Mac Conwell is the Founder of RareBreed Ventures, a Baltimore-based firm that invests in pre-seed and seed startups with dope founders. We had a great conversation about the types of investments that excite Mac, how the regulatory environment affects startups, and Mac’s experience of taking 4,000 meetings to get his firm off the ground.
The episode is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and YouTube Music.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Startup Investing
01:21 Mack Conwell and Rare Breed Ventures
07:28 Mack's Journey to Venture Capital
09:53 Testifying Before Congress
15:06 The I Can Act and Its Implications
20:40 Understanding Market Dynamics
24:59 Breaking the Cycle of Sameness in VC
30:11 Scaling Deal Flow and Portfolio Management
35:48 Portfolio Construction Strategies
42:34 Conclusion and Connecting with Mack
Takeaways
Mac emphasizes the importance of investing in diverse founders.
The ICAN Act aims to expand access to venture capital for individual investors.
Mac's journey involved over 4,000 meetings to raise his first fund.
Understanding market dynamics is crucial for successful investments.
Investors often overlook the potential of niche markets.
Referrals play a significant role in deal flow for venture capitalists.
Emerging managers face unique challenges in fundraising and portfolio management.
Building relationships with other investors is key for founders seeking funding.
Mac advocates for a diversified portfolio strategy in venture capital.
The venture capital industry is still evolving, allowing room for innovation.
The content here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, legal or tax advice. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the views of Seaplane Ventures. Our host, guests and clients may hold investments discussed in this podcast. Please invest responsibly.