Deep sits down with Jake and Ax, the founders of The Nucleus Network, a private warm-introduction community that has transformed how founders and investors build relationships. What started as two friends connecting people has evolved into a network responsible for more than 7,000 warm introductions, over 50 million dollars in deal value generated through connections, and more than 43 million dollars invested into 16 companies in under ten months.

In this conversation, Jake and Ax break down what makes great networking actually work. They explain how their double opt-in method creates trust, why the best business relationships begin with genuine human connection, and how the incentive structure behind introductions shapes the outcomes. They also share the story behind building Nucleus from scratch, their criteria for vetting members, and how their ventures, advisory arm, and events ecosystem all compound into long-term value for founders, operators, and investors.

Deep and the guys also explore the mindset behind saying no, managing opportunity as you grow, and why in-person meetings still outperform every digital alternative. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories from early experiments, their philosophy on warm introductions as a business model, how they evaluate top 1 percent founders, and why connection is becoming one of the most irreplaceable currencies in the age of AI.

This episode is a masterclass in relationship building, community design, and playing the long game with people. If you’re an entrepreneur, investor, operator, or someone who wants to build a powerful network the right way, you’ll take a lot from this conversation.

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