Venture Capital

Why Founders Get Rejected by VCs: Kamran Ansari on AI, Fund Strategy, and Venture Capital

Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 09:19:42 -0600

Kamran Ansari, Founder and Managing Partner of Capital Ventures and Venture Partner at Infiniti Ventures, joins the show to break down how venture capital is evolving in an AI-first world.

A longtime investor in companies like Plaid, Klarna, Lithic, Venmo, and Acorns, Cameron shares what’s changing in early-stage investing, why the VC market is splitting into mega-funds vs early specialists, and why founder quality still matters more than ever.

We cover:

How AI is changing venture sourcing and underwriting
Why early-stage venture is still driven by trust and relationships
The current state of fintech, IPOs, and M&A
Where AI is actually creating value in fintech
Why some of the best investments come from “exceptions”
What Cameron looks for in great founders

A great episode for anyone interested in venture capital, fintech, startup fundraising, and AI-driven investing.

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AI, Accounting & SaaS Economics: What Founders Need to Know Before IPO | Derek Anderson

Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:22:49 -0600

Derek Anderson (Connor Group) joins The Venture Capital Podcast to break down how AI is reshaping accounting, finance teams, ERP systems, and SaaS business models.

We cover AI adoption in finance, the shift to usage-based pricing, ERP disruption, and what founders must fix early to avoid costly mistakes later. Derek also shares insights from working with high-growth companies preparing for IPOs and major exits.

Keywords: AI accounting, SaaS pricing, ERP systems, NetSuite, CFO strategy, startup finance, venture capital, IPO readiness, Connor Group, financial reporting.

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Equity Crowdfunding & Digital Capital Formation: Dealmaker’s Playbook (Rebecca Kacaba)

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:13:20 -0600

Rebecca Kacaba (CEO & Co-Founder of DealMaker) joins The Venture Capital Podcast (VC.fm) to explain how capital formation is moving online — and how founders can raise money directly from their communities in a compliant, scalable way.

Rebecca started her career as a capital markets attorney working on IPOs, M&A, and fundraising, where she saw a painful truth: even after an investor says “yes,” deals can die from complexity, delays, and compliance friction. DealMaker was built to fix that — powering digital fundraising and investor management for brands and high-growth companies. DealMaker has helped drive $2B+ in digital capital raised, was named one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators, and recently closed a $20M round.

In this conversation, we cover:

DealMaker’s “Shopify vs portal” approach to equity crowdfunding
Why regulated markets innovate slower — and how the JOBS Act changed the game
The rise of community capital as a complement to venture capital
Sports ownership, fandom, and why fan-owned teams can build outsized brand value
Why crypto retail adoption exploded — and how private investing can catch up
How AI will streamline investor onboarding, accreditation, and compliance workflows
Founder lessons: ruthless prioritization, Scaling Up / Rockefeller habits, and building a high-experiment culture
What fundraising looks like in 2026 as public/private markets blur

Keywords: DealMaker, capital formation, equity crowdfunding, Regulation A+, Regulation CF, JOBS Act, retail investors, fintech, startup fundraising, community investing, sports team ownership, venture capital, AI in finance.

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The Man Who Watches $170B Says the IPO Is Dying | Scott Voss, HarbourVest

Jon Bradshaw & Peter Harris — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 10:31:17 -0600

Scott Voss, Senior Market Strategist at HarbourVest Partners, joins The Venture Capital Podcast (VC.fm) to discuss the future of venture capital, AI investing, SaaS valuations, private equity, secondaries, and private market liquidity.

Scott shares insights on why companies stay private longer, how mega funds are reshaping venture, what AI means for SaaS business models, and where investors may find opportunity outside the crowded consensus trades.

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Cross-Border VC: Scaling AI Startups Between Asia and the U.S. (Wally Wang)

Jon Bradshaw & Peter Harris — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:22:29 -0700

In this episode of The Venture Capital Podcast (VC.fm), hosts Peter Harris and Jon Bradshaw talk with Wally Wang, Founding Managing Partner at Scale Asia Ventures and a Business Insider Seed 100 (2025) investor, about identifying AI winners early — and scaling them across the U.S. and Asia (Japan, Korea, APAC).

Wally brings a unique mix of experience as a machine learning scientist (NYU / CMU / Microsoft), a former operator (YC-backed Pebble, acquired by Fitbit), and an enterprise founder who helped grow DataVisor (raised $150M+). Today, he backs AI infrastructure, enterprise AI agents, cybersecurity, developer tools, and robotics, with a strong cross-border thesis that helps founders expand globally and access strategic distribution partners in Asia.

We discuss:

How to evaluate “real” AI founders vs hype
AI moats: why product-market fit isn’t enough anymore
What actually creates defensibility in enterprise AI (data, trust, workflows, integrations)
Build vs buy in AI: when enterprises DIY vs purchase software
Why vertical AI agents are safer than horizontal AI wrappers
Cross-border expansion strategy: U.S. → Asia vs Asia → U.S.
Robotics + physical AI opportunities and Asia’s hardware advantage
Why enterprise + government budgets are still under-targeted
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AI-First Venture Capital: How InReach Finds Europe’s Best Founders Early (Roberto Bonanzinga)

Jon Bradshaw & Peter Harris — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:19:15 -0700

In this episode of The Venture Capital Podcast (VC.fm), hosts Peter Harris and Jon Bradshaw speak with Roberto Bonanzinga, Founder of InReach Ventures and former Founding Partner at Balderton Capital, about how artificial intelligence is transforming venture capital from the inside out.

Roberto explains how InReach Ventures built a proprietary AI and machine learning platform to discover early-stage founders across Europe — often before they raise capital, build pitch decks, or even seek investors. Drawing on decades of experience backing companies like Revolut, Depop, Vivino, and Contentful, he shares why discovery is the biggest bottleneck in early-stage VC and how AI changes that equation.

The conversation explores:

AI-first venture capital models
Investing in founders before ideas
Early-stage startup discovery in Europe
GP-only venture firms and fund design
Why pitch decks don’t predict outcomes
The future of junior roles, analysts, and associates in VC
How AI reshapes career paths and investing workflows

This episode is essential listening for founders, venture capitalists, LPs, and operators interested in AI, early-stage investing, and the future of venture capital.

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Investing Outside Silicon Valley + Building Upstate NY Startups (Olivia Goldstein)

Jon Bradshaw & Peter Harris — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:32:19 -0700

In this episode of The Venture Capital Podcast (VC.fm), hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris sit down with Olivia Goldstein, General Partner at StartFast Ventures and CEO of Upstate Venture Connect, to discuss venture capital, startup ecosystems, and why the best founders and companies can be built far outside Silicon Valley.

Olivia shares her founder journey (including building a startup that used influencer marketing and exiting in 2019), her thesis on investing in overlooked markets like Upstate New York, and practical advice for founders raising venture capital from non-traditional hubs.

The conversation also explores emerging opportunities in entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA), small business succession as baby boomers retire, and how AI and shifting labor markets may push more people toward owning real-world cash-flowing assets.

Keywords and topics:
Venture capital, StartFast Ventures, Upstate Venture Connect, Upstate New York startups, Buffalo startups, Rochester startups, Syracuse startups, B2B SaaS investing, startup ecosystem, founder-led companies, fundraising advice, entrepreneurship through acquisition, ETA, small business acquisition, SBA loans, VC opinions, investing outside Silicon Valley.

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AI, Democracy, and the Future of Government (Ancestry Founder Paul Allen)

Jon Bradshaw & Peter Harris — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 07:30:00 -0700

In this episode of The Venture Capital Podcast (VC.fm), we sit down with Paul Allen, founder of Ancestry.com, to explore how public-domain data, viral growth, and platform risk shaped one of the most iconic internet businesses—and how AI is about to transform government, media, and civic life.

Paul breaks down the original insight behind Ancestry’s billion-dollar IPO, why genealogy was always a massive market hiding in plain sight, and the hard lessons he learned building on top of platforms like Facebook. We then go deep into his latest ventures, including CitizenPortal.ai and Elected.ai, which aim to use AI to bring transparency, efficiency, and accountability to government at every level.

This is a wide-ranging conversation on AI, startups, platforms, public data, and the future of governance—with sharp insights for founders, investors, and operators navigating the next technological wave.

In this episode, we cover:

How Ancestry used public-domain data to build a multi-billion-dollar company
The hidden size of the genealogy market (and how Paul validated it early)
Scaling fast on platforms—and what happens when the platform pulls the plug
Viral growth loops before paid ads, Facebook, or Google distribution
CitizenPortal.ai: turning public meetings into objective local news using AI
Elected.ai: dashboards for 500,000 elected officials to improve governance
Using AI and automation to reduce government waste and improve services
The future of AI, privacy, and why society may split into two paths
Why AI could uplift humanity—or deepen control, depending on design choices

If you care about AI, startups, venture capital, govtech, public data, or building durable companies, this episode is for you.

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Grammarly Acquires Superhuman: AI Email, UX Moats & Building AI-Native Products (Loïc Houssier)

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:36:11 -0700

Loïc Houssier (CTO, Superhuman) joins VC.fm to unpack the Grammarly acquisition of Superhuman and what it signals about the future of AI-native productivity tools.

We talk AI in the workflow vs standalone AI tools (ChatGPT/Gemini), voice-first computing, vibe coding vs production engineering, AI’s impact on hiring, and why UX taste and product design may be the real moat in an era where everyone has access to the same LLMs.

Keywords: Grammarly acquires Superhuman, Superhuman email, Loïc Houssier, AI productivity, AI-native software, email AI, workflow AI, OpenAI, Anthropic, LLMs, vibe coding, Cursor, UX design moat, product-led growth, startup defensibility, AI hiring.

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#Superhuman #Grammarly #AI #Productivity #Startups #VentureCapital #Email #LLM #OpenAI #Anthropic #VibeCoding #UXDesign #ProductManagement #Engineering

AI Matchmaking & The Future of Dating Apps (Sitch Founder + M13 Investor)

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:03:43 -0700

Dating apps are broken — and AI matchmaking might be the next platform shift.

Dini (Nandini) Mullaji, co-founder of Sitch, joins Whitney Hazard (M13) to explain how conversational AI and LLMs are replacing swiping with a matchmaker-style experience: deep onboarding, memory, non-negotiables, and curated introductions.

We cover consumer AI defensibility, why Sitch avoids subscriptions (pay-per-setup), growth through referrals + branding, what dating data reveals (politics > height), and why AI should scale the matchmaker — not replace human connection.

Keywords: AI dating, matchmaking, dating apps, consumer AI startups, venture capital, M13, Sitch, LLMs, OpenAI, relationship tech, seed investing, Stanford GSB, growth marketing.

Guests

Nandini Mullaji — Co-founder, Sitch
Whitney Hazard — Investor, M13 (Seed + Series A)

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Contrarian vs Consensus: The Nordic VC Playbook (Stine Sørensen, Alliance VC)

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0700

In this episode of The Venture Capital Podcast, Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris are joined by Stine Mølgaard Sørensen, Partner at Alliance VC, a Nordic early-stage fund focused on AI.

Stine—an operator and repeat founder turned investor—shares how Nordic venture approaches contrarian vs consensus investing, why Scandinavia can be a powerful “safe launchpad” for startups, and what founders should consider when scaling beyond Europe. The conversation also tackles a question most investors avoid: when should a board member step down—and how do you make that change without blowing up relationships?

They also discuss Alliance VC’s portfolio, including 1X (humanoid robots) and Superside, plus what it takes to build real conviction early.

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AI Is Breaking Recruiting: The Resume “Slop” Problem + The New Hiring Playbook

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 08:34:56 -0700

AI is changing recruiting faster than most founders realize — and not always in the way they expect.

In this episode of The Venture Capital Podcast, we’re joined by Greg Toroosian, Founder & CEO of Samson Rose and host of Machine Minds, to break down how AI, robotics, and automation are reshaping hiring, why resumes are starting to look the same, and what actually matters when evaluating talent in 2025 and beyond.

We unpack:

Why AI-generated resumes are flooding hiring pipelines
How recruiters are using AI (and where it breaks)
Why startups are struggling to compete with Meta, Google, and Big Tech for talent
The real reasons great candidates ignore outreach
How founders can hire elite engineers without overpaying
What’s changing in robotics and AI talent markets
Which robotics companies Greg is most excited about right now

Whether you’re a founder, investor, recruiter, or engineer, this episode is a no-BS look at what’s actually happening in the talent market — and how to stay ahead as AI rewrites the rules.

🎧 Listen for practical insights on hiring, retaining top talent, and building teams in the age of AI and robotics.

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Can AI Replace Primary Care?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 08:43:55 -0700

In this episode of The Venture Capital Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Muthu Alagappan, CEO & Co-Founder of Council Health, and Rob Biederman, Managing Partner at Asymmetric Capital Partners, to explore how AI is reshaping healthcare delivery.

We unpack the idea of “care at the cost of compute”, why primary care is fundamentally broken, and how AI-native, physician-supervised models could dramatically expand clinical supply without sacrificing safety.

You’ll hear a candid discussion on:

Why healthcare has massive supply–demand gaps
AI hallucinations and why off-the-shelf models aren’t safe for medical advice
How Council combines medical AI with real doctors in the same workflow
Whether AI will replace primary care doctors or act as a co-pilot
The role of data, prevention, and personalized care in the future of medicine

A grounded, real-world look at where AI actually works in healthcare — and where it shouldn’t.

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Stablecoins Are Eating Finance (What Wall Street Missed)

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 08:56:45 -0700

Rob Hadick (GP at Dragonfly) joins VC.fm to break down how crypto venture actually works through cycles — and why the smartest firms stay countercyclical when everyone else is panicking.

We go deep on the shift from “protocols capture all value” to the rise of crypto applications that generate real revenue, including prediction markets (Polymarket), stablecoin infrastructure, DeFi-backed fintech products, and the next era of tokenization + onchain financial rails.

Rob also explains stablecoins in plain English, why adoption is accelerating across emerging markets and Fortune 500s, and where AI + crypto overlaps in ways that aren’t pure speculation.

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Breaking Into VC: Tanvi Lal on Rejection, Recruiting, and Corporate Venture

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 11:46:54 -0700

Breaking into VC is harder than breaking into professional sports — literally.
In this episode, Intuit Ventures investor Tanvi Lal explains why VC recruiting is so broken, why most people don’t actually know why they want to be in venture, and how she finally cracked the code after dozens of rejections.

We dive into:
• Why VC hiring is a “barter system of social capital”
• The #1 mistake candidates make when trying to break in
• How corporate VC really works behind the scenes
• Why AI + accounting might be fintech’s wildest opportunity
• How founders should think about taking CVC money
• The difference between real ARR vs “founder math”

If you’re exploring VC, raising from VC, or trying to understand AI’s impact on finance — this conversation hits.

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Scaling the Circular Economy: Inside a $200M Non-SaaS Fund w/ Costas Papaikonomou

Jon Bradshaw & Peter Harris — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0700

In this episode of The Venture Capital Podcast, Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris sit down with Costas Papaikonomou, co-founder of the $200M Una Terra Early Growth Fund, to unpack what it really takes to scale the circular economy.

Costas shares how his background in engineering, innovation consulting, and a successful exit to Accenture shaped Una Terra’s thesis: backing “drop-in” solutions that plug into existing industrial infrastructure instead of trying to rebuild the world from scratch.

They get into:
• Why packaging, waste and food ingredients are massive, underrated VC markets
• How regulation in Europe is reshaping single-use plastics and recycling
• Why Una Terra focuses on real-world unit economics first, impact second (but still runs as an Article 9 impact fund)
• Case studies: pulp-based bottle packaging, Greyparrot’s AI for waste sorting, and circular fashion brand Another Tomorrow
• Power law vs “normal distribution” returns, and why most exits will be strategic acquisitions, not unicorn IPOs

If you care about climate, industrial innovation, and non-SaaS venture opportunities, this one’s loaded.

