Unlocking Venture Capital Podcast

🎬Trailer Alert🎬 In the latest episode of Unlocking Venture Capital Podcast, Sydney sits down with John Roberts from Boot64 Ventures. In this episode, hear from John as he will: 🌟 Explore his entrepreneurial journey from building a chain of convenience stores and gas stations to diving into the startup world and now a startup investor and fund manager at Boot64 Ventures 🌟 Discuss the importance of supporting veterans and socially disadvantaged entrepreneurs, and how this focus aligns with Louisiana’s SSBCI program. 🌟 Reveal the process behind raising capital, building trust with LPs, and the critical role of venture partners in fundraising and deal sourcing. 🌟 Highlight his experience as an angel investor, VC fund manager, and LP, with unique perspectives on deal vetting, timing exits, and navigating the challenges of emerging funds. 🌟 Dive into key lessons on people management and leadership, vital for startup founders and investors alike. 🌟 Share actionable advice for aspiring fund managers, including starting with smaller funds, leveraging VC Lab’s launch program, and building strategic networks. This episode is packed with value for the general managers, investors, and anyone interested in venture capital and entrepreneurship. 🔗 Links for the full episode and Boot64 Ventures details available in the comments below. #venturecapital #startups #Entrepreneurship #Investing #vc #investment #veterans

🎬 New Episode Alert 🎬 Good morning everyone, In today's episode of Unlocking Venture Capital Podcast 🔓💼, Sydney sits down with John Roberts from Boot64 Ventures. In this episode, hear from John as he will: 🌟  Explore his entrepreneurial journey from building a chain of convenience stores and gas stations to diving into the startup world. 🌟  Explain how he learned early-stage investing through Angel Funds and due diligence, paving the way for his transition to venture capital. 🌟  Discuss Boot64 Ventures unique thesis of supporting veterans, minorities, and underserved communities, inspired by Louisiana's demographics and funding incentives. 🌟 Reveal the benefits of the VC Lab program in streamlining the fund's launch process and its transformative impact. 🌟  Offer insights into managing LP relationships, the importance of personal connections, and strategies to build trust and transparency. 🌟  Advise aspiring fund managers to focus on realistic fund sizes, thorough preparation, and leveraging programs like VC Lab. 🎧💡 This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone exploring the world of venture capital. Discover how John Roberts combines hands-on business experience with a commitment to empowering diverse founders in the startup ecosystem. 🌟📈 🔗👇 Links for the full episode and more about Boot64 Ventures, MoXey (his investment) and The NOLA Angels, working with Louisiana Economic Development in the comments below. #venturecapital #startups #Entrepreneurship #Investing #vc #investment #veterans #VClabs #NewOrleansAngels

Good morning everyone, 📹New Trailer Alert📹 How is fundraising for early-stage startups different across borders? With the rise of AI tools and government support, the fundraising landscape in Canada contrasts sharply with the U.S. market. Imagine a system where the pace of fundraising, founder traction, and validation vary widely depending on the region, with the U.S. offering earlier opportunities for growth. In this latest reel from Unlocking Venture Capital Podcast💼🔓, Simon Grigenas, Programs Lead at 500 Global, shares his insights on the fundraising climate in Canada versus the U.S. In this clip, Simon will: 🌟 Discuss the challenges Canadian founders face when trying to raise funds at the seed stage, especially compared to their U.S. counterparts who can secure institutional funding much earlier. 🌟 Explain how AI tools are helping bridge some of the gaps for Canadian founders, allowing them to overcome barriers to commercialization and gain early traction. 🌟 Highlight how the Canadian government has stepped in to support early-stage startups, creating a bridge for founders who need capital to scale while navigating the complexities of the startup ecosystem. 🎧💡 This clip is a must-watch for anyone interested in how different global markets approach early-stage fundraising and the role of government in supporting innovation. 🔗👇 Links for the full episode with Simon Grigenas and more about 500 Global in the comments below. #venturecapital #vc #fundraising #startups #canada #ai #entrepreneurship #innovation #government #tech #startup #entrepreneur

