Warm Intro: Ryan Hoover
In venture, a warm intro carries trust across a network. This Warm Intro series hopes to do the same. Meet the people shaping ADIN: investors, scouts, founders, and friends. Each profile is an invitation to meet someone worth knowing and expand your taste.
Meet Ryan Hoover. He’s an ADIN Investor (apply here if you’re interested in becoming an Investor too), helping to shape which deals move forward and how the model evolves (and earning an additional carry (50%) on any deal he originates). He’s also the founder of Product Hunt and an investor at Weekend Fund. His curations give a little insight into how he does it all. Here’s Ryan’s picks:
What product are you most obsessed with right now?
Granola - Best-executed note-taker I’ve used, saves me time sharing info with my partner at Weekend Fund, Vedika.
Function Health - I first became a customer in 2022 when they were beta testing the platform and invested in the co. I have another bloodwork session scheduled next week.
Orbit Sweet Mint Gum - I don’t smoke, but I chew a lot of gum. This is by far the best kind—tastes good, smells nice, and lasts a while.
Shoe of choice?
Nike Promina Sneaker. They’re simple, comfy, super supportive, and not too expensive (so I don’t feel guilty rebuying a pair after 300 miles of use).
Beverage of choice?
LaCroix mixed with Stur. I know, decadent.
What’s in your supplement stack?
I use Supp to track my supplement stack. Here it is!
I’ve also experimented with peptides for hormone optimization and injury recovery, but I’m not taking any actively now.
Best article you’ve read recently?
My buddy, Jason Tan, recently shared this short story, The Egg. It’s thought-provoking.
Favorite food right now?
I make wicked high-protein, low-carb french toast.
Top 3 podcasts?
I’ve been listening to podcasts since I was mowing my parent’s yard (while wearing ear muffles). A few of my regular listens:
Diggnation – Kevin and Alex have excellent chemistry and recently revived the show
Soft White Underbelly – This YouTube channel provides perspective
Modern Wisdom – Chris Williamson asks good questions with interesting guests
Productivity hacks?
Live on the east coast and wake up at 5:30am. I’m most productive in the mornings when most of the world I interact with is still asleep.
Investor advice for early startups?
Don’t raise. ;)
But seriously, so many founders default to raising money because it’s so abundant and perceived as the thing to do in tech. VC is a great deal, but some founders may come to regret the prison they create for themselves.
I know this isn’t the advice people might expect as I’m an investor selling money (among other things!). But I’ve been a founder before and have that perspective too.
Touch grass activity?
I recently hiked in Denver with my girlfriend and a few close friends. I lived in California for over a decade and miss the accessibility of hills as I spend most of my time in NYC and Miami today.
ADIN is a highly AI focused pursuit (bringing algorithmic venture with the full force of AI agents). ADIN is also just as much about the people. We’re building a network where early-stage funding happens faster, fairer, and with more incentives for the people on the bleeding edge. If you want to be part of that, apply here to be a scout or investor and follow ADIN as we keep opening doors.