POV
Not Every Company Is Built for the Big Leagues
Run the math before you buy the myth.
Two New Metrics that Might Keep Your Startup Alive in 2026
I’m skeptical of many startup “rules.” But trusting in exceptional founders has rarely led me too far astray.
The Two Laws Of Startup Physics
Fifteen years into my venture capital career, I’ve come to believe there are two undeniable laws of startup physics: 1) Capital compounds both positive and negative formulas. 2) All positive formulas compound at diminishing rates of return.
Why Hardware Is Back in Vogue: Building Defensible Moats in the AI Era
As a former hardware founder turned VC, I’ve seen the binary risk of building in atoms. Here’s why hardware is the ultimate defensible moat in the AI era.
The Questions VCs Ask Ourselves After a Pitch
A founder who’s all over it should have tight answers for all of these and more.
Major Talent, Minor Ego: Why I Backed Suno at Pre-Seed
Suno just hit $300M ARR. As their sole pre-seed investor, I didn’t have a grand AI thesis.
13 AI Recs from Top Consumer Founders
We hosted a forum of top consumer founders in NYC, from a brand launched last month to a company doing 9 figures in revenue. Here’s what they cited as their favorite AI tools right now.
Stop Coding, Start Calling: How MediaRadar’s Founder De-Risks Startups
The most durable companies are often built by founders who test obsessively, take risks when the timing is right, and embrace the quiet, unglamorous work of building brick by brick.
Debates Over Updates: A Board Meeting Cheat Sheet
If your next board meeting is approaching, figure out the single most important decision you’re facing. Then structure everything around that.
The Sora Shutdown — OpenAI’s Hard Tradeoffs
Even at OpenAI’s scale, you still can’t do everything at once.
Autonomous Workflows in Gaming: The Unseen Tradeoffs of AI-Generated SaaS
From autonomous workflows to the rise of a new AI-specialist role, here is how artificial intelligence is transforming game development today.
Hire Your ICP
To build an enduring brand, founders must ask themselves over and over: Would this new hire sharpen our compass or dilute it?
AI Content and Infinite Segmentation: Why DTC Brands Must Go IRL
The more individualistic digital content becomes, the more we’ll crave IRL engagement that brings together communities.
I Tried to Automate My Son’s College Applications. Here’s Why I Stopped.
In venture and product, we’re obsessed with removing friction. But when it comes to developing young adults, friction is the feature.
Mercenary Capital vs. Mercenary Equity: The Death of the Venture Social Contract
I’ve spent 30+ years building and backing companies, and it’s never felt like quite like this.
When VC Is “Golf for Intellectuals”: The Reason Many GPs Never Retire
Why venture capitalists don’t retire (and what it means for founders)
Failure of Diversification: The Real Reason Seed Alpha Is So Elusive Right Now
It’s investing 101, and yet we’re failing as an asset class.
Eric Paley to Serve as Secretary of Economic Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
We’re proud to share that Eric Paley, our long-time partner and dear friend, has been appointed Secretary of Economic Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by Governor Maura Healy.
From Startups to Stewardship: Eric Paley Brings Founder-First Values to Public Service
Eric has chosen to step away from Founder Collective to assume the role of Secretary of Economic Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Anyone who has ever met Eric will instantly know why he is an inspired choice and a perfect fit.
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The Sora Shutdown — OpenAI’s Hard Tradeoffs
Even at OpenAI’s scale, you still can’t do everything at once.
AI Content and Infinite Segmentation: Why DTC Brands Must Go IRL
The more individualistic digital content becomes, the more we’ll crave IRL engagement that brings together communities.
I Tried to Automate My Son’s College Applications. Here’s Why I Stopped.
In venture and product, we’re obsessed with removing friction. But when it comes to developing young adults, friction is the feature.
Not Every Company Is Built for the Big Leagues
Run the math before you buy the myth.
Two New Metrics that Might Keep Your Startup Alive in 2026
I’m skeptical of many startup “rules.” But trusting in exceptional founders has rarely led me too far astray.
The Two Laws Of Startup Physics
Fifteen years into my venture capital career, I’ve come to believe there are two undeniable laws of startup physics: 1) Capital compounds both positive and negative formulas. 2) All positive formulas compound at diminishing rates of return.
Why Hardware Is Back in Vogue: Building Defensible Moats in the AI Era
As a former hardware founder turned VC, I’ve seen the binary risk of building in atoms. Here’s why hardware is the ultimate defensible moat in the AI era.
The Questions VCs Ask Ourselves After a Pitch
A founder who’s all over it should have tight answers for all of these and more.
Major Talent, Minor Ego: Why I Backed Suno at Pre-Seed
Suno just hit $300M ARR. As their sole pre-seed investor, I didn’t have a grand AI thesis.
13 AI Recs from Top Consumer Founders
We hosted a forum of top consumer founders in NYC, from a brand launched last month to a company doing 9 figures in revenue. Here’s what they cited as their favorite AI tools right now.
Stop Coding, Start Calling: How MediaRadar’s Founder De-Risks Startups
The most durable companies are often built by founders who test obsessively, take risks when the timing is right, and embrace the quiet, unglamorous work of building brick by brick.
Debates Over Updates: A Board Meeting Cheat Sheet
If your next board meeting is approaching, figure out the single most important decision you’re facing. Then structure everything around that.
The Sora Shutdown — OpenAI’s Hard Tradeoffs
Even at OpenAI’s scale, you still can’t do everything at once.
Autonomous Workflows in Gaming: The Unseen Tradeoffs of AI-Generated SaaS
From autonomous workflows to the rise of a new AI-specialist role, here is how artificial intelligence is transforming game development today.
Hire Your ICP
To build an enduring brand, founders must ask themselves over and over: Would this new hire sharpen our compass or dilute it?
AI Content and Infinite Segmentation: Why DTC Brands Must Go IRL
The more individualistic digital content becomes, the more we’ll crave IRL engagement that brings together communities.
I Tried to Automate My Son’s College Applications. Here’s Why I Stopped.
In venture and product, we’re obsessed with removing friction. But when it comes to developing young adults, friction is the feature.
Mercenary Capital vs. Mercenary Equity: The Death of the Venture Social Contract
I’ve spent 30+ years building and backing companies, and it’s never felt like quite like this.
When VC Is “Golf for Intellectuals”: The Reason Many GPs Never Retire
Why venture capitalists don’t retire (and what it means for founders)
Failure of Diversification: The Real Reason Seed Alpha Is So Elusive Right Now
It’s investing 101, and yet we’re failing as an asset class.
Eric Paley to Serve as Secretary of Economic Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
We’re proud to share that Eric Paley, our long-time partner and dear friend, has been appointed Secretary of Economic Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by Governor Maura Healy.
From Startups to Stewardship: Eric Paley Brings Founder-First Values to Public Service
Eric has chosen to step away from Founder Collective to assume the role of Secretary of Economic Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Anyone who has ever met Eric will instantly know why he is an inspired choice and a perfect fit.