The VC landscape is shifting—so how can founders stay ahead?

In this special episode of Austinpreneur, recorded live at Capital Factory House 2025, Samantha Lewis, Partner at Mercury, shares what fundraising looks like in 2025.

With a decade of experience shaping the Houston startup ecosystem, Sam has backed some of the most promising early-stage companies in fintech, AI, blockchain, and data platforms. Now investing from Austin, she offers an insider perspective on how Mercury’s investment thesis has evolved, what early-stage founders need to know about raising capital today, and the key traits that make a startup stand out. She also dives into the red flags that turn investors away and how founders can successfully connect with VCs—even without a warm intro.

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