Episode #24 The Venture Variety Show
What Founders Really Want From Their VCs
With Cherae Robinson, Head of Platform & Marketing at Flybridge
In this episode, I talk with Cherae Robinson about what founders really want from venture capital—and how the platform role inside VC firms is evolving fast to meet those needs.
Cherae shares her journey from bootstrapping a travel startup to leading platform and marketing at Flybridge, where she now supports hundreds of early-stage founders. We talk about building trust, founder connectivity, go-to-market strategy, and how VCs can actually deliver on more than just a check.
She also breaks down why firms are hiring more specialized platform talent, including embedded GTM roles, and offers clear advice for founders navigating today’s competitive landscape.
And yes—we also talk music. Cherae’s a DJ who once turned Flybridge’s rooftop Founders Week into a proper party.
Timestamps and topics:
00:00 Intro
01:52 Why Flybridge Invests in AI
03:37 From Travel Founder to VC Platform
07:38 Building the Role Around Her
10:53 What a Platform Leader Actually Does
13:49 Trust, Community, and Founder Support
17:57 What Founders Need in This Market
23:06 DJing and Being Multifaceted
Key Topics
Why platform roles are no longer “nice-to-have” in VC
How Cherae built trust with founders after shutting down her own startup
What Flybridge looks for in AI investments (infra, vertical, and native AI)
The rise of go-to-market specialists inside VC firms
How to use community as a founder edge—not just a vibe
Tips for early-stage founders on fundraising, hiring, and staying relentless
What it means to have an “earned secret” in your startup
Featured Quote
“You're starting to see firms specifically hire people for things like go-to-market… They’re leaning on operators who are experts in that space.”
Bonus
Find out what Cherae spins at her DJ sets—and how music and platform building actually overlap more than you think.
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