Maxims, Morals, and Metaphors

A humorous and profound compilation of business metaphors assembled to teach the art of venture capital

As an experienced entrepreneur, technologist, and venture capitalist, Scott Chou brings you on the inside of today's startup world. Maxims, Morals, and Metaphors is a humorous and profound compilation of business metaphors assembled to teach the art of venture capital. Chou's book demystifies the VC game for all players new to the business. The author’s background includes having worked at five entrepreneurial ventures in addition to large technology organizations such as Bellcore and IBM. Chou entered the venture capital arena via the Kauffman Fellows Program and is currently a General Partner at Gabriel Venture Partners. Chou’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree from Caltech as well as master’s degrees from Harvard and Stanford. Venture capital associates, students of venture capital, and experienced venture capitalists in search of teaching tools are the target audience for this book. If you are an experienced venture capitalist, this book is not so much about learning something new as much as helping you remember what you already know. The objectives of this book will have been met if readers are able internalize a number of best practices. Hopefully, the wit and wisdom will drive some concepts to the subconscious level where they can always be relied upon for the innumerable snap business judgments that are typical of the venture capital industry.

Scott Chou is a General Partner at Gabriel Venture Partners. His passion for early stage technology ventures extends back to high school when he joined his first startup as a software engineer. Scott has since worked for five more technology ventures including Poqet Computer and ICE in addition to world-renowned research and development organizations such as Bellcore and IBM. He entered the venture capital arena via the Kauffman Fellows Program, a prestigious fellowship in venture capital awarded annually to a select number of recipients. Scott completed his fellowship at Onset Ventures and CID Capital. He later joined Gabriel Venture Partners where he currently focuses on disruptive technologies based on fundamental innovations in science. Scott received a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering with honors from Caltech as well as a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Harvard University and a Master’s Degree in Engineering from Stanford University.