Avag, your career journey has been remarkable—from launching entrepreneurial initiatives to establishing Triple S Venture Capital fund. Can you share how your early experiences shaped your path into venture capital?
Avag Simonyan: My journey began with a deep passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. Early on, I was driven by the idea that every challenge is an opportunity to create something meaningful. Launching various projects gave me firsthand insight into the power of community and connection, which has been pivotal in my approach to venture capital. I learned that the real strength of an idea lies in its people—the founders who dare to push boundaries and transform industries.
You are the Co-Founder of the Seaside Startup Summit and are currently coordinating the development of the US branch of the project, expanding the network and international partnerships. The Seaside Startup Summit has now become a prominent event that promotes the development of innovative ideas. What are the key lessons you have learned from this experience?
Avag Simonyan: The Seaside Startup Summit taught me that success isn’t solely about technology or market size—it’s deeply rooted in the passion and resilience of the founders, as well as the environment that surrounds them. We focused on creating an open, supportive environment where entrepreneurs felt safe to share both their challenges and successes. This nurturing atmosphere not only fostered candid knowledge on entrepreneurship but also helped build strong, lasting relationships, which have been critical in identifying outstanding founders and truly understanding the human side of business.
Since founding Triple S Ventures, you’ve backed projects that span disruptive healthcare innovations to sustainable technologies. For instance, your investment uses realistic AI patients to improve clinical training, aiming to reduce the time and costs associated with sequential training methods. What excites you most about these investments?
Avag Simonyan: I’m truly inspired by ventures that have a tangible impact on people’s lives. With SimCare AI, for example, we see technology as a tool to fundamentally enhance how medical professionals learn, diagnose, and treat patients. In February 2025, they successfully raised USD 2,5 million in seed funding, led by Y Combinator and Drive Capital, to advance their platform of realistic AI patients for clinical training. It’s about accelerating game-changing innovations in healthcare—an area where even small improvements can lead to significant societal benefits. Similarly, our investment in Sparxell, a company developing biodegradable pigments, underscores our commitment to eco-friendly innovations that shape a more sustainable future.
In your experience, the personality and vision of a startup’s founder can be as crucial as the idea itself. How do you assess a founder’s potential during your investment evaluations?
Avag Simonyan: A founder’s character is often the linchpin of a startup’s success. I look for authenticity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to their vision. When evaluating a pitch, I pay close attention to how founders articulate their challenges and their strategies for overcoming them. Equally important is the strength of the team surrounding the founder. A dedicated, cohesive team not only amplifies a founder’s potential but also brings diverse skills and perspectives that are vital for executing the vision. It’s about building trust and understanding that while a groundbreaking idea is important, the person behind it is what truly drives success. That’s why developing strong, long-term relationships with founders is a cornerstone of our approach.
Valuation and building strong partnerships are crucial in venture capital. How do you balance these aspects when advising startups?
Avag Simonyan: It’s a delicate balance. Numbers and valuation are indeed important, but they shouldn’t overshadow the core essence of a startup—the vision and the drive of the founding team. I advise founders to keep their focus on long-term, sustainable growth and to forge relationships that transcend one-off financial transactions. Beyond capital, we provide strategic guidance, mentorship, and access to a broad network of industry experts, helping companies grow faster and tackle obstacles more effectively.
A good example of this in practice is Cloudchipr. While we recognized the importance of aligning their valuation with the company’s real-world progress, we also emphasized creating synergistic partnerships that could validate their product. By helping them connect with enterprise customers facing urgent cloud optimization challenges, Cloudchipr gained the tangible proof points they needed to secure a fair valuation—one that reflected both their current ARR and the potential to scale. This blend of financial prudence and strategic collaboration kept them well-positioned for future growth without compromising their core mission or overstretching their resources.
Alongside your investment activities, you also manage the William Saroyan House Museum—a project close to your heart. How do you reconcile your roles as both an investor and a cultural custodian?
Avag Simonyan: Managing the Saroyan House is a deeply personal commitment. It’s about preserving our rich cultural heritage and honoring the creative legacy of William Saroyan, whose work continues to inspire. While venture capital is focused on nurturing future innovations, the Saroyan House serves as a reminder of the creative spirit that built our past. Both roles require vision and dedication. They complement each other by reminding us that innovation and culture are not mutually exclusive—they both shape our identity and drive progress.
By fostering broader community involvement and cross-cultural connections, this project enhances my ability to build networks that benefit both the cultural and startup worlds—demonstrating that creativity, whether found in a museum or a lab, is a vital force driving human progress.
Finally, what advice would you offer to aspiring entrepreneurs and investors who are looking to make a real impact?
Avag Simonyan: My advice is to remain true to your vision and invest in relationships as much as in ideas. Understand that every setback is a stepping stone, and the path to success is built on perseverance, authenticity, and collaboration. Whether you’re starting a business or stepping into the world of investments, focus on building strong, trust-based connections. Embrace both the challenges and the triumphs, and always remember that success is about creating lasting, positive change.
