Your network is your most important asset.

Startup founders are often too focused on securing funding. They also often have the misconception that to make it in their industry, putting all their efforts towards funding is what will guarantee them success. While this is true in the later stages of founding a startup, there is a lot of pre-execution that goes before […]

NeonVest Podcast #7 • Ajay Dharia

In this episode, we are interviewing Ajay Dharia, Partner at Med Tech Venture Partners. Ajay received his medical degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA after obtaining his engineering degree from UC Berkeley. He completed his residency and fellowship in internal medicine and pulmonary/critical care at UCSF Medical Center. After completing his […]

The Importance of “Supercharging” in Startup Success

In today’s dynamic and competitive startup landscape, the need for a network enablers is ever more apparent. Entrepreneurs need more than just business acumen and a groundbreaking idea to carve out their success —they need superchargers. Superchargers are investors and operators that can supercharge a business rapidly through strategic advice, network introductions, and capital. They […]

NeonVest Podcast #6 • Joe Zhao

In this episode, we are interviewing Joe Zhao, Managing Partner at Millennia Capital. Millennia Capital is a New York based venture fund focused on high-tech sector investments across financial services, enterprise, and internet-enabled businesses. Millennia’s investments include Palantir, Digital Ocean, Robinhood, Marqeta, and SpaceX among others. Joe Zhao is a member of the World Economic […]

9 Underrated Cities to Build a Unicorn

In the world of start-ups, achieving ‘unicorn’ status, a privately held start-up valued at over $1 billion, is a symbol of remarkable success and innovation. While Silicon Valley, New York, and London are often considered the birthplaces of these entities, numerous underrated cities worldwide also have impressive start-up ecosystems. These emerging tech hotspots offer an […]

NeonVest Podcast #5 • Phil Nadel

In this episode, we are interviewing Phil Nadel, Founder and Managing Director at Forefront Venture Partners. Phil has been a serial entrepreneur for many years, having founded and exited several startups. He is now the Managing Director of Forefront Venture Partners, which manages a dedicated fund and one of the largest and most active AngelList […]

The Demise of Newchip “Accelerator” and its Controversial Model

The startup ecosystem is built on the foundation of accelerators, which provide crucial support and investment for early-stage ventures. However, the case of Newchip “Accelerator” stands as a cautionary tale, as it deviated from the traditional accelerator model and ultimately faced a harsh downfall. This article delves into the rise and subsequent bankruptcy of Newchip, […]

NeonVest Podcast #4 • Lara Druyan

In this episode, we are interviewing Lara Druyan, Managing Director at Silicon Valley Data Capital! Lara is a Managing Director at Silicon Valley Data Capital, a venture capital fund dedicated to investing in fintech, software, artificial intelligence, and analytics. Previously, she was the Head of Innovation for Royal Bank of Canada where she built a […]

NeonVest Podcast #3 • Dan Ciporin

In this episode, we are interviewing Dan Ciporin, former General Partner at Canaan Partners! Dan was a general partner at Canaan Partners, an early-stage institutional venture capital firm, until late 2020. While at Canaan he focused on financial technology (over 50% of his portfolio, including early-stage investments in Lending Club and Shopkeep), e-commerce, and marketplaces. […]

The Power of Referrals

As a start-up founder, you might be familiar with networking. In businesses especially, what we have doesn’t matter as much as who we know. Because who we know helps people take a chance on us first. As most of our professional opportunities are the result of our connections, it is wise to bank on the […]