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Demo Day is the podcast for founders, venture capitalists, and anyone who wants to learn more about the top accelerator, incubator, and VC programs across the country. Come hear the top venture capitalists and founders in the game discuss what it takes to go from seed to exit.
118 Episodes
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How do top VCs really pick winners, and what’s the “fine print” every founder misses? In this Demo Day episode, we go deep inside the investing mind of Jeff Crusey, EVP at Blacklake Group—one of the most unique and active voices in deep tech, defense, and venture capital. Jeff Crusey’s journey moves from building batteries in his garage to becoming a leader at Blacklake Group, where he now guides founders and scouts the “thick tail” of defense technology startups. Jeff opens up about the habi...
What does it really mean to “succeed” as a founder or a VC? In this episode of Demo Day, we sit down with Mark Mullen, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Bonfire Ventures, to explore the realities behind startup success, venture capital, and what it takes to build a high-performing team in today’s market. Mark opens up about the unrealistic expectations in venture capital, why selling a company for $11M can be celebrated in some industries but deemed a failure in VC, and how the focus on fo...
In this episode of Demo Day, Sean Goldfaden interviews venture capitalist and angel investor Santhosh Devati (Managing Parter at Anamika Ventures) about the secret to building lasting success. Santhosh, a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience, shares the unconventional philosophy that has guided his career and his investment decisions. Santhosh reveals why he believes in "giving without expectations" and explains how focusing on helping others can lead to "wealth as a byprod...
Is venture capital dead? According to VC David Yi, the answer is more complex than you think. In this eye-opening conversation with host Sean Goldfaden, David, a veteran founder and investor, reveals why the traditional VC model is "dying" and what will replace it. David, the general partner of Ethos Fund, shares his incredible life journey—from his time in the Peace Corps to a life-altering car accident—that shaped his unique "third culture" investment philosophy. He explains how this approa...
What if the real secret behind Netflix’s success wasn’t movies… but data? In this episode of Demo Day, Sean Goldfaden sits down with Petra Griffith, Managing Director at Wedbush Ventures and a former product leader at Netflix and Yahoo, to uncover the hidden strategies that helped Netflix rise to the top—and the lessons every founder needs to know. Petra shares: - How Netflix became a data company (and why most startups overlook this advantage) - The traits great founders share and the red ...
In this episode of Demo Day, we sit down with Jonathan Hung, Managing Partner at Entrepreneur Ventures, to explore why relationships matter more than returns in venture capital. Jonathan shares how he transitioned from family offices and Trousdale Ventures to launching a fund under Entrepreneur Media. From his “dating fund” philosophy to lessons on LP dynamics, founder due diligence, and his upcoming book Your Emergency Contact, this conversation is packed with hard-earned wisdom. Whether you...
From humble beginnings in Tulsa to launching his own venture capital firm, Kevin Moore’s story is one of resilience, grit, and vision. In this episode of Demo Day, host Sean Goldfaden sits down with Kevin Moore, Managing Partner at Serac Ventures, to uncover the mindset, habits, and experiences that helped him go from engineer to successful VC — and what every founder and aspiring fund manager needs to hear. - Learn how Kevin turned fear into fuel - Why “doing what you know” leads to real p...
Starting a venture capital fund sounds glamorous — but the reality? It’s a long, grueling, high-stakes journey. In this episode of the Demo Day Podcast, we sit down with Rick Smith, Co-Founder of Crosscut Ventures, to unpack why most first-time VCs fail, how to navigate the emerging manager landscape, and what it really takes to build a lasting VC career. Rick shares hard-won lessons from 25+ years in venture, including: - What makes or breaks a fund's first few years - How to raise capital ...
In this episode of Demo Day, we sit down with Minnie Ingersoll, Partner at TenOneTen Ventures and host of the LA Venture Podcast, for an insider look at how venture capital is evolving in 2024. Minnie drops exclusive insights on a growing trend: LP sharing - a powerful but rarely discussed tactic that’s helping up-and-coming VCs fundraise faster and smarter. If you're a VC, founder, or aspiring fund manager, this episode is packed with tactical gems. We also talk about: How new VCs can build ...
