S1:Ep77 Harvard Insights: The Future-Ready Investment Playbook for Startups & Investors in the AI Era

Digital Transformation & AI for Humans

My amazing guest today is Jeffrey Fidelman from New York, United States. Jeffrey brings deep expertise in investment banking and startup growth, and we’re diving into a powerful topic: Harvard Insights on Successful Investment Banking for Startups in the Age of AI. Together, we’ll explore this future-ready playbook for impact and uncover what truly drives success in today’s AI-driven landscape.
Recently Jeffrey was elected to the Board of Directors of Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs (HAE), a global community of alumni founders, investors, and executives.
Jeffrey is also a part of the Diamond Executive Group of the AI Game Changers Club - an elite tribe of visionary leaders redefining the rules and shaping the future of human–AI synergy.
Jeffrey is the Founder and Managing Partner of Fidelman & Company, a leading advisory firm launched in 2015 to address the critical fundraising and growth strategy needs of early- to mid-stage companies.

Jeffrey’s career began in residential real estate, which led him to the Portfolio Manager role at Morgan Stanley, followed up by the role of Vice President at HSBC, driving revenue strategy across banking, lending, insurance, and retail for Manhattan.
As a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and advisor with deep expertise in finance and fundraising strategy, Jeffrey has built and supported ventures across multiple industries, globally.

🔑 Key topics discussed:

✔ What Really Makes a Startup Fundable Beyond the Idea

✔ How AI is Transforming Fundraising and Investor Due Diligence

✔ The Top Investor Priorities Before Writing a Check

✔ The Biggest Fundraising Mistakes Founders Make (and How Investors Interpret Them)

✔ Protecting Founder Interests in Deal-Making

✔ What International Founders Must Know About US Investors

✔ Staying Agile in the Fast-Moving AI Era

✔ The Outdated Fundraising Beliefs Founders Must Unlearn

✔ The Most Powerful Fundraising Advice for Founders Today

🔗 Connect with Jeffrey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyfidelman/
🌏 https://fidelmanco.com/
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About the host, Emi Olausson Fourounjieva
With over 20 years in IT, digital transformation, business growth & leadership, Emi specializes in turning challenges into opportunities for business expansion and personal well-being.
Her contributions have shaped success stories across the corporations and individuals, from driving digital growth, managing resources and leading teams in big companies to empowering leaders to unlock their inner power and succeed in this era of transformation.
AI GAME CHANGERS CLUB: http://aigamechangers.io/
Apply to become a member: http://aigamechangers.club/
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🌏 Learn more: https://digitaltransformation4humans.com/
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챕터

1. Welcome and Guest Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Jeffrey's Entrepreneurial Journey (00:03:01)

3. Building Fidelman & Company (00:10:54)

4. What Makes Startups Fundable Today (00:19:05)

5. AI's Impact on Fundraising Processes (00:24:28)

6. Key Investor Priorities Beyond Revenue (00:30:49)

7. Common Fundraising Mistakes to Avoid (00:34:04)

8. Importance of Legal Documentation (00:39:28)

9. International Fundraising in US Markets (00:43:07)

10. Adapting to Rapid AI Changes (00:45:33)

11. Realistic Fundraising Timeline Expectations (00:51:55)

12. The Power of Consistency and Closing (00:55:12)