Bonfire Ventures 🔥 reposted this
Here’s how my ignorance led to a $400 million exit. When I moved to LA in 2006, I knew little about the tech scene. I was still managing international investment banking and frequently traveled to Europe and New York, unaware of the opportunities in my new backyard. After all, LA wasn’t Silicon Valley—it was Hollywood. That’s all most investors saw. But sometimes, being an outsider is your most significant advantage. Take Edgecast, for example, founded by a former I-banking client and now friend (Alex Kazerani). While I didn’t know much about content delivery networks, I knew and trusted him, so I became one of his first investors. Six years later, that “gut” decision resulted in a $400 million exit. Funny enough, my lack of VC habits became my superpower. I wasn’t stuck in the Silicon Valley playbook. My core investment strategy has always been about people and relationships—that’s where the true value lies. Sometimes, the smartest move is trusting your gut and betting on people, not just ideas. How has being an outsider in your industry given you an edge? Let’s trade stories on how "not knowing" can sometimes be the best advantage.