Crossing Continents: How Ihar Mahaniok is Redefining VC for Immigrant Founders | Ep19

Ignite: Conversations on Startups, Venture Capital, Tech, Future, and Society

The podcast episode features a discussion between Brian and Ihar Mahaniok, the managing partner of Geek Ventures. Ihar shares his journey from Belarus to the United States, his experience working in big tech companies like Google and Facebook, and his transition into venture capital. He highlights his investment focus on immigrant founders, drawing from his own experience as an immigrant and angel investor. He discusses how he developed this investment thesis by analyzing his track record and recognizing a pattern of successful investments in American companies founded by immigrants.

Ihar explains the challenges immigrants face in fundraising and cultural adaptation, and how his firm adds value by helping them integrate into the new ecosystem. He also talks about his insights into the venture capital landscape, the impact of AI on startups and VC, and the future trends in venture capital. The conversation covers various aspects of venture capital, from fund mechanics and investment strategies to the nuances of working with startups and the evolving role of AI in the industry.

Ihar emphasizes the importance of networking for immigrant entrepreneurs and dispels common misconceptions about venture capital, such as the belief that all VCs are wealthy. He recommends books like "Lean Startup" and "Emotional Intelligence 2.0" for entrepreneurs and shares personal stories, including his memorable moments in venture capital and lessons learned from failed investments. The discussion concludes with Ihar defining success as the ability to create impact and influence.