Discover the power of impactful questions in venture capital through intriguing insights from seasoned investors. Hear about a profound inquiry from Elon Musk that connects mission and integrity. Learn how limited partners assess an investor's risk management by posing key questions. The discussion reveals the importance of recognizing and preparing for unexpected challenges. Finally, delve into what makes an investor successful, including the ability to identify winning companies while continually refining other skills.

Ryan Delk, CEO of Primer and former leader at Omni and Gumroad, dives into the challenges facing the American education system. He advocates for micro schools, emphasizing their potential to reshape learning experiences. Delk discusses the significance of personalized education and the empowerment of teachers. He also critiques funding disparities and explores how data can enhance educational outcomes. With a focus on individual student needs, he highlights innovative models that prioritize both academic rigor and emotional well-being.

Various investors share pivotal lessons from their careers, highlighting the nuances between recognizing promising companies and making smart investment choices. Anecdotes reveal the importance of patience and careful evaluation in venture capital. Leadership insights focus on market awareness and transparency, emphasizing their role in resource management and building trust within teams. Each story offers valuable takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors alike.

Vince Hsieh, Partner at Cypress Growth Capital, specializes in royalty-based investments for emerging growth tech firms. He talks about the advantages of non-dilutive capital and how it can be more flexible than traditional debt. Prioritization is key for scaling, and he emphasizes how AI is reshaping funding strategies. Hsieh also shares insights on integrating hardware with software, addressing the potential for growth beyond coastal tech hubs, and common fundraising mistakes to avoid.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: Gregory Ho Oren Yunger Laura Chau Each investor highlights a situation where they decided not to invest, why they passed, and how it played out. The host of The Full Ratchet is Nick Moran of New Stack Ventures, a venture capital firm committed to investing in founders outside of the Bay Area. Want to keep up to date with The Full Ratchet? Follow us on social. You can learn more about New Stack Ventures by visiting our LinkedIn and Twitter. Are you a founder looking for your next investor? Visit our free tool VC-Rank and we’ll send a list of potential investors right to your inbox!

Kyle York, CEO and Managing Partner at York IE, dives into the complexities of early-stage B2B SaaS investing. He challenges the VC Myth and dissects AI's role in modern startups. The conversation highlights the importance of operational efficiency during down markets and the value of tailored growth strategies. York emphasizes the necessity of strong founder-VC relationships and due diligence, while also sharing personal productivity tips and influential book recommendations that can shape entrepreneurial success.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: David Garcia Bradley Tusk Ted Seides We asked guests to discuss the factor that could cause the most disruption to the industry going forward and how that will change the next decade of venture. The host of The Full Ratchet is Nick Moran of New Stack Ventures, a venture capital firm committed to investing in founders outside of the Bay Area. Want to keep up to date with The Full Ratchet? Follow us on social. You can learn more about New Stack Ventures by visiting our LinkedIn and Twitter. Are you a founder looking for your next investor? Visit our free tool VC-Rank and we’ll send a list of potential investors right to your inbox!

Alexander Niehenke of Scale Venture Partners joins Nick to discuss The Future of AI is Vertical, Why Vertical TAMs are Getting Exponentially Larger, and Lessons from the Sector Giants that Lead to Dominance. In this episode we cover: Historical Reasons for Horizontal SaaS Success Shift Towards Vertical SaaS Solutions Unfair Advantages of Vertical AI Solutions Lessons for Modern Founders Expansion Strategies for Vertical Startups Talent Dilution and Competitive Moats VC Diligence and Founder Evaluation Regulatory Risk and Investment Decisions Motivation and Future of Venture Capital Guest Links: Twitter/X (guest)  Guest’s LinkedIn Company’s LinkedIn Company’s Website The host of The Full Ratchet is Nick Moran of New Stack Ventures, a venture capital firm committed to investing in founders outside of the Bay Area. Want to keep up to date with The Full Ratchet? Follow us on social. You can learn more about New Stack Ventures by visiting our LinkedIn and Twitter. Are you a founder looking for your next investor? Visit our free tool VC-Rank and we’ll send a list of potential investors right to your inbox!

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: Phin Upham Sandeep Patil Jill Chase We asked guests for the most important piece of advice that they'd share with folks early in their venture career. The host of The Full Ratchet is Nick Moran of New Stack Ventures, a venture capital firm committed to investing in founders outside of the Bay Area. Want to keep up to date with The Full Ratchet? Follow us on social. You can learn more about New Stack Ventures by visiting our LinkedIn and Twitter. Are you a founder looking for your next investor? Visit our free tool VC-Rank and we’ll send a list of potential investors right to your inbox!

Joseph Ruscio, General Partner at Heavybit, discusses the evolving landscape of AI and its impact on software engineering. He delves into how developer-first companies can harness advanced technologies like large language models and the importance of market insights from tools like GitHub. The conversation also touches on Nvidia's stock volatility and its implications for future demand in AI. Ruscio shares strategies for navigating challenges in venture capital, emphasizing quality partnerships and sustainable growth.