Backing Coachable Superheroes: Human Judgment, Founder Grit, and Building with Purpose in the AI Era - Light Dao Salon (NYC)
Fireside Chat with Mike Ma, Sidecut Ventures
Most investors look for pattern recognition - Mike Ma looks for grit, coachability, and the founder spark you only understand by working beside them.
Join us for an intimate and thought-provoking evening as Mike Ma shares why he built Sidecut Ventures around a simple but uncommon belief: at the earliest stages, the most important thing to underwrite is not the market, the deck, or the buzz - it’s the human being.
As Managing Partner of Sidecut Ventures, Mike backs what he calls “coachable superheroes” - mission-driven founders tackling challenges in economic mobility, healthcare, climate, and education. Drawing on experience across Fortune 500 leadership, venture-backed startups, and hands-on coaching, Mike brings a distinctly human lens to venture capital: coach first, capital second.
In this fireside chat, Mike will explore what it means to invest in grit, judgment, and lived conviction in a world increasingly shaped by automation, AI, and pattern-matching.
He’ll share:
Why the best founders are often revealed through action, not just storytelling
What “coachable superheroes” are - and how Mike recognizes them early
Why founder proximity and operational diligence matter more than ever
How AI is changing venture, and why human judgment may become even more valuable
Why backing mission-driven founders in climate, healthcare, education, and economic mobility is both meaningful and investable
About Mike Ma
Mike Ma is the Managing Partner of Sidecut Ventures, an early-stage fund investing in “coachable superheroes” - resilient, mission-driven founders building in economic mobility, healthcare, climate, and education.
His approach is deeply hands-on. Through Sidecut’s coach-first, capital-second philosophy, Mike works closely with founders in the earliest stages, helping them sharpen strategy, product, fundraising, and execution while learning how they operate in real time.
Before launching Sidecut Ventures, Mike held leadership roles across both major institutions and high-growth startups, including Bank of America, Vanguard, Betterment, Own Up, and Nex Cubed. He is also a podcast host, adaptive snowsports instructor, and longtime coach, experiences that continue to shape how he thinks about performance, resilience, and unlocking human potential.
His core thesis: In a world where capital and information are increasingly commoditized, the enduring edge is still profoundly human.
SALON AGENDA:
7:00-7:30pm - Welcome, light snacks & drinks served
7:30-7:40pm - Introductions
7:40-8:05pm - Group connection experience
8:05-8:45pm - Fireside Q&A
8:45-9:00pm - Business connect
9:00-9:30pm - Deepen connections
Members often connect for dinner or drinks after the salon.
VENUE DETAILS: The gathering is in Manhattan. The exact address will be sent to confirmed guests.
DRESS: We encourage authentic self-expression! Shoes off because in private residence.
GUEST POLICY: We are a members only (known as Dao Owners) community. All Dao Guests must be approved and can receive one in-person gathering for free. Dao Guests are eligible to become a Dao Owner Member. Otherwise, one must become a Dao Owner to continue attending gatherings. Please note that invitations are not a guarantee for entry, and we invite you to thoroughly answer the approval questions. Friends or +1s must RSVP individually. Unapproved show-ups will not be granted entry.
JOIN US: Light Dao is a fast-growing trusted global community of over 5000 conscious investors and entrepreneurs with curated in-person and online gatherings and experiences, having hosted in 16 cities across North and South America, Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Our heartfelt mission is to bring abundance for all by expanding the collective consciousness, enlightening society, and empowering values-aligned relationships. Together, we co-create a thriving regenerative future for humanity. We are excited to welcome you to our global community! http://wearelight.one/