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What most VCs won’t tell you about raising capital

Venture capitalists Ross Fubini (XYZ Ventures) and Leslie Feinzaig (Graham & Walker Ventures) pull back the curtain on how VCs build their own go-to-market strategies— not just how they evaluate startups, but how they win over LPs and founders alike. In this episode of Build Mode, they share hard-won lessons from raising their first funds…

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8 months ago

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Venture capitalists Ross Fubini (XYZ Ventures) and Leslie Feinzaig (Graham & Walker Ventures) pull back the curtain on how VCs build their own go-to-market strategies— not just how they evaluate startups, but how they win over LPs and founders alike. In this episode of Build Mode, they share hard-won lessons from raising their first funds and how that experience allows them to empathize with founders. They discuss why “founder-market fit” applies to VCs too, how authentic thought leadership beats manufactured content, and why the best investor relationships start years before you need the money. Plus, the importance of building trust over transactions and why your network truly is your competitive advantage in venture.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:01 Meet the VCs: From Netscape to Costa Rica
03:06 The Horror Show of Raising a First Fund
05:29 Building a Fund as Proof of Concept
08:52 The Schtick: Why VCs Need a Unique Thesis
11:44 Thought Leadership That Actually Works
15:34 The Qualification Process: Knowing in Two Minutes
19:06 Authentic vs. Manufactured Content
27:59 Building Relationships Before You Need Money
30:00 Founder-Market Fit for VCs
32:52 Key Takeaways: Person, Firm, Terms—In That Order
36:45 Field Notes: Creative Ways VCs Court Founders

New episodes of Build Mode drop every Thursday. Isabelle Johannessen is our host. Build Mode is produced and edited by Maggie Nye. Audience Development is led by Morgan Little. And a special thanks to the Foundry and Cheddar video teams.

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    December 16, 2025 at 1:36 pm

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CNET

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Review: Samsung’s Best and Most Accurate Watch, but Is It Worth $700?

I tested its features, accuracy and battery life, and this is Samsung’s best watch yet. But it’s also the most expensive. Here’s who should splurge on the Ultra 2 and who’s better off with the Galaxy Watch 9. You can find the products mentioned in this article linked below Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2, Titanium Silver,…

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1 day ago

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August 17, 2026

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I tested its features, accuracy and battery life, and this is Samsung’s best watch yet. But it’s also the most expensive. Here’s who should splurge on the Ultra 2 and who’s better off with the Galaxy Watch 9.

You can find the products mentioned in this article linked below
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2, Titanium Silver, 47mm
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2, Titanium Gray, 47mm
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Read more about the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 on CNET.com:
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Review: Better Battery, Better Galaxy Watch

Timecode Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:48 Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Battery
1:16 Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Processor
2:02 Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Design
2:57 Trail Running with the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
3:58 Diving with the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
4:10 Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Health Features
5:45 Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Accuracy
6:21 Should You Buy the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2?

Video Credits:
Host: Vanessa Hand Orellana
Scripted by: Vanessa Hand Orellana
Producer: Celso Bulgatti
Camera: Celso Bulgatti
Video Editor: Celso Bulgatti
Thumbnail Designer: Zooey Liao

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Science & Technology

Mark Zuckerberg Has a Question for AI Doomers

Mark Zuckerberg dropped a 6,500-word letter detailing his vision for “The Path to a Positive AI Future.” Equity takes a closer look at one of his arguments: If you believe AI could eliminate most jobs and humanity’s relevance, why rush to build that future?

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2 days ago

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August 16, 2026

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Mark Zuckerberg dropped a 6,500-word letter detailing his vision for “The Path to a Positive AI Future.”

Equity takes a closer look at one of his arguments: If you believe AI could eliminate most jobs and humanity’s relevance, why rush to build that future?

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Science & Technology

Why Depression Isn’t What You Think | Lisa Monteggia | TED

The idea that depression comes from a chemical imbalance in the brain has shaped treatment for decades. Neuroscientist Lisa Monteggia shares research suggesting that’s not the whole story — and shows how a decades-old drug could upend what we thought we knew about depression, with the potential to offer relief within hours. (Recorded at TEDxNashvilleWomen…

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2 days ago

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August 16, 2026

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The idea that depression comes from a chemical imbalance in the brain has shaped treatment for decades. Neuroscientist Lisa Monteggia shares research suggesting that’s not the whole story — and shows how a decades-old drug could upend what we thought we knew about depression, with the potential to offer relief within hours. (Recorded at TEDxNashvilleWomen on August 21, 2025)

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The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less) — plus originals, podcasts and exclusive content. Look for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design as well as science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit for our entire library, transcripts, translations and personalized recommendations.

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#TED #TEDTalks #Science #Depression

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