Abhi Maran is an Investment Analyst at Folklore- an Aussie venture capital fund focused on investments in the seed stage. 

Abhi studied applied finance at Macquarie University. After uni, he worked at Cambridge Associates, working with foundations and endowments to build their investment portfolios. He then jumped into startup land in an ops role at share rewards company Upstreet, before recently starting his role as a VC. 

I chatted with Abhi about what separates good companies from great companies, why he’s excited about the metaverse and why you shouldn’t get caught up in comparing yourself to others. Enjoy!

Timestamps:
[1:08]- Who Abhi wanted to be when he grew up

[2:33]- Abhi’s career journey

[7:12]- What was Abhi’s mindset moving into the startup world?

[8:23]- Operating experience at Upstreet

[9:53]- Abhi’s role at Folklore 

[10:34]- Future career goals

[11:26]- What makes Folklore unique?

[12:57]-Team dynamic at Folklore

[14:04]- Trends in tech that Abhi is interested in

[16:05]- What is the metaverse?

[18:30]- Motivations in starting a Substack

[20:44]- What separates good companies from great companies?

[23:19]- What Abhi is currently reading

[23:58]- Abhi’s food waste habit

[24:38]-  Most impactful purchase under $100

[25:10]- Abhi’s billboard that millions of people would see

[26:28]- Abhi’s perspective on failure

[29:42]- Advice for students

References:
Superfluid Substack

Folklore
Cambridge Associates
Upstreet

Synthesis

Not Boring Substack
The Generalist Substack
Stratechery
The Contrarian