Podcasts about vcs

What happens when scaling fast becomes more of a risk than an opportunity? And what do VCs really expect when they back the next big thing in delivery? In this week's minisode, Dan Warne, founder of Sessions, takes us inside the high-stakes world of delivery startups fueled by venture capital. Dan unpacks why rapid growth isn't always the answer, and how obsession with scale, spurred by easy funding, can outpace what consumers actually want.Tune into the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2N8IqufZnDfD8oAoXfxWXW?si=Z8aFSo4aR5-0peJFesu7LQ

Riley Kaminer is the Founder of ClearCritical, a team of storytellers and strategists helping VCs amplify their vision. They turn investment theses and portfolio successes into compelling narratives that engage LPs and elevate their firms' brands. An experienced tech journalist, Riley's research and writing has appeared in Forbes, The Times (UK), Rest of World, Cities Today, Refresh Miami, and many more. Through his coverage of 400+ startups – and ghostwriting for dozens more – he is keenly aware of what gives stories long-term impact. Riley leverages his experience as a journalist to empower startups to build their own media ecosystem. His bespoke content strategy will enable you to become a thought leader and spread your ideas at scale. Ultimately, this content creation helps your company gain credibility, lock down leads, and drive sales. As a founder, your insights can change the world. But these ideas won't go anywhere unless you create content. Work with Riley and unlock your inner thought leader. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/XZaLosM6V2k You can learn more about Riley Kaminer at: https://rileykaminer.com Find his company ClearCritical at: https://www.clearcritical.com Follow the Agents of Innovation podcast on: Instagram: / innovationradio Twitter: / agentinnovation Facebook: / agentsofinnovationpodcast You can support this podcast and our Fearless Journeys community on our Patreon account: www.patreon.com/fearlessjourneys You can also join our network -- and our group trips -- through the Fearless Journeys community at: https://www.fearlessjourneys.org 0:00 Episode Intro 1:47 Introduction of Riley Kaminer 3:04 Growing up with an international mindset 5:58 Attending College in the UK / Scotland 8:54 Studying abroad in Madrid 10:18 Comparing to U.S. college experience 13:10 Degrees in Business, Spanish, and Latin American Studies 14:58 Becoming a Writer Requires Collecting Experiences 16:18 Working for a Film Distributor in the UK 18:00 Moving to Spain with a Digital Nomad Visa 18:59 Living and Working in South Florida Post-Pandemic 23:03 Writing about Tech for Refresh Miami 25:17 Freelance writing for a variety of publications 25:48 First job develops work ethic 28:12 What sparked early interest in journalism 31:58 Founding ClearCritical to tell stories in a different way 35:21 Repurposing your skills in a rapidly changing economy 39:59 How ClearCritical can help you 41:28 The importance of repetitive storytelling 47:52 Choosing to live and work from Madrid 51:48 Personal benefits of entrepreneurship

Episode OverviewIn this July 2025 episode of Marks on the Markets, we dive deep into the venture capital landscape with two battle-tested VCs who've weathered the storm from COVID boom to AI revolution. Key Themes ExploredThe "Quiet Freakout" PhenomenonWhy even well-funded startups are secretly terrified about the next 6-18 monthsHow AI has created a "boxing match during an earthquake" for entrepreneursThe unprecedented uncertainty facing venture founders in 2025The Great Liquidity CrisisWhy LPs haven't seen distributions in years and what it means for new fundingThe IPO market's slow reopening and what it signals for exitsHow the DPI (distributions to paid-in capital) drought is reshaping the industryAI's Seismic ImpactWhy this technological shift dwarfs previous internet revolutionsThe emergence of AI-native companies and what it means for traditional softwareWhy we're likely underestimating AI's transformative powerThe Hardware RenaissanceHow software commoditization is driving investment toward "hard tech"The rise of American dynamism and defense technology startupsWhy friction is becoming the new competitive moatFaith-Driven InnovationLearning from social media's mental health failuresWhy Christian entrepreneurs feel called to shape AI's developmentBiblical frameworks for understanding technology's role in societyStandout Quotes"Everybody is quietly freaking out. You might have money in the bank, you might have venture backers, and yet everybody's quietly freaking out because you just don't know what's going to happen in three months, six months, three years." - Jake Thomsen"We are on the precipice of what could be the biggest series of technological changes in human history... more radical than at any point in history." - John Coleman"I continue to believe we are much more likely to underestimate the impact of AI than we are to overestimate it." - Rob Go"We kind of missed the boat in social media... We can't miss the boat with AI. Believers have to step in." - Jake ThomsenDeep Dive SegmentsThe Venture Market Transformation (03:22-15:36) Jake Thomsen provides a masterclass overview of venture's roller coaster ride from pre-COVID normalcy through the 2021-22 bubble, the 2022 crash, banking crisis, and today's AI-driven uncertainty.Four Forces Reshaping Early-Stage Investing (15:36-25:00) Rob Go breaks down the industry's permanent structural changes: maturation and concentration, Y Combinator's dominance, mega-fund competition, and the AI supercycle's 20-30 year horizon.The Optimist vs. Realist Debate (25:00-35:00) John Coleman makes the bull case for venture while Rob and Jake wrestle with ground-level challenges, exploring the disconnect between macro optimism and micro struggles.Hardware's Moment (35:00-45:00) Why the pendulum is swinging from pure software plays to capital-intensive "hard tech" solutions, and whether this represents a fundamental shift or temporary trend.Faith and Technology (45:00-49:07) A powerful discussion on how Christian entrepreneurs are approaching AI development with lessons learned from social media's unintended consequences.Guest ProfilesJake Thomsen - Partner at Sovereign's Capital, focusing on faith-driven founders and early-stage ventures. Previously worked in venture capital and strategic consulting.Rob Go - Co-founder and Partner at NextView Ventures, a seed-stage VC firm. 15+ years in venture capital with investments spanning consumer, enterprise, and frontier tech.Key Takeaways for InvestorsThe Power Law is Real: Top quartile VCs still dramatically outperform public markets, but the gap between best and worst performers has widened to 2,000+ basis points.Timing Matters: We're in the infrastructure phase of the AI revolution—similar to early internet days where enabling technologies capture initial value before applications flourish.Defense Through Friction: As software becomes commoditized, companies with hardware, services, or regulatory moats may prove more defensible.Liquidity Patience Required: The venture asset class needs patient capital as exit timelines extend and public market windows remain selective.Values-Driven Advantage: Founders building with clear ethical frameworks may have competitive advantages in an AI-dominated future.Resources MentionedHallow (Catholic prayer app)"God Looks Like Jesus" by Greg BoydAll-In PodcastY CombinatorReindustrialized Conference (Detroit)Connect with Our GuestsJake Thomsen: Sovereign's CapitalRob Go: NextView Ventures

I am joined by Blakely Graham, who is a board advisor to Left Main REI, host of the Not All Business Podcast, Founder and former CEO of TaskRay⁠. This one was a long time coming. On a personal note, my time at TaskRay was some of my most formative. I found a balance while there between my previous experience of excellence with true work life balance and a focus on values that stays with me. I am so grateful that Blakely and team took a chance in hiring me for a role that I was almost kind of qualified for and her friendship since then.I'll do my best to summarize this episode, but it's more than worth a listen because I don't have enough characters to summarize it all. Blakely's Salesforce journey starts in 2001 and spans a ton of roles and experiences. We dig deep into her experience founding TaskRay 15 years ago in 2010 as Bracket Labs as one of the early ISVs on the AppExchange where VCs told her that her business was not investable and it was "a lifestyle business" at best because the Salesforce ecosystem was too small. She grew it in spite of that and by the time they sold the business, they were getting endless inbound interest.We talk about culture and values and why they were so important to her and the team at TaskRay. One of the core values was Connection that was the inspiration for Project Connection where the founders and I went to 5 cities and sat across the table from over 20 customers without an agenda outside of learning how our customers used the app. It drove focus for years to come that had nearly endless valuable outcomes like clarity of product roadmap, dramatically reduced churn, drove brand/marketing strategy, and much more. She shares how founder conflict snuck up on her with Eric Wu as well as how they (eventually) resolved it. As we switched gears to talk about gtm, Blakely shares how TaskRay evolved from the primary source of leads being the AppExchange with mostly SMB customers to more enterprise selling with content strategies, partnership motions, events, and more knobs we turned. The lesson is you are going to try stuff - some will work, some won't but you have to innovate and measure.We talk about how to select and what you can expect from an advisor. At TaskRay, we rolled an advisor program out modeled after a talk Blakely listened to from Andy Wilson, founder of Logikcull. Shoutout to Phil Stern who was my sales leader advisor at TaskRay who helped me avoid many mistakes.Show notes:Jolene Chan's LinkedIn where she was talking about a personal board of directors: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolenec/Not All Business podcast with Heather Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/company/not-all-business/Podcast with Andy Wilson from Logikcull where he discusses his advisor program that we modeled TaskRay's after: it starts at 14:05 and lasts 4 minutes  starts at 14:05 and lasts 4 minutes -https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/saastr-236-logikcull-ceo-andy-wilson-on-%240-to-%2410m/id1089973241?i=1000439148009This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠Invisory⁠⁠⁠. Invisory is designed to meet you where you are: in your cloud marketplace journey through a strong go-to-market strategy that helps drive prospect and co-sell opportunities with Salesforce, AWS, Microsoft, and Google. 

