Robin Hood Ventures, Executive Director Ellen Weber | Founding Philly Ep. 51

This episode is sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs. 

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In this episode of Founding Philly, I sit down with Ellen Weber, Executive Director of Robin Hood Ventures, to unpack what really happens when founders pitch angel investors — and what early-stage investors are actually listening for.

Ellen’s journey into early-stage investing started in consulting and corporate tech before she helped launch Robin Hood Ventures. She shares how supporting entrepreneurs, building teams, and navigating innovation early in her career shaped the investor she is today.

Ellen breaks down the most common mistakes founders make, the red flags that show up instantly, and why a clear value proposition is still the strongest signal of founder readiness. She also walks through how angel groups evaluate companies behind the scenes, offering a rare look into the decision-making process after a founder leaves the room.

We also explore the realities of building AI companies in 2025. While AI is the buzzword of the moment, Ellen explains why so many AI pitches lack clarity — and what founders need to do to articulate real, defensible value as the technology evolves at breakneck speed.

We discuss the Philly startup ecosystem, reflecting on the city’s strengths and where it still needs to grow. Ellen highlights Philadelphia’s strong conveners, collaborative investor community, and deep bench of operators who genuinely want to help founders succeed. But she also points to the gaps: the need for more fluidity between big companies and startups, more visibility for local innovation, and more national investment attention.

As Ellen puts it, “People want startups to be successful here — you just have to find the door.”

We close with practical advice for founders who want to pitch Robin Hood. Ellen outlines how to get connected, what makes an application stand out, and the importance of finding a champion inside the room — someone who believes in you and advocates for your deal when you’re not present.

Whether you’re an early-stage founder preparing to pitch, an operator curious about how angels think, or someone invested in the future of Philly’s tech scene, this episode offers clear, candid insight into investor dynamics, early-stage readiness, and the ingredients needed to grow a thriving startup ecosystem.