What does it really take to leave Wall Street, take massive risks, and help shape the future of innovation?

For Jeff Ransdell, Founding Partner and Managing Director of Fuel Venture Capital and CEO of Maquia Capital, the journey started with $138 billion under management at Merrill Lynch, and a decision to walk away. Since then, he’s invested over $150 million into South Florida startups, helping build Miami into a global tech hub while navigating the most unpredictable era in venture capital.

In this episode of Common Denominator, we unpack Jeff’s transition from Wall Street to venture, his take on the AI revolution, and what it means to invest in founders who can lead through chaos and change.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- How Jeff left corporate stability to build one of Miami’s top venture firms

- Why the “AI meta-shift” will redefine work, wealth, and the human condition

- How Fuel Venture Capital turned South Florida into a startup destination

- The founder traits investors look for before writing a check

- Why emotional intelligence matters as much as financial acumen

- What the next five years will look like for startups, investors, and innovation

Like this episode? Leave a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Risk, Mindset & Why Venture Capital Matters

05:00 – How Jeff Assesses Risk & Why VC Isn’t What You Think

10:00 – Coachability, Pivoting & The Founder Traits Fuel VC Looks For

15:00 – Jeff’s Leap From Wall Street to Venture Capital

20:00 – The AI Meta-Shift: What’s Coming in the Next 5 Years

25:00 – Jobs, Humanity & The Future Economic Reality

30:00 – Why Tech Might Push Us Back to Simpler Living

35:00 – Jeff’s Favorite Investments & Lessons From Miami’s Startup Scene

Follow Jeff:  http://linkin.bio/jeffransdellvc 

Fuel Venture Capital: https://fuelventurecapital.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffransdellvc/

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