Even though the success rates for startups today are sobering, there is reason to be optimistic. As our guest today, Venture Capitalist John Frankel sees it: "Cycles happen. We've gone through a downturn and I think we're now at an inflection point. We’re already starting to see some companies raise money at high valuations." John founded ff Venture Capital in 2008 and has since funded over 150 seed and early-stage companies that in turn have created thousands of jobs and impacted the lives of millions.  He joins us to share his motivation for founding a VC firm, his investment philosophy, and his perspective on today’s startup landscape. Our conversation delves into: John's advice for foundersWhat his firm looks for in early stage startupsThe significance of resilience and adaptability for early-stage foundersHis current fascination with applied AI, including drones, robotics, and financial services tech This episode provides valuable insights and practical advice for early-stage founders navigating the challenging yet promising startup world. ——— Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!