Capital Allocators – Inside the Institutional Investment Industry Sean O’Sullivan – Start-up Development at SOSV, Venture is Eating the Investment World 3 (Capital Allocators, EP.231)
Jan 17, 2022
Sean O’Sullivan, founder of SOSV, discusses his transformative journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a venture capital leader. He shares insights on evolving venture capital, highlighting how technology reshapes capital allocation. Sean reflects on his accelerator programs' impact on startups, dive into investment opportunities in China and India, and shares his involvement in the blockchain space. Through mentorship and innovation, he emphasizes the importance of accountability in entrepreneurship and aims to bridge the gap between science and business.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Hardscrabble Childhood, Bookish Escape
- Sean O'Sullivan had a challenging childhood marked by poverty and a large family.
- He found solace and a path to success through reading, setting a record in fifth grade.
From Janitor to Programmer
- Sean's first job was as a janitor, but he transitioned into programming through a training program.
- This led to a career in technology, providing a way out of poverty.
MapInfo's Early Success
- Inspired by others, Sean started MapInfo, a street mapping software company, right out of college.
- MapInfo became a public company, achieving significant success and creating the industry.