Watch Mike Ma of Sidecut Ventures on mission-driven founder coaching: why 'coach first, capital second' finds founders who build responsibly, not just fast.
Watch Mike Ma, Managing Partner and Head Coach at Sidecut Ventures, break down mission-driven founder coaching: the "coach first, capital second" model he uses to separate founders with a real calling from founders with a good pitch.
Mike explains why Sidecut skips fast checks in favor of thirty days working alongside a founder before any capital changes hands, what he calls "action-oriented self-awareness," and why a founder admitting a weak sales pipeline is a reason to invest, not a red flag. He also connects his work as an adaptive snowsports instructor to how he coaches founders: meet people where they are, then help them find their own way down the mountain.
You'll also hear his take on why revenue isn't always traction, and why he'd rather build a venture firm around "go first" value than a term sheet.
▶ Watch above, then get the full breakdown on the episode page: Profit and Social Responsibility in Mission-Driven Startups with Mike Ma (https://www.theblisspodcast.com/profit-and-social-responsibility-in-mission-driven-startups-with-mike-ma/) Learn more about Mike and Sidecut Ventures at sidecut.vc.