VC Unfiltered

VC Unfiltered

VC Unfiltered aims to bring authenticity, humor, and unfiltered advice to the forefront of venture capital. VC Unfiltered features real conversations with entrepreneurs and investors, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the highs and lows of building successful ventures. We want to break down the barriers that often make the VC space feel intimidating and inaccessible, creating a platform where genuine interactions and honest insights can thrive. Through this series, we hope to inspire a shift in the venture capital space where authenticity, humor, and unfiltered advice are the norms. VC Unfiltered is our way of injecting fun into the journey, providing valuable insights, and creating a more vibrant and enjoyable venture capital ecosystem. Join us for weekly episodes, offering real advice and never forgetting to laugh along the way.

  1. SEP 18

    How Investors Actually Evaluate AI Startups

    In this exciting episode of VC Unfiltered, recorded live at Lightning Round V, we bring you the forefront of innovation with five elite startups showcasing their groundbreaking technologies. From the transformative potential of aluminum batteries by Zenthos Energy to the promise of level five autonomous driving by Niebla AI, these visionary founders are redefining the future. Dive into the world of legal tech with Aparti's operational system for family law, explore the compact quantum and photonic AI systems by Phaseshift, and discover Avocado Health's mission to revolutionize parenting support. Featuring expert insights from industry leaders like Howard Wright of NVIDIA, Howard Ko of Morpheus Ventures, and Lucas J. Pols of Pegasus, this episode delivers both inspiration and cutting-edge ideas. Stick around for the high-stakes pitch showdown to see which startup claims the top prize! 0:00 - VC Panel 57:09 - Zenthos Energy Pitch 1:07:36 - Aparti Pitch 1:17:14 - Phaseshift 1:28:18 - Avocado Health 1:41:00 - Niebla AI 1:53:56 - Winner Announcement  Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/342uGXBr031LgcubfOxYsu?si=bd5705c527c448dc&nd=1&dlsi=52cd6ce2bec14970 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-unfiltered/id1756379899 Follow us on X:  https://x.com/paa_vc Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pegasusaccelerator Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pegasusaccelerator Visit our Website: https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/ Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://vcunfiltered.beehiiv.com/subscribe #ai #startup #venturecapital

    1h 58m
  2. JUN 19

    Building Startups Before They Exist - Inside M13 | John Tabis

    In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Lucas Pols, GP at Pegasus Angel Accelerator, sits down with John Tabis — founder of The Bouqs Company and Partner & Head of Launchpad at M13. Together, they unpack what really makes a venture studio succeed, why founders must sometimes ignore customers, and how a flower company accidentally created a high-margin hit with... vases. John pulls back the curtain on how M13’s venture studio operates like a startup Petri dish — rapidly testing, iterating, and validating ideas. He reflects on nearly sinking Bouqs by underestimating infrastructure needs, and shares one of the hardest lessons in leadership: “If they’re neutral, they’ve gotta go.” 0:25 Guest Introduction: John Tabis from M13 Venture Studio   1:09 Overview of M13's Venture Studio Model and Evolution   3:17 Ownership Structures and the Founder-Led Approach   5:21 Differentiation from Traditional Venture Studios   8:16 Lessons from Running Bouq: The Journey and Core Insights   11:01 The Importance of Tech as a Core Competency   12:00 Company Building vs. Product Building   13:42 Culture, Team Dynamics, and Leadership Lessons   15:03 Sorting Through Advice and Staying True to Vision   18:06 What M13 Looks for in Founders and Startups   20:26 The Value of Go-To-Market Strategy in Early-Stage Ventures   23:37 Building Traction and Accelerating the J-Curve   25:55 Evolving Customer Discovery: Theory vs. Real-World Practice   28:56 Case Study: Subscription Models and Real Customer Feedback   30:45 Vases Revisited: Listening to Customers vs. Trusting Instincts   31:28 Closing Remarks and Appreciation for the Guest

