In this episode of the Female VC Lab podcast, host Barbara Bickham sits down with Katelin Holloway, founding partner at venture capital firm Seven Seven Six. Katelin shares her journey from being an operator and executive to becoming a venture capitalist. She talks about her deep empathy for founders and the valuable insights she gained while sitting on the other side of the boardroom table. Katelin elaborates on the thesis-agnostic approach of Seven Seven Six, highlighting how the firm meets the best founders with capital, regardless of industry or sector.

The conversation also delves into Katelin's reading habits, which include the Artemis Accords related to space exploration, and her views on how the venture capital landscape is evolving. She emphasizes the need for VCs to provide more than just capital, advocating for expertise and operational support to the founders. Barbara and Katelin also explore the role of AI as a fundamental platform shift affecting all businesses, likening its impact to that of the Internet revolution.

Tune in to gain insights into investment philosophies, the changing world of venture capital, and the influential role of AI in the future of various industries.

Empowering Innovation: Venture Capital Insights with Katelin Holloway

In the dynamic world of venture capital, standing on the forefront of innovation requires vision, empathy, and an openness to change. In the latest episode of the Female VC Lab Podcast, host Barbara Bickham speaks with Katelin Holloway, founding partner at Seven Seven Six, to explore what makes her approach to venture capital unique and how the industry is evolving.

From Operator to Investor

Katelin Holloway’s journey into venture capital is rooted in her extensive experience as an operator and executive. Having spent years building companies and working closely with board members and VCs, Holloway developed a profound understanding and empathy for founders. This unique perspective allows her to leverage her operational insights to support startups on a larger scale.

"Working with a number of board members and VCs throughout the years, I spent a lot of time as an operator building companies," said Holloway. "I have deep empathy for founders and a deep understanding of what it takes to build a sustainable and thriving business."

A Thesis-Agnostic Approach

At Seven Seven Six, venture capital isn't confined by rigid investment theses. Instead, the firm adopts a thesis-agnostic approach, aiming to identify and support the best founders irrespective of their sector. This flexibility allows the fund to seize opportunities in diverse industries, from crypto and consumer products to innovative sectors like space tech and health tech.

"The reason we do that... is that it's the best way to meet founders where they are with the capital they need," Holloway explained. By not being tied to specific sectors, Seven Seven Six can back groundbreaking startups like Coinbase and Instacart, which may not fit within traditional investment boundaries.

Lifelong Learning in Venture Capital

In a world driven by constant innovation, staying informed is crucial. For Holloway, continuous learning comes from managing an influx of emails filled with pitches and industry insights. Beyond the confines of the inbox, Holloway delves into technical and policy documents like the Artemis Accords, exploring the burgeoning field of space exploration.

"The reality is I'm reading my email, which sounds like a terrible answer, but it's the honest answer," she said. "It's overwhelmed with things like pitches and interesting new companies."

The Evolving Landscape of Venture Capital

As the ecosystem changes, so too does the venture capital landscape. Holloway identifies a shift toward VCs providing more than just financial support. The future will demand venture capitalists bring deep operational expertise to the table, empowering them to better assist startups in navigating complex challenges.

"I think you're gonna see a lot more VCs winning deals because they have deep operators," Holloway noted. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is another catalyst transforming the industry. It's viewed as an infrastructure component, broadening the scope and application of technology across various sectors.

Embracing AI in Venture Capital

At the Humanex AI conference, Holloway shared insights on how AI is reshaping the investment landscape at Seven Seven Six. The firm doesn’t consider AI as a standalone sector but as a fundamental platform shift revolutionizing business operations across the board.

"Every company is going to have an AI component," she said. "It's very similar to the advent of the Internet...it's a platform shift."

Looking to the Future

The future of venture capital is poised for transformation, driven by technological advancements like AI and evolving investor-founder dynamics. As the industry continues to grow, adaptability and a commitment to innovation will be key in navigating this shifting landscape.

For those interested in reaching out to Katelin Holloway, she remains accessible via LinkedIn and X (formerly known as Twitter), inviting a dialogue that spans the realms of space tech and beyond.

In this enlightening episode of the Female VC Lab Podcast, Katelin Holloway demonstrates how empathy, experience, and an openness to evolving technologies are shaping the next generation of venture capitalists. As the industry progresses, it’s the forward-thinking leaders like Holloway who will pave the way for transformative investment opportunities.