The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch 20VC: Sequoia's Ravi Gupta on His Lessons From The Hyper-Growth of Instacart, The Key Question To Ask When Building or Evaluating Teams & The Importance of Investing In and Detecting Slopes Rather Than Intercepts
Sep 14, 2020
Ravi Gupta, a Partner at Sequoia Capital and former COO & CFO at Instacart, dives into the transformative power of hyper-growth and high-performing teams. He discusses key questions for evaluating talent, the balance of prioritization in leadership, and the importance of vulnerability. Ravi shares insights on his transition from Instacart to Sequoia, emphasizing authentic relationships and the power of teamwork. He also encourages a human-centric approach to venture capital, highlighting empathy as a crucial element in the startup journey.
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Ravi's Journey to Sequoia
- Ravi Gupta joined Sequoia after 4.5 years at Instacart, initially drawn to Apoorva Mehta's vision.
- He served as COO & CFO during Instacart's hyper-growth, experiencing both successes and challenges.
Vision's Double-Edged Sword
- Vision is crucial for inspiring teams and investors, painting a picture of a desirable future.
- However, it's equally vital to remain adaptable and avoid being locked into a rigid vision.
The Rehiring Test
- When evaluating your team, ask: 'Would I enthusiastically rehire this person, knowing everything I know now?'
- Anything less than an absolute 'yes' is a no; prioritize surrounding yourself with 'A players'.
