Startup Science Podcast with Gregory Shepard

Gregory Shepard
  • 5.0 (39)
  • Entrepreneurship

Real, honest, unfiltered conversations with founders, investors and best-selling authors about building, funding and exiting a startup. Guests include Oren Klaff (Pitch Anything), David Allen (Getting Things Done), David Covey of FranklinCovey and investor Tim Draper. Each episode covers the mistakes founders make, how investors really think, and the tools, tips and tactics that work at the early stage. Hosted by Gregory Shepard, Fulbright Scholar, TEDx speaker, Forbes contributor and author of The Startup Lifecycle.

  1. Oct 31

    Welcome to the Startup Science Podcast with Gregory Shepard (Trailer)

    Real, honest, unfiltered conversations with founders, investors and best-selling authors about building, funding and exiting a startup. Hear from Oren Klaff, Tom Eisenmann, Tim Draper and more, hosted by Gregory Shepard. Follow the show so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to Gregory's Substack: gregoryshepard.substack.com Gregory Shepard: gregoryshepard.com StartupScience: startupscience.io

    Welcome to the Startup Science Podcast with Gregory Shepard (Trailer)

  2. 08/21/2025

    Angel Investor Marcia Dawood on Investing Through Funds and Investing With Your Values (Part 2)

    In the second half of their conversation, Gregory Shepard and angel investor Marcia Dawood go deeper into the realities of early-stage investing. Marcia shares why she favors investing through funds for diversification, the misconceptions that keep people—especially women and underrepresented groups—out of angel investing, and how her book Do Good While Doing Well helps demystify the process for new investors and founders. They discuss aligning investments with personal values without sacrificing returns, what mission-driven founders need to show to attract capital, and why humility can be one of the most valuable traits in a startup team. Marcia also offers practical advice on pitching, building investor relationships early, and even using philanthropic capital to support for-profit companies solving big problems. This is a candid, accessible look at how investors and founders can work together to create both financial returns and meaningful change. Subscribe to Gregory's Substack: gregoryshepard.substack.com Gregory Shepard: gregoryshepard.com StartupScience: startupscience.io

    Angel Investor Marcia Dawood on Investing Through Funds and Investing With Your Values (Part 2)

  3. 08/14/2025

    Angel Investor Marcia Dawood on Why Women Founders Get Less Funding, and How to Fix It (Part 1)

    Gregory Shepard sits down with Marcia Dawood, early-stage investor, author of Do Good While Doing Well, TEDx speaker, and host of The Angel Next Door Podcast. Marcia shares her journey from attending her first angel investing meeting in 2012 to investing in over 50 startups and funds, chairing the Angel Capital Association, and advocating for diverse founders. They discuss why only a small percentage of venture funding goes to women, how representation among investors impacts funding outcomes, and the unique strengths female founders bring to the table. Marcia also reveals her top advice for new angel investors, the biggest misconceptions about investing in startups, and how she evaluates companies based on the “horse and jockey” test. This conversation is packed with insights on funding gaps, the importance of balanced teams, and how both for-profit and nonprofit efforts can drive meaningful change. Subscribe to Gregory's Substack: gregoryshepard.substack.com Gregory Shepard: gregoryshepard.com StartupScience: startupscience.io

    Angel Investor Marcia Dawood on Why Women Founders Get Less Funding, and How to Fix It (Part 1)

  4. 04/02/2025

    Toph Day of Elevate Ventures on Why Indiana Is Becoming a Startup Hub (Part 2)

    In Part 2, Gregory continues his conversation with Toph Day, the visionary CEO of Elevate Ventures. Toph dives deeper into his mission to build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Indiana, explaining why the state is becoming a global hub for innovation and why it’s the perfect place for startups to grow. From Indiana’s top-ranked infrastructure and talent pool to its affordable cost of living and bipartisan regulatory environment, Toph makes a compelling case for why Indiana is the "Innovation Capital of the World." The conversation then shifts to “Rally", one of the most exciting innovation conferences in the world, which Toh founded. Gregory shares his firsthand experience attending Rally, describing it as a "legit Silicon Valley conference" in the heart of the Midwest. Toph reveals the inspiration behind Rally, how it brings together cross-sector stakeholders, and why it’s become a must-attend event for entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators from around the globe. He also shares some jaw-dropping stats from the first two years of Rally, including the billions in assets under management represented and the thousands of connections made. Finally, Toph looks to the future, discussing the emerging trends he’s most excited about—beyond AI—including the convergence of technology and hard products, and the transformative potential of the next industrial revolution. He also shares his ambitious vision for the next 5 to 10 years, both for Rally and Elevate Ventures, including plans to grow Rally into the world’s premier innovation conference and to launch a $200 million growth fund focused on the Midwest. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or just curious about the future of innovation, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and a bold vision for what’s possible in the heart of America. Don’t miss this exciting conclusion to Gregory’s conversation with Toph Day! Subscribe to Gregory's Substack: gregoryshepard.substack.com Gregory Shepard: gregoryshepard.com StartupScience: startupscience.io

    Toph Day of Elevate Ventures on Why Indiana Is Becoming a Startup Hub (Part 2)

  5. 03/26/2025

    Toph Day of Elevate Ventures: From Farm Kid to a Top 20 Venture Capital Firm (Part 1)