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How Gamification Is Reinventing Love & Relationships

Jon Bradshaw & Peter Harris — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:10:35 -0700

What happens when a former gaming founder takes a hard look at his marriage — and realizes the biggest problem isn’t love, it’s routine?

In this episode, we sit down with Offer (Founder & CEO of ARYA) and Phylicia Koh (General Partner at Play Ventures) to unpack how a single moment — “Babe… what happened to us?” — sparked a new category in relationship wellness.

We dive into:

Why routine is the “final boss” in every relationship
How game design and psychology can rebuild intimacy
The real meaning of gamification (and why most people get it wrong)
Why consumer apps struggle with engagement — and how free-to-play mechanics fix it
How AI can responsibly support human connection
The blue-ocean opportunity in taboo or overlooked markets

From a Typeform MVP that people actually paid for… to the deeper science behind staying in love, this episode blends tech, human behavior, VC insight, and real vulnerability.

Whether you’re building products, building relationships, or both — this convo hits.

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Marketing to Machines: Truth, Trust & AI Shopping

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0700

How do you build long-term trust between founders and investors—and what happens when that trust meets the chaos of AI-driven commerce?
In this episode, Peter Harris and Jon Bradshaw sit down with Kimberly Shenk, founder & CEO of Novi, and Brian Rothenberg, partner at DeFi VC, to explore:

How past working relationships shape investor–founder dynamics
The art of saying “no” without burning bridges
Why small brands can outrank giants in AI-powered shopping
The death (and rebirth) of SEO in the LLM era
Real frameworks for finding product-market fit

“Machines care more about truth; humans are easily persuaded.”
A high-signal, no-fluff conversation on the future of trust, data, and growth in the age of AI.

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The State of Venture 2025: AI Bifurcation, Down Rounds, and Secondaries with Carta’s Peter Walker

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0700

Venture capital isn’t dead — it’s evolving. Carta’s Head of Insights, Peter Walker, joins Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris to unpack what the data really says about the 2025 market. From the AI-fueled bifurcation to shrinking equity packages and a wave of secondaries, this episode breaks down how founders, VCs, and LPs are adapting in real time.

Peter shares Carta’s inside view on:

The comeback of deal flow and valuations
Why down rounds are easing but hiring hasn’t rebounded
How founder dilution and equity norms have shifted
The rise of liquidity via secondaries and fund-to-fund capital
What signals matter most heading into 2026

If you care about where venture is heading next — this is the episode.

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AI-Driven Investing: Alex Sen & Nnamdi Okike on Transforming Venture Capital and Private Equity

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0600

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris are joined by Alex Sen, CEO of Meridian, and Nnamdi Okike, an investor associated with Meridian, to discuss the transformative role of AI and software in private equity and venture capital investing. Alex shares his journey from nearly a decade in private equity, battling with outdated CRM tools, to founding a next-generation AI-powered CRM and deal sourcing platform that streamlines workflows, surfaces proprietary deal opportunities, and enhances decision-making for some of the world's largest firms.

Nnamdi provides the investor’s perspective, highlighting their decade-long commitment to leveraging software and data analytics to revolutionize venture operations. They discuss how AI is expanding the total addressable market by automating manual tasks, improving deal sourcing efficiency, and enabling investors to better track, prioritize, and engage with evolving companies. Both guests reflect on the challenges of AI adoption, the changing nature of junior analyst roles, and the importance of human intuition alongside advanced technology.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the evolution of investing software, the competitive shifts AI is catalyzing in the finance industry, and how firms must continuously elevate their capabilities to succeed. The conversation touches on the broader impact of AI on workflow, learning acceleration, and founder-investor relationships, making this episode a must-listen for investors, founders, and anyone curious about the future of AI-enabled investing.

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From Podcasts to Platforms: Grace Gong on Building Community and AI’s Next Wave

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 10:30:00 -0600

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris sit down with Grace Gong, acclaimed VC podcaster, investor, and founder of the Smart AI Conference. Grace shares her inspiring journey from international student to a premier voice in tech and venture, hosting top shows like "Venture with Grace" and "Smart Venture Podcast." She details her mission to unlock access to venture and tech wisdom for those outside the usual networks, highlighting the importance of both online and in-person connections through her rapidly launched San Francisco AI conference.

The conversation dives deep into the changing landscape of AI and startup building, from the GPT-driven chatbot era to today's surge in customizable agent tools and "vibe coding." Grace discusses why strong distribution and go-to-market strategy are the real bottlenecks, even as technical barriers fall, and explains the rapid rise of highly specific, domain-focused AI applications. She brings candid, contrarian insights from leading operators and executives, addressing trends in voice AI, workflow automation, the impact of AI on junior talent, and the evolving user experience centered on chat and conversational interfaces.

Grace also addresses the risks of overrelying on automation, the future of AI hardware beyond today's wearables, and the vital role of hands-on learning. Her perspective is laced with real stories from her network and her own investments, making this episode a goldmine for founders, operators, and anyone eager to understand how community, execution, and adaptability will shape the next generation of tech companies.

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Navigating the Future of AI and Autonomous Vehicles with Gabe Klein and Alexei Andreev

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0600

Join hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris in a deep dive into the evolving world of AI, autonomy, and the future of transportation with Gabe Klein, former leader of the U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, and Alexei Andreev, co-founder and managing director at AutoTech Ventures. Gabe brings a wealth of experience from public policy and urban mobility design, while Alexei offers a sharp lens on deep tech investments in autonomous vehicle technology and infrastructure.

This episode untangles the complex challenges of achieving full vehicle autonomy, exploring why true self-driving cars remain an elusive goal over a decade after initial excitement. Gabe and Alexei discuss the intricacies of safety definitions, the need for technology that surpasses human driving, and the mathematical challenges posed by unpredictable real-world driving environments.

Listeners will gain insights into the current state of autonomous vehicle deployment, including the technological debates over sensor suites like LiDAR versus vision-only systems, and the critical role of liability, insurance, and public perception in shaping adoption. The conversation also highlights promising investment opportunities beyond passenger vehicles—such as off-road agricultural autonomy, logistics automation, and critical supporting infrastructure like vehicle servicing, recharging, and fleet management.

With a thoughtful look at cultural differences in safety expectations and the interplay of technology and public policy, this episode is essential for investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the future landscape of mobility and the challenges and opportunities it presents.

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The 2% vs. 20% Venture Fund Dilemma: Impacts on Founders and the Future of VC

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 09:01:00 -0600

In this thought-provoking episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris take listeners deep inside the complex financial structures that define modern venture capital. The conversation centers around a critical observation in today’s industry: most VC funds can now be classified as either "2% funds", large, brand-name firms prioritizing substantial management fees, or "20% funds", smaller, more performance-driven firms focused on carry and outsized returns.

Peter breaks down the economic incentives behind each type, explaining how mega-funds like Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia generate enormous management fees just by virtue of their size, while smaller funds must make riskier bets and actively chase exceptional outcomes to realize significant profits. The hosts explore the growing divide between these two models and discuss the challenges founders face in choosing the right VC partner.

Jon and Peter debate the strategic trade-offs from a founder's perspective, including:

The real benefits (and drawbacks) of working with large, brand-name funds versus smaller, scrappier ones
How the structure of a fund influences VC motivation, founder support, and board involvement
The evolving role of secondary markets, liquidity, and exit strategies for early-stage investors
How asset manager dynamics and the influx of institutional capital driven by endowments and sovereign wealth funds are reshaping the VC landscape

They also touch on trends like later-stage company scaling, the boom in private market investments, and the rise of secondary sales as an alternative to waiting for an IPO. Throughout the discussion, Jon and Peter offer candid insights and personal anecdotes, revealing the sometimes unseen incentives that drive behavior in venture capital.

This episode is essential listening for founders weighing their funding options, as well as anyone curious about the changing face of the venture capital ecosystem.

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Transforming Education with AI: Insights from Stephanie Palmeri and Caleb Hicks

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0600

In this compelling episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris engage with Stephanie Palmeri, partner at NextView Ventures, and Caleb Hicks, founder and CEO of School AI, to explore the transformative power of AI in education. Caleb, a former middle school teacher and educational innovator, shares his vision for using AI to create personalized, empathetic learning experiences that address the unique needs of every student, while restoring meaningful human connections in classrooms.

Stephanie brings over a decade of experience investing in edtech startups, highlighting the evolution of education technology from the early mobile and tablet era to today's AI-driven wave. She discusses the opportunity for AI to revolutionize both K-12 and higher education, especially in areas like personalized learning, student engagement, and workforce upskilling.

Together, they unpack the challenges schools face today, from managing large classrooms and diverse student needs to addressing AI-related concerns like cheating, student privacy, and equity in access. The conversation delves into how AI can be an empowering tool rather than a disruptive force, serving as a tutor, coach, and assistant that enhances critical thinking and individualized instruction.

Listeners will gain unique perspectives on why now is the pivotal moment for AI in education, the significant market opportunity in a trillion-dollar industry, and the future of edtech innovation that balances technology with the essential human element of teaching and learning. This episode is essential for educators, founders, investors, and anyone passionate about the future of education.

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Driving the Future: EV Market Trends and Innovations with Tiya Gordon and Olaf Sakkers

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0600

In this insightful episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris are joined by Tiya Gordon, co-founder and CEO of It’s Electric, and Olaf Sakkers, managing partner at Red Blue Capital. Together, they explore the rapidly evolving electric vehicle (EV) landscape, shedding light on market dynamics, industry challenges, and transformative opportunities shaping the future of mobility and energy.

Tiya shares her experience leading a Brooklyn-based startup that delivers curbside EV chargers, providing innovative solutions to overcome infrastructure barriers and enable wider EV adoption, especially in urban environments. She highlights the critical need for accessible charging infrastructure, urban-centric solutions, and the potential for bidirectional energy flows that turn EVs into mobile energy storage units supporting city grids.

Olaf, a seasoned investor with deep expertise in mobility, logistics, and energy transition, offers a global perspective on EV market shifts. He discusses China’s dominance in EV manufacturing, the complex political and economic factors impacting U.S. EV adoption, and the broader vision of transforming transportation beyond passenger vehicles, emphasizing heavy-duty EV trucks and micromobility solutions as key areas of innovation.

The conversation delves into the cultural, regulatory, and infrastructural hurdles slowing EV adoption in the U.S., including tariff impacts, urban planning challenges, and entrenched interests favoring traditional car ownership. Tiya and Olaf discuss promising opportunities for founders and investors, from scalable last-mile delivery electrification to innovative micromobility and multi-modal electric transit solutions.

Listeners will gain a nuanced understanding of the intersection between technology, policy, infrastructure, and consumer behavior in the EV ecosystem, along with actionable insights on where meaningful innovation and impact can happen next. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or EV enthusiast, this episode offers a candid, comprehensive look at powering the future of sustainable transportation.

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Emerging Managers and the Future of Micro VC: Insights with Matt Curtolo and Joseph Alalou

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0600

In this compelling episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris welcome Matt Curtolo, an experienced private markets investor and advisor, and Joseph Alalou, co-founder and general partner of Daring Ventures. Together, they dive into the evolving landscape of emerging managers and micro venture funds, offering firsthand perspectives on how smaller funds are carving a niche in today’s competitive venture ecosystem.

Matt shares his journey through two decades of managing billions across venture, private equity, and real estate, and discusses how emerging managers can sharpen their strategy, positioning, and fundraising efforts to succeed in a crowded market. Joseph brings a unique and inspiring story from washing cars and community college to leading a VC fund focused on diverse, underdog founders with domain expertise and conviction bias.

The conversation explores the definition and dynamics of micro VCs, the importance of authenticity and understanding one’s “right to win,” and how these smaller funds differentiate themselves by moving beyond consensus deals to uncover unique alpha-generating opportunities. They discuss the challenges of fundraising in today’s environment, including the long timelines, the critical role of operational rigor, and how early closings can build momentum and market credibility.

Matt and Joseph also tackle how AI is reshaping fundraising and fund operations, emphasizing that technology is a critical tool but human intuition, relationships, and expertise remain irreplaceable. They reflect on the maturation of the venture ecosystem, the growing interest from large funds in emerging managers, and the fundamentally relational nature of VC investing.

Listeners will gain practical advice and encouragement on navigating the complexities of emerging fund management, fundraising strategy, and embracing the future of venture capital amid rapid technological change. This episode is essential for aspiring fund managers, limited partners, and anyone interested in the future of micro VC and emerging manager innovation.

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Fintech’s Next Frontier: Challenging the Banks with Rex Salisbury

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0600

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, host Peter Harris sits down with Rex Salisbury, solo GP of Cambrian and former fintech partner at Andreessen Horowitz, for an in-depth conversation about the ongoing transformation of financial services. Rex shares his unique journey from investment banking to leading one of fintech’s most dynamic pre-seed and seed funds, explaining how decades of inefficiency in banking have finally given way to a wave of disruptive innovation.

The discussion explores recent shifts in the fintech landscape, highlighting how new fintech companies, once dismissed as serving only niche or low-value customers, are now directly competing with and winning market share from the largest legacy banks. Rex points to the rise of digital-first platforms like Robinhood and Wealthfront, which started by serving overlooked users but have evolved into sophisticated competitors for the millennial and Gen Z wealth transfer.

Peter and Rex examine why B2B fintech is an especially powerful force, with vertical software companies like Toast integrating lending, payroll, and banking into a single platform that businesses can’t imagine leaving for traditional banks. Rex also tackles the myth of banks’ cost-of-capital advantage, arguing that technology and changing consumer expectations are steadily eroding long-held bank moats.

Beyond consumer trends, the episode ventures into the investment landscape, with Rex sharing lessons from recent Cambrian investments, such as companies revolutionizing transfer agents and simplifying business shutdowns. The conversation also addresses the role of crypto and stablecoins in reshaping payment and banking infrastructure, where Rex differentiates between international and U.S. use cases but remains optimistic about crypto’s role as a catalyst for industry change.

Rex closes with actionable advice for aspiring founders and operators: seek out dense talent networks, work in growth-stage companies, and always surround yourself with people who teach you. The episode captures the underlying message that, as technology, business models, and capital flows shift, fintech is only just beginning to threaten incumbents and capture its share of the financial future.

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AI, Economics, and the Future of Work: Navigating an Accelerating World

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0600

In this thought-provoking episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris explore the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and its far-reaching implications for economics, labor, and opportunities. The conversation opens with Peter reflecting on his 16 years of VC experience and the unprecedented speed at which generative AI is impacting every industry, likening the current era to previous technological shifts such as the rise of the internet, mobile, and SaaS, but at a much more accelerated, all-encompassing pace.

Jon shares candid anxieties and perspectives from the founder’s side, debating whether society is overestimating the short-term disruption of AI while underestimating its long-term impact. The hosts explore parallels between AI’s rise and earlier workforce interventions, such as calculators and spreadsheets, suggesting that while some jobs will evolve or disappear, new types of roles and vast opportunities will emerge.

They debate the looming questions around AGI, the shifting utility of STEM degrees, and the growing importance of learning how to think critically and adapt. The discussion delves into:

The shifting economics of labor versus capital as AI and robotics automate more tasks.
The likely deflationary impact of AI, how costs may decline, and whether wages will keep pace.
The paradox of abundance: more possibilities than ever, but also greater competition and the necessity for specialization.
The challenge of retraining, critical thinking, and the risk of over-reliance on AI as a cognitive crutch.
Wealth concentration, potential social upheaval, and whether universal basic income or new types of jobs will take hold.
Unique advantages in interpersonal and relationship-driven sectors, and how VCs and founders might sustain an edge in an automated world.

