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Inside a VC’s Playbook for Capital-Intensive Startups
Manage episode 473916773 series 3533520
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Sophie Bakalar, partner at Collaborative Fund, joins Fund/Build/Scale for a candid conversation about early-stage investing in climate tech, consumer AI, and deep tech hardware. She shares how she evaluates “green” founders with limited experience, what kind of traction she looks for in pre-revenue companies, and why a passion for solving a real-world problem outweighs having a stacked resume.
We also cover:
- Tactical funding strategies for capital-intensive startups
- The value of adaptable teams and fractional CFOs
- How to avoid overspending before product-market fit
- The mindset shifts needed before approaching VCs
This episode is packed with advice for founders navigating long development timelines, technical risk, and early go-to-market strategy — especially if you’re looking to raise money while keeping burn low and momentum high.
RUNTIME 48:59 EPISODE BREAKDOWN(2:24) “Like a lot of people in venture, I have sort of a windy path.”
(6:47) Inside Collaborative Fund: “We all roll up our sleeves on everything here.”
(7:55) Which industries and founder profiles Sophie is watching in 2025.
(10:37) Where consumer AI hardware may be headed.
(12:03) What her typical work week looks like.
(15:05) In a people-driven industry, inexperienced founders need to de-risk themselves before doing investor outreach.
(17:37) “We don't necessarily create a hard line or a clear box around what makes a climate tech investment.”
(22:43) “There are a few things that investors in climate and energy tech are looking for.”
(26:23) When it comes to solo founders, “expectations from funders [are] a little bit higher.”
(28:28) What excites Sophie about working with first-time founders.
(30:17) The most common reason why a team with a strong idea fails to execute.
(33:31) Why a founder’s “adaptability quotient” is so critical to their success.
(36:53) Personalities (and business models) that should avoid venture capital.
(40:16) “I hope I've managed to retain a good amount of empathy.”
(42:11) One piece of advice for VCs she returns to frequently.
(44:37) “The only real seismic changes are going to happen when you start to see more female entrepreneurs build really successful companies.”
(46:52) The blogger you need to read “before you kick off your fundraise.”
(47:39) The one question Sophie would have to ask a CEO before accepting an offer from an early-stage startup.
LINKS- Sophie Bakalar
- Craig Shapiro
- Collaborative Fund
- Fred Wilson, AVC archive
📥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7249143254363856897/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fundbuildscale/
Thanks for listening!
– Walter.
66 episodes
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