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cover of episode #3: From $700 to Silicon Valley’s #1 Seed Investor – Pejman Nozad’s Unbelievable Journey

#3: From $700 to Silicon Valley’s #1 Seed Investor – Pejman Nozad’s Unbelievable Journey

2025/3/19
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Pejman Nozad's incredible journey from arriving in America with $700 to becoming one of Silicon Valley's top seed investors is recounted. His early struggles, including washing cars and sleeping in an attic, highlight his perseverance and eventual success in the tech industry. The story emphasizes his networking skills and ability to identify promising startups.
  • Arrived in America with $700, no English, and no connections
  • Worked various jobs including washing cars and selling rugs
  • Built relationships with top VCs and entrepreneurs
  • Early investments in Dropbox, Lending Club, and DoorDash
  • Recognized by Forbes as the #1 seed investor

Shownotes Transcript

How does someone go from washing cars and selling rugs to investing in billion-dollar startups like Dropbox and DoorDash? Pejman Nozad arrived in America with $700, no English, and zero connections, but today, he’s one of the most influential investors in Silicon Valley.

In this episode, Pejman shares his extraordinary journey from immigrant to Forbes’ #1 seed investor, revealing the networking secrets, mindset shifts, and high-stakes risks that changed his life. He breaks down how he built relationships with top VCs, the strategy behind spotting unicorn startups early, and how much he learned from a $500M mistake on investing in Facebook.

This is a must-watch if you're someone that feels like they are starting from nothing, building a startup, investing, or just someone looking for inspiration. Learn what separates billion-dollar entrepreneurs from the rest and how to break into the startup world—no matter where you start.

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#Startups #AngelInvestor #SiliconValley #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #PejmanNozad #FounderLessons #ImmigrantSuccess