The episode concludes with tangible advice for the next generation: develop deep, critical, interdisciplinary knowledge and be prepared to leverage rather than be replaced by AI. Jon and Peter encourage listeners to reflect on how they’ll stay relevant, creative, and entrepreneurial in a world where opportunity and risk are amplifying in tandem. This episode is essential listening for anyone curious about the future of work, education, and value creation in an AI-driven era.

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Influencers, Authenticity, and the Power of Attention: Building Modern Brands

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0600

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris reflect on key lessons from recent interviews with entrepreneurs, medical innovators, and content creators, turning their focus inward for a wide-ranging discussion on the evolving role of influencers, authenticity, and attention in today’s business world.

Jon and Peter kick off by revisiting the intersection of health technology and consumer empowerment, discussing the surge in wearables, at-home diagnostics, and consumer-led health journeys. They probe why younger generations are more invested in their health, attributing this trend to social visibility, the desire for authenticity in a digital age, and the rapid acceptance of medical advances, such as GLP-1 treatments for weight loss.

The conversation shifts dynamically to the creator economy, exploring how the most effective marketing and brand-building today often comes from content creators and influencers with passionate, loyal audiences. Peter highlights the unique value these creators bring, citing the example of a tech startup that attributes much of its rapid growth to a co-founder’s expertise in cultivating online engagement, rather than traditional marketing.

Jon and Peter debate whether every CEO now needs to be a content creator and ponder the future of influencer-led businesses. They analyze the success of influencer-driven brands like Hailey Bieber’s, dissecting how authentic involvement can drive enormous margins and corporate valuation, while also questioning the long-term challenges when founders sell to larger corporations.

They conclude with practical insights for founders: thoughtfully consider influencer involvement as part of founding teams, seek authenticity over mere endorsements, and recognize that in a noisy digital world, capturing and sustaining attention may be the single most valuable asset for any business.

This episode offers a forward-looking perspective on how authenticity, strategic influencer partnerships, and the ability to cut through digital noise are reshaping not just marketing but the very foundations of building and scaling a modern brand.

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Telehealth 2030: Infrastructure, AI, and the Future of Digital Health

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0600

In this forward-thinking episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris are joined by two leaders shaping the future of healthcare: Ryan Morley, Partner at Springside, and Dr. Jon Lensing, co-founder and CEO of Open Loop. Together, they dive deep into the rapidly evolving landscape of telehealth and digital health, exploring how technology, AI, and new business models are transforming care delivery.

Dr. Lensing shares his journey from rural medicine to building Open Loop, a telehealth infrastructure company designed to bring healthcare directly to where people live, work, and play. He explains how Open Loop is enabling non-traditional platforms—like gyms, dating apps, and retail stores—to offer convenient, on-demand healthcare services, fundamentally shifting care from hospitals and clinics to everyday environments.

Ryan Morley and Peter Harris discuss the investment opportunities emerging from this shift, highlighting how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telehealth adoption and how the next wave of innovation will focus on infrastructure, personalization, and value-based care. The conversation explores the power of AI in healthcare, from automating clinical documentation and patient intake to improving diagnoses and care coordination. Dr. Lensing details how Open Loop leverages AI to drastically reduce clinician workload and enhance patient engagement, while Ryan emphasizes the need for regulatory evolution to unlock the full potential of autonomous and AI-driven care.

The group also examines the broader determinants of health, noting that 85% of health outcomes are tied to lifestyle and environment rather than traditional medical care. They discuss how digital health can proactively address chronic disease, expand access, and empower consumers to take charge of their well-being.

Packed with insights on infrastructure, investment trends, regulatory hurdles, and the promise of AI, this episode is a must-listen for founders, investors, and anyone interested in the future of healthcare.

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Creators, AI, and the Future of Content: A Conversation with Tim Holladay and Peter Hollens

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 09:30:00 -0600

In this dynamic episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris are joined by Tim Holladay, investor and co-founder of Space Station Investments, and Peter Hollens, renowned vocalist and innovative content creator. Together, they explore the evolving intersection of content creation, AI, and investment in the digital age.

The conversation kicks off with Peter Hollens sharing his unique perspective as both a world-class musician and a forward-thinking entrepreneur deeply engaged with AI’s impact on creativity. Tim Holladay highlights their collaborative investment approach, focusing on early-stage consumer companies and the growing role of creators in startup ecosystems.

Jon and Peter dive into the challenges and opportunities AI presents for content creators, from accelerating production to the flood of AI-generated content saturating digital platforms. Peter Hollens discusses how authentic human connection and parasocial relationships remain invaluable even as AI blurs the lines between human and machine-generated content. He shares fascinating examples of using AI tools to enhance creativity and even assist his autistic child, illustrating AI’s potential beyond entertainment.

The episode also tackles the evolving landscape of influencer marketing, the value creators bring as low-cost, high-ROI partners, and the shifting dynamics between brands and digital creators versus traditional influencers. The hosts and guests debate how AI-driven content might reshape attention economies, audience engagement, and the future of long-form versus short-form content.

Throughout the lively discussion, Peter Hollens recounts his challenging experience addressing AI skepticism at a recent commencement speech, underscoring the cultural divide around AI adoption. Tim and the hosts reflect on how investors and creators alike must embrace AI tools to stay ahead in a rapidly changing environment.

This episode offers a rich, nuanced exploration of how AI is transforming content creation, investment, and the creator economy, providing valuable insights for founders, investors, creators, and anyone curious about the future of digital media.

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Revolutionizing Healthcare: The Future of Health Tech with Max Marchione and Dr. John Dayton

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 20:50:02 -0600

In this insightful episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris are joined by Max Marchione, CEO and co-founder of Superpower.com, and Dr. John Dayton, MD, MBA, a healthcare innovator and venture partner. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of health technology and data intelligence, focusing on how cutting-edge biomarker analysis and AI-driven insights are reshaping disease prevention and personalized care.

Max shares his vision of building a healthcare system centered on enhancing human capability and longevity, emphasizing the shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. Dr. Dayton brings his frontline experience as an emergency physician and Stanford faculty member to discuss the current challenges in healthcare, including fragmented data systems and the need for interoperability to enable comprehensive, predictive care.

The conversation dives deep into the limitations of traditional single biomarker approaches and the promise of aggregating multiple data points into comprehensive health scores, like the Superpower Score. They discuss the critical role of omics data, continuous wearable monitoring, and multimodal AI in advancing personalized medicine. Dr. Dayton highlights the importance of integrating clinical data with remote patient monitoring to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospitalizations.

Throughout the episode, the guests and hosts examine the barriers to adopting these innovations within existing healthcare reimbursement models and the potential for value-based care to drive systemic change. This episode offers a forward-thinking perspective on how technology, data, and innovation converge to create a more effective, patient-centered healthcare future.

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The Impact of Government Changes on Venture Capital and the Economy

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Fri, 02 May 2025 15:33:16 -0600

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris analyze how recent government policy shifts and economic changes are influencing the venture capital landscape and broader economy. They discuss the effects of tariffs, government spending, and regulatory uncertainty on startups and investors, highlighting concerns from founders and VCs alike about how these factors impact funding availability and business operations.

Jon and Peter explore the challenges faced by companies reliant on government contracts and grants, noting how freezes and delays can threaten runway and survival. They also examine the broader fiscal picture, including rising national debt, the potential consequences of inflation and tax hikes, and the complex balancing act governments face in cutting spending without triggering recession.

The conversation touches on real-world examples, such as illustrating how radical change can sometimes be necessary to drive growth amid adversity. The hosts debate the need for significant budget cuts versus gradual reductions and discuss the antiquated state of government technology and defense spending, considering opportunities for modernization and efficiency.

Finally, Jon and Peter share their predictions for the year ahead, weighing the short-term impacts of tariffs and the likelihood of economic downturns against the resilience of the market and potential for innovation. This episode offers a nuanced perspective on how government actions ripple through the venture capital ecosystem and what founders and investors can expect in a shifting economic environment.

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What Questions Should Founders Ask VCs? Insights from Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 21:56:12 -0600

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris dive into one of the most critical yet often overlooked topics for startup founders: the questions you should be asking venture capitalists before taking their money. Drawing on their extensive experience, Jon and Peter discuss common pitfalls that founders face when negotiating deals, including the hidden terms in contracts that can come back to haunt a company years later.

The hosts stress the importance of doing deep due diligence on potential investors—not just their financial terms, but their character and how they handle failure. They emphasize asking tough questions about how a VC firm supports struggling portfolio companies and their philosophy on valuation and terms. Jon and Peter also reflect on the delicate balance founders must strike in pushing back while maintaining a constructive relationship.

Listeners will gain valuable insight into the realities of venture capital beyond the pitch room—the importance of understanding who is investing in your company, how VCs behave when things go wrong, and how to spot red flags early. This episode is an essential guide for founders preparing to raise capital and aiming to build a strong, lasting partnership with investors.

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The Art and Science of Valuations: A VC and Founder's Perspective

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 08:32:15 -0600

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris delve into the complex world of valuations, exploring both the theoretical foundations and the practical realities faced by entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. Peter begins by discussing the fundamental principles of valuation, using the metaphor of a "Golden Goose" to illustrate how discounted cash flow models are used to estimate a company's worth based on future cash flows.

The conversation shifts to the venture capital landscape, where Peter notes that traditional valuation methods often don't apply due to the high-risk nature of early-stage startups. He emphasizes that while these models provide a theoretical framework, the actual process of valuation in venture capital is heavily influenced by negotiation and market dynamics.

Jon counters with a more pragmatic view, suggesting that valuations are often inflated and less relevant than other terms in a deal. He shares examples of companies being valued at significantly higher amounts than their true worth, highlighting how VCs may use these valuations to secure favorable terms.

Throughout the episode, the hosts discuss how the market has evolved, with valuations increasing dramatically over the past decade. They reflect on past deals, noting that what was once considered acceptable is now viewed as predatory, illustrating the shift in market norms and expectations.

The conversation concludes with insights into the challenges of raising capital, emphasizing that sophisticated entrepreneurs are better equipped to navigate complex deals and avoid unfavorable terms. Overall, this episode provides a nuanced exploration of valuations from both the VC and founder's perspective, offering valuable insights into the art and science of negotiating value in the venture capital world.

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From Startup to Company: Navigating the First Hires

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 12:31:31 -0700

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris tackle a crucial transition point for early-stage startups: making those first key hires. The discussion is sparked by a founder seeking advice on how to shift from simply building a product with a small team to building a structured company with employees.

Peter recounts his conversation with the founder and the resources he recommended: the books "Buy Back Your Time" and "Who Not How." The conversation emphasizes the importance of valuing a founder's time and creating mechanisms for delegation and self-management as the team grows. Jon and Peter then debate the founder's sentiment that "hiring is evil," considering the financial strain and potential pitfalls of premature scaling.

The hosts delve into actionable strategies for making smart hiring decisions. Jon shares his philosophy of hiring only when absolutely necessary and prioritizing individuals with whom you've previously worked. He also describes a method for quantifying the potential value of new hires by assessing the opportunity cost of current challenges. Peter discusses balancing founder-led efforts with building a functional team, including strategies for incentivizing tactical execution over strategic planning.

The episode covers tactics for identifying generalists versus specialists, the importance of clear communication and expectations, and alternative approaches like "hiring twice" to create a competitive environment. It also addresses the challenges of transitioning from founder-led sales to a structured sales organization, emphasizing the importance of finding individuals who can perform at 70% of the founder's level.

Overall, this episode provides founders with valuable insights and practical advice on navigating the complexities of early-stage hiring, offering guidance on building a strong team while avoiding common pitfalls.

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Venture Capital Predictions for 2025: AI, M&A, and Liquidity

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 11:40:31 -0700

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris make their predictions for the venture capital landscape in 2025. The conversation kicks off with a discussion about the current wave of AI-focused startups, with both hosts agreeing that many of these companies, particularly those building "AI wrappers" without unique data sets, will face challenges as larger players and incumbents integrate AI into their existing products and services. Jon predicts a "burned over land" scenario for many of these startups.

The hosts then shift to a discussion about the potential impact of political changes on the M&A market. Jon predicts that Lina Khan will leave the FTC, leading to a more open M&A environment and increased liquidity. Peter expresses cautious optimism, suggesting that while a change in administration could ease antitrust scrutiny, other factors may still play a role. They explore the potential for large tech companies like Meta and those aligned with AWS and Google Cloud to make significant acquisitions.

The conversation also touches on the IPO market, with both hosts anticipating increased activity in the coming years. Jon believes it will take longer for the IPO market to warm up, influenced by the upcoming election and the time required for companies to prepare for an IPO. Peter anticipates a faster turnaround, expecting increased liquidity and confidence to drive more deals.

They also discuss the trend of VCs striving to add value beyond simply writing a check, with Jon skeptical of VCs offering outdated advice. Peter acknowledges this pitfall but defends the value of guidance from VCs in areas such as valuation and fundraising strategy. The episode concludes with an assessment of the challenges startups will face in raising capital and the potential for differentiation through specialization and strategic alliances.

Overall, this episode provides a thought-provoking glimpse into the future of venture capital, offering insights for both founders and investors navigating a rapidly evolving market.

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The AI Investment Landscape: Opportunities and Challenges

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 21:02:51 -0700

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris engage in a lively debate about the current state of AI investments and the implications for startups in the tech space. They kick off the discussion by analyzing recent statistics indicating that 31% of all assets are now categorized as AI investments, prompting Jon to express skepticism about the sustainability of many AI-focused startups.

Jon argues that many companies labeled "AI companies" may struggle to differentiate themselves in a crowded market, suggesting that AI is often seen as an add-on feature rather than a standalone product. He contrasts this perspective with Peter's view that AI represents a transformative wave similar to past technological advancements, such as mobile technology. Peter asserts that companies built with an AI-first approach may have a competitive advantage over traditional firms that merely integrate AI into their existing products.

The hosts explore various examples, discussing how incumbents like Zendesk could leverage their established customer bases to implement AI solutions more effectively than new entrants can gain market share. They also consider the broader implications of AI on product development costs and customer acquisition strategies, highlighting the evolving landscape where discoverability becomes increasingly challenging as more applications emerge.

Throughout the episode, Jon and Peter provide valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges facing founders in the AI space, encouraging listeners to think critically about their business models and the potential for disruption in a rapidly changing environment. This episode serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the future of AI investments and what it means for entrepreneurs navigating this dynamic market.

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The Balance of Success: Navigating Founder Motivation and Investor Expectations

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 11:37:40 -0700

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris engage in a thought-provoking discussion about the complexities of founder motivation and the impact of success on entrepreneurial drive. They explore the dynamics between venture capitalists and successful founders, particularly how wealth and achievement can influence a founder's work ethic and commitment to their company.

Jon shares insights from conversations with various VCs who express concerns about founders becoming complacent after achieving significant financial success. He questions whether a founder's newfound wealth might lead to distractions, such as excessive travel or lavish spending, which could affect their focus on growing the business. Peter counters this perspective by emphasizing that experienced founders often leverage their networks and knowledge to be more productive, even if they aren't putting in traditional long hours.

The hosts delve into real-life examples, including the story of Josh Coats, who returned to leadership after realizing he wanted to set a better example for his children. They discuss how personal motivations can reignite a founder's passion for their company, regardless of their financial status.

Throughout the episode, Jon and Peter highlight the importance of maintaining a balance between personal success and professional responsibility. They stress that while it's essential for founders to enjoy their achievements, they must also remain committed to their company's vision and goals. The conversation also touches on the optics of founder behavior in the public eye, discussing how social media presence can influence investor perceptions.

Overall, this episode provides valuable insights for both founders and investors on navigating the challenges of motivation and expectations in the venture capital landscape, encouraging a deeper understanding of what drives successful entrepreneurs beyond financial gain.

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Should You Raise Venture Capital? Insights for Founders.

