The10%

Jayson Dombele

The10% podcast focuses on various topics related to entrepreneurship, startups, and venture capital. Our aim is to provide valuable insights to our listeners by sharing our experiences, the lessons we have learned, and the wisdom we have gained through our journey. This podcast will feature interviews with experienced entrepreneurs and venture capitalists who will be sharing their insights and experiences to help you on your startup or investment journey. Covering topics from VC and founder mistakes, how to successfully raise a funding round or improve your investment thesis. read less

Tarun Gupta (Jump Capital) - On The Fintech Ecosystem, Fundraising Environment, & Investing the Jump Capital way!
May 15 2023
Tarun Gupta (Jump Capital) - On The Fintech Ecosystem, Fundraising Environment, & Investing the Jump Capital way!
In this podcast, we speak with a seasoned venture capitalist from Jump Capital who specializes in the fintech space. We explore his background and how he became interested in venture capital, specifically in fintech. We dive deep into what he looks for when evaluating fintech startups and the most important qualities that make a successful fintech company. We also discuss the most exciting trends in fintech right now and what he believes will be the next big thing in the industry. With the fundraising environment having changed in the past year, especially in the fintech industry, we ask about the main challenges that startups face in raising capital right now and the advice he would give to founders who are looking to raise money for their fintech startups in the current fundraising environment. We also explore how fintech is transforming the financial industry and what the potential benefits and drawbacks of this transformation could be. We delve into a fintech company that Jump Capital has invested in, and what made the company stand out. Additionally, we look at the biggest challenges that fintech companies will face in the coming years, and how they can overcome these challenges. Finally, we touch on a successful fintech company that Jump Capital has exited, and what the exit process was like. We close the podcast with advice for those interested in pursuing a career in venture capital, especially in the fintech space.
Azriel Nicdao (Mech Ventures) - How Did You Break into the Venture Capital Industry?
Apr 17 2023
Azriel Nicdao (Mech Ventures) - How Did You Break into the Venture Capital Industry?
In this episode Jayson Dombele explored the topic of breaking into the venture capital industry. Jayson Dombele is joined by Azriel Nicdao, a venture partner at Mech Ventures who shared his personal journey and experiences in the VC industry, and offered advice on how to get started in this competitive field. They discussed a range of topics, starting with Azriel's background and upbringing, before delving into the nitty-gritty of the VC industry. Azriel will share his insights on the most important skills and qualities needed to succeed in venture capital, and provide tips on how to develop those skills. He will also walk us through the typical process for evaluating a potential investment opportunity, including the factors he considers most important. Azriel also highlighted common mistakes that new investors make in the VC industry, and offer strategies to avoid them. He'll discuss the importance of networking and building relationships in the VC industry, and share effective ways to establish those relationships. For those interested in VC but without a background in finance or business, Azriel will offer advice on how to get started in the industry. We'll also explored how Azriel stays up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the industries he invests in, and what resources he recommends for others who want to do the same. We'll examine the balance between being data-driven and analytical, while also identifying and investing in companies with a strong vision and compelling story. Finally, we'll discuss the biggest challenges facing the venture capital industry in the next 5-10 years, and how investors like Azriel are preparing for those challenges. Join them for an insightful conversation on breaking into the venture capital industry with Azriel Nicdao, and learn how you can succeed in this exciting and ever-changing field.
Eugene Merkert (Chicago Investment Club) - On Investment Philosophy, Being People First, & Bridging the Gap Between Founders and Investors
Apr 10 2023
Eugene Merkert (Chicago Investment Club) - On Investment Philosophy, Being People First, & Bridging the Gap Between Founders and Investors
In this episode, Jayson Dombele sits down with serial entrepreneur and Founding Partner of Chicago Investment Club Eugene Merkert to discuss his journey from founder to angel investor and how his experiences have shaped his investment philosophy. Eugene shares how he invests in people rather than just ideas, looking for specific qualities in entrepreneurs and their teams. He also explains his investment thesis, focusing on putting people first, social equity, a collectivist mentality, and accelerating the learning curve. We dive into how Eugene builds strong relationships with founders, bridging the gap between founders and investors. He also shares his recommendations on how to reach out to VC's and what his LinkedIn approach looks like when considering potential investments. Eugene emphasizes the importance of accelerating the learning curve of the founders he works with and details the steps he takes to support their growth and development as a company. Finally, he highlights what success looks like outside of dollars and what founders should do when they don't raise the money they were hoping for. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the startup ecosystem and looking to gain insights into angel investing and building strong relationships with founders. Tune in to learn from Eugene's vast experience as both a founder and investor.
Landon Campbell (Drive Capital) - On Competitive Edge as a VC, Talent Acquisition, Risk Management Post-SVB Crisis, Startup Valuations, and Founders finding Distinction
Mar 20 2023
Landon Campbell (Drive Capital) - On Competitive Edge as a VC, Talent Acquisition, Risk Management Post-SVB Crisis, Startup Valuations, and Founders finding Distinction
In this episode, we have a special guest, Landon Campbell, General Manager at Drive Capital, who shares his insights on various aspects of venture capital, talent acquisition, risk management, startup valuations, and how founders can find distinction. Campbell talks about his early career and interests while studying at DePaul University, and how he became interested in venture capital through his association with the Black Venture Capital Consortium. He then discusses the competitive edge of Drive Capital over other venture capital firms, and why he is a big advocate for Chicago as a hub for entrepreneurship. Campbell also shares his thoughts on how founders can go about talent acquisition and manage risk better in the wake of the SVB crisis. He provides insights on how founders can value their companies in volatile markets and what stands out to him the most when finding new portfolio companies. The podcast also focuses on building authentic relationships between VCs and founders, and Campbell shares steps both sides can take to achieve this. Finally, Campbell shares his thoughts on the future of the venture capital industry, market trends, and opportunities for founders. He offers advice for both founders and investors who tune into this episode. Connect with me: Linkedin: Jayson Dombele Instagram: @jaysondombele Twitter: @jaysondombele
Trailer: What is this podcast about?
Feb 21 2023
Trailer: What is this podcast about?
Today, I am excited to introduce our new podcast, where we will be discussing various topics related to entrepreneurship, startups, and venture capital. Our aim is to provide valuable insights to our listeners by sharing our experiences, the lessons we have learned, and the wisdom we have gained through our journey. Our podcast will focus on three main areas. Firstly, we will be providing pitch advice to our listeners. Pitching is a critical aspect of any startup, and we will be sharing our experiences to help you create a compelling pitch that can get you the funding you need. Secondly, we will be discussing how founders and venture capitalists think. We will dive into the minds of both founders and VCs to help you understand their thought process and decision-making criteria. This insight will help you better prepare for the fundraising process and create a more successful startup. Finally, we will be sharing the mistakes we have made and the wisdom we have gained from those mistakes. We will also share the mistakes made by other entrepreneurs and VCs that we have encountered. This insight will help you learn from others' experiences, avoid common pitfalls, and make better decisions for your startup. Our podcast will feature interviews with experienced entrepreneurs and venture capitalists who will be sharing their insights and experiences to help you on your startup journey. Whether you are a new entrepreneur or an experienced one, our podcast will provide valuable insights to help you take your startup to the next level. Thank you for tuning in to our first episode, and we hope you enjoy our podcast. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel to stay updated on our latest episodes. We'll see you in the next one. Linkedin & Instagram @jaysondombele