In this episode of Money Moves, host Neil Devani talks with Ashwin Pushpala about his entrepreneurial journey from founding a medtech startup to his current role as an investor at Eclipse Ventures. Ashwin shares how early entrepreneurial experiences, like stringing tennis rackets in high school, evolved into a career focused on solving real-world medical challenges. He discusses building his company around non-invasive glucose monitoring technology, raising nearly $40 million despite significant hurdles, and eventually exiting through an acquisition by One Drop. 

Ashwin reflects on lessons from pitching investors, handling rejection, and trusting his instincts. Finally, he dives into his work at Eclipse, explaining how the firm incubates and invests in companies that innovate across the physical industries, emphasizing how experience, networks, and structured early validation can accelerate founder success.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Ashwin’s early entrepreneurial experiences and his fascination with medical devices
• Founding and scaling a company focused on non-invasive glucose monitoring technology
• The challenges and strategies of raising venture capital without traditional revenue milestones
• Lessons learned from pitching investors — including best and worst pitch moments
• Transition to investing with Eclipse Ventures and their thesis-driven, industry-focused approach
• How Eclipse's incubation process helps founders build faster with stronger validation and networks

Connect with Ashwin Pushpala: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashwinpushpala/

Connect with host Neil Devani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neildevani/

For more information on Necessary Ventures, visit the website at:

https://www.necessary.vc/

In this episode of Money Moves, we dive into the intricacies of venture capital, honest investing, and the importance of transparency in fundraising. Join Neil Devani, founder of Necessary Ventures, as he engages with Tara Roth and Minnie Ingersoll, experienced investors with decades of expertise across VC, startups, and angel investing. Together, they explore the impact of integrity and authenticity in business, how to align investments with values, and why truly understanding a company's fundamentals matters.

Tara and Minnie share insights on having strong partnerships, how they assess potential investments, and what they look for in founders while discussing the importance of lifting underrepresented voices and supporting women-led ventures. They address the misconceptions women often face in venture capital and leadership roles, offering invaluable advice to those entering these spaces. From debunking myths about startup culture to emphasizing the long-term benefits of transparent communication, Minnie and Tara reveal how women are reshaping the VC landscape with their distinct approaches to investment, teamwork, and leadership and offer invaluable advice to founders and aspiring investors alike. 

Whether you're in the early stages of building a company or interested in how VCs make decisions, this episode is packed with lessons on growth, risk, and the true value of trust in business.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• The role of transparency and direct communication in successful investing.
• Addressing double standards and breaking stereotypes in venture capital.
• The importance of values alignment in venture capital and partnerships.
• How early experiences and mistakes shape professional growth.
• Navigating difficult business moments, including hiring, firing, and scaling.
• Balancing passion and pragmatism in high-stakes investment decisions.

Connect with Tara Roth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-roth-26a3a4/

Connect with Minnie Ingersoll: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mingersoll/

Connect with host Neil Devani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neildevani/

For more information on Necessary Ventures, visit the website at: https://www.necessary.vc/ 

This week on Money Moves, Neil chats with Ben Freeberg, the founder of Oncology Ventures, a venture fund dedicated to driving innovation in the oncology space. They discuss Ben’s journey from cancer survivor to founder, exploring his personal motivations, industry insights, and the challenges of building a specialized fund. 

Ben shares his unique approach to identifying and investing in groundbreaking startups that aim to improve cancer care and research, offering invaluable advice for founders and first-time fund managers.

This episode also highlights the mechanics of fundraising, including Ben’s experience closing an oversubscribed $30 million fund, strategies for building a compelling pitch, and navigating the complexities of the healthcare industry. This episode offers an inspiring and educational deep dive into the world of oncology-focused innovation.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• Ben’s journey from cancer survivor to founding Oncology Ventures.
• Strategies for pitching to VCs and understanding what investors want.
• The nuances of fundraising as a solo GP in a specialized sector.
• The importance of building a strong network in the venture capital ecosystem.
• Tips for founders on preparing for commercialization and market entry.