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 14:43:44 -0700

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris tackle the critical question: "Should you raise venture capital funding?" They draw from recent discussions in the entrepreneurial community, where founders often seek advice on fundraising strategies and common pitfalls.

Peter shares his perspective on the frequent mistakes founders make when fundraising, particularly focusing on ownership percentage and valuation rather than securing the right amount of capital to reach their next milestones. He emphasizes that many companies raised inflated valuations during the boom years and now struggle to meet expectations, leading to difficult situations like down rounds or flat rounds.

Jon adds to the conversation by discussing the psychological aspects of fundraising, including how founders can become overly focused on securing higher valuations rather than considering the long-term health of their business. He highlights the importance of understanding market conditions and being realistic about what is achievable.

The hosts explore the implications of raising too much money, which can lead to overspending and a lack of discipline in managing resources. They stress that founders should prioritize finding the right partners who will support their growth journey rather than simply chasing larger checks.

Throughout the episode, Jon and Peter provide actionable insights for founders contemplating venture capital, encouraging them to evaluate their business model, market potential, and personal readiness for the demands of rapid growth. They conclude by discussing how not every business is suited for venture backing and that sometimes alternative funding methods may be more appropriate.

Overall, this episode offers valuable guidance for entrepreneurs navigating the complex world of venture capital, helping them make informed decisions about pursuing VC funding or exploring other avenues for growth.

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The Bear and Bull Cases for OpenAI: A Deep Dive

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 15:52:23 -0700

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris engage in a lively discussion about OpenAI and the implications of its recent $6.6 billion funding round—the largest ever raised by a startup. The hosts explore both the bullish and bearish perspectives surrounding OpenAI’s future, dissecting the competitive landscape and the strategic advantages held by established tech giants like Microsoft.

Jon expresses a bearish outlook, arguing that while OpenAI has captured the attention of younger generations, it faces significant challenges from entrenched players with extensive resources and established customer bases. He raises concerns about whether OpenAI can maintain its momentum and become a dominant force akin to Google, suggesting that AI may ultimately become just another feature expected in software products.

Conversely, Peter presents a bullish case for OpenAI, highlighting its rapid revenue growth and strong enterprise sales. He points out that the company has successfully positioned itself as synonymous with AI technology, becoming a verb in popular culture. Peter emphasizes that OpenAI's ability to generate substantial revenue quickly is indicative of its potential to thrive in the competitive landscape.

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage in a spirited debate about the future of AI, discussing the importance of brand recognition, market positioning, and the challenges of discoverability in an increasingly crowded space. They reflect on how incumbents may leverage their existing customer relationships to dominate the market while considering how OpenAI can navigate these complexities.

Overall, this episode provides listeners with an insightful analysis of OpenAI’s current standing and future prospects, offering valuable perspectives for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone interested in the evolving world of artificial intelligence.

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Navigating Feedback in Venture Capital: Lessons for Founders

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 18:30:30 -0700

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris kick off Season Two with an engaging discussion about their recent activities and reflections on the venture capital landscape. They share insights from their participation in the Founder 100 event in Utah, which celebrated the top 100 founders as voted by their peers. This unique approach fostered a vibrant networking atmosphere, allowing attendees to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs.

Jon and Peter discuss the challenges of balancing their busy schedules while organizing impactful events and exploring ideas for future gatherings, including potential activities like racing events to engage the entrepreneurial community. They also touch on the importance of communication and feedback between founders and investors, sharing personal anecdotes about navigating these conversations.

The hosts emphasize the significance of graciously receiving feedback as a founder, highlighting that constructive criticism can be invaluable for growth. They also reflect on the complexities of providing actionable feedback to entrepreneurs, discussing how it can influence future interactions and funding opportunities.

Throughout the episode, Jon and Peter provide listeners with personal stories, industry insights, and practical advice for founders and investors. This lively conversation sets the tone for an exciting season, promising more valuable discussions on venture capital trends and entrepreneurship.

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Who are Accredited Investors?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Wed, 22 May 2024 08:40:26 -0600

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris delve into "Who are Accredited Investors?" The hosts provide a detailed masterclass on common terminology essential for individuals seeking funding or pursuing a career in venture capital. They begin by defining an accredited investor as someone with a net worth exceeding $1 million, excluding their primary residence, or an individual with an income of over $200,000 individually or $300,000 with a spouse for the past two years.

The discussion further explores the criteria for accredited investors, including financial and professional qualifications. The hosts explain that knowledgeable investors in venture capital, private equity, or those holding specific licenses like Series 7 or Series 65 can also qualify. They emphasize the importance of these qualifications in protecting investors and companies from high-risk investments and potential legal issues.

Moreover, the episode sheds light on the significance of accredited investor status for companies raising funds, venture capital firms, and private equity funds. It is highlighted that requiring accredited investors provides legal protections for both the companies and the investors, ensuring transparency and safeguarding against potential disputes in the future.

The hosts also touch on the practical implications of being an accredited investor, such as the ability to absorb potential losses without significant financial strain. They stress the importance of educating investors on the risks involved in high-risk investments and the need for founders to work with legal counsel to ensure compliance and protection for all parties involved.

Overall, this podcast episode offers a comprehensive exploration of accredited investors, their qualifications, and the legal and financial implications for both investors and companies in the venture capital landscape.

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What is a Burn Rate?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 16 May 2024 04:28:40 -0600

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris delve into the concept of burn rate, a crucial term in the venture capital industry. They define burn rate as the total amount a company spends every month minus its income, emphasizing that it measures how much cash a company is burning every month.

The hosts discuss the importance of understanding the burn rate, highlighting its significance in determining a company's runway, which is how long a company can sustain itself without raising additional capital. They explain that a company's burn rate can fluctuate and that it is essential to consider this when forecasting and planning for the future.

The conversation also touches on the role of CEOs in managing burn rates, emphasizing the need for them to make difficult decisions to reduce expenses and increase revenue. Jon and Peter share their own experiences with companies that have successfully managed their burn rate, highlighting the importance of transparency and planning in maintaining a healthy cash flow.

Throughout the episode, the hosts provide valuable insights into the venture capital industry, discussing the challenges of managing burn rate and the importance of understanding it for founders and investors alike. They also share their advice for founders, emphasizing the need to plan for the future and to raise capital with a minimum of six months of runway.

Overall, this podcast episode offers a comprehensive explanation of burn rate, its significance in the venture capital industry, and its impact on the performance and reputation of venture capital firms.

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What is a Bridge Round?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 13 May 2024 09:56:18 -0600

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris delve into the concept of bridge rounds, a crucial term in the venture capital industry. They define bridge rounds as financing that bridges the gap between one round of funding and the next, typically used when a company needs additional capital to achieve specific milestones or maintain operations until the next funding round.

The hosts discuss the importance of understanding bridge rounds, emphasizing that they are often used to provide a company with the necessary capital to achieve specific milestones or to maintain operations until the next funding round. They highlight the different types of bridge rounds, including the full and partial ratchet, and explain how these provisions can significantly affect a company's ability to raise future financing rounds.

The conversation also touches on the role of pro-rata rights, which allow investors to maintain their ownership stake in a company even if the company raises additional capital at a lower valuation. Jon and Peter emphasize that pro-rata rights are a key component of bridge rounds and are essential for investors to maintain their position in a company.

Throughout the episode, the hosts provide valuable insights into the venture capital industry, discussing the challenges of managing bridge rounds and the importance of transparency in deal-making. They also share their own experiences with bridge rounds, highlighting the need for founders to be aware of these provisions and to negotiate them carefully.

Overall, this podcast episode offers a comprehensive explanation of bridge rounds, their significance in the venture capital industry, and their impact on the performance and reputation of venture capital firms.

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What are Anti-Dilution Provisions?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Fri, 10 May 2024 10:20:58 -0600

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris delve into the concept of anti-dilution provisions, a crucial term in the venture capital industry. They define anti-dilution provisions as mechanisms that protect investors from diluting their ownership stake in a company, particularly in the event of a down round or a decrease in the company's valuation.

The hosts discuss the importance of understanding anti-dilution provisions, emphasizing that they are typically required by venture capitalists (VCs) to ensure their investment is protected. They highlight the different types of anti-dilution provisions, including the full and partial ratchet, and explain how these provisions can significantly affect a company's ability to raise future financing rounds.

The conversation also touches on the role of pro-rata rights, which allow investors to maintain their ownership stake in a company even if the company raises additional capital at a lower valuation. Jon and Peter emphasize that pro-rata rights are a key component of anti-dilution provisions and are essential for VCs to maintain their position in a company.

Throughout the episode, the hosts provide valuable insights into the venture capital industry, discussing the challenges of managing anti-dilution provisions and the importance of transparency in deal-making. They also share their own experiences with anti-dilution provisions, highlighting the need for founders to be aware of these provisions and to negotiate them carefully.

Overall, this podcast episode offers a comprehensive explanation of anti-dilution provisions, their significance in the venture capital industry, and their impact on the performance and reputation of venture capital firms.

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What is AUM?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Wed, 08 May 2024 06:22:43 -0600

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris delve into the concept of Asset Under Management (AUM), a crucial term in the venture capital industry. They define AUM as the total amount of assets that a firm is managing, which can include the amount of money raised, invested, and the profits generated.

The hosts discuss the importance of understanding AUM, particularly in private equity and hedge funds, where it is used to mark to market and provide a rough indication of the firm's size, deal types, and performance. They highlight the difference between AUM and the amount of cash on hand, emphasizing that firms typically hold very little cash due to the impact on their Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and fund performance.

The conversation also touches on the various ways to calculate AUM, including the amount raised, invested, and profits generated. The hosts explain how AUM is affected by capital calls, distributions to investors, and the performance of investments.

Throughout the episode, Jon and Peter provide insights into the venture capital industry, discussing how AUM is used to gauge the size and success of a firm, and how it can influence the perception of a firm's capabilities. They also share their own experiences with AUM, with Peter highlighting the importance of transparency in managing AUM, especially for student-run funds.

Overall, this podcast episode offers a comprehensive explanation of AUM, its significance in the venture capital industry, and its impact on the performance and reputation of venture capital firms.

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What is an Angel Investor?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 11:45:54 -0600

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris discuss the concept of angel investors, their role in the startup ecosystem, and the characteristics that define them. They begin by defining an angel investor as an individual who invests in early-stage companies, usually after friends and family have provided initial funding. Angel investors are typically accredited investors who contribute capital to help startups build products, find market fit, and prepare for later-stage funding rounds.

The hosts also discuss the evolution of angel investing, with the term 'super angel' emerging to describe individuals who invest larger sums of money in early-stage companies, often through funds. They emphasise that angel investing is not just about making money but also about helping founders and contributing to the growth of innovative businesses.

Throughout the episode, they highlight the importance of understanding the risks and rewards associated with angel investing, as well as the need for investors to be involved in the companies they support. They also touch on the potential for angel investors to pivot towards institutional investments or venture capital as they gain more experience and capital to deploy.

Overall, this podcast episode provides valuable insights into the world of angel investing, emphasising the role of early-stage capital in fostering innovation and the importance of a hands-on approach for angel investors.

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Signs of Hostile Takeovers

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 02:11:25 -0600

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris discuss various aspects of venture capital and entrepreneurship, including the signs of a hostile takeover in the startup world. They cover the concept of hostile takeovers and how it applies to publicly traded companies, where an investor buys a majority of the stock to take control of the business. In the startup landscape, hostile takeovers are less common due to the venture capital industry's shift towards being founder-friendly.

The hosts also discuss the potential for a founder's replacement, which can happen when a founder recognizes their limitations and brings in a more experienced professional to lead the company. They emphasize that while such situations can feel hostile, they are often a result of the founder's decision and are not necessarily a hostile takeover in the traditional sense.

The episode also touches on the role of activist investors, who may approach a company with a buyout offer if they see a different trajectory for the company. The hosts point out that such situations are less common on the venture side because VCs would view replacing a founder as a failure on their part.

Overall, the podcast provides valuable insights into the world of venture capital and the dynamics of entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of self-awareness, adaptability, and strategic decision-making in the face of business challenges.

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VC Conversation with Alan Doan (He Created The Disneyland Of Quilting)

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 05:19:21 -0600

In this lively episode of the Venture Capital podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris welcome Alan Doan for an engaging conversation about entrepreneurship, branding, and the unique challenges of building a successful business in the quilting industry.

Alan shares his journey from humble beginnings to building a thriving company that has become a household name in the quilting community. He discusses the importance of branding and how his company has managed to create a loyal customer base through its unique approach to marketing and customer engagement.

The conversation delves into the challenges of scaling a business, with Alan reflecting on his experience of raising funds for his startup and the lessons he learned from the process. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of setbacks, sharing his thoughts on the evolving landscape of venture capital and the role of investors in supporting early-stage companies.

Throughout the episode, Alan offers insights into the quilting industry, discussing the trends and innovations that have shaped the market and the potential for technology to transform the sector. He also shares his thoughts on the future of work and the importance of finding a balance between entrepreneurship and personal life, offering a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of building a successful business.

One of the highlights of the episode is Alan's discussion of his rolling fund, which raises $2.5 million annually for his fund. Alan and his team aim to be early, confident checks for companies doing cool stuff, particularly in deep tech and moonshot swings for the fences. He also shares his experience of fundraising for his software company and how it inspired him to create a fund that supports other founders.

Overall, this episode provides a captivating glimpse into the world of entrepreneurship and the unique challenges of building a successful business in a niche industry. Alan's insights and experiences offer valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors alike, highlighting the importance of resilience, adaptability, and a strong brand in the face of adversity.

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VC Round Table

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 21:37:46 -0600

In this engaging episode of the Venture Capital podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris are joined by David Frazier from the Frazier Group and Tyler Richards from Startup Ignition Ventures. The conversation delves into the world of venture capital, entrepreneurship, and the impact of technology on society, offering valuable insights and reflections from these seasoned investors.

David Frazier shares his journey from working at Bridge Investment Group to venturing into Utah's venture capital scene, highlighting the exponential growth and success he has witnessed in the industry. With a focus on deploying funds into software companies, David sheds light on his investment philosophy and the strategic decisions that have led to significant returns for his firm.

Tyler Richards, on the other hand, brings a wealth of experience from his involvement with Dev Mountain and his current role at Startup Ignition Ventures. Reflecting on his past successes, including a significant acquisition by a public company, Tyler shares his transition to leading a pre-seed venture fund and his passion for investing in early-stage tech and software startups.

The podcast explores the founders' favourite deals, recent investments, and the evolving landscape of venture capital. From e-commerce tools to legal software and cybersecurity companies, David and Tyler discuss their latest ventures and the innovative solutions they are backing in the market.

Throughout the episode, themes of resilience, strategic decision-making, and the human element in technology emerge as David and Tyler offer a glimpse into their investment strategies and the dynamic world of venture capital. Listeners are treated to a deep dive into the minds of these seasoned investors, gaining valuable insights into the intricacies of the startup ecosystem and the future of technology-driven investments.

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Investing in AI

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 14:53:22 -0600

In this engaging episode of the Venture Capital podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris welcome Kirk Ouimet, one of the visionary founders of Phi Health, for an insightful discussion on entrepreneurship, investment strategies, and the impact of technology on society.

Kirk shares his wealth of experience and knowledge, shedding light on his unique approach to investing in startups. He elaborates on his "spray and pray" strategy, drawing parallels to the unpredictability of roulette in Vegas and emphasizing the importance of diversification in investment portfolios to maximize returns.

The conversation delves into the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential to revolutionise industries, particularly in the context of job displacement and the evolving nature of work in the face of automation. Kirk's insights offer a thought-provoking perspective on the future labour landscape and the need for societal adaptation to technological advancements.

Kirk articulates a compelling vision for the future as the discussion unfolds, highlighting the critical role of compassion, empathy, and human connection in a world increasingly shaped by automation and AI. He explores the concept of universal income and the idea of shared wealth within communities, underscoring the importance of preserving love and compassion amidst the pursuit of profit and technological progress.