Adriel Yong, Orvel Venture Partner, joins Jeremy Au to reflect on five years of career transitions from investing to building startups across Southeast Asia and the US. They unpack how American venture capital has turned inward, the unintended consequences of remote work, and why AI is upending both work and relationships. Through candid stories from fundraising dinners in San Francisco to AI-generated breakup scripts they explore how technology is transforming how we build companies, make decisions, and stay human. 03:12 American and Asian startup growth models differ: In San Francisco, startups often grow fast by selling to other startups and riding internal network effects, while Southeast Asian startups focus on capturing value chains and relationship-based sales. 06:05 Revenue in SF isn't always real: Founders in SF can reach $10 million ARR by selling to friendly peers, but in LA or Southeast Asia, sales are slower and relationship-driven, especially in industries like entertainment. 08:53 US venture capital is becoming protectionist: Where American VCs once backed global founders, they now prioritize companies based in or from the US, making it harder for Southeast Asian startups to access funding. 11:49 AI is replacing VC advisory work: Founders now use large language models to flag red flags in term sheets before reaching out to VCs, shifting the VC's role from explainer to final verifier and negotiation coach. 14:59 AI is eroding help-based relationships: As people ask ChatGPT instead of friends for advice, the everyday opportunities for give-and-take shrink, which could weaken social bonds especially in task-focused societies like Singapore. 18:13 Generative AI amplifies Western perspectives: Tools like ChatGPT default to American individualist values unless prompted otherwise, meaning users across Asia may unconsciously adopt Americanized ways of thinking and problem-solving. 20:53 Graduate employment in Singapore is dropping: Unemployment dipped below 80 percent as MNCs cut back due to trade wars and AI displaces entry-level roles. Many graduates prefer brand-name firms, leaving SME jobs overlooked despite being the bulk of local employment. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/trained-by-ai Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Episode SummaryCharles Hudson is the Founder and Managing Partner at Precursor Ventures, a solo GP fund that has backed over 450 startups across five funds, including dozens of category-defining companies led by underrepresented founders. In this episode, Maxine and Cheryl sit down with Charles to explore how he built one of the most successful high-volume venture strategies in the world, all while staying a solo decision-maker.They dive deep into what being a “solo GP” actually means, how Charles balances scale with intimacy across a massive portfolio, and why trust, not likability, is his north star when supporting founders. You'll also hear his first-ever investment, the courage it took to leave a top-tier firm to start Precursor, and how he still handpicks every company Precursor backs, often long before they're obvious.Time Stamps03:20 – Charles's first investment: ExxonMobil shares… mailed by cheque06:50 – What is a solo GP fund, and how Precursor operates with one partner and 14 staff10:28 – The pros and cons of solo decision-making in venture12:50 – How Precursor supports 450+ companies (and avoids “orphaned” portfolios)15:44 – Why Charles shifted from unlimited founder support to intentional check-ins19:18 – Trust vs likability, and why real feedback matters more than being liked24:25 – How Charles handles saying “no” to follow-ons, and still earns trust29:31 – The case for “challenger” VCs over cap-table cheerleaders32:11 – What Precursor looks for in a founder: not great employees, but great CEOs36:39 – High volume investing: Why meeting 2000+ startups matters39:00 – Global allocation: why Charles bet early on African and LatAm FinTech42:30 – The return of themes (like AI & Women's Health), and why they can kill judgment47:52 – When Precursor steps in (and when they don't): being the “surgeon, not the bandaid”54:04 – Charles's biggest Big Cojones moment: leaving Uncork to build Precursor from scratch56:15 – Why most fund managers are “post-employment” and proud of itResources

Founder/Market Fit: Your Startup's Early-Stage Advantage Stop guessing about “Founder–Market Fit.” In this episode I break down how investors spot it at the pre-seed stage— and what to do if you don't have it yet. When founders enter a market they've never lived, credibility gaps, weak insight, and scarce access can stall everything from customer discovery to fundraising. I'll show you:What “Founder–Market Fit” really means and why VCs look for it before they fundClear warning signs you don't have it (yet)Practical moves to build or borrow the fit you needHow great FMF accelerates product-market fit, hiring, partnerships, and Series A readiness Whether you're raising your first round or refining your pitch, use these ideas to turn experience into a strategic edge.

Can doing good in the world be quantified like ROI? Peter Winick sits down with Nick Cooney, founder and managing partner of Lever VC, to explore how a venture capitalist measures moral return alongside financial return. Nick's not your typical VC—he's also the author of "What We Don't Do: Inaction in the Face of Suffering and the Drive to Do More", a book that fuses analytical thinking with a deep commitment to reducing suffering. Nick reveals how dictating thoughts during a long car ride led to a full-fledged book deal with Simon & Schuster. But this isn't just a passion project—it's a strategic move. Nick shares how writing the book expands his credibility with mission-driven founders and impact-minded investors. You'll hear how he uses the “Brady Rule”—a nod to NFL legend Tom Brady—to challenge philanthropists to pursue giving with the same intensity as professional athletes pursue greatness. And how the overlap between financial rigor and moral responsibility creates a powerful (and rare) kind of leader. Peter and Nick dive into the strategic value of thought leadership for VCs: from deal flow to LP trust, to long-game positioning. Plus, Nick shares what he's learned from marketing the book, why the publishing timeline misses the mark, and what feedback surprised him most. This is a conversation for anyone looking to align meaning with metrics—and use content to drive serious business outcomes. Three Key Takeaways: • Thought Leadership Can Power Business Strategy Nick's book isn't just a personal project—it's a tool to build credibility, drive deal flow, and attract like-minded investors and founders. A well-positioned book can serve as your most powerful business card. • Impact and Analytics Aren't Mutually Exclusive Nick bridges the gap between rigorous financial thinking and doing good. He argues that applying ROI-based decision-making to philanthropy and impact can dramatically increase the effectiveness of our efforts to reduce suffering. • You Can—and Should—Train for Good Like an Athlete One standout idea from Nick's book is the “Brady Rule”—a call for people to approach doing good in the world with the same intensity, discipline, and optimization mindset as elite athletes do their sport. If Nick Cooney's episode got you thinking about how doing good can be measured, optimized, and scaled—then you'll want to dive into our conversation with Dr. Moshe Engelberg. Like Nick, Moshe challenges traditional business thinking by bringing purpose and values into the spotlight. In his episode, we explore how love—yes, love—can be a strategic business advantage, driving both culture and performance. Both Nick and Moshe offer bold frameworks for leaders who want to align their success with meaningful impact. If you're rethinking ROI to include humanity, ethics, and long-term value, this is the perfect next listen: Love from Thought Leadership with Moshe Engelberg

I've been having coffee with lots of frustrated founders (my students and others) bemoaning most VCs won't even meet with them unless they have AI in their fundraising pitch. And the AI startups they see are getting valuations that appear nonsensical. These conversations brought back a sense of Déjà vu from the Dot Com bubble (at the turn of this century), when if you didn't have internet as part of your pitch you weren't getting funded.

