Have desire to build with unwavering commitment

Isabel Bescos, Partner at Entrepreneurs First, shares how EF identifies exceptional founders before they have a company, co-founder, product, or even a business idea. She explains why EF considers itself a talent investor, what it means to invest in individuals at a stage even earlier than pre-seed, and the characteristics she looks for when evaluating potential founders. Isabel discusses will to power, personal exceptionalism, followership, resilience, and bias to action as key founder traits. She explains why great founders matter more than great ideas at the earliest stage, how founders can prepare before approaching EF, why building a venture-backed company is harder and less glamorous than it appears, and why an investor's "no" can sometimes mean "not yet."   In this episode, you'll learn: [05:32] Why Entrepreneurs First calls itself a talent investor and backs individuals before they have a fully formed company, team, or idea. [08:46] What EF looks for in potential founders, including grit, will to power, personal exceptionalism, and followership. [16:15] Why the founder can matter more than the idea at the earliest stage — and why exceptional people can find exceptional problems to solve. [17:24] How founders can prepare before approaching EF by demonstrating a bias to action, experimenting with ideas, and understanding why now is the right time to build. [20:32] Why building a startup is becoming more competitive and why resilience, long-term conviction, and the willingness to face setbacks matter more than ever. [24:38] Why EF says no to founders and why a rejection can sometimes mean "not yet" rather than "never." The nonprofit organization Isabel is passionate about: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) About Isabel Bescos  Isabel Bescos is a Partner at Entrepreneurs First, where she works with founders building companies for the U.S. market from San Francisco. Before joining EF, Isabel was an early employee at BlaBlaCar, helping the company expand internationally across Europe and other global markets. She later worked in venture capital at Balderton Capital before founding and running her own company focused on helping remote teams work more effectively. Isabel grew up in Belgium and studied psychology in the UK and the United States. Her experience as an operator, founder, and investor gives her a perspective across multiple stages of the startup journey. About Entrepreneurs First Entrepreneurs First is a talent investor that backs exceptional individuals at the earliest stages of their company-building journey. Rather than requiring founders to arrive with an existing company or co-founder, EF helps individuals find co-founders, explore ideas, and build companies around problems worth solving. EF operates across India, Europe, the UK, and the United States. Founders backed through the program ultimately relocate to San Francisco to build for the U.S. market and raise capital there. The program brings together ambitious founders, advisors, investors, and an international entrepreneurial community, providing support across co-founder discovery, company formation, customer development, and fundraising. EF portfolio companies include Strala, Tractable, Cleo, Gensyn, Opply, Magdrive, Unitary, Better Dairy among others. Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

Sudarshan Sridharan, General Partner of SF1, shares his journey from building founder communities and operating startups to launching an early-stage venture capital firm focused on AI-native companies. He explains how he evaluates founders, why competence, integrity, and ambition matter more than polished pitches, and how artificial intelligence is reshaping the markets attracting venture capital. Throughout the conversation, Sudarshan offers practical advice on earning investor trust, building meaningful relationships, and creating long-term value as both a founder and an investor. In this episode, you'll learn: [03:10] How Sudarshan built founder communities, started companies, and launched SF1 while still in his early twenties. [11:40] Why competence, integrity, and market size are the three questions he asks when evaluating founders. [18:20] Why clarity of thought matters more than having every answer during a fundraising conversation. [27:45] How AI is creating new venture opportunities across infrastructure, robotics, defense, energy, and life sciences. [35:30] Why founders should build investor relationships long before they need capital. [43:15] How Sudarshan supports founders beyond writing the first check. About Sudarshan Sridharan Sudarshan Sridharan is a General Partner of SF1, an early-stage venture capital firm investing in AI-native founders building category-defining companies. Before founding SF1, he built startups, invested as an angel, and created founder communities that connected entrepreneurs with investors and experienced operators. His investment philosophy centers on backing founders with exceptional ambition, integrity, and clarity of thought while helping them build enduring companies through long-term partnership. About SF1 SF1 is an early-stage venture capital firm that partners with AI-native founders building generational companies from inception to IPO. The firm invests at the earliest stages, backing entrepreneurs developing transformative technologies across artificial intelligence and enterprise software. SF1 is built around long-term partnerships with founders, supporting them beyond capital through recruiting, fundraising, strategic introductions, and company building. The firm's investment philosophy emphasizes founder quality, clarity of thought, integrity, and the ability to execute in large, evolving markets. Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

