My name is Triet Nguyen, the new Principal of Render Capital! Gratitude fills me as I reflect on the invaluable guidance and support from our team, especially Patrick Henshaw, our Managing Director, fellow investors, founders, LPs, and all my mentors. Their mentorship has been instrumental in my journey.
Allow me to share some reflections and lessons learned along the way:
Founder-friendly is overrated, it’s better to be founder-respected.
The luckiest people are the happiest people. I was the luckiest when I was already the happiest.
Happy people tend to attract luck but they’re still happy without it.
It’s better to miss out on good deals than to be too eager and hop into a bad one. Great opportunities are like bus stops, if you miss one there’s another one coming in a few minutes but if you hop on the wrong one, your whole trip is messed up.
Great investors attract great founders.
Same with personal, it’s okay to let great people walk out of your life if they need space but it’ll destroy you to hang on to terrible people.
Greatness attracts greatness.
Be bold, be outrageous with your conviction!
Have a crazy/dumb investment theory? Share it as your truth, it’s okay to be embarrassed. If you’re not embarrassed by it then you’re most likely not dreaming big enough for the future of innovation.
Be flexible and detached from feedback by being grateful that someone had enough courage to share their truth with you even if it’s not a truth you want to hear.
The more senior of a position you want to have as a VC, the more strategic you have to become. You can no longer just focus on 1 fund, you have to think 2-4 funds into the future.
Play things close to the chest, most people are only curious but not interested in you.
Choose people who will say your name in a room full of opportunities! Whether it’s filled with founders, investors, LPs. Same for your personal life.
Ask dumb questions! Even in the boardroom, most people aren’t as smart as the version of themselves that we create in our heads.
It’s okay to be obsessed with your craft, most people won’t understand it.
The only difference between passion and obsession is the audience listening to you yap! That’s why outsiders think we’re crazy to work so much.
I’m ecstatic about what this new chapter in my life will bring, all the lessons, people, opportunities, and so much more! If you’re a founder, investor, or aspiring VC who want to connect, please shoot me an email to triet@render.capital.
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