Episodios
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YiÄit Ihlamur, co-founder and general partner at Vela Partners, shares his unique venture capital approach, which combines data analysis with personal connections to identify exceptional founders. At Vela Partners, an algorithmic scan of companies helps narrow down investment choices, but final decisions hinge on assessing founder resilience and motivation during meetings. YiÄit explains that, typically, he has already decided to invest by the time he meets a founder; the meeting confirms his conviction. He also discusses AIâs role in shaping the future of productivity tools and offers valuable advice to founders on preparation and authenticity when seeking investment.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[02:06] YiÄit's journey from Google to venture capital, and his unique approach to combining engineering and venture investing.
[06:27] How Vela Partners integrates artificial intelligence and quant-driven algorithms to identify high-potential startups
[10:21] The significance of a balanced quantitative and qualitative assessment in VC investing
[12:41] How AI is enabling the next generation of productivity tools
[19:08] Articulate your personal story, intrinsic motivation, and ability to articulate your commitment to solving a particular problem.
[24:07] What should startups do to attract algorithm-driven funds like Vela Partners?
[27:02] Slow decision-making pace in VC is a problem
The nonprofit organizations YiÄit is passionate about: American College Institute (ACI) in Turkey
About YiÄit Ihlamur
YiÄit Ihlamur is a co-founder, general partner, and Chief Technology Officer at Vela Partners, a venture capital firm specializing in AI and product-led solutions. Prior to Vela, YiÄit had an impactful career at Google, where he led initiatives for Gmail, Chrome, and Google Workspace, focusing on product-led growth strategies such as self-service signups, activation, and pricing flows. Starting in Google's European headquarters, he initially worked on technical support for IT admins and created productivity tools for internal teams. YiÄit is passionate about advancing human productivity through technology. Outside his professional pursuits, he enjoys kitesurfing, skiing, running, and spending time with his family.
About Vela Partners
Vela Partners is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm specializing in product-led, AI-native startups from inception to Series A. Acting as an "AI startup investing in other AI startups," Vela leverages its proprietary AI to guide investment decisions and enhance its own returns. The firmâs investor-focused tools drive its fundâs performance, while self-service tools for entrepreneurs expand Velaâs brand and distribution channels. Its portfolio includes innovative companies like Vieu, Cartken, Goooods, Nominal, LeakSignal, Base Operations, Cerby, Lightup, Vartana, and Axiom Cloud, among others.
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Jessie Guo, an investment partner at Next Legacy Partners, shares her journey from early life in the northern China town of Dingxiang to a chance meeting with co-founder Russ Hall and joining the team at Next Legacy Partners. The firm supports mission-driven, early-stage tech startups and funds. Jessie discusses their approach to backing both emerging and established managers, highlighting the importance of diversity, discipline, and conviction in choosing investments.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[02:15] Evolution, mission and core focus of Next Legacy Partners
[09:10] The venture ecosystem expansion; new opportunities for emerging managers
[12:30] Differences between Next Legacyâs emerging and established manager portfolios
[19:32] The importance of differentiation in forming the conviction to back emerging managers
[26:50] Two key areas for improvement in venture capital
The nonprofit organizations Jessie is passionate about: Venture Forward, Alzheimer's Foundation of America
About Jessie Guo
Jessie Guo is an Investment Partner at Next Legacy Partners, focusing on Flagship and Emerging Leaders strategies. A Kauffman Fellow, Jessie also serves on the permanent board of Bridge Funding Global, supporting women and underserved emerging managers. She brings deep expertise in venture capital, having worked at CICC and China Renaissance, where she led private equity and venture capital investments and helped establish CICCâs fund of funds and wealth management businesses. Jessie earned both her bachelorâs and masterâs in Finance from Peking University and an MBA with top honors from UC Davis.
About Next Legacy Partners
Next Legacy Partners is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital and private equity firm dedicated to achieving meaningful returns by backing top early-stage venture capital firms and high-potential founders. Focused on democratizing access to venture capital, Next Legacy Partners invests on behalf of philanthropists, athletes, and changemakers, giving them entry into exclusive venture funds and companies. The firmâs mission extends beyond financial returns, aiming to drive positive impact. Next Legacy investments include: Affinity, Instil, Babylist, Rubrik, Lime, Kitopi, NorthOne, Flexport among others.
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Lochan Alagh, co-founder of VC Nest, shares her journey from India to Silicon Valley, her work with nonprofits, and her transition into entrepreneurship and venture capital. She explains how VC Nest is addressing gaps in the VC ecosystem by supporting emerging fund managers through collaboration, networking, education, and thought leadership. Lochan emphasizes the need to prioritize founder support over just maximizing returns, fostering a healthier venture capital landscape.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[1:51] Lochanâs inspiring journey from India to Silicon Valley
[9:19] How venture capital drives innovation
[12:19] Key challenges for emerging fund managers: fundraising, deal sourcing, and increasing competition
[17:56] The pillars of VC Nest: focused events, curated VC-startup mixers, educational series, and thought leadership
[22:50] Emerging fund managers are identifying future unicorns but still struggle with institutional backing (TechCrunch: 30 out of 34 unicorns were funded by emerging managers).
