A Silicon Valley VC leaves work to pursue his Olympic dream

http://online.wsj.com/news/article_email/SB10001424052702303497804579240112529250356-lMyQjAxMTAzMDAwNjEwNDYyWj

by jbaudanza • 13 years ago

13 11 13 years ago

online.wsj.com

artag• 13 years ago

Its the modern day "cool runnings" story :). Go Paul!

scabadone2• 13 years ago

I've entertained similar ideas... amazing that he went after it and didn't dismiss it immediately.

veritas9• 13 years ago

#teampaul is a huge inspiration and demonstrates what being a true entrepreneur means.

michaeldorian• 13 years ago

Exactly.

michaelochurch2• 13 years ago

TL;DR version: if you're rich and well-connected, the rules don't apply to you.

scabadone2• 13 years ago

Why do you think people work so hard to get rich and well connected? ;)

michaelochurch2• 13 years ago

People get rich in a number of ways (including hard work) but connections in high places are usually made through subtle extortion. That's the only way to get into a good-ole-boy network like the hash the VCs have made of Silicon Valley.

Why do you think it matters so much where one went to school, with earlier education (undergrad over grad, prep school over undergrad) even more important? If you went to prep high school with someone powerful, you met him when he was half-formed and doing all kinds of stupid shit, so you have ample extortion material. You never mention it in an extortionate context; he just knows that if you need a favor from him-- such as an intro to a big-name VC-- he will deliver. If you did grad school with him, not as much; most people have been through most of the stupid shit they're going to pull by that age.

You can tell that I don't have much respect for the private-sector social climbers that rule VC-istan. I know far too much to respect them.

jbaudanza• 13 years ago

Except that rule about being able to cross 15km of snow, and do so within 8 minutes of the best skiers in the world. That's just hard work.

AndrewKemendo• 13 years ago

This story struck me the same way with the free coach and presidential connection all made by friends of his.

vezzy-fnord• 13 years ago

Sounds like the next Vinko Bogataj.

A Silicon Valley VC leaves work to pursue his Olympic dream

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