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    From Engineer to VC Kingmaker

    27 min
    |
    |
    Jan 26, 2026
    Career & BusinessEntrepreneurship

    Dan Birmingham leveraged his mechanical engineering background to become a key investor at Liquid 2 Ventures, the Joe Montana-founded fund that's invested in 800+ tech companies worth over $100B combined.

    From Engineer to VC Kingmaker

    Best quote from From Engineer to VC Kingmaker

    “

    Liquid 2 positions itself as 'the premier institutional angel,' writing smaller checks than traditional VCs but bringing institutional-level expertise and a massive ecosystem of founders supporting founders.

    ”
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    "Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

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    "Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

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    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

    @Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

    @djmikemoore
    platform
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    star
    star
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    "BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

    @Pitiful
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    "BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

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    "The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

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    "I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

    @Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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    "Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

    @Raaaaaachelw
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    "Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

    @Matt, YC alum
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    108

    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

    @Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
    platform
    comments
    254
    likes
    17

    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

    @djmikemoore
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    "BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

    @Pitiful
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    "BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

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    "The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

    @Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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    Part of a Learning Plan

    Invest in Tech for Financial Freedom
    LEARNING PLAN

    Invest in Tech for Financial Freedom

    6 h 3 m•4 Episodes

    Key Takeaways

    1

    From Engineer to VC Kingmaker

    0:00
    0:12
    0:27
    0:35
    0:52
    1:01
    1:22
    1:32
    2

    The Northwestern Network Effect

    1:42
    1:51
    2:12
    2:15
    2:34
    2:46
    3:06
    3:12
    3:33
    3:50
    4:06
    4:18
    4:32
    3:12
    3

    The Liquid 2 Difference

    5:05
    5:15
    5:32
    2:46
    5:58
    3:12
    6:34
    6:45
    7:06
    7:17
    7:38
    7:51
    8:06
    8:21
    4

    The Art of Early-Stage Investing

    8:38
    8:49
    9:06
    3:12
    9:38
    9:50
    10:12
    10:27
    10:44
    2:46
    11:15
    11:32
    11:46
    12:01
    12:12
    5

    From Deal Flow to Value Creation

    12:26
    12:39
    12:55
    3:12
    13:29
    13:44
    13:55
    14:11
    14:29
    14:47
    15:04
    15:20
    15:38
    15:53
    6

    The Numbers Game

    16:12
    8:21
    16:41
    16:58
    17:15
    17:30
    17:48
    18:05
    18:24
    18:42
    18:58
    19:14
    19:28
    3:12
    7

    The Playbook for Aspiring VCs

    20:05
    20:13
    20:29
    20:42
    20:56
    21:14
    21:35
    21:49
    22:04
    22:19
    22:35
    22:50
    23:06
    23:22
    23:39
    8

    Looking Forward

    23:57
    24:07
    24:27
    24:49
    25:03
    25:20
    25:40
    25:56
    26:14
    26:33
    26:47
    27:04
    27:19

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