Today, we publicly announce The 81 Collection! We are a Founders Fund for hard industries, featuring a $41M inaugural fund. Most of our capital comes from proven founders who built in the 81% of the U.S. GDP underserved by early-stage venture capital.

https://t.co/GguK8TEG4k

5 years of a $40K salary. Our banker called every other Wednesday when we were short on payroll. $120K → Pressbox → Tide Cleaners wasn’t easy. But trust + grit turned near-death moments into 1,200 locations. Thanks @GuyRaz for sharing our story on @HowIBuiltThis!

It took 13 years for venture investors / founders to realize it doesn't make sense to give / take $40M when the outcome is 80% likely to be $200M. But we are finally here

Ugh. Chicago is just awful. Just look at the disgusting youth in this city cleaning up after others on this fresh-water beach on a beautiful 70-degree day. This city is doomed

Useful tips from @alexiskold, @kickso, @roybahat, @itsvijen, @alexkirsh7, @tmrohan, and @v_maini. And credit to @vedikaja_in and @yashbagal for writing this piece. https://t.co/77WxZJ0ZWd

23% IRR, monthly liquidity, and 8 jobs created. Financing for innovation is going to look different this decade -- It's going to be beautiful! @nehagov @rrhoover

American innovation is beautiful. 7 individuals and their teams have created more value than 3 countries

Capital is officially a commodity. What isn't a commodity is purposeful, specialized capital. That's why I'm an LP in 35 emerging funds and will continue to back the asset class. If you're a founder, find your tribe and your emerging manager. A new era is emerging!

Heading to @Rick_Zullo's exciting summit to meet great emerging managers. And I keep thinking about this graph: funders & founders have been drifting apart. You only need $3M to start a company and generate cash flow, but $300B of dry powder needs a home.

This picture is why I love Chicago. A Ghanaian, Middle Eastern, Puerto Rican, Indian-owned Subway, and Burger joint all co-existing next to each other. There is no better place for someone to start the American dream than Chicago. We have 70% of NY at 30% of the price.

And here we are as vc's, having the keys to finance the future...and we still mainly back software. Hard industries face a 15:1 shortfall in funding, and SaaS isn't going to lower the ocean's temperature. Everyone needs to lean in on harder ventures to save this 1 Earth.

The world is on fire: - 1 in 2 Americans received an Amber Alert re: extreme weather this year - 16,000+ people died due to extreme heat last year - We are using resources at 1.7x the speed with which Earth can regenerate 2023 will be the hottest year ever recorded. (1/2)

Quote of the year by @FoundersPodcast, ‘mediocrity is invisible until passion comes along’

Who is building the digital twin for agriculture? So obvious, so hard, and so important.

We are excited to showcase @itsvijen @StellaAshaolu @SamaraMHernandz @ethanaustin during our Tech Chicago Week Capital Summit! We still have 25 investor and 50 founder spots open. Register by noon tomorrow with the codes INVESTOR23 or FOUNDER23. #tcw23 https://t.co/7vOJykZQ9f

Gusto costs $30 per month, Webflow costs $39 per month, and GPT-4 costs $20 per month. A Macbook costs $1K. So, why are there $1B seed funds?

We have lots of work to do, but it has never been easier to make the American dream a reality. We have computers in our pockets and a limitless library in the cloud. The only missing part is desire. If you have the itch, leap. Who knows, you might sell a dry cleaner to P&G.

Last weekend, time stood still as I hung out with Drew in Knoxville with @OneKnoxSC . Seeing the full hearts of the next generation (our kids) gives me inspiration, and I’m optimistic about the world that they’ll grow up in.

Sure, we have issues. But, we still have the best infrastructure, currency, and spirit in the world. We have our friends and neighbors to lift us when we need it. And remember that America innovates best in recessions, going back to the Model T and the iPod.

Today, it feels dark out there. Especially on Twitter. Experts claim a 68% chance of a recession. Fundraising sucks. The U.S. is losing pace with China. The yield curve is inverted. Blah blah blah. It’s easy to focus on the negatives but know that the American dream is alive.