UVC

In this episode we discuss
00:00:00 Introduction to Quantum Computing and Challenges

00:06:00 Quantum Computing Basics

00:10:45 Hardware Architectures and Quantum Systems

00:15:14 Progress and Challenges in Quantum Computing

00:21:44 Quantum Cryptography and Security

00:25:39 Challenges and Adoption of Quantum Computing

00:30:43 Quantum Computing's Business Applications

00:31:43 Investment in Quantum Computing

00:32:16 Hybrid Approach and Quantum-Classic Interaction

00:34:38 Human Influence on Quantum Outcomes

00:38:55 VC Funding for Quantum Startups

00:42:17 Risks and Assessment of Quantum Startups

00:50:41 Challenges and Future of Quantum Computing

00:52:07 Advice for Those Interested in Quantum Computing

About

Ion is a Principal at APEX Ventures, where he invests in European early-stage deep tech startups in the areas of quantum technologies, future computing, space and AI.

He brings over 12 years of experience at the intersection of technological breakthroughs and financial capital. He has a PhD in quantum physics from Heidelberg University and has previously worked as Chief Operating Officer at GlassDollar, VP Corporate Venturing at Bosch and Management Consultant at Oliver Wyman, while actively angel investing and mentoring startups for many years. He supports companies in fundraising, talent acquisition and strategic partnerships.

A passionate technical and rescue diver, Ion is based in Munich, Germany, with his wife and son.

🔗 Follow us:

🏠Website : https://understandingvc.com/

🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/understanding-vc/

🎧 Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1q7DxW3FEyP7EhH8m0VvAD

🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/understanding-vc/id1551524895

 

💌 Connect with Rahul: 

🤝🏻 LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulthayyalamkandy/

📩 Email : [email protected]

🐣 Twitter : https://twitter.com/rahul0720

 

📍 About: 

Understanding VC is a podcast that provides founders with the knowledge and resources they need to understand venture capital. Our goal is to create the best and most comprehensive resource on venture capital on the internet, so that founders can make informed decisions about their businesses and secure the funding they need to succeed.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uvcmedia.com

In this episode we discuss:

[00:37:00] Who is an angel investor?

[00:01:39] What is the average investment check size for angel investors these days?

[00:02:40] How is angel investing different from venture capital?

[00:04:07] Why has angel investing historically been concentrated in the U.S.?

[00:06:40] How has the angel investing landscape evolved, and what trends do you see?

[00:10:52] What are the advantages and disadvantages of being part of a syndicate or doing angel investing individually?

[00:13:20] How do you see technology and tools shaping the future of angel investing?

[00:15:22] What challenges are angel investors facing right now?

[00:17:46] When is the right time for an angel investor to make investments in startups?

[00:19:30] What types of companies should angel investors consider investing in?

[00:21:58] What are the misconceptions about angel investing?

[00:22:35] How can individuals decide if angel investing is right for them?

[00:24:33] What advice would you give to angel investors to be successful?

[00:28:25] What Is angel squad? Is it similar to a syndicate?

[00:31:38] How do you approach due diligence for investments in areas where you lack expertise?

[00:34:33] How do you negotiate investments and win allocation?

[00:36:50] How do you manage risk and approach making follow-on investments?

[00:41:47] How important is it to stay informed about emerging tech trends?

[00:44:44] What advice would you give for new angel investors?

[00:47:20] Why angel invest despite the high risk?

[00:50:56] Why are you passionate about angel investing and educating other people about Angel Investing?
 

About

Brian Nichols is the founder of Angel Squad, a program affiliated with the early-stage VC firm Hustle Fund. This initiative provides a unique opportunity to delve into the realm of angel investing, enabling you to both learn about and participate in investments alongside Hustle Fund in its portfolio companies. By joining Angel Squad, you not only gain access to a vibrant community of fellow angel investors and operators but also unlock a wealth of valuable resources pertaining to angel investing.

Brian's notable career highlights include pivotal contributions to the achievements of Lyft, Zoox, BlackBird, and others. In 2019, he partnered with Ann Miura-Ko to establish Uplyft, a syndicate catering to Lyft alumni. This endeavor attracted over 300 initial employees of Lyft, who collectively injected more than $30 million into the initiative. Brian's commendable reputation as a guiding figure in the realm of alumni syndicates further propelled him to share his expertise with renowned companies like Airbnb, Stripe, Pinterest, and DoorDash.

