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Raad Seraj didn’t see many people who looked like him in the psychedelic scene. So he created not one, but two platforms to promote inclusivity—one for storytelling and one for wealth building.

We spoke to Raad about why representation is much bigger than race and gender, the problem with venture capital, and how even the little guys (and girls) can participate in the upside of conscious capitalism.

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You’ve had an incredibly varied career and entrepreneurial journey, but it seems that you’ve honed in on your unique zone of genius. What does it mean to exist at the intersection of consciousness, culture, and capital?

I've always straddled the worlds of science and art. Society often insists you choose between them, but I've always resisted that notion because I’ve never liked the idea of being confined to a box.

Psychedelics are fascinating because they marry hard science with technology. It's how psychedelics gained traction. Then the cultural aspect followed suit. As a musician and cultural creator, the storytelling, embodied knowledge, and somatic elements really resonate with me. Psychedelics encompass everything I'm passionate about: art, history, culture, technology, anthropology, biology, consciousness, neuroscience. It's all woven into one community. And then there's the existential aspect—where do we come from, where are we headed as a society, as a civilization?

Now, when we talk about capital, it's usually in monetary terms, right? But consider Moore's Law. It's not just about computing power increasing exponentially. If you apply the rule socially and economically, it says that when you gather more smart people in a space, that space develops faster. To me, capital isn't just about money. It's about networks, talents, skills, and passion. Right now, there's not much money in psychedelics, just like there wasn't much in AI 20 or 30 years ago. But people were still motivated by the potential to do something positive for humanity.

So, when I think about mobilizing capital, it's not just about attracting small investments and letting more people take part in wealth-building opportunities. It's also about having them bring in their passion, skills, and network of contacts into psychedelics, so we can exponentially advance the field.

You launched the Minority Trip Report Podcast because you felt that important voices were underrepresented in psychedelic conversations. What are some of the most poignant ideas you’ve come across as the host of the show?

I've always referred to it as a podcast that shines a spotlight on underrepresented leaders in the fields of mental health, consciousness, and psychedelics. I’m drawing from my lived experiences as a person of color, an immigrant, a Muslim, and someone who didn't grow up with much. So when I think about minority perspectives, I take a broad view. While race and gender are significant, class is an often overlooked and deeply entrenched form of marginalization. This is a topic that we don't discuss enough.

When you intertwine mindset with capital, it leads to questions about how our environment is shaped by the thoughts of one person or the decisions of a specific group. Whether it's historical events like colonization or contemporary decisions such as a politician proposing a bridge or a highway, these all stem from particular viewpoints. I appreciate your question because my interest lies in exploring perspectives that aren't commonly shared.

Of course, I start with discussions about race and migration, as those are areas I can strongly relate to. Many of the guests on my podcast, who are leaders, founders, and scientists, trace their motivations back to their parents. It's during these formative years that our value systems take root, whether consciously or not. It's where we draw the values that guide us through life.

I find it fascinating to unpack my guests' inclination towards social impact, adventure, or entrepreneurship. Many of them share a desire to stray from the conventional route and forge their own path. I've seen a consistent pattern in this curiosity that drives people, and it's intricately connected to their identities. For instance, some of my guests ended up as scientists, deeply passionate about books from an early age. Often, it was because they didn't quite fit in, perhaps being the quiet kid who found it hard to make friends or looked a bit different. They found solace indoors, nurturing that love and passion, which ultimately shaped their later pursuits.

Tell us about your latest project, Mission Club. How do syndicates help democratize investing and support companies doing good in the world?

Similar to the narrative landscape we just spoke about, there’s also a lack of diversity among investors and founders. Mission Club is meant to fill those gaps.

Let’s look at the origin of venture capital, so we can understand how we got here. Arthur Rock pioneered the concept when he recruited a group of impassioned PhD students who had left a Nobel Prize-winning researcher. He invested in them, taking on more risk in the hopes that they'd create something with a lasting impact, generating substantial wealth for others. While this was a positive development, venture capital gradually became entrenched in exclusive networks, essentially compounding wealth among a select few who had both the capital and connections to secure deals.

