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Tusk: High-quality startups generally do not need an investor's cash

Bradley Tusk · What Travis Kalanick Taught Bradley Tusk, & Why He Closed His VC Fund · Sourcery with Molly O'Shea · Nov 29, 2025 · at 37:13

Bradley Tusk reflects on why he shut down his traditional VC fund, noting top founders cared about regulatory help rather than capital.

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“Like, any really great startup to get into typically doesn't need your money in the first place, right? Anyone who desperately needs your money There might be a reason why. I mean, occasionally there's a diamond in the rough that no one believed in, but generally speaking, that's not the case.”

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