SZ 181: Better Doesn't Matter ft. Mike Maples

🔥 What makes a startup truly great? It's not about being better—it's about being different.
Join us for a live Silicon Zombies show at the Park James Hotel with legendary investor Mike Maples Jr. of Floodgate VC — early investor of Twitter, Twitch, Okta, Rappi, and so many more; FLOODGATE VC is a firm believer in betting on "Thunder Lizards" long before anyone else sees them.
​We’ll dive into:
​⚡️ What makes a startup a grand slam, not just a base hit
​⚡️ How to avoid building a 'Frankendeck'
​⚡️ How 85% of VC bets fail—and why that’s okay
​⚡️ Pattern recognition vs. pattern breaking
​⚡️ Most people shouldn’t like your idea (and why that’s a good thing)
​⚡️ What the future of VC might look like: RIA models? AI-informed investing?
​🎣 Expect lessons from fishing, baseball, Buffett, Jobs, and Socrates—all woven into a bold conversation about the art and science of venture.
​Whether you're a founder, investor, or someone fascinated by the future, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
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​Brought to you by The Park James Hotel, Oak & Violet Restaurant, Necodex, Banc of California and Career Pathway Institute