GHP #87 - VC #9 - Building the Canadian Start-Up Ecosystem with Hamzah Nassif!

The Generation Hustle Podcast

Episode 87 is with Hamzah Nassif, Parnter at Real Ventures!

Real Ventures is an early-stage venture firm focused on serving daring entrepreneurs with the ambition to create successful, global companies. Since 2007, Real Ventures has dedicated itself to building the Canadian startup ecosystem on the belief that people, not money, build game-changing companies. Real Ventures manages $325 million across five funds and its active portfolio of 100+ companies is currently valued at $10 billion.

An engineer first and investor second, Hamzah began his career working on Qualcomm’s first-generation multiprocessor chipsets in Boulder, Colorado. After 9 years of engineering study and work in the US, he moved halfway across the world to work with startups in the frontier and emerging markets of the Middle East.

We talk to Hamzah about his career journey thus far, from engineer to Partner. He details the Investment thesis of Real ventures, the day to day of a partner and board member, the importance and role of the board, and much more.

Real Ventures
https://realventures.com/

Timestamps
2:20 - Intro
12:50 - Defining Product-Market Fit
14:50 - It’s Ok To Be Wrong
17:30 - Convertible Notes & SAFEs - Pros & Cons
25:25 - Advice for Founders to Protect Themselves Financially
26:50 - How to Run a Tight Fundraising Process
28:00 - Why Do Boards Members Exist?
33:38 - Providing Feedback as a Board Member
35:50 - Guidelines for Board Members
38:10 - Day to Day of a Partner at Real Ventures
42:00 - Real Ventures
48:00 - Future Trends of A.I.
53:00 - Risks of Consolidated Power in Tech Companies
57:00 - Lightning Round