Shows
The ClawInvesting in Innovation: How VentureSouth Helps Angel Investors Fuel Southern StartupsIn this episode of The Claw, host Eric Holtzclaw, Chief Strategist at Liger, sits down with Paul Clark—angel investor and co-founder of VentureSouth. Together, they explore how VentureSouth makes startup investing accessible for newcomers and seasoned investors alike, with a special focus on high-growth companies in the Southeastern U.S. Paul shares his journey from medieval history scholar to investment banker to startup backer, and explains how VentureSouth helps everyday investors support local innovation without going it alone. You’ll hear insights on the rise of alternative investments, the value of investing in your own backyard, and...2025-06-1827 minThe ClawInvesting in Innovation: How VentureSouth Helps Angel Investors Fuel Southern StartupsIn this episode of The Claw, host Eric Holtzclaw, Chief Strategist at Liger, sits down with Paul Clark—angel investor and co-founder of VentureSouth. Together, they explore how VentureSouth makes startup investing accessible for newcomers and seasoned investors alike, with a special focus on high-growth companies in the Southeastern U.S. Paul shares his journey from medieval history scholar to investment banker to startup backer, and explains how VentureSouth helps everyday investors support local innovation without going it alone. You’ll hear insights on the rise of alternative investments, the value of investing in your own backyard, and...2025-06-1827 min
Venture In The SouthE170 The Weekly Update and a Discussion on Startup Investing for GenZ and MillennialsS4:E170 The Weekly Update and a discussion with co-host Paul Clark and guest co-host Josh Miller about startup investing for GenZ and Millennials. We’re talking about small investments in Startup Funds that offer diligence, deal flow and diversification at a low cost provided that Congress successfully changes the definition of an Accredited Investor. We’ll be talking more about a rule change for Accredited investors over the next month with Chief Counsel of the Senate Banking Committee which has purview over such a rule change. Next week we will be getting pitches from 3 of my favorite startups from...2025-05-1235 minVenture In The SouthS4:E156 The Weekly Venture Update and How Angel Capital and Venture Capital DifferS4:E156 David opens with the weekly update in Venture, and then Paul joins for a discussion of the differences between Angel Capital Investment and VC Investment. The discussion arose from an article posted on LinkedIn proposing that founders who can't get VC funding shouldn't expect to be able to get Angel funding because they're basically the same. We disagree and present our argument for the difference. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dc-palter_why-angels-are-not-the-answer-for-startups-activity-7285007063242420224-qAk0/https://www.venturesouth.vc/resources/angels-vs-venture-capitalists-substitutes-or-complements(recorded 1.21.25)Follow David and Paul: ...2025-02-0338 minVenture In The SouthE142: Convertible Notes and Responding to CriticismE142: In this three-part episode: - David updates listeners on venture for the week. (Angel investing is not what it used to be!)- David & Paul have a detailed review about Convertible Notes: what they are, why they are used, the benefits and risks for founders and investors, and when they work the best. - then to wrap up Paul outlines and rebuts some recent complaints about early stage investors in the southeast, revealing his addiction to LinkedIn complaining (recorded 10/24/24)For anyone interested in the data underlying some of the more...2024-10-2851 min
Noob SchoolInsights from a Startup Growth Leader: Matt DunbarToday on Noob School, we’re joined by Matt Dunbar, Co-Founder and Managing Director of VentureSouth. With a distinguished career in venture capital, Matt has been instrumental in driving growth for countless startups. In this episode, he shares his journey, the lessons he's learned, and his unique perspective on how venture capital and sales are intertwined. Discover the strategies and insights that have made Matt a key player in the industry, and gain valuable knowledge from his experiences and expertise.
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I'm going to be sharing my secrets on al...2024-07-2636 minVenture In The SouthE127: Introducing the Upstate Upstarts FundE127: South Carolina is surging with founders and startups seeking capital investment. In today's episode, Paul Clark and Dawson Racek of VentureSouth and Venture Carolina recap the Upstate Upstarts List of South Carolina, and discuss how they plan to use list to select the 15-20 most promising Startups for their Upstate Upstarts Fund. They review the rationale for the UU List, the investment thesis for the UU Fund and how it will work. In the second half of the show, Paul then interviews Alan Blakeborough, Founder of Tax Titans, about his tax services marketplace that...2024-07-1526 min
My Morning CupE78 - Jay Shaffer's Morning CupJay Shaffer has had a dynamic career path, from starting in oil rigging and pivoting to lending, then tech and startups, and now angel investing…
In this episode, Jay shares why he’s always prepared to play the cards he’s dealt, how a 4am realization changed the trajectory of his career, and how connections play a big part in finding new opportunities (but sometimes it’s a whole lot of luck too).
Plus, he shares a few tips for all startup founders, especially those who are looking for investors.
...2024-07-0850 minMy Morning CupE78 - Jay Shaffer's Morning CupJay Shaffer has had a dynamic career path, from starting in oil rigging and pivoting to lending, then tech and startups, and now angel investing…
In this episode, Jay shares why he’s always prepared to play the cards he’s dealt, how a 4am realization changed the trajectory of his career, and how connections play a big part in finding new opportunities (but sometimes it’s a whole lot of luck too).
Plus, he shares a few tips for all startup founders, especially those who are looking for investors.
