In this episode, investor and ecosystem builder David Fogel reveals what he’s learned from working with over a thousand founders across the globe — the wins, the failures, and the tough lessons that define true entrepreneurial excellence.

David shares why most startups fail long before they run out of money, how founders can learn to adapt fast, and why falling in love with your problem matters more than falling in love with your product. He opens up about the mission behind Alma Angels, a $1 trillion movement backing women founders, and the hidden biases still shaping the world of venture capital.

If you’re a founder, investor, or leader searching for what it really takes to build something that lasts, this conversation will change the way you see success.

🎧 Tune in to discover how great founders turn pain into progress, why self-awareness beats perfection, and what it truly means to play the infinite game in business and life.

Key Topics:

-Why problem obsession matters more than product obsession

-How bias and warm intros shape who actually gets funded

-Building companies not just products as you scale

-Choosing and stress testing the right co founder

-Leading with empathy while making hard decisions

Quote From The Episode: 

“Pain is learning — the difference between a good entrepreneur and an excellent one is their willingness to feel it.”

-David Fogel

Timestamp:

[00:19] The Hidden Truth Behind Why Startups Fail — And How Great Founders Turn It Around

[12:13] The Unspoken Truth About Bias, Power, and the $1 Trillion Mission to Back Women Founders

[24:41] Inside the $1 Trillion Network Powering the Next Generation of Women Founders

[33:48] The One Trait That Separates Great Founders From Everyone Else

[44:43] Warm Intros, Cold Truths: How Great Founders Turn “No” Into Momentum—and Guard Their Time

[53:50] How to Choose the Right Co-Founder—Before It’s Too Late

[1:04:46] Why the Best Leaders Make Tough Calls—with Heart

[1:18:36] Outro

Connect with - David Fogel:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/fogeldavid

Website - alma-angels.com/

Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast:

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