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Partner Path
Partner Path is a podcast exploring the venture capital and startup ecosystem through the lens of trailblazing founders and operators. We feature candid conversations with early-stage leaders, offering insight into everything from product execution and go-to-market lessons to scaling teams and navigating growth. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, operator, or just curious about startups, tune in for an inside look at building in today’s ecosystem.
Partner Path
E40: Building Fund I with Leeor Mushin (Formation)
This week, we sat down with Leeor Mushin, General Partner at Formation. Formation is an early-stage fund that partners with founders from day one. We dive into his experience starting a fund at Stanford by investing in his classmates, the journey of building a managed marketplace, and key signals that indicate it's the right time to start a fund. Leeor also shares insights on why 'ugly ducklings' are ripe for disruption, along with his unique approach to sourcing talent and creating a competitive edge for Formation.
Episode Chapters:
- Growing up in Texas - 1:52
- Moving to Stanford - 4:25
- Founding Digital Stairway - 8:55
- Joining Floodgate - 13:32
- Community sourcing - 19:05
- Starting a fund - 23:00
- The "Ugly Duckling" - 29:51
- Founder attributes - 35:45
- Business school or not? - 38:40
- Quick-fire round - 40:30
As always, feel free to contact us at partnerpathpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to hear ideas for content, guests, and overall feedback.
This episode is brought to you by Grata, the world's leading deal sourcing platform. Our AI-powered search, investment-grade data, and intuitive workflows give you the edge needed to find and win deals in your industry. Visit grata.com to schedule a demo today.
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