The best part is sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with a founder in those early days, asking: Is the product solving the problem? How is this market going to play out? Who can I introduce to help make this happen? Early-stage investing is a privilege. It’s the chapter where investors can have the most impact and the most fun. Some of my bets include SmarterDx (acquired 2025, returning Fund III), Félix (the fastest-growing financial solution for LatAm immigrants), Luxury Presence (real estate SaaS powering $35B+ in listings) and The Athletic (acquired by The New York Times for $550M). I’ve backed over a hundred startups, seen a lot of exits, and helped several become unicorns. I like founders with solid integrity, who lay the hard problems on the table, and have grit in their DNA. We’re often starting a decade-long partnership through the highs and lows and the simple, hard work that it takes to build an enduring company. In prior lives, I advised Silicon Valley leaders at McKinsey, scaled AppDirect, and taught math. I grew up on ranches and in small towns in Wyoming. When I’m off-grid, you’ll find me crate-digging obscure jazz and funk albums, skiing the Sierras, or cooking for my friends and fam.