"Cut The Check" with Mack Meyer | VC Mx

Mack Meyer
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"Cut The Check" is where venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship intersect, spanning emerging markets and beyond. Hosted by Mack Meyer, we break down what it really takes to secure funding, straight from the investors writing the checks and the founders closing the rounds. Each episode dives into the strategies behind winning term sheets, scaling startups, and making bold bets, featuring insightful conversations with top VCs, angel investors, and entrepreneurs. From first checks to follow-ons and exits, Cut the Check delivers an unfiltered, inside look at the art of deal-making and the future of venture capital. New episodes weekly. Interested in Connecting with us?  team@venturecapitalmx.com

  1. Silicon Valley Partner to top Latam Founders | Ivan Montoya, Managing Partner NuMundo Ventures

    20 AUG

    Silicon Valley Partner to top Latam Founders | Ivan Montoya, Managing Partner NuMundo Ventures

    Summary In this conversation, Ivan Montoya shares his journey from Colombia to the U.S., highlighting the influence of his family and education on his career path. He discusses his experiences at Harvard, the transition to the professional world, and the lessons learned from working in startups. Ivan emphasizes the importance of qualities like humility and competitiveness in successful founders and reflects on his entry into angel investing and the unique mission of NuMundo Ventures. He also addresses the challenges faced by Latin American entrepreneurs and the impact of the pandemic on the startup ecosystem, concluding with insights on product-market fit and the significance of building authentic relationships in venture capital. Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:49 Ivan's Journey: Colombia to the US 03:48 Education and Early Influences 05:01 Swimming & Discipline 06:09 Harvard and Impact on your Career 08:13 Jorge Dominguez's Class: Cuban Revolution 09:05 "Reasonable People can have Different Opinions" 10:07 Early Career 11:03 "I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly" 11:28 Pre Product Market Fit vs. Post Product Market Fit 12:49 "Everybody likes to hike, but who wants to climb Mt. Everest" 14:26 Qualities that Make Great Founders 16:08 Why Angel Investing? 20:25 Building a Network in Silicon Valley 24:59 The Pandemic & Effect on Latam ecosystem 27:16 The Laws of Physics 28:16 NuMundo's Ventures Inception 30:24 NuMundo Ventures' Approach 32:27 The Founder is important, but not everything 34:07 Glimpse into NuMundo's Portfolio 40:24 When Investing in Consumer Fintech 43:10  "I want to feel like I am being shared a secret" 45:23 Find the Right Capital Partner 47:32 "How do you get to 1m, 10m, & 100m?" 48:35 Final Thoughts 53:49 Outro Send us a text Cut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond. New episodes drop every week. Subscribe on Spotify Stay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Have a guest suggestion? Email us at team@venturecapitalmx.com

    54 min
  2. Rebuilding Trust Through Consumer Credit in Venezuela | Pedro Vallenilla, CEO & Co Founder of Cashea

    22 JUL

    Rebuilding Trust Through Consumer Credit in Venezuela | Pedro Vallenilla, CEO & Co Founder of Cashea

    CHAPTERS: Introduction and Early LifeMack Meyer introduces Pedro Vallenilla and discusses his upbringing and early influences.Entrepreneurial BeginningsPedro shares his journey into entrepreneurship, including his early ventures and the pressures of following in his family's footsteps.First Major SuccessDiscussion about Pedro's first successful startup in Venezuela and the challenges he faced.Failures and Lessons LearnedPedro talks about the failures of subsequent startups and the lessons he learned from those experiences.The Birth of CasheaThe story of how Cashea was founded, its impact on Venezuela, and the challenges of launching a fintech company in a difficult economic environment.Building Trust and Credit in VenezuelaPedro explains how Cashea has helped rebuild consumer credit in Venezuela and the importance of trust in their business model.Future of CasheaDiscussion on the future plans for Cashea, including expanding financial services and becoming a super app for Venezuelans.Reflections and Closing ThoughtsPedro reflects on his journey, the impact of Cashea, and his pride in the company's achievements. Send us a text Cut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond. New episodes drop every week. Subscribe on Spotify Stay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Have a guest suggestion? Email us at team@venturecapitalmx.com

    29 min
  3. Power, Policy, & Perspective, Mx's Political Future & Why Tech Can't Ignore It