The nonprofit organizations Lochan is passionate about: IIT Bay Area Alumni Association, Overseas Volunteer for a Better India (OVBI)
About Lochan Alagh
Lochan Alagh is the co-founder and managing partner at VC Nest, a platform dedicated to supporting emerging venture capital fund managers and innovative startups. Before VC Nest, Lochan served as Executive Director at FalconX, where she fostered global innovation by forging strategic partnerships with accelerators and helping B2B startups establish a presence in Silicon Valley. She is also the Vice President of the IIT Roorkee Alumni Association (Bay Area Chapter), where she focuses on strengthening the alumni community. Previously, she led business strategy and operations at Cloud Harmonics, a rapidly growing startup, until its acquisition by Ingram Micro. Passionate about community service, Lochan is involved with nonprofits such as Overseas Volunteer for a Better India, working on water conservation initiatives, and New Leaders Council, which trains young progressives to become civic leaders. Additionally, she serves as a board member and secretary for the IIT Bay Area Alumni Association (2022-2024).
About VC Nest
VC Nest is a Silicon Valley-based platform designed to empower emerging venture capital fund managers and foster the growth of the VC-startup ecosystem. It offers a range of resources, including networking opportunities, educational events, and fundraising support to help fund managers thrive. With a focus on collaboration and knowledge sharing, VC Nest provides fund managers with insider strategies on fundraising, access to Fund of Funds, and connections with fellow VCs. Additionally, it offers technology infrastructure, portfolio startup workstations, and actionable insights to drive the growth and success of both funds and startups.
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Shreesha Ramdas, a successful serial entrepreneur and angel investor, shares his investment approach, which focuses on the individual stories of entrepreneurs rather than just their business ideas. He discusses the changing face of entrepreneurship in India and highlights the significance of community for founders through the story of how Funda, a thriving community of founders, investors, and operators, came to life.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[2:17] âSilicon Valleyâwhat I call Disneyland for techâcompletely transformed my mindset.â - Shreesha Ramdas
[5:36] New challenges for Indian entrepreneurs building global solutions
[13:36] Founder stories matter
[19:30] Funda: Building a strong community where founders can learn from each other
The community activity Shreesha is passionate about: Funda
About Shreesha Ramdas
Shreesha Ramdas is a seasoned entrepreneur with a proven track record of launching and scaling products in highly competitive markets. He is the CEO and Founder of Lumber, a workforce management platform tailored for the construction industry. Previously, Shreesha was the CEO and Co-Founder of Strikedeck, a customer success automation company that was acquired by Medallia. Before Strikedeck, he served as GM of the Marketing Cloud at CallidusCloud and Co-Founder of LeadFormix, which was acquired by CallidusCloud. Shreesha also held leadership roles at Yodlee, OuterJoin, Catalytic Software, MW2 Consulting, and Tata. In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, he actively invests in and advises several growth companies, including Workato, Enact, RevvSales, and others.
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Rajan Maruthavanan, Cofounder and Managing Partner at Upekkha, shares deep insights into the dynamics of building B2B startups from India for global markets, particularly in the US. He discusses the strengths and challenges of Indian founders, such as thriving in vertical, niche markets versus struggling with infrastructure and dev tools for global adoption. Rajan emphasizes the importance of founders learning how to take advice and shares his thoughts on the key skills needed for founder success.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[3:57] Building a new type of VC firm: The Upekkha story
[7:36] Why Indian startups struggle to break into the US market
[14:43] The Power of annual contract value (ACV): How ACV shapes startup strategy
[19:03] The vertical advantage: Why Indian founders succeed in niche Markets
[22:03] How biases and bad advice can trap founders into their biggest pitfalls
[28:07] Changing the VC game by improving founder success rates
The nonprofit organization Rajan is passionate about: Sitare Foundation
About Rajan Maruthavanan
Rajan Maruthavanan is the Cofounder and Managing Partner at Upekkha, with extensive expertise in guiding early-stage startups through their critical zero-to-one phase to achieve product-market fit. At Upekkha, he has made over 120 pre-seed investments in SaaS startups and assisted numerous founders with M&A activities in DeepTech and B2B SaaS over the past eight years. Previously, Rajan was an Operator and Head of Product for QuickBooks Global at Intuit, where he managed the India GST strategy and led iCombinator, Intuitâs internal accelerator. He also organized two notable conferences: SaaSx in Chennai (2014-2016) and StartupBridgeIndia at Stanford (2016-2019). Earlier in his career, he co-founded and served as CTO of a computer vision startup, developing a SIFT vector-based visual search for Nokia phones.
