Does coachability beat raw talent?⚡️
In this episode of the VNTR Podcast, we sit down with Cristobal Alonso, the charismatic entrepreneur. From his background as a chef, ex-basketball pro, and avid piano player to mentoring hundreds of founders across 10+ countries, Cristobal brings the kind of wisdom only a truly global entrepreneur can offer.
Key Topics Covered in This Episode:
🎧 Tune in for a masterclass on building not just scalable companies — but resilient, coachable founders.
VNTR is building the world’s largest investor community by sharing lessons, hosting events, and offering opportunities. Active VC investors can join by claiming a free investor account at https://app.vntr.vc/
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome El Patron - Cristobal Alonso
01:40 The Early Days of the Baltic Startup Ecosystem
04:50 Why Everyone Calls Him El Patrón
06:22 How Startup Wise Guys Outgrew Its Roots
09:28 Cracking the Accelerator Business Model
13:23 The Evolution of Wise Guys’ Investment Focus
15:48 Why Early-Stage VC Is a Numbers Game
16:54 Are We in an Industrial or Internet Revolution?
21:11 The Traits That Make (or Break) a Startup Team
24:52 Why Strong Co-Founding Teams Matter Most
26:04 Scaling Across Borders Means Local Scouting, Global Mindset
30:07 Why Africa Requires Full Focus and Multicountry Strategy
32:22 Fundraising in 2025: Why Sales and Syndicates Beat Hype
36:40 Fundraising for GPs: The Long Game No One Talks About
38:31 The Silent Struggle of GPs
40:08 Two New Funds with Big Impact Ambitions
45:01 Quality Over Quantity
48:08 The VC Morning That Starts Without a Screen
51:35 You Can’t Build a Balanced Startup Without a Balanced Self
52:56 The Third Book: A Journey Through Crisis, Cooking, and Compassion
55:37 Join us at VNTR Global Investor Summit — November 11, 2025
🔹 VNTR Website: https://app.vntr.vc/
🔹 VNTR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vntrcapital/
🔹 VNTR Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/74523146/admin/dashboard/
Host:
Yuri G. Rabinovich
https://www.linkedin.com/in/byuric/
Guest:
