

Sequoia Capital (Part 1)
324 snips Sep 26, 2019
Discover the inspiring journey of Don Valentine, the visionary behind Sequoia Capital, starting from his modest beginnings in Yonkers. Learn how he shaped Silicon Valley through pioneering 'company building' strategies. Uncover the fascinating origins of Fairchild Semiconductor and the 'Traitorous Eight,' who sparked a tech revolution in 1957. Delve into Sequoia's strategic investments in giants like Cisco and Apple, and explore the evolving dynamics between founders and venture capitalists, emphasizing long-term partnerships over financial transactions.
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Traitorous Eight
- The "Traitorous Eight" left Shockley Semiconductor due to Bill Shockley's poor management.
- Despite being a Nobel Prize winner, Shockley was a terrible manager with controversial views.
Early Venture Capital
- Early venture capital was unlike today; Fairchild Semiconductor, despite its potential, struggled to find funding.
- The industry was small, and investors lacked tech backgrounds.
Don Valentine's Impact
- Don Valentine, a maverick, shaped modern venture capital and startups.
- His background uniquely positioned him to identify and nurture tech companies.