Rob Hayes

Father of two amazing daughters, curious about everything, good at trivia games, extroverted introvert. Likes dogs.

[Rob Hayes @robhayes]

Yes please.

[Josh Kopelman @joshk]

It doesn’t feel like 18 years…

[Rob Hayes @robhayes]

It's been wonderful to see how @HarryStebbings has grown @20vcFund in the time since @bfeld introduced me to him 8 1/2 years ago. Well done.

https://t.co/hdZBSCQWjn

[Rob Hayes @robhayes]

@chrisfralic @DavidMortimer6 lol

[Rob Hayes @robhayes]

@chrisfralic @DavidMortimer6 I’m reading Bonham in the drums. Zeppelin?

[Rob Hayes @robhayes]

This is going to be such an unlock for whoever ends up working with Bill in this role

[Bill Trenchard @btrenchard]

We’re hiring an investor to join @firstround and work alongside me on every aspect of pre-product market fit investing — from finding extraordinarily talented founders to doing all that we can to support their ambitions as their companies start to take shape.

Partnering with founders at the earliest stages is my life's work. I’m looking for someone who thinks it might be theirs, too.

If you’re a fit for this role, you’re technical and likely in the first few innings of your career. You don't need to have previous investing experience, but it’s also fine if you do.

You may not be certain about your path just yet, but you can at least picture devoting your professional life to becoming an extraordinary partner to pre-product market fit founders.

Here is more on what I’m looking for:

-You don’t see a tradeoff between being technical and commercial. You’re as likely to geek out on the technical aspects of a new AI model, as you are to dig into the details of how ServiceNow became a $183B company.

-You’re an aspiring student of startups and business. That means you’re probably a builder of sorts yourself, and at the very least, embedded in the startup ecosystem. You understand, perhaps from firsthand experience, the challenges of creating something from nothing.

-You tend to be an obsessive type and your happy place is going unreasonably deep on obscure ideas. You see the world in systems, and you pride yourself on an ability to get up to speed on complex topics, fast.

-You’re based in the Bay Area or willing to move.

-You build relationships easily, and you’re always looking to expand your orbit and meet interesting people.

-You’re often one of the first users of new products.

-You’d describe yourself as intensely curious. You’re a “learn-it-all,” not a “know-it-all.” You know when to share what you think you know — and when to listen and learn.

-You have a desire to work outrageously hard. You’d describe yourself as high agency and high ownership. You work all the time — because you love it, not because you are required to. If work-life balance is a priority, this role isn’t for you.

If your motivation is to “lead investments” as soon as you join, this role isn’t a fit. Instead, this is a chance to be an apprentice in the truest sense of the word.

You’d spend your first couple of years at First Round focused on developing your craft by working closely with our team on every aspect of pre-product-market fit investing.

You’d get an inside look at all we’ve learned in the last two decades, while building a long-term career of your own here, too.

The work is demanding and often unglamorous. But you will learn and grow more than in any job you’ve had before. I will partner with you closely every day to make sure that’s true.

If the above sounded like something interesting to you, you can apply by following the link below.

[Rob Hayes @robhayes]

@addielerner @AvidVc Well done!

[Noah Garfinkel @NoahGarfinkel]

A key point missing in a lot of post debate analysis is that Trump’s claim about immigrants eating pets almost perfectly syncs up to the piano in the Peanuts theme song.

[Rob Hayes @robhayes]

@chrisfralic @travisk 🧐

[Rob Hayes @robhayes]

@joshtpm If I had called one of my high school football assistant coaches anything other than "coach", I'd still be running laps

[Rob Hayes @robhayes]

@ImChauncey @joshk @brettberson @fubini @stevehilk @JCDorsainvil @camillericketts @LucyWilmot1

[Rob Hayes @robhayes]

@Jason As someone who lives in Rittenhouse, Palomar if you want to be in the middle of it all or Four Seasons if you want luxury. But get prime rib at the Rittenhouse Grill for old school vibes. And trust the process.

[Rob Hayes @robhayes]

To borrow a phrase from @redistrict, I’ve seen enough. Deleting this app from my phone and not coming back for a while, if ever. And certainly not coming back while this company is being run by someone who appears to be aligned with antisemites.

[Rob Hayes @robhayes]

Anybody who thinks “it won’t happen here” isn’t paying attention. These people are beyond vile.

[StopAntisemitism @StopAntisemites]

Horrifying antisemitic graffiti was discovered in Montauk Long Island this morning.

[Rob Hayes @robhayes]

@kimmaicutler Red’s Java House

[Joe Lonsdale @JTLonsdale]

Proud to be right at the top of this “tech investors to boycott list” that’s apparently circulating amongst pro-Hamas founders…

[Rob Hayes @robhayes]

@jess I am so happy you are all safe. Terrifying.

[Rob Hayes @robhayes]

@chrisfralic <chef’s kiss>

[Josh Kopelman @joshk]

I know it is hard for founders to focus on reducing customer churn when your stomach is churning from watching the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas.  It is hard to focus on growth while you're watching so much destruction.   It is hard to focus on optimizing lifetime value when you're watching one of the most inhumane attacks in your lifetime.  It is hard to be present when your head and your heart are elsewhere.

Take the time to care for yourself and others.  Your morals matter more than metrics.

[Rob Hayes @robhayes]

@jamescham Mutter Museum

[Rob Hayes @robhayes]

If the winner of the Pac-4 still gets a bid to the Rose Bowl and I have a chance of seeing Cal there in my lifetime, I am all in.