"The best teams are closing learning loops quickly." - Manish Patel

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff James Martin sits down with Manish Patel, Founder of Nava Venture Partners, to unpack what truly separates high-performing startups at the Series A stage. Drawing from his time leading product at Google—on transformative platforms like AdWords and Google Maps—Manish brings a rare perspective at the intersection of human experience, technology, and venture investing.

Together, they explore how fast-learning teams outperform fast-moving ones, why fewer objectives often lead to greater traction, and how founder vulnerability can actually create strength and cohesion within early teams. This isn’t a conversation about hype—it’s about precision, clarity, and scaling sustainably.

Manish also reflects on Nava’s investment philosophy and why they’re backing companies that aren’t just improving markets but rewriting them. They dig into the role of human-centered design, the misuse of OKRs in growing companies, and the dangers of capital-fueled misalignment. Whether you're an early-stage founder, operator, or investor, this conversation offers powerful insights on the habits that create long-term success.

Chapters:

00:00 The Importance of Learning Loops in Venture Capital

01:42 Understanding the Series A Stage

05:21 Focus and Alignment in Startups

10:59 The Role of Vision and Objectives

16:56 The Dangers of Rapid Growth and Capital Pressure

21:07 Human-Centered Design in Venture

28:31 The Misapplication of OKRs

33:07 The Need for Vulnerability in Leadership

Learn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies

https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius™ to Build Your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System™

https://www.collective-genius.com/

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