NextGen VC Podcast
Hosted by NextGen VC
Two life science legal and IP experts interview the venture capitalists funding the next generation of biotech and medtech companies.
This is an insider's guide to the business of biotech venture capital. The hosts, both seasoned legal partners in the space, skip the basic science and go straight to the mechanics of company creation, fund strategy, and career navigation. The show serves as a form of high-level content marketing for the hosts' organizations, establishing them as central connectors and experts in the life sciences ecosystem.
“Unlike broader tech or VC podcasts, this show is hyper-focused on the life sciences. The dual-host format, with deep expertise in both intellectual property and corporate law, allows for nuanced questions that probe the specific legal and strategic hurdles of building a biotech company.”
Who hosts this show
The NextGen VC Podcast is a deep dive into life sciences investing, curated by law firm Wilson Sonsini and the nonprofit LaunchBio. It is hosted by Wilson Sonsini partners Michael Hostetler, a strategic IP advisor with a PhD in Chemistry, and Jennifer 'Jen' Fang, a corporate lawyer focused on emerging life science companies. Each episode features interviews with venture capitalists to unpack the strategies, career paths, and breakthroughs shaping the industry.
Credentials & credits
- Michael Hostetler: Partner, Wilson Sonsini; J.D., Duke University; Ph.D., Chemistry, UC Berkeley; B.S., Chemistry, MIT.
- Jennifer Fang: Partner, Wilson Sonsini; J.D., M.Eng., Partner at Wilson Sonsini.
- Michael Hostetler: Co-creator, Wilson Sonsini's Healthcare Investment Initiative.
- Michael Hostetler: Board of Directors, LaunchBio.
- Jennifer Fang: Member, National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) General Counsel Advisory Board.
Other ventures
- LaunchBio's NextGen VC Forum
What kind of podcast
When new episodes drop
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
- 05The $2.25B Exit That Changed Lumira's Investment StrategyJun 8, 2026 · 47 min
- 06Aimee Raleigh (Atlas Venture): Building Biotech Companies from Day OneMay 6, 2026 · 54 min
- 07
- 08Anna French on Building Qiming in the States and the Global Future of BiotechMar 27, 2026 · 55 min
Notable episodes
- 01From Scalpel to Term Sheet: Rich Gaster on Building Conviction...
Offers a clear contrast between two distinct VC models (company-building vs. asset-focused) and a candid look at a rapid career ascent to Managing Partner.
- 02Aimee Raleigh (Atlas Venture): Building Biotech Companies from Day One
Provides a granular, practical look at the process of company creation inside a top-tier early-stage venture firm.
- 03The $2.25B Exit That Changed Lumira's Investment Strategy
Explains unique and advanced fund concepts like 'sidecar funds' and the strategy of investing in underserved biotech geographies.
What you'll be asked on this show
The interview arc is consistent and methodical. It opens with a comprehensive introduction, followed by questions about the guest's 'unconventional path' into venture capital, tracing their career from academia or another field. The conversation then transitions to the mechanics of their current firm, exploring its investment thesis, company creation process, or unique fund structure. The hosts are active listeners, often asking for clarification on specific terms (like 'mission-driven' or 'sidecar funds') or prompting guests to compare and contrast different experiences (e.g., starting a company inside vs. outside a VC). The tone is professional, respectful, and highly focused on process and strategy.
This is a two-host interview show with a formal, structured format. Episodes begin with a detailed, scripted introduction of the guest's background and accomplishments. The hosts, Mike and Jen, alternate asking well-researched, open-ended questions that build on the guest's prior statements.
Questions NextGen VC keeps coming back to
13 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when NextGen VC reaches for it.
origin
3- Q.01
“Can you talk about your unconventional path into venture as a scientist or engineer?”
This is a standard opening question used to frame the guest's unique background and career transition.
- Q.02
“Was there a specific moment you realized you wanted to build companies instead of working at the bench?”
This question pinpoints the critical decision-making moment in a guest's shift from science to business.
- Q.03
“What prompted your move from one venture firm to another?”
The hosts ask this to explore the strategic rationale behind a significant career change.
personal
1- Q.01
“What attracted you to your current firm when you were looking to join?”
This question surfaces a guest's personal motivations and what they value in a firm's culture or model.
craft
1- Q.01
“How have your advanced degrees, like an MD or PhD, influenced your career in venture?”
Asks guests to directly connect their deep academic training to their current work as an investor.
industry
1- Q.01
“Beyond what's on the website, how would you describe your firm?”
A frequent opening gambit to get the firm's identity and investment thesis in the guest's own words.
process
3- Q.01
“How has your firm's strategy evolved across its different funds?”
This probes the strategic shifts and institutional learning of a fund over a long period.