About Upekkha
Upekkha, established in 2017, is an AI SaaS accelerator dedicated to helping Indian founders create global software brands. Currently in its 13th cohort, Upekkha has collaborated with over 165 startups and cultivated a network of more than 300 SaaS entrepreneurs. The firm has a diverse portfolio including companies like iMocha, Almabase, Kloudle, and Cloudbankin. Notably, about 25% of its startups hail from tier-II cities, such as Pune, Kochi, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Raipur, Vadodara, Jabalpur, Warangal, Coimbatore, and Trichy.
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Raed Masri and Rama Chakaki, general partners at Transform VC, discuss their unique approach to venture capital, focusing on impact-driven investments and supporting diverse, underrepresented founders. Drawing from their diverse backgrounds as entrepreneurs and investors, they discuss how they evaluate startups, form investment convictions, and challenge traditional industry norms. Raed and Rama also provide practical advice for founders seeking to make the most of their early meetings with venture capitalists.
In this episode, you'll learn:
[3:12] Moving beyond traditional Silicon Valley thinking to embrace global perspectives and diversity.
[7:21] Why Transform VC prioritizes founders who are deeply obsessed with their customers and solving real-world problems.
[11:15] How VCs build conviction through multiple interactions with founders
[17:54] Bridging the gap for underrepresented founders; what the industry can do to better support these entrepreneurs
[22:28] Practical tips for founders to maximize early meetings with investors
[24:41] Measuring impact in startups: Key criteria and questions for founders to consider when demonstrating their social or environmental impact.
The nonprofit organization Rama is passionate about: VIP Fund
About Raed Masri
Raed Masri is the founder and general director at Transform VC. Raed is a seasoned technology entrepreneur turned top-performing venture capitalist. As the founder of Transform VC, a Silicon Valley firm that has backed multiple deep tech startups, including four unicorns, Raed focuses on identifying untapped founders who can achieve transformative impact and exceptional returns. With a track record that includes two companies with 20x outcomes and three failed ventures, he brings a wealth of experience to his role as a hands-on investor. Raed aims to support 1,000 mindful tech founders to each impact a billion lives and make a billion dollars through deep tech for social and climate impact. He holds an Engineering degree from Carleton University and an MBA from Cornell University.
About Rama Chakaki
Rama Chakaki is a general partner at Transform VC. Rama is an impact-driven tech entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. As a partner at Transform VC, she supports tech founders using deep tech for climate and social impact, with a mission to empower 1,000 founders to impact a billion lives and make a billion dollars. Rama has been a key figure in developing the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Middle East and leads the VIP.fund, an edTech nonprofit aiding youth affected by conflict. Her work has been recognized in publications like Forbes, Bloomberg, and Arab Women Rising. She holds degrees in Computer Engineering and Engineering Management from George Washington University.
About Transform VC
Transform VC is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm that invests in, creates and builds sustainable businesses with a long-term investment view. They focus on mission-driven, determined, and authentic founders who use deep tech and network effects for social and climate impact.
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Aaron Webster, Managing Director at Cameron Ventures, shares his experience in the dynamic world of venture capital, with a focus on InsurTech, FinTech and Enterprise Technology investments at seed and Series A. He explains the evolving trends within these sectors and emphasizes the critical role of data infrastructure in driving innovation. Aaron shares insights into what he looks for in potential investments, particularly the importance of strong data management and the integration of technology with business models.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[2:39] How Aaron's career in corporate shaped his approach to technology, business and startup investing
[7:55] Key elements of InsurTech 2.0: The shift from distribution to infrastructure and data management.
[12:40] The excitement around data infrastructure plays in the insurance space and why having good data is crucial.
[14:41] How Cameron Ventures sources and evaluates startups, with a focus on team dynamics and problem-solving capabilities.
[18:35] Common reasons for getting a 'No' from VCs and the importance of character and realistic valuations.
[21:48] Advice for founders in the current market, including the significance of understanding market trends and valuation issues
[23:07] The role of venture capital in pushing the economy forward
The non-profit organizations that Aaron is passionate about: United Way Oklahoma, Payne Education Center
About Aaron Webster
Aaron Webster is the managing director at Cameron Ventures. He backs founders who are building the new tech stacks for financial services and benefits and has been instrumental in Cameronâs investment in Castellum.AI, jawnt, YellowBird, Coverdash, XP Health, Certificial, and others startups.
About Cameron Ventures
Cameron Ventures is an Oklahoma-based early-stage venture capital firm with affiliate operating companies that serve customers across the United States, primarily in insurance, banking and asset management. The Cameron team is able to empower its portfolio companies with access to financial and strategic capital, seasoned real-world management teams and a substantial customer base. Companies in Cameronâs portfolio include NewRetirement, Coverdash, Castellum.AI, Certificial, jawnt, YellowBird, Method Financial, Surround Insurance, XP Health, among others.
