The Journey of Starting a Company Without Any Business or Marketing Background

TLDRAt 30 years old, I had no business or marketing experience, but I wanted to start a company. I learned about business plans, raising money, and incorporating a company. With the trust of venture capitalists, a large vision, and great people, we were able to succeed.

Key insights

🚀Venture capitalists invest in great people and trust their reputation.

💡Having a large vision for the future of the company is crucial for attracting investors.

💼Business plans are not the determining factor for venture capitalists, but a clever idea can help.

📈The size of the market plays a significant role in attracting investments.

👥Having a team of great people is essential for success and adaptability.

Q&A

Do venture capitalists invest based on business plans?

Venture capitalists are more interested in investing in great people rather than business plans.

How important is having a large vision for the success of a company?

Having a large vision is crucial as it helps attract investors and sets the foundation for long-term growth and success.

What role does a clever idea play in attracting investments?

A clever idea can capture the attention of venture capitalists and make them more interested in investing in a company.

Why is the size of the market important for attracting investments?

A large market size indicates potential for substantial returns on investment, making it more attractive to venture capitalists.

How important is having a team of great people for the success of a company?

Having a team of great people is essential as they contribute to the success of the company and its ability to adapt and thrive in a competitive market.

Timestamped Summary

00:03At 30 years old, without any business or marketing background, I decided to start a company.

00:17I bought a Mac to use the presentation software 'Persuasion' for creating a company presentation.

00:55I met with the other founders every day, but initially, there was nothing to do.

02:01We incorporated the company with the help of a lawyer and invested a small amount of money to price the shares.

02:19I bought a 20% stake in Nvidia for $200, which turned out to be a good deal.

03:02We never finished a business plan, but our reputation and relationships with successful individuals helped us gain trust from venture capitalists.

03:14Having a large vision for the company's future and a clever idea were important factors in attracting investments.

03:28The size of the market played a significant role in our ability to raise funds.