Join host Nataraj on the Startup Project podcast as he sits down with David Blumberg, a seasoned investor with over three decades of experience in early-stage tech companies. From his early days at T. Rowe Price to founding Bloomberg Capital, David shares his unique journey and insights into the world of venture capital.

About the Episode:

This episode explores David's evolution as an investor, from his initial interest in government to his realization that business and entrepreneurship were the true drivers of positive change.  He discusses his early investments in Israeli tech companies, his time at Claridge, a prominent family office, and the lessons he learned along the way.

David shares his investment philosophy, emphasizing the importance of strong teams, large market potential, and minimal competition. He highlights his experience with successful companies like Double Verify and Nutanix, emphasizing the value of repeat founders and the power of building strong relationships.

The conversation also delves into David's personal investment strategy, his passion for energy humanitarianism, and his belief in the potential of AI to revolutionize various industries. He shares his insights on the evolving landscape of venture capital, the importance of continuous learning, and the impact of regulatory changes on the business world.

About the Guest and Host:

David Blumberg: Founder and Managing Partner of Blumberg Capital, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage and growth investments. 

→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjblumberg

→ Website: https://blumbergcapital.com/

Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. 

→ LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/

→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam

→ Email updates: ⁠https://startupproject.substack.com/⁠

→ Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://thestartupproject.io⁠⁠⁠

Timestamps:

00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:42 - David's Location and Work Model

00:54 - David's Career Journey and Interest in Tech Investing

01:22 - Early Influences and the Importance of Entrepreneurship

05:10 - First Tech Investment and Israeli Tech Ecosystem

09:22 - Israel's Tech Growth and the Yozma Program

13:45 - Government's Role in Fostering Innovation

17:53 - The Israeli Military's Influence on Entrepreneurship

19:54 - Experience at Claridge and Transition to Bloomberg Capital

24:34 - The Evolution of Venture Capital and Bloomberg Capital's Strategies

27:15 - Working with Repeat Founders

30:40 - Decision-Making in Pre-Seed Investing

34:19 - Defining Talent in Early-Stage Founders

39:32 - Importance of Domain Expertise

41:11 - Lawyers in Leadership Roles

43:15 - Bloomberg Capital's CIO Innovation Council

48:29 - Personal Investment Strategy and Energy Humanitarianism

51:39 - Admired Investors and the Venture Capital Landscape

56:06 - Current Consumption (Books, Podcasts, etc.)

01:00 - Mentors and Their Influence

01:01 - Advice for Young Investors

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