I recently had a 30-minute chat (the average length of the Give First podcast interviews that I do) with Bobby Franklin, the CEO of the National Venture Capital Association.

We’ve been supporters of the NVCA for many years. Two Foundry partners, Jaclyn Hester and Jason Mendelson, have served on the board at different periods. I was an early donor to Venture Forward, the NVCA’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

We unpack the disconnect between Washington, D.C., and the startup world. As part of this, we discuss why that gap poses a growing threat to innovation in the U.S.

Bobby tells some stories from the front lines of venture policy, illustrating how small regulatory changes can have significant consequences for emerging fund managers and founders. We cover the unintended impact of tax reform, upcoming anti-money laundering rules, and some hidden obstacles that could stall the next generation of startups.

We finish up with a discussion on mentorship, exploring how it can function within the venture community, both among VCs and startups.

I have enormous respect for Bobby and the work the NVCA does. Bobby, thank you for your leadership.

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