Funded Founder Fridays: E11

and welcome to Funded Founder Fridays. and welcome to Funded Founder Fridays. Uh this is episode 11, bridging the gap Uh this is episode 11, bridging the gap Uh this is episode 11, bridging the gap from early stage deal flow to from early stage deal flow to from early stage deal flow to institutional capital. Um I'm Roselo, institutional capital. Um I'm Roselo, institutional capital. Um I'm Roselo, CEO and co-founder of Creattopia Inc. CEO and co-founder of Creattopia Inc. CEO and co-founder of Creattopia Inc. where we're centered on exploring the where we're centered on exploring the where we're centered on exploring the relationship between safety, creativity, relationship between safety, creativity, relationship between safety, creativity, and innovation. And on funded founder and innovation. And on funded founder and innovation. And on funded founder Fridays, we create space for founders Fridays, we create space for founders Fridays, we create space for founders and funders to ask honest questions and and funders to ask honest questions and and funders to ask honest questions and share valuable feedback about the share valuable feedback about the share valuable feedback about the startup journey. startup journey. startup journey. >> Awesome. That's our [snorts] 11th >> Awesome. That's our [snorts] 11th >> Awesome. That's our [snorts] 11th >> episode. Just like, you know, >> episode. Just like, you know, >> episode. Just like, you know, >> unbelievable. >> unbelievable. >> unbelievable. >> Um I'm Ben Kubati. I'm the CEO and uh >> Um I'm Ben Kubati. I'm the CEO and uh >> Um I'm Ben Kubati. I'm the CEO and uh founder of Noble Innovative Solutions, founder of Noble Innovative Solutions, founder of Noble Innovative Solutions, Red Ruby Capital, and uh Noble Founder Red Ruby Capital, and uh Noble Founder Red Ruby Capital, and uh Noble Founder Initiative. um here Initiative. um here Initiative. um here sitting uh with Roselia discussing how sitting uh with Roselia discussing how sitting uh with Roselia discussing how we can help and lift our startup we can help and lift our startup we can help and lift our startup ecosystem and solve wicked problems. ecosystem and solve wicked problems. ecosystem and solve wicked problems. >> Wicked problems. And I'm the Houston >> Wicked problems. And I'm the Houston >> Wicked problems. And I'm the Houston chapter leader for Noble Founder. chapter leader for Noble Founder. chapter leader for Noble Founder. >> Absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> Um and today our main theme is that the >> Um and today our main theme is that the >> Um and today our main theme is that the gap um between early stage and gap um between early stage and gap um between early stage and institutional funding isn't just about institutional funding isn't just about institutional funding isn't just about capital. Um it's the infrastructure capital. Um it's the infrastructure capital. Um it's the infrastructure between the founder and the check. Mhm.

between the founder and the check. Mhm. between the founder and the check. Mhm. >> Um so let's just get started. Um how >> Um so let's just get started. Um how >> Um so let's just get started. Um how should we how do you how do you want to should we how do you how do you want to should we how do you how do you want to introduce like how do you what do you introduce like how do you what do you introduce like how do you what do you want to say about want to say about want to say about >> Yeah. Sure. >> Yeah. Sure. >> Yeah. Sure. >> just general what we're >> just general what we're >> just general what we're >> Absolutely. So if you just think about >> Absolutely. So if you just think about >> Absolutely. So if you just think about it uh when we look at a deal for when it uh when we look at a deal for when it uh when we look at a deal for when look at the startup journey right look at the startup journey right look at the startup journey right >> startup journey starts early stages. So >> startup journey starts early stages. So >> startup journey starts early stages. So they need different resources, they need they need different resources, they need they need different resources, they need different funding um sources and then as different funding um sources and then as different funding um sources and then as they progress they progress they progress then they need different sort uh source then they need different sort uh source then they need different sort uh source of uh fundings. So it start with of uh fundings. So it start with of uh fundings. So it start with friends, family, angel investors uh friends, family, angel investors uh friends, family, angel investors uh early stage uh uh VCs and needs to early stage uh uh VCs and needs to early stage uh uh VCs and needs to transition into institutional transition into institutional transition into institutional investment. People are asking what is investment. People are asking what is investment. People are asking what is the difference? Mhm. the difference? Mhm. the difference? Mhm. >> So when you do early stage uh the >> So when you do early stage uh the >> So when you do early stage uh the earliest stage is with people that they earliest stage is with people that they earliest stage is with people that they are passionate about uh what the startup are passionate about uh what the startup are passionate about uh what the startup uh do and they invest their own money.

uh do and they invest their own money. uh do and they invest their own money. So angel investors a lot of uh wealth uh So angel investors a lot of uh wealth uh So angel investors a lot of uh wealth uh wealthy people they rely on their own wealthy people they rely on their own wealthy people they rely on their own experience on their own due diligence uh experience on their own due diligence uh experience on their own due diligence uh and validations to invest in the and validations to invest in the and validations to invest in the startup. So that will limit them because startup. So that will limit them because startup. So that will limit them because uh if somebody is a surgeon and wanted uh if somebody is a surgeon and wanted uh if somebody is a surgeon and wanted to invest in an AI AI company, to invest in an AI AI company, to invest in an AI AI company, they need to have the skills and they need to have the skills and they need to have the skills and experience and knowledge of AI and AI experience and knowledge of AI and AI experience and knowledge of AI and AI market market market >> to invest, right? So that's on on the on >> to invest, right? So that's on on the on >> to invest, right? So that's on on the on the uh on the funer side. The founders the uh on the funer side. The founders the uh on the funer side. The founders now are working with people that they now are working with people that they now are working with people that they are passionate about something and are passionate about something and are passionate about something and they're investing from their own money. they're investing from their own money. they're investing from their own money. That's the difference. I'm investing That's the difference. I'm investing That's the difference. I'm investing with my own money as an early stage with my own money as an early stage with my own money as an early stage startup uh funer. startup uh funer. startup uh funer. It means I need to be passionate about It means I need to be passionate about It means I need to be passionate about it. I need to be able to evaluate that it. I need to be able to evaluate that it. I need to be able to evaluate that and I need to be able make the judgment and I need to be able make the judgment and I need to be able make the judgment call. When it gets to institutional, call. When it gets to institutional, call. When it gets to institutional, the difference is the difference is the difference is they follow a process. They have a team they follow a process. They have a team they follow a process. They have a team of experts of experts of experts >> to evaluate the startups to source the >> to evaluate the startups to source the >> to evaluate the startups to source the startups. and do the due diligence. And startups. and do the due diligence. And startups. and do the due diligence. And now startups are dealing with uh now startups are dealing with uh now startups are dealing with uh business experts. So you have this MBAs, business experts. So you have this MBAs, business experts. So you have this MBAs, you have these experts in business and you have these experts in business and you have these experts in business and especially startup that are looking at especially startup that are looking at especially startup that are looking at your company, they're they're evaluating your company, they're they're evaluating your company, they're they're evaluating your company, which is a very different

your company, which is a very different your company, which is a very different uh different ballgame. Right. Right. uh different ballgame. Right. Right. uh different ballgame. Right. Right. >> It's very different. >> It's very different. >> It's very different. >> Yeah. So so I like So there's there's a >> Yeah. So so I like So there's there's a >> Yeah. So so I like So there's there's a missing middle, right, in startup missing middle, right, in startup missing middle, right, in startup capital. Mh. capital. Mh. capital. Mh. >> Um and and as Noble founder and the >> Um and and as Noble founder and the >> Um and and as Noble founder and the ecosystem that we're building, um that's ecosystem that we're building, um that's ecosystem that we're building, um that's kind of the gap that we're bridging, kind of the gap that we're bridging, kind of the gap that we're bridging, right? Um we're we're kind of the right? Um we're we're kind of the right? Um we're we're kind of the missing middle uh between early stage uh missing middle uh between early stage uh missing middle uh between early stage uh startups and in um more matured startups and in um more matured startups and in um more matured companies that are ready for companies that are ready for companies that are ready for institutional investment. Um so how do institutional investment. Um so how do institutional investment. Um so how do how does deal flow play into this? Um, how does deal flow play into this? Um, how does deal flow play into this? Um, and how important is deal flow and kind and how important is deal flow and kind and how important is deal flow and kind of how do you how do you of how do you how do you of how do you how do you >> I mean you as a as a founder, you know, >> I mean you as a as a founder, you know, >> I mean you as a as a founder, you know, if you're early stage or not, right? if you're early stage or not, right? if you're early stage or not, right? >> But I think there's there's there's also >> But I think there's there's there's also >> But I think there's there's there's also sometimes where where you might be sometimes where where you might be sometimes where where you might be further ahead than you thought you were. further ahead than you thought you were. further ahead than you thought you were. Um, so how do you how does deal flow Um, so how do you how does deal flow Um, so how do you how does deal flow play into how you define yourself? Um play into how you define yourself? Um play into how you define yourself? Um just imagine uh dealflow is a process of just imagine uh dealflow is a process of just imagine uh dealflow is a process of sourcing the startups doing the due sourcing the startups doing the due sourcing the startups doing the due diligence going really deep diligence going really deep diligence going really deep understanding what they do and going understanding what they do and going understanding what they do and going through a systematic process step by through a systematic process step by through a systematic process step by step step step evaluating the startups presenting it to evaluating the startups presenting it to evaluating the startups presenting it to an investment committee and getting the an investment committee and getting the an investment committee and getting the funding right so that's that's kind of funding right so that's that's kind of funding right so that's that's kind of like the default process which for an like the default process which for an like the default process which for an angel investor maybe the angel investors angel investor maybe the angel investors angel investor maybe the angel investors don't have this systematic step-by-step don't have this systematic step-by-step don't have this systematic step-by-step process. They don't have the people that

process. They don't have the people that process. They don't have the people that they can help to execute on that they can help to execute on that they can help to execute on that systematic step-by-step process. Right? systematic step-by-step process. Right? systematic step-by-step process. Right? So that's how D4 comes to play which uh So that's how D4 comes to play which uh So that's how D4 comes to play which uh institutional VCs they implement this institutional VCs they implement this institutional VCs they implement this step-by-step process which has like many step-by-step process which has like many step-by-step process which has like many many different components right many different components right many different components right >> so it has an outreach >> so it has an outreach >> so it has an outreach so you have an outreach team you have uh so you have an outreach team you have uh so you have an outreach team you have uh associates that they go uh into like a associates that they go uh into like a associates that they go uh into like a startup ecosystems and start uh you know startup ecosystems and start uh you know startup ecosystems and start uh you know scouting for for startups scouting for for startups scouting for for startups >> and if Imagine um an ecosystem can >> and if Imagine um an ecosystem can >> and if Imagine um an ecosystem can really produce really good startups really produce really good startups really produce really good startups >> which makes it 100 times easier for >> which makes it 100 times easier for >> which makes it 100 times easier for these scouts to integrate instead of oh these scouts to integrate instead of oh these scouts to integrate instead of oh we're here scouting like they are we're here scouting like they are we're here scouting like they are startups is just disconnected the startups is just disconnected the startups is just disconnected the ecosystem bring them together ecosystem bring them together ecosystem bring them together >> and and how fun that that we just met >> and and how fun that that we just met >> and and how fun that that we just met somebody right like literally right somebody right like literally right somebody right like literally right before we were starting the show um before we were starting the show um before we were starting the show um somebody that's outreaching from somebody that's outreaching from somebody that's outreaching from Louisiana who's in Houston because they Louisiana who's in Houston because they Louisiana who's in Houston because they know that a lot of LSU alumni move to know that a lot of LSU alumni move to know that a lot of LSU alumni move to Houston. She said that she said there's Houston. She said that she said there's Houston. She said that she said there's more alumni in Houston [laughter] than more alumni in Houston [laughter] than more alumni in Houston [laughter] than in Louisiana. They're more more LSU in Louisiana. They're more more LSU in Louisiana. They're more more LSU alumni in Houston. Um so so how so how alumni in Houston. Um so so how so how alumni in Houston. Um so so how so how we um how as the ecosystem, right? like we um how as the ecosystem, right? like we um how as the ecosystem, right? like how we're we're creating that space for how we're we're creating that space for how we're we're creating that space for founders to be known and for us to know founders to be known and for us to know founders to be known and for us to know where they're where they're from and how where they're where they're from and how where they're where they're from and how she was here and that's exactly what she was here and that's exactly what she was here and that's exactly what we're so she was doing the outreach and

