Seed to Harvest

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Today, I am joined by Ben Lerer, the Managing Partner at Lerer Hippeau, an early stage venture firm based in New York that invests in iconic companies that rattle the status quo. Ben shares insights into his journey from founding digital media company Group Nine Media, including the creation of Thrillist, to transitioning into full-time investing after selling his business. Ben highlights how his background in media and operating companies influences his approach to venture capital, emphasizing the excitement, challenges, and rewards of being on the investor side of the table.

Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.

Connect with Paige 🌱💜

Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/

Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/

Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn

00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Ben Lerer
02:02 becoming a full-time investor
04:40 challenges with a growing company
06:25 investing more into fund l
08:22 intuition changing from qualitative to quantitative
10:28 the trick of this market
12:32 Ben’s founder process
15:28 delineating a good design from a great design
18:37 lessons learned from Bob Pittman
22:37 what Ben been learning recently

Show notes:
Ben Lerer | https://twitter.com/benjlerer?lang=en

Lerer Hippeau | https://www.lererhippeau.com/

Group Nine Media | https://twitter.com/groupninemedia?lang=en

Thrillist | https://www.thrillist.com/

Bob Pittman | https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-pittman/

POPSUGAR | https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment

Brian Sugar | https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansugar/

Sugar Capital | https://sugarcap.com/

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In today's episode, Missy Oei, winner of the BGV winter break college essay contest and senior at the University of Dayton studying entrepreneurship & marketing, shares her journey from realizing the significant impact of fast fashion on her generation to aspiring to break into venture capital with a focus on impact investing. Missy’s winning essay dives into the environmental ramifications of fast fashion, a topic borne out of her personal transition from a lover of shopping to an advocate for sustainability. Her narrative not only reflects a personal commitment to change but also signals a wider generational shift towards sustainability and ethical business practices, underscoring her ambition to leverage venture capital for positive global impact.

Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.

Connect with Paige 🌱💜

Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/

Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/

Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn

00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Melissa Oei
01:01 writing “Fighting Fast Fasion”
02:42 the environmental impact of fast fashion
03:17 companies investing in multimodal AI
04:13 COVID’s effects on the fashion industry
07:07 how social media impacts fast fashion
07:55 Missy’s peer-to-peer clothing rental app
11:28 the role of technology shaping consumer behavior
12:53 Missy’s dream rental scenario
15:15 the gap between intention and buying behavior
19:07 prioritizing sustainability in the fashion industry
20:37 nano trends in the fashion industry
22:50 Missy’s big dreams for impact investing
24:21 my perspective on fast fashion

Show notes:
Melissa (Missy) Oei | https://www.linkedin.com/in/oeimelissa/

Gen Z VCs | https://www.genzvcs.com/

Shein | https://us.shein.com/

Pickle | https://shoponpickle.com/

Good on You | https://goodonyou.eco/

Reformation | https://www.thereformation.com/clothing

For Days | https://fordays.com/

H&M | https://www2.hm.com/en_us/index.html

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In today's episode, we discuss the transformative world of Multimodal AI, an advanced form of artificial intelligence that integrates and processes multiple data types—text, images, audio, and video—to emulate human-like perception. Unlike text-based AI models such as ChatGPT, which specialize in generating text-based responses, Multimodal AI offers a more comprehensive understanding by processing diverse data inputs, mirroring the way humans utilize multiple senses to interact with their environment. The essence of Multimodal AI lies in its ability to converge various forms of data to present a more holistic view, though it faces significant challenges in terms of technical complexity, data integration, and privacy concerns. Despite these obstacles, Multimodal AI stands on the brink of revolutionizing technology and daily life, with potential applications across entertainment, healthcare, and education. Today, we explore the importance of investing early in this rapidly advancing field, emphasizing the need for caution and diligence to navigate the fast-paced world of AI innovation, where Multimodal AI is poised to make significant strides in the coming years.

Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.

Connect with Paige 🌱💜

Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/

Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/

Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn

00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Paige Doherty
00:41 introduction to multimodal AI
01:29 defining multimodal AI
03:17 companies investing in multimodal AI
03:49 the difference between text-based AI and multimodal AI
05:20 the convergence of multimodal AI
06:40 the inherent technical complexity of multimodal AI
08:35 roadblocks of multimodal AI
11:43 possibilities for disruption
12:55 BGV’s investments in multimodal AI
14:50 the perfect solution for multimodal AI

Show notes:
Our Approach to Investing in Early Stage AI Companies | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/post/ai-investing

our approach to investing in early stage AI companies | ep75 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9BxDkTCE2I