Overall, this podcast episode with Kirk Ouimet provides a deep dive into the intersection of entrepreneurship, investment philosophy, and societal implications of technological innovation. Kirk's forward-thinking ideas and reflections on the human aspect of technology offer a nuanced perspective on navigating the evolving landscape of work, wealth distribution, and societal values in the age of AI.

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HealthTech Unveiled: The Story of Phi Health

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 01:33:04 -0600

In this episode of VentureCapital.fm, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris welcome Scott Paul and Kirk Ouimet, founders of Phi Health. The discussion spans a wide range of topics, including AI, blockchain, health tech, personal experiences with entrepreneurship, and the importance of being connected to experts in various fields. Kirk shares his journey from skepticism about QR codes to missing out on an opportunity that later sold for $55 million. They delve into the intricacies of startup acquisitions, highlighting a specific case where secrecy was paramount, only to be foiled by a major leak due to a hack at Sony, revealing details of their deal with Snapchat.

Scott Paul discusses his path from being an advisor to starting Phi Health with Kirk, focusing on the mission to solve significant health problems using AI and technology. He talks about his vision to create a health company that goes beyond traditional approaches, leveraging their backgrounds in social media and technology to bring unique solutions to the health and wellness space.

The founders discuss the challenges and inefficiencies in the health and supplement industries, their personal experiences with health scares, and how these shaped their approach to Phi Health. They emphasize the role of AI in personal health, aiming to create a companion that not only offers health advice but also understands and responds to emotional states, guiding users towards healthier lifestyles.

Throughout the podcast, the importance of belief in oneself and the impact of technological advancements on health and wellness are underscored. The conversation wraps up with insights into the potential of AI to revolutionize personal health, the significance of data privacy, and the holistic approach Phi Health is taking to empower individuals in their health journeys.

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Unlocking the Secrets to Venture Success: A Deep Dive with Taylor Jones of Peterson Ventures 🚀

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 11:38:07 -0600

In this podcast episode, the hosts welcome Taylor Jones from Peterson Ventures. Taylor shares his journey from Utah to New York, working at American Express, and then transitioning to Google, where he was part of the early Google Cloud team. After Google, he joined a startup called Blue Matador, which was backed by Peterson Ventures, leading him to eventually join Peterson Ventures' investment team.

Taylor discusses the value of experience in different roles and industries, highlighting the insights gained from working at startups and major corporations like Google and American Express. He reflects on the challenges and rewards of being a founder and the empathy he now has for early-stage founders as a venture capitalist.

The conversation shifts to Peterson Ventures' approach to investing, focusing on pre-seed and seed stages, with a preference for founders who have a unique insight into their market. Peterson Ventures is described as a firm that deeply understands the importance of market timing, founder-market fit, and the potential impact of regulatory or technological changes on the market.

Taylor and the hosts also touch upon the concept of Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR), where individuals with significant experience or ideas get support from venture firms to explore new ventures or potentially join the investment team.

The discussion includes an overview of Peterson Ventures' investment strategy, emphasizing the firm's focus on sectors like FinTech, healthcare, commerce, and SaaS. Taylor mentions notable investments, such as in Ethos, a direct-to-consumer life insurance company, highlighting the firm's thesis around disrupting traditional industries through digital innovation.

The conversation also covers the current investment landscape, including the impact of market conditions on valuations and fundraising strategies. Taylor shares insights on how the venture capital environment has evolved, with a recent shift towards more conservative investing, emphasizing profitability and efficient growth over rapid, unsustainable expansion.

Finally, Taylor and the hosts discuss the importance of having a venture capital firm that actively supports its portfolio companies, especially during challenging times. They reflect on the significance of building long-term relationships with founders and the role of venture capital in facilitating not just financial support but strategic guidance and network access.

This episode provides a comprehensive overview of Taylor Jones' career, Peterson Ventures' investment philosophy, and the broader venture capital ecosystem, offering valuable insights for founders, investors, and anyone interested in the startup and venture capital world.

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The Dark Art of Startup Valuations

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 23:38:54 -0700

Join hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris on another insightful episode of the Venture Capital podcast as they delve into the intricacies of startup valuations. With their signature blend of expertise and candid conversation, Jon and Peter explore the nuances of determining a startup's worth, from pre-seed stages to Series A and beyond.

In this episode, aptly titled "The Dark Art of Startup Valuations," Jon and Peter shed light on the challenges and considerations entrepreneurs and venture capitalists face when negotiating valuations. From market comps to revenue multiples, they unravel the complex factors that influence valuation decisions in today's dynamic startup landscape.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the art and science of startup valuations, including the role of founder equity, market size, and the pressure to deploy capital effectively. With real-world examples and practical advice, Jon and Peter offer a comprehensive guide to navigating the valuation minefield, ensuring entrepreneurs are well-equipped to make informed decisions on their startup journey.

Tune in to the Venture Capital podcast for engaging discussions, expert analysis, and actionable insights into the world of startup investing. Don't miss out on this illuminating episode that demystifies the dark side of startup valuations. Subscribe now and join the conversation with Jon and Peter!

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What Makes A Great Venture-Backed CEO/Founder

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 03:14:06 -0700

Join hosts Peter Harris and Jon Bradshaw on another thought-provoking episode of the Venture Capital Podcast as they explore the essential attributes of successful venture-backed founders. In this engaging discussion, Peter and Jon dissect the qualities that set apart exceptional founders in the startup ecosystem.

From sales expertise to unwavering vision and determination, Peter and Jon dive deep into the core traits that define successful founders. Drawing from their own experiences and insights, they discuss the importance of skills like fundraising, team building, and culture setting in the journey of entrepreneurship.

Through anecdotes and reflections, Peter and Jon offer valuable perspectives on what it takes to navigate the challenges of building a startup from the ground up. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a budding founder, this episode provides actionable insights and inspiration to fuel your entrepreneurial journey.

Tune in to the Venture Capital Podcast for an enlightening conversation filled with practical advice and candid reflections on the art of entrepreneurship. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from seasoned investors and entrepreneurs as they unravel the secrets to startup success. Subscribe now and join the conversation!

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2024 Venture Capital Predictions

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 06:35:44 -0700

Join hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris as they dive into the realm of venture capital predictions for the year 2024. In this episode, they navigate through the turbulent landscape of the startup world, exploring the highs and lows that lie ahead for entrepreneurs, investors, and emerging technologies.

From the inevitable down rounds to the tough decisions faced by struggling startups, Jon and Peter offer insights into the challenges and opportunities that await in the coming year. They discuss the impact of valuation reassessments, the shifting narrative around startup culture, and the looming specter of zombie funds.

Amidst predictions of market corrections and increased accountability, the hosts also explore under-the-radar opportunities and emerging trends in the ever-evolving world of venture capital. From the rise of AI-powered solutions to the potential disruption of traditional media formats, Jon and Peter leave no stone unturned in their quest to unravel the mysteries of the future.

Tune in as they speculate on the future of entrepreneurship, technology, and investment, and share your own predictions for the year ahead in the comments below. Whether you're a seasoned investor, a budding entrepreneur, or simply curious about what lies on the horizon, this episode promises to enlighten and inspire.

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Bad Moves Founders Make

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 03:11:08 -0700

Join hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris on another insightful episode of the Venture Capital Podcast as they dive into the topic of "Bad Moves Founders Make." With their trademark blend of wit and wisdom, Peter and Jon dissect common pitfalls that founders encounter during fundraising and beyond.

In this episode, Peter and Jon explore various scenarios where founders unwittingly sabotage their own ventures through misleading practices, lack of transparency, and unrealistic expectations. Drawing from their extensive experience in the startup ecosystem, they share anecdotes and anecdotes that shed light on the importance of trust, authenticity, and effective communication in the investor-founder relationship.

From failing to disclose crucial information during fundraising to exaggerating investor interest, Peter and Jon offer candid advice on navigating the complex terrain of entrepreneurship. Listeners can expect to gain valuable insights into avoiding common pitfalls and building lasting relationships with investors.

Tune in to the Venture Capital Podcast for an engaging discussion filled with practical tips, humorous anecdotes, and honest reflections on the highs and lows of startup life. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from seasoned investors and entrepreneurs as they unravel the mysteries of the startup world. Subscribe now and join the conversation!

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Bad Moves VCs Make

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 04:51:53 -0700

Join hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris as they dive into the world of venture capital with a candid discussion on the "Bad Moves VCs Make." In this episode, they share war stories and shed light on questionable tactics employed by some venture capitalists.

From last-minute deal changes to questionable negotiating strategies, Jon and Peter explore scenarios where VCs may not always have the best interests of founders and startups at heart.

Throughout the episode, Jon and Peter provide valuable insights into the dynamics between VCs and founders, offering perspectives on when certain actions cross the line and become detrimental to the startup ecosystem.

With a mix of real-world examples and thought-provoking analysis, they aim to empower listeners with the knowledge to navigate the sometimes murky waters of venture capital.

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, an aspiring founder, or simply curious about the inner workings of the VC world, "Bad Moves VCs Make" offers engaging discussions and practical takeaways to help you better understand the complexities of startup funding and investment.

Tune in for an insightful conversation that explores the nuances of VC decision-making and the impact it can have on the success of startups.

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Go-To-Market Heroes (Featuring Amy Cook & Ryan Westwood from Fullcast)

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 14:04:44 -0700

The podcast features Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris hosting Amy Cook and Ryan Westwood, founders of Fullcast.com, a company specializing in rev ops.

They discuss their entrepreneurial journey, including their previous venture, Simplus, which they sold to Infosys for $250 million, and their recent success in closing a $34 million funding round for Fullcast.

The conversation covers their background, the importance of focus and differentiation in business, and their approach to building a strong team culture.

Ryan shares his personal story of overcoming challenges and developing an underdog spirit, while Amy discusses her entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the significance of resilience and adaptability.

They delve into Fullcast's mission to improve sales teams' success rates by optimizing territories and quotas, aiming to become a leading player in the rev ops space.

The discussion also touches on their funding strategy, emphasizing the value of building a network of supportive investors and stakeholders.

Our Guests

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How Do VCs Measure Success?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 09:26:16 -0700

Welcome to another episode of Venture Capital podcast, where John Bradshaw and Peter Harris delve into the intricacies of the startup world. In this episode, the spotlight is on a critical question: "How do VCs measure success?"

The hosts explore various dimensions of success in the venture capital realm. Is it all about becoming a billionaire, or is there more to it? The conversation unfolds as they dissect the subjective nature of success in the ever-evolving venture capital landscape.

They navigate through the common benchmarks used by VCs to gauge their performance. From beating the S&P 500 to striving for top quartile status among venture funds, the hosts share insights into the metrics that matter in the competitive world of venture capital.

The discussion takes an interesting turn as they explore the nuances of Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Multiple on Invested Capital (MOIC). Is IRR just a vanity metric, and how does MOIC play a crucial role in assessing a venture fund's success? The hosts break it down, offering valuable perspectives on these key financial indicators.

In addition to financial metrics, the hosts shed light on other crucial factors like hit rate, loss ratio, Total Value to Paid-In Capital (TVPI), and Distributions to Paid-In Capital (DPI). These metrics provide a comprehensive view of a venture fund's journey, emphasizing the importance of tangible returns and effective risk management.

Peter also shares personal insights into how he measures success at the University Growth Fund, emphasizing the significance of producing risk-adjusted returns, raising subsequent funds, and making a meaningful impact on entrepreneurs and students.

As the hosts wrap up the episode, they reflect on the evolving dynamics of the venture capital landscape and express gratitude for the growing podcast community. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the metrics and considerations that define success in the world of venture capital. Don't forget to leave a five-star review and share your thoughts in the comments—your feedback is what keeps this podcast thriving!

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What Is An Option Pool?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 23:17:33 -0700

Welcome to another episode of Venture Capital podcast, where hosts John Bradshaw and Peter Harris delve into the intricacies of the startup world. In this episode, the hosts share their thoughts on a unique strategy to network within the startup ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of delegation for seasoned professionals. They discuss the challenges and benefits of empowering an admin to connect with key players, creating a ripple effect that streamlines networking efforts.

The hosts also issue a disclaimer, making it clear that their discussions are not legal, financial, or investment advice. They then transition to a comprehensive exploration of a critical yet often misunderstood topic: option pools. Focusing on the dynamics of options, the hosts break down the concept, its role in compensation, and the tax advantages associated with using options to reward employees in startup environments.

Moving forward, the hosts address various aspects of option pools, including their size, negotiation during fundraising rounds, and the percentages allocated to different stakeholders. They demystify the complexities surrounding stock options for employees, shedding light on the percentage range based on roles, company stages, and other factors.

As the conversation unfolds, the hosts touch upon vesting schedules and their significance, stressing the importance of having a structured plan in place. They share insights into common pitfalls and misunderstandings related to stock options, guiding listeners on the intricacies of exercising, pricing, and potential risks involved.

The episode reaches its climax as the hosts shift gears to discuss option pool refreshes, explaining when and why companies choose to replenish their option pools. Finally, the hosts cap off the episode with a fascinating exploration of how exits, whether through IPOs or acquisitions, impact individuals holding stock options. They navigate through automatic conversions, exercising options, and the potential financial outcomes for employees during exit events.

Tune in for a deep dive into the often-overlooked world of option pools and gain valuable insights into navigating the startup landscape. Remember, this is not financial advice, but a candid conversation from industry experts. Subscribe to Venture Capital for more episodes and stay informed about the ever-evolving startup ecosystem.

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How To Get Into Venture Capital?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 08:00:58 -0700

Welcome to the Venture Capital podcast with your hosts, Peter Harris from the University Growth Fund and John Bradshaw from Codebase. In today's episode, we delve into the intriguing world of "How to Get into Venture Capital." Peter, the seasoned venture capitalist, and John, offering the founder's perspective, explore the ins and outs of entering the venture capital space.

The hosts kick off by discussing the basic qualifications and skills required for a successful venture capital career. From the necessity of operational experience to the potential influence of wealthy connections, they provide valuable insights into the diverse paths individuals can take.

As the conversation unfolds, they touch on the importance of networking and how a robust network plays a pivotal role in sourcing deals and fundraising. They emphasize the need to be world-class in at least two out of three crucial aspects: fundraising, deal sourcing, and picking winners.

The advantages of a career in venture capital are also spotlighted, including the potential for substantial wealth accumulation. Peter and John candidly share their thoughts on the intellectual stimulation that comes with the job, the power dynamics within the industry, and the respect that venture capitalists often command.

However, the podcast doesn't shy away from addressing the challenges in the venture capital realm. The hosts discuss the potential risks for those who do not succeed in the industry, pondering the alternatives for VCs who find themselves at a crossroads.

In a practical turn, Peter and John offer advice on focusing on a niche when entering venture capital, suggesting that individuals leverage their existing expertise and networks for better chances of success. They discuss the nuances of fundraising for different funds, touching on the perceived difficulties of raising the first fund versus subsequent ones.

The hosts round off the episode with a crucial tip for aspiring venture capitalists—building personal relationships is key. They stress the significance of being someone enjoyable to work with and demonstrating a capacity to add value to the organization.

If you're intrigued by the world of venture capital or contemplating a career in the field, this episode provides valuable insights and practical tips from two experienced voices in the industry. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of "How to Get into Venture Capital." And don't forget to leave a five-star review if you found this episode insightful! Visit venturecapital.fm for more ways to stay connected.

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Why Did The VC Pass?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 00:16:30 -0700

Welcome to the Venture Capital Podcast with your hosts, Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris. In this episode, Jon shares a fascinating story about a founder's experience with a venture capital firm and why the deal didn't go through. The episode is titled "Why Did The VC Pass," shedding light on the intricate dynamics within venture capital firms.