    8 JUL

    Power, Policy, & Perspective, Mx's Political Future & Why Tech Can't Ignore It

    In this conversation, Mack Meyer and Alex González Ormerod delve into the intricate relationship between politics, journalism, and technology in Mexico. They explore Alex's journey into journalism, the establishment of the Mexico Political Economist, and the challenges and opportunities within the tech landscape in Latin America. The discussion also covers the implications of recent judicial reforms, the evolving political landscape under Claudia Sheinbaum, and the significance of the informal economy. They highlight the importance of understanding the U.S.-Mexico relationship and the future of foreign investment in Mexico. Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:57 Background 03:52 The Journey into Journalism and Politics 04:31 Early Childhood 05:28 The Birth of the Mexico Political Economist 09:36 Understanding the Nuances of Latin American Tech 10:33 Is Mexican politician coverage underreported? 11:31 Whitepaper 12:28 Biden Administration & Mexico's Politics 15:17 The Mexican Political Economist First Article 16:31 Why Paywall From the Start? 18:06 Mexico's Recent Judicial Reform 21:46 Could Judicial Reforms Propel Tech in Mexico? 24:18 The Rise of SMEs in Mexico 26:29 The Importance of Cornershop Acquisition in Mexico 28:36 The Mexicanization of US Politics 29:40 Mexico is a Pretend Federal Republic 32:19 State of Mexico's Political Parties 34:05 Sheinbaum's Political Strategy 35:55 Trade Dynamics: USMCA and Tariffs 38:48 The Role of Domestic Consumption in Mexico's Economy 40:27 Nearshoring: Mexico's Strategic Advantage 41:12 Mexico's Informal Economy 44:23 Mexico Is Irrelevant Because It Works Well Enough 46:33 Legacy Companies Need Competition 48:08 Misconceptions About Mexico Politics 49:58 Vision for Mexico Political Economist 53:42 Outro Send us a text Cut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond. New episodes drop every week. Subscribe on Spotify Stay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Have a guest suggestion? Email us at team@venturecapitalmx.com

    51 min
  4. Powering The Future, Decentralize Mexico's Energy, Raffaele & Edoardo, Co Founders of Niko Energy

    4 JUL

    Powering The Future, Decentralize Mexico's Energy, Raffaele & Edoardo, Co Founders of Niko Energy

    In this conversation, Raffaele and Edoardo share the journey of founding Niko Energy, transitioning from their previous venture in cloud kitchens to addressing the clean tech sector in Mexico. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the solar energy market, the regulatory landscape, and their innovative financing solutions aimed at increasing solar adoption. The conversation also touches on the importance of targeting underserved communities, engaging corporations, and the potential role of AI in enhancing operational efficiency. They conclude with reflections on misconceptions they had before launching Niko and their future growth plans. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:03 Backgrounds 01:14 Cocinas Ocultas Exit to Cloud Kitchens 04:29 Why is there only 3% solar adoption in Mexico? 07:52 Value for B2B Customers 08:44 Understanding Virtual Power Plants 11:29 Navigating Regulatory Changes 11:54 Sheinbaum's Emphasis on Solar 14:40 Financing SMEs Solar & Solar Communities 16:06 Enterprises & Solar Consumption 17:20 The Role AI in Niko's Processes 18:34 Final Thoughts 20:13 Outro Send us a text Cut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond. New episodes drop every week. Subscribe on Spotify Stay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Have a guest suggestion? Email us at team@venturecapitalmx.com

    21 min
  5. Seed is About Who's Making The Decision | Adriana Saman, Managing Director at Clocktower Ventures

    19 JUN

    Seed is About Who's Making The Decision | Adriana Saman, Managing Director at Clocktower Ventures

    Summary In this conversation, Mack Meyer interviews Adriana, a venture capitalist at Clocktower Ventures, discussing her journey from Ecuador to the U.S., her experiences in investment banking, and her transition into venture capital. Adriana shares insights on the importance of education, her passion for financial inclusion, and the unique opportunities in Latin America, particularly in fintech. The discussion also covers the structure and strategy of Clocktower Ventures, the nuances of investing in different regions, and the significance of building strong relationships with founders. Adriana reflects on her investment philosophy, lessons learned, and her pride in supporting innovative companies in Latin America. Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:47 Path From Ecuador to UPenn 02:25 Early Years 03:47 UPenn & Latam 05:15 Why Venture? 07:11 Digital Payments Team & Chase App 08:25 Value of Incumbent Perspective in Fintech 09:55 Clocktower Ventures: From East Coast to West Coast 11:33 Clocktower Investment Group History 14:32 Clocktower Ventures Inception 15:58 CTV's Latam Fund 16:29 CTV's Portfolio Construction 18:11 "Seed is Really About Who is Making the Decisions" 19:53 Complexities Investing Across Different Stages & Categories 21:42 Why Not Leading Rounds Can Create More Transparency 24:42 Regional Nuances: Brazil vs. Mexico 25:25 Brazil's Capital Markets 27:46 Brazil & Indonesia: Consumer Behavior 28:16 CTV 2024 Investments in Mexico 31:55 Toku & Unique Value Proposition 34:19 Evolution as Venture Investor 35:45 Learnings: Xepelin's Seed Extension 37:39 What Qualities Make a Great Founder? 39:00 Final Thoughts 40:48 Outro Send us a text Cut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond. New episodes drop every week. Subscribe on Spotify Stay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Have a guest suggestion? Email us at team@venturecapitalmx.com

    41 min
  6. Enabling Schools To Operate Like Sophisticated Institutions | Mateo Creamer, Co Founder of Cometa

    10 JUN

    Enabling Schools To Operate Like Sophisticated Institutions | Mateo Creamer, Co Founder of Cometa

