Something Ventured -- Silicon Valley Podcast Max Altman and Ben Braverman: Returning to Tradition with Saga Ventures
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Oct 14, 2024 Max Altman and Ben Braverman, partners at Saga Ventures, share their journey from Silicon Valley elites to venture capitalists. They explore the need for a founder-first approach and discuss how trust and relationships shape VC partnerships. Rising seed valuations and their critique of gimmicky venture strategies are key highlights. They also delve into the impact of VC media, including podcasting, on industry perceptions, and share insights on cultural differences between San Francisco and New York founders.
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Learning From Exceptional Founders
- Ben credits early luck and working for exceptional founders like Ryan Peterson and Parker Conrad for shaping his taste in founders.
- He built his career aiming to meet more of those rare, world-changing people rather than follow a formula.
Joining Zenefits For Founder Proximity
- Max recounts leaving quant trading in Chicago to join Zenefits at eight employees after Parker Conrad convinced him it would be the next unicorn.
- He emphasizes joining companies for proximity to founders and learning, not immediate prestige.
Don't Join Startups For Money
- Avoid joining startups purely to optimize finances because big tech jobs often pay more over time for less risk.
- Join startups only if you have a non-financial reason like learning from a founder or mission alignment.