Kat Utecht, partner at Core VC, shares her adventurous journey of starting a VC firm on the east coast and expanding to the west coast. She describes how her startup investments improve the lives of average Americans.

Highlights:  

• Mission-driven investing is  popular everywhere including in the Silicon Valley.
• Insider view on a bold bet in healthcare while political changes were creating uncertainties.
• How partners in multiple locations collaborate.
• Non-profit: Sky's the Limit

More details at https://podcast.sure.ventures

Scott Barclay shares insights on when to play an active role as a venture capital investor. He explains with examples how engagement with an entrepreneur starts and eventually disproves or strengthens his conviction in a business idea. 

Highlights: 

• The right VC:CEO fit is magical.
• A good investor does not impose his alpha role but is always ready to intervene and lead.
• Become a student of economics and learn about unrelated markets to sharpen your investment acumen.
• Entrepreneurial journeys are broad ranging. Founders come in many shapes and forms. Hot referrals and cold-emails are both  good leads.
• Non-profit: Ecumenical Hunger Program

More details at https://podcast.sure.ventures

Gokul Rajaram shares specific characteristics he looks for in entrepreneurs who range from former coworkers to founders he never met in-person. He describes his unique journey in the Silicon Valley leading product development at Juno, Google, Facebook, Square and Doordash. 

Highlights: 

• The determination to move heaven and earth to solve a problem is an important quality in entrepreneurs.
• Founders have unique non-obvious insights about the market.
• Customer love for a product convinces angel investors more than charisma during a pitch.
• Angels want to give back to the community and learn from entrepreneurs.
• Non-profit: Second Harvest Food Bank

More details at https://podcast.sure.ventures

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Come here to listen to relatable, insightful and authentic stories from venture capital investors and other early believers.  I am your host Gopi Rangan. Once a week, we will talk about startups, investments, bold ideas, tech and the future.  Share comments and subscribe to the podcast.