Elevate with Robert Glazer Why Tech VC Dave Whorton Threw Out The Silicon Valley Playbook
May 6, 2025
Dave Whorton, a seasoned tech investor and founder of the Tugboat Institute, shares insights from a two-decade career in Silicon Valley. He discusses the shift from typical growth strategies to a focus on sustainable, 'evergreen' companies. Whorton recounts pivotal moments that shaped his approach, including his early experiences with Netscape and lessons on talent hiring. He addresses economic challenges, the balance between profitability and growth, and the transformative potential of AI in business, all while emphasizing values and long-term success.
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Dave Turns Down Kleiner Internship
- Dave Whorton turned down a summer internship at Kleiner Perkins twice.
- He wanted to work in a high growth tech company instead, so he chose Netscape for the summer of 1996.
Limitations of Rapid VC Growth
- The Silicon Valley VC model is not suitable for every company.
- High-growth demand causes pressure and disruption in culture, training, and communications as staff doubles every year.
Shift to Wealth Over Passion
- Silicon Valley's focus shifted towards fast wealth generation over true technological passion.
- Ventures often chase valuation over building meaningful, lasting companies with strong values.