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Volume 1 | Episode 2

Going From Operator to Funder

Leo from Humba Ventures shares his journey from software engineer to VC, highlighting the parallels between building and backing startups—and the invaluable lessons gained from meeting countless experts along the way.

Leo Polovets - Info Block Image

Going From Operator to Funder

Episode Description

On the second episode of the Thrive Through Connection Podcast, we welcome Leo Polovets, the General Partner at Humba Ventures and Co-founder of Susa Ventures. Humba Ventures invests in early-stage deep tech startups and is part of the broader Susa Ventures network. Leo joins us to talk about his journey from operator to supporting over 100 companies as an investor at both Humba and Susa.

Before founding Susa, Leo worked as a software engineer at companies like Google and LinkedIn. Since launching Susa with a $25M fund in 2013, the team has raised over $750M across both Susa and Humba Ventures. Leo and the team have had a front-row seat in helping scale a portfolio that includes Robinhood, Flexport, Stord, and many more.

What You'll Learn

What You Can Expect to Learn from Leo

  • Why Leo and Susa Started Small
  • How Seed Stage Companies Can Prepare for a Series A
  • The Importance of Building Relationships Before a Fundraise
  • How Investor Updates Can Create Traction
  • Why Storytelling is Crucial to Raising Capital

Volume 1 | Episode 1

Finding the Right Investors

We welcome Laurel Hess, the CEO and Founder of Hampr. Hampr is an on-demand laundry service that will pick up your laundry and return it fresh and folded, right to your front door, within 24 hours.

Volume 1 | Episode 3

Navigating Investor Relationships

Brett Brohl of Bread & Butter Ventures shares insights on fostering strong relationships between founders and investors, focusing on alignment, communication, and effective fundraising strategies. Practical advice is given on pitching, maintaining updates, and handling feedback.