Decomposing Venture: The Frontlines of Investing

Investor Liaison Hannah Savage talks training for the High-Risk Battlefield. A series of lessons for investors on the importance of continuing education to sharpen your skills.

Gemini AI Prompt. ``` **Theme:** Snow Leopard  **Objective:** Create a visually striking and **fear-provoking** image (3840 x 2160) depicting snow leopards within an unnatural environment. The image should **evoke fear** and a sense of unease, highlighting the predatory nature of the snow leopard and the unsettling impact of human influence on wildlife.  **Style:** Ultra-realism. The image should exhibit an extreme level of detail and accuracy, blurring the lines between photography and digital art. Every texture, reflection, and shadow should be meticulously rendered to create a hyper-realistic depiction of the snow leopard and its unnatural surroundings. Draw inspiration from high-resolution photography, 3D rendering, and the techniques of photorealistic painting, but with a focus on creating a sense of menace and dread.  **Composition:** Design a composition that emphasizes the snow leopard's predatory gaze and powerful form within an unexpected and unnatural setting. Consider placing the snow leopard in a dimly lit urban alleyway, a decaying industrial complex, or a sterile, unnerving digital space. Use stark contrasts and unsettling angles to create a sense of claustrophobia and vulnerability.  **Color Palette:**  * **Primary Palette (Snow Leopard):**     * #D1D1D1 (Pale fur, slightly desaturated)     * #A9A9A9 (Shadows on fur, emphasizing texture)     * #696969 (Darker markings, blending with shadows)     * #2F4F4F (Dark, metallic grey for eyes and claws)     * #000000 (Deep shadows and predatory gaze)  * **Secondary Palette (Unnatural Environment - Evoke Fear):**     * #1A1A1A (Near-black, oppressive atmosphere)     * #36454F (Dark, cold blues and grays for industrial feel)     * #8B0000 (Blood red accents, symbolizing danger)     * #4A148C (Dark purple, adding an unsettling, surreal touch)     * #222222(Very dark grey, creates a feeling of being trapped)  **Technical Specifications:**  * **Resolution:** 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) * **Bit Depth:** 16-bit or 32-bit (for post-processing) * **Color Space:** Adobe RGB (or ProPhoto RGB) * **Dynamic Range:** High Dynamic Range (HDR) capture and processing * **Rendering Technique (if applicable):** Physically Based Rendering (PBR) * **Texture Resolution:** High-resolution textures (4K or higher) * **Lighting Technique:** Ray tracing or global illumination (if applicable), with dramatic, directional lighting and sharp shadows to create a sense of menace. * **Post-Processing Software:** Adobe Photoshop, Capture One, or equivalent * **Hardware Acceleration:** GPU acceleration for rendering and post-processing * **Calibration:** Calibrated monitor and color management workflow * **Time:** 0330 ``` Substack AI Images. NI Curation.

The Power of Training

In Lt. Col. Dave Grossman’s book “On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace”, he describes a scene in Wanat Afghanistan told by Sgt. Christopher Mckaig.

Sgt. Mckaig was a highly trained Specialist (SPC) in the Weapons Squad and His platoon, 2nd Platoon, Chosen Company, 2/503rd, is now the most decorated platoon in the entire Army. On July 13, 2008 they experienced the worst battle in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. In the midst of a firefight, as time warped around him, Sgt. Mckaig found himself struggling to change magazines, something he could likely do in his sleep. Under extreme stress and fear he found himself thinking, “The Army never trained me for this!”.

De-risking “High Risk”

Investing in venture capital or other deemed “high risk” asset classes is not a deadly force encounter like war is, but the aversion to losing money is powerful and elicits a fear response in humans. Our brains are wired to avoid loss, and this aversion can cloud judgement, lead to hesitation, or drive impulsive decisions. To overcome this instinctual fear, we must train our investing muscle with the same discipline and repetition that soldiers apply in their drills, so, when high-stakes decisions arise, our responses are clear, measured, and effective.

EVFM aims to provide limited partners (LPs) access to valuable education on venture investing. As disciplined training prepares soldiers for the unpredictability of combat, so continuous learning trains our partners with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the complexities of high-risk investments. By providing practical tools, actionable insights, and hands-on learning, we seek to help LPs strengthen decision-making frameworks and survive the ever-evolving world of venture.

Keep training like it matters by following the “Decomposing Venture” series by Investor Liaison Hannah Savage using the subscribe button below to receive our latest training opportunities, insights, and resources designed to sharpen your investing skills and help you make informed, confident decisions.

References

Sep 01, 2008: Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace

By: Lt. Col. Dave Grossman & Loren W. Christensen