    32 min
  3. MAY 22

    The Truth About Climate Startups | Gabrielle Darbyshire

    Is the power law dead for climate startups? Should VCs stop chasing unicorns and start funding real impact? In this thought-provoking episode, Lucas J Pols, GP at Pegasus Angel Accelerator, sits down with Gaby Darbyshire, General Partner at Dangerous Ventures, to unpack how climate venture capital is shifting — and why that’s a good thing. Gaby shares her journey from nuclear energy law to climate VC, and explains how her fund backs startups solving climate problems at the root — from precision agriculture to grid resilience. They dive deep into what defines a successful climate startup, how to balance profit with planet, and why not every company should chase the next billion-dollar valuation. 0:27 Introduction to the Episode and Guest 0:52 Gabby’s Background and Climate Resilience Focus 1:46 Challenges and Opportunities in Climate Tech Investing 2:38 Early Investment Failures and Evolution of Climate Attitudes 4:16 The Growing Scope of Climate as a Category 6:08 Climate-Focused Software Startups and Market Experiments 7:23 The Reality of Venture Failures and Learning from Iteration 7:53 Balancing Impact and Returns in Climate Startups 8:49 Defining Impact Without Being Concessionary 10:52 LP Expectations vs Founder Aspirations in Climate VC 11:32 Rethinking the Power Law in Climate Venture Capital 13:25 Fund Size, Exit Strategy, and Mid-Market Opportunities 14:34 Venture Math and the Case for Emerging Managers 17:06 Long-Term Value and Challenges in Regulated Industries 17:19 Case Study: Verdi and Agricultural Water Conservation 20:27 Valuation Challenges and Early-Stage Investment Strategy 21:35 The Fallout of 2021 Valuations and Founder Misconceptions 22:53 Founder Advice: Ownership, Dilution, and Sustainable Growth 23:27 Nuclear Power's Resurgence and Public Perception 24:20 Gabby’s Nuclear Facility Experience and Risk Perspective 26:57 Investing in Nuclear-Adjacent Technologies 27:25 Energy Transition and the Role of Fossil Fuels 28:09 Cars, Carbon Capture, and Energy Efficiency 28:58 The Promise of Clean Energy and Fusion Potential 29:27 Government Regulation and Corporate Incentives 29:50 Insurance Markets as Climate Risk Indicators 31:14 Electrical Grid Resilience and the Future of Energy 31:41 Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up #venturecapital #startups #climatechange

    32 min
  4. MAY 9

    How AI Is Reshaping Startups | VC Panel + Startup Pitch Competition

    In this special episode of VC Unfiltered, recorded live at Lightning Round IV, we kick things off with a high-powered panel discussion on the future of artificial intelligence and its growing impact on the startup ecosystem. Experts from 2045 Ventures, Steamwork Ventures, Eviden, and TCA LA dive into where AI is disrupting industries like healthcare, enterprise, and climate tech—and where its limitations still lie. Following the panel, four standout startups pitch live for a chance at a prize from Pegasus Angel Accelerator. You'll hear from Playmaker, automating sports sponsorships; Knowledge, redefining human-first sales with real-time data; Cracked Gaming, bringing high-stakes competition to everyday gamers; and Rex, a bold AI-driven alternative to traditional ad agencies. Whether you're a founder, investor, or AI enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights on what’s next in venture capital and the future of innovation. 0:36 Welcome and Event Introduction by Taissa Maleh 1:28 AI Wrappers and Defensibility in Startups 2:40 Moving Beyond LLM Wrappers and Building Moats 4:08 Vertical AI Agents and Future of SaaS 6:00 High-Impact AI Opportunities Across Industries 7:27 AI as Utility: From Digital Twins to Edge AI and Infrastructure 9:26 Challenges with Unstructured Data and Use Case-Driven AI 11:14 Data Source Diligence and Privacy Concerns in Healthcare 12:33 Industries AI May Struggle to Disrupt 17:10 Most Exciting Industries for AI Transformation 18:59 When Will AGI and Quantum Become Real? 22:41 Emerging Protocols Like MCP and A2A 23:43 The Role of AI in Education and Ethical Use 25:21 AI’s Role in Early Education and Customized Learning 26:28 Responsible Use and the Rise of AI Literacy 27:36 Human Learning vs. Machine Learning in Education 28:57 Critical Thinking in the Age of AI and Misinformation 29:38 Will AI Replace Human Decision-Making? 30:22 Social Behavior and the Limits of Predictive AI 31:25 Closing Remarks Before Pitch Competition 32:51 Startup Pitch 1: Hannah Sorkin from Playmaker 39:01 Startup Pitch 2: Chris Anzalone from Knowledge 45:15 Startup Pitch 3: Andy Worrell from Cracked Gaming 51:08 Startup Pitch 4: Sean Gilfillan from Rex 57:27 Judges’ Feedback and Reflections #ai #startup

