May 28th, 2025 ×
Wes Bos Host
Scott Tolinski Host
Wes and Scott talk with VC Dan Levine about how developers can raise venture capital, what investors look for in early-stage startups, the realities of bootstrapping vs. fundraising, and why great ideas often start as simple side projects.
Show Notes
- 00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
- 00:55 Dan's background and career
- 03:10 Is it common for tech investors to come from a tech background?
- 04:40 How can developers raise money?
- 08:35 What investors look for
- 12:39 How much funding is enough?
- 15:41 Are founders working with multiple investors?
- 18:26 What can you use the money for?
- 22:49 How much influence do investors have in the business?
- 29:56 Brought to you by Sentry.io
- 29:56 How involved are VCs in the business?
- 34:22 How do you know a startup is in trouble—and what can you do about it?
- 38:56 How much of the company do investors own?
- 40:43 What's the endgame for investors?
- 44:02 How do acqui-hires work?
- 46:29 Is the AI space a real opportunity or just hype?
- 53:22 Sick Picks + Shameless Plugs
Sick Picks
Shameless Plugs
- Dan: Linear
Syntax: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads
Wes: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads