The Ledger
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Ifty Ahmed: Successful startup founders must be 'technology jihadists'
“The real guys who are going to innovate and disrupt the world are the ones who truly believe and maniacally believe in what they're trying to do. And in some ways, you know, in a funny way, I think about it as these are technology jihadists, if you know what I…”
Ahmed: Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are the IP protocol for finance
“Cryptocurrencies and bitcoins is the future, as to when that transaction will be like an IP transaction. So I look at bitcoins and cryptocurrencies as the equivalent of IP IP protocol for the financial services transaction. So that's why I say it's very bright…”
Ahmed: Two Co-Founders Is Optimal; Three or Four Is Too Many
“The second reason, I think, is, I think two is always better than one. But I think at about three or four, it becomes a crowd.”
Ahmed: Biotech VC requires subject expertise, consumer internet does not
“If you want to get into biotech, I would say, hey, get some real, ah, subject matter expertise, because it is very important. Whereas in, in the consumer internet space, Because we are all consumers. It's less important.”
Ifty Ahmed: Early-stage VC relies on evaluating passion, not financial analysis
“The truth of venture capital is that it's really all about the people. Unlike growth stage investing or private equity investing where there is a business, there are financial analysis to be done, there are stuff to be looked at. When it comes to startups and …”
Ifty Ahmed: Venture capital is an apprenticeship business, not a science
“Obviously it's not a science, it's an art, and that's why I think venture capital as a business, as an industry, is an, is a, is an apprenticeship business, so you've got to acquire those skills and that talent over time.”
Ahmed: Founders should conduct as much due diligence on VCs as VCs do on them
“Entrepreneurs, before they take money from someone, should ask as many questions and do as, and should do as much diligence as the investors do on the entrepreneurs. It's a bi-directional relationship. It should never be unidirectional.”
Ifty Ahmed: Past Investment Failures Inevitably Bias VC Decision-Making
“We do get jaded, and we do get experienced and influenced by our failures. And if there's something in the past that I have done, I had invested in, did not work out, that's going to leave a bias on it. It doesn't, you know, no matter what I say, it does impac…”
Ahmed: Startup experience is the ultimate preparation for venture capital
“And if you are not able to get into a venture business, a venture capital firm, the next best thing is to either join a startup, or do a startup. You may fail but that doesn't matter. That would be the ultimate best preparation to get into this business.”
Ahmed: Ian Ayres's Super Crunchers is Essential Reading for Entrepreneurs
“I think in today's world, that is, that book was written quite a few years ago, but it's probably one of the most relevant books I would encourage entrepreneurs to read. It's fascinating, quick read, fascinating stories, and great great message.”
Ahmed: Blueprint to a Billion Provides Ideal Roadmap for Scaling Businesses
“I think the book Blueprint to a Billion gives a very good roadmap in terms of how to be thinking about it, how to be dealing with that scaling up challenge that most entrepreneurs hopefully face as they grow their businesses.”