The Diligent Observer Podcast

Episode 13: Growing the Alamo Angels from 30 to 130 Members in 4 Years | Sebastian Garzon

Andrew Kazlow

Juan “Sebastian” Garzon serves as the Executive Director of Alamo Angels, the largest angel network in Texas. In his role, Sebastian facilitates access to capital via angel investing to companies across the U.S. and Latin America. Through his strategic guidance, Alamo Angels has invested in over 50 companies to date.

Sebastian's exceptional acumen and dedication have been recognized by industry peers and publications alike. His notable accolades include being named to the prestigious Texas Top 100 for 2024, as well as being recognized as a recipient of "40 Under 40" in Corpus Christi. Moreover, his commitment to continuous growth and excellence led him to complete the rigorous VC Unlocked program, a collaborative initiative between Stanford University and 500 Global, designed to empower emerging venture capital leaders from around the world with cutting-edge insights and strategies.

Beyond his career in investment, Sebastian is also the visionary behind Passport2Fluency, a company aimed at empowering individuals to enhance their Spanish language skills. Through Passport2Fluency, he embodies his passion for education and cultural exchange, making a tangible impact on the lives of countless learners seeking linguistic proficiency and global connectivity.

During our conversation, he discusses:

* The importance of curating high-quality companies and connecting with the right investors

* Growing Alamo Angels and their focus on Latin American startups

* Cultural differences between U.S. and Latin American business interactions

* Leveraging community-driven approaches and simplifying the investment process

* The role of strategic partnerships and cultural intelligence in building trust

* Integration with Velocity Texas and shared resource benefits

* Creating a sense of community and facilitating organic learning through events

* Expanding investment opportunities in South Texas and cross-border activities

* Long-term potential of startup activity and nearshoring trends

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

What We Cover:

* 00:00 Introduction to Angel Investing

* 02:08 Sebastian's Disney Experience

*

Know someone who would enjoy this episode? Share it with them!

P.S. Your feedback is important to me. Also, it tells the algorithms to pay more attention, which helps me out a lot. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the "like" button or leave a comment with your thoughts.

Want more?

Connect with Andrew

LinkedIn | X | Angel Ops E-Book

All opinions are personal and may not reflect the views of The Diligent Observer. Not investment advice.

People on this episode