Tank Talks with Matt Cohen

What Makes a Startup “Click”, Before It Even Exists? With Matt Cohen

In the debut episode of Make It Click, host Matt Cohen—founder and managing partner of Ripple Ventures—discusses how early‑stage investors spot promising startups before they’re even incorporated. He shares the signals he looks for in nascent teams, the importance of network‑driven deal flow, and why Ripple initially focused on Canadian B2B software before expanding into AI, deep‑tech, and space ventures. Cohen also explains Ripple’s hands‑on approach, from taking board observer seats to making customer introductions, and contrasts the Toronto ecosystem with Bay Area dynamics.