Mariane Becker & Kristopher Floyd on Backing Female Founders, AI Startups & Purpose-Driven VC | Modern Investing Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Mariane Becker and Kristopher Floyd—two investors reimagining the future of venture capital by blending high-return strategies with deep purpose. Mariane, an early investor in Amazon and Google, shares her journey from Wall Street to championing underrepresented founders. Kristopher, a military veteran turned VC strategist, brings a disciplined, mission-oriented lens to identifying startups poised for transformative impact.

We explore:

• Why women-founded startups receive less than 2% of VC funding—and what Mariane and Kristopher are doing to change that
• The Founders Bay community and how it bridges capital, mentorship, and opportunity for diverse founders
• Emerging tech trends in AI, robotics, and defense—and how to spot companies positioned for exponential growth
• How their upcoming VC fund is creating a new standard for investing with impact, integrity, and long-term vision
• The role of intuition, adaptability, and values in building a resilient, future-facing investment portfolio

“If we want a better future, we have to start funding it today—with intention.”

Whether you're an emerging investor or an entrepreneur navigating the venture landscape, this episode is packed with insights on how to align purpose with profit—and why the next great companies will come from founders previously overlooked by the system.

About Mariane Becker & Kristopher Floyd:
Mariane Becker is an experienced investor, operator, and advisor with a track record that includes early positions in Amazon and Google. She now leads initiatives supporting women and underrepresented founders. Kristopher Floyd is a former military officer and founder turned VC strategist, known for bringing clarity and structure to early-stage investing. Together, they co-lead Founders Bay and are launching a venture fund focused on high-impact innovation and inclusive capital allocation.

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