venture capital

But the window doesn’t last long. As Paik thinks of it, “each time a new shift occurs, it is analogous to the formation of an unstable radioactive isotope. The radioactivity throws off a huge amount of energy in the form of capturable enterprise value, but is subject to half-life decay. Over time, the isotope decays and eventually becomes lead, at... See more

I won’t expand on the onion theory itself, but it roughly follows the following sequential steps:

Team Risk: Is the team capable of executing their vision? Will the team work together effectively?

Building Risk: Can they develop a viable product?

Market Risk: Is there a substantial market for the product? Will customers use and pay for it?

Go-To-Market... See more

Average loss ratio. Some sectors are higher risk than others. For the past couple of decades, for example, social media has been particularly challenging, with Meta acquiring or suffocating insurgents. If the sector you operate in has a high loss ratio, you may want greater diversification.

eing well-resourced and well-organized matters.

In one of my favorite essays, Choose Good Quests , Trae Stephens and Markie Wagner write about the moral imperative for founders who’ve gained experience, resources, and connections building easier companies early in their careers to use their experience, resources, and connections to tackle really... See more