AI Meets Venture: Ben Orthlieb (Blue Moon) on Outperforming Traditional VCs
Release Date: 06/25/2025
Bridging government and venture capital with Yanev Suissa of SineWave Ventures
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What happens when a venture capitalist brings a deep understanding of government into the startup world? Yanev Suissa, Founder and Managing General Partner of SineWave Ventures, has done just that, carving out a powerful niche by helping commercial-first startups break into government markets. His journey from NEA to the Bush and Obama administrations gives him a perspective few investors can match. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:42 Introduction and Guest Overview 01:24 Yanev Suissa's Background and Career Path 02:19 The SineWave Ventures Model 03:33 Navigating the...
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Inside Cathay Innovation: Simon Wu on industry-powered venture capital
Driving Alpha
What if your venture capital firm could plug you directly into the world's most influential corporations; unlocking growth, customers, and global scale overnight? That’s exactly what Simon Wu does as a Partner at Cathay Innovation. Leading U.S. investments at the $2.5B global VC, Simon’s work sits at the intersection of innovation, industrial strength, and strategic capital. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:41 Introduction to Alpha Partners and Guest Simon Wu 01:33 The Origin Story of Cafe Innovation 03:06 Growth and Expansion of Cafe Innovation 05:59 Unique Corporate...
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A new power dynamic in venture with Paige Hendrix Buckner from All Raise
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In venture capital, power isn’t just about capital, it’s about who gets to decide where it flows. Paige Hendrix Buckner, CEO of All Raise, is redefining who sits at the decision-making table. With a background spanning public policy, education, and founder support, she’s leading a movement to shift both the culture and the calculus of VC, proving that diverse check-writers create better outcomes. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:42 Welcome to the Driving Alpha Podcast 00:52 Meet Paige Hendrix Buckner: CEO of All Raise 01:38 Paige's Journey: From Education to...
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How corporate venture capital drives startup growth with David Horowitz from Cerity Partners Ventures
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What if your investor could also be your first customer, biggest champion, and gateway into a massive market? David Horowitz, Partner at Cerity Partners Ventures and a corporate VC pioneer, has spent over 20 years proving that venture capital can do more than write checks, it can open doors. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:43 Introduction and guest welcome 01:21 David Horowitz's early career and venture capital journey 04:49 founding Touchdown Ventures 06:38 The evolution and success of Touchdown Ventures 08:16 Cerity Partners merger and wealth management 13:16...
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How AI is redefining enterprise with Eric Benhamou of Benhamou Global Ventures
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Can AI truly transform the enterprise, not just improve it? Eric Benhamou, legendary tech CEO and founder of Benhamou Global Ventures, believes it already is. He reveals how his firm is leading the charge with “Enterprise 5.0”, a new era defined by full-stack, AI-native solutions. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:43 Intro to Alpha Partners 01:00 Meet Eric enhamou: A Pioneer in Tech 02:09 Understanding Enterprise 5.0 04:26 Case Study: Events and AI Accessibility 07:37 Selling to Enterprises: Insights from a Fortune 500 CEO 09:42 The Global Edge: Investing...
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Heather Hartnett (Human Ventures) on finding human alpha: how strategic connection is reshaping VC
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What if your greatest edge as a VC wasn’t data or deal flow, but your network? Heather Hartnett, CEO and General Partner of Human Ventures, is proving that authentic human connection can drive real alpha. From startup studio to powerhouse VC platform, she’s built one of New York’s most trusted early-stage ecosystems. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:40 Introduction to the Driving Alpha Podcast 00:51 Meet Heather Harnett: CEO and Co-founder of Human Ventures 00:57 Heather's Career Journey and Achievements 02:21 The Founding Story of Human Ventures 02:39...
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How Trust Ventures Unlocks Value in Regulated Markets, with Salen Churi
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How Ira Weiss from Hyde Park Venture Partners built Midwest VC success with ShipBob & Audit Site
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Can a PhD in accounting build a top-tier VC firm in the heartland, and beat the coastal giants? Ira Weiss did just that. As founding partner of Hyde Park Venture Partners and a professor at Chicago Booth, Ira has quietly helped turn the Midwest into a serious startup engine, backing breakout companies like ShipBob and Audit Site before they were household names. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:48 Introduction to Driving Alpha 01:00 Guest Introduction: Ira Weiss 01:14 Ira's Academic and Professional Journey 01:50 Hyde Park Venture Partners 03:07 Personal Connection...
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From Techstars to AI trends: Brad Feld of Foundry VC on building enduring legacies
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Brad Feld isn’t just a name in venture capital; he’s one of the architects behind the startup ecosystem as we know it. From launching Techstars to mentoring hundreds of founders and fund managers, his legacy is rooted in building, not boasting. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:48 Introduction to Driving Alpha 01:38 Brad Feld's Journey and Achievements 03:38 Reflections on Life and Career 05:51 The Future of Foundry Group 08:02 Mentorship and Its Impact 10:52 Influential Mentors in Brad's Life 15:17 The SoftBank Connection 23:29 Star Wars vs. Star Trek 27:58...
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From Google to Geek Ventures with Ihar Mahaniok: backing immigrant founders in AI & Robotics
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What happens when a Google and Facebook engineering leader turns his focus to helping immigrant founders dominate in AI and robotics? Ihar Mahaniok, Founder and Managing Partner of Geek Ventures, has invested in over 100 startups, including five unicorns, and is now channeling his experience into backing the next generation of world-changing entrepreneurs. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:41 Welcome to Driving Alpha Podcast 00:51 Meet the Guest: Ihar Mahaniok of Geek Ventures 01:38 Ihar's Journey: From Coding to Angel Investing 03:26 Building Geek Ventures: Focus on...
info_outlineWhat if AI could predict which founders will build billion-dollar companies? Ben Orthlieb, co-founder of Blue Moon, is doing just that, using AI and behavioral science to consistently outperform even the top VC firms. With roots at LinkedIn and Emergence, Ben brings a rigorous, founder-first model to seed investing.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
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00:00 Intro to Driving Alpha
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00:41 Meet Ben Orthlieb of Blue Moon
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01:20 Why “2.12” wasn’t working—and how “Blue Moon” captures their true identity
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02:05 The meaning behind both names—and what they signal to founders
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03:45 Ben’s origin story: building a new kind of VC from first principles
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05:30 Why traditional VC falls short—and how Blue Moon is breaking the mold with AI
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10:45 Graduation rates as the ultimate seed-stage performance metric
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12:00 How Blue Moon wins deals with small checks and a founder-first approach
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20:20 Meet Agatha and Da Vinci: the AI agents powering Blue Moon’s edge
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23:05 Strategic collaborations and the expanding Blue Moon network
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26:50 What’s next for Blue Moon—and how to engage as a founder, VC, or LP
In this episode,
Ben reveals how Blue Moon evaluates over 9,000 startups a year using their proprietary AI agents, Agatha and Da Vinci, to uncover the top 300 teams with the highest potential. The firm’s two-meeting investment process, rooted in deep founder analysis and cutting-edge tech, allows Blue Moon to move faster and smarter than traditional firms, achieving seed-to-Series A graduation rates nearly 3x higher than the market.
We also explore why the firm rebranded from 2.12 to Blue Moon, the psychology behind founder decision-making, and how their tools give them a near-unfair advantage in sourcing, vetting, and supporting startups. If you’re a founder, VC, or LP curious about the future of venture capital, this conversation is a must-listen.