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DrinksWithAVC chugs along, introducing episode eighteen with Jim Dugan, CEO & Managing Partner of OCA Ventures, harmonizing EMPATHY, PASSION, DETERMINATION, HUMANITY, and a touch of FRANK SINATRA. With 23 years of venture experience, Jim has journeyed through remarkable startups like Alembic, Ocient, The Mom Project, and Presidio. Vik and Bree get the lowdown on Jim's legendary Carbonara, recount a larger-than-life encounter with Andre the Giant, and explore how Jim champions the ethos that genius and grit aren't geographically constrained. Plus, don't miss the debut of our fresh segment: Follow, Co-invest, or Pass!
Links:
www.ocaventures.com
www.twitter.com/jimocaventures
www.themomproject.com (Cause!)
www.interwovencircles.com (Learn about Tim's tremendous journey across the US)
www.1kproject.org/ (Ukraine support)
www.heimarkvineyard.com/acquire/ (Wine!)
📊 Cap table management needs? Check out Fidelity Private Shares
🚀 Fundraising help: Download The Irresistible Startup
🤖 …or meet Ira, the Irresistible Startup Bot
🗞 Stay in the loop: Sign up for our monthly newsletter
DrinksWithAVC presents episode seventeen, featuring the trailblazing Dr. Lan Xuezhao, Founding Partner of Basis Set Ventures, a firm making waves with its women-led team. Lan's impressive background spans from spearheading the Corporate Development Strategy at Dropbox to unraveling the complexities of the human brain for her Ph.D. in Psychology and mastering statistics at the University of Michigan. She's also shaped strategies for Fortune 500 companies at McKinsey in both New York and Shanghai. Join Vik and Bree as they dive into Lan's rich family history, recount her global escapades, and unpack her expert insights on big data, AI, growth strategies, and the evolving role of women in tech.
Links:
www.basisset.com
https://twitter.com/xuezhao
www.basisset.com/persistence (Basis Set's Persistence Community)
www.1kproject.org/ (Ukraine support)
www.birdandbearcoffee.com (Coffee!)
📊 Cap table management needs? Check out Fidelity Private Shares
🚀 Fundraising help: Download The Irresistible Startup
🤖 …or meet Ira, the Irresistible Startup Bot
🗞 Stay in the loop: Sign up for our monthly newsletter
Episode sixteen of DrinksWithAVC features standout guest, Matt McCall of Pritzker Group, lauded as one of the top 100 VCs in the U.S. and recognized as a power player in media and Hollywood. Vik and Bree delve into Matt's political roots, discuss the philosophical influences that drive his investment strategies, and engage with his insights on the potential of an economic downturn. Matt also sheds light on the McCall Family Foundation's mission for social entrepreneurship and women's rights. Don't miss this compelling conversation that traverses past, present, and future.
Links:
www.pritzkergroup.com/venture-capital
www.twitter.com/pritzkervc
www.somethingventured.com (Matt's blog)
www.1kproject.org/ (Ukraine support)
www.amzn.com/dp/B007XF3SD6/ (Porron wine pitcher)
www.amzn.com/dp/1611808308/ (The Heroine's Journey)
www.amzn.com/dp/B00R3MHWUE/ (The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership)
www.linkedin.com/in/breehanson/
www.tripp.com
The first 5 people to reach out to Bree on her LinkedIn will get a lifetime pass to Tripp, the Best VR Meditation/Wellness Experience
📊 Cap table management needs? Check out Fidelity Private Shares
🚀 Fundraising help: Download The Irresistible Startup
🤖 …or meet Ira, the Irresistible Startup Bot
🗞 Stay in the loop: Sign up for our monthly newsletter
Episode fifteen of DrinksWithAVC packs a punch with guest Natalie Luu from Lightspeed Venture Partners—Muay Thai enthusiast, NFT expert, Fintech investor, and tea aficionado. Vik and Bree uncover Natalie's journey from relentless hustler to venture capital dynamo, as she shares her vision on the emerging business 'mafia' in the Bay Area, her criteria for investing in teams, and more. Tune in for an episode that's as invigorating as a sparring match and as enlightening as a steeped cup of rare tea.
Links:
www.lsvp.com
www.twitter.com/natluu
www.selfhelpelderly.org/ (Natalie's non-profit)
www.tea-time.com/ (Gifts!)
📊 Cap table management needs? Check out Fidelity Private Shares
🚀 Fundraising help: Download The Irresistible Startup
🤖 …or meet Ira, the Irresistible Startup Bot
🗞 Stay in the loop: Sign up for our monthly newsletter
Episode fourteen of DrinksWithAVC welcomes the prophetic insights of David Hornik from Lobby Capital, dubbed the 'Nostradamus of Numbers' and 'soothsayer of SPACs.' Vik and Bree delve into David's evolution from a dedicated lawyer to a venture capital virtuoso, his ardor for the fine arts, his advocacy within the LGBTQIA+ community, and his reputed knack for forecasting market trends. Tune in for a glimpse into the journey and genius of a VC maestro. Plus, Tuvan throat singing!
