906: Tech Startups and Raising Money with Dan Levine (Vercel, Sentry, Mux…)

Syntax - Tasty Web Development Treats

Wes and Scott talk with VC Dan Levine about how developers can raise venture capital, what investors look for in early-stage startups, the realities of bootstrapping vs. fundraising, and why great ideas often start as simple side projects.

Show Notes

• 00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
• 00:55 Dan’s background and career
• 03:10 Is it common for tech investors to come from a tech background?
• 04:40 How can developers raise money?
• 08:35 What investors look for
• 12:39 How much funding is enough?
• 15:41 Are founders working with multiple investors?
• 18:26 What can you use the money for?
• 22:49 How much influence do investors have in the business?
• 29:56 Brought to you by Sentry.io
• 29:56 How involved are VCs in the business?
• 34:22 How do you know a startup is in trouble—and what can you do about it?
• 38:56 How much of the company do investors own?
• 40:43 What’s the endgame for investors?
• 44:02 How do acqui-hires work?
• 46:29 Is the AI space a real opportunity or just hype?
• 53:22 Sick Picks + Shameless Plugs

Sick Picks

• Dan:
  • Dandelion Chocolate
  • Jules Pizza

Shameless Plugs

• Dan: Linear

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