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Demo Day Podcast
CoEfficient Labs
118 episodes
4 weeks ago
How do top VCs really pick winners, and what’s the “fine print” every founder misses? In this Demo Day episode, we go deep inside the investing mind of Jeff Crusey, EVP at Blacklake Group—one of the most unique and active voices in deep tech, defense, and venture capital. Jeff Crusey’s journey moves from building batteries in his garage to becoming a leader at Blacklake Group, where he now guides founders and scouts the “thick tail” of defense technology startups. Jeff opens up about the habi...
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Investing
Business,
Business News
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All content for Demo Day Podcast is the property of CoEfficient Labs and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
How do top VCs really pick winners, and what’s the “fine print” every founder misses? In this Demo Day episode, we go deep inside the investing mind of Jeff Crusey, EVP at Blacklake Group—one of the most unique and active voices in deep tech, defense, and venture capital. Jeff Crusey’s journey moves from building batteries in his garage to becoming a leader at Blacklake Group, where he now guides founders and scouts the “thick tail” of defense technology startups. Jeff opens up about the habi...
Show more...
Investing
Business,
Business News
Episodes (20/118)
Demo Day Podcast
The Real Reason Jeff Crusey Walked Away from Brazil’s Solar Boom
How do top VCs really pick winners, and what’s the “fine print” every founder misses? In this Demo Day episode, we go deep inside the investing mind of Jeff Crusey, EVP at Blacklake Group—one of the most unique and active voices in deep tech, defense, and venture capital. Jeff Crusey’s journey moves from building batteries in his garage to becoming a leader at Blacklake Group, where he now guides founders and scouts the “thick tail” of defense technology startups. Jeff opens up about the habi...
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4 weeks ago
51 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
Mark Mullen: Why VC Success is Broken
What does it really mean to “succeed” as a founder or a VC? In this episode of Demo Day, we sit down with Mark Mullen, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Bonfire Ventures, to explore the realities behind startup success, venture capital, and what it takes to build a high-performing team in today’s market. Mark opens up about the unrealistic expectations in venture capital, why selling a company for $11M can be celebrated in some industries but deemed a failure in VC, and how the focus on fo...
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1 month ago
1 hour 7 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
The Simple Rule That Predicts Founder Success with Santhosh Devati
In this episode of Demo Day, Sean Goldfaden interviews venture capitalist and angel investor Santhosh Devati (Managing Parter at Anamika Ventures) about the secret to building lasting success. Santhosh, a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience, shares the unconventional philosophy that has guided his career and his investment decisions. Santhosh reveals why he believes in "giving without expectations" and explains how focusing on helping others can lead to "wealth as a byprod...
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1 month ago
1 hour 20 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
David Yi on Why VC is Dying
Is venture capital dead? According to VC David Yi, the answer is more complex than you think. In this eye-opening conversation with host Sean Goldfaden, David, a veteran founder and investor, reveals why the traditional VC model is "dying" and what will replace it. David, the general partner of Ethos Fund, shares his incredible life journey—from his time in the Peace Corps to a life-altering car accident—that shaped his unique "third culture" investment philosophy. He explains how this approa...
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2 months ago
1 hour 20 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
The Secret That Took Netflix to the Top with Petra Griffith
What if the real secret behind Netflix’s success wasn’t movies… but data? In this episode of Demo Day, Sean Goldfaden sits down with Petra Griffith, Managing Director at Wedbush Ventures and a former product leader at Netflix and Yahoo, to uncover the hidden strategies that helped Netflix rise to the top—and the lessons every founder needs to know. Petra shares: - How Netflix became a data company (and why most startups overlook this advantage) - The traits great founders share and the red ...
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3 months ago
1 hour 5 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
How to Build Relationships in Venture Capital with Jonathan Hung
In this episode of Demo Day, we sit down with Jonathan Hung, Managing Partner at Entrepreneur Ventures, to explore why relationships matter more than returns in venture capital. Jonathan shares how he transitioned from family offices and Trousdale Ventures to launching a fund under Entrepreneur Media. From his “dating fund” philosophy to lessons on LP dynamics, founder due diligence, and his upcoming book Your Emergency Contact, this conversation is packed with hard-earned wisdom. Whether you...
