Don't sand down what makes you special..

I’m human and I also get conflicted on this btw. I do believe the preseed / seed bet is primarily on the founders. So early traction and product is NOT indicative of long term quality or success. But if you’re going to misrepresent facts, then you’re an instant no for me.

There’s often a HUGE gap between a startups “launch” video and what actually exists.. don’t believe everything you see on X. This gap and the amount of vaporware I see today even for “seed” startups is frankly disturbing. But it works - I’ve seen VCs send term sheets based on just one video and vibes. So as much as I think people are over the trend, it’ll continue till it works. And, with so much dry powder and seeds just being option calls, this can last a while.

Can’t believe it’s taken me 20+ years to come to Bombay.. Even sweeter when the occasion is to surprise Dad 🥳

Very few products just make you go wow when you first experience them.. @wabi is one of them. Average user has infinite use cases - but vibe coding is not for them. Wabi instead lets you build production ready apps in seconds. Kudos to the team for a brilliant launch!

If you prefer reading this on a blog, you can find it here: writing.nikunjk.com/p/belong…

One of the precise reasons why I joined @fpvventures.. Most VC firms just promise they’ll intro you to their “portfolio” or say they have a “large” network. Our network is JUST focused on great mid-market and F500 CXOs where we try to make win-win intros (for hiring & sales).

London is really good for getting your steps in 🚶‍♂️✌️

In London for ~24 hours starting tomorrow am.. If any early stage (preseed / seed) founders want to debate product ideas and go for a walk, holler. Putting a very last minute dinner together too with a few friends if that’s a better option 🤝

Obligatory - if you’re building closed loop systems that allow us to tab our work away - please reach out 👋

Full post here: writing.nikunjk.com/p/tab-ta…

We are "tab" dancing our way towards an autonomous future 💃

Being a VC is quite simple in Silicon Valley.. First, you have to understand that founders don’t like to meet VCs. So, we have to do elaborate schemes like host poker nights disguised as sourcing nights obviously. And, you have to have someone from OpenAI or Anthropic there since something something RL and GPUs go brr. And vibes matter. A lot. And, since no one drinks in SF anymore, there needs to be artisanal non alcoholic beer, natural wine and good food. But, not so fancy, that it feels off. And, if you want a bit fancy get proper tables and dealers. But honestly the living room works as well. They won’t care. And, then you just use the three mantras that will keep everyone interested: 1) “this is the worst the models will ever get” 2) “so RL environments huh” 3) “applications are cool but picks and shovels are better”. And make a joke about how just holding NVDA would return more capital. And, then founders will go back to work so you give them Celsius and bump your phone to exchange numbers. All while ignoring inbound emails since they didnt come from a trusted angel investor and having Claude run market research reports for you for your IC tomorrow. So simple. And since most people don’t get my sarcasm, this is 98% truth, 2% satire. Just like the HBO show.

Luma link here: luma.com/3x8wokpo

T-9 days before our next Overnight Success event.. Our very special guest is @christinacaci who’ll share how she overcame many many challenges in the journey of building @TrustVanta. If you’re an early stage founder, please apply now. Confirmations going out this week!

In the era of private likes, what function does “liking” a post have any more on X? If you want to engage, comment. If you want to save, bookmark. If it really moves you, repost. What does a like signify? Nice but not SO nice? (h/t DMs with @jamescham)

Whenever you lose a deal, VCs often say: “It’s ok to lose, at least you were looking at the good things” Err, fudge no. Losing sucks. And it hurts. And it should. Getting a “look” at the good deals is not how you build your portfolio. You have to win to be in this business long term. However, what’s not acceptable is folks admonishing founders for making the wrong decision or badmouthing them just because they lost. Too many VCs do this.. and trust me founders do come to know. You need to be grateful for the opportunity and graceful when they decline you - but then use it to learn what you can do better. Onwards to the next one 🫡

Thanks @notbenyam for (patiently) capturing the video version of this essay writing.nikunjk.com/p/main-c…

There’s never going to be a better time to do it - than now..

Wrote this last year - almost there open.substack.com/pub/nikunj…