VC10X - Startups, GTM, Investing, Venture Capital, Asset Management, Private Equity, Family Office

In this episode, we talk to Liz Christo, a Partner at Stage 2 Capital, and a Go-To-Market expert. We talk about - - Transitioning from an operator to an investor: Liz Christo's journey and expertise in go-to-market strategies - Designing effective sales processes and building a professional sales team - Strategic marketing channel selection and the importance of founder-led sales - Segmenting roles in a go-to-market team and measuring performance - The implications of Product Led Growth (PLG) and the rise of software products that showcase the product on the company's website - Avoiding common mistakes in hiring and scaling up the team - The importance of transparency, effective people management, and co-founder compatibility - Evaluating startups for potential investment and the key factors considered - Two key changes needed in the startup and VC ecosystem: more funding for diverse founding teams and bringing down valuation expectations Subscribe to Liz's newsletter - https://dearstage2.substack.com/ Follow Liz on Twitter - https://twitter.com/elizabethjcain Hosted by Prashant Choubey - https://twitter.com/ChoubeySahab Subscribe to VC10X for more insightful episodes!

I'm excited to announce the release of our latest episode of the VC10X Podcast, where we dive into the world of fund management and SPV solutions with Nik Talreja, the founder and CEO of Sydecar.In this episode, Nik shares the story behind Sydecar and how he transitioned from practicing law to building a product-driven solution for fund management and SPVs. We explore the advantages of having investors as customers, the streamlined process of starting an SPV with Sydecar, and how they tackled the challenges posed by Assure shutdown.Here are some key takeaways and lessons from the episode:1. Simplifying Fund Management: Sydecar offers a comprehensive tool that significantly simplifies the process of starting an SPV, automating legal documentation, facilitating instant bank account creation, and handling compliance checks and filings.2. Navigating the Assure Shutdown: Sydecar took a thoughtful and strategic approach to help those affected by the Assure shutdown, collaborating with other vendors to find more cost-effective solutions and supporting affected customers in negotiating fixed prices.3. Creating Liquidity in Private Markets: Sydecar aims to build the future private market infrastructure by catalyzing standardization, transparency, and liquidity. They focus on streamlining the formation of SPVs and aggregator vehicles to create efficiency and enable larger capital movements.4. Sydecar Fund+: Sydecar's recent offering, Sydecar Fund+, introduces a multi-asset fund that enables venture investors to build their portfolio by investing in multiple companies. This fund's innovative approach allows for flexibility in liquidity while accommodating different sets of investors.5. Benefits of Having Investors as Customers: Having investors as customers provides an unfair advantage for fundraising, as happy customers often view the business from an investor's perspective and inquire about the next fundraising round.You can listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform.We hope you find this episode insightful and inspiring as we explore the future of fund management with Sydecar. Don't forget to follow Nik Talreja on Twitter at @Niktalreja for more updates. Links mentioned: Sydecar website - https://www.sydecar.io/ Follow Nik on Twitter - https://twitter.com/niktalreja Hosted by Prashant Choubey - https://twitter.com/ChoubeySahab Subscribe to VC10X for more episodes!

I'm excited to announce the release of our latest episode featuring Giuseppe Stuto, a Managing Partner at 186 Ventures. In this episode, Giuseppe shares valuable insights on how founders should evaluate acquisition offers, tips for building through the downturn, contrarian investments, and his biggest learnings from investing over the years. Here are some of the key topics we discussed: 1. The importance of long-term goals: Giuseppe emphasizes that 186 Ventures never invests in seed companies with a short-term exit horizon. They are in it for the big outcomes and believe in the potential of founders who have a long-term vision. 2. 186 Ventures' investment philosophy: Giuseppe explains how 186 Ventures is a $37 million pre-seed and seed-stage VC fund that invests across consumer, enterprise and disruptive tech. They focus on areas like embedded financial infrastructure, developer tooling, AI-enabled automation, and more. 3. Navigating the downturn: Giuseppe shares valuable advice for founders on how to build through challenging times. He emphasizes the need for focus, making deep cuts once instead of multiple times, and the importance of speed in the market. 4. Standout features of 186 Ventures: Giuseppe discusses how 186 Ventures differentiates itself from other VC firms. Their team's experience as founders and operators of high-growth tech businesses, their exclusive focus on seed investments, and their commitment to providing consistent value to their portfolio companies set them apart. 5. Managing risk and portfolio concentration: Giuseppe explains their approach to managing risk within the portfolio. They aim for 25 to 30 companies, ensuring enough concentration to actively support and nurture each investment. These are just a few of the insightful topics covered in the episode. Giuseppe's experience and expertise in the venture capital industry make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in startups and early-stage investments. You can listen to the full episode on our website or your favorite podcast platform or on Youtube. Follow Giuseppe on X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/gstuto Write to 186 Ventures - hello@186ventures.com Hosted by Prashant Choubey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/choubeysahab/ Thank you for your continued support, and I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it.

