SmartMoney Ventures Podcast

Episode 2 features Richard Sudek who pushes the envelope when it comes to building ecosystems & opening doors for entrepreneurs of all backgrounds. He unpacks the keys to his success with Tech Coast Angels, the Angel Syndication Network and UCI Beall Applied Innovation. 

Richard Sudek serves as Executive Director of UCI Beall Applied Innovation & Chief Innovation Officer at UC Irvine.  Richard is also Chairman Emeritus of Tech Coast Angels and an active angel investor himself.  

Dave Berkus & J.D. Davids co-host this episode.  

In this episode, you will learn:

1. How a new standard has been set for university entrepreneurship & innovation programs at The Cove and UCI Beall Applied Innovation.  
2. Why diverse teams outperform and how to navigate multiple perspectives effectively.  
3. Why there is no such thing as a “Complete CEO” and what that means for investors, board members and advisors.
4. Why the Angel Syndication Network (ASN) is a model of success for syndicating early stage financing for startups nationwide.  
5. How the Tech Coast Angels’ Ace Funds set a lasting example of investor diversification and greater success.  

Companies, people & topics mentioned in this episode:

Companies where Richard works or has worked:

UCI Beall Applied Innovation - Executive Director
UC Irvine - Chief Innovation Officer
The Cove - Executive Director
Angel Syndication Network (ASN) - Founder
Cove Fund - Founder & Advisor
Tech Coast Angels - Chairman Emeritus
Golden Seeds - Member
Angel Resource Institute - Angel Capital Education Foundation
TiE - Executive Committee
TedX - "Courage to Fail" Presenter

University Affiliations
UC Irvine
Claremont Graduate University
Chapman University
Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship & Ethics

Richard Sudek’s LinkedIn Profile
Dave Berkus website
Jeff (J.D.) Davids’ website

Episode 1 features former PayPal Executive & Angel Investor David Chang on why it is critical to get the right investors in your company at the right time.  He unpacks the art & science of fundraising and company building from both sides, as an entrepreneur with PayPal & TripAdvisor, and as an angel investor in over 60 startup companies.         

David is an entrepreneur and angel investor who has held operating roles at six startups and invested in 60 companies. He was most recently the Chief Executive Officer of Gradifi, which was acquired by E*TRADE. Previously, he was Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Harvard Business School and Director of the Babson Summer Venture Program.

In this episode, you will learn:

1. Why it is critical to get the right investors in your company at the right time.  
2. The art & science of finding & attracting the right investors even if you don’t have a network.  
3. David’s 40+ Angel investments - where he sourced them, how he helps them and where they’re headed.  
4. The how and why of getting warm introductions to investors.  
5. Why it seems to take so long to close a deal - developing trust between entrepreneur & investor.  

Companies, people & topics 
mentioned in this episode:

Companies where David has worked:

PayPal - Executive
Gradifi - CEO
Start Tank Innovation Space - Co-Founder
Where Angel Fund - Co-Founder
TripAdvisor - Director New Products
SnapMyLife - Co-Founder, VP Marketing
m-Qube - Director Product Marketing
eDocs - Senior Product Manager
Goldman Sachs - Vice President - Technology

Harvard Ventures - Advisor
Nanigans - Advisor
CO Everywhere - Advisor
OpenFrame - Advisor
Linkwell Health - Advisor

Companies where David is/was an investor:

Crashlytics, clypd, Amino, Logz, Cuseum, 

University Affiliations
Harvard Business School
Cornell University
Babson College

Groups where David is active:
MITX
Mass Challenge