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Ben Black, co-founder and managing director of Akkadian Ventures, shares insights into the venture capital secondary market. He highlights the distinct approach Akkadian Ventures takes, focusing on businesses with proven customer economics and strong technology moats. Ben elaborates on their strategy of gradually increasing positions and leveraging discounts from secondary investments. He also discusses the evolution and growing importance of secondary markets as startups stay private longer and new liquidity models develop. Ben also talks about Raise Global, a platform he founded to support emerging venture managers.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[1:39] Silicon Valley thrives on meritocracy, where anyone with ambition, talent, and hard work can quickly connect and succeed regardless of their background.
[4:41] To succeed, emerging managers must proactively create their own opportunities, rather than waiting for them to be given.
[6:46] What is the venture capital secondary market? How is it developing, and what impact does it have on the broader VC ecosystem? What does the future hold for secondary investments?
[12:27] Key strategies for investing in the secondaries market
[22:00] The evolution and impact of Raise since its inception.
The non-profit organizations that Ben is passionate about: Mind The Gap
About Ben Black
Ben Black is a co-founder and managing director at Akkadian Ventures. He has extensive venture capital experience, having previously worked as an investor at Maveron, Rosewood Capital, New Cycle Capital. As an entrepreneur, Black served as vice president of corporate development at Harris Interactive, driving its transformation into a leading internet-based market research firm and leading to a successful IPO. He also co-founded Raise Global to facilitate connections between emerging fund managers and capital partners, enhancing investment opportunities in the venture space.
About Akkadian Ventures
Akkadian Ventures is a Silicon Valley-based direct secondary investment firm that offers liquidity to early employees and investors of venture-backed businesses. For more than a decade, Akkadian has pioneered secondary and opportunistic investments in growth-stage technology companies.
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Venktesh Shukla, Founder and General Partner at Monta Vista Capital, shares his journey from a reluctant immigrant to a successful entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He outlines his investment strategy at Monta Vista Capital, emphasizing deep due diligence, expert validation, adaptability, continuous learning, and leveraging networks. Additionally, he highlights the significant role of TiE (The IndUS Entrepreneurs) in promoting entrepreneurship, particularly among Indian and South Asian communities, and the importance of supportive ecosystems in fostering innovation and economic growth.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[1:36] Driven into venture capital by a desire to focus on product and customer engagement
[6:53] Presenting unique and intriguing aspects of your field or venture appeals to VC's intellectual curiosity.
[8:36] Monta Vista investment philosophy: high conviction, concentrated investments; relying heavily on deep domain experts to validate investment opportunities.
[14:09] The founderâs motivation to tackle a market problem should be backed by concrete market insights.
[19:52] The IndUS Entrepreneurs - a comprehensive support system that has had a profound impact on the global entrepreneurial landscape, contributing to significant successes within the Indian community in Silicon Valley and beyond.
The non-profit organizations that Venktesh is passionate about: Foundation for Excellence
About Venktesh Shukla
Venktesh Shukla is the Founder and General Partner of Monta Vista Capital and also the Founding Chair of TiE Angels. Prior to investing, Venktesh drove rapid growth in sales, marketing, and general management roles, collaborating with over 50 startups. As a former president of TiE, he strengthened Silicon Valleyâs tech startup network and continues to volunteer, connecting entrepreneurs with key customers. Passionate about supporting Indian startups, Venk influences policy through the Government of India's Startup Advisory Council and supports students through the Foundation for Excellence.
About Monta Vista Capital
Monta Vista Capital is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm focused on early stage B2B companies. Portfolio companies include StrikeReady, Uhnder, minds.ai, ConstructN, XY Retail, Eridan, Boomerang, Motorq, Sparkz among others.
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Gayathri Radhakrishnan, partner at Hitachi Ventures, shares profound insights from her journey and perspectives on venture capital and technology. Gayathri reflects on her early life in India and how her competitive spirit and supportive family shaped her path to challenging norms in male-dominated fields. She delves into her focus on impactful investments in AI, utilizing Hitachi Ventures' corporate strengths to strategically nurture startups. Gayathri values founder passion, problem understanding, and openness to feedback, and her advice to founders stresses preparation, boldness, and leveraging networks for lasting partnerships and growth.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[1:54] The making of Gayathri Radhakrishnan: Challenging norms and building a strong sense of confidence and competitiveness.
[10:32] The responsibility and impact that venture capital has on shaping future generations
[14:10] Impact of corporate venture capital, when done right: Hitachi Venturesâ commitment to patient capital with a 10-year fund cycle further underscores their long-term support for startups.
[18:21] Trends and opportunities: Entrepreneurs should explore opportunities where AI can revolutionize industrial processes, enhance safety and efficiency, and contribute to sustainable practices.
[23:37] Passionately understand your problem, stay open to feedback, and ensure your solution has real-world validation and market potential.
[28:20] Aim for follow-up meetings and leverage the investor's network for potential introductions.
[35:15] Whatâs the immediate threat posed by AI?
