Grit (Kleiner Perkins)
The Pull to Build: Joubin Mirzadegan on Grit and Starting Roadrunner
AI Summary
In this episode, Joubin Mirzadegan discusses how his relentless discipline and frustration with broken infrastructure drove him to leave Kleiner Perkins and become CEO of Roadrunner, now a $7.2 billion company. He shares lessons from an early startup failure, emphasizing that true building hinges on grit and willpower rather than just ideas. Mirzadegan also argues that AI’s value emerges only when it can deliver precise, scalable outcomes, and he outlines his vision for Roadrunner’s role in solving complex infrastructure challenges.
Episode Description
The hardest systems attract the most serious builders.
Joubin Mirzadegan shares how a career defined by ‘hardcore discipline’ and impatience with broken infrastructure pulled him from Kleiner Perkins back into the arena as CEO of Roadrunner, now valued at $7.2B.
He reflects on how an early startup failure taught him that building is about will, and why he believes AI only matters when it delivers precision at scale.
Guest: Joubin Mirzadegan, Partner, Kleiner Perkins
Connect with Mamoon
X
Connect with Joubin
X
Email: grit@kleinerperkins.com
Learn more about Kleiner Perkins
Show Notes
Grit | The Pull to Build: Joubin Mirzadegan on Grit and Starting Roadrunner
December 8, 2025
by Kleiner Perkins
The hardest systems attract the most serious builders.
Joubin Mirzadegan shares how a career defined by “hard‑core discipline” and impatience with broken infrastructure pulled him from Kleiner Perkins back into the arena as CEO of Roadrunner, now valued at $7.2 B. He reflects on how an early startup failure taught him that building is about will, and why he believes AI only matters when it delivers precision at scale.
Guest: Joubin Mirzadegan, Partner, Kleiner Perkins
Connect with Mamoon
-
X: https://x.com/mamoonha?lang=en
-
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mamoonha/
Connect with Joubin
-
X: https://x.com/Joubinmir
-
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joubin-mirzadegan-66186854/
-
Email: grit@kleinerperkins.com
Learn more about Kleiner Perkins: https://www.kleinerperkins.com/
What is Grit?
Grit explores what it takes to create, build, and scale world‑class organizations. It features weekly episodes highlighting the leaders who are pushing their companies to make a difference. This series is hosted by Joubin Mirzadegan, go‑to‑market operating partner at Kleiner Perkins, a venture‑capital firm investing in history‑making founders.
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