    1h 2m
  5. APR 24

    $300M Valuations for AI Startups? It's Just Getting Started | Derek Norton

    In this episode of VC Unfiltered, host Lucas J Pols, GP at Pegasus Angel Accelerator, sits down with Derek Norton, Managing Partner at Watertower Ventures, to unpack how the venture capital landscape is fundamentally shifting — again. Derek shares how his team thinks about investing at the earliest stages, what founders need to survive (and thrive) in today's capital environment, and why AI valuations at Series A may soon routinely hit $200M+. They dive into capital efficiency, founder resilience post-2021, and why real venture capital is back. Whether you're a founder, investor, or emerging VC, this episode is a masterclass in navigating the next wave of startup investing. 0:38 Overview of WaterTower Ventures and Investment Philosophy 1:53 Market Shifts and Founder Resilience Post-2022 3:07 AI Trends and Portfolio Company Progress 4:14 The “Third Wave” – AI and Blockchain Synergy 6:07 Trust as a Core Theme for the New Fund 6:25 Sector Focus and Investment Strategy 9:12 Domain Expertise and Value-Add through Networks 11:57 Managing a Portfolio and Time Allocation 13:17 Lessons Learned from Building Businesses 15:53 Advice for Emerging Managers and New VCs 17:13 The Real Challenge: Scaling Beyond Series A 20:26 Capital Stack Dynamics and Early-Stage Fundraising 21:00 Mission-Driven vs. Market-Driven Founders 22:22 Hot Take: Series A Valuations Heading to $200M+ 24:54 Closing Thoughts and Farewell #venturecapital  #vc #founder

    25 min
  6. 12/19/2024

    Venture Capital Data & Trends Decoded | Peter Walker

    In this special episode of VC Unfiltered, Taissa Maleh, Venture Partner at Pegasus, introduces an insightful webinar featuring Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta. Peter dives deep into data trends shaping the venture capital and startup landscape as we approach 2025. From the rise of AI in startups to shifts in funding strategies and market dynamics, this episode is a must-watch for anyone looking to stay ahead in the evolving venture ecosystem. Listen to VC Unfiltered on all major platforms! 00:32 – Webinar Overview: Insights from Peter Walker of Carta 02:03 – State of Venture Funding: Comparing 2021 Peaks to 2024 Trends 04:00 – New Fundraising Norms: The End of 18-Month Cycles 04:50 – Bridge Rounds Explained: A Growing Trend in Tough Markets 08:00 – Pre-Seed Trends: The Dominance of SAFEs in Early-Stage Funding 11:28 – AI Valuations: How AI Startups Are Setting Higher Benchmarks 15:48 –Priced Rounds Explored 20:36 – Geographic Insights: How Valuations Vary Across Ecosystems 25:00 – Startup Headcount Trends: Shrinking Teams, Growing Efficiency 27:03 – Compensation Shifts: Decline in Equity Packages for Employees 34:40 – Regional Spotlight: Miami’s Rise in the Venture Ecosystem 40:17 – Market Predictions: Why 2025 Could Be Better for Founders Listen here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-unfiltered/id1756379899 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/342uGXBr031LgcubfOxYsu?si=1b553ad155964c94 Substack: pegasusunfiltered.substack.com Our website: pegasusangelaccelerator.com Learn More:  Venture Fellow Program Designed for aspiring venture capitalists and startup leaders, our Venture Fellow Program offers deep insights into venture operations, fund management, and growth strategies, all guided by seasoned industry experts. https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/learn-venture Emerging Angel Program Break the mold and dive into angel investing with a fresh perspective. Our Emerging Angel Program provides a comprehensive curriculum on innovative investment strategies, unique deal sourcing, and hands-on, real-world experiences, all guided by industry experts. https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/emerging-angels Follow Us: pegasusunfiltered.substack.com linkedin.com/company/pegasus-angel-accelerator x.com/paa_vc www.instagram.com/pegasusaccelerator www.tiktok.com/@pegasusaccelerator #venturecapital #startup #founder

