020 Ariana Thacker on being a VC founder vs. startup founder and back-to-back $10M+ raises

In this episode of Money Moves, Neil Devani sits down with Ariana Thacker, a venture capitalist turned entrepreneur, to discuss her journey from launching a VC firm to founding MoldCo, a healthcare startup tackling mold-related illnesses. 

Ariana shares the highs and lows of raising her first fund, her relentless hustle to secure investors, and the lessons she learned from hundreds of rejections. She also provides insights into her investment selection process, the common mistakes she’s seen founders make, and how she pivoted from venture capital to launching a mission-driven company.

Ariana’s transition to MoldCo was deeply personal—born from her own health struggles caused by toxic mold exposure. She details the extensive research that led her to understand the market opportunity, the scientific gaps in mold illness treatment, and the challenges of building a healthcare company from the ground up. From navigating funding rounds to assembling a top-tier team, Ariana’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and deep conviction in solving an overlooked health crisis.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• The relentless process of raising a first-time VC fund and overcoming investor rejections.
• How to refine and iterate on a pitch for better success rates.
• The personal health crisis that led Ariana to found MoldCo.
• The challenges of diagnosing and treating mold-related illnesses.
• The transition from venture capitalist to healthcare entrepreneur and lessons learned.

Connect with Ariana Thacker:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/arianadthacker/