250: Work Is the Hobby: Owning the All-In Founder Journey with Simon Lancaster
Join Sophie for a captivating conversation with Simon Lancaster, the pioneering mind behind Omni Ventures and a former innovator at Apple and Google. Simon’s journey from shaping hardware giants like the MacBook and iPad to nurturing the next wave of manufacturing technology through his niche VC fund is nothing short of inspiring.
Simon Lancaster is the Founding General Partner of Omni Ventures, a first-check Manufacturing Tech VC backing AI-powered software and IoT that modernize engineering, automation, and industrial supply chains. An Apple and Google alum with 45+ patents, he helped shape MacBook, Magic Mouse, and iPad hardware before scaling Arris Composites to a $260M valuation. At Omni, he now partners with technical founders at pre-seed with operator-grade rigor (no hype), and is authoring “Unlocking Alpha: Rise of the Niche VC.”
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- Simon Lancaster’s journey from Apple and Google to founding Omni Ventures and focusing on manufacturing tech investments
- Insights on the evolution of venture capital, including the significance of business development and branding
- Discussion on strategic partnerships, corporate venture capital, and fostering successful startup ecosystems
- The role of provisional patents and the impact of robotics and automation on global manufacturing
- Recent advancements in immigration laws supporting startup founders’ visa applications
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Supporting Resources:
Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonlancaster/
Website – www.omnivl.com
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