You don’t need a Stanford degree or a flashy deck to raise a pre-seed, seed or Series A, but you do need to show investors that you’ve put in the work.

645 Ventures co-founder Nnamdi Okike shares practical advice for founders who are prepping to raise capital, including what he looks for in pitch meetings, how to uncover “earned secrets,” and why chasing hot categories can backfire.

We also dig into how 645 uses outbound sourcing and proprietary software to spot overlooked talent — and what it really takes to stand out if you don't fit the typical founder mold.

(2:18) Nnamdi describes his path from operator to investor.

(5:00) Stage by stage: What sets 645 Ventures apart from other firms?

(25:49) His take on CEOs who promote a hard-charging, aggressive culture.

(31:20) Why he favors founders solving real problems, not just chasing trends.

(37:02) One thing he wishes more first-time founders understood about the early-stage ecosystem.

(43:55) What kind of proof or evidence he looks for in companies raising capital.

(49:20) Which early assumptions he and his team have since modified —or thrown out.

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Thanks for listening!

– Walter.