"Don’t Ask for Capital! Ask for THIS Instead…" Venture Capital Secrets with Jason Jacobson

In this episode of the RedNote Podcast, we sit down with Jason Jacobsohn, Founder and Managing Partner of Propellant Ventures, to unpack the real strategies behind venture capital, angel investing, and startup success. From insider pitching tips and fundraising frameworks to navigating uncertain markets, Jason delivers insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

OutLine:

00:00 Intro
01:06 Meet Jason Jacobsohn – Founder of Propellant Ventures
02:20 Understanding the Different Stages of Startup Funding
04:09 When to Expect ROI – The Average Investment Timeline
04:45 What Types of Companies Propellant Ventures Backs
07:12 Jason’s Journey – How He Got Started in Venture Capital
09:20 The Power of Soft Skills in the VC World
11:30 Leading with Value – Why Helping Others Pays Off
12:57 The Investor Mindset – What It Takes to Succeed
15:40 Why the Team Matters Most at the Earliest Stages
18:39 Common Mistakes New Investors Should Avoid
23:00 5 Key Lessons from a VC Fund Founder
26:02 A Closer Look at the Startups Propellant Ventures Invests In
27:37 Behind the Scenes – The VC Due Diligence Process
29:33 Meet the Team – Who Helps Jason Run the Fund
30:25 Balancing Risk vs. Reward in Venture Capital
32:32 Why Jason Launched His Own Venture Fund
37:10 The “Founder Night Out” Event Powered by Founder Institute
41:23 Michael’s Bace Agency Ad
42:03 How to Get Funded – Key Steps for Early-Stage Startups
45:00 It’s Okay to Fail – Why Setbacks Are Part of the Journey
46:28 Revenue First – Why You Don’t Always Need to Raise Capital
48:33 Knowing When It’s Time to Fundraise
49:34 The Perfect One-Minute Pitch – What VCs Are Listening For
51:25 Secret Framework to Raise Money
52:08 Ask for Advice, Not Money – A Smarter Way to Get Funded
54:08 Investing with $5K to $10K – Best Options for Beginners
1:03:53 Is Crypto a Bubble? Risks, Rewards, and Diversification
1:05:00 MicroStrategy & Bitcoin – Betting Big on the Future of Crypto
1:06:06 Propellant Ventures’ Vision – Why 20–25 Portfolio Companies
1:07:59 Navigating Uncertainty – How Founders Should Operate in Volatile Times
1:09:25 Final Thoughts – The Power of Relationships, Tech Ambitions & Long-Term Thinking

 

Follow Jason Jacobsohn:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonjacobsohn
Propellant Ventures: https://propellant.vc

Follow RedNote Podcast & Michael Pavlovskyi:
Michael’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-pavlovskyi-b43079280/
Michael’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpavlovskyy