Sequoia Capital (Part 1)

In this episode of Acquired, Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal delve into the history of Sequoia Capital, focusing on its early years and the pivotal role of Don Valentine. They trace the origins of Silicon Valley, the challenges of early venture capital, and Don Valentine's unique approach to company building. The discussion covers Sequoia's initial investments, including Atari and Apple, and the lessons learned from both successes and missed opportunities. The hosts also explore Sequoia's investment philosophy, emphasizing market focus, company building, and long-term vision, while highlighting key elements of the "Sequoia Playbook." The episode further touches on Sequoia's value creation and capture strategies, its early fund performance, and the importance of generational transfers within the firm.