Good morning everyone, 📹New Episode Alert📹 In today’s episode of Unlocking Venture Capital Podcast💼🔓, we sit down with Simon Grigenas, Programs Lead at 500 Global (500 Startups), as he shares his insights on growing the Canadian startup ecosystem, expanding into the U.S. market, and the challenges founders face when navigating cross-border fundraising. In this episode, Simon will: 🌟 Discuss his journey from being a founder to a venture capitalist and his experience scaling 500’s operations in Canada, particularly in Alberta and beyond. 🌟 Dive into the contrasts between the Canadian and U.S. startup ecosystems, exploring the challenges Canadian founders face in fundraising and the role of government support through initiatives like Alberta Innovates. 🌟 Explain how private equity and government partnerships have accelerated the growth of tech hubs in cities like Calgary and Edmonton, which were once considered underdeveloped markets. 🌟 Share his perspective on the differences in the seed-stage fundraising process between Canada and the U.S., highlighting how U.S. founders often have an advantage in raising capital early on. 🌟 Talk about why Canadian founders looking to expand to the U.S. need to understand the importance of customer validation, sales efforts, and the role of cultural differences when entering the U.S. market. 🌟 Explore how understanding the venture capital model and doing proper research on investor fit can help Canadian founders successfully raise capital both locally and in the U.S. 🌟 Highlight some of the tools and resources, like Crunchbase and PitchBook that founders can use to evaluate potential investors and refine their fundraising strategies. 🔥 Simon’s deep experience in both the Canadian and U.S. venture ecosystems makes this episode a must-watch for any founder or investor interested in scaling internationally and navigating the challenges of cross-border fundraising. 🎧💡 Tune in to hear more about how Simon is helping founders scale and navigate the challenges of the Canadian and U.S. startup ecosystems. 🔗👇 Links for the full episode and more about 500 Global in the comments below. #venturecapital #vc #startups #fundraising #vc #canada #growth #investment #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #privateequity #tech #government #innovation #startup

Good morning everyone, 📹New Trailer Alert📹 How do investors collaborate across borders? With the rise of climate tech and growing complexity in the startup ecosystem, the way we think about capital sources is shifting rapidly. Imagine a world where it's not just VC money that fuels innovation – but grants, government-backed funding, and more, creating a more diverse funding ecosystem. In the latest episode of Unlocking Venture Capital Podcast💼🔓, we sit down with Shreya Bakliwal,  former Principal at Aureolis Ventures and current mobilizer of Women Who Build podcast, to discuss her unique experiences working with both US and international investors. In this trailer, Shreya will: 🌟 Share her insights on how US investors tend to be more collaborative, with a belief that there’s value in co-investing rather than competing, particularly when startups are in their early stages. 🌟 Explain how the climate tech capital stack is evolving, with new funding sources like grants from the DOE and the passage of IRA in the US, making it easier for founders to access capital without diluting their cap tables. 🌟 Highlight the growing sophistication of India’s financial services landscape, where non-traditional funding models, like government grants, are becoming increasingly important for startups in sectors like climate and biotech. 🎧💡 This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding how collaboration, diverse capital sources, and shifting financial landscapes are changing the way venture capitalists approach funding, particularly in the climate tech and biotech sectors. 🔗👇 Links for the full episode and Women Who Build Podcast in the comments below. #venturecapital #investing #collaboration #tech #biotech #india #finance #entrepreneurship #startups #innovation

Good morning everyone, 📹New Episode Alert📹 In today’s episode of Unlocking Venture Capital Podcast💼🔓, we sit down with Shreya Bakliwal, former Principal at Aureolis Ventures and current mobilizer of the Women Who Build Podcast, to discuss her journey through venture capital and her passion for supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs. In this episode, Shreya will: 🌟 Share her journey from investment banking to becoming a global investor, working across sectors like women’s health, climate tech, and space tech. 🌟 Discuss her passion for amplifying the voices of women in tech through the Women Who Build Podcast, where she highlights the stories of women who have succeeded and overcome challenges in the venture ecosystem. 🌟 Explain how her experiences in emerging markets and small-town investments give her a unique edge in spotting overlooked opportunities that others might overlook. 🌟 Dive into her advocacy for alternative funding sources, especially in emerging markets like India, and why non-dilutive funding should not be seen as a last resort. 🌟 Talk about her commitment to creating a more inclusive venture ecosystem, focusing on building networks that empower women entrepreneurs and facilitate lasting change. 🔥 Shreya’s work is reshaping the VC landscape by empowering women entrepreneurs and building inclusive ecosystems. Her insights into global entrepreneurship and diversity in venture capital make this episode a must-watch for aspiring founders and investors. 🎧💡 Tune in to hear more about how Shreya is pushing for change and empowering women in tech through her podcast and beyond. 🔗👇 Links for the full episode and Women Who Build Podcast in the comments below. #womenwhobuild #venturecapital #vc #women #womenintech #entrepreneurship #leadership #diversity #innovation #startup #DEI