Prof Jim | https://www.profjim.com/

Hearth Display | https://hearthdisplay.com/

The Last Gameboard | https://lastgameboard.com/

Aviron | https://www.avironactive.com/

Lotus Labs | https://www.getlotus.com/

Humane's AI Pin Tab | https://hu.ma.ne/aipin

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In today's podcast, I'm thrilled to share insights from the Behind Genius Ventures winter break college essay contest, which I launched in December. We received 20 diverse essays from schools like Cornell, Georgia Tech, UNC, SDSU and more. The prompt asked students to explore impactful problems in 1800 words or fewer, engaging the audience with expert quotes and a clear explanation of the problem's significance. The range of topics varied from smartphone addiction to the future of politics and AI in the creative cycle. As a 2020 graduate of San Diego State, I understand the financial challenges of college, making this essay contest, with its $500 prize, a chance to explore interesting topics, and shadow a venture capitalist, something I would have loved during my college days. Join me as I discuss and share excerpts from some standout essays, shedding light on what today's college students are thinking about.

Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.

Connect with Paige 🌱💜
Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/
Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/
Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn
00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Paige Doherty
00:51 prompt of the BGV winter break college essay contest
02:03 topics of the essay contest
05:07 "The Higher Education in Southeast Asia"
08:23 AI: making the rich get richer and the poor get poorer
10:12 “Virtual Power Plants”
14:22 "Taking the Leap" (interplanetary travel)
18:10 the dangers of fast fashion
21:19 "Overlooked and Understudied: the Ovarian Hormone Cycle"
25:26 "Software Ate the World, but Hardware is Biting Back”

Show notes:
Zenith | https://www.zenithlearninggroup.com/

Prof Jim | https://www.profjim.com/

Matrix | https://mtx.gg/

Firefly Aerospace | https://fireflyspace.com/

Relativity Space | https://www.relativityspace.com/

Shein | https://us.shein.com/

Rubi Laboratories | https://www.rubi.earth/

Aavia | https://aavia.io/

In the FLO | https://www.amazon.com/FLO-Unlock-Hormonal-Advantage-
Revolutionize/dp/0062870483

Hearth Display | https://hearthdisplay.com/

The Last Gameboard | https://lastgameboard.com/

Aviron | https://www.avironactive.com/

Lotus Labs | https://www.getlotus.com/

USB Club | https://usbclub.net/

Humane's AI Pin Tab | https://hu.ma.ne/aipin

Rabbit r1 | https://www.rabbit.tech/

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Today, I am joined by Cam Doody, the Co-founder & General Partner at Brickyard, a first-round venture capital firm and residency. In this episode, we explore Cam's transition to the venture side, raising ~ 115 million dollars, his principles on investing, and insights into founder residencies. Cam emphasizes the grind of entrepreneurship and the absence of overnight success, drawing parallels with the metaphor of "laying brick" to signify the continuous effort and perseverance in building a business. Previously, Cam was the Co-Founder of Bellhop, the fastest growing moving & relocation brand in the U.S.— rebuilding the $18B space with tech.

Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.

Connect with Paige 🌱💜

Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/

Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/

Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn

00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Cam Doody
00:39 cam doody’s story
03:50 the pressures of being a founder
07:25 the main goal of Brickyard
09:22 Brickyard’s content strategy
10:10 Coast - the API sales engine
13:37 selection process for founders
16:15 Brickyard’s vision for success
19:38 cam’s favorite investors 
22:06 my vision of success for BGV

Show notes:
Cam Doody | https://twitter.com/camdoody?lang=en

Brickyard | https://www.justlaybrick.com/

Bellhop | https://www.getbellhops.com/

Matt Patterson | https://twitter.com/__MattPatt__

YC | https://www.ycombinator.com/

Coast | https://www.coast.io/

Austin Pager | https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-pager/

Spencer Levitt | https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-levitt/

Joon | https://www.joonapp.io/

Michael Gilroy | https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbgilroy/

Haroon Mokhtarzada | https://www.linkedin.com/in/haroonmokhtarzada/

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Today, I am joined by Jasper Stephens, a leadership coach specializing in working with CEOs and executive teams of Seed Series A and Series B companies. In this episode, the focus is on the role of executive and leadership coaches in the growth journey of founders and CEOs of early-stage startups. Jasper and I explore common questions founders may have about executive coaching, touching on team management, goal-setting, effective communication, and eventually expanding to strategic considerations like product development. Tune in to gain insights into the journey of founders seeking guidance and the profound impact of coaching on both individuals and their companies.

Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.

Connect with Paige 🌱💜

Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/

Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/

Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn

00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Jasper Stephens
01:58 do you need an executive coach as a founder?
03:04 how to find an executive coach
04:29 Jasper’s vital talents
08:12 common challenges Jasper helps founders with
11:28 teaching founders to coach themselves
15:09 working with early stage vs series A/B stage
16:42 characteristics of successful founders
20:24 the most difficult feedback I had to hear
24:22 how can I improve as a founder
26:55 what made Jasper choose to work with BGV?

