June 15, 2026

E390: Ron Rofé on AI, Founder Obsession, and Venture Returns

40 minutes

What if the best venture investors aren’t chasing the hottest sectors—but the founders who would still be working on the problem long after the hype disappears?

In this episode, I sit down with Ron Rofé, Co-Founder and General Partner of Rainfall Ventures, to discuss why founder quality matters more than industry trends, how non-consensus investing creates outsized opportunities, and what he has learned from backing over 120 startups and 230 founders. Ron shares the stories behind investments like Robinhood, Webflow, and Alma, explains why he prioritizes resilience over ideas, and discusses the founder traits that consistently predict success.

Highlights:

Why Ron avoids chasing consensus investment themes, including AI

The founder traits that matter more than market size or industry

How Rainfall backed Robinhood before it became a fintech giant

Why resilience often matters more than the original business idea

The surprising advantage of investing in non-consensus markets

How great founders balance conviction with humility

Why half of venture value is created before categories are fully recognized

The networking philosophy that helped build Rainfall Ventures

How helping founders creates long-term investing advantages

Ron’s timeless advice: “Nobody knows anything”

Guest Bio:

Ron Rofé is the Co-Founder and General Partner of Rainfall Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm that has backed category-defining companies including Robinhood, Webflow, Alma, and Harmonic. Over the past decade, Ron has invested in more than 120 startups representing over 230 founders, building a reputation for making non-consensus bets and identifying exceptional entrepreneurs before the market recognizes them.

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Sponsor:

AlphaSense is the AI-powered market intelligence platform trusted by 85% of the S&P 100, helping investment professionals make faster, more confident, data-driven decisions. Built for hedge funds, asset allocators, private venture capital firms, and investment bankers, AlphaSense uses advanced AI and powerful search across premium proprietary content to surface the insights that matter most—before the market moves. Elevate your research and stay ahead of the competition. Visit https://www.alpha-sense.com/howiinvest/ to learn more.

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd/

Weisburd Pierce: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/

Stay Connected with Ron Rofé:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronrofe/

Questions or topics you want us to discuss on How I Invest? Email us at [email protected].

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Nothing in this episode should be interpreted as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to participate in any investment strategy. All opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the views of Weisburd Pierce. Participants may hold positions or have financial interests in the companies, funds, or investments discussed. Any references to specific investments are for illustrative purposes only. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of capital. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Any third-party data or opinions have not been independently verified. Listeners should conduct their own research and consult their own advisors before making any investment decisions.

(0:00) Why He Refuses to Be an AI-Only Investor

(3:23) The Opportunity Cost Most Venture Capitalists Ignore

(6:04) Why Half of Venture Returns Are Created Before a Market Has a Name

(10:08) The Founder Trait That Matters More Than Intelligence

(14:10) The Five Qualities He Looks for Before Writing a Check

(17:32) How One Founder’s Humility Created a Billion-Dollar Outcome

(22:28) The Unusual Way He Got Into Robinhood Before It Took Off

(25:52) Why He Invested at a $300M Valuation When Everyone Thought He Was Crazy

(31:46) The Hidden Flaw in Thesis-Driven Venture Capital

(37:34) The Advice That Changed How He Thinks About Success

...more

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By David Weisburd

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