#199 The #1 Mistake Startup Founders Make When Seeking Seed Funding | Ian Levine

2025-12-09

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What makes an early-stage startup truly fundable — and why do so many founders miss the mark?In today’s episode, I sit down with Ian Levine, Managing Director of Launchpad Venture Group, one of the most active and respected angel investment networks in the United States.Ian has spent 15+ years investing in and syndicating early-stage deals and has helped grow more than 150 companies across New England and New York. Before Launchpad, he built and exited SaaS companies and held executive leadership roles at Bowne & Co., Merrill Corporation, and Iro...

What makes an early-stage startup truly fundable — and why do so many founders miss the mark?

In today’s episode, I sit down with Ian Levine, Managing Director of Launchpad Venture Group, one of the most active and respected angel investment networks in the United States.

Ian has spent 15+ years investing in and syndicating early-stage deals and has helped grow more than 150 companies across New England and New York. Before Launchpad, he built and exited SaaS companies and held executive leadership roles at Bowne & Co., Merrill Corporation, and Iron Mountain. His combination of operator instincts and investor discipline gives him a rare, practical lens into what actually helps founders win.

We dig into:

• How Launchpad evaluates startups and why capital efficiency matters more than ever

• The biggest mistakes founders make when pitching investors

• Why distribution — not product — is the real scaling bottleneck

• How angel groups fill a critical funding gap missed by VCs

• What the Boston startup ecosystem gets right

• Ian’s personal journey across startups, corporate leadership, and now operating one of the most influential angel groups in the country

• What he’s working toward in the next chapter of his career

If you’re a founder, investor, operator, or someone growing a team, Ian’s insights will reframe how you think about raising money and building a durable company.

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Guest Links

Launchpad Venture Group

Website: https://www.launchpadventuregroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/launchpad-venture-group/

Ian Levine

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilevine/

Company: https://www.launchpadventuregroup.com/

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Host & Podcast

Chris Brodhead

Podcast: What Are You Working Towards?