In this episode, our host Prashant interviews Allie Mullen, the Director of Platform at Wireframe Ventures, to explore the ins and outs of the 'Platform' role in VC. Here's a sneak peek of what we discussed: Main Topics Discussed: - What exactly is Platform in venture capital? - How does it operate and vary across different firms? - Who is best suited for this role and how can one break into it? Key Takeaways and Lessons: - The responsibilities and tasks of a platform manager at Wireframe Ventures - Tips and insights for individuals looking to enter the platform industry - Surprising aspects of working in VC in the Platform role The Platform role in venture capital is a non-investor position that plays a crucial role in supporting portfolio companies. It encompasses various responsibilities such as marketing, investor relations, HR and recruiting, operations, and more. As you'll learn from the episode, Platform professionals often come from diverse backgrounds and possess a wide range of skills. Allie Mullen, our guest for this episode, shares her journey into the Platform role and offers valuable advice for those interested in pursuing a career in Platform. She emphasizes that a background in VC is not essential and that individuals from various backgrounds can excel in the Platform role. Throughout the episode, Allie provides insights into the day-to-day tasks of a Platform manager at Wireframe Ventures, a Pre-seed/seed stage fund. She also shares her experiences and highlights the importance of building a strong Platform team to support founders and enhance the overall efficiency of the firm. If you're interested in learning more about the Platform role in venture capital, this episode is a must-listen! You'll gain valuable insights, tips, and inspiration from Allie's experience. To listen to the full episode, visit our website or your favorite podcast platform. And don't forget to check out the show notes for additional resources and links mentioned during the conversation. As always, we appreciate your support and feedback. If you have any suggestions for future episode topics or guests, feel free to reach out to us. Links mentioned: Allie's newsletter - https://soyouwanttoworkinplatform.beehiiv.com/subscribe Follow Allie on Twitter - https://twitter.com/allieallieM Follow Allie on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alliemullen/ Wireframe Ventures - https://www.wireframevc.com/ Follow Wireframe on Twitter - https://twitter.com/WireframeVC Hosted by Prashant Choubey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/choubeysahab/ Don't forget to subscribe to the channel for future episodes!

Neil Thanedar is an entrepreneur, investor, scientist, altruist, and author. He is the founder & GP of Utopic, a pre-seed biotech VC fund investing in the future of science.In this episode we talk about:- Neil's story and how he started investing?- What are Mittelstands? - Why startups should stay indie as long as possible?- Their focus at Utopic Ventures- Biotech 2.0 and lots more Links mentioned: Find Neil's essays at https://neilthanedar.com/ Utopic Ventures - https://utopicvc.com/ Labdoor website - https://labdoor.com/ Follow Neil on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thanedar/ Follow Neil on Twitter - https://twitter.com/NeilThanedar⁠ Hosted by Prashant Choubey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/choubeysahab/ Find the video episode on our youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@VC10X Hope you like this episode, subscribe for more insightful episodes!

In this episode, Prashant Choubey talks to David Honik, Founding Partner of Lobby Capital & someone with over 23 years of investing experience in startups. They talk about: The Rebirth of August Capital as Lobby Capital:- - David shared insights into the evolution of August Capital and their decision to transition to Lobby Capital. - They discussed the importance of maintaining a smaller fund to stay focused on supporting and nurturing promising companies. - Lobby Capital raised a $225 million fund and plans to continue its approach with Lobby II. Managing Split Funds:- - David explained the concept of split funds and how August Capital managed its core fund and special opportunities fund. - They highlighted successful investments in companies like GitLab, Bill, Splunk, and Fastly. - The approach of managing split funds proved to be sensible and beneficial for both LPs and the organization. The Ideal Amount of Funds in Venture Capital:- - We delved into the debate surrounding the ideal amount of funds that should be managed to generate successful returns. - David shared their opinion and how Lobby Capital implements its seed investment strategy. Venture Capital as the Best Job in the World:- - David discussed why venture capital is considered the best job in the world. - They highlighted the thrill of witnessing companies grow from small teams to large, revenue-generating entities. Criteria for Evaluating Startups and Making Investments:- - We explored the criteria Lobby Capital considers when evaluating startups and making investments. - David emphasized the importance of finding amazing individuals who are making a positive impact on the world. Decision-Making Process within the Partnership:- - David explained the decision-making process within their partnership, focusing on reaching a consensus rather than relying on a voting mechanism. The Importance of Human Capital in Venture Capital:- - We discussed the importance of human capital in venture capital and how Lobby Capital actively supports their portfolio companies. - David highlighted the hardships entrepreneurs face and how Lobby Capital aims to be there for founders in both their professional and personal lives. Regrets and Lessons from Investing:- - David shared their regrets about passing on Uber and LinkedIn, emphasizing the importance of investing in amazing people. - They discussed the limitations of AI in venture capital and the value of identifying remarkable entrepreneurs. If you're interested in learning more about these topics and hearing David's insights firsthand, make sure to tune in to this episode on our podcast platform. Don't forget to follow David Hornick on social media: Twitter - https://twitter.com/davidhornik LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhornik/ Threads - @davidhornik Hosted by Prashant Choubey Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChoubeySahab Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/choubeysahab/ As always, we appreciate your support and feedback. If you have any questions or suggestions for future episodes, feel free to reach out to us.

