Featured Venture Capital Experts

If you’re here, you’re probably curious about who I am and what we do at spectup. Let me fill you in. I started my career with a banking apprenticeship, thinking I’d spend my life crunching numbers. But then I discovered startups—and everything changed. At N26, the fintech unicorn, I got my first taste of the fast-paced world of innovation. I fell in love with the chaos, creativity, and energy. After that, I joined Civey, where I dove into digital market research, business models, and marketing strategies. Then came Deutsche Bahn, where I worked on international expansion, competitor analysis, and market strategies. I learned how to make sense of complex industries (global transport markets, anyone?) and drive growth. At diffferent (yes, that’s how it’s spelled), I helped brands like Audi and Zalando identify growth opportunities and design innovative business strategies. And at Deloitte’s Innovation & Ventures team, I worked on building future-proof businesses with cutting-edge tech. One highlight? Leading 30+ projects at the BMW Startup Garage, helping startups find their place in the world of mobility. That’s where I saw the real power of connecting startups with the right partners. Now, I’m building spectup. We work with growth-stage companies and select early-stage startups, helping them raise capital, connect with the right investors, and position themselves for long-term success. We also work with investors—PEs, VCs, angels, and family offices—helping them find promising, vetted companies to invest in without spending countless hours on due diligence. Why? Because startups fail too often, and investors waste too much time looking for the right opportunities. We’re here to bridge that gap. Whether you’re a founder looking for investors or an investor seeking quality opportunities, spectup is about making those connections—and making them work.

Patrick Schultz brings a sharp analytical edge to real estate investing, shaped by his experience as a research analyst for Jim Cramer on CNBC’s Mad Money. His deep understanding of financial markets, asset valuation, and investment strategies allows him to identify undervalued properties and optimize yield across his real estate portfolio. Alongside his wife, Hilary Schultz—a licensed real estate agent in Texas and Florida— their small family owned portfolio of businesses operate across every stage of residential real estate. They acquire homes, execute strategic renovations in SFR properties, and selectively retain assets that align with their long-term investment strategy. For Patrick and Hilary, real estate isn’t just about buying and selling—it’s about crafting solutions for homeowners. Whether purchasing homes for cash, revitalizing physically distressed properties, or helping sellers move forward with confidence, they approach every transaction with a problem-solving mindset. Their goal? Delivering outsized returns for investors while creating a delightful real estate experience for Texas home sellers.​

Blake Morgan serves as Managing Partner of Mineral Vault following a career at Google, and, more recently, 10 years experience in mineral interest acquisition and management at Allegiance Oil & Gas and Anthem Oil & Gas. Mr. Morgan is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, where he received an academic scholarship to obtain his degrees in Business Honors & Finance. He is a native of Midland, Texas.

Patrick Schultz brings a sharp analytical edge to real estate investing, shaped by his experience as a research analyst for Jim Cramer on CNBC’s Mad Money. His deep understanding of financial markets, asset valuation, and investment strategies allows him to identify undervalued properties and optimize yield across his real estate portfolio. Alongside his wife, Hilary Schultz—a licensed real estate agent in Texas and Florida— their small family owned portfolio of businesses operate across every stage of residential real estate. They acquire homes, execute strategic renovations in SFR properties, and selectively retain assets that align with their long-term investment strategy. For Patrick and Hilary, real estate isn’t just about buying and selling—it’s about crafting solutions for homeowners. Whether purchasing homes for cash, revitalizing physically distressed properties, or helping sellers move forward with confidence, they approach every transaction with a problem-solving mindset. Their goal? Delivering outsized returns for investors while creating a delightful real estate experience for Texas home sellers.​

I’m P. Blake Renda—entrepreneur, investor, and co-CEO of Veedor Holdings LLC based in Naples, FL, with a satellite office in Santa Monica, CA. Veedor Holdings LLC, in addition to making strategic investments, owns and operates Dragon Horse Agency, Dragon Horse Publishing, and Moxie Creed. My professional journey began while attending the University of Southern Calfornia as an intern at NBC Studios, which led to a full-time position upon graduating. I then pivoted to law and then finance which ultimately lead me to Wall Street in 1996, where I was part of small team in Palo Alto, CA managing over $20 billion in technology-sector assets at J. & W. Seligman & Co. and in 2000 I earned recognition as one of Institutional Investor Magazine’s “Best of the Buy Side.” In 2006, I joined the New Dimensions Growth Team of American Express Asset Management in La Jolla, CA, as the T/M/T manager across six growth funds with $40 billion plus in AUM. In 2004, I was nominated for Institutional Investor Magazine's "Best of the Buy Side." Those years instilled in me the importance of rigorously vetting opportunities and leading with foresight—skills that I have consistently applied to every entrepreneurial venture. From 2011 to 2015, I helped transform a boutique Florida skincare startup into a nationally recognized, multi-award-winning brand, culminating in its public listing via SPAC. I exited that company and launched Veedor Holdings LLC with my Co-Founder, Julie Koester. Today, we own and operate Dragon Horse Agency, a multi-award-winning, bi-coastal agency serving global clients known for delivering business strategy and marketing under one roof. We also own Dragon Horse Publishing, an award-winning publishing company, and Moxie Creed, a wellness lifestyle e-commerce company. Beyond the accolades, successes, challenges, and failures, I live with a deep belief in resilience, mentorship, and shared success. I’m a proud father, a former youth volleyball coach, and a passionate advocate of Ubuntu—"I am because we are." Whether scaling startups, navigating global markets, or building culture, I bring the same competitive spirit and collaborative ethos to every endeavor. Success isn't about accolades—it’s about legacy, community, and the courage to keep moving forward. As Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Patrick Schultz brings a sharp analytical edge to real estate investing, shaped by his experience as a research analyst for Jim Cramer on CNBC’s Mad Money. His deep understanding of financial markets, asset valuation, and investment strategies allows him to identify undervalued properties and optimize yield across his real estate portfolio. Alongside his wife, Hilary Schultz—a licensed real estate agent in Texas and Florida— their small family owned portfolio of businesses operate across every stage of residential real estate. They acquire homes, execute strategic renovations in SFR properties, and selectively retain assets that align with their long-term investment strategy. For Patrick and Hilary, real estate isn’t just about buying and selling—it’s about crafting solutions for homeowners. Whether purchasing homes for cash, revitalizing physically distressed properties, or helping sellers move forward with confidence, they approach every transaction with a problem-solving mindset. Their goal? Delivering outsized returns for investors while creating a delightful real estate experience for Texas home sellers.​

