Is the power law dead for climate startups? Should VCs stop chasing unicorns and start funding real impact? In this thought-provoking episode, Lucas J Pols, GP at Pegasus Angel Accelerator, sits down with Gaby Darbyshire, General Partner at Dangerous Ventures, to unpack how climate venture capital is shifting — and why that’s a good thing.

Gaby shares her journey from nuclear energy law to climate VC, and explains how her fund backs startups solving climate problems at the root — from precision agriculture to grid resilience. They dive deep into what defines a successful climate startup, how to balance profit with planet, and why not every company should chase the next billion-dollar valuation.

0:27 Introduction to the Episode and Guest
0:52 Gabby’s Background and Climate Resilience Focus
1:46 Challenges and Opportunities in Climate Tech Investing
2:38 Early Investment Failures and Evolution of Climate Attitudes
4:16 The Growing Scope of Climate as a Category
6:08 Climate-Focused Software Startups and Market Experiments
7:23 The Reality of Venture Failures and Learning from Iteration
7:53 Balancing Impact and Returns in Climate Startups
8:49 Defining Impact Without Being Concessionary
10:52 LP Expectations vs Founder Aspirations in Climate VC
11:32 Rethinking the Power Law in Climate Venture Capital
13:25 Fund Size, Exit Strategy, and Mid-Market Opportunities
14:34 Venture Math and the Case for Emerging Managers
17:06 Long-Term Value and Challenges in Regulated Industries
17:19 Case Study: Verdi and Agricultural Water Conservation
20:27 Valuation Challenges and Early-Stage Investment Strategy
21:35 The Fallout of 2021 Valuations and Founder Misconceptions
22:53 Founder Advice: Ownership, Dilution, and Sustainable Growth
23:27 Nuclear Power's Resurgence and Public Perception
24:20 Gabby’s Nuclear Facility Experience and Risk Perspective
26:57 Investing in Nuclear-Adjacent Technologies
27:25 Energy Transition and the Role of Fossil Fuels
28:09 Cars, Carbon Capture, and Energy Efficiency
28:58 The Promise of Clean Energy and Fusion Potential
29:27 Government Regulation and Corporate Incentives
29:50 Insurance Markets as Climate Risk Indicators
31:14 Electrical Grid Resilience and the Future of Energy
31:41 Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up

#venturecapital #startups #climatechange

In this special episode of VC Unfiltered, recorded live at Lightning Round IV, we kick things off with a high-powered panel discussion on the future of artificial intelligence and its growing impact on the startup ecosystem.

Experts from 2045 Ventures, Steamwork Ventures, Eviden, and TCA LA dive into where AI is disrupting industries like healthcare, enterprise, and climate tech—and where its limitations still lie.

Following the panel, four standout startups pitch live for a chance at a prize from Pegasus Angel Accelerator. You'll hear from Playmaker, automating sports sponsorships; Knowledge, redefining human-first sales with real-time data; Cracked Gaming, bringing high-stakes competition to everyday gamers; and Rex, a bold AI-driven alternative to traditional ad agencies.

Whether you're a founder, investor, or AI enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights on what’s next in venture capital and the future of innovation.

