The Investor With Joel Palathinkal

In this episode, Serhat Cicekoglu from Sente Ventures joins to discuss his career transition into venture capital and his approach to hypothesis-driven investment and hybrid fund strategies. The conversation delves into the unique challenges engineers face as investors and the importance of systematic thinking in risk assessment, particularly in deep tech investments. Serhat shares insights on the...

In this episode, Buddy Foster joins to discuss his journey from early entrepreneurial experiences to venture capital. Buddy shares insights from his family background and his first business venture, leading to founding Sidetrack Coffee with a unique model. He elaborates on the challenges and expansion of the business and his transition into tech, eventually leaving Sidetrack. The conversation comp...

In this episode, Meagan Crawford of Space Fund joins Joel Palathinkal to delve into the world of space entrepreneurship. Meagan shares her journey from a career shift to founding the New Space Business Plan Competition and Space Fund. The discussion covers the evolution of space startups, challenges they face, and fundraising for space ventures. They explore prospects in asteroid mining, satellite...

In this episode, Chris Aydam of Midnight Venture Partners joins Joel Palathinkal to share insights on venture capital, focusing on consumer product metrics and strategies. They discuss e-commerce advertising challenges, especially iOS updates, and ad spend strategies on social media. The conversation covers omnichannel strategies, revenue milestones, and market trends. Chris highlights regenerativ...

In this episode, Himalaya Rao of BFM Fund joins Joel Palathinkal to explore asset creation in nonwhite communities. Himalaya discusses her journey from social work to venture capital and the role of entrepreneurship in BIPOC communities. They examine race, class, and entrepreneurship, comparing entrepreneurship with corporate jobs in underserved areas. The conversation covers bootstrapped business...

In this episode, Jonathan Beda joins Joel Palathinkal to discuss the evolution of boutique fitness studios and his journey from Zumba to Zoombini. They explore venture investments, SPVs, and the launch of Connexa Capital. The conversation covers Zumba's growth, business models, and music licensing. They also discuss the creator economy, customer acquisition, and revenue models for content creators...

Join Kendall Gee-Wing from BDev Ventures as he explores his journey into private equity, sharing insights on skills needed for successful founders and investors. Discover the art of brand building, market analysis, and private equity deal sourcing. Kendall highlights B Dev Ventures' investment strategies, focusing on platform companies and understanding customer needs. Learn about essential skills...

In this episode, Rishi Patel from Plus8 Equity delves into his career journey, highlighting his transition to Morgan Stanley and the impact of the financial crisis. He shares his experience of reconnecting with music and balancing his career. The discussion explores celebrity investment trends in entertainment technology and the advantages of being a limited partner in entertainment tech funds. Ri...

In this episode, Danny Qiao from Connecticut Innovations shares his journey from public service to venture capital, highlighting Connecticut Innovations' impact. He discusses his MBA experience, joining Sweater Ventures during the pandemic, and the importance of skill development for career transitions. Danny explores key indicators in company analysis, building investment theses, and applying ban...

In this episode, Jason Carvalho form Humanus VC delves into the intersection of space-based power, climate solutions, and the significance of water in space exploration. He shares his journey from tech sales to becoming an angel investor, highlighting the challenges and strategies involved. The discussion covers the differences between software and consumer brand sales cycles, and the influence of...

In this episode, Tony Olivito from Comeback Capital shares insights into the firm's investment pace and strategy. He discusses the importance of cash flow and capital efficiency, reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey. Tony outlines their pre-seed investment strategy and the risks of startup funding. The conversation covers his transition to fund management, building an angel portfolio, and the...

In this episode, Derek Brooks from Flatworld Partners discusses his transition from marketing to investing, highlighting the importance of networking and his time with Abraaj Group. He explores impact investing, structuring strategies for NGOs, and the role of concessionary investments. Derek also covers portfolio construction for dual-purpose funds and various investment strategies like venture a...

In this episode, Jake Chapman from Marquee Ventures shares his journey into venture capital, emphasizing his defense-focused strategy and the founding of Marquee Ventures. He explores opportunities within defense technology sectors and the transformative role of AI in modern warfare. Jake offers insights into best practices for due diligence in defense investments and essential skills for venture...

