Secrets To Startup Success: $5 Billion Raised With Scott Kelly [S2: E2]

In this episode of Lever Up, we sit down with Scott Kelly, CEO of Black Dog Venture Partners and host of VC Fast Pitch. Scott takes us through his incredible 30-year journey, starting as a runner on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to founding Black Dog Venture Partners, where he has helped startups raise over $5 billion and guided 30 successful exits. We discuss the value of assembling a strong team, how to prepare for raising capital, and why scaling a business at the right time can be the difference between success and failure.

Scott shares his unique insights on entrepreneurship, from surviving the dot-com boom to scaling tech companies and even dabbling in the music industry. Whether you’re an early-stage entrepreneur, looking to scale your startup, or simply interested in the venture capital world, this episode offers a plenty of practical advice.

Key Points

• How to build a resilient team that can scale with your business.
• The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when raising seed capital.
• Why scaling too fast can be just as dangerous as growing too slow.
• The evolving venture capital landscape and how to navigate it successfully.

Get in Touch with Scott Kelly

Website: Black Dog Venture Partners

Social Media: @BlackDogCEO on all platforms

VC Fast Pitch: VC Fast Pitch