I write checks of $5K-$30K into very early, exceptional teams.
There is no formula for predicting which startups become unicorns, but these signals make me want to hop on a Google Meet with you. I call it the 20-point rule.
- Team synergy & story
- +5
- High agency and proof of building, failing, and learning
- +4
- Honesty & asking for help
- +4
- A technical edge
- +2
- A non-cliched contrarian take on the world
- +1
- A working artifact, however ugly
- +1
- Evidence-backed pivots
- +1 each, max +3
I am most useful before the story gets polished. I love it when technical insight does most of the talking.
No warm introductions are required, but managing to find one gets you brownie points.
I don't care for decks. A Google Doc is more than enough. Clarity of thought is what I look for.
I also scout and source early-stage technical companies for a16z and Founders, Inc.
Send the company