Rewriting Who Gets to Build Wealth with Nell Daly, Co-Founder of Revenge Capital

2025-12-09

Download

I am joined this week by the beautiful and incredible Nell Daly from Revenge Capital. Nell is not only a venture capitalist investing in underrepresented founders but also a former psychotherapist who spent 17,000 hours listening to people's life stories and understanding how deeply money affects our psychological well-being and life choices. Today, we dive deep into Nell's unconventional journey from growing up as the daughter of Irish immigrants who physically skipped middle class but psychologically remained "kids from the projects," to becoming a therapist treating the symptoms of economic inequality, to finally...

Today, we dive deep into Nell's unconventional journey from growing up as the daughter of Irish immigrants who physically skipped middle class but psychologically remained "kids from the projects," to becoming a therapist treating the symptoms of economic inequality, to finally deciding to treat the root causes by becoming a venture capitalist. You'll hear about the profound ways financial insecurity shaped her childhood, her pivot from law to art school after a friend's tragic death, and the realization that came from years of private practice that economic freedom is fundamental to human autonomy and mental health.

Nell shares how she taught herself venture capital during the pandemic by Googling every term she didn't understand, why her son named the fund "Revenge," and her mission to make sure that anyone who doesn't look or sound like traditional power has a seat at the table. Listen as Nell talks about the courage it takes to keep touching the hot stove, why being talent isn't enough when you want to run the company, and how we need more women later in the food chain writing the actual checks.

Key Topics:

Growing up with the psychological scars of poverty even when you're physically middle class
Treating 17,000 hours of patients and realizing money is the root cause, not just a symptom
Learning that economic freedom is fundamental to leaving bad relationships and living out your dreams
Teaching yourself venture capital through Google when you don't come from banking or finance
Why "Revenge" perfectly captures what underrepresented founders are really seeking
The difference between being talent and being the one who writes the checks
Creating systematic change so talented women don't leave male-dominated industries in tears