    42 min
  7. 12/05/2024

    Venture Capital, Power Law, & Startups | VC Panel

    In this episode of VC Unfiltered, Len Lanzi of The Preccelerator interviews Petra Griffith of Wedbush Ventures, Andrew Darcovich of Alpha Edison, and Brandon Maier of LvlUp Ventures. The panel discusses the current state of venture capital, emphasizing the challenges of fundraising in today's environment. They explore the benefits of bootstrapping, the importance of defining the problem a startup is solving, and the evolving landscape of investment strategies.  The conversation highlights Los Angeles as a burgeoning tech ecosystem and the significance of building strong relationships in venture capital. The panelists share insights from their journeys into venture capital and the lessons learned from early-stage investments. Listen to VC Unfiltered on all major platforms! Chapters:  1:03 - Intro 7:29 - How much time do you spend fundraising from LPs? 9:13 - Evolution of LPs 12:52 How to de-risk your portfolio? 15:59 Lessons from bad investments 20:19 - Why LA is a great place to start a company 22:08 - How has LA changed over the years? 26:35 - Future of VC 30:06 - VCs pitch their firm to founders Listen here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-unfiltered/id1756379899 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/342uGXBr031LgcubfOxYsu?si=1b553ad155964c94 Substack: pegasusunfiltered.substack.com Our website: pegasusangelaccelerator.com Learn More:  Venture Fellow Program Designed for aspiring venture capitalists and startup leaders, our Venture Fellow Program offers deep insights into venture operations, fund management, and growth strategies, all guided by seasoned industry experts. https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/learn-venture Emerging Angel Program Break the mold and dive into angel investing with a fresh perspective. Our Emerging Angel Program provides a comprehensive curriculum on innovative investment strategies, unique deal sourcing, and hands-on, real-world experiences, all guided by industry experts. https://www.pegasusangelaccelerator.com/emerging-angels Follow Us: pegasusunfiltered.substack.com linkedin.com/company/pegasus-angel-accelerator x.com/paa_vc www.instagram.com/pegasusaccelerator www.tiktok.com/@pegasusaccelerator

    32 min

About

VC Unfiltered aims to bring authenticity, humor, and unfiltered advice to the forefront of venture capital. VC Unfiltered features real conversations with entrepreneurs and investors, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the highs and lows of building successful ventures. We want to break down the barriers that often make the VC space feel intimidating and inaccessible, creating a platform where genuine interactions and honest insights can thrive. Through this series, we hope to inspire a shift in the venture capital space where authenticity, humor, and unfiltered advice are the norms. VC Unfiltered is our way of injecting fun into the journey, providing valuable insights, and creating a more vibrant and enjoyable venture capital ecosystem. Join us for weekly episodes, offering real advice and never forgetting to laugh along the way.

You Might Also Like