The Future Of Venture Funding With Jason Kirby // Forward Obsessed Podcast // #52

Jason Kirby is the Founder of Thunder.VC, an AI-powered investment bank that helps startups navigate the fundraising process. Previously, he was the Co-Founder and President of Liquid Sky, a cloud gaming company acquired by Walmart in 2018, and the President and COO of Generation Esports, an esports platform for schools that raised $11 million in funding.

Throughout the interview, Kirby shares valuable insights and lessons learned, such as the importance of setting deal terms before diving into due diligence, focusing on customer acquisition instead of fundraising, and the challenges of managing investor expectations. He also discusses his experience thriving in chaos and his ability to align teams towards a common goal.

Kirby’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and perseverance in the face of numerous challenges and setbacks. He emphasizes the value of learning from failure, building strong relationships, and staying committed to one’s vision. His journey from photographer to successful tech founder and investor is an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the world of startups, fundraising, and entrepreneurship. Kirby’s firsthand accounts of navigating acquisitions, pivoting business models, and managing team dynamics provide invaluable lessons for founders, MBA students, and managers alike. His story serves as a reminder that success often comes from embracing chaos, learning from failure, and never giving up.

Episode Outline

(00:00:00) Introduction and sponsorship messages
(00:03:15) Jason Kirby’s early entrepreneurial journey and photography business
(00:10:32) Launching San Diego Photography Classes and the importance of asking questions
(00:15:19) Transitioning from photographer to business person with Toggly marketplace
(00:23:09) Raising capital for Togally and the importance of targeting the right investors
(00:26:25) Almost getting acquired by Kodak and lessons learned
(00:29:40) Joining Liquid Sky as Co-Founder and raising $12 million
(00:36:17) Samsung’s acquisition offer and the deal falling through
(00:41:15) Pivoting Liquid Sky’s business model and securing enterprise contracts
(00:43:44) Getting acquired by Walmart and the stressful acquisition process
(00:49:54) Becoming a Walmart employee and the shutdown of the gaming project
(00:51:51) Consulting for Generation Esports and helping them scale
(00:56:56) Raising funds for Generation Esports and navigating the COVID-19 pandemic
(01:02:45) Leaving Generation Esports due to differences in vision
(01:05:04) Founding Thunder.VC and building an AI-powered investment bank
(01:09:16) Identifying people who thrive in chaos and the importance of perseverance

Episode Links

Thunder.VC: https://web.thunder.vc/
Jason Kirby’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonkirby
Jason Kirby’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki (Book): Amazon Link
Jason Kirby’s podcast: Fundraising Demystified

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