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Not Another CEO PodcastOur mission is to bend the curve for Founders and CEOs. Author: Not Another CEO
Our mission is to bend the curve for Founders and CEOs. At Not Another CEO, we know theres no formula for running a business. Leadership is forged through unique journeys, real challenges, and hard lessons. Our exclusive content showcases unfiltered stories and practical guidance from those whove crawled through the trenches. Our platform offers the largest library of CEO insights and how-to guides, sourced directly from a diverse community of leaders. Find our full video library, detailed playbooks, deep dives, and lessons learned on our Substack here https://notanotherceo.substack.com/ Language: en Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Mastering Startup Execution - Rudina Seseri - Glasswing Ventures - Episode #90
Episode 90
Tuesday, 10 March, 2026
What makes a startup truly successful in the eyes of venture capitalists? In this episode of Not Another CEO Podcast, host David Politis sits down with Rudina Seseri, Founder and Managing Partner at Glasswing Ventures, to dive into the realm of venture capital and discuss how startup founders can better position themselves for success.From her experience with early-stage companies to her unique perspective on the dynamics of venture capital, Rudina shares invaluable lessons about the importance of execution, understanding investor expectations, and the intricacies of navigating the startup ecosystem.Takeaways: The Value of Execution: For Rudina, the key trait she seeks in founders is execution excellence. It's not just about having a vision but demonstrating the ability and hustle to deliver beyond expectations.The Misunderstood VC Role: Many founders and employees don't understand the source of venture capital. Knowing that VCs manage funds from institutions like endowments and pensions changes the stakes and expectations.Importance of Strategic Partnerships: Rudina advises founders to seek investment from firms and partners that align with their stage and needs, rather than solely pursuing big names which might not provide necessary support.Entwining Execution with AI Dynamics: With burgeoning AI ventures, execution has become even more critical in a landscape where sheer novelty sells, yet sustainable business requires much more.The Art of Quick Decision-Making: Efficiency in decision-making during early meetings can shape successful partnerships. Rudina values honesty in communicating why a VC might pass on an opportunity, emphasizing that a quick, thoughtful no is better than indecision.Sustained Support Post-Investment: At Glasswing Ventures, support continues beyond just funding, emphasizing talent acquisition, customer connections, and strategic guidance, ensuring startups grow sustainably.Negotiating with Insight: Beyond valuation, founders should focus on the terms and structure of the deal, as these determine long-term success and alignment with investors.Quote of the Show:“What have we done for them lately to deserve to expect? Yes we’ve provided capital, but that’s not enough in my book." - Rudina SeseriLinks:LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudinaseseri/ Website: https://glasswing.vc/ Ways to Tune In:Substack: https://notanotherceo.substack.com/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ #NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #GlasswingVenturesChapters:00:00 Intro01:37 Ruthless Execution02:32 Spotting Hustle Fast05:38 Execution in the AI Boom07:55 Retention and Switching Costs10:08 AI Interest vs Intent13:19 AI Hype and Human Loop17:58 How VCs Decide Quickly20:39 Giving Fast Honest Nos22:54 Execution and Go To Market Gaps24:21 How VCs Support Founders27:14 Portfolio Review Cadence28:27 Why Take Board Seats33:30 Term Sheets Beyond Valuation38:17 Choosing Firm vs Partner41:29 Scaling Support With Team43:01 Why She Became an Investor45:14 Outro