Robert Antoniades is the Co-founder & General Partner at Information Venture Partners. A Canada-based VC firm investing in fintech & enterprise-tech startups. In this episode, we talk about: - Robert's story & how he started investing - Investment thesis at Information Venture Partners - What do they look for in startups they back? - Exit potential of startups - Profitability or revenue growth Links mentioned: Information Venture Partners website: https://informationvp.com/ Follow Robert on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertantoniades/ Hosted by Prashant Choubey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/choubeysahab/ Subscribe to VC10X for more episodes!

James Pringle is a Partner at Portfolio Ventures & a co-host of Riding Unicorns, a top 50 "entrepreneurship" podcast in 50+ countries. In this episode, we talk about: - James' story & how he started investing - How is the UK startup ecosystem evolving? - Different flavors of Venture Capital - Importance of podcasting in venture capital - How they add value to portfolio companies & lots more Links mentioned: Follow James on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejamespringle/ Subscribe to Riding Unicorns: https://ridingunicorns.buzzsprout.com/ Thanks for tuning in, do subscribe to VC10X to get more from VC10X

In this episode, we had the opportunity to sit down with Jeffery Potvin, an experienced angel investor who has invested in over 55 companies. Jeffery shared his journey into the world of investing and discussed the valuable insights he gained from the last recession. Here are some of the key topics we covered: 1. Jeffery's story and how he started investing2. The Canadian startup ecosystem and its shortcomings3. The role of Open People Network in supporting early-stage companies4. The strategy behind building a roll-up fund and its potential benefits5. What angel investors and syndicates look for in startupsThroughout the conversation, Jeffery emphasized the importance of supporting founders and the continuous learning that comes with investing. He also highlighted the changing landscape of the Canadian startup ecosystem and the need to provide support and risk capital to nurture local talent.Here are a few key takeaways from the episode:- Investing in people: Jeffery emphasized that angel investing is ultimately about supporting the people behind the startups. It's important to understand that not every investment will be a win, but by focusing on the founders and offering support, we can help them navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.- The power of collaboration: Jeffrey discussed the value of events like Ete, where entrepreneurs come together to help each other. By fostering a supportive community, startups can learn from one another and accelerate their growth.- The potential of roll-up funds: Jeffrey shared his insights on the roll-up strategy for building successful companies. By acquiring and integrating complementary businesses, startups can increase their revenue streams and drive growth.If you're interested in learning more about angel investing, the Canadian startup ecosystem, and gaining insights from experienced investors, I highly recommend giving this episode a listen. You can find it on our podcast platform or through our website VC10X.com.To connect with Jeffery and continue the conversation, you can find him on LinkedIn as Jeffery Potvin or through the company's profiles, Open People Network, and Supportersfund.com. We're always eager to engage with our listeners and hear your thoughts and questions.Thank you for your continued support and for being a valuable part of our podcast community. We appreciate your feedback and suggestions, so feel free to write to me at prashantchoubey3@gmail.com

Andrey Kostyuk is the co-founder at AAlchemy Ventures, a program in association with Deloitte, to help Russian entrepreneurs get access to the European market. In this episode, we talk about: - Andrey's story & how he started investing - Russian startup ecosystem - How does AAlchemy Ventures work? - What they look for in candidates? - Importance of unit economics in current fundraising environment & more.. Links mentioned: AAlchemy website: https://www.aalchemy.vc/ Follow Andrey on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreykostyuk/ Subscribe to VC10X for more episodes!