    In this electrifying episode of the Startup Science Podcast, Gregory Shepard sits down with Toph Day, the visionary CEO of Elevate Ventures, one of the most active seed and early-stage investors in the Great Lakes Region and a top 20 venture capital firm globally. With over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience and multiple exits to Fortune 500 companies, Toph shares his incredible journey from growing up in a strict German Baptist household on a small farm to becoming a powerhouse in the venture capital world. Toph opens up about his early days as an entrepreneur, founding eight businesses across seven different sectors, and how his relentless curiosity and work ethic propelled him to success. He dives deep into the key lessons he’s learned in leadership, including the importance of listening, vulnerability, and giving credit to others. Toph also shares his insights on adapting leadership styles across diverse industries, from AI to broadband, and how humility and respect are critical to building high-performing teams. The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Toph discusses his role at Elevate Ventures, where he’s leading the charge to modernize the organization and launch a $200 million growth fund. He breaks down the three pillars of Elevate’s strategy—community, capital, and acceleration—and how they work together to create a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Indiana and beyond. Toph also offers invaluable advice for founders, emphasizing the importance of grit, creativity, and focus. He shares practical tips on how to avoid common pitfalls, such as overcomplicating go-to-market strategies and the critical role of tracking data from day one. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration to help you navigate the challenging yet rewarding world of startups. Tune in to hear Toph’s incredible story, his vision for the future of innovation, and his advice for building businesses that stand the test of time. This is an episode you won’t want to miss! Subscribe to Gregory's Substack: gregoryshepard.substack.com Gregory Shepard: gregoryshepard.com StartupScience: startupscience.io

    Toph Day of Elevate Ventures: From Farm Kid to a Top 20 Venture Capital Firm (Part 1)

  6. 01/29/2025

    Aras Sheikhi on Turning Research Into a Startup: Accelerators, Innovation Hubs and Pivoting (Part 2)

    In Part 2, Gregory Shepard and Aras Sheikhi explore the intricate world of entrepreneurship, offering profound insights for academics and startup founders. They delve into the mechanics of innovation hubs and accelerators, revealing how early-stage startups can transform innovative ideas into market-ready solutions. Gregory shares critical advice for researchers looking to commercialize their work, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, market adaptation, and continuous pivoting. The conversation spans multiple dimensions of entrepreneurial success, from leading multidisciplinary teams to identifying market needs and emerging technologies. With a particular focus on blockchain, they discuss its potential to revolutionize industries and create new opportunities for innovation. Drawing from personal experiences of transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship, Gregory and Aras provide a candid look at the challenges and rewards of building startup ecosystems that support first-generation entrepreneurs and emerging technologies. Subscribe to Gregory's Substack: gregoryshepard.substack.com Gregory Shepard: gregoryshepard.com StartupScience: startupscience.io

    Aras Sheikhi on Turning Research Into a Startup: Accelerators, Innovation Hubs and Pivoting (Part 2)

  7. 01/22/2025

    Aras Sheikhi on Leaving Academia to Empower Immigrant Entrepreneurs (Part 1)

    In this episode of Startup Science, Gregory sits down with Aras Sheikhi, a dynamic leader who transformed his academic career into a mission of empowering immigrant entrepreneurs. From pioneering blockchain research in Iran to founding the Janus Innovation Hub in San Diego, Aras shares his remarkable transition from university professor to startup founder. Discover how Sheikhi's personal experience as a first-generation immigrant inspired him to create an incubator that helps newcomers navigate the complex world of entrepreneurship. Learn about the challenges of leaving a predictable academic life, the importance of building a supportive team, and how immigrant founders bring unique resilience to the startup ecosystem. Subscribe to Gregory's Substack: gregoryshepard.substack.com Gregory Shepard: gregoryshepard.com StartupScience: startupscience.io

    Aras Sheikhi on Leaving Academia to Empower Immigrant Entrepreneurs (Part 1)

  8. 12/16/2024

    Patrick Gouhin of the Angel Capital Association on the Risks and Rewards of Angel Investing (Part 2)

    In part two of this engaging conversation on The Startup Science Podcast, Gregory continues his discussion with Patrick Gouhin, CEO of the Angel Capital Association (ACA). This episode dives deeper into the dynamics of angel investing, focusing on balancing risk and opportunity for both investors and entrepreneurs. Patrick emphasizes the critical role of diversification, the importance of aiming for high returns, and the necessity of aligning expectations between investors and founders.The conversation also explores the broader impact of angel investing, including economic growth and community development, supported by powerful examples like the Desert Angels’ transformative contributions. Patrick offers practical advice for emerging entrepreneurs on coachability and leveraging investor networks, while guiding new angel investors on how to navigate the ecosystem effectively.Additionally, the episode highlights key trends in startup sectors, the ACA’s initiatives to improve diversity in investment, and innovations such as syndication and standardized processes to streamline funding. Patrick concludes by envisioning a more efficient, inclusive funding model designed to fast-track capital deployment and empower entrepreneurs.This episode is packed with actionable insights and strategies for anyone interested in the startup or investment world. Subscribe to Gregory's Substack: gregoryshepard.substack.com Gregory Shepard: gregoryshepard.com StartupScience: startupscience.io

    Patrick Gouhin of the Angel Capital Association on the Risks and Rewards of Angel Investing (Part 2)
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Trailer

5
out of 5
39 Ratings

About

Real, honest, unfiltered conversations with founders, investors and best-selling authors about building, funding and exiting a startup. Guests include Oren Klaff (Pitch Anything), David Allen (Getting Things Done), David Covey of FranklinCovey and investor Tim Draper. Each episode covers the mistakes founders make, how investors really think, and the tools, tips and tactics that work at the early stage. Hosted by Gregory Shepard, Fulbright Scholar, TEDx speaker, Forbes contributor and author of The Startup Lifecycle.

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