[steventruong]

Base on the responses others have given and your reaction to them, I'd say there is a bit of defensiveness in there. I don't know your friend personally so take what I say with a grain of salt but smarts (aka the genius) does not make a brilliant entrepreneur. Someone else said he's more of a employee #1 than a founder and I tend to agree base on how you've describe him even if he is the kind of person who refuses to be employee #1 of which there is nothing wrong with that. You can learn A LOT being an early stage employee rather than always having the narrow mindset of having make the leap immediately and doing it yourself.

In regards to why I think he isn't suited as an entrepreneur (at this time; important to note this distinction for now) is because he has reservations and requires someone like you to push him to make the leap. Entrepreneurs are driven to make things happen, not be convinced. That behavior will only make things more difficult if he doesn't have the conviction to try himself now, regardless of what anyone says (good or bad). And there are folks out there that no amount of convincing would they ever change. Not saying your friend is like that but as others have said, it's coming out as a red flag.

In response to another response you made, social proof is not like a letter of recommendation. It's not his professors that will grant him social proof. Social proof is validation from people that matter to the VC's in their social circle.

[moneyquestion]

gotcha. I am not pushing him; to be clear. Otherwise I wouldn't be making this post, I would be pushing him.

If he follows on his path he will exit academia in the next year or two and push full steam ahead and and raise his cash and you will all know his name in the next couple years after that. I would literally bet a body part on this.

Of course you take what I say with a grain of salt; I could (and am statistically likely to be) in a pipe dream.

My assumption is basically this: if someone with a lot of cash:

- Saw the accomplishments of this person

- New the 4 year plan of this person

and

- Talked to this person for 20 minutes

They would eagerly give him money. I know there is no way to prove or disprove my assumptions. So my question is how can i drop a hint to someone?

I would be happy to hear what you think is defensive. I am fully aware than I am an anonymous schmoe on the internet. If I am defensive it's because I am looking for the answer to the question I seek just assuming that what i am saying is true.

No need to convince me I am wrong in my assesment or my friend isn't entrepenurial material. It doesn't matter. Just assuming he is, and that it is clear as glass to anyone who talks with him that he is; how do I nudge someone to talk to him.

[steventruong]

Couple of bullet points. Most experience entrepreneurs will say this too.

1. Accomplishments in academics or otherwise hold very low bearings in success as an entrepreneur. After all, most people don't have any problems building their prototype. It's getting people to actually use their prototype. He may be a genius at what he can do and by no means am I discounting that in any way, but definitely keep in mind that that alone does not account for success or failure. Its a mixture of other things. It certainly is helpful however.

2. 4 year plans should be thrown out the window. No entrepreneur should have a plan more than 6 months out. Maybe 12 at most. And potentially a grand vision down the road. A 4 year plan is bound to fail, change, and all sorts of other things. You don't know what is going to happen with the rest of the world, changes in tech, etc etc etc... 4 years is a lifetime and planning that far ahead and bound to guarantee none of the plans will come out as you envision them. Make shorter immediate plans and adjust as things progress.

3. Now for your actual question. If he truly is interested, have him network in the Valley (assuming he's located here) and get some introductions. If people will think he's brilliant as you say, they shouldn't have any issues making the introduction. If they do, there is a clear signal. Alternatively, have him post what he's doing on AngelList. Certainly if what he is doing is that important, it will garner some attention.

[moneyquestion]

Thanks. Angellist is the diamond in all of this rough that I was looking for.

Really appreciate your taking the time to respond