Connect with Ben Freeberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-freeberg/

Connect with host Neil Devani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neildevani/

For more information on Necessary Ventures, visit the website at: https://www.necessary.vc/

In this episode of "Money Moves," host Neil Devani speaks with Mike Dempsey, Managing Partner at Compound, and Kesar Varma from Upfront Ventures about the unique strategies and philosophies behind Compound’s investment approach. The discussion covers the firm's commitment to research-centric, thesis-driven investing in high-risk, high-reward sectors like AI, robotics, biotech, and crypto. 

Mike shares insights into the evolution of their investment strategy, particularly in the crypto space, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining conviction during market cycles. 

The conversation also delves into the differences between Compound’s first two funds, their thoughts on portfolio construction, and the importance of challenging traditional venture capital practices to optimize returns. The episode offers a deep dive into how Compound identifies and evaluates emerging investment opportunities and the importance of aligning investments with the firm’s long-term vision.

Key topics discussed in the episode:

• Compound’s Investment Philosophy: Research-centric, thesis-driven approach focusing on emerging, high-risk sectors like AI, robotics, biotech, and crypto.
• Evolution of Crypto Investments: The journey from early speculative investments to a more structured strategy in the crypto space and managing through market cycles.
• Fund Management and Portfolio Strategy: Differences between Compound’s first and second funds, including portfolio construction, check sizes, and the strategic focus on capital concentration.
• Challenging Traditional Venture Capital Practices: Critique of common VC practices such as pattern matching and the emphasis on larger fund sizes, advocating for a more thoughtful, customized approach.
• Identifying Emerging Opportunities: The process of researching and identifying new investment opportunities through deep academic research and market immersion, with examples like their investment in AI startup Runway.

Connect with Mike Dempsey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhdempsey/. 

Connect with Kesar Varma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kesar-varma-278a0b1aa/.

Connect with host Neil Devani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neildevani/.

For more information on Necessary Ventures, visit the website at: https://www.necessary.vc/.

In this episode of Money Moves, host Neil Devani speaks with real estate investor and CEO of Westlake, Kristina Chang. Kristina describes her journey from interning at a shopping center REIT to running and expanding her family’s real estate business. She explains how she integrates institutional discipline into a family-run operation, detailing her approach to acquisitions—especially in niche areas like self-storage and industrial outdoor storage—and emphasizing how meticulous execution is often as critical as the initial buy. 

Kristina also candidly recalls her best and worst deals, illustrating the importance of attention to detail, and outlines the ways she and her firm raise money, diversify risk, and plan exits. Finally, she offers insights into structuring personal portfolios, stressing that real estate can provide valuable yield alongside other alternative assets.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• Transitioning to Real Estate: Kristina recounts her early exposure to her family’s real estate business and subsequent experience at institutional firms, highlighting how this background shaped her investment style.
  
  
• Finding Alpha in Different Sub-Asset Classes: She discusses how she looks for alpha in areas like self-storage and industrial outdoor storage and the importance of monitoring where institutions are starting to place their capital.
  
  
• Importance of Operational Excellence: Beyond just buying properties at the right price, Kristina underscores effective asset management and execution as vital to realizing strong returns.
  
  
• Best and Worst Deals: She shares the story of a self-storage project in Sacramento that surpassed expectations after initial struggles, as well as a street-retail property in San Mateo where a critical miscalculation led to a lackluster outcome.
  
  
• Fundraising and Alignment: Kristina reflects on raising outside capital for the first time, the value of having her own “skin in the game,” and how appropriate GP/LP alignment is essential for successful partnerships.                

• Portfolio Strategy and Tax Efficiency: She advises entrepreneurial investors on allocating across real estate and other alternatives, noting how depreciation, 1031 exchanges, and real estate professional tax status can be powerful levers for optimizing returns.                                                                        

Connect with Kristina Chang: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-chang-044b639/.

