On finishing
“The Tower’s not over until the ropes are on the ground.”Slater’s Law · August 2021
The founding equation
The Client is the entrepreneur. The Weather is the market. The Route is the company. The VC is the guide.
Lines worth keeping
A worldview in its own words.
On focus
“Never leave snow to find snow.”Never Leave Snow to Find Snow · February 2022
On money and life
“Money is like gasoline on a road trip: you don’t want to run out, but the point of life isn’t to go on a tour of gas stations.”Ken and Patti · August 2025
On conditions
“There are no bad ski conditions, only bad skiers.”Coombs’ Law · October 2024
On change
“You can change the world with a few small plants.”A Few Small Plants · May 2026
On timing
“In climbing, just like in venture capital, being early is the same as being wrong.”Being Early is the Same as Being Wrong · November 2021
The house vocabulary
Ideas with names and stories behind them.
Slater’s Law
Success begins when LPs receive the realized proceeds. The ropes must be on the ground.
Coombs’ Law
Effort, attitude, toughness, practice, ability, fitness and preparation determine the outcome.
Original Mistakes
Disseminate every mistake through the organization so the next mistake is at least a new one.
The Merc List
Every great technology business should be explainable in two words. If it cannot, keep working.
Tourists
When a market catches fire, busloads arrive. Boulder Ventures’ serial entrepreneurs are Clients. The firm is never a Tourist.