Jeremy Au breaks down the evolving power dynamics between VCs and founders in Southeast Asia, diving into board control, investor rights, and why most startups fail despite support. He shares practical lessons from both sides of the table, highlights the return of convertible debt, and explains how founders should think about conflict, dilution, and boardroom politics. 00:54 Key Investor Rights and Control: Jeremy outlines the top 10 investor rights such as drag-along, tag-along, and anti-dilution. These clauses define how power and decision-making are structured in startup financing. 03:47 Conflicts of Interest in Startups: He explains how interests between founders, board members, and shareholders evolve over time. Alignment becomes harder as companies grow and stakes increase. 08:26 Convertible Debt and Financing Trends: Jeremy describes why convertible debt is gaining traction again. In uncertain markets, it offers downside protection and upside potential for investors. 10:22 Board Dynamics and Founder Control: Founders in Southeast Asia often lose control by Series A. Jeremy explains how board decisions work, how founders can push back, and what happens when alignment breaks. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/founder-vc-powerplay Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

This week, we sit down with Tove Larsson, General Partner at Norrsken VC, one of the largest climate VCs in Europe with already 3 unicorns in their portfolio and built on top of Norrsken Foundation, launched by Niklas Adalberth (founder of Klarna).We discuss why the geopolitical landscape is creating new opportunities, how Europe's startup ecosystem is maturing, and what VCs need to change about their approach to impact investing.In this episode, you'll learn:Why Europe is a more attractive climate tech market than ever beforeHow the European policy landscape (Green Deal, CBAM, etc.) is shaping startupsThe sectors with the strongest unicorn potential in climateExamples of booming sectors from Norrsken's portfolioHow to support startups during and after failureWhat LPs really think about impact funds, and why that's changing… and more!***Thank you to DealMaker for sponsoring this episode.

What's it like to come into corporate VCs from the outside as a contractor? My guest is Bruno Meireles de Sousa, who is an operating parter at Bidra Innovation Ventures, the CVC of phosphate mining company OCPGroup. And he joined me to talk about what he's seen going from unit to unit across a number of sectors. He tells me about his experience going from a very big corporate in Cargill – where he did both venture investing and venture building – to a smaller parent company when joining Bidra Ventures, and what corporates should keep in mind when doing both investing and venture building. We talk about what indicators he sees that a venture unit is healthy when he parachutes into it, how to effectively bring attention to things that senior leadership might find uncomfortable, and how to gain trust internally when coming in from the outside, and more. The post Advice from a CVC freelancer appeared first on CVC Unplugged.

Most entrepreneurs think raising VC money means they've "made it."But Tom Dillon learned something different during his years in investment banking and running a PE-backed company.After analyzing countless deals and experiencing the pressure firsthand, he discovered that VC money comes with a specific expectation: IPO-level returns."For a lot of VCs, they kinda look at things in terms of roulette table. They really need one of those to hit big."The problem? Most successful businesses exit through M&A, not IPOs.So if you're building a profitable company that could sell for $20-50M in a few years, VC funding might actually work against you.Tom now helps founders as a fractional CFO, matching funding strategies to realistic business goals rather than chasing the biggest check.In this episode, we explore:• Why thinking multiple rounds ahead is crucial for any capital raise • Alternative funding sources that align with M&A exits • The growing trend of buying your first business instead of starting one • How to set realistic valuation expectations • The mindset shifts that separate successful founders from those who strugglePerfect for entrepreneurs evaluating funding options and business owners planning exit strategies.• • •FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE:https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/tomdillon• • • FOR MORE ON TOM DILLONhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tomdilloncfa/ https://fracfinance.com/ FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFERhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast.Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today!

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Do you invest in training high-potential employees to grow into leadership roles—or do you prefer to hire seasoned pros from the start? There's no one-size-fits-all approach to building a great team, but today's featured guest has a clear philosophy: when it comes to agency growth, he prefers to develop A-players from within. For him, building the bench is just as important as building the business. Hamlet Azarian is the founder and CEO of Azarian Growth Agency, an agency that works with mid-market venture-backed startups helping them build their go-to-market strategies. He discusses his agency's "build them up" strategy, focusing on continual learning and curiosity through an academy, webinars, and internships, rather than solely hiring seasoned professionals. He'll address the common agency challenge of talent retention, noting that positive experiences can still lead to future referrals and positive word-of-mouth, even if employees eventually move on. It's an interesting episode where we dive into the importance of human capital and fostering a supportive, value-driven environment for agency success. In this episode, we'll discuss: Growing talent from scratch. Promote those who are ready to shine. The secret to employee retention.  Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources E2M Solutions: Today's episode of the Smart Agency Masterclass is sponsored by E2M Solutions, a web design, and development agency that has provided white-label services for the past 10 years to agencies all over the world. Check out e2msolutions.com/smartagency and get 10% off for the first three months of service. From Go-to Fixer to Full Agency Before he was running his own growth agency, Hamlet was the go-to fixer for venture-backed startups in the trenches of pre-product chaos. VCs brought him in as a high-paid consultant to help fragile startups figure out product validation and go-to-market traction — a risky sandbox where there's barely a product and hardly any money. As the companies he touched turned into multi-million-dollar powerhouses, word got around, more VCs lined up, and the Azarian Growth Agency was born. So as he recalls, it wasn't exactly an accidental start, but considering he was helping startups that could barely write a check, he could not see it turning into a full agency in the beginning. A Culture of Relentless Learning One thing Hamlet doesn't compromise on is curiosity. If you run an agency, you know yesterday's marketing tactic is today's LinkedIn meme. So instead of hiring only ‘seasoned experts,' He invests in creating lifelong learners. How? He built Azarian Growth Academy, which trains up-and-coming marketers on the exact growth strategies his agency deploys for high-stakes startups. Add to that a monthly Growth Lab webinar, Udemy courses (4,000+ students and counting), and a robust internship pipeline — and you get a team that knows not just what to do, but why it works. Education is really central for Hamlet so his people don't just follow checklists — they evolve with the market because they understand the principles behind the tactics. Growing Talent from Scratch (and Letting Them Fly) Does it work? Hamlet shares a story that answers that better than any hiring manifesto. One intern joined as a college senior, left, and rejoined when Hamlet officially hung out his agency shingle. When he saw her application, Hamlet immediately hired her, as she knew her aptitude, passion, and even her weaknesses. Within 6 months, she was running paid ads. By year one, she was pitching clients solo. By year two, she was leading teams and today she's a senior department head. The lesson here is drive and curiosity should be backed with training, opportunity, and real trust. The payoff is massive loyalty and in-house expertise that's molded to your agency's playbook — not someone else's. Promotion by Performance, Not the Calendar Forget annual reviews and rigid promotion ladders. Hamlet's approach is simple: Learn fast, deliver results, get rewarded. To him, some people shine faster than others and, as the agency owners, you don't to limit that potential. Of course, you want to prepare them for the new role, so he tests emerging talent on internal agency projects before putting them on client accounts. If they mess up, the agency learns — not the client's bank account. It's a safe sandbox for risk-taking and skill-building, with performance as the only true gatekeeper to moving up. Flexibility: The Secret Sauce to Keeping Good People How can you keep that talent from jumping ship the second they hit senior level? You don't always. And Hamlet says that's perfectly fine. Even with AI evolving daily, Hamlet's clear that an agency's real moat is people — smart, motivated, curious people who feel trusted and supported to do their best work. Tools change. Channels come and go. But the humans who run them? That's your agency's real asset. In his view, the agency's success is predicated on the owner's ability to bring in talented people on to the team and provide a great environment that encourages them to stay. And the definition of “great” in this case may vary from individual to individual, but Hamlet finds that more than  perks or a foosball table or free LaCroix, it's about freedom. People need room to live their lives — whether that's hopping on a plane to Italy with the kids, or working flexible hours so family time doesn't clash with client deadlines. When people feel understood and trusted, they stay longer. And if they do leave? They become allies, not competitors. Many send referrals back. Some boomerang and return. And nearly all say, “That's where I learned how to do great work.” That reputation becomes your best recruiting tool — a self-feeding loop of great people wanting in. Experience vs. Fresh Eyes: A Never-Ending Balancing Act There's a million ways to grow an agency and there are no easy answers when it comes to hiring. Even if you hire the “experienced pro,” they can become rigid and slow to adapt — a death knell for early-stage growth marketing where experimentation rules. Hamlet's advice is don't bet the farm on resumes alone. Bet on mindset. Surround yourself with good people who share the same values. Look for curiosity, a love of learning, and the ability to fail, recover, and share lessons. Skills can be taught. Hunger can't. Define what you believe. Hire for it relentlessly. Train for skill, reward growth, and build an environment people don't want to leave — and if they do, they still sing your praises. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

What if the most scalable startup ideas aren't in the cloud—but on the factory floor?In this episode, Renan Devillieres, founder of OSS Ventures, reveals how he's helped launch 20+ startups into the heart of industrial operations—powering over 2,000 factories across Europe.We explore why venture studios might be the next great startup model for founders who want to build fast, validate early, and embed into real-world systems. But the real story here? It's a deeper one—about dignity, constraint, and why sustainable disruption starts with humility, not hype.

