The Venture Mindset

I had a great chat with Ilya Strebulaev recently. Ilya is a professor at Stanford GSB , author of 'The Venture Mindset ' book, and knows a ton about venture capital and innovation. We talked about what makes a good VC versus a great one, and I think you'll find some of these takeaways super interesting.

Key Takeaways

Consistency Over Luck

• Great venture capitalists aren’t just lucky—they’re consistent.
• They have solid processes that help them navigate the unpredictable world of startups.
• It’s not about getting one decision right; it’s about doing it repeatedly.
• A clear process turns luck into a repeatable skill.

The Fastlane vs. Slowlane

Fastlane Approach:

• VCs analyze a lot of deals—about 100—to invest in just one.
• They need to quickly spot red flags and decide whether to move on or dig deeper.

Slowlane Approach:

• Once in the slowlane, VCs shift focus to asking why they should invest, not just why they shouldn’t.
• This mindset helps them build real conviction in an opportunity.

The Venture Mindset

• The venture mindset isn’t just for VCs—founders can benefit too.
• Founders who understand how investors think are more likely to secure funding.
• Ilya co-wrote a book called "The Venture Mindset" that explores this way of thinking in more detail.

Focusing on Home Runs

• "Home runs matter, strikeouts don’t."
• Venture investing is about finding one or two startups that will make a huge difference in your portfolio.
• The power law is key—one big win can make up for a lot of smaller losses.

Embracing Failure, Especially in Emerging Markets

• Different cultures have different attitudes towards failure.
• In venture capital, embracing failure is essential.
• In emerging markets like Turkey, accepting failure can be a key driver for growth and innovation.

Final Thoughts

• Being a successful VC isn’t just about picking winners.
• It’s about having a consistent system that leads you to the best opportunities repeatedly.
• Ilya’s insights were informative and inspiring, especially for founders and aspiring VCs.