital, and Consensys, among others), and Theorycraft Games (a game studio by former C-Level executives of League of Legends, Halo, and Destiny). He also serves as a board director for TRIPP, Lightforge Games, and Inworld AI, among others. Prior to BITKRAFT, Moritz was s VP at Goldman Sachs, where he founded and led the firm's global gaming practice. He also worked as a data scientist and engagement manager at IBM. He is a founding member of the "Defining and Building the Metaverse" Initiative at the World Economic Forum. He was also featured on Forbes 30 Under 30 and Business Insider's Rising Stars Age 35 and Under.    You can learn more about:  1. Career transition from a professional gamer to being a partner at a leading gaming fund  2. How to build a successful gaming fund  3. Fundamentals and trends in game investing 4. Outlook on the Metaverse and Web3   Check out our brand new YouTube Video Podcast!  https://www.SmartVenturePod.com IG/Twitter/FB @GraceGongGG LinkedIn:@GraceGong YouTube: https://bit.ly/gracegongyoutube Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. ===================== Brought to you by: https://link.blockfolio.com/9dzp/stwlap68 Use code: smartventure https://momentonft.com

Cooper Turley is a leading collector of Music NFTs. He's an angel investor in Sound, Catalog and Royal and an advisor at Audius, a decentralized streaming protocol. He's a co-founder of Friends with Benefit (FWB), an exclusive, token-gated community. He was a former venture partner at Variant and included in Fortune Magazine's "NFTy 50" - a list of the "most influential builders, creatives and influencers on the scene."   You can learn more about: 1. Collecting Music NFTs 2. Running a DAO 3. How to build an NFT community 4. Web3 career advice   Check out our brand new YouTube Video Podcast!  https://www.SmartVenturePod.com IG/Twitter/FB @GraceGongGG LinkedIn:@GraceGong YouTube: https://bit.ly/gracegongyoutube Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. ===================== Brought to you by: https://link.blockfolio.com/9dzp/stwlap68 Use code: smartventure https://momentonft.com

Jake Brukhman is the founder and CEO of CoinFund, a cryptoasset-focused investment firm. Their portfolio includes CoinList, Dapper, Republic, Polkadot, NEAR protocol among others. Prior to CoinFund Jake served as a Partner at Triton.ai, an intelligence platform that helps institutional investors, private equity, strategy, corp dev, and innovation professionals size, analyze and value companies for competitive analysis, investment, partnerships, or acquisition.    You can learn more about:  1. What to look for when investing in top crypto startups  2. Sectors to focus on when it comes to crypto startup investing  3. How to build a successful crypto investing team  Check out our brand new YouTube Video Podcast!  https://www.SmartVenturePod.com IG/Twitter/FB @GraceGongGG LinkedIn:@GraceGong YouTube: https://bit.ly/gracegongyoutube Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company. ===================== Brought to you by: https://link.blockfolio.com/9dzp/stwlap68 Use code: smartventure https://momentonft.com