Sound Investments: Exploring Seattle's VC Scene with Ken Horenstein

In this episode of Sound Investments, host Ed Barker delves into the Pacific Northwest venture capital ecosystem with Ken Horenstein, Founder and Managing Partner at Pack Ventures. Ken shares his personal journey in venture capital, from his educational roots at the University of Washington to his role in supporting Seattle-based startups. The discussion covers the founding and principles behind Pack Ventures, the fund's focus on UW-affiliated ventures, and the broader Seattle startup scene. Key topics include the diversification of investment sectors, the evolution of the venture space in Seattle, and the future potential driven by AI, biotechnology, and robotics. Ken also emphasizes the importance of building a community and sharing insights to foster innovation. The episode offers perspectives for anyone interested in venture capital, startups, and the dynamic technologies shaping the future.

00:00 Introduction to Sound Investments

00:13 Meet Ken Horenstein: Founder at Pack Ventures

01:35 Ken's Entrepreneurial Journey

04:23 The Birth of Pack Ventures

05:54 Fund 1: Proof of Concept

10:00 Fund 2: Doubling Down on UW Ecosystem

12:45 Investment Strategy and Focus Areas

20:08 The Role of LPs and Fund Structure

25:31 Seattle's Unique Venture Ecosystem

26:58 AI and Local Capital Dynamics

29:47 Challenges and Opportunities in Life Sciences

32:05 Future of AI and Data in Healthcare

39:08 Exciting Projects and Investments

41:02 Staying Informed and Connected

44:50 Final Thoughts

Ken Horenstein

A founder at heart, Ken has supported dozens of entrepreneurs in their fundraising over the last 5+ years. An alum of M12 - Microsoft's Venture Fund, Ken cofounded the Venture Out community and accelerator. He has also angel invested in multiple companies in the Seattle area. Ken is a Double Dawg with both a BA and MBA from the University of Washington.

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