In this episode of ICONS, Jeff Evans—co-founder of Mantis VC—reveals how he teamed up with The Chainsmokers to build one of the most founder-loved funds in tech.🎙 From backing Underdog Fantasy pre-product to the 4 traits Jeff looks for in every great founder, this conversation is a masterclass for:First-time VCsFounders raising capitalBuilders looking for an edge🔥 What we cover:– How Mantis raised $100M during COVID lockdowns, including from Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon– Why “the founder, the founder, the founder” is Jeff’s golden rule– The real reason top founders let Mantis on their cap table– What it takes to lead, inspire, and actually execute– Lessons from hiring, failing, and sprinting before your feet hit the ground📌 If you're building a startup or fund, this is required listening.Subscribe for more unfiltered insights from icons in tech, investing, and culture.Visit us at iconscommunities.com

🔥 PREMIERE EPISODE: Emmett Shear Breaks His SilenceThe ICONS Podcast launches with an unprecedented conversation: Emmett Shear — Interim OpenAI CEO, Twitch founder, and YC visionary — speaks publicly for the first time about what really happened during his time at OpenAI. Don’t miss this rare, unfiltered interview with one of tech’s most elusive leaders.About ICONS: Iconscommunities.comRare, unfiltered conversation you won’t find anywhere else. The ICONS Podcast is where the next generation of visionaries gets mentored by icons — from Emmett Shear (OpenAI, Twitch) to Connie Chan (a16z), Jeremy Liew (Lightspeed), and Bing Chen (Gold House). Season 1 launches now!Please subscribe! https://becreatives.co/ (CODE Icons for $150 off) https://aiify.io/ (CODE Icons for up to 50% off event tickets)https://www.foundersbay.com/