Industry Shortsightedness Ignoring China’s Long‑Term Threat
This is a good example from the aerospace (Boeing/Aerospace/Bombardier) industry. Such examples are happening right now in automotive, energy, robotics, defensetech, and more… We are being short-sighted on internal competition, and on the long term threat from China.
VC Overload Trains Brain for Distraction, Hinders Focus
VC job can be hyper-stimulating - overload of information with constant need to 'respond'. Emails, texts, DMs, social media, papers, articles, podcasts and more... I am reading up more on "acquired attention deficit" or "situationally induced attentional dysfunction." Constant interruptions -...
Weight‑loss Meds Hit 8% of U.S. Prescriptions.
wow. "... the weight-loss drugs accounted for nearly 8% of all U.S. prescriptions in March" -- Axios Vitals
Immigrants Power America’s Future Through Opportunity
I grew up in Pakistan barely able to afford a bicycle. Today I drive a Tesla with FSD through Silicon Valley and invest in companies building the future. That gap, from there to here isn't about me being smarter than anyone....
Start Easy, Build Hard: Speed Wins in Today’s Market
Easiest time in history to start a company. Hardest time to build one. The founders who make it know something others don't — and they're paranoid enough to assume that advantage is temporary. They don't just build moats. They also build speed. @bradporter_...
Seed Managers Push SPVs to Co‑invest in Growth
There is a lot of truth in that statement. And also, many seed managers saying “wait, why don’t I also raise an SPV and invest alongside you in the growth stages.”
Visual Intelligence Empowers Agents in the New Era
From Michael Fleischman, cofounder of @openspaceai. "Agents with eyes-Visual Intelligence in the agentic era" https://t.co/n0po94WB8w
Many Raise $10‑100M via SPVs in Top Startups
Incredible how many people I run into who are raising $10-100m each in SPVs in high flying companies.
Nominal.io Secures $53M IDIQ to Modernize Hardware Development
Excited to see @redglassvc portfolio company @Nominal_io receive this $53M IDIQ award. We are believers in this team, and their product roadmap to modernize hardware development and testing.
Networking with Security Leaders at Stanford Panel
Attending a panel discussion at Stanford on “Investing in National Security”. Great leaders here from Lockheed Martin, Brave Capital, InQTel, and Harpoon. Wore a jacket I must not have worn for a while. Stack of old business cards in...
Top Firms Will Monopolize Elite AI Models, Others Left Behind
Eery feeling that we may be about to enter a phase when only top model companies will have access to the best models. Others may either need to contend with lesser models and hope those are good enough to get...
Thoughtful VCs Back Real Businesses, Not Just Inflated Valuations
Many heat-seeking VCs are investing in startups that they expect to become merely more highly valued startups. Thoughtful/craft VCs invest in startups that become businesses. Businesses have products that real customers buy, giving you real revenues, and real margins.
Early-Stage Investing Thrives on Trust, Not Transactions
It’s unfortunate to hear some investors - and even founders - argue that early-stage investing is becoming purely transactional…just an “access” game. That view is not only wrong, it’s dangerous. Great companies aren’t built through transactions. They’re built over time—through uncertainty, setbacks,...
Three Roots Framework Resonates; Inspires Personal Growth
The “three roots” framework from Aaliya really resonated with me. Felt like it was speaking to me — both how I have tried to model my life to date, and how I want to continue to become better. So excited...
Investigative Journalism Infrastructure Crumbling, Opinion Takes Over
And this is a major newspaper. Now imagine the nonsense fed to us via blogs and Substacks. Was speaking with a senior journalist recently who remarked how infrastructure to support serious investigative journalism is dying out, and everything is becoming...
X Algorithm Flooded with Video Links and Copy‑Paste Prompts
wtf is happening with X algorithm? Why is every post on my feed about video links and ability to copy/paste?
SpaceX IPO Defies $1B Revenue Ceiling, Aims Massive Scale
Pretty momentous day when SpaceX files for possibly the largest IPO ever. I remember when VC colleagues used to say this company had stalled at $1B or so of revenues, and that a space taxi company could only be *this* big,...
IPhone Gmail App Crashes on Launch, Need Fix
Technical support needed from the fam here - gmail app on iphone keeps shutting down immediately when I try to open it. Tried the usual delete app/reinstall type stuff. Any ideas?
VC Sarah Hess Bridges Silicon Valley, DC on Defense AI
Hot takes on defense, industrial and AI sectors, as well government, from Sarah Hess, one of the few VCs who spends quality time between Silicon Valley and Washington D.C. https://t.co/p8btunQFd2
Reflection Is Essential for Growth and Improvement
It’s not just OK, but imho necessary, to sit back and think some times. To reflect, learn, improve.
Seeking a Test for AGI Amid Everyday Magic
Does anyone know anymore what a test for AGI would look like? Because I feel like I see magic happen every day. Surreal.
Diverse, Large-Scale Data Drives Better Robotics Models
No doubt @tonyzzhao knows what’s up. Diversity and scale of data is becoming key in training robotics models. And not all data is made equal.
AI Facing Utility‑Style Metering and Taxation
Token tax? Time based data center pricing? Increasingly AI feels like it may get metered, monitored, managed, governed, and taxed like a public utility. Wild times.
Kalanick Argues Wheels Beat Humanoid Legs for Robots
Tech proohet for many, Travis Kalanick, is working on ‘wheels for robots’ vs yet another humanoid with feet. Says something about the practicality and utility/ROI of one over the other.
Drone Proliferation Signals Imminent Autonomous Warfare
People still underestimate how many drones are being built, shipped, used, and getting blown up around the world. Autonomous wars are upon us.
California VCs Must Ask Personal Questions, Reporting Voluntary
All VCs in CA: “CA requires us to ask you these highly personal questions. Reporting this is *entirely voluntary* for you. Thank you for reading this note from us.”
Small Funds Still Thrive Despite Big‑fund Warnings
Funny thing when an LP calls you to ask: “Hey, there are some big funds going around telling LPs that small funds are going to die. What do you think?” I ask them: “Just go look at large fund returns vs...
LPs Crave a Vehicle to Scale Small Direct Investments
Somebody asked me what may be a “product” that LPs want right now and isn’t easily available. My quick thought: “Do you have access to hot companies so you can put $1-5m yourself (really any valuation) but then present $10-50m to...
AI-Driven Solutions Target Autism at Frontera Panel
Great evening with Frontera’s mgmt team and Denver area founders. Frontera is using AI to impact behavioral disorders, esp Autism. No holds barred panel w/ friends Ben Hemani (Bison Ventures, ex Gates Ventures), Galym Imanbayev (Lightspeed) and Amol (Frontera, ex...
Gulf Nations’ Restraint Highlights Growing Strategic Sophistication
Impressed by the restraint that gulf countries have shown so far. It shows a high degree of sophistication in internal capabilities - from self defense to intel gathering to strategic decision making. It will be int’g to see how their...
VCs Misuse Dual‑use Hype; Stop Relying on Grants
Certainly GTM is very different. And there are supply chain issues in current environment. Would add: NOT doing dual use is not an excuse to rely on grants and research money, stuff becoming too expensive, and not being able to...
From Board Exit to AI‑Powered Gun Detection Revolution
After 13 years, I stepped down from the Board of $EVLV today. In 2011, Mike Ellenbogen and Anil Chitkara became Entrepreneurs-in-Residence at General Catalyst in Boston. We spent nearly two years exploring incubation ideas together. Then the world shifted. 2012 - Sandy Hook. 2013...