The WHY of Síol Venture Capital

I often get asked how I got into venture capital. To me, the how is interesting, but it’s

not what matters most. The why is what defines Síol Venture Capital—and it’s the same why that has guided me for the last 15 years:

To help daring founders change the world.

From Regulatory Capture to Founder Empowerment

Fifteen years ago, I launched MOB Advocacy, a government relations firm for startups and early-stage tech. Before that, much of my career was spent helping big companies leverage policy to block competition. It’s called regulatory capture, and every incumbent does it.

But I knew I wanted to flip the script. Instead of protecting incumbents, I wanted to empower founders—to bring them into the policy conversation and give them a seat at the table. That shift led to building a nationally-recognized firm that helped founders navigate the complex world of government and regulation.

Over time, though, we kept hearing the same thing from clients: “You’re great at what you do. But we need capital.” And the next line became increasingly common, “And without capital, advocacy doesn’t matter.”

They were right. Some startups don’t just need money. Some need both financial capital and political capital.

The Birth of Síol

In January 2024, I pivoted from MOB Advocacy and launched Síol Venture Capital to do exactly that.

We back early-stage companies at the intersection of disruptive tech and leading-edge policy. Our model combines capital with proven growth methodologies to unlock opportunity in heavily regulated industries:

• Healthcare

• Energy

• Transportation

• Infrastructure

• GovTech and Dual-use technologies

These aren’t just billion- and trillion-dollar markets—they’re the industries where the future is being written, and where daring founders can redefine what’s possible.

And we know the model works. Our team has already demonstrated with successful exits and the success of Síol’s first two investments. Outsized success comes from marrying growth expertise with regulatory fluency.

The Invitation

At Síol, we believe the world is changed by daring founders. We exist to fuel their ambition, remove barriers, and accelerate their path from the edge to the mainstream.

Whether you’re a founder building in complex markets or an investor who believes policy and innovation together will shape the next wave of industry leaders, we invite you to join us.

Let’s change the world—together.