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Jonathan Hakakian: From Building Startups at University to Backing 50+ Startups & $200M+ Exits
This is episode 20 of The OpenVC Podcast. In this episode, Jonathan Hakakian, Managing Partner at SoundBoard Venture Fund, shares his journey from entrepreneur to VC and how he’s backed 50+ startups, including Jump (acquired by Uber for $200M+). He dives into how he identifies overlooked investment opportunities, the importance of strong investor-founder relationships, and key lessons from scaling high-growth startup
Shubhankar Bhattacharya: From Building Startups to Backing $5B+ Companies
This is episode 12 of The OpenVC Podcast. In this episode, Shubhankar Bhattacharya, General Partner at Foundamental, shares his journey from founder to VC and how he backed billion-dollar startups like Zetwerk and 1MG. He dives into spotting breakout startups, lessons from scaling giants, and why construction tech is an untapped VC goldmine.
Fabrice Grinda: Built $3B+ OLX , $200M+ Zingy, and Angel Investor in 300+ Startups 🚀
This is episode 18 of The OpenVC Podcast. In this episode, Fabrice Grinda, co-founder of OLX ($3B+ valuation) and FJ Labs (900+ active investments), takes us through his wild journey from building and exiting billion-dollar companies to becoming one of the most active angel investors in the world.
Judah Taub: From Leading Data at a $20 Billion Hedge Fund to Running Hetz Ventures, a $300 Million Venture Fund
Judah Taub, co-founder of Hetz Ventures, a $300M Israeli VC fund, shares insights on identifying market gaps, evaluating founders, and navigating seed-stage investments. He discusses reducing sales lead times, negotiating with corporations, and leveraging data for smarter decisions. Plus, he explores the concept of local maxima in business growth and his journey of writing a book.
Jens Lapinski: From Founding $200m Angel Fund to Backing 100x Return with One Investment Every Week
This is episode 16 of the OpenVC Podcast. In this episode, Jens shares insights on identifying high-potential startups and managing a fast-paced investment strategy. He discusses strategic exits, coaching founders, and navigating challenges in early-stage ventures. Plus, he reveals the secret behind Angel Invest’s success and lessons from missed opportunities.
Bocar Dia: Scaling Hootsuite $0 to $150M and leading Forum Ventures with 75+ Investments an Year
This is Episode 15 of the OpenVC Podcast. In this podcast, Bocar shares how he helped grow Hootsuite from a million users with no revenue to $150M in sales. Now a sales coach at Harvard and GP at Forum Ventures, he discusses go-to-market strategies for early-stage startups, resilience in entrepreneurship, and key lessons from his venture journey.
Liz Christo: From NetSuite Pioneer to Shaping the Future of VC at Stage 2 Capital
This is episode 14 of The OpenVC Podcast. In this episode, Liz Christo, General Partner at Stage 2 Capital, shares her journey from building a sales team at NetSuite to backing B2B software startups. She discusses her unique approach to venture capital, the importance of adaptability, and key lessons for founders post-Series A.
Dan Nguyen-Huu: Backed Databricks & Sumo Logic ($45bn), now GP at Decibel VC
This is episode 13 of the OpenVC Podcast. In this episode, Dan Nguyen-Huu, General Partner at Decibel VC, shares his journey from UBS and Battery Ventures to backing major investments like Databricks and Sumo Logic. He dives into venture capital, market shifts, AI, and his vision for Decibel's future.
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