Artwork

Content provided by EIR Live, Terrance Orr, and Ilya Tabakh. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by EIR Live, Terrance Orr, and Ilya Tabakh or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!

Episode 03 - The Founder Mentality: Risk, Growth, and Building Ventures with Paul Capriolo

1:00:10
 
Share
 

Manage episode 446488875 series 3598260
Content provided by EIR Live, Terrance Orr, and Ilya Tabakh. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by EIR Live, Terrance Orr, and Ilya Tabakh or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

Episode Description

In this episode of Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Live, Ilya Tabakh and Terrance Orr sit down with Paul Capriolo, a venture principal at Portfolio T, to explore his journey from building successful companies to becoming a Venture Studio leader. Paul delves into his experiences in various industries, discusses the founder mentality, and shares his unique approach to risk reduction in startups. The conversation touches on the importance of self-growth, the role of venture studios in shaping entrepreneurs, and how AI is revolutionizing venture building. For aspiring EIRs, seasoned entrepreneurs, and startup enthusiasts alike, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship.


Key Points from This Episode:

  • Introduction of Paul Capriolo and his background in computer science and entrepreneurship. [00:04:12]
  • Transitioning from social gaming and advertising to being a Venture Studio leader. [00:06:16]
  • The role of vulnerability in building trust with founding teams and the challenges of advising versus leading a venture. [00:08:01]
  • Exploring the difference between technical founders and broader business challenges in early ventures. [00:11:17]
  • Challenges faced while working with founding teams, including identifying assumptions and risks. [00:11:56]
  • The concept of startups as “risk reduction factories” and how to prioritize risks in venture building. [00:18:45]
  • Paul’s “risk-weighted venture building” approach and the importance of running at risks rather than avoiding them. [00:20:16]
  • The significance of mission-driven entrepreneurship and aligning teams with a clear vision. [00:24:02]
  • Transition from reactive to proactive decision-making and defining priorities in startup leadership. [00:26:19]
  • Paul's role as an EIR at the University of Maryland and how it contrasts with his work at a Venture Studio. [00:27:48]
  • Insights on the codified methodology of venture building and knowing when to deviate from the playbook. [00:37:15]
  • Why the zero-to-one phase of venture building excites Paul more than scaling mature companies. [00:41:42]
  • The role of AI in accelerating venture building and the possibility of creating billion-dollar companies with minimal teams. [00:47:24]
  • The importance of meditation and mindfulness in entrepreneurship for long-term success. [00:52:10]

Links:

  • (00:00) - EIR Live Show Intro
  • (01:11) - Co-host Preview
  • (04:12) - Paul's Background
  • (06:16) - From Gaming to Ventures
  • (08:01) - Building Trust & Leadership
  • (11:17) - Technical vs. Business Challenges
  • (11:56) - Working with Founders
  • (18:45) - Startups as Risk Reduction Factories
  • (20:16) - Risk-Weighted Ventures
  • (24:02) - Mission-Driven Teams
  • (26:19) - Reactive vs. Proactive Leadership
  • (27:48) - University EIR Role
  • (37:15) - Venture Building Playbook
  • (41:42) - Zero-to-One Phase
  • (47:24) - AI in Venture Building
  • (52:10) - Meditation for Success
  • (59:13) - EIR Live Show Outro
  continue reading

11 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 446488875 series 3598260
Content provided by EIR Live, Terrance Orr, and Ilya Tabakh. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by EIR Live, Terrance Orr, and Ilya Tabakh or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

Episode Description

In this episode of Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Live, Ilya Tabakh and Terrance Orr sit down with Paul Capriolo, a venture principal at Portfolio T, to explore his journey from building successful companies to becoming a Venture Studio leader. Paul delves into his experiences in various industries, discusses the founder mentality, and shares his unique approach to risk reduction in startups. The conversation touches on the importance of self-growth, the role of venture studios in shaping entrepreneurs, and how AI is revolutionizing venture building. For aspiring EIRs, seasoned entrepreneurs, and startup enthusiasts alike, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship.


Key Points from This Episode:

  • Introduction of Paul Capriolo and his background in computer science and entrepreneurship. [00:04:12]
  • Transitioning from social gaming and advertising to being a Venture Studio leader. [00:06:16]
  • The role of vulnerability in building trust with founding teams and the challenges of advising versus leading a venture. [00:08:01]
  • Exploring the difference between technical founders and broader business challenges in early ventures. [00:11:17]
  • Challenges faced while working with founding teams, including identifying assumptions and risks. [00:11:56]
  • The concept of startups as “risk reduction factories” and how to prioritize risks in venture building. [00:18:45]
  • Paul’s “risk-weighted venture building” approach and the importance of running at risks rather than avoiding them. [00:20:16]
  • The significance of mission-driven entrepreneurship and aligning teams with a clear vision. [00:24:02]
  • Transition from reactive to proactive decision-making and defining priorities in startup leadership. [00:26:19]
  • Paul's role as an EIR at the University of Maryland and how it contrasts with his work at a Venture Studio. [00:27:48]
  • Insights on the codified methodology of venture building and knowing when to deviate from the playbook. [00:37:15]
  • Why the zero-to-one phase of venture building excites Paul more than scaling mature companies. [00:41:42]
  • The role of AI in accelerating venture building and the possibility of creating billion-dollar companies with minimal teams. [00:47:24]
  • The importance of meditation and mindfulness in entrepreneurship for long-term success. [00:52:10]

Links:

  • (00:00) - EIR Live Show Intro
  • (01:11) - Co-host Preview
  • (04:12) - Paul's Background
  • (06:16) - From Gaming to Ventures
  • (08:01) - Building Trust & Leadership
  • (11:17) - Technical vs. Business Challenges
  • (11:56) - Working with Founders
  • (18:45) - Startups as Risk Reduction Factories
  • (20:16) - Risk-Weighted Ventures
  • (24:02) - Mission-Driven Teams
  • (26:19) - Reactive vs. Proactive Leadership
  • (27:48) - University EIR Role
  • (37:15) - Venture Building Playbook
  • (41:42) - Zero-to-One Phase
  • (47:24) - AI in Venture Building
  • (52:10) - Meditation for Success
  • (59:13) - EIR Live Show Outro
  continue reading

11 episodes

All episodes

×
 
Loading …

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

 

Quick Reference Guide

Copyright 2025 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | | Copyright
Listen to this show while you explore
Play