Why I take founders on a 3-mile hike before writing a check

The biggest risk in venture capital isn’t losing money. It’s missing the founder who turns a contrarian belief into consensus. That kind of signal doesn’t show up in a pitch—it shows up on a hike.

My team often jokes about the “Vulcan Mind Meld.” They say I need to share a brain with a founder before we can write a check. They aren’t wrong, but the process isn’t science fiction. It’s usually just a walk.