Our Investment Approach
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
In investment and entrepreneurship, like in the real world, there are core values that should drive your actions. Our "four lights" are the core of what drives us. The lights guide our investment strategy and influence the experiments we undertake as an organization.
Why Four Lights?
4LV's name and the use of "Four Lights" is a nod to one of the most poignant moments in Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Chain of Command: Part I & II." These are the two favorite episodes of our founder and managing partner, Charles Gaddy.
The two episodes depict a defiant Captain Picard's 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.
2+2=5?
What if everyone told you
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."
"Our investments are designed to be singles, doubles, and maybe a triple; but, most importantly, they don't strike out."