CLIMB by VSC Jay Kapoor

The value of water to water security is $4 trillion today and is likely to triple in the next 10 years. [Source: Global Water Intelligence]

To put that $12 trillion into perspective, it is higher than the GDP of every other country other than the US and China.

Meet Peter Yolles, General Partner at Echo River Capital, a seasoned entrepreneur and strategic investor in early-stage water technology companies.

Peter founded WaterSmart Software (acquired by Vertex One), serving 200 water utility customers and reaching over 20 million people.

With a joint MBA and MES from Yale and a BA from the University of Colorado, he authored the CREO Syndicate report on water impact investment.

Peter continues to advise founders with his deep domain and operational expertise.

In Episode 074 of CLIMB by VSC, Peter and host Jay Kapoor analyze the water value chain, the three Ds VCs need to know when investing in water technology, carbon capture, portfolio companies & more.

Connect with us on LinkedIn:
1. Peter Yolles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolles/

2. Jay Kapoor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaykapoor/


00:00:00 Trailer
00:00:51 Introduction
00:03:23 How your daily water use impacts the global economy
00:08:57 The true cost of water mismanagement
00:10:29 You're paying 400x more for dangerous water
00:15:18 Methane: A hidden climate threat
00:18:32 Why are nature-based solutions slower in decarbonization
00:23:19 Experience vs Mindset: What makes a successful founder?
00:25:15 What signals a growth mindset in founders?
00:26:47 How do you evaluate a founder’s grit?
00:32:09 Can investors save tribal water rights?
00:35:17 Why curiosity beats fear in business
00:37:39 Recruitment mistakes are costing startups

As many have attested, there's nothing romantic about being a founder.

It's about doing what has to be done.

And that’s what makes entrepreneurship difficult.

In Episode 073 of CLIMB, Zach Coelius, Managing Partner at Coelius Capital, maintains that being a founder is 10x harder than being a VC.

Talking about an investor’s MO, Zach equates being in the stands, drinking a beer, with the same as being a VC and deciding which companies will survive, and which will die.

Zach is known for his investments in Angel List, HelloSign, Mercury, and more, but what is lesser known about him is that before investing, Zach sold an ad-tech business to Facebook (now Meta).

As if this isn't impressive enough, he also raised $33M for Coelius Capital’s Fund II, that too in a record 3 weeks!

In the latest episode of CLIMB by VSC, Zach and host Jay Kapoor discuss their views on: 
• repeat founders versus first-time founders 
• how Zach sold his company
• the journey as an entrepreneur & more.

Tune in to the full episode now.

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Zach Coelius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachcoelius/

Jay Kapoor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaykapoor/

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer
00:47 Zach Coelius Introduction
02:07 What does it feel like being an investor?
06:00 The three stages of being a founder
09:30 What are the common mistakes most founders make?
11:11 How do early founders navigate challenges?
12:52 It’s hard for founders to find an authentic circle
13:40 How do you evaluate someone with the right mix of learning and conviction?
15:31 Which three networks stand out to Zach?
17:00 What is it about vertical software that excites you?
20:56 What gets you excited about AI?
23:10 What is the process of securing a hit deal?
24:20 You can’t change your pitch every time you change a business.
27:48 How to get comfortable with uncertain opportunities?
29:25 Are there commonalities across industries?
33:21 What are the most common mistakes boards you've worked with make?
41:05 It’s all about timing.
42:14 What’s the flipside of being a general partner?
45:45 What’s a piece of advice you give to founders that isn't taken well enough?
51:10 Episode Outro



Watch the full video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/U4NFkF7jCmg

Ann Bordetsky, partner at New Enterprise Associates (NEA), joins us in this episode to discuss how AI is creating new business categories and transforming the tech industry.

Ann shares her journey through the tech world, her role in supporting startups, and the keys to building successful businesses today. She highlights the importance of understanding market trends and customer needs to innovate and stay ahead.

Listen to Ann's unique experiences and get valuable advice for entrepreneurs and investors keen on navigating the evolving landscape of tech with AI.

This episode is ideal for anyone curious about technology, startups, and innovation in business.

About VSC Ventures:

VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in early-stage startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency, VSC.

Our fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.

Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, ⁠⁠Ample⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Actual⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Sesame Solar⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Synop⁠⁠, ⁠and Vibrant Planet⁠⁠ in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem.

