Originally recorded as Matt Cohen’s guest appearance on Mantle Mondays hosted by Amar Varma.

In this special episode of Tank Talks, Matt Cohen joins Amar Varma on Mantle Mondays for a candid conversation about how to get VC funding in 2026, what early-stage investors actually look for, and where the next wave of breakout startups is being built. As the Founder and Managing Partner of Ripple Ventures, Matt shares his path from RBC trading desks and public markets to startup operating experience, angel investing, and eventually building one of Canada’s most active early-stage venture firms. He breaks down how founders can stand out in a crowded market, why validated problems and technical execution matter more than hype, and what separates companies that can raise from companies that get left behind.

The conversation also dives into how Matt evaluates founders before product-market fit, why recruiting ability and fundraising skill matter as much as product vision, and how AI, deep tech, biotech, aerospace, and software-enabled physical systems are reshaping venture capital. Matt also opens up about Ripple Ventures’ own evolution, the firm’s investment philosophy, and how Ripple OS and internal AI agents are helping portfolio companies move faster.

If you want an honest look at startup fundraising, venture capital in Canada, founder-investor fit, AI startup differentiation, and the future of early-stage tech, this Tank Talks episode, originally recorded as Matt Cohen’s appearance on Mantle Mondays with Amar Varma, is packed with practical insights.

How Turnstile Pulled Matt Into the Startup World (03:07)

The origin story of Turnstile, the wifi marketing and analytics company Matt co-founded, and how building and exiting that business gave him his first real startup education.

Why Startup Struggle Matters More Than Investor Talk (05:11)

Matt gets real about how hard it was to raise capital, why Turnstile had to grind toward profitability, and why lived operator experience matters when founders pick investors.

How Ripple Ventures Started Before the Fund Existed (07:42)

Matt explains how he built the Ripple brand before institutional capital was in place, why perception matters in venture, and how his early angel wins created momentum with family offices.

The Long-Game Philosophy Behind Fund I (10:51)

A great story about raising a first fund, proving commitment to LPs, and why first-time managers need to stop waiting for the “perfect” close and just get moving.

What Gets a Founder’s Attention in 2026 (16:44)

Matt breaks down what’s changed in venture, why deep tech and frontier ideas are more investable today, and why ambitious founders are tackling much bigger problems than they were a decade ago.

The 4 Things Ripple Ventures Looks For in Founders (19:25)

Matt lays out Ripple’s core framework: validated problem, technical founding team, recruiting ability, and fundraising skill.

The Startup That Blew Matt Away (23:29)

Matt shares the story of Clover and why seeing a young team scale to massive early traction changed how he thinks about speed, execution, and modern company building.

What a Generational Company Actually Looks Like (33:59)

Matt gets honest about what he can and can’t claim to know, then shares the founder traits he believes matter most when building something truly enduring.

What Founders Should Look For in an Investor (38:05)

A powerful section on support during hard moments, reputation in venture, and why investors are really tested when a company is struggling, selling, or stuck.

Tank Talks, Community, and Playing the 25-Year Game (44:24)

Matt reflects on building Tank Talks, surrounding himself with younger talent, and why staying close to ambitious founders keeps him sharp.

Matt’s Best Advice for Founders and Builders (46:31)

A strong closing section on paying it forward, reputation, and why the people you meet on the way up are the same people you’ll see on the way down.

Mantle Mondays on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@withmantle

Connect with Amar Varma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amar-varma-8041b9/

Connect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1

Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com