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The Syndicate episodes
- Big DataPete is a software engineer, serial founder and advisor/investor of data-backed startups with a passion building valuable resources and community for the tech community. He beliefs data sets along with advances in machine learning and neural networks are paving the way for the most significant disruption we’ve seen since the advent of the PC. Data is driving advances in AI, computer vision, autonomous vehicles, virtual assistants and the ultimate automation of work.Listen and Learn:* Why data is dead for B2C businesses* How Pete evaluates data focused startup investments* The broke angel strategy of advising startups* How to pivot a failed startup to a successful conference company* Why Pete is leveraging Angellist’s syndicate model to improve angel investing economics* How angels can build proprietary deal flow* Ways B2B businesses can build data moatsPete’s Projects:Pete’s Angellist profilePete’s syndicateHakkaLabs.coPete’s Twitter: @petesoderAre you an accredited investor? Apply to join our angel syndicate if you’d like to access our deal flow.Pete is a software engineer, serial founder and advisor/investor of data-backed startups with a passion building valuable resources and community for the tech community. He beliefs data sets along with advances in machine learning and neural networks are paving the way for the most significant disruption we’ve seen since the advent of the PC. Data is driving advances in AI, computer vision, autonomous vehicles, virtual assistants and the ultimate automation of work.Listen and Learn:* Why data is dead for B2C businesses* How Pete evaluates data focused startup investments* The broke angel strategy of advising startups* How to pivot a failed startup to a successful conference company* Why Pete is leveraging Angellist’s syndicate model to improve angel investing economics* How angels can build proprietary deal flow* Ways B2B businesses can build data moatsPete’s Projects:Pete’s Angellist profilePete’s syndicateHakkaLabs.coPete’s Twitter: @petesoderAre you an accredited investor? Apply to join our angel syndicate if you’d like to access our deal flow.43 min
- Uber is Going to 0, and Benchmark Knows It!Originally posted on mattward.io“Moving first is a tactic, not a goal….It’s much better to be a last mover.” — Peter ThielOn the surface this seems contrarian. When is being last better than being first?Steve Jobs understood this. Apple didn’t make the 1st MP3 player or the 1st smartphone. Yet in consumer tech, Apple is synonymous with both.Uber being one of the most known startups has called for plenty of media coverage over it’s success and faults but while that’s been going on a big problem has arisen. Drivers and riders have NO LOYALTY. The reason I use Uber or Lyft or any one of a dozen services is a result of price, availability, and marketing. A better offer from ANY competitor and I’m gone. Initially of course this was not an issue when they had 100% market share of the ride sharing platform, obviously that’s changed as the markets gotten saturated hence why they are in for trouble.Closing thoughtsWhat do you think? Is Uber screwed? Would you rather run Uber or Airbnb? Can Dara save Uber from itself and its business model?These questions are not considered enough by the tech community. Uber is arguably the greatest hit in history of VC (at least of pre-IPOs).The bigger they are, the harder they fall… and the bigger their appetite. I’m bearish on Uber and incredibly bullish on Airbnb.Thoughts?…Learned something? Click the share buttons on the side to say “thanks!” and help others find this article.Originally posted on mattward.ioOriginally posted on mattward.io“Moving first is a tactic, not a goal….It’s much better to be a last mover.” — Peter ThielOn the surface this seems contrarian. When is being last better than being first?Steve Jobs understood this. Apple didn’t make the 1st MP3 player or the 1st smartphone. Yet in consumer tech, Apple is synonymous with both.Uber being one of the most known startups has called for plenty of media coverage over it’s success and faults but while that’s been going on a big problem has arisen. Drivers and riders have NO LOYALTY. The reason I use Uber or Lyft or any one of a dozen services is a result of price, availability, and marketing. A better offer from ANY competitor and I’m gone. Initially of course this was not an issue when they had 100% market share of the ride sharing platform, obviously that’s changed as the markets gotten saturated hence why they are in for trouble.Closing thoughtsWhat do you think? Is Uber screwed? Would you rather run Uber or Airbnb? Can Dara save Uber from itself and its business model?These questions are not considered enough by the tech community. Uber is arguably the greatest hit in history of VC (at least of pre-IPOs).The bigger they are, the harder they fall… and the bigger their appetite. I’m bearish on Uber and incredibly bullish on Airbnb.Thoughts?…Learned something? Click the share buttons on the side to say “thanks!” and help others find this article.Originally posted on mattward.io16 min