Links:
www.lobby.vc
www.twitter.com/davidhornik
📊 Cap table management needs? Check out Fidelity Private Shares
🚀 Fundraising help: Download The Irresistible Startup
🤖 …or meet Ira, the Irresistible Startup Bot
🗞 Stay in the loop: Sign up for our monthly newsletter
Fresh from a summer break, Vik and Bree are back with episode thirteen of DrinksWithAVC, featuring a candid chat with Alex Niehenke from Scale Venture Partners. They explore his eclectic passions from pickling to water polo, his experiences as a German immigrant, and the pivotal role of metrics in driving a company's success. Don't miss the sizzling end where Alex predicts which Companies and Firms will extend their 'Hot Girl Summer' glory and which may brace for a chilly season ahead.
Links:
www.scalevp.com
www.twitter.com/aniehenke
www.eatuglypickle.com (Gifts!)
📊 Cap table management needs? Check out Fidelity Private Shares
🚀 Fundraising help: Download The Irresistible Startup
🤖 …or meet Ira, the Irresistible Startup Bot
🗞 Stay in the loop: Sign up for our monthly newsletter
Pour a mocktail and join us for episode twelve of DrinksWithAVC, where we sit down with John Frankel of ff Venture Capital — our first New York guest and pioneer of our alcohol-free edition. Vik and Bree dive into John's journey from Goldman Sachs to venture capital, discuss the intersection of education and startups, and even try on some goofy hats. Get to know this London-native who not only has a penchant for croquet but also an unexpected affection for the film 'Dude, Where's My Car?' and a passion for snowboarding.
Links:
www.ffvc.com
www.twitter.com/john_frankel
📊 Cap table management needs? Check out Fidelity Private Shares
🚀 Fundraising help: Download The Irresistible Startup
🤖 …or meet Ira, the Irresistible Startup Bot
🗞 Stay in the loop: Sign up for our monthly newsletter
Tune into episode eleven of DrinksWithAVC for a trip down memory lane. Vik and Bree curate the finest moments from the first ten episodes, showcasing the wisdom, wit, and warmth that define the series. Perfect for newcomers and long-time listeners alike, this special retrospective highlights what DrinksWithAVC stands for: unwinding with a drink in hand while uncovering the human stories behind venture capital's biggest names.
For our audio listeners: this is an episode that you just have to check out on YouTube to get the full effect.
Links:
www.dwavc.com
📊 Cap table management needs? Check out Fidelity Private Shares
🚀 Fundraising help: Download The Irresistible Startup
🤖 …or meet Ira, the Irresistible Startup Bot
🗞 Stay in the loop: Sign up for our monthly newsletter
Join Vik and Bree for episode ten of DrinksWithAVC as they share Manhattans with Charles Hudson of Precursor Ventures. Delve into Charles's rich tapestry of experiences, from his early days at Kroger to landscaping entrepreneurship, and from his intriguing work with the venture arm of the CIA to his role as Managing Partner at Precursor Ventures. Beyond his professional journey, discover the man himself—his passion for smoked meats and his unwavering loyalty to Chelsea Football Club.
Links:
www.precursorvc.com
www.twitter.com/chudson
📊 Cap table management needs? Check out Fidelity Private Shares
🚀 Fundraising help: Download The Irresistible Startup
🤖 …or meet Ira, the Irresistible Startup Bot
🗞 Stay in the loop: Sign up for our monthly newsletter
Episode nine of DrinksWithAVC features Sheel Mohnot of Better Tomorrow Ventures, who joins Vik and Bree to talk about his whirlwind year. From becoming a social media phenomenon to launching a $75 million debut fund and earning a top-three spot on Business Insider’s seed investor rankings, Sheel's pandemic experience has been anything but ordinary. The trio digs deeper than his Zoom Bachelor fame and Justin Bieber video appearances, exploring his family bonds and his dedication to understanding and improving people's lives. Listen in for Sheel's insights on Miami's burgeoning startup scene, his take on plant-based lifestyles, and a segment that psychoanalyzes him using themes from his favorite book.
Links:
www.btv.vc
www.twitter.com/pitdesi
📊 Cap table management needs? Check out Fidelity Private Shares
🚀 Fundraising help: Download The Irresistible Startup
🤖 …or meet Ira, the Irresistible Startup Bot
🗞 Stay in the loop: Sign up for our monthly newsletter
From the publisher's feed
Grab a drink and join Vik (Green Cow Venture Capital) and Bree (Cooley) as they sit down with top venture capitalists to uncover the stories behind the spreadsheets. Each episode blends laughter,…
If you’re a startup founder, VC, or LP, this show helps you get to know the people you may be partnering with for the next 7–10 years. From Tuvan throat singing and mini piano playing to our signature “Fidelity Five” lightning round, you’ll discover surprising sides of the investors shaping the startup ecosystem.
We feature leaders from powerhouse firms like Bessemer, Costanoa, Scale VP, and Lightspeed, as well as emerging funds such as Touring, Better Tomorrow Ventures, Hustle Fund, and Precursor. Expect founder-tested advice, real talk about venture, and plenty of laughs along the way.
New episodes drop monthly. Pour your favorite drink and dive in.

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