Nothing Ventured

Nothing Ventured

By Aarish Shah - EmergeONEBusinessEntrepreneurship
Download on the App Store

Nothing Ventured episodes

  • Asif Ahmed: Unleashing Creativity in Business | Episode 36

    In this episode of Nothing Ventured, Aarish Shah discusses the

    importance of focusing on what founders need rather than what they want
    with Asif Ahmed, partner at Cooper Parry. They delve into topics such as
    founder-advisor fit, the legal implications of R&D for founders,
    and the rise of solopreneurs in the startup ecosystem. Join them as they
    share insights on working with early-stage tech companies and
    high-growth businesses to help them thrive and innovate.

    ⏱️ Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction and Guest Overview
    00:45 - Cooper Parry's Approach to Founders' Needs
    02:09 - Importance of Finance in Startups
    03:34 - Value Over Services in Financial Advisory
    04:45 - Early Stage Financial Management
    06:00 - Long-term Solutions for Founders
    07:04 - Holistic Approach to Startup Finance
    08:02 - Founder-Advisor Fit
    09:10 - Cost Optimization vs. Value in Financial Services
    10:56 - R&D Relief and HMRC Changes
    13:15 - Legislation vs. Dictionary Definition of R&D
    15:09 - Impact of R&D Legislation Changes
    17:21 - Advice on R&D Financial Planning
    18:56 - Common Financial Mistakes by Early Stage Ventures
    20:44 - Importance of Proper Company Setup
    22:05 - Distinguishing Between Founder and Business Finances
    24:25 - Revenue Recognition and Reporting Issues
    27:09 - Trends in the Startup Ecosystem
    28:36 - Rise of the Solopreneur
    30:58 - Venture Capital's Role in the New Landscape
    33:15 - Transition from Software to Hardware Investments
    33:39 - Unleashing Inner Creativity in Professional Roles
    35:08 - Importance of Rigorous Hiring Processes
    36:34 - Conclusion and Contact Information


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    38 min
  • Lyuba Guk & David Gilgur: Ukrainian Startups and the Global Tech Landscape | Episode 35

    On this episode of Nothing Ventured, Aarish Shah interviews Lyuba Guk

    and David Gulka, co-founders of Blue Lake, a VC firm supporting
    immigrant founders in the UK. They discuss the resilience of the
    Ukrainian ecosystem, transitioning from SMEs to investing in migrant
    founders, the prevalence of migrants in founding unicorn ventures, and
    the importance of building a community for international founders. The
    conversation touches on the challenges and rewards of being a founder,
    emphasizing the need for VCs to focus on investing. Additionally, they
    highlight their free ecosystem initiative, International Office Hours
    3.0, which is now open for applications and aimed at supporting
    international founders. For more information, visit
    https://www.internationalfounders.co.uk

    Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction to Nothing Ventured Podcast
    00:11 - Overview of Blue Lake VC Firm
    00:29 - Resilience in the Ukrainian Ecosystem
    01:07 - Building a Super Community for International Founders
    02:07 - Impact of the Russian Invasion on Ukrainian Founders
    05:25 - Shift to Military and Defense Tech in Ukraine
    07:12 - Opportunities for Investors in the Ukrainian Ecosystem
    10:49 - Personal Reflections on the Invasion
    14:42 - Evolution of Blue Lake from Accelerator to VC Firm
    18:08 - Challenges of Founder Education
    20:27 - Overeducation and the Founder Journey
    24:24 - The Illusion of Universal Founder Success
    25:36 - Transition from Accelerator to Investment Focus
    26:38 - Blue Lake's Syndicate Investment Model
    29:18 - Traits of Successful Migrant Founders
    32:32 - Community Support for Migrant Founders
    35:53 - Resilience and Grit in Migrant Founders
    38:28 - Fragmented Immigrant Communities
    41:07 - Geographic Spread of Migrant Founders
    44:12 - Potential of the African Startup Ecosystem
    47:35 - Future Expansion Plans for Blue Lake



    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    57 min
  • Kiran Mehta: Balancing Growth and Capital Efficiency | Episode 34

    On this episode of Nothing Ventured, Aarish Shah chats with Kiran Mehta

    from Mercia Ventures about the importance of doing what you love and
    excelling at it rather than trying to live in a parallel universe. They
    discuss the significance of working with smart people, navigating the
    chaos of venture capital, and how good founders can succeed in any
    market condition. Kiran emphasizes the need for founders to prioritize
    growth while being capital efficient and focusing on actionable steps to
    reach milestones. Tune in to gain insights into the world of venture
    capital and the strategies that lead to success.

