Jason Van Gaal, founder of Root Data Center, explains why dollar-per-megawatt is the key metric for data center construction costs rather than square footage.
“Cost of space was 10%, and the cost of the power on the capital side was like 90%. The power and the cooling and all the stuff that wouldn't support that.”
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More from Jason Van Gaal
Disclosure
Van Gaal prefers investing in startup founders under 35 years old
“And we generally prefer founders under the age of 30 to 35.”
Jason Van GaalFeb 3, 2025▶ 32:40He exited for hundreds of millions—then invested in 20+ founders. Here's what he looks for. | Jas... · PMF Show
Opinion
Van Gaal: Blitzscaling applies to only 2-3% of startups, not 90%
“I mean, blitzscaling is a great book. And my biggest takeaway from that book is you want to spend as little time as possible blitzscaling. And I think a lot of people have gone away from that kind of core fundamental point of that book. There are times we need…”
Jason Van GaalFeb 3, 2025▶ 31:17He exited for hundreds of millions—then invested in 20+ founders. Here's what he looks for. | Jas... · PMF Show
Insight
Van Gaal: Startups with six months runway should spend four fixing metrics
“I think now Jason would kind of say is like, okay, you got six months left. What can you get done in the next four months that makes your company stronger that gives you highest probability of success to close in six months and focus a 150% of your energy on g…”
Jason Van GaalFeb 3, 2025▶ 45:41He exited for hundreds of millions—then invested in 20+ founders. Here's what he looks for. | Jas... · PMF Show
Insight
Van Gaal: Shareholder infighting destroys companies and justifies equal share classes
“Shareholder infighting can kill, destroy companies, and, you know, we had some of that in our second company, so I really just wanted equality across the cap table. You know, one class to share”
Jason Van GaalFeb 3, 2025▶ 11:38He exited for hundreds of millions—then invested in 20+ founders. Here's what he looks for. | Jas... · PMF Show
Insight
Van Gaal: Strategic acquirers sometimes pay premiums for customer concentration
“And there's advantages to you know, customer concentration as well, like, you can create synergies, some, sometimes an acquirer will pay a premium to have Revenue from one specific customer because they want that individual as a customer and it blends well int…”
Jason Van GaalFeb 3, 2025▶ 19:20He exited for hundreds of millions—then invested in 20+ founders. Here's what he looks for. | Jas... · PMF Show
Disclosure
Van Gaal prefers investing in founders without prior large financial exits
“So we actually, contrary to a lot of people, would prefer that they not have had a large, successful exit. Like, enough money to, you know, buy a house is okay.”
Jason Van GaalFeb 3, 2025▶ 32:14He exited for hundreds of millions—then invested in 20+ founders. Here's what he looks for. | Jas... · PMF Show
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