Jon, representing the founder's perspective, narrates how a seemingly promising deal fell apart after discussions with a fund. The founder, excited about the potential investment, engaged with a junior partner and a mid-tier executive in the firm. Everything appeared positive until the unexpected rejection, citing reasons like being too late stage, concerns about valuation, and the market size.

As Jon digs deeper, he unravels the internal politics at play within venture capital funds. He highlights how the managing partner's ego and the concept of attribution can significantly influence deal outcomes. Junior team members often find exciting opportunities, only to face challenges in getting them approved by managing partners who didn't source the deal themselves.

Peter explores the delicate balance for junior members in venture funds, caught between the desire to get credit for their deals and the risk of facing consequences if things don't go as planned. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding a venture capital firm's internal dynamics and navigating the politics to secure a deal successfully.

Listeners gain valuable insights into the behind-the-scenes workings of venture capital, with Jon and Peter discussing the intricacies of deal-making, the significance of relationships within a firm, and the need for founders to navigate these dynamics strategically.

As the hosts wrap up, they encourage listeners to share their experiences and thoughts in the comments, fostering a community discussion about similar situations. To stay updated on future episodes, visit venturecapital.fm and explore various subscription options on platforms like Apple and Spotify. If you found this episode insightful, the hosts welcome five or six-star reviews and appreciate comments about the advice provided.

Join Jon and Peter as they pull back the curtain on the venture capital world, offering entrepreneurs and enthusiasts a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in securing VC funding.

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Is My Business Made for Venture Capital?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 23:16:10 -0700

In this episode of the Venture Capital podcast, Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris discuss the intricacies of interacting with venture capitalists (VCs) from the perspective of entrepreneurs.

The conversation is sparked by a story shared by Peter about an entrepreneur who felt dismissed by a VC during a meeting. The entrepreneur, who was running a successful service business at a scaling point, sought advice but received little attention or insight from the VC, leaving him frustrated.

Key Points Discussed:

VCs and Time Management: VCs are time-constrained and prioritize deals they are actively chasing. If a VC is not pursuing an entrepreneur, it often indicates a lack of interest.
Building Relationships with VCs: The importance of adding value to a relationship with a VC is emphasized. Entrepreneurs should focus on assisting VCs rather than directly seeking help or pitching ideas.
Realistic Expectations: Entrepreneurs should understand that VCs might not always provide the desired advice or support, especially if the business isn't investable or doesn't align with the VC's interests.
The Role of VCs: VCs are seen as more beneficial in fundraising efforts rather than operational or sales advice. Their strength lies in pattern recognition and networking rather than in-depth operational expertise.
Founder-VC Dynamics: The conversation also touches on the complexities of the relationship between founders and VCs, highlighting that it can be adversarial or supportive, depending on various factors.
Advice for Entrepreneurs: Founders are advised to approach VCs with a mindset of offering value, understanding their limited time, and being prepared for potentially harsh or unfiltered feedback.
Entrepreneurial Challenges: The episode concludes with a discussion on the challenges entrepreneurs face, including the difficulty of receiving honest feedback and managing expectations in interactions with VCs.

Please share your experiences with VCs and to tune in for future episodes for more insights on venture capital and entrepreneurship.

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Are Venture Services Worth It?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 06:40:27 -0700

In this episode of the "Venture Capital Podcast," hosts Jon Bradshaw from Codebase and Peter Harris from the University Growth Fund discuss the nuances of venture services in the context of startup funding. Bradshaw, with his background as a founder and entrepreneur, and Harris, with his insights from the venture capital (VC) perspective, delve into the pros and cons of venture services.

The hosts explore the concept of venture services, where instead of traditional funding, companies may receive services like coding support, outsourced CFO support, or sales and marketing assistance in exchange for equity. They discuss the difference between venture services and accelerators like Y Combinator and Techstars, noting that the latter provides cash alongside services.

A significant part of their discussion revolves around the potential downsides of venture services. They caution against the dilution of equity and the impact it can have on a company's ability to raise future funds. They also stress the importance of having team members who believe in the company's mission, rather than those who are assigned by a venture services firm.

Furthermore, they touch upon the importance of brand and perception in the VC world. Joining a less reputable venture services firm or accelerator can negatively impact a startup's ability to raise funds in the future, as it might signal to potential investors that the founders couldn't secure more prestigious backing.

The hosts also explore scenarios where venture services might be useful, such as for entrepreneurs who lack experience or networks. However, they advise caution and recommend scrutinizing the quality of the people provided by these services, the alignment of incentives, and the amount of equity given up.

In conclusion, Bradshaw and Harris emphasize the value of self-reliance and confidence for entrepreneurs. They encourage founders to build their networks and skillsets independently rather than relying too heavily on external services. The episode ends with an invitation for listeners to share their experiences and thoughts on venture services.

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How to Start a Venture Capital Firm (Featuring Bubba Page from Influence.vc)

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 08:32:31 -0700

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon and Peter welcome Bubba Page from InfluenceVC, who discusses balancing significant personal life changes, including being a father to eight children, with his professional endeavors in the venture capital realm.

Bubba introduces InfluenceVC, a venture capital syndicate he founded, which uniquely integrates social media influencers into the investing process. He shares his investment philosophy, emphasizing personal conviction in deals and inviting his network to collectively contribute, thereby increasing the investment impact. The podcast delves into Bubba's notable investments, including a family financial management company and a safe technology firm for kids. He also recounts his experiences with a macro-based frozen food company that heavily involved influencers.

Bubba outlines his approach to venture capital and angel investing, prioritizing the entrepreneur's potential and scalable market ideas. His future goals include expanding educational opportunities in venture investing, particularly for women, and possibly establishing a dedicated fund.

The episode concludes with Bubba offering advice to both entrepreneurs and investors, highlighting the need for resilience in the face of failure and the importance of diversification in investment portfolios. This podcast episode provides valuable insights for those interested in the dynamics of venture capital and the evolving role of influencers in this space.

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Beyond the Pitch: A Frazier Group Perspective (A Utah VC)

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 02:52:34 -0600

Welcome to our second episode of the Venture Capital Podcast featuring special guests. Today, we have the privilege of hosting David and Kendall Frazier from the Frazier Group, a venerable VC firm rooted deep in Utah's investment history.

The Frazier Group distinguishes itself as a lifecycle venture fund. Their approach is methodical: begin at the seed stage and, provided the company delivers, they expand their involvement through the purchase of Secondaries and successive participation in Bridge, A, B, C+ rounds, and beyond. Notably, they also acquire Secondaries in high-growth, venture-backed firms outside of their portfolio.

A snapshot of their impressive track record:

$250M invested
A robust portfolio of 80 companies, with a remarkable 45 additions since 2018 alone
8 celebrated IPOs
28 successful acquisitions

With their headquarters strategically located in Lehi, Utah, the Frazier Group's influence isn't limited to just their home state. Their deal-sourcing prowess spans the vast mountain west, reaching states from Washington to Texas.

Our Guests
David Frazier: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-frazier-8aba7525/
Kendall Frazier: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendallfrazier/

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Startup Valuations (Reviewing 2023 Q2 Market Data from Carta)

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 04:25:20 -0600

Each quarter Carta provides data on startup valuations for Series A+. On this episode and Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris review the data and compare it to Utah's market and their own experience.

A link to Carta's report can be found here: https://carta.com/blog/first-cut-state-of-private-markets-q2-2023/

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Startup Valuations Q&A

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 05:47:56 -0600

In the latest episode, Peter Harris and Jon Bradshaw embark on a detailed exploration of some of the most pressing questions surrounding venture capital, brought to us by our engaged community. They offer their insights and expertise on the intricate landscape of startup valuations, illuminating a path for budding entrepreneurs and investors alike.

Throughout the episode, a few key questions stand out, providing listeners with actionable knowledge and clarity:

How do I determine the worth of my startup? - This segment dissects the methods and metrics used to evaluate a startup's value, offering listeners a framework to gauge their own venture's worth.
How much emphasis do VCs place on valuations? - Here, Peter and Jon unpack the psyche of VCs, revealing the significance of valuation in their decision-making process and what other factors might sway their interest.
Is profitability a crucial factor for VCs? - Diving into the balance between growth and profits, our hosts debate the importance of profitability and its influence on attracting VC interest.

Beyond these pivotal questions, the episode also touches upon various nuances of the startup and VC relationship, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the venture capital universe. Whether you're a startup founder seeking investment or an enthusiast wanting to understand the VC realm's intricacies, this episode promises to be a valuable resource.

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I'm Running Low On Cash. Now What?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 22:04:26 -0600

I'm running low on cash. Now what?

This might be one of the most sincere and frequent questions that Peter and Jon get asked.

In this episode we talk about coping strategies Founders should explore as they attempt and consider raising another round.

Decoding VC Collective: Impact on VC Landscape

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 06:07:40 -0600

In today's episode Jon and Peter talk about the effect of VC Collective on VC Landscape

What is a VC collective?
Examples:
- Curql Collective - Met Nick Evens at Fintech MeetUp
  - $90 million in capital deployed
  - Reach over 100 Credit Unions, Credit Union Service Organizations, and League limited partners
- Black Dragon Capital with Benson Porter & Louis Hernandez Jr.
  - $80M USD assets under current management
  - Partners come from -
  - Former CEO of Credit Union National Association
  - Former CEO of Boeing Employees’ Credit Union
  - Black Dragon is launching a credit union and CUSO (credit union service organization - credit union owned) LP fund….a credit union LP fund
- Chase and Wells Fargo have their own venture arms. How are collectives formed by smaller banks and credit unions changing the VC space?
If VC Collectives have strong ties, how does this affect traditional VCs?
Is co-investing between traditional VCs and collectives important?
What industries are forming their own VC Collectives?
Sources

Whats is your take? We read and respond to all of our comments and messages on Instagram, and LinkedIn. Come find us and join the conversation.

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Tiger Global's Downturn: A 33% Investment Setback

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 15:39:19 -0600

In today's episode Jon and Peter talk about what the current downturn of Tiger Global

Early March it came out that Tiger global investment portfolio *Venture portfolio* is down 33%
Even before that Tiger Global has become a laughing stock, or the poster child of venture excess
Did they make a mistake? Are they in trouble? Stripe’s recent $6.5B investment marks them down 50%
What is Tiger Global?
- An investment firm focused on “public and private companies in the global Internet, software, consumer, and financial technology industries.”
- $58B under management (September 2022)
What is their unique approach?
- Known for being extremely aggressive
- “Annoint” winners by dumping cash on the market leader
What are their popular investments?
- Coinbase
- Facebook
- Flipkart
- LinkedIn
- Spotify
- Stripe
Peter, why did you want to cover this?
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Global_Management
- https://www.tigerglobal.com/

Whats is your take? We read and respond to all of our comments and messages on Instagram, LinkedIn. Come find us and join the conversation.

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Exploring: Risks of a SAFE

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Fri, 26 May 2023 05:49:45 -0600

In today's episode we ask some pertinent questions regarding SAFEs.

What is a SAFE: Simple Agreement for Future Equity?
How is it different from a convertible note?
Why do investors like YC push SAFES?
What are the Pros and cons for VC and for Entrepreneur
Why do VCs not want to load rounds?

Whats is your take? Do you agree with us? We read and respond to all of our comments and messages on Instagram, LinkedIn. Come find us and join the group.

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SVB Crash: Why, How and What's Next!

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 11 May 2023 09:26:04 -0600

Jon and Peter talk about the hottest topic- SVB Crash.

Peter breaks down what led to the crash
We look at how exposed were VCs to Silicon Valley Bank?
Jon asks Peter to explain Capital calls, and how most VCs only have 2% on hand each time
Silicon Valley bank offered loans to VCs. What will happen moving forward?
Will VCs have to increase cash on hand?
Are VCs doubling down on prior investments or picking new ones while valuations are correct?

Do follow us on Instagram and share how you feel about SVB situation.

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Unpacking the Buzz:Our Thoughts on Chat GPT

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0600

Jon, Peter and Scott decode how Chat GPT will impact the future.

If people need to be scared? Or better prepared.

Jon- talks about how Builder.ai and Bubble.io are enablers for people to get their MVPs off the ground and not direct competition.
And while Chat GPT might feel threatening at this point for the businesses like his, we have to remind ourselves that not everything turns out how its supposed to.

One of the big examples being Tesla's self driving cars.

Peter chimes in with an example where Chat GPT was able to spurt out a quick answer to a legal question a lawyer asked. But after fact checking it soon turned out to be factually incorrect.

While the technology in itself is incredible, it has a long way to go.

Scott Paul is the Founder of Convoi Ventures.

He's helped turn Utah into a thriving startup culture and he is a supportive leader and angel investor.

Do follow us on Instagram and share how you feel about Chat GPT.

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Anonymous- Shocking VC Stories

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 08:45:39 -0600

We gave both Scott and Peter an opportunity to vent, to talk about instances, examples that are otherwise hard to share in social circles due to interpersonal conflict.

They say, there is no learning better than learning from other people's mistakes. And sometimes its your own mistakes that makes you a better VC.

Scott and Peter reflect back on many such instances that can be highly educational. We hope you make the most of this episode. We have tried something new and if you like it- do let us know. Write to us, tag us, share it on your stories and leave us a feedback.

We are sharing some highlights on our social media pages, don't miss out on following us there.

Scott Paul is the Founder of Convoi Ventures.

He's helped turn Utah into a thriving startup culture and he is a supportive leader and angel investor.

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VC Insights: Scott Paul on the Growing Utah Ecosystem

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 17:11:38 -0600

Scott Paul describes the Utah angel investing ecosystem, and his role as a Founder of Convoi Ventures, an $8M rolling VC fund here in Utah.

He's helped turn Utah into a thriving startup culture and he is a supportive leader and angel investor.

Utah has a strong entrepreneurial spirit, with a growing number of startups and small businesses emerging in recent years.

Angel investors are a critical component of the Utah startup ecosystem, providing seed funding and mentorship to early-stage companies. These investors are typically high-net-worth individuals who invest their own capital in promising startups in exchange for equity.

Utah has several angel investor groups, including Salt Lake City Angels, Park City Angels, and Utah Angels. These groups offer a range of resources and support for startups, including funding, mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to a wide range of industry experts.

In addition to angel investor groups, Utah has a number of venture capital firms that specialize in early-stage funding. These firms typically invest larger sums of money in startups that have already demonstrated some level of success, such as a working prototype or a small customer base.

Overall, the Utah angel investing ecosystem is highly supportive of startups and is known for its strong sense of community. With a growing number of investors and a vibrant startup culture, Utah is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for entrepreneurs seeking funding and support for their new ventures.

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How is ChatGPT Affecting Venture Capital?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 03:56:43 -0600

As an AI language model, ChatGPT doesn't have any direct impact on venture capital. However, ChatGPT and other AI technologies may indirectly affect venture capital in several ways:

Improved investment decision-making: AI technologies like natural language processing, machine learning, and predictive analytics can help venture capitalists analyze large amounts of data and make more informed investment decisions. ChatGPT, for example, can help investors quickly analyze large volumes of text-based data, such as news articles, social media posts, and earnings reports, to identify trends and patterns that could impact investment decisions.
Enhanced due diligence: Venture capitalists typically conduct extensive due diligence before investing in a startup. AI technologies can help streamline this process by analyzing a company's financials, patents, and other data to identify potential risks and opportunities. ChatGPT can assist in this process by analyzing large amounts of text-based information and helping investors quickly identify key information.
Improved portfolio management: AI technologies can help venture capitalists better manage their portfolio of investments. For example, ChatGPT can analyze news articles, social media posts, and other data sources to help investors monitor trends in their portfolio companies and identify potential risks and opportunities.
Increased efficiency: AI technologies can help venture capitalists automate many of their repetitive tasks, such as data entry and analysis, freeing up time to focus on higher-value activities like networking, due diligence, and portfolio management.

