In this episode, we explore John Stokes' extraordinary journey from soccer player to influential investor and co-founder of Canada's leading startup accelerator. Delve into his life-changing experiences, from the soccer pitch to the boardroom, and discover how he reshaped the venture capital landscape. Uncover the stories, lessons, and secrets behind his success, including a memorable experience with David Beckham. Join us for a riveting tale of passion, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit that will inspire and intrigue. (00:00) Trailer (03:06) Intro (04:07) Start (08:39) Immigration in Asia (15:44) Beginnings in Pharmaceutical (17:54) Being a Soccer Player (23:58) Discovery of the Startup Environment (34:00) The Entrepreneurial Bug (50:33) Move to Japan (56:56) Becoming an Angel Investor (1:06:20) David Beckam Story (1:13:36) New Life in Canada (1:27:40) The New Y Combinator Model (1:46:20) Being a Board Member (1:57:14) Building Trust with the Founders (2:00:20) Tips for Great Communication (2:12:37) Founder Fuel Accelerator (2:21:47) The Notman House (2:44:15) Final Words Follow John: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnstokes Articles: - https://realventures.medium.com/the-venture-ecosystem-has-just-had-a-preview-of-how-the-world-ends-can-this-help-us-wake-up-427948e1429d - https://medium.com/real-ventures/squashing-or-embracing-pet-theories-90c4bcc11e1d Join this channel to get access to perks: @LorisDzagoyan Follow me: www.linkedin.com/in/dzagoyan www.lorisdzagoyan.com