In this engaging discussion, Ryan Hoover, Founder of Product Hunt and investor at Weekend Fund, shares his journey from job rejection to building a thriving platform worth $20M. He dives into the power of networking and the importance of authentic community engagement that fueled Product Hunt’s growth. Ryan recounts his scrappy beginnings, including the hustle of reaching out to users one-by-one. He also highlights the role of experimentation in entrepreneurship and offers practical advice for aspiring creators looking to make their first million.

Ryan Hoover, founder of Product Hunt and Weekend Fund, shares invaluable insights on launching and growing products. Having witnessed countless launches, he discusses the critical factors for success and when to raise capital. Hoover emphasizes the importance of effective onboarding and storytelling to enhance user engagement. He also dives into the emotional challenges founders face, the significance of authentic relationships in business, and the playful side of preferences through games. Expect a mix of serious advice and lighthearted fun!

Ryan Hoover, founder of Product Hunt, shares insights and advice for non-technical founders. They discuss prototyping and validating ideas without coding, building a distributed team, exploring trends in product development and launching on Product Hunt, the importance of giving up work and allowing team autonomy, Product Hunt's investment focus, investment goals and areas of interest, and thoughts on the rise of crypto assets and spare time activities.

Ryan Hoover, founder of Product Hunt, and David Spinks, CEO of CMX Media, dive deep into community building. They explore the differences between online and offline communities, discussing pitfalls and successes. Intriguingly, they highlight the paradox of connectivity in the digital age leading to loneliness. Strategies for creating authentic online spaces that stand out against giants like Reddit are emphasized, including the need for community market fit and mutual support. Their insights on redefining startup success through community-focused models are both timely and thought-provoking.

Ryan Hoover, founder of the Weekend Fund and Product Hunt, dives into the world of angel investing and shares his journey of establishing the Weekend Fund. He discusses his evolving portfolio construction methods and the challenges of fundraising. Hoover emphasizes the importance of storytelling when pitching to limited partners and offers insights on relationship-building. He also reflects on the role of luck in success and shares recent personal well-being changes, showcasing his multifaceted approach to investment and life.

Follow me @samirkaji for my thoughts on the venture market, with a focus on the continued evolution of the VC landscape.This week we are re-joined by friend of the pod Ryan Hoover who is the Managing Partner of Weekend Fund and Jordan Gonen, Co-Founder and CEO of Compound, a fintech platform that provides wealth management and advisory services to founders and employees of startups. This was a special episode covering the growing intersection of the private wealth sector and venture capital investing, and what trends we are all seeing. We hope you enjoy my conversation with Ryan and Jordan.Frank, Rimerman + Co.’s history is closely intertwined with that of Silicon Valley. With humble beginnings similar to so many start-ups, Frank, Rimerman was formed with a desire to serve the entrepreneurial and venture communities of the Valley and the determination to think outside-the-box.When it comes to venture funds, we work with almost 500 VC groups from over 20 states across the USA. We have worked with over 400 fund groups during their first year of operations, making us one of the leading providers in the country to emerging managers.No one wants to be bored at work. That’s why we chose to work with some of the most innovative and creative people – people who are changing the world around us every day. Their excitement fuels our passion and determination to grow and serve this special community.Frank, Rimerman + Co, Passion Works Here.www.frankrimerman.comAbout Ryan Hoover:Ryan is the founder of Weekend Fund. He started his professional career as a product manager in the gaming industry. His fascination with technology and behavioral psychology led him to help write Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products.In 2013 he founded Product Hunt, inspired by his curiosity and a desire to support early-stage makers and founders. The company raised capital from Y Combinator, Andreessen Horowitz, and others before joining AngelList. About Jordan Gonen:Jordan Gonen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Compound. Prior to that, he was at Scaphold (YC W17) and Pluot (YC W16). He also had stints at Inside, RealtyShares, Cultivation Capital, and more.Jordan’s writing has been featured in Forbes, Fortune Magazine, Startup Grind, Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Inc., Time, Mashable, Elite Daily, the Huffington Post, and others. Jordan studied at Washington University in St. Louis.In this episode we discuss:(02:20) Why Jordan started Compound(05:06) Why High Net-Worth Individuals seek out Alternative Investments(08:31) Motivations for becoming an LP(12:08) Advice for those new to Venture Investing as an LP(16:46) How you should evaluate a fund manager(23:04) Building deal flow as an emerging manager(27:22) Red flags when evaluating an investment(32:31) What the markets will hold in 2023I’d love to know what you took away from this conversation with Ryan and Jordan. Follow me @SamirKaji and give me your insights and questions with the hashtag #ventureunlocked. If you’d like to be considered as a guest or have someone you’d like to hear from (GP or LP), drop me a direct message on Twitter.Podcast Production support provided by Agent Bee Agency This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ventureunlocked.substack.com

Ryan Hoover, an entrepreneur, shares insights on critical self-inquiry for aspiring entrepreneurs including validating monetization ideas, learning from past successes and failures, and navigating the startup journey. He emphasizes the importance of a superior solution, understanding business economics, and starting with simple experiments to prove market demand.

Ryan Hoover, founder of Product Hunt and seasoned investor, dives into the vast landscape of startup opportunities. He shares candid reflections on the emotional rollercoaster of leaked business deals and how they influenced Product Hunt's creation. The conversation shifts to the potential in the FinTech sector and the rise of innovative job marketplaces, emphasizing job satisfaction and community dynamics in the gig economy. Ryan also explores the importance of trust and value creation in the workforce, highlighting the evolving user acquisition strategies in today's market.

Ryan Hoover, a dynamic entrepreneur and speaker, discusses the advantages of building products in public, highlighting how transparency can foster trust and attract early adopters. He shares compelling insights into using his email list as a discovery and testing tool, proving it’s much more than just a communication channel. With real-time feedback loops and community engagement, Hoover illustrates how this approach can enhance product validation and inspire innovation.

Ryan Hoover, founder of Product Hunt, discusses the tough yet vital choice to let go of projects that no longer fulfill their purpose. He shares personal experiences from his career, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and the courage required to embrace change. Hoover provides insights on navigating career transitions and recognizing signs of stagnation, encouraging listeners to view moving on as a pathway to growth rather than a failure. His perspective offers liberation for those feeling trapped in their current endeavors.