How does a marine biologist end up as a key figure in the world of venture capital and payments? This episode, we sit down with the incredible John Lunn, whose journey weaves through PayPal, founding his own startup (Gravy), and investing with PayPal Ventures.

John pulls back the curtain on his unique career path, revealing how skills from seemingly unrelated fields can become a superpower in tech. He shares invaluable, hard-earned wisdom on the art of networking, the rigorous process of due diligence, and the non-negotiable traits he looks for in successful founders.

We also dive into the practicalities of building in the payments space with Gravy, compare the vibrant tech ecosystems of Canada, the UK, and the US, and tackle big questions from the audience on bootstrapping and the future of super apps. This is a masterclass in building a dynamic career at the intersection of operations, entrepreneurship, and investing.

Key Takeaways:

• The Unconventional Path: How a background in marine biology provides a unique problem-solving lens for tech and venture capital.
• The Operator-Investor Mindset: John's firsthand perspective on the journey from founding a startup (Gravy) to becoming an investor at PayPal Ventures.
• The VC Tool Kit: The essential skills for breaking into venture capital, from building a powerful network to mastering due diligence.
• Inside the Founder's Mind: The key traits of successful founders and a fresh look at early-stage job titles and work-life balance.
• Global Tech Landscapes: A comparative look at the opportunities and challenges within the Canadian, UK, and US tech and VC ecosystems.