Occasionally, I write early checks for technology startups—individually or through a syndicate. My focus is AI, especially end-user applications. I tend to think there’s a strong oversupply of infrastructure companies in AI.
Writing Checks
I write early checks for technology startups that start with a narrow focus. I only invest in US-based entities, ideally incorporated through Stripe Atlas. If you’re a European founder, Stripe Atlas offers a fully remote incorporation path for $500. The process takes ~20 hours of active work. I highly recommend it for the bundled business infrastructure: clean banking, legal setup, and more.
I don’t require traction, but I do require proof of independent work and consistent shipping of working software solving a specific problem you’re passionate about.
My personal checks are small, up to $50k, but I have access to a much larger pool of early-stage capital if necessary.
No pitch decks, please. I vastly prefer reading a tight narrative laid out over 2-3 pages. An example I like is Dot Product’s early, pre-launch landing page.
I do not invest in ventures backed by EU “startup” funds. The terms on which the EU allocates capital are misaligned with building ambitious tech companies. Sadly, much of that money is ill-spent. EU funding mechanisms often treat tech startups like infrastructure projects (roads, railways, etc.), imposing legal frameworks that make little sense for early-stage companies. For example, the EU doesn’t recognize “pivoting” as a valid business move.
Receiving Checks
I’m currently not raising any money, as my bottleneck is not capital but availability of the right cofounder(s). However, if I were to raise, here’s the pecking order of people I’d be excited to raise money from at my stage:
- Founders actively working on their product.
- Former founders.
- Domain experts.
- Smart, differentiated VCs who have written pieces of insightful content that I appreciated or worked with founders I respect.
This list does not include MBAs or well-networked individuals connected to wealthy families. There’s nothing wrong with the people of that profile, but they’re often prone to lose sight of capital being a commodity.
Building an early-stage technology company is an art form that can be learned only through direct experience, hard work, and wounds acquired along the way. I prefer working with people who have gone through that process. I believe deep competence and realistic outlook on challenges are two great foundational pillars for a lasting, satisfying business relationship.
In business there are laws akin to laws of physics one shouldn’t fight. Entrepreneurship has fewer rules so exceptions to the above apply.
If this resonates, feel free to reach out with a concise narrative or a relevant intro.