DWAVC: Drew Glover | Ep. 37

In this episode of DrinksWithAVC, we sit down with Oakland-native Drew Glover, Co-Founder of Fiat Growth and General Partner at Fiat Ventures, for a masterclass on identity, resilience, and rewriting the rules of venture capital.

Over green juice and kombucha, Drew reflects on growing up with civically minded parents, early lessons in code-switching, and the mindset shifts that carried him from Cal Football to operator roles at startups like Steady, to co-founding a growth consultancy and eventually becoming a mission-driven investor.

You’ll learn how to:

• Nail your fundraising story by focusing on your customer—not your ego
• Build trust with investors (especially if you don’t fit the “Stanford founder” mold)
• Spot startup opportunities that serve overlooked communities
• Use emotional intelligence as a strategic advantage in leadership and venture
• Move from operator to capital allocator with clarity and intention
• Develop a go-to-market strategy and scale user acquisition using the Chime playbook

Drew also offers an unflinching take on the rise and retreat of DEI in venture, why mandates miss the mark, and how his fund continues to outperform without one—because diversity is embedded in who they are.

If you're building something meaningful and want to stand out in a crowded market, this is a must-listen.

Episode links:
www.fiat.vc
www.fiatgrowth.com

Episode timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Drinks With a VC
02:34 Meet Drew Glover: The Pride of Bishop O'Dowd
02:47 Choosing Green Juice Over Alcohol
03:14 The Trend of Drinking Less Alcohol
03:50 Drew's Drink of Choice: Vodka Martinis
04:37 Digital Detox and Drinking Habits
06:09 Bree's Big Reveal: Sobriety and Pregnancy
07:23 Growing Up in Oakland: Drew's Background
07:55 Drew's Parents: Civic-Minded and Inspirational
15:24 The Importance of Code Switching
18:24 Drew's Journey to Cal and Football
23:56 From Football to Venture Capital
25:23 Starting Fiat Growth and Fiat VC
35:36 Fundraising and the Impact of DEI
37:26 The Future of Venture Capital
45:17 The Shift Around Race and Education
45:38 Catastrophic Events and Positive Change
45:57 Diversity in Venture Capital
46:32 Drew's Impressive Portfolio
46:55 The Importance of Representation
48:46 Balancing Good and Success
50:05 Future of Inclusion and Change
52:03 Advice for Underrepresented Founders
52:33 Building Your Own Solutions
54:40 Growth Marketing Fundamentals
55:15 Distribution as a Competitive Moat
56:53 Fiat Growth's Unique Approach
01:05:53 Understanding Customer Personas
01:10:53 Diligence in Venture Capital
01:15:42 Personal Insights and Reflections