BeFreed
    Categories>Career & Business>From Engineer to VC Kingmaker

    From Engineer to VC Kingmaker

    27 min
    |
    23 sources
    |
    Jan 26, 2026
    BusinessEntrepreneurshipCareer

    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

    This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member

    Input question

    Tell me about Dan Birmingham from liquid2.vc and this fund

    Host voices
    Milesplay
    Blytheplay
    Learning style
    Fun
    Knowledge sources
    Secrets of Sand Hill Road
    Angel: How to Invest in Technology Startups—Timeless Advice from an Angel Investor Who Turned $100,000 into $100,000,000
    Venture Deals
    The Entrepreneurial Bible to Venture Capital
    Private Equity
    The Startup Playbook

    From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

    BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds
    See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

    "Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

    @Moemenn
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

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

    @Chloe, Solo founder, LA
    platform
    comments
    12
    likes
    117

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

    @Raaaaaachelw
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

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

    @Matt, YC alum
    platform
    comments
    12
    likes
    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
    platform
    comments
    96
    likes
    4.5K

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

    @SofiaP
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    "BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

    @Jaded_Falcon
    platform
    comments
    201
    thumbsUp
    16

    "It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

    @OojasSalunke
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

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

    @Leo, Law Student, UPenn
    platform
    comments
    37
    likes
    483

    "Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

    @Cashflowbubu
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

    BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds
    See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

    "Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

    @Moemenn
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

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

    @Chloe, Solo founder, LA
    platform
    comments
    12
    likes
    117

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

    @Raaaaaachelw
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

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

    @Matt, YC alum
    platform
    comments
    12
    likes
    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
    platform
    comments
    96
    likes
    4.5K

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

    @SofiaP
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    "BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

    @Jaded_Falcon
    platform
    comments
    201
    thumbsUp
    16

    "It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

    @OojasSalunke
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

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

    @Leo, Law Student, UPenn
    platform
    comments
    37
    likes
    483

    "Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

    @Cashflowbubu
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    "Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

    @Moemenn
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

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

    @Chloe, Solo founder, LA
    platform
    comments
    12
    likes
    117

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

    @Raaaaaachelw
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

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

    @Matt, YC alum
    platform
    comments
    12
    likes
    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
    platform
    comments
    96
    likes
    4.5K

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

    @SofiaP
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    "BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

    @Jaded_Falcon
    platform
    comments
    201
    thumbsUp
    16

    "It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

    @OojasSalunke
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

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

    @Leo, Law Student, UPenn
    platform
    comments
    37
    likes
    483

    "Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

    @Cashflowbubu
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    "Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

    @Moemenn
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

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

    @Chloe, Solo founder, LA
    platform
    comments
    12
    likes
    117

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

    @Raaaaaachelw
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

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

    @Matt, YC alum
    platform
    comments
    12
    likes
    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
    platform
    comments
    96
    likes
    4.5K

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

    @SofiaP
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    "BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

    @Jaded_Falcon
    platform
    comments
    201
    thumbsUp
    16

    "It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

    @OojasSalunke
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

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

    @Leo, Law Student, UPenn
    platform
    comments
    37
    likes
    483

    "Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

    @Cashflowbubu
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star
    1.5K Ratings4.7
    Start your learning journey, now
    BeFreed App
    BeFreed

    Learn Anything, Personalized

    DiscordLinkedIn
    Featured book summaries
    Crucial ConversationsThe Perfect MarriageInto the WildNever Split the DifferenceAttachedGood to GreatSay Nothing
    Trending categories
    Self HelpCommunication SkillRelationshipMindfulnessPhilosophyInspirationProductivity
    Celebrities' reading list
    Elon MuskCharlie KirkBill GatesSteve JobsAndrew HubermanJoe RoganJordan Peterson
    Award winning collection
    Pulitzer PrizeNational Book AwardGoodreads Choice AwardsNobel Prize in LiteratureNew York TimesCaldecott MedalNebula Award
    Featured Topics
    ManagementAmerican HistoryWarTradingStoicismAnxietySex
    Best books by Year
    2025 Best Non Fiction Books2024 Best Non Fiction Books2023 Best Non Fiction Books
    Featured authors
    Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieGeorge OrwellO. J. SimpsonBarbara O'NeillWinston ChurchillCharlie Kirk
    BeFreed vs other apps
    BeFreed vs. Other Book Summary AppsBeFreed vs. ElevenReaderBeFreed vs. ReadwiseBeFreed vs. Anki
    Learning tools
    Knowledge VisualizerAI Podcast Generator
    Information
    About Usarrow
    Pricingarrow
    FAQarrow
    Blogarrow
    Careerarrow
    Partnershipsarrow
    Ambassador Programarrow
    Directoryarrow
    BeFreed
    Try now
    © 2026 BeFreed
    Term of UsePrivacy Policy
    BeFreed

