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I get the impression that SoftBank learned the wrong lesson from Uber. While Uber also raised billions of dollars and had a CEO get forced out by investors, it

I get the impression that SoftBank learned the wrong lesson from Uber. While Uber also raised billions of dollars and had a CEO get forced out by investors, it was broadly understood that his sin was creating a toxic/sexist culture. It wasn't related to business fundamentals, per se. WeWork's sins were less of rampant sexism, and more closely related to an unreasonable valuation and a business that wasn't prepared for the current IPO climate. In other words, they were things for which the investors are also culpable. I'm not a founder, but I'd be very hesitant to raise from SoftBank if I was (and very nervous if I had already raised from them). With Benchmark (and Uber's other investors), I'd only be worried if the toxic culture I created was putting their investment seriously at risk.

dbuder 7y ago
Don't be in awe of any VC or banker and hire your own lawyer.
dehrmann 7y ago
> it was broadly understood that his sin was creating a toxic/sexist culture Excluding the sexism, the toxic parts go hand-in-hand with the mindset Uber needed to ignore incumbents and regulations. The only reason Uber was successful was because of that attitude. Where it failed was growing up.
- mason55 7y ago
  > The only reason Uber was successful was because of that attitude. Where it failed was growing up. Which, by the way, is not a weird thing. Different stages of a company lifecycle require different types of leadership.
hobofan 7y ago
> it was broadly understood that his sin was creating a toxic/sexist culture. It wasn't related to business fundamentals, per se. So it had nothing to do with: - General disregard for regulation - Blocking regulators from the plaform via Greyball - Corporate espionage - Waymo vs. Uber From my impression at the time he was forced out primarily because of actions like those last two (only few of many), because they have the potential to cost Uber serious money (sexism sadly not so much).
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]

dbuder 7y ago

Don't be in awe of any VC or banker and hire your own lawyer.

dehrmann 7y ago

> it was broadly understood that his sin was creating a toxic/sexist culture Excluding the sexism, the toxic parts go hand-in-hand with the mindset Uber needed to ignore incumbents and regulations. The only reason Uber was successful was because of that attitude. Where it failed was growing up.

mason55 7y ago
> The only reason Uber was successful was because of that attitude. Where it failed was growing up. Which, by the way, is not a weird thing. Different stages of a company lifecycle require different types of leadership.

hobofan 7y ago

> it was broadly understood that his sin was creating a toxic/sexist culture. It wasn't related to business fundamentals, per se. So it had nothing to do with: - General disregard for regulation - Blocking regulators from the plaform via Greyball - Corporate espionage - Waymo vs. Uber From my impression at the time he was forced out primarily because of actions like those last two (only few of many), because they have the potential to cost Uber serious money (sexism sadly not so much).

deleted 7y ago
[deleted]