What’s the one trait that separates successful startups from the rest? According to TX Zhuo—Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Fika Ventures—it’s not pedigree, pitch decks, or market size. It’s founder responsiveness. In this episode of Demo Day, TX reveals the surprising results of a study across 94 portfolio companies, and why the speed of your email replies might be a signal of much more than just efficiency. Sean Goldfaden sits down with TX to talk about: - How TX turned personal tragedy ...
What makes a great founder? How do VCs really decide who to back? In this episode of Demo Day, host Sean Goldfaden sits down with Marlon Nichols, Managing Partner at MaC Venture Capital, to explore what separates good founders from great ones, the mindset of successful venture capitalists, and the hidden power of community-driven events like CultureHouse and LA Tech Week. Marlon breaks down the qualities he looks for when investing—including “repeat exceptionalism,” founder resilience, doma...
Welcome to the Demo Day Podcast – Your Inside Look at Venture Capital & Startups Hosted by Sean Goldfaden of Coefficient Labs, Demo Day brings you in-depth conversations with top venture capitalists, startup founders, and industry leaders to demystify the world of VC, fundraising, and startup growth. Each episode delivers insider insights on raising capital, navigating the founder journey, scaling businesses, and the future of tech, AI, and innovation. Whether you're an entrepreneur, inve...
Marlon Nichols gives top tips for people who want to become a venture capitalist and describes what a cultural investing thesis means for MaC Venture Capital. Guests - Marlon Nichols Website - https://macventurecapital.com/ Follow Us! LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coefficient-labs Instagram: www.instagram.com/demodaypodcast/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/coefficientlabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coefficientlabs Contact Information: social@coefficientlabs.com
Derek Norton shares advice on working with your friends, the truth about transitioning from entrepreneurship to venture capital, and the necessity of in-person events in the startup and VC ecosystem. Guests - Derek Norton Website - https://www.watertowerventures.com/ Follow Us! LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coefficient-labs Instagram: www.instagram.com/demodaypodcast/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/coefficientlabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coefficientlabs Contact Information: soci...
Peter Lee shares his journey between startups and consulting, before landing in venture capital. He also discusses the true value proposition of robotics companies and the reality in investing in hard technology. Guests - Peter Lee Website - https://www.embark.vc/ Follow Us! LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coefficient-labs Instagram: www.instagram.com/demodaypodcast/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/coefficientlabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coefficientlabs Contact Information: social...
Brian Lee shares the incredible stories of how LegalZoom, ShoeDazzle, Arena Club, and The Honest Company came to fruition. He also describes his transition into venture capital and the types of founders that VCs want to invest in. Guest - Brian Lee Website - https://www.bam.vc/ Follow Us! LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coefficient-labs Instagram: www.instagram.com/demodaypodcast/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/coefficientlabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coefficientlabs Contact Inform...
Alejandro Guerrero shares excellent advice for first generations, the differences between sober and delusional founders, and why checks are the least valuable asset coming from a VC. Guest - Alejandro Guerrero Website - https://actoneventures.com/ Follow Us! LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coefficient-labs Instagram: www.instagram.com/demodaypodcast/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/coefficientlabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coefficientlabs Contact Information: social@coefficientlabs.com
Will Schmitt reveals valuable advice to aspiring VCs, the key differences in leading vs. co-investing, and what VCs seek and don’t seek in a startup founder. Guest - Will Schmitt Website - https://miromaventures.com/ Follow Us! LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coefficient-labs Instagram: www.instagram.com/demodaypodcast/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/coefficientlabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coefficientlabs Contact Information: social@coefficientlabs.com
Ben Savage shares the importance of investing in human capital, the concept of athleticism versus skill, and top tips on interviewing startup founders. Guest - Ben Savage Website - https://www.clocktowerventures.com/ Follow Us! LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coefficient-labs Instagram: www.instagram.com/demodaypodcast/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/coefficientlabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coefficientlabs Contact Information: social@coefficientlabs.com
Paul shares useful advice on the culture needed to grow a startup, the importance of learning from other companies' mistakes, and the value in trusting your gut as a venture capitalist. Guests - Paul Bricault Website - https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplify-la/ Follow Us! LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coefficient-labs Instagram: www.instagram.com/demodaypodcast/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/coefficientlabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coefficientlabs Contact Information: s...
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