The non-profit organizations that Gayathri is passionate about: SV2
About Gayathri Radhakrishnan
Gayathri Radhakrishnan is currently Partner at Hitachi Ventures, focusing on AI investments in Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Automotive. With over 20 years in technology, she has held roles at Dell, Corning, and Micron Ventures, and served as a Partner at Earlybird Venture Capital. Gayathri holds an MS in EE from The Ohio State University, an MBA from INSEAD, and is a Kauffman Fellow. She has driven strategy at Dellâs Software Group and mentored startups at TechRanch Austin and Techstars Cloud.
About Hitachi Ventures
Hitachi Ventures is the global venture capital arm of Hitachi Group. Hitachi Ventures invests in innovative companies that address societyâs key technological challenges in areas like IT, industrial automation (robotics, sensor technology and IoT), cloud services (data management, cybersecurity), mobility (autonomous driving, mobility services, smart infrastructure and security services), energy, smart medicine (AIfor digital imaging, smart diagnostics, remote care), smart city, smart infrastructure and more. Itâs portfolio includes companies such as Samsara Eco, Trustwise AI, WEKA, StrikeReady, Archetype AI, WASE, Cure51, Proscia, Thea Energy, Captura among others.
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Dan Kimerling, founder and managing partner at Deciens, talks about key principles that shape his current approaches to startup investments. He explains Deciens' strategy of leading financing deals with a concentrated portfolio, allowing for deep partnerships with entrepreneurs. Dan critiques the average venture capital returns and promotes a bold, non-orthodox strategy to achieve exceptional outcomes. He emphasizes the importance of alignment with entrepreneurs and LPs, advocating for a venture capital model that values courage, commitment, and long-term relationships over diversification and transactional interactions.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[1:48] How growing up in Edison, New Jersey, influenced Dan Kimerlingâs personal and professional life.
[4:07] Deciensâ philosophy: Concentrated, bold, partnership-driven investments.
[7:42] Founders seek genuine partnerships with VCs.
[15:54] Achieving greatness requires personal courage, not group consensus.
[18:28] Success in VC means investing in non-consensus deals with a robust framework.
[29:28] Strategies for better alignment among VCs, entrepreneurs, and LPs.
The non-profit organizations that Dan is passionate about: Albuquerque Community Foundation
About Dan Kimerling
Dan Kimerling is the founder and managing partner at Deciens. He is passionate about leading investments in transformative companies at their earliest stages and sits on the board of many Deciens portfolio companies, including Chipper, Therma, and Treasury Prime. He co-founded Standard Treasury, which was acquired by Silicon Valley Bank, where he led API Banking and Global Research. Earlier, he was an analyst at TechCrunch. Dan graduated with honors from the University of Chicago with an A.B. and A.M., studied mathematical finance at Booth, and received several awards. He was named to Forbesâ "30 under 30," is a Kauffman Fellow, and is active in the Young Presidentsâ Organization.
About Deciens
Deciens is a venture capital firm dedicated to supporting early-stage founders revolutionizing financial services. The firm identifies visionary entrepreneurs at the inception of their journey, offering extensive support beyond funding to realize their visions. Deciens collaborates strategically with industry leaders such as Chipper Cash, Africa's largest fintech; Treasury Prime, a frontrunner in banking-as-a-service; and Therma, an innovator in industrial energy management. Through these partnerships, Deciens champions entrepreneurs driving the digital transformation of traditional institutions.
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Vishal Tripathi, investor at Next Legacy Partners, delves into venture capital dynamics, spotlighting Next Legacy Partners' unique blend of philanthropy and athlete-focused strategies. Vishal shares his journey into venture capital, underscoring the industryâs allure for innovation and human connection. He also discusses key insights including the importance for emerging managers to define their unique differentiation and adapt to investor preferences, evaluation criteria for managers, AI's transformative role, and the need for VC innovation amid challenges like prolonged private company timelines.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[1:20] Venture capital allows you to engage with and learn from driven entrepreneurs at the forefront of innovation.
[5:14] Next Legacy Partners mission: linking philanthropy, athletes, and cultural figures with venture capital.
[6:49] Define your unique differentiation as an emerging manager.
[10:27] Emerging managers should align their strategy with their unique strengths and personal approach, remaining open-minded instead of adhering to any one-size-fits-all model.
[21:39] Emerging trends in venture capital, including AI's transformative impact and the need for innovation to address challenges like liquidity and evolving market conditions.
[28:03] VCs should prioritize founders as their primary customers and focus their efforts on adding value to them.
The non-profit organizations that Vishal is passionate about: Anjali, Smile Foundation
About Vishal Tripathi
Vishal Tripathi is an investor at Next Legacy Partners. Vishal analyzes and oversees venture capital funds and industries at Next Legacy, leveraging prior roles as a portfolio manager at Plexo Capital. With a background in financial engineering and quantitative research at J.P. Morgan, he brings extensive expertise in capital allocation and early-stage venture capital. Beyond his professional endeavors, Vishal finds enjoyment in reading DC comics, watching UK panel shows, developing computer games, and avidly following Cricket and Chess.
