Our Investment Approach
Why "Four Lights?"
4LV's "Four Lights" is a nod to one of the most poignant moments in Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Chain of Command: Part I & II." This is one the favorite episodes in the long running series of our founder and managing partner, Charles Gaddy.
The episode depicts Captain Picard's defiant stand & exclamation, "there are four lights" - during torture and brainwashing attempts by the Cardassians. Picard's bold proclamation of truth in the face of his captors attempt to pervert it is a reference to George Orwell's 1984. Like Captain Picard, 4LV chooses to stand firm on our "four lights," the guiding principles that anchor our investment strategy.
The Four Lights
The core tenets of the 4LV investment thesis are the "four lights" that illuminate our approach. The thesis is structured for stability and security, while also allowing room for growth through experiments. Investments may be based on a single "light;" but the best deployment of funds will stand bright with all "four lights," creating a firm foundation for the vehicle as a whole.
The Core Tenets
Hover over each light to learn more
1.
Invest in revenue-generating businesses, not "ideas."
1.
Investment
2.
Pay it forward with/through diversity and diverse investments.
2.
Diversity
3.
Place "bets" in new markets.
3.
"Bets"
4.
Deliver a return
to investors.
4.
Returns
"Our investments are designed to be singles, doubles, and maybe a triple; but, most importantly, they don't strike out."
Definitions
Investments
Investments are funds deployed in a company or other outside fund in which 4LV now has an ownership stake as defined in the terms of the purchase.
Experiments
Experiments involve 4LV defining and "placing bets" in new markets. The team at 4LV will research and define the Experiment based on a hypothesis and measure results for future steps. In the baseball parlance, these can be riskier "home run swings."