"Cut The Check" with Mack Meyer | VC Mx

Seed is About Who's Making The Decision | Adriana Saman, Managing Director at Clocktower Ventures

Summary

In this conversation, Mack Meyer interviews Adriana, a venture capitalist at Clocktower Ventures, discussing her journey from Ecuador to the U.S., her experiences in investment banking, and her transition into venture capital. Adriana shares insights on the importance of education, her passion for financial inclusion, and the unique opportunities in Latin America, particularly in fintech. The discussion also covers the structure and strategy of Clocktower Ventures, the nuances of investing in different regions, and the significance of building strong relationships with founders. Adriana reflects on her investment philosophy, lessons learned, and her pride in supporting innovative companies in Latin America.


Chapters

00:00 Intro
00:47 Path From Ecuador to UPenn
02:25 Early Years
03:47 UPenn & Latam
05:15 Why Venture?
07:11 Digital Payments Team & Chase App
08:25 Value of Incumbent Perspective in Fintech
09:55 Clocktower Ventures: From East Coast to West Coast
11:33 Clocktower Investment Group History
14:32 Clocktower Ventures Inception
15:58 CTV's Latam Fund
16:29 CTV's Portfolio Construction
18:11 "Seed is Really About Who is Making the Decisions"
19:53 Complexities Investing Across Different Stages & Categories
21:42 Why Not Leading Rounds Can Create More Transparency
24:42 Regional Nuances: Brazil vs. Mexico
25:25 Brazil's Capital Markets
27:46 Brazil & Indonesia: Consumer Behavior
28:16 CTV 2024 Investments in Mexico
31:55 Toku & Unique Value Proposition
34:19 Evolution as Venture Investor
35:45 Learnings: Xepelin's Seed Extension
37:39 What Qualities Make a Great Founder?
39:00 Final Thoughts
40:48 Outro

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Cut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.

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