Skin in the Game VC Podcast

Curious as to how military training prepares you for the world of entrepreneurship? If you’ve ever found yourself at a crossroads in your career and felt that you just aren’t being offered anything to your liking, have you ever thought of striking out on your own? Entrepreneurship is a complicated and humbling experience, but it also allows you to be your own boss and create the business you’ve always wanted to work for. What happens when a former Army officer and member of the White House Homeland Security board retires from the military and decides to make his own luck? You get Brian Butler, founder and CEO of Vistra Communications. From college ROTC to working at the Pentagon to founding his own startup, Brain has experienced firsthand a remarkable professional career. Vistra Communications handles PR, marketing, and consulting for a number of government and corporate contracts, including AT&T and Coca-Cola. Founded in 2007, they now employ over 100 people and have offices in both Florida and Northern Virginia. As a 22 year veteran of the US Army, Brian has learned invaluable lessons through his service. Listen and learn what Brian attributes his success to and what we can do to help diversify the growing field of Florida entrepreneurs. Listen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google PodcastsSome Questions Asked: How did you transition from the army to entrepreneurship? (4:33)How did the military prepare you for the rollercoaster of business ownership? (7:22)What did the army teach you about leadership? (8:50)How can we fix the disparity in diversity amongst entrepreneurs? (14:58)What impact does technology have on your business? (19:16)Where does the military stand on adopting and developing technology? (21:22)In this episode, you will learn:How Brian got started as an entrepreneur. (2:27)Why Brian believes that veterans make excellent employees. (6:05)The type of attitude that makes a successful business leader. (11:15)About the emerging start-up scene out of South Florida. (18:24)Advice Brian has for founders. (25:13)Connect with Brian:LinkedInVistra CommunicationsVistra on FacebookVistra on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to develop true staying power in an industry as quick and variable as tech?If you’re serious about making it in the tech world, there are certain attributes that will set you apart from the pack. Curiosity, humility, and the ability to see patterns are invaluable for anyone, but are absolute prerequisites for successful entrepreneurs. Couple these with a shrewd eye for team building and a knack for playing to your own strengths, and you may be well on your way to success. When you hear names like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, the first thing that comes to mind will, of course, be that they’re titans in the tech industry. What might not immediately strike you is that they both built their empires from the ground up. Steve Raymund is one of the few others who also own that claim to fame. From his beginnings at the dawn of the 1980s tech boom to his diverse stable of investments today, Steve has managed to remain at the top of his game throughout the last 40 years. Steve Raymund is the former CEO, co-founder, and board member of Tech Data, an IT products and services company headquartered in Clearwater, Florida. Steve led the company through early turmoil and self-described “rock bottom” during a nearly complete employee turnover, to going public a mere six years later, with $1 billion in annual sales by 1993. Steve also serves as a board member for Jabil Inc, a $19 billion technology manufacturing company that provides parts to Apple and Microsoft. As a 20-year CEO, Steve has learned some invaluable lessons. Find out why Paul touts Steve as a different kind of tech executive and the traits and personality type that Steve attributes much of his success to. Listen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google PodcastsSome Questions Asked: To what do you attribute Tech Data’s longevity? (12:57)What have you learned about managing people and creating a team? (17:30)Is there one accomplishment in your career that stands out, that you're most proud of? (19:29)In this episode, you will learn:Steve’s experience as an early player in tech. (00:56)What the rapidly growing tech marketplace, starting in the early '80s, looked like. (02:26)The unique qualities that make up a different kind of tech leader. (7:11)What to really look for in an angel investment opportunity. (25:48)The key to making it all look so easy (and why the pain along the way is worth it!) (30:09)Connect with Steve:LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being a successful angel investor requires a lot of work and commitment. At Florida Funders, our goal is to make it easier for people and increase their chances of finding the right opportunities for them. Being in this arena