More mountain: Marcus Ryu on finding the joy in hard work

May 15, 2025

In a captivating conversation, Marcus Ryu, co-founder of Guidewire and now a Partner at Battery Ventures, shares his journey from aspiring academic to CEO of a billion-dollar company. He discusses his philosophy of 'More Mountain', highlighting how embracing challenges fosters personal growth. Marcus candidly reflects on years of rejection, the loneliness that comes with leadership, and the transformative role of AI in venture capital. His insights on real entrepreneurship emphasize that true founders thrive by tackling hard problems head-on.

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ANECDOTE

Guidewire's Early Struggle Story

Marcus Ryu shared how Guidewire faced continuous rejection from investors, customers, and employees in its early years.
They overcame immense challenges through sheer willpower to secure initial customers and build the company.

INSIGHT

Joy in Hard Work

Embrace hard work as a feature, not a bug, for meaningful achievements.
Find joy in the struggle and the process, not only in reaching the destination.

INSIGHT

AI's Realistic Impact

AI promises significant automation but probably won't replace higher-level human judgment soon.
Its impact may resemble mobile tech: transformative but not revolutionary in human productivity.

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The hard thing about hard things

building a business when there are no easy answers

Ben Horowitz

In this book, Ben Horowitz shares his personal and often humbling experiences in the tech industry to offer essential advice and practical wisdom. He addresses various hard decisions and challenges that business leaders face, such as firing friends, managing company culture, handling layoffs, and making tough strategic decisions. Horowitz emphasizes the importance of honesty, resilience, and adaptability in leadership, drawing from his experiences with companies like Loudcloud and Andreessen Horowitz.

Shoe Dog

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