On the TechTO stage ×1
First seen on the TechTO stage in 2021. Every talk is searchable — ask the archive about Andrew ↗
In their words
I previously was a founder. I'd started a gaming company called JamLegend, we sold that to Zynga, and I actually helped lead product on FarmVille — and I was there through the IPO.
I don't even really still think of myself as an investor. Whenever I'm with another founder, the number one thing I'm always thinking about is, one, do no harm — and two, what can I do as your friend to get you to the next stage.
It's so much better to have an investor who's been a founder and an operator, because they can just level with you and tell you: hey, that's a minefield, definitely stay away from that minefield.
More from TechTO ×1
Quick answers
Who is Andrew Lee?
A partner at Andreessen Horowitz on the Speedrun program, and formerly a partner at Initialized Capital, where a16z says he advised 140 portfolio companies and sourced 27 early-stage investments.
What did he build before investing?
He founded JamLegend, a music gaming company sold to Zynga, where he led product on FarmVille through the IPO. He then spent time at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the US Small Business Administration before starting an enterprise SaaS company.
What is his advice to founders?
On the TechTO stage he argued the value of a founder-turned-investor is the ability to point at the minefields — and gave a concrete one: don't sign a big commercial lease to make yourself feel like a real company.