🔗 Follow us:

🏠Website : https://understandingvc.com/

🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/understanding-vc/

🎧 Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1q7DxW3FEyP7EhH8m0VvAD

🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/understanding-vc/id1551524895

 

💌 Connect with Rahul: 

🤝🏻 LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulthayyalamkandy/

📩 Email : [email protected]

🐣 Twitter : https://twitter.com/rahul0720

 

📍 About: 

Understanding VC is a podcast that provides founders with the knowledge and resources they need to understand venture capital. Our goal is to create the best and most comprehensive resource on venture capital on the internet, so that founders can make informed decisions about their businesses and secure the funding they need to succeed.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uvcmedia.com

In this episode we discuss:
[00:02:12] How did Nitin's definition of "impact" change over time?

[00:03:44] When did Nitin join the VC industry, and what was the market condition at that time?

[00:07:54] What was the most important lesson Nitin learned from his time at NEA (New Enterprise Associates)?

[00:10:50] How is the VC industry different in the US compared to India?

[00:16:06] What are some things that founders in India don't understand about VCs?

[00:20:29] Why did Nitin become interested in EdTech?

[00:23:00] What is Nitin's view on the future of EdTech in India and the role of AI in the sector?

[00:27:00] What is Antler and what is its mission in the startup ecosystem?

[00:28:23] What specific pain points is Antler India addressing for founders in the ideation phase?

[00:29:01] How does Antler differentiate itself from traditional venture capitalists?

[00:30:30] How does Antler's global network benefit startups in India and help them think about their products and teams differently?

[00:31:14] What does Antler focus on in the early stage investing process, particularly at the pre-seed stage?

[00:31:54] Does Antler only look for future founders in colleges or does it consider applicants from various backgrounds?

[00:32:35] What is the Antler India Fellowship, and how does it help democratize entrepreneurship?

[00:35:00] How does Antler reduce the cost of experimenting and building startups, and what are the key factors that Antler considers when evaluating founders?

[00:38:00] What are the challenges and limitations of venture capital in India?

[00:41:25] What factors make India a promising market for startups, and what are some counter examples that indicate the potential for significant success?

[00:44:00] What is the role of a VC, and what are the key learnings and qualities required to be successful in venture capital?

[00:47:29] How do ONDC and Web3 differ in their approach to decentralization, and what are the challenges and opportunities for both?

[00:52:15] What are some of the potential benefits of ONDC for small businesses in India, and how could it bridge the gap between digital payments and digital commerce?

[00:54:16] Where does Nitin see Antler India in 10 years and what is the desired impact on the startup ecosystem?

About
Nitin is a seasoned early-stage investor, having invested in 60+ tech startups in multiple geographies. With First Principles, he built a thesis-driven proprietary portfolio of 40+ angel investments backed by marquee investors. As the founder of Incrypt Blockchain, he has been the first Indian VC to play an active role in fostering India’s blockchain ecosystem. Nitin and his team have invested in 16 blockchain projects since 2017, with the Incrypt Blockchain portfolio spanning projects such as Arweave, Mudrex, OnJuno, BAT, Ocean, Molecule, Persistence and more.

Previously, Nitin was a founding team principal at Lightbox Ventures, one of India’s leading consumer-focused VCs, where he helped build the first two funds since the very inception.

Earlier in his career, he learnt the ropes of the VC business in the US, while being at New Enterprise Associates (NEA), one of the world’s preeminent venture funds. At NEA, he worked on multiple investments with successful IPO/M&A outcomes (Millennial Media, AddThis, OPower, etc.) and co-led the firm’s first education technology investment. He also served as an early executive at EverFi (one of the world's largest education networks, $250M raised), and started his career as a technology investment banker at UBS Investment Bank in San Francisco.

Nitin holds an MBA from The Wharton School, and two degrees from the University of Southern California. He serves on the India Advisory Boards of AngelList, the USC Viterbi School and The Better India, and advises the Indian government (NITI Aayog) on frontier tech policy.

