Brad Feld: Startup Boards and Lessons from Four Decades in VC

Brad Feld: Startup Boards and Lessons from Four Decades in VC

Author: Evan Epstein October 1, 2025 Duration: 56:23
Brad Feld is a veteran venture capital investor, co-founder of Foundry and Techstars, and the co-author of Startup Boards, among many other books. We discuss his personal journey, from his early life and entry into VC during the internet boom, to co-founding Techstars and helping build hundreds of startups and their boards. Brad shares insights from Startup Boards and reflects on the importance of board dynamics, effective composition, and the evolving expectations of independent directors.

Ever wonder what really happens behind the closed doors of a corporate board meeting? Boardroom Governance with Evan Epstein pulls up a chair to that table. Each episode is built around a substantive, long-form conversation with a leading voice from the world of corporate oversight-founders who have navigated IPOs, seasoned board directors, institutional investors, legal scholars, and top executives. Evan Epstein guides these discussions beyond the headlines and dry policy to uncover the human dynamics and strategic decisions that define modern governance. You’ll hear firsthand about the evolving pressures on boards, from activist investors and regulatory shifts to technology disruptions and crises of leadership. More than just analysis, this podcast delves into the personal journeys and hard-won insights of the individuals shaping these critical conversations. It’s for anyone curious about the architecture of power, responsibility, and strategy at the highest levels of business. Tune in for a rare, nuanced look at the principles and people steering today’s most influential companies.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Boardroom Governance with Evan Epstein
Podcast Episodes
Benjamin Means: The Principles of Family Business Law and Governance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:53
Benjamin Means discusses the unique governance challenges of family-controlled companies, drawing on his book Principles of Family Business Law. The conversation explores shareholder oppression, succession planning, fidu…
Benjamin Edwards: The Rise of Nevada in the Reincorporation Debate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:48
Professor Benjamin Edwards discusses the rise of Nevada in the reincorporation debate and why more companies are reconsidering Delaware. The conversation explores founder control, litigation risk, SB21, Nevada’s business…
Joelle Emerson: Why Company Culture Is a Core Governance Issue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:15
Joelle Emerson, CEO and co-founder of Paradigm, discusses why company culture should be treated as a core governance issue and how boards should think about leadership, AI-driven workforce change, and the evolving politi…
Jennifer Ceran: From Treasury to CFO to the Boardroom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:17
Jennifer Ceran is a seasoned finance executive and board member whose career spans treasury leadership, the CFO role, and public and private company board service. Jennifer currently serves on the boards of NerdWallet, W…