...2024-07-0850 minVenture In The SouthE112: Luminelle Update on Their Breakout Revenue GrowthE112: Luminelle is a surging FemTech startup that was recognized by VentureSouth for >100% YoY revenue growth, albeit from a modest base. 2023 was a breakout year for luminelle because they completed all FDA medical device regulatory requirements, achieved third-party payor acceptance, and gained provider acceptance as the new standard of care for office based uterine diagnostics without anesthesia using their patented micro hysteroscopy system. They are now focused on sales and developing a national partnership with an established industry player.David interviews CEO Allison London Brown for an update on luminelle. Allison previously was on E56 in...2024-04-0128 minVenture In The SouthE107: GaBBY Bows Proves You're Never Too Young To InnovateE107: Hey parents, it turns out you're never too young to innovate! Mother and daughter team Rozalynn and Gabby Goodwin set a new standard for innovation when Gabby pushed her mom to help her solve a common hair care problem with GaBBY Bows when she was just 7 years old. Over the last 10 years, the team has developed multiple patented hair care products that solved an unmet need and grown that business into the brand Confidence. Gabby is now 17 and graduates High School next year. She's using the Confidence brand to finance her college education and a...2024-02-2621 minVenture In The SouthE103: Portfolio Results for 2023In 2023, Early Stage Venture Portfolios experienced a downturn following the robust years of '21 and '22. Media outlets suggest an average decline of around 15% for startup funds in 2023 (though the methodology behind this calculation remains unclear). David and Paul delve into the nuances of reporting results, focusing on Exit Portfolio outcomes measured through the Distributions to Paid In capital (DPI), and Return On Investments (ROI). Additionally, they explore reporting methods for Active Portfolios, emphasizing the valuation of ongoing investments and reporting the current Multiple On Invested Capital (MOIC) or ROI. The conversation digs into the complexities of u...2024-01-2933 minVenture In The SouthE102b Bonus: Upstate UpstartsE102b Bonus: The Upstate Upstarts List is a new effort to promote innovation and business creation in the seven-county Upstate region of South Carolina. The list aims to highlight the early stage companies doing great things in the region. Paul discusses the effort with Charlie Banks (in his role as Executive Director of VentureCarolina, a non-profit focused on Entrepreneur & Investor Education) and Dawson Racek, a Venture Analyst at VentureSouth. (recorded 1/16/24) The Upstate Upstarts List is supported by the Appalachia Regional Commission. Follow David and Paul: https://x.com/D...2024-01-2509 min
Alternative UniverseUnderstanding the World of Angel Investing with Matt DunbarEpisode 004: Angel investing offers a compelling alternative investment strategy for financial advisors and their clients. It presents a unique opportunity for investors to support early-stage ventures, drive job growth, and significantly impact their local economies. However, this asset class requires careful due diligence, investor education, and a well-structured operational model. By partnering with established angel networks, advisors can provide their clients access to a curated pipeline of potential investments and the expertise needed to navigate this market.In this episode of the Alternative Universe, Steve talks with Matt Dunbar, Co-Founder & Managing Director of VentureSouth. They discuss the...2023-12-2633 minVenture In The SouthE98: The State of Southern Venture in 20232023 has proven to be more challenging than rewarding for Venture, marked by a series of disappointments amidst its noteworthy events. This show critically examines and discusses the implications of key occurrences in 2023 that will shape Venture's trajectory into 2024. I am joined by three distinguished experts in the field:Paul Clark, my co-host and Principal at VentureSouth.John Avey, the Director of ATDC, the South's largest and most successful incubator/accelerator.Todd Kirschner, a former West Coast VC turned solo professional Angel Investor now based in Charlotte, NC.Together, we delve into their perspectives on the following topics:2023-12-251h 05Venture In The SouthE88: Understanding SAFEs and Why Angel Investors Try to Avoid ThemSAFE, an acronym for Simple Agreement for Future Equity, represents a widely adopted investment instrument, with the current industry-standard forms available on the YCombinator website. In this insightful interview, David engages in a discussion with Matt Dunbar, a Managing Director at VentureSouth and an expert on SAFEs. The conversation delves into the origins and purpose of the SAFE, and provides a comprehensive examination of its advantages, disadvantages, and evolution with the post-money SAFE in 2018. The discussion further explores the factors contributing to some Angel Investors' reservations about SAFEs, while acknowledging their increasing popularity as...2023-10-1635 minVenture In The SouthBonus SVB FollowupIn this bonus episode, Paul follows up on the E57 SVB Failure podcast, specifically addressing the effects that he has seen on some VentureSouth portfolio companies. Follow David and Paul: https://x.com/DGRollingSouth https://x.com/PalmettoAngel Connect On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidgrisell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulclarkprivateequity/ We invite your feedback and suggestions at www.ventureinthesouth.com or email david@ventureinthesouth.com. Learn more about RollingSouth at rollingsouth.vc or email d...2023-03-1409 min
Buzz+Biz, The Success PodcastEpisode 29: Charlie Banks-VentureSouthIn this episode we cover angel investing with Charlie who is a Co-Founder & Managing Director of VentureSouth, which covers angel investments across the Southeastern US & is based in Greenville, SC.
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/buzzandbiz/support2023-02-2214 minVenture In The SouthE32: Being an effective board member as an angel investorMatt Bailey, VentureSouth's market leader in Greensboro NC, provides some of his greatest contributions to angel investing from serving on the boards of early-stage companies. In today's episode, he shares some of his experiences mentoring CEOs, serving as a sounding board, providing ideas and connections, and keeping a board operating cohesively even during challenging times.Follow David and Paul: https://x.com/DGRollingSouth https://x.com/PalmettoAngel Connect On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidgrisell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulclarkprivateequity/ 2022-09-1921 min
Founder SharesThe one reason startups fail, with VentureSouth's Charlie BanksAs the managing director of VentureSouth, Charlie Banks has invested over $60 million in over 90 companies. Some of them have been amazing success stories - but he’s seen his share of failures as well. Today, he talks about what the founder should be looking for in an investment partner, and he shares the one major reason that startups fail.Hosted by Trevor Schmidt, Founder Shares is brought to you by Hutchison PLLC and is edited and produced by Earfluence.2022-07-2034 min