Emerging Managers, Fundraising Reality & Inside-Out Grit | Michael O’Brien

With Michael O’Brien (Founder & Managing Partner, Síol VC), we explore life, leadership and investing from the inside out - how to navigate your worst days, why belief (and family) fuels momentum to keep bouncing forward, and what makes emerging managers different as policy and technology collide.Such an enlightening chat with Michael, true antifragility with a smile. He epitomised that no matter how non-linear the journey gets in business, there’s always a way to move forward, succeed, and do it with grace.Through the Bee Formless™ methodology, we explored:LEARN (Letting go)✨ Beat the Monday Blues: practical resets for tough days and tougher weeks✨ Belief as Fuel: self-trust and family as foundations for building and investingUNLEARN (Reimagine & reshape)✨ Emerging Managers, Redefined: why they’re reshaping VC and what’s truly different✨ The Fundraising Grind: stay sane, adapt fast, be humbleRELEARN (Test & implement)✨ Neutral to “No”: handle investor silence/rejection without taking it personally✨ Relationship Alpha: strong partner networks and support systems compound outcomesACTIVE RECOVERY (Reflect & reset)✨ Eat the Frog: do the hardest thing first to conquer the day✨ Never Quit the Process: persistence rhythms that carry you through cyclesAbout Michael O’Brien:Michael is the Founder & Managing Partner of Síol Venture Capital, backing early-stage startups at the intersection of disruptive technology and leading-edge policy. Before Síol, Michael founded MOB Advocacy, a top government-relations firm for startups and early tech. Over 25 years as a lobbyist, he has engaged Congress, federal agencies, and state/local governments in 40+ states—blending capital, policy and storytelling to help founders maintain momentum through setbacks and cycles.Where to find more from Michael:🌐 Website: https://siol.vc🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsobrien/🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/signed_mobWhere will you practice neutral to “no” this week - one fundraising or partnership decision you’ll handle without taking it personally? 👇#BeeFormless #FlowDrivenVC #LearnUnlearnRelearn #EmergingManagers #Fundraising #PolicyTech #InvestorRelations #EatTheFrog #InsideOutTransformation #SoulfulHighFlowConsciousLeadership #CollectiveHighFlow #conection