‹ The Founder Bookshelf

The Power Law cover

The Power Law

Venture Capital and the Making of the New Future

The definitive history of venture capital and the bets that built tech.

by Sebastian Mallaby

Drawing on unprecedented access to leading firms like Sequoia, Kleiner Perkins, Accel, and Andreessen Horowitz, Sebastian Mallaby chronicles how venture capitalists shaped modern technology. He argues their success rests on the power law: a handful of grand slam investments outweigh all the losses. The book is both a narrative history and an analysis of how risk and luck drive innovation.

Founders raise from an industry whose internal logic, the power law, dictates which companies get funded and pushed for outsized growth. Understanding that mindset explains why investors chase huge outcomes and how that pressure will shape your own company.

Where to get it

Questions, answered

What is The Power Law about?

Founders raise from an industry whose internal logic, the power law, dictates which companies get funded and pushed for outsized growth. Understanding that mindset explains why investors chase huge outcomes and how that pressure will shape your own company.

Where can I find books founders recommend?

The eChai founder bookshelf ranks the books founders in the network recommend to each other.

eChai Partner Brands