Eric Engineer of S3 Ventures: VC to CEO to VC—Lessons in Operating and Investing

Can deep operational experience shape better venture outcomes?

One VC proves it can—drawing from years in the founder seat to back today's most promising startups.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

• 00:43 Introduction to Driving Alpha Podcast  

• 01:05 Eric's Background and Career Journey  

• 03:45 Transition to Venture Capital  

• 06:27 Eric's Role at S3 Ventures  

• 07:19 Investment Philosophy and Market Insights  

• 12:12 Texas Venture Ecosystem  

• 20:18 S3 Ventures' Unique Structure  

• 29:56 Advice for Entrepreneurs and VCs  

• 33:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 

 

In this episode, 

Eric Engineer, Partner at S3 Ventures, shares his journey from tech operator to venture investor. With roots in software engineering, leadership roles at Microsoft, and experience as a startup CEO, Eric offers a rare lens on what founders really need to succeed. He reflects on the emotional toll of entrepreneurship, the critical value of founder resilience, and how those experiences influence his approach to investing.

The conversation also explores the evolution of the Texas startup ecosystem, S3 Ventures’ unique single-LP structure, and the nuanced decision-making process within the firm. Eric outlines what excites him most about AI’s impact on SaaS and healthcare and why startup longevity and team-building remain core to his investment thesis. For anyone curious about what it takes to win in venture—both as a founder and investor—this episode is full of actionable insight.