Motion Blur Ian Rountree – Founder & Managing Partner of Cantos
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Jan 23, 2025 Ian Rountree, Founder and Managing Partner of Cantos Ventures, shares his insights from pioneering deep tech investments. He discusses the 'incentive problem' within venture capital and contrasts East Coast biotech approaches with Cantos' generalist philosophy. Ian emphasizes the transformative potential of technology and the importance of genuine relationships in deep tech investing. Wrapping up, he offers bold predictions for 2025 and reflects on the evolving landscape of venture capital, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
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Cantos' Origin
- Ian Rountree quit consulting in 2012 to pursue tech, landing a role at SoFi.
- He angel invested, eventually forming Cantos as a vehicle to continue after depleting personal funds.
Cantos' Name
- Ian Rountree's firm, Cantos, is named after stanzas in epic poems, reflecting his view of startups.
- He sees startups as modern epic tales, with founders as the heroes and investors as supporting characters.
Venture's Evolution
- Venture capital has changed significantly in the past decade, but its essence remains constant.
- Hammad Aslam prompts Ian Rountree to share an early investment story, highlighting venture's core.