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This week on Jazz After Dinner, Joe features Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks, and Annie Ross from their 1989 Columbia Records recording, titled “Everybody's Boppin'”.
Most founders think investors bet on ideas. They don't.Dave Lambert has funded over 2,000 companies through RightSide Capital, and he's seen this pattern play out thousands of times. Great product. No revenue traction. Wrong ask, wrong timing. Automatic no.In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt sits down with Dave to break down how RightSide Capital evaluates startups differently than traditional VCs. No subjective analysis. No months of diligence. Just data, profiles, and a decision in about a week.They get into how AI is changing the startup game, not just for building products faster, but for every operational aspect of running an early-stage company. And why sales is still the one thing that isn't getting easier anytime soon.Plus, the real talk on founder-market fit, why being slightly delusional might actually help, and what it takes to walk away with a check from an investor who's seen everything.If you're a technical founder who knows how to build but has no idea how to sell, this episode is for you.⏱️ Episode Breakdown00:26 Introduction to Venture Capital and Startups03:36 The Importance of Sales and Marketing in Startups06:24 Data-Driven Investment Strategies09:23 The Impact of AI on Startup Opportunities12:23 Operational Efficiency and Cost Reduction through AI15:28 Sales and Marketing Challenges for Startups18:31 Support and Resources for Portfolio Companies21:25 Evaluating Founders and Market Fit24:28 The Role of Delusion in EntrepreneurshipLinks & ResourcesConnect with Dave Lambert on LinkedInWhat Smart CTOs Are Doing Differently With Offshore Teams in 2025Subscribe to the Global Talent SprintFull Scale – Build your dev team quickly and affordablyIf you're trying to get your team out of the basement and into real product ownership, this episode is your playbook. Stop being a ticket factory. Build teams that think, create, and lead.Follow the show, rate it, and send this to someone who's still trying to do “real Scrum.” They need it more than you do.Right Side Capital Management - https://www.rightsidecapital.com/
On this episode, Dave Lambert of Right Side Capital Management shares what thousands of early-stage investments reveal about how pre-VC companies actually grow. Get clarity on how to evaluate early traction, set realistic fundraising paths and use capital efficiency to extend runway long enough for product-market fit to emerge.Tune in to hear how founders can avoid common mistakes in defining their ICP, structure rounds that keep exit options open and use real market data to understand what later-stage investors are looking for.
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. VC PROFILE: Dave Lambert, Founder of Right Side Capital Management https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlambert55/
Host Matt Cohen talks with Dave Lambert, founder and managing director of Right Side Capital Management. Founded in 2009, Right Side takes a quantitative, data-driven approach to early-stage investments, focusing on capital-efficient tech startups. It has funded over 2,000 companies, offering rapid investment decisions and fostering innovation in the fragmented seed-stage funding market.Dave explains how Right Side invests in very early-stage startups using data instead of gut feelings. He also discusses how technology, like AI, is changing startups and shares stories from his career.About Dave Lambert:Dave Lambert is the Founder and Managing Director of Right Side Capital Management, a pre-VC stage investment firm based in San Francisco. Before founding Right Side Capital, Dave was the CEO and Founder of WorkMetro Inc., a network of local online job boards operating across major U.S. metropolitan markets. He successfully expanded the company to over 20 markets before its acquisition by Jobing.com in 2008. Earlier in his career, he founded Acorn Computer, Inc., which provided IT solutions to businesses and institutions in the San Francisco Bay Area for over a decade.Dave earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Stanford University, specializing in Values, Technology, Science & Society with a focus on Artificial Intelligence.Topics* (01:15) Dave's background growing up in Denver, his entrepreneurial beginnings with a computer hardware company, and how those experiences led to founding Right Side Capital* (03:26) How The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb influenced the creation of Right Side Capital, focusing on “positive black swans” (startups with unexpected, outsized success)* (05:53) Understanding the Power Law in Venture Capital* (08:39) How Right Side makes investment decisions, often providing a “yes” or “no” within a week and why they focus on startups with small funding needs and clear metrics* (11:48) What Metrics Right Side Looks For* (16:11) TradingView: A Success Story* (21:08) Impact of AI on Startups* (25:56) Low-Headcount Companies Thriving* (28:37) Changing Founder mindsets toward profitability and capital efficiency rather than raising successive funding rounds* (29:04) Tax Benefits for Venture Investors* (33:26) The Role of Accelerators* (36:40) Challenges in VC Fundraising and Innovation* (40:00) Resilient Entrepreneurs* (43:10) Dave's Tech and Productivity SetupDave Lambert's Fast Favorites* Favorite Podcast: Slow Burn* Favorite Newsletter/Blog: Dave doesn't have a single favorite but enjoys reading a variety of blogs and newsletters, especially about tech, venture capital, and economics.* Favorite Tech Gadget: Golf simulators* Favorite New Trend: Entrepreneurs focusing on profitability as the main goal instead of just raising money* Favorite Book: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin – A guide on leadership and accountability, teaching lessons from Navy SEALs.* Favorite Life Lesson: “Believe in yourself and trust your own judgment.”Follow Matt Cohen and Tank Talks here!Podcast production support provided by Agentbee.ai This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com
We want to hear from you! Send us a text message.Get ready for a deep dive into the world of welding with the leader of an iconic brand in welding...Miller Electric!Dave Lambert, Group President of Miller Electric gives us an update on the state of the welding industry, the future of manufacturing, and the evolving workforce needs. With nearly a century of innovation under its belt, Miller Electric is a household name in welding and manufacturing. Dave shares how the company stays ahead of the curve with cutting-edge technology and a steadfast commitment to its people and community.In this episode, you'll hear Dave's insights on navigating the challenges and opportunities in modern manufacturing. From workforce development and skills training to automation and AI integration, discover how one of the most recognized brands in the industry is positioning itself for the future. Whether you're in education, manufacturing, or simply passionate about technology, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways.What you'll learn:How Miller Electric is bridging the skilled labor gap with new training methods and technologiesThe impact of robotics and AI on the welding industryKey tactics for preserving a strong, engaged company culture through growth and changeEmerging roles and opportunities for women in welding and advanced manufacturingApplying the 80/20 rule to streamline operations and maximize business impactQuotable Moments:"If you needed another reason to consider a career in welding, a highly skilled welder can easily earn six figures in this business without the need for a traditional college degree."3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:Welding today is driven by data and advanced technology: Modern welding is not the dirty, manual job it once was; it's now powered by data, automation, and AI. Dave Lambert explains how innovations like real-time data monitoring, collaborative robots, and AI-driven weld quality control are transforming welding into a high-tech, precise profession.Welding offers high-reward careers, but employers must compete for talent: Skilled welders are in high demand and can command impressive salaries without a traditional college degree. Lambert discusses how companies need to offer more than just competitive pay—they must create compelling cultures, growth opportunities, and innovative environments to attract and retain talent.Strong leadership and a vibrant company culture drive long-term success: Maintaining a healthy company culture through growth and change is crucial for sustained innovation and engagement. Lambert shares how Miller Electric focuses on humble leadership, community involvement, and empowering employees to keep the company's culture strong and adaptable.Resources in this Episode:Learn more about Miller Electric: https://www.millerwelds.com/Discover Miller's augmented reality and live welding training tools for education.Learn more about the APT MOD-Weld.More notes and resources on the episode page: https://teInstagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn