Trae Vassallo of Defy Partners joins Nick to discuss Leaving Kleiner Perkins to Start Defy Partners, The State of Venture in the Bay Area, and Maintaining a Beginner's Mind. In this episode, we cover:

Can you talk about your transition from Kleiner Perkins?
How tough was that decision to make?
What was it like to work with John Doerr?
What’s the thesis at Defy Partners?
When you began Defy you chose not to look at San Francisco. Can you talk about why that is?
- How do you think this plays out? What will tech and venture in the Bay Area look like a few years from now, when COVID is behind us?
- Any stats on flight of talent form Bay area to other cities/regions?
What changes have you observed in venture/tech that this crisis has either caused or accelerated?
You’ve been a founder and can relate w/ the folks you’re working with. How do you try and keep that beginner’s mindset as you gain more experience and get further away from your founder journey?
What are some the biggest mistakes you see founders making when pitching investors?
What tips can you give founders around building relationships as well as pitching in a completely virtual environment?
You experienced a severe personal experience… near death situation a few years ago. How has that changed you as a person and as an investor?
3 data points…
- Let’s say you’re approached to invest in a consumer hardtech startup.
- The startup is doing $1.5M ARR
- It’s growing at 15% MoM
- And LTV:CAC is 4:1
- Catch is, you can only ask 3 questions for 3 specific data points, in order to make your decision. What three questions do you ask?

247. Leaving Kleiner Perkins to Start Defy Partners, The State of Venture in the Bay Area, and Maintaining a Beginner's Mind (Trae Vassallo)