The Angel Next Door

Marcia Dawood
  • 4.9 (34)
  • Investing
  • Updated Semiweekly

The Angel Next Door podcast is a show about how people got started investing in startup companies. Hosted by Marcia Dawood, member of the SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee and Chair Emeritus of the board of the Angel Capital Association, the professional organization of angel investors across the US and globally. If you want to see change in the world you have to create it, invest in it or be it! Tune in to hear stories of what angel investing is, who does it and why!

  1. 2d ago

    Christa Downey on Angel Investing, Money Mindset, and Building Mission-Driven Wealth

    Have you ever wondered what truly drives someone to leap from curiosity about startups into the realm of angel investing—and what mindset shifts are crucial along the way? This episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast opens with that very question, as we explore the often untold personal and financial journeys that lie behind the checks investors write, and the ambitions founders chase. Our guest, Christa Downey, brings a unique lens as both an active angel investor and a leadership coach grounded in the vibrant startup ecosystem of Ithaca, New York. Christa Downey shares her path from engaging with the Cornell entrepreneurship community to backing mission-driven companies, investing alongside platforms like Chloe Capital and The Fourth Effect, and leveraging alternative vehicles such as self-directed IRAs to build wealth with purpose. Her commitment to fostering both financial returns and meaningful impact defines her approach and investments. In this conversation, Christa Downey dives into practical strategies for diversification, the pivotal role of money mindset for both founders and investors, and the often-overlooked emotional aspects of entrepreneurship—including navigating hard money conversations, founder agreements, and the difficult transition from founder to CEO. Listeners will gain concrete insights on angel investing, alternative wealth-building tools, and how intentional financial choices shape both companies and their leaders. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in reimagining their relationship with money, understanding the nuts and bolts of early-stage investing, and supporting the creation of a more inclusive, impactful startup culture.   To get the latest from Christa Downey, you can follow her below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/christabdowney/   Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

    Christa Downey on Angel Investing, Money Mindset, and Building Mission-Driven Wealth

  2. Jul 9

    Climbing the Right Mountain: Tony Martignetti on Defining Success and Leading with Purpose

    Have you ever stopped to wonder if you’re climbing the right mountain in your entrepreneurial journey, or simply chasing someone else’s vision of success? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we dig deep into what it means to lead with purpose and authenticity, challenging common assumptions about leadership, fulfillment, and growth for founders and investors alike. Our guest, Tony Martignetti, is an accomplished leadership coach, author, and founder of Inspired Purpose Partners. With over 30 years of experience in high-tech and biotech finance and strategy, Tony Martignetti made a bold leap from corporate life to become a transformational force for leaders across industries. He’s the author of two insightful books—Climbing the Right Mountain and Campfire Lessons for Leaders—and shares a preview of his upcoming work, Illuminating Hidden Brilliance. Throughout the episode, listeners hear Tony Martignetti's perspective on why effective leadership goes far beyond titles, how founders can unlock the “hidden brilliance” within themselves and their teams, and why organizations thrive when they encourage multidimensional talents. Whether you’re a startup founder, part of a scaling team, or actively investing in early-stage ventures, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and fresh frameworks to help you foster truly resilient, inspired, and connected teams. This is a must-listen for anyone seeking to create lasting impact, avoid the pitfalls of leadership “autopilot,” and bring their whole self into the entrepreneurial arena.   To get the latest from Tony Martignetti, you can follow him below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonymartignetti/   Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

    Climbing the Right Mountain: Tony Martignetti on Defining Success and Leading with Purpose

  3. Jun 25

    Disability Tech and the Power of Inclusive Investing with Brittany and Rich Palmer

