The Library of Minds Why People Matter More Than Science in Deep Tech with Shahin Farshchi
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Jan 8, 2026 Shahin Farshchi, General Partner at Lux Capital and a former chip designer with a PhD in electrical engineering, delves into what truly drives success in deep tech. He emphasizes that the right people often matter more than groundbreaking technology. Shahin shares insights on the importance of founders, the pitfalls of assuming technical novelty guarantees commercial viability, and the fine line between engineering challenges and scientific risks. He stresses the need for strategic partnerships and the evolving role of AI in startup hiring. Ultimately, he values long-term relationships over monetary gains.
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Best Tech ≠ Business Success
- You can build the best technical solution and still fail because nobody pays for it.
- Shahin Farshchi learned that finding technologies people will pay for is its own art.
Getting Into Venture By Offering Help
- Shahin volunteered as a postdoc scout for 18 months to get into venture without asking for anything.
- Lux hired him after he built relationships and sourced deals pro bono.
Two Kinds Of 'Hard'
- There are two types of hardness: technical difficulty and scientific risk.
- Shahin prefers engineering-led advances rather than de novo scientific discovery for startups.
