Startups Decoded Ep#28: How Great Founders Build Trust: The Startup Advantage You Can’t Fake - David Homan
Most startup advice focuses on product, pitch, and traction. But there’s one skill that fuels them all: trusted relationships.
In this episode of Startups Decoded, Andy Walsh sits down with David R. Homan, master connector, strategic advisor, and author of Orchestrating Connection, to explore how founders build the kind of trust that drives real outcomes.
We cover:
- How to network with intent (not desperation)
- Why AI might make human connection stronger, not weaker
- How to build a community that opens doors at scale
David shares the mindset shift that helped him grow a global network of 2,100+ founders, VCs, and family offices, and what most startup leaders get wrong about influence.
Plus: Insights from his platform SOAR, and how to create value-driven asks that actually get answered.
Preorder the book: [orchestratingconnection.com]
David R. Homan – LinkedIn
David is the founder of Orchestrated Connecting and a trusted relationship broker to some of the world’s most influential leaders across business, media, philanthropy, and public policy. With a background in classical music, nonprofit leadership, and strategic advisory to family offices, startups, and impact funds, David helps people unlock transformative opportunities through curated, values-driven introductions rooted in trust and shared purpose.
SHOW NOTES
Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)
In this conversation, David Homan shares his journey from being a musician to becoming a connector and community builder. He emphasizes the importance of building authentic relationships, resilience in the face of challenges, and the role of technology in facilitating connections. David discusses the principles of purposeful networking and how to navigate the complexities of human relationships in a world driven by social media and superficial interactions. He advocates for a mindset of generosity, curiosity, and vulnerability in networking, and highlights the significance of community in achieving personal and collective goals.
Sound bites
"I wanted to live a life without regret."
"We all think we can just do that slam dunk."
"The world works on introductions."
Chapters
00:00 The Journey of Connection
06:22 Building Authentic Relationships
11:48 The Power of Community and Tribe
16:48 Resilience Through Adversity
22:35 Navigating Morals in Networking
25:25 The Reality of Startup Failures
26:57 Building Trust and Authentic Connections
29:20 The Importance of Vulnerability and Curiosity
32:02 Honoring the Chain of Connections
35:26 Creating Purposeful Communities
39:08 Leveraging Technology for Meaningful Connections
43:06 Key Principles for Networking Success
Explore
"The Currency of Trust: How Great Founders Build Unfair Advantages Through Relationships"
“David Homan reveals how purpose-driven relationships, AI-enabled networks, and trust-based strategies fuel real startup growth.”
Blog Recap
- “Why Founders Need to Master Relationship Building”
- “The Framework David Homan Uses to Vet Connections”
- “How to Use AI to Strengthen (Not Replace) Your Network”