Juan “Sebastian” Garzon serves as the Executive Director of Alamo Angels, the largest angel network in Texas. In his role, Sebastian facilitates access to capital via angel investing to companies across the U.S. and Latin America. Through his strategic guidance, Alamo Angels has invested in over 50 companies to date.
Sebastian's exceptional acumen and dedication have been recognized by industry peers and publications alike. His notable accolades include being named to the prestigious Texas Top 100 for 2024, as well as being recognized as a recipient of "40 Under 40" in Corpus Christi. Moreover, his commitment to continuous growth and excellence led him to complete the rigorous VC Unlocked program, a collaborative initiative between Stanford University and 500 Global, designed to empower emerging venture capital leaders from around the world with cutting-edge insights and strategies.
Beyond his career in investment, Sebastian is also the visionary behind Passport2Fluency, a company aimed at empowering individuals to enhance their Spanish language skills. Through Passport2Fluency, he embodies his passion for education and cultural exchange, making a tangible impact on the lives of countless learners seeking linguistic proficiency and global connectivity.
During our conversation, he discusses:
The importance of curating high-quality companies and connecting with the right investors
Growing Alamo Angels and their focus on Latin American startups
Cultural differences between U.S. and Latin American business interactions
Leveraging community-driven approaches and simplifying the investment process
The role of strategic partnerships and cultural intelligence in building trust
Integration with Velocity Texas and shared resource benefits
Creating a sense of community and facilitating organic learning through events
Expanding investment opportunities in South Texas and cross-border activities
Long-term potential of startup activity and nearshoring trends
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
What We Cover:
00:00 Introduction to Angel Investing
02:08 Sebastian's Disney Experience
05:44 Applying Disney's Lessons to Business
08:29 The Growth of Alamo Angels
18:42 Creating a Community of Investors
21:52 Simplifying Investment Processes
23:01 Leveraging Community Expertise
23:57 Educating Angel Investors
25:44 Fostering Connections and Networking
26:58 Engaging with Latin America
36:08 Expanding to Rio Grande Valley
40:43 Exciting Trends in Investment
43:31 Staying Connected with Alamo Angels
Connect with Sebastian:
Connect with Andrew
Newsletter: https://thediligentobserver.substack.com
Website: https://pitchfact.com/
Stuff We Reference
Alamo Angels: https://alamoangels.com
Disney: https://www.disney.com
Stanford VC Unlocked: https://online.stanford.edu/courses/xexe135-venture-capital-unlocked-silicon-valley
Passport2Fluency: https://www.passport2fluency.com
South Coast Angel Network: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chautranminhhoang
Rio Grande Valley Angel Network: https://www.rgvan.org
VelocityTX: https://velocitytx.org
Canopy SPV: https://www.heycanopy.com/syndicate-co-investments
San Antonio Startup Week: https://sasw.co
Alamo Angels Launches RGV Location: https://brownsvilleedc.org/alamo-angels-launches-rio-grande-valley-chapter-forging-strategic-partnership-with-brownsville-community-improvement-corporation
SpaceX: https://www.spacex.com
Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation: https://brownsvilleedc.org
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: https://www.utrgv.edu
E-Bridge Center for Business and Commercialization: https://www.utrgv.edu/ecc/ebridge
All opinions expressed are personal and may not reflect the views of the individual’s organization or of The Diligent Observer. Not investment advice.
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