AdvancingVC

In this episode of The AdvancingVC Podcast, we sit down with Amanda “Robby” Robson, a Solo GP and founder of Modern Technical Fund, to unpack what it really takes to back—and become—a breakout early-stage founder in today’s AI-fueled market. From defining your category to mastering distribution, this conversation explores why speed, clarity, and obsession matter more than ever.

We dive into lessons from standout companies like Drata and LaunchDarkly, how to cut through the AI noise, and what LPs are really looking for in the current fundraising climate. Plus, we explore the solo GP journey—fr...

In this episode, we’re joined by Andrew from Shorewind Capital, a venture capital firm focused on follow-on investing in deep tech, health, and climate startups. Andrew dives into Shorewind’s unique investment strategy, which emphasizes backing companies post-seed through Series A and beyond, particularly in sectors where scientific or engineering breakthroughs can unlock enormous value.

In the first half of the conversation, Andrew shares Shorewind's approach to follow-on investing—how they evaluate technical milestones, why capital efficiency matters, and what makes dual-use (commercial and defense) technologies especially compelling. He also talks about what it's like working with f...

In this episode of The AdvancingVC Podcast, we dive into the evolving world of venture capital with Danielle from GC1. Discover how grit and curiosity are essential traits for founders and fund managers alike, and why VC is more than just funding—it’s a unique form of innovation finance shaping the future. We discuss the complexities of startup valuations, the dynamic roles within VC teams, and what dealbreakers really look like through a surprising restaurant metaphor.

Whether you’re a founder, investor, or simply fascinated by how venture capital drives innovation, this conversation offers deep insights into t...

In this episode, Charles Hudson, Managing Partner at Precursor Ventures, shares how his firm backs 80–100 pre-seed startups per fund—and why that strategy defies traditional venture expectations. He dives into portfolio construction, founder support, and how Precursor maintains quality and accessibility across such a high-volume model.
We also discuss the evolving seed landscape, how multi-stage firms are approaching earlier rounds, and why founder-market fit matters more than a polished product. If you’re a founder or investor navigating early-stage venture, this is a must-listen.
🔹 Topics covered:
- Precursor’s high-volume investment model
- Supporting founders without boa...

In this episode, we’re joined by Winter Mead, founder of Coolwater Capital, a platform designed to support the next generation of venture capital managers. With a background as an LP at Sapphire Ventures, Winter brings a unique perspective on what it takes to raise and run a successful VC fund today.

We talk about:
- The origin and mission of Coolwater Capital
- How Coolwater helps new GPs launch, scale, and institutionalize their firms
- The importance of LP education and the shift in expectations around fund strategy
- What separates great em...

In this episode, we dive into how Carta is transforming venture capital through data-driven insights and smarter decision-making. Peter Walker, Carta’s Head of Insights, shares his journey and reveals how the platform helps founders and fund managers navigate complex private market challenges — from dilution and follow-on rounds to portfolio strategy and secondary markets.

Peter breaks down common myths about early-stage investing, explains the power of storytelling with data, and explores the rise of solo GPs in today’s VC landscape. Plus, learn how tools like Tactyc are enabling fund managers to model scenarios and plan with precis...

In this insightful episode of AdvancingVC, we sit down with Kanyi Maqubela, Managing Partner at Kindred Ventures and one of the most thoughtful voices in early-stage investing. From his remarkable journey as a refugee from South Africa to building a career at the forefront of Silicon Valley, Kanyi shares how his unique background shapes his investment philosophy and commitment to backing founders who are tackling society’s biggest challenges.

Tune in as Kanyi discusses:
- His path from Soweto to Stanford and beyond
- Lessons learned from working on President Obama’s 2008 campaign
- The...

In this episode of Advancing VC, host Tim Hsia sits down with Megan Ruan, a General Partner at Gold House Ventures, to explore how venture capital can power cultural change. Megan shares her journey from managing a $2B VC portfolio at the Johnson & Johnson family office to co-founding Gold House Ventures — a firm innovating at the intersection of identity, media, and market-first social impact.

We dive into how Gold House is reshaping narratives through storytelling and capital, the unique accelerator model behind their fund, and how their tight-knit network across tech and entertainment gives their portfolio companies an...

In this episode of Advancing VC, host Tim Hsia speaks with Francisco Gomez, Partner at Vault Fund, a fund of funds dedicated exclusively to investing in venture studios — or as Vault calls them, company creators. Founded in 2021, Vault is at the forefront of a fast-evolving space that’s redefining early-stage investing.

🧠 Whether you're an emerging manager, LP, founder, or just venture-curious, this episode delivers deep insight into a model poised to become a central pillar of the next venture wave.