    🕒 Time stamps -

    01:36 - Guest Introduction: Kiran Mehta
    01:47 - Thoughts on Education and Career Choices
    03:08 - Impact of AI and Changing Job Market
    03:38 - Humanities Backgrounds in Tech
    04:55 - Personal Career Reflections
    05:06 - Education System and Career Paths
    06:12 - Evolution of Job Market and Skills
    06:39 - Career Decisions and Luck
    07:19 - Joining Mercia Ventures
    07:33 - Breaking into Venture Capital
    09:14 - Day-to-Day Life in Venture Capital
    10:05 - Assessing Deals and Building Relationships
    10:57 - Importance of Founder-Investor Fit
    11:28 - Transaction and Portfolio Management
    12:33 - Managing a Large Portfolio
    13:59 - Scalability Challenges in Venture Capital
    15:22 - Support Structures at Mercia
    16:57 - Building Effective Boards
    17:08 - Scalability and Network in Venture
    18:01 - Economies of Scale in Venture Capital
    18:47 - Proactive Problem Solving in Portfolio Management
    19:08 - State of Venture Capital Today
    19:43 - Shift from Growth at All Costs to Capital Efficiency
    20:56 - Balancing Growth and Profitability
    21:10 - Intersection of Growth and Capital Efficiency
    22:14 - Profitability vs. Growth Dilemma
    23:25 - Strategic Decision-Making for Founders
    24:18 - Optionality in Funding Strategies
    25:10 - Trends in Software and SaaS Businesses
    26:56 - Role of Venture in R&D Heavy Businesses
    27:20 - Challenges in Software Sales
    28:00 - Market Changes and Founder Strategies
    29:06 - Venture as a Goal vs. Business Fundamentals
    30:19 - Survivorship Bias in Venture Success Stories
    31:08 - Importance of Revenue-Driven Businesses
    32:03 - Preference Stacks and Founder Outcomes
    32:34 - Differences in Venture Ecosystems: US vs. UK/Europe
    33:13 - Factors Affecting Unicorn Rates
    34:00 - Founder Motivations and Market Realities
    34:59 - Future of Venture Capital
    35:15 - Desired Changes in Venture Capital
    35:58 - Evolution of Fundraising Processes
    36:40 - Importance of Articulating Vision
    37:01 - Focus on Societal Impact and Innovation
    37:20 - Alternative Fundraising Approaches
    38:03 - Value of Pitch Decks and Financial Models
    39:08 - Long-Form Memos vs. Pitch Decks
    39:57 - Nuances in Financial Models
    40:50 - Transparency in Fundraising Process



    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    48 min
  • Tamta Gamezardashvili: Breaking Down the Power Dynamic in VC Fundraising | Episode 33

    Today on Nothing Ventured, Tamta Gamezardashvili discusses the challenges VCs face in raising capital, the dynamics of power and ego in investment, and the importance of equal opportunities. Tamta shares insights on gender differences in asking for money, her work in bringing women into the VC space, and her contrarian approach to questioning norms. Join host Aarish Shah as he delves into the stories shaping the venture capital ecosystem.

    🕒 Time stamps - 00:46 Gender differences in fundraising.05:13 Fundraising as a sales process.09:32 Non-financial returns in investments.12:11 Dream investors and targeting strategies.16:18 What is equality?20:33 Gender disparities in psychology careers.24:23 Gender differences in risk appetite.26:30 Gender differences in decision-making.32:34 Female founder valuations in business.36:13 The evolution of feminism.39:33 Female founder communities.42:32 Female Founder Support Community.45:25 The power of understanding others.49:53 Female investor community on LinkedIn.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    51 min
  • Steve O'Hear: From Tech Journalism to CEO | Episode 32

    On this episode of Nothing Ventured, Aarish Shah discusses the

    misunderstood quick commerce space with Steve O'Hear, founder of O'Hear
    & Co. They delve into attracting paying customers for convenience,
    the role of journalists in the hype cycle, signals for early-stage
    investors, and the impact of excessive press coverage on a company's
    image. Tune in to gain insights into the world of venture capital and
    startup storytelling.