About Next Legacy Partners
Next Legacy Partners is a venture capital firm formed from the merger of Legacy Venture and Next Play Capital. It stands out with its dual mission to connect the philanthropic world with venture capital (Legacy Venture's focus) and to bridge athletes and cultural luminaries with venture capital (Next Play Capital's focus). Next Legacy Partners is highly community-driven and distinctively focuses on established large funds, direct investments into startups, and emerging leaders in the venture capital industry.
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Atlas Berry, founder and general partner at Mission One Capital, delves into funding mission-driven founders who focus on frontier technology solutions to sustainability challenges. Atlas discusses the significance of sustainability to him personally, highlights the specific areas of climate tech his venture capital firm targets, and explores current trends in the industry. He provides deep insights into sustainability opportunities and shares valuable advice for entrepreneurs interested in this sector.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[1:41] 'Jason Bourne meets banking': The fascinating early career journey of Atlas Berry.
[5:22] How corporate development experience paved the way for a venture capital role.
[6:33] The inception of Mission One Capital: Identifying software-driven solutions to climate issues.
[12:17] Guidance for founders tackling climate and sustainability challenges: Understand the problems in these areas and respecting regulatory constraints.
[16:35] The importance of addressing human issues for successful sustainability solutions.
[20:22] Emerging trends in climate tech, including energy, mobility, carbon markets, circularity, and environmental management.
[26:00] Why timing is crucial in evaluating sustainability-focused investment opportunities.
The non-profit organizations that Atlas is passionate about: The Nature Conservancy
About Atlas Berry
Atlas Berry is the founder and general partner at Mission One Capital. He began his career in investment banking at JPMorgan, working in Mergers & Acquisitions across New York, Johannesburg, and London. Notably, Atlas established the venture arm for the Grammy-award-winning rock band Linkin Park, where he led investments in high-profile companies such as Lyft, Robinhood, and Impossible Foods. Additionally, he is a two-time TEDx keynote speaker, has mentored at Techstars and the MIT Startup Accelerator, and has served on the Technology Advisory Boards for New York City and Delta Airlines.
About Mission One Capital
Mission One Capital is a Silicon Valley-based early-stage venture capital firm specializing in ClimateTech and Equitable Access startups. The firm invests in seed-stage companies dedicated to creating a more sustainable and equitable future. Its portfolio includes innovative companies such as Zevvy, Twice, Helio, Cloverly, CHI, Derapi, UPFRONT, Carbonara, and others.
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Chris McKelvy, founder of K. Ventures and military veteran, recounts his journey from the military to tech companies like Oculus VR and Meta, culminating in establishing his own venture capital firm. Chris talks about his early involvement in JFK family's non-profit initiatives and getting inspired to start K. Ventures, focusing on the disabilities community. Chris also shares useful tips for founders on preparing for meetings with VC and encourages VCs to address societal challenges.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[1:45] Transferring military leadership skills to tech and investing for social impact
[4:14] K. Ventures takes a unique approach to disabilities by investing seed capital in startups serving this community.
[6:22] Startup opportunities: The disabilities community is the largest underrepresented group in the world.
[9:23] It takes a lot of mentorship and support to learn the craft of being an entrepreneur.
[16:27] Feel comfortable in the way that you want to talk about your business and yourself.
[19:18] VCs are guided by their belief in the founding team's ability to lead and create something groundbreaking.
[22:35] More investors need to really think about the hard societal problems
The non-profit organizations that Chris is passionate about: Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation, iMentor
About Chris McKelvy
Chris McKelvy is the founder and managing partner at K. Ventures. He has a diverse background spanning tech, business, non-profits, and the military. Notably, he led Oculus VR's partnerships & e-sports division, instrumental in its $2B acquisition by Facebook. Chris orchestrated multimillion-dollar partnerships with tech giants like NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Unreal, and Ubisoft. A combat veteran with the 101st Airborne Division and graduate of Army Ranger school, he holds degrees from Harvard and Syracuse. Additionally, he served proudly as Vice Chairman of the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation for over eight years.
About K. Ventures
K. Ventures is a Massachusetts-based venture capital firm with a mission to catalyze the next generation of disability care. The firm invests in early-stage technology companies serving those with intellectual, developmental and learning disabilities. This includes down syndrome, autism, ADHD and dyslexia as well as other overlooked conditions. Portfolio companies include Juno, Juniper, Mightier, Finni Health, and NeuroNav.
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Alexa Binns, a seasoned investor and marketer, takes us through her remarkable journey from non-profit roots to establishing herself as a venture capital investor, overseeing her family office alongside her three sisters. Drawing from her dual roles as an angel investor and limited partner, Alexa provides invaluable insights for founders and venture capitalists alike, enriching the conversation with her wealth of experience and perspective.
In this episode:
[2:03] Alexaâs path to venture capital: Discover how Alexa transitioned from her role in a non-profit organization to making her mark in the competitive world of venture capital.
