Pano Anthos is the Founder and Managing Director of XRC Ventures, an NYC-based venture fund and startup accelerator for entrepreneurs in the retail technology and consumer goods industry. Pano is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs through the early stages of brand building. Since 2015, his team has launched 100+ startup businesses and has built a vast mentorship network of influential industry leaders. Pano has served as a leader in multiple industries and has founded four digital media companies and software startups. 

In this episode… Creating a novel business idea is the first step to owning a business. The process leading up to your business’ launch requires continued curiosity about consumer preferences and understanding who you are competing against. Oftentimes, entrepreneurs overlook these areas — a critical mistake. What can business owners do to optimize their success before launching their business? 

Companies make the mistake of building products they assume their consumers would be attracted to without adequate audience research. Pano Anthos, a venture capitalist, advises entrepreneurs to produce a prototype and gather feedback on the quality of their product before sending it to production. Seeking advice from industry professionals is the most strategic way to solidify your product and receive funding to move your company forward.

On this episode of the Top Business Leaders Show, Bela Musits welcomes Pano Anthos, Founder and Managing Director of XRC Ventures, to discuss the common mistakes entrepreneurs make at the early stages of their careers and his advice on best practices for optimizing funding for their business. Pano also shares how his company structures its funding and the benefits of the accelerator program and demo day.