Forge Your Own Path: Interview with Anthony Georgiades, Founder of Innovating Capital

I recently went one-on-one with Anthony Georgiades, founder and General Partner of Innovating Capital.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth? 

Anthony: Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. My career has been shaped by a deep curiosity for technology and a commitment to building transformative businesses. With a background in finance, management, and computer science from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton and engineering schools, I’ve developed a multidisciplinary approach to tackling complex challenges.

My journey began with roles on the investment team at First Round Capital and within the operations teams of various startups, where I gained firsthand experience navigating the intricacies of scaling businesses and identifying high-potential opportunities. These experiences honed my ability to balance strategic vision with operational execution.

As an investor with over six years of experience in technology, I’ve had the privilege of supporting disruptive companies across a range of sectors, including Web3, cybersecurity, and deep technology. I’ve been involved in sourcing and investing early in notable projects like Cardano, Solana, and Injective, which reflect my belief in the long-term potential of decentralized technologies to reshape traditional industries.

My technical background complements my investment expertise. I began writing smart contracts for Ethereum projects as early as 2015, giving me a deep understanding of blockchain development and its applications. This hands-on experience has allowed me to evaluate emerging technologies critically and support founders with both technical and operational guidance.

At Innovating Capital, where I serve as General Partner, my focus is on driving growth in companies operating at the intersection of finance and cutting-edge technology. My approach emphasizes deep technical domain expertise, rigorous due diligence, and hands-on support for founders.

Failures and challenges have been instrumental to my growth. From early skepticism about blockchain to navigating the volatility of emerging markets, I’ve learned the importance of adaptability, resilience, and maintaining a long-term perspective.

Today, my work is centered on helping founders unlock transformative opportunities, whether through groundbreaking Web3 solutions, robust cybersecurity infrastructure, or advancements in quantum computing and multi-cloud identity orchestration. My goal is to empower entrepreneurs to not only adapt to the future but to actively shape it and drive meaningful change across industries.

Adam: What do you look for in companies you invest in? What are your best tips for investors and for entrepreneurs? 

Anthony: At Innovating Capital, we invest in early-stage technology companies, from Seed through Series A, as well as early-growth ventures and digital assets. Our focus is on backing visionary founders who are driving tech-enabled innovation in sectors like Web3, cybersecurity, and deep technology. When evaluating companies, I prioritize three key factors: the strength of the founding team, the market opportunity, and the scalability of the technology. Founders need to have a deep understanding of their domain, a clear vision for the future, and the ability to execute effectively. Equally important is whether the company is solving a tangible problem in a growing market at the right time, with a solution that’s both innovative and scalable.

For investors, my advice is to stay disciplined and focused on sectors where you have conviction and expertise. Thorough due diligence is crucial—understand the technical aspects, market dynamics, and competition before committing capital. While it’s easy to get caught up in trends, long-term thinking and patience often yield the best results when investing in transformative businesses.

For entrepreneurs, the best companies are built on solving real problems. Ground your product or service in customer pain points and validate your solutions early. Surround yourself with a team of experts who complement your skill set, and be open to adapting as you gather feedback, without losing sight of your core mission. At Innovating Capital, we aim to be more than just investors—we leverage our technical expertise, networks, and resources to help founders realize their vision and create lasting impact.

Adam: In your experience, what are the key steps to growing and scaling your business? 

Anthony: Growing and scaling a business requires a clear value proposition, operational efficiency, and adaptability. Start by solving a real problem with a product or service that meets customer needs better than competitors. Invest in scalable systems and processes to handle increased demand while maintaining quality. Prioritize client relationships by listening to feedback and continuously improving your offering. Lastly, maintain financial discipline by tracking key metrics and focusing resources on high-impact growth initiatives. Staying adaptable to market changes while executing on these fundamentals is key to sustainable growth.

Adam: What are your best tips on the topics of sales, marketing, and branding?

Anthony: Effective sales, marketing, and branding start with understanding your audience. Tailor your messaging to address their specific needs and pain points. Focus on building trust through authenticity and delivering consistent value. For sales, prioritize relationships and a consultative approach over hard selling. In marketing, leverage data to refine your strategies and double down on channels that show results. For branding, create a clear, compelling identity that resonates with your target audience and differentiates you from competitors. Consistency across all efforts is key to building recognition and long-term loyalty.

Adam: What are the most important trends in technology that leaders should be aware of and understand? What should they understand about them? 

Anthony: The most important trends in technology today revolve around the transformative potential of blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. Blockchain, particularly in the context of Web3, is reshaping how we think about ownership, trust, and decentralized systems. Leaders should understand that blockchain isn’t just about cryptocurrencies—it’s about creating new markets, redefining value exchange, and enabling transparency across industries.

AI is another critical trend, driving advancements in automation, predictive analytics, and personalized user experiences. Leaders must grasp not only AI’s capabilities but also its limitations and ethical implications, especially as it integrates into business decision-making and operations.

Cybersecurity remains paramount as technology ecosystems become more interconnected. With increasing threats to data integrity and privacy, leaders need to prioritize robust security measures and understand emerging solutions in this space, such as zero-trust architectures and AI-driven threat detection.

These trends are interconnected and demand a proactive approach to innovation. Leaders who stay informed and strategically adopt these technologies will be best positioned to drive long-term success.

Adam: What do you believe are the defining qualities of an effective leader? 

Anthony: An effective leader is adaptable, decisive, and forward-thinking. They inspire trust by leading with integrity and clarity, make data-driven decisions, and stay focused on long-term goals while navigating short-term challenges. Great leaders empower others, remain open to feedback, and continuously evolve alongside their team and industry.

Adam: How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level? 

Anthony: Leaders can elevate their skills by seeking continuous learning, embracing new challenges, and actively seeking feedback. They should focus on developing emotional intelligence, improving communication, and fostering a growth mindset. Networking with other leaders and mentoring others also helps expand their perspective and leadership capabilities.

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received? 

Anthony: When it comes to investing, never follow the leader - forge your own path. 


Adam Mendler is an entrepreneur, writer, speaker, educator, and nationally recognized authority on leadership. Adam is the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one-on-one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal-winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations. Adam has written extensively on leadership and related topics, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. Adam teaches graduate-level courses on leadership at UCLA and is an advisor to numerous companies and leaders. A Los Angeles native, Adam is a lifelong Angels fan and an avid backgammon player.

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