[8:26] Three critical aspects that every founder should understand about angel investors to optimize their interactions and avoid common pitfalls.
[12:38] The significant impact of new emerging managers on the venture capital landscape and what this means for the industry.
[16:40] The "Three Sâs" â sourcing, selecting, and stewardship â essential criteria for assessing and choosing the best emerging fund managers.
[22:33] The current state of investment in female founders: are they receiving the funding they rightfully deserve?
[28:11] Swimming with Allocators podcast, where limited partners share their decision-making processes in VC investments.
The non-profit organization that Alexa is passionate about: Norman Lear Center USC
About Alexa Binns
Alexa Binns is a seasoned investor and marketer, known for her acute ability to identify emerging trends and technologies. Over her career, she has risen from associate to partner in venture capital, making significant investments at firms such as Maven, Halogen, and Spacecadet. Some of her notable angel investments include Chipper Cash, Sana Benefits, and The Flex Co.
In addition to her investing prowess, Alexa brings a decade of operational experience, having developed both digital and physical products for high-profile clients including Planned Parenthood, MTV, Disney, and Target. She excels in innovative marketing strategies; her accomplishments range from writing a masterâs thesis on building a brand on YouTube to helping sell the Twitch influencer marketing platform NoScope. She was also nominated for a Mashable Award for her work with Foursquare and pioneered some of the first advertising campaigns on Twitter.
Alexa also co-hosts Swimming with Allocators, a venture podcast that offers insights from the limited partner (LP) perspective. Alongside Earnest Sweat, she interviews top allocators and industry leaders weekly, exploring their strategies and perspectives on the next decade of venture capital.
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Vijay Reddy, partner at Mayfield, talks about the latest innovations and trends shaping the artificial intelligence (AI) landscape. He shares his venture capital journey and describes Mayfield's unique focus on cognitive plumbing and Cognition-as-a-Service (CaaS), unraveling what these concepts entail. Vijay also offers practical advice for startup founders keen on tapping into the myriad opportunities within the realm of AI.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[1:24] From a 10th grade circuits and chips enthusiast to technology executive and founder
[5:50] Vijayâs evolution as a venture capital investor fueled by technology curiosity
[13:41] Debate about AI being a good or bad thing - itâs not worthy!
[15:04] Get these 3 things right for success with an AI-first startup.
The non-profit organization that Vijay is passionate about: Upward
About Vijay Reddy
Vijay Reddy is a partner at Mayfield with over a decade of AI and deeptech investing experience. Prior, Vijay was an investor at Clear Ventures and Intel Capital. He witnessed AI's rise from its inception, and with a founder-first approach, he has invested across the AI stack, backing companies like SambaNova, DataRobot, and BabbleLabs. He began his career as an entrepreneur, co-founding a startup after leaving his PhD program, and has held senior roles at Broadcom and Intel.
About Mayfield
Mayfield is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm that invests in AI-first companies
at the Seed, Series A and Series B stages. The firm has raised 20 U.S. funds since 1969, and currently has $3 billion under management. Mayfield takes pride in an investment team that has a founder DNA and operates from a shared set of beliefs and partners for the long term with entrepreneurs pursuing big ideas. Companies in Mayfieldâs portfolio include: Outreach, seekout, alchemy, auradine, chemix, crunchbase, Gutsy, LexCheck, OwnID, Qwiet, Vijil, VERSA Networks among others.
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Philip Edmundson, founder of Corvus Insurance (recently acquired by Travelers), shares the captivating journey of Corvus, from its inception to its recent acquisition. He discusses the company's unique approach to cyber risk and its mission to revolutionize commercial insurance with advanced data science and an AI-driven approach. Philip also discusses opportunities for innovation in insurance, and gives insights into crucial startup matters such as early team building and selecting the right investors.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[2:45] From â78 to 2024: How has the insurance industry evolved?
[5:03] The genesis of Corvus, and reasons for focusing on cyber insurance
[13:25] Hiring the first set of team members: lessons and tips for founders
[19:20] Notable achievements and challenges faced while building Corvus
[26:31] Advice on choosing the right investors for your startup.
[33:51] Areas of opportunity for insurtech entrepreneurs to innovate.
The non-profit organization that Phil is passionate about: Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
About Philip Edmundson
Philip Edmundson is the founder and CEO of the insurtech company Corvus Insurance. With a background in insurance broking and tech entrepreneurship, Philip started Corvus in 2017, aiming to enhance insurance underwriting and assist policyholders in risk reduction through data and technology. Philip emphasizes that insurance should go beyond risk transfer. Before Corvus, he co-founded William Gallagher Associates, acquired by Arthur J Gallagher, and played key roles in industry networks.
About Corvus Insurance
Corvus Insurance (now a subsidiary of Travelers Insurance) is an insurance company that focuses on cyber risk, loss prevention, and mitigating adverse events using data-driven and AI-powered tools. The Corvus mission is to make the world safer from cyber threats. The company delivers insights to broker partners, helping to make them smarter about the complex risks their clients face.
