The Investible Reading List: November '22

In between the busy days out in the ecosystem speaking with founders, our team have been keeping an eye out for captivating reads and listens.

This month, we’ve got a packed list featuring insect podcasts, articles exposing con artists, a deep dive into one of the Crypto landscape’s biggest hits, and more.
Here are our top recommendations from the team.

Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard

Pick by Sarah Moore, Climate Tech Investment Analyst

When I picked this book up off the shelf (put it in my Amazon cart), I wanted to understand how a massively successful business owner balanced growing a company with a passion for the environment. What were the motivations of someone who started one of the most respected sustainable global brands? How did he stay true to his path in an industry that all too often goes the other way?

Yvon’s insights into the world of business and the role of impact in building a mission-led business have been refreshing to hear. It’s energising to see founders building with the same passion.

Next Gen VC (Podcast)

Pick by Marie Garcia, Reporting Analyst

I came across this podcast while browsing through the millions of podcasts on Spotify. It’s hosted by Audrey Adeline from Sequoia Capital and Ved Nathwani, a Venture Scout at Ada Ventures. Having started their podcast early this year, they have invited a diverse range of speakers, from Analysts to Managing Partners and co-founders of VCs.  

I particularly liked episode 7 on Deep tech & community-led VCs by Francesco Perticarari from UK-based Silicon Roundabout Ventures. Francesco touches on simple advice that tends to be overlooked by founders, as well as his insights on what it means to be a deep tech investor.

Out of the Ether: The Amazing Story of Ethereum and the $55 Million Heist that Almost Destroyed It All by Matthew Leising

Pick by Jayden Basha, Investment Manager

This book is an intriguing read outlining the trials and tribulations Vitalik Buterin overcame during his journey to creating the second-largest cryptocurrency, Ethereum. Vitalik is clearly a genius, and the book does an incredible job at recounting his motivations for creating Ethereum, as well as giving an insight into his thought processes along the way. A key focal point for me is the dialogue regarding whether to “hard fork” following the heist. This means essentially splitting Ethereum into two chains (Ethereum and Ethereum Classic). It is a must-read for any crypto enthusiasts.

Inside Wealth-Conference Con Man Anthony Ritossa’s Wild Web of Lies‍

Pick by Reena Sharma, VP of Investor Relations

In an exclusive reveal, Vanity Fair unmasked Anthony Ritossa as a con artist portraying himself as an experienced investment professional representing his family wealth. Claiming to be the heir to a 600-year-old olive oil fortune in Europe and labelling himself Sir Anthony Ritossa, he fraternised with royalty, sheiks, and HNWs worth reportedly a collective USD$4.5 trillion.

A fascinating story of an Australian who re-invented himself amongst the ultra-elite in the west and managed global FO summits in major cities across US, Europe and Middle East. Through the summits he hosted, he claimed to have an estimated total wealth in attendance of $4.5 Trillion USD.

I’m sure Netflix will pick this up soon.

Ants: Tiny Brains, Full Hearts (Podcast)‍

Pick by Amy Huang, Chief of Staff

Every Little Thing is one of my favourite podcast series, and I love the team’s approach to answering those curious questions that pop into our brains with heavy-hitting academic research. An episode that has really stuck with me is this one about ants. The episode dives deep into a phenomenon where ants will help their injured peers out and carry them home to be nursed back to health if they lose a leg out in battle.

I’m not really an insect person, and I wouldn’t say that ants are exactly endearing, or what we associate with empathic beings, but I think that’s what is so striking. When we dig a little deeper, it’s not hard to see that there’s something special about how insect colonies work together as a team on a shared mission. I think that there’s a lesson here for everyone about what the smallest beings can teach us about care, empathy and altruism.

Hot tip: hit play at 2:15.

What are you reading?

Found a great read or listen recently? We want to know what it is! Send them to us at hello@investible.com.

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