# From Due Diligence to Do Diligence with Mike Ma

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/growth-capital-podcast-7115193/from-due-diligence-to-do-diligence-with-mike-ma
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/growth-capital-podcast-7115193/from-due-diligence-to-do-diligence-with-mike-ma.md
Podcast: [Growth Capital Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/growth-capital-podcast-7115193)
Published: 2026-05-12T11:55:00+00:00
Episode link: https://hiretomorrow.podbean.com/e/from-due-diligence-to-do-diligence-with-mike-ma/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/brxh4aijiuufuwbn/Mike_Ma97mtf.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/growth-capital-podcast-7115193/episodes/from-due-diligence-to-do-diligence-with-mike-ma
Duration seconds: 2643

## Resource

🛠️ Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 76 🛠️ What if the best way to evaluate a founder isn’t a pitch deck, but working side by side with them? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, Justin Dixon sits down with Mike Ma, Founder & Managing Partner of Sidecut Ventures, to unpack a radically different approach to early-stage investing—one built on execution, coachability, and real-world performance. Instead of traditional diligence, Mike runs a 30-day “do diligence” process: rolling up his sleeves and working directly with founders before writing a check. The result? Deeper conviction, stronger partnerships, and better outcomes. This episode is a must-watch for founders, operators, and investors looking to rethink how great companies and great partnerships are built. 🔍 What you’ll learn: Why coachability is the #1 trait Mike looks for in founders How “do diligence” replaces traditional venture evaluation What most VCs get wrong about value-add Why founder–investor fit matters more than you think How to identify real moats in an AI-saturated market 🚀 Whether you're raising capital, deploying it, or scaling a business, this conversation will challenge how you think about early-stage investing. 📩 Connect with Mike Ma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwma/🌐 Learn more about Sidecut Ventures: https://www.sidecut.vc/ 👉 Like, subscribe, and comment: Would you go through a 30-day diligence process before taking capital?

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## Transcript

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