In this episode, Peter Love from single family office shares insights from his career journey and his role in the work-from-home initiative with Flexjobs. He delves into advice from his father and the impact of family business experiences on his entrepreneurial path. Peter discusses key investment criteria, fund dynamics, and the significance of track records and diversification strategies. The co...

In this episode, Brendan Baker from Ridge Ventures shares his venture capital journey, shaped by his experiences in Silicon Valley and AngelList. He discusses AngelList's evolution, market dynamics, and human judgment in investing. Brendan delves into decision-making models, Naval Ravikant's wisdom, and success factors in top deals. He covers distribution strategies, startup signals, and his trans...

In this episode, Bruce Hamilton shares his journey from the music industry to venture capital, focusing on the intersection of pop culture and technology. He discusses the economics of the music industry, artist rights trends, and the rise of creator-focused brands and celebrity venture funds. Bruce emphasizes adaptability, reinvention, and AI's role in content creation, while exploring esports gr...

In this episode, Richie Carchia from IA Capital discusses his journey from acting to venture capital, focusing on investment fund dynamics and hyper-localized flood forecasting. He explores IA Capital's strategic InsurTech partnerships, InsurTech's evolution, and AI's role in the insurance sector. Richie shares strategies for VCs, best practices for analysts, and emphasizes sourcing, specializatio...

Join Joel Palathinkal and Rusty Ralston from Swell VC as they delve into Rusty's investment strategy and career journey. They discuss the influence of people on company outcomes, especially in early-stage investing, and the role of AI in talent evaluation. Discover the impact of company culture on startups, with case studies on attracting top talent. Rusty shares insights on transitioning from an...

In this episode, Joel Palathinkal and John Zeratsky of Character VC to explore design sprints and their influence on venture capital. They discuss the impact on product teams, insights from Character Labs, and three VC entry paths. The conversation focuses on pre-seed accelerator founders and key traits, balancing feedback with visionary development, and the importance of innovation. They share im...

In this episode, Joel Palathinkal is joined by Itamar Novick from Recursive Ventures to explore his entrepreneurial journey and transition to venture capital. Itamar shares insights from his role with Life360, highlighting its impact on technology, safety, and tracking, as well as its growth within the senior care market. The discussion covers product-market fit, management strategies, and unit ec...

In this episode, Joel Palathinkal is joined by Tepe Tutsui of GFR Fund to discuss his journey from venture capital beginnings to private sector strategies bridging US and Japan markets. Tepe shares insights into corporate venture capital and investment decision-making at GFR Fund, with a focus on fostering community and growth in gaming startups. The conversation delves into the gaming investment...

In this episode, Joel Palathinkal talks with Armond Davis about his entrepreneurial journey, exploring the impact of family, education, and personal challenges. Armond reflects on his college days, investment banking career, and the differences between buy side and sell side portfolio management. He discusses his interest in alternative investments, founding a hedge fund, and growing a constructio...

In this episode, Joel Palathinkal welcomes Laurel Mintz, General Partner at Fabric VC, to discuss her career shifts, education, and entrepreneurial journey. Laurel shares her insights on founding Elevate My Brand, exploring marketing lifecycles, conversion funnels, and customer acquisition strategies. The conversation covers competitive analysis, adapting to a cookie-less marketing environment, an...

In this episode, Joel Palathinkal engages with Lloyd Danzig of Sharp Alpha Advisors to explore the nuances of venture investing and career pathways in asset management. Lloyd shares his professional journey in sports betting and entertainment, leading to the launch of Sharp Alpha Advisors. The discussion delves into global opportunities and the dynamics of the sports betting ecosystem, highlightin...

In this episode, Joel Palathinkal chats with Grayson Judge from Supermoon Capital about the firm's focus on the sleep market. They discuss Williams Sonoma's link to mattresses, elements of good sleep, corporate venture capital, and partnerships with SleepScore Labs. Grayson shares insights on global innovation hubs, founder evaluations, and sleep tech's future, including circadian rhythm and brain...