for over 25 years, we’ve learned valuable lessons on how to maximize the probability of great returns, and we’ve compiled these best practices into what we call “The 5 Ds of Angel Investing.” In this episode, Tom Wallace talks in detail about these five important elements that every investor should pay attention to and rigorously follow whenever the opportunity to invest comes their way. Tune in, and learn more about the 5 Ds of Angel Investing, and how Florida Funders can help both investors and founders to reach higher grounds in their ventures. Listen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google Podcasts In this episode, you will learn:The 5 Ds of Angel Investing and why they are crucial for a successful angel investor. (00:45)The importance of being selective about the companies you’re investing in (01:45)The two parts of the due diligence process required for a great investment. (02:46)The role played by domain expertise in having successful investments. (08:32)The reason we encourage our investors to build a diversified portfolio. (09:52)Why discipline plays a crucial part in angel investing. (11:14)Why Florida Funders is making angel investing easy. (12:46) Connect with Tom Wallace:LinkedInFlorida Funders website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At Florida Funders, we are helping early-stage companies get access to capital from investors through an online process and crowdfunding. We’re all about learning best practices and getting better at angel investing, and the purpose of this podcast is to interview some of the best and brightest and most successful investors and entrepreneurs to learn from them and get better in the process. After interviewing a handful of people on the show and finding out what makes them tick, what motivates them, how they’ve built successful companies, and how they help others do the same, we thought it’s time to give you some background on Florida Funders – what sparked the idea and why it’s a great network for founders and funders. Our host and Managing Partner, Tom Wallace, shares his journey in the angel investing world, as well as what drove him and his partners to start Florida Funders. Tom has learned the hard way how challenging angel and early-stage investing can be, and he has dedicated his life to making this process easier. Tune in to learn more! Listen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google Podcasts In this episode, you will learn:What brought Tom to Florida almost 30 years ago. (00:45)The current Florida tech ecosystem. (02:28)The venture that inspired Tom to dedicate full-time to angel investing. (04:01)What Florida Funders offers to investors. (08:15)The benefits of Florida Funders’ angel network. (09:58) Connect with Tom and Florida Funders: Florida Funders websiteLinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What started as a friendship between two women cheerleading for the Buccaneers ended up in Next Path: a growing company providing hiring solutions for companies that see people as their competitive advantage. In today's episode, Ashley Jarocki and Stephanie Markese share with us how they went from cheering on the same line together to making a leap of faith and starting their own company in the staffing world. Stephanie Markese always wanted to be a dentist until she realized that she wanted something more than work for a salary for the rest or her life, where she could evolve and make her earnings grow. After a taste of staffing and sales, there was no coming back into dentistry. Ashley Jarocki was looking for a change after five years in the corporate world. One day, she received a call from Stephanie proposing a leap of faith: bring your knowledge of the corporate world and let's start a company together. Listen to the full episode, learn about the best way of dealing with the hiring process, how our guests think the staffing world will look like in the coming years, and how AI will deal with culture fit when filtering candidates for hire. Listen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google PodcastsQuestions I ask:Did you guys go into staffing together? (4:11)Your industry changed a lot in the last year. How did COVID affect your business? (7:30 )Any advice for entrepreneurs buildings their team? Should they do it themselves or hire a staffing firm? (10:13)Is it possible to evaluate a candidate in a one-hour interview? (14:28)How do you see things like 5G, AI, augmented reality, and other new technologies affecting your industry? (17:51) In this episode, you will learn:How Next Path was born (4:18)Recruiting and staffing evolving with technology (7:30)The reason why companies should look for culture fit when hiring (11:06)AI or a person, who is better for culture fit? (20:56)Are resumes still relevant in the LinkedIn era? (22:29)Connect with Ashley Jarocki:LinkedinInstagramFacebookConnect with Stephanie Markese:LinkedinInstagramFacebookNext Path Resources:Website LinkedinFacebookTwitterInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you hear about a new idea, how can you be sure it’s good or bad? As an investor, you have to be a calculated risk-taker. Of course, there’s the due diligence that can help you decide whether the business that’s presented to you is worth funding, but you still need a dose of courage to financially support an idea Netflix is one of those successful businesses that weren’t short of ups and downs – and in this episode, you will hear the story of Netflix seen through the lens of one of the early investors: Paul Holland. Why did he choose to invest? What’s the background between Paul and Reed Hastings? And how did Netflix become one of the clear winners of the streaming wars? Tom and Paul also discuss the important role Paul’s new firm, Mach49 plays in helping global businesses drive meaningful growth to beat the startups at their own game. Paul Holland is Managing Director and VC-in-Residence at Mach49, where he leads the company’s Corporate Venture Investing Practice. Paul works with global businesses to design, launch, and manage corporate venture funds that leverage the experience, deal flow, global network, and success of his top-tier Silicon Valley VCs. Prior to joining Mach49, he was a General Partner for 18 years at leading venture capital fund Foundation Capital, helping take startup companies from zero to $100M, to IPO, or acquisition. His amazing background also includes partnering with Reed Hastings at Pure Software and joining Mark Gainey at Kana Communications. Paul enjoys being on the front lines, working side by side with entrepreneurs developing fast-growing, dynamic new ventures. His investing stories are diverse and interesting, so tune in and find out how he met Reed Hastings and invested in Netflix, how he supported Chegg, as well as what Mach49 is all about.Listen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google Podcasts Some questions asked:How did the investing in Netflix come about? (02:47)When did you realize Netflix is really something special? (14:17)What do you look for in founders? (18:03) In this episode, you will learn:Paul’s journey to where he is today. (00:54)The landscape of venture capital in the late ‘90s. (06:02)The challenges faced by Netflix in its early beginnings. (08:36)How Chegg became a decacorn. (20:23)Linda Yates’ journey to founding Mach49. (24:41)The five preconditions for success. (27:04)The reason more and more people are migrating away from Silicon Valley. (30:33) Connect with Paul:LinkedInMach49 Website Resources:Something Ventured – the movie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just like Florida is known for strawberries and tourism, LA is currently most famous for Hollywood – but things are gradually changing. The technology landscape is constantly growing and although LA has become a huge market, it still feels young. This means there are, yet, a lot of opportunities for angel investors to practice the art of venture capital in the right way, and grab their share of the market. Adam Struck is a Floridian but he is currently living in LA with his family. Through his company, Struck Capital, he supports young founders providing core technology innovation to tackle the world’s largest problems. Adam and his team of investors focus on seed investments into companies led by visionary technologists. Adam is a very successful young man who was named the Forbes 30 Under 30 Most Influential People – and in today’s episode, he is going to share his journey from being a lawyer to dedicating himself to transform LA into a place known for technology. We dive deep into his mindset and Struck Capital’s mission, as well as some successful deals he’s had over the years. Tune in, to learn more about the changing landscape of LA and the investment opportunities you can find there. Some Questions I Ask:After you left the law firm, did you go right on to start your own firm? (03:57)Tell us more about the journey at Struck Capital. What was your vision from the beginning? (07:31)How did you get to move to LA? (08:42)What is the main way you’re able to help founders grow their business? (15:08)How did you find out about the Postmates deal? Are you still in it today? (17:35)Have there been any investments that you passed on that you look back on and they really took off? (19:43)What stage are you typically investing in? (21:46)What do you see as the innovation and the opportunities in your area that you tend to look at? (25:00) In This Episode, You Will Learn:Adam’s journey from lawyer to being a venture capitalist. (01:20)The entrepreneurial history of Adam’s family. (02:54)The advantages of doing SPVs – Special Purpose Vehicle. (10:12)The landscape in LA, in terms of tech companies. (11:07)The reason Struck Capital was able to capture a lot of market share in a short time. (12:39)The typical Struck Capital