Nakul Mandan

In this conversation with Nakul Mandan, founder of Audacious Ventures, listeners dive into the nuanced world of seed stage investing. Nakul shares his journey from India to venture capital, shedding light on the evolution of the industry since 2010. He emphasizes the importance of blending ambition with empathy in team building and the necessity of innovative systems for success. The discussion also highlights the value of qualitative metrics like shipping velocity for assessing startups, revealing strategies to navigate today's competitive landscape.

In a lively discussion, Nakul Mandan, Co-founder of Audacious Ventures, shares his journey from India to Silicon Valley during the financial crisis. He dives into why most VCs struggle with recruiting at the zero to one stage and reveals his innovative approach to building A+ teams. Nakul discusses the significance of resilience in the startup world, particularly in the face of COVID-19. He emphasizes the importance of intentional tech recruitment and how understanding customer urgency can shape effective product development.

Nakul Mandan, founder of Audacious Ventures, and Ben Choi, an investment manager with over $3B in assets, share their insights on venture capital and entrepreneurship. They explore the contrasts in entrepreneurial motivations, likening struggles to Batman's journey from glamor to growth. Personal stories highlight resilience, community support during crises like COVID-19, and the importance of empathy in decision-making. The conversation wraps up with reflections on holiday spirit and gratitude towards the entrepreneurial community.