Investors love to argue whether startups should be in person or remote. Wiz is remote-first and just got a $23 billion acquisition offer. Can we end this debate?

The Game of Outliers

Time and time again, I hear investors trying to sound all hard core, saying you’ve got to be in the office 5 days a week. But the evidence shows us you can build a great company either way.

We’re in a business of outliers. Any criterion that could exclude a Wiz has to be dropped.

Instead, we need to focus on factors that are more relevant.

Are the founders great entrepreneurs? Is the company growing fast?

A Peak Into My Portfolio

In my portfolio, I have great companies operating in person and others that are remote.

One of my most successful has everyone in an office in Queens 6 days a week. Another top performer is 100% remote — even the CEO works out of a Starbucks.

Some founders love to be in person. Others like flexibility.

The key for me as an investor is not to focus on a factor that doesn’t make much difference.

My Advice to Startups

If you’re starting a company today, here’s my advice: go remote.

This lets you recruit anyone, anywhere. The best people are hard to find and hard to win.

You, a tiny startup, need every advantage you can get. And being remote gives you an advantage in recruiting.

Of course, it depends on the startup.

For hardware companies, in person is a must. And for companies that are very sales driven, in person can be better, at least for the sales team. People in sales tend to prefer it — they feed off each other’s energy.

Wrap-Up

Wiz is the best case scenario in startupland. And it’s a remote first company.

So if any of you investors think in person is the only way to build, it’s time to rethink that.

We investors have only one job: find a Wiz. And we won’t get there by focusing on irrelevant details like whether everyone comes to an office.

What do you prefer, remote or in person?

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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