TBC: Building a Helpful Network Ethic
In this episode of The Back Channel, Jason Yeh explores the power of building a network rooted in small, genuine acts of helpfulness. Jason breaks down why simply being a helpful person is both fulfilling in the short term and a powerful foundation for future fundraising success.
TBC: How to Close an Angel Round
In this episode of The Back Channel, Jason Yeh breaks down what it really takes to close an angel round. From the mindset shift founders need to the tactics that can unlock momentum, he shares key lessons to help you move from scattered conversations to signed checks.
TBC: The Right Type of Investor
Not all investors are created equal. In this episode of The Back Channel, Jason Yeh explains why some businesses struggle to raise capital—not because they're bad, but because they're pitching to the wrong type of investor. Learn how to identify the asset class your startup fits into, and how to align with the investors who actually “get it.”
TBC: The Human Side of Investor Relationships
What is the true meaning of “relationship” in fundraising and business? Jason breaks it down in this episode and challenges the common misconception that relationships are just shortcuts or favors. He instead highlights how genuine trust and shared experiences build the foundation for meaningful connections. Jason also introduces his new project, Capital Interests, which helps founders connect with investors through shared passions beyond just business.
TBC: The First Lesson of AI in Fundraising
In this episode of The Back Channel, Jason Yeh dives into the role of AI in our daily workflows, offering encouragement, a cautionary take, and his first practical lesson on using AI in fundraising—especially when building pitch decks. Learn how to think critically about AI's strengths and weaknesses and how to start integrating it into your creative process today.
TBC: Fundraising in the Age of AI
In this episode of The Backchannel, Jason breaks down what it really means to fundraise in an AI-dominated world. If you’re not building core AI infrastructure, how should you position your startup? He explains why every founder needs an AI story—one rooted in how the tech impacts your product, operations, and long-term defensibility.
TBC: Focus on What Matters
In this episode of The Backchannel, Jason reflects on a recent conversation with a robotics founder that reminded him how powerful it is to focus on what actually matters. From skipping the company name to delaying fundraising, the founder made unconventional decisions that signal discipline, clarity, and real momentum. Jason breaks down why avoiding “playing startup” and doing the unsexy work is often what sets great founders apart.
TBC: Why Talking Too Much Is Killing Your Pitch
In this episode, we share a powerful lesson from a recent pitch practice session with a founder whose natural charisma backfired. While being articulate and engaging can be a superpower, it can also lead to rambling when clarity matters most. We talk about why “less is more” applies just as much to live pitches as it does to pitch decks—and how embracing silence can actually project more confidence. If you’ve ever talked yourself in circles during a meeting, this one’s for you.
TBC: When VCs Start Dreaming With You
In this episode we share the fundraising version of product market fit—what it feels like when a VC starts dreaming alongside you. We break down what that moment looks like, why it matters, and how to set up your pitch to create that kind of pull.
TBC: What I Learned Coaching HBS Founders on Fundraising
In this episode of The Back Channel, I reflect on a recent visit to Harvard Business School where I coached founders in Jeff Bussgang’s Launching Tech Ventures class. I break down one of the biggest fundraising mistakes I saw, how founders frame their problem space, and share advice on how to fix it.
TBC: The Power of Helping When You Can (HBS Story)
In this episode, we explore how one small act of generosity can shape long-term relationships in venture capital. Jason shares a story from a recent trip back to Harvard Business School, where a simple coffee chat from a decade ago turned into a meaningful connection with a now-prominent VC. He reflects on what true network-building looks like—why helping others when it's easy can lead to unexpected returns years later.
Latest Episodes -
Check out our latest chats with awesome founders.
If at First You Don't Succeed (Humming Homes)
Adeel Mallick, the co-founder and CEO of Humming Homes, had the perfect background to start a company and lead a fundraise. Experience at startup studios, an MBA, and stints at top venture capital firms had him setup to knock the first fundraise for his startup out of the water. When things didn't go as planned, Adeel had to reflect, regroup, and recommit to the process to get his company the seed funding it needed to scale.
The Culture of Preemptive Rounds (Neuro-ID)
Jack Alton was a startup vet before he was recruited to join Neuro-ID as its CEO in 2016. His requirements to join included headquartering the company in Montana and building a remote first culture. Back then those pursuits were not only rare but considered flaws. 5 years later, they would be come major reasons for Canapi Ventures to preempt Neuro-ID's Series B round.
Catching a Steady Wave🏄
In 2016, Guy Friedman was a successful startup founder with an exit. Most would think that would make raising money for his next company SteadyMD a breeze. Instead, none of his prior investors decided to back him and he was on a familiar grind to getting funding. Fast forward to 2020 and Guy was steadily growing his core business when a wave hit in the form of acceleration towards telemedicine. All of the sudden he was surfing and fundraising became a very very different experience.
The Foreign Language of Fundraising
Parker Treacy had to become fluent in two completely foreign languages, Portuguese and Fundraising, on his path to building Cobli out of Brazil.
Learning the Fundraising Dance
Erin Carpenter grew up focused on becoming an entertainer with classical training as a ballerina. When she went to raise money, she found that the fundraising dance was surprisingly hard to learn.
Investor Psychology 101
Nicole Emrani Green's journey from the rambunctious daughter of Persian immigrants to venture-backed CEO had twists and turns. Surprisingly, her first career in psychotherapy gave her some of the tools to help advance herself as a leader and successfully close a $4MM Seed round for her company Givingli.
Stayin' Alive🎶
Matt Pohlson, co-founder and CEO of Omaze, has had one of the most death defying startup journeys ever. Time and time again, his company has been on the brink of death, only to be saved by Matt’s persistence and never-quit attitude. While most involved nearly running out of funds, one experience involved his own near death experience as he flatlined on an ER bed with his family surrounding him. Persistence brought him back from the brink and eventually back to Omaze where he used an even stronger belief in their mission to lead a Series B fundraise in March of 2020 just as COVID began impacting the world.
From YC darling to fundraising powerhouse
For the three years between her graduation from Y Combinator to her splashy $50MM Series A raise from Sequoia, Christina Cacioppo and her company Vanta kept a low profile. Back in 2018, they had been working in a space few people were talking about around Silicon Valley. SOC2 compliance for startups hardly got people excited. Then, almost out of nowhere, came the announcement that Vanta had raised $50MM from Sequoia Capital. Christina shares how she got to this point and how much impact YC had on the process.
Networking hard or hardly networking?
Zach Bruhnke, co-founder and CEO of HMBradley, had a shot at startup glory with his first fintech company Spout. After investor skepticism caused him to throw in the towel, he vowed not to have his own convictions be swayed in future companies. Zach shares how a crazy commitment to the vision with HMBradley as well as a natural approach to building relationships led to both company and fundraising success.
Featured Episodes -
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