cheque size for investments. (22:28)The partnership between Adam’s company and Leonardo DiCaprio’s platform. (23:33)Adam’s advice for investors. (27:00)Connect with Adam Struck:Struck Capital WebsiteLinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Calacanis is an entrepreneur, author, podcaster, and angel investor. He’s invested in more than 150 companies, including four multi-billion dollars “unicorns.” His story of investing in Uber is the stuff of investor legend. He’s also built and sold multiple companies for tens of millions of dollars and hosts the popular podcast “This Week in Startups” where he and a rotating group of guest experts bring you the weekly take on the best, worst, and interesting stories from the world of entrepreneurship. As an entrepreneur turned successful angel investor himself, Jason knows how to spot a product that was crafted for growth. He’s had a front row seat to the way that both startup investing and working for startups is evolving in light of Covid. exactly what he needs from his founders - and keeping him in the loop with regard to the health of your business is crucial. In today’s episode, he discusses why he’s eyeing a potential move outside of Silicon Valley, what it takes to make a truly remarkable product, why angel investors should ask for a board seat – contrary to what many people believe – and what types of companies to avoid if you’re just starting your investing journey. Jason knows his game, so check out this episode to learn more about his thoughts on what’s happening with the current investment landscape, how to keep your investments close, and finding startups that are worth your investment. Some questions I ask:How did you get started in angel investing, and what were you doing prior? (06:05)What’s the one thing you look for in founders? (12:26)At which stage do you like to invest? (14:04)How many boards do you sit on? (23:23)What do you think the future of crowdfunding is? (30:03)If you look at the game-changing technology that’s coming on board these days, are there certain ones that you are most excited about? (41:45) In this episode, you will learn: The changes the pandemic has brought in terms of doing business and closing deals. (02:27)The story of Uber – what it was originally and how Jason ended up investing in it. (08:13)How Airbnb was a unicorn that most people thought it was a bad idea. (10:46)The types of companies you should avoid investing in if you’re a new angel investor. (14:36)Jason’s four-bet strategy when he’s investing in a company. (16:18)The importance of monthly monitoring your portfolio of investments. (18:30)The two things Jason requires founders in their term sheets: to receive monthly updates and to have the option of a board seat. (21:34)How regular board meetings can help founders when they’re discussing with investors. (22:10)The global trend around risk and the importance of investing no more than 20% of your income average in startups. (31:50)The advantage of collaborating with an Angel Group. (40:13)Jason’s advice for people who want to venture into the podcasting world. (45:06) Connect with JasonLinkedInEmail: [email protected] UniversityThis Week in Startups PodcastBook: Jason Calacanis – Angel: How to Invest In Technology Startups – Timeless Advice from an Angel Investor Who Turned $100,000 into $100,000,000 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All successful founders, entrepreneurs, or business people have two things in common: integrity and persistence in always getting better at what they’re doing - and these are two traits that most angel investors look at when they’re considering to financially support a startup.That’s exactly what our guest today focuses on – finding people that he knows he could trust and that are willing to go the extra mile for their business. Jeff Vinik is a man wearing many hats and throughout his professional career, he’s managed to switch from being a successful Wall Street investor to then being a hedge fund guy, to joining the real estate industry, to owning a sports team – the Tampa Bay Lightning – and on top of that, to being an early-stage tech investor.Being in Jeff’s shoes is not an easy ride, and it takes a certain discipline in doing your due diligence and learning as much as you can about the industry you’re in or you’re thinking of joining. Today, we discuss his professional journey, why he wanted to switch gears and be part of multiple areas, as well as the types of people that he aims at surrounding himself with.If you’re curious to learn more about Jeff and his early-stage investing, then tune in, and enjoy the show!Some questions I ask:How did you go from hedge fund to real estate? (02:19)How has COVID affected your business? (07:42)How did you get into early-stage technology investing? (12:20)Do you have any stories there about a deal that you invested in that you’d never do again? (16:34)What do you look for in