    ⏱️Timestamps:

    00:31 Quick commerce space misunderstood.
    06:26 Convenience in online retail.
    09:36 Premium product differentiation strategies.
    13:08 The importance of storytelling.
    19:26 Relationship dynamics in journalism.
    21:18 Machine learning in autonomous driving.
    25:15 The importance of effective messaging.
    32:24 PR strategy breakdown into three.
    34:51 Storytelling in media relations.
    39:48 The importance of storytelling.
    43:33 Work from home debate.
    45:41 Social mobility and remote work.
    49:41 Intent and human connection.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    52 min
  • Henry Goodwin & Shwetank Verma: Cross-Continental Ventures | Episode 31

    In this episode of "Nothing Ventured," Aarish Shah discusses how

    Singapore has been stimulating the early stage tech ecosystem with
    guests Henry Goodwin and Shwetank Verma from Leo Capital. They delve
    into topics like the India Advantage, the global talent pool from India,
    startups listing on the Indian Stock Exchange, entering the Nordics
    market, and the importance of keeping the US market in mind for
    scalability. The conversation touches on the evolving perception of
    entrepreneurship in India and the diaspora. Tune in to gain insights
    into the venture capital world and the global startup landscape.

    🕒 Time stamps -

    02:13 Singapore's early stage tech ecosystem.
    05:16 Singapore's forward-thinking approach.
    08:39 Indian talent powering global businesses.
    13:26 Advantages of Indian communal living.
    17:29 Tech ecosystem evolution.
    19:44 Global Expansion Strategies.
    22:40 Scaling startups in Europe.
    27:20 Building a global business.
    28:39 Scaling a Business Globally.
    33:43 Entrepreneurship journey and family acceptance.
    35:34 Generational businesses in Indian diaspora.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    37 min
  • Mads Jensen and Dan Bowyer: The Future of European Venture Capital | Episode 30

    In this episode of Nothing Ventured, Aarish Shah interviews Mads Jensen

    and Dan Bowyer, general partners at Superseed. They discuss the growing
    interest in AI and its impact on business. They also delve into the
    evolution of European venture capital, highlighting the increase in
    funding over the years. The conversation touches on the need for a
    European Nasdaq and the importance of speed in sales and scaling. The
    episode explores the unique backgrounds of the hosts and how they came
    together to form a VC fund. Tune in to gain insights into the world of
    venture capital and the transformative power of AI in business.

    🕒 Time stamps -

    00:18 European venture capital growth.
    06:15 Fundraising challenges and environment.
    07:12 Longer investment timeframes.
    11:31 AI transforming businesses.
    14:37 State of venture in Europe.
    18:37 The Future Fund and Risk Aversion.
    21:34 Optimism in European Venture Capital
    25:36 Lack of awareness in founders.
    30:30 Building big European companies.
    31:35 Shifting focus to deep tech.
    36:00 Impactful investing in venture capital.
    38:16 European capital market challenges.
    43:55 Tech industry challenges in Europe.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    45 min
  • Ash Arora: The Journey from Trader to VC Partner | Episode 29

    Today on Nothing Ventured, Ash Arora, the youngest partner at LocalGlobe, shares her journey into venture capital, her deep dive into Bitcoin for Citibank. She discusses her extensive interview process with LocalGlobe and explains the challenges in blockchain technology, highlighting the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Tune in to learn why Ethereum is considered the "hugging face" of blockchain. ⏱️ Time stamps: 01:31 The Heisenberg uncertainty principle in blockchain. 03:59 Bitcoin research project. 12:31 Trusting celebrity endorsements in crypto. 14:03 Simplicity of tokenomics modeling. 16:55 New business models emerging. 19:34 Indian origin founders and investments. 23:55 Choosing the right VC fund. 28:13 Web3 and blockchain trends. 31:26 Blockchain in cross-border transactions. 33:39 Blockchain Trilemma discussed. 38:16 Blockchain in land registry. 41:25 The impact of blockchain. 43:36 Human judgment in AI and tech. 48:13 Community building in blockchain. 49:36 Developer ecosystems in tech. This episode is sponsored by EmergeOne, fractional CFOs for venture backed tech startups from Seed to Series B. Get in touch at https://emergeone.co.uk/contact-us/ or join the CFO team at https://emergeone.co.uk/join-the-cfo-team/ Sign up for EmergeOne’s weekly newsletter, Off Balance at https://off-balance.beehiiv.com/subscribe


