I just read a piece “The Power of Context” by Alan Kay that hit a nerve. I wanted to reflect on it & share some of my intentions:
“Of course, every engineer, mathematician and scientist — every artist — knows that the greatest privilege is being able to do the work, and the greatest joy is to actually turn yearnings into reality. So we were already abundantly rewarded many years ago when this work came together to create a new genre of practical personal computing.”
The greatest privilege of my life so far is getting to turn my yearnings to run a venture firm into reality. I have been a devout student of venture since I was 19, and even before that my curiosity for how and why stories, companies, software, hardware, and relationships are built has been part of my DNA.
I am so grateful for this opportunity. The greatest privilege is truly to do the work – to see, analyze, pick, and support the companies building the future of play and work, to hone my unique investment thesis and decision parameters, to build a company that enables me to spend time with friends and family in San Diego, and to educate the next generation of venture investors.
One of my investors recently texted me. I hadn’t heard from him in a while, so a bit into our conversation, I asked why he’d thought to reach out and he replied:
“How much founder/market fit you have. Just was thinking about people who have that. it seems like you enjoy the job and thats the most important thing, especially when things get tough ”
And he’s right. I’ve been having so much FUN with what I’m doing. My whole career has become my creative outlet, vs just writing. Sure, it’s gotten more complex – audits, taxes, 37 portfolio companies, 100+ investors, on the road a lot – but I love running a venture firm.
Even on the bad days.
Especially on the bad days.
But the part that really struck me in Kay’s piece was the importance of collaboration in the “finessing” of computer design:
“Instead of trying to build the complex artifacts from scratch—like trying to build living things cell by cell—many of the most important projects built a kernel that could grow the artifact as new knowledge was gained—that is: get one cell’s DNA in good shape and let it help grow the whole system.”
I really believe my model and learnings from developing a venture firm based on first principles can be a kernel to help democratize venture, so my intention is to share my learnings or thoughts more specifically. But beyond that, I’ve been in the unique position to actualize my dreams, and I’d like to talk about that process more broadly. I believe the more people I can help achieve that state, the better off we’ll be. And sometimes you just need someone to believe in you. I’ve been finding a lot of growth in working with an executive coach, conducting founder feedback sessions, and experimenting.
So I’m challenging myself to write at least once a week on my personal blog this summer (until Labor Day). And mind you, this is my personal blog, after-hours thoughts. Not perfect. Not polished. But published and public nonetheless.
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A note on feedback / questions – I’m always happy to answer very specific email questions, so definitely send them my way. paige @ behind genius ventures . com (no spaces). I must caveat – this is simply my opinion and I offer no guarantee that you, other people, or other investors will agree with me.
With folks thinking through raising their first fund, I’m very open with on non-recorded Zoom calls or on email, because many of the nuances of fundraising for your first fund are specific to the type, fund construction, background.
With founders, I get pitched a lot (probably looking at 80-100 deals per month), but I honestly am happy to provide feedback if you have specific questions over email. If you want to pitch me, best to fill out the form at behindgeniusventures.com
With folks searching for their purpose, read this piece on finding true north I wrote. Write me with any questions.