Theresia Gouw Quotes
15 quotes from Theresia Gouw — Co-founder of Acrew Capital (formerly Aspect Ventures), a VC firm focused on diverse founders..
“Don't be afraid to take a chance on yourself.”
“Being an entrepreneur is the fastest way for women to reach C level.”
“It's important to create long-term wealth for people who historically have not had the opportunity to invest in venture capital.”
“I'd like to try to be balanced in my perspective.”
“With a lot of the larger tech companies either having hiring freezes or even significant layoffs, that does mean that there's more amazing technology talent.”
“The biggest mistake that entrepreneurs often make is underestimating the competition.”
“Hands-down, the best decision I have ever made in my career was taking a chance and starting Acrew Capital.”
“My view is, either you are being incredibly naive, or worse, trying to deceive me. Or, at best, it means that your market is so small there are no competitors. So, go and talk to me about what other things are out there, because there is always competition.”
“I have to add more value beyond just the dollars, and it has to be with a group that wants that. I have to believe that I can be helpful and not just write checks.”
“The real worry is that the next generation will not see Silicon Valley as a place to be.”
“If you've ever been 'the only' anything, you know it comes with challenges — but also opportunities. It can be challenging to feel like you're on an island. But it's also an opportunity to bring a different lived experience to the discussion — to make it richer and disrupt stereotypes.”
“We are venture capitalists. We are in the business of making money for our investors and our entrepreneurs. Diversity makes a difference for business and the bottom line.”
“Ownership in companies is one of the most significant ways to increase wealth. And more diverse teams and more diverse boards will improve returns on shareholder equity.”
“When we first came here my dad and my mom worked in a Chinese restaurant. My dad was a dishwasher. My mom was the hostess. That was the first jobs. The only jobs they could get when we first got here, and my dad was a dentist.”
“Sabbatical was clear: You go away for three to six months, you come back, and everything's the way it was when you left. Family leave was uncharted. Looking back, I wish I had been more vocal.”
