What does it take to transition from hosting local events to managing a national venture capital firm?
For Justis Mendez and Pablo Casilimas, founders of OneSixOne Ventures, their journey began with such events in Florida, which eventually grew and evolved into a full-fledged venture capital firm.
In the latest episode of Founder Shares, Mendez and Casilimas share insights into their entrepreneurial journey, marked by resilience, innovation, community-building, and a commitment to supporting future founders.
Growing up, both Mendez and Casilimas had experiences that fueled their entrepreneurial drive. Mendez was inspired by the concept of entrepreneurship from a young age, despite feeling it was a distant dream. He founded an Innovation Club in high school and got involved in entrepreneurial activities in college.
"I was always fascinated by the concept of entrepreneurship,” Mendez said. “But it felt like a dream to me."
Casilimas, on the other hand, was driven by financial hardship. Witnessing the impact of the 2008 financial crisis on his family, he developed a deep interest in finance. At 16, he started a successful sneaker resale business.
"I remember asking my mom, 'What is this stock?' and 'How did it hit zero?'" Casilimas said. “That moment sparked my curiosity in finance.”
The duo met through their mutual involvement in mastermind sessions and quickly realized their shared passion for connecting people and fostering innovation. This led to the creation of OneSixOne Ventures, initially focused on hosting events to connect founders and investors.
"One of my favorite quotes is by Sir Isaac Newton: 'If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants,'" Casilimas said, emphasizing the importance of learning from mentors.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Mendez and Casilimas swiftly pivoted to hosting a virtual accelerator program, helping 40 companies raise over $13 million. This experience reinforced their commitment to long-term thinking and value creation.
"People need help now more than ever, and we're going to find out who the real leaders are," Mendez said about their decision to launch the accelerator during the pandemic.
Starting a venture capital fund from scratch posed significant challenges, but their dedication to building strong networks paid off. Early mentors and investors who witnessed their impact supported their fund.
"Going from zero to one is always difficult, whether it’s a startup or a fund," Mendez noted. “But our ability to think long-term sets us apart.”
Expanding beyond Florida, OneSixOne Ventures has made strategic inroads into markets like Seattle, hosting successful events and attracting high-caliber speakers from industry giants.
“What we did in Gainesville served as training grounds,” Mendez said. “Seattle’s unique ecosystem offers incredible opportunities.”
Despite their relative youth in the venture capital world, Mendez and Casilimas view it as an advantage, allowing them to connect with younger founders and think decades ahead.
“Tech is a young man’s game,” Mendez said. “We can look 40 years out and make decisions that build a foundation.”
Their advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? Overcome the fear of networking, start by giving, and put yourself in a position where serendipity can happen.
"Start off by giving," Casilimas advised. “The more you give, the more you gain.”
Hosting events, publishing, and running a podcast are just some ways to build a strong network, they said.
Looking ahead, OneSixOne Ventures remains committed to supporting founders, building value, and fostering a collaborative ecosystem.
Tune in to the Founder Shares podcast to hear more about the inspiring journey of Justis Mendez and Pablo Casilimas and their vision for the future of venture capital. Available wherever you like to listen.
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