In this episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Caroline Winnett, Executive Director of Berkeley Skydeck, to explore the evolution and impact of one of the nation’s leading university accelerators. Caroline shares the journey of transforming Skydeck from a modest program into a powerhouse accelerator with a unique funding model that aligns private venture capital with a public university mission.

Listeners will gain a comprehensive understanding of how Berkeley Skydeck leverages a dedicated venture fund to invest in early-stage startups, attracting thousands of applications worldwide and engaging a vast network of alumni and professional advisors.The conversation delves into the selection process, the maturation of founders over the years, and how the accelerator balances supporting Berkeley-affiliated startups while welcoming founders globally. Caroline also discusses the vital role of culture, ecosystem, and university leadership—highlighting how Berkeley’s strategic changes, including faculty tenure policies supportive of entrepreneurship, have fueled innovation on campus.

The episode offers valuable lessons from Caroline’s personal career path, including her experience founding and exiting a neuroscience startup, emphasizing the importance of rigorous scientific validation and customer-centric product development.

Moreover, the podcast touches on Skydeck’s international collaborations, notably with Japan’s JETRO, illustrating how global partnerships are expanding the reach and influence of the program. Caroline provides insights into key success metrics such as follow-on capital raised, internship opportunities for students, and the broader impact on Berkeley’s reputation. This episode is a rich resource for founders, investors, university leaders, and innovation enthusiasts interested in understanding how a research university accelerator can thrive at the intersection of academia and venture capital to nurture startups and foster entrepreneurship at scale.

Learn more about Berkeley SkyDeck: https://skydeck.berkeley.edu/

Connect with Caroline Winnett on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-winnett-5574933/

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In this episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, Kristian Marquez hosts Mathew Lewis, U.S. General Manager and Chief Revenue Officer at Darrow, a company dedicated to uncovering large-scale legal violations and helping plaintiffs, plaintiff firms, insurance companies, and corporates manage risk. Mathew shares Darrow’s unique approach to identifying risks in areas such as data privacy, antitrust, and financial violations, explaining how their legal intelligence and data-driven insights support a broad ecosystem. He discusses the critical role of a chief revenue officer in scaling a company post-Series B funding, emphasizing the importance of deeply understanding clients, iterating quickly, and building efficient sales and marketing teams. Drawing on his extensive background in fintech and regulated markets, Mathew offers career advice for aspiring sales leaders, highlighting listening skills, curiosity, and mentorship as keys to success. The conversation also explores the evolving nature of product-market fit, the value of hybrid work environments, and the importance of hiring A players to drive sustainable growth. Listeners gain a comprehensive view of how Darrow leverages data and legal expertise to create value and the leadership mindset required to grow innovative companies in complex markets.

Learn more about Darrow's work at: https://www.darrow.ai/

Connect with Mathew Keshav Lewis on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keshavlewis/

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In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez interviews David Cross, a venture partner at Rain Capital.

David discusses his journey into venture capital, the importance of cybersecurity, the influence of AI on the industry, and key factors in evaluating startups. David emphasizes the need for passion in founders, the significance of market understanding, and the importance of being adaptable to changes in the market landscape.

Learn more about David's work: https://raincap.vc/

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-b-cross-b856657/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply Here: https://finstratmgmt.com/be-a-podcast-guest/

Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? Check out our website: https://finstratmgmt.com/