Money Moves with Neil Devani

In this episode of Money Moves, Neil Devani sits down with Ariana Thacker, a venture capitalist turned entrepreneur, to discuss her journey from launching a VC firm to founding MoldCo, a healthcare startup tackling mold-related illnesses. 

Ariana shares the highs and lows of raising her first fund, her relentless hustle to secure investors, and the lessons she learned from hundreds of rejections. She also provides insights into her investment selection process, the common mistakes she’s seen founders make, and how she pivoted from venture capital to launching a mission-driven company.

Ariana’s transition to MoldCo was deeply personal—born from her own health struggles caused by toxic mold exposure. She details the extensive research that led her to understand the market opportunity, the scientific gaps in mold illness treatment, and the challenges of building a healthcare company from the ground up. From navigating funding rounds to assembling a top-tier team, Ariana’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and deep conviction in solving an overlooked health crisis.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• The relentless process of raising a first-time VC fund and overcoming investor rejections.
• How to refine and iterate on a pitch for better success rates.
• The personal health crisis that led Ariana to found MoldCo.
• The challenges of diagnosing and treating mold-related illnesses.
• The transition from venture capitalist to healthcare entrepreneur and lessons learned.

Connect with Ariana Thacker:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/arianadthacker/

In this episode of Money Moves, Neil talks with Malcolm Robinson, an investor with a remarkable career spanning multiple asset classes, geographies, and market cycles. Malcolm talks about his journey from discovering his passion for investing in college to leading billion-dollar funds in Asia. He offers invaluable insights on raising capital, navigating venture capital and private equity, and the key differences in investment strategies across asset classes. Malcolm also discusses the importance of building trust and competence when fundraising, the lessons he learned from scaling a fund from $20 million to over $5 billion, and his commitment to training the next generation of investors through his work with BVCC. 

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• Malcolm’s early experiences and how he got into investing
• The evolution of his career across private credit, hedge funds, and venture capital
• Key fundraising lessons, including how he secured a $200M institutional LP
• The differences between venture capital, private equity, and private credit investment strategies
• The importance of mentorship and training the next generation of investors

Connect with Malcolm Robinson:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/malcolm-robinson-81a225156/

This week’s episode of Money Moves is not to be missed. Host Neil Devani gets to know Shahram Seyedin-Noor, founder of Civilization Ventures. Shahram shares his evolution from a Harvard-trained lawyer to a biotech entrepreneur and successful venture capitalist. He reflects on the unique challenges and opportunities in the life sciences sector, recounts the lessons learned while raising multiple funds, and offers valuable and encouraging advice to investors and founders. From raising his first $1 million fund to managing over $150 million today, Shahram’s story is a testament to resilience, strategic thinking, and embracing mentorship. 

The discussion highlights game-changing biotech innovations, integral lessons in fundraising, and the importance of maintaining humility and gratitude in high-stakes industries.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• Shahram's journey from law and banking to biotech entrepreneurship and venture capital.
• The story behind his first fund and how it evolved into Civilization Ventures.
• Key lessons in fundraising, including the importance of iteration and storytelling.
• Transformative innovations in biotech and the convergence of AI and biology.
• Advice for founders on building investor relationships and crafting compelling pitches.

Connect with Shahram Seyedin-Noor:

Shahram Seyedin-Noor - Civilization Ventures | LinkedIn

In this episode of Money Moves, Neil talks with Jeff Seibert, and a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, to share his incredible journey from building startups to angel investing in over 100 companies. 

Jeff takes listeners back to the sixth grade when he developed his passion for coding, how he co-founded and sold Crashlytics to Twitter for over $100 million, the valuable lessons learned from raising capital and scaling businesses to his most recently founded company, Digits. 

He reveals his approach to product development, which for Digits involved learning everything possible about accounting, the importance of long-term thinking, and the role of strategic partnerships for startup success. Jeff also offers insights into his transition into angel investing, sharing key principles he looks for in founders and startups. 

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• Jeff Seibert’s journey from childhood entrepreneurship to Stanford and Silicon Valley.
• His key ingredient for his startup ideas: solving problems he experiences.
• The founding and acquisition of Crashlytics by Twitter and lessons learned.
• The psychology behind fundraising and building investor relationships.
• Details on how he built Digits.
• His involvement in two documentaries: The Social Dilemma and Chasing Coral.
• Jeff’s angel investing strategy and key factors he looks for in startups.
• Insights into the impact of AI, social media, and ethics in tech innovation.

Connect with Jeff:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jseibert/

In this episode of Money Moves, Neil talks with Shruti Gandhi, a seasoned venture capitalist with a background in engineering and entrepreneurship. Shruti shares her path beginning with immigrating to the U.S. in 1999 through founding her own VC firm. Shruti worked at IBM prior to leading venture funds. She provides invaluable insights into transitioning from engineering to entrepreneurship, navigating the complexities of raising a venture fund, and supporting immigrant founders who have transformed their lives and businesses. 

Shruti discusses what sets great founders apart, the nuances of decision-making, and the lessons she's learned from both successes and failures in venture capital. 

