Semil Shah on turning ideas into reality

August 28th, 2020

Semil Shah founded Haystack in 2013 after he was told he didn’t have enough experience to work at a venture capital fund. Semil was inspired by his mentors to take a risk and shares how it inspired him to Give First by helping others fund their ideas.

Brad Feld talks with Semil Shah, founder of the venture capital fund Haystack, who shares his inspiring founder story. With limited experience in the entrepreneurial world, Semil relied on his mentors to see the potential in him. Seven years later, he continues to pay it forward by helping turn other’s ideas into reality. 

Semil talks about how he turned his passion for writing about startups into a career as a founder of an early stage investment fund and partner at LightSpeed Venture Partners. Learn how Haystack raised their first million dollar fund and how they differentiate themselves from other, seemingly similar, companies in the Bay Area.  

Follow David Cohen on Twitter @davidcohen

Follow Brad Feld on Twitter @bfeld

Listen & subscribe to the Give First podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.


#Give First