we're so she was doing the outreach and we're so she was doing the outreach and >> absolutely >> absolutely >> absolutely >> we're providing the the connections >> we're providing the the connections >> we're providing the the connections >> and also she offered like if you are >> and also she offered like if you are >> and also she offered like if you are willing to relocate to Louisiana willing to relocate to Louisiana willing to relocate to Louisiana >> they have money that they can provide >> they have money that they can provide >> they have money that they can provide they have uh resources that they can they have uh resources that they can they have uh resources that they can provide provide provide >> right >> right >> right >> and if somebody is here and they are >> and if somebody is here and they are >> and if somebody is here and they are willing to relocate to Louisiana and if willing to relocate to Louisiana and if willing to relocate to Louisiana and if they don't know about this program, they don't know about this program, they don't know about this program, they're going to miss out. Right. they're going to miss out. Right. they're going to miss out. Right. >> Right. And that's that's the power of >> Right. And that's that's the power of >> Right. And that's that's the power of ecosystem like bringing all these ecosystem like bringing all these ecosystem like bringing all these different you know groups together different you know groups together different you know groups together >> and how amazing just all the I feel like >> and how amazing just all the I feel like >> and how amazing just all the I feel like there's so much so many uh people around there's so much so many uh people around there's so much so many uh people around the country that are um that are really the country that are um that are really the country that are um that are really that are really um looking looking to do that are really um looking looking to do that are really um looking looking to do that looking to build innovation and that looking to build innovation and that looking to build innovation and looking to build um the the hubs for for looking to build um the the hubs for for looking to build um the the hubs for for founders to be to be found. Mhm. Mhm. founders to be to be found. Mhm. Mhm. founders to be to be found. Mhm. Mhm. And you know if you just then think And you know if you just then think And you know if you just then think about it the next thing is your uh legal about it the next thing is your uh legal about it the next thing is your uh legal documents and agreements right the next documents and agreements right the next documents and agreements right the next step of defo is step of defo is step of defo is >> um most of VCs at the beginning they >> um most of VCs at the beginning they >> um most of VCs at the beginning they don't sign NDAs right uh they just sign don't sign NDAs right uh they just sign don't sign NDAs right uh they just sign agreements and you just this is their agreements and you just this is their agreements and you just this is their term of uh engagement term of uh engagement term of uh engagement and and then now it should be a secure and and then now it should be a secure and and then now it should be a secure intake process where you need to be able intake process where you need to be able intake process where you need to be able to securely to securely to securely submit your idea and it should be a submit your idea and it should be a submit your idea and it should be a process of now either submitting your uh process of now either submitting your uh process of now either submitting your uh all your documents you know corporate

all your documents you know corporate all your documents you know corporate documents your pitch deck your documents your pitch deck your documents your pitch deck your financials financials financials uh at the level you're um uh feeling uh at the level you're um uh feeling uh at the level you're um uh feeling comfortable and then they are going to comfortable and then they are going to comfortable and then they are going to scrub the the information sometimes and scrub the the information sometimes and scrub the the information sometimes and they they're going to you know uh look they they're going to you know uh look they they're going to you know uh look at your the all your data which we call at your the all your data which we call at your the all your data which we call it like data room it like data room it like data room >> data room is a place is a secure good >> data room is a place is a secure good >> data room is a place is a secure good central place that you have all your central place that you have all your central place that you have all your data into a system that you know uh data into a system that you know uh data into a system that you know uh people can um uh access you know the VCs people can um uh access you know the VCs people can um uh access you know the VCs and investors and then uh VCs uh a lot and investors and then uh VCs uh a lot and investors and then uh VCs uh a lot of um uh even angel investors they start of um uh even angel investors they start of um uh even angel investors they start looking at the decks they start looking looking at the decks they start looking looking at the decks they start looking and processing the decks start the and processing the decks start the and processing the decks start the validation process they do like the u validation process they do like the u validation process they do like the u the initial screening looking at the the the initial screening looking at the the the initial screening looking at the the initial uh work and then some of the VCs initial uh work and then some of the VCs initial uh work and then some of the VCs they have scoring rubric which I think they have scoring rubric which I think they have scoring rubric which I think we uh discussed uh couple of weeks ago we uh discussed uh couple of weeks ago we uh discussed uh couple of weeks ago about the scoring. about the scoring. about the scoring. >> A lot of people think DFO is um getting >> A lot of people think DFO is um getting >> A lot of people think DFO is um getting the agreements done, getting the data the agreements done, getting the data the agreements done, getting the data room done and doing all the initial room done and doing all the initial room done and doing all the initial screening and just scoring screening and just scoring screening and just scoring which is not uh the the whole process, which is not uh the the whole process, which is not uh the the whole process, right? the whole process way more right? the whole process way more right? the whole process way more complex and with more steps than just complex and with more steps than just complex and with more steps than just you know getting your information doing you know getting your information doing you know getting your information doing this the the initial screening and this the the initial screening and this the the initial screening and scoring scoring scoring >> right >> right >> right >> so there are other steps that needs to >> so there are other steps that needs to >> so there are other steps that needs to be done so for startups if you go to one be done so for startups if you go to one be done so for startups if you go to one of the systems platforms and they take

of the systems platforms and they take of the systems platforms and they take your information and you score really your information and you score really your information and you score really high high high uh just don't get your hopes up that you uh just don't get your hopes up that you uh just don't get your hopes up that you are going to get funded because you are are going to get funded because you are are going to get funded because you are scoring high and if you are scoring low scoring high and if you are scoring low scoring high and if you are scoring low don't become disappointed because don't become disappointed because don't become disappointed because scoring very subjective right and it's scoring very subjective right and it's scoring very subjective right and it's just just the beginning of the process just just the beginning of the process just just the beginning of the process it's a signal for investors it's a signal for investors it's a signal for investors >> so they need to do a lot more due >> so they need to do a lot more due >> so they need to do a lot more due diligence uh after that diligence uh after that diligence uh after that >> right yeah and and how many episodes ago >> right yeah and and how many episodes ago >> right yeah and and how many episodes ago was that maybe like three episodes now was that maybe like three episodes now was that maybe like three episodes now where we really go into the due where we really go into the due where we really go into the due diligence and what happens after after diligence and what happens after after diligence and what happens after after the scoring uh so check out our YouTube the scoring uh so check out our YouTube the scoring uh so check out our YouTube where all of our stories are or all of where all of our stories are or all of where all of our stories are or all of Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> So then what it happens like in in many >> So then what it happens like in in many >> So then what it happens like in in many VC firms they start do the research. So VC firms they start do the research. So VC firms they start do the research. So they go online they do the discovery they go online they do the discovery they go online they do the discovery they do the research they go to your uh they do the research they go to your uh they do the research they go to your uh website they go to your LinkedIn and website they go to your LinkedIn and website they go to your LinkedIn and then they do their own due diligence. then they do their own due diligence. then they do their own due diligence. they go like they do their own discovery they go like they do their own discovery they go like they do their own discovery of the industry of the product or of the industry of the product or of the industry of the product or compare uh u uh competition compare uh u uh competition compare uh u uh competition [clears throat] [clears throat] [clears throat] and some of the VCs they have access to and some of the VCs they have access to and some of the VCs they have access to uh industry data they have access to uh industry data they have access to uh industry data they have access to predictive tools and analysis so they predictive tools and analysis so they predictive tools and analysis so they just run it by those tools and say hey just run it by those tools and say hey just run it by those tools and say hey you know and they have like really good you know and they have like really good you know and they have like really good analysts sometimes just like the analysts sometimes just like the analysts sometimes just like the analysts look at it and say like based analysts look at it and say like based analysts look at it and say like based on the the the direction the market is on the the the direction the market is on the the the direction the market is going going going uh what's you're building today will be uh what's you're building today will be uh what's you're building today will be replaced by what Open AI is building in

replaced by what Open AI is building in replaced by what Open AI is building in the next six months. the next six months. the next six months. >> So you right now you are just the >> So you right now you are just the >> So you right now you are just the hottest and and and the most attractive hottest and and and the most attractive hottest and and and the most attractive idea on the block but Open AI is doing idea on the block but Open AI is doing idea on the block but Open AI is doing the same thing the same thing the same thing >> and the market is not that big for you. >> and the market is not that big for you. >> and the market is not that big for you. >> You see like that part there's the the >> You see like that part there's the the >> You see like that part there's the the you can't score that and then and then you can't score that and then and then you can't score that and then and then they look at the opportunity. How big is they look at the opportunity. How big is they look at the opportunity. How big is the opportunity? what is the trajectory the opportunity? what is the trajectory the opportunity? what is the trajectory and is this company ready for funding and is this company ready for funding and is this company ready for funding right right right >> it's just very objective and subjective >> it's just very objective and subjective >> it's just very objective and subjective >> right and I think I think just a little >> right and I think I think just a little >> right and I think I think just a little plug into our noble founder um just way plug into our noble founder um just way plug into our noble founder um just way in which we're working with our with our in which we're working with our with our in which we're working with our with our startups um how how we I like how kit startups um how how we I like how kit startups um how how we I like how kit says our snapshot right how we provide says our snapshot right how we provide says our snapshot right how we provide that snapshot to see where you are on that snapshot to see where you are on that snapshot to see where you are on the trajectory and the road map um and the trajectory and the road map um and the trajectory and the road map um and how we have partners how we how we have partners how we how we have partners how we um partners here within the ecosystem um partners here within the ecosystem um partners here within the ecosystem that can help you get to where you want that can help you get to where you want that can help you get to where you want to be or where you need to be um based to be or where you need to be um based to be or where you need to be um based on right these are people that that are on right these are people that that are on right these are people that that are experts in their field that have been experts in their field that have been experts in their field that have been doing this work for for a while um I'm doing this work for for a while um I'm doing this work for for a while um I'm more of the connector as the chapter more of the connector as the chapter more of the connector as the chapter leader the mega connector in a lot of leader the mega connector in a lot of leader the mega connector in a lot of different ways but we have experts that different ways but we have experts that different ways but we have experts that have have exited companies that are have have exited companies that are have have exited companies that are working on their own that have skills working on their own that have skills working on their own that have skills and can can provide a lot of feedback and can can provide a lot of feedback and can can provide a lot of feedback for um for startups.

for um for startups. for um for startups. >> Yeah, absolutely. And >> Yeah, absolutely. And >> Yeah, absolutely. And that's the biggest thing, you know, we that's the biggest thing, you know, we that's the biggest thing, you know, we are we are really bridging and breaking are we are really bridging and breaking are we are really bridging and breaking those silos, those silos, those silos, >> right? >> right? >> right? >> And um >> And um >> And um >> when you think about it, looking at the >> when you think about it, looking at the >> when you think about it, looking at the the the fundability, right? Is this idea the the fundability, right? Is this idea the the fundability, right? Is this idea fundable, right? Is this becoming like a fundable, right? Is this becoming like a fundable, right? Is this becoming like a big thing in future? What is the big thing in future? What is the big thing in future? What is the trajectory? trajectory? trajectory? >> Next thing you need to understand is >> Next thing you need to understand is >> Next thing you need to understand is this team have the capacity and this team have the capacity and this team have the capacity and capability to get there, capability to get there, capability to get there, >> right? Is there a team? >> right? Is there a team? >> right? Is there a team? >> Yeah. Is there a team? Like it's just >> Yeah. Is there a team? Like it's just >> Yeah. Is there a team? Like it's just like it's just a oneman show, right? like it's just a oneman show, right? like it's just a oneman show, right? Which is okay. You know, it doesn't like Which is okay. You know, it doesn't like Which is okay. You know, it doesn't like you don't need to be um a team or a you don't need to be um a team or a you don't need to be um a team or a company yet. company yet. company yet. >> But is the leader and the founder >> But is the leader and the founder >> But is the leader and the founder capable of building a team? capable of building a team? capable of building a team? >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> And then we get Yeah. And I think And I >> And then we get Yeah. And I think And I >> And then we get Yeah. And I think And I think think think >> I mean because you're going to need a >> I mean because you're going to need a >> I mean because you're going to need a team to scale. team to scale. team to scale. >> Yeah. Exactly. Um and I think in that in >> Yeah. Exactly. Um and I think in that in >> Yeah. Exactly. Um and I think in that in that gap that we bridge in that middle that gap that we bridge in that middle that gap that we bridge in that middle part part part >> that's where our fractional uh sweet >> that's where our fractional uh sweet >> that's where our fractional uh sweet seauite comes in right our fractional seauite comes in right our fractional seauite comes in right our fractional oper technical people are fractional oper technical people are fractional oper technical people are fractional everything um because we understand that everything um because we understand that everything um because we understand that we understand that there are soloreneurs we understand that there are soloreneurs we understand that there are soloreneurs or even like having a co-founder all of or even like having a co-founder all of or even like having a co-founder all of the things that we've had to figure out the things that we've had to figure out the things that we've had to figure out that we had no idea about [laughter] that we had no idea about [laughter] that we had no idea about [laughter] >> and how it's very instrumental to have >> and how it's very instrumental to have >> and how it's very instrumental to have people to guide you and mentor you and people to guide you and mentor you and people to guide you and mentor you and how you Again, I I talk about this a how you Again, I I talk about this a how you Again, I I talk about this a lot, just how you need to be able to lot, just how you need to be able to lot, just how you need to be able to receive feedback and critical analysis receive feedback and critical analysis receive feedback and critical analysis and and like admit that you're wrong and

