Driving Alpha

What if your greatest edge as a VC wasn't data or deal flow, but your network?

Heather Hartnett, CEO and General Partner of Human Ventures, is proving that authentic human connection can drive real alpha. From startup studio to powerhouse VC platform, she's built one of New York's most trusted early-stage ecosystems.

Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:

• 00:40 Introduction to the Driving Alpha Podcast

• 00:51 Meet Heather Harnett: CEO and Co-founder of Human Ventures

• 00:57 Heather's Career Journey and Achievements

• 02:21 The Founding Story of Human Ventures

• 02:39 The Evolution of Human Ventures

• 05:54 Why New York City?

• 07:42 The Future of Human Needs and AI

• 12:11 The Concept of Human Alpha

• 14:50 The Importance of Networks and Relationships

• 30:18 Finding Human Alpha in Founders

• 34:10 Closing Thoughts and Takeaways

In this episode,

Heather joins Zoe van den Bol to unpack how Human Ventures evolved from a startup studio into a fund franchise now three funds deep. She explains how "human alpha", a blend of grit, network mindset, and founder-market fit, is the cornerstone of their investment strategy. You'll hear how she leverages deep community roots in New York to unlock underpriced talent and fuel breakout success.

Heather also dives into the intersection of AI and human connection, revealing how new tools are transforming relationship management, sourcing, and founder support. With insights from her work with advisors like Esther Perel and an upcoming launch of human.ai, Heather shares why relationships (not just returns) will define the next era of venture capital.

What if the biggest venture opportunities aren't in the next SaaS tool, but in the markets everyone avoids?

Salen Churi, founder and general partner at Trust Ventures, is proving that regulation-heavy industries hold the keys to outsize alpha. A former law professor turned VC, Salen helps startups turn red tape into competitive edge.

Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:

• 00:40 Introduction to Driving Alpha Podcast

• 01:58 Salen Churi's Background and Family History

• 03:30 The Intersection of Innovation and Regulation

• 05:41 Founding Trust Ventures

• 12:29 Case Studies: Oklo and ICON

• 17:05 Navigating Regulatory Challenges

• 22:03 Investing in Regulatory Risk

• 25:27 Unique Approach to Venture Capital

• 26:35 Policy Partner and Regulatory Strategy

• 26:57 Investment Strategy in Nuclear and Competitive Markets

• 28:46 Innovative Solutions in the Energy Sector

• 30:44 The Role of Batteries in Grid Management

• 38:46 AI and Regulatory Challenges

• 43:48 Future Vision and Regulatory Changes

• 46:28 The Importance of Tackling Regulatory Problems

In this episode,

Salen Churi breaks down how Trust Ventures consistently finds billion-dollar potential hiding in plain sight, by backing companies that challenge outdated regulatory systems. From modular nuclear energy to 3D-printed homes and AI-driven battery grids, Trust helps founders reshape broken systems and unlock massive, underserved markets.

Salen explains why regulation isn't a red flag, it's often the moat. He shares stories from Trust's early bets like Oklo, ICON, and Base Power, each tackling entrenched incumbents with bold tech and smart policy strategy. He also dives into how Trust evaluates regulatory risk, why they're not afraid of government-adjacent challenges, and how their model as a "policy partner" is turning underdog startups into market leaders.

Whether you're a founder eyeing a legacy industry or a VC seeking differentiated returns, this episode is a playbook for turning policy gridlock into venture-scale alpha.

Can a PhD in accounting build a top-tier VC firm in the heartland, and beat the coastal giants?

Ira Weiss did just that. As founding partner of Hyde Park Venture Partners and a professor at Chicago Booth, Ira has quietly helped turn the Midwest into a serious startup engine, backing breakout companies like ShipBob and Audit Site before they were household names.

Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:

• 00:48 Introduction to Driving Alpha

• 01:00 Guest Introduction: Ira Weiss

• 01:14 Ira's Academic and Professional Journey

• 01:50 Hyde Park Venture Partners

• 03:07 Personal Connection and University of Chicago

• 05:00 Transition to Venture Capital

• 06:25 Routes to Becoming a Venture Capitalist

• 08:51 Evaluating Startups: Then and Now

• 12:23 Case Study: ShipBob

• 18:32 The Importance of Sticky Products

• 19:34 Exciting New Ventures: Audit Site

• 22:46 AI's Role in Auditing and Financial Systems

• 24:31 AI Adoption in Companies and Investment Strategies

• 28:45 AI's Impact on Academia and Student Learning

• 31:45 Investment Decision-Making Processes

• 38:06 Midwestern Entrepreneurship and Investment Insights

• 42:01 Reflections and Closing Remarks

In this episode,

Ira shares how his journey from academia to early-stage venture capital gave him a unique lens for spotting high-potential founders in overlooked markets. He dives into the importance of founder chemistry, sticky products, and the traits that separate real moats from hype. You'll hear how ShipBob scaled in a gritty, unsexy market and how Audit Site is transforming the world of financial audits using cutting-edge tech.

We also explore how AI is reshaping the startup world, from reducing headcount to disrupting traditional B2B models, and what that means for investors. Ira offers tactical advice for aspiring VCs, insights into how investment committees really work, and why the next breakout startup might not be in San Francisco or New York.

Brad Feld isn't just a name in venture capital; he's one of the architects behind the startup ecosystem as we know it. From launching Techstars to mentoring hundreds of founders and fund managers, his legacy is rooted in building, not boasting.

Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:

• 00:48 Introduction to Driving Alpha

• 01:38 Brad Feld's Journey and Achievements

• 03:38 Reflections on Life and Career

• 05:51 The Future of Foundry Group

• 08:02 Mentorship and Its Impact

• 10:52 Influential Mentors in Brad's Life

• 15:17 The SoftBank Connection

• 23:29 Star Wars vs. Star Trek

• 27:58 Analog Analog and Investment Insights

• 30:31 The Evolution of Ticketing Platforms

• 30:51 AI in Customer Support

• 31:31 Personal Coding Journey

• 32:14 Comparing AI Models: Claude vs. OpenAI

• 35:09 Investment Dynamics in Tech

• 36:17 The Economics of Ride-Sharing

• 38:17 The Future of AI-Powered Tools

• 41:30 Challenges in Venture Capital

• 54:22 Reflections on Venture Capital

In this episode,

Brad joins Steve Brotman of Alpha Partners for a wide-ranging conversation on investing through downturns, the rise of AI-powered tooling, and what it truly means to give first. Brad explains how his thinking evolved across three decades, from early wins to long-tail fund management, and how he's now channeling his energy into mentorship, writing, and second-order impact.

He opens up about his "third third" philosophy of life, lessons from working with SoftBank in the dot-com era, and why today's founders can't afford to chase hype. Brad also shares his hands-on experience using tools like Cursor and Claude, drawing unexpected parallels between AI and the early internet. This is more than a look back; it's a roadmap for what's ahead.

Want more of Brad's wisdom? Grab his latest book: Give First: The Power of Mentorship, a must-read for founders, fund managers, and anyone shaping the future of innovation.

What happens when a Google and Facebook engineering leader turns his focus to helping immigrant founders dominate in AI and robotics?

Ihar Mahaniok, Founder and Managing Partner of Geek Ventures, has invested in over 100 startups, including five unicorns, and is now channeling his experience into backing the next generation of world-changing entrepreneurs.

Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:

• 00:41 Welcome to Driving Alpha Podcast

• 00:51 Meet the Guest: Ihar Mahaniok of Geek Ventures

• 01:38 Ihar's Journey: From Coding to Angel Investing

• 03:26 Building Geek Ventures: Focus on Immigrant Founders

• 03:42 Navigating the US as an Immigrant Entrepreneur

• 04:58 The Power of Networking and LinkedIn

• 12:15 Geek Ventures' Unique Approach to Investing

• 20:36 Challenges Immigrant Founders Face in the US

• 22:54 The Future of AI and Its Impact

• 29:46 Building Efficient Teams in Startups

• 37:48 Advice for Aspiring VCs and Founders

• 40:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode,

Ihar reveals how his own immigrant journey shaped his mission to close the opportunity gap for founders arriving in the U.S. without deep networks. He shares the traits that make immigrant entrepreneurs uniquely equipped to win—grit, ambition, and fresh perspectives—and explains how Geek Ventures provides the capital, connections, and strategic support to accelerate their success.

