Hello Reader, – Gopi Rangan, Host of the The Sure Shot Entrepreneur podcast Startup Corner: TaskHuman TaskHuman, a personalized coaching platform backed by Sure Ventures, spotlighted their most-loved webinars of 2024—ranging from leadership growth to holistic well-being. These sessions reflect TaskHuman’s mission to provide scalable, one-on-one coaching for employees across industries. Their success demonstrates how digital-first coaching can help individuals thrive personally and...
25 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, This week, we take a break from interviews with VCs to highlight a non-profit organization close to my heart. As part of Podcasthon’s weeklong initiative, we dedicated this episode to Achieve Kids, a non-public school serving children with special needs. My connection to special needs education began during graduate school when I was a tutor to understand students with learning disabilities. While the job helped pay for my living expenses, it also gave me a profound window into...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, Silicon Valley remains the world's innovation hub, driven by an unmatched spirit of entrepreneurship. However, over the past few decades, vibrant startup ecosystems have emerged across the U.S. and around the globe, nurturing entrepreneurship and producing remarkable companies. While Silicon Valley still leads by a wide margin, I’m always on the lookout for visionary founders across the U.S. In this episode, listen to Allen Taylor as he shares his mission to build thriving...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, Founders are strong believers in the ideas they bring to life. The early investors are strong believers too. Paradoxically, the very same people have to remain skeptical and test the underlying viability throughout the lifetime of the startup. It requires a strong focus on the value proposition and customer pain points to identify the true signal of startup success. This allows founders and their investors to actively navigate (/pivot) to safer ground than running headlong into...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, Last week, I had the privilege of leading a group of international executives on a tour of Silicon Valley. It’s always inspiring to see leaders in awe of cutting-edge technology and the transformative ideas shaping our future. This tour was part of INSEAD’s celebration of the 5th anniversary of its San Francisco campus—a milestone for a truly global institution. While the main conference was insightful, the real magic often happens in the hallways, where side-bar conversations...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, Your attention is valuable, and we never take it for granted, even when you've chosen to open this email. In this edition, venture investor Pablo Srugo shares his insider playbook for founders looking to capture (and keep) investor attention. While I have your attention, don't miss an eye-opening analysis on AI adoption trends from researchers Peter Zemsky and Ricky Wong, who've mined Github data to uncover which companies, regions, and industries are leading the AI revolution....
3 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, Your attention is valuable, and we never take it for granted, even when you've chosen to open this email. In this edition, venture investor Pablo Srugo shares his insider playbook for founders looking to capture (and keep) investor attention. While I have your attention, don't miss an eye-opening analysis on AI adoption trends from researchers Peter Zemsky and Ricky Wong, who've mined Github data to uncover which companies, regions, and industries are leading the AI revolution....
3 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, Ever wonder why successful VC firms seem to get quieter over time? It's a fascinating paradox in venture capital that turns conventional business wisdom on its head. While most businesses work to increase their customer base and market presence over time, venture capital follows a reverse trajectory. New VC firms typically start with a highly visible public presence, actively seeking deal flow from all directions. But as their reputation grows stronger, many choose to step back...
4 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, Nursing and venture capital couldn’t seem more different, right? But Ninni Handal, a nurse from Norway and an intern at Sure Ventures, shares a unique perspective after exploring Silicon Valley and the world of VC. In the essay she published on Linkedin, she draws surprising parallels between caring for patients in hospitals and engaging with founders. The two worlds might be more alike than we think. This week on the podcast, our guest Neil Devani takes a similar approach. With...
5 months ago • 2 min read