Ignite VC: How Accelerators Shaped Jenny Fielding’s Vision for the Future of Startups | Ep158

Ignite: Conversations on Startups, Venture Capital, Tech, Future, and Society

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24d ago 51:57

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What if your first investor didn’t just invest in startups—but had personally helped launch thousands?

Jenny Fielding, former Managing Director at Techstars and now Co-Founder of Everywhere Ventures, has been behind some of the biggest startup successes you’ve heard of—and is now reimagining how early-stage investing works in a borderless world. From scaling companies as a two-time founder to accelerating hundreds at Techstars, Jenny brings a unique lens to what it really takes to back founders everywhere, not just in Silicon Valley.

In this episode, we dive into how Jenny transitioned from founder to accelerator leader to fund builder, why the future of venture is decentralized and founder-driven, and what she’s learned from years of spotting breakout companies before the world catches on.

Key themes we cover:

🔹 Why geography is no longer a competitive advantage (for startups or VCs)

🔹 How accelerators shape founder outcomes—and what’s changing

🔹 The real traits that predict early-stage success (hint: it’s not the resume)

🔹 How Everywhere Ventures designed a "community-first" investment model

🔹 What emerging founders need most in a noisier, globalized funding landscape

From helping thousands of founders get their first break to building a fund that crosses borders and barriers, Jenny’s journey proves that great investors don't just bet on the future—they build it everywhere.

Chapters:

Welcome & Guest Introduction (00:01 – 01:52)

From Founder to Accelerator Leader (01:53 – 06:47)

Lessons Learned at Techstars (06:48 – 11:15)

The Birth of Everywhere Ventures (11:16 – 15:32)

Investing Without Borders (15:33 – 20:44)

Traits of Great Founders (20:45 – 26:19)

Community-Driven Venture Model (26:20 – 32:07)

How VC is Changing Globally (32:08 – 37:11)

Advice for Early-Stage Founders (37:12 – 43:20)

The Role of Geography in Startup Success (43:21 – 47:05)

Rapid Fire Q&A (47:06 – 50:30)

Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Jenny (50:31 – 51:58)

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