Nick Moran is the Founder and General Partner of Chicago-based New Stack Ventures. Nick is also the host of The Full Ratchet, the first VC podcast that started back in May 2014. We discussed how New Stack adds value, why Nick is focused on deals outside the Bay area, pricing power, and why access for deals is overrated.
The episode is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and YouTube Music.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Startup Investing
01:09 The Origin Story of New Stack Ventures
02:55 The Importance of Founders in Investment
05:50 Investing in Outsiders: A Unique Approach
09:09 The Evolving Venture Scene in Chicago
12:00 Value Addition and Support for Founders
13:57 Lessons from Corporate America
16:46 Pricing Strategies for Startups
20:08 Keeping the Podcast Fresh
22:04 Key Questions for Guests
23:52 The Importance of Founder Commitment
26:47 Challenging Conventional Wisdom in Venture Capital
30:09 The Art of Preparation in Investment
33:05 Funnel Management in Investment
35:59 Conclusion and Future Connections
Takeaways
Investing is fundamentally about arbitrage.
The founder's mindset is crucial for startup success.
Newstack Ventures focuses on investing in outsiders.
Chicago's venture scene has significantly evolved.
Value addition for founders is about exceptional support.
Corporate experience can inform venture investing strategies.
Pricing strategies should consider value, cost, and competition.
Keeping a podcast fresh requires continuous innovation.
Identifying committed founders is key to successful investments.
Preparation and strategy are essential for venture capital success.
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.