and and like admit that you're wrong and and and like admit that you're wrong and admit that that admit that that admit that that >> like fail fast. >> like fail fast. >> like fail fast. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And pivot and and move on. Uh but yeah, >> And pivot and and move on. Uh but yeah, >> And pivot and and move on. Uh but yeah, I I love how we provide that, right? I I love how we provide that, right? I I love how we provide that, right? Like how that's that's a lot of what Like how that's that's a lot of what Like how that's that's a lot of what we're creating here and a lot of what we're creating here and a lot of what we're creating here and a lot of what we're building. And people are asking we're building. And people are asking we're building. And people are asking like how much of that is now in place like how much of that is now in place like how much of that is now in place like hey noble founder you know how much like hey noble founder you know how much like hey noble founder you know how much of what you're saying now is happening of what you're saying now is happening of what you're saying now is happening >> we are a startup too right we have like >> we are a startup too right we have like >> we are a startup too right we have like 100 tasks that we need to check you know 100 tasks that we need to check you know 100 tasks that we need to check you know it's just a lot of uh things happening it's just a lot of uh things happening it's just a lot of uh things happening we are we are using our own you know uh we are we are using our own you know uh we are we are using our own you know uh our own playbook that we teach startups our own playbook that we teach startups our own playbook that we teach startups so we are flying the plane [laughter] so we are flying the plane [laughter] so we are flying the plane [laughter] while building it right while building it right while building it right >> while redesigning Right. Is it an actual >> while redesigning Right. Is it an actual >> while redesigning Right. Is it an actual place? place? place? >> Exactly. Just like [laughter] and >> Exactly. Just like [laughter] and >> Exactly. Just like [laughter] and sometimes we can't really sometimes we can't really sometimes we can't really >> we are we are we can't really even >> we are we are we can't really even >> we are we are we can't really even deliver some of our promises because deliver some of our promises because deliver some of our promises because we're so busy doing some other stuff and we're so busy doing some other stuff and we're so busy doing some other stuff and when we get nudged by startups that hey when we get nudged by startups that hey when we get nudged by startups that hey you know you said you're going to do you know you said you're going to do you know you said you're going to do this what happened to this? It's a help this what happened to this? It's a help this what happened to this? It's a help for us.

for us. for us. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Right. A lot of people a lot of founders >> Right. A lot of people a lot of founders >> Right. A lot of people a lot of founders get offended. A lot of founders get get offended. A lot of founders get get offended. A lot of founders get really upset about like oh why these really upset about like oh why these really upset about like oh why these people said that you know but just look people said that you know but just look people said that you know but just look at it maybe we promise something and we at it maybe we promise something and we at it maybe we promise something and we forget about it forget about it forget about it >> or time flies like in the startup world >> or time flies like in the startup world >> or time flies like in the startup world like uh weeks goes by like the speed of like uh weeks goes by like the speed of like uh weeks goes by like the speed of days right days right days right >> right >> right >> right >> so it's always good to seek feedback >> so it's always good to seek feedback >> so it's always good to seek feedback >> and having like this safe environment >> and having like this safe environment >> and having like this safe environment >> of cocreation feedback >> of cocreation feedback >> of cocreation feedback >> and really working [snorts] together is >> and really working [snorts] together is >> and really working [snorts] together is very helpful. That's why the ecosystem very helpful. That's why the ecosystem very helpful. That's why the ecosystem is so important is so important is so important >> in the deal. Right. >> in the deal. Right. >> in the deal. Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Just imagine if you have access to a >> Just imagine if you have access to a >> Just imagine if you have access to a dealful that is uh built on top of an dealful that is uh built on top of an dealful that is uh built on top of an ecosystem. ecosystem. ecosystem. >> Right. So you know as a VC you know as >> Right. So you know as a VC you know as >> Right. So you know as a VC you know as an investor that there is support an investor that there is support an investor that there is support >> there's people >> there's people >> there's people >> working and helping the startups >> working and helping the startups >> working and helping the startups >> and how those and how that ecosystem is >> and how those and how that ecosystem is >> and how those and how that ecosystem is built on top of the problems that exist built on top of the problems that exist built on top of the problems that exist within that city right uh something and within that city right uh something and within that city right uh something and and again just mentioning the lady from and again just mentioning the lady from and again just mentioning the lady from Louisiana that was here a little bit ago Louisiana that was here a little bit ago Louisiana that was here a little bit ago >> how >> how >> how >> everybody left to Houston >> everybody left to Houston >> everybody left to Houston >> because there there was no resources in >> because there there was no resources in >> because there there was no resources in Louisiana and how we hear about that Louisiana and how we hear about that Louisiana and how we hear about that happening in Houston that people are happening in Houston that people are happening in Houston that people are leaving to to San Francisco, to Austin, leaving to to San Francisco, to Austin, leaving to to San Francisco, to Austin, to other cities because they don't have to other cities because they don't have to other cities because they don't have that support here.

that support here. that support here. >> Um, and so just how important it is for >> Um, and so just how important it is for >> Um, and so just how important it is for them to know that we're here. them to know that we're here. them to know that we're here. >> Yep. And that that's kind of like just >> Yep. And that that's kind of like just >> Yep. And that that's kind of like just look at it from a VC. We are we are look at it from a VC. We are we are look at it from a VC. We are we are raising fund ourselves, right? You know, raising fund ourselves, right? You know, raising fund ourselves, right? You know, we are we are an emerging fund. Uh just we are we are an emerging fund. Uh just we are we are an emerging fund. Uh just imagine if a startup is raising a imagine if a startup is raising a imagine if a startup is raising a million dollar, we are raising 100 million dollar, we are raising 100 million dollar, we are raising 100 million. M million. M million. M >> just imagine like how hard is uh to >> just imagine like how hard is uh to >> just imagine like how hard is uh to raise a million dollar you know then raise a million dollar you know then raise a million dollar you know then just think about the scale of raising just think about the scale of raising just think about the scale of raising $100 million. $100 million. $100 million. >> But as a fund when you have access to >> But as a fund when you have access to >> But as a fund when you have access to such an uh you know great ecosystem with such an uh you know great ecosystem with such an uh you know great ecosystem with all these great uh founders and all the all these great uh founders and all the all these great uh founders and all the support that you can get that becomes support that you can get that becomes support that you can get that becomes very very attractive to all the limited very very attractive to all the limited very very attractive to all the limited partners and investors that they fund. partners and investors that they fund. partners and investors that they fund. Mhm. Mhm. Mhm. >> Um a fund basically right >> Um a fund basically right >> Um a fund basically right >> and again we are raising fund for early >> and again we are raising fund for early >> and again we are raising fund for early stages stages stages >> in [snorts] Houston. Just imagine that >> in [snorts] Houston. Just imagine that >> in [snorts] Houston. Just imagine that like like like >> early stage is not a thing right now in >> early stage is not a thing right now in >> early stage is not a thing right now in the investment and VC community because the investment and VC community because the investment and VC community because of all the AI things and all the of all the AI things and all the of all the AI things and all the uncertainty that is happening.

uncertainty that is happening. uncertainty that is happening. >> There have been like many many VCs >> There have been like many many VCs >> There have been like many many VCs burned by early stage investment in AI. burned by early stage investment in AI. burned by early stage investment in AI. So they invested couple of millions in So they invested couple of millions in So they invested couple of millions in AI ideas that now is just implemented AI ideas that now is just implemented AI ideas that now is just implemented and rolled out by by open AI. and rolled out by by open AI. and rolled out by by open AI. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Well, and even I even recently saw that >> Well, and even I even recently saw that >> Well, and even I even recently saw that Open AI is having to like build Open AI is having to like build Open AI is having to like build >> like cyber security essentially for >> like cyber security essentially for >> like cyber security essentially for what's happening because what's happening because what's happening because >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> But so they're asking for more funding >> But so they're asking for more funding >> But so they're asking for more funding for like security [clears throat] for like security [clears throat] for like security [clears throat] >> which is interesting. Yeah. And then now >> which is interesting. Yeah. And then now >> which is interesting. Yeah. And then now [laughter] and if you just think about [laughter] and if you just think about [laughter] and if you just think about like in especially in Houston, right? like in especially in Houston, right? like in especially in Houston, right? There's no uh appetite for VCs to do There's no uh appetite for VCs to do There's no uh appetite for VCs to do early stage funding, early stage funding, early stage funding, >> right? >> right? >> right? >> And a lot of probably LP's limited >> And a lot of probably LP's limited >> And a lot of probably LP's limited partners and investors in funds when you partners and investors in funds when you partners and investors in funds when you tell them, hey, we're building this tell them, hey, we're building this tell them, hey, we're building this early stage in Houston. Houston is very early stage in Houston. Houston is very early stage in Houston. Houston is very rich city of uh you know, startups. rich city of uh you know, startups. rich city of uh you know, startups. They're like very skeptical. Mhm. They're like very skeptical. Mhm. They're like very skeptical. Mhm. >> And this is what we're fighting against, >> And this is what we're fighting against, >> And this is what we're fighting against, right? This is why we're just we're just right? This is why we're just we're just right? This is why we're just we're just u all hands on deck. Let's just work u all hands on deck. Let's just work u all hands on deck. Let's just work together and raise that early stage together and raise that early stage together and raise that early stage fund.

fund. fund. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Which is lacking. Even like if if I like >> Which is lacking. Even like if if I like >> Which is lacking. Even like if if I like I know a lot of VCs, right? It's very I know a lot of VCs, right? It's very I know a lot of VCs, right? It's very easy for me to go find series A, series easy for me to go find series A, series easy for me to go find series A, series B mature companies and work with other B mature companies and work with other B mature companies and work with other VCs and and work it that way. People are VCs and and work it that way. People are VCs and and work it that way. People are asking why uh you're focusing on this uh asking why uh you're focusing on this uh asking why uh you're focusing on this uh this you know early stage because it's a this you know early stage because it's a this you know early stage because it's a passion. We are builders too. We're not passion. We are builders too. We're not passion. We are builders too. We're not just you know somebody graduated from just you know somebody graduated from just you know somebody graduated from you [snorts] know um MBA program you [snorts] know um MBA program you [snorts] know um MBA program >> and just one day just woke up and said >> and just one day just woke up and said >> and just one day just woke up and said oh I just want to be a VC. No we have oh I just want to be a VC. No we have oh I just want to be a VC. No we have been there. We have done that and uh been there. We have done that and uh been there. We have done that and uh [laughter] we tried to raise money and [laughter] we tried to raise money and [laughter] we tried to raise money and we were unsuccessful. uh myself I just we were unsuccessful. uh myself I just we were unsuccessful. uh myself I just you know raised money and then failed you know raised money and then failed you know raised money and then failed because the back time that we had this because the back time that we had this because the back time that we had this uh idea there was no really even one uh idea there was no really even one uh idea there was no really even one mentor says hey look you have this gem mentor says hey look you have this gem mentor says hey look you have this gem in your hand in your hand in your hand right make it a jewel this is how you right make it a jewel this is how you right make it a jewel this is how you you work on it and make it a crown jewel you work on it and make it a crown jewel you work on it and make it a crown jewel no one said that right how you polish it no one said that right how you polish it no one said that right how you polish it no one said that and our value no one said that and our value no one said that and our value proposition everything was wrong You proposition everything was wrong You proposition everything was wrong You know, and when later there I was just know, and when later there I was just know, and when later there I was just learning how to do business and how to learning how to do business and how to learning how to do business and how to do VC. I was like, "Oh, I made mistake do VC. I was like, "Oh, I made mistake do VC. I was like, "Oh, I made mistake here, I mistake there." It was kind of here, I mistake there." It was kind of here, I mistake there." It was kind of like it was just like all the uh like it was just like all the uh like it was just like all the uh backstories. But that shows how backstories. But that shows how backstories. But that shows how important is important is important is >> Yeah. How many lessons, >> Yeah. How many lessons, >> Yeah. How many lessons, >> right? You know, how many lessons you >> right? You know, how many lessons you >> right? You know, how many lessons you learn, right? [laughter] And then it

learn, right? [laughter] And then it learn, right? [laughter] And then it just ties back to the deal for [snorts] just ties back to the deal for [snorts] just ties back to the deal for [snorts] like next step is financial analysis. like next step is financial analysis. like next step is financial analysis. Let me tell you the difference. When you Let me tell you the difference. When you Let me tell you the difference. When you work with a VC on a DFO, the financial work with a VC on a DFO, the financial work with a VC on a DFO, the financial analysis is comprehensive analysis is comprehensive analysis is comprehensive because somebody with MBA from a good because somebody with MBA from a good because somebody with MBA from a good really uh university is looking at your really uh university is looking at your really uh university is looking at your financial. Your financials should be at financial. Your financials should be at financial. Your financials should be at the level of somebody graduated from uh the level of somebody graduated from uh the level of somebody graduated from uh you know Rice University here you know you know Rice University here you know you know Rice University here you know Texas&M or just you know all like other Texas&M or just you know all like other Texas&M or just you know all like other like Stanford like Stanford like Stanford >> you are up against that person. So as a >> you are up against that person. So as a >> you are up against that person. So as a founder not only you should be able to founder not only you should be able to founder not only you should be able to produce that financials, [laughter] you produce that financials, [laughter] you produce that financials, [laughter] you should be able to produce it at that should be able to produce it at that should be able to produce it at that level. level. level. I'm I'm laughing because just our nerves I'm I'm laughing because just our nerves I'm I'm laughing because just our nerves you see what I'm saying you know and and you see what I'm saying you know and and you see what I'm saying you know and and that's the difference right that's the that's the difference right that's the that's the difference right that's the difference difference difference >> and then they go to due diligence the >> and then they go to due diligence the >> and then they go to due diligence the way like a MBA look who had looked at way like a MBA look who had looked at way like a MBA look who had looked at thousands of pitch decks do the due thousands of pitch decks do the due thousands of pitch decks do the due diligence is different than even like an diligence is different than even like an diligence is different than even like an angel investors doing the due diligence angel investors doing the due diligence angel investors doing the due diligence and the due diligence is just show me and the due diligence is just show me and the due diligence is just show me your technology show me your customers your technology show me your customers your technology show me your customers prove me everything that you built is prove me everything that you built is prove me everything that you built is correct.