founders? (17:44)What do you do in your spare time? (29:38)In this episode, you will learn:The role Bill Gates plays in Jeff’s real estate ventures. (06:35) Jeff’s thoughts on how the Tampa Bay area is going to evolve post-COVID. (04:40)The four Ds of angel investing. (15:29)Jeff’s experience with investing in eSports. (21:11)The story of Embarc Collective. (24:37) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryan Nece’s journey to becoming a venture capitalist is unlike any we’ve ever seen. As a former NFL linebacker, Ryan defied the odds to become successful after retiring from the professional sports world. Now, he is the Managing Partner at Next Play Capital, founder of the Ryan Nece Foundation, and co-founder at StraightCast Media. Throughout this episode, Ryan shares how he bucked the trend, refusing to undergo extreme financial stress like many other retired athletes. Instead, he treats business like a team sport, acknowledging that he’s only as good as those he surrounds himself with. Ryan breaks down what motivates him to pursue venture capital, how he evaluates the founders whom he invests in, and how he believes more founders from minority communities can get the funding they need to scale. Some Questions I Ask: How did you buck the trend of becoming financially stable after retiring from the NFL? (6:45)What did your role look like with StraightCast Media? (14:40)What do you look for in founders? (24:02)In This Episode, You Will Learn: How Ryan’s career led him to venture capital. (2:11)What inspired Ryan to co-found his business StraightCast Media. (10:08)Why Ryan decided to directly invest in Peloton early on. (21:05)How Ryan evaluates the founders he wants to work with. (27:20)How education and exposure will help founders from minority communities get the funding they need. (31:52)Connect with Ryan Nece: LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Goldberg’s trajectory into venture capital is a unique one. Directly after graduating from Law School and Business School, David worked as a criminal prosecutor, and eventually transitioned to global investment banking. During this time, he started his own men’s fashion company and sold it in 2013. This launched the rest of his career as an investor. In this episode, David shares his journey to becoming a successful investor over the last 6 years, including his biggest mistakes and success stories. Furthermore, he discusses how the global COVID-19 pandemic affects his current investments, and what he believes the “new normal” will be like after the pandemic. So get ready to hear more about David’s success story and learn about new and unique investment opportunities in the market now. Some Questions I Ask: What kind of investing do you do? (2:49)What do you look for in a founder? (6:03)What’s your big miss? (14:39)What opportunities do you see presenting themselves as we transition into this “new normal”? (16:57)What investment are you most excited about? (22:43)What advice do you have for other investors? (25:48)In This Episode, You Will Learn: How David got to where he is today. (1:19)David’s strategy for investing in technology: focus on companies reshaping the world. (2:56)The process of David’s decision to invest in a deal with an outdoor gear rental company. (6:59)How the COVID-19 pandemic affects investments. (10:38)Why pet food companies are great investment opportunities. (15:26)What the future of valuations looks like. (20:50)What drew David to his first investment. (24:13)More about Florida Funders: WebsiteOur Investment Process LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Mallouk is a little different than most investors interviewed on this podcast. Peter isn’t really an angel investor, but he is qualified as an investor. Peter is the President of Creative Planning, which provides wealth management services to clients. They manage roughly $48 billion among clients throughout all 50 states. In this episode, Peter shares insights into how he became an investor, how he handles his clients’ wealth, what role the timing of markets plays in his strategy. He also shares some knowledge from his book, The Five Mistakes Every Investor Makes, including what big behavioral mistakes investors should avoid. So get ready to see investing in a new light and discover strategies to grow your wealth. Some Questions I Ask: Tell us about your background and your firm. (1:40)What drew you to the world of investing? (3:22)What’s your approach to investing and growing your clients’ wealth? (4:30)How do you look at the timing of markets? (11:21)When you look at the dry powder from private equity, what does that mean for investors going forward? (26:00)In This Episode, You Will Learn: How Peter transitioned from an advisor to investor. (3:26)How Peter customizes investment plans for his clients. (4:40)What big behavioral mistakes investors tend to make. (6:24)Why Peter avoids getting involved in venture