When I go visit my mom in the retirement community where my parents live, she has a bunch of friends, and she will say, ‘These neighbors I play bridge with have a son with an idea,’ and it goes from there. – Aileen Lee
We used to tie-dye T-shirts and sell them to classmates. We used to make egg rolls and sell them at street fairs. I worked at the mall. My parents probably spent more money on the gas driving me to different jobs than I made. – Aileen Lee
Starbucks did this magical thing where it took a product that people didn’t really care that much about and made it this treat. It makes you feel better about your day and gives you a chance to reflect, makes you feel a little special. – Aileen Lee
There are so many people who try so hard and have such big dreams, and it doesn’t happen for them. – Aileen Lee
What’s the word to describe the thing that all of us are trying to do, which is to found or work for or invest in a company that is the winner of all winners? – Aileen Lee
When companies are private, founders can share more about their future dreams with investors; report less; and the shares are illiquid, constraining short-term changes in valuation. – Aileen Lee
If you’re looking to grow your user base, is there a best way to cost-effectively attract valuable users? I’m increasingly convinced the best way is by harnessing a concept called social proof, a relatively untapped gold mine in the age of the social web. – Aileen Lee
From a pretty early age, I developed an interest in travel. I told my parents I wanted to live abroad, and they said, ‘Well, you have to have money to do those things.’ – Aileen Lee
Each major wave of technology innovation has given rise to one or more super-unicorns – companies that could change your life to work at or invest in if you’re not lucky/genius enough to be a co-founder. – Aileen Lee
Sequoia is a firm that a lot of people across tech and the Valley look to, and I think they’re setting an important example in adding new diversity to their team. – Aileen Lee
Male founders who come across as Type B are more likely to get the benefit of the doubt. – Aileen Lee
Some investors may grumble about entrepreneurs wanting ‘unicorn valuations.’ But let’s be honest: most investors want them, too, and are supporting the massive capitalization of these companies. – Aileen Lee
Top creative and innovative talent wants to live in a vibrant, transit-friendly, global city that offers access to not only great jobs but also great food, entertainment and culture. – Aileen Lee
It’s awesome that you have a female CFO and a female GC, but if you look at the investing partners, and it’s 15 dudes, I do think those people are going to get left behind if they don’t get with where the world is going. – Aileen Lee
Why do investors seem to care about ‘billion dollar exits?’ Historically, top venture funds have driven returns from their ownership in just a few companies in a given fund of many companies. – Aileen Lee
There are a lot of benefits to having a team of young people, but there are many benefits to having people who’ve made a lot of mistakes. – Aileen Lee
Relative to all the start-ups out there, getting a valuation of $1 billion is rarely accomplished. – Aileen Lee