Hard Pass Ventures

GP @ Hard Pass Ventures.
Only need to be right 10% of the time.
We passed on the winners for rational reasons.
Pitch me ↓

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

The Wright Brothers came through my VC office in 1903.

Said trains weren't enough. Said someday ordinary people would fly across oceans.

I asked a simple question:

"Why would I ever need to go to Italy?"

Silence.

No founder-market fit. No defensibility. Two bike shop operators attacking an industry they knew nothing about.

Hard pass on this so-called "airplane."

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

@giaset Disqualifying them from pitching to me

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

The Airbnb founders came through my office explaining that people would one day pay to sleep in complete strangers' homes.

Ridiculous concept from slide 1 of their pitch deck.

I told them: "If I arrive in Paris, I expect a hotel, not Claude's spare bedroom."

Silence.

Then I asked the obvious question:

"What prevents this from immediately becoming either a brothel or a hostage situation?"

There was no viable path for brand consistency. And no operational control.

Frankly, the only customer acquisition strategy I can identify involves hot girl hosts in desirable locations, which is not a moat.

Hard pass on this so-called "Airbnb."

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

@LarsenJensenUSA This is quite something. Congratulations!!! We are still trying to stomach writing $1 !

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

I passed on investing in the founders of lettuce.

“Why on earth would I pay to eat grass and leaves?”

Now it’s giving everyone diarrhea?

My consumer investment pitches wearing down.

Hard pass on investing in “lettuce”

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

The credit card founders came through my office insisting that cash would eventually disappear.

They claimed ordinary families would carry small pieces of plastic instead of actual money.

I asked a simple question: "Why would anyone spend money they don't physically possess?"

They went on some rant that banks would lend consumers money for things they wanted but couldn't afford.

I asked a second question: "You're telling me a man can purchase a boat on Tuesday and allow his grandchildren to pay for it?"

The room went quiet.

If consumers no longer feel the pain of handing over cash, I worry they may begin behaving irrationally.

Hard pass on this so-called "credit card."

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

@iamjasonlevin I only have to be right 10% of the time to be successful

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

@saammotamedi Incredible ! Congrats

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

@litcapital Proud to say I have passed on all of the above. I believe in preserving my LPs money

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

@chasedownleads Can I invest?

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

@E_Bruxxx They’re saving on transportation and ensuring they live longer by walking and not emitting fuels. that’s an amazing use of funds

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

@Trace_Cohen It’s a plus if I believe. Only happens about 10% of the time.

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

@girdley I think knowing what I know now I would’ve invested differently in 2002

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

@BrianNorgard It’s just odd that they aren’t inviting the VC that passed on them to this reunion

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

@itsolelehmann I think the problem is I’m only right 10% of the time on my content.

But 10% is all that matters

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

@kseniam0s Build distribution. Other than that, hard pass

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

@founderwags Using fund money for throw pillows? Hard pass

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

AI writing code for you as a startup?

How lazy are you?

Hard pass on investment.

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

@johnpalmer I would invest in this type of platform

[Hard Pass Ventures @HardPassVenture]

@shahh We passed on investing because I thought i was getting a warm intro to Vladimir Putin. Oops