Raising capital can open doors, but it does not guarantee success. Are you building a real business or just winning the pitch room?
This week's VentureFuel Visionary is Brooklyn Bridge Ventures Founder and General Partner Charlie O'Donnell, one of the most influential figures in New York's startup ecosystem. With more than two decades of experience spanning Union Square Ventures, First Round Capital, and then creating the first venture capital fund based in Brooklyn, he has backed well over 100 early-stage startups.
In this all-Brooklyn episode, Charlie brings his uniquely candid and deeply informed perspective on how venture capital actually works and insights from his new book "Founder Unfriendly," where he unpacks common misconceptions about VC and how both founders and investors can build more transparent, productive relationships.
Pre-order the book here ahead of its release on April 28, 2026, to get early access.
Episode Highlights
- Fundraising Isn’t Winning – Charlie explains that raising venture capital should not be seen as the finish line. It brings bigger expectations, more pressure, and a higher-risk path built around outsized growth.
- Selling the Future, Not the Past – He explores how investors must focus more on future potential than past accomplishments. Founders need to show how their company can scale into a major business, not just highlight current traction.
- Why “Interesting” Is a Warning Sign – He discusses that vague investor responses often signal weak conviction rather than real momentum. Honest feedback is more valuable because it gives founders something concrete to improve.
- Traction Only Matters When It Solves the Right Problem – The conversation explores that not all traction carries the same weight. Revenue, users, or growth metrics matter most when they prove the hardest and most important part of the business model.
- Better Corporate-Startup Partnerships – Charlie explains that large companies can work well with startups when they come with real business needs, clear budgets, and fast decisions. Respecting startup time creates stronger outcomes for both sides.
VentureFuel builds and accelerates innovation programs for industry leaders by helping them unlock the power of External Innovation via startup collaborations.