10/9/19 edit: VMware has acquired Carbon Black for $2.1 billion. So, we will increase the number of startups we will back. After Carbon Black went public, Mrs. T. and I had some discussions. What should we do with my personal winnings (I co-led the first institutional round when it was called Bit9; details here and
Angel Investment: Alchemi
We’re happy to announce that our family angel program (back 80+ entrepreneurs over eight years and donate all gains to charity; details here) has invested in Alchemi. We invested last year, but the company now has emerged from stealth mode. We’re really excited to be part of what Harvard Business School graduates Anuj Chadha and
Letter to Section B: ‘Hold On’
I was fortunate to be one of Section B’s instructors and to see them just before and during Commencement. Dear Section B, Class of 2025: Hello! Thank you for inviting me to your graduation party and to Bridges. It was such a joy to see so many of you and to meet your families. It
Letter to Section J: ‘Recall and Recycle’
At HBS, I’m a “Section Chair” for the first time. HBS students are divided into “Sections” when they first arrive, and each Section Chair is the first faculty member with whom they meet. We gathered with them six times over three days during an orientation program called “START” and hold periodic check-ins with them as
Letter to Section J: ‘You Already Are Enough’
At HBS, I’m a “Section Chair” for the first time. HBS students are divided into “Sections” when they first arrive, and each Section Chair is the first faculty member with whom they meet. We gathered with them six times over three days during an orientation program called “START” and hold periodic check-ins with them as
AI: Five Pieces of Advice for My Students
I am old enough to have made many venture capital mistakes and to see good luck occasionally bounce my way. One thing I’ve learned throughout is this: what are the smartest technical people with the highest opportunity costs most excited about? VC is notorious for hyping up trends since firms are paid a lot of
Father-Daughter Tay-ronto
It took a lot of planning and doing, but my daughter and I went to Tay-ronto for the concert. It was very surreal in that we had some good seats, and so, could see Taylor as a human being vs. an image on a flat screen or as a voice on a song. We were