Expert Venture Capital Consulting 2025

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.​

I am the founder of BeastBI GmbH, a digital consultancy specializing in digital marketing. Whether it's marketing analysis, restructuring, or migration. We focus on optimize marketing budgets and improve ROIs. HubSpot and Google Ads certified and partner. With over a decade of experience across CRM, Paid Ads, SEO, (B2B) leadgen and marketing analysis, I combine technical know-how with a deep understanding of marketing & business strategy. I work and lead a remote team, scaled international campaigns. I also support companies as interim head of marketing and similar positions.

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.​

Adam Czeczuk is the Head of Consulting Services at Think Beyond, specializing in Salesforce platform implementations across industries such as education, automotive, finance, and IT services. With over a decade of experience in business development, team leadership, and project management, Adam has a strong track record of driving business growth and delivering scalable solutions. Adam holds 15 Salesforce certifications, along with Scrum Master and ITIL Foundation. His expertise lies in aligning Salesforce solutions with business objectives, leveraging AI to enhance customer experiences, and managing complex software projects. Adam’s leadership is centered on building teams and optimizing processes to achieve long-term success.

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.”

I’m Cristy Verdeja Zaldívar—a strategic communications and marketing leader with over 15 years of experience transforming how brands connect, grow, and lead. As CEO of Pointe Connect, I consult for companies across industries—from nimble startups to global Fortune 500s—offering high-level strategy rooted in clarity, creativity, and results. I specialize in diagnosing challenges, crafting messaging that resonates, and building marketing and communications frameworks that drive real business impact. Known for my sharp instincts and innovative thinking, I’m the person teams call when they need to elevate their brand, reset their approach, or navigate complexity with confidence. My expertise spans corporate communications, PR, digital strategy, crisis and issues management, and multicultural marketing. I’ve advised industry giants, led global campaigns, and built cross-functional teams that deliver. I’m a bilingual storyteller (English/Spanish + conversational French) with a global mindset and a deep belief in the power of connection. Whether I’m guiding an executive team or rolling up my sleeves with a small business owner, I bring vision, structure, and momentum to every engagement.

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.

I’m Daniel (He/Him), and I’m the Founder of The Courage Collective. My experience includes work in Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, Tech, Consulting, Education, and the Nonprofit Sector. I care deeply about humanizing the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion conversation, bringing impactful ideas to life, and creating meaningful, memorable, and transformational experiences with & for others.

Shantanu is a young strategic maverick who turns digital complexity into business poetry. As CEO & founder of Tenet, he's the architect behind transformative experiences for fortune 500 companies such as Nike, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, and IQVIA; and also global powerhouses like Americana Group, Gartner, G42, SLB, and Mubadala Group. With a global footprint spanning offices in UAE, UK, India, and USA, Shantanu leads a razor-sharp team of 40+ in-house experts and a curated network of 250+ elite talent partners. His approach isn't about building technology—it's about engineering digital ecosystems that redefine how brands connect, convert, and conquer. Having crafted growth strategies for 400+ industry giants across technology, finance, consumer sectors, and 15+ other industries, Shantanu doesn't just understand digital transformation—he architects it. His methodology bridges UI/UX, growth marketing, software engineering, and strategic design, delivering solutions that impact the future.

For over 30 years, Jim has been a change agent in the nonprofit and public sectors. Just recently, he finished his 7th interim executive position. Jim was the Interim CEO of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, a visual and performing arts center in the heart of the cultural and convention district of San Francisco. There, he helped reduce a projected $4M deficit to $600k surplus and built back trust with the staff after a major public relations crisis. Previously, Jim was the Interim CEO of Downtown Streets Team, a nonprofit rated as one of California’s top five evidence-based best practices in transitioning the homeless to self-sufficiency. Over 18 months, he turned an $800,000 deficit into a $500,000 surplus while also paying off a third of their debt. Previously, he served as the interim executive director of five other nonprofits. His additional positions include acting as the Chief Communications Officer for the American Red Cross in Colorado, the interim Chief Operating Officer for More than Me (an international nonprofit for girls in Africa), and the Chief External Relations Officer for the Minnesota Zoo. In addition to his nonprofit work, Jim is passionate about good government. Jim was the VP of Strategy at CivicMakers, a San Francisco government innovation consultancy. There, he co-facilitated a three year strategic roadmap for the City of Hayward and designed process improvements for over 40 internal procedures for the City of Berkeley. As a 2014 Humphrey School Policy Fellow, 2013 White House Innovation Fellow finalist, and winner of the 2012 Minnesota Idea Open, he has been recognized for excellence within the public sector. Jim holds a master’s degree in public policy from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications from the University of Pennsylvania.

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

I'm Jeff Mains, a five time founder with over $200M in combined revenue across my companies. Today, I lead Champion Leadership Group where I help SaaS and professional service founders scale their businesses with confidence and clarity. My focus is on building repeatable systems for growth driving strategy, accelerating revenue, and turning chaos into momentum. I’ve been in the trenches, scaled fast, failed smart, and built companies that last. I know what it takes to lead in uncertain markets, and I coach other founders to do the same with a grounded, practical approach that gets results.

Experienced Sales And Marketing Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the real estate industry. Skilled in Sellers, Negotiation, Customer Service, Sales, and Marketing Strategy. Strong marketing professional with a Bachelor of Engineering - BE focused in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from RMIT University.