Founder, Unbank Ventures: Brett Noyes

(1) Who are you and what do you do?
I am the founder/managing director of Unbank. Ventures. We are an early-stage FinTech incubator program located in San Francisco. We recruit, educate and accelerate startups in financial service industry.

(2) In two sentences or less, describe how you participate in the startup ecosystem.
Our program helps our companies launch product, build sales/marketing process and fundraise. Simply put we help Fintech companies build, sell and scale their companies.

(3) What are you currently reading right now and would recommend to others?
I am not much of a reader, more of a podcast guy. Nonetheless, I am rereading “Unlabel: Selling You Without Selling Out by Marc Ecko.” I would absolutely recommend it for anyone looking to create an authentic brand. 

(4) What makes you stay in the startup ecosystem?
In spite of all the ups and downs, I genuinely think this is what I was put on this earth to do. I love helping people build their businesses. If I was not doing this I would be doing some other version of what I am currently doing.

(5) What drives your passion about the startup ecosystem?
Getting to spend time with innovative, smart and creative people drives my passion for the startup ecosystem.

(6) Where do you see the startup ecosystem in 5 years?
I think that the Bay Area will always be a key component of the startup ecosystem but I think that startups as a whole will more global and more interconnected.

(7) How has failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?
I graduated with an MBA in Finance at the onset of the Financial Crisis. At the time it seemed like the end of the world and the end of my career. It forced me to take an alternate path that eventually married startups, Angel/VC investing and Financial Services. The perceived failure was oddly serendipitous.  

(8) What is one of the best worthwhile investments you’ve ever made (could be financial, time, energy, etc.)?
For me, moving to the Bay Area was the best investment of time and resources I have ever made.  The experience I have gained greatly exceeds the time I have invested.

(9) What do you do to refocus yourself when you feel overwhelmed or unfocused?
Whenever possible I like to spend time in Sonoma. Getting away from the City, my phone and emails helps to refocus my energy and mental focus and you can’t beat the wine.

(10) What’s one piece of advice you would give someone trying to break into the startup ecosystem?
In general, I would recommend giving first. I got my start in this industry volunteering at a local Angel investment group and putting on Startup Weekends events. If you are willing/able to donate your time/talents it shows a genuine interest to be in the ecosystem and often it will get you into rooms that you would otherwise be in.