Is non-consensus investing overrated—or the secret to venture returns?

a16z General Partner Erik Torenberg is joined by Martín Casado (General Partner, a16z) and Leo Polovets (General Partner, Humba Ventures) to unpack the debate that lit up venture Twitter/X: should founders and VCs chase consensus, or run from it?

They explore what “consensus” really means in practice, how market efficiency shapes venture outcomes, why most companies fail from indigestion, not starvation, and the risks founders face when they’re too far outside consensus.

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

01:04 Defining Consensus and Market Efficiency

06:30 The Role of Hot Rounds and Market Signals

10:25 Founder Perspective: Risks of Non-Consensus

13:19 Investor Perspective: Indigestion vs. Starvation

18:28 Market Cycles & Sector Hype

23:55 The Evolution of Venture Market Efficiency

26:29 Case Studies & Personal Anecdotes

33:02 Fund Size, Ownership, and the Impact on Strategy

51:40 The Future of Venture: Multi-Stage vs. Seed Funds

Resources:

Find Leo on X: https://x.com/lpolovets

Find Martin on X: https://x.com/martin_casado

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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

Stay Updated:

Find a16z on X

Find a16z on LinkedIn

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Follow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg

Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

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