Gerry Hayes – Venture Staking: Creating Opportunities for Everyday Investors That VCs Can’t

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, Matt sits down with Gerry Hayes — founder of Dorio and the creator of Venture Staking, a bold new model that reimagines how people invest in startups.

Gerry shares his journey from the world of law and government to entrepreneurship, and how his early frustration with the gatekeeping of traditional venture capital led him to build a more inclusive system — one designed not just for the wealthy elite, but for everyday people eager to learn and grow alongside real founders.

Through the lens of education, Gerry walks us through the concept of Venture Staking: how individuals can buy low-cost “stakes” to follow a startup’s journey, learn from real entrepreneurs, and eventually earn the right to invest. It’s a system built on shared learning, shared risk, and shared opportunity — flipping the script on everything we’ve been told about startup investing.

Key Takeaways:

• Traditional Venture Capital Is Built for the Elite: The Accredited Investor Rule, rooted in 1930s-era thinking, excludes everyday people from participating in high-upside investment opportunities — and it’s long overdue for disruption.
• Venture Staking = Education + Access: Gerry’s model isn’t about selling equity upfront — it’s about letting people learn the game of entrepreneurship by riding along with founders through their early journey.
• "Buy a Ticket to the Journey": For as little as $10, you can become a venture staker — gaining access to behind-the-scenes updates, insights, and potentially future investment opportunities as the startup grows.
• Training Founders from the Ground Up: Dorio screens entrepreneurs not by their pedigree, but by their passion, preparation, and potential. Venture stakers are encouraged to back builders who are just getting started — but ready to go the distance.
• Global Momentum Is Growing: While the U.S. hesitates, international markets are embracing the idea of democratized venture funding. The future of retail VC might emerge outside Silicon Valley entirely.
• Entrepreneurship Starts from the Inside Out: Gerry emphasizes that building something meaningful starts with deep intention, not external validation — and that focus, clarity, and mission are the foundation of lasting impact.