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• Shruti's journey from engineering to venture capital and starting her own fund.
• Challenges of raising a venture fund as a solo GP, especially as an immigrant.
• Key traits of successful founders and the importance of decision-making.
• Stories of investments that succeeded, including Placer.AI, and lessons from failures.
• Strategies for networking, fundraising, and building credibility in Silicon Valley.

Connect with Shruti Gandhi:

Shruti Gandhi - San Francisco, California, United States | Professional Profile | LinkedIn

In this episode of Money Moves, Neil interviews Danielle Strachman, co-founder of 1517 Fund and a trailblazer in venture capital, to explore her journey from founding a charter school to launching a venture firm rooted in supporting nontraditional entrepreneurs. 

Danielle shares the story and excitement behind her successful investments, including Luminar Technologies and Loom, as well as her experience with Peter Thiel’s fellowship program, which inspired 1517’s focus on dropout founders and frontier tech. 

Danielle discusses the challenges and rewards of raising venture capital funds, adapting to market shifts such as the downturn in 2008, and fostering innovation outside traditional academic and corporate systems. Danielle’s candid insights on team dynamics, founder resilience, and the importance of personal motivation make this episode a must-listen for anyone navigating the startup ecosystem.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• The origins of 1517 Fund and its mission to support dropout founders and frontier tech
• Key lessons learned from early investments in companies like Luminar Technologies and Loom
• The journey from starting a charter school, to supporting the Thiel Fellowship and then on to starting 1517
• Challenges in raising venture capital for young, unproven founders
• The importance of founder motivation, wonder, and team dynamics in building scalable businesses

Connect with Danielle Strachman:

Danielle Strachman - San Francisco Bay Area | Professional Profile | LinkedIn

In this episode of Money Moves, Neil sits down with David Rusenko, the founder of Weebly and seasoned venture investor, to discuss his journey from launching a company in his college dorm to successfully navigating a $365 million acquisition by Square (now a part of Block, Inc.). David shares invaluable lessons on raising capital, finding product-market fit, and building capital-efficient businesses. 

They explore the dynamics of Weebly’s early days, its strategic growth amidst fierce competition, and the cultural nuances of integrating into a larger public company post-acquisition. 

David also offers insights into his transition to investing, the principles guiding his firm Leap Forward Ventures, and his approach to identifying exceptional founders and opportunities in the climate tech space. 

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• Strategies for raising capital and ensuring efficient use of funds.
• Weebly’s journey to product-market fit and capital-efficient scaling.
• Lessons learned from integrating with Square post-acquisition.
• The evolution of David’s investment thesis and his focus on climate tech.
• Insights on identifying and supporting exceptional founders.

Connect with David Rusenko:

David Rusenko - Leap Forward Ventures | LinkedIn

In this episode of Money Moves, we sit down with Tara Viswanathan, co-founder of Rupa Health, to explore her journey from startup founder to health tech innovator. Tara brings a unique perspective on building a memorable company culture, sharing how costumes, humor, and spontaneity have helped shape Rupa’s identity and connected with audiences in unexpected ways. She explains how these personal touches became central to the Rupa Health brand, even influencing how they stood out at industry conferences.

We also dive into Tara’s unconventional approach to fundraising, discussing her path from the early pre-seed days through Rupa’s successful Series A. Tara shares insights into managing and connecting with remote teams, the process of achieving product-market fit just before the onset of COVID-19, and how personal brand-building has been a powerful asset for recruiting top talent. 

In the final part of the episode, Tara reflects on the decision to sell Rupa Health, sharing the strategic considerations that went into making this choice for her team and the company’s future. Tara’s story is packed with actionable advice, making this episode a masterclass in navigating the highs and lows of the startup world.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• Building company culture through costumes, humor, and spontaneity
• Key fundraising strategies: from the early pre-seed days to a successful Series A
• Tara’s approach to finding product-market fit in a challenging health tech market
• The importance of personal brand-building and direct sales in recruiting top talent
• Decision-making around acquisitions and planning for the next chapter

Connect with Tara Viswanathan:

Tara Viswanathan - San Francisco, California, United States | Professional Profile | LinkedIn

In this replay episode of Money Moves, we sit down with Jay Desai, an experienced entrepreneur and investor, to delve into his journey of building PatientPing, a healthcare coordination platform, and navigating the challenges of fundraising. Jay shares the pivotal moments that defined his role as CEO, including the creation of a "user guide" for working with him, which helped him align expectations and set a clear vision for his team. 

He reflects on the process of raising venture capital, securing early customers, and scaling his company, ultimately leading to a successful exit. Jay also provides insights on the healthcare tech industry, his lessons learned from working with investors like Bill Gurley, and his transition into angel investing post-exit. 

This conversation offers invaluable advice for entrepreneurs at any stage, from building a product to achieving market dominance and facing the realities of startup exits. Whether you're a founder, investor, or curious about healthcare innovation, Jay’s experiences provide actionable takeaways and inspiration.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• The creation of a "user guide" to working with Jay as a CEO
• Building and scaling PatientPing, a healthcare coordination platform
• Key lessons from raising venture capital and pitching investors
• Navigating competition and market leadership in health tech
• Transitioning to angel investing and the future of health tech

Connect with Jay Desai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdesai01/

Connect with Kesar Varma: Kesar Varma - Upfront Ventures | LinkedIn

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:

Ben Freeberg - Oncology Ventures | LinkedIn