In the startup world, Give First means simply trying to help anyone—especially entrepreneurs—with no expectation of getting anything back. It's the pay-it-forward principle that builds strong startup networks. Hosts David Cohen and Brad Feld—Techstars cofounders, lifelong entrepreneurs, and startup investors—talk with mentors and founders about what giving first looks like in action, and how it makes great entrepreneurship possible.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Give First
Claim This Podcastby Techstars
4.8(4 reviews)
110 episodes
Updated Weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
54
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality35
Social0
YouTube93
Engagement90
Podcast Overview
In the startup world, Give First means simply trying to help anyone—especially entrepreneurs—with no expectation of getting anything back. It's the pay-it-forward principle that builds strong startup networks. Hosts David Cohen and Brad Feld—Techstars cofounders, lifelong entrepreneurs, and startup investors—talk with mentors and founders about what giving first looks like in action, and how it makes great entrepreneurship possible.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
5/2/2019
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54
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality35
Social0
YouTube93
Engagement90
6
Excellent Areas
2
Good Performance
11
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Episode Length
31 minutes
Performing excellently!
good
Show Notes Quality
3.0/5
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needs improvement
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Every 23 days
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Recent Episodes
February 17, 2026
Burn Bright, Not Out: James Oliver Jr. on Founder Mental Wellness
Entrepreneur James Oliver Jr. discusses founder mental wellness with David Cohen, sharing his framework for recognizing burnout and prioritizing rest to achieve sustainable success in this interview.
January 20, 2026
Finding Your Way Back to What You Love Through Give First with John Fein
<p>In this episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen sits down with John Fein, partner at Firebrand Ventures and former Techstars managing director.</p><br><p>John reflects on the winding path of his career, from moments of uncertainty to finding renewed purpose through startups, venture, and community building. He shares how small acts of generosity, like answering a random email or making an introduction, can create lasting impact and open entirely new chapters.</p><br><p>The conversation explores John’s journey through Techstars, the evolution of Firebrand Ventures and The Hill Fund, and his long term commitment to the Kansas City startup ecosystem. Along the way, David and John discuss imposter syndrome, paying generosity forward, and why Give First is less a philosophy and more a practice that compounds over time.</p><p>John Fein LinkedIn ➡️ <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfein/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfein/</a> </p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
January 6, 2026
The Long Game of Venture and Generosity with David Hornik
Venture capitalist David Hornik discusses his relationship-driven approach to venture capital, emphasizing generosity, trust, and long-term thinking in business and life in an interview with Brad Feld.
110 total episodes available with 6 transcripts
Deep-dive analytics for Give First
Frequently asked questions
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- What is Give First?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 10 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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