July 8, 2025

From Precision Medicine to Human-Moat Startups: How Maddi Holman is Rewiring Venture Capital with a Rebel’s Playbook

From Precision Medicine to Human-Moat Startups: How Maddi Holman is Rewiring Venture Capital with a Rebel’s Playbook

I’m beyond excited to share our latest podcast episode with you. This time, I had the pleasure of chatting with the incredible Maddi Holman, the general partner of Daring Ventures and the host of her own podcast, "Let's Be Heard." Maddi’s journey from aspiring doctor to venture capitalist is nothing short of inspiring, and I can’t wait for you to hear her story.

Here are some of the key takeaways and intriguing insights from our conversation:

🚀 Maddi’s Unconventional Path
From Medicine to Venture Capital: Maddi initially aimed to become a doctor but found her true passion in supporting entrepreneurs and innovators.
Educational Pivot: She transitioned from a pre-med track to studying business and entrepreneurship at Imperial College in London.


💡 Inside Daring Ventures
Focus on B2B Software: Daring Ventures specializes in pre-seed investments, particularly in B2B software that leverages "uniquely human moats" within the trust economy. Founder Relationships: Maddi emphasizes the importance of building strong, supportive relationships with founders, even before making an investment.


🌟 Strategies for Success
Proactive Outreach: Maddi advocates for proactive cold outreach to discover high-growth opportunities, rather than relying solely on existing networks.
City Spotlights: She highlights emerging tech hubs like Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Cincinnati, Ohio, as exciting places for investment opportunities.


🧠 Mentorship and Leadership
Hands-On Support: Daring Ventures is committed to being deeply involved with their portfolio companies, providing mentorship and guidance beyond financial backing.
Authenticity in Leadership: Maddi believes in being transparent and vulnerable, sharing her own challenges and mistakes to build trust and relatability.


🌍 Future Trends
Women’s Health: Maddi is particularly excited about innovations in women’s health, advocating for more gender-specific research and personalized medicine.
Skilled Labor and Technology: She discusses the potential for AI and robotics to reshape skilled labor jobs, while still requiring human oversight and personal touch.


✈️ Personal Insights
Travel Dreams: Maddi shares her love for travel, with Spain at the top of her bucket list, and her wonderful experiences in Portugal.
Definition of Success: For Maddi, success is about doing what she loves, making an impact, and nurturing meaningful relationships.


I hope these highlights spark your curiosity and entice you to listen to the full episode. Maddi’s insights are not only valuable for aspiring venture capitalists but for anyone looking to navigate their own unconventional path to success.

Tune in now and let’s get inspired together!

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