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    52 min
  • Christian Tooley: From Corporate to Queer Capital | Episode 28

    On this episode of Nothing Ventured, Aarish Shah interviews Christian

    Tooley, founder of iCubed Investing, discussing the transition from
    consulting to venture capital. They explore iCubed's focus on investing
    in post-product pre-revenue companies in the UK, their efforts to unlock
    queer capital, and their partnership with Crunchbase to highlight
    diverse founders. Tune in for an insightful conversation on bridging the
    gap between corporate and venture worlds.

    ⏱️ Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction to iCubed Investing
    05:30 - Investing with ADA Ventures
    10:00 - Transition to discussing the gay job
    15:00 - Angel investing criteria and decision-making process
    20:00 - Discussion on the diversity of deals in scouting communities
    25:00 - iCubed Investing's community and events
    30:00 - Intersectional Incredibles Forum and EMEA survey
    35:00 - Discussion on LGBTQ+ VC funds
    38:00 - Contrarian conviction on LGBTQ+ history and culture
    42:00 - Conclusion and where to find Christian online


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    43 min
  • George Askew & Sam Ettelaie: Breaking Down Barriers for Aspiring VCs | Episode 27

    On this episode of Nothing Ventured, host Aarish Shah sits down with

    George Askew and Sam Ettelaie, co-founders of Thema, a platform
    supporting emerging managers in launching venture capital strategies.
    They discuss fund structuring, regulation, and the impact of patient
    capital on the ecosystem. With Thema already attracting over 450 funds
    within weeks of launching, George and Sam shed light on the importance
    of backing those who aim to build management businesses. Tune in to gain
    insights from industry experts and explore the stories shaping the
    venture capital landscape.

    🕒 Time stamps -

    00:25 - Thema's Role in Supporting Emerging Managers
    01:50 - The Challenges for Emerging Managers
    03:19 - Fund Structuring and Regulation
    05:03 - The Importance of Guidance for New Fund Managers
    06:05 - Thema's Approach to Supporting Fund Managers
    07:14 - The Need for Capital and Structuring Support
    08:17 - The Role of LPs and the Fundraising Process
    09:10 - The Ecosystem's Gatekeeping and Transparency
    10:17 - Co-Investment Opportunities and LP Interests
    11:42 - Supporting Underrepresented Emerging Managers
    12:02 - Operator Backgrounds in Venture Capital
    13:15 - The Genesis of Thema and Co-Founder Synergy
    14:47 - The Return Profile for Emerging Managers
    16:09 - The Importance of Fund Structuring
    17:22 - The Market's Current State and Advice for Allocators
    18:48 - The Risk Aversion in European Venture Ecosystem
    20:19 - The Role of LPs in Supporting Emerging Managers
    21:44 - The Value of Operator Experience for GPs
    23:17 - The Importance of Differentiation for Emerging Managers
    24:50 - The Patient Capital and Risk Aversion in Europe
    26:48 - The UK Venture Ecosystem and Lessons from the US
    28:08 - The Role of GP Seeding in the Emerging Manager Ecosystem
    30:35 - The Evolution of Family Offices in Venture
    32:11 - Final Advice for Emerging Managers
    33:30 - The UK vs. US Emerging Manager Ecosystem
    34:47 - The Potential of the UK Venture Ecosystem
    36:36 - The Excitement for Emerging Managers and Innovation
    38:24 - How to Connect with Thema and Closing Remarks



    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    40 min

About Nothing Ventured

From the publisher's feed

In conversation with the people who make the start-up world go round. Join Aarish Shah as he talks to founders, investors, and operators across the tech and venture ecosystem exploring some of the…

More shows like Nothing Ventured

The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch by Harry Stebbings

The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

542 Listeners