0:36 Welcome and Event Introduction by Taissa Maleh
1:28 AI Wrappers and Defensibility in Startups
2:40 Moving Beyond LLM Wrappers and Building Moats
4:08 Vertical AI Agents and Future of SaaS
6:00 High-Impact AI Opportunities Across Industries
7:27 AI as Utility: From Digital Twins to Edge AI and Infrastructure
9:26 Challenges with Unstructured Data and Use Case-Driven AI
11:14 Data Source Diligence and Privacy Concerns in Healthcare
12:33 Industries AI May Struggle to Disrupt
17:10 Most Exciting Industries for AI Transformation
18:59 When Will AGI and Quantum Become Real?
22:41 Emerging Protocols Like MCP and A2A
23:43 The Role of AI in Education and Ethical Use
25:21 AI’s Role in Early Education and Customized Learning
26:28 Responsible Use and the Rise of AI Literacy
27:36 Human Learning vs. Machine Learning in Education
28:57 Critical Thinking in the Age of AI and Misinformation
29:38 Will AI Replace Human Decision-Making?
30:22 Social Behavior and the Limits of Predictive AI
31:25 Closing Remarks Before Pitch Competition
32:51 Startup Pitch 1: Hannah Sorkin from Playmaker
39:01 Startup Pitch 2: Chris Anzalone from Knowledge
45:15 Startup Pitch 3: Andy Worrell from Cracked Gaming
51:08 Startup Pitch 4: Sean Gilfillan from Rex
57:27 Judges’ Feedback and Reflections

#ai #startup

In this episode of VC Unfiltered, host Lucas J Pols, GP at Pegasus Angel Accelerator, sits down with Derek Norton, Managing Partner at Watertower Ventures, to unpack how the venture capital landscape is fundamentally shifting — again.

Derek shares how his team thinks about investing at the earliest stages, what founders need to survive (and thrive) in today's capital environment, and why AI valuations at Series A may soon routinely hit $200M+.

They dive into capital efficiency, founder resilience post-2021, and why real venture capital is back. Whether you're a founder, investor, or emerging VC, this episode is a masterclass in navigating the next wave of startup investing.

0:38 Overview of WaterTower Ventures and Investment Philosophy
1:53 Market Shifts and Founder Resilience Post-2022
3:07 AI Trends and Portfolio Company Progress
4:14 The “Third Wave” – AI and Blockchain Synergy
6:07 Trust as a Core Theme for the New Fund
6:25 Sector Focus and Investment Strategy
9:12 Domain Expertise and Value-Add through Networks
11:57 Managing a Portfolio and Time Allocation
13:17 Lessons Learned from Building Businesses
15:53 Advice for Emerging Managers and New VCs
17:13 The Real Challenge: Scaling Beyond Series A
20:26 Capital Stack Dynamics and Early-Stage Fundraising
21:00 Mission-Driven vs. Market-Driven Founders
22:22 Hot Take: Series A Valuations Heading to $200M+
24:54 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

#venturecapital  #vc #founder

In this special episode of VC Unfiltered, Taissa Maleh, Venture Partner at Pegasus, introduces an insightful webinar featuring Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta.

Peter dives deep into data trends shaping the venture capital and startup landscape as we approach 2025.

From the rise of AI in startups to shifts in funding strategies and market dynamics, this episode is a must-watch for anyone looking to stay ahead in the evolving venture ecosystem.

Listen to VC Unfiltered on all major platforms!

00:32 – Webinar Overview: Insights from Peter Walker of Carta
02:03 – State of Venture Funding: Comparing 2021 Peaks to 2024 Trends
04:00 – New Fundraising Norms: The End of 18-Month Cycles
04:50 – Bridge Rounds Explained: A Growing Trend in Tough Markets
08:00 – Pre-Seed Trends: The Dominance of SAFEs in Early-Stage Funding
11:28 – AI Valuations: How AI Startups Are Setting Higher Benchmarks
15:48 –Priced Rounds Explored
20:36 – Geographic Insights: How Valuations Vary Across Ecosystems
25:00 – Startup Headcount Trends: Shrinking Teams, Growing Efficiency
27:03 – Compensation Shifts: Decline in Equity Packages for Employees
34:40 – Regional Spotlight: Miami’s Rise in the Venture Ecosystem
40:17 – Market Predictions: Why 2025 Could Be Better for Founders

Listen here:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-unfiltered/id1756379899
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/342uGXBr031LgcubfOxYsu?si=1b553ad155964c94
Substack: pegasusunfiltered.substack.com

Our website: pegasusangelaccelerator.com

Learn More: 