- Health TechSean Schantzen is the cofounder and CEO of the Health Rosetta Group and Institute, as well as a managing partner in their seed fund, the Quad Aim Fund. They are building an ecosystem to transform the health care system by enabling employers to change how they buy to pay less and get more. This three tiered approach allows true impact in the broken but incredibly large and profitable healthcare market.Listen and Learn:* Why Employer healthcare is the problem and the solution* What investors and startups NEED to know about healthcare* What makes a good investment in healthcare* Why most angels avoid healthcare investing* How the US could collapse on healthcare costs* Why startups succeed with horizontal expansion* How to understand true TAM healthcare* What health and humanity looks like in 10-15 yearsSean’s Projects:Sean’s Angellist profileSean’s LinkedinHealthRosetta.orgAre you an accredited investor? Apply to join our angel syndicate if you’d like to access our deal flow.Sean Schantzen is the cofounder and CEO of the Health Rosetta Group and Institute, as well as a managing partner in their seed fund, the Quad Aim Fund. They are building an ecosystem to transform the health care system by enabling employers to change how they buy to pay less and get more. This three tiered approach allows true impact in the broken but incredibly large and profitable healthcare market.Listen and Learn:* Why Employer healthcare is the problem and the solution* What investors and startups NEED to know about healthcare* What makes a good investment in healthcare* Why most angels avoid healthcare investing* How the US could collapse on healthcare costs* Why startups succeed with horizontal expansion* How to understand true TAM healthcare* What health and humanity looks like in 10-15 yearsSean’s Projects:Sean’s Angellist profileSean’s LinkedinHealthRosetta.orgAre you an accredited investor? Apply to join our angel syndicate if you’d like to access our deal flow.43 min
- Starting VC FirmLeo Polovets is a software engineer turned VC and a cofounder/managing partner at a Susa Ventures, a $50m seed stage fund. He mostly focus on b2b companies that are building up strong long-term competitive advantages (network effects, proprietary datasets, economics of scale, etc.)Prior to Susa Ventures, IHewas one of the first 10 software engineers at LinkedIn and Factual, and one of the first 10,000 engineers at Google.Listen and Learn:* How to start a VC firm from scratch* The real reason every startup needs a moat* How to create pricing power and network effects* Why developers don’t invest in developer focused startups* How to build up deal flow* The impact of cryptocurrencies on network effects and traditional business models* Why being a generalist VC has its benefits* How to avoid FOMO and party rounds* Why Susa Ventures doesn’t do much technical diligenceLeo’s Projects:Leo Angellist profileLeo’s Blog: codingvc.comSusa VenturesLeo’s Twitter: @lpolovetsAre you an accredited investor? Apply to join our angel syndicate if you’d like to access our deal flow.Leo Polovets is a software engineer turned VC and a cofounder/managing partner at a Susa Ventures, a $50m seed stage fund. He mostly focus on b2b companies that are building up strong long-term competitive advantages (network effects, proprietary datasets, economics of scale, etc.)Prior to Susa Ventures, IHewas one of the first 10 software engineers at LinkedIn and Factual, and one of the first 10,000 engineers at Google.Listen and Learn:* How to start a VC firm from scratch* The real reason every startup needs a moat* How to create pricing power and network effects* Why developers don’t invest in developer focused startups* How to build up deal flow* The impact of cryptocurrencies on network effects and traditional business models* Why being a generalist VC has its benefits* How to avoid FOMO and party rounds* Why Susa Ventures doesn’t do much technical diligenceLeo’s Projects:Leo Angellist profileLeo’s Blog: codingvc.comSusa VenturesLeo’s Twitter: @lpolovetsAre you an accredited investor? Apply to join our angel syndicate if you’d like to access our deal flow.35 min