In my day job with a San Francisco-based startup called Affinity, we develop AI software for private investment. Our clientele consists of top-tier investors like Techstars, SoftBank, and Andreessen Horowitz. What we consistently observe is that the primary source of deal flow for these investors is their internal networks and founders they personally know. If I discover a promising founder, I'll approach a friend and say, "I've got this exciting opportunity. It's a fantastic founder. Do you want to invest with me?" And the result? $1,000 invested during Uber's seed round would now be worth $25 million.

When it comes to wealth-building opportunities, the average company used to go public within two to three years after inception. Today, companies often stay private for seven to eight years, allowing substantial value to accumulate before everyday people have the option to invest. This is where the challenge arises. Regulatory laws are understandably designed to safeguard the public's welfare, but in today's digital age, we have the means to learn about these opportunities. Why not invest $1,000 and gain both potential returns and invaluable knowledge? Instead of spending $20-30k annually on university tuition, investing could be another educational avenue.

This is the essence of Mission Club. Leveraging our network and reputation, we gain access to promising investment opportunities. We conduct due diligence collectively and extend the invitation to our community to invest alongside us. By combining small and larger contributions, everyone shares in the rewards and risks. Limited partners (LPs) accustomed to investing solely in funds also stand to benefit. They gain more options, as they can invest directly without any legal obligation to commit continuously. They can also write smaller checks.

It's a different approach, not meant to replace traditional venture capital, but to let us learn together as a community, participate in more opportunities, and bring not just financial resources, but also passion, skills, and networks to the table. I believe the syndicate model holds great promise for addressing existential challenges like climate change and mental health, by drawing out the best in people in terms of passion and commitment.

There are a lot of people out there who are understandably skeptical of combining capitalism with psychedelics. What would you say to those people?

I completely understand the skepticism towards capitalism. Firstly, we need to reimagine better models. Our understanding of technology, capitalism, and entrepreneurship has been influenced by a particular narrative that, in my opinion, has been tainted. There's this prevailing notion that everyone should aspire to be a billionaire, an Elon Musk figure. The image of a tech entrepreneur has become synonymous with a brash 'tech bro' who spouts buzzwords and disregards inclusivity.

We have to challenge this perception. When we think of entrepreneurship, it essentially means someone who creates value. An artist is an entrepreneur because they fashion something out of nothing. A founder is an entrepreneur, creating something from scratch while navigating ambiguity and uncertainty. The majority of individuals whose stories we never hear about are, in the background, working tirelessly for decades to find their success.

Secondly, when I mention capitalism, I'm referring to what we know as crony capitalism. It's a distorted version that fails to consider the true societal costs. It privatizes gains and shifts the burdens elsewhere. This isn't genuine capitalism. If we accounted for the mental health toll society pays due to factors like air quality, harsh working conditions, or unaffordable living in cities where you can't adequately support your family, we'd have a more authentic form of capitalism. We'd have something better. Powerful networks often tend to act in predictable ways, and as the saying goes, "absolute power corrupts absolutely."

So skepticism towards this system is entirely valid. However, now it's our responsibility to challenge ourselves. Let's be candid about what capitalism truly entails. Is the local coffee shop not a capitalistic venture? Are they providing their goods and services for free? No, they're a capitalist entity, too. The focus should be on discussing businesses and models that enrich our communities, allowing us all to lead more fulfilling lives with more leisure time. Let's aim for ventures that give back. Let's talk about building better businesses.

Revolutions certainly occur for a reason, and there are generally three approaches to consider. First, you can change the system from within, which is often seen as a daunting endeavor. Second, you can blow the whole thing up and start over, a sentiment that some feel is warranted. Finally, there's a third way: constructing and offering an alternative. What would this alternative look like? If you believe capitalism needs a revamp, then what's the alternative you propose? I'm not saying that what I'm doing is the definitive solution, nor that anyone else has all the answers. What's vital is active participation. It's easy to sit behind a keyboard and vent passively, but will more pessimism and skepticism bring about any real change? Not likely. If anything, it further immobilizes people. Regardless of how you choose to engage, the key is to take action.

Want more from Raad? Stream the Minority Trip Report Podcast, and join the Mission Club community to gain access to early investment opportunities in psychedelic businesses.

That’s all for today. Before you head off, don’t forget to share, rate, and review Tricycle Day below. Catch ya next time, Cyclists! ✌️

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DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. The use, possession, and distribution of psychedelic drugs are illegal in most countries and may result in criminal prosecution.