About First Funders

The podcast for angel and seed investors who bet early and boldly.

First Funders is a show for those who write the elusive first check into early-stage tech startups. Whether you're an investor sharpening your edge or a founder seeking to understand what drives early conviction, this podcast gives you the inside story.

Hosted by Shaherose CharaniaShaherose Charania, each episode features experienced angels and seed investors—many of them former operators—who share how they evaluate founders, build conviction, and invest before the rest of the world catches on. You’ll hear real-world stories, decision-making frameworks, and the nuances that separate good investors from great ones.

Meet Your Host

Shaherose Charania is a Partner at Unshackled Ventures, where she invests at the inception stage with a focus on immigrant founders. Over the past two decades, she has helped founders go from 0 to 1 and get off the ground through Women 2.0 and Founder Labs. More recently, she built Nike's first Digital Incubator.

She began her career in product and marketing at three early-stage, venture-backed startups—and started angel investing as a natural extension of her founder-first mindset. Her journey from founder to operator to VC gives her a unique lens on early-stage investing, which she brings to every episode.

Why Listeners Tune In

For Investors

Each guest brings a distinct perspective—on thesis, conviction, bet sizing, and value-add. Whether you're a new angel or an established investor, you'll learn from the real decisions others made, the wins they didn’t expect, and the mistakes they won’t repeat.

For Founders

Get a front-row seat to how investors think behind closed doors. From what drives a “yes” to why a valuation might not land, First Funders demystifies the early fundraising journey and gives you the edge when you're raising your first round.

Say hello and suggest topics at team@firstfunderspod.com.