The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch 20VC: Lambda School Founder, Austen Allred on How To Assess Your Relationship To Risk and Money, Why San Francisco Is A Case Study For The Greatest Squandering of Wealth in History & Why Complexity Increases Exponentially with Scale
Sep 18, 2020
Austen Allred, Founder and CEO of Lambda School, shares his incredible journey from homelessness to successful entrepreneur. He delves into his unique approach to risk and money, highlighting how his viewpoint has evolved. Austen also discusses the complexities of scaling his rapidly growing team and the vital role of a COO. He reflects on the importance of choosing the right investors and how post-COVID dynamics are reshaping the educational landscape. Plus, he shares insights on the digital growth of Lambda School amidst changing tech environments.
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From Homeless to Founder
- Austen Allred dropped out of college, slept in his car, and taught himself to code.
- A founder funded his first company after reading Allred's blog about his experience.
Downside Risk Focus
- People with less money prioritize downside risk more heavily.
- Any small issue can have significant consequences, requiring careful consideration of potential problems.
Car Trouble and Kindness
- Allred's car broke down while living in it, and a police officer told him it would be impounded due to Obama's visit.
- A tow truck driver, inspired by his story, let Allred stay at his place and now works at Tesla.
