What makes a great angel investor - and how do you build a startup funding ecosystem from scratch?

In this episode of Sound Investments, Ed Barker talks with John Sechrest, Managing Director of the Seattle Angel Conference, about the mechanics of early-stage investing and what it takes to create a thriving investor community.

John breaks down the difference between funding a project and funding a business, why accountability matters more than hype, and how the Seattle Angel Conference trains new investors while connecting them to founders ready to grow. They also discuss how the model is expanding beyond Seattle and what it would take to design the ideal angel investment system for the next generation of startups.

Takeaways:

• The fundamentals of angel investing - what new investors get wrong and how to start smart
• How the Seattle Angel Conference works: training, syndication, and investor collaboration
• The difference between investing in a business vs. a project
• What makes a strong lead investor and how to run effective due diligence
• How angel investing builds startup ecosystems beyond the check itself
• The future of angel networks and how policy could accelerate local investment

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:21 John’s Journey to Angel Investing

04:16 How Seattle Angel Conference Works

07:22 Building Angel Investment Infrastructure

11:06 The State of Angel Investing in Seattle

13:27 Expanding Beyond Seattle

16:57 What Makes a Good Lead Angel

18:08 What Companies Succeed Through the Program

22:53 Advice for Aspiring Angel Investors

31:19 Designing the Ideal Investment System

37:18 Government Funding and Tax Incentives

40:31 Future Vision for Seattle Angel Conference

43:00 Busting Angel Investing Myths

44:59 Close

About Your Host

Ed Barker has enjoyed a weird and varied career. Ed is a Brit now resident in Seattle and has founded three startups, enjoyed a long career in corporate strategy, and most recently as a VC. He's now building a podcast production company, Studio 1878. Sound Investments is a modest attempt to shine some light on the fantastic work being done in the Pacific Northwest entrepreneurial community.

John Sechrest, Managing Partner, Seattle Angel Conference

Sierra leads strategy, investment, and commercialization for frontier technologies including quantum computing, AI, and next-generation infrastructure. Her career spans Microsoft, EY, and global blockchain startups, where she built programs in ecosystem development, go-to-market strategy, and emerging tech adoption. A graduate of Columbia University, Sierra combines corporate experience with startup execution to bridge the gap between research breakthroughs and real-world revenue. She is also an active mentor and speaker on critical technology, innovation ecosystems, and the future of deep tech in the Pacific Northwest.

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