Elicia McDonald discusses resilience and founder empathy in venture investing

Elicia McDonald discusses resilience and founder empathy in venture investing

Elicia McDonald discusses resilience and founder empathy in venture investing

0:00/1:34

Also on

Also on

In this episode of First Cheque, hosts Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter have a raw conversation with Elicia McDonald, a venture capital expert renowned for her remarkable work at Airtree Ventures. Elicia's holistic approach to early-stage investing and her deep commitment to nurturing founder relationships are at the forefront of this discussion.

Opening with an introduction that paints Elicia as a superhuman in her work-life balance, the episode delves into the intricacies of venture capital investing. With Elicia's insightful anecdotes and experiences, this podcast provides an intimate look at the dynamics of the VC world, particularly in uncovering what makes an early-stage investor successful. The conversation spans various subjects, including the principles of investment, fostering resilience, and the importance of embracing constant industry change.

Resources

• Resilience and founder empathy are vital traits Elicia values in herself and the founders she invests in.

• Thorough decision-making and maintaining high-quality standards are pivotal points in Elicia's approach to investing and entrepreneurship.

• Building trusted relationships within the startup ecosystem significantly contributes to successful sourcing and working with founders.

• Parenthood and career balance is a personal challenge that Elicia navigated with bravery, setting a progressive example for others in the industry.

• The venture capital industry is marked by constant change, and embracing this dynamism is crucial for long-term success.

Resources:

Elicia McDonald’s LinkedIn profile

Airtree Ventures website for more information on Elicia’s investment firm.

This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Partners

Click our partners below to see their unique offers

More Episodes You Might Like

Let's talk

Turn podcasting into pipeline

We help founders, funds and operators build trust, authority and deal flow with a show tailored to their market.

Win better deals and stay top‑of‑mind with founders.

Close more deals and build a category you own.

Reach founders and operators with a show they trust.

Day One® exists to help founders and startup operators make better business decisions more often

Subscribe for helpful content from other successful founders, operators and investors

Join 755 other founders & investors receiving our emails. They're cool, are you? :)

* Regrettably, mel@canva.com is not on our list… yet.

Day One® is a registered trademark of W2D1 Media Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. © 2026 W2D1 Media Pty Ltd.

Day One® exists to help founders and startup operators make better business decisions more often

Subscribe for helpful content from other successful founders, operators and investors

Join 755 other founders & investors receiving our emails. They're cool, are you? :)

* Regrettably, mel@canva.com is not on our list… yet.

Day One® is a registered trademark of W2D1 Media Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. © 2026 W2D1 Media Pty Ltd.