The conversation explores the evolving landscape of AI and robotics, why small, elite teams often outperform larger ones, and how cultural differences influence fundraising strategies. Ihar also unpacks his framework for spotting exceptional founders early, building defensible moats beyond technology, and preparing for a future where AI will create more unicorns than ever before. Whether you're a founder, investor, or AI enthusiast, this episode delivers actionable insights on scaling bold ideas into lasting impact.

What happens when decades of media and venture capital experience converge?

Stewart Alsop, co-founder of TK MediaTech Ventures and a VC since 1996, brings a journalist's clarity and an investor's vision to the evolving landscape of media technology.

Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:

• 00:48 Introduction and Guest Welcome

• 01:02 Early Career and First Impressions

• 01:37 Bluntness and Career Challenges

• 03:00 Investment Philosophy and Media Tech Focus

• 06:45 The Third Convergence of Media and Technology

• 16:20 AI and Media Tech Investments

• 23:56 Finding the Right Entrepreneurs

• 25:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode,

Stewart joins Brian Smiga to explore the "third convergence" of media and technology, an era defined by high-fidelity digital twins, immersive media, and AI-powered creativity. He unpacks how this new phase builds on two prior tech-media inflection points and why his firm, TK MediaTech Ventures, is poised to capitalize on this transformation.

The conversation dives into Stewart's investment philosophy, the value of blunt honesty in venture partnerships, and the thesis behind faster time-to-liquidity in media tech. From the early bets on TiVo and Twitch to today's frontier in digital avatars and real-time reality rendering, Stewart explains what founders and LPs should know and why the next media revolution may already be here.

Renata Quintini and Roseanne Wincek are the powerhouse duo behind Renegade Partners, a venture firm purpose-built to guide startups through the critical "teenage years" of growth. With prior roles at Felicis, Lux, Canaan, and IVP, they've helped scale some of today's most iconic companies and are rewriting the playbook on early-stage investing.

Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:

• 00:48 Welcome to Driving Alpha Podcast

• 00:59 Meet Renata Tini and Roseanne Ek

• 01:49 Renata's Journey: From Law to Venture Capital

• 09:20 Roseanne's Path: From Science to Venture

• 15:36 The Birth of Renegade Partners

• 18:35 Challenges and Strategies in Building a Fund

• 21:30 In-Person vs. Zoom: The Debate

• 23:10 Fundraising Challenges and Market Dynamics

• 26:30 Renegade Partners' Hands-On Approach

• 33:43 Evaluating Companies with Decision Science

• 36:50 Trends and Changes in Venture Capital

• 42:24 Navigating the AI Investment Landscape

• 46:40 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode,

Renata and Roseanne break down how they've built Renegade Partners from the ground up, bringing a hands-on, decision science-driven approach to Series A investing. They share how their careers, spanning law, science, and venture capital, shaped a uniquely structured model focused on depth, not breadth, when working with founders.

You'll hear their behind-the-scenes story of launching a fund just days before the COVID lockdown, navigating market corrections, and building deep trust with LPs. From boardroom dynamics to AI diligence, they offer hard-earned insights into backing durable businesses in a noisy market. Whether you're a VC, operator, or founder, this conversation is packed with lessons on firm building, founder support, and strategic conviction.

Francisco Gimenez, Partner at 8VC, shares his unconventional journey from Stanford PhD to venture capital, where he leads investments in Bio-IT and enterprise AI. Known for his technical background and sharp instincts, Francisco has been pivotal in backing startups pushing the boundaries of biotech and healthcare innovation.

Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:

• 00:48 Introduction to Driving Alpha

• 01:18 Meet Francisco Gimenez: A Journey from Academia to Venture Capital

• 02:45 Francisco's Early Career and Academic Background

• 04:02 Joining Formation Eight and Transition to 8VC

• 06:18 Investing in Visionary Founders and Unique Companies

• 08:26 Challenges and Insights in Deep Tech and Biotech Investing

• 12:15 The Importance of Problem-Oriented Founders

• 19:51 Exciting Companies and Future Prospects

• 20:41 Engineering Principles in Biologics

• 22:26 Innovative Cell Biology Tools

• 23:36 Biological Foundation Models and AI

• 24:52 VC Perspective on Biotech and Pharma

• 26:00 Challenges in Biotech Innovation

• 33:50 NIH Funding and Indirect Costs

• 39:13 Advice for Aspiring VCs and Founders

• 42:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode,

Francisco unpacks how he spots the kinds of biotech companies others overlook, those "end-of-one" startups tackling massively complex problems with groundbreaking approaches. He explains why he focuses on founders driven by a deep obsession with solving difficult problems, rather than chasing trends or easy wins.

