Startups Decoded S2E7: Boards That Raise, How to Turn Advisors into Capital (with Breen Sullivan)
What if founders could get the right advisor, investor, or board talent exactly when they need it, before they even ask?
In this episode, Breen Sullivan (Founder & CEO, The Fourth Effect; longtime startup GC and board leader) lays out how AI is changing founder access: surfacing who you need and when, structuring “fit-for-purpose” advisory and board relationships, and turning connections into outcomes.
We unpack why traditional networks leave too many founders behind, how to make boards growth drivers (not just governance), and how smarter, dynamic advisory models can lift retention, capital access, and founder resilience.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Boards and Advisories
02:49 The Role of Community in Startups
05:33 Understanding Advisory Boards
08:12 The Impact of AI on Advisory Boards
11:05 Fit for Purpose: Dynamic Advisory Relationships
14:03 Navigating Advisor Roles and Responsibilities
16:27 The Importance of Early Advisory Engagement
19:32 Leveraging Advisors for Fundraising
22:15 The Fourth Effect Platform Overview
24:58 Connecting Founders with Advisors
27:42 The Future of Advisory Boards and Capital Raising
Breen Sullivan is Founder & CEO of The Fourth Effect and a seasoned startup executive, board member, and former General Counsel across high-growth companies. She focuses on building inclusive, ROI-driven boards and advisory networks that strengthen execution, fundraising, and leadership. She’s a leading voice on board diversity, founder access, and equitable innovation.
Who Should Listen
- Founders building advisory benches and early boards
- Operators/execs considering advisor or independent director roles
- Angels and VCs exploring advisor-investor models
- Builders designing AI-assisted founder support workflows
Music Credit
“Neptuno” – Phondupe (Album: Onykia)
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