Brian Hirsch

Origin Story: In a couple sentences, how would you describe your path to becoming an investor?

I became interested in technology and investing as a pre-teen which drove me to seek a career in venture capital when I was 23.
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Investment Approach: What are the key factors you consider when evaluating a founding team?

Grit & Perseverance, Intellectual Honesty, Contrarian Mindset.
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What's your style and approach when it comes to working with founders post-investment? What are the characteristics of founders you've worked well with?

The founders I work with would say I'm engaged, direct and always looking to help the company achieve its potential.  I'm easily accessible, give honest feedback and I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty to help founders solve hard problems.  I work best with founders who have the characteristics I described earlier: gritty and determined to win, intellectually honest, willing to make hard decisions in the interest of the company and having a contrarian mindset that drives them to continually question assumptions to become better.
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If I'm coming to pitch to you or your firm, what's the one piece of advice you'd give me?

Be open, honest and ready to engage in dialogue
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How would you describe your own personal mission and values, and how do they impact the way you invest?

As a child I was always fascinated with the future.  When I would dream of the future it was always a better world, more exciting and a time when anyone was capable of doing pretty much anything they could imagine in their mind.  As an adult that has always remained the north star in my work but with a recognition of all the small steps required to get there.  For me technology is the most powerful driver of that future and what I do hopefully contributes to those small steps.  Technology serves as the great equalizer in our society.  Over time it further enables any person, regardless of socioeconomic background or society perceived limitations, the ability to actualize the dreams they have for their own lives.  That's the path to a greater future for everyone.
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What do you like best about investing in NYC, and what’s your outlook on the future of NYC tech?

I was born in NYC, left for a decade as a young adult and returned.  NYC for me will always be the greatest place on earth.  It's the only place that can be truly called the Crossroads of the World.  Her strength is in her diversity which draws the best and brightest from all over the world to be together and share energy and ideas.  For many people NYC is a part of them as much as they are a part of NYC.  They're not going anywhere.  That strength has helped NYC become a powerhouse of tech in the U.S. and will continue to be a source of success into the future.