Welcome to another episode of The 7 in 7 Show with Zack Ellison, which features full length interviews with the world’s leading investors in innovation. Episode #13A of Season 2 features Scott Kelly, CEO of Black Dog Venture Partners, Host of VC Fast Pitch, and Strategic Advisor to TCA Southeast. Scott Kelly is a 30-year fundraising, marketing, sales, training and publicity veteran. Scott has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in capital for disruptive companies, garnered national media coverage for hundreds of regional and national brands and generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues for the companies he has represented. He has also trained over 1,000 salespeople and has taught marketing at the university level in the United States and Europe. In this episode, Zack Ellison and Scott Kelly discuss: 1. Importance of Team in Early-Stage Investing: Emphasis on evaluating the team behind a startup as a critical factor for investment decisions. 2. Market Research and Problem Identification: The necessity for entrepreneurs to thoroughly research their market and identify real, scalable problems. 3. Investment Processes and Principles: Key principles for early-stage investing, including the importance of team, technology, IP, and market potential. 4. Pitching and Fundraising Effectively: Tips for making successful pitches, including clarity, storytelling, knowing your numbers, building relationships, and understanding investor expectations. 5. Role of AI in Investment and Business: Discussion on the impact of AI and machine learning on businesses and the importance of having AI expertise in investment teams. 6. Venture Debt: An overview of venture debt, its benefits, and how it complements equity financing for later-stage startups. 7. Global and Sectoral Trends in Innovation: Insights into emerging markets and sectors, including AI, decentralization, and global innovation hubs. Guest Information: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackdogceo/ - Website: https://blackdogventurepartners.com/ Host Information: - LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackellison/ - Website: ⁠ https://www.arivc.com/ Show Information: - Website: ⁠https://7in7show.com/ - Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/7-in-7-show-with-zack-ellison/id1681652927 ⁠ - Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0f2NGukm1OcZYCgVbiwlZX - YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@7in7show - Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/7in7show/ - TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@7in7show - Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/7in7show - Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/7in7show DISCLAIMER: https://7in7show.com/disclaimer/