🔗 Follow us:

🏠Website : https://understandingvc.com/

🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/understanding-vc/

🎧 Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1q7DxW3FEyP7EhH8m0VvAD

🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/understanding-vc/id1551524895

 

💌 Connect with Rahul: 

🤝🏻 LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulthayyalamkandy/

📩 Email : [email protected]

🐣 Twitter : https://twitter.com/rahul0720

 

📍 About: 

Understanding VC is a podcast that provides founders with the knowledge and resources they need to understand venture capital. Our goal is to create the best and most comprehensive resource on venture capital on the internet, so that founders can make informed decisions about their businesses and secure the funding they need to succeed.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uvcmedia.com

In this episode we discuss:
[00:00:00] Why Melody chose to stay in the US for startups and her hobbies growing up

[00:07:00] What values Melody upholds as a VC when working with startup founders

[00:12:00] The important lesson Melody learned in early-stage venture investing

[00:13:00] Why Melody believes in investing in exceptional founders with high potential

[00:18:00] Melody's hands-on approach as a VC and how she supports founders

[00:21:00] The benefits of NextView Ventures' concentrated bets on startup founders

[00:22:00] Why building trust is crucial in the VC-founder relationship

[00:23:00] Melody's role as a VC and how she guides founders

[00:25:00] How NextView faced challenges during COVID and supported a struggling portfolio company

[00:28:00] The key trait that makes founders successful in the fast-changing startup world

[00:30:00] Understand the mindset founders need to overcome obstacles and achieve their mission

[00:32:00] Why startups should focus on problems in large, pervasive markets

[00:35:00] NextView's investment thesis and the problems they aim to solve

[00:37:00] How NextView supports concept-stage companies through their accelerator program

[00:42:00] Meaning of different seed and pre-seed funding stages for startups and what matters most

[00:53:00] Investors Melody would reach out to if she were starting a new startup today

About

Melody is a Partner at NextView Ventures based in its New York office. She has spent her entire career working with technology and Internet startups as an entrepreneur, operator, and investor.

Prior to joining NextView, Melody was Head of Product at Blue Apron (NYSE: APRN). Melody joined Blue Apron as the first product hire when the company was 18 months old with 20 HQ employees. She helped scale the business through hyper-growth (25x in 3.5 years) and to its IPO, building and leading a 35-person team across Product Management, Product Design, and Analytics/Data Science.

Previously, Melody was a Product Manager at Fab.com leading marketing & analytics products and the founder/CEO of a seed-funded wine subscription e-commerce service. Melody was also a venture investor at Time Warner’s strategic VC group and was a one of six inaugural members of First Round Capital’s Product Co-op initiative. Melody began her career as a tech/media M&A investment banking analyst at Evercore Partners.

Melody holds an MBA with Distinction from the Harvard Business School and a BS in Commerce with Distinction from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and son.

 

🔗 Follow us:

🏠Website : https://understandingvc.com/

🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/understanding-vc/

🎧 Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1q7DxW3FEyP7EhH8m0VvAD

🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/understanding-vc/id1551524895

 

💌 Connect with Rahul: 

🤝🏻 LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulthayyalamkandy/

📩 Email : [email protected]

🐣 Twitter : https://twitter.com/rahul0720

 

📍 About: 

Understanding VC is a podcast that provides founders with the knowledge and resources they need to understand venture capital. Our goal is to create the best and most comprehensive resource on venture capital on the internet, so that founders can make informed decisions about their businesses and secure the funding they need to succeed.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uvcmedia.com

In this episode we discuss:

06:00 - The Importance of Design in VC

09:00 - Visionary Founders vs. Hypothesis-Driven Founders

15:00 - Importance of Strategy in VC

22:00 - Sprint Method and Product-Market Fit

26:00 - Hypothesis driven approach - How it can save time and money

28:00 - Introduction to the OATS scorecard system

32:00 - Longitudinal use and comparison of scores

33:00 - Reasons for not investing

39:00 - Challenges of FOMO and saying no

42:00 - Detachment and enthusiasm in investment decisions

47:00 - Name selection process and the significance of "Character"

About

John Zeratsky is co-founder and general partner at venture-capital firm Character, bestselling author of Sprint and Make Time, and former design partner at GV. Previously, John was a design leader for YouTube, Google Ads, and FeedBurner, which was acquired by Google in 2007.

🔗 Follow us:

🏠Website : https://understandingvc.com/

🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/understanding-vc/

🎧 Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1q7DxW3FEyP7EhH8m0VvAD

🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/understanding-vc/id1551524895

 

💌 Connect with Rahul: 

🤝🏻 LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulthayyalamkandy/

📩 Email : [email protected]

🐣 Twitter : https://twitter.com/rahul0720

 

📍 About: 

Understanding VC is a podcast that provides founders with the knowledge and resources they need to understand venture capital. Our goal is to create the best and most comprehensive resource on venture capital on the internet, so that founders can make informed decisions about their businesses and secure the funding they need to succeed.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uvcmedia.com

In this episode you will learn:

