Adeyemi Ajao, MP at Base10: Investing in Real Economy Automation

The "real economy" investment thesis centers on applying technology to solve tangible, large-scale industry problems, such as logistics, food automation, and vertical SaaS. Success in venture capital requires extreme focus, necessitating the rejection of 95% of potential deals to master specific, high-impact sectors. Data functions as a classification tool to identify companies within these core themes rather than a predictive model for future success. Building a firm involves aligning with a community, maintaining rigorous governance, and prioritizing the human element in every business decision. Adeyemi Ajao, founder of Base10, advocates for "keeping the main thing the main thing," ensuring that every investment aligns with a clear, long-term vision for societal improvement. This approach transforms traditional industries by addressing fundamental operational inefficiencies rather than chasing abstract technological trends.