Are you ready to pitch your biotech startup to investors but unsure what they're actually looking for? In this episode, host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, sits down with Travis Manasco, MD — Principal at Solas BioVentures, practicing ICU physician, and Tulane alumnus — for a clear-eyed look at what it takes to secure life science venture capital. From communicating clearly to avoiding common missteps, Travis offers practical advice that every founder should hear before stepping into a pitch meeting. In this episode, you'll discover: The "goat, moat, float, and dote" framework Solas uses to evaluate investments. What makes an investor-ready pitch — and why focus matters more than ambition. How founders can build lasting relationships with VCs and avoid first-call deal-killers. Whether you're refining your deck or just starting your fundraising journey, this episode is packed with actionable insights to move your biotech forward. Links: Connect with Travis Manasco, MD, and check out Solas BioVentures. Connect with James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Connect with Penelope Manasco, MD, Elizabeth Chabe, MBA, Tari Suprapto, PhD, and David Adair, MBA. Learn more about Francis Medical, I-O Urology, Vektor Medical, and OpenEvidence. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Check out BIO on the BAYOU and make plans to attend October 28 & 29, 2025. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast. Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.

Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:04:19) - Entering the VC space (00:08:38) - Pilot-fund theories (00:12:50) - Risk tracking (00:19:56) - Finding LP alignment (00:22:39) - Arkady's fund thesis (00:47:12) - Creating the index of solutions to problems (00:57:18) - The TAM for VC in 2025 (01:00:29) - How founders can increase the odds of being funded by Arkady (01:03:36) - False signals in VC Links: Arkady on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/arkady-kulik/ Arkady on X - https://x.com/arkady_kulik Rpv.global - https://rpv.global/ To support the costs of producing this podcast:  >> Buy a copy of the Navalmanack: www.navalmanack.com/  >> Buy a copy of The Anthology of Balaji: https://balajianthology.com/ >> Sign up for my online course and community about building your Personal Leverage: https://www.ejorgenson.com/leverage  >> Invest in early-stage companies alongside Eric and his partners at Rolling Fun: https://angel.co/v/back/rolling-fun >> Join the free weekly email list at ejorgenson.com/newsletter >> Text the podcast to a friend >> Or at least give the podcast a positive review to help us reach new listeners! We discuss: How speaking the language of scientists helps Arkady build real trust with founders. The AI tournament model he uses to identify 300 hidden human needs. Focusing on problems first, then funding an index of possible solutions. What he looks for in both founders and LPs. Why honesty beats hype every time. Why DPI is the only VC metric that actually matters. Quotes from David: “You don't prove your worth as a VC until you return capital to your LPs. DPI is the only metric that matters.” “The VC game is full of false positives—in evaluating companies and in how LPs evaluate VCs.” “The best thing an investor can do is give a quick yes; the next best is a quick no. Lingering maybes are the worst.” “Our technical unlock was agentic AI—it lets us evaluate hundreds of emerging needs for humanity in days, not years.” “We want to be the first check because what matters most is building deep trust with the founder, not just valuation.” “If you sold LPs on a strategy and you quietly abandon it, that's a breach of trust—it's like cheating in a marriage.” “A lot of people go into VC for ego or fast money. They won't survive. This is a long, emotionally volatile game.” “Stop wasting your life and start making a difference. If you're a founder, build what only you can build.” “There's nothing wrong with saying no—it's how you say it that matters.” “The founder's mistake is assuming your investors will make money just because you do.” “Great founders don't oversell—they're clear, calm, and self-aware.” Important Quotes from the podcast on Business and Entrepreneurship   There is no skill called “business.” Avoid business magazines and business classes. - Naval Ravikant   You have to work up to the point where you can own equity in a business. You could own equity as a small shareholder where you bought stock. You could also own it as an owner where you started the company. Ownership is really important.     Everybody who really makes money at some point owns a piece of a product, a business, or some IP. That can be through stock options if you work at a tech company. That's a fine way to start. 

Produced by Foundersuite (for startups: www.foundersuite.com) and Fundingstack (for VCs: www.fundingstack.com), "How I Raised It" goes behind the scenes with startup founders and investors who have raised capital. This episode is with with Renata Quintini of Renegade Partners, an early stage VC fund that supports companies during the high-stakes phase between early traction and significant growth. Learn more at https://www.renegadepartners.com/ In this wide-ranging episode, we talk about the rise of micro-VCs (she was previously at Felicis Ventures and Lux Capital), tips for raising Fund I, the evolution and challenges of graduating to Fund II, tips for sourcing and communicating with LPs, how to create FOMO, and much, much more. Renegade most recently raised a $128 million Fund II from LPs including Los Angeles Fire & Police Pension System, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, and Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation among other institutional LPs. How I Raised It is produced by Foundersuite, makers of software to raise capital and manage investor relations. Foundersuite's customers have raised over $21 Billion since 2016. If you are a startup, create a free account at www.foundersuite.com. If you are a VC, venture studio or investment banker, check out our new platform, www.fundingstack.com

Dave McClure, founder of Practical Venture Capital and co-founder of 500 Startups, dives deep into the growing role of secondaries in venture capital. Dave explains how today's longer startup cycles and liquidity droughts have created opportunities (and confusion) around secondary markets. He breaks down what secondaries actually are, how Practical VC operates, and key trends shaking up the system. With his trademark candor, Dave also shares hard truths for both founders and VCs navigating this next chapter of private markets.In this episode, you'll learn:[03:55] Dave's journey to becoming an investor[06:30] The early evolution of accelerators and why “lots of little bets” took off[09:50] How cloud, open source, and low CAC changed the startup funding game[12:49] Why startup liquidity timelines have doubled—and what that means for founders and LPs[14:56] What secondaries really are (hint: not just one thing)[19:31] Does venture's illiquidity attract the right kind of investors—or just the most patient?[22:06] The discipline of public markets vs. the opacity of private ones[26:37] What Practical VC looks for in a secondary opportunity (and the $50M–$100M revenue rule)[29:14] How Dave screens funds and companies for possible exits[33:37] What's exciting (and worrying) about secondaries, stablecoins, and emerging marketsThe nonprofit organization Dave is passionate about: New StoryAbout Dave McClureDave McClure is the founder of Practical Venture Capital, a firm focused on liquidity through venture secondaries. Previously, he co-founded 500 Startups, one of the world's most active early-stage venture funds. A PayPal alumni and self-described nerd turned investor, Dave has worked across engineering, marketing, and venture roles, investing in hundreds of startups globally. He's known for his honest insights and bold bets on opportunities before they're ‘cool'.About Practical Venture CapitalPractical Venture Capital is a Silicon Valley-based VC secondary firm providing liquidity to GPs, LPs, and founders through targeted secondary investments. Specializing in fund-level and company-level secondaries, Practical VC aims to shorten the venture capital time horizon by backing mature, revenue-generating companies with clear exit paths. The firm focuses on portfolios nearing liquidity and brings a flexible, creative approach to valuation, pricing, and structure.Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

