Podcast Summary: The Investor With Joel Palathinkal

Episode: Patrick Schneider: Beast Ventures
Date: September 10, 2025
Host: Dr. Joel Palathinkal
Guest: Patrick Schneider (Founder, Beast Ventures; VC from UK)

Overview

This episode features a lively roundtable discussion centered on Patrick Schneider and his journey as a venture capitalist and founder of Beast Ventures. The group covers breaking into VC, strategic networking, global tech ecosystems (especially UK vs. US), valuations, the rise of platforms like Clubhouse, investing in deep tech and impact, and practical advice for aspiring investors and founders. The atmosphere is informal, transparent, and collaborative, with contributions from journalists and medical professionals in the audience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Value of Clubhouse and Modern Networking

Timestamps: 01:11, 02:12, 04:37, 05:43, 06:58, 07:44

• Serendipitous networking: Clubhouse enables low-pressure connections and serendipitous meetings across global time zones.
  • Patrick describes how Clubhouse has become more accessible for Europeans and shares, “My Friday night lockdown party was running your Clubhouse... it’s become really global, which is great.” (02:12)
• Platform evolution: The explosion of Clubhouse usage increases opportunities but also creates “noise” and discovery challenges.
  • Patrick: “There are thousands and thousands of...members... There are rooms popping up everywhere. So that’s going to be an issue… sifting through all of the noise.” (04:45)
• Relationship building: Clubhouse, LinkedIn, and similar platforms blend casual and professional networking, yielding new deal flows and reconnections with old acquaintances.
  • Patrick: "[After a Clubhouse session] Ron introduced me to a startup...that I spoke...with last week...wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been on Clubhouse at that moment.” (07:44)
• LinkedIn limitations: While Clubhouse facilitates genuine engagement, LinkedIn messages can be impersonal and overwhelming for VCs.

2. Breaking Into Venture Capital & Building Trust

Timestamps: 03:48, 10:06, 13:56, 15:10, 15:39

• Nontraditional pathways: Patrick’s entry into VC was through corporate intelligence and venture building in Russia, emphasizing operational grit.
• Relationship-first approach: Trust-building through sharing valuable deal flow, not immediately asking for money, is key.
  • Patrick: "They, in the end, it was their idea to formalize things, not mine...with some of these relationships, it does take time, you have to build trust." (15:39)
• Analogy with startups: Fundraising for VCs with LPs mirrors what founders experience; power dynamics influence who gets access and when.

3. Approaching VCs: Thoughtful Outreach

Timestamps: 18:58

• Good outreach example: Patrick discusses investing in a founder who “kept in touch” after an initial rejection, attending events, and demonstrating growth. Relationship nurturing often leads to investment later.
  • “If she just kind of ghosted us...then that wouldn’t have happened. That’s a good example.” (20:34)
• Bad outreach: Cold, transactional approaches rarely yield results.

4. Comparative Views: US vs UK & European Tech Ecosystem

Timestamps: 20:52, 23:56, 26:22, 28:11, 30:04

• Cultural differences: US is “less risk averse”; UK and Europe have plenty of talent but less early-stage money and more conservative attitudes toward start-ups.
  • Patrick: “Americans are less risk averse than Europeans. It’s just a fact... Sometimes I forget I’m in a VC/startup bubble.” (20:52)
• Valuations: US valuations—especially in the Valley—are significantly higher at both early and late stages. There's regional variation even within countries (e.g., “New Jersey of the UK” = Belfast or north of England, where valuations are lower).
  • “Same IP, the same tech team...move down to London...valuation can double.” (26:22)
• Ecosystem hotspots: London, Oxford, Cambridge form the UK’s "Silicon Triangle"; Edinburgh, Nordics, France, Berlin noted for sector-specific strengths.

5. Impact of Remote Work & Virtual Investment

Timestamps: 30:04, 32:04, 33:38

• Remote diligence increases deal flow quantity, but not always the quality of interaction.
  • Patrick: “Increase in quantity...not sure if the quality...is as strong. But...learning about what’s out there, it’s more efficient.” (32:04)
• Some decisions benefit from face-to-face meetings, especially at the early stage.

