In this episode of DrinksWithAVC, we sit down with Oakland-native Drew Glover, Co-Founder of Fiat Growth and General Partner at Fiat Ventures, for a masterclass on identity, resilience, and rewriting the rules of venture capital.

Over green juice and kombucha, Drew reflects on growing up with civically minded parents, early lessons in code-switching, and the mindset shifts that carried him from Cal Football to operator roles at startups like Steady, to co-founding a growth consultancy and eventually becoming a mission-driven investor.

You’ll learn how to:

• Nail your fundraising story by focusing on your customer—not your ego
• Build trust with investors (especially if you don’t fit the “Stanford founder” mold)
• Spot startup opportunities that serve overlooked communities
• Use emotional intelligence as a strategic advantage in leadership and venture
• Move from operator to capital allocator with clarity and intention
• Develop a go-to-market strategy and scale user acquisition using the Chime playbook

Drew also offers an unflinching take on the rise and retreat of DEI in venture, why mandates miss the mark, and how his fund continues to outperform without one—because diversity is embedded in who they are.

If you're building something meaningful and want to stand out in a crowded market, this is a must-listen.

Episode links:
www.fiat.vc
www.fiatgrowth.com

Episode timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Drinks With a VC
02:34 Meet Drew Glover: The Pride of Bishop O'Dowd
02:47 Choosing Green Juice Over Alcohol
03:14 The Trend of Drinking Less Alcohol
03:50 Drew's Drink of Choice: Vodka Martinis
04:37 Digital Detox and Drinking Habits
06:09 Bree's Big Reveal: Sobriety and Pregnancy
07:23 Growing Up in Oakland: Drew's Background
07:55 Drew's Parents: Civic-Minded and Inspirational
15:24 The Importance of Code Switching
18:24 Drew's Journey to Cal and Football
23:56 From Football to Venture Capital
25:23 Starting Fiat Growth and Fiat VC
35:36 Fundraising and the Impact of DEI
37:26 The Future of Venture Capital
45:17 The Shift Around Race and Education
45:38 Catastrophic Events and Positive Change
45:57 Diversity in Venture Capital
46:32 Drew's Impressive Portfolio
46:55 The Importance of Representation
48:46 Balancing Good and Success
50:05 Future of Inclusion and Change
52:03 Advice for Underrepresented Founders
52:33 Building Your Own Solutions
54:40 Growth Marketing Fundamentals
55:15 Distribution as a Competitive Moat
56:53 Fiat Growth's Unique Approach
01:05:53 Understanding Customer Personas
01:10:53 Diligence in Venture Capital
01:15:42 Personal Insights and Reflections

What do tiddlywinks, a quarter trick, and a failed Palantir deal have in common? They all show up in Andrew Ackerman’s one-of-a-kind path from founder to family office director, accelerator operator, and venture capitalist to now SPV syndicate lead and author.

Andrew pulls no punches on what most startups get wrong — from pitch decks that waste space to market slides that make investors roll their eyes. He shares lessons learned from backing 70+ startups on how to actually stand out in a noisy fundraising environment, why EdTech broke his heart, and how day drinking helped him write The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey — a startup guide founders might actually finish.

Also in this episode:

- His “accidental” real estate empire
- EdTech’s big COVID moment (and what came after)
- The one thing every founder should know about market sizing
- And yes, Andrew answers the Fidelity Five Questions.

If you’ve ever wondered what VCs really think when they see your deck — this one’s for you!

Episode links:
www.AndrewBAckerman.com
Entrepreneur's Odyssey

Episode timestamps:
00:00 DWAVC Episode: Andrew Ackerman
03:28 Guest Introduction and Background
05:25 March Madness Predictions
07:42 Andrew's Origin Story
16:18 Parenting in the Digital Age
30:27 Andrew's Unique Skills
31:01 Discussing the New Book
31:52 Inspiration Behind the Book
32:15 Writing Process and Challenges
37:23 Character Development
40:37 Market Sizing and Go-to-Market Strategies
44:14 Importance of Value Proposition
01:13:52 Fundraising Insights
01:15:27 Navigating VC Funding Strategies
01:17:19 Challenges for Non-Ivy League Founders
01:20:09 Importance of Warm Intros
01:22:33 Accessing Capital Outside Major Hubs
01:24:37 The Role of Location in Startup Success
01:27:09 Influence of Science Fiction on Entrepreneurship
01:29:56 The Rise of PropTech
01:41:28 Fidelity Five Questions

In this episode of Drinks With a VC, co-hosts Vik Lakhwara and Bree Hanson are joined by Arun Mittal, co-founder of MBM Capital. Arun discusses his journey from receiving an electrical engineering degree from Stanford and co-founding Chutney Technologies to leading turnarounds and investing in distressed startups. He speaks candidly about the lessons learned from his failures and shares insights into the unique investment thesis of MBM Capital, which focuses on revitalizing startups that have hit roadblocks. The conversation covers the challenges of revamping companies, the importance of recognizing executional flaws, and providing strategic guidance to unlock hidden value. Arun also touches on his involvement with LedgerX, the state of venture capital, and the importance of knowing oneself and asking for help. Don't miss this enlightening and refreshingly transparent discussion on the realities of turning around struggling ventures.

Links

https://www.fidelityprivateshares.com/

https://www.mbmcapital.co/