Navigating Regulation and Startup Investing

This week on Tacos & Tech, Neal sits down with Rose Bowlus - lawyer, founder, and angel investor - whose journey from trading floors to startup boardrooms brings a rare blend of Wall Street experience and founder empathy.Rose shares how her legal career evolved from the capital markets and energy sectors to launching her own firm, Rose Bowlus Law, where she now advises early-stage startups and funds. They talk legal tech, Web3, fintech moats, and what founders often overlook when raising capital. Plus, Rose unpacks her growing role as an investor, how she’s empowering other lawyers through her Angels in the Law network, and what she looks for in the next generation of legal innovation.Key Topics* Rose’s career path from Berkeley to in-house counsel to founding her own law firm* Legal insights for fintech, Web3, and capital markets* How regulation shapes - and lags - innovation in financial services* Trends in legal tech adoption and where traditional firms are falling behind* Her philosophy of “give first” investing and building a founder-friendly syndicate* The origin story of Angels in the Law and the rise of lawyer-investors* Why clarity is everything when supporting (or funding) founders* Rose’s controversial taco take: Islands, North County editionLinks & resources* Rose Bowlus Law* Rising Tide Partners* Women’s Venture SummitConnect on LinkedIn* Connect with Rose on LinkedIn* Connect with Neal on LinkedIn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe