Andrew Cleland: Chief Investment Officer, Techstars
In this episode, Andrew Cleland who is the Chief Investment Officer of Techstars, shares his journey from early career interests to significant roles at Techstars and Time Warner. He discusses his entrepreneurial beginnings and the transition to Time Warner post-9/11, emphasizing talent attraction and retention strategies. Andrew reflects on his experiences at Comcast Ventures, offering career advice on upskilling and distinguishing between venture capital and private equity skills. The conversation delves into Techstars' role in the venture market, investing in deep tech, AI's impact, and accelerator acceptance criteria. Andrew concludes with insights on knowing your business, focusing on early-stage startups, and the importance of giving back.
Key Points
- Andrew Cleanland's diverse experience from founding a music startup to leading investment strategies at major corporations like Time Warner and Comcast Ventures underlines the importance of adaptability and leveraging unique opportunities.
- The value of mentorship and detailed knowledge of one's business is crucial for founders, as demonstrated by Andrew's emphasis on knowing every metric and detail to drive success in early-stage ventures.
- Andrew's advice to "give first" and foster a culture of reciprocal support in the venture capital industry highlights the long-term benefits of building strong, trust-based relationships.
Chapters
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| 54:20 | |
| 59:49 | |
| 1:01:49 |
Transcript
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