VC Uncovered

"Great founders have to be able to convince people to do irrational things." Bukie Adebo Umeano understands this better than most. From failed founder to thesis-driven investor Anthemis Group, her journey reflects the very ethos we celebrate at VC Uncovered. Bukie champions contrarian thinking, bigger bets, and founders obsessed with solving the toughest problems. At Anthemis Group, she’s reshaping how we think about invisible finance and the transformative potential of AI in overlooked sectors. At VC Uncovered, we spotlight investors like Bukie—those who back founders rewriting the rules and pushing beyond conventional wisdom. Read more about Bukie Adebo Umeano in our latest VC Uncovered issue.

Two very different investor profiles this week—but equally inspiring. Jaya Gupta (Foundation Capital) brings unwavering optimism, turning every founder meeting into a search for reasons to say 'yes.' From operations to venture capital, she's betting big on AI-driven "services as software" as the next trillion-dollar wave. Meanwhile, Anthony Kline (The General Partnership) champions storytelling and human potential. From recruiting at Stripe to investing in seasoned founders, he knows execution and talent make all the difference. Check out their stories—and more—at VC Uncovered (vcuncovered.com)

Great founders are world-class storytellers. The best can do three things better than anyone else: ?? Fundraise. ?? Sell. ?? Recruit. Nail those, and you’re already miles ahead. Anthony Kline understands that venture capital isn’t just about funding products—it’s about backing people. From building early teams at Stripe and Twitter to investing at The General Partnership, he’s seen firsthand how the right talent and networks transform startups into category-defining companies. At VC Uncovered, we spotlight investors like Anthony—the ones who think beyond the spreadsheets, bet on exceptional operators, and back the founders who can rally the world around their vision. Read more about Anthony Kline in our latest VC Uncovered issue.

Optimism is a competitive advantage. Most investors look for red flags. Jaya Gupta looks for reasons to say yes—a founder’s unique insight, an unconventional background, or a breakthrough idea hiding in plain sight. At Foundation Capital, she doesn’t just bet on financial models. She bets on people. While others obsess over risk, she backs the founders who have the grit, vision, and resilience to build category-defining companies. At VC Uncovered, we spotlight investors like Jaya—the ones who think independently, challenge groupthink, and see opportunities where others see obstacles. Read more about Jaya Gupta in our latest VC Uncovered issue.

Always a pleasure catching up with Drew and this time we made it fit for publication. Check it out below ??

Bet so big you’d quit your job to join. That’s Tarun Gupta’s approach to venture capital. If he wouldn’t be excited to leave VC and go all-in on a startup, he won’t invest. At Jump Capital, Tarun doesn’t get distracted by surface-level metrics like TAM. He looks for founders with deep market insight, an obsession with solving real problems, and the ability to attract world-class talent. His belief? Venture isn’t about predicting the future—it’s about backing the people who will build it. At VC Uncovered, we spotlight investors like Tarun—the ones who think differently, challenge conventional wisdom, and bet on the next generation of category-defining companies. Read more about Tarun Gupta in our latest VC Uncovered issue ????

VC Uncovered's latest investor, David, stands apart in a venture ecosystem fixated on metrics and patterns. Shaped by wilderness experiences in Denali and inspired by frontier explorers, he brings an adventurer's mindset to venture capital. While the industry drifts toward predictable investments, he reminds us that true venture capital embraces complexity and uncertainty. His journey from a childhood Reuters terminal to Silicon Valley exemplifies the nimble investor who prioritizes founder relationships over passive capital. His perspective centers on what matters most: entrepreneurs making extraordinary sacrifices to bring ideas to life. David reminds us the next wave of transformative companies will not emerge from committee-approved theses but from investors willing to back founders who venture into uncharted territory.

Innovation starts where the familiar ends ?? David Mort's explorer mindset meets venture capital. David Mort didn’t start his career chasing safe bets. He grew up fascinated by frontier explorers, spent summers in Denali building dog-sled trails, and learned firsthand what it means to navigate uncertainty. Now, he brings that same adventurous spirit to venture—backing founders who embrace risk, push boundaries, and build where others hesitate. At Propel Venture Partners, David doesn’t just write checks. He looks for founders who can attract the customers, talent, and capital to win. His approach believes venture isn’t about following patterns—it’s about finding the outliers willing to go where no one else will. At VC Uncovered, we spotlight investors like David—those who defy convention, embrace complexity, and bet on the next generation of game-changing founders. Read more about David Mort in our latest VC Uncovered issue. ????

When Drew Glover invited me to join the VC Uncovered community, I immediately said yes. VC Uncovered is all about shining a light on investors who bring different perspectives to the table, have taken unconventional paths to get into venture, and provide real support to founders. In fact, VC Uncovered wrote in their inaugural post exactly what we aim to do at TTV Capital: “We believe the future of venture isn’t just about writing checks; it’s about rolling up your sleeves and building alongside founders during their toughest moments.” Many thanks to Drew for the opportunity to share my thoughts on everything from being part of a firm based in Atlanta to having the conviction to make a decision and then stick with it. I’m honored to be included alongside other VCs who embrace bold thinking, actively mentor founders, and build genuine partnerships. https://lnkd.in/gaG-HdZj?

I’m thrilled to join the VC Uncovered community, which spotlights bold, nimble VCs. Thanks to Drew Glover for this opportunity. Fun to share my path to venture (through science labs!), some of my investment philosophies, and how I see the future of VC evolving.