- TechStarsTed Serbinski is an entrepreneur and early stage investor operating at the intersection of Detroit’s automotive dominance and its entrepreneurial resurgence. He is the Managing Director of Techstars Mobility, the first US startup accelerator program focused on next-generation mobility technologies. Previously, he was a Partner and founding team member of Detroit Venture Partners, a $55M seed-stage fund that has invested in 25 companies.Before moving to Detroit from San Francisco, Ted was a co-founder and CTO of ParentsClick. With the 4th largest social network and the largest blog network for moms, Lifetime Television acquired ParentsClick in 2008.Listen and Learn:* How autonomy affects the future of mobility* Why mobility is about more than just autonomous vehicles* What is wrong wtih tranditional angel investors* Why Detroit is actually a growing tech hub* What blockchain means more the transportation industry* What traveling can teach VCs about investing* How founders can avoid getting screwed on exits* Why index investing is the best bet for startups* The future of Ford, GM and more…Ted’s Projects:Ted’s Angellist profileTedSerbinski.comTechStarsTed’s Twitter: @tedserbinskiAre you an accredited investor? Apply to join our angel syndicate if you’d like to access our deal flow.Ted Serbinski is an entrepreneur and early stage investor operating at the intersection of Detroit’s automotive dominance and its entrepreneurial resurgence. He is the Managing Director of Techstars Mobility, the first US startup accelerator program focused on next-generation mobility technologies. Previously, he was a Partner and founding team member of Detroit Venture Partners, a $55M seed-stage fund that has invested in 25 companies.Before moving to Detroit from San Francisco, Ted was a co-founder and CTO of ParentsClick. With the 4th largest social network and the largest blog network for moms, Lifetime Television acquired ParentsClick in 2008.Listen and Learn:* How autonomy affects the future of mobility* Why mobility is about more than just autonomous vehicles* What is wrong wtih tranditional angel investors* Why Detroit is actually a growing tech hub* What blockchain means more the transportation industry* What traveling can teach VCs about investing* How founders can avoid getting screwed on exits* Why index investing is the best bet for startups* The future of Ford, GM and more…Ted’s Projects:Ted’s Angellist profileTedSerbinski.comTechStarsTed’s Twitter: @tedserbinskiAre you an accredited investor? Apply to join our angel syndicate if you’d like to access our deal flow.46 min
- FintechJenny Fielding is a prolific angel investor and the Managing Director of Techstars NY, where she focuses on helping founders create the future, specifically focusing on Fintech and IoT. Prior to TechStars Jenny was in charge of BBC’s Ventures, the BBC’s innovation and venture arm.She’s also a quite accomplished founder, building Switch-Mobile up to a pretty sizable amount before exiting in 2010.Listen and Learn:* Why every corporate should have a venture investing arm* The loneliness issue for angel investors and how to tackle it* How to be successful as a generalist investor* Why Fintech and IoT are two of the top verticals to look at* How TechStars has expanded to over 35 accelerator programs worldwide* The impact of cryptocurrencies, ICOs and equity crowdfunding platforms like Angellist have on early stage investing* Why Jenny has missed her best angel investing opportunities – funding friends* How to evaluate founders for investment* What to know about CEOs with industry experienceJenny’s Projects:Jenny’s Angellist profileTechStarsJenny’s Twitter: @jefieldingAre you an accredited investor? Apply to join our angel syndicate if you’d like to access our deal flow.Jenny Fielding is a prolific angel investor and the Managing Director of Techstars NY, where she focuses on helping founders create the future, specifically focusing on Fintech and IoT. Prior to TechStars Jenny was in charge of BBC’s Ventures, the BBC’s innovation and venture arm.She’s also a quite accomplished founder, building Switch-Mobile up to a pretty sizable amount before exiting in 2010.Listen and Learn:* Why every corporate should have a venture investing arm* The loneliness issue for angel investors and how to tackle it* How to be successful as a generalist investor* Why Fintech and IoT are two of the top verticals to look at* How TechStars has expanded to over 35 accelerator programs worldwide* The impact of cryptocurrencies, ICOs and equity crowdfunding platforms like Angellist have on early stage investing* Why Jenny has missed her best angel investing opportunities – funding friends* How to evaluate founders for investment* What to know about CEOs with industry experienceJenny’s Projects:Jenny’s Angellist profileTechStarsJenny’s Twitter: @jefieldingAre you an accredited investor? Apply to join our angel syndicate if you’d like to access our deal flow.31 min
- RoboticsOliver Mitchell has been an operator and manager of emerging technologies for over 20 years, building and selling numerous ventures, including: Holmes Protection and Americash while also launching RobotGalaxy, a national EdTech brand.He has been investing in the robotics industry for close to 10 years, with four successful exits in the past two years (including 2 IPOs). He is a member of New York Angels and co-chairs the Frontier Tech Committee. Oliver also holds 14 patents, has appeared on numerous television shows, and is a sought after speaker/syndicated writer of robotics.Listen and Learn:* Why predicting technology adoption is almost impossible* The challenge with US regulations on innovation* How autonomy and robotics will impact the future of work and jobs* Why constant education is the key to success* How investors can increase capital efficiencies* The unexpected impacts of robotics on society* Why robotics failed to take off in the past* How to build a proper venture portfolioOliver’s Projects:Oliver’s Angellist profileAutonomy VenturesOliver’s Twitter: @theRobotRabbiAre you an accredited investor? Apply to join our angel syndicate if you’d like to access our deal flow.Oliver Mitchell has been an operator and manager of emerging technologies for over 20 years, building and selling numerous ventures, including: Holmes Protection and Americash while also launching RobotGalaxy, a national EdTech brand.He has been investing in the robotics industry for close to 10 years, with four successful exits in the past two years (including 2 IPOs). He is a member of New York Angels and co-chairs the Frontier Tech Committee. Oliver also holds 14 patents, has appeared on numerous television shows, and is a sought after speaker/syndicated writer of robotics.Listen and Learn:* Why predicting technology adoption is almost impossible* The challenge with US regulations on innovation* How autonomy and robotics will impact the future of work and jobs* Why constant education is the key to success* How investors can increase capital efficiencies* The unexpected impacts of robotics on society* Why robotics failed to take off in the past* How to build a proper venture portfolioOliver’s Projects:Oliver’s Angellist profileAutonomy VenturesOliver’s Twitter: @theRobotRabbiAre you an accredited investor? Apply to join our angel syndicate if you’d like to access our deal flow.37 min
- Rob Go of NextView Ventures on Ecommerce, Consumer Tech and Investing in the Everyday EconomyRob Go is a founding partner of NextView Ventures, a seed fund focused on consumer and the everyday economy. Based out of Boston and NYC, NextView has been leading the way on East Coast consumer innovation and built a great brand through their podcast and constant content. Prior to this, Rob worked at Spark CapitalListen and Learn:* How to go about getting a job in venture* What is the everyday economy and how is it impacting consumers* Where to look to get outsized returns* Why the venture landscape is changing with stages and rounds of funding* How to think about niche business models* What will ICOs do to VC* How to build an ecosystem around a venture firm* Why ecommerce is still an incredible opportunity* The truth about VRRob’s Projects:Rob’s Angellist ProfileNextView VenturesRobGo.orRob’s LinkedinTwitter: @robgoAre you an accredited investor? Apply to join our angel syndicate if you’d like to access our deal flow.Rob Go is a founding partner of NextView Ventures, a seed fund focused on consumer and the everyday economy. Based out of Boston and NYC, NextView has been leading the way on East Coast consumer innovation and built a great brand through their podcast and constant content. Prior to this, Rob worked at Spark CapitalListen and Learn:* How to go about getting a job in venture* What is the everyday economy and how is it impacting consumers* Where to look to get outsized returns* Why the venture landscape is changing with stages and rounds of funding* How to think about niche business models* What will ICOs do to VC* How to build an ecosystem around a venture firm* Why ecommerce is still an incredible opportunity* The truth about VRRob’s Projects:Rob’s Angellist ProfileNextView VenturesRobGo.orRob’s LinkedinTwitter: @robgoAre you an accredited investor? Apply to join our angel syndicate if you’d like to access our deal flow.43 min
- The Memorable Elevator Pitch that VCs Can’t IgnoreOriginally posted on mattward.ioThose words terrify entrepreneurs. You get one chance to make a first impression.And fear of failure often ruins that. Overconfidence is equally harmful though.And one way or another, most startups screw this up. It isn’t easy. It isn’t hard either though.Short, sweet and to the point. That is what you should be aiming for.“I help startups grow, scale and find funding.”… that is okay. It gets the point across. But it isn’t quite specific enough. You need to do better.Who is your target customer?Identify them. There are NO mass market products or problems. Trying to please everyone pleases no one.You NEED an initial base of target customers or you won’t succeed.For me, I advise and invest in early stage tech startups… But every company is kind of a startup. Heck, Gmail was in beta mode for years.So when does a startup stop being a startup and start being a company? Is Airbnb a startup? Google? Uber…You need to be specific. You need to be something for someone or you are just nothing for everyone.Find your niche and fill it. Become a badass in that space, then and only then can your company think of expanding to serve a larger market.How you help is important tooCon artists overpromise. Entrepreneurs do the same. In essence we are all salesmen.But to sell, you can’t smell like bullshit. Bold claims better be backed up by something cause these days investors won’t fall for anything.An idea and