    What happens when overlooked innovators are empowered to solve problems for communities often left out of the conversation—and, even more, when those innovators have lived experience of the challenges they’re addressing? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia sits down with Brittany and Rich Palmer, a dynamic entrepreneurial couple, to explore how true innovation and impact are ignited at the intersection of necessity, lived experience, and meaningful capital. Brittany and Rich Palmer are not only successful entrepreneurs and angel investors but are also the visionary founders behind Adaptation Ventures, an investment firm and community dedicated to empowering startups focused on disability, neurodivergence, accessibility, and aging. Brittany, herself born with a limb difference, brings firsthand perspective to the conversation, while Rich’s journey includes a personal medical challenge that became a catalyst for his mission-driven career shift. Together, they’ve built a unique fund and ecosystem that actively includes investors and decision-makers with disabilities—something almost unheard of in the traditional VC world. This episode covers why only 1% of venture capital currently flows to accessibility-related innovation, details Brittany and Rich’s journey to plugging that gap, and shares stories of the groundbreaking companies they’re backing—from hardware innovations with million-dollar pipelines to products with the “curb cut effect” that benefit everyone. Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or passionate catalyst for change, this conversation reveals how capital, community, and lived expertise can combine to drive scalable, high-impact solutions. If you care about innovation that truly changes lives, this episode is a must-listen—showcasing why Adaptation Ventures’ ecosystem model may reshape the future of inclusive investing.   To get the latest from Rich and Brittany Palmer, you can follow them below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/therichpalmer/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanytofinchio/ https://adaptation.vc/ Rich's first appearance on the Angel Next Door   Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

    Disability Tech and the Power of Inclusive Investing with Brittany and Rich Palmer

  4. Jun 11

    Fabric VC Fund One Update with Laurel Mintz: Raising Capital and Supporting Women’s Health Startups

    What does it really take to thrive as a first-time fund manager in today’s challenging investment landscape, especially when you’re building a venture fund from scratch while championing diversity and innovation? This episode delves into the real experiences behind the headlines, inviting listeners to consider the often unseen hurdles and triumphs that define entrepreneurial journeys. Our guest, Laurel Mintz, is the founder of Fabric VC—a new venture capital fund spun out of her extensive 17-year run as the leader of a successful marketing agency. With a background that includes corporate M&A law, entrepreneurship, and marketing, Laurel Mintz brings a unique and practical perspective to the venture capital world. Her approach blends deep sector knowledge with a commitment to supporting underrepresented founders and championing women’s health, fintech, and consumer tech sectors. In this update, listeners get an inside look at the nuts and bolts of raising and deploying Fabric VC’s first fund—just under $8 million, already largely deployed across 23 portfolio companies. Laurel Mintz shares candid insights on the emotional rollercoaster of fundraising, the critical importance of diversity, and the creative approaches to supporting women-led companies, such as accepting investments via donor-advised funds and retirement accounts. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring investors, founders, or anyone interested in how real change is being made within venture capital. It’s raw, motivating, and packed with unfiltered advice on how to show up, take risks, and put capital to work for the next generation.   To get the latest from Laurel Mintz, you can follow her below! LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-mintz/ https://www.fabricvc.com/ Laurel's first appearance on The Angel Next Door    Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

    Fabric VC Fund One Update with Laurel Mintz: Raising Capital and Supporting Women’s Health Startups

  5. May 28

    Legal Essentials for Founders and Angel Investors with Meredith Haviland

    What’s the true cost of getting your startup’s legal foundation wrong—and how can overlooking legal nuances derail even the most promising entrepreneurial dreams? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood dives into the questions every founder and early-stage investor should be asking about company formation, equity, and governance. Our guest, Meredith Haviland, is a partner in the corporate group at Foley Hoag, a law firm serving clients in innovation-driven sectors like life sciences, technology, and private capital. Bringing years of experience working with both startups and investors, Meredith Haviland shares her expertise on navigating the legal landscape that underpins successful new ventures. This episode unpacks everything from LLC versus C-corp structures and the importance of choosing the right legal counsel, to equity allocation, 83b elections, and the risks of mishandling intellectual property—especially when AI technology is involved. Marcia Dawood and Meredith Haviland discuss regulatory obligations, governance, board responsibilities, compliance pitfalls, and the growing scrutiny on AI-related legal risks. Whether you’re just starting out or preparing for your next funding round, this conversation is packed with real-world guidance and cautionary tales, making it a must listen for founders, fund managers, and angel investors who want to avoid costly mistakes and build resilient companies from day one.   To get the latest from Meredith Haviland, you can follow her below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithhaviland/     Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

