venture capital
- 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.
Abie Cohen added 18d ago
Fund II
- 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
from 💥 4 Rules For Seizing Opportunity like Presidents, Investors, Gold Miners, and more
Abie Cohen added 24d ago
- As a founder, the goal then becomes to metaphorically peel each layer of the onion — Each fundraising milestone turning into a set of risks being evaluated and sidelined. The earliest investors become the partners to help figure out what to focus on. Good pre-seed angels and investors are often described as “having taste” for good startups — In tru... See more
Abie Cohen added 5mo ago
Fund II
Onion theory extrapolated out to milestone driven approach towards pre-seed investing
- 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 moreAbie Cohen added 5mo ago
onion theory
- Effective fundraisers have mastered the art of risk framing, demonstrating the ability to clearly articulate the risks associated with each milestone. And then, reassure the investors on how they will meet each one of them. In return, investors have developed standardized expectations for each round of fundraising.
In that context, the onion theory ... See moreAbie Cohen added 5mo ago
Fund II
Risk framing for hardware investing
Onion theory
- 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 ha... See morefrom The Gang Captures Washington by Packy McCormick
Abie Cohen added 1y ago
- Sobriety source #2: AI as the next platform shift. Every wave of new companies that transforms their respective industries is fueled by a major platform or technology shift. The advent of the web did this. The smartphone and mobile applications did this. And there is no doubt that AI is our next wave. But does every new wave always necessarily favo... See more
from The Great Sobriety for Venture Investing, Where To Start with AI, & Undeniable Data
Abie Cohen added 1y ago
AI notes Ideas related to this collection