DC Palter on Angel Investing, Startup Ethics & Lessons from 150+ Early-Stage Deals | Modern Investing Podcast

Modern Investing Podcast

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In this episode, we sit down with DC Palter, an angel investor, startup advisor, and author with over 150 early-stage investments to his name. Drawing from 15+ years of experience and a background in energy engineering, DC offers a unique lens on startup investing—from ethical red flags to navigating deep tech and climate ventures.

DC shares:

• How he transitioned from engineering to startups, and eventually into angel investing after the 2008 crash
• The value of angel groups for evaluating complex deals and managing risk
• Why he focuses on climate tech, energy sustainability, and mission-driven founders
• Insights into founder psychology, startup fraud, and ethical dilemmas in entrepreneurship
• His novel To Kill a Unicorn—a fictional tale inspired by real-world scandals like Theranos

“You’re not just investing in a pitch—you’re investing in a person. Due diligence has to go beyond the deck.”

Whether you're looking to deepen your investing strategy, protect yourself from bad actors, or simply learn from someone who's seen it all, this episode delivers hard-earned wisdom with heart.

About DC Palter:

DC Palter is a veteran angel investor, startup advisor, and author who has made 150+ early-stage investments over the past 15 years. Formerly an energy engineer, DC entered the startup world in the 1990s, drawn to the agility and personal impact of early ventures. He joined Tech Coast Angels in 2009, where he developed a reputation for strategic diligence and ethical clarity.

DC specializes in climate tech, sustainability, and complex sectors like life sciences and deep tech, leveraging group investing models to de-risk early-stage bets. In addition to his investing work, he is the author of To Kill a Unicorn, a novel exploring fraud and deception in the startup world, inspired by scandals like Theranos.

Known for his candid perspective, analytical rigor, and commitment to startup integrity, DC brings a rare combination of technical insight and ethical depth to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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