Connect with host Neil Devani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neildevani/.

For more information on Necessary Ventures, visit the website at: https://www.necessary.vc/.

REPLAY - Raising $900 Million to Build a Business in Agtech: Want to know how this entrepreneur disrupted agriculture and built a successful business?

In this episode of Money Moves, Neil Devani interviews Amol Deshpande, an entrepreneur and venture capitalist who co-founded Farmer's Business Network (FBN) and was the first investor in Beyond Meat. They discuss Amol's experiences raising $900 million for FBN, his early involvement with Beyond Meat, and insights on investing and scaling companies.

Highlighted Topics:

- Investing in Breakthrough Ideas: Amol discusses his investment in Beyond Meat when it was just an idea in a lab. He emphasizes the importance of betting on breakthrough technologies and the flexibility required in investment strategies.

- Shifting Venture Capital Models: The episode explores how venture capital has evolved, with a shift from risk-taking on early-stage, high-potential ideas to a more conservative, "venture analyst" model.

- Disrupting Traditional Industries: Amol shares his experience disrupting agriculture through FBN, discussing the challenges of breaking into an industry dominated by monopolies and entrenched players.

- Challenges in AgTech and Beyond Meat: Amol reflects on the promise of plant-based and cellular meats, expressing skepticism about their long-term impact and viability despite Beyond Meat's initial success.

- Advice for Entrepreneurs: Practical tips on raising funds, emphasizing the importance of waiting until you have customers and metrics before pitching to investors.

Connect with Amol on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amol-deshpande-2364b81/

Connect with host Neil Devani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neildevani/

For more information on Necessary Ventures, visit the website at: https://www.necessary.vc/

Want to support this podcast? Leave us a review on iTunes and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

In this episode of Money Moves, the host is joined by Mitch Lee, Co-Founder and CEO of Arc Boats, along with Rob Ryan, to discuss their experiences with startups, product development, and the challenges of raising capital. Mitch reflects on his journey from Clinkle to Penny and now Arc Boats, sharing valuable insights on executing business ideas, navigating venture capital, and the importance of solid execution over hype.

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

- Early Fundraising and the Clinkle Experience: Mitch and Rob share their first experiences raising capital during their time at Clinkle, emphasizing the importance of social proof and storytelling in convincing investors like Peter Thiel to invest. 

- Penny: A Product-First Approach and Learning Curve: Mitch discusses his time at Penny, a personal finance app, where they focused on creating a product-driven company. He acknowledges the difficulties of monetizing and scaling Penny, which ultimately led to an acquisition by Credit Karma. 

- Execution-Driven Fundraising at Arc Boats: At Arc Boats, Mitch and his Co-Founder Ryan shifted their approach, focusing on aggressive execution and speed. Their background in hardware engineering, particularly from SpaceX, allowed them to build electric boats quickly, which impressed investors. 

- Challenges of Raising Capital in Different Market Environments: Mitch reflects on how the venture capital environment has changed from 2015 to 2021, especially as the market peaked and then hit a downturn. 

- Staying Focused Amid Hype Cycles: Mitch emphasizes the importance of focusing on execution rather than getting distracted by hype cycles like crypto and NFTs. 

Connect with Mitch Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchjlee

Connect with Rob Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robtheryan/

Connect with host Neil Devani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neildevani/

For more information on Necessary Ventures, visit the website at: https://www.necessary.vc/

In this episode of Money Moves, Neil talks with Gene Munster, co-founder and managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management. Gene shares his path from his 20-year career as a top Wall Street analyst, best known for his coverage of Apple, to launching his own venture firm. Gene opens up about the emotional shift from a stable career to the high-stakes world of venture capital, including what it felt like to walk into the office on day one knowing the weight of building something new was entirely on his shoulders.