    Legal Essentials for Founders and Angel Investors with Meredith Haviland

  6. May 14

    The Power of Cooperatives in Real Estate and Impact Investing with Kachuwa

    What does it take to redefine entrepreneurship for both impact and profit, and can owning less of a company mean achieving more? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, listeners are invited to consider how traditional business structures and investment models can be transformed for greater societal good without sacrificing returns. Blake Jones joins Marcia Dawood as today's guest—a self-described accidental entrepreneur who transitioned from engineering in the oil and gas sector to pioneering employee ownership through Namaste Solar. His journey includes international work in renewable energy, founding a successful solar cooperative, and now leading the innovative Kachuwa Impact Fund, which democratizes impact investing via a cooperative model boasting over 300 members and nearly 100 diversified assets. The episode takes a deep dive into how Blake Jones and the Kachuwa Impact Fund structure investments to balance financial returns with meaningful impact. Offering an accessible, diversified portfolio that pays annual dividends, the fund supports employee ownership conversions, affordable housing, and more—all governed democratically. If you’ve ever wondered how to invest for impact while still earning returns, or how cooperatives operate in practice, this episode is a must-listen for its fresh perspectives, practical insights, and inspiration for anyone looking to shake up traditional business and investing models.   To get the latest from Blake Jones, you can follow him below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-jones-ab044925/  https://www.kachuwaimpactfund.com/   Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

    The Power of Cooperatives in Real Estate and Impact Investing with Kachuwa

  7. Apr 30

    Bridging Human Connection and AI in Wealth Management with Carrie Nelson

    How will artificial intelligence transform the most human parts of wealth management? In this episode, we explore where technology meets empathy, and what the future looks like for financial professionals and their clients as AI adoption accelerates across the industry. Our guest, Carrie Nelson, is the founder of Atlas Point and a veteran leader with experience at Ernst & Young, Experian, and Edward Jones. Carrie shares her journey from big-firm consulting to building a platform that empowers advisors to navigate a rapidly changing landscape, with a focus on the coming great wealth transfer and the next generation of clients. Together, we discuss why human connection is still essential—even as AI creates new efficiencies—and how Atlas Point blends behavioral science and smart tools to bridge the gap. For anyone interested in the future of finance, entrepreneurship, or the emotional side of money, this is a must-listen episode filled with real-world stories and actionable insights.   To get the latest from Carrie Nelson, you can follow her below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-nelson-5377864/ https://www.theatlaspoint.com/   Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Do Good While Doing Well Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

    Bridging Human Connection and AI in Wealth Management with Carrie Nelson

  8. Apr 16

    Crypto, AI, and Wellness Apps: Karima Williams Talks Transformation and Safety in Tech

    How can we build technology that’s not only innovative, but truly safe for its users—especially in a world of rapid AI and crypto development? This episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast explores the critical intersection of safety, user empowerment, and digital progress in today’s tech landscape. Our guest, Karima Williams, is a leader in crypto and AI who has brought communities together, educated newcomers, and, following personal adversity, created Crash Out Diary—a wellness app designed to help people regulate emotions and find support online. In this wide-ranging conversation, you’ll learn about practical safety strategies for both crypto and AI applications, hear Karima’s vision for human-first technology, and get inspired by her drive to create tools that meet users where they are. If you care about the ethical side of tech and want real stories from the front lines, this episode is a must listen.   To get the latest from Karima Williams, you can follow her below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/idodigitalmedia/ https://www.crashoutdiary.xyz/   Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Do Good While Doing Well Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

    Crypto, AI, and Wellness Apps: Karima Williams Talks Transformation and Safety in Tech
See All (180)

4.9
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

The Angel Next Door podcast is a show about how people got started investing in startup companies. Hosted by Marcia Dawood, member of the SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee and Chair Emeritus of the board of the Angel Capital Association, the professional organization of angel investors across the US and globally. If you want to see change in the world you have to create it, invest in it or be it! Tune in to hear stories of what angel investing is, who does it and why!

Information

  • Creator
    Marcia Dawood
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    180
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    The Angel Next Door

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