PTW3 046: Mendoza Ventures: Investing in AI, Cybersecurity, and Fintech for Success with Adrian Mendoza and Donna Mitchell

Pivoting to WEB3

In this episode of the Pivoting to Web3 Podcast, we sit down with Adrian Mendoza, the general partner at Mendoza Ventures, to discuss the exciting developments in blockchain, AI, and fintech. Adrian shares his journey from ad tech founder to venture capitalist and offers insights on the importance of understanding industry pain points before creating solutions. We explore the potential of decentralized finance and web3 technologies in addressing financial inclusion for underserved communities and the challenges of regulatory clarity in the US. Adrian also shares his thoughts on the AI hype cycle and the increasing adoption of these technologies by financial institutions.
About Adrian Mendoza:
Adrian is the founder and General Partner at Mendoza Ventures which is both Latinx and woman-owned and the first Latinx-founded VC fund on the East Coast based in Boston. With 20 years of experience in building technology products and teams, Adrian is an experienced entrepreneur, operator, and veteran of the Boston startup ecosystem. Adrian founded Mendoza Ventures to take an in-depth-focused approach to venture capital, looking for founders who demonstrate domain expertise in one of his three focus areas across fintech, AI, and cybersecurity.
Mendoza Ventures, under Adrian's leadership, has made significant strides in the tech industry. Their focus on investments in Fintech, AI, and Cybersecurity, coupled with a strong emphasis on diversity, has led to an impressive portfolio—about 90% of their startups are led by people of color and women. Since its founding seven years ago, Mendoza Ventures has raised two funds and had four successful exits. The firm is now raising its third fund, a $100M fintech fund anchored by Bank of America. These achievements are a testament to the impact and influence of Mendoza Ventures in the tech and venture capital landscape.
In 2022, Axios Magazine listed Adrian as one of the five most influential people in Boston, a recognition that underscores his significant contributions to the tech and venture capital industry. The LA Times also honored Adrian as a DEI visionary, acknowledging his role as one of California’s most prominent game-changers and thought leaders in the business world today. Adrian's regular contributions on CNBC on the state of Venture capital in the US and the firm's recent coverage in Forbes, Bloomberg, and The Boston Globe further solidify his position as a respected leader in the industry.
Adrian received his Bachelor's from the University of Southern California and his Master's from Harvard University. The Mendoza family just recently launched Mendoza Impact a philanthropic initiative to help fund diverse and female founders and fund managers.
Connect with Adrian Mendoza:
Website - https://mendoza-ventures.com/
X:Twitter - https://x.com/adrianmendozavc
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mendozaventures
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@MendozaVentures
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/i

Connect with Donna Mitchell:
Podcast - https://www.PivotingToWeb3Podcast.com
Book an Event - https://www.DonnaPMitchell.com
Company - https://www.MitchellUniversalNetwork.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-mitchell-a1700619
Instagram Professional: https://www.instagram.com/dpmitch11
Twitter/ X: https://www.twitter.com/dpmitch11
YouTube Channel - https://www.Web3GamePlan.com

What to learn more: Pivoting To Web3 | Top 100 Jargon Terms

Chapters

1. Testing mobile websites, founding, and developing products. (00:00:00)

2. Early blockchain investors, optimistic about future growth. (00:04:44)

3. Web 3 and Defi disrupting traditional finance. (00:09:38)

4. Creating ideas, companies and decentralized finance revolution. (00:12:21)

5. Remitting with high costs, exploring decentralized finance. (00:15:28)

6. Recovering money, cybersecurity, and global identity issues. (00:20:05)

7. Challenges with credit and financial inclusion addressed. (00:21:12)

8. Personal crypto experience led to valuable learning. (00:25:29)

9. Confusion about governance and regulations regarding cryptocurrencies. (00:28:31)

10. Cryptocurrency market reflects lack of regulations, volatility. (00:31:29)

11. Fintech adoption by local banks and institutions. (00:35:51)