Chapters:

1. 0:00 - Introduction and Overview of Category Creation
2. 6:09 - The Role of First Movers in Market Evolution
3. 12:15 - Attributes of a Successful Category-Creating Founder
4. 18:25 - Depth and Vision in Pitching Ideas
5. 24:50 - Validating New Categories
6. 30:55 - The Impact of AI on Small and Medium Businesses
7. 37:05 - Lessons from Mobile Era and Patience in Investing
8. 43:43 - Democratizing Creative Tooling with AI
9. 49:46 - Supporting Female Founders
10. 56:13 - Final Thoughts and Advice for Founders Pitching to Investors

Join us in this episode as we talk with Jason Shuman, a General Partner at Primary Ventures. Jason shares his journey from selling shoes to becoming a big name in venture capital and we dive deep into how venture capitalists like him support and grow startups.

Jason talks about his early days of starting his own business, his experiences, and how he moved into the world of investing. He explains what startups need to do to succeed and how investors can really help them grow.

You’ll hear stories from Jason’s own life, like how driving for Uber helped him make important business connections. He also gives us a peek into his strategies for picking and supporting new companies.

This episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs, seasoned investors, and anyone interested in the transformative power of venture capital.

About VSC Ventures:

VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in early-stage startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency, VSC.

Our fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.

Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, ⁠⁠Ample⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Actual⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Sesame Solar⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Synop⁠⁠, ⁠and Vibrant Planet⁠⁠ in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem.



Chapters -


0:00 - Intro: Value and Impact of Venture Capital
5:05 - The Growth and Influence of New York's Tech Ecosystem
10:17 - Leveraging the "X for Y" Investment Framework
15:10 - The Strategic Use of AI for Enhancing Small Businesses
20:04 - Understanding the Dynamics of SMB Customer Acquisition
25:00 - The Role and Impact of Expert Networks in Venture Capital
30:44 - Discussing the Distinct Approach of Primary’s Investment Team
35:42 - Insights into the Scale and Incentives in Venture Capital
40:16 - The Significance of Being Present and Engaged in Investments
45:21 - Practical Advice for Founders on Learning and Networking
50:02 - Closing Remarks and Reflections on Venture Capital Practices

In this episode, we welcome Sunil Paul, a pioneer in ride-sharing and a significant figure in sustainable transportation. Paul, who started Sidecar and influenced the early stages of Getaround, dives into his newest venture, Spring Free EV. With his extensive experience, including his early work as a NASA contractor and AOL's first internet product manager, Paul brings a rich history of innovation and policy analysis.

Join us as Sunil Paul shares his journey from a technology policy analyst in Washington D.C. to becoming a cornerstone in the evolution of ride-sharing and electric vehicles. The discussion unpacks the origins and future of Spring Free EV, emphasizing its role in transitioning fleet vehicles from gas to electric through innovative financing models. Paul elaborates on the challenges and potential of electric vehicles in solving the climate crisis, reflecting on how electrification can aid in managing renewable energy sources like solar and wind due to battery storage capabilities.

About VSC Ventures:

VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in early-stage startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSC.

Our fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.

Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, ⁠⁠Ample⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Actual⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Sesame Solar⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Synop⁠⁠, ⁠and Vibrant Planet⁠⁠ in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem.

We welcome Peter Relan, a seasoned Silicon Valley veteran with a rich 40-year history of entrepreneurship and investment. Renowned for founding the YouWeb Incubator, Relan has been instrumental in the early stages of companies that have become household names, such as Discord. His early engagement with VSC Ventures has been invaluable, and his participation promises a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Relan shares the compelling story behind Discord's success, emphasizing the importance of a strong founding team, innovative thinking, and the right investor support. The conversation also turns to Relan's unique approach with YouWeb, where he opts for a deeply involved, personalized mentoring method, distinguishing his work from more conventional, larger-scale incubators. His ability to foresee and act on emerging trends, from digital entertainment to the latest advancements in climate technology, highlights his forward-thinking approach.

About VSC Ventures:
VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in early-stage startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSC.

Our fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.

Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, ⁠⁠Ample⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Actual⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Sesame Solar⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Synop⁠⁠, ⁠and Vibrant Planet⁠⁠ in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem.