Sarah Romanko, an investor at Geek Ventures, shares her unconventional journey from real estate to venture capital — a path that involved leaving a stable job, moving back home with her parents, and taking a leap with no Plan B. She and host Chris Hines dive deep into how VCs are using AI tools like Claude to automate workflows, what green flags she looks for in founders, why asking for an NDA is a red flag, and how founders can stand out through research, creativity, and genuine relationship-building.

Check out Taku at https://Taku.ai

00:00 Introduction
00:26 Sarah's Journey into VC
002:58 The VC Mindset
04:06 Using AI as a VC
06:02AI Workflows in Practice
10:09 Building a Brand Presence
12:02 Green Flags in Founders
14:55 The NDA Problem
17:25 Research & Outreach
19:27 Building Real Relationships
23:25 What's Next for Sarah
25:05 How to Reach Sarah

Chris sits down with Marcos Gonzalez, founding partner of Vamos Ventures, to pull back the curtain on what it's really like to run a venture capital fund. Marcos shares why being a VC is less about writing checks and more about building a business — from fundraising and compliance to team development and strategy. He breaks down exactly what separates the 5% of founders who get a yes from the 95% who don't, the green flags and red flags he looks for during diligence, and why curiosity might be the most underrated trait in a founder.

They also dig into how content creation can be a "cheat code" for founders to get discovered by investors, the origin story of Vamos Ventures as the first Latinx-led VC fund, and Marcos's most recent investment in Arbor Energy — a company founded by SpaceX alumni that he believes could return the entire fund.

If you're a founder raising capital or an investor looking to build with more empathy and intentionality, this one's for you.

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00:00 Intro

00:34 Running a Fund is Running a Business

04:29 The 5% That Get a Yes: How Marcos Evaluates Founders

08:52 Green Flags & Red Flags in Founders

10:34 Content as a Cheat Code for Founder Discover

13:01 The Origin Story: Building the First Latinx-Led VC Fund

17:53 Anti-Portfolios, Arbor Energy and SpaceX Alumni

22:35 How Founders Can Reach Vamos Ventures

In this episode, host Chris sits down with Adam Spector — four-time founder, 200+ startup investor, and CEO of Chore — to talk about the future of money, what it really means to build a startup, and why founders are their own worst enemy.

Adam Spector, Founder & CEO of Chore, a back-office operations service that handles HR, finance, and compliance so founders can focus on growth. Adam has made 200+ early-stage investments and brings a rare dual perspective as both an active founder and investor.

Chapters

Key Takeaways

Three red flags Adam watches for in founders:

Resources & Mentions

• Chore — getchore.com

Connect with Adam Spector

Explore Matt Wilson’s transition from entrepreneur to investor, his key pivots, and lessons learned along the way. Discover how his diverse experiences and continuous learning shape his approach to venture funding and founder support.

00:00 - Introduction to Matt Wilson and his investor journey

00:14 - Early entrepreneurial ventures, from CDs to candy sales

00:48 - Transitioning from founder to active investor after selling his first company

01:22 - The typical startup founder journey and early habits

02:07 - Pivot points: From startup founder to angel investor and VC

02:49 - Building a network for startup funding and deal sourcing

03:43 - Creating deals and deal memos, becoming a super connector

04:34 - Launching Allied VC during the pandemic and investment milestones

05:27 - How an MBA helped fill knowledge gaps in investing

06:39 - The importance of continuous learning for investors and Warren Buffett's example

08:20 - Exciting recent deal: Bhavovna AI and its pivot during the Ukraine war

09:41 - The strategic pivot from med tech to defense tech and its implications

12:13 - The story of missed investment opportunities like Spotify and lessons learned

13:23 - The value of learning from missed deals and previous successes like Pinterest and Lyft

14:25 - The importance of founder mindset: green flags in entrepreneurs

15:06 - Building with minimal resources and scrappy startups

17:21 - Cap table messes and their impact on investment readiness

19:03 - Preparing startups for future fundraises and scaling strategies

21:45 - Advice for first-time fundraisers and negotiations during market cycles

23:10 - The critical role of data privacy and proprietary information in AI ventures

24:13 - How industry giants are competing by leveraging data moats

Building Diversity and Visibility in Venture Capital: An Inside Look with Henri Pierre-Jacques of Harlem CapitalIn this episode, Henri Pierre-Jacques shares how Harlem Capital is shaping the future of venture investing through strategic content, inclusive hiring, and unique founder selection. Discover how their focus on visibility, authentic storytelling, and long-term relationships is redefining industry standards.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction & Henri's background in venture capital
02:22 The joy of networking and diverse industry exposure
03:20 Early influences: family, math, and finance
05:00 How Harlem Capital was founded at age 26
06:02 The confidence gained from seeing successful black-led firms
07:18 The power of long-term relationship management
08:38 The influence of Harvard Business School on career trajectory
09:32 Biases in VC towards elite institutions & the shift towards technical talent
12:24 Changing demographics and the importance of founder quality
14:34 Criteria for investments: great founder over market size
16:33 Recognizing great founders for long-term success
18:26 The importance of founder self-awareness and confidence
19:45 Red flags during founder interactions
20:48 The emotional aspect of storytelling in venture success
22:06 Advice on pitching, building relationships, and timing
24:46 The importance of choosing the right investor and avoid rushing
26:17 The dark side of fundraising and founders' mental health
27:20 Harlem Capital’s content strategy and brand building
30:48 The role of scalable media and mentorship for diversity
32:28 Final thoughts and appreciation

Resources & Links:

Title: Rethinking Venture: New Paths for Success and Funding InnovationDiscover how the traditional venture capital model is evolving and explore alternative funding options that align with diverse definitions of success. Ethan from Palafox Ventures shares insights into the future of startup financing, including emerging asset classes and the importance of founders defining their own success. This episode challenges the conventional wisdom about what constitutes achievement in entrepreneurship and highlights how the industry is expanding to support a broader range of ventures.Main Topics:

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro to Ethan and the evolution of venture capital

00:35 - Ethan’s unconventional journey from engineering physics to VC

01:04 - The breadth of experience in the venture world: operating, founding, investing

02:20 - Engineers often transition into investment roles—why

03:09 - The differences between product-strategic investors and financial analysts

06:19 - The history of capital: from Dutch ships to private equity

10:58 - When venture capital works best: big markets and strong IP

14:30 - The rise of permanent capital and small-medium venture funds

17:44 - How timing and exit expectations influence investor preferences

21:27 - The development of new models like redeemable equity

25:13 - Naming and normalizing these non-unicorn paths (SMV, permanent capital)

28:55 - The shift away from the 'unicorn or bust' mentality

30:10 - The real value of a VC check and defining your own success

Take the free Fundability Assessment: https://raise.nextroundready.vc

Startup funding comes down to knowing the right details. In this video, we'll discuss how pre-seed works and what you can expect in startup funding at this specific stage.

0:00 Intro: what pre-seed actually is
0:24 What pre-seed capital is meant to do
0:40 Pre-seed vs. friends & family rounds
1:13 Who actually writes pre-seed checks
1:39 Typical round size ($250K–$1M)
1:56 The dilution number that matters most
2:18 The 3 things investors bet on
2:43 Why SAFEs are used instead of priced rounds
2:59 The hidden risk: SAFE stacking
3:35 Free fundability assessment
4:07 Common pitch mistake at pre-seed
4:35 The 12–18 month timeline reality
4:54 Why warm intros beat cold outreach
5:16 Closing thoughts + assessment link

Join the Next Round Ready community: https://nextroundready.vc
Connect with me:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thecoachchris/
https://www.TikTok.com/@NextRoundVC

#startupfunding #venturecapital

Get the free Fundability Assessment here: https://Raise.NextRoundReady.vc

In this episode, Lolita Taub shares her journey through the startup ecosystem, emphasizing the role of community and clarity in fundraising and entrepreneurship. Whether you're a founder, investor, or just curious about the venture world, her insights can reshape how you think about building relationships, raising capital, and creating meaningful impact.


