Seed is About Who's Making The Decision | Adriana Saman, Managing Director at Clocktower Ventures

SummaryIn this conversation, Mack Meyer interviews Adriana, a venture capitalist at Clocktower Ventures, discussing her journey from Ecuador to the U.S., her experiences in investment banking, and her transition into venture capital. Adriana shares insights on the importance of education, her passion for financial inclusion, and the unique opportunities in Latin America, particularly in fintech. The discussion also covers the structure and strategy of Clocktower Ventures, the nuances of investing in different regions, and the significance of building strong relationships with founders. Adriana reflects on her investment philosophy, lessons learned, and her pride in supporting innovative companies in Latin America.Chapters00:00 Intro00:47 Path From Ecuador to UPenn02:25 Early Years03:47 UPenn & Latam05:15 Why Venture?07:11 Digital Payments Team & Chase App08:25 Value of Incumbent Perspective in Fintech09:55 Clocktower Ventures: From East Coast to West Coast11:33 Clocktower Investment Group History14:32 Clocktower Ventures Inception15:58 CTV's Latam Fund16:29 CTV's Portfolio Construction18:11 "Seed is Really About Who is Making the Decisions"19:53 Complexities Investing Across Different Stages & Categories21:42 Why Not Leading Rounds Can Create More Transparency24:42 Regional Nuances: Brazil vs. Mexico25:25 Brazil's Capital Markets27:46 Brazil & Indonesia: Consumer Behavior28:16 CTV 2024 Investments in Mexico31:55 Toku & Unique Value Proposition34:19 Evolution as Venture Investor35:45 Learnings: Xepelin's Seed Extension37:39 What Qualities Make a Great Founder?39:00 Final Thoughts40:48 OutroSend us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]