Startup Science Podcast with Gregory Shepard · 2025-03-26 · 32 min
In this electrifying episode of the Startup Science Podcast, Greg Shepard sits down with Toph Day, the visionary CEO of Elevate Ventures, one of the most active seed and early-stage investors in the Great Lakes Region and a top 20 venture capital firm globally. With over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience and multiple exits to Fortune 500 companies, Toph shares his incredible journey from growing up in a strict German Baptist household on a small farm to becoming a powerhouse in the venture capital world. Toph opens up about his early days as an entrepreneur, founding eight businesses across seven different sectors, and how his relentless curiosity and work ethic propelled him to success. He dives deep into the key lessons he’s learned in leadership, including the importance of listening, vulnerability, and giving credit to others. Toph also shares his insights on adapting leadership styles across diverse industries, from AI to broadband, and how humility and respect are critical to building high-performing teams.
Funding the Future: Marcia Dawood on Investing with Impact (Part Two)54 / 100Funding the Future: Marcia Dawood on Investing with Impact (Part One)From Farm to Fortune: Toph Day on Building Businesses, Leading with Humility, and Fueling Innovation in the Midwest (Part Two)Aras Sheikhi: Bridging Academia and Entrepreneurship for Immigrant Innovators (Part Two)Aras Sheikhi: Bridging Academia and Entrepreneurship for Immigrant Innovators (Part One)