00:00 Introduction and Lolita’s background in the startup ecosystem
00:12 Lolita’s love for the different parts of startup life and her ADHD-driven curiosity
01:04 The motivation behind her book and making venture concepts accessible
02:19 The role of community and ecosystem building in startup success
03:04 Personal reflections on the fun and unpredictability of startup community work
04:20 How her book distills complex venture tactics into practical guides
05:31 Approaching venture capital with clarity and reducing the access tax
09:11 What investors seek at the pre-seed stage and the importance of founder quality
10:55 Community ROI: Revenue, Operations, Insights—building a community-driven business
12:16 The significance of authentic community engagement and AI’s role in differentiating startups
13:44 Leveraging community for growth, recruiting, and scale
15:02 Starting and amplifying your ecosystem via content, newsletters, and in-person events
16:49 - Building authentic, consistent relationships for community-driven sales
18:02 When and how founders should build ecosystems before raising capital
20:22 Identifying and enabling existing communities for startup growth
21:14 Practical approaches like WhatsApp, Telegram, and in-person meetups
23:15 The influence of human connection and face-to-face interaction in building trust
25:02 Managing focus and avoiding shiny object distractions, especially with neurodivergence
26:25 Preparing for investor meetings: research, qualification, and practicing your pitch
29:03 The “Zombie Fund” detection framework and the importance of timing in fundraising
32:10 When and how founders should interview potential investors
34:42 Resources for founders, including Lolita’s book, startup-investor matching tools, and outreach strategies
37:19 Final thoughts: Community, clarity, and persistence as keys to startup success

Resources & Links:
What Actually Matters: Startups, Capital, and the Rules Nobody Taught Us: https://www.lolitataub.co/book
Lolita Taub’s Website: https://www.lolitataub.co/

Join the community: https://community.nextroundready.com
Follow the podcast: https://nextroundready.com/podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-round-ready
The Brand: https://nextroundready.com

In this episode, we explore the entrepreneurial journey from corporate life to startup investment and founder support. Steve Walsh shares insights into how he discovered his niche, the power of community in investing, and the key signals that indicate a founder’s potential. This conversation is a roadmap for founders and investors alike to understand how to build meaningful relationships and identify green flags early.

00:00 Welcome and introduction to Steve Walsh’s journey from corporate to startup support
02:01 The value of a vast network and why community enhances investing success
03:58 How supporting founders aligns with a principle of doing no harm
04:47 Finding the right problems: focus on what aligns naturally with your skills
06:17 Emerging industries in 2026: AI’s role and transforming boring sectors
08:01 Using tech to improve government and everyday services like IDs and DMV processes
10:05 Early signals of a promising startup: resourcefulness, customer validation, resilient founders
11:41 Red flags: arrogance, lack of failing experiences, ego, and silence on numbers
13:42 The importance of humility and real-world adversity experience in founders
16:17 Why community and sharing resources are critical for successful investment
18:11 The ego trap: humility over arrogance in founders and developers
19:15 Tips on what founders should know before pitching: numbers and customer validation
21:12 Building a collaborative investment network for better decision-making
22:38 The difference between angel investors and VCs in terms of openness and support
24:18 Why giving founders access to your network benefits everyone and leads to successful exits
26:04 Final advice: knowing your numbers and understanding your financials is crucial in every pitchResources & Links:

Most pitch decks fail after the second slide. Learn how to fix your pitch deck tips to keep investors engaged past the introduction.

This guide breaks down common investor feedback gathered from over 100 meetings. If you are a founder preparing to raise capital, these insights show exactly where most presentations fall apart and how to structure your slides for maximum retention. We focus on the specific mistakes that cause investors to tune out early and how to correct them before your next meeting.

You will also learn practical methods for using AI for pitch decks to streamline your creation process. By applying these startup fundraising strategies, you can build a more compelling narrative that actually gets reviewed. We analyze why investors reject certain pitch deck slides and provide clear alternatives to improve your odds of success.

Subscribe for weekly founder advice and strategy breakdowns. Which part of your pitch deck do you find the hardest to perfect?

Follow the podcast: https://nextroundready.com/podcast

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-round-ready
The Brand: https://nextroundready.com