StrictlyVC Download Why Kevin Hartz is betting big on teenage founders
9 snips
Dec 2, 2025 In a captivating discussion, Kevin Hartz, a serial entrepreneur behind Eventbrite and Zoom, shares insights on the surge of teenage founders, revealing they make up 20% of his investments now. He emphasizes the need for grit in founders and discusses A-Star Capital's innovative incubation model, including his autonomous security startup Sauron. Hartz also tackles the challenges of public markets and the impact of private capital on quality companies. His unique take on why venture capital remains essential in today's tech landscape offers a fresh perspective.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Stay In Market Despite Skyrocketing Valuations
- Stay active in the market even when valuations surge because luck and timing still matter.
- Kevin Hartz credits long-term participation for catching outsized winners like Airbnb early.
From Seed To Big Win — The Ramp Example
- Kevin Hartz recounts his early seed in Ramp where valuations later became enormous.
- He uses that story to illustrate how early bets can turn into massive winners.
Prioritize Grit And Independent Thinking
- Look for founders with grit, high intelligence, and independent thinking.
- Prioritize founders who see opportunities others dismiss and can persist through the long haul.
