What happens when a Google and Facebook engineering leader turns his focus to helping immigrant founders dominate in AI and robotics?

Ihar Mahaniok, Founder and Managing Partner of Geek Ventures, has invested in over 100 startups, including five unicorns, and is now channeling his experience into backing the next generation of world-changing entrepreneurs.

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

00:41 Welcome to Driving Alpha Podcast
00:51 Meet the Guest: ER Mahan of Geek Ventures
01:38 ER's Journey: From Coding to Angel Investing
03:26 Building Geek Ventures: Focus on Immigrant Founders
03:42 Navigating the US as an Immigrant Entrepreneur
04:58 The Power of Networking and LinkedIn
12:15 Geek Ventures' Unique Approach to Investing
20:36 Challenges Immigrant Founders Face in the US
22:54 The Future of AI and Its Impact
29:46 Building Efficient Teams in Startups
37:48 Advice for Aspiring VCs and Founders
40:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode,

Ihar reveals how his own immigrant journey shaped his mission to close the opportunity gap for founders arriving in the U.S. without deep networks. He shares the traits that make immigrant entrepreneurs uniquely equipped to win—grit, ambition, and fresh perspectives—and explains how Geek Ventures provides the capital, connections, and strategic support to accelerate their success.

The conversation explores the evolving landscape of AI and robotics, why small, elite teams often outperform larger ones, and how cultural differences influence fundraising strategies. Ihar also unpacks his framework for spotting exceptional founders early, building defensible moats beyond technology, and preparing for a future where AI will create more unicorns than ever before. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or AI enthusiast, this episode delivers actionable insights on scaling bold ideas into lasting impact.

From Google to Geek Ventures with Ihar Mahaniok: backing immigrant founders in AI & Robotics