"Stop Pitching and Just Go Build It" - Fireside Chat with McKeever "Mac" Conwell II & Derek Andersen

TL;DR

Matt Conwell shares his journey of investing in Founders, building relationships, and balancing family and work.

Transcript

let's give a big startup grind welcome for Matt Conwell let's see it get up let's hear it let's see it let's see [Applause] it too [Applause] much I feel like I've got like your Twitter it's like a real life version of your Twitter comments just like right here in the room is that is that normal when you go speak somewhere yeah like how did that ha... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Twitter presence led to the creation of a fund supporting underrepresented Founders.
• 🏛️ Building relationships with investors involves seeking advice, sharing progress, and maintaining humility and confidence.
• 🫡 Investing in exceptional Founders involves flexibility, high emotional intelligence, and respect for teammates.
• 🥅 Overcoming personal hardships can drive motivation and resilience in pursuing entrepreneurial goals.
• 👪 Balancing family and startup demands requires prioritizing quality time and effective delegation.
• 🏛️ Founders should focus on solving real problems, gaining traction, and building rapport with investors.
• 🏛️ Building a diversified portfolio of companies across different markets can yield unique opportunities and growth.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Matt Conwell's Twitter presence lead to the creation of a fund?

Matt started sharing thoughts on Twitter, which led to meeting a Founder in need of funding. This encounter sparked the idea to start a fund, supported by VCs he engaged with.

Q: What does it mean to invest in exceptional Founders according to Matt Conwell?

Investing in exceptional Founders goes beyond financials; it includes flexible thinking, high emotional intelligence, respect for teammates, and the ability to adapt to challenges.

Q: How did Matt Conwell overcome personal hardships to achieve success?

Conwell faced homelessness and personal setbacks but turned them into motivation to succeed. Building resilience, seizing opportunities, and learning from failures were key factors in his journey.

Q: How can Founders build relationships with investors and balance humility and confidence?

Founders should seek advice, share progress updates, ask thoughtful questions, and be open to feedback. Balancing humility with confidence helps in building rapport and trust with investors.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Matt Conwell started by sharing his thoughts on Twitter, leading to the creation of a fund to invest in underrepresented Founders.

• Through engaging with VCs, building a strong voice, and vulnerability, Conwell raised $3 million in funds.

• Balancing family and work, building relationships with investors, and focusing on solving real problems for customers are key aspects of his journey.