Overall, AI technologies like ChatGPT have the potential to significantly impact the venture capital industry by improving investment decision-making, enhancing due diligence, improving portfolio management, and increasing efficiency.

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How is ChatGPT Affecting Startups?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 03:51:05 -0700

What is the effect of ChatGPT on startups? Though ChatGPT can have a positive impact, it will also shake up many industries.

Here is a quick summary of the areas we think ChatGPT will affect/change the soonest.

Customer Support: Startups can use ChatGPT to provide 24/7 customer support to their users. ChatGPT can handle a large volume of customer queries and provide quick and accurate responses, which can lead to higher customer satisfaction and retention rates.
Product Recommendations: ChatGPT can analyze customer data and provide personalized product recommendations. This can help startups increase their sales and revenue by providing customers with products that they are more likely to purchase.
Market Research: Startups can use ChatGPT to conduct market research by analyzing customer feedback and reviews. This can help them understand their target audience better and make more informed decisions about their products and services.
Content Creation: ChatGPT can assist startups in generating content such as blog posts, social media updates, and email newsletters. This can help startups save time and resources on content creation while still maintaining a high level of quality.
Virtual Assistants: Startups can use ChatGPT to create virtual assistants that can handle various tasks such as scheduling appointments, sending reminders, and answering basic queries. This can help startups streamline their operations and reduce their workload.

What do you think? Follow the links below and let us know.

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Who Is A Founder?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 02:58:39 -0700

The "Who is a Founder?" podcast explores the various aspects of what it means to be a founder in the modern startup world.

Jon and Peter debate who deserves the title and who doesn't.

They discuss what it means to be a founder and how the role of a founder has evolved over time. They also explore the various characteristics that make a successful founder and share their insights on what it takes to build a successful company.

Overall, "Who is a Founder?" provides a valuable resource for anyone interested in entrepreneurship and the challenges faced by those who are building their own companies. With its mix of personal anecdotes and expert interviews, this podcast offers a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed as a founder.

Bullet points:

"Who is a Founder?" podcast explores what it means to be a founder in the modern business world.
The podcast covers various topics such as fundraising, building a team, and managing risk.
Hosts Jon and Peter share their own experiences and insights, as well as interview successful founders and industry experts.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of resilience, perseverance, mentorship, support networks, and work-life balance for successful founders.
"Who is a Founder?" offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by entrepreneurs.

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Is Venture Capital a Good Job?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 11:30:15 -0700

Is Venture Capital a Good job?

Peter Harris is an industry veteran with almost 20 years of experience. If you're a student and want to get into VC, interning with Peter could give you a massive leg up.

Here's a quick summary:

Peter shares his personal experience about the benefits and downsides of the job
Pros and Cons of being a partner
Succession planning and your long-term viability in the industry
Is venture capital lucrative
Who is Venture Capital not for

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Is Venture Capital Good for Small Business?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 04:52:52 -0700

Here are the potential pros and cons of venture capital for small businesses:

Pros:

Access to significant funding that can help fuel growth and scale operations
Exposure to experienced investors and their networks, which can provide valuable guidance, mentorship, and business connections
Potential for significant returns on investment for both the company and the investors
Can help attract other investors and partners in the future due to the credibility associated with receiving venture capital funding

Cons:

Highly competitive process to secure funding, with many companies vying for limited investment dollars
Can involve giving up a significant amount of control and ownership in the company, which can impact decision-making and long-term vision
Pressure to meet high growth expectations and deliver returns to investors within a relatively short time frame
Can be a time-consuming process that distracts from day-to-day operations of the business

Whether venture capital is good for a small business depends on the specific circumstances and goals of the business. Venture capital can be beneficial for small businesses that have high growth potential and require significant funding to scale their operations. However, not all small businesses are a good fit for venture capital. Ultimately, small business owners should carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks before pursuing venture capital funding.

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Real Estate Tech 3.0: The Ownership Revolution

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 12:34:49 -0700

What is Real Estate Tech 3.0?

First, let's talk about the different waves of real-estate tech as discussed in NFX's post called "Real Estate 3.0 -- The Ownership Revolution:

Information Revolution
Transaction Revolution
Ownership Revolution (Web 3.0 Could be used to democratize ownership)

Real estate has always been the largest asset class in the world, so it's interesting when Real Estate Tech and VC interests converge.

This wave is interesting because it may help increase the accessibility of this investment opportunity, which has historically been out of reach of most individuals.

It's unique because now if you just have $100 you can now invest in real estate. And not just real estate, but rentals, vacation properties, apartments, etc.

Real Estate Tech 3.0 allows us to expand our definition of what we historically viewed as ownership.

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Are Founders better investors than VCs

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 16:27:02 -0700

Are Founders better investors than VCs?
Making founders angel investors the way to go? Or due diligence, and chasing deals best to be left with the VCs?

Some Points Covered in This Episode Include:

What is in for a founder to do this better than a VC? Peter digs deep and finds the "why"
The WIN100 is a community-nominated and peer-selected process of the top 100 venture entrepreneurs in Utah
Jon Bradshaw was part of the list and mentions how some important names were missed
How important it is to be at networking events
Which one is the biggest Utah fund right now?

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Tips for First-Time Fund Managers

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 02:56:11 -0700

Do you want to know how to start your own fund? In this episode, Peter and Jon talk about their own experiences as first-time fund managers.

Join us on this podcast to see what we think!

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Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ugrowthfund

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Youtube: https://youtu.be/spRuy517if0

What is Generative Tech? The Next VC Wave

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 09:00:56 -0700

What is generative tech? Well, it's the next thing happening in VC!

Some of the most significant changes in venture capital occurred over the last 6 months.

AI has allowed us to create high-quality, cheap, and Fast AI models to create images, video, code, music, and other types of models.

This is what is called Generative AI.

Join us on this podcast to see what we think!

Follow Peter Harris

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete

Youtube: https://youtu.be/Hy9DsuFzTH4

Follow University Growth Fund

Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ugrowthfund

Follow Jon Bradshaw

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FTX's Crash and It's Affect on Venture Capital

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 11:46:11 -0700

Learn what FTX's crash means for VC. We are sure there are a lot of memes that also show this.

Join us on this podcast to see what we think!

Follow Peter Harris

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1

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Youtube: https://youtu.be/Hy9DsuFzTH4

Follow University Growth Fund

Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/

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Are Founders Better Investors Than VCs?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 03:46:15 -0700

Jake Zeller and Jonathan Swanson launched a new fund, somewhat unique, https://powerset.co/.

Their thesis is that founders are better investors than VCs.

From their site they say, "Based on our experience working with hundreds of top founders and VCs, we have reason to believe that a certain cohort of founders can be some of the best investors on the planet, both in terms of helpfulness to startups and returns they’ll generate."

The idea is successful entrepreneurs know other successful entrepreneurs.

Join us on this podcast to see what we think!

Follow Peter Harris

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1

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Youtube: https://youtu.be/Hy9DsuFzTH4

Follow University Growth Fund

Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/

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How Important is it for VCs to Build an Online Presence?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 00:58:31 -0700

We got a question from one of our listeners about how important it is for VCs to build their online presence.

Like they say- if you didn't post about it online, did it really happen? Does it apply to VCs too?

Are VCs now the "new" influencers?

Is it the fund that needs a brand or the individual partners need to create visibility/ credibility for themselves?

Follow Peter Harris

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Follow University Growth Fund

Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/

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Youtube: https://youtu.be/spRuy517if0

Are Venture Capitalists Evil?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 00:04:17 -0700

In this episode, we discuss if Venture Capitalists are evil. We discuss why entrepreneurs feel like VCs are evil.

And please forgive us for the audio quality. Jon forgot to turn the recording device on for the microphones.

Peter Harris
University Growth Fund: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCAHrQUxcm_Oa1t3emwttpAQ

Jon Bradshaw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

Do VCs Care About Profitability?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 02:03:32 -0600

Much has changed in the last few years, and in 2022 we want do know if profitability still matters to VCs.

Over the past few years, VCs have pounded on the drum of growth at almost any cost. Startups have been flooded with billions of dollars to fuel growth.

Now in light of the current recession and financial situation join us as we discuss if and how this approach has changed.

Venture Capital Podcast
Website: www.VentureCapital.fm
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCtPaub_8VrJ8gWj5RXcdYkw
Instagram: https://instagram.com/venturecapitalfm?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Jon Bradshaw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

Corporate Venture Arms: Are They Worth It?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 00:31:57 -0600

Should you take money from a corporate venture arm?

Here are some quick Pros and Cons of doing so:

Pros:

They can be very strategic in making industry connections (especially with other companies they have invested in
They can often become a customer themselves
Bring technical expertise and resources unavailable to early-stage venture companies

Cons:

Often have conflicting mandates, invest for return and invest in finding acquisitions
Due to incentives many of the partners at CVC’s leave (which is your internal champion)
At times there are inferior terms (exclusivity on acquisitions, Right of first refusal, and in the worst case invest to stamp out competition).
While they could become customers, CVCs are often on an island and don’t speak for the company in becoming a customer

Utah's Strengths and Weaknesses

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 10:05:27 -0600

Peter and Jon share if they feel- "Utah is better at sales driven SaaS business but not so great when it comes to product led growth SaaS businesses"

While Jon personally takes offence, Peter has his reasons to believe in the statement.

Startups like Scan which didn't find any investors in Utah were the biggest buzz news once Snapchat showed interest.

Have Utah product businesses found better takers outside of Utah?

Or are things changing?

Share what do you think on our Instagram/ LinkedIn/ Youtube page!

Follow Peter Harris

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete

Youtube: https://youtu.be/Hy9DsuFzTH4

Follow University Growth Fund

Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ugrowthfund

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Youtube: https://youtu.be/spRuy517if0

Fired By a Venture Capitalist!

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 00:23:19 -0600

In this episode, we discuss a LinkedIn post from Travis Ashby. He talks about one of his friends, a startup CMO, that was fired by their VCs just "weeks" before his vesting cliff happened.

Here's the link to the post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/travisashby_letsdobetter-peoplefirst-culturematters-activity-6970740998289195008-_Co-

Peter and Jon share their thoughts on why this happened, how it can be prevented, and what can be learned from this situation.

Jon Bradshaw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

Should You Invest In a Friend's Business?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 00:16:18 -0600

Have you ever invested in a friend's business? What happened?

On this episode, we discuss the pro's and con's of supporting your friends.

Disclaimer: This is for educational purposes only. Always consult proper legal and financial advisors.

Jon Bradshaw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

How to Meet Venture Capitalists

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 01:23:56 -0600

How do you network with venture capitalists in 2022?

In this episode, we talk about unique networking ideas to connect with your ideal VC.

Peter and Jon discuss the extent to which people go to meet and work with VC's, such as booking a private jet.

How do you network with VC's besides waiting for them to come to you.

Jon Bradshaw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

How Much Should You Pay a Startup CTO?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 02:24:21 -0600

We were recently asked by a friend what a startup CTO's salary should be for a company with little to no revenue.

Peter and Jon decided to ask their network what "fair" compensation would be. Please remember that most individuals were making a recommendation only on partial information.

We presented the following to each individual.

What are the current terms for a Startup CTO?

- He makes $200,000 with $50,000 in equity and other benefits at his current job
- He’s willing to take a salary of $150,000
- The startup just raised $1M from a “notable” VC
- No details on the $1M raise is known
- Revenue is $5,000 MRR or less

The startup is asking him to make an offer.

I told them to put it back on them, and for him to also ask about:

- Total shares outstanding
- Details on the current cap table
- Current price for common stock

Jon Bradshaw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

How to Get a Higher Valuation

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 03:04:55 -0600

In this episode, we talk about how you get the most out of your latest financing round.

Many startups are raising at much lower valuations than they did 6, 12, or 18+ months ago.

Peter talks about the current market trends and how companies in a tight spot can get a better valuation.

Venture Capital Podcast
Website: www.VentureCapital.fm
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCtPaub_8VrJ8gWj5RXcdYkw
Instagram: https://instagram.com/venturecapitalfm?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Peter Harris
University Growth Fund: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCAHrQUxcm_Oa1t3emwttpAQ

Jon Bradshaw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

Recent Investments by UGF

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 11:41:20 -0600

Peter Harris provides a quick update on recent investments by the University Growth Fund.

Join us as Peter shares his analysis, thoughts, and strategies.

VC Markdowns in 2022

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 01:00:43 -0600

Can You Raise a Series A?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 04:49:05 -0600

In today's episode, Peter and Jon answer questions such as:

How much annual recurring revenue is needed to raise a Series A?
How many users do you need to raise a Series A?
Is $1,000,000 in revenue enough?

What are the current standards, and has the market changed historical benchmarks? Join us for the podcast to find out!

Tax Loopholes for VCs

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 17:03:15 -0600

Some Points Covered in This Episode Include:

If you have heard anything about the Carried Interest Loophole Act, you know it's the biggest news in the last few days. What does it mean and what does it entail if it were to be passed.

The "carried interest loophole" allows hedge fund managers to tax their income at a lower rate than an ordinary salary.

Peter will weigh in both sides and discuss how fair is it.

Don't forget to tell us, where do you stand on it.

Follow Peter Harris

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete

Youtube: https://youtu.be/Hy9DsuFzTH4

Follow University Growth Fund

Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ugrowthfund

Follow Jon Bradshaw

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

Youtube: https://youtu.be/spRuy517if0

Y Combinator: What Do VC's Think?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 17:37:46 -0600

Have you ever wondered what Venture Capitalists think of Y Combinator companies/investments?

In 2022 the program has significantly changed. It went from accepting 10 startups with each class to 400 in a recent cohort.

Learn about the Pro's and Con's of the program from a venture capitalist that has funded YC companies.

VC Provides Anonymous Feedback

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 15:26:58 -0600

Peter and I provide anonymous feedback to a first-time founder.

We talk about their revenue numbers, team size, and if this startup should attempt to raise venture capital.

VC Rips Apart My Pitch Deck for Appointment.com

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 21:57:14 -0600

VC rips apart a pitch deck for a very open and honest review. Peter Harris from the University Growth Fund reviews the pitch deck for Appointment.com In this episode learn what a later-stage VC actually thinks about a pitchdeck.

How to Start a Syndicate

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 23:10:39 -0600

How to Start a Syndicate

In today’s episode we find how one gets into Venture Capital and deep dive into everything about a Syndicate.

Some Points Covered in This Episode Include:

What is a syndicate, and how is it different from an SPV?
What is the appeal of a syndicate?
1. As an investor
2. As a company
3. As a manager
How do syndicate managers/operators make money?
1. Syndicates also charge carry - usually 20% in total. Carry is a cut of positive returns generated by the investment. Example: let's say you invest $1000 in a syndicate with 20% carry. If the investment returns $2000, the syndicate would earn $200 in carry. 20% * ($2000 - $1000).
2. https://angel.co/syndicates/for-investors#requirements
Who are the most common syndicate leaders?
1. Jason Calcanis
  1. Uber
  2. Calm
2. Dave Eisenberg
  1. Coinbase
  2. Warby Parker
3. Tom Williams (from Apple)
  1. Layer 6
How do you manage a syndicate?
1. AngelList
2. Assure
3. Attorney/Accountant
What does it cost to start a syndicate?
1. AngeList charges a one-time fee of ~$8,000
2. https://angel.co/syndicates/for-investors#requirements
3. Hidden costs of finding investors
What are the SEC/accreditation rules for starting one?
1. Salary of $200k+
2. Net worth of $1M+
3. Work in industry
4. https://help.venture.angel.co/hc/en-us/articles/360047682112-What-is-an-accredited-investor-
Who should start a syndicate?
Who should not start a syndicate?
Areas of specialization:
1. Geography
  1. Utah-based
2. Industry based
3. Alumni Syndicates
  1. Facebook
  2. AirBNB

Let us know your thoughts on a Syndicate? How do you feel about them? What should we talk about next? Give us a follow and leave us feedback.

