The Startup Leaderboard That Gets Founders VC Intros, with Mat Sherman

In this episode of QSBS Solved, Brady sits down with Mat Sherman, founder of Arena, a new platform designed to give early-stage founders a transparent and structured path into the venture capital ecosystem. Arena offers a unique leaderboard system that tracks founders’ weekly progress, engagement, and credentials, ultimately helping them earn introductions to investors. For just $20 a month, founders can access AMAs, office hours, and a community designed to accelerate their learning curve from years down to months—while also holding them accountable for tangible progress.Mat shares his journey, from Seed Scout to Product Hunt, to launching Arena, and why he believes the startup world is “seemingly inclusive, but explicitly exclusive.” He breaks down what makes a founder “fundable,” the balance between technical ability, high-context industry knowledge, and the all-important vibe check. The conversation also explores the tension between bootstrapping and venture funding, and how Arena aims to open the front door of VC to more founders—without the hype, just results.Arena: https://arena.matsherman.com/Mat's X Account: https://x.com/mat_sherman Contact: [email protected] | www.QSBSrollover.comDisclaimer: This podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, financial, investment, or other professional advice. The discussion reflects the personal views and experiences of the speakers as of the date of recording and may not reflect current law, regulations, or IRS guidance, which are subject to change. Nothing in this episode should be relied upon as advice for any specific situation. The implementation of Section 1202 (QSBS) rules and impacts are highly fact-specific and depend on individual circumstances; listeners should not act or refrain from acting based on this content without first consulting a qualified tax advisor, attorney, or other professional regarding their particular facts and circumstances. The host, the guest, and their respective affiliated firms disclaim any liability arising from reliance on the information presented in this episode.