The Library of Minds The Most Controversial VC on Twitter: Delian Asparouhov (Founders Fund & Varda)
Dec 2, 2025
Delian Asparouhov, Partner at Founders Fund and co-founder of Varda, shares his provocative insights on startups and venture capital. He discusses the power law effects in decision-making, emphasizing a focus on 2–4 high-leverage decisions each year. Delian critiques the AI hype and shares his skepticism of trends, while defending Varda’s mission in space manufacturing. He reflects on his personal experiences, including battles with the FAA and the importance of authenticity over people-pleasing, all while maintaining a humorous and candid tone.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Quarter-Long Focus Wins
- Focus intensely on the 2–4 decisions each year that truly move the needle.
- Leave deliberate gaps to surface the single priority you should spend a whole quarter on.
Schedule Thinking Time
- Keep empty space on your calendar to think and notice market signals.
- Use that reflection time to switch into action once a clear high-leverage opportunity appears.
Learning By Doing And Watching
- Early risky swings teach you how to build companies from scratch.
- Intensive exposure to great founders compresses learning far faster than typical roles.