The Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing Demystified

Ramy Adeeb of 1984 Ventures joins Nick on a special Crisis Coverage installment to discuss Why Facebook Should be Broken Up; SV Hype vs Returns; Amara's Law; and VC's Track Record Predicting Trends. In this episode, we cover:

  • Backstory/Path to Venture
  • Tell us more about what was it like working with Vinod. Is there anything he taught you in specific that was most influential? And how about Pierre?
  • How has the crisis impacted the way you invest as well as your thesis?
  • Have you seen an adjustment, a correction or a slow down amongst the Series B, C and growth stage investors? Any predictions on how long this period will last? 
  • What are some tips for founders when pitching to VC's over zoom? 
  • Quick highlights of your thesis (stage, sectors, geos, check sizes, etc.)
  • You've said that one should "Avoid the hype - whatever is en vogue you should run away from" why should the hot trends be avoided?
  • What's Amara's Law and how does that inform your thesis?
  • Any stats or data on VCs ability to predict the future?
  • Let's say someone describes one of your investments as feeling more like a product and not a company... how do you respond?
  • You've mentioned your focus on passing quickly... What are your tips and tricks to get to a quick pass?
  • You've said that Facebook is a monopoly and should be broken up... why?
  • In your estimation, what's the most significant adverse effect from WeWork and The Vision Fund that no one's talking about?
  • Tech is often credited for creating significant value but some also argue that it destroys jobs and widens the wealth gap. What's your take on this and how, someone like Bernie Sanders, in office could affect venture?
  • When it comes to the economy and the effect of tech on the economy, we've seen unemployment fall to an all-time low while the # of people 'not working' is at an all time high... Are we measuring the right economic indicators when it comes to unemployment and also inflation?
  • I also came across something you tweeted about Tech Pessimism. You quoted: "We too often focus on the drawbacks of a new tech while taking its benefits for granted." Meanwhile "To be Alive in the tech obsessed 2020 is to be among the luckiest people who have ever lived.” Can you give us some examples of Tech Pessimism and your take on it? Do you think there's a resolution?

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