SBT Investor Spotlight - Mason Hale, Principal, Alumni Ventures - Full conversation

In this installment of the C-Suite Spotlight, President Justin Kinsey sits down with Mason Hale, Principal at Alumni Ventures.

With a background that spans global business and venture development, Mason brings both analytical rigor and an innate curiosity about what’s next.

His experience at The University of Texas at Austin and Waseda Business School in Tokyo shaped a worldview that blends technical insight with cross-cultural perspective — an asset in today’s globally connected innovation landscape. Mason started his career in energy development in the oil and gas industry, but rapidly-shifting markets caused him to look elsewhere and he felt drawn to venture capital.

Today, Mason plays a key role in driving Alumni Ventures’ investments across frontier technologies — from AI, robotics, and next-generation computing to the core semiconductor technology that powers it all.

As part of the firm’s AI & Robotics Fund - as well as Chestnut Street and Triphammer Ventures - he focuses on identifying transformative startups and helping founders turn early innovation into scalable impact.

Here is the list of questions and timestamps:
00:00 - Opening
01:06 - Can you give the audience an overview of your career background so far?
04:12 - Alumni Venture has a unique model compared to other VC firms. Can you give the audience an overview of how you're differentiated?
07:08 - How do you approach evaluating the companies that you might invest in, and what are some of the attributes you look for?
10:11 - Qualities like grit and determination so often get overused for founder. Are there specific attributes you look for in founders you might invest in?
13:13 - There has been a lot of talk about AI, but many are curious "what's next?". You're bullish on robotics, can you share why?
15:45 - Is there a technology that you're most excited about because you believe it's going to help advance the robotics sector?
16:55 - In addition to robotics, you're also involved with investing in quantum and semiconductors. Can you explain your thesis on these other arears?
18:45 - Memory startups are not that common. Are you seeing anything in this sector that has gotten your attention?
19:20 - How much weight do you place on the caliber of technical talent when you're considering investing in a company?
20:51 - What "red flags" do you look for when you're considering investing in a company?
22:56 - How do you advise the founders you work with regarding finding the right talent in a competitive landscape?
24:12 - Not all founders have the same skill when it comes to telling their story in a charismatic way. What advice would you give those who struggle with that?
25:34 - What advice would you give to founders who are trying to get their company funded, and is there anything you advise to guard against?
26:48 - If someone wants to get in touch with you or Alumni Ventures to be considered for investment, how should they reach out?
27:22 - Signoff

For more details about the work that Mason and the team at Alumni Ventures are doing, visit:
https://www.av.vc/

You can find and request to connect with Mason on LinkedIn:
  / halemason  

For more details about SBT talent solutions, visit:
https://www.sbtindustries.com

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