Venture Fellow Program
Designed for aspiring venture capitalists and startup leaders, our Venture Fellow Program offers deep insights into venture operations, fund management, and growth strategies, all guided by seasoned industry experts.
https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/learn-venture

Emerging Angel Program
Break the mold and dive into angel investing with a fresh perspective. Our Emerging Angel Program provides a comprehensive curriculum on innovative investment strategies, unique deal sourcing, and hands-on, real-world experiences, all guided by industry experts.
https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/emerging-angels

Follow Us:

pegasusunfiltered.substack.com

linkedin.com/company/pegasus-angel-accelerator

x.com/paa_vc

www.instagram.com/pegasusaccelerator

www.tiktok.com/@pegasusaccelerator

#venturecapital #startup #founder 

In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Len Lanzi of The Preccelerator interviews Petra Griffith of Wedbush Ventures, Andrew Darcovich of Alpha Edison, and Brandon Maier of LvlUp Ventures.

The panel discusses the current state of venture capital, emphasizing the challenges of fundraising in today's environment. They explore the benefits of bootstrapping, the importance of defining the problem a startup is solving, and the evolving landscape of investment strategies. 

The conversation highlights Los Angeles as a burgeoning tech ecosystem and the significance of building strong relationships in venture capital. The panelists share insights from their journeys into venture capital and the lessons learned from early-stage investments.

Listen to VC Unfiltered on all major platforms!

Chapters: 

1:03 - Intro
7:29 - How much time do you spend fundraising from LPs?
9:13 - Evolution of LPs
12:52 How to de-risk your portfolio?
15:59 Lessons from bad investments
20:19 - Why LA is a great place to start a company
22:08 - How has LA changed over the years?
26:35 - Future of VC
30:06 - VCs pitch their firm to founders

Listen here:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-unfiltered/id1756379899
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/342uGXBr031LgcubfOxYsu?si=1b553ad155964c94
Substack: pegasusunfiltered.substack.com

Our website: pegasusangelaccelerator.com

Learn More: 

Venture Fellow Program
Designed for aspiring venture capitalists and startup leaders, our Venture Fellow Program offers deep insights into venture operations, fund management, and growth strategies, all guided by seasoned industry experts.
https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/learn-venture

Emerging Angel Program
Break the mold and dive into angel investing with a fresh perspective. Our Emerging Angel Program provides a comprehensive curriculum on innovative investment strategies, unique deal sourcing, and hands-on, real-world experiences, all guided by industry experts.
https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/emerging-angels

Follow Us:

pegasusunfiltered.substack.com

linkedin.com/company/pegasus-angel-accelerator

x.com/paa_vc

www.instagram.com/pegasusaccelerator

www.tiktok.com/@pegasusaccelerator

In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Lucas J Pols, General Partner of Pegasus Angel Accelerator, interviews Helene Servillon from JourneyOne Ventures.

Helene discusses her investment strategies in the health and wellness sector, focusing on modernizing ancient healing practices, exploring innovative solutions in mental health, and much more!

The conversation delves into the challenges of consumer tech investments, the impact of FOMO in venture capital, and lessons learned from the cannabis industry. Helene emphasizes the importance of understanding consumer behavior and market viability while navigating the complexities of venture capital.

Listen to VC Unfiltered on all major platforms!

Chapters:

0:52 - Intro
1:41 - About JourneyOne Ventures
2:42 - Contraception innovation
4:26 -  MDMA therapy 
7:50 - The beauty of working in venture capital 
9:14 - What Helene has learned about her job 
10:19 - Exploring CPGs
11:30 Helene's "hot take"
14:49 - What JourneyOne Ventures is interested in
17:16 - War stories
20:10 - Investor advice
21:08 - FOMO in VC
21:58 - Bird scooter debate
23:23 - The use case of Bird
25:29 - Investor tip

Listen here:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-unfiltered/id1756379899
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/342uGXBr031LgcubfOxYsu?si=1b553ad155964c94
Substack: pegasusunfiltered.substack.com

