As a VC and serial founder, I see what's really happening with Sora behind the scenes. This is the insider perspective for for developers that you won't find on any news site.
The Framework That Actually Works
Here is a simple framework for evaluating Sora. It's not complicated, but it requires discipline.
Step 1: the best solutions are often the simplest ones
This is where most people go wrong. They skip this step entirely and jump straight to execution. Don't do that.
Step 2: most founders overthink this and underspend on execution
Once you have the foundation right, this becomes much easier. I've watched founders struggle with this for months when the answer was staring them in the face.
Step 3: Iterate relentlessly
Nothing works perfectly the first time. The companies that get Sora right treat it as an ongoing process, not a one-time project.
What I've Learned From 55 Companies
A few patterns in Sora come up again and again.
The founders who handle Sora well understand that the market doesn't care about your roadmap.
The Numbers Don't Lie
Investing early in Sora can be the difference between raising your next round and running out of runway.
One of my portfolio companies went from struggling to profitable in under a year after they finally got serious about this. The founder told me later that they wished they'd started sooner.
This connects to broader themes around AI art, generative media, Sora, DALL-E, AI design tools that I've been thinking about a lot lately.
Wrapping Up
I've shared a lot here, and I know it can feel overwhelming. But you don't need to get Sora right on day one. You just need to get started and keep improving.
Founders who do well at Sora tend to share one trait: they're relentlessly practical. They don't chase perfection. They chase progress.
That's the mindset I'd encourage you to adopt. Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. And keep pushing forward.
As always, I'm rooting for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:How has this view evolved over time?
My thinking on most topics has changed significantly over the years. Early in my career, I held many conventional views that experience proved wrong. I try to update my beliefs when the evidence changes.
Q:How can I apply this thinking to my own situation?
Start by identifying the core principle behind the opinion, not the specific example. Then ask yourself: does this principle apply to my context? If yes, test it in a small, low-risk way before going all in.
Q:What experience informs this perspective?
This perspective comes from over a decade of building companies in Silicon Valley, two successful exits (RemoteTeam to Gusto, MovieLaLa to Gfycat), and investing in 234 startups including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Scale AI. I write about what I've lived.