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Legendary Football Player 🏈 + Elite Startup Founder🚀 = Top VC Firm!?!

Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:

- In the world of startups and VC, you’ll be surrounded by people with insane success, track records, seniority, and experience. Regardless, it’s important to follow your gut, advocate for your beliefs, and have confidence in your own abilities!

- If you’re starting a career in venture, spend time with as many founders as possible. Founders help shape your investment theses and give you a pulse on the current startup landscape.

I sat down with the amazing Michael Ma, Founding Partner of Liquid 2 Ventures. Michael has a resume that would make any techie swoon. From selling his startup to Google, working as a PM, then creating a top VC firm from scratch, Michael really has done it all. Tune in to episode 015 of New to Venture where we dive deep into family expectations, confidence, Michael's crazy journey and beyond!

Here are some of Michael’s accomplishments:

- Forbes 30 u 30 in VC

- Exited Founder of Talkbin (Acq by Google)

- MBA from Harvard Business School

- Founder of CreatorDAO (Backed by a16z and Initialized)

- Business Insider’s Top 100 Seed Investors

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introductions!

(02:39) - Micheal’s Immigrant Family/Asian Parents

(10:34) - Starting Liquid2 Ventures with Joe Montana

(14:19) - Why Start Your Own Firm?

(19:41) - First Steps to Creating a VC Firm

(21:35) - The Y Combinator Founder Experience

(23:16) - Confidence and Imposter Syndrome

(26:02) - Misses and Mistakes

(28:10) - Highlights and Lowlights

(30:29) - Ceremonial Final Qs