You have to be willing to risk things; otherwise, somebody else will put you out of business. Douglas Leone businessputrisk Change image and share on social
During dark times, real entrepreneurs come out. They are not competing with 10 look-alike companies for engineering talent, so it's a great time to invest and help build companies. Douglas Leone alikebuildcompany Change image and share on social
If you choose a market that already exists, say, networking equipment, you have to compete with an established company like Cisco. Even if your product is marginally better, Cisco can fudge it and outsell you. Douglas Leone chooseciscocompany share on social
We want people who come from humble backgrounds and have a need to win. Douglas Leone backgroundhumblepeople Change image and share on social
A tremendous chief executive in a small market will never be great. All great companies start with great markets. Douglas Leone chiefcompanyexecutive Change image and share on social
We've tried to build Sequoia Capital with an eye for the long term that we really look for in the companies we like to partner with. Douglas Leone buildcapitalcompany Change image and share on social
Be incredibly, ruthlessly selfish with your equity. Douglas Leone equityincrediblyruthlessly Change image and share on social
We have co-opted seed funds. You know, Y Combinator, that was completely our money. We have secret handshakes with a whole bunch of people. Very dangerous, because word gets out that so-and-so's money is Sequoia's money, that would not be a good thing. Douglas Leone bunchcombinatorcompletely share on social
The trick is, a market has to be nonexistent when you start. If the market is large early on, you will have too many competitors. You have to make it large. Douglas Leone competitorearlylarge Change image and share on social
We see China as a large market opportunity with similar cyclical economic cycles that occur throughout every economy. Douglas Leone chinacyclecyclical Change image and share on social