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4 months ago
1 hour 8 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
The Mindset Behind Every Great Founder with Kevin Moore
From humble beginnings in Tulsa to launching his own venture capital firm, Kevin Moore’s story is one of resilience, grit, and vision. In this episode of Demo Day, host Sean Goldfaden sits down with Kevin Moore, Managing Partner at Serac Ventures, to uncover the mindset, habits, and experiences that helped him go from engineer to successful VC — and what every founder and aspiring fund manager needs to hear. - Learn how Kevin turned fear into fuel - Why “doing what you know” leads to real p...
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4 months ago
1 hour 19 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
Why Most First-Time VCs Struggle (And How to Survive) with Rick Smith
Starting a venture capital fund sounds glamorous — but the reality? It’s a long, grueling, high-stakes journey. In this episode of the Demo Day Podcast, we sit down with Rick Smith, Co-Founder of Crosscut Ventures, to unpack why most first-time VCs fail, how to navigate the emerging manager landscape, and what it really takes to build a lasting VC career. Rick shares hard-won lessons from 25+ years in venture, including: - What makes or breaks a fund's first few years - How to raise capital ...
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4 months ago
1 hour 11 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
The Strategy Quietly Changing Venture Capital with Minnie Ingersoll
In this episode of Demo Day, we sit down with Minnie Ingersoll, Partner at TenOneTen Ventures and host of the LA Venture Podcast, for an insider look at how venture capital is evolving in 2024. Minnie drops exclusive insights on a growing trend: LP sharing - a powerful but rarely discussed tactic that’s helping up-and-coming VCs fundraise faster and smarter. If you're a VC, founder, or aspiring fund manager, this episode is packed with tactical gems. We also talk about: How new VCs can build ...
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5 months ago
49 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
How to Pick the Right Investor with Jeff Bocan
In this episode of Demo Day, host Sean Goldfaden sits down with Jeff Bocan, Partner at Okapi Venture Capital, to dive deep into the founder-investor dynamic, red flags to watch for, and what truly sets top-performing startups apart. 🚨 Founders: Are you doing due diligence on your investors? Jeff shares a wild story about a founder who raised a Series A just to remove a toxic investor—and why failing to check references on VCs is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. This conver...
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6 months ago
1 hour 8 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
The #1 Habit that Predicts Founder Success with TX Zhuo
What’s the one trait that separates successful startups from the rest? According to TX Zhuo—Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Fika Ventures—it’s not pedigree, pitch decks, or market size. It’s founder responsiveness. In this episode of Demo Day, TX reveals the surprising results of a study across 94 portfolio companies, and why the speed of your email replies might be a signal of much more than just efficiency. Sean Goldfaden sits down with TX to talk about: - How TX turned personal tragedy ...
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6 months ago
59 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
Why Most Founders Fail with Marlon Nichols
What makes a great founder? How do VCs really decide who to back? In this episode of Demo Day, host Sean Goldfaden sits down with Marlon Nichols, Managing Partner at MaC Venture Capital, to explore what separates good founders from great ones, the mindset of successful venture capitalists, and the hidden power of community-driven events like CultureHouse and LA Tech Week. Marlon breaks down the qualities he looks for when investing—including “repeat exceptionalism,” founder resilience, doma...
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7 months ago
1 hour 1 minute

Demo Day Podcast
The Keys To Becoming A Successful Founder with Laurent Grill
Welcome to the Demo Day Podcast – Your Inside Look at Venture Capital & Startups Hosted by Sean Goldfaden of Coefficient Labs, Demo Day brings you in-depth conversations with top venture capitalists, startup founders, and industry leaders to demystify the world of VC, fundraising, and startup growth. Each episode delivers insider insights on raising capital, navigating the founder journey, scaling businesses, and the future of tech, AI, and innovation. Whether you're an entrepreneur, inve...