fancy pitch deck won’t get you funded. This isn’t the 90s. A catchy idea needs a clear business model and strong team to back it up.How do I help startups? How do you help your customers?That is the question every startup MUST answer in their pitch. The devil is really in the details. You could take 10 minutes to explain your company, or you could take 10 seconds.Attention spans being what they are, you need to hammer home fast. You have 10 seconds to grab my attention, 30 seconds to wow me… What is your plan?Source: MindfulMoovesElevator Pitch Examples:Slack — We help businesses and organizations communicate with a simple chat interface.Uber — We help individuals get from A to Z with a simple ride sharing app.Amazon — We help people buy and sell things online.Facebook — We help individuals stay connected and share experiences online.It can be that simple. We help X achieve Y.That is the formula to start any pitch. It grabs your attention and instantly explains your business. It isn’t overly detailed but it covers the basics, who and how.Your pitch should change depending on your audience.What about Why?Why you are building this business is often key. Why determines whether investors and employees get on board.And fyi, to make a lot of money isn’t a good reason. It does not drive emotions, only dollars. And WHY is what drives you.Passionate entrepreneurs solving personal or large scale problems are more driven and motivated to win. They deal with the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and keep fighting. Folks looking for the quick cash don’t.As an investor/advisor, I avoid the latter. The money matters. It matters a lot. But without a bigger driver your business will almost surely stall. And burnout can be a big problem.[LIKE THIS ARTICLE SO FAR? THEN YOU’LL REALLY WANT TO SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER OVER HERE — AND GET SOME FREE BONUSES!]Your company should be a mission.What is your vision of the world? What are you working to create?This captivates people.9 min
- Network EffectsSC Moatti is a technology visionary, entrepreneur and investor (. She is the founding partner of Mighty Capital, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm, and Products That Count, a global community of product managers, leaders and founders.Previously, she built products that billions of people use at Facebook, Nokia and Electronic Arts.Listen and Learn:* How startups should design funnels* The strategies pros use for user acquisition and growth hacking* What is wrong with most network effects* Why investing is exponentially more impactful* How to to think about marketplace businesses* What VCs can do to add tangible value to teams* How investors should think about portfolio management* Why AI is overhyped and a ways off* The right way to think about unit economicsSC’s Projects:Mighty.Capitalscmoatti.comProducts that CountTwitter: @scmoattiAre you an accredited investor? Apply to join our angel syndicate if you’d like to access our deal flow.SC Moatti is a technology visionary, entrepreneur and investor (. She is the founding partner of Mighty Capital, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm, and Products That Count, a global community of product managers, leaders and founders.Previously, she built products that billions of people use at Facebook, Nokia and Electronic Arts.Listen and Learn:* How startups should design funnels* The strategies pros use for user acquisition and growth hacking* What is wrong with most network effects* Why investing is exponentially more impactful* How to to think about marketplace businesses* What VCs can do to add tangible value to teams* How investors should think about portfolio management* Why AI is overhyped and a ways off* The right way to think about unit economicsSC’s Projects:Mighty.Capitalscmoatti.comProducts that CountTwitter: @scmoattiAre you an accredited investor? Apply to join our angel syndicate if you’d like to access our deal flow.42 min
About The Syndicate
From the publisher's feed
Welcome to The Syndicate, the place where investors and startups combine to create crazy businesses and even crazier returns. The Syndicate podcast is a deep dive on the angel investors and VCs…
behind the big name startups. We interview the best and brightest investors, syndicate leads, GPs, limited partners and startup founders to create an original, off the cuff discussion on startup investing. With a focus on strategies and tactics, mistakes and massive money makers, we hope to help AngelList investors and venture capitalists create unfair advantages in their investment portfolios. Recurring investment themes include Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, Blockchain, B2B, AI, Big Data, AdTech, Enterprise SaaS, Healthcare, IoT, Fintech, Biotech, Ecommerce and of course Mobile. Other topics include lean startup, marketing strategies, growth hacking, business development, startup equity, fundraising, KPIs, incubators and accelerators, hiring, acquisitions, IPOs, ICOs and more.