In this episode of Lever Up, we sit down with Scott Kelly, CEO of Black Dog Venture Partners and host of VC Fast Pitch. Scott takes us through his incredible 30-year journey, starting as a runner on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to founding Black Dog Venture Partners, where he has helped startups raise over $5 billion and guided 30 successful exits. We discuss the value of assembling a strong team, how to prepare for raising capital, and why scaling a business at the right time can be the difference between success and failure.

Scott shares his unique insights on entrepreneurship, from surviving the dot-com boom to scaling tech companies and even dabbling in the music industry. Whether you’re an early-stage entrepreneur, looking to scale your startup, or simply interested in the venture capital world, this episode offers a plenty of practical advice.

Key Points

How to build a resilient team that can scale with your business.
The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when raising seed capital.
Why scaling too fast can be just as dangerous as growing too slow.
The evolving venture capital landscape and how to navigate it successfully.

Get in Touch with Scott Kelly

Website: Black Dog Venture Partners

Social Media: @BlackDogCEO on all platforms

VC Fast Pitch: VC Fast Pitch

Secrets To Startup Success: $5 Billion Raised With Scott Kelly [S2: E2]