correct. correct. >> That's a part of >> That's a part of >> That's a part of >> DO. >> DO. >> DO. >> That's why I'm just saying when we talk >> That's why I'm just saying when we talk >> That's why I'm just saying when we talk about DFO, about DFO, about DFO, a lot of people think it's just, oh a lot of people think it's just, oh a lot of people think it's just, oh yeah, no, DFL is just like a bunch of yeah, no, DFL is just like a bunch of yeah, no, DFL is just like a bunch of startups and we did like the the initial startups and we did like the the initial startups and we did like the the initial scoring and we validated the idea of a scoring and we validated the idea of a scoring and we validated the idea of a market. No, how about the due diligence? market. No, how about the due diligence? market. No, how about the due diligence? How about the predictions of the market, How about the predictions of the market, How about the predictions of the market, the trajectory, the trajectory, the trajectory, >> the financials, >> the financials, >> the financials, um the opportunity? um the opportunity? um the opportunity? >> How about that? Yeah. >> How about that? Yeah. >> How about that? Yeah. >> And at like an MBA graduate level, >> And at like an MBA graduate level, >> And at like an MBA graduate level, >> right? >> right? >> right? >> That's the difference, right? >> That's the difference, right? >> That's the difference, right? >> But when you work with um an ecosystem, >> But when you work with um an ecosystem, >> But when you work with um an ecosystem, >> we talked to Julie um Rocky >> we talked to Julie um Rocky >> we talked to Julie um Rocky uh few episodes back and she explained uh few episodes back and she explained uh few episodes back and she explained everything. She's everything. She's everything. She's >> an [snorts] expert in business. She's an >> an [snorts] expert in business. She's an >> an [snorts] expert in business. She's an expert in due diligence. She's an expert expert in due diligence. She's an expert expert in due diligence. She's an expert in preparing. Now you have access to her in preparing. Now you have access to her in preparing. Now you have access to her as a part of our uh ecosystem. So she as a part of our uh ecosystem. So she as a part of our uh ecosystem. So she can tell you what you need to prepare can tell you what you need to prepare can tell you what you need to prepare and at what level.

and at what level. and at what level. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> She can become that person that is >> She can become that person that is >> She can become that person that is looking at your uh your deal and looking at your uh your deal and looking at your uh your deal and evaluating that. That's the value, evaluating that. That's the value, evaluating that. That's the value, right? Mhm. right? Mhm. right? Mhm. >> And when do when we do the co-creation, >> And when do when we do the co-creation, >> And when do when we do the co-creation, I think you can um I think you can um I think you can um >> talk more about that, but just think >> talk more about that, but just think >> talk more about that, but just think about about about >> you're sitting here in a safe >> you're sitting here in a safe >> you're sitting here in a safe environment [snorts] brainstorming with environment [snorts] brainstorming with environment [snorts] brainstorming with really really great people on your idea. really really great people on your idea. really really great people on your idea. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Just imagine where you can go like you >> Just imagine where you can go like you >> Just imagine where you can go like you know just imagination goes beyond know just imagination goes beyond know just imagination goes beyond anything that you can do yourself. anything that you can do yourself. anything that you can do yourself. >> Yeah. I mean I mean innovation can't >> Yeah. I mean I mean innovation can't >> Yeah. I mean I mean innovation can't happen in just one person's brain. Mhm. happen in just one person's brain. Mhm. happen in just one person's brain. Mhm. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> You know, I mean, I think we try and I >> You know, I mean, I think we try and I >> You know, I mean, I think we try and I think uh people like have really good think uh people like have really good think uh people like have really good ideas and and sometimes they take off ideas and and sometimes they take off ideas and and sometimes they take off maybe, but but if you really want to maybe, but but if you really want to maybe, but but if you really want to innovate, if you really want to break innovate, if you really want to break innovate, if you really want to break through into a new market or or through into a new market or or through into a new market or or introduce a new product or a new introduce a new product or a new introduce a new product or a new concept, concept, concept, >> there's so much that you have to be >> there's so much that you have to be >> there's so much that you have to be aware of, you know, and and so much that aware of, you know, and and so much that aware of, you know, and and so much that your partners and the people that are your partners and the people that are your partners and the people that are just around you can can point you to can just around you can can point you to can just around you can can point you to can can help you and then and yeah, that's can help you and then and yeah, that's can help you and then and yeah, that's the value of co-creation, right? the the value of co-creation, right? the the value of co-creation, right? the value of of being wrong, of of taking value of of being wrong, of of taking value of of being wrong, of of taking advice, of thinking of things that you advice, of thinking of things that you advice, of thinking of things that you the the the part that you don't know the the the part that you don't know the the the part that you don't know that you don't know [laughter] that that you don't know [laughter] that that you don't know [laughter] that won't grab the part in the graph.

won't grab the part in the graph. won't grab the part in the graph. >> There there's a lot of that, right? >> There there's a lot of that, right? >> There there's a lot of that, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I mean, for us as as first time >> I mean, for us as as first time >> I mean, for us as as first time founders, there's so much we don't know. founders, there's so much we don't know. founders, there's so much we don't know. Um, so yeah, so just having like our Um, so yeah, so just having like our Um, so yeah, so just having like our team, our noble founder team, just how team, our noble founder team, just how team, our noble founder team, just how much we've been how much how much we've much we've been how much how much we've much we've been how much how much we've been learning about everything. How much been learning about everything. How much been learning about everything. How much I've been learning from you? Yeah. I've been learning from you? Yeah. I've been learning from you? Yeah. >> Um, just how even deal flow >> Um, just how even deal flow >> Um, just how even deal flow >> how that's how a company is designed or >> how that's how a company is designed or >> how that's how a company is designed or is defined as a deal flow for investors. is defined as a deal flow for investors. is defined as a deal flow for investors. Can you talk a little bit about that? Can you talk a little bit about that? Can you talk a little bit about that? [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] >> And you know a lot of time they don't >> And you know a lot of time they don't >> And you know a lot of time they don't really share that. really share that. really share that. >> Right. you know investors they this is >> Right. you know investors they this is >> Right. you know investors they this is their secret sauce. their secret sauce. their secret sauce. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Right. If you are a VC firm that's your >> Right. If you are a VC firm that's your >> Right. If you are a VC firm that's your secret sauce against the other VC firm. secret sauce against the other VC firm. secret sauce against the other VC firm. So it's like your competitive advantage, So it's like your competitive advantage, So it's like your competitive advantage, right? right? right? >> And when people get together, really >> And when people get together, really >> And when people get together, really amazing stuff happens of co-creation, amazing stuff happens of co-creation, amazing stuff happens of co-creation, breaking those silos, right? breaking those silos, right? breaking those silos, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And then one thing >> And then one thing >> And then one thing all those analysts produce is just a lot all those analysts produce is just a lot all those analysts produce is just a lot of artifacts of artifacts of artifacts >> like investment memos, um, >> like investment memos, um, >> like investment memos, um, >> uh, investment thesis, even investment >> uh, investment thesis, even investment >> uh, investment thesis, even investment thesis, like they they create an thesis, like they they create an thesis, like they they create an investment thesis for the company, investment thesis for the company, investment thesis for the company, >> right?

>> right? >> right? and um they built a a deck to be and um they built a a deck to be and um they built a a deck to be presented in front of an investment presented in front of an investment presented in front of an investment committee. So big part of the the the committee. So big part of the the the committee. So big part of the the the deal is preparation for investment deal is preparation for investment deal is preparation for investment committee. And most of the time committee. And most of the time committee. And most of the time investment committee is people that are investment committee is people that are investment committee is people that are really excellent at their what they do. really excellent at their what they do. really excellent at their what they do. They have experience in both VC and in a They have experience in both VC and in a They have experience in both VC and in a vertical. you have somebody that vertical. you have somebody that vertical. you have somebody that understands you know uh deep tech and understands you know uh deep tech and understands you know uh deep tech and met or you know space tech and that met or you know space tech and that met or you know space tech and that person is on on your investment company person is on on your investment company person is on on your investment company they look at the deck so it's just a lot they look at the deck so it's just a lot they look at the deck so it's just a lot of work for this associates and analysts of work for this associates and analysts of work for this associates and analysts in a VC firm to put that together and in a VC firm to put that together and in a VC firm to put that together and present it at the investment committee present it at the investment committee present it at the investment committee >> just imagine if you're a solo angel >> just imagine if you're a solo angel >> just imagine if you're a solo angel investor you don't have the investment investor you don't have the investment investor you don't have the investment committee committee committee >> you can't you don't have the luxury of >> you can't you don't have the luxury of >> you can't you don't have the luxury of putting all those things together just putting all those things together just putting all those things together just imagine how time you need to spend to imagine how time you need to spend to imagine how time you need to spend to put these things together put these things together put these things together >> and you need to let's say you want to >> and you need to let's say you want to >> and you need to let's say you want to invest on this company in our you know invest on this company in our you know invest on this company in our you know ecosystem we just sit together and say ecosystem we just sit together and say ecosystem we just sit together and say hey what do you think and you say hey what do you think and you say hey what do you think and you say something I say something somebody else something I say something somebody else something I say something somebody else uh contribute oh yeah that's a great uh contribute oh yeah that's a great uh contribute oh yeah that's a great idea this is how we can you know improve idea this is how we can you know improve idea this is how we can you know improve it right but if I'm a solo angel it right but if I'm a solo angel it right but if I'm a solo angel investor investor investor I don't have anybody to bounce ideas I don't have anybody to bounce ideas I don't have anybody to bounce ideas >> right >> right >> right >> right >> right >> right >> right and then we have a platform too >> right and then we have a platform too >> right and then we have a platform too that's that's that's >> yeah absolutely so you touch on that as >> yeah absolutely so you touch on that as >> yeah absolutely so you touch on that as Um but then Um but then Um but then now let's say we go in front of an now let's say we go in front of an now let's say we go in front of an investment committee and people say oh investment committee and people say oh investment committee and people say oh we're good we wanted to invest but you

we're good we wanted to invest but you we're good we wanted to invest but you know what this is early for us right know what this is early for us right know what this is early for us right just send an email to uh the founder and just send an email to uh the founder and just send an email to uh the founder and say hey you know we're going to keep an say hey you know we're going to keep an say hey you know we're going to keep an eye on you um but get this ABC done eye on you um but get this ABC done eye on you um but get this ABC done >> so now you know you are on the radar of >> so now you know you are on the radar of >> so now you know you are on the radar of this VC but how [snorts] you get there, this VC but how [snorts] you get there, this VC but how [snorts] you get there, right? How you check all the boxes at right? How you check all the boxes at right? How you check all the boxes at the level that they want. the level that they want. the level that they want. >> Why? Because you're dealing with >> Why? Because you're dealing with >> Why? Because you're dealing with business experts. You're not dealing business experts. You're not dealing business experts. You're not dealing with somebody that is just, you know, a with somebody that is just, you know, a with somebody that is just, you know, a regular person. regular person. regular person. >> Mhm. Yeah. This is this is past the the >> Mhm. Yeah. This is this is past the the >> Mhm. Yeah. This is this is past the the friends and family friends and family friends and family >> Yeah. Exactly. And and the funny part is >> Yeah. Exactly. And and the funny part is >> Yeah. Exactly. And and the funny part is sometimes it's just so f like going from sometimes it's just so f like going from sometimes it's just so f like going from friends and family to seat and and then friends and family to seat and and then friends and family to seat and and then say a sometimes is so fast. say a sometimes is so fast. say a sometimes is so fast. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> And quick that you don't get a chance to >> And quick that you don't get a chance to >> And quick that you don't get a chance to just you know realize that how much work just you know realize that how much work just you know realize that how much work you need to do you need to do you need to do >> right >> right >> right >> to get to that stage and and then you >> to get to that stage and and then you >> to get to that stage and and then you need to put like an execution need to put like an execution need to put like an execution uh plan together. You need to put your uh plan together. You need to put your uh plan together. You need to put your team together. you need to uh put team together. you need to uh put team together. you need to uh put partnerships just just imagine like all partnerships just just imagine like all partnerships just just imagine like all of that things needs to be done.

of that things needs to be done. of that things needs to be done. >> Yeah. The amount the amount of like >> Yeah. The amount the amount of like >> Yeah. The amount the amount of like paperwork and technical like physical paperwork and technical like physical paperwork and technical like physical things that need to get done but also things that need to get done but also things that need to get done but also something that we've been discussing a something that we've been discussing a something that we've been discussing a lot. lot. lot. The amount of internal growth The amount of internal growth The amount of internal growth >> like as as me like mental health being >> like as as me like mental health being >> like as as me like mental health being my background and just a lot of analysis my background and just a lot of analysis my background and just a lot of analysis of people and how we be and how we are of people and how we be and how we are of people and how we be and how we are who we are. um what it takes to be able who we are. um what it takes to be able who we are. um what it takes to be able to run a million-dollar company to run a million-dollar company to run a million-dollar company >> and then multi-million dollar company, >> and then multi-million dollar company, >> and then multi-million dollar company, right? Like right? Like right? Like >> your relationships, what you do, how you >> your relationships, what you do, how you >> your relationships, what you do, how you keep yourself sane, how you keep keep yourself sane, how you keep keep yourself sane, how you keep yourself [laughter] yourself [laughter] yourself [laughter] breathing um because they because in the breathing um because they because in the breathing um because they because in the growth and and we have talked about growth and and we have talked about growth and and we have talked about this, right? How when you go from this, right? How when you go from this, right? How when you go from >> from the valley of death, which is >> from the valley of death, which is >> from the valley of death, which is essentially essentially essentially like before preede, right? Like that's like before preede, right? Like that's like before preede, right? Like that's like friends and family like friends and family like friends and family >> sometimes even like sometimes even on >> sometimes even like sometimes even on >> sometimes even like sometimes even on seed right you know because seed right you know because seed right you know because >> you just built your you pour all the >> you just built your you pour all the >> you just built your you pour all the money in building the product money in building the product money in building the product >> and getting like the initial customers >> and getting like the initial customers >> and getting like the initial customers now you don't have money to scale it now you don't have money to scale it now you don't have money to scale it >> right >> right >> right >> you're stuck at where you know you have >> you're stuck at where you know you have >> you're stuck at where you know you have the most value [laughter] the most value [laughter] the most value [laughter] >> but you don't have money to capture that >> but you don't have money to capture that >> but you don't have money to capture that right right right >> and then you get money and then people >> and then you get money and then people >> and then you get money and then people are like oh yeah it doesn't are like oh yeah it doesn't are like oh yeah it doesn't >> no one really look at that like you know >> no one really look at that like you know >> no one really look at that like you know what when that happens when you pass what when that happens when you pass what when that happens when you pass that stage Right. And I call it um you that stage Right. And I call it um you that stage Right. And I call it um you know know know >> I call it transformation >> I call it transformation >> I call it transformation >> the founder transformation transforming >> the founder transformation transforming >> the founder transformation transforming the mindset from

the mindset from the mindset from a a business owner to a startup founder a a business owner to a startup founder a a business owner to a startup founder >> right >> right >> right >> and um when I was just putting all these >> and um when I was just putting all these >> and um when I was just putting all these things together um I just said like hey things together um I just said like hey things together um I just said like hey let's just try something like experiment let's just try something like experiment let's just try something like experiment put all these things together as a put all these things together as a put all these things together as a format of a book format of a book format of a book >> and and still I'm just working on the >> and and still I'm just working on the >> and and still I'm just working on the book to make it like [laughter] perfect, book to make it like [laughter] perfect, book to make it like [laughter] perfect, which is not like the startup way by the which is not like the startup way by the which is not like the startup way by the way. Right. But I just wrote a chapter way. Right. But I just wrote a chapter way. Right. But I just wrote a chapter like 40 pages on transformation on just like 40 pages on transformation on just like 40 pages on transformation on just like a startup mindset. like a startup mindset. like a startup mindset. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And if you look at um VCs, big VCs like >> And if you look at um VCs, big VCs like >> And if you look at um VCs, big VCs like uh John Door, which is like a very uh John Door, which is like a very uh John Door, which is like a very famous VC. famous VC. famous VC. >> Mh. when he worked with a [snorts] with >> Mh. when he worked with a [snorts] with >> Mh. when he worked with a [snorts] with Amazon or Google, he transformed them Amazon or Google, he transformed them Amazon or Google, he transformed them from regular founders to really really from regular founders to really really from regular founders to really really high performing leaders and startup high performing leaders and startup high performing leaders and startup founders. founders. founders. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And that's kind of the power of the >> And that's kind of the power of the >> And that's kind of the power of the ecosystem, ecosystem, ecosystem, >> right? The ecosystem can help you to try >> right? The ecosystem can help you to try >> right? The ecosystem can help you to try to to transform but the ecosystem should to to transform but the ecosystem should to to transform but the ecosystem should have the capability should have the have the capability should have the have the capability should have the people and resources are able to people and resources are able to people and resources are able to transforming the mindset. So somebody transforming the mindset. So somebody transforming the mindset. So somebody that is there that has done that before that is there that has done that before that is there that has done that before that knows how to build a startup that knows how to build a startup that knows how to build a startup >> versus like a small business >> versus like a small business >> versus like a small business >> Mhm.

>> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> can think in hundreds of millions and >> can think in hundreds of millions and >> can think in hundreds of millions and billions billions billions >> rather just oh I'm building this $10 >> rather just oh I'm building this $10 >> rather just oh I'm building this $10 million startup company which is which million startup company which is which million startup company which is which is excellent. is excellent. is excellent. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> But when we talk about the startups >> But when we talk about the startups >> But when we talk about the startups you're talking about billions of you're talking about billions of you're talking about billions of dollars. dollars. dollars. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That mindset. >> That mindset. >> That mindset. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. And the and the safe spaces that >> Right. And the and the safe spaces that >> Right. And the and the safe spaces that you have to create. Right. We go with you have to create. Right. We go with you have to create. Right. We go with Creattopia. We talk about that a lot. Creattopia. We talk about that a lot. Creattopia. We talk about that a lot. just how you need safe space for just how you need safe space for just how you need safe space for creativity and and how noble founder is creativity and and how noble founder is creativity and and how noble founder is providing that with with our movement providing that with with our movement providing that with with our movement and with our ecosystem that safe space and with our ecosystem that safe space and with our ecosystem that safe space to be creative to fail to and to to be creative to fail to and to to be creative to fail to and to innovate and together innovate and together innovate and together >> and you know so now what is the role of >> and you know so now what is the role of >> and you know so now what is the role of red ruby which red ruby which red ruby which is going to fuel that it's going to is going to fuel that it's going to is going to fuel that it's going to build the infrastructure it's just going build the infrastructure it's just going build the infrastructure it's just going to help with all the funding vehicles to help with all the funding vehicles to help with all the funding vehicles that we can provide to this defo right that we can provide to this defo right that we can provide to this defo right everything that we can think about on uh everything that we can think about on uh everything that we can think about on uh getting startups funded, getting startups funded, getting startups funded, >> right? It's not just going and raising >> right? It's not just going and raising >> right? It's not just going and raising fund. How we can build relationship with fund. How we can build relationship with fund. How we can build relationship with funders like banks like you know private funders like banks like you know private funders like banks like you know private investors, private lenders, how we can investors, private lenders, how we can investors, private lenders, how we can relationship with initiatives like you relationship with initiatives like you relationship with initiatives like you know government initiatives uh how we know government initiatives uh how we know government initiatives uh how we can raise fund. So there are many ways can raise fund. So there are many ways can raise fund. So there are many ways that we can fuel this ecosystem right that we can fuel this ecosystem right that we can fuel this ecosystem right because for the ecosystem we need to because for the ecosystem we need to because for the ecosystem we need to fuel it fuel it fuel it >> and we are at the point that we have >> and we are at the point that we have >> and we are at the point that we have built a lot of good relationships built a lot of good relationships built a lot of good relationships with funders that now we can start doing

with funders that now we can start doing with funders that now we can start doing our showcases getting our startups ready our showcases getting our startups ready our showcases getting our startups ready to go in front of different type of to go in front of different type of to go in front of different type of investors based on uh their um their uh investors based on uh their um their uh investors based on uh their um their uh fundability stage. Yeah, just stay fundability stage. Yeah, just stay fundability stage. Yeah, just stay tuned. tuned. tuned. >> Yeah, exactly. And >> Yeah, exactly. And >> Yeah, exactly. And >> for that um we've built a platform. It >> for that um we've built a platform. It >> for that um we've built a platform. It [snorts] was just of necessity, you [snorts] was just of necessity, you [snorts] was just of necessity, you know, know, know, >> uh which that platform uses AI and >> uh which that platform uses AI and >> uh which that platform uses AI and basically basically basically >> the default that I used as a VC that we >> the default that I used as a VC that we >> the default that I used as a VC that we explained in this uh episode implemented explained in this uh episode implemented explained in this uh episode implemented in that platform. But again, we using in that platform. But again, we using in that platform. But again, we using the same thing that we are teaching the same thing that we are teaching the same thing that we are teaching people. This platform is built to open people. This platform is built to open people. This platform is built to open up to others to connect and collaborate up to others to connect and collaborate up to others to connect and collaborate and integrate. We don't want to build and integrate. We don't want to build and integrate. We don't want to build everything ourselves. And that's our everything ourselves. And that's our everything ourselves. And that's our message and and that's the that's the message and and that's the that's the message and and that's the that's the lesson I've learned and and I think this lesson I've learned and and I think this lesson I've learned and and I think this is the lesson we wanted to teach others is the lesson we wanted to teach others is the lesson we wanted to teach others that build a platform not from a that build a platform not from a that build a platform not from a technology perspective. Build something technology perspective. Build something technology perspective. Build something that others can participate that others can participate that others can participate that can others can join join you that can others can join join you that can others can join join you >> and then you can grow dramatically >> and then you can grow dramatically >> and then you can grow dramatically exponentially right there are like we exponentially right there are like we exponentially right there are like we met excellent startups [snorts] they met excellent startups [snorts] they met excellent startups [snorts] they have built components that we need for have built components that we need for have built components that we need for our deal for our deal for our deal for they have like excellent due diligence they have like excellent due diligence they have like excellent due diligence component component component >> yeah the amount of co-creation that is >> yeah the amount of co-creation that is >> yeah the amount of co-creation that is happening happening happening >> is just happening is just crazy right >> is just happening is just crazy right >> is just happening is just crazy right and like somebody has the the the

and like somebody has the the the and like somebody has the the the intake, you know, the scoring part. intake, you know, the scoring part. intake, you know, the scoring part. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Somebody has the intelligence part, >> Somebody has the intelligence part, >> Somebody has the intelligence part, somebody has the ecosystem building somebody has the ecosystem building somebody has the ecosystem building part, somebody has the innovation part, somebody has the innovation part, somebody has the innovation execution layer, execution layer, execution layer, >> right? There are many many great people. >> right? There are many many great people. >> right? There are many many great people. Each of them they have these pieces that Each of them they have these pieces that Each of them they have these pieces that we it takes a long time for us to build. we it takes a long time for us to build. we it takes a long time for us to build. Why not? Why not to collaborate and use Why not? Why not to collaborate and use Why not? Why not to collaborate and use the concept of platform? Mhm. the concept of platform? Mhm. the concept of platform? Mhm. >> Open it up, build the infrastructure and >> Open it up, build the infrastructure and >> Open it up, build the infrastructure and have others build on top of it. have others build on top of it. have others build on top of it. >> Yeah. And well, I think a lot of people >> Yeah. And well, I think a lot of people >> Yeah. And well, I think a lot of people fear things getting stolen or things fear things getting stolen or things fear things getting stolen or things getting copied or things like that, getting copied or things like that, getting copied or things like that, right? I think especially in the early right? I think especially in the early right? I think especially in the early stages before you've signed NDAs or stages before you've signed NDAs or stages before you've signed NDAs or before you've trademarked anything, before you've trademarked anything, before you've trademarked anything, >> I think that is a huge fear, right? So, >> I think that is a huge fear, right? So, >> I think that is a huge fear, right? So, so again going back to to our the safety so again going back to to our the safety so again going back to to our the safety that we're building and and that we're building and and that we're building and and >> how we are here to grow like we get we >> how we are here to grow like we get we >> how we are here to grow like we get we we when when somebody grows the whole we when when somebody grows the whole we when when somebody grows the whole ecosystem grows. ecosystem grows. ecosystem grows. >> Right. Right. >> Right. Right. >> Right. Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> So yeah >> So yeah >> So yeah >> and you know we don't want to build >> and you know we don't want to build >> and you know we don't want to build everything ourselves. So if you are a everything ourselves. So if you are a everything ourselves. So if you are a builder if you're out there if you have builder if you're out there if you have builder if you're out there if you have built something that really integrates built something that really integrates built something that really integrates into what we have discussed today just into what we have discussed today just into what we have discussed today just you know reach us reach out to us. We you know reach us reach out to us. We you know reach us reach out to us. We would love to hear about what you're would love to hear about what you're would love to hear about what you're building. We promise we are not going to building. We promise we are not going to building. We promise we are not going to copy you. [laughter] copy you. [laughter] copy you. [laughter] We'll sign a deal.

