The Truth About Venture Capital (Why 95% of Startups Shouldn't Bother)

What is the truth about venture capital? For most founders, it's that you shouldn't even try to get it. This conversation with Silicon Valley veteran Greg Zen explains why 95% of startups shouldn't bother chasing VC funding, reminding founders that less than 5% of companies actually receive it. This is a must-watch for any entrepreneur debating whether to bootstrap or raise money. We discuss the reality of startup accelerators like Y Combinator, the importance of finding your "founder-fit" before choosing a funding path, and the lessons learned from the dot-com bubble burst that are still relevant today.

Book a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrot

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com

🕒 CHAPTERS

00:00 - The Brutal Truth About Venture Capital

13:13 - Pre-Internet: How Deals Were Made Without VCs

28:04 - How the Dot-Com Burst Changed Startup Funding

31:50 - Are Startup Accelerators (Like Y Combinator) Worth It?

39:40 - Why 95% of Startups Will Never Get VC Funding

42:51 - Finding Your "Founder-Fit" vs. Chasing Unicorns

47:40 - Greg's #1 Piece of Advice for Founders

📈 WORK WITH ME

▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate

▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai

ℹ️ ABOUT THIS CHANNEL

This channel is dedicated to providing actionable insights and strategies for leaders and professionals. We interview top performers and break down complex topics to give you the tools you need to gain a competitive edge in your career and business.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.