Leaving a $250 Million Fund: Ollen Douglass Speaks Out about being a Black Man in Venture Capital, the Power of Diversity to Drive Returns

Ollen Douglass‘ abrupt departure from a $250 million fund he helped start left industry insiders hungry for answers, including me.

For the first time, he reveals in his own words what happened and why; and importantly, his mission to challenge the status quo as a Black man in venture on #BillionDollarMoves.

Some notable quotables from Ollen:

1. On implementing diversity:

 “Often you run into this situation where people want change— as long as they don’t have to change anything about what they do.”

Ollen emphasizes how the current system is broken: and is creating a certain result. Unless we’re willing to evaluate each little piece that is making the system, where the problems are embedded, nothing will truly change. 

2. On venture as an asset class: 

“Even though companies are staying private longer, there’s still a tremendous amount of wealth creation to be had in venture capital. It punches above its weight like any other, like no other kind of asset class.”

3. On doing the work: 

“You can’t watch it from the outside the stadium. You gotta, you gotta buy a ticket and get into the arena.”