EP 54: Mastering AI Startups and Fundraising Tips with Plutoshift's Prateek Joshi

In this episode, we're joined by Prateek Joshi, founder and former CEO of Plutoshift (acquired), machine learning author, and now Venture Capitalist at Moxxie Ventures. Pratik shares his journey from growing up in India to becoming a successful tech entrepreneur and investor in Silicon Valley. Pratik talks about his experiences writing 13 technical books on AI and machine learning, building and exiting a venture-backed startup, and transitioning to the world of venture capital. He offers valuable insights on fundraising, product development, and what he looks for as an investor in early-stage startups. Here's what you're in for: 00:00 Intro 03:17 Writing 13 books on AI and machine learning 06:16 Founding Plutoshift and raising venture capital 14:59 Metrics and milestones for Series A funding 22:27 Transitioning from founder to VC 32:58 Advice for AI founders on product development and fundraising 37:38 How startups can differentiate in a crowded AI market 39:50 Key lessons learned as an entrepreneur and investor 44:30 Outro This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders. Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders  Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc ABOUT PRATEEK JOSHI Prateek Joshi is a Venture Capitalist at Moxxie Ventures, focusing on seed-stage investments in AI, robotics, climate tech, and healthcare. He is the former founder and CEO of Plutoshift, an AI company for physical infrastructure that raised over $16 million in venture funding before being acquired. Pratik is also the author of 13 technical books on artificial intelligence and machine learning. With a background in software engineering and AI from his time at NVIDIA, Pratik brings a unique blend of technical expertise and entrepreneurial experience to his role as an investor. He is passionate about helping early-stage founders navigate the challenges of building and scaling technology startups. Connect with Prateek on: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prateek-joshi-91047b19/ Website: https://www.prateekj.com/ X: https://x.com/prateekvjoshi Email: [email protected] ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape. Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders. ABOUT JASON Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development. You can reach out to Jason through: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/