Good morning everyone, 📹Trailer Alert📹 How can diversity in leadership drive financial returns and social impact in venture capital? With a growing emphasis on #diversity and impact investing, Keith Spears, VP at Tides, shares how focusing on diverse founders and inclusive investment strategies is reshaping the venture capital landscape. Imagine a world where women led and minority led funds not only generate significant returns but also tackle critical social issues like #climatechange, racial justice, and financial access. In the latest episode of Unlocking Venture Capital Podcast💼🔓, we sit down with Keith Spears to explore how Tides is driving both financial success and positive social change. In this trailer, he will: 🌟 Explain how diverse-led funds are outpacing traditional investments, with a 35% return on impact-driven deals in sectors like #healthcare, #education, and #government. 🌟 Highlight the power of diverse perspectives in decision-making and how they lead to better outcomes and higher returns. 🌟 Share how Tides manages an $800 million fund to drive both social impact and strong financial performance, focusing on investments in climate justice and racial justice. 🌟 Offer actionable advice for emerging managers on how to build differentiated funds and develop strategic partnerships to stand out in a competitive market. 🌟 Discuss the increasing importance of tracking CO2 emission reductions and other impact metrics for long-term success in venture capital. 🎧💡 This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how diversity, social impact, and venture capital are coming together to reshape the future of investing. 🔗 Links for the full episode and more information about Tides will be available in the comments below. #venturecapital #vc #entrepreneur #leadership #sustainability #lp #lpinvesting #limitedpartner #impactinvesting

Good morning everyone, 📹New Episode Alert📹 In today’s episode of Unlocking Venture Capital Podcast💼🔓, we sit down Keith Spears, the Vice President at Tides, to discuss how the organization is driving impact through strategic investments and philanthropy. Keith shares insights on Tides’ mission to strengthen social justice and empower historically marginalized communities, and how they are transforming the world of impact investing. In this episode, Keith will: 🌟 Explain how Tides is empowering communities by shifting power to those historically denied access and driving social justice. 🌟 Break down how Tides manages an $800 million fund to deploy capital into philanthropic causes and investments that make a long-term impact. 🌟 Explore how the new generation of wealth is transforming the landscape of impact investing and how they are reshaping the future of investments in climate, racial justice, health, and financial access. 🌟 Illustrate how climate risk management and diversity in investments contribute to both impact and alpha generation, driving success in the fund. 🌟 Highlight the challenges faced by emerging managers, particularly in impact investing, and offer strategies for overcoming them in the current market environment. 🌟 Offer advice for emerging fund managers on how to build strategic partnerships, focus on values alignment, and create differentiated strategies to stand out in a competitive space. 🌟 Discuss Keith's experience leading impact investing at Hamilton Lane and managing $550 million for CalPERS, emphasizing the importance of measuring social impact alongside financial returns. 🌟 Share insights into Opal's family office network and how attending conferences like theirs fosters collaboration among impact investors, encouraging joint efforts to achieve greater social change. 🌟 Introduce VC Include and Include Ventures, programs that support emerging managers, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, and provide them with resources to grow their funds and strategies. 🔥 Keith’s reflections on impact investing, strategic collaboration, and the role of diverse leaders in the sector provide powerful insights for anyone in the venture capital space or interested in making a tangible, positive difference through their investments. 🎧💡 This episode is a must-listen for emerging fund managers, social impact investors, and anyone passionate about using capital to drive real, sustainable change. 🔗 Links for the full episode and more information about Tides are in the comments below. #UnlockingVentureCapital #UnlockingVC #Tides #VC #VentureCapital #ImpactInvesting #SocialJustice #Diversity #SustainableInvesting #Philanthropy #ESG #ClimateJustice #RacialJustice #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Impact #Change #Leadership #Investing #Investment #Equality #Sustainability #Community #Growth #LP #LPInvesting #LimitedPartner

