Demo Day Podcast

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.

Marlon Nichols gives top tips for people who want to become a venture capitalist and describes what a cultural investing thesis means for MaC Venture Capital.
Guests - Marlon Nichols
Website - https://macventurecapital.com/
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Anna reveals two startups that excelled in the turbulence of COVID and what traits founders need to be successful and gain VC funding.

Guests - Anna Barber
Website - https://m13.co/profile/anna-barber
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Thomas shares his personal experience transitioning from angel investing to VC investing, as well as his advice for early stage startup founders.
Guests - Thomas Wisniewski
Website - https://www.newarkventurepartners.com/team/tom-wisniewski
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Vanessa and Sean talk about the pros and cons of working at a big corporation prior to starting your own company, as well as advice for those who feel tied down by golden handcuffs.

Guests - Vanessa Larco
Website - https://www.nea.com/team/vanessa-larco
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/coefficientlabs

Contact Information:
[email protected]