Amir Kabir, Founder and Managing Partner at Overlook Ventures, discusses his journey from entrepreneur to venture capitalist and explains why he founded Overlook Ventures to invest at the earliest stages of company building. He shares his investment philosophy around founder quality, intellectual honesty, unique market insight, and the emerging opportunity around AI, autonomy, and risk infrastructure. Throughout the conversation, Amir offers practical advice for founders on validating problems, building venture-scale businesses, and standing out in an increasingly crowded AI landscape. In this episode, you'll learn: [02:15] How Amir's journey from entrepreneur to venture capitalist shaped the investment philosophy behind Overlook Ventures. [07:10] AI, autonomy, and the "infrastructure of risk" represent the next frontier for startup innovation. [14:50] Why founders should focus on solving real problems and developing unique insights instead of building products in search of a market. [20:50] How Amir evaluates founders by uncovering the unique knowledge and conviction that drive them to solve a particular problem. [27:55] The most common reasons Amir says "no" to startups, and why intellectual honesty often beats polished answers. [30:45] Venture capital is shifting toward specialized funds. What does that mean for founders raising capital today? The nonprofit organization Amir is passionate about: Presidential Leadership Scholars About Amir Kabir Amir Kabir is the Founder and Managing Partner of Overlook Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm investing at the inception, pre-seed, and seed stages. Previously, he helped build Munich Re Ventures and has spent years investing across insurance technology, financial services, AI, and risk infrastructure. Today, he focuses on companies building the next generation of AI safety, governance, autonomy, and regulated-market infrastructure. About Overlook Ventures Overlook Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm founded by Amir Kabir that invests at the inception, pre-seed, and seed stages. The firm focuses on what Amir describes as the "infrastructure of risk"—backing founders building across AI, autonomy, cybersecurity, insurance, financial services, and regulated markets. Overlook partners with entrepreneurs developing the technologies that make AI systems more trustworthy, secure, and accountable, while helping modernize how risk is measured, managed, and transferred. The firm typically invests early and supports founders with strategic guidance, customer introductions, and deep industry expertise. Portfolio companies include: Strala, Crabi, Soteris, Soma, Prediction Guard, Mesh, Pax Markets, Asymmetric Security, Eloquent AI, Seedless, Flyra, and IronGrid. Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

Justin Smith-Lorenzetti, Founder and Managing Director, Intact Private Capital, shares his journey from leading innovation initiatives within Intact Insurance to helping build a global investment platform managing more than $1.6 billion in assets. Drawing on lessons from investments across insurtech, mobility, AI, and financial services, he explains how Intact approaches startup and LP investing. Justin also offers practical advice for founders and investors, arguing that focus and conviction matter more than ever in today's AI-driven world. In this episode, you'll learn: [02:08] How Justin accidentally became a venture capitalist [06:55] How Intact Private Capital invests from idea to IPO [09:11] The evolution of insurtech over the last decade [11:26] Why Coterie and Shepherd stood out as investments [16:56] What Justin looks for in founders across every stage [20:23] Why founders choose investors—not the other way around [23:15] How Intact makes high-conviction investment decisions [25:17] What Justin looks for as an LP investing in venture funds [29:57] His advice for founders building in the AI era [32:17] What venture capital can do better The nonprofit organization Justin is passionate about: The Barry F. Lorenzetti Foundation About Justin Smith-Lorenzetti Justin Smith-Lorenzetti is the Founder and Managing Director at Intact Private Capital, where he oversees venture, growth, and fund investments across insurance, financial services, mobility, and emerging technology. Since helping launch Intact's venture investing activities more than a decade ago, he has backed companies ranging from Turo to leading insurtech startups. Justin is widely recognized as one of Canada's most active investors in the insurance technology ecosystem and serves on the boards of multiple venture-backed companies. About Intact Private Capital Intact Private Capital is the private investment arm of Intact Financial Corporation, one of North America's leading property and casualty insurance companies. The firm manages approximately $1.6 billion across venture capital, growth equity, and fund investment strategies. Leveraging Intact's deep industry expertise and global network, the team invests in companies across insurance, financial services, mobility, AI, and adjacent sectors, supporting founders from the earliest stages through IPO. Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

