PortalsOS

The ROI on current investments isn't looking great, yet there's still a lot of capital to go around. The dot-com build-out lasted less than five years, and it's unclear how long this can continue without returns.

The failure of pre-Google internet companies was due to a short four-year boom and bust cycle, lack of established business models, and a small market size at the time.

The entrepreneurial ecosystem was flattened by 2003-2004, making the idea of starting a company seem ludicrous.

Jeff Bonforte reflects on the success of Grindr: 'We took Grindr from $100 million of revenue to $200 million in two and a half years by upgrading talent, tech, and launching new products. Applying the Tinder playbook was key to our strategy.'

Ed Stack's experience with venture capitalists taught him that sometimes the most profitable decision on a spreadsheet is the worst decision for a business, as customer needs must come first.

Ed Stack learned that the best investment is betting on yourself when others doubt you. He bought additional shares during Dick's IPO, believing in the company's potential despite skepticism from bankers and the market.

The entrepreneurial ecosystem was flattened by 2003-2004, making the idea of starting a company seem ludicrous at the time.

Mark Andreessen reflects on the importance of founders having overcome significant challenges in their past as a predictor of future success. He cites historical examples like Henry Ford and Thomas Watson Sr.

The entrepreneurial ecosystem was flattened by 2003, making the idea of starting a company seem ludicrous.

The entrepreneurial ecosystem was flattened by 2003-2004, making the idea of starting a company seem ludicrous, which created fear among potential entrepreneurs.