AI isn't a campaign. It's a core banking reset.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we're joined by Amith Rajan, CEO of Neo Ventures and Head of Digital Wholesale Banking at Mashreq, for a candid conversation on how AI, tokenization, and infrastructure transformation are reshaping the banking stack from the inside out.We unpack:- Why "rip and replace" is a myth and what real legacy evolution looks like-How Mashreq is deploying AI across KYC, onboarding, and customer insights-The role of tokenized assets, CBDCs, and smart contracts in wholesale banking- How Neo Ventures is exporting IP and scaling infrastructure beyond capital- Why culture,  not technology, is the biggest barrier to digital transformation

Not all consultants are worth it. Some drive real impact. Others just burn your time and budget.In this episode, Toni and Raul dive into how to tell the difference. They break down when it actually makes sense to bring in outside help, how to vet someone properly, and the biggest red flags to avoid.You'll learn why consulting is a real skill, what good execution support looks like, and how to think about pricing and value. (00:00) - Introduction (02:48) - Do you actually need consultants? (05:22) - The consulting relationship with startups (08:29) - Identifying red flags (10:41) - The hammer people (16:17) - Consulting is a skill (21:14) - Consultants as challengers (24:40) - Pricing and value in consulting (30:06) - Execution and enablement (33:38) - Summary (35:45) - Next week: Chris Tottman on VCs

Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC podcast, where we connect and champion the voices shaping European venture. Today, we spotlight Lorenzo Franzi, Founding Partner at the Italian Founders Fund, to explore how a new generation of fund managers is reshaping Italy's startup landscape—and why deep empathy, focused strategy, and intentional market building are the foundation.Lorenzo opens up about his journey from angel investor to institutional VC, shares insights on navigating Italy's regulatory landscape, and explains why now is the time to believe in the Italian opportunity.Here's what's covered:02:00 Why Fund Strategy Starts With Empathy: How Lorenzo's unique experience grounds his founder-first approach05:15 The Thesis of Italian Founders Fund: A triad of Italy, diaspora, and inbound startups08:10 Why There Are No Small Funds in Italy: Structural barriers and the missing middle12:44 Data-Driven Support at Scale: Building productized VC operations16:02 Market Maturation: Applying Foundamental's venture framework to Italy19:00 Building an Edge through Focus: A concentrated portfolio with proximity-driven value22:30 From Angels to Institutions: What the Italian startup scene needs next25:50 Forget Unicorn Chasing: Why the alpha strategy matters more at pre-seed28:40 Is Now the Time to Back Italy? Lorenzo's bet and what makes it different30:18 Ecosystem Building Through Visibility: Why global VCs must come meet local founders

Entdecke, wie Finanzierungsrunden 2025 in der VC-Welt neu gedacht werden. Weg von reinem Wachstum und hin zu Kapitaleffizienz – Florian Heinemann gibt Einblicke, welche Herausforderungen und Chancen das mit sich bringt. Vom idealen Gründerteam über das Potenzial von KI-Strategien bis hin zur Bedeutung von Markttrends und Solvenz – alles spielt eine Rolle. Warum ist die richtige Investmenthöhe entscheidend und wie strukturieren sich erfolgreiche Runden? Diese Episode bietet wertvolle Perspektiven für alle, die den Wandel in der Start-up-Landschaft mit Verständnis und Weitsicht gestalten möchten. Bereite dich auf eine fundierte Reise durch die neuen Regeln der Risikofinanzierung vor. Du erfährst... …wie sich das Geschäftsmodell von Venture Capital verändert hat …welche Rolle Teamdiversität und technologische Kompetenz spielen …warum Kapitaleffizienz und strukturelle Qualität entscheidend sind …wie KI-Strategien den Unternehmenswert steigern können …welche Signale Investoren bei der Auswahl von Start-ups beachten __________________________ ||||| PERSONEN |||||

About this episodeAt just 14, Justis Mendez survived a harrowing kidnapping. By 27, he became one of the youngest Hispanic Founding GPs in U.S. venture capital. In this riveting episode of 9x90™, Adi Soozin sits down with Justis to unpack how trauma fueled his relentless drive—leading to the creation of OneSixOne Ventures and the successful raise of a $5M fund focused on overlooked founders and frontier tech.From building a thriving startup community in Miami to structuring a fund that gives him freedom, Justis shares how he and his team are leveraging deep tech, AI, and their youth to gain an edge. They discuss what VCs really look for in founders, why underestimated investors can punch above their weight, and how emerging GPs can build visibility and traction early.This is more than a startup story—it's a masterclass in resilience, vision, and strategic execution.

Jack Leeney is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at 7GC, a venture capital firm with a unique cross-border approach that bridges the innovation ecosystems of the US and Europe.Before founding 7GC, Jack was at the forefront of some of the most iconic tech IPOs of our time during his tenure at Morgan Stanley, including Tesla, LinkedIn, and Facebook.⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.com7GC website - https://7gc.coJack Leeney on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-leeney

Are you ready to invest in sectors that are shaping the future, but often overlooked by traditional VCs?   In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene speaks with Emily Dinu, founder of Numinous Capital, who shares her journey of building a venture capital firm that focuses on long-term, high-impact investments in overlooked industries such as defense tech, biotech, and energy. With a patient capital approach and an emphasis on visionaries, Emily is driving innovation in sectors with significant growth potential. Join us as she discusses the challenges and opportunities of funding unconventional ventures that can bring about real, lasting change.   Key Takeaways: → The importance of non-dilutive funding and pacing capital for long-term growth. → Understanding the differences between typical software startups and more complex, scientific ventures. → Why it's crucial to approach investment with a mindset focused on exit, not just growth. → The challenge of helping entrepreneurs pitch their vision as a company, not a science project. → How becoming a successful entrepreneur requires more than charisma.   Emily Dinu is the Founding Partner of Numinous Capital, an early-stage venture firm that supports founders who address generational challenges with intelligence, boldness, and precision, especially in overlooked markets like the American South and along the coasts. Her career started in operations, where she built companies and tackled issues others had neglected. Today, she invests in companies that create jobs, push the boundaries of possibility, and challenge complacent capital. Numinous' philosophy is based on strategic advantages and economic renewal. Emily believes the strongest returns come from those underestimated by the market but proven in execution.   Connect With Emily: Website   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

[VIDEO ESSAY] --- Anti-Muslim hate is becoming extremely profitable in Silicon Valley as the tech industry pivots towards defense tech and embedding itself with the U.S. war machine. From funding Israeli defense startups to spreading racist conspiracy theories about Zohran Mamdani, VCs like Sequoia Capital partner Shaun Maguire are pushing a new breed of tech militarism. Defense tech, AI surveillance, and far-right pro-Trump ideologies are merging in the tech world as Silicon Valley's obsession with profit fuels a dangerous new era of "the war on terror 2.0." Shaun Maguire and others like him will play a leading role in this new landscape, where human rights are obstacles and endless war is the ultimate market opportunity.***** Buy a subscription to my Tech and Online Culture newsletter, User Magazine to support my work!!!!

