Sourcery

How The Thiel Fellowship Created $750B+ In Value | Ethereum, Figma, OYO

46 snips
Aug 29, 2025
Danielle Strachman, co-founder of 1517 Fund and a key architect of the Thiel Fellowship, shares remarkable insights into how the fellowship has generated over $550 billion in value. She discusses the unconventional selection process that identifies ambitious young innovators like the founders of Ethereum and OYO. The conversation highlights the fellowship's impact on education, the rise of deep tech, and the vital role of hyperfluency in fostering innovation. Strachman also reflects on the challenges of alternative education and the future of AGI.
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INSIGHT

Long-Term Impact Over Immediate Metrics

  • The Thiel Fellowship targeted 19-and-under founders and funded diverse projects beyond startups.
  • It treated success as a 10-year timeline, supporting long-term outcomes like Figma and Ethereum.
ANECDOTE

Fellow Success Stories

  • Danielle recounts Dylan Field, Ritesh Agarwal, Laura Deming and Vitalik as fellowship success stories.
  • These founders pivoted and scaled into Figma, OYO, longevity funds and Ethereum respectively.
ADVICE

Assess Founders With Contrarian And Practical Questions

  • Ask contrarian and process-focused questions to assess founders, like "What's a truth you believe that nobody else does?".
  • Evaluate ambition and immediate ability using practical metrics like two-week goals and energy after meetings.
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