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56 | Nothing to Lose, Everything to Build with Luke Cooper (Latimer Ventures)
Ep. 56
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Luke Cooper, General Partner at Latimer Ventures, shares his inspiring story of resilience, entrepreneurship, and community impact.
Growing up in poverty in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Luke has transformed into a successful founder and investor, guiding others through the challenges and opportunities in the world of startups. He reflects on how his early life experiences shaped his approach to risk-taking, value creation, and mental health. Transitioning from an M&A lawyer to a successful entrepreneur, Luke founded a cybersecurity startup that achieved significant returns by focusing on exit strategies from the start — unusual for many venture-backed firms. He emphasizes the role of skepticism in business and highlights the challenges faced by black and brown founders, advocating for a human-centric approach to venture capital. Key topics include the evolving market post-COVID-19, balancing economic mobility with realistic returns, and leveraging diverse perspectives as strengths in high-performing companies. This episode provides practical insights into navigating today's investment landscape by emphasizing adaptability, and aligning investor and founder values.
Highlights:
00:44 Luke's Origin Story
03:21 The Journey to Entrepreneurship
11:49 Building and Selling a Cybersecurity Company
16:56 Insights on Risk and Growth
17:45 The Importance of Exit Strategy
23:33 The Challenges of Multi-Tasking in Startups
24:13 Focusing on Customer Needs
25:21 Transition to Investor Insights
25:43 Critique of Traditional Venture Capital
28:45 Innovative Fund Management Strategies
31:44 Navigating the LP Landscape
33:27 Realistic Investment Returns
37:16 Operationalizing M&A in Fund Management
40:45 Current Market Concerns and Future Outlook
43:39 The Importance of Culture in High-Performance Companies
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Where to find Luke:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukecooperbaltimore/
Where to find Neeta:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/neetabidwai/
Where to find Good Revenue:
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64. 64 | From Crisis to Opportunity: M&A and Bold Business Pivots with Tina Brown (Overland-Tandberg)
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63. 63 | The State of M&A in 2025: Navigating Volatility with Michael Frankel (Trajectory Capital) | Part 2
30:48||Ep. 63In the second half of an insightful interview with Michael Frankel of Trajectory Capital, the discussion focuses on the impact of current market conditions on M&A strategies for large corporations and private equity firms. Michael discusses how businesses are balancing opportunities and risks, especially with disruptive technologies like AI. He explores the dynamics between growth by IP versus revenue, the influence of regulatory changes, and the evolving role of private equity in mid-market deals. The conversation highlights the importance of value creation and strategic decision-making in an uncertain economic environment, offering a nuanced perspective on the future of mergers and acquisitions.Highlights:00:13 Market Impact on Strategics01:04 M&A Strategies and Industry Sectors01:55 AI and Technology Investments06:42 Antitrust and Regulation Effects11:23 Middle Market Dynamics19:25 Value Creation in PE and VC28:19 Final Thoughts and Conclusion_Where to find Michael:https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankelmichael/ Where to find Neeta:https://www.linkedin.com/in/neetabidwai/ Where to find Good Revenue:https://goodrevenue.io/goodrevenue
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61. 61 | What Sets High Performance Companies Apart? #3 (Deep Dive)
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60. 60 | We Buy with Emotion & Backfill with Logic: The Critical Role of Emotions in Decision-Making (Deep Dive)
10:53||Ep. 60Host Neeta Bidwai explores the pivotal role of emotions in human decision making. Building on our previous discussions around willingness to pay and pricing power, this episode highlights the significant influence of emotions across various fields. From consumer behavior to finance, politics, and healthcare, peer-reviewed studies demonstrate how emotions shape our decisions more than we might realize. Understanding the dual nature of emotional influence, the practical applications in real-world scenarios, and strategies to harness emotional awareness provides better decision-making outcomes. Highlights:00:00 Introduction to Emotions in Decision Making00:25 The Universality and Speed of Emotions01:28 Emotions as Decision-Making Tools01:43 Recap of Key Emotional Influences02:30 Impact of Emotions on Information Processing03:04 Dual Nature of Emotional Influence04:07 Emotions and Decision-Making Patterns04:52 Practical Applications Across Industries05:06 Consumer Behavior and Emotional Responses05:41 Emotions in B2B and Other Industries07:51 Strategies for Better Decision Making08:55 Conclusion: Leveraging Emotional Awareness10:14 Final Thoughts and Farewell_Where to find Neeta:https://www.linkedin.com/in/neetabidwai/Where to find Good Revenue:https://goodrevenue.io/goodrevenue
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