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Paul Graham

What Paul Graham thinks about venture capital

@paul-graham · 78 positions · 0 changes of mind

Co-founder of Y Combinator and Viaweb; essayist at paulgraham.com.

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Paul Graham did not write this page.

We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.

4 dated positions, 2026, in their own words. Our reading of what Paul Graham has said — not written or endorsed by them.

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  1. Our readingBeing formidable means getting what you want in any situation, and that is exactly why investors want it: a formidable founder's interests and theirs are the same.

    Their wordsit's someone who gets what they want in any situation. And so, if you invest in them and you have stock in their company and they have stock in this company, your interests are aligned. If they get what they want, you get what you want, so that's why investors want people who are formidable.

    ↗Paul Graham On Startups, Ambition, and Great Foundersyoutube.com 9th of 16 in this recording

    investing

    Interesting
  2. 1 day earlier

  3. Our readingEarly-stage investors must be ready to advise founders on nearly every aspect of the business, unlike later-stage investors.

    Their wordsOne of the distinctive things about YC as compared to later stage investors is that you have to be prepared to give advice about practically everything.

    ↗@paulg on Xx.com

    startupsinvesting

    Interesting
  4. 1 day earlier

  5. Our readingGrowth impresses investors more than any credential does.

    Their wordsNo credential will get you more credibility with investors than growth.

    ↗@paulg on Xx.com

    investing

    Interesting

  7. Our readingA company that grows enough eventually has no need for investors.

    Their wordsAnd if you do it well enough, you won't need investors at all.

    ↗@paulg on Xx.com

    investing

    Interesting