📈 With over a decade of financial experience and 8+ years in private equity, Francisco shares candid reflection...

In this episode of the AdvancingVC podcast, Tim Hsia sits down with Jenny Fielding, partner at Everywhere Ventures and author of Venture Everywhere. Jenny shares her journey from law and finance to founding startups, and how she’s reshaping the venture capital landscape with a truly global approach. She dives deep into the importance of the "Everywhere Mindset," a philosophy that helps her and her team invest in innovation worldwide, from New York to Africa and beyond.

Jenny discusses the unique model of Everywhere Ventures, which leverages a global network of LPs and founders to support early-stage st...

In this episode of the AdvancingVC podcast, we dive into the evolving landscape of venture capital and endowment investing, with a focus on emerging managers and early-stage opportunities. Our guests, Grace Brown and Ethan Sun of Vanderbilt University, share insights into how their investment strategy has shifted over time, especially in the context of the VC sector, and how they are navigating the dynamic market. Key topics discussed include:

The importance of grace and patience in venture capital, and why early-stage investments often require a long-term outlook for success.
How Vanderbilt's endowment strategically balances private equity...

In this episode of the AdvancingVC podcast, we sit down with Lyon Wong, a Partner at V0, to dive deep into the evolving world of venture capital. Lyon shares his insights on the rise of emerging managers, the changing dynamics between general partners (GPs) and limited partners (LPs), and how new funds are reshaping the VC landscape. We explore the unique challenges and opportunities faced by emerging managers as they look to carve out their place in a competitive market, as well as the evolving role of LPs in identifying and backing the next wave of successful ventures. Whether...

In this episode of AdvancingVC, we’re joined by Renata Aráuz-DeStefano, an investor at Pivotal Ventures, where she leads efforts to invest in women-led and mission-driven funds. Renata shares her unique journey—from investment banking to startup founder, microfinance, and climate investing—and dives into the work being done at Pivotal Ventures to drive social change through venture capital.

Renata discusses her role in backing emerging women-led managers and the impact this has on diversifying the startup ecosystem. She also explores the evolving landscape of venture capital, the growing importance of allocators, and the exciting changes happeni...

In this episode of the AdvancingVC podcast, Tim Hsia and Lenore sit down with Ned McGuire, Managing Director at Wilshire Associates, to explore the evolving landscape of venture capital and institutional investment. Ned shares his unique journey from actuarial science to leading asset allocation strategies for large institutional clients. He discusses the intersection of private equity, venture capital, and asset management, shedding light on how these sectors are changing and how institutional investors approach emerging asset classes like venture.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more discussions on the cutting-edge of venture capital and st...

In this episode of the AdvancingVC podcast, we sit down with Henry Ward, the visionary founder of Carta, to dive deep into the changing landscape of venture capital and the cap table industry. From the early days of building Carta to its pivotal role in transforming how venture funds and companies manage ownership and equity, Henry shares his journey, insights, and lessons learned along the way.

We discuss how the industry has evolved, the challenges of navigating complex cap tables, and how technology is making the process more transparent and accessible. Henry provides his perspective on what...

In this episode of the AdvancingVC podcast, we’re joined by Courtney McCrea, co-founder of Recast Capital, a firm dedicated to supporting diverse emerging managers in venture capital. Courtney shares her journey in VC, the challenges of navigating an industry often dominated by a lack of diversity, and the critical importance of fostering inclusivity for women and underrepresented groups.

Throughout the conversation, Courtney sheds light on how venture capital is evolving, with a focus on the role emerging managers play in driving innovation and change. She also discusses the systemic barriers women face in venture capital and wh...

In this episode of the AdvancingVC podcast, Tim Hsia sits down with Hans Tung, Managing Partner at Notable Capital, and Neil Devaney from Necessary Ventures, to discuss the evolving landscape of venture capital from the perspective of an emerging manager. Hans, a 12-time member of the Forbes Midas List, shares his fascinating journey—from investment banking at Merrill Lynch to founding startups in Asia, and later becoming a key player in global venture capital.

Hans discusses his experiences in Asia, the rise of super apps, and the cultural and geopolitical shifts that are reshaping the tech ecosystem. He...

In this episode of the AdvancingVC podcast, Tim sits down with Kathleen Estreich, a partner at Pear VC and co-founder of MarketOne, to discuss her unique journey from leading marketing teams at tech giants like Facebook and Box to investing in early-stage startups. Kathleen shares her insights on the intersection of marketing and venture capital, the importance of building strong go-to-market strategies, and how emerging managers can navigate the evolving landscape of venture capital. Tune in for valuable lessons on scaling startups, making smart investments, and the power of marketing in driving business success.