    Learn Anything, Personalized

    DiscordLinkedIn
    Featured book summaries
    Crucial ConversationsThe Perfect MarriageInto the WildNever Split the DifferenceAttachedGood to GreatSay Nothing
    Trending categories
    Self HelpCommunication SkillRelationshipMindfulnessPhilosophyInspirationProductivity
    Celebrities' reading list
    Elon MuskCharlie KirkBill GatesSteve JobsAndrew HubermanJoe RoganJordan Peterson
    Award winning collection
    Pulitzer PrizeNational Book AwardGoodreads Choice AwardsNobel Prize in LiteratureNew York TimesCaldecott MedalNebula Award
    Featured Topics
    ManagementAmerican HistoryWarTradingStoicismAnxietySex
    Best books by Year
    2025 Best Non Fiction Books2024 Best Non Fiction Books2023 Best Non Fiction Books
    Learning tools
    Knowledge VisualizerAI Podcast Generator
    Featured authors
    Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieGeorge OrwellO. J. SimpsonBarbara O'NeillWinston ChurchillCharlie Kirk
    BeFreed vs other apps
    BeFreed vs. Other Book Summary AppsBeFreed vs. ElevenReaderBeFreed vs. ReadwiseBeFreed vs. Anki
    Information
    About Usarrow
    Pricingarrow
    FAQarrow
    Blogarrow
    Careerarrow
    Partnershipsarrow
    Ambassador Programarrow
    Directoryarrow
    BeFreed
    Try now
    © 2026 BeFreed
    Term of UsePrivacy Policy

    Key Takeaways

    1

    From Engineer to VC Kingmaker

    0:00

    Miles: Hey there! Ever wonder how someone goes from studying mechanical engineering to becoming a venture capital investor? That's exactly the story of Dan Birmingham from Liquid 2 Ventures, and it's pretty fascinating.

    0:12

    Blythe: Absolutely, Miles. Dan's career path is really interesting. He started at Northwestern studying mechanical engineering and economics, but quickly pivoted to the business world, working at places like Bain & Company before landing at Liquid 2.

    0:27

    Miles: What's cool about Liquid 2 Ventures is that it was founded by NFL legend Joe Montana, right? They've built quite an impressive portfolio.

    0:35

    Blythe: That's right! Since its founding in 2015, Liquid 2 has invested in over 800 technology companies, including some major unicorns like GitLab, Rippling, and Retool. They've helped build companies with a combined enterprise value of over $100 billion.

    0:52

    Miles: Wow, that's impressive. And Dan joined this team after having some entrepreneurial experience himself. He co-founded HUSTL while still in college.

    1:01

    Blythe: Exactly. I think that entrepreneurial background, combined with his technical skills and business consulting experience, gives him a unique perspective as an investor. Liquid 2 positions itself as "the premier institutional angel" investing between $250K to $1M in pre-seed and seed stage technology startups.

    1:22

    Miles: You know what's interesting? Despite being a relatively small team—only about 12 employees—they've managed to build this massive ecosystem of founders supporting founders.

    1:32

    Blythe: That's what makes their approach so effective. Let's explore how Dan Birmingham fits into this ecosystem and what his role at Liquid 2 Ventures actually involves.

    2

    The Northwestern Network Effect

    3

    The Liquid 2 Difference

    4

    The Art of Early-Stage Investing

    5

    From Deal Flow to Value Creation

    6

    The Numbers Game

    7

    The Playbook for Aspiring VCs

    8

    Looking Forward

    More like this

    podcast cover
    Secrets of Sand Hill RoadThe Entrepreneurial Bible to Venture CapitalVenture DealsNo Red Lights
    12 sources
    645 Ventures: Data-Driven VC Revolution
    How two outsiders with tech and immigrant backgrounds revolutionized early-stage investing by bringing algorithms and systematic data analysis to a traditionally relationship-based industry, growing from $8M to $350M.
    11 min
    podcast cover
    The VC Investment Triangle That Beats Buffett
    Discover why top venture capitalists deliberately invest outside their expertise zone and how the Investment Triangle framework identifies exponential return opportunities that traditional investors miss.
    16 min
    podcast cover
    Secrets of Sand Hill RoadThe Entrepreneurial Bible to Venture CapitalAmericana: A 400-Year History of American CapitalismVenture Deals
    14 sources
    Venture Capital's Historic Journey
    Explore VC's evolution from maritime investments to Silicon Valley powerhouses. This episode traces 70+ years of American venture capital history, revealing how risk capital transformed from funding sea voyages to launching tech empires.
    22 min
    podcast cover
    Angel: How to Invest in Technology Startups—Timeless Advice from an Angel Investor Who Turned $100,000 into $100,000,000Secrets of Sand Hill RoadThe Entrepreneurial Bible to Venture CapitalVenture Deals
    20 sources
    Footwork VC: Boxing-Inspired Investment Strategy
    Explore how two Silicon Valley veterans built a $400M venture capital powerhouse using boxing principles, perfect timing, and a founder-first approach to catch startups at their breakthrough moments.
    29 min
    podcast cover
    Secrets of Sand Hill RoadAngel: How to Invest in Technology Startups—Timeless Advice from an Angel Investor Who Turned $100,000 into $100,000,000Venture DealsThe Entrepreneurial Bible to Venture Capital
    17 sources
    From Engineer to VC: Ashish Kakran's Journey
    Explore how Ashish Kakran's technical background as a software engineer shaped his unique approach to venture capital at Sierra Ventures, where he focuses on AI and cloud infrastructure investments.
    25 min
    podcast cover
    The Four Steps to the EpiphanyDo More FasterResilience
    3 sources
    The Investor's Paradox: Why Great VCs Think Like Entrepreneurs
    Discover how exceptional venture capitalists succeed by thinking like entrepreneurs while maintaining analytical rigor. Learn the mentor-first philosophy, pattern recognition skills, and relationship-building strategies that separate great VCs from wealthy investors.
    14 min
    book cover
    Angel: How to Invest in Technology Startups—Timeless Advice from an Angel Investor Who Turned $100,000 into $100,000,000
    Jason Calacanis
    Insights on startup investing and entrepreneurship
    9 min
    book cover
    The Entrepreneurial Bible to Venture Capital
    Andrew Romans
    Guides entrepreneurs on venture capital, startup growth, and exit strategies with real-life examples.
    10 min