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Tommy Leep, founding partner at Jetstream, shares insights on climate tech investing and nurturing startups for a sustainable future. He delves into climate tech trends, opportunities for startups, and challenges that early-stage investors face (such as greenwashing). Tommy also advises founders on articulating their vision, avoiding the "founders' curse of knowledge" and the importance of sales skills.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[2:05] Startups attract people who love to be part of disruptive innovation.
[4:53] Finding purpose in setbacks: the story of how Jetstream started
[9:59] Trends and opportunities in climate tech investing.
[14:03] Building a startup in the climate tech space
[19:47] Foundersâ curse of knowledge - what is it? How can founders avoid the curse of knowledge?
[25:21] Thereâs something special about a founder who can influence an investor to make subjective decisions.
About Tommy Leep
Tommy Leep is the founder of Jetstream. He is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and business advisor with experience in startup funding and growth. He held key roles at Floodgate and Rothenberg Ventures before delving into venture capitalism. With experience at Meraki, Inc., Intuit, and Yahoo! Music, he brings a diverse skill set. Tommy advises startups like Around, Payable, and Patreon, and formerly led Rothenberg Ventures' SF office. He's also advised Orchestra Inc. (now part of Dropbox).
About Jetstream
Jetstream is a venture capital firm investing in pre-seed climate, sustainability, and biodiversity startups. Companies in Jetstreamâs startup portfolio include Verdi, Pachama, Windborne Systems, Glacier, Albebo, Lightship, Pathways, Cecil, Wildgrid among others.
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Eric Sippel of Sippel Farb Family Office delves into the intricacies of investing in emerging managers. Eric outlines his meticulous emerging manager selection criteria, emphasizing his preference for specialists over generalists. He highlights key challenges of identifying good VCs as a Limited Partner (LP), and offers insights into the shifting venture capital landscape. In addition, he discusses the importance of supporting underrepresented venture capitalists for enhanced portfolio returns.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[1:33] Ventureâs main appeal is the ability to disrupt and create positive change.
[4:25] Is it hard to find a good VC to invest in as an LP? Why is that so?
[12:54] Eric Sippelâs emerging manager selection rubric; 3S (sourcing, selection, and stewardship/value add) - which is the most important S?
[26:18] What happens in the first, second meeting with an emerging manager? What questions should VCs expect from Eric?
[33:03] Investing in underrepresented VCs isnât just âgoodâ. Itâs critical to having a broader aperture for outsized portfolio returns.
The non-profit organization that Eric is passionate about: Goodwill San Francisco Bay
About Eric Sippel
Eric Sippel invests in emerging managers through his family office, Sippel Farb Family Office. Heâs also a philanthropist and current chair of Bay Area Goodwill.
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Aakar Vachhani, Managing Partner at Fairview Capital Partners, explores the crucial role of limited partners (LPs) in the venture capital ecosystem. He delves into the distinctive characteristics of venture capital as an asset class and sheds light on Fairview's role as a fund of funds, culture, investment strategy, areas of focus, and bullish stance on emerging managers. Additionally, he shares insights on trending topics that could influence the future of the venture capital industry.
In this episode, youâll learn:
[6:15] Fairview employs a dual investment strategy to cover both established and niche areas in private markets.
[13:02] New, appropriately sized VC firms focusing on specific stages have the opportunity to generate significant returns.
[16:53] The venture capital landscape has undergone substantial changes in the past 30 years.
[27:00] Technology's pervasive influence creates vast opportunities for disruption across various industries.
[32:34] Advice for investors, especially emerging managers: Be a great investor and entrepreneur; value collaboration and sharing best practices with peers.
The non-profit organizations that Aakar is passionate about: San Francisco Achievers, New Breath Foundation
About Aakar Vachhani
Aakar Vachhani is a Managing Partner at Fairview Capital Partners and a key member of Fairviewâs investment committee. In this role, he actively engages in research, due diligence, investment monitoring, and business development for Fairview's venture capital and private equity portfolios, as well as direct co-investment initiatives. He established and leads Fairview's San Francisco office.
Before joining Fairview, Aakar worked with Cambridge Associates, a prominent investment advisor catering to foundations, endowments, and corporate/government entities. Earlier in his career, he gained experience at MK Capital, a multi-stage venture capital firm with a specific sector focus on software and cloud services.
About Fairview Capital Partners
Fairview Capital Partners is a Connecticut-based investment management firm specializing in cutting-edge segments of the private markets. Founded nearly three decades ago, Fairview has evolved into one of the largest minority-owned investment firms in the United States, managing over $10 billion in fund capitalization. With a clientele including leading foundations, endowments, pension plans, and family offices, Fairview Capital's innovative and inclusive approach, coupled with its entrepreneurial spirit, continues to make an indelible mark on the venture capital industry.
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