Episode #6: You’re The Weak Link
Tech Optimist Podcast — Tech, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation
In the sixth episode of The Tech Optimist podcast, the AV team delves into the dynamic intersection of technology, venture capital, and entrepreneurship. Mike Collins interviews David DellaPelle, Co-founder and CEO of Dune Security, a groundbreaking company leveraging AI to enhance cybersecurity by addressing human error. AV Partner Pete Mathias explores Multitude Insights with its co-founder Matthew White. Finally, Mike and AV Senior Associate Drew Wandzilak discuss all things space: what’s interesting, what’s investable, and where we are headed.
Episode #6: You’re The Weak Link
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In this episode, AV CEO Mike Collins interviews David DellaPelle about his experience building Dune Security, which addresses a staggeringly prevalent cause of cybersecurity breaches: employee error. Next, AV Partner Pete Mathias dives into Multitude Insights with its co-founder Matthew White, who is working to revolutionize information sharing between police departments. Finally, Mike and AV Senior Associate Drew Wandzilak discuss all things space: what’s interesting, what’s investable, and where are we headed?
Watch Time ~66 minutes
The show is produced by Alumni Ventures, which has been recognized as a “Top 20 Venture Firm” by CB Insights (’24) and as the “#1 Most Active Venture Firm in the US” by Pitchbook (’22 & ’23).
READ THE FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
Creators and Guests
HOST
Mike Collins
CEO, and Co-Founder at Alumni Ventures
Mike has been involved in almost every facet of venturing, from angel investing to venture capital, new business and product launches, and innovation consulting. He is currently CEO of Alumni Ventures Group, the managing company for our fund, and launched AV’s first alumni fund, Green D Ventures, where he oversaw the portfolio as Managing Partner and is now Managing Partner Emeritus. Mike is a serial entrepreneur who has started multiple companies, including Kid Galaxy, Big Idea Group (partially owned by WPP), and RDM. He began his career at VC firm TA Associates. He holds an undergraduate degree in Engineering Science from Dartmouth and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
GUEST
David DellaPelle
Co-Founder & CEO at Dune Security
David DellaPelle is the co-founder & CEO of Dune Security, which uniquely replaces legacy and ineffective security awareness training by pinpointing the crucial 8% of employees responsible for 80% of the risk, ensuring all employees receive personalized, machine learning-driven training tailored to their risk profile
GUEST
Matthew White
Co-Founder & CEO, Multitude Insights
Matthew White is the co-founder & CEO of Multitude Insights, which exists to change how law enforcement handles data, treats people, and accomplishes broader community safety, all while giving taxpayers the professional police force they deserve.
GUEST
Pete Mathias
Partner, U.S. Strategic Tech Fund
Partner Pete Mathias, a seasoned investor in national interest sectors with a deep public policy background, leads AV’s U.S. Strategic Tech Fund. He was formerly a Senior Director at the $1.5B+ venture capital arm of Bertelsmann across the EU, China, and U.S. startup ecosystems. Additionally, he is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Council on Germany and was appointed by the U.S. Department of State as a cultural attaché. He holds a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, an MBA from Tuck School of Business, and a Distinction graduate degree in the U.S.
GUEST
Drew Wandzilak
Associate, Green D & Yard & Strategic Tech Fund
Drew has worked in high-growth industries as both an investor and operator, focusing on how people and technology interact within organizations. His venture experience began at AV’s Seed Fund, identifying and supporting early stage founders across a variety of industries. This experience led him to join Holistic Industries, a leading private multi-state operator of cannabis cultivation facilities and dispensaries, where he focused on business intelligence, corporate development, and M&A. Prior to rejoining AV, he worked with the founding team of Mirage, an NFT marketplace and view layer for augmented reality assets. Drew has a BS from Northwestern University in Education and Social Policy with concentrations in Learning & Organizational Change and Entrepreneurship. He is also an ambassador of Northwestern’s Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and a member of Chicago Inno’s 25 under 25.
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The Tech Optimist Podcast is for informational purposes only. It is not personalized advice and is neither an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any security. Such offers are made only to eligible investors, pursuant to the formal offering documents of appropriate investment funds. Please consult with your advisors before making any investment with Alumni Ventures. For more information, please see here.
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