In this episode of Tales from the PROS, I chat with David Gardner, who is a very well known tech startup investor, successful serial entrepreneur, and the Founder and Managing Partner of Cofounders Capital. 

David and I talk about David's inspiration behind investing in tech startups that have lots of promise, how to succeed as a startup, what his firm looks for in a pitch, the investment game nationally and locally in North Carolina, and much more. 

Some questions asked:

1. David, tell us how you got into the investment game, specifically just in B2B technology and what lead you to start Cofounders Capital?
2. When you were younger, did you always see yourself starting various companies and selling them or did it happen very randomly?
3. From your experience investing in numerous promising startups such as FilterEasy, can you explain the process of what it takes for a startup to receive a round of funding? Do you think it's all about timing and proof of concept?
4. What are the things investors such as yourself look for when hearing a pitch?
5. Do you think it's smart to always have some sort of exit strategy when building a company or is it smart to grow it into a long-term brand?
6. What tips would you give to current and future entrepreneurs in preparing them to receive funding and what they need to avoid?
7. You obviously understand the tech is booming, what technology trends do you see emerging and which ones do you see dying?
8. Any future plans Cofounders Capital?

High Level Questions (Broad):

1. IF you can explain, what struggles did you face while building your companies, and how did you overcome them?
2. What are the biggest challenges you have had to deal with growth the companies you've started?
3. What advice or tips would you give future entrepreneurs on how to succeed?
4. What character traits would you consider the most important in being a successful business leader and entrepreneur? (Passion, drive, work ethic, perseverance, etc.)
5. Do you feel that entrepreneurship is getting harder in our economy?

 

Follow David Gardner:

Website: http://cofounderscapital.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cofounders-capital/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/startuphats

Follow Michael Georgiou:

Podcast Website - https://www.talesfromthepros.com  Company Website - https://www.imaginovation.net  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TalesfromthePROS/  Twitter - https://twitter.com/MGeorgiou22   Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the_mgeorgiou/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJv9pbImovknEluSLzAPTpg/featured