[nverno]

Except VCs lose all their money pretty quick if they never get it right, and don't get rewarded (to the same extent) for following along with whatever is in fashion. So, there is another, more fundamental, factor there- one that drives VCs to invest in things that are thought to be under-funded but have potential.

[AussieWog93]

Honestly, it seems like trends for VCs cycle at around the same frequency as paradigms in most academic fields (on the order of around a decade). Unless the VC gets caught with their pants down right at the end of the transition, they'll probably turn a profit.

[nverno]

> Unless the VC gets caught with their pants down right at the end of the transition, they'll probably turn a profit.

Sure, it's like investing in stocks. But the incentives for VCs and academics are totally different. In academia, volume is a big part of prestige (not for everyone, of course, and to many people's dismay), whereas for VCs they're looking for that one huge disruptor, and are often willing to miss on hundreds to hit it.