Mike Cardamone is the founder and managing partner of Forum Ventures. Forum is a New York-based firm with a structure that layers together an accelerator, studio, and pre-seed fund.
We talked about why Forum likes B2B SaaS, how Forum helps startups run faster, how Mike sizes up AI opportunities, and why new investors into startups might be making a mistake by following Big Brand VCs into early stage deals. We also talked about the state of play in startup accelerators and Mike's views on the direction of the space and business model.
The episode is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and YouTube Music.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Startup Investing
00:50 The Evolution of Forum Ventures
04:00 The Accelerator Model and Founder Support
08:13 Quality of Startups in Accelerators
10:05 Focus on B2B SaaS and Market Trends
12:54 Investment Opportunities in HealthTech and Supply Chain
15:13 Evaluating Vertical AI Companies
18:04 The New York Startup Ecosystem
19:55 The Shift to Virtual Operations
21:53 Competitive Landscape of Accelerators
25:05 Changing Perspectives on Co-Investment
26:54 Conclusion and Future Connections
Takeaways
Forum Ventures has evolved to include an accelerator, pre-seed fund, and venture studio.
The focus is on adding direct value to startups through hands-on support.
Quality of startups from Forum is attributed to a strong founder experience.
B2B SaaS remains a key focus due to its growth potential.
HealthTech and supply chain are seen as recession-proof investment opportunities.
Vertical AI companies are evaluated based on their unique solutions and market fit.
New York's startup ecosystem benefits from a diverse range of industries.
The shift to virtual operations has allowed for a broader range of founders.
Smaller accelerators may struggle in the current market environment.
Investing alongside brand name funds may not always be beneficial.
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.