The path from athlete to entrepreneur to investor is paved with hard-won wisdom that few possess. Chris Van Dusen, Senior Partner at Sully Coy Capital, embodies this journey—transforming a career-ending baseball injury into the foundation for entrepreneurial success and eventually becoming a sought-after venture capitalist specializing in sports technology.

What separates successful founders from the rest? According to Chris, it's not just about great ideas but resilience in the face of setbacks. Drawing parallels between athletic discipline and entrepreneurial grit, he shares candid insights about the romanticized versus realistic nature of building companies. "Everyone talks about exits, but nobody discusses the graveyard of failed ventures behind each success," Chris reveals, acknowledging his own eight failures behind three successful exits.

His investment philosophy focuses on companies with proven product-market fit ready for strategic growth capital. We dive deep into FluidLogic, a revolutionary hydration technology originally developed for motorsports that's now expanding into military and industrial applications. The company exemplifies what Chris looks for—innovative solutions to fundamental problems with applications across multiple verticals.

For founders seeking investment, Chris offers rare transparency about the venture process, explaining why cold pitches rarely succeed and how relationship networks drive the best deals. He emphasizes the critical difference between "just needing money" and finding strategic partners who bring industry expertise and connections that accelerate growth far beyond what capital alone provides.

Perhaps most valuable is his direct advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: "Just start." Understanding the difference between low-risk "two-way doors" where you can experiment versus high-commitment "one-way doors" like taking outside investment could save countless founders from premature failure. Focus on dominating one market before expanding, and recognize when your company needs visionary leadership versus operational management.

Ready to build something meaningful? Listen now to gain insights that might just transform your entrepreneurial journey.

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