The Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing Demystified cover image

The Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing Demystified

480. The OG Seed Investor, Mike Maples Jr., on Spotting Inflection Points, Living in the Future, and Why the Best Form of Competition Is No Competition (Mike Maples)

Apr 28, 2025
Mike Maples Jr. is a co-founding partner at Floodgate and author of the bestselling book, Pattern Breakers. He shares his insights on spotting inflection points that can signal groundbreaking opportunities in startups. The discussion delves into the importance of identifying exceptional founders and the evolving landscape of seed investing. Maples also emphasizes that the best form of competition may be to avoid it altogether, exploring the transformative impact of AI and how specificity can enhance startup viability. His unique approach to pattern recognition offers fresh perspectives for aspiring entrepreneurs.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Mike Maples Jr. highlights the evolution of seed investing, identifying gaps that transformed the venture capital landscape in Silicon Valley.
  • Great founders possess a visionary ability to anticipate future trends, crucial for identifying unique opportunities in competitive markets.

Deep dives

Mike Maples Jr.'s Accidental Path to Venture Capital

Mike Maples Jr. shares his unexpected journey to becoming a venture capitalist after launching successful companies in Austin, Texas. Initially a founder, his experience with Tivoli Systems and Motive, both of which went public, fueled his transition into venture capital following a chaotic period marked by the tech bubble and subsequent crash. Feeling somewhat exhausted post-Motive, he missed California and began commuting to Silicon Valley to get back into the tech scene. Maples emphasizes that although he stumbled into this field, his unique vantage point allowed him to perceive emerging trends and opportunities that many others overlooked.

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