What happens when a Google and Facebook engineering leader turns his focus to helping immigrant founders dominate in AI and robotics?
Ihar Mahaniok, Founder and Managing Partner of Geek Ventures, has invested in over 100 startups, including five unicorns, and is now channeling his experience into backing the next generation of world-changing entrepreneurs.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
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00:41 Welcome to Driving Alpha Podcast
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00:51 Meet the Guest: ER Mahan of Geek Ventures
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01:38 ER's Journey: From Coding to Angel Investing
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03:26 Building Geek Ventures: Focus on Immigrant Founders
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03:42 Navigating the US as an Immigrant Entrepreneur
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04:58 The Power of Networking and LinkedIn
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12:15 Geek Ventures' Unique Approach to Investing
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20:36 Challenges Immigrant Founders Face in the US
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22:54 The Future of AI and Its Impact
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29:46 Building Efficient Teams in Startups
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37:48 Advice for Aspiring VCs and Founders
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40:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In this episode,
Ihar reveals how his own immigrant journey shaped his mission to close the opportunity gap for founders arriving in the U.S. without deep networks. He shares the traits that make immigrant entrepreneurs uniquely equipped to win—grit, ambition, and fresh perspectives—and explains how Geek Ventures provides the capital, connections, and strategic support to accelerate their success.
The conversation explores the evolving landscape of AI and robotics, why small, elite teams often outperform larger ones, and how cultural differences influence fundraising strategies. Ihar also unpacks his framework for spotting exceptional founders early, building defensible moats beyond technology, and preparing for a future where AI will create more unicorns than ever before. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or AI enthusiast, this episode delivers actionable insights on scaling bold ideas into lasting impact.
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