- Q.02
“What does building a company from scratch at your firm actually look like in practice?”
Seeks a practical, step-by-step explanation of a firm's signature company creation model.
- Q.03
“What was the steepest learning curve when you first joined venture capital?”
This question uncovers the key challenges and lessons learned when transitioning into a VC role.
mindset
2- Q.01
“Does your past experience as an operator or founder give you empathy for entrepreneurs now?”
Connects a guest's prior hands-on experience to their current mindset as an investor.
- Q.02
“You mentioned '[specific term]'. What does that mean to you in practice?”
The hosts frequently ask guests to define key jargon, like 'mission-driven', to get a more concrete understanding.
money
1- Q.01
“Can you give us a download on your recent successful exits?”
Invites the guest to share the stories and strategies behind recent portfolio company acquisitions or IPOs.
advice
1- Q.01
“What advice would you give academics on how to effectively engage with VCs?”
A common closing question that provides actionable takeaways for the academic portion of the audience.
Signature segments
- · Detailed, scripted guest introduction
- · Tracing the guest's 'unconventional path' to VC
- · Deep dives on firm-specific processes (e.g., company creation)
- · Asking for advice for academics and aspiring VCs
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
Guests are exclusively venture capitalists from the life sciences sector, typically at the Principal or Partner level. They hail from a mix of well-established and specialized firms like Atlas Venture, venBio, and Lumira Ventures.
- Dr. Suman Raoon The $2.25B Exit That Changed Lumira's Investment Strategy
- Aimee Raleighon Aimee Raleigh (Atlas Venture): Building Biotech Companies from Day One
- Rich Gasteron From Scalpel to Term Sheet: Rich Gaster on Building Conviction Backing Winners & Fighting for Claire
- Dr. Anna Frenchon Anna French on Building Qiming in the States and the Global Future of Biotech
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The podcast is explicitly curated by Wilson Sonsini, a major law firm in the tech and life sciences space, and LaunchBio, a nonprofit supporting life science startups. The show serves as a platform to build community, demonstrate expertise, and network with the key players—founders and funders—that make up their client and member base.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
Pitch NextGen VC
q•••@•••.orgFree: limited reveals · Pro: unlimited reveals + CSV export
You’re only charged when we return a verified hit.
People also ask
- Who are the hosts of the NextGen VC Podcast?
- The hosts are Michael Hostetler and Jennifer 'Jen' Fang, who are both partners at the law firm Wilson Sonsini.
- What is the podcast's format?
- It's an interview show where the two hosts have a structured conversation with a venture capitalist from the life sciences industry.
- Who is this podcast for?
- It's for aspiring and current VCs, life science entrepreneurs, and academics who want an inside look at the business of biotech investing.
- Is the podcast still running?
- Yes, based on the recent episode dates from June 2026, the podcast is actively releasing new content.
- How can I contact the show?
- The podcast description provides an email for questions: [email — gated].
- Where can I listen to the podcast?
- The podcast is available on YouTube and major podcast streaming platforms.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]NextGen VC Podcast - LaunchBiolaunchbio.org
- [02]Michael Hostetler - Wilson Sonsini Profilewsgr.com
- [03]Jennifer Fang - Wilson Sonsini Profile (via Chambers)chambers.com
- [04]Michael Hostetler - The Org Profiletheorg.com
- [05]NextGen VC Forum - LaunchBio Programlaunchbio.org
- [06]Michael Hostetler Recognized Among Daily Journal's 2026 Top IP Lawyerswsgr.com
Podcasts like NextGen VC Podcast
Silicon Valley Girl
Silicon Valley Girl
An entrepreneur interviews the founders and scientists building the next wave of AI to uncover practical strategies for career and business growth.
The Wolf Of All Streets
Scott Melker
A daily show from trader Scott Melker breaking down crypto, macro, and trading news with market experts and industry builders.
Donovan Sharpe
Donovan Sharpe
A confrontational live-stream show focused on dating, masculinity, and current events from a "Red Pill" perspective.
Simple Hai!
Vivek Law
A veteran Indian financial journalist demystifies money and markets by interviewing the C-suite executives running India's top financial institutions.
RealTalk Clips
A clips channel for India's long-running tri-host interview podcast, covering everything from national controversies to survival skills.
Dostcast
An Indian long-form interview show tackling everything from geopolitics and religion to sexuality and content creation with unfiltered depth.
Vishal Kalra Official
Vishal Kalra
A veteran Indian TV journalist interviews astrologers, numerologists, and prophecy interpreters about future events and personal fortunes.
Neha Nagar
Neha Nagar
India's practical finance podcast where a financial educator interviews top experts on the stock market, economy, and geopolitics for retail investors.