906: Tech Startups and Raising Money with Dan Levine (Vercel, Sentry, Mux…)

May 28, 2025, 11 a.m. (3 weeks, 3 days ago)
0 Comments

Wes and Scott talk with VC Dan Levine about how developers can raise venture capital, what investors look for in early-stage startups, the realities of bootstrapping vs. fundraising, and why great ideas often start as simple side projects.

Show Notes
  • 00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
  • 00:55 Dan’s background and career
  • 03:10 Is it common for tech investors to come from a tech background?
  • 04:40 How can developers raise money?
  • 08:35 What investors look for
  • 12:39 How much funding is enough?
  • 15:41 Are founders working with multiple investors?
  • 18:26 What can you use the money for?
  • 22:49 How much influence do investors have in the business?
  • 29:56 Brought to you by Sentry.io
  • 29:56 How involved are VCs in the business?
  • 34:22 How do you know a startup is in trouble—and what can you do about it?
  • 38:56 How much of the company do investors own?
  • 40:43 What’s the endgame for investors?
  • 44:02 How do acqui-hires work?
  • 46:29 Is the AI space a real opportunity or just hype?
  • 53:22 Sick Picks + Shameless Plugs
Sick Picks Shameless Plugs Hit us up on Socials!

Syntax: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Wes: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Scott: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Randy: X Instagram YouTube Threads

Login to Add New Comment
No comments have been posted yet, be the first one to comment.