← All stories
Money

Venture Capitalist Strategy Targets Startups in Debt to Force Lean Operations

Lewis Howes School of Greatness · The Science of Doing Less to Achieve More | David Epstein · May 25, 2026
Venture Capitalist Strategy Targets Startups in Debt to Force Lean Operations
Lewis Howes School of Greatness
Lewis Howes School of Greatness
The Science of Doing Less to Achieve More | David Epstein
"Another prominent venture capitalist I was interviewing said his whole strategy is to go for companies that are like in a little bit of debt. So it's not, they're not going to die, but they're getting really lean and scrappy."
Epstein reveals an insider venture capital strategy of deliberately investing in slightly indebted companies to ensure they remain disciplined. This validates Bill Gurley's industry saying that more startups die of indigestion than starvation, meaning excess resources often hurt more than help by eliminating the creative constraints that force innovation.
From this episode
Lewis Howes School of Greatness
Lewis Howes School of Greatness

The Science of Doing Less to Achieve More | David Epstein

August 3, 2026 · 5 Egleze moments
Read episode summary and key points →

More moments from this episode

MoneyMIT Census Study Reveals Average Fast Growing Startup Founder Is 45 Years OldMoneyGeneral Magic Had First Concept IPO Ever but Failed Despite Building iPhone Generation EarlyPsychologyPsychologist Discovers Visible Smartphone Alone Reduces Cognitive Performance Even When Not UsedPsychologyPsychologist Finds People Are More Bored Since Infinite Scrolling Was Introduced
More stories More from Lewis Howes School of Greatness