490. Why Foundry Isn’t Raising a New Fund, Lessons from Hibernation, and the Benefits and Drawbacks of a Give First Philosophy (Brad Feld)

In this episode of The Full Ratchet, Nick Moran interviews Brad Feld, a founding partner at Foundry and co-founder of Techstars, about Foundry's decision not to raise a new fund and the reboot of Techstars with David Cohen returning as CEO. Feld discusses Foundry's initial vision of not creating a multi-generational firm, the evolution of their investment strategy, and his personal journey towards prioritizing what he loves. He also shares insights on Techstars' growth, the importance of community-driven capital, and the philosophy behind his new book, "Give First," emphasizing mentorship, generosity, and the value of non-transactional relationships in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Feld touches on his period of hibernation, reflecting on personal values, and the challenges of maintaining authenticity in the venture capital world, advocating for genuine engagement and learning from shared experiences.