In this episode of AI Interconnect, David Mandel, managing partner at Emerging Ventures, shares his journey from operator to investor in the tech space, particularly focusing on AI and emerging technologies. He discusses the founding of Emerging Ventures, the challenges of deal flow, and the impact of AI on startup fundraising. David emphasizes the importance of execution in startups and shares insights on navigating the current investment landscape, including the challenges posed by the rapid evolution of AI. He also highlights the blind spots in VC culture and offers advice for founders looking to build successful companies in 2025.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI Interconnect and David Mandel

01:34 David Mandel's Journey into Venture Capital

09:08 The Origin of Emerging Ventures Capital

12:15 Navigating Deal Flow and Investment Filters

21:25 The Impact of AI on Fundraising and Startups

30:04 Building AI Products: The Quick Turnaround

32:10 Challenges in Fundraising and Investment

34:28 Focus on Execution: The Key to Investment

36:40 Investing in Deep Tech and Niche Solutions

44:10 The Future of AI: Trends and Predictions

45:14 Blind Spots in VC: The FOMO Loop

49:00 Advice for Founders: Building in 2025

Takeaways

David Mandel transitioned from operator to investor in tech.

Emerging Ventures focuses on seed stage B2B tech startups.

Execution and traction are key factors in investment decisions.

Deal flow can be overwhelming for investors.

AI is rapidly changing how startups are built and funded.

Fundraising is one of the hardest challenges for VCs.

Investors should be cautious of FOMO in the market.

Founders should focus on solving real problems, not just trends.

Keywords

David Mandel, Emerging Ventures, venture capital, AI, startups, investment strategies, deal flow, fundraising, technology trends, founder advice