NYC BookTalk: A Chat with Charlie O'Donnell

​Longtime investor and New York native Charlie O'Donnell is the author of Founder Unfriendly: What Investors Won't Tell You About Getting Funded, out April 30, 2026.

Veteran venture capitalist Charlie O’Donnell walks you through what actually happens after you leave a pitch meeting.

Based on his own extensive, first-hand experience, O’Donnell provides a clear answer to the question of why so many “mediocre” startups get funded while young companies with brilliant concepts and people get passed over time and time again.

​The book skips the endless clichés about “successful founder traits” and recycled startup wisdom and gets right to the heart of why real VCs in the real world fund real companies with real money.

It also explains exactly why those same investors say no so often, as well as what it might take to move them from a no to an enthusiastic yes.

​Inside the book:

• ​Granular, specific advice that will transform your pitch deck from a liability into a game changing asset

• ​Strategies to shape the conversations investors have after you leave the room as they decide whether to fund your venture

• ​How to change your strategy based on the relative strength and momentum of the sectors you operate in

​The book is perfect for first-time founders trying to get the lay of the VC land but Founder Unfriendly it's also a must-read for seasoned entrepreneurs trying to hone their fundraising strategies. It’s packed with proven and practical tools to help you build your company while capturing as much of the resulting value as possible.

[If you're an author interested in participating in this series or hosting a talk like this one, please feel free to message Kate and we can discuss!]