Built For This: Stories of a Maverick
In this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/] sits down with Mike MacCombie [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmaccombie/], Venture Partner at NextGen Venture Partners [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextgen-venture-partners/], Mentor at Techstars [https://www.linkedin.com/company/techstars/], and Community Builder at Sandbox [https://www.linkedin.com/company/sandboxers/], to explore the intersection of behavioral psychology, investing, and human connection. Mike’s journey into venture was anything but traditional, starting as a middle school teacher before transitioning into behavioral consulting and eventually venture capital. This conversation dives into how his background shaped a unique investment philosophy rooted in understanding human behavior, decision-making, and the power of community. Together, they unpack what truly drives successful companies, why founders often misread signals, and how behavioral patterns influence everything from fundraising to team dynamics. The episode also explores the future of venture in an AI-driven world, the increasing importance of community, and why human connection remains a competitive advantage. Key Takeaways: * How Mike MacCombie applies behavioral psychology to evaluate startups and investment opportunities * Why community building is a strategic advantage—not just networking—and how to do it right * The key traits of successful founders, including resilience, focus, and self-awareness * Common investor biases like hype and anchoring—and how they impact decision-making * Why understanding human behavior is critical in an AI-driven future and how it shapes company success Noteworthy Quotes: * “Community is about building context and connection—not just collecting contacts.” – Mike MacCombie * “If there’s not an ‘of course’ reason to say yes, there’s nothing there.” – Mike MacCombie * “People don’t fail because of ideas—they fail because of how they think, act, and respond.” – Mike MacCombie * “Trust actions, not words. Interest doesn’t mean commitment.” – Mike MacCombie * “Fear and anxiety come from inaction—action is what reduces it.” – Mike MacCombie * “The distance between who you are and who you present yourself to be is your level of unhappiness.” – Mike MacCombie * “The best companies are often the ones nobody else believes in—until they work.” – Mike MacCombie * “Technology should give us more space to be human, not replace it.” – Mike MacCombie Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Mike MacCombie and episode overview 01:11 - Mike’s nonlinear journey from teaching to venture capital 04:16 - The moment that sparked his transition into startups 06:58 - Building community as a foundation for opportunity 09:18 - Launching Generous Ventures and early lessons 11:23 - Applying behavioral psychology to investing decisions 14:57 - Team vs market: what matters most in investing 17:34 - Measuring grit, resilience, and founder mindset 23:00 - Investor biases and the difference between networking vs community 26:30 - How to find or build meaningful communities 30:40 - Why people make suboptimal decisions 33:47 - Understanding founder psychology and customer behavior 37:22 - Managing fear, stress, and uncertainty 40:45 - The future of venture and AI’s impact 43:41 - Human behavior in an increasingly tech-driven world 47:30 - Systems, thinking, and staying organized 48:32 - Curiosity, learning, and mental frameworks 51:09 - Rapid fire insights and closing thoughts FOLLOW OUR GUEST, MIKE MACCOMBIE ON: * Mike MacCombie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmaccombie/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmaccombie/] * NextGen Venture Partners LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextgen-venture-partners/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextgen-venture-partners/] * Sandbox LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sandboxers/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/sandboxers/] * Techstars LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techstars/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/techstars/] * Mike MacCombie X: https://x.com/MikeMacCombie [https://x.com/MikeMacCombie] * Newsletter & Deal Flow: Available via Mike’s X profile FOLLOW OUR HOST, JENNA BAYUK ON: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/] * Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/https://kinshipkollective.com/ [https://kinshipkollective.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/ [https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/] * Email: info@kinshipkollective.com [info@kinshipkollective.com] FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON: * Website [https://www.escocommunity.com]: https://kinshipkollective.com/ [https://kinshipkollective.com/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/esco-institute/]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/] * X: https://x.com/JBayuk [https://x.com/JBayuk] * Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast? [https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult [https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult [https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult]
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