May 28, 2019
Maxx is a Principal at BOLD Capital Partners. Previously, Maxx served as the Head of Investments and an Entrepreneur in Residence at PHD Ventures (Peter H. Diamandis). He worked as a Strategic Consultant for both Singularity University and the XPRIZE Foundation. Prior to those roles, Maxx worked at Double M Partners, a Los Angeles based venture capital firm, in conjunction with a role in technology-focused investment banking. Maxx started his VC career at Kortschak Investments, the family office of a prominent Silicon Valley venture capitalist. Maxx has co-founded and worked at several startups between LA and the Bay Area. Maxx graduated from the University of Southern California.
→ Maxx, you have spent your career at the forefront of technological change. How do you describe your work to others, and how is your work affecting change?
In simple terms, I am a venture capitalist and invest in startup companies. My thesis is to invest in companies that utilize exponential technologies to solve global and important problems. This involves companies that leverage technologies like AI, robotics, sensors, networks, 3D printing, etc. I like to believe that I am multiplying my ability to affect change by supporting dozens and eventually hundreds of ruthlessly passionate people that are on a mission to change the world.
→ If you had $10M (or $100M, or $1BN) of your wealth to bet/invest in one future technology, what would it be and why?
I believe that connecting everyone on the planet with high bandwidth, low latency communication is going to reshape the world for the better and enable innovations that would have never been possible. I believe the financial opportunity to accomplish this mission is once in a generation and will take place over the next decade. This translates to investing in technologies making 5G possible at scale, satellite communications and whatever other technologies will make this vision a reality.
→ In your opinion what does it mean to be a radical leader and how does one get better at being one?
A radical leader develops a vision of how they believe the future should look, attracts incredible people to their mission and continuously supports and inspires those people to make it happen. In order to be a radical leader, one needs to focus on constantly learning how and why people do the things they do, so they can attract, encourage and retain the best talent in the world.
→ What do you wish you knew when you were starting out your career that you know today?
Focus on one thing at a time. You can have it all but not all at once.
→ What’s the single best piece of radical advice you received in your life (so far)?
Trust your instincts.
→ What is the most enlightening book you have read and why?
Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely. Dan is a behavioral economist that has spent his career designing and conducting social experiments to try and explain why humans act the way that we do. Not only does it change the way you think about yourself and others but it’s also a fun read.
