Episode 28 - Cheryl Cheng, Founder & CEO of VIVE

🎙️ Welcome to this insightful episode featuring Cheryl Cheng, founder and CEO of Vive Collective, as she joins Norm Volsky to delve into the dynamic world of venture capital. 

With a background steeped in finance and venture capital, Cheryl shares her invaluable experiences from her time at Blue Run Ventures, shedding light on the intricacies of the industry. Throughout the conversation, Cheryl underscores the importance of grasping the business side of venture capital and navigating the unique challenges within healthcare. She offers her perspective on investment strategies, emphasizing transparency and collaboration as essential components of the process. Cheryl explores the qualities she seeks in founders, stressing the significance of integrity, maturity, and practicality, particularly in the healthcare sector. Furthermore, she provides invaluable advice for entrepreneurs navigating fundraising in a competitive market, while also addressing the vital aspects of maintaining wellness amidst the demands of the job. As the discussion unfolds, Cheryl shares her takeaways and insights, touching upon crucial elements such as market timing, leadership, and the significance of emotional intelligence in the VC landscape. Additionally, she outlines her areas of interest for investments, including pharma tech, back-office, and oncology spaces. Join us for a deep dive into the world of venture capital, where Cheryl Cheng's wealth of knowledge offers invaluable guidance for both investors and entrepreneurs alike. Don't miss out on this enriching conversation! 


Chapters:
Cheryl's Background and Venture Experience
03:18
Lessons from Blue Run Ventures
05:34
Lessons from Successful Investments
08:35
Lessons from Investments that Didn't Go Well
11:02
Starting Veev Collective
26:45
Building Veev Collective
33:44
Investments at Veev Collective
44:36
Transparency and Collaboration in Investing
45:05
Characteristics of Founders
46:31
Importance of Analysis, Decision-Making, and Strong Operators
47:29
The Need for Strong Operators in a Sluggish Market
48:25
Maturity and Stepping Aside for Strong Leadership
49:34
Integrity and Understanding the Business in Founders
50:01
Avoiding Scaling Too Quickly and Understanding Healthcare
51:28
Defining a Great Operator
52:29
Building a High-Performing Team and Cross-Functional Cooperation
53:54
Hiring, Firing, and Leveling Up the Team
55:03
The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in VC
56:08
Organizational Issues in Tech Companies
57:12
Advice for Founders Raising Money in a Difficult Market
58:40
Fundraising Process and Managing Existing Board and Investors
01:01:30
Areas of Interest for Investments
01:05:07
Balancing a Stressful Job with Wellness
01:09:55
Healthy Recipes and Community

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