What makes someone a successful founder?

Is it how much revenue they're able to generate? How well they lead their company and their employees? How many investors they're able to land?

Those all play a role ... but the real answer is probably more nuanced and certainly harder to pinpoint.

When we look at any successful founder throughout history, it's natural to wonder how they got there. To wonder what made them different from the thousands of others who tried to walk the same path and failed.

Today I get to talk to Ian Swanson, 3x venture-backed founder and current CEO of Protect AI.

Ian has raised over $82M in venture capital throughout his career with two successful exits . In today's interview, we touch on all three of Ian's companies, sharing the ups, the downs, and the in-betweens of running a venture-backed company.

Tune in to uncover the untold stories behind Ian's path to success and discover what sets him apart in the world of entrepreneurship.

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If you're looking to learn how Adamant is helping founders prepare for their fundraise, head here: admnt.com

In this episode of The Backchannel, the host emphasizes the critical role of third-party feedback in the fundraising process for entrepreneurs.

Reflecting on a recent interaction with a founder, the host describes how an initially chaotic business pitch was clarified and refined through his outsider's perspective.

This episode underscores the unique advantage of third-party insights, which strip away emotional biases and unnecessary details to highlight the core message that resonates.

The takeaway is clear: seeking external opinions on fundraising materials isn't just helpful; it's essential for success.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab our weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

In this episode, the host shares the power of personal newsletters for VC's, shedding light on investor psychology and fundraising strategies.

Drawing from anecdotes from his personal life and interactions with VC's, he highlights the importance of staying top of mind in the competitive landscape of deal flow.

By sharing stories of missed opportunities and the dynamics of VC interactions, he underscores the significance of personal branding through newsletters.

Ultimately, the episode offers a pro tip for VC's to leverage personal newsletters as a means to enhance deal flow and foster lasting connections while simultaneously teaching founders about investor psychology.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab our weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter