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This Week in Startups

VC Sunday School: first-tier investor behavior + Climate: Dangerous Ventures' Mike Lin | E1385

Feb 13, 2022
59:46

Jason and Molly begin this double-header Sunday show with a VC Sunday School segment on top-tier VC behavior (01:38). You will learn:

1. How first-tier VCs compare to second-tier VCs

2. When VCs should intervene in a portfolio company

3. The difference between micromanaging and good governance

4. Jason's framework for ensuring alignment: Mission, Plan, Strategy, Tactics

5. Why good Board Members remain calm and positive


Then, Molly is joined by Mike Lin from Dangerous Ventures for a This Week in Climate Startups segment (22:00). You will learn:

1. What Mike learned from working at Makani Power (acquired by Google X)

2. The potential of "muscle-powered" energy and its limits

3. Lessons from the failed Potenco generator & One Laptop Per Child project

4. How Mike got himself fired from Apple for insubordination

5. Why Dangerous Ventures is backing "Dunkirk" climate solutions


Show Notes:

(00:00) Jason and Molly tee up the show, Top VC vs. Second-tier VCs,  Mike Lin from Dangerous Ventures

(01:38) The behavior difference between a top tier VC and a second tier VC

(09:23) Where VCs should actually intervene in a portfolio company, micromanaging vs. good governance

(11:47) First Republic Bank - Discover what a long-term financial relationship can do for you. Visit https://firstrepublic.com/startup today to learn more.

(12:50) What needs to be in alignment Mission, Plan, Strategy, Tactics 

(14:58) Why good Board Members are calm and positive

(19:30) Jason and Molly intro the This Week in Climate Startups segment

(20:40) Superside - Go to https://superside.com/twist to get $3000 or more in credits when you sign up for an annual subscription

(22:00) Mike Lin from Dangerous Ventures discusses his previous startup experience at Makani Power

(26:09) Can muscle-powered energy come back?

(27:57) Pulling Power from the Sky: The Story of Makani

(30:56) Notion - Go to https://Notion.so and use promo code TWIST to get $250 off its annual team plan

(32:28) Lessons from Mike's time as the founder of Fenix, which was bringing power to low income economies, and the lessons from the failed Potenco generator & One Laptop Per Child project

(36:35) How Fenix rose out of the ashes of his previous startup, Fenix's smart battery

(39:55) Why Mike Lin was fired as an Apple contractor for insubordination

(43:39) Who is going to actually solve the climate crisis?

(46:15) Mike's ambition at Dangerous Ventures and why they are backing "Dunkirk" climate solutions

(53:43) Managing a micro-fund and using SPVs to build initial momentum

Check out Dangerous Ventures: https://www.dangerous.co/

FOLLOW Mike: https://twitter.com/tweetmikelin
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

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