We'll sign a deal. We'll sign a deal. >> Yeah. And then but it's going to be a >> Yeah. And then but it's going to be a >> Yeah. And then but it's going to be a bigger and a stronger, you know, system bigger and a stronger, you know, system bigger and a stronger, you know, system and ecosystem together. And that's how and ecosystem together. And that's how and ecosystem together. And that's how you protect yourself by building you protect yourself by building you protect yourself by building partnerships, partnerships, partnerships, >> right? Right. >> right? Right. >> right? Right. >> That's that's the biggest competitive >> That's that's the biggest competitive >> That's that's the biggest competitive advantage you can get. advantage you can get. advantage you can get. >> Yeah. There's a there's an African >> Yeah. There's a there's an African >> Yeah. There's a there's an African proverb that I love that says um if you proverb that I love that says um if you proverb that I love that says um if you want to go far no if you want to go fast want to go far no if you want to go fast want to go far no if you want to go fast go alone if you want to go far go go alone if you want to go far go go alone if you want to go far go together. together. together. >> Absolutely. So like that's that's what >> Absolutely. So like that's that's what >> Absolutely. So like that's that's what we're doing, right? we're doing, right? we're doing, right? >> And and I think pretty like after COVID >> And and I think pretty like after COVID >> And and I think pretty like after COVID and after there's so much isolation that and after there's so much isolation that and after there's so much isolation that happens, you know, in in our society and happens, you know, in in our society and happens, you know, in in our society and so I think it it is hard for people to so I think it it is hard for people to so I think it it is hard for people to co-create. Um even as we had have really co-create. Um even as we had have really co-create. Um even as we had have really started talking about co-creation, like started talking about co-creation, like started talking about co-creation, like what do you even mean? At first it was what do you even mean? At first it was what do you even mean? At first it was like what what do you mean co-creation? like what what do you mean co-creation? like what what do you mean co-creation? Like what does that because it's not Like what does that because it's not Like what does that because it's not just me telling you what to do? That's just me telling you what to do? That's just me telling you what to do? That's not co-creation. not co-creation. not co-creation. and and how that integrates not only and and how that integrates not only and and how that integrates not only into the ecosystem, but how you build into the ecosystem, but how you build into the ecosystem, but how you build your company, right? Like how you bring your company, right? Like how you bring your company, right? Like how you bring people into into your company, like people into into your company, like people into into your company, like sure, my co-founder and I are are the sure, my co-founder and I are are the sure, my co-founder and I are are the ones that have the idea and the vision ones that have the idea and the vision ones that have the idea and the vision and everything, and everything, and everything, >> but to to relate with somebody that's >> but to to relate with somebody that's >> but to to relate with somebody that's coming in as a co-creator instead of as coming in as a co-creator instead of as coming in as a co-creator instead of as like instead of like they're a worker or like instead of like they're a worker or like instead of like they're a worker or they're an employee or they're whatever, they're an employee or they're whatever, they're an employee or they're whatever, it really shifts your mindset. Yeah. and it really shifts your mindset. Yeah. and it really shifts your mindset. Yeah. and your perspective and and how people feel your perspective and and how people feel your perspective and and how people feel included and how and how they show up included and how and how they show up included and how and how they show up and and like the ownership that they

and and like the ownership that they and and like the ownership that they take in the company and what they're take in the company and what they're take in the company and what they're what they're also creating. what they're also creating. what they're also creating. >> That's very important like the shift in >> That's very important like the shift in >> That's very important like the shift in the mindset, the mindset, the mindset, >> you know, that's that's the key. And um >> you know, that's that's the key. And um >> you know, that's that's the key. And um if you look at Ben's crystal ball, I can if you look at Ben's crystal ball, I can if you look at Ben's crystal ball, I can tell you in the future product owners tell you in the future product owners tell you in the future product owners are becoming product builders. Every are becoming product builders. Every are becoming product builders. Every person, every business person is gonna person, every business person is gonna person, every business person is gonna become a cloud coder. become a cloud coder. become a cloud coder. >> And with that, your idea every day is >> And with that, your idea every day is >> And with that, your idea every day is becoming more commodity than yesterday. becoming more commodity than yesterday. becoming more commodity than yesterday. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Just think about that because if I'm >> Just think about that because if I'm >> Just think about that because if I'm building even our platform, people are building even our platform, people are building even our platform, people are asking, "Oh, are you going to sign asking, "Oh, are you going to sign asking, "Oh, are you going to sign NDAs?" No. NDAs?" No. NDAs?" No. >> This is what I'm telling people. I'm not >> This is what I'm telling people. I'm not >> This is what I'm telling people. I'm not I don't sign NDA with anybody. um I just I don't sign NDA with anybody. um I just I don't sign NDA with anybody. um I just tell my uh idea freely. If somebody can tell my uh idea freely. If somebody can tell my uh idea freely. If somebody can copy it, please go ahead and do it copy it, please go ahead and do it copy it, please go ahead and do it because then my idea is not that good or because then my idea is not that good or because then my idea is not that good or I can't really protect it.

I can't really protect it. I can't really protect it. >> To me, competitive advantage comes with >> To me, competitive advantage comes with >> To me, competitive advantage comes with partnerships, comes with building partnerships, comes with building partnerships, comes with building communities, right? communities, right? communities, right? >> Comes with co-creation, >> Comes with co-creation, >> Comes with co-creation, >> comes with creating a movement that >> comes with creating a movement that >> comes with creating a movement that people wanted to join. people wanted to join. people wanted to join. >> That's very hard to copy. >> That's very hard to copy. >> That's very hard to copy. >> Yeah. Yeah. and and and embedding >> Yeah. Yeah. and and and embedding >> Yeah. Yeah. and and and embedding research into it all. Right. So, how how research into it all. Right. So, how how research into it all. Right. So, how how we're building a think tank that like we're building a think tank that like we're building a think tank that like using our shows as qualitative research using our shows as qualitative research using our shows as qualitative research and then eventually the technology that and then eventually the technology that and then eventually the technology that we're building as quantitative research we're building as quantitative research we're building as quantitative research and all the data, right? All the data and all the data, right? All the data and all the data, right? All the data that we can get from all of these that we can get from all of these that we can get from all of these platforms and to how that how we're platforms and to how that how we're platforms and to how that how we're actually supporting startups. Yeah. actually supporting startups. Yeah. actually supporting startups. Yeah. >> How we're moving things, how we're >> How we're moving things, how we're >> How we're moving things, how we're solving issues, how we're solving solving issues, how we're solving solving issues, how we're solving problems and then how we can scale that, problems and then how we can scale that, problems and then how we can scale that, right? cuz I don't know for me like if right? cuz I don't know for me like if right? cuz I don't know for me like if I'm if I'm not innovating around a I'm if I'm not innovating around a I'm if I'm not innovating around a problem if I'm not innovating to to problem if I'm not innovating to to problem if I'm not innovating to to resolve something I mean you have to resolve something I mean you have to resolve something I mean you have to right you you have to start with the right you you have to start with the right you you have to start with the problem [laughter] problem [laughter] problem [laughter] >> that's the key that is the most >> that's the key that is the most >> that's the key that is the most important thing important thing important thing >> and that's how now how [snorts] we think >> and that's how now how [snorts] we think >> and that's how now how [snorts] we think we are organizing around problems we are organizing around problems we are organizing around problems >> and then capabilities that can solve >> and then capabilities that can solve >> and then capabilities that can solve those problems those problems those problems >> big problems wicked problems right and >> big problems wicked problems right and >> big problems wicked problems right and people are saying oh you know like those people are saying oh you know like those people are saying oh you know like those are like big problems it's just very are like big problems it's just very are like big problems it's just very hard to just think about if the wicked hard to just think about if the wicked hard to just think about if the wicked problem is you know uh hunger and if problem is you know uh hunger and if problem is you know uh hunger and if you're doing vertical farming you're doing vertical farming you're doing vertical farming you are contributing towards that you are contributing towards that you are contributing towards that solving that big wicked problem solving that big wicked problem solving that big wicked problem >> but at a different scale >> but at a different scale >> but at a different scale >> but the thing is now your [snorts] idea

>> but the thing is now your [snorts] idea >> but the thing is now your [snorts] idea has the capability and has the potential has the capability and has the potential has the capability and has the potential to get to solving the hunger problem to get to solving the hunger problem to get to solving the hunger problem >> globally and how many governments how >> globally and how many governments how >> globally and how many governments how many politicians, how many companies are many politicians, how many companies are many politicians, how many companies are going to support you? going to support you? going to support you? >> Right? >> Right? >> Right? >> Even if you're doing like this small >> Even if you're doing like this small >> Even if you're doing like this small teeny beanie thing in Houston, teeny beanie thing in Houston, teeny beanie thing in Houston, >> now you have the potential, the >> now you have the potential, the >> now you have the potential, the trajectory to become that big huge trajectory to become that big huge trajectory to become that big huge company. company. company. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Because you're solving a real problem. >> Because you're solving a real problem. >> Because you're solving a real problem. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> You're solving the brain rot and you're, >> You're solving the brain rot and you're, >> You're solving the brain rot and you're, you know, preventing kids uh from being, you know, preventing kids uh from being, you know, preventing kids uh from being, you know, um human traffked. you know, um human traffked. you know, um human traffked. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. and you know uh uh all this >> Right. and you know uh uh all this >> Right. and you know uh uh all this social anxiety because of all the social social anxiety because of all the social social anxiety because of all the social network and all this stuff network and all this stuff network and all this stuff >> right >> right >> right >> right what we're saying build around >> right what we're saying build around >> right what we're saying build around solving a problem and a capability that solving a problem and a capability that solving a problem and a capability that can help solving that problem can help solving that problem can help solving that problem >> and then do it on a purpose that people >> and then do it on a purpose that people >> and then do it on a purpose that people would join you and always always go would join you and always always go would join you and always always go backwards from customers backwards from customers backwards from customers >> right >> right >> right >> competition is good but the person that >> competition is good but the person that >> competition is good but the person that is going to pay for you is your customer is going to pay for you is your customer is going to pay for you is your customer not your competition not your competition not your competition >> right and then going back to research >> right and then going back to research >> right and then going back to research with that. I shout out to Paul who Paul with that. I shout out to Paul who Paul with that. I shout out to Paul who Paul O'Brien from Austin who who really O'Brien from Austin who who really O'Brien from Austin who who really instilled this from the beginning how instilled this from the beginning how instilled this from the beginning how marketing is your research and and it's marketing is your research and and it's marketing is your research and and it's not just you putting flyers out there or not just you putting flyers out there or not just you putting flyers out there or you um like putting a show out there or you um like putting a show out there or you um like putting a show out there or something like you have to again listen something like you have to again listen something like you have to again listen to the feedback. You have to you have to

to the feedback. You have to you have to to the feedback. You have to you have to know how to process that. You have to know how to process that. You have to know how to process that. You have to have systems in place so that you're have systems in place so that you're have systems in place so that you're actually defining your product, your actually defining your product, your actually defining your product, your market product fit. market product fit. market product fit. >> Because then if not, >> Because then if not, >> Because then if not, >> if you're just if you're just building >> if you're just if you're just building >> if you're just if you're just building something and just putting it out there something and just putting it out there something and just putting it out there and not listening to to anything that's and not listening to to anything that's and not listening to to anything that's coming back, like how do you how do you coming back, like how do you how do you coming back, like how do you how do you how again, how are you innovating? How how again, how are you innovating? How how again, how are you innovating? How are you paying attention to to what's are you paying attention to to what's are you paying attention to to what's around you? It's just it's um yeah, it's around you? It's just it's um yeah, it's around you? It's just it's um yeah, it's it's silly if you if you really think it's silly if you if you really think it's silly if you if you really think about it. about it. about it. >> Absolutely. research and especially like >> Absolutely. research and especially like >> Absolutely. research and especially like building think tanks around problems building think tanks around problems building think tanks around problems >> is the key to solve big problems, >> is the key to solve big problems, >> is the key to solve big problems, >> right? And and we are using a startup >> right? And and we are using a startup >> right? And and we are using a startup method which means we don't know the method which means we don't know the method which means we don't know the solution, solution, solution, >> right? >> right? >> right? >> We have all the methods, all the >> We have all the methods, all the >> We have all the methods, all the frameworks, everything that you can frameworks, everything that you can frameworks, everything that you can think of. think of. think of. >> These are our guides. But if somebody >> These are our guides. But if somebody >> These are our guides. But if somebody tell us um are you solving the startup tell us um are you solving the startup tell us um are you solving the startup problem in Houston? problem in Houston? problem in Houston? Not really. We are just trying to find Not really. We are just trying to find Not really. We are just trying to find the solution by experimentation. We are the solution by experimentation. We are the solution by experimentation. We are like like any other startup like we're like like any other startup like we're like like any other startup like we're doing like experimentation and doing like experimentation and doing like experimentation and innovation cycles.

