Going From Operator to Funder with Leo Polovets, General Partner at Humba Ventures

On the third episode of the Thrive Through Connection Podcast, we welcome Leo Polovets, the General Partner at Humba Ventures and Co-founder of Susa Ventures. Humba Ventures invests in early-stage deep tech startups and is part of the broader Susa Ventures network. Leo joins us to talk about his journey from operator to supporting over 100 companies as an investor at both Humba and Susa.

What You Can Expect to Learn from Leo 

• Why Leo and Susa Started Small 
• How Seed Stage Companies Can Prepare for a Series A
• The Importance of Building Relationships Before a Fundraise
• How Investor Updates Can Create Traction
• Why Storytelling is Crucial to Raising Capital

What is Thrive Through Connection?

Fundraising isn’t just about pitch decks, valuations, or growth curves. It’s about relationships. Thrive Through Connection is a podcast from Visible that explores the human stories behind the capital.

Founders don’t raise alone. They lean on their teams, advisors, peers, and investors to navigate the highs and lows of building something from nothing. In each episode, we sit down with founders and investors to unpack the setbacks, breakthroughs, and moments of clarity that shaped their journey. This is your inside look at what it really takes to thrive through connection.