Show notes:
Jasper Stephens | https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalejstephens/

The Drama of the Gifted Child | https://www.amazon.com/Drama-Gifted-
Child-Search-Revised/dp/0465016901

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In today's podcast, I am thrilled to announce the Behind Genius Ventures winter break college essay contest for college students. Drawing from my own experience of funding education through essay scholarships, I recognize the need for a platform that allows students to explore their passions. As the founder of a venture capital fund, I'm eager to hear from the next generation of investors and founders about the issues driving their passion. The winning essayist will receive a $500 cash prize, a chance to record a podcast episode, and a week shadowing me as a Founding Partner. Also, the top five contestants will get the opportunity to be featured on our blog. The essay contest runs from December 13th, 2023, to January 18th, 2024. Please email andy@behindgeniusventures for questions. Winter break essay submission form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAosGxC4kP-D7YwbSjt-Wm6MUqAZ2RjOz-cUJjXDKVo1UGyA/viewform

Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.

Connect with Paige 🌱💜

Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/

Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/

Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn

00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Paige Doherty
00:10 launching the BGV winter break college essay contest
00:47 what does the future of play look like?
01:34 the next generation of investors and founders
02:24 what do you win from the college winter essay contest?
02:47 what do the top 5 contestants of the college winter essay contest win?
03:07 using chat gpt to help structure your writing

Show notes:
Winter break essay submission form | https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAosGxC4kP-D7YwbSjt-Wm6MUqAZ2RjOz-cUJjXDKVo1UGyA/viewform

Prof Jim | https://www.profjim.com/

Statusphere | https://joinstatus.com/

Lotus Labs | https://www.getlotus.com/

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Support the show

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Today, I am joined by Rishi Taparia, Managing Partner of Garuda Ventures, who enthusiastically discusses the accomplishment of securing a $31 million fund. Rishi sheds light on the challenges of fundraising, providing insights into Garuda's journey from a nights-and-weekends passion project in 2018 to a full-time firm that successfully fundraised in 2021. He emphasizes the firm's dedication to early-stage B2B startup investments and its commitment to providing both capital and valuable guidance to founders. Prior to his role at Garuda Ventures, Rishi gained experience at Evergrow, Legion Technologies, and Poynt.

Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.

Connect with Paige 🌱💜

Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/

Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/

Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn

00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Rishi Taparia
01:16 how did Rishi and I meet?
02:06 why did Rishi raise a fund?
05:04 what areas of support do founders ask about?
07:26 how to onboard your first hires
09:25 tactics for raising a $31 million dollar fund
12:48 how has content been a part of my story?
16:51 the importance of family when raising
18:53 how has Rishi’s relationship with founders evolved
21:11 how does Rishi come to his conviction?
23:26 how does Rishi overcome the challenges that come with being an investor
25:17 trends/movements that Rishi is excited about
27:22 how do I manage my time?

Show notes:
Rishi Taparia | https://twitter.com/taps?lang=en

Garuda Ventures | https://www.garuda.vc/

Arpan Punyani | https://twitter.com/arpanpunyani

Okta | https://www.okta.com/

Poynt | https://www.poynt.com/about

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In today’s podcast, I talk about the “Spotify Playlist” method, discussing how the approach of naming playlists and creating the right mix extends beyond music curation to impact various aspects of business and content creation. I also explore using my playlisting methods to build an investment portfolio in the context of investment, highlighting how strong language and naming contribute to building a repeatable and explicit investment approach. Lastly, I share reflections on the evolving process of naming in an investment thesis and considerations when collaborating with co-investors in venture capital.

Seed to Harvest is a podcast focused on stories & tactics from a diverse array of investors, founders, and creators, hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, a founding partner at Behind Genius Ventures and author of Seed to Harvest, an illustrated children's book for adults.

Connect with Paige 🌱💜

Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/

Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/

Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn

00:00 Welcome to Seed To Harvest: Paige Doherty
00:24 180 playlists later
01:50 technique #1: naming
02:33 technique #2: finding the right mix
03:27 content application
04:55 investment application
07:47 building a diverse portfolio
08:20 technique #3: Venn diagrams

Show notes:
The Name of the Wind | https://www.amazon.com/Name-Wind-Patrick-Rothfuss/dp/0756404746

The Art of Gathering | https://www.amazon.com/Art-Gathering-How-Meet-Matters/dp/1594634920

Kevin Macpherson | https://www.artambassador.org/kevin-macpherson

The Magic Grid video | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7HkgEgDtxHBo5JiHlAJG4g

Seed to Harvest | https://www.amazon.com/Seed-Harvest-Explanation-Venture-Capital/dp/0578906457

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