In this episode, Stephen Green sits down with Clarence Bethea, former founder of Upsie and now a partner at True Ventures, one of the largest seed funds in the country. Clarence shares real talk about what it means to go from founder to VC, the art of the pitch, why storytelling is everything, and how founders can navigate the often confusing and high-pressure world of venture capital—without losing themselves in the process.

Clarence doesn’t hold back.

Plus, he gives a behind-the-scenes look at True Ventures’ approach to backing great people and building real community, from Founder Camp to True Talks and weekly office hours.

Whether you're raising your first round, thinking about becoming an investor, or just trying to find your voice in this industry—this episode is solid gold.

• True Ventures – trueventures.com

• Clarence on LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/clarencebethea

• Clarence on Instagram – @clarence_bethea

• Join his Friday Office Hours – Email Clarence at [email protected]

  
  

  00:00 – Welcome to the Pitch Black Podcast
  Stephen sets the stage for a powerful conversation on community, authenticity, and VC.

  01:40 – Meet Clarence Bethea
  From Upsie founder to Partner at True Ventures—Clarence shares what brought him to Portland.

  04:18 – The Founder Mindset: Chip on Your Shoulder
  Clarence reflects on how the “us vs. them” mentality shaped—and sometimes limited—his early founder journey.

  07:02 – Storytelling is Your Superpower
  Why a founder’s ability to craft a clear, compelling narrative is non-negotiable.

  09:30 – The Art of the Pitch (and Getting Reps)
  Practice doesn’t make perfect—it makes progress. How to pitch smarter, not just more.

  13:20 – What Seed-Stage Investors Actually Care About
  Clarence outlines what VCs like True are really looking for in that first 30-minute meeting.

  17:40 – Anatomy of a First Meeting
  How to structure your pitch for maximum impact—and a second meeting.

  21:30 – Deck Do’s and Don’ts
  From poor design to too many slides—what your deck says about you before you even speak.

  25:40 – What Makes a Great VC-Founder Relationship
  Why the best investors show up after the check, especially when things fall apart.

  30:18 – Being a Black VC in a Tier One Firm
  Clarence on DEI, authenticity, and showing up in an industry that still resists change.

  33:50 – Creating Space for Truth and Vulnerability
  What founders need to hear vs. what they're told—and how we can do better.

  36:42 – Why You Should Be the Red Dot in a Yellow Room
  Clarence shares the value of standing out by showing up as your full self.

  38:25 – What Founders Should Expect From Investors
  Beyond capital—how True Ventures builds real community and founder support.

  41:20 – The AI Gold Rush (and the Game Behind the Game)
  Clarence talks about what’s real in AI, what’s noise, and how True Ventures is investing.

  44:50 – Closing Thoughts: Be Yourself, So the Right People Can Find You
  Clarence drops his final gem on why the long game starts with self-belief and clarity.