Follow Peter Harris

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete

Youtube: https://youtu.be/Hy9DsuFzTH4

Follow University Growth Fund

Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ugrowthfund

Follow Jon Bradshaw

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

Youtube: https://youtu.be/spRuy517if0

How Data Science is Improving Venture Capital

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 16:14:13 -0600

How is Data Science improving Venture Capital?

Jon asks Peter everything about data science. What data sources are they currently using? And how much will it disrupt the functioning of Venture Capital firms.

Some Lies/ Points Covered in This Episode Include:

Would you say data science is changing things?
What Data Sources are University Growth Fund are using at this point?
For seed and early-stage firms, when data is almost non existent, will it be a barrier
A venture capital deal pipeline has three key elements: sourcing, benchmarking and value-add. Can Data science help on all three fronts?
What are some of the other challenges you foresee?
It’s a very intuitive field, do you think backing it with numbers and data will give VCs clarity while making decisions or make them second guess their intuition on things that really matter- word of mouth, integrity, past personal or peer experiences.Things that data can’t support.
Often, data from sources such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Pitchbook, Crunchbase, and AngelList are obtained and then pooled and organized. The organization and manipulation of third-party data can be time and labor-intensive. Pooled third-party data that is improved and arranged in a customized manner can eventually become proprietary in nature. Your thoughts?
Once VC ventures become data backed, they will need to hire or re-organise teams that can collate and work with such data. How soon do you see that shift coming

PS- it may call for a different talent sourcing model and organizational structure, with resulting implications for the structuring of compensation and incentives.

For example, the venture capital firm Social Capital has built an automated system to invest in startups without meeting them. Companies upload data about themselves, and if the firm’s algorithms score the companies well, the firm backs them with an investment. The process was designed to keep bias from entering the equation. By mid-2018, the firm had assessed over 5,000 startups and invested in 60. Most of the investments were in companies based outside the major venture capital markets of the Bay Area and New York, and many were based overseas. About 80% of the companies featured non-white founders and 30% featured female founders. Do you see them as outliers or can that be the upcoming trend?

Let us know your thoughts on data science/ AI changing the Venture capital? What should we talk about next? Give us a follow and leave us feedback.

Follow Peter Harris

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete

Youtube: https://youtu.be/Hy9DsuFzTH4

Follow University Growth Fund

Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ugrowthfund

Follow Jon Bradshaw

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

Youtube: https://youtu.be/spRuy517if0

Common Lies that VCs Hear

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 18:19:14 -0600

Common Lies VCs Hear

Truth or optimism. VCs hear multiple people talk about their plans, their business and they toe the line of sometimes being overly optimistic that it could be a lie. Here is what not to say, or how to frame it differently next time.

Some Lies/ Points Covered in This Episode Include:

Saying your market is a huge number/ some ridonculous billion $ industry, but the fact is you dont know whats the sub sector or specific part of the market you are targeting
All we need is get 3% of the market
Our contract with a “big company” is going to be signed ANYTIME NOW.But the truth is that the process is much longer. So over committing your investors is no good. Play low key when talking about accomplishments, and surprise with news
There is no competition. No one else can do what we can do OR we have the first mover advantage
They mis- estimate the sales plan. Give an unrealistic time period- 45-90 days of sales cycle
My projection is conservative. Is it really?

Let us know what are the common lies you have heard? What should we talk about next? Give us a follow and leave us feedback.

Follow Peter Harris

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete

Youtube: https://youtu.be/Hy9DsuFzTH4

Follow University Growth Fund

Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ugrowthfund

Follow Jon Bradshaw

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

Youtube: https://youtu.be/spRuy517if0

Is Venture Capital Slowing Down?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 31 May 2022 17:22:03 -0600

Is Venture Capital Slowing Down?

A quick look at the sudden decline in the numbers. Looking at the numbers from Q4 and Q1 to analyse if there is a shift or worse a slow down coming. What do you think?

Questions Covered in This Episode Include:

In Q1, 4,822 VC deals were closed totalling $70.7 billion, which was far below the $90 billion of VC investment in Q4 2021. Are you seeing the trend too?
Why do you think that’s happening?
Are q2 numbers going to be alarming?
Looks seed funding actually saw a boost of 14% while late stage funding is down by 19%. Is there a telling sign of something? Why do you think that has happened
The big reason for these numbers have been low activity on mega deals. Do you think people are getting averse to bigger risks
Overall why do you think 2022 will be still a good year for the VC industry/ better than few years
“The value of technology stocks began to decline in late 2021, a slide that continued into 2022, leaving many tech shops trading at a stiff discount to their recent valuation highs.”- Do you think VCs love for tech will shift
How are these dwindling numbers going to change the VC ecosystem-

Let us know what you think about the shift? Do you predict a slow down too?. What should we talk about next? Give us a follow and leave us feedback.

Follow Peter Harris

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete

Youtube: https://youtu.be/Hy9DsuFzTH4

Follow University Growth Fund

Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ugrowthfund

Follow Jon Bradshaw

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

Youtube: https://youtu.be/spRuy517if0

Misunderstood Venture Capital Terms

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 18:33:10 -0600

Misunderstood Venture Capital Terms

If you don’t understand all the terms, and especially the ones that are part of your fundraising journey, it can cost you big bucks. In today’s episode we discuss such real life examples where real time mistakes were made.

Questions Covered in This Episode Include:

What is Liquidation preference
How are Participating Preferred different from Non Participating Preferred Stocks
What terms work the best for you as an entrepreneur
What is a clean term sheet and what are the benefits
Understanding Anti- Dilution Clauses with another real life example
What to choose when you have to decide between a higher valuation vs structure?
Understanding Convertible Note vs SAFE
What is a Standard Price Round
What is the next inflection point for a business

Let us know the terms you had a hard time understanding, or still don't understand. What should we talk about next? Give us a follow and leave us feedback.

Follow Peter Harris

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete

Follow University Growth Fund

Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/Instagram: https://instagram.com/ugrowthfund

Follow Jon Bradshaw

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

How to Find a VC Mentor

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 13:25:18 -0600

How to Find a VC Mentor

Some of the most successful people attribute their success to their mentors. If you want to speed up your learning process, find one! But the question is not only - how to find a mentor but what kind of mentor should you seek.

Questions Covered in This Episode Include:

How does an entrepreneur build his network
Why is it important to find a mentor
What kind of mentors should you seek
How service plays an important role in finding a mentor
Let's discuss some real life examples where it has benefited us
How to find such opportunities
How to reach out to them in the best possible way
How to have asks that are easy to respond to

Follow Peter Harris

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete

Follow University Growth Fund

Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/Instagram: https://instagram.com/ugrowthfund

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

How to Start a VC Fund

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 14:40:05 -0600

How To Start a Venture Capital Fund

If you have ever wondered about starting a VC fund but felt overwhelmed. Jon speaks to Peter Harris who started a fund with his partner a couple of years ago. He breaks it down for us and shares his suggestions.

Questions Covered in This Episode Include:

Peter, you and your partner started a fund 7 years ago. How did you do it?
Where did you start?
How much does it cost?
How is it structured?
What is the process of raising the fund?
Can you consider taking a bank loan?
Are you responsible for contributing?
Can you start one if you are not rich? How crucial is having a network of rich friends and family?
What happens if you don’t have rich friends?
What is front loading and how can you use it?
What are some things to keep in mind when forming a fund?

Legal
Cash flow considerations
Ask why would they invest

Follow Peter Harris

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete

Follow University Growth Fund

Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/Instagram: https://instagram.com/ugrowthfund

Follow Jon Bradshaw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

How Do VCs Make Money

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 14:34:17 -0700

How do VCs Make Money?

Some of you might be intrigued to understand how a VC fund runs. How do they make their money? Peter breaks down all that in this episode and all clear out the air if VCs are rich.

Questions Covered in This Episode Include:

Peter, everyone wants to know how VCs make money? ( Carried interest and management fee)
How important is it to be rich to be a Venture Capitalist?
What is the average salary of a VC? (Partner/Analyst)
Sometimes people criticise venture capitalists because they get rich off of management fees and not fund performance
Does deal performance that you lead affect individual compensation?
Are they overpaid?
How does the compensation structure affect how you make invest decisions

Follow Peter Harris

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete

Follow University Growth Fund

Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/Instagram: https://instagram.com/ugrowthfund

Follow Jon Bradshaw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

Getting Funded: Red Flags of a Toxic VC

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 14:28:28 -0700

In today's episode we focus on some of the important considerations that need to be made while finding a VC firm. Are they a good fit? Do they have my company's best interest at heart? How to distinguish a Good VC from a BAD one.

Questions Covered in This Episode Include:

Peter, what stories have you personally seen where VCs did not act the best
As an insider, what would you say are some of the red flags when it comes to a VC or a firm?
As someone who is seeking funding, what are some of the things you should push for? Things you should expect at your end?
If someone is looking for an early exit, is it always a red flag?
How to know if a VC is wasting your time?
What if they haven’t done a deal in 12+ months?
Discussing what happened with Pelion/Weave
What are the appropriate ways to vet a VC?
Should I be concerned if they’ve invested in a similar deal?
How do you know if they’ll steal or share my ideas with other founders?
How to take into consideration if a VC didnt stand up for sexual wrongdoings, etc. in the past?
What if the VC is planning to swap out the founder?

Follow Peter Harris

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete

Follow University Growth Fund

Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/Instagram: https://instagram.com/ugrowthfund

Follow Jon Bradshaw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

Get Funded: Should A Startup Hire a Professional Fundraiser

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 13:56:06 -0700

Getting Funded: Should a Startup Hire a Professional Fundraiser?

In today’s episode we discuss the pros and cons of having a professional fundraiser. Should you consider one and if yes, when is a good time to do so.

Questions Covered in This Episode Include:

What is a professional fundraiser?
How does one become one? What kind of education, background, social skills or experience is needed for it?
How much do they charge?
How do VC’s look at companies that use professional fundraisers? (Pros/Cons)
When is it a good idea for a business to hire a professional fundraiser?
What to keep in mind while hiring a Fundraising Consultant
What are disadvantages of hiring one? Will people lose confidence in your capability
Is there a particular time when they should be hired to maximise the impact like pre-seed etc?
Should a startup ever consider making a professional fundraiser your CEO? Eg-David Bradford?

Follow Peter Harris

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete

Follow University Growth Fund

Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/Instagram: https://instagram.com/ugrowthfund

Follow Jon Bradshaw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

How to Get and Keep a VC's Attention

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 16:52:49 -0700

How to Get and Keep a VC’s Attention

The trickiest part of reaching out to a VC, is keeping them interested. In this episode, we discuss best practices and share a few tips.

Questions Covered in This Episode Include:

Should I focus my efforts on VC’s in my geographic area, or extend beyond my city/state?
How accurate are online lists? What are some of the good ones?

AngelList
Forbes Midas list
Crunchbase
CB Insights
PitchBook
Others?

How do you find a venture capitalist that is a good fit for you?- Size of business (Idea, Pre-Revenue, Etc.)/ Industry?
What about VC’s that focus on particular industries like Blockchain, Healthcare, or SaaS? Or should we look to a generalist?
What are your thoughts on professional fundraisers as a source?
Is it worth my time to network and build relationships with local entrepreneurs to ultimately find a VC?
What do VC super connectors look like?
Does the process change if I’m a college student or a new entrepreneur?
Does attending a bootcamp like NewChip, TechStars, or YCombinator help?
Would first signing with a syndicate, like Jason Calcanis’, increase my odds?
How helpful is it to attend events and virtual conferences with investors present?

Locally we have

Silicon Slopes
TechBuzz

Follow Peter Harris

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete

Follow University Growth Fund

Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/Instagram: https://instagram.com/ugrowthfund

Follow Jon Bradshaw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

How To Find a Venture Capitalist

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 16:30:22 -0700

How to Find a Venture Capitalist (And Get Funded)
Let’s talk about how do you find a venture capitalist for your startup.

Questions Covered in This Episode Include:

What is your general advice for someone raising in 2022?
Has the process changed in recent years?
Will the process change in the coming years?

Now lets cover some common questions to make sure we’re addressing them

Should I focus my efforts on VC’s in my geographic area, or extend beyond my city/state?
How accurate are online lists? What arethe good ones?
1. Angel List
2. Forbes Midas list
3. Crunchbase
4. CB Inisghts
5. PitchBook
6. Others?
How do you find a venture capitalist that is a good fit for you?
1. Size of business (Idea, Pre-Revenue, Etc.)
2. Industry
What about VC’s that focus on particular industries like Blockchain, Healthcare, or SaaS? Or should we look to a generalist?
What are your thoughts on professional fundraisers as a source?
Is it worth my time to network and build relationships with local entrepreneurs to ultimately find a VC?
What do VC super connectors look like?
Does the process change if I’m a college student or a new entrepreneur?
Does attending a boot camp like NewChip, TechStars, or YCombinator help?
Would first signing with a syndicate, like Jason Calcanis’, increase my odds?
How helpful is it to attend events and virtual conferences with investors present?

Follow Peter Harris
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1
Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete

Follow University Growth Fund
Website: https://www.ugrowthfund.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-growth-fund/Instagram: https://instagram.com/ugrowthfund

Follow Jon Bradshaw
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

What is the Future of Venture Capital?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 19:53:51 -0700

Peter Harris, a Venture Capitalist, will talk about the primary differences between venture capital and private equity.

What is Carry? (How Do Venture Capitalists Get Paid?)

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 23:43:26 -0700

How do Venture Capitalists get paid? What is "carry"?

2021 Investment Updates for University Growth Fund

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 14:16:16 -0700

Peter Harris shares an update on what investments his firm, University Growth Fund, has made in the recent months of 2021.

University Growth Fund Deal Breakdown - Simplus

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 00:20:56 -0600

A few years prior the University Growth Fund invested in Simplus.com.

Recently, Simplus sold to a larger company and Peter talks with one of his students about the outcome, and what they learned.

VC Deal Breakdown! (Episode #6)

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 00:19:33 -0600

Looking to know what VC's think about different startups?

Join us as we review different deals that were recently funded, and we talk about the pros and cons of each.

How Do I Invest in Venture Capital Funds? (Episode #5)

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 00:15:28 -0600

Learn how to invest in a venture capital fund on today's podcast.

Peter talks about the risks, pros, and cons of investing in a fund.

As always, investing in a VC fund requires that you're an accredited investor.

How Does One Become an Associate at a Venture Capital Firm?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 19:24:40 -0600

Do you want to become a venture capitalist? If you're wondering how people land an analyst position at a VC firm just out of school then join us.

This podcast talks about how one becomes an associate at a venture capital firm.

Questions covered in this podcast include:

- What are the top skills?
- How do you develop those skills?
- Does school matter?
- Work experience
- The Top Internships
- The Top Extracurriculars
- The Top Skills

Bonus round
- What if I'm not good at finance?
- What if I didn't go to a top tier school

What is the University Growth Fund?

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 18:57:54 -0600

In this episode, Peter Harris answers common questions as to what the University Growth Fund (UGF) is.?

Peter Harris is a Founder of UGF, and co-invests along with other top-tier VC funds, such as Sequoia.

If you're wondering what types of deals UGF invests in, this podcast is for you.

Episode 2 of the Venture Capital Podcast

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 04:17:45 -0600

Let's look at Seed and Series A deals. Let's look at what is interesting!

Peter Harris from the University Growth Fund and Jon Bradshaw review deals from this week that have been funded.

Learn what is hot. Find out what the winner is.

Welcome to the Venture Capital Podcast!

Jon Bradshaw, Peter Harris — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 04:12:43 -0600

Welcome to the Venture Capital podcast.

Each week Peter Harris and Jon Bradshaw will analyze what's hot and happening in the land of VC.