エピソード

  • Venture Capital Hot Takes w/ Mike MacCombie

    Venture Capital Hot Takes w/ Mike MacCombie
    2026/02/03
    In this engaging conversation, Mike MacCombie, a venture capitalist from Generous Ventures, shares his unique journey from being a teacher to an investor. He discusses the evolving landscape of venture capital, the impact of AI on investment strategies, and the challenges founders face when navigating VC advice. Mike emphasizes the importance of customer demand, the implications of down rounds, and the role of hype in startups. His candid insights provide valuable lessons for both investors and founders alike.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Mike MacCombie and His Journey
    02:42 The Transition from Teaching to Venture Capital
    05:36 The Current State of AI in Venture Capital
    08:14 Controversial Opinions in Venture Capital
    10:54 The Dynamics of VC Advice to Founders
    13:39 Lessons from Failed Investments
    16:28 Understanding Down Rounds and Their Implications
    19:17 The Importance of Customer Demand
    21:56 The Role of Hype in Startups
    24:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


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    28 分
  • From Investor to Advisor ft. Charlie O'Donnell

    From Investor to Advisor ft. Charlie O'Donnell
    2026/02/02
    In this conversation, Chris and Charlie O'Donnell discuss the evolution of Charlie's career in venture capital, his transition to a more advisory role, and the importance of self-awareness in making career choices. They delve into the challenges of fundraising for startups, the necessity of honest feedback, and the differences between venture capital and bootstrapping. Charlie also shares his experience in writing a book aimed at helping founders navigate the complexities of raising capital and understanding their business's potential.

    Chapters
    00:00 The Transition to Inactive Investing
    02:05 Charlie O'Donnell's Journey in Venture Capital
    08:51 Self-Awareness and Career Choices
    12:30 The Process of Writing a Book
    14:42 Understanding the Challenges of Fundraising
    18:19 The Importance of Honest Feedback
    20:20 Navigating Venture Capital and Bootstrapping
    23:54 Embracing Failure and Moving Forward


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    25 分
  • Investing Beyond the Hubs w/ Alana Sierra Mann from Eleven Wall Ventures

    Investing Beyond the Hubs w/ Alana Sierra Mann from Eleven Wall Ventures
    2026/01/30
    In this conversation, Alana Sierra Mann, a general partner at Eleven Wall Ventures, discusses her investment philosophy, the importance of community building, and the evolving landscape of venture capital. She emphasizes the need for founders to have strong sales skills, the significance of diligence in the investment process, and the red flags to watch out for in potential partners. Alana also shares her journey in venture capital and the unique opportunities presented by vertical AI companies.

    Chapters
    00:00 Investing Beyond the Hubs
    02:55 Alana's Journey in Venture Capital
    06:01 Evolving Investment Philosophy
    08:50 Identifying Ideal Founders
    11:49 Red Flags in Founders
    15:00 Practical Advice for Founders
    17:45 The Importance of Humility in Venture
    20:50 Closing Thoughts and Community Building


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    29 分
  • Mastering the VC Strategy w/ Jasper Vanuytrecht

    Mastering the VC Strategy w/ Jasper Vanuytrecht
    2026/01/29
    In this conversation, Chris and Jasper discuss the intricacies of go-to-market strategies for startups, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer needs, the role of AI in marketing, and the challenges of social media marketing. Jasper shares insights from his experience in the startup ecosystem, highlighting effective cold email strategies and the necessity of delivering value upfront to engage potential clients. The discussion also touches on the importance of separating genuine advice from misleading information in the crowded marketing landscape.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Founders GTM
    01:57 Understanding Go-To-Market Strategies
    03:52 The Role of AI in Strategy Development
    07:07 Navigating Social Media Marketing Challenges
    09:01 Case Study: Effective Cold Email Strategies
    20:56 Final Thoughts and Resources for Founders


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    26 分
  • Diversity in Venture Capital w/ Lauren Roberts of Forum Ventures

    Diversity in Venture Capital w/ Lauren Roberts of Forum Ventures
    2026/01/28
    In this episode, Chris interviews Lauren Roberts from Forum Ventures, discussing her journey into venture capital, the importance of diversity in the industry, and what founders need to do to stand out in a competitive landscape. Lauren shares insights on the current trends in venture capital, including the significance of understanding the problem being solved, the role of AI in startups, and the growing focus on women's healthcare and cybersecurity. She emphasizes the need for founders to articulate their vision clearly and be open to feedback as they navigate their entrepreneurial journeys.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Venture Capital Journey
    02:55 Diversity in Venture Capital
    06:02 Transitioning to Forum Ventures
    08:52 What Founders Need to Stand Out
    12:00 Red Flags in Founder Pitches
    14:56 Industry Focus and Trends
    17:52 Advice for Founders Before Pitching


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    24 分
  • The Best AI Community w/ AJ Green

    The Best AI Community w/ AJ Green
    2026/01/27
    In this conversation, Chris and AJ Green discuss the AI Collective, a global community focused on exploring the intersection of humanity and technology in the AI era. AJ shares insights on the importance of fostering conversations about AI, the benefits for founders in the AI space, and the value of building genuine connections. They emphasize the need for personal branding and community support for entrepreneurs, as well as the future of human connection in an increasingly digital world.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to the AI Collective
    03:00 The Role of Humanity in the AI Era
    05:50 Benefits for Founders in the AI Space
    08:53 Community and Nonprofit Focus
    12:03 The Future of Human Connection
    14:51 Building Personal Brands in AI
    17:52 Joining the AI Collective


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    22 分
  • Revolutionizing Cancer Care: The Future of Longevity Medicine w/ Ben Blue Ora Biomedical

    Revolutionizing Cancer Care: The Future of Longevity Medicine w/ Ben Blue Ora Biomedical
    2026/01/26
    In this episode of Next Round Ready, host Chris welcomes back Ben Blue, founder of Ora Biomedical, to discuss the latest advancements in his company focused on cancer care therapies. Ben shares his unique background, growing up in a four-generation household in Alaska, which sparked his fascination with aging and health. Ouro Biomedical aims to develop therapies that enhance the resilience of healthy cells during cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy, addressing a significant unmet need in patient care. Ben emphasizes the importance of narrowing down their focus from broad ideas to actionable solutions that can make a real impact in the near term.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Ouro Biomedical
    01:07 The Journey of Ben Blue and Ouro Biomedical
    02:38 Focusing on Cancer Care Therapies
    06:38 Traction and Funding Success
    10:07 Navigating the Path to Market
    11:57 Fundraising Strategy and Future Goals
    15:12 Vision for the Future of Longevity Medicine



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    17 分
  • Social Docket: Bridging Law and the Creator Economy

    Social Docket: Bridging Law and the Creator Economy
    2026/01/23
    Kameron elaborates on the business model of Social Docket, which operates as a SaaS platform offering a subscription-based service and a usage-based model for contract analysis. She discusses the importance of understanding the creator's workflow and the need for specialized legal tools tailored to the unique challenges faced by content creators. The conversation also touches on Kameron's go-to-market strategy, which includes leveraging social media and hosting engaging events to build community and awareness around the platform. As she prepares for fundraising, Kameron emphasizes the long-term vision of expanding Social Docket's services to encompass the entire digital workforce, aiming to be the go-to legal resource for various professionals in the evolving digital landscape.



    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Kameron Docket
    01:32 The Problem Social Docket Solves
    05:48 Business Model and SaaS Structure
    09:30 Competitors and Market Positioning
    12:42 Go-to-Market Strategy and Community Engagement
    17:52 Fundraising Journey and Investor Insights
    20:25 Long-Term Vision for Social Docket

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    23 分