capital. (16:28)Why people choose private equity investments over public markets. (26:28)Resources: The Five Mistakes Every Investor Makes by Peter MalloukCreative Planning Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Sullivan has always been passionate about the restaurant business—starting from the time bartending and waiting tables. Chris co-founded Outback Steakhouse, which started as a one-story restaurant in Tampa, FL and has now over a thousand locations in 23 separate countries. In this episode, Chris shares his story and every step he took to find the success he has today. He goes further to share advice for other founders, how his vision for business shifted to focusing on angel investing, and how he became Entrepreneur of the Year. So get ready to learn Chris’s success story and how he sees the future of the restaurant business. Some Questions I Ask: How did Outback Steakhouse come about? How did you get started? (0:56)Where did the Australian theme for your restaurant come from? (5:28)What did you learn throughout your journey that other founders should know? (10:03)When did you start angel investing? (15:46)When looking at angel investing, how much emphasis do you put on a jockey? (24:53)From a technology standpoint, what do you think is the biggest impact we’re going to see in the restaurant industry in the next 5 years? (29:42)In This Episode, You Will Learn: How Chris’s vision for his business continuously developed over time. (7:36)What makes business a team sport. (10:14)How Chris was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year. (11:55)How delivery technology is changing the restaurant experience. (27:43)More about Florida Funders: WebsiteOur Investment Process LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scott Gorlick is a native of southern Florida, where he also became one of the first 100 employees to work at Uber. After working at Uber for 6 years, launching their platforms, and scaling their operations globally, he moved to the east coast to spend time investing and advising great startups. In this episode, Scott shares some of the insights and lessons he learned as part of the team at Uber, and what his transition to angel investing was like. He explains a few of his top lessons learned from his investment experiences so far, including why he enjoys working with founders in groundbreaking situations. So get ready to learn about what the future of investing in technology looks like. Some Questions I Ask: What lessons did you learn at Uber? (3:38)How did you get started in angel investing? (8:52)How do you get involved with the companies you invest in? (10:36)What area of technology are you focusing on? (18:43)In This Episode, You Will Learn: What the evolution of Uber looked like. (3:06)Why Uber’s IPO is changing drastically & what to expect in the future. (7:19)What Scott’s learned from angel investing. (9:02)How valuations differ outside of Florida. (12:35)Why Scott enjoys working directly with founders. (16:43)More about Florida Funders: WebsiteOur Investment Process LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angel investing is part art, part science.Oftentimes you trust your gut when deciding to put your finances, effort, and time into a company. In the early stages, you partner up with friends and family, and you choose your investments based on whether you like those people or not. But, as you move further down the spectrum, it becomes more science.In today’s episode, Steve and I discuss how to choose the companies you want to financially support, and also, some of the red flags for angel investing. Steven MacDonald is a serial entrepreneur who founded, among others, TechHealth and myMatrixx – the first web-enabled pharmacy benefits manager. The successful experiences in the entrepreneurial world led Steve into angel investing and now he is a Partner and a Board Member at Florida Funders and he helps find, fund, and build the next generation of technology companies in Florida.So, listen to Episode 06, to learn, from an expert in the field, what are the rewards of angel investing and how you can actively be involved in the companies you want to support.Questions I ask:While you were building myMatrixx, what were some of the things that you learned, lessons learned as an entrepreneur, that maybe even help you as an angel investor today? (04:00)When and how did you start angel investing? (05:31)What do you look for in a founder? What is it that excites you? And why you want to invest in this founder and not that founder? And is the founder the most important thing? (11:38)What are some of the things that you, as a board member and investor, can help a company with? (17:05)What differences do you see between the startup community and investing in Silicon Valley, San Francisco versus Florida? (20:45)In this episode, you will learn:Steve’s background in the business world. (01:54)The reasons angel investing