MLOps.community Future of Software, Agents in the Enterprise, and Inception Stage Company Building // Eliot Durbin // #293
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Mar 4, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Eliot Durbin, General Partner at Boldstart Ventures, shares invaluable insights from his 15 years of investing in inception-stage companies. He dives into the unique qualities that drive successful founders, emphasizing their commitment to innovation over traditional metrics. The conversation explores the rapid evolution of AI and software agents, along with the challenges of integrating AI in enterprises. Eliot also touches on the shifting landscape of venture capital, highlighting the need for adaptability and innovative thinking in today's tech industry.
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Trust Your Gut
- Trust your gut feeling about investing in a founder, even if their product isn't perfect.
- Prioritize founders with strong product intuition and user empathy.
Mission-Driven Founders
- The best founders are irrationally driven by a mission, choosing it over lucrative logical jobs.
- This mission can manifest in multiple companies, making continuous investment worthwhile.
OpenAI's Early Days
- OpenAI's early energy in 2022 reminded Eliot Durbin of Facebook's hyper-growth phase.
- This energy, driven by the need for GPUs and desks, signaled a new wave of innovation.