In the Taking the Lead podcast episode "Learning how angel investors help startups grow with Amber Illig," host Christina Brady discusses with Amber Illig, founding general partner at The Council Fund, the role of angel investors in supporting startups. Illig, who transitioned from being an angel investor to running a venture fund, shares her insights on the risks and rewards of angel investing.

She explains that angel investors provide startups with seed money in exchange for an equity stake in the company. Illig shares her strategy for picking winners by investing in pre-seed companies, emphasizing the importance of understanding the founder's motivation and vision for the company. She also discusses the impact of COVID on the venture capital industry, noting the initial freeze in investments, the shift towards COVID-centric businesses, and the eventual normalization.

The episode offers valuable insights into the world of angel investing, the process of picking successful startups to invest in, and the impact of global events on the venture capital industry.