6. Investing in Deep Tech and Impact

Timestamps: 36:51, 39:46, 42:04

• Patrick’s MIT experience shaped his deep tech focus—especially taking complex science “out of the black box” and turning it into actionable investment.
  • Patrick: “We had to not be afraid of science...They trained us...if we can validate the science...what’s the commercial opportunity here?” (36:51)
• Beast Ventures focuses on planetary health and human health (food/agriculture, health tech, clean meat, climate).
• Blurring lines between deep tech and impact: "VC is going to become impact investing...Regulations are changing...consumer habits are changing...” (39:46)

7. Healthcare, Systems, and Opportunity

Timestamps: 44:45, 45:21, 48:36

• The UK’s single-payer, government-run healthcare creates opportunities for startups—especially those leveraging data for population health or therapeutics.
• Patrick: “You can...go to the hospital and they’ll try and look after you...centralized database...great opportunities [for] startups.” (45:21)
• US healthcare is more business-driven; in the UK, less profit pressure but resource constraints mean hospitals can be understaffed.

8. General Advice for Aspiring VCs and Founders

Timestamps: 50:47, 54:49, 56:56

• Build relationships and develop subject matter expertise—specialized focus helps raise first-time funds.
• Patrick: “If you want to get into VC, that’s where I would start...If you have a particular area you’re passionate about and expertise in, it helps.” (50:47)
• Persistence trumps brilliance:
  • Patrick: “A lot of the people who are successful are not necessarily the smartest, but they are the most persistent...if you don’t give up and everyone else does, then by default you win.” (54:49)
  • Bonnie: “No is an acronym...just keep changing the talking points...No stands for not ordinarily.” (56:56)

Notable Quotes

• On Building Relationships:
  • "It takes a lot of time to build trust. That’s even true with some startup founders."
    — Patrick Schneider (15:39)
• On Clubhouse Networking:
  • "Wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been on Clubhouse like at that moment."
    — Patrick Schneider (07:44)
• On US vs. UK VC Culture:
  • "Americans are less risk averse than Europeans. It’s just a fact."
    — Patrick Schneider (20:52)
• On Persistence:
  • "The people who are successful are not necessarily the smartest, but they are the most persistent... If you don’t give up and everyone else does, then by default you win."
    — Patrick Schneider (54:49)
• On Founders Nurturing Relationships:
  • "She kept in touch...I saw how the company...and she grew as a founder...We got to the stage where we wanted to invest..."
    — Patrick Schneider (20:34)
• On Impact Investment:
  • "Our thesis is that...VC is going to become impact investing."
    — Patrick Schneider (39:46)

Segment Timestamps for Reference

• [01:11] — Clubhouse’s role in networking
• [10:06] — Patrick’s journey from corporate intelligence to VC
• [13:56] — Starting a fund through organic relationships
• [18:58] — Example of founder building a relationship with Patrick
• [20:52] — US vs. UK/Europe differences
• [23:56] — Deep dive on valuations
• [26:22] — Regional valuation disparities
• [36:51] — Impact of MIT and deep tech investing mindset
• [39:46] — Beast Ventures' focus: planetary and human health
• [44:45] — Healthcare system similarities/differences
• [50:47] — Advice for breaking into VC: build relationships, specialize
• [54:49] — Patrick on perseverance and success

Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation is candid, supportive, and collaborative. There's no preaching—just storytelling and experience-sharing. Both the host and guest emphasize relationship-building, patient career development, and persistence above resume-building or transactional networking.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Network intentionally and nurture relationships, both on new platforms and offline.
• Patience, value add, and consistent contact are key to building VC and founder trust.
• Developing sector expertise helps aspiring VCs gain an edge, but persistence is even more crucial.
• Global tech ecosystems are converging, but local context and risk appetite still matter.
• Impact investing is not a niche, but the likely future of venture capital.
• Use “no” as a motivator—change the frame and find a way forward.

This episode is a must-listen for aspiring investors, early-stage founders, and anyone curious about the evolving intersection of deep tech, impact, and the global VC landscape.