🎧 Startup Growth Podcast, Ep. 20: Grace Gong | Lessons on Building Founder–Investor Community — Curate for Outcomes, Not Optics

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Grace Gong is the Founder & CEO of Smart Venture Media, podcast host, angel investor, and author. She’s interviewed 500+ founders, investors, and operators on her podcasts, then parlayed that network into a high-signal community: curated founder–VC dinners, conferences (including the Smart AI Summit), and rooms where intros turn into customers and checks. The flywheel started during the pandemic with 5 pm Friday Zooms—and evolved into tightly curated IRL events supported by sponsors and operators.

In this episode, Grace outlines a practical approach to community-building: curate for outcomes, not optics (every seat should benefit from every other seat). Her angel filter doubles as her invite list. Online → IRL is the sequence: earn trust digitally, concentrate it offline.  For founders aiming to stand out without burning cash, this is a clear primer on turning audience into deal flow.
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Key Topics Covered:

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• Building community has to happen organically.
• Engaging with entrepreneurs can lead to unexpected opportunities.
• Sales and storytelling are crucial skills for success in VC.
• Offering value to others is key to building relationships.
• The people you meet at events can significantly impact your journey.
• Planning events requires meticulous attention to logistics.
• Creating a curated experience enhances networking opportunities.
• AI is transforming the media landscape and how we build companies.
• Networking is essential for both founders and investors.
• Continuous learning and adaptation are vital in the fast-paced tech world.

Chapters

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(00:00) Building Community: The Organic Approach

(02:50) Journey into Venture Capital: From Real Estate to VC

(05:44) Insights from Interviews: Lessons Learned in VC

(08:53) Angel Investing: Key Considerations

(11:51) Creating Value: The Importance of Community

(15:02) Event Planning: From Small Gatherings to Large Conferences

(17:59) The Smart AI Summit: Curating Experiences

(20:54) Future of Media: Building with AI

(23:48) Final Thoughts and Online Presence
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Where to find Grace Gong & Smart Venture Media:

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Linktree: linktr.ee/gracegong115

Website: smartventuremedia.com

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Where to find David Phillips:

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X: x.com/davj

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davjphillips
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Brought to you by:‍

Fondo — All-in-one accounting for startups: fondo.com