The Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing Demystified

Today we cover Part 2 of Underserved Startup Ecosystems with Stuart Larkins & Ezra Galston of Chicago Ventures. In this segment we address: Their opinion on why the majority of HNW accredited investors have never invested in venture. How Chicago ventures has been so successful yielding follow-on funding for their... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Stuart Larkins & Ezra Galston of Chicago Ventures join Nick to cover Underserved Startup Ecosystems, Part 1. We will address questions including: What do you think are the key ingredients for a startup ecosystem? In what ways do you feel that some ecosystems are underserved? Can you talk about some... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: - Greathouse - Boyce - Huston Each investor highlights a situation where they decided not to invest, why they passed, and how it played out. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Welcome back to TFR for another Cram Session. In these special releases, we have aggregated the takeaways and tips from previous episodes. In this installment, we will be recapping the following episodes: 37. The Algorithm for Raise Amount & Valuation (Leo Polovets) 38. Cross-Border Investing (Michael Goldberg) 39. Cleantech Investing... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of The Limited Partner with Lindel Eakman of . In this segment we address: Do you think that LP investment strategy is driving the strategy of individual fund managers? Why or why not? What are the biggest challenges for limited partners? How do LP's differentiate... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Lindel Eakman of Foundry Group Next joins Nick to cover The Limited Partner, Part 1. We will address questions including: Can you walk us through your background and your path to becoming an LP? Can you talk about your experience at Foundry Group and what you're doing w/ FG Next?... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: - Tsai - Mougayar - Shah Each investor illustrates a critical lesson learned about startup investing and how it's changed their approach. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

In this episode we flip the script and the host of Tech in Chicago, Colin Keeley, interviews Nick Moran with questions from the listeners including: How did you meet your investment partner, Jeff Heitzman? What's your investment thesis and how do you evaluate startups for investment? What's an ideal case... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

For this milestone #100 episode, the host of Tech in Chicago, Colin Keeley, interviews Nick Moran with questions from the listeners including: Nick, there are a number of brands that you own: The Full Ratchet, Venture Weekly, New Stack Ventures, and Moran Capital Partners. Why all the brands and what... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: -Gurrieri -Wilkins -Mohnot Each investor discusses sectors, drivers and/or trends that may have significant impact in the future and are potentially positioned for outsized-returns. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of Public Policy for Angel Investors with David Verrill of Hub Angels Investment Group. In this segment we address: Recently I was a little uncomfortable when I noticed an investor that was live streaming a demo day via Periscope, where startups were discussing fundraise details.... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

David Verrill of the Hub Angels Investment Group joins Nick to cover Public Policy for Angel Investors, Part 1. We will address questions including: Can you talk about your experience at Hub Angels and how the group and investments are structured? Can you tell us the story of how you... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of Student-Focused VC Funds with Peter Boyce II of General Catalyst & Rough Draft Ventures. In this segment we address: One of the biggest issues I've encountered at university is that schools and their students have been siloed. How have you considered bridging the gap... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Peter Boyce II of General Catalyst & Rough Draft Ventures joins Nick to cover Student-Focused Venture Funds, Part 1. We will address questions including: Today we're talking about University and Student-focused funds… First off, can you give an overview of the hypothesis here and why you choose to launch a... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: Buttrick Sanwal O'Donnell Each investor describes their investment thesis and how they evaluate startups for investment. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

In this episode, Nick answers questions from the listeners including: First off, a question from Dave at a family office in the midwest… Dave asks: "Nick, I recently reviewed a great startup but am not going to pursue because of the terms. Our lawyer requires a that a convertible note... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of "What's Wrong with Venture?" with Dave McClure of 500 Startups. In this segment we address: Are there any problematic issues that you've observed w/ founders? Any thoughts on who might be one of the most misunderstood people in the venture ecosystem? How do you... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Welcome back to TFR. We've got a good one today as we welcome one of the most respected and polarizing figures in venture, Dave McClure, to the program. Dave, of course, is a founding partner at 500 startups and, with Christine Tsai, they have built an organization that may be... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: Davis Heymann Ramsinghani Each investor highlights a situation where they decided to invest in a startup and why they said yes. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Welcome back to TFR for another Cram Session. In these special releases, we have aggregated the takeaways and tips from previous episodes. In this installment, we will be recapping the following episodes: Ep32: Capital Outside of the Valley (Morris Wheeler, Mike Belsito) Ep33: Syndicate Investing (Gil Penchina) Ep35: Developing Startup... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of SpaceX & Elon Musk's Mission to Mars with Tim Urban of Wait but Why. In this segment we address: When does Elon project that the first crew of people will land on Mars? The surface of Mars is not livable. How does Elon plan... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Tim Urban of Wait but Why joins Nick to cover SpaceX & Elon Musk's Mission to Mars, Part 1. We will address questions including: Tim, can you start us off by telling us your story and how that led to the launch of Wait but Why? You've written about Space... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Welcome back to TFR for another Cram Session. In these special releases, we have aggregated the takeaways and tips from previous episodes. In this installment, we will be recapping the following episodes: Ep26: A New Era of Startup Investing | Angel Evolution (Christopher Mirabile) Ep28: The Investment Readiness Level (Steve... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: - Struhl - Collett - Hudson Each investor highlights a situation where they decided not to invest, why they passed, and how it played out. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of Fintech Investing with Sheel Mohnot of 500 Startups. In this segment we address: What was your business, Fee Fighters, doing in the payment category of fintech and how did that lead to an exit? What are the major customer segments most often served by... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Sheel Mohnot of 500 Startups joins Nick to cover Fintech Investing, Part 1. We will address questions including: Can you talk about your experience at 500 and how the fintech fund and accelerator are related? How do you define fintech?From your standpoint, what are the major categories within fintech? From your... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Welcome back to TFR for another Cram Session. In these special releases, we have aggregated the takeaways and tips from previous episodes. In this installment, we will be recapping the following episodes: Ep18: Fundraise Types, Sources & Structures (Dave Berkus) Ep19: Due Diligence (Imran Ahmad) Ep20: Non-Unicorn Investing (Jerry Neumann)... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: - Triest and DeMarrais - Polovets - Roes Each investor illustrates a critical lesson learned about startup investing and how it's changed their approach. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of The Cap Table with John Buttrick of Union Square Ventures & Sean Moran of eshares. In this segment we address: John, I've heard from many founders that get caught up in the Option Pool Shuffle. Can you describe what that is and if the eshares... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