FILL OUT THE SURVEY BY CLICKING HERE Welcome back to The Gwart Show! Today, Robert Chang, crypto trader and prolific Twitter shitposter, joins us to talk about his wild ride through crypto's highs and lows - from being a Luna lunatic to losing everything on Hyperliquid, navigating AI agent metas, getting rugged by VCs stealing his ideas, and why internet capital markets might just be elaborate poker chips with better marketing. Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com • Luna looping strategy led to total account loss • Hyperliquid refunded liquidation due to oracle issues   • AI agent tokens hit incredible market caps in 2024 • Worm project went from idea to 4M market cap • A16Z agent reached peak before January market top • Most crypto VCs are "incredibly stupid" mercenaries Timestamps: 00:00 Start 00:24 Robert's background 01:20 Working in crypto 05:11 Lately 07:07 Traders vs users 11:07 Hyperliquid early days 13:10 Markets recently 15:05 Bigger names enter market 16:27 Current market 20:50 AI agents 22:48 WORM 26:12 WORM goes to zero 28:47 Elipsis Labs 29:48 VCs sniping ideas 32:43 ICM 36:08 ICM (this time is different) 44:05 AI16z value proposition? 47:15 Base 50:05 The future 54:15 Bullish VC coins? 58:28 Alliance DAO 1:01:28 Bullish on what? 1:04:32 Ryan Park 1:07:28 ETH (don't call it a comeback) 1:08:23 BTC is mid 1:09:16 Wrap up

Key Trend 1: Hyper-Accelerated Scaling and New Venture Capital DynamicsSignificance:AI innovation is driving hypergrowth that shatters traditional timelines. Companies now catapult from zero to hundreds of millions in ARR in months, not years. Venture capital must adapt to this new reality with massively larger and risk-tolerant funding rounds focused on parallel scaling — raising as much capital as revenue grows to capture market share rapidly.Why it matters:The "burn rate is a feature, not a bug" mentality defines funding strategies today, making capital intensity a necessity in winner-take-all AI markets. Companies ignoring this shift risk falling behind or being outspent by competitors who build moats with talent, infrastructure, and data first.Key Trend 2: Talent and Data as Critical Moats in the AI Arms RaceSignificance:Talent wars are escalating, with massive compensation packages used to acquire top AI researchers and engineers, reflecting a strategy to build defensible moats beyond pure technology. Additionally, proprietary data pipelines and reinforcement learning processes are becoming crucial competitive advantages, often trumping model architectures alone.Why it matters:As AI models become commoditized and easier to replicate, the real differentiation lies in costly-to-copy human capital and exclusive data ecosystems. Companies investing in these defensive layers will sustain leadership and fend off rapidly emerging competitors.Key Trend 3: Redefining Content Economics in the AI EraSignificance:AI's reliance on vast amounts of web content to train models, often without compensation or permission, is triggering a fundamental rethink of content ownership, access, and monetization. Cloudflare's new policies signal a shift toward pay-for-access models that require AI companies to compensate content creators, disrupting the previous “free crawl” economic bargain.Why it matters:This reshapes incentives for publishers, creators, and AI businesses alike. Content providers gain leverage to set terms and generate revenues from AI models, while AI companies must adapt business models to accommodate these new costs, potentially accelerating AI ad monetization.Key Trend 4: The Great Differentiation — Building Hard-to-Copy Moats in an AI WorldSignificance:As AI makes imitation easy and replicable, companies must differentiate through costly signals, authentic experiences, and unique assets that competitors cannot copy cheaply. This includes physical infrastructure, branding, cultural elements, and deep human expertise — all forming sustainable moats in a landscape of digital abundance.Why it matters:In a world where digital replication is trivial, the economic value shifts toward rarity and authenticity. Companies adopting this mindset can build lasting competitive advantages that resist commoditization.Key Trend 5: The Geopolitical and Regulatory Landscape of AISignificance:AI development is not just a technology race but a geopolitical contest, with varied national approaches balancing innovation speed and regulation. Europe's AI Act exemplifies efforts to govern AI but faces pushback for potentially stifling competitiveness compared to the US and China's growth-first posture.Why it matters:The regulatory environment shapes where and how AI innovation flourishes. Diverging standards and delayed coordination may influence global market leadership, investment flows, and the speed of AI adoption.Discussion QuestionsHow does the new model of “parallel scaling” of funding and revenue fundamentally change startup growth strategies in AI compared to traditional SaaS? What risks and benefits does this introduce?With talent and data becoming primary moats, is the AI market at risk of consolidating power among a small set of firms? How can startups compete in such an environment?Cloudflare's “Pay Per Crawl” aims to rebalance value between content creators and AI companies. Will this model incentivize innovation or hamper the open data flows AI depends on?In a world where AI makes copying easy, what are the most viable forms of costly signals for differentiation? Can digital firms realistically replicate physical or cultural moats?Given the divergent regulatory approaches between the US, Europe, and China, how might geopolitical competition affect the speed and ethics of AI adoption globally?How do the controversies around tokenization and digital asset legitimacy, like OpenAI's rejection of Robinhood tokens, reflect broader regulatory challenges for blockchain-based financial innovation?Is the venture capital industry prepared to adapt investment models to AI's capital intensiveness and growth patterns? How might smaller VCs or new investors respond to the concentration of “ultra-unicorns”? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thatwastheweek.com/subscribe

Bonus track avec un super VC cette semaine !Martin Mignot, Partner chez Index Ventures, le fonds qui a accompagné dès leurs débuts certains des plus beaux succès de la tech comme Facebook, Revolut ou Slack. Ils viennent de publier un guide de 123 pages pour aider les fondateurs européens à conquérir l'Amérique – en s'appuyant sur l'analyse de plus de 500 startups, des enquêtes terrain, et des interviews de fondateurs. Fait marquant : ¾ d'entre eux citent les clients – pas le capital – comme moteur principal de leur expansion. Martin est au cœur de cette transformation, alors on va parler de cette nouvelle géographie de l'ambition tech, du rôle des VCs, et de sa vision pour l'écosystème européen. Épisodes cités :

What happens when the internet starts charging AI to crawl its content?And can legacy tools like Figma or Grammarly survive the AI age, or will they be replaced by smarter, faster upstarts?In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad break down some of the most important shifts in tech and business right now. From Cloudflare's launch of AI pay-per-crawl to Grammarly's bold acquisitions and Figma's high-stakes IPO, this is an unfiltered look at how the AI boom is reshaping product strategy, startup success, and even the global order. Plus, they react to legendary VC Vinod Khosla's explosive predictions about automation, abundance, and the role of China in AI soft power.In this episode, you will:Discover why Cloudflare's 402 status code could transform AI data scraping and web monetizationUnderstand Grammarly's plan to stay relevant with the acquisitions of Superhuman and CodaExplore how Figma's IPO could signal the return of the public tech market—and why it's riskyEvaluate the threat of vibe coding tools to traditional design workflowsHear Vinod Khosla's take on why 80% of jobs could be automated within 5 yearsUnpack how China might use free AI tools to gain soft power and global influenceLearn why a high-risk, high-reward mindset defines the best founders and VCs in Silicon ValleyWhether you're building your first startup or thinking about your AI strategy, this episode offers critical insights from people who've seen these cycles before and know where the puck is heading.The Pact Honor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media followingKey linksGet your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurIntro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

This week, we sit down with Helena Wasserman, the co-founder of Investors for Climate, a global network of over 400 climate-focused investors across 24 cities. In this episode, we dive into the engine behind that momentum: a community that connects capital with founders at seed stage, and creates deep relationships between VCs, angels, and family offices worldwide.***Thank you to DealMaker for sponsoring this episode.

Produced by Foundersuite (for startups: www.foundersuite.com) and Fundingstack (for VCs: www.fundingstack.com), "How I Raised It" goes behind the scenes with startup founders and investors who have raised capital. This episode is with with Rachel Epstein, CEO of Pulse Charter Connect, an organ transport logistics startup that helps move hearts and livers and kidneys and other critical organs around the country via air. To fund her business, Laura went through 7 different accelerator programs and so we talk about how to make the most of accelerators, demo day tips, questions to ask investors to make sure they have capital to deploy, tips for communicating noteworthy events to investors, how she used Foundersuite to manager her investor pipelines, and more. The Company most recently raised $2 million in seed funding, which brings their total funding to $3.3 million. The oversubscribed round was led by Ivy Ventures and Simplex Ventures, with participation from Cedars Sinai Health Ventures, Belal Badat Ventures, Techstars, and angel investors How I Raised It is produced by Foundersuite, makers of software to raise capital and manage investor relations. Foundersuite's customers have raised over $21 Billion since 2016. If you are a startup, create a free account at www.foundersuite.com. If you are a VC, venture studio or investment banker, check out our new platform, www.fundingstack.com

Dominique Levin is a 2x CEO, a go-to-market architect, and a wildly successful investor with over a billion dollars in exits. She's seen it all, and she has a playbook for a lot of challenges founders face while building their companies.⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.comLinks-Dominique Levin on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominiquelevinBook that Dominique Levin:1. Survival to Thrival: She mentioned this is a two-book series written by Bob Tinker and Tae Hea Nahm. * Book 1: Survival to Thrival: Building the Enterprise Startup (The Company Journey) * Book 2: Survival to Thrival: Change or Be Changed (The People Journey)2. The Machine That Changed the World: The Story of Lean Production by James P. Womack, Daniel T. Jones, and Daniel Roos.

