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Paul Graham

What Paul Graham thinks about venture capital

@paul-graham · 128 positions · On ppll ↗

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

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.

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Only Paul Graham on venture capital. See everyone on venture capital

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

4 positions so far — this page is not yet offered to search engines.

  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.

    investing

    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

  2. 1 day earlier

  3. Our readingUnlike later-stage investors, YC has to be prepared to give advice to founders about practically everything.

    startupsinvesting

    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

  4. 1 day earlier

  5. Our readingNo credential gives more credibility with investors than growth does.

    investing

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

    ↗@paulg on Xx.com

  7. Our readingIf whatever is being done is done well enough, investors won't be needed at all.

    investing

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

    ↗@paulg on Xx.com