Podcast with Paige Craig of Outlander VC: People Over Plans

28 Apr 2026 · 33 min
33:00

In this episode of the Tacos and Tech podcast, host Neal Bloom interviews Paige Craig, founder and managing partner of Outlander VC. Craig explains Outlander’s mission as a first‑check, people‑first fund that backs founders at the earliest possible stage, often before a product exists. She recounts her own difficult upbringing, early entrepreneurial experience in defense technology, and the lack of mentorship she faced, which motivated her to become an activist investor focused on mentorship and long‑term support. Craig describes the development of Outlander’s "Founder Framework," a 38‑point assessment of vision, intelligence, character, and execution that guides their investment decisions. She outlines the fund’s sourcing process, including a "staging area" for high‑potential founders who aren’t ready yet, and discusses how they aim to identify talent years before they start a company. The conversation moves to Outlander’s investment theses: physical AI (hardware‑software integration), manufacturing and industrial automation, defense technology, and the emerging intersection of life sciences and AI. Craig shares perspectives on first‑time versus serial founders, noting a preference for raw, risk‑tolerant first‑timers, while acknowledging the value of experienced founders. She admits to mis‑bets where the algorithm over‑valued eccentric founders who lacked self‑awareness, illustrating the challenges of predicting human behavior. Looking forward, Craig highlights under‑explored opportunities in manufacturing processes, health tech, robot insurance, and solutions for the massive displacement of creative talent due to AI. The episode ends with a light‑hearted discussion about favorite taco spots, reinforcing the podcast’s blend of tech insight and personal connection.

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