The Social Radars Ron Conway, Founder, SV Angel Part 4 (Bonus)
May 30, 2025
Ron Conway, the legendary investor behind SV Angel, shares riveting insights into the digital music revolution spurred by Napster. He recounts how founders Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker disrupted the industry, paving the way for platforms like Spotify. Stories of intense negotiations, the clash with Metallica over copyright, and the camaraderie among influential players encode the entrepreneurial spirit of Silicon Valley. Conway also highlights the ethical dilemmas faced during company shutdowns, making this an engaging look at the intersection of music and venture capitalism.
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Discovering Napster in San Mateo
- Ron Conway discovered Napster by asking another startup which company in their building was the most interesting.
- This led to an introduction to young Sean Fanning and early CEO Eileen Richardson in San Mateo.
Early Investment and Hollywood Access
- Ron Conway quickly invested in Napster upon seeing their potential and immediately sought ways to legitimize the business.
- He arranged meetings with powerful Hollywood agents to transition Napster from piracy to a licensable product.
Pitching Music Industry Solutions
- Ron Conway flew with Napster founders to meet music industry leaders including RIAA chairman and top label heads.
- They presented ideas to fix music piracy through licenses, but negotiations dragged on for years amid conflicts and lawsuits.
