Chapter 1
The engine of ideas
Chapter 2
Global hubs of innovation
Chapter 3
The 2026 technology frontier
Chapter 4
The human side of high stakes
YOUR GOAL
Master of The world of venture capital
Ch 1 · The engine of ideas
steve The engine of ideas
AI's the big idea, taking center stage, With mega-rounds now turning a new page.
steve A term sheet is a non-binding agreement laying out the basic terms and conditions of an investment.
steve Startups use a short slide presentation called a pitch deck to convince investors to fund their vision.
Fun Fact
VC origins: Modern venture capital began in 1946 when Georges Doriot founded the American Research and Development Corporation to fund commercial applications of wartime technologies.
Glossary
intellectual property (noun)
Creations of the human mind, such as inventions, designs, and symbols, that are protected by law. In 2026, the United States Patent and Trademark Office began reducing its decade-long backlog of applications.
Creations of the human mind, such as inventions, designs, and symbols, that are protected by law. In 2026, the United States Patent and Trademark Office began reducing its decade-long backlog of applications.