In the high-stakes world of venture capital, few stories shine as brightly as that of the millennial investor who spotted opportunities in Deliveroo, Scale AI, and Figma before they became household names. By the time he turned 30, his early bets had already made him a multimillionaire. Now, he’s offering insights for a new generation of investors—Gen Z—on how to identify startups with the potential to turn small investments into life-changing wealth.
From Early Bets to Big Wins
His journey began with a keen eye for disruption. Deliveroo redefined food delivery in Europe, Figma transformed how teams collaborate on design, and Scale AI became a backbone for the artificial intelligence boom. Each investment wasn’t just lucky timing—it was rooted in careful pattern recognition: markets ripe for digital transformation, scalable products, and founders with relentless drive.
These high-growth startups not only delivered massive returns but also shaped entire industries. For this investor, they became case studies in spotting the right mix of timing, market need, and execution.
What Makes a Startup Worth Betting On?
When asked how Gen Z can find their own Deliveroo or Figma, he outlined several key principles:
- Look for Massive Markets – The bigger the problem, the bigger the opportunity. Food delivery and design collaboration were universal needs waiting to be digitized.
- Back Relentless Founders – He emphasizes that the founder’s vision and determination often matter more than the initial business model. A founder who adapts and persists is more valuable than one with a “perfect” plan.
- Spot Network Effects Early – The best startups create self-reinforcing loops where every new user increases the product’s value—think Figma’s collaborative design tools.
- Check Scalability – If a startup’s product or service works in one city or one team, ask whether it could expand to thousands.
- Ride the Waves of Technology – He believes Gen Z has an edge here: growing up digital means they can anticipate where AI, blockchain, and next-gen platforms are heading faster than older generations.
Lessons for Gen Z Investors
While investing in early-stage startups is notoriously risky, the investor insists that Gen Z is better positioned than any generation before them. They are digital natives, deeply plugged into internet culture, and often the first to test new platforms before they hit the mainstream.
He advises young investors not just to follow hype but to trust their instincts as users. “If a product makes your life 10x easier and you can’t stop talking about it, that’s your first signal,” he explains.
Beyond Money: Building Ecosystems
His philosophy isn’t just about chasing unicorns. He encourages Gen Z to think of investing as a way to support ecosystems—helping founders grow, solving real problems, and contributing to innovation. “The wealth comes as a byproduct of backing the right people solving the right problems,” he adds.
The Next Frontier
As AI, climate tech, and creator-driven platforms dominate headlines, he believes the next decade will offer even bigger opportunities for sharp-eyed investors. For Gen Z, the challenge is to be curious, patient, and bold enough to take risks early.
“If I could do it before 30,” he concludes, “Gen Z can do it even faster. The tools are there, the markets are global, and the only limit is how quickly you recognize what’s next.”
