In this episode of Sound Investments, host Ed Barker interviews Peter Muller, founding partner of Breakwater Ventures, to explore his unique journey from Merrill Lynch to the launch of his venture capital firm in Seattle. They discuss Peter's career transitions, the Seattle startup ecosystem, and dive into key areas of interest like AI, fintech, and marketplaces. The conversation covers the challenges and opportunities in Seattle's venture capital scene, the firm's investment philosophy, and promising sectors. Peter also shares insights into raising capital in a tough environment and the necessary characteristics of successful founders.
00:00 Introduction
01:05 Meet Peter Mueller
05:59 Investment Philosophy and Strategy
07:23 Challenges in the Seattle Angel Market
11:57 AI, Fintech and Marketplaces
26:45 Fundraising Environment
38:37 Closing Thoughts
About Your Host
Ed Barker has enjoyed a weird and varied career. Ed is a Brit now resident in Seattle and has started three startups, enjoyed a long career in corporate strategy, and most recently was a VC. He's now building a podcast production company. Sound Investments is a small attempt to shine some light on the fantastic work being done in the Pac NW entrepreneurial community.
Peter Mueller, General Partner, Breakwater Ventures
Peter is a Co-Founder & serves as a General Partner at Breakwater Ventures. Previously, he served as a Managing Partner at SeaChange Fund. He serves as a Board Member at KredosAi. He serves as a Board Member at Vouched, KredosAI, and CreatorCo. He serves as a Board Observer at OSYTE. Previously, he worked in equity research at Bank of America Merrill Lynch covering TMT markets. He then moved on to become an early employee at Carta (formerly known as eShares) building their business valuations product. Before SeaChange, he worked as a Senior Analyst at Concert Golf Partners, a private equity real estate fund, and Trek Partners, a middle-market leveraged buyout firm.
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