Banc of California

Jesse Martin

Relationship Capital Champion

Jesse Martin, Vice President, Venture Banking – Technology at Banc of California, works closely with founders to navigate capital strategy and growth. He emphasizes relationship-driven banking, stage-appropriate support, and flexible financing solutions that help startups scale sustainably across development phases.

Shaping a Venture Banking Approach

My approach to venture banking has been shaped by my deep immersion in the venture ecosystem. Representing Banc of California at venture and startup events has allowed me to spend meaningful time with founders long before a transaction is on the table. Those moments provide insight into how founders think about risk, growth, and long term vision. I’ve also worked directly with founders to help them think through capital solutions at critical points in their journey, including helping a technology company bridge the gap between funding rounds. That experience reinforced how important flexibility and trust are when capital timing does not always line up perfectly. Additionally, partnering with a minority led VC to help fund their event and proactively build deal flow highlighted the importance of access, inclusion, and community building within the venture landscape. All of these experiences have shaped my belief that venture banking is fundamentally relationship driven.

Supporting Growth Across Startup Stages

At Banc of California’s Venture Banking Group, we evaluate companies using stage appropriate metrics alongside a deep understanding of the founders’ goals. Early on, we focus on burn rate, runway, cash balance, customer concentration, and upcoming financing milestones to understand capital efficiency and timing needs. As companies scale, we look more closely at revenue growth, margins, churn, and overall liquidity to assess sustainability. We support founders by helping them manage their runway, think strategically about capital structure, and use bank capital to complement equity and support long term growth.

Leadership Principles for Startup Partnerships

I consistently lean on innovation, resilience, and track record. Innovation matters because startups, by definition, solve problems that do not yet have clear answers. Resilience is critical because setbacks are inevitable, and how founders respond often tells you more than early wins. Track record, whether personal or professional, provides insight into a founder’s ability to execute and build trust. These principles guide both how I evaluate opportunities and how I engage with founders as a long term partner.

“All of these experiences have shaped my belief that venture banking is fundamentally relationship driven. “ 

Trends in Venture Banking Today

AI is clearly a dominant trend, but what I find most compelling are companies building intellectual property and innovation that extend beyond AI alone. Some of the most interesting businesses are centered around human behavior, community, or lived experience, where technology enhances connection rather than replaces it. These companies are often harder to categorize, but they are building defensible value precisely because of that human element. From a venture banking standpoint, we are also seeing a strong emphasis on capital efficiency, sustainability, and thoughtful growth rather than purely growth-at-allcosts.

Advice for Founders Navigating Funding

Build in public. Share what you are building, what you are learning, and where you are headed. You never know where your next investor, mentor, customer, or partner will come from. Beyond that, be proactive about relationships well before you need capital and think holistically about funding options. Understanding how different forms of capital can support your business at different stages is just as important as raising your next round. In today’s environment, visibility, consistency, and community truly matter.