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In this episode of the Build to Succeed podcast, Very Good Ventures’ (VGV) CEO & Founder, David DeRemer, speaks with David Goldman, Partner at Celesta Capital, to explore what it means to invest in deep tech, why conviction matters in venture capital, and how AI can drive meaningful societal change when applied with purpose -not just for businesses, but for society at large.
Investing in Technology That Lasts
Celesta Capital is no ordinary VC firm. They focus on what they call deep tech: companies rooted in real technical innovation, not hype. They work with startups at the earliest stages, backing founders who are thinking years ahead and building toward breakthroughs that can reshape industries. Their goal is to support companies with strong, lasting innovations from the start.
Celesta’s model isn’t about fast returns or chasing the next big trend—it’s about commitment and standing behind teams for the long haul, through market shifts, macro changes, and hard decisions. When they invest, they’re signing up to be part of a journey that could last a decade or more. It’s about backing companies that are built on real technology and long-term vision. And that requires conviction, both from investors and from founders.
Goldman encourages teams to focus on building things that matter, not just following trends. He adds that clarity and grit, especially in uncertain markets, can be a competitive advantage in itself.
The Power of Conviction
In an era where capital can chase trends and exits, Goldman is looking for founders who bring something deeper: clarity of purpose and long-term grit. He notes that the most successful startups don’t just survive chaos, they move through it with focus and adaptability.
Founders and leaders need to be able to focus through the noise, especially in chaotic moments. That’s how they make smart decisions, avoid knee-jerk reactions, and keep moving forward when others get stuck.
And that same focus applies to investors: real innovation requires more than capital. It demands a commitment to backing bold ideas before they’re widely accepted—when the road ahead is still foggy, but the potential is clear.
Multidisciplinary collaboration, organizational cohesion, and leadership integrity are key.
Rethinking the Role of AI
Goldman is bullish on AI, but not for the usual reasons. While many companies focus on cost savings or replacing labor, he encourages teams to think bigger and more responsibly:
“I’m very broadly optimistic about AI. Anything we can do to improve productivity and make healthcare, housing, and education more accessible to people is going to make [their] lives a lot better.”
He challenges founders and leaders to be intentional:
“Ask yourself: Where can we create the most value for our customers using AI, or creating our own AI? And what is the threat if someone recognizes the upside before us?”
This kind of thinking, he argues, moves companies out of the cycle of reaction and into a more strategic mindset, one that creates real, defensible value.
What’s Next: Opportunity Beyond the Infrastructure Layer
Right now, most AI investment is concentrated on foundational models and infrastructure (what Goldman calls “the supply layer” of AI). But the next wave of growth, he says, will come from vertical applications that deliver real-world impact. Think: healthcare tools, construction productivity, or education solutions that scale access and improve outcomes.
These aren’t hypothetical moonshots—they’re practical, necessary, and closer than we think. What’s missing isn’t the tech. It’s the clarity of purpose to apply it meaningfully.
Think Bigger, Stay Grounded
As AI evolves and deep tech reshapes industries, Goldman believes the companies that succeed will be the ones that focus on their core values, avoid distractions, and maintain organizational clarity. It’s not just about building fast, it’s about building what matters.
Whether you’re a startup founder navigating an uncertain market or a product leader exploring what AI can do, the message is the same: stay grounded in purpose and build with conviction!
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