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Money Moves with Neil Devani
Money Moves is the podcast about fundraising, investing, and building in the world of venture capital and startups. Hosted by Neil Devani, it's perfect for pre-seed founders, venture capitalists, and anyone interested in raising capital, making smart investments in new technologies, and building great businesses.
Each week, Neil and his guests share stories and practical advice from people who’ve successfully pitched ideas, closed investors, and navigated the acquisition process. From raising hundreds of millions of dollars to delivering 10x+ returns to investors, the achievements of our guests speak for themselves.
Join us on Money Moves to hear about their successes and failures in the world of venture capital investing and startups.
Money Moves with Neil Devani
016 Danielle Strachman of 1517 Fund on going from Educating to Investing in Dropouts and Working with Peter Thiel
In this episode of Money Moves, Neil interviews Danielle Strachman, co-founder of 1517 Fund and a trailblazer in venture capital, to explore her journey from founding a charter school to launching a venture firm rooted in supporting nontraditional entrepreneurs.
Danielle shares the story and excitement behind her successful investments, including Luminar Technologies and Loom, as well as her experience with Peter Thiel’s fellowship program, which inspired 1517’s focus on dropout founders and frontier tech.
Danielle discusses the challenges and rewards of raising venture capital funds, adapting to market shifts such as the downturn in 2008, and fostering innovation outside traditional academic and corporate systems. Danielle’s candid insights on team dynamics, founder resilience, and the importance of personal motivation make this episode a must-listen for anyone navigating the startup ecosystem.
Topics Discussed in the Episode:
- The origins of 1517 Fund and its mission to support dropout founders and frontier tech
- Key lessons learned from early investments in companies like Luminar Technologies and Loom
- The journey from starting a charter school, to supporting the Thiel Fellowship and then on to starting 1517
- Challenges in raising venture capital for young, unproven founders
- The importance of founder motivation, wonder, and team dynamics in building scalable businesses
Connect with Danielle Strachman:
Danielle Strachman - San Francisco Bay Area | Professional Profile | LinkedIn