Time-Traveling with Tim Holladay: Investing in the People Who Change Everything
Tim Holladay is not just a founder turned investor - he's a community builder, an idea nurturer, and a man with a DeLorean mindset. As the Managing Partner at Space Station Investments, Tim brings heart and foresight into the world of early-stage investing, especially where creators, innovators, and athletes are shaping the cultural and consumer landscape. With over 120 companies in their portfolio - from Magic Spoon to Oura Ring and beyond - Tim and his team are committed to backing people who are building a better, more imaginative future. Whether it’s AI-enhanced logistics or healthier cereal, he’s laser-focused on transformative ideas and the humans behind them.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
Why early-stage investing is “more art than science”
How Tim evaluates founders based on character and conviction
The rise of creator-led businesses and how they’re redefining commerce
How AI is amplifying human creativity in product development, logistics, and media
The future of food innovation and ethical health brands like Magic Spoon and Olipop
Where Web3, NFTs, and blockchain still hold massive untapped potential for creators
The power and risk of business partnerships with family
Ethical uses of AI in creative industries—and how artists can stay protected
"When you're investing in early-stage companies, there's a lot more art than science." - Tim Holladay
This line from Tim hits home for any of us working at the intersection of passion and product. It’s not just about the spreadsheets or the deck - it’s about gut instinct, people, and potential. In a world obsessed with metrics and forecasts, Tim reminds us that investing is just another form of storytelling: you believe in a narrative before it becomes a reality. It’s not the data that moves the needle - it's the people behind the pitch.
In this episode…
What a joy to chop it up with Tim Holladay on this episode. We dove deep into what it really means to “invest in the people who change everything,” a phrase pulled straight from Tim’s own ethos. From creator-led startups to AI-powered innovation, Tim shared practical insights and visionary takes on where industries are heading. I appreciated his transparency about investing being messy and emotional - and how pattern recognition and human connection outweigh formulas. We even got nostalgic about DeLoreans and nerded out about copyright law, NFTs, and the role of the artist in an AI-driven age. It’s conversations like these that remind me how much room there is to build, create, and dream better.
Until next time,
Carl Cleanthes
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