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7 months ago
1 hour 1 minute

Demo Day Podcast
Marlon Nichols on Valuable Advice for Aspiring VCs, MaC Venture Capital
Marlon Nichols gives top tips for people who want to become a venture capitalist and describes what a cultural investing thesis means for MaC Venture Capital. Guests - Marlon Nichols Website - https://macventurecapital.com/ Follow Us! LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coefficient-labs Instagram: www.instagram.com/demodaypodcast/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/coefficientlabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coefficientlabs Contact Information: social@coefficientlabs.com
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2 years ago
56 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
Derek Norton on Passionate Founders and The People Business, Watertower Ventures
Derek Norton shares advice on working with your friends, the truth about transitioning from entrepreneurship to venture capital, and the necessity of in-person events in the startup and VC ecosystem. Guests - Derek Norton Website - https://www.watertowerventures.com/ Follow Us! LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coefficient-labs Instagram: www.instagram.com/demodaypodcast/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/coefficientlabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coefficientlabs Contact Information: soci...
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3 years ago
52 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
Peter Lee on The Reality of Investing in Hard Tech, Embark Ventures
Peter Lee shares his journey between startups and consulting, before landing in venture capital. He also discusses the true value proposition of robotics companies and the reality in investing in hard technology. Guests - Peter Lee Website - https://www.embark.vc/ Follow Us! LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coefficient-labs Instagram: www.instagram.com/demodaypodcast/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/coefficientlabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coefficientlabs Contact Information: social...
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3 years ago
1 hour 6 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
Brian Lee on His Unique Entrepreneurial Experiences, BAM Ventures
Brian Lee shares the incredible stories of how LegalZoom, ShoeDazzle, Arena Club, and The Honest Company came to fruition. He also describes his transition into venture capital and the types of founders that VCs want to invest in. Guest - Brian Lee Website - https://www.bam.vc/ Follow Us! LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coefficient-labs Instagram: www.instagram.com/demodaypodcast/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/coefficientlabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coefficientlabs Contact Inform...
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3 years ago
1 hour 3 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
Alejandro Guerrero on Optionality and Delusional Founders, Act One Ventures
Alejandro Guerrero shares excellent advice for first generations, the differences between sober and delusional founders, and why checks are the least valuable asset coming from a VC. Guest - Alejandro Guerrero Website - https://actoneventures.com/ Follow Us! LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coefficient-labs Instagram: www.instagram.com/demodaypodcast/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/coefficientlabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coefficientlabs Contact Information: social@coefficientlabs.com
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3 years ago
1 hour 4 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
Will Schmitt on Leading versus Co-Investing Strategies, Miroma Ventures
Will Schmitt reveals valuable advice to aspiring VCs, the key differences in leading vs. co-investing, and what VCs seek and don’t seek in a startup founder. Guest - Will Schmitt Website - https://miromaventures.com/ Follow Us! LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coefficient-labs Instagram: www.instagram.com/demodaypodcast/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/coefficientlabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coefficientlabs Contact Information: social@coefficientlabs.com
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3 years ago
53 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
Ben Savage on Investing in People, Clocktower Technology Ventures
Ben Savage shares the importance of investing in human capital, the concept of athleticism versus skill, and top tips on interviewing startup founders. Guest - Ben Savage Website - https://www.clocktowerventures.com/ Follow Us! LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coefficient-labs Instagram: www.instagram.com/demodaypodcast/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/coefficientlabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coefficientlabs Contact Information: social@coefficientlabs.com
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3 years ago
1 hour 2 minutes

Demo Day Podcast
How do top VCs really pick winners, and what’s the “fine print” every founder misses? In this Demo Day episode, we go deep inside the investing mind of Jeff Crusey, EVP at Blacklake Group—one of the most unique and active voices in deep tech, defense, and venture capital. Jeff Crusey’s journey moves from building batteries in his garage to becoming a leader at Blacklake Group, where he now guides founders and scouts the “thick tail” of defense technology startups. Jeff opens up about the habi...