Venture Voices | 25 Madison

In this first Venture Voices episode of 2025, we sit down with Jaja Liao, Principal at 25 Madison — a venture studio and early-stage fund focused on pre-seed and seed investments.

Jaja shares insider insights into how 25 Madison approaches early-stage investing, what they look for in standout founders, and why startups should consider private equity-backed firms as strategic first customers.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• 25 Madison’s unique model and investment thesis at pre-seed and seed stage

• How startups can position themselves to win PE-backed enterprise customers

• The evolving role of AI in early-stage companies and regulated industries

• Sectors ripe for innovation, from industrial distribution to highly regulated verticals

• Pitch advice for founders: what investors really want to hear

Whether you're preparing for your first raise, exploring go-to-market strategies, or curious about emerging VC trends, this episode offers sharp tactical advice and sector foresight from an experienced early-stage investor.