The world of venture capital is a mystery to most. Who gets funded and why? What's the math around valuations? And why is there so much "betting on the jockey"? So many questions with so few answers. That's why we invited Jason Corsello, founder and general partner at Acadian Ventures, on the podcast. He'll help us better understand the unicorn parade from a few years back, which resulted in a VC winter, which has led to the gradual thawing of capital into the world of work. What kind of companies are getting his attention, and wallet share, and what advice does he give to startups looking to raise that first seed round of capital. The veils are being lifted and the crystal balls are coming out on this one. Enjoy. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:14 The Unicorn Parade and VC Winter 07:16 Opportunities for Seed Investors 10:23 The Thaw and the Future of Venture Capital 16:23 Investment Themes: AI, Compliance, and Global Workforce 22:36 Advantages and Disadvantages of Incumbents in Leveraging Data 23:53 Challenges of Integrating HR Tech Systems 26:15 Evaluating Startup Pitches and the Importance of Referrals 29:55 Evaluating European Startups vs. US Startups 33:49 The Potential for Disruption in the ATS Market 35:23 Best Bets, Worst Mistakes, and Missed Opportunities in Venture Capital