Good morning everyone, 📹New Year’s Special Episode Alert📹 In today’s episode of Unlocking Venture Capital Podcast💼🔓, we’ve got something truly unique for you - an insightful mashup featuring three incredible venture capitalists who each share their best advice for founders and aspiring VCs. This episode brings together the wisdom of Shaun Gold, Marlon Ramirez, and Jeff Becker, offering powerful perspectives that cover everything from networking to global expansion to product growth strategies. Here’s what you can expect: 🌟 The Power of Networking – Shaun Gold of Improve Ventures & Point Capital: Shaun shares how it’s not about who you know, but who knows you. Discover why authentic, relationship-based networking is the key to unlocking opportunities in venture capital and how it goes far beyond just collecting business cards. 🌟 Expanding Your Startup with Local Expertise – Marlon Ramirez of Blue Impact Supply Chain Ventures: Marlon talks about leveraging regional knowledge and collaborating with local VCs to reduce risk and boost success, especially when expanding into emerging markets like Latin America. 🌟 Strategic Self-Awareness for Founders – Jeff Becker of Antler: Jeff emphasizes the power of understanding your unique strengths, aligning them with your company’s growth model, and finding the right product-market fit for long-term success. 🎧💡 This episode is packed with actionable advice and fresh insights, ideal for anyone looking to elevate their startup or venture career. Whether you're building your first business, expanding globally, or diving into the venture capital world, these three experts will help you rethink the way you approach your work in the new year. 🔗 Links for the full episode and more information about Shaun, Marlon, and Jeff’s ventures will be available in the comments below. #UnlockingVentureCapital #VentureCapital #ImproveVentures #PointCapital #BlueImpactVC #Antler #Founders #Innovation #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Startup #Advice #StartupEcosystem #Networking #NetworkingTips #GlobalExpansion #ProductMarketFit #ProductGrowth #StartupGrowth #Investment #BusinessDevelopment #VentureFunding

Good morning everyone, 📹New Holiday Special Episode Alert📹 In today’s episode of Unlocking Venture Capital Podcast💼🔓, we sit down with Darrel Frater from Serac Ventures, a venture capitalist and content creator who brings unmatched energy and insight to the VC space. In this holiday special, Darrel and Sydney reflect on their journeys and share the lessons they’ve learned throughout the year. Here’s what you can expect: 🌟 Reflect on 2024 – Darrel discusses his evolution as a content creator, how his shows have transformed over the years, and shares valuable insights on how to effectively connect with audiences and build a strong community. 🌟 Reveal behind the scenes of content creation – Sydney and Darrel share how they manage time and energy as busy investors while maintaining active content creation, offering their best tips for staying productive in a crowded space. 🌟 Emphasize the importance of community building – Darrel explains how he uses his content to create a network of meaningful relationships, showcasing how VC can thrive through both digital presence and real-life connections. 🌟 Share personal reflections and New Year's resolutions – Darrel and Sydney open up about their personal and professional resolutions for 2025, discussing what they plan to let go of and how they intend to level up in the new year. 🌟 Highlight the power of authenticity – Darrel shares how staying true to oneself and creating genuine, lasting relationships has been key to his success in both content creation and venture capital. 🎧💡 This episode is perfect for those looking to end the year on a high note, learn about building a meaningful community, and hear some candid reflections from two passionate investors. Whether you’re a content creator, entrepreneur, or aspiring VC, this holiday special will leave you feeling inspired and ready for the new year. 🔗 Links for the full episode and more information about Darrel’s content and Serac Ventures will be available in the comments below. #UnlockingVentureCapital #SeracVentures #VentureCapital #VC #Creator #CommunityBuilding #Entrepreneurship #Investor #Founders