John Buttrick of Union Square Ventures & Sean Moran of eshares joins Nick to cover The Cap Table, Part 1. We will address questions including: John, can you walk us through your background and how you became involved in venture capital Can you talk about your experience at USV and... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Welcome back to TFR for another Cram Session. In these special releases, we have aggregated the takeaways and tips from previous episodes. In this installment, we will be recapping the following episodes: Ep11: The #1 Reason Startups Fail (Gabriel Weinberg) Ep12: Advising Early-Stage Startups (Glenn Gottfried) Ep13: The Convertible Note... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: -Benaich -Tsai -Carter Each investor discusses sectors, drivers and/or trends that may have significant impact in the future and are potentially positioned for outsized-returns. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of Getting Smart on a New Market with Charles Hudson of Precursor Ventures. In this segment we address: How do you look at companies addressing industries where the incumbent product offerings are free. Businesses like Slack that were replacing free options Fresh Eyes… You've written... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Charles Hudson of Precursor Ventures joins Nick to cover Getting Smart on a New Market, Part 1. We will address questions including: What Charles' experience at SoftTech was like and how he made the transition to founding Precursor. What his continuing role as a Venture Partner at SoftTech entails. How... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: Shah Huston Draper Each investor highlights a situation where they decided to invest in a startup and why they said yes. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of Hardware Investing with Avidan Ross of Root Ventures. In this segment we address: Examples of Trojan Horse hardware businesses that Avidan has invested in Many view hardware as very capital intensive, more difficult to commercialize and thus, too risky in an already very risky... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Avidan Ross of Root Ventures joins Nick to cover Hardware Investing, Part 1. We will address questions including: His thoughts on why hardware and physical good brands dominate the rankings of people's favorite brands Why extremes and fat tails are developing today between increasingly digital, connected experiences vs. highly analog, custom,... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of Artificial Intelligence Investing with Nathan Benaich of Playfair Capital. In this segment we address: Can you provide an overview of the funding landscape for AI in recent years and the major things that have changed? What are the primary sectors wherein AI-based startups are... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Nathan Benaich of Playfair Capital joins Nick to cover Artificial Intelligence Investing, Part 1. We will address questions including: Can we start off w/ a simple definition of artificial intelligence? The term 'Machine Learning' is often used when discussing AI. In your estimation, is Machine Learning and AI synonymous or... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: Heymann Wilkins Day Each investor describes their investment thesis and how they evaluate startups for investment. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of No Fun Allowed with Jonathon Triest & Brett DeMarrais of Ludlow Ventures. In this segment we address: Peter thiel has famously asked the question: "What' something you believe to be true, that no one else does?" I'm going to flip it around here an... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Jonathon Triest & Brett DeMarrais of Ludlow Ventures join Nick to cover No Fun Allowed, Part 1. We will address questions including: Jonathon, can you start us off w/ you background and path to investing in startups? How about you Brett. How did you find your way to becoming a... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: - Acunzo - Greathouse - Ramsinghani Each investor illustrates a critical lesson learned about startup investing and how it's changed their approach. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: Moran Rabie Heltzer Each investor highlights a situation where they decided to invest in a startup and why they said yes. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of Virtual Reality Investing with Adam Draper of Boost VC. In this segment we address: VR, in various phases of maturity, has been around for a long time. Why do you think the next few years is the right time for VR to take off... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Adam Draper of Boost VC joins Nick to cover Virtual Reality Investing, Part 1. We will address questions including: Can you walk us through your background and how you became involved in startup investing? Today we are talking virtual reality and investing in VR. Can you start us off by... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: -Davis -Sanwal -Collett Each investor discusses sectors, drivers and/or trends that may have significant impact in the future and are potentially positioned for outsized-returns. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of Blockchain Investing with William Mougayar of Virtual Capital Ventures . In this segment we address: What are your thoughts on what the future looks like in a much more decentralized environment? What industries in particular are most at risk of being disrupted b/c of... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.