    In this conversation, Mateo Creamer shares his journey from not knowing he wanted to be a founder to establishing Cometa, an education technology company focused on increasing access to quality education in Latin America. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the impact of his experiences at Rapid SOS and Duolingo, and the challenges of building trust with school owners. Mateo emphasizes the significance of community, data sharing, and product simplicity in the education sector. He also touches on the role of WhatsApp in communication, the fundraising process, and his vision for the future of Cometa as an operating system for schools. Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:45 Career Path: From Banking to Rapid SOS 05:17 The Impact of Rapid SOS on Career Development 08:10 The Journey to Founding Cometa 10:56 Understanding Cometa's Mission and Product 13:39 Challenges in the Education Sector and Market Entry 16:28 Building Trust and Community in Education 19:10 The Importance of Data and Reporting in Education 21:51 Balancing Simplicity and Functionality in Product Development 24:42 Navigating Vertical Integration 27:58 Understanding School Needs 32:04 Monetization Models in Education Tech 36:39 The Impact of the Pandemic on Education 37:54 Leveraging WhatsApp for Communication 39:27 Fundraising Insights and Investor Relations 41:06 The Future of Financial Operations in Education 42:24 Proud Product Features and Success Metrics 43:47 Long-Term Vision for Kometa 44:31 Symbolism Behind the Name Kometa 44:53 Influential Figures in Mateo's Journey 45:46 Outro Send us a text Cut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond. New episodes drop every week. Subscribe on Spotify Stay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Have a guest suggestion? Email us at team@venturecapitalmx.com

    46 min
  7. VC Is A Tool, Not The Only Way To Build | Esteban Reyes, Founder & GP of Zenda Capital

    23 MAY

    VC Is A Tool, Not The Only Way To Build | Esteban Reyes, Founder & GP of Zenda Capital

    Summary In this conversation, Esteban Reyes shares his entrepreneurial journey, from his early days inspired by his grandfather's story to his experiences in building and scaling companies. He discusses the importance of understanding venture capital as a resource, the challenges of building tech-enabled services, and the investment thesis of Zenda Capital. Esteban also addresses the geopolitical challenges affecting investment opportunities in the Americas and highlights the potential in healthcare technology. He concludes with valuable advice for entrepreneurs on capital efficiency and partner selection. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:02 Background 01:30 Coal Miner Story 06:50 Why being VC backed isn't everything 09:48 Novascale & Flexiplan 11:36 The Challenges when Scaling "Service Businesses" 14:18 Zenda Capital's Inception 16:32 Why a Solo GP & Building a Strong Team 18:08 Zenda Capital's Thesis & Check Size 20:19 Portfolio Construction 20:54 Investing Across The America's & Thematic Investing 22:25 "Usually Great Founders Beget Other Great Founders" 23:50 Strength of Portco Founder Relationships 25:09  AI & Long Term Value 28:09  Landing Strategy: Forward Deployment  w/ AI 29:27 Geopolitical Challenges 31:20 Opportunities in Healthtech Across the Americas 33:45 Advice for Founders Looking to Raise Capital 36:02 Final Thoughts 39:15 Outro Send us a text Cut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond. New episodes drop every week. Subscribe on Spotify Stay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Have a guest suggestion? Email us at team@venturecapitalmx.com

    40 min
  8. Financial Tools for Mexico's Fragmented Freight Industry | Jaime Tabachnik, Co Founder & CEO of Solvento

    8 MAY

    Financial Tools for Mexico's Fragmented Freight Industry | Jaime Tabachnik, Co Founder & CEO of Solvento

    In this conversation, Mack Meyer and Jaime Tabachnik discuss the inception and growth of Solvento, a company focused on solving liquidity issues in the freight industry. Jaime shares his background in the logistics sector, the challenges faced in building relationships and securing funding, and the innovative solutions Solvento is implementing to address the fragmented nature of the carrier market in Mexico. They also touch on the importance of team dynamics and the lessons learned throughout the entrepreneurial journey. Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:46 Inspiration for Solvento 06:49 Navigating Family Business Dynamics 08:03 How a Pitch Competition Launched Solvento 12:45 Has the Vision Changed since that Kellogg Pitch Event? 13:28 Solvento's First Customers 15:42 Challenges in Carrier Liquidity and Underwriting 18:56 The Role of Digitalization in Freight 20:55 The Freight Ecosystem 24:43 Future Growth and Product Development 25:00 Hyper Fragmentation: Freight Carriers in Mexico 26:30 Underwriting Through Carrier's Customer 29:48 Geopolitical Challenges & Domestic Freight Market 32:39 Solvento's Product & Growth Roadmap 34:25 Final Thoughts 38:18 Outro Send us a text Cut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond. New episodes drop every week. Subscribe on Spotify Stay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Have a guest suggestion? Email us at team@venturecapitalmx.com

    28 min
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About

"Cut The Check" is where venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship intersect, spanning emerging markets and beyond. Hosted by Mack Meyer, we break down what it really takes to secure funding, straight from the investors writing the checks and the founders closing the rounds. Each episode dives into the strategies behind winning term sheets, scaling startups, and making bold bets, featuring insightful conversations with top VCs, angel investors, and entrepreneurs. From first checks to follow-ons and exits, Cut the Check delivers an unfiltered, inside look at the art of deal-making and the future of venture capital. New episodes weekly. Interested in Connecting with us?  team@venturecapitalmx.com

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