Peter Adams: Venture Capitalist & Author

In this episode of Career Conversations with Chris, Peter Adams shares his journey from philosophy student to dorm-room PC founder to leader of the oldest angel group in the United States. We explore how he reinvented Rockies Venture Club with a focus on education, rigor, and founder-friendly structures, creating a collaborative model that flips the traditional “Shark Tank” script. Peter breaks down how to value pre-revenue startups, why team matters more than the idea, and how founders should design for acquisition from day one. This episode is a masterclass in building smarter investors, stronger startups, and a future-ready venture ecosystem.

We cover:

• From philosophy student to founder and investor
• Revitalizing RVC with education, diligence, and process-driven investing
• “Venture-omics” vs. economics: teaching founders and investors the same tools
• Thinking like a futurist: defensible gaps beyond today’s AI race
• Valuing pre-revenue startups with clarity and rigor
• Why team > idea, and how to think like a futurist about new technologies

A wide-ranging chat about ditching the “Shark Tank” drama, teaching investors and founders to speak the same language, and how to spot the startups that will actually shape the future.