Back to search
AcquiredFebruary 7, 2018
Season 2, Episode 2: Raising a Seed Round with Against Gravity CEO Nick Fajt
Listen
Mentions
We launch mini-series on Acquired with a subject near & dear to our heroes’ hearts: startup fundraising! This has been one of our most-requested new topics, and we’re excited to kick things off with makers of the popular Rec Room social VR app, Against Gravity , which raised one of Seattle’s hottest venture rounds in recent history: a $4m seed led by Sequoia Capital in 2016. CEO Nick Fajt joins to tell the story from company inception to building and shipping the initial product, fundraising as a first-time CEO, what they’ve been able to accomplish with the capital and their vision for the future. We had a blast touching on many classic Acquired themes for the first time “in-action” with a young, growing company, and hope you all enjoy the discussion as much as we did. Let us know what you think in the Slack!
4 book mentions in this episode.
Click “Mentioned at …” to copy the timestamp.
Click any book cover image to open its affiliate link.
Amazon links are enriched from product metadata and include affiliate tracking.
Books Mentioned
“The last book that I finished and we already mentioned it, but like if you haven't read Ready Player One and you think this episode is in the ballpark of interesting, you should totally go read it.”
Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: description of Rec Room
For: Individuals interested in virtual reality and social gaming
Key quote: “And something that strikes me... I actually have a hard time describing Rec Room to people. Sometimes. And I think... So I just finished reading Ready Player One.”
The host mentioned 'Ready Player One' to illustrate the concept of Rec Room as a multifaceted virtual space. The book serves as a metaphor for the diverse experiences and worlds available within the platform.
ASIN: B005HG7BWC
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
“Ender's Game is a little problematic, but. Anyway, really, really cool book.”
Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: VR and literature
For: Readers interested in VR and sci-fi literature
Key quote: “Ender's Game is a little problematic, but. Yeah. Anyway, really, really cool book.”
The host briefly mentions 'Ender's Game' while discussing influential books in the VR space. They acknowledge its problematic aspects but still consider it a cool book worth noting.
ASIN: B00006JMD2
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
“Snow Crash is another one. We don't normally reference them, but I think it would be hard for you to find any VR entrepreneur that hasn't been influenced by those books.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: influence of VR literature
For: VR entrepreneurs and enthusiasts
Key quote: “I think it would be hard for you to find any VR entrepreneur that hasn't been influenced by those books.”
The host discusses the significant impact of 'Snow Crash' on VR entrepreneurs and its themes that resonate with current technological and societal issues. They emphasize that many in the VR space have been inspired by the ideas presented in the book.
ASIN: B00005NZJA
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Seven Eves
Neal Stephenson
“It was recommended to me by Nick. And it's another Neal Stephenson book. Everybody should read this book.”
Sentiment: Highly Recommended
Trigger: Neal Stephenson's influence
For: Fans of hard science fiction and complex narratives
Key quote: “Everybody should read this book.”
The host mentions 'Seven Eves' as a significant work by Neal Stephenson that challenges readers with its complex themes and technical details. They emphasize its thought-provoking nature and recommend it for anyone interested in hard science fiction.
ASIN: B00WNBHNWW
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.