The Dart Board with Daniel Dart

Brad Feld | Foundry - On what real leadership looks like, how to show up through crisis, and the joy of long arc characters

13 snips
Aug 13, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Brad Feld, co-founder of Foundry Group and Techstars, shares his journey from founder to prolific author and marathon runner. He dives into the resilience required in both entrepreneurship and running, emphasizing the power of perseverance. Brad discusses his passion for long arc narratives in fiction, showcasing character development and diverse representation. Additionally, he reflects on the challenges of managing personal healthcare data and the evolution of the startup landscape towards meaningful success.
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ADVICE

Use Notes Pragmatically, Not Dogmatically

  • Treat safes and convertible notes as functionally similar and choose based on specifics, not dogma.
  • Prefer simplicity: early investors rarely benefit from downside protections enough to justify complexity.
ADVICE

Request Practical Information Rights

  • Ask founders directly for the information rights you need and explain why you need them.
  • Offer lightweight compromises like lower-frequency reporting or a simple side letter instead of confrontation.
ADVICE

Judge Pay-To-Play By Outcomes

  • Evaluate pay-to-play by inspecting who participates and how much preference it removes.
  • Use pay-to-play to right-size a capital structure, but don’t chase it solely to protect past investment.
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