Meet the Collective

We’re stage-focused (seed and pre-seed), sector agnostic, and proudly anti-thematic. We lead and participate, and we don’t have rigid ownership targets.

Our Collective Wisdom

What we’ve learned and what we’re thinking

It’s a Strange Feeling When a Small Check Beats the Company You Built

After we sold Brontes, and before Founder Collective existed, my partners and friends pulled me into a couple of small checks, including Opower and Olo. Both went public.

The Reverse Effort Paradox

The work matters, I believe that. Some days it just feels like the returns run in the opposite direction.

Bad Behavior Costs VCs Less Than It Used To

VCs used to work together a lot more than we do now. I miss it, which is strange, because the old way was worse for founders.

I Spend Every Day Around AI. I Still Can’t Tell You Where It’s Going.

AI has become the dinner party topic, and right now it may be more polarizing than politics.

Five Ways I’m Seeing Investors React to This Market

I’ve watched a lot of smart people behave differently. These are experienced investors so naturally I take it all in.

Everyone Has Decided What This Market Is. I Haven’t.

It’s 2021 again, or it’s nothing like 2021, or AGI is here, or the bear case is nonsense.

I Stopped Telling People I’m a VC

Subconsciously (maybe consciously), I’m less proud of the profession.

Venture Funds Aren’t the Same Product as Each Other Anymore

The LP job got harder in a way I underrated for a long time.

How Do You Make Peace With Letting Go?

Kids, companies, partnerships. Eventually you let go and trust it plays out without your oversight.

Not Every Opportunity Is Yours to Pick Up

Talented founders spot currency others walk past. The rarer skill is knowing which bills are worth the trouble.

We're Founders First. Investors Second.