---
title: "Who Took a Bet on You?"
description: "Reflect on the key mentors and champions who shaped your startup journey. A venture capitalist's personal story of career-defining bets and professional gratitude."
categories: ["fundraising"]
keywords: ["Theory Ventures","venture capital","startup mentorship","career gratitude","Tomasz Tunguz","professional development","investor relationships","entrepreneurial journey"]
ai_summary: "Explore the importance of mentorship and gratitude in shaping startup careers through personal stories from a venture capitalist."
date: 2023-11-22
lastmod: 2026-07-31
canonical_url: https://www.tomtunguz.com/who-took-a-bet-on-you/
author: "Tomasz Tunguz"
---

I can remember at each career inflection point the person who took a bet on me. 

When I joined Google it was Kim. When I moved to product, Marissa & Brian. Then to Redpoint, it was the early stage team : Geoff, Tim, Chris, & Scott. Lloyd & Frank at Looker for their Series A. Today, it's the team & the LPs at Theory.  

That's the very beginning of the list.

For me, Thanksgiving at work is about the gratitude to those people who made those moments in a career that could have turned out so differently.

Who took a bet on you?