Nicole Quinn | Why VCs should do field research on consumers

In this episode of the Soaked by Slush podcast, we had the opportunity to host Nicole Quinn, Partner at Lightspeed Ventures. As an investor, Nicole is a master at working with founders, brands, and end-customers. Her impressive background in both investing and entrepreneurship has garnered her a wealth of experience and knowledge – especially when it comes to consumer brands. Nicole’s unique style of working with founders certainly makes her ideas worth a(n intriguing) listen. Expect to learn: Do founders need to have a “run through walls”-attitude? How VCs should support their portfolio’s founders and the problem with the "founder hero"-myth Why Nicole doesn’t want to invest only in the “bubble of Silicon Valley” Why is speaking to customers central to investors as well? Why companies should focus on niche markets first 01:25 Introduction to Nicole 05:55 Important things in successful founders 09:00 The importance of the founding team’s obsession 13:10 Talking to customers and apps on Nicole’s home screen. 16:38 When founders believe they have product-market fit too early 18:45 People don’t want to hear bad things about their companies 19:33 Problem of founder ‘hero mindset’ – can grit get too toxic? 23:14 Philosophy of relationship-building with founders 26:06 What do founders usually worry about too much? 29:34 Starting niche first 33:38 Would founders experience from first building something smaller before building something that scales 36:14 The importance of listening Find out more about Capchase on capchase.com/slush Check Soaked by Slush out at: Twitter: https://twitter.com/soakedbyslush/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soakedslush/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soakedbyslush/ Soaked by Slush website: https://www.slush.org/soaked/ Slush website: https://www.slush.org Shoot us a message or feedback: soaked@slush.org