What core value ensures lasting impact in your work?

Josh Kopelman

Founder and Partner · First Round Capital

Unwavering Support

Josh Kopelman says he owes founders unwavering support after giving his unvarnished opinion, because they have ten times the context and data and are driving the bus.

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Bilal Zuberi

Founder and Managing Partner · Red Glass Ventures

Curiosity

Bilal Zuberi names curiosity as a core value of his firm, which every employee hears at least once, and says people have to be curious because he sees technology progress as underappreciated.

The answer starts at 45:27.

Morgan Hitzig

General Partner · Overmatch Ventures

Fun

Morgan Hitzig says one of Overmatch's core values is fun, which he says is why he was excited about the podcast and why the goal is the most fun pitch meeting.

The answer starts at 16:13.

David Weisburd

Founder · Weisburd Capital

Long‑Term Relationships

David Weisburd says he prioritizes long-term thinking in relationships, arguing it's grossly undervalued in the finance business and almost nobody executes on it.

John Chen

General Partner · Fika Ventures

Truth Seeking

John Chen says truth seeking is his firm's number one north star, calling the partner meeting's only objective to find ground truth.

The answer starts at 13:35.

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Ian Rountree

General Partner · Cantos

Changing the World

Ian Rountree says he holds as his end game the belief that people can change the world, which is why he does it, and he supports founders by writing them checks.

The answer starts at 7:01.

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Miles Grimshaw

Partner · Thrive Capital

Better Decisions

Miles Grimshaw says his core principle is helping founders make better decisions, since those decisions are theirs and his role is to offer perspective, resources and input so they decide better.

The answer starts at 1:25:18.

Julien-David Nitlech

Managing Partner · Iris

Humility

Julien-David Nitlech says humility is the principle he puts first, saying it should be embedded in VC because investors have so little leverage and own little of what they invest.

Guy Katsovich

Co-Founder & Partner · Fusion Vc

Invest in Outliers

Guy Katsovich says his guiding principle is to invest in outliers and non-consensus deals, because knowing too much may mean not serving that thesis.

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Steve Kupfer

Partner · Reach Capital

Relationships

Steve Kupfer says that when all is said and done, the relationships he's built and the experiences behind them are what he'll take away, because everything else is ephemeral.

Justin Smith-Lorenzetti

Founder & Managing Director · Intact Private Capital

Relentless Ambition

Justin Smith-Lorenzetti says the core quality he looks for is relentless or unrelenting ambition, along with a blood thirst for winning his team never sacrifices, calling it the best description of what he's after.

Andrea Hippeau

Partner · Lerer Hippeau

Patience

Andrea Hippeau says patience is what she prioritizes, saying she'd tell her younger self to wait for the absolute right founder and not feel she has to do a deal just because she hasn't done one.

Ellen Chisa

Partner · Boldstart Ventures

Authenticity

Ellen Chisa says authenticity is the principle, pointing to Boldstart's brand: being direct may be hard in the moment, but founders appreciate it over the 10-year journey.