In this episode, Seedcamp partner, Carlos, is joined by Josh Nussbaum, Principal at the New York-based venture capital firm Compound, formerly known as Metamorphic Ventures. Compound, who rebranded earlier this year while raising a new $50 million fund, invests in early-stage technology startups disrupting or enabling traditional industries in New York and across the States.
Josh’s route into VC began early, spearheading Startup Week while a student at NYU and hosting hackathons for several years before joining Compound, initially as an intern. Since joining forces with David in 2012, he has become an integral part of the Compound team. Prior to joining Compound, Josh worked in business development for startup, JustDecide, a social decision-making company. Prior to JustDecide, Josh worked in digital marketing and branding at Bayard Advertising.
Carlos and Josh discuss how a rebrand enabled Compound to freshen its story for the future and how the best startups tell a story about how the future is going to be. Josh meditates on learning from missed investment opportunities and how to identify patterns for future investment decisions.
Also discussed is Compound’s philosophy. Raising its first fund shortly after the iPhone came out, the firm favoured investments in so-called ‘transactional media’, at the intersection of digital media and digital commerce (Indiegogo, Tapad, Movable Ink) – but is now looking more towards AI-focused startups.
Learn more about New York’s tech ecosystem, the rebranding of a venture firm, and lessons from missed opportunities.
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