Alex Norman (TechTO/N49P) | How to Build a Thriving Startup Community

Описание: Alex Norman, co-founder of TechTO and managing partner at N49P Ventures, joins Mantle Mondays to share his journey building one of the most vibrant startup communities while investing in 80+ early-stage companies. From the power of random collisions to what actually predicts founder success at pre-seed, Alex reveals why community must come first and why it's never been easier to start a company, but never harder to succeed.

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome
00:36 - Alex's Background & Mission: Building the Ecosystem
01:51 - The Origin Story of TechTO & N49P
04:09 - The Power of Random Collisions & Candid Conversations
06:29 - Community Building vs. Investment Strategy
08:16 - Meet the Team: The People Behind TechTO
10:04 - How TechTO Creates Alpha for N49P (And Why It's Not Enough)
12:33 - Biggest Lesson: Put Community First, Not Yourself
13:11 - Inside N49P: Team Structure & The Unusual Goldman Partner
15:42 - The Two-Sided Marketplace: LPs vs. Founders
17:00 - Investment Stage & Current Market Trends
18:09 - "Never Been Easier to Start, Never Harder to Succeed"
18:52 - What Alex Looks For: Team, Composition & Insight
20:52 - Hidden Opportunities & Obvious Oversaturated Markets
23:10 - The New Platform Shift: Beyond Replacing One Person
25:18 - AI as the Solution to Computer-Created Burdens
27:37 - Why Founders Still Need to Get on Planes
29:38 - From Transactions to Trust-Based Relationships
30:29 - Why Work With N49P: Support, Honesty & Community
31:56 - What's Next for Alex & How to Reach Him
32:53 - Closing Thoughts