In this insightful episode of “World Class with Chris Vasquez,” Chris is joined by Ed Sim, the #1 seed investor in the world, to share his invaluable lessons from 28+ years of venture capital investing.

We cover the best startup funding lessons from 28+ years of investing and the exciting world of AI & VC trends in the next 12 months.

Ed breaks down his approach to “inception investing,” diving into his unique 5 Ps model for evaluating startups and why starting small with your investments can lead to big payoffs. He shares his philosophy on the importance of having three founders, a concept honed over decades of successful investments. You’ll also hear about “The Weekend Test,” Ed’s method for evaluating founders’ true dedication.

As the venture space continues to evolve, Ed discusses the biggest shifts in the industry and how they’re shaping the future of startups. He takes a deep dive into the current AI investment landscape and shares stories of successful startups, including Parker Conrad and the rise of Snyk.

For founders, this episode is packed with advice on how to market the vision of your startup, when to deploy more capital, and why the first round of funding is so critical. Ed also talks about the ins and outs of launching a VC fund, and the importance of having “skin in the game,” especially as an underdog in the world of venture capital.

Ed’s journey is one of resilience and determination, and he shares his mantra of staying “poor, hungry, and determined,” a mindset that has guided him through decades of success in investing.

If you’re interested in venture capital, the future of AI, or want to know how to navigate the startup world from a master investor’s perspective, this episode is for you. Tune in for a wealth of knowledge from one of the most successful seed investors in the world.