is viewed as part art, part science. (06:03)What to look for, when considering to invest in a company. (10:27)Our processing power and Moore’s law – the two essential components that spin the wheel of technology advancement. (14:46)Steve’s favorite companies that he has invested in. (20:00)Connect with Steve:LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Currently, Miami is mostly seen as a town to party in or a town for so many other industries that are not tech. These perceptions are about to change, as more talented people are turning their attention to this delightful place.On today’s episode, I am joined by Alexis - one of the co-founders of Reddit, who is an important player in the angel investing area, and Andrew – the founder of Papa, a Florida-based company. Alexis invested in Andrew’s business, and they are sharing with us their entrepreneurial journey.Alexis Ohanian co-founded Initialized Capital with Garry Tan, in 2012. Alexis's expertise includes product, marketing, and community, and he is a prolific early-stage investor. Alexis was a co-founder of Reddit, the third-largest website in the US, which was funded by Y Combinator in 2005 and acquired by Condé Nast in 2006. He also served as a partner at Y Combinator and wrote the bestselling book Without Their Permission.Andrew Parker is the founder and CEO of Papa – a Florida-based tech startup. He started the company to support a personal need with his grandfather. Papa provides on-demand personal assistance and socialization to seniors.So, listen to Episode 05, to learn about the future of Florida, tech-wise, and what we can do to attract more people to start their business here.Questions I ask:How did you guys meet? (07:51)Andrew, I saw you expanded geographically. Tell us about that. (11:52)Alexis, what do you think of the deal flow here in investments versus California? (12:39)What tech do you see coming down the road, in terms of technology, from an investment standpoint? (16:33)Have you had any issues with recruiting people you need? (20:43)In this episode, you will learn:How Initialized was born. (02:32)How Papa became a business. (04:21)Alexis’s experience with Y Combinator. (05:26)The reasons why technology can never replace the human touch. (18:08)What Florida needs to do right now, to become an important player in the tech space. (21:22)Connect with Alexis:Initialized WebsiteLinkedInConnect with Andrew:Papa WebsiteLinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The investments industry is wrought with decisions—and they’re never easy to make. Stuart is a native of Tampa, Florida. He moved around, went to school at UVA, but eventually made his way back home to Tampa. Ever since then, he’s been an active investor in technology companies. Some of his investments were incredibly successful and some were not. Each investment he made, however, provided him with new, valuable experience to learn from for the future. On today’s episode, Stuart shares both these successes and failures. He shares his personal journey as an investor along with some of the nitty-gritty details of how he makes those big decisions and his own journey along the way. So get ready to learn some new strategies regarding making investments and what to watch out for. Some Questions I Ask: When and how did you start angel investing? (4:27)What do you look for in an investment? (5:50)What deal size do you look for? (8:00)What red flags do you look for when considering an investment? (11:12)How do you interpret the market when making investments? (12:57)What’s the most important part of due diligence? (20:31)In This Episode, You Will Learn: How Stuart made his first investment. (2:27)Why focusing on the entrepreneur when choosing an investment is crucial. (5:55)Why it’s important to be as real and authentic as possible in investment conversations. (11:24)How the market determines the potential for the business you invest in. (13:05)When to put more money into a company, and when to shut it down. (15:26)Why some of Stuart’s investments failed. (16:01)About the roles of communication and coachability in the investment industry. (19:52)More about Florida Funders:WebsiteOur Investment ProcessLinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes the most thrilling investments are ones that will disrupt society.Disruptive investments—such as investments in transformational technologies that utilize applied artificial intelligence—oftentimes turn out in one of two ways. They can soar—like Apple or Microsoft—or they can tank.Today’s guest, Jake Seid, says that when downturn happens, you can’t lose your momentum. Sometimes the best companies are built after these downturns—don’t forget that.Jake is the managing director at Stone Bridge Ventures. He’s a venture investor focused on investments around the Bay Area in California, but he also invests nationally. Generally, he focuses on investing in disruptive technologies.So