In this episode of the NFX Podcast, Saar Gur, a General Partner at CRV and one of Silicon Valley’s top investors, shares his insights on identifying emerging consumer trends, his investment philosophy, and his journey into venture capital.
Known for his early investment in DoorDash, Gur’s unique perspective and approach to investing have made him a standout figure in the venture capital landscape.
I wanted to have impact at scale and I guess that’s just been the amazing thing about the internet and software that really still draws my passion in that if something works, it’s just so accessible to people and it can have such a big impact in their life and touch so many people. – Saar Gur
I still love dreaming the dream of starting with a founder how a unique product might just improve someone’s life or a small business owner’s life. – Saar Gur
Embracing the Weird
Gur embraces the weird and looks for users who are getting real value from a product or a movement.
He believes that if a product resonates deeply with a set of users, it has the potential to go mainstream.
Humility in Success
Despite his success, Gur remains humble and dedicated to his work.
He continues to dream about how unique products can improve people’s lives and is passionate about helping entrepreneurs realize their visions.
Emotional Reaction as a Decision Factor
Gur’s investment decisions are often driven by an emotional reaction.
He needs to feel excited and passionate about a company’s idea and team.
If there’s a new platform change or a massive change in consumer behavior, or if an entrepreneur shows him something he hadn’t thought about, he might get really excited.
Spotting Consumer Trends
Saar Gur’s ability to identify emerging consumer trends early has been instrumental in his successful investment journey.
His passion for products that consumers love and his dedication to helping his companies succeed have led to successful investments in companies like DoorDash.
Impact of Personal Background
Gur’s background and upbringing have significantly influenced his investment approach.
His early fascination with the internet’s potential to change the world led him to focus on technology and its impact on consumers’ lives.
Investment Philosophy
Gur’s investment philosophy revolves around scalability and impact potential.
He is drawn to companies that can significantly improve people’s lives or small business owners’ operations.
He believes in the power of the internet and software to create scalable solutions that can reach and impact a large number of people.
Role of a Venture Capitalist
Gur believes that being a venture capitalist is about more than just providing funding.
He sees his role as being a supportive figure for entrepreneurs, someone they can call to discuss ideas, vent, or seek advice.
Empathetic Approach to Rejections
Gur’s approach to saying no to investment opportunities is empathetic.
He understands that a rejection doesn’t necessarily mean he thinks the company won’t succeed.
Sometimes, it’s simply because he doesn’t feel a connection with the company or its idea.
Investing in Post-Product Pre-Traction Companies
Gur’s investment strategy often centers around post-product pre-traction companies.
He learns a lot from watching a team put together a prototype, pick a name, and get customer feedback.
He gravitates towards companies that have a big idea from the beginning.
Investment in Patreon
Gur’s investment in Patreon was based on a theme he was interested in.
He had previously worked on causes with Sean Parker and was interested in the potential of the internet to enable new forms of patronage.
When he met the team behind Patreon, he believed they had the solution to this problem.
Investment Strategy
Gur’s investment strategy is a combination of following themes and looking for companies that align with his thesis.
He believes in the importance of understanding the problem a company is trying to solve and being passionate about that problem.
Supporting Entrepreneurs
Gur’s venture capital journey was driven by his desire to support entrepreneurs.
He realized that many promising companies simply needed funding to succeed, leading him to venture capital where he could provide the necessary financial support.