David Zhou, co-founder of The Side Letter and host of Superclusters, shares lessons from his journey as a founder, venture investor, LP, and educator. He explains how sophisticated limited partners evaluate venture funds, why consistent decision-making frameworks matter, and how emerging managers can stand out in an increasingly crowded market. David discusses common mistakes new LPs make, the metrics that matter when evaluating venture performance, and why successful investors develop discipline around both entering and exiting investments. He also shares practical advice for fund managers seeking LP support, emphasizing the importance of understanding investor motivations before ever making a pitch. In this episode, you'll learn: [02:35] How David accidentally became an entrepreneur and investor [03:42] Why venture capital appeals to people who love imagining the future [06:52] The story behind Superclusters and educating emerging LPs [11:21] Common mistakes first-time LPs make when evaluating funds [15:25] Why investors need consistent frameworks instead of chasing excitement [23:04] Which venture fund metrics actually matter and when [30:24] The three disciplines every great fund manager needs [32:25] Why the first LP meeting should never be a pitch [35:22] How to identify and build a unique competitive advantage [39:57] Understanding the motivations behind different types of LPs [44:03] How The Side Letter helps LPs make better investment decisions The nonprofit organization David is passionate about: Friends of Children with Special Needs About David Zhou David Zhou is the co-founder of The Side Letter, a platform that helps limited partners source, evaluate, and understand venture capital funds. He is also the host of Superclusters, a podcast focused on helping emerging LPs learn from experienced investors and better navigate the venture capital ecosystem. Before becoming an LP and venture ecosystem educator, David was a founder and venture investor. Through his writing, investing, and podcasting, he has become a respected voice on venture fund evaluation, LP decision-making, and emerging manager investing. About The Side Letter The Side Letter is a platform built to help limited partners make more informed venture capital investment decisions. The company provides LPs with tools, research, data, and educational resources designed to improve fund sourcing, diligence, and portfolio construction. By helping investors access better information and stronger evaluation frameworks, The Side Letter aims to reduce information asymmetry within the venture capital ecosystem and empower a new generation of sophisticated LPs. Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

Christina Quinn, General Partner at SSC Venture Partners, shares practical lessons from investing in first-time founders and supporting Boston College entrepreneurs through venture funding and accelerator programs. She explains how SSC Venture Partners combines community, mentorship, and early-stage capital to help founders navigate the difficult early years of company building. Christina also discusses the qualities she consistently looks for in entrepreneurs, including adaptability, resilience, initiative, and self-awareness. In this episode, you'll learn: [01:59] Christina Quinn’s unconventional path into venture capital [05:36] How SSC Venture Partners supports Boston College founders [10:30] Why SSC invests at the true pre-seed stage [15:52] The founder traits Christina values most [18:14] How to tell real founder obsession from startup hype [21:01] The GiveCard story and mission-driven entrepreneurship [26:07] Common reasons founders get rejected [30:06] Advice for founders before pitching investors The nonprofit organization Christina is passionate about: Artists for Humanity About Christina Quinn Christina Quinn is a General Partner at SSC Venture Partners, where she focuses on backing early-stage founders connected to the Boston College ecosystem. Before entering venture capital, Christina built a career in marketing, communications, and private equity, developing expertise in storytelling, fundraising, and brand strategy. She previously worked with emerging venture managers through Coolwater Capital and has become known for her founder-first approach to investing, particularly with first-time entrepreneurs building mission-driven businesses. About SSC Venture Partners SSC Venture Partners is an affinity-based venture capital firm and startup accelerator focused on founders connected to the Boston College ecosystem. Founded originally as a nonprofit accelerator program, SSC has evolved into an early-stage venture platform supporting entrepreneurs through mentorship, community, and pre-seed capital. The firm invests across sectors and emphasizes founder development, resilience, and long-term company building. In addition to its venture fund, SSC operates accelerator programs designed to help first-time founders navigate product development, customer discovery, fundraising, and team building. Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