• Why did Rex decide not to start a company and pursue venture capital instead?
• How has the Cambrian community evolved over time? How does Rex see the value of adding value to the ecosystem and creating access over time?
• What impressed Rex about Deel and its founders? Did he expect Deel to become one of the fastest growing companies in the world when he first met them?
• What is the role and importance of product counsel in a FinTech company?
• How does Rex assist startups in navigating the FinTech ecosystem? How does connecting with other founders who have built on similar platforms benefit entrepreneurs in making partnership decisions?
• What is vertical SaaS and why is it an interesting trend in 2023? What are the dynamics of winner-takes-most in vertical SaaS markets?
• What is embedded FinTech and how does it relate to vertical SaaS? What are examples of financial services that can be embedded within vertical SaaS platforms?
• How can AI impact financial services and improve operational efficiency according to Rex? Will incumbents in the financial industry be able to adopt AI more effectively than other technologies like cloud and mobile?
• What is the potential impact of embedded financial services on the distribution of financial products and services?

About

Rex Salisbury is the Founder and General Partner of Cambrian, an early-stage VC fund specializing in fintech startups. With prior experience as a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, Rex has invested in over 50 fintech companies. Known for his talent in connecting founders with vital resources, Rex's fintech community, Cambrian, has become a platform for fostering success. His exceptional understanding of the fintech landscape enables him to identify promising opportunities and support entrepreneurs on their journey.

🔗 Follow us:

🏠Website : https://understandingvc.com/

🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/understanding-vc/

🎧 Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1q7DxW3FEyP7EhH8m0VvAD

🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/understanding-vc/id1551524895

 

💌 Connect with Rahul: 

🤝🏻 LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulthayyalamkandy/

📩 Email : [email protected]

🐣 Twitter : https://twitter.com/rahul0720

 

📍 About: 

Understanding VC is a podcast that provides founders with the knowledge and resources they need to understand venture capital. Our goal is to create the best and most comprehensive resource on venture capital on the internet, so that founders can make informed decisions about their businesses and secure the funding they need to succeed.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uvcmedia.com

PitchMeNot is a podcast that takes listeners inside the initial pitch meetings between startup founders and VCs. It goes beyond the pitch by featuring candid debriefs from the VCs once the founders leave the room, providing valuable insights into the world of startups and investments. 

In this episode, I’m joined by Joseph Mocanu, Managing Partner at Verge HealthTech Fund, an early stage VC firm based in Singapore investing in health tech companies and we will be talking to Laina Emmanuel, Founder and CEO of BrainSight, a startup that is building the google map of the brain.

🔗 Follow us:

🏠Website : https://understandingvc.com/

🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/understanding-vc/

🎧 Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1q7DxW3FEyP7EhH8m0VvAD

🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/understanding-vc/id1551524895

 

💌 Connect with Rahul: 

🤝🏻 LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulthayyalamkandy/

📩 Email : [email protected]

🐣 Twitter : https://twitter.com/rahul0720

 

📍 About: 

Understanding VC is a podcast that provides founders with the knowledge and resources they need to understand venture capital. Our goal is to create the best and most comprehensive resource on venture capital on the internet, so that founders can make informed decisions about their businesses and secure the funding they need to succeed.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uvcmedia.com

In this episode you will learn:

• What is the greatest risk Vlad has taken in his life?
• How does Vlad compare angel investments to an MBA in terms of education and learning?
• According to Vlad, how important is a founding team's psychology in the success of a startup? What are some positive signs and negative signs to look for in a founding team from a psychology perspective?
• How did Vlad become a VC? What are the reasons behind Digital Horizon focusing on immigrant founders in terms of risk-taking and cost efficiency?
• How should startups think about growth, especially at the Series A stage, considering the previous growth strategies of startups?
• What are the current demands and changes in wealth management that require a new infrastructure?
• How can VCs overcome prejudices and biases in their investment decisions?
• What are the key factors in building relationships and trust in the VC industry?
• What aspects of VC will remain unchanged, such as the importance of networking and relationships?
• What new tools and technologies are emerging in VC to enhance deal sourcing, decision-making, and efficiency?

About:
Vlad Tropko is a Partner at Digital Horizon, a venture firm specializing in FinTech Infrastructure, B2B Software, and AI applications. With over 15 years of experience in the VC/PE industry, Vlad is a seasoned executive with a focus on investments in European and American startups. Throughout his career, he has successfully closed more than 50 deals, including notable acquisitions such as "Quantenna Communications" by OnSemiconductor and "Zipline International."

