Grace Gong is the Founder & CEO of Smart Venture Media, podcast host, angel investor, and author. She’s interviewed 500+ founders, investors, and operators on her podcasts, then parlayed that network into a high-signal community: curated founder–VC dinners, conferences (including the Smart AI Summit), and rooms where intros turn into customers and checks. The flywheel started during the pandemic with 5 pm Friday Zooms—and evolved into tightly curated IRL events supported by sponsors and operators.
In this episode, Grace outlines a practical approach to community-building: curate for outcomes, not optics (every seat should benefit from every other seat). Her angel filter doubles as her invite list. Online → IRL is the sequence: earn trust digitally, concentrate it offline. For founders aiming to stand out without burning cash, this is a clear primer on turning audience into deal flow.
Key Topics Covered:
- Building community has to happen organically.
- Engaging with entrepreneurs can lead to unexpected opportunities.
- Sales and storytelling are crucial skills for success in VC.
- Offering value to others is key to building relationships.
- The people you meet at events can significantly impact your journey.
- Planning events requires meticulous attention to logistics.
- Creating a curated experience enhances networking opportunities.
- AI is transforming the media landscape and how we build companies.
- Networking is essential for both founders and investors.
- Continuous learning and adaptation are vital in the fast-paced tech world.
Chapters
(00:00) Building Community: The Organic Approach
(02:50) Journey into Venture Capital: From Real Estate to VC
(05:44) Insights from Interviews: Lessons Learned in VC
(08:53) Angel Investing: Key Considerations
(11:51) Creating Value: The Importance of Community
(15:02) Event Planning: From Small Gatherings to Large Conferences
(17:59) The Smart AI Summit: Curating Experiences
(20:54) Future of Media: Building with AI
(23:48) Final Thoughts and Online Presence
Where to find Grace Gong & Smart Venture Media:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/gracegong115
Where to find David Phillips:
X: https://x.com/davj
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davjphillips
Brought to you by:
Fondo — All-in-one accounting for startups: https://fondo.com