Investor, entrepreneur, and founder of Invested Mom, empowering individuals to achieve financial independence and live unrestricted lives. With expertise spanning corporate leadership, wealth building, and content creation, I help others master investing strategies that transform financial futures. Former Tesla executive where I managed billion-dollar revenue recognition and led teams of over 100 people, I successfully transitioned from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, retiring at 38 through strategic investing in stocks, real estate, and business ventures. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, my entrepreneurial journey began at age 9 selling fudge to schoolmates. Today, I leverage my diverse experience to guide others, particularly women, in breaking free from traditional employment constraints to control their time, resources, and financial destinies. As the author of the upcoming book "Living Unrestricted," I share practical frameworks for wealth creation that anyone can implement regardless of their starting point. My approach combines personal transformation with actionable financial strategies that have helped countless individuals replace their income through investing and build lasting wealth. Co-founder of Penfriend, an AI-powered content creation tool developed to solve the challenges of content operations and management that I experienced firsthand as a business owner. Passionate about democratizing wealth and financial education, I believe everyone deserves access to the knowledge and tools needed to secure their financial future.

Neevai Esinli is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with over two decades of experience at the intersection of technology and finance. A veteran of Israel’s elite cyber intelligence unit, Unit 8200, Neevai transitioned from national defense to founding and scaling high-impact technology ventures. He co-founded Spendl, a fintech startup that enabled seamless cryptocurrency payments via virtual Visa cards, which was later acquired by Wallet.app. Today, Neevai is the Founder and CEO of Esinli Capital, a next-generation venture capital fund-of-funds committed to democratizing access to top-tier venture returns. Leveraging proprietary data science models analyzing over 350,000 venture investments, Esinli Capital has pioneered a sector- and region-optimized strategy that delivers enhanced IRR and improved risk-adjusted performance for accredited investors. The fund uniquely tailors its approach to the investment goals of Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. With a career spanning multiple successful exits and leadership roles, as well as over $10 billion in assets managed across his team, Neevai brings deep expertise in fintech, cybersecurity, and institutional investing. He is a passionate advocate for unlocking previously inaccessible venture opportunities and guiding investors through the complexities of generational wealth transition.

CoFounder of DualEntry, a modern ERP/accounting software venture-backed startup. Prior, CoFounder of Benitago, an ecommerce CPG group that grew to $100M in sales.

Andrey Korchagin is the founder of any.market, an innovative platform that enables local businesses to easily create online stores and immediately start attracting customers through organic traffic channels like SEO, Google Maps integration, and an interactive local business map. With over 20 years of experience in digital product development, project management, and business transformation, Andrey combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution. His vision for any.market goes beyond traditional website builders—he created a tool that empowers small businesses to not only establish a digital presence in minutes but also convert online visibility into real sales. Before founding any.market, Andrey held leadership roles in large international companies, bringing scalable tech solutions to market across Europe. He is passionate about enabling entrepreneurship through accessible digital tools and continues to drive innovation at the intersection of local commerce, search, and customer acquisition.

Real estate isn’t just about transactions—it’s about solving problems, and that’s where Hilary Schultz excels. A licensed Realtor in Texas and Florida with over two decades of experience, she helps homeowners make smart, strategic moves, whether they need a fast cash offer, a market-listed sale, or something in between. Alongside her husband, Hilary operates a portfolio of real estate companies that cover every stage of residential real estate—acquisitions, renovations, and long-term asset management. They don’t just buy and sell houses; they create value, revitalize communities, and help homeowners move forward with confidence. Her expertise in property valuations, negotiation, and market trends makes her a go-to resource for sellers looking for real solutions—not just quick fixes. With a strong track record and thousands of successful transactions, Hilary is known for getting deals done the right way

Growth & revenue leader with a record of turning new ideas into lasting revenue. I focus on measurable outcomes, building lean high performing teams, and repeatable processes that scale. Founder, GlidePoint – Advise early-stage fintech and marketplace teams on customer acquisition, pricing, and revenue operations. Deliver clear playbooks, tight forecasting, and hands-on execution. Head of Growth, Frec – Own the go-to-market for a direct-indexing platform now past $270M in AUM. Expanded organic channels, added targeted paid programs for HNW investors, and built referral and employee-benefit loops that keep CAC in check. VP Sales & Marketing, Realm – 5th hire. Built company from scratch. Hired and trained a 40+ person sales org from zero, rolled out packaging & pricing, acquired 100s of vendors.