Founder Storiez From Bioengineering to VC | Jonathan Lehr managing partner Work-Bench | Betting on New York
In this episode, we speak with Jonathan Lehr, General Partner and Co-founder of Work-bench, a VC firm that placed an early, bold bet on New York's enterprise tech scene. Drawing from over a decade of venture capital experience, Jon offers a masterclass in VC, startups, and life.
Episode Highlights:
- How Workbench recognized NYC's unique position as an enterprise tech hub
- The power of diverse industries in shaping innovation
- Why gratitude and kindness are competitive advantages in VC
- Building a firm that reflects personal values while delivering returns
- How NYC's diverse industry landscape creates unique opportunities for enterprise tech
- The role of personal values in shaping institutional success
- Why relationship-building trumps transactional networking
- Balancing ambition with authenticity in venture capital
[00:00] Meet Jon
[01:11] The Workbench origin story: From concept to reality
[04:09] NYC's secret weapon: Industry diversity driving innovation
[07:24] Navigating career pivots and embracing uncertainty
[10:28] Investment philosophy: The Workbench approach
[16:58] Partnership dynamics: Building a complementary team
[19:02] Daily rituals and mindset management
[20:38] Differentiation in a crowded VC landscape
[22:50] The gratitude advantage in venture capital
[23:04] Evolving with the market: Workbench 2.0
[23:24] Spotting trends before they emerge
[24:37] The art of relationship building in tech
[26:53] Fundraising wisdom: Lessons from the trenches
[34:42] Values-driven leadership: Family, authenticity, impact
[39:46] Beyond returns: Creating lasting value
[42:02] Words of wisdom for the next generation
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