Vlad is known for actively supporting immigrant and female founders, recognizing the unique perspectives, drive, and ambition that often accompany individuals who have migrated to new communities. He believes in the distinct vision, capabilities, and growth potential that arise from such experiences.

Digital Horizon operates globally with offices in London, UK, and Tel Aviv, Israel. The firm's strong connections to local ecosystems enable an active investment approach and effective portfolio management. Their investment focus aligns with their specialization in FinTech Infrastructure, B2B Software, and AI applications. Digital Horizon's commitment to supporting founders with a migratory background stems from their belief in the transformative power and innovative ideas that emerge from diverse experiences.

🔗 Follow us:

🏠Website : https://understandingvc.com/

🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/understanding-vc/

🎧 Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1q7DxW3FEyP7EhH8m0VvAD

🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/understanding-vc/id1551524895

 

💌 Connect with Rahul: 

🤝🏻 LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulthayyalamkandy/

📩 Email : [email protected]

🐣 Twitter : https://twitter.com/rahul0720

 

📍 About: 

Understanding VC is a podcast that provides founders with the knowledge and resources they need to understand venture capital. Our goal is to create the best and most comprehensive resource on venture capital on the internet, so that founders can make informed decisions about their businesses and secure the funding they need to succeed.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uvcmedia.com

In this episode you will learn:

• What is Vinod's perspective on risk appetite in the venture capital ?
• What is the connection between the venture business and Black Swan events according to Vinod? How does Vinod define controllable Black Swans in the context of venture capital?
• How did working at Kalaari impact Vinod's knowledge, sourcing, and relationships in the startup ecosystem?
• What are the core value systems of Java Capital? What are the key metrics used to measure values such as serendipity and quality of investments?
• How does Java Capital evaluate missed deals and learn from them?
• How does Java Capital support portfolio companies in hiring, business development and fundraising?
• Why does Java Capital focus on founders in smaller cities like Coimbatore?
• What excites Vinod the most about the future?

About:
Vinod Shankar is a Partner and Co-founder at Java Capital, an early stage venture capital firm based in India. With over 18 years of experience in venture capital, angel investing, retail marketing, technology, and startups, Vinod has established himself as a prominent figure in the industry. He has an extensive investment portfolio that includes successful ventures such as Agnikul, Eplane, Customfit, Daily Ninja, SandboxVR, and plasmic.

Before co-founding Java Capital, Vinod managed the seed portfolio at Kalaari Capital, one of the leading venture capital firms in the country. Prior to that, he gained valuable experience as an entrepreneur, marketer, and technology developer while working at Emuzed, which was later acquired by Sequoia and KKR. He also contributed to the growth of JustBooks, a tech-led retail library chain. Vinod has been an active angel investor since 2013, supporting over 20 startups with his expertise and funding.

🔗 Follow us:

🏠Website : https://understandingvc.com/

🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/understanding-vc/

🎧 Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1q7DxW3FEyP7EhH8m0VvAD

🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/understanding-vc/id1551524895

 

💌 Connect with Rahul: 

🤝🏻 LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulthayyalamkandy/

📩 Email : [email protected]

🐣 Twitter : https://twitter.com/rahul0720

 

📍 About: 

Understanding VC is a podcast that provides founders with the knowledge and resources they need to understand venture capital. Our goal is to create the best and most comprehensive resource on venture capital on the internet, so that founders can make informed decisions about their businesses and secure the funding they need to succeed.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uvcmedia.com

PitchMeNot is a podcast that takes listeners inside the initial pitch meetings between startup founders and VCs. It goes beyond the pitch by featuring candid debriefs from the VCs once the founders leave the room, providing valuable insights into the world of startups and investments. In this episode, I’m joined by Saurabh Gunwant, senior associate at 8X ventures, a deep tech VC firm based in Dubai and we will be talking to Varun Gupta, Founder and CEO of Atmax, a SaaS solution that helps companies automate their sales incentive and performance management. 

 

🔗 Follow us:

🏠Website : https://understandingvc.com/

🤝🏻LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/understanding-vc/

🎧 Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1q7DxW3FEyP7EhH8m0VvAD

🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/understanding-vc/id1551524895

 

💌 Connect with Rahul: 

🤝🏻 LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulthayyalamkandy/

📩 Email : [email protected]

🐣 Twitter : https://twitter.com/rahul0720

 

📍 About: 

Understanding VC is a podcast that provides founders with the knowledge and resources they need to understand venture capital. Our goal is to create the best and most comprehensive resource on venture capital on the internet, so that founders can make informed decisions about their businesses and secure the funding they need to succeed.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uvcmedia.com