Why the Real Economy Is Underserved by Venture

Jason contrasts tech-for-tech investing with opportunity in broader GDP sectors and durable cash flows.

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In this episode of Run the Numbers, CJ sits down with Jason Kong, General Partner at Base10 Ventures, to unpack the firm’s focus on “automation for the real economy” — software built for industries most tech investors overlook, but the world depends on. Jason breaks down what makes Series B investing uniquely hard, how he evaluates back-office and vertical SaaS opportunities, and where markets tip from niche to overcrowded. They also discuss Base10’s decision to donate 50% of profits to fund scholarships, plus a lightning round spanning fantasy football, shorting SaaS in 2022, and a venture take that might spark debate.

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LINKS:

Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonykong/

Base10 Partners: https://base10.vc/

CJ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-gustafson-13140948/

Mostly metrics: https://www.mostlymetrics.com

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