Renowned angel investor Ron Conway shares his journey from National Semiconductor to angel investing in Silicon Valley. Topics include early tech disruptions, childhood in a big family, college years, building work ethic, and insights on going public and angel investing.
Conway's family background influenced his entrepreneurial spirit, showcasing innovative endeavors by his grandmother and father in disruptive industries.
Conway's early work ethic and determination, shaped by his upbringing as one of 12 children, paved the way for his successful professional journey.
Conway highlights the importance of self-disruption in the face of emerging technologies, emphasizing the need to stay ahead of innovative competitors to avoid downfall.
Deep dives
Family History and Entrepreneurial Roots
Ron Conway discusses his family background, highlighting his grandmother's pioneering role as one of the first female entrepreneurs in San Francisco, involved in shipping oil using innovative methods. His father's venture into the shipping container industry, a disruptive and efficient concept, is also emphasized as a significant entrepreneurial endeavor that shaped Conway's early exposure to innovation.
Early Work Ethic and Independence
Conway shares anecdotes from his childhood, where he showcased a strong work ethic and independence. From working as a dishwasher to earning his first car, he demonstrated a drive to achieve goals through hard work and determination. His upbringing as one of 12 children also fostered traits of independence and advocacy for oneself.
Transition to National Semiconductor and Altos
Conway delves into his professional journey, starting at National Semiconductor where he excelled in economic research and strategic thinking. His transition to Altos, an early-stage microcomputer company, marked a significant move that led to rapid growth and a successful IPO within three years. Conway's emphasis on building relationships, celebrating achievements, and instilling a strong work ethic contributed to the companies' successes.
The Excitement of Going Public and Successful IPO
The speaker recounts the exhilarating experience of taking the company public, detailing the chaotic yet thrilling events surrounding the road show and IPO. During the road show, the speaker's anticipation of becoming wealthy is palpable, with the stock price doubling on the first day of trading. Personal anecdotes, such as celebrating the IPO at Club 21 and involving family in the momentous occasion, highlight the emotional highs of the successful public offering.
Lessons from Unwittingly Being Disrupted and Importance of Self-Disruption
The podcast delves into the repercussions of failing to self-disrupt in the face of emerging technologies, leading to the downfall of the company post-IPO. The speaker reflects on overlooking the competitive threat posed by personal computers connected to Ethernet, which ultimately outperformed their offerings. This experience underscores the importance of self-disruption as a means to stay ahead of technological shifts and avoid being surpassed by innovative competitors.
Ron Conway has been close to the center of things for longer than anyone else in Silicon Valley, from the point when he started his career at National Semiconductor in the early 70s to the AI conference he organized last month. He's the embodiment and the transmitter of Silicon Valley culture. He knows all the stories, usually because he was personally involved in them. In this episode we talk about what Silicon Valley was like when it was all about silicon, and how his career at Nat Semi led to working at and then running tech companies, and finally to angel investing.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
