2342 - What a Leading Venture Capitalist Reveals About AI Companions and Startup Success with Social Discovery Group's Jane Kubryak
The Thoughtful Entrepreneur
Importance of traction and attention
Jane stresses early traction and attention as the biggest founder challenges despite easier product building today.
Navigating the Future of Digital Connections with Jane Kubryak
In this episode, host Josh Elledge interviews Jane Kubryak, venture capitalist and startup scout at Social Discovery Group, to explore the future of digital connection platforms, AI companions, and the shifting venture capital landscape. Jane shares her global journey from Russia to Montenegro, her role in scouting high-potential founders, and the unique market insights she’s gained working with one of the largest digital-connection companies in the world. Her perspective offers invaluable guidance for founders navigating today’s polarized funding environment and for investors looking to discover overlooked innovation.
How Startup Founders Can Stand Out in a Polarized VC Market
Jane explains that today’s startup world is split between massively funded companies with elite networks and talented early-stage founders struggling for visibility. She emphasizes that traction—not hype—is what truly captures investor attention, and encourages founders to differentiate themselves through strategic storytelling, early user engagement, and clarity around the market problem they solve. For companies working in digital connection, AI companions, or mental health–focused tech, Jane notes that the strongest teams pair innovation with empathy, creating solutions that meet emotional as well as functional needs.
She also highlights that many founders underestimate the importance of community and consistent visibility. Because attention is the scarcest resource in modern venture building, Jane recommends actively nurturing relationships with scouts, VCs, and accelerators, while leveraging newsletters, podcasts, and LinkedIn to stay top of mind. With Social Discovery Group’s resources, she helps founders accelerate momentum once they demonstrate early traction, ensuring that promising teams don’t get lost in the noise of the funding landscape.
Finally, Jane encourages overlooked founders—especially those in Eastern Europe and emerging markets—to remain persistent despite systemic biases. She reminds listeners that SDG and other strategic investors actively seek founders who bring global perspectives, emotional intelligence, and long-term resilience. By focusing on authentic traction, crafting a compelling narrative, and leaning into ecosystems that champion under-the-radar founders, entrepreneurs can meaningfully improve their fundraising outcomes.
About Jane Kubryak
Jane Kubryak is a venture capitalist, startup scout, and ecosystem builder at Social Discovery Group, where she identifies and supports promising startups in digital connection, AI companions, and emerging social technologies. She also leads a growing founder-focused community through her writing and industry insights. Connect with Jane on LinkedIn.
About Social Discovery Group
Social Discovery Group is a global leader in digital connection platforms, AI-driven social technology, and online dating innovation. Through SDG Lab Venture Studio, the company invests in early-stage founders building the next generation of digital companionship, social engagement, and human-connection tools.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Key Episode Highlights
- How AI companions are expanding beyond dating into mental health, productivity, and gamified social platforms
- The biggest challenge for founders today: capturing attention in a noisy market
- What VCs like Jane truly look for in startups
- Why early traction matters more than pitch decks
- The polarization of the VC landscape—and where overlooked founders can still win
Conclusion
Jane Kubryak brings a rare combination of global perspective, strategic insight, and deep empathy to her work in venture capital. Her guidance helps founders understand how to stand out, gain traction, and build meaningful relationships with investors—especially in markets where visibility is the biggest barrier to success. For anyone building in digital connection, AI, or social technology, her advice offers a roadmap for navigating today’s complex startup ecosystem with clarity and confidence.
🎧 More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur
🎙️ Want to be featured on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur? Get your voice in front of 50K+ listeners.
👉 Schedule your guest spot here »
🤝 Consultant doing 6+ figures? Let’s introduce you to your next big client, partner, or referral source.
👉 See how here »
📡 Thinking of launching your own podcast? We’ve built over 250 shows for leaders who now land dream guests (and clients) weekly.
🚨 What’s Your PodVerified Score? 🎯 Find out how you rank as a podcast guest — and get matched with hosts who actually want you.
📬 Subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur
New episodes daily to fuel your impact, visibility, and influence.
The AI-powered Podcast Player
