Ramtin Naimi

The most complimentary people would say that we've become one of the leading seed firms in Silicon Valley in a relatively short period of time, that we have a great reputation among our founders.

We're routinely referred to as the most trusted investor on the cap table of our portfolio companies.

I think a lot of the multi-stage firms would consider us their most trusted seed stage venture capital firm partner.

And I think some would say that we've achieved a lot more success than other people have that have started a venture capital firm in the same time duration that we have.

I'd say the people that would say critical things would probably say that we're like

heat seekers, signal chasers, which wouldn't have been inaccurate if you said that six or seven years ago, because a lot of the model was aligned, was around how do I get into deals alongside those firms, which candidly I had to because I wouldn't be able to raise SPBs otherwise.

That's why the SPBs raised the money they did, right?

That was my go-to-market strategy.

But over time, I think we became the signal.

But I think people still tend to hold on to old narratives.

So I could totally see that being a case.

On the earlier days, we were high volume.

We're not anymore as a firm.

I think we invest in 14 net new seed deals per year, which is a little over one deal per month.

So I don't think we're high volume today by any means.

But as again, people tend to stick to old narratives and people will say that we're high volume and they're all call options, which I just would say is not true.

I think Gagosian has a really cool story.

He was a total outsider with no relevant pedigree.

And he was kind of just dismissed his first few years or first decade until he ultimately became the leading guy in the category.

Now, I'm