Demo Day Podcast

CoEfficient Labs
  • 4.9 (55)
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Demo Day Podcast

Demo Day is the podcast for founders, venture capitalists, and anyone who wants to learn more about the top accelerator, incubator, and VC programs across the country. Come hear the top venture capitalists and founders in the game discuss what it takes to go from seed to exit.

  1. How to Build Relationships in Venture Capital with Jonathan Hung

    JUL 7

    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’re a founder raising capital, a VC building your fund, or someone curious about how the best investors actually think — this is a must-watch. Topics We Cover: Why follow-on capital depends on delivering results — not hypeHow Jonathan picks the right LPs (and avoids bad partners)What “date before you marry” means in venture investingThe power of media when raising a fundHis upcoming book: Your Emergency ContactHow venture capital changes in your “third quarter” of lifeThe brutal truth about SPVs, bad actors, and partner breakups👉 Follow for more interviews with top venture capitalists and startup founders. 🔔 Don’t forget to turn on notifications for new episodes every 2 weeks! #VentureCapital #Startup #Entrepreneur #Founder #Fundraising #Investing #Investment #Business #Networking

    1h 8m
  2. The Mindset Behind Every Great Founder with Kevin Moore

    JUN 23

    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 progress - What most first-time VCs get wrong about fundraising - How Serac Ventures uses AI to evaluate startup founders - And the #1 red flag that keeps investors from writing checks Whether you're building a startup, thinking about launching your own fund, or looking for inspiration to keep going — this episode is packed with insight. 📌 Follow for more interviews with top venture capitalists, startup founders, and emerging fund managers.

    1h 20m
  3. Why Most First-Time VCs Struggle (And How to Survive) with Rick Smith

    JUN 9

    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 from LPs when no one knows your name - Why early-stage VCs need to swing bigger - The hidden emotional toll of transitioning out of a firm - How Crosscut almost didn’t survive Fund I Whether you're a founder, emerging fund manager, or aspiring venture capitalist, this episode is packed with tactical insights, emotional honesty, and behind-the-scenes stories from one of LA’s most respected investors. #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #EmergingManagers #VCAdvice #RickSmith #CrosscutVentures #DemoDayPodcast #Founders #TechStartups #FundraisingTips

    1h 11m
  4. The Strategy Quietly Changing Venture Capital with Minnie Ingersoll

    MAY 19

    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 deal flow from scratchThe role of media and personal brand in fundraisingThe biggest red flags Minnie looks for in foundersHer honest take on remote vs in-person startup cultureWhere AI is actually making a difference in VC workflowsHow to get in the room where it happens - and stay thereWhether you're raising your first fund or trying to land your next round, Minnie's advice will change the way you think about investing, networking, and storytelling. Listen to the full episode and don’t forget to subscribe for more interviews with top VCs and startup operators. #VCInsights #FundraisingTips #MinnieIngersoll #TenOneTen #StartupAdvice #DemoDayPodcast #EarlyStageInvesting #LPSharing #AIVC #VentureCapital #Founders #DealFlow #PersonalBrand #SeedInvesting #PitchTips #TechStartups #LAStartups

    50 min
  5. How to Pick the Right Investor with Jeff Bocan

    MAY 5

    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 conversation covers: 1. The #1 trait Jeff looks for in founders (and it’s not experience) 2. The only real pattern he’s seen in billion-dollar companies 3. Why positivity is a secret weapon for founders 4. Where AI fits into startup efficiency—and where it doesn’t 5. Fundraising advice that could save your next round Jeff also opens up about his own journey—from being thrown onto 10 boards in his twenties to scaling a startup from $50M to $250M before a successful acquisition. If you're a startup founder, aspiring venture capitalist, or just obsessed with the inside game of entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons and practical insights.

    1h 9m
  6. The #1 Habit that Predicts Founder Success with TX Zhuo

    APR 21

    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 into a multimillion-dollar startup - His transition from founder to VC at Fika Ventures - How to stand out in a crowded pitch meeting - The biggest green (and red) flags investors look for - What most first-time fund managers get wrong - The real story behind raising Fika’s first fund—with over 700 meetings - Why radical focus and honest mentorship are keys to success Whether you're a founder preparing for your next raise, or an emerging VC building your first fund, this conversation is packed with real talk and practical advice.

    59 min
  7. Why Most Founders Fail with Marlon Nichols

    APR 7

    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, domain expertise, salesmanship, and more. Plus, he opens up about navigating blind spots, evolving Mac’s investment strategy, and what it takes to succeed in today’s fast-moving startup landscape. Whether you're a startup founder, aspiring VC, or someone looking to break into tech, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice. Topics covered include: 1. How VCs really evaluate early-stage startups 2. Why repeat exceptionalism matters more than a resume 3. Common blind spots that derail even top-tier founders 4. The evolution of LA’s tech and venture ecosystem 5. How to build relationships with LPs as a first-time fund manager 6. Why CultureHouse has become a cornerstone of LA Tech Week 7. Marlon’s advice for the next generation of builders and investors

    1h 2m
  8. The Keys To Becoming A Successful Founder with Laurent Grill

    MAR 24

    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, investor, or startup enthusiast, this podcast gives you a front-row seat to the trends shaping the startup ecosystem. In this episode, we sit down with Laurent Grill, General Partner at JLL Spark, to explore the realities of venture capital, the blind spots founders often miss when fundraising, and the future of AI-driven startups. Topics We Cover: The biggest mistakes founders make when raising venture capitalHow corporate venture capital (CVC) is shaping the future of PropTechThe impact of AI on startup innovation and investingHow VCs evaluate deals and what gets founders a ‘no’ at the last minuteThe evolving LA Tech ecosystem and the role of technology in disaster recovery

    1h 2m
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About

Demo Day is the podcast for founders, venture capitalists, and anyone who wants to learn more about the top accelerator, incubator, and VC programs across the country. Come hear the top venture capitalists and founders in the game discuss what it takes to go from seed to exit.

Information

  • Creator
    CoEfficient Labs
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    113
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Demo Day Podcast
  • Show Website
    Demo Day Podcast

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