In Episode 14 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Connor Adler, Capital & Investor Programs Lead at Nexus (Nextus.io), for an in-depth conversation on startups, venture capital, and why the Midwest is far more important to the innovation economy than most people realize.Connor shares his unconventional path—from growing up outside Chicago, studying finance, working in early-stage startups, and grinding through underpaid roles—to landing in Wichita and helping founders raise capital, scale responsibly, and decide whether venture funding is even the right path for their business.The conversation breaks down how Nexus actually works behind the scenes:- What an entrepreneurial support organization (ESO) is- How angel investing and SPVs function in practice- Why customer traction matters more than pitch decks- Common red flags founders don’t realize they’re waving- How founders should think about growth capital before raising moneyThey also explore Connor’s work building next-generation investors through Future Funders, the realities of angel investing timelines, managing investor expectations, and why not every business should chase VC dollars.Along the way, Connor opens up about creativity, vulnerability, and balance—sharing stories about bartending while working startups, building in public on Twitter, playing in a band with his brothers, and his long-term dream of opening an Irish pub with live music.This episode is a must-listen for founders, operators, investors, and anyone curious about how real startup ecosystems are built—far from Silicon Valley hype.Learn more at https://killergrowth.com