Venture Capitalists Tell The TRUTH

In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Griffin Hermes, Principal at Pegasus Angel Accelerator, interviews Marshall Smith of Steamwork Ventures, Maurice Maschmeyer of BAM Ventures, and Blake Caldwell of FoundersBoost. Join our expert panel as we dive deep into the nuances of venture capital and offer essential insights for founders navigating the startup ecosystem. We explore why bootstrapping can often be beneficial, how investors evaluate startups during due diligence, and the key role of traction, execution, and team dynamics in securing investment.The conversation emphasizes the importance of coachability, trusted advisors, and resilience for long-term success. Gain actionable takeaways about the evolving landscape of VC investments and how market trends are shaping the future of entrepreneurship.Chapters:1:00 - VC intros9:18 - What's important during due diligence?13:26 - Who should a founder listen to regarding advice?16:29 - What do you consider to be traction?20:05 - What makes a good team?23:12 - Has anyone invested in a team without domain expertise?26:02 - Thoughts on secondaries?29:10 - What is the future of later-stage capital in deals that don't need fundingListen here:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-unfiltered/id1756379899Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/342uGXBr031LgcubfOxYsu?si=1b553ad155964c94Substack: pegasusunfiltered.substack.comOur website: pegasusangelaccelerator.comLearn More: Venture Fellow ProgramDesigned for aspiring venture capitalists and startup leaders, our Venture Fellow Program offers deep insights into venture operations, fund management, and growth strategies, all guided by seasoned industry experts.https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/learn-ventureEmerging Angel ProgramBreak the mold and dive into angel investing with a fresh perspective. Our Emerging Angel Program provides a comprehensive curriculum on innovative investment strategies, unique deal sourcing, and hands-on, real-world experiences, all guided by industry experts.https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/emerging-angelsFollow Us:pegasusunfiltered.substack.comlinkedin.com/company/pegasus-angel-acceleratorx.com/paa_vcwww.instagram.com/pegasusacceleratorwww.tiktok.com/@pegasusaccelerator#venturecapital #startup #investing