This past June we held what has become our annual Finger Lakes Summit (FLX) at The Lake House in New York. It was, as it always is, sublime. What makes the event special is the intention of the organizers (David at Impellent Ventures and Sasha Hoffman, and all of our superlative sponsors, spearheaded by Fidelity Investments) to create a vacation-like, 5-star accommodated, pristine environment of connecting and learning. Moreso, the group focuses on diversity of background, credo, experience, and thought. I never get to see so many powerful, accomplished, supreme humans in one place at one time outside of our 3-day get-together - and if I've been blessed with one thing in life at this point, it's to be able to mix it up with the most amazing humans on Earth. This isn't a humble brag - it's objective fact. I'm a severely privileged, lucky person. David Brown, Sasha, and crew plan every attendee down to the quantifiable mix-up of sector, stage, gender makeup, race, and political affiliation. They are exacting in their ratios. It's an alchemy of epic proportions. Again, this post isn't meant to be some arrogant cavalcade meant to make eyes roll - it's just that good. Don't take my word for it, ask someone who's been. But I think my most important takeaway this year is a crystallization of a theme that's been running through my mind for my 3+ years in VC: startups and venture capital will inevitably change into an everyman sport. What I mean by that is, at some indeterminant point, the industry will no longer be dominated by middle-aged white men who were born on third base, or by those who only create and source alpha in one geography, from one facsimile of human. Understand something: under no circumstances am I claiming to be something I am not. I am a middle-aged white man. No matter how covered I am in tattoos or how many times I explain to myself that I am from a not-so-nice place, that fact will not change - nor do I even humor the thought of wanting it to. But I digress, this isn't about me - I just don't want you to think I am some sort of crusader. I just recognize that our industry is going to look less and less like me - and that’s a good thing. Hybrids are, by nature, evolutionarily superior. Back to the topic at hand - I believe that our world will increasingly tilt towards all walks of life in the marketplace that comprises our industry. Diverse founders will be funded by diverse investors. And by diverse, I mean of race, gender, sexual orientation, credo, political affiliation, academic background, and thought. Special people are special, and our Finger Lakes Summit reminds me of that, year in and year out. The inevitable is coming like a freight train. Get on board or get run over - it matters very little to progress. I, for one, am excited at the prospect of a brave new world.
Hey Phil
Great post. Thanks for sharing.
One of my favorite events of the year!
Spectacular
Love to see it!
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4moI gotta make it next year. You’re doing awesome work and making it look fun.