Mike Maples Jr. is a respected early-stage venture capitalist and angel investor, who maintains a unique investment approach. He often supports startups overlooked by many or deemed unpopular and helps nurture their growth.
As co-founder of a venture firm, his successful investments include esteemed companies such as Twitter, Twitch, Lyft, and Bazaarvoice. Maples co-authored a book called “Pattern Breakers” with Peter Ziebelman, which reflects his unique investment philosophy.
Maples is the originator of the term “Thunder Lizard;” a metaphor for companies that disrupt typical capitalist norms. His goal is to identify these ‘Thunder Lizards’ during their infancy.
In the crowded market, Maples acknowledges how challenging it is to spot these potential ‘Thunder Lizards’.
Mike Maples Jr: Nurturing overlooked startups
Nonetheless, his experience and sharp business acumen help him differentiate the potential winners from the pack. He draws upon a variety of factors, like growth potential and market position, to evaluate possible ‘Thunder Lizards’.
Maples argues that the rush to invest can overshadow the potential connected to startup opportunities. In his view, the most successful startups are those that break from the norm. These companies shun conventional strategies to make impactful, groundbreaking changes in their field.
He goes on to express that startups, that challenge norms and adopt novel tactics can set a new pace for the industry. According to Maples, a startup’s potential success lies more within its innovative spirit than its funding.
While Maples admits to have missed opportunities like Airbnb, he attributes his investment successes to elements such as luck, intuition, timing, and external factors like technological advancements.