Ian Sandler, COO of Insight Partners and co-founder of Riley’s Way Foundation, engages in a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation on leadership, venture capital, and building meaningful impact. Ian reflects on his unconventional career path, his philosophy on building organizations, and how a personal tragedy shaped his mission to empower the next generation of kind leaders. He also shares practical advice for founders and young leaders on dreaming big, understanding themselves, and building networks that matter. In this episode: [00:58] Ian Sandler’s background and upbringing [03:59] From law to “wimpy entrepreneur” [06:05]  Building and scaling at Insight Partners [09:27]  Balancing venture capital with purpose [12:35]  What makes great investors today [17:12]  The story behind Riley’s Way Foundation [31:33]  Advice for young leaders: dream big, self-care, network [36:17] The future of Riley’s Way Foundation The nonprofit organization Ian is passionate about: Riley’s Way Foundation About Ian Sandler Ian Sandler is the Chief Operating Officer at Insight Partners, where he oversees the firm’s non-investment operations and helps scale new strategic initiatives. Over a career spanning roles at Morgan Stanley, The Carlyle Group, and Citadel, he has built a reputation as a “builder of businesses” who specializes in identifying talent and turning ideas into scalable platforms. In parallel, he is the co-founder of Riley’s Way Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to developing kind, community-driven young leaders. About Insight Partners Founded in 1995, Insight Partners is a global venture capital and private equity firm focused on high-growth software, internet, and technology companies. The firm manages over $90 billion in assets and has invested in more than 875 companies worldwide, supporting founders from early-stage growth through IPO. Its approach combines capital with hands-on operational support through its “Onsite” team, helping companies scale revenue, build talent, and execute go-to-market strategies. Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

Gilad Shai, Managing Director at BMI Capital International,  reveals the harsh realities and hidden opportunities in the InsurTech ecosystem. From launching InsurTech LA with 10 people in 2015 to watching billion-dollar valuations evaporate 90% post-IPO, Gilad shares unfiltered insights on why most InsurTech startups are stuck in "purgatory" and what it really takes to succeed in insurance innovation. In this episode, you'll learn: [01:13] Building the InsurTech LA community [05:26] The evolution of InsurTech over the past decade [10:50] Are we early or late in InsurTech? [15:01] Why innovation in insurance is harder than it looks [19:43] Advice for founders entering InsurTech [23:05] IPO failures and M&A realities The nonprofit organization Gilad is passionate about: Gift of Life About Gilad Shai Gilad Shai is a Managing Director at BMI Capital International. A Global InsurTech expert and lead advisor at BMI, Gilad has over 20 years of professional experience. He invests directly and is an active advisory board member in several organizations. Gilad's experience spans multiple industries and company sizes. He worked for large brands Intel, Hearst, Yahoo!, and Farmers insurance and has launched several startups. Gilad is a host, a speaker, and an author on the InsurTech subject. He has been organizing InsurTech LA events and hosting guest speakers since 2017. He has given keynote presentations and moderated panels at major global conferences in NYC, London, Chicago, Vegas, and Tel Aviv. Gilad co-authored The InsurTech book, published by Wiley, and featured in Financial Times and other media outlets and podcasts. About BMI Capital International BMI Capital International is an investment firm focused on the intersection of insurance and technology. The firm specializes in identifying and supporting innovative solutions that transform how insurance products are created, distributed, and managed. BMI Capital provides strategic capital and industry expertise to help portfolio companies navigate the complex insurance ecosystem and achieve meaningful scale. Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

