In this episode of the RedNote Podcast, we sit down with Jason Jacobsohn, Founder and Managing Partner of Propellant Ventures, to unpack the real strategies behind venture capital, angel investing, and startup success. From insider pitching tips and fundraising frameworks to navigating uncertain markets, Jason delivers insights you won’t hear anywhere else.
OutLine:
00:00 Intro 01:06 Meet Jason Jacobsohn – Founder of Propellant Ventures 02:20 Understanding the Different Stages of Startup Funding 04:09 When to Expect ROI – The Average Investment Timeline 04:45 What Types of Companies Propellant Ventures Backs 07:12 Jason’s Journey – How He Got Started in Venture Capital 09:20 The Power of Soft Skills in the VC World 11:30 Leading with Value – Why Helping Others Pays Off 12:57 The Investor Mindset – What It Takes to Succeed 15:40 Why the Team Matters Most at the Earliest Stages 18:39 Common Mistakes New Investors Should Avoid 23:00 5 Key Lessons from a VC Fund Founder 26:02 A Closer Look at the Startups Propellant Ventures Invests In 27:37 Behind the Scenes – The VC Due Diligence Process 29:33 Meet the Team – Who Helps Jason Run the Fund 30:25 Balancing Risk vs. Reward in Venture Capital 32:32 Why Jason Launched His Own Venture Fund 37:10 The “Founder Night Out” Event Powered by Founder Institute 41:23 Michael’s Bace Agency Ad 42:03 How to Get Funded – Key Steps for Early-Stage Startups 45:00 It’s Okay to Fail – Why Setbacks Are Part of the Journey 46:28 Revenue First – Why You Don’t Always Need to Raise Capital 48:33 Knowing When It’s Time to Fundraise 49:34 The Perfect One-Minute Pitch – What VCs Are Listening For 51:25 Secret Framework to Raise Money 52:08 Ask for Advice, Not Money – A Smarter Way to Get Funded 54:08 Investing with $5K to $10K – Best Options for Beginners 1:03:53 Is Crypto a Bubble? Risks, Rewards, and Diversification 1:05:00 MicroStrategy & Bitcoin – Betting Big on the Future of Crypto 1:06:06 Propellant Ventures’ Vision – Why 20–25 Portfolio Companies 1:07:59 Navigating Uncertainty – How Founders Should Operate in Volatile Times 1:09:25 Final Thoughts – The Power of Relationships, Tech Ambitions & Long-Term Thinking
Follow Jason Jacobsohn: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonjacobsohn Propellant Ventures: https://propellant.vc
Follow RedNote Podcast & Michael Pavlovskyi: Michael’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-pavlovskyi-b43079280/ Michael’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpavlovskyy
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