EP 77: How To Spot Massive Early-Stage Startup Trends With Katelyn Donnelly Of Avalanche VC episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 13, 2025 · 32 MIN

EP 77: How To Spot Massive Early-Stage Startup Trends With Katelyn Donnelly Of Avalanche VC

from $100M Exits with Jason Kirby · host Jason Kirby

How do you identify and capitalize on the biggest upcoming trends?Katelyn Donnelly, GP of Avalanche Ventures, unveils her unique investment strategy focusing on "avalanches" – inevitable market trends driven by societal and technological shifts. In this episode, Katelyn shares her insights on what VCs look for in early-stage startups, emphasizing the importance of founders building their life's work and understanding the nuances of early-stage venture capital. ----------------------------------------------------Raising capital?Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here:https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Episode77&utm_id=FundraisingDemystifiedPodcastGet the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips:https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Episode77&utm_id=FundraisingDemystifiedPodcastHere’s what you’ll find in this episode:00:10 Avalanche Ventures Thesis01:13 Identifying Market Trends04:04 KatelynDonnelly's Background06:28 Avalanche Ventures Investment Focus07:28 Examples of Avalanche Investments11:15 Solo GP Experience13:03 Evaluating Investment Opportunities14:41 Cold Emailing Advice for Founders19:29 Austin's Startup Ecosystem20:49 Venture Capital Insights28:17 Future Market Trends----------------------------------------------------ABOUT KATELYN DONNELLYKatelyn Donnelly is the Managing Partner of Avalanche VC, an early-stage venture firm that invests in technology companies transforming how people learn, earn, and own. Her extensive background includes co-founding Delivery Associates, a leading public sector advisory firm, and serving as Managing Director of Pearson Ventures, a global EdTech venture fund. Donnelly's career also features time at McKinsey & Company, and she has been recognized for her achievements, including being named to Forbes 30 Under 30. She is actively involved in shaping the future of education and technology, and is a member of Duke University's Learning Innovation Advisory Council.Connect with Katelyn:Katelyn's Website: https://katelyndonnelly.com/Avalanche VC Website: https://www.avalanche.vc/ABOUT JASONJason 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]: Jason KirbyABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIEDOur 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.

How do you identify and capitalize on the biggest upcoming trends?Katelyn Donnelly, GP of Avalanche Ventures, unveils her unique investment strategy focusing on "avalanches" – inevitable market trends driven by societal and technological shifts. In this episode, Katelyn shares her insights on what VCs look for in early-stage startups, emphasizing the importance of founders building their life's work and understanding the nuances of early-stage venture capital. ----------------------------------------------------Raising capital?Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here:https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Episode77&utm_id=FundraisingDemystifiedPodcastGet the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips:https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Episode77&utm_id=FundraisingDemystifiedPodcastHere’s what you’ll find in this episode:00:10 Avalanche Ventures Thesis01:13 Identifying Market Trends04:04 KatelynDonnelly's Background06:28 Avalanche Ventures Investment Focus07:28 Examples of Avalanche Investments11:15 Solo GP Experience13:03 Evaluating Investment Opportunities14:41 Cold Emailing Advice for Founders19:29 Austin's Startup Ecosystem20:49 Venture Capital Insights28:17 Future Market Trends----------------------------------------------------ABOUT KATELYN DONNELLYKatelyn Donnelly is the Managing Partner of Avalanche VC, an early-stage venture firm that invests in technology companies transforming how people learn, earn, and own. Her extensive background includes co-founding Delivery Associates, a leading public sector advisory firm, and serving as Managing Director of Pearson Ventures, a global EdTech venture fund. Donnelly's career also features time at McKinsey & Company, and she has been recognized for her achievements, including being named to Forbes 30 Under 30. She is actively involved in shaping the future of education and technology, and is a member of Duke University's Learning Innovation Advisory Council.Connect with Katelyn:Katelyn's Website: https://katelyndonnelly.com/Avalanche VC Website: https://www.avalanche.vc/ABOUT JASONJason 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]: Jason KirbyABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIEDOur 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.

NOW PLAYING

EP 77: How To Spot Massive Early-Stage Startup Trends With Katelyn Donnelly Of Avalanche VC

0:00 32:22

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

MG Show MG Show The MG Show, hosted by Jeffrey Pedersen and Shannon Townsend, is a leading alternative media platform dedicated to uncovering the truth behind today’s most pressing political issues. Launched in 2019, the show has grown exponentially, offering unfiltered insights, comprehensive research, and real-time analysis. With a commitment to independent journalism and factual integrity, the MG Show empowers its audience with knowledge and encourages active participation in the political discourse. French Your Way Jessica: Native French teacher founder of French Your Way Boost your French listening skills and test your comprehension with this one of a kind series of podcasts. Get the chance to listen to a real conversation between native speakers talking at normal speed AND customise your learning experience through carefully designed sets of questions (2 levels of difficulty) available for download at www.frenchvoicespodcast.com. All interviews also come with the transcript. French teacher Jessica interviews native speakers of French from around the world who share a bit of their life and passion. Where else would you meet in one same place a French yoga teacher based in Melbourne, a soap manufacturer from Provence, or a couple cycling around the world? That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding That Hoarder Hoarding disorder is stigmatised and people who hoard feel vast amounts of shame. This podcast began life as an audio diary, an anonymous outlet for somebody with this weird condition. That Hoarder speaks about her experiences living with compulsive hoarding, she interviews therapists, academics, researchers, children of hoarders, professional organisers and influencers, and she shares insight and tips for others with the problem. Listened to by people who hoard as well as those who love them and those who work with them, Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder aims to shatter the stigma, share the truth and speak openly and honestly to improve lives. The Small Business Startup School – Business Notes | Financial Literacy | Retail Psychology – For Professionals & Entrepreneurs The Small Business Startup School Inc. Starting or buying a small business? While personal circumstances may vary, business patterns remain timeless. On The Small Business Startup School, we explore strategies, insights, and practical solutions to help entrepreneurs confidently navigate their journey.Hosted by Ola Williams—a retail entrepreneur, fintech founder, and financial coach with over two decades of experience—this podcast marries financial awareness and retail psychology with optimism to deliver actionable takeaways.Join us to learn, grow, and connect as we uncover the keys to business success.Let’s continue to learn together and be encouraged to keep on connecting!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of $100M Exits with Jason Kirby?

This episode is 32 minutes long.

When was this $100M Exits with Jason Kirby episode published?

This episode was published on March 13, 2025.

What is this episode about?

How do you identify and capitalize on the biggest upcoming trends?Katelyn Donnelly, GP of Avalanche Ventures, unveils her unique investment strategy focusing on "avalanches" – inevitable market trends driven by societal and technological shifts. In...

Can I download this $100M Exits with Jason Kirby episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!