The Rise by Nucleus Keith Rabois on What It Takes to Be #1 in Venture | The Rise x Nucleus100
22 snips
Oct 30, 2025 
Keith Rabois, a seasoned venture investor with a track record at PayPal and Square, shares his insights on succeeding in venture capital. He discusses his early investments in Ramp and Faire, emphasizing the importance of talent and team building. Rabois explores how AI is shifting the founder landscape, favoring younger, tech-savvy entrepreneurs. He advises aspiring VCs to gain operating experience first and highlights the significance of differentiation in emerging managers. His thoughts on maintaining conviction in competitive deals offer a fascinating glimpse into his investment philosophy.
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How Ramp Hooked A Lead Investor Fast
- Keith instantly understood Ramp's vision from their Google Notes and offered a term sheet within 24 hours.
- He led the seed with conviction after a one-meeting cultural and strategic alignment with Eric and Kareem.
Lead Early To Shape The Foundation
- Lead early when you can because you shape the company's foundation like wet concrete.
- Get involved at seed to influence hiring, product and culture before things harden.
Why Young Founders Win In New Tech Waves
- Younger founders are advantaged in rapid waves like AI because they're native to the technology and habits.
- Experienced investors add value by preventing obvious mistakes and shaping durable foundations.