At 31st Union, we actively embrace opportunities to learn from luminaries, experts, artists, and a range of passionate professionals to enrich and inspire our team. Guided by our core studio values, we bring these ideals to life through initiatives like our Happy Brain Hour series—a perfect blend of Learning (Brain) and a relaxed, social atmosphere (Happy Hour). Since its inception, Happy Brain Hour has brought in remarkable guest speakers, each sharing unique stories and valuable insights that enhance our team’s growth and creativity.
We recently welcomed seasoned venture capitalist Mike Maples, Jr. to our San Mateo studio. Mike is a pioneer of seed investing at Floodgate, author of Pattern Breakers: Why Some Start-Ups Change the Future, and host of a podcast where he interviews Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and thought leaders. With early investments in companies like Twitter, Twitch, Okta, and Lyft, Mike has been recognized eight times on the Forbes Midas List of the world’s top venture capitalists. Mike shared stories with us about his journey, the motivations behind writing his book, and strategies that help “super-performers” achieve extraordinary results, often following pivotal moments of change.
Reflecting on his early days, Mike shared personal stories about how he developed video game software in high school and pursued engineering rather than business in college. He noted that a common thread among great founders is an early exposure to video games, especially strategy games—a passion he shares. His father, legendary Microsoft executive Mike Maples, Sr., emphasized a lesson that still guides him: the importance of trying to do one’s best in the moment rather than striving to be the best. Mike strives to live by this principle daily.
Mike’s path to venture capital began in Austin, where a colleague first suggested he consider the field. He eventually embraced the idea, moved to California, and co-founded Floodgate in 2006 alongside Ann Miura-Ko. Since then, Mike has recognized that more than 85% of Floodgate’s profits have come from “pivots”—companies that shifted focus from their original idea to a more successful concept. Even though Floodgate passed on the opportunity to invest in AirBNB, they capitalized on ODEO (which evolved into Twitter), SaaSure (now Okta), and Zimride (future Lyft). His investment in Justin.TV, which later transformed into Twitch, is a favorite example of the value in recognizing unexpected potential.
Pattern Breakers, co-authored with Peter Ziebelman, explores the dynamics that enable companies to change the future in radical ways. The book highlights the core concepts in a “pattern-breaking” framework:
Inflection marks a turning point that creates lasting change in the way people think, feel, and act. The iPhone 4’s GPS chip, for instance, revolutionized personal navigation, while Justin Kan’s early streaming efforts with Justin.TV leveraged people’s desire for online fame.
Insights arise from founders’ creativity, steering their product toward the correct market fit. Justin Kan’s early adoption of streaming demonstrated a keen insight into the future of media consumption.
Living in the Future defines visionary founders who focus on radical futures and work backward to make them a reality. Mike noted that successful startups identify customers who are desperate for what they offer and ensure they can deliver on that promise.
For more lessons on breakthrough performance, check out Pattern Breakers or Mike’s podcast of the same name, where he interviews some of Silicon Valley’s most legendary entrepreneurs. We’re incredibly grateful to Mike for sharing his experiences and insights with our team.
Happy Brain Hour has become a rich cornerstone of our cultural programming, allowing us to learn and grow as a team. If these opportunities inspire you, we invite you to check out our open roles here: http://thirtyfirstunion.com/careers/