innovation cycles. innovation cycles. >> We just say oh you know if we bring >> We just say oh you know if we bring >> We just say oh you know if we bring people together what's going to happen. people together what's going to happen. people together what's going to happen. We just do it right We just do it right We just do it right >> you know [laughter] and we try and then >> you know [laughter] and we try and then >> you know [laughter] and we try and then we see what happen right it's not like we see what happen right it's not like we see what happen right it's not like oh we know all the answers. If you have oh we know all the answers. If you have oh we know all the answers. If you have any problem with a startup ecosystem any problem with a startup ecosystem any problem with a startup ecosystem come to us. That's not the truth come to us. That's not the truth come to us. That's not the truth >> right? We are we are like any other >> right? We are we are like any other >> right? We are we are like any other human, right? human, right? human, right? >> We're just asking the questions because >> We're just asking the questions because >> We're just asking the questions because that's that's how [clears throat] that's that's how [clears throat] that's that's how [clears throat] research starts, right? It always starts research starts, right? It always starts research starts, right? It always starts from your question from your question from your question >> and we document those, right? And then >> and we document those, right? And then >> and we document those, right? And then with the power of media, with the power of media, with the power of media, >> all of our shows, we're documenting >> all of our shows, we're documenting >> all of our shows, we're documenting those. those. those. >> We're putting them together and we have >> We're putting them together and we have >> We're putting them together and we have partners again, we have like fantastic, partners again, we have like fantastic, partners again, we have like fantastic, you know, partners that they can you know, partners that they can you know, partners that they can broadcast it, they can make it viral. broadcast it, they can make it viral. broadcast it, they can make it viral. >> And that's the that's the power. And >> And that's the that's the power. And >> And that's the that's the power. And we're giving people that they don't we're giving people that they don't we're giving people that they don't [snorts] have a voice here to have a [snorts] have a voice here to have a [snorts] have a voice here to have a voice. voice. voice. is uncensored, is unfiltered. You know, is uncensored, is unfiltered. You know, is uncensored, is unfiltered. You know, you have a show coach unfiltered, but you have a show coach unfiltered, but you have a show coach unfiltered, but you know, all the all the shows are you know, all the all the shows are you know, all the all the shows are unfiltered. unfiltered. unfiltered. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> If you think about the DFO, the >> If you think about the DFO, the >> If you think about the DFO, the community and bridging that gap uh and community and bridging that gap uh and community and bridging that gap uh and the ecosystem, the ecosystem, the ecosystem, DFO gives you the guidance. DFO shows DFO gives you the guidance. DFO shows DFO gives you the guidance. DFO shows you what is end to end journey of the you what is end to end journey of the you what is end to end journey of the startup to be funded. It doesn't show startup to be funded. It doesn't show startup to be funded. It doesn't show you to become successful. It shows you you to become successful. It shows you you to become successful. It shows you how to get funded.

how to get funded. how to get funded. >> That's one thing I wanted to be very >> That's one thing I wanted to be very >> That's one thing I wanted to be very clear about. It doesn't show the DFO clear about. It doesn't show the DFO clear about. It doesn't show the DFO doesn't set your your vision. It's a doesn't set your your vision. It's a doesn't set your your vision. It's a guide to get funded from a VC guide to get funded from a VC guide to get funded from a VC perspective, but no VC is sharing with perspective, but no VC is sharing with perspective, but no VC is sharing with you their their deal and their steps you their their deal and their steps you their their deal and their steps because it's just their it's just their because it's just their it's just their because it's just their it's just their own thing. But just imagine becoming a own thing. But just imagine becoming a own thing. But just imagine becoming a part of an ecosystem that is built based part of an ecosystem that is built based part of an ecosystem that is built based on the steps that we see uh takes and on the steps that we see uh takes and on the steps that we see uh takes and the process that they implement to the process that they implement to the process that they implement to evaluate a company will help you will evaluate a company will help you will evaluate a company will help you will guide you to get prepared and get guide you to get prepared and get guide you to get prepared and get funded. funded. funded. >> Yeah. I think I think something that >> Yeah. I think I think something that >> Yeah. I think I think something that we've discussed a lot is is how you we've discussed a lot is is how you we've discussed a lot is is how you derisk things, right? Mh. derisk things, right? Mh. derisk things, right? Mh. >> And and how you have to think about >> And and how you have to think about >> And and how you have to think about d-risking investment from the beginning. d-risking investment from the beginning. d-risking investment from the beginning. >> Yeah. Absolutely. >> Yeah. Absolutely. >> Yeah. Absolutely. >> And so and so when you're already >> And so and so when you're already >> And so and so when you're already building on a problem and you already building on a problem and you already building on a problem and you already have an ecosystem behind you, how much have an ecosystem behind you, how much have an ecosystem behind you, how much de-risking is happening just in those de-risking is happening just in those de-risking is happening just in those co-creations and in and in the and in co-creations and in and in the and in co-creations and in and in the and in the foundation that you can tap into and the foundation that you can tap into and the foundation that you can tap into and just again the that's the value of of an just again the that's the value of of an just again the that's the value of of an ecosystem. That's the value of having ecosystem. That's the value of having ecosystem. That's the value of having people around you that care about your people around you that care about your people around you that care about your growth and care about the problems that growth and care about the problems that growth and care about the problems that you're solving. I think more than you're solving. I think more than you're solving. I think more than anything anything anything >> that's that's that's exact. And you know >> that's that's that's exact. And you know >> that's that's that's exact. And you know when I [snorts] worked as a VC when I [snorts] worked as a VC when I [snorts] worked as a VC I learned one thing be coachable.

I learned one thing be coachable. I learned one thing be coachable. You know You know You know I was one of those startup founders 15 I was one of those startup founders 15 I was one of those startup founders 15 20 years ago that I was just my idea is 20 years ago that I was just my idea is 20 years ago that I was just my idea is the best idea. None of you understand the best idea. None of you understand the best idea. None of you understand what what I'm saying. [snorts] All of what what I'm saying. [snorts] All of what what I'm saying. [snorts] All of you are I'm sorry, excuse my language, you are I'm sorry, excuse my language, you are I'm sorry, excuse my language, idiots. And I'm building the next big idiots. And I'm building the next big idiots. And I'm building the next big thing and no one really understand that. thing and no one really understand that. thing and no one really understand that. >> Yes. But >> Yes. But >> Yes. But >> yeah, how far did that get you? >> yeah, how far did that get you? >> yeah, how far did that get you? >> You need you need to [laughter] and then >> You need you need to [laughter] and then >> You need you need to [laughter] and then Yeah, exactly. Just just just just Yeah, exactly. Just just just just Yeah, exactly. Just just just just imagine. And when people just, hey, Ben, imagine. And when people just, hey, Ben, imagine. And when people just, hey, Ben, uh yeah, I have a [snorts] question uh yeah, I have a [snorts] question uh yeah, I have a [snorts] question here. No, no, no, no, no questions. No here. No, no, no, no, no questions. No here. No, no, no, no, no questions. No soup for you. Uh soup for you. Uh soup for you. Uh [snorts] it's important to be coachable. [snorts] it's important to be coachable. [snorts] it's important to be coachable. is important to learn to listen and is is important to learn to listen and is is important to learn to listen and is important to learn to ask question. important to learn to ask question. important to learn to ask question. When people ask you question, when When people ask you question, when When people ask you question, when people criticize you, people criticize you, people criticize you, you should learn to listen. you should learn to listen. you should learn to listen. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Even right now sometimes >> Even right now sometimes >> Even right now sometimes I'm so bullish about some of our uh you I'm so bullish about some of our uh you I'm so bullish about some of our uh you know um principles building this know um principles building this know um principles building this ecosystem when people just you know ecosystem when people just you know ecosystem when people just you know question it or criticize it, I'm just I question it or criticize it, I'm just I question it or criticize it, I'm just I snap sometimes. But then I just okay you snap sometimes. But then I just okay you snap sometimes. But then I just okay you need to keep it cool you need you need need to keep it cool you need you need need to keep it cool you need you need to calm down listen and learn to calm down listen and learn to calm down listen and learn >> right because it is all feedback right >> right because it is all feedback right >> right because it is all feedback right it's all it's all signals it's all it's all it's all signals it's all it's all it's all signals it's all >> exactly you know maybe there is like you >> exactly you know maybe there is like you >> exactly you know maybe there is like you know the there is a say in innovation know the there is a say in innovation know the there is a say in innovation >> there's 1% or 10% >> there's 1% or 10% >> there's 1% or 10% uh value in any feedback instead of uh value in any feedback instead of uh value in any feedback instead of shutting it down any idea any innovative

shutting it down any idea any innovative shutting it down any idea any innovative idea instead of shutting it down just idea instead of shutting it down just idea instead of shutting it down just think about of that 10% and build on top think about of that 10% and build on top think about of that 10% and build on top of it when somebody says something you of it when somebody says something you of it when somebody says something you you can just say what I like about this you can just say what I like about this you can just say what I like about this idea is and then you are innovating idea is and then you are innovating idea is and then you are innovating you're not blocking other people to you're not blocking other people to you're not blocking other people to cocreate with you cocreate with you cocreate with you >> right >> right >> right >> and that's the value of surrounding >> and that's the value of surrounding >> and that's the value of surrounding yourself with good people and then yourself with good people and then yourself with good people and then listening to them listening to them listening to them >> right >> right >> right >> you know if you're part of like an >> you know if you're part of like an >> you know if you're part of like an ecosystem and you don't want to listen ecosystem and you don't want to listen ecosystem and you don't want to listen to anybody to anybody to anybody >> what value you get right you don't want >> what value you get right you don't want >> what value you get right you don't want to co-create what value you get to co-create what value you get to co-create what value you get >> so it's it's just a lot of things and >> so it's it's just a lot of things and >> so it's it's just a lot of things and that's where we're saying the startup that's where we're saying the startup that's where we're saying the startup mindset that why VCs are looking for you mindset that why VCs are looking for you mindset that why VCs are looking for you know second time third time know second time third time know second time third time entrepreneurs entrepreneurs entrepreneurs because they have done this they have because they have done this they have because they have done this they have been there been there been there >> right they have been like so stubborn >> right they have been like so stubborn >> right they have been like so stubborn the first time they learned their lesson the first time they learned their lesson the first time they learned their lesson they became like coachable the second they became like coachable the second they became like coachable the second time and now on the third time time and now on the third time time and now on the third time >> they're humble yeah just [laughter] tell >> they're humble yeah just [laughter] tell >> they're humble yeah just [laughter] tell me what do you think and they start me what do you think and they start me what do you think and they start asking question rather than uh making a asking question rather than uh making a asking question rather than uh making a statements statements statements >> hey what do you think about this idea oh >> hey what do you think about this idea oh >> hey what do you think about this idea oh yeah I think oh That's great. Uh what I yeah I think oh That's great. Uh what I yeah I think oh That's great. Uh what I really like about your feedback is and I really like about your feedback is and I really like about your feedback is and I feel like I can do that. What do you feel like I can do that. What do you feel like I can do that. What do you think about it? And then they just build think about it? And then they just build think about it? And then they just build on top of it.