The discussion explores the future of biotech, with insights into companies like Big Hat Biosciences and Seleno Therapeutics, pioneers at the intersection of AI and biology. Francisco explains why applying engineering and iterative design principles to the life sciences is unlocking new frontiers in drug development. He also offers his take on NIH funding controversies and shares why decentralized biotech innovation could spark the next wave of transformative therapies.

What if AI could predict which founders will build billion-dollar companies? Ben Orthlieb, co-founder of Blue Moon, is doing just that, using AI and behavioral science to consistently outperform even the top VC firms. With roots at LinkedIn and Emergence, Ben brings a rigorous, founder-first model to seed investing.

Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:

• 00:00 Intro to Driving Alpha

• 00:41 Meet Ben Orthlieb of Blue Moon

• 01:20 Why "2.12" wasn't working—and how "Blue Moon" captures their true identity

• 02:05 The meaning behind both names—and what they signal to founders

• 03:45 Ben's origin story: building a new kind of VC from first principles

• 05:30 Why traditional VC falls short—and how Blue Moon is breaking the mold with AI

• 10:45 Graduation rates as the ultimate seed-stage performance metric

• 12:00 How Blue Moon wins deals with small checks and a founder-first approach

• 20:20 Meet Agatha and Da Vinci: the AI agents powering Blue Moon's edge

• 23:05 Strategic collaborations and the expanding Blue Moon network

• 26:50 What's next for Blue Moon—and how to engage as a founder, VC, or LP

In this episode,

Ben reveals how Blue Moon evaluates over 9,000 startups a year using their proprietary AI agents, Agatha and Da Vinci, to uncover the top 300 teams with the highest potential. The firm's two-meeting investment process, rooted in deep founder analysis and cutting-edge tech, allows Blue Moon to move faster and smarter than traditional firms, achieving seed-to-Series A graduation rates nearly 3x higher than the market.

We also explore why the firm rebranded from 2.12 to Blue Moon, the psychology behind founder decision-making, and how their tools give them a near-unfair advantage in sourcing, vetting, and supporting startups. If you're a founder, VC, or LP curious about the future of venture capital, this conversation is a must-listen.

What if the key to outsized venture returns isn't just a great idea but the unshakable resilience of the founder behind it? Jonathan Taylor and Brice Penaud of Water Bear Ventures believe grit is the ultimate differentiator, and they've built a fund around finding it.

Jonathan brings years of experience driving strategic outcomes in venture, while Brice draws on a behavioral science background to decode the mindset of top-tier founders.

Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:

• 00:00 Introduction to Driving Alpha

• 00:43 Meet the Water Bear Team

• 02:15 The Origin of Water Bear Ventures

• 05:29 Defining Exponential Value

• 08:19 Art Meets Science in Early-Stage Investing

• 11:06 Building Relationships and Measuring Grit

• 16:44 Hunting Grounds for Gritty Founders

• 18:40 Involvement Beyond Capital

• 23:14 Lessons from Fund One and Plans for Fund Two

• 32:49 Optimizing LP Relationships

• 37:52 Future Vision for Water Bear Ventures

• 40:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode,

Host Sam Silvershein sits down with the Water Bear Ventures team to explore how they invest in adaptability, grit, and long-term value creation at the earliest stages. From the origins of their firm's name to the behavioral cues they use to identify resilient founders, Jonathan and Brice reveal the real mechanics of building a differentiated early-stage portfolio.

You'll hear how Water Bear's founder-first, anti-hype approach helped them outperform with Fund I and how those lessons are shaping their strategy for Fund II. They also break down how they build trust with LPs, support founders beyond capital, and maintain focus in a landscape full of distractions. If you want a deeper understanding of what makes early-stage investing work, this conversation delivers.