Debjit Mukerji, Partner at NGP Capital, explains why deep tech’s defining moment has finally arrived. Drawing on a thesis-driven approach, he shares how he evaluates companies at the intersection where “atoms meet bits”, backing founders building in the physical world. Debjit breaks down the convergence of three powerful forces—labor shortages, generative AI’s expansion into industrial use cases, and faster hardware development cycles—that are unlocking a new era of opportunity for physical technology companies. In this episode, you'll learn: [05:28] Why venture capital? [07:40] Inside NGP Capital’s deep tech focus [11:05] Why now is the moment for deep tech [17:02] What Debjit looks for in founders [19:17] The Tractian story: founder intensity [31:39] Key deep tech trends: Robotics & AI [35:43] What makes a great deep tech pitch The nonprofit organization Debjit is passionate about: MedShare About Debjit Mukerji Debjit Mukerji is a Partner at NGP Capital, where he focuses on Deep Tech investments across robotics, AI, and industrial systems. With over two decades in venture capital, Debjit brings a strong technical foundation, holding a PhD in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. His career has spanned roles across multiple leading firms and industrial technology platforms, where he has consistently focused on translating breakthrough research into real-world impact. He is particularly passionate about backing founders building at the intersection of software and the physical world—where innovation is hardest, but most enduring. About NGP Capital NGP Capital is a global venture capital firm dedicated to investing in Deep Tech companies. With a focus on “digital-physical convergence,” the firm backs startups that apply AI, software, and hardware to transform physical industries. NGP Capital invests primarily at the Series A and B stages, with a global footprint spanning North America, Europe, and beyond. The firm partners closely with founders building in sectors such as robotics, industrial software, space technology, and connected systems, supporting companies that aim to redefine how the physical world operates. Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

Danielle Strachman and Michael Gibson, Founders and General Partners at the 1517 Fund, discuss their unconventional approach to venture capital. The firm backs ambitious founders, many of whom choose to leave college early to pursue breakthrough ideas. Drawing on their experience building the Thiel Fellowship, Danielle and Michael explain how working closely with hundreds of young innovators shaped their belief in character driven investing. They share how they identify talent before traditional signals appear and why curiosity, conviction, and “hyper fluency” matter more than credentials. In this episode, you'll learn: [01:03] Danielle Strachman and Michael Gibson on building the Thiel Fellowship and founding 1517 Fund [07:56] Lessons from working with hundreds of Thiel Fellows and identifying exceptional young builders [14:32] Why leaving college early can be an acceleration, not a dropout [18:47] The story behind the name 1517 Fund [23:41] How 1517 evaluates founders and why character matters more than credentials [29:06] Investing in frontier technologies that sound like science fiction [36:58] Advice for young builders and how founders can connect with the 1517 community The nonprofit organization Danielle is passionate about: Foresight Institute   About Danielle Strachman Danielle Strachman is Co Founder and General Partner at 1517 Fund. She has spent more than a decade working with young entrepreneurs and unconventional builders. In 2010 she joined the founding team of the Thiel Fellowship, where she led the design and operations of the program. During that time she worked with founders such as Vitalik Buterin and Ritesh Agarwal. Before that, Danielle founded and directed Innovations Academy in San Diego, a K–8 charter school focused on student led and project based learning. At 1517 Fund, she focuses on identifying ambitious young builders and helping them turn early ideas into companies.   About Michael Gibson Michael Gibson is Co Founder and General Partner at 1517 Fund. In 2010 he helped launch the Thiel Fellowship with Peter Thiel. The program was built on a simple belief. Exceptional founders can appear without credentials and often in unexpected places. Michael frequently challenges the influence of credential driven institutions across education, government, and industry. His work focuses on supporting founders who push the edges of science and technology.   About 1517 Fund 1517 Fund is an early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2015 by Danielle Strachman and Michael Gibson. The firm backs young founders, uncredentialed builders, and renegade scientists working on ambitious ideas. Its philosophy grew out of the success of the Thiel Fellowship, which helped launch companies such as Ethereum, Figma, Luminar Technologies, OYO Rooms, and Longevity Fund. The name 1517 references the year Martin Luther sparked the Reformation. In the same spirit, the firm challenges the modern belief that credentials and diplomas are required to build important things. Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.