on top of it. on top of it. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Um one VC I work with, he was just you >> Um one VC I work with, he was just you >> Um one VC I work with, he was just you know a startup funding is his marriage. know a startup funding is his marriage. know a startup funding is his marriage. I don't want to work with uh uh you know I don't want to work with uh uh you know I don't want to work with uh uh you know bad [laughter] bad [laughter] bad [laughter] uh startup founders. And he was just uh startup founders. And he was just uh startup founders. And he was just serious about that, serious about that, serious about that, >> right? like when he was going and let me >> right? like when he was going and let me >> right? like when he was going and let me tell you what some of the VCs I I work tell you what some of the VCs I I work tell you what some of the VCs I I work with them they irritates the startup with them they irritates the startup with them they irritates the startup founders intentionally founders intentionally founders intentionally they push the button they push the button they push the button >> so they want to see how they react like >> so they want to see how they react like >> so they want to see how they react like it's kind exactly where is the limit it's kind exactly where is the limit it's kind exactly where is the limit right and that's like when you are on right and that's like when you are on right and that's like when you are on your earliest stage that's that's what your earliest stage that's that's what your earliest stage that's that's what we're saying the bridge right the we're saying the bridge right the we're saying the bridge right the earliest stage and institutional earliest stage and institutional earliest stage and institutional institutional is all about your institutional is all about your institutional is all about your capacity, your ability to execute, capacity, your ability to execute, capacity, your ability to execute, [snorts] [snorts] [snorts] your resilience, your resilience, your resilience, right? right? right? >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> So where they can push your button like >> So where they can push your button like >> So where they can push your button like you know how they can get you really mad you know how they can get you really mad you know how they can get you really mad and angry, where is your limit?

and angry, where is your limit? and angry, where is your limit? >> Yeah. What do you do under pressure, >> Yeah. What do you do under pressure, >> Yeah. What do you do under pressure, >> right? You know, how do you handle the >> right? You know, how do you handle the >> right? You know, how do you handle the stress? Mhm. stress? Mhm. stress? Mhm. >> And when you pitch sometimes they love >> And when you pitch sometimes they love >> And when you pitch sometimes they love the pitch they but the pitch they but the pitch they but >> they start like asking really really >> they start like asking really really >> they start like asking really really really bad questions like things that really bad questions like things that really bad questions like things that like like again I was the founder and I like like again I was the founder and I like like again I was the founder and I really love my idea. I was just like really love my idea. I was just like really love my idea. I was just like this guy is an idiot. this guy is an idiot. this guy is an idiot. >> No, he's not an idiot. >> No, he's not an idiot. >> No, he's not an idiot. >> He's testing you. >> He's testing you. >> He's testing you. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Right. Mhm. >> Right. Mhm. >> Right. Mhm. >> And that's where when you go to an >> And that's where when you go to an >> And that's where when you go to an ecosystem and you get the opportunity to ecosystem and you get the opportunity to ecosystem and you get the opportunity to pitch to somebody that is an business pitch to somebody that is an business pitch to somebody that is an business expert, just don't go to convince them expert, just don't go to convince them expert, just don't go to convince them you have a good idea. Go get their you have a good idea. Go get their you have a good idea. Go get their reaction, reaction, reaction, >> right? >> right? >> right? >> Go get the objections >> Go get the objections >> Go get the objections and that's how the deal for embed in and that's how the deal for embed in and that's how the deal for embed in ecosystem. The way a VC look at it. What ecosystem. The way a VC look at it. What ecosystem. The way a VC look at it. What is the value? The value is as a founder is the value? The value is as a founder is the value? The value is as a founder we don't have access to a VC at the we don't have access to a VC at the we don't have access to a VC at the other of the other end of the email or other of the other end of the email or other of the other end of the email or the line or in a room that can answer the line or in a room that can answer the line or in a room that can answer our questions that we can validate with our questions that we can validate with our questions that we can validate with them. Even I have been like very lucky them. Even I have been like very lucky them. Even I have been like very lucky being in a rooms with LPS being in a rooms with LPS being in a rooms with LPS that they invest that they invest that they invest right and I ask questions what do you right and I ask questions what do you right and I ask questions what do you think about our thesis in our fund? Mhm.

think about our thesis in our fund? Mhm. think about our thesis in our fund? Mhm. >> Oh, I feel like this is like and then um >> Oh, I feel like this is like and then um >> Oh, I feel like this is like and then um would you invest in our fund? would you invest in our fund? would you invest in our fund? >> Yes, but oh, okay, you we're going to >> Yes, but oh, okay, you we're going to >> Yes, but oh, okay, you we're going to work on it work on it work on it >> because how many [snorts] times you get >> because how many [snorts] times you get >> because how many [snorts] times you get like an you know the opportunity to sit like an you know the opportunity to sit like an you know the opportunity to sit with LP a billionaire that you know can with LP a billionaire that you know can with LP a billionaire that you know can tell you what he thinks about your fund tell you what he thinks about your fund tell you what he thinks about your fund >> and if he wants to invest and be a part >> and if he wants to invest and be a part >> and if he wants to invest and be a part of what you are deploying the his money. of what you are deploying the his money. of what you are deploying the his money. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. So that's kind of like the value >> Right. So that's kind of like the value >> Right. So that's kind of like the value of the co-creation. That's the value of of the co-creation. That's the value of of the co-creation. That's the value of building a part of an ecosystem and building a part of an ecosystem and building a part of an ecosystem and going through going through going through steps that are in a default that no one steps that are in a default that no one steps that are in a default that no one really teaches any the startups. really teaches any the startups. really teaches any the startups. >> Yeah. Yeah. There's so much that again >> Yeah. Yeah. There's so much that again >> Yeah. Yeah. There's so much that again there's so much that we have learned in there's so much that we have learned in there's so much that we have learned in the past few months just from knowing the past few months just from knowing the past few months just from knowing you um and everybody in the ecosystem you um and everybody in the ecosystem you um and everybody in the ecosystem and we knew some of it but the and we knew some of it but the and we knew some of it but the technicalities and all the little technicalities and all the little technicalities and all the little details that you have to that you have details that you have to that you have details that you have to that you have to know about we'll keep talking about to know about we'll keep talking about to know about we'll keep talking about them them them >> in the future. U if you want to look at >> in the future. U if you want to look at >> in the future. U if you want to look at our page go noblefounder.com our page go noblefounder.com our page go noblefounder.com uh just so you can see more about what uh just so you can see more about what uh just so you can see more about what we're doing and what we're building um we're doing and what we're building um we're doing and what we're building um and how you can get involved. Um, I and how you can get involved. Um, I and how you can get involved. Um, I think we're out of time. Any last words?

think we're out of time. Any last words? think we're out of time. Any last words? >> Um, >> Um, >> Um, we really invite everybody that is we really invite everybody that is we really invite everybody that is building in a startup ecosystem and we building in a startup ecosystem and we building in a startup ecosystem and we need great solutions. We need uh really need great solutions. We need uh really need great solutions. We need uh really good startup founders that they can join good startup founders that they can join good startup founders that they can join us and they can contribute and we can us and they can contribute and we can us and they can contribute and we can become even their customers, right? become even their customers, right? become even their customers, right? >> Mhm. Uh we are very open about what we >> Mhm. Uh we are very open about what we >> Mhm. Uh we are very open about what we do. Um we're very open about we wanted do. Um we're very open about we wanted do. Um we're very open about we wanted to co-create. to co-create. to co-create. >> Um what we're building is just like the >> Um what we're building is just like the >> Um what we're building is just like the infrastructure. infrastructure. infrastructure. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And if you have something that can be >> And if you have something that can be >> And if you have something that can be integrated into what we're building, if integrated into what we're building, if integrated into what we're building, if if you have a platform that people can if you have a platform that people can if you have a platform that people can um you know hang out online, come and um you know hang out online, come and um you know hang out online, come and join us. If you have a platform that join us. If you have a platform that join us. If you have a platform that does advance document processing, right? does advance document processing, right? does advance document processing, right? it advanced uh you know dealful um uh it advanced uh you know dealful um uh it advanced uh you know dealful um uh integrations to other systems like there integrations to other systems like there integrations to other systems like there are many other systems that we need to are many other systems that we need to are many other systems that we need to get integrated get integrated get integrated >> right if you have something that can >> right if you have something that can >> right if you have something that can help us with secure um you know data help us with secure um you know data help us with secure um you know data rooms data processing rooms data processing rooms data processing >> anything that you can think of that can >> anything that you can think of that can >> anything that you can think of that can advance the the startup journey and the advance the the startup journey and the advance the the startup journey and the startup ecosystem just come and see us startup ecosystem just come and see us startup ecosystem just come and see us >> yeah and I think also to the problem >> yeah and I think also to the problem >> yeah and I think also to the problem owners right and any investors and and owners right and any investors and and owners right and any investors and and any funders um any funders um any funders um >> that because we all we all see >> that because we all we all see >> that because we all we all see >> the world in different ways, right?

>> the world in different ways, right? >> the world in different ways, right? >> Like from your experience there there's >> Like from your experience there there's >> Like from your experience there there's a reason why I saw human trafficking. a reason why I saw human trafficking. a reason why I saw human trafficking. >> Yep. Absolutely. >> Yep. Absolutely. >> Yep. Absolutely. >> There's a reason why Shaka sees food >> There's a reason why Shaka sees food >> There's a reason why Shaka sees food security, right? There's a reason and security, right? There's a reason and security, right? There's a reason and and everybody sees something different. and everybody sees something different. and everybody sees something different. And so if you have a problem and maybe And so if you have a problem and maybe And so if you have a problem and maybe you haven't even thought of building you haven't even thought of building you haven't even thought of building something like just come come figure out something like just come come figure out something like just come come figure out come come hang out with us and see what come come hang out with us and see what come come hang out with us and see what you could build. Like if you if you've you could build. Like if you if you've you could build. Like if you if you've identified a problem that you're like identified a problem that you're like identified a problem that you're like why isn't anybody doing anything about why isn't anybody doing anything about why isn't anybody doing anything about this and you want to do something about this and you want to do something about this and you want to do something about this come do something about it. this come do something about it. this come do something about it. >> Absolutely. I remember we had like after >> Absolutely. I remember we had like after >> Absolutely. I remember we had like after one of our shows we had like a round one of our shows we had like a round one of our shows we had like a round table that people sitting like one table that people sitting like one table that people sitting like one person was representing a big community person was representing a big community person was representing a big community that they have needs that all the other that they have needs that all the other that they have needs that all the other startups can you know uh provide. startups can you know uh provide. startups can you know uh provide. >> We're looking for those type of >> We're looking for those type of >> We're looking for those type of conversations. If you're a problem conversations. If you're a problem conversations. If you're a problem owner, if you're building a community, owner, if you're building a community, owner, if you're building a community, if you have a business that has if you have a business that has if you have a business that has different needs, come here. You know, different needs, come here. You know, different needs, come here. You know, there are startups here. They're really there are startups here. They're really there are startups here. They're really good problem solvers and and you know good problem solvers and and you know good problem solvers and and you know [snorts] we can we can join forces and [snorts] we can we can join forces and [snorts] we can we can join forces and there are many many smart people here there are many many smart people here there are many many smart people here that they can help you that they can help you that they can help you >> you know.

>> you know. >> you know. >> Yeah. So let's solve problems together >> Yeah. So let's solve problems together >> Yeah. So let's solve problems together because there's a lot of them and because there's a lot of them and because there's a lot of them and they're pretty wicked. they're pretty wicked. they're pretty wicked. >> Mhm. [laughter] >> Mhm. [laughter] >> Mhm. [laughter] >> So yeah um this was episode 11 bridging >> So yeah um this was episode 11 bridging >> So yeah um this was episode 11 bridging the gap between early stage uh funding the gap between early stage uh funding the gap between early stage uh funding and institutional investment. Um again I and institutional investment. Um again I and institutional investment. Um again I am Roselia and this is Ben. Shout out to am Roselia and this is Ben. Shout out to am Roselia and this is Ben. Shout out to 801 Travis um and the innovation hub who 801 Travis um and the innovation hub who 801 Travis um and the innovation hub who are our amazing partners as well as Iron are our amazing partners as well as Iron are our amazing partners as well as Iron Grove and Approachable um and just Grove and Approachable um and just Grove and Approachable um and just special shout outs to Megan and Larry special shout outs to Megan and Larry special shout outs to Megan and Larry and Shaka who are in the audience number and Shaka who are in the audience number and Shaka who are in the audience number one fans. We love you guys. one fans. We love you guys. one fans. We love you guys. Shout out to anybody that watched Shout out to anybody that watched Shout out to anybody that watched online. Um and if you want to look at online. Um and if you want to look at online. Um and if you want to look at our other episodes, they are on our our other episodes, they are on our our other episodes, they are on our YouTube page. Um, so check them out and YouTube page. Um, so check them out and YouTube page. Um, so check them out and we'll see you next week, same time. Bye.