Our website: pegasusangelaccelerator.com

Learn More: 

Venture Fellow Program
Designed for aspiring venture capitalists and startup leaders, our Venture Fellow Program offers deep insights into venture operations, fund management, and growth strategies, all guided by seasoned industry experts.
https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/learn-venture

Emerging Angel Program
Break the mold and dive into angel investing with a fresh perspective. Our Emerging Angel Program provides a comprehensive curriculum on innovative investment strategies, unique deal sourcing, and hands-on, real-world experiences, all guided by industry experts.
https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/emerging-angels

Follow Us:

pegasusunfiltered.substack.com

linkedin.com/company/pegasus-angel-accelerator

x.com/paa_vc

www.instagram.com/pegasusaccelerator

www.tiktok.com/@pegasusaccelerator

#venturecapital #startup #investing

In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Griffin Hermes, Principal at Pegasus Angel Accelerator, interviews Marshall Smith of Steamwork Ventures, Maurice Maschmeyer of BAM Ventures, and Blake Caldwell of FoundersBoost. 

Join our expert panel as we dive deep into the nuances of venture capital and offer essential insights for founders navigating the startup ecosystem. We explore why bootstrapping can often be beneficial, how investors evaluate startups during due diligence, and the key role of traction, execution, and team dynamics in securing investment.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of coachability, trusted advisors, and resilience for long-term success. Gain actionable takeaways about the evolving landscape of VC investments and how market trends are shaping the future of entrepreneurship.

Chapters:

1:00 - VC intros
9:18 - What's important during due diligence?
13:26 - Who should a founder listen to regarding advice?
16:29 - What do you consider to be traction?
20:05 - What makes a good team?
23:12 - Has anyone invested in a team without domain expertise?
26:02 - Thoughts on secondaries?
29:10 - What is the future of later-stage capital in deals that don't need funding

Listen here:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-unfiltered/id1756379899
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/342uGXBr031LgcubfOxYsu?si=1b553ad155964c94
Substack: pegasusunfiltered.substack.com

Our website: pegasusangelaccelerator.com

Learn More: 

Venture Fellow Program
Designed for aspiring venture capitalists and startup leaders, our Venture Fellow Program offers deep insights into venture operations, fund management, and growth strategies, all guided by seasoned industry experts.
https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/learn-venture

Emerging Angel Program
Break the mold and dive into angel investing with a fresh perspective. Our Emerging Angel Program provides a comprehensive curriculum on innovative investment strategies, unique deal sourcing, and hands-on, real-world experiences, all guided by industry experts.
https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/emerging-angels

Follow Us:

pegasusunfiltered.substack.com

linkedin.com/company/pegasus-angel-accelerator

x.com/paa_vc

www.instagram.com/pegasusaccelerator

www.tiktok.com/@pegasusaccelerator

#venturecapital #startup #investing

In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Lucas J Pols, Managing Partner of Pegasus Angel Accelerator, interviews Dan Bunting from 1AM Gaming.

In this conversation, Dan discusses the unique focus of their venture capital fund on content-driven investments in the gaming industry. He elaborates on the lifecycle of game development, the challenges indie developers face in marketing their games, and the metrics that are crucial for securing Series A funding.

Dan shares insights from his extensive experience in the gaming industry, emphasizing the importance of community building and the need for disruption in the traditional publishing model. He also provides a candid assessment of the current state of venture capital in gaming and offers advice for aspiring founders.

Chapters:

01:18 - About 1AM Gaming
03:16 - The lifecycle of a video game
05:52 - Challenges of marketing games 
08:28 - What a typical VC-backed gaming company looks like
09:50 - Metrics for Series A in Gaming
12:29 - Dan's background
14:56 - Career Advice
15:40 - Current VC landscape
18:40 - Dan's investments
20:46 - Where disruption needs to happen in gaming
23:17 - Hot take
26:30 - Lucas's AI gaming idea

Listen here:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-unfiltered/id1756379899
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/342uGXBr031LgcubfOxYsu?si=1b553ad155964c94
Substack: pegasusunfiltered.substack.com

Our website: pegasusangelaccelerator.com

Learn More: 

Venture Fellow Program
Designed for aspiring venture capitalists and startup leaders, our Venture Fellow Program offers deep insights into venture operations, fund management, and growth strategies, all guided by seasoned industry experts.
https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/learn-venture

Emerging Angel Program
Break the mold and dive into angel investing with a fresh perspective. Our Emerging Angel Program provides a comprehensive curriculum on innovative investment strategies, unique deal sourcing, and hands-on, real-world experiences, all guided by industry experts.
https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/emerging-angels

Follow Us:

pegasusunfiltered.substack.com

linkedin.com/company/pegasus-angel-accelerator

x.com/paa_vc

www.instagram.com/pegasusaccelerator

www.tiktok.com/@pegasusaccelerator

#venturecapital #startup #investing

In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Lucas J Pols, Managing Partner of Pegasus Angel Accelerator, interviews Winter Mead from Coolwater Capital.

0:19 - Intro
0:50 - What is Coolwater Capital?
5:04 -  Coolwater's application process
09:13 - Coolwater's Training Program
13:18 - Mistakes emerging managers make when talking to LPs
21:16 - Coolwater role in the ecosystem 
27:33 - Winter's hot takes

Listen to find out more about venture capital and early-stage startup investing! 

Listen here:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-unfiltered/id1756379899
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/342uGXBr031LgcubfOxYsu?si=1b553ad155964c94
Substack: pegasusunfiltered.substack.com

Our website: pegasusangelaccelerator.com

Learn More: 

Venture Fellow Program
Designed for aspiring venture capitalists and startup leaders, our Venture Fellow Program offers deep insights into venture operations, fund management, and growth strategies, all guided by seasoned industry experts.
https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/learn-venture

Emerging Angel Program
Break the mold and dive into angel investing with a fresh perspective. Our Emerging Angel Program provides a comprehensive curriculum on innovative investment strategies, unique deal sourcing, and hands-on, real-world experiences, all guided by industry experts.
https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/emerging-angels

Follow Us:

pegasusunfiltered.substack.com

linkedin.com/company/pegasus-angel-accelerator

x.com/paa_vc

www.instagram.com/pegasusaccelerator

www.tiktok.com/@pegasusaccelerator

#venturecapital #startup #investing

In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Lucas J Pols, Managing Partner of Pegasus Angel Accelerator, interviews Carey Ransom from BankTech Ventures!

Listen to find out more about venture capital and early-stage startup investing! 

0:00 - Intro
1:06 - What is BankTech Ventures?
6:02 - How hands-on are they?
8:51 - What is Operate?
14:11 - Tell a war story
18:05 - Does venture scale?
23:42 - Carey's hot take

Listen here:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-unfiltered/id1756379899
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/342uGXBr031LgcubfOxYsu?si=1b553ad155964c94
Substack: pegasusunfiltered.substack.com

Our website: pegasusangelaccelerator.com

Learn More: 

Venture Fellow Program
Designed for aspiring venture capitalists and startup leaders, our Venture Fellow Program offers deep insights into venture operations, fund management, and growth strategies, all guided by seasoned industry experts.
https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/learn-venture

Emerging Angel Program
Break the mold and dive into angel investing with a fresh perspective. Our Emerging Angel Program provides a comprehensive curriculum on innovative investment strategies, unique deal sourcing, and hands-on, real-world experiences, all guided by industry experts.
https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/emerging-angels

Follow Us:

pegasusunfiltered.substack.com

linkedin.com/company/pegasus-angel-accelerator

x.com/paa_vc

www.instagram.com/pegasusaccelerator

www.tiktok.com/@pegasusaccelerator

#venturecapital #startup #investing