Gene discusses what it took to raise Deepwater’s first fund, how his reputation and network helped—and sometimes hurt—during fundraising, and why turning a career into a calling has been the most rewarding part of his professional life. He also dives into the qualities he looks for in what he calls “alien founders,” the small percentage of founders who combine extraordinary vision, resilience, and communication skills to create venture-scale outcomes.

Throughout the conversation, Gene shares lessons from both his biggest wins—like Masterworks and Invisible—and the painful investments where things didn’t go as planned. Whether you’re a founder raising capital, an investor refining your approach, or someone curious about how venture capital really works, Gene’s insights and candid reflections offer an inside look at the realities of building a venture firm and backing world-changing companies.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• Gene’s journey from Wall Street analyst to venture capital founder.
• What it took to raise Deepwater’s first fund and lessons from fund 2.
• How Deepwater identifies and invests in “alien founders.”
• Hard lessons from investments that went wrong, including cases of fraud.
• The importance of culture, transparency, and excellence in building a firm.

Connect with Gene Munster: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gene-munster-0710439/

Connect with host Neil Devani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neildevani/

For more information on Necessary Ventures, visit the website at: https://www.necessary.vc/

Want to support this podcast? Leave us a review on iTunes and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

In this episode of Money Moves, host Neil Devani interviews Charles Fisher, founder of Unlearn, an AI-driven company revolutionizing clinical trials. Charles discusses his recent transition from CEO to Chief Scientific Officer to focus on his passion for scientific research. He delves into the origins of Unlearn, the challenges of raising venture capital for deep tech startups, and emphasizes the need for ambitious, world-changing ideas over incremental innovations. Charles also shares candid insights on hiring practices, team building, and his critical views on traditional management structures. The episode concludes with a lightning round where Charles answers personal questions about his preferences and career highlights.

Topics Discussed:

- Transition from CEO to Chief Scientific Officer: Charles's decision to focus on his passion for science and the timing of this move.

- Origins and Evolution of Unlearn: The company's shift from general AI research to specializing in clinical trials using generative models.

- Challenges in Raising Venture Capital: Difficulties faced during seed funding and the importance of building relationships with investors.

- Emphasis on Ambitious Innovation: Critique of incremental technologies and a call for solutions that fundamentally change the world.

- Hiring Practices and Team Building: Lessons learned in hiring, the importance of attitude over credentials, and views on minimizing management layers.

- Personal Insights in Lightning Round: Charles discusses his favorite food (Soylent), his decision to stay out of politics this election cycle, the best moment of his career (publishing his first scientific paper), and acknowledges his academic advisors as the most influential people in his career.

Connect with Charles:

Charles Fisher - Unlearn.AI | LinkedIn

In this episode of Money Moves, host Neil Devani sits down with Mike, a seasoned investor and entrepreneur, to discuss his journey from institutional investing to launching his own venture firm, Also Capital. Mike shares his early career experiences, starting at the Soros Family Office and later working at the Cornell Endowment, where he gained deep insights into different asset classes and investment strategies. He reflects on the pivotal moments that led him to take the leap into entrepreneurship, co-founding a hard-tech startup, and ultimately transitioning into venture capital to support other deep-tech founders.

The conversation dives into the challenges of raising capital in deep tech, the importance of resilience in fundraising, and how identifying world-class talent is the key to successful investing. Mike provides practical advice on pitching investors, navigating early-stage funding, and building strong founder-investor relationships. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, an investor, or someone interested in the future of deep-tech innovation, this episode offers invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of venture capital and entrepreneurship.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• Mike’s transition from institutional investing to entrepreneurship and venture capital
• The challenges of raising capital in deep-tech startups
• Key lessons on pitching investors and building resilience in fundraising
• How to identify and support top-tier engineering talent in hard-tech industries
• The future of deep-tech investing and how Also Capital is shaping the space

Connect with Mike Annunziata:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-annunziata-12853bb/