In this insightful episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Aaron Stachel, partner at FirstMile Ventures, to explore the emerging startup ecosystems beyond traditional coastal hubs, focusing particularly on Colorado and Texas. Aaron shares the origin story and investment thesis of FirstMile Ventures, a seed-stage fund dedicated to being the “first partner” for founders in rapidly growing markets outside Silicon Valley.

The conversation delves into geographic advantages, debunking myths about relocating companies and highlighting the growing appeal of regions like Colorado due to cost, talent availability, and quality of life.

Aaron also discusses FirstMile’s hands-on approach during the critical first 12 to 24 months post-investment, helping startups find product-market fit through founder-led sales strategies, team-building advice, customer introductions, and milestone setting. The episode covers how AI is transforming early-stage venture capital by enabling more capital-efficient startup models and touches on the firm’s philosophy of investing with a strong emphasis on team quality and problem understanding rather than pure technology evaluation.

Listeners can expect practical insights on venture capital trends, founder challenges in scaling, and thoughtful reflections from Aaron’s unique journey—from military pilot to venture partner—highlighting leadership lessons and the importance of storytelling in startup success. For founders and investors alike, this episode offers a compelling look at new frontiers in venture investing and how emerging regions are reshaping the innovation landscape.

Learn more about Aaron's work at https://www.firstmilevc.com/

Connect with Aaron on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronstachel/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/

Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? Check out his website at https://finstratmgmt.com