get ready to learn from some of Jake’s hits and misses in investing so far.Some Questions I Ask: How did you first get involved in angel investing? (2:30)What’s important to you in a company that you want to invest in? (3:14)What was your biggest miss? (5:19)What do you look for in founders? (8:15)Will you make an investment even if you predict a need to change the company’s top leadership within a couple of years? (10:36)What do you hope to hear from a company regarding their exit strategy? (18:57)Where do you get your best deal flow? (21:51)In This Episode, You Will Learn: Where Jake received strong mentorship in investing early on in his career. (2:34)What makes a company worth investing in. (3:26)How to create defensibility. (4:34)About Jake’s biggest mistake in his career. (5:25)About the pros and cons of a founder and a founding team. (8:24)How investors can add more than monetary value to the company. (13:20)Why Jake is willing to take risks on technology. (15:37)Connect with Jake:LinkedInTwitterAngelListMore about Florida Funders:WebsiteOur Investment ProcessLinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Investing in your first business can be incredibly daunting.There are so many unknowns and so many what if? questions running through your head. It’s the same situation for both the entrepreneur and the investor. Entrepreneurs and investors alike have a goal in mind—and they need the other person in order to get there. It’s risky, but sometimes it’s totally worth it in the end.Today’s guest is Zach Coelius. Zach has worked on both sides of the story. He is a four-time entrepreneur, but now that he’s sold his last company, he shifted to full-time angel investing. In this episode, Zach tells us all about his experiences of getting started in investing, what his strategies are, and how he has become so successful.So get ready to learn about Zach’s journey so far. Along the way, ask yourself: what will it take for me to get started? Some Questions I Ask: What do you like better: being an entrepreneur or being an investor? (2:04)How did you first get involved in angel investing? (3:34)Where do you get your deal flow in? (7:10)What are you looking for in an investment? (8:51)When investing, when do you look for in the founder of the company? (11:54)There’s a lot going on in technology today. What are you interested in? (14:57)What red flags do you look out for in investing? (16:28)How much do you get involved in your investments? (21:55)In This Episode, You Will Learn: About both the dark and light sides of entrepreneurship and investing. (2:07)How Zach transitioned from entrepreneurship to angel investing. (3:38)About how Zach’s “lazy-helpful” work with Silicon Valley changed the course of his career. (7:14)How entrepreneurship experiences can change investment behavior. (8:58)Why the founder is what can make or break the choice to invest. (12:10)Why Zach gets as involved as possible in his investments. (22:00)Why pitch competitions are ineffective and inefficient. (24:12)Resources:Chaos Monkeys: Obscene Fortune and Random Failure in Silicon Valley by Antonio Garcia MartinezConnect with Zach:AngelListLinkedInMore about Florida Funders:WebsiteOur Investment ProcessLinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever played with the idea of investing?Are you an entrepreneur searching for an investor?What’s stopping you?Here at Florida Funders, our goal is to scour the state of Florida, searching for the very best early-stage technology companies to find, fund, and help build up. We are dedicated to changing Florida from the “Sunshine State” to the “Startup State,” making this a great place to start and build a business.On today’s podcast, we talk to Alex Sink. Recently, Alex decided to shift her career from politics to helping entrepreneurs bring their fantasies to reality. In this episode, we talk all about her investment journey, what her ideal investment is, and what red flags she watches out for.What will it take for you to get started?Some Questions I Ask: · How did you get involved in investing? (3:32)· What technology or business models do you like that influence your investing habits? (10:56)· What deal size do you look for? (13:46)· How do you look at follow-ons? (17:03)· What do you think of pitch competitions? (21:48)· How involved do you like to get in an investment? (23:33)In This Episode, You Will Learn: · About Alex’s transition into investing and her early-stage strategies. (3:44)· How to figure out what to invest in as a beginner. (11:06)· How Alex chooses what to invest in. (13:54)· How Alex deals with investments falling through. (15:07)· How Alex evaluates whether or not to participate in follow-on investments. (17:05)· What makes & breaks investment presentations. (19:05)· Why more women should become investors. (25:16)More About Florida Funders: WebsiteOur Investment ProcessLinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.