Leandro Bedolla
Founder of VCFamilia
Leandro Bedolla
Founder of VCFamilia
Chicago, Illinois
Overview
Work Experience
Senior Associate
2019 - Current
M25 is a Chicago based VC firm where we invest in Midwest based (14 states) Pre-Seed and Seed startups (from pre-revenue to $750K of annual revenue run rate) across most industries (no life sciences or vices). We lead, co-lead, and participate in $500K-$2.5M rounds with our check size of $250K-$750K for an ownership target of ~10%. We have backed 140+ teams including 2 Unicorns, and we’re one of the most active VC firms in the Midwest. • Responsible for sourcing, building relationships with startup ecosystem stakeholders, screening all dealflow, conducting first meetings with founders, due diligence, customer and personal reference checks, writing investment memos, helping portfolio companies, and contributing to follow-on investment decisions • Have been involved with evaluating 58 core investments at Pre-Seed and Seed (we led 68% of the rounds) and 77 follow-on investments at Seed to Series B • Previously led our firm's portfolio monitoring & reporting: tracking fund metrics and portfolio company KPIs, quarterly LP updates, and annual audit • Conduct in-depth research for 6 annual Midwest Startup City Rankings comprised of 64 Midwest cities (CBSA’s) across 25 variables Additionally, we created and manage Midwest Startups to create virtual density for the Midwest Startup ecosystem including a talent network for those seeking to join a VC-backed tech startup, city specific ecosystem resources, the annual Midwest Startup Cities Rankings, and a blog with content from community champions across the Midwest: https://midweststartups.com/
Co-Founded and Co-Led Breaking into VC Fellowship
2021
• One of 3 co-founders and co-leads of our Breaking into VC Fellowship, an 8-week program to equip Fellows with the knowledge, tools, community, and mentorship to break into VC and succeed • Recruited applicants, screened for semi-finalists, interviewed finalists, selected Fellows, led session content, moderated panels, and matched Fellows with mentors •Co-organize annual event for 50+ Chicago Latino/a founders & investors, and a BLCK VC collab for 200 attendees
Co-Led Chicago Chapter and volunteer on Founder Support Committee
2021
• Co-led launch of VCFamilia and Founder Familia in Chicago, a national community for Latine VCs & founders • Reviewed semi-finalists for 2 annual $50K pitch competitions, and organized Chicago's 2022 and 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month event
Associate | Techstars Anywhere Accelerator
2019 - 2019
• Supported one of Techstars' most experienced accelerator Managing Director and Program Manager as the Anywhere program's sole Associate • Helped founders of 10 startups test assumptions, refine pitches, research potential investors, improve financial models, coordinated operations (including day-off, week-long lodging changes for 30 people due to a giant snow storm), and community events in NYC, LA, and Boulder • Went through the Techstars program and curriculum alongside the cohort learning foundational founder skills • Participating teams included: Plural, ($1.3M Seed led by M25, $10M Series A led by S3), Parabol ($4M Seed led by CRV, $8M A led by M12), and echo3D ($4M A led by Konvoy, $5.5M led by Qualcomm) "Techstars Anywhere is a (mostly) virtual accelerator - no relocation necessary. It follows the proven Techstars approach while being designed for exceptional founders who have a business or personal constraint that would prevent them from relocating to a new city. The investment we make in each company in capital, time, and network is the same world class caliber as an in-person Techstars program."
Senior Analyst
2017 - 2019
• Aided the Executive Director and leaders of one of the most active angel investor groups (FKA Tech Coast Angels - San Diego) •Screened tech and life science startups from Pre-Seed to Series A, was on 16 diligence teams (6 were funded) including DTx Pharma which was acquired Jul’23 for $500M (up to $1B with earnout targets), and sourced GoSite which we invested in their Seed round in 2018 and went on to raise a $40M Series B led by Left Lane • Sourced deals including 2 Quick Pitch 2018 finalist (San Diego's largest pitch competition with $50K to 1st place) in which I was the only non-accredited investor on the selection committee evaluating 280+ startups to select the semi-finalists (Top 20) • Interviewed potential analysts, upskilled 10 volunteers, and managed social media and community newsletters for the San Diego chapter of 200+ members • Attended monthly learning meetings to discuss various startup investment topics including product market fit, fund mechanics, cap tables, and term sheets "Tech Coast Angels (TCA) is one of the largest and most active networks of angel investors in the US comprising 5 chapters and over 300 members located across southern California. TCA actively supports early-and mid-stage entrepreneurs to turn ideas with high growth potential into successful, sustainable and scalable businesses. Alongside financial support, TCA provides coaching, industry expertise and valuable contacts. TCA typically screens several hundred companies per year in a wide range of industries (SaaS, software, Medical Devices, Molecular Diagnostics, Biotech/Drug Development, Social Media, Digital Marketing, etc.) and funds 30-50 companies per year with overall investments of $10-20M per year."
Associate
2018 - 2018
• Created market map of competitors & potential acquirers, and did deal-centric research on potential investors (VC’s, CVC’s, groups, and individuals) to identify “smart money” investors for client’s next round of fundraising • Conducted pre-call industry research, and met with clients to learn their value proposition, business model, and goals • Assisted our founder/CEO as right hand man in refining our strategies & operations, created client deliverables, presented insights and fundraising best practices, and helped develop an 8-week innovation certificate course for active military service members and veterans on behalf of UC San Diego that received recognition from Congressman Scott Peters and Juan Vargas • Reviewed and recommended improvements on client’s deal room documents (pitch deck, cap table, financial model, pro-forma financial statements, etc) and online presence (website, Angel List, Crunchbase, LinkedIn) • Researched potential acquirers (corporations and PE firms) for VC’s mature portfolio companies and created insightful deliverables "SmartMoney Startups helps entrepreneurs and early stage investors who are frustrated with the 85% startup failure rate. With over 26 years of experience building startup companies, we operate a series of professional development programs that dramatically accelerate fundraising, attract investors that bring more than just cash to the table, and ultimately increase the probability of a successful exit event."
Civic Reflection Facilitator and CAPS Fellow, Institute for Leadership and Service
2016 - 2016
• Led conversations on community and civic issues with a variety of audiences from groups of 5-25 • Selected for competitive fellowship offered to high achieving, service-oriented students to pursue combinations of service and leadership
Lead Student Ambassador - Valpo Career Center
2012 - 2016
• Tailored knowledge, experience, and resources to individually consult 300+ students, and reviewed their resumes, cover letters, and graduate school application essays • Presented on interviewing skills, resume & cover letter essentials, LinkedIn, how to find an internship/job, and career center resources to groups of 80+ people • Was one of the first 4 career centers in the nation to implement Handshake in 2014 and provide feedback • Regularly met with supervisor for strategic planning, brainstormed with other student staff, and helped plan multiple events including career fairs and 60 person Speed Networking Event • Interviewed 10 applicants and mentored 7 in best practices resulting in more effective program • Performed Daily office duties, answered calls, and scheduled appointments for six professionals
Summer Intern
2016 - 2016
• Collaborated with team of 3 interns to create Chicago’s first career guide on CFA Charterholders • Interviewed 13 senior career CFA charterholders from various organizations and specialties (CIO’s, Partners, etc.), and wrote spotlights on them covering their education, career paths, what they do in their roles, and advice for CFA candidates interested in their specialties • Served on various advisory groups: Distinguished Speaker Series, Professional Development, and Social Events • Built relationships with CFA’s, attended multiple events, and gained perspective on various potential finance career paths
Business Development Representative and Finance Intern
2015 - 2015
• Assisted startup CEO, CMO, and CRO • Conducted due diligence on competitors and potential clients, cold called and emailed prospects, prequalified potential customers, and created proposals resulting in multiple partnerships for this early stage startup • Created financial forecasts, KPI reports, and improved user experience via feedback and interviews
Customer Service Representative (CSR)
2015 - 2015
• Responsible for transactions, conflict resolution, and uncovering additional service opportunities • Provided excellent customer service and successfully integrated myself at 5 bank branches as a floating Customer Service Representative (CSR) adding coverage to their staff • Proactively sought out opportunities for more responsibility, experience, and knowledge