Today's episode features an interview with Will Quist, partner at Slow Ventures. In this conversation Will talks about his transition from water polo player to helping build Slow, Slow's unique thesis in venture, the old model of VC versus new VC, and treating venture capital like a phD program.
Check out our two interviews with Will's partner at Slow, Sam Lessin:
Seed is Over https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py7IPmDKjb4
VC in 2024 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crj_H3JPHvg
---
BOOK CITED:
The Success Equation: Untangling Skill and Luck in Business, Sports, and Investing by Michael J. Mauboussin
---
RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Autopilot explores the adoption and rollout of AI in the industries that drive the economy and the dynamic founders bringing rapid change to slow-moving industries. From law, to hardware, to aviation, Will Summerlin interviews founders backed by Benchmark, Greylock, and more to learn how they're automating at the frontiers in entrenched industries.
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6YQZkKHN7EP2yWedAvSxBC?si=18377c69a2804333
Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/autopilot-with-will-summerlin/id1738163836.
---
SPONSOR: HARMONIC | SQUAD
🧲 Learn why Craft, Bedrock, NEA and 100s more trust Harmonic’s data to source deals. Harmonic is the most complete startup database, finding new companies as soon as they incorporate and tracking them through IPO. Head to https://bit.ly/harmonicturpentine and make sure to mention Turpentine VC during your demo.
💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.
---
Join our free newsletter: https://turpentinevc.substack.com/
---
RELATED SHOWS: @10xcapitalpodcast
If you like Turpentine VC, check out our show The 10x Capital Podcast with David Weisburd, where David talks to the investors behind the investors: https://10xcapitalpodcast.com/
---
X / TWITTER:
@wquist (Will)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@turpentinemedia
---
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:14) Will Quist's Journey from Pro Athlete to VC
(04:44) Slow's Evolution
(07:00) Anti-Platform From the Jump
(09:51) Helping Founders Become Better Investors in Their Own Business
(14:49) Sponsor: Turpentine
(15:12) Old vs. New Venture Capital Models
(20:46) VC Framework
(26:05) Franchises
(29:49) Success in Venture Capital
(31:13) Fund Size and Portfolio Construction at Slow
(36:11) Multistage Challenges and Opportunities
(39:25) Introducing the Slow PhD Program
(44:22) Philosophy of Building and Investing
(54:06) Wrap
---
This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.
