John Vrionis

On this special replay episode, John Vrionis joins Nick to discuss the DNA of Startup Success, including:  What’s unusual about what you do? “How it works” vs. “Why it matters” — what’s the disconnect you’ve observed with early-stage founders? Arrogance vs. Humility — have you invested in founders displaying these traits? What’s been your experience? 3 must-haves that you look for in a new investment? If there’s one common theme in failed investments — what is it? Is there anything unusual about your approach to sourcing? If so, what is it? What are some best practices for founders when picking a VC? Over the past year or so the percentage of total VC dollars invested in early-stage deals fell to the lowest levels the industry has seen in five years. Why do you think this is the case? Do you focus on product-market-fit prior to the A round — if so, how do you define it? What’s the problem with Sovereign Wealth in Silicon Valley? “The biggest mistake you can make is taking an investment from a mega-fund” Why? How has the early-stage venture landscape shifted from previous years? What do you expect to see in the future? Missed a recent episode? Go to The Full Ratchet blog and catch up! 

In this engaging discussion, John Vrionis, Founder and Managing Partner at Unusual Ventures, shares insights from his journey in venture capital, emphasizing the need for raising expectations in seed investing. He discusses the importance of specialized support for founders and critiques the trend of multi-stage funding at the seed level. John highlights how personal experiences have shaped his investment philosophy and stresses the value of diversity among Limited Partners. His passion for nurturing startup success shines through as he advocates for a more inclusive and hands-on approach in venture capital.