Tell us about your work at PS27 and why you love the company.
Hi! I am Nick Guerrero, the investment analyst at PS27 Ventures. My day-to-day involves meeting with startup founders, identifying and evaluating investment opportunities, and supporting portfolio company management teams. One of the many reasons I love this role is that I get to see companies through our entire diligence process, from the very first conversation all the way to funding. It’s always exciting getting to learn about new companies solving problems in a unique way. Given the early stage we invest at, the founder is integral to the business’s continued success. It’s always inspiring to hear about origin stories, and I have an immense amount of respect for startup founders.
Favorite memory in the innovation ecosystem so far?
Earlier this year, I had the incredible opportunity to meet Tom Brady after his keynote at Emerge Americas. It was super inspiring hearing his story about getting into the NFL and his journey to becoming the legend everyone knows him as today. I think there are a lot of parallels in his story to the founder’s experience. Success doesn’t come overnight, and your support system cannot be understated.
One of the things that makes us unique here at PS27 is our post-investment involvement with our founders. We take an interactive approach and meet with founders on a weekly cadence. Interestingly enough, we call our senior advisors on those calls “coaches.”
Tell us about your vision for the future and Jacksonville’s innovation ecosystem. Hopes and dreams for 2023?
Jacksonville has all the markings of an incredible city for entrepreneurship and innovation. We have top research institutions and a myriad of resources for founders to tap into (see chart above). Prices are relatively inexpensive, and with sunny and warm weather all year round, it’s no wonder that this is one of the cities with the highest move in numbers. More and more founders are finding themselves building in nontraditional tech hubs, including Jacksonville. I’m looking forward to supporting the success stories from this ecosystem over the coming years.
Advice for young professionals hoping to get involved in venture capital?
For young professionals trying to break into VC, the best thing you can do is attend events, of which there are many just within the state of FL. There are also a lot of groups and societies that have popped up over the past few years that you can join to help you build your network. This is a network-driven industry, and you really have to leverage the people you know to get your foot in the door.
PS27 looks for volunteers to help at our events, so keep an eye on our LinkedIn and website for an opportunity to get involved! Learn more about Nick Guerrero by connecting with him on LinkedIn.