Die Talent-Abwerbeschlacht um KI-Forscher geht weiter. Apple verhandelt mit OpenAI und Anthropic, um Siri über fremde LLMs aufzurüsten, plant zugleich ein günstiges A18-MacBook Air und mehrere leichte AR-Brillen. Shein stolpert vor dem Börsengang: London scheitert, jetzt vertrauliches Hongkong-Filing bei sinkendem Wachstum. Berlins Datenschutzaufsicht will DeepSeek aus deutschen App-Stores verbannen. Yupp AI startet als Meta-Suchmaschine für LLMs: ein Prompt, zwei Antworten, User küren das bessere Modell. OpenAI schwenkt für Inferenz auf Google-TPUs – billiger, schneller, unabhängiger. Roger Federer knackt dank seiner On-Beteiligung die Milliarde. WhatsApp Business rechnet künftig pro Nachricht ab und verdient an KI-Bots. Tesla verliert seinen Produktionschef, X holt Produkt-Tüftler Nikita Bier. Trumps Team plant 47 ATF-Deregulierungen, das TikTok-Verbot wird erneut vertagt. Amazon beschäftigt jetzt über eine Million Roboter, Start-ups fordern ein Moratorium für den EU AI Act, Microsofts Diagnose-KI schlägt Ärzte bei seltenen Fällen. Unterstütze unseren Podcast und entdecke die Angebote unserer Werbepartner auf ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠doppelgaenger.io/werbung⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Vielen Dank!  Philipp Glöckler und Philipp Klöckner sprechen heute über: (00:00:00) Meta wirbt OpenAI-Forscher ab (00:07:55) Apple sucht LLM-Partner (00:14:00) Shein-IPO wankt (00:23:45) Berliner Datenschutz will DeepSeek aus App-Stores werfen (00:25:33) Yupp AI Side-by-Side-Vergleich von LLM-Antworten (00:31:20) OpenAI nutzt Google-TPUs für Inferenz (00:43:20) Roger Federer wird Milliardär dank On-Beteiligung (00:48:00) WhatsApp Business: Wechsel zu Pay-per-Message-Modell (00:49:30) Tesla verliert Produktionschef; Nikita Bier neuer X-Produktchef (00:55:00) Trump (00:56:00) TikTok-Verbot erneut verschoben (00:58:00) Amazon meldet 1 Mio Roboter (01:00:05) Gute News Des Tages Shownotes OpenAI-Führung reagiert auf Meta-Angebote – wired.com Zuckerberg kündigt Meta-‘Superintelligenz'-Projekt an – bloomberg.com Apple erwägt Anthropic oder OpenAI für Siri – bloomberg.com Apple arbeitet an 7 Kopf-Displays – 9to5mac.com Apple bringt günstigeres MacBook mit iPhone-Prozessor heraus – 9to5mac.com Shein plant geheime Hongkong-Börsennotierung – reuters.com US-Käufer meiden Shein und Temu nach Schließung der Steuerschlupflücke durch Trump – ft.com DeepSeek droht Verbot in deutschen App-Stores von Apple und Google – reuters.com Google überzeugt OpenAI zur Nutzung von TPU-Chips – theinformation.com Roger Federers langfristige Deals machen ihn zum Tennis-Milliardär – bloomberg.com 500+ KI-Modelle im Vergleich – x.com WhatsApp Business Plattform Preise | WhatsApp API Preise – business.whatsapp.com Elon Musk Vertrauter Omead Afshar verlässt Tesla –  bloomberg.com Musk's X stellt Unternehmer Nikita Bier als Produktchef ein – bloomberg.com DOGE tritt ATF bei, um Waffenregulierungen zu reduzieren – washingtonpost.com TikTok in den USA: Trump findet Käufer – zeit.de Amazon kurz davor, mehr Roboter als Menschen in Lagern einzusetzen – wsj.com Europäische Startups und VCs fordern EU auf, AI Act zu pausieren – sifted.eu Microsoft: Neues KI-System diagnostiziert genauer als Ärzte – wired.com

Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC podcast, where Dan Bowyer and Mads Jensen of SuperSeed and Lomax from Outsized Ventures, gather to unpack the macro forces and micro signals shaping European tech and venture.This week, the trio tackles one of the most geopolitically charged, capital-heavy, and morally complex episodes yet:

In a slight departure from our usual building performance themes joining us for this episode we have Richard Muscat, a man who has experienced the world of investment and tech from a fascinating range of angles and is seeking ways to do things differently.In essence, we're looking at the way venture capital and climatetech are organised in ways that aren't conducive to delivering the impact that's promised. We're not just picking on VCs, we're using them as a means of highlighting a bunch of systemic economic issues—chief among them is how unrealistic goals for growth (in its myriad forms) almost always leads to failed impact. Perversely, it's a bug in the impact investment space that's a feature of the broader investment system.We also get into concepts of degrowth and economic biodiversity.Good Homes Alliance eventLaunch event of our a best practice guide to ‘Water Efficiency and Reuse in Housing' on Thursday 10 July.Notes from the showRichard Muscat on LinkedinThe Untangled websiteRichard's recent LinkedIn post that we mentionThe Project Drawdown websiteHuman flourishing doesn't require perpetual growth; it requires sufficiency, by Jason HickelSmarter Finance 4 EU — the project Jeff's been working on and promoting because green home certification is about not just energy use, or IAQ, etc, but how residents live their lives once they leave the front door i.e. nature + cycling + public transport + climate resilience etc. all matter**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Retrofit Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

Back by popular demand, Rick Segal—venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and trusted advisor to countless startups—returns to The Willpower Podcast for a deeper dive into the evolving role of VCs in a founder's journey.In this candid and insightful conversation, Rick unpacks what founders often misunderstand about venture capital, how great VCs add real value beyond the check, and why alignment between investors and entrepreneurs is more critical than ever.We cover:What VCs really look for before investingThe red flags founders should watch for in investor relationshipsHow to navigate power dynamics and preserve your visionThe shift from transactional capital to strategic partnershipsWhether you're raising your first round or scaling toward exit, this episode is a must-listen for founders who want to build smarter, faster, and with the right people by their side.

Today's show:In this powerhouse VC roundtable, @Jason sits down with Sequoia's Doug Leone and Cyberstarts' Gili Raanan to share brutally honest insights on startup recruiting, evaluating second-time founders, and how to truly find product-market fit. They break down why big-tech résumés can be misleading, how to structure early teams, and what separates “missionary” talent from mercenaries. Plus, the myth of early ARR, the art of founder-board trust, and how AI is (and isn't) reshaping startup velocity. Must-watch for founders, VCs, and anyone building from 0 to 1.Timestamps:(03:25) The origins of Wiz and how VCs know when to invest(05:17) What qualities are investors looking for in founders and entrepreneurs?(09:53) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups(18:40) How to know when you've reached true Product Market Fit: the experts sound off(19:20) Notion - Try it for free today at https://notion.com/twist(25:39) The secrets of recruiting top talent(29:54) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://claconnect.com/tech(39:38) Judging a startup's revenue quality and “founder vs. salesman” deals(53:38) Is venture capital kind of a SCAM?(55:00) Seed Investing: “Pick them right and early”Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.comCheck out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.comSubscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcpFollow Lon:X: https://x.com/lonsFollow Alex:X: https://x.com/alexLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelmFollow Jason:X: https://twitter.com/JasonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanisThank you to our partners:(09:53) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups(19:20) Notion - Try it for free today at https://notion.com/twist(29:54) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://claconnect.com/techGreat TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarlandCheck out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanisFollow TWiST:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartupsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartupsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartupsSubstack: https://twistartups.substack.comSubscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

In today's solo episode, Coach Debbie dives deep into a hidden root cause of chronic fatigue, brain fog, stubborn weight gain, and premature aging—CIRS, or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. If you've ever felt stuck in survival mode despite doing all the “right” things, it may not be your fault. Your mitochondria may be trapped in a Cell Danger Response, driven by exposure to biotoxins, mold, or chronic infections like MARCoNS. You'll learn how this complex immune response damages your gut, disrupts hormones, impairs your brain, and stalls fat metabolism—all accelerating the aging process. I'll walk you through the core labs I use with clients, including VCS screening, MARCoNS nasal testing, and mitochondrial support panels, plus how to connect these to functional thyroid patterns, leaky gut, and cognitive decline.

In this episode of Pitch Cafe, we sit down with Jeel Patel, a young and ambitious entrepreneur who, just 1.5 years out of college, is already working on his third startup, FieldCamp. His latest venture is building the first fully AI-powered software for SMBs, tapping into a $3 billion market that even VCs struggle to understand. But what makes jeel confident in his success? It's not just the idea—it's his deep industry knowledge, his experienced team, and his ability to leverage real connections with SMBs. Tune in to hear jeel's insights on AI, startup challenges, and why this time, he's betting big! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ✨ ABOUT ME ✨ Hello, my name is Vidyangi (Vida) Patil. I am a mindset coach, author, and speaker. Five years ago when I started understanding success hacks for individuals, startups, and larger organizations little did I know I would end up working with mentors hail from Silicon Valley at Stanford University, MIT Media Lab, Singularity University, and incubators and accelerators. All the way from guiding AI/ML startup founders in winning pitch competitions, and bagging investor appointments to helping youth entrepreneurs and women land their dream job or promotion, I plan to spill the beans of wisdom to launch you higher wherever you are in your life. I have successfully coached communities in social impact initiatives during COVID. Every week you will see new videos from me on career, personal growth, and technology trends to onboard your rocket ship to success!

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Brian Brackeen, Managing Partner at Lightship Capital. Brian shares his unconventional journey from tech founder to venture capital allocator. He discusses his vision for democratizing venture capital by investing in overlooked regions like the Midwest and challenging traditional investment biases, and emphasizes the importance of founder-focused investing, leveraging AI in fund management, and creating opportunities beyond coastal tech hubs. Key insights include his critique of performative DEI efforts, the potential transformative impact of AI across industries, and his belief that smaller funds in underserved regions can generate significant returns. Also, don't miss our insider segment as Idan Netser from Sidley law firm discusses how legal firms can serve as valuable connectors and advisors in the venture capital ecosystem, helping GPs and LPs network, make introductions, facilitate deal opportunities, and provide strategic guidance beyond traditional legal services.Highlights from this week's conversation include:Brian's Journey into Tech and VC (0:40)Motivation for Starting Anchor Fund (6:27)Geographic and Diversity Challenges in VC (8:13)Investment Strategy and Diligence Process (9:38)Fund Size, Target LPs, and Support Services (11:50)Decision-Making and Fund Selection (13:17)Insider Segment: Benefits of Legal Firms for VCs (15:57)Trends in VC and LP/GP Terms (20:18)How LPs Should Approach Emerging Managers (23:51)Traits and Diligence for Fund Managers (25:56)AI in Fund Diligence and Operations (29:36)AI's Future Economic Impact (32:52)Transferable Skills and Workforce Evolution (39:58)Anchor Fund's Long-Term Vision (44:54)Final Thoughts and Takeaways (45:50)Lightship Capital Anchor Fund is a fund-of-funds strategy dedicated to driving economic growth by investing in small businesses through venture funds and direct investments. With a focus on diversity and measurable outcomes, Anchor Fund supports fund managers across the Americas, Africa, and Europe, ensuring long-term financial success and community impact. Learn more at www.lightship.capital/anchorfund.Sidley Austin LLP is a premier global law firm with a dedicated Venture Funds practice, advising top venture capital firms, institutional investors, and private equity sponsors on fund formation, investment structuring, and regulatory compliance. With deep expertise across private markets, Sidley provides strategic legal counsel to help funds scale effectively. Learn more at sidley.com.Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

VCs not responding to you? I'll review your deck & send you a detailed video with my actionable recommendations: Submit here: https://airtable.com/appBXetKIMsy5r3bE/pagQlrExmVx38bk6W/form GUEST: Mark Terbeek https://www.linkedin.com/in/markterbeek/ TOPICS DISCUSSED 1. Founder-Market Fit Is Everything Mark emphasized the importance of a founder's unique insight and experience into the problem they're solving. The most compelling cold emails show why this founder is one of one — uniquely suited for this mission. 2. Timing + Thematic Fit = Fast VC Response Greycroft often researches themes (like AI or automation) before founders reach out. When a startup pitches within an active theme — even unknowingly — and pairs it with founder-market fit, they're more likely to get a fast response. 3. "Intelligent RPA" Is a Hot Area One current theme Mark is excited about is Intelligent RPA (Robotic Process Automation) — AI-powered software that replaces outsourced business processes (e.g., call centers, payment processing) with scalable, intelligent agents. 4. Warm Intros Trump Cold Emails Greycroft rarely invests from cold outreach. Most deals come via: Founders they've already backed Thematic outbound sourcing Personal or trusted referrals Founders should invest in their network to access firms like Greycroft. 5. What Greycroft Looks for in Founders Strong founding teams typically have: Deep technical talent (especially in infrastructure and AI) A track record of shipping product The ability to recruit top-tier talent A relentless, iterative approach to execution 6. Stage Fit Matters Mark personally focuses on seed to Series A, though Greycroft invests from pre-seed to pre-IPO. If you only have an idea and no traction, it's better to wait or get a warm intro. 7. VCs Sell Themselves Too Once Greycroft sees an exceptional founder, they flip into “selling mode” — trying to prove why they are the best long-term partner. Mark wishes he could bottle up founder references because those stories say more about the firm than any pitch.

From humble beginnings in Tulsa to launching his own venture capital firm, Kevin Moore's story is one of resilience, grit, and vision.In this episode of Demo Day, host Sean Goldfaden sits down with Kevin Moore, Managing Partner at Serac Ventures, to uncover the mindset, habits, and experiences that helped him go from engineer to successful VC — and what every founder and aspiring fund manager needs to hear.- Learn how Kevin turned fear into fuel- Why “doing what you know” leads to real progress- What most first-time VCs get wrong about fundraising- How Serac Ventures uses AI to evaluate startup founders- And the #1 red flag that keeps investors from writing checksWhether you're building a startup, thinking about launching your own fund, or looking for inspiration to keep going — this episode is packed with insight.

Hyperliquid is one of the most talked-about platforms in crypto right now. It's an onchain perpetuals exchange that sidestepped VCs, built a deeply loyal user base, and launched with transparency most rivals avoid. But it's also staring down some massive challenges—from incoming competitors like Coinbase and Robinhood, to the technical hurdles of decentralizing its core exchange engine. Arthur Hayes, CIO of Maelstrom and one of crypto's most iconic traders, and Hanson Birringer of Flowdesk discuss: What actually drove Hyperliquid's success How a user-first approach is outpacing venture-backed models Whether the James Wynn saga was legit Why the HIP-3 proposal could be the “holy grail” for DEXes And whether Hyperliquid can survive its next big test: the entrance of giants Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com Thank you to our sponsors! Xapo Bank Bitwise Guests: Arthur Hayes, CIO of Maelstrom Hanson Birringer, Head of US Sales at Flowdesk Links Stats: CoinGlass: Total BTC Futures Open Interest Hyperliquid Stats James Wynn Unchained: Hyperliquid Trader Makes $87M in 70 Days, Loses It In Five James Wynn's address  Transparency Hyperliquid's founder's post on X saying that he felt like transparency results in better execution for whales compared to on private venues. Hyperliquid vs Binance: Unchained: Hyperliquid Saved Itself a $15 Million Loss, but Sparked Criticism Arthur Hayes' tweet on whether $HYPE perp volumes will flip Binance's this cycle. CZ's tweet on dark pool DEXs Cointelegraph: Binance co-founder CZ proposes dark pool DEXs to tackle manipulation Tokenomics: DL News: Hyperliquid's token buyback machine just hit $1b — is it sustainable? HIP-3: Hyperliquid Docs: HIP-3: Builder-Deployed Perpetuals Timestamps: