
The GoingVC Podcast
The GoingVC Podcast - uncovering new paths into VC, diving deeper into alternative models, and addressing areas of weakness with Rachel (@rachmast), and JJ (@jjmaclean) from the GoingVC team.
GoingVC is a global community and career development program for venture capital. To learn more or to checkout our guides, content, models and VC research checkout https://www.goingvc.com/blog
Feedback? We'd love to hear it: podcast@goingvc.com
Latest episodes

Jun 3, 2024 • 45min
Episode 29 - Purpose-Driven Capital: Integrating Impact with VC
👋 Hey Listener!
We're really excited to be bringing to you today our conversation with Greg Ho, cofounder and President at Spring Mountain Capital, and founding partner at the West Harlem Innovation Network. As always, if you've got any questions, feedback, guest ideas, or just want to say hey, don't hesitate to shoot us a message at podcast@goingvc.com
Books mentioned in the episode:
Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Deckle Edge
The Jazz of Physics: The Secret Link Between Music and the Structure of the Universe by Stephon Alexander

Jan 19, 2024 • 26min
Episode 28 - Founding Charge Ventures with Brett Martin
Brett Martin, Founding Partner of Charge Ventures, shares his career origin story and the journey into the world of venture capital. He discusses the investment approach of Charge Ventures in software, crypto, B2B healthcare, and AI. The importance of having a track record and decision making, developing an investment thesis strategy, and closing thoughts for aspiring emerging managers in venture capital are also covered.

Dec 12, 2023 • 28min
Episode 27 - From Founder to Founding Ripple Ventures with Matt Cohen
👋 Hey Listener!We're really excited to be bringing to you today our conversation with Matt Cohen, Founding Partner of Ripple Ventures. As always, if you've got any questions, feedback, guest ideas, or just want to say hey, don't hesitate to shoot us a message at podcast@goingvc.com

Dec 12, 2023 • 28min
Episode 26 - Building A Community Focused Firm with Jonah Midanik
👋 Hey Listener!
We're really excited to be bringing to you today our conversation with Jonah Midanik, Partner at Forum Ventures. As always, if you've got any questions, feedback, guest ideas, or just want to say hey, don't hesitate to shoot us a message at podcast@goingvc.com

May 26, 2023 • 39min
Episode 25 - Corporate Venture Capital with Joe Dormani
👋 Hey Listener!
We're really excited to be bringing to you today our conversation with Joe Dormani, founding Principal at Thomson Reuters Ventures. As always, if you've got any questions, feedback, guest ideas, or just want to say hey, don't hesitate to shoot us a message at podcast@goingvc.com

Nov 18, 2022 • 37min
Episode 24 - Relationship Intelligence and the Venture Tech Stack with Ray Zhou
👋 Hey Listener!
We're really excited to be bringing to you today our conversation with Ray Zhou (@rzhou186), cofounder of Affinity. As always, if you've got any questions, feedback, guest ideas, or just want to say hey, don't hesitate to shoot us a message at podcast@goingvc.com
Episode Chapters:
Introduction - 0:00
Ray’s Origin Story - 1:22
Relationship Intelligence and the VC Tech Stack - 5:43
Affinity’s Evolution - 21:24
Technology’s Impact on Our Relationships - 23:37
Favourite Books & Closing Thoughts - 34:09
Thanks for checking out the GoingVC Podcast—uncovering new paths into VC, diving deeper into alternative models, and addressing areas of weakness with Rachel (@rachmast), and JJ (@jjmaclean) from the GoingVC team.

Sep 13, 2022 • 40min
Episode 23 - Powering the Platform with Stephanie Manning Cohen
👋 Hey Listener!
We're really excited to be bringing to you today our conversation with Stephanie Manning Cohen (@steph_manning07)! As always, if you've got any questions, feedback, guest ideas, or just want to say hey, don't hesitate to shoot us a message at podcast@goingvc.com
Episode Chapters:
Introduction - 0:00
Stephanie’s Origin Story - 1:03
What is ‘Platform’? - 3:44
The Platform Role - 5:43
When Should Firms Start Building A Platform Team - 11:40
Creating & Measuring Success - 17:15
Platform Misconceptions - 29:47
LH & Closing Thoughts - 32:01
Thanks for checking out the GoingVC Podcast—uncovering new paths into VC, diving deeper into alternative models, and addressing areas of weakness with Rachel (@rachmast), and JJ (@jjmaclean) from the GoingVC team.

Aug 22, 2022 • 38min
Episode 22 - Venture Capital & the Startup Board of Directors with Matt Blumberg and Brad Feld
👋 Hey Listener!
We're really excited to be bringing to you today our conversation with Brad Feld (@bfeld) and Matt Blumberg (@mattblumberg) about the re-release of their book Startup Boards: A Field Guide to Building and Leading an Effective Board of Directors.
Episode Chapters:
Introduction - 0:00
Brad & Matt’s Origin Stories - 1:31
The Startup Board - 5:01
VCs and the Board - 16:20
Brad & Matt’s Superpowers - 24:27
Taking Up The Mantle, Joining Your First Board - 28:12
Closing Thoughts - 33:45
Books Mentioned by Brad & Matt:
Loved by Martina Lauchengco (Matt)
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin(Brad)
The Immortal King Rao by Vauhini Vara(Brad)
Upgrade by Blake Crouch (Brad)
Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson (Brad)
Other References:
GTTFP
Thanks for checking out the GoingVC Podcast—uncovering new paths into VC, diving deeper into alternative models, and addressing areas of weakness with Rachel (@rachmast), and JJ (@jjmaclean) from the GoingVC team. As always, if you've got any questions, feedback, guest ideas, or just want to say hey, don't hesitate to shoot us a message at podcast@goingvc.com!

Jun 12, 2022 • 34min
Episode 21 - Life as a Junior VC & Becoming a Founder with Diana Hsieh
👋 Hey! Thanks for checking out the GoingVC Podcast - uncovering new paths into VC, diving deeper into alternative models, and addressing areas of weakness with Rachel (@rachmast), and JJ (@jjmaclean) from the GoingVC team.We're really excited to be bringing to you today our conversation with Diana Hsieh (@Dianasaur323). As always, if you've got any questions, feedback, guest ideas, or just want to say hey, don't hesitate to shoot us a message at podcast@goingvc.com!Episode Chapters: Introduction - 0:00 Diana’s Origin Story - 1:27 VCs Say The Darndest Things - 10:51 VCs & Social Selling - 13:40 Life as a VC vs Founder - 17:26 Hiring, Dutch Ovens and What Gets Diana Excited - 28:39

Mar 30, 2022 • 42min
Episode 20 - Founding A Fund with Heather Hartnett
👋 Hey! Thanks for checking out the GoingVC Podcast - uncovering new paths into VC, diving deeper into alternative models, and addressing areas of weakness with Rachel (@rachmast), and JJ (@jjmaclean) from the GoingVC team.
We're really excited to be bringing to you today our conversation with Heather Hartnett (@HeatherHartnett). As always, if you've got any questions, feedback, guest ideas, or just want to say hey, don't hesitate to shoot us a message at podcast@goingvc.com!
Articles Rachel referenced in her first question:
Building and Investing in the Human Needs Economy - Part 1
The Future of Work is Human - Part 2
Articles Heather quotes re: piece she writes on firm founders / emerging VCs:
Predictions For 2022 According To Emerging Managers In VC
The Opportunity for Family Office To Outperform Over the Next Decade
Heather’s Forbes article referenced at the end:
Joining An Existing Fund Versus Starting Your Own
Episode Chapters:
Introduction - 0:00
Heather’s Career Origin Story - 1:11
Founding Human Ventures - 8:47
Need to Haves’ & Heather’s Thesis - 11:10
Founder-Funder Fit & the Founders